After hours and hours of labor, my blog is ready to launch. But like all newborns, it is a little scrawny and in need of some plumping up, so bear with me.
I will be moving from here to there, so if you like what you see, be sure to subscribe there, as this will be shutting down.
My forwarding address is: http://www.dirtroadmusings.com Go there, look around. Enjoy.
But please read me at momaha today. It’s about saying goodbye. Click here.
Well, it’s been a month since my last post. Some of you may think that I have forgotton about you or this blog, but alas, it’s not true. I have actually been working quite diligently in an undisclosed location on the internet. Real estate on the web is numerous and quite cheap. I am almost done and ready to launch the new and improved Dirt Road Musings. So stay tuned. T-minus 12 days (launch coincides with my birthday, by the way).
Until then, check me out at momaha today.
Usually, it is not a big deal when dad gets sick. He goes to bed, all day, and wakes up better.
However, I am usually home to care for the wee ones. What happens when mom is working and dad gets sick?
Total Disaster. Read more here:
No mother wants her child to struggle. However, it is oftentimes the only way to grow in character and strength.
With that in mind, today a mother is in awe of her son.
It is the same mother who had prayed… (click here to read the rest of the story)
I am learning a lot about myself, and it really is too bad that it took 30 years to come to some of my conclusions. I won’t bore you with all the details, but the main thing is that I love to be busy. If I am not busy, then I am bordering on depression. Perhaps that is why I have three kids, busy is now my middle name. However, I also know that I need activity outside the whirlwind I call home also. So, here’s the scoop on my latest adventures, some of which you know about and others just for fun. Not in chronological order, for effect, of course.
1. Child Hunger Ends Here. 4.23.2010
My rally is done, but that doesn’t mean that Feeding America is forgotten. I am forever changed by what this great organization is doing for people and children all across the country and in my own neighborhood.
I would like to congratulate Tracy Johnson and Jackie Baer for netting the ConAgra Foods Gift Basket. These ladies organized their own rally through work (Tracy) and daycare (Jackie) and Feeding America benefited greatly.
2. Lincoln Marathon. 5.3.2010
Well, technically, it was a half-marathon. And I officially finished before the winner of the full marathon, which is quite an accomplishment when a person runs as slow as I do.
It was beautiful weather and I got see a lot of familiar faces. So here’ s a shout out to:
Kristina Garnett, Melanie Olson, Geri Hennesy, Brian Johnson, and Allison Gorman (and fiance).
Thanks for cheering us on Brent and Mindy Bednar, Jennie Clements and Chuck and Cherie Gorman.
The crowds were great, the weather perfect, and finishing in Memorial Stadium was incredible.
But like my kids, I do believe I am done with three!
3. Three stitches 5.2.2010
We had invited some friends from church over for dinner. After dinner, all the boys were playing by the barn. Pretty soon, my older boys are yelling that I need to come and see Nathan. At this point, I just figured that he had gotten into mud. No one ever mentioned blood.
So no one really knows what happened. What we do know is that he didn’t cry, so he had been bleeding for a few minutes before we spotted him. We also know that one of the kids broke a drinking glass against the horse tank. Still a mystery as to how the broken glass and the baby’s head met. Anyhow, three stitches later, he was fine.
3. Kurt Warner and My Hero 5.3.2010
My husband and I had the privilege of accompanying my hero, Haley Graupner, to a luncheon where she and eight other incredible young people recieved recognition for the D.J. Hero’s Award which is given annually to a Nebraska youth who exemplifies D.J. Sokol’s qualities of dedication to faith, selfless acts for others and commitment to community.
We had the opportunity to meet Kurt Warner and have some photos taken with him. While that was nice, it was so great to see these young people overcoming tragedy and hardship when so many others in their place may have given up.
4. Waverly High School, Waverly NE 4.30.2010-5.1.2010
My dear husband is graduating in a week with his Master’s in Educational Leadership.
On Friday, April 30, he interviewed for an assistant principal job at Waverly High School, and he was offered the job the following afternoon. So after a brief consult with his wife (me), he accepted.
After almost 10 years serving the youth at Boys Town High School, we are hanging up our Cowboy gear and are becoming Viking fans. While we are sad to leave the mission of Boys Town behind, we look forward to what Waverly has in store for us and our family.
So that’s all folks! For now.
You may not attain their size or status, but you can now own their stuff. And by doing so, you can help out children’s charities.
Many of your favorite celebrities have donated to Clothes Off Our Back to raise money for the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.
They arrived on Wisteria Lane, the set of Desperate Housewives, with their personal loot in tow. And now you can add it to your own wardrobe or collection.
Items from David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek, and many, many more. Check out some of the items up for bid:
Evan Lysacek Olympic Jacket and Autographed Photo
Dana Delany Christian Dior Dress worn on Desperate Housewives
Courtney Cox’s BCBG Blouse
Trevor Donovan’s 90210 Hoodie
New Moon Collector’s Pack
Gretchen Rossi Beauty Basket
David Arquette’s Autographed Homeschooled T-shirt
Now, go to Clothes Off Our Back and get to bidding!Alison Sweeney Velvet Torch Dress
Last May, we surprised our boys with a trip to Disneyworld. Because we are smart parents, and know that too much anticipation is overwhelming for everyone, we waited until the day of the trip to reveal the “surprise”.
Oh, you bet I was geared up with my camera and ready to catch the reaction of my two boys, ages 4 and 6, once they went berserk after the announcement was made.
Oh, I could only imagine the crazy and off-the-wall excitement that would ensue after the announcement was made.
I could hardly contain my own excitement.
So, on the morning of our trip, with camera in hand, we made the announcement.
The reaction was not what we had expected. Actually, it was the complete opposite of what we had expected. Read more here.
I had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles this week. The weather was beautiful, the homes were amazing, and the people were fantastic. It was a great trip. But I was there for a reason. To rally my family, friends and neighbors to stamp out child hunger.
Our first agenda item was to visit the Los Angeles Food Bank. This food bank feeds more than 1 million people a year! We were able to help by packing 168 backpack’s for Feeding America’s Backpack Program. This program provides food to children who are at the greatest risk of going hungry when not in school. For more information on your local food bank and how you can help, visit Feeding America’s website.
The big event was on Wednesday. We were able to visit the set of Desperate Housewives and be on hand for ConAgra’s Child Hunger Ends Here media launch. We toured the homes, met some celebrities, and had a great time.
While this was great and exciting, the real need still exists. Children are still missing meals, families are still struggling, but we can help. For every one dollar donated, feeding america can turn that into seven meals! So don’t worry if your rally isn’t big. Even if you just make a small monetary donation, that can make a difference in a lot of lives. Register your rally today.
Together we can make a difference!
1. Always check your pockets before doing a load of laundry. Otherwise, you may miss the black fingernail polish that you took from your toddler and stuck in your pants for safekeeping.
2. Always investigate the loud noise coming from the load of laundry in the dryer. Otherwise, you may miss the black fingernail polish that you took from your toddler and stuck in your pockets for safekeeping.
3. Never wash all your favorite clothes in the same load. Otherwise, they may be ruined by the black fingernail polish that you took from your toddler and stuck in your pants for safekeeping.
4. Never stick your head inside of the dryer when using nail polish remover to wipe off the black fingernail polish that you took from your toddler and stuck in your pants for safekeeping. Otherwise, you may become light-headed and pass out.
5. Never start the dryer until the nail polish has completley dried. They aren’t kidding when they say that stuff is flammable.
Stay tuned for more tips from this domestic diva!
By now, I am sure that most of you have your own Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally completely planned and organized. What? Not yet? Well, no time like the present, right?
Please do not let the term “Rally” deter you. You don’t need to have hundreds of people in attendance. It could be as simple as hosting a movie party and serving Orville Redenbacher popcorn. Whatever it is, let’s get going.
When you visit the rally website, peruse around a bit, or just click on the “Get Involved” tab. There you can register your rally and in a few short weeks you will receive a FREE toolkit (while supplies last). It comes with a banner, some posters, ideas and suggestions for your rally, coupons, and lapel pins for you to display during your rally. Remember, it isn’t so much about quantity, as quality. We just want to get the word out that this issue is real and needs our attention.
For those of you who let me know how you are Rallying, you are eligible for the ConAgra Giveaway Gift Basket. So let me know what your are doing.
Here’s the scoop for those of you in the Omaha Metro Area:
Join me for my Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally:
Friday, April 23rd at the Plattsmouth Community Center from 7-10 p.m.
We will be enjoying a “Taste of Italy”. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Feeding America. Also, bring along any non-perishable food item to be donated to our local food pantry.
For those looking for a fun challenge, arrive a little early and shake your tail feather during our BodyJam launch from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (Completely free).
(I will be attending the Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally on Wisteria Lane on Wednesday, April 7th. Stay tuned for details and photos!)
Tiger is making his comeback this week, Jesse James is starting his demise, and David Letterman hardly missed a step. Who cares? I do.
I care because each of these men represents a marriage that is failing, in danger of failing, or has already failed.
I was in college when (read more here)…
A few weeks ago, I nominated my hero for a $5000 scholarship given annually in Omaha at the Qwest center.
Today I found out she won.
So, on May 3, she will walk across the stage where Kurt Warner is doing the address and recieve her award in front of 1500 people.
The D.J. Hero’s Award is given annually to a Nebraska youth who exemplifies D.J. Sokol’s qualities of dedication to faith, selfless acts for others and commitment to community.
I am so excited for her and the opportunity that this scholarship will give her. She is such an overcomer and inspiration for us all in the face of adversity.
I am so grateful to all of you who have shared your stories with me. I never expected this type of reception to this campaign. I knew you were good people, but you really are good people.
So many of you are active in the fight against hunger already.
Here’s what I know:
-Emmy has organized holiday food drives at her school, resulting in over 2800 meals for her community!
-Wanda is organizing her students to rally a food drive.
-Lisa is anticipating a move to a new state and already wondering how she can be involved there.
Thank you all for your willingness to support me, the Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally, and your local community.
If you are wondering about your local area and the assessed needs that are there, Feeding America has a great locator that will display your local food bank along with your states food insecurity stats, poverty rate, and unemployment statistics.
Who else is going to engage their community to help eradicate hunger in their neighborhood? Tell me your idea. Perhaps you too will be an encouragement to others.
(For ideas and suggestions on how to rally your friends and neighbors, visit our website.)
Hugs to you all! You are all so great.
There is nothing more heart-wrenching than seeing a need in the eyes of a child and not knowing how to help.
Working at a school, she knows more than most about the needs of young children.
Last summer, while watching The Biggest Loser, Emily got an idea. The Backpack Program by Feeding America was highlighted on the show. She thought, “Now that’s something I can do.”
The program provides food for children who are at the highest risk of going hungry when not at school. Each child is given a bag of food filled with items that do not need to be refrigerated or heated, and can be opened by the child.
So she got organized, got approval, and now 84 students at her elementary school go home each weekend with food they may not otherwise have.
With tears in her eyes, and mine too, she tells me about these kids. But she doesn’t want to stop there.
Summer is on it’s way and she wants to organize the Summer Food Service Program, which provides meals throughout the summer for children under the age of 18.
Way to go Emily!
Tummies are grumbling. Kids are complaining. Mothers are shushing. Fathers are despairing. And it’s happening next door. Where you live. Where the kids go to school.
Children don’t need to be starving or homeless to be malnourished or struggling with hunger. Many children are simply missing a meal or not eating on a regular basis.
These children at risk of hunger are in our classrooms and on our playgrounds.
That is why I am so excited to partner with ConAgra Foods to help the children in my community at-risk of hunger.
So what’s this all about?
In partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger-relief organization, ConAgra Foods is launching its Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally campaign. Through this effort, individuals and communities can help feed kids at risk of hunger by rallying together to host or attend events that support Feeding America. They can turn a bake sale, church rummage sale, food drive, yard sale, school carnival, neighborhood picnic or other existing community event into a Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally, simply by donating a portion or all of the proceeds from the event to Feeding America, which has a network of more than 200 food banks across the nation. Money raised and food collected locally will stay in that local community.
Here’s what you can do?
*Host a rally. Con Agra Foods will send you a free toolkit to get you started. To register, click here.
*Go shopping. From March through May, every purchase of a participating ConAgra Foods brand, ConAgra will make a donation to Feeding America to help end child hunger.
Participating Brands include:
Banquet Healthy Choice Marie Callender’s Peter Pan Peanut Butter
Chef Boyardee Manwich Orville Redenbacher’s
*Share information about the issue through facebook and twitter.
Please join me on this endeavor and let’s rally together.
