Giving Thanks

This year's Thanksgiving was an interesting one.  Usually my mother and her brothers spend it together along with their children and grandchildren at one of their houses.  For whatever reason, that did not happen this year.  I spent a great day with my brother and mother as they were both nursing colds and preferred not to be around anyone else.  I ended up doing a lot of the cooking which was different, but I truly enjoyed it.  My uncle called my mother and said that Christmas we as a family all need to get together.  I totally agree.

This past year and a half has been a trying year for us.  My mom lost her sister in September of 2011 - she fought a long fight with colon cancer.  Then a few days before New Year's, another aunt passed (my mom's younger brother's wife) after battling a lifetime of illness.  In March, my other aunt passed (my mom's older brother's wife).  Now she is the only girl left.  I know it has been really hard on her - but it has been hard on all of us.  To lose 3 strong women so closely - I can't imagine.  She lived with me for about 3-4 months during that time.  She just couldn't bear to be by herself.

So when I think I Thanksgiving, I think of how grateful I am that God has truly been there for my family.  Even in times of sorrow and recently in times of joy (a cousin was just born), I can say that we are truly blessed.  I am thankful for all of the time that I spend with my family and look forward to many more wonderful times. 

Erin Condren Life Planner review

It arrived!  I received my Erin Condren Life Planner 2 weeks ago.  It was soo worth the wait (and the online stalking).

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Erin Condren is a stationary designer that designs personalized stationary, planners, and journals.  With products made in the USA with lots of love, whatever you buy is well made and worth the wait.

Here is my planner.  I debated long and hard to find a cover with purple in it that would really compel me to use my planner.  I chose the Rad Plaid design.

 

 

The first section lists special dates and anniversaries in a perpetual calendar format.

 

 

Each month has a two-page spread in which to highlight special dates and appointments, etc.

 

 

Weekly pages are divided in 3 sections daily - morning, day, and night.  I use these sections mainly for my work tasks and it works great.  The main reason why I purchased this planner was to be able to see all of my tasks in one glance.  The Erin Condren planner has been a tremendous help for me in this area and I am able to stay on top of all of my to-dos.  I use sticky notes to list any messages are immediate things that I have to take care of.

 

 

One of my favorite parts has to be the Keep it Together folder.  I am bad for having scraps of papers and notes stuffed into other notebooks.  Then whatever happens and they are gone.  This folder keeps everything in one place.  Right now, I have coupons in it as well as some mail that I need to follow up on. 

 

All and all, I love my Erin Condren planner.  I have only had for about 2 weeks and I take it everywhere with me.  I don't have a color-coding pen system like some other people do.  I may do a post later to show you how I am using it - haven't decided yet.  As I get new tasks or have appointments, I list them in the appropriate weekly section.  Once I have completed the task, I put a little check mark.  This way, I know I have completed the task, but I don't make through it so that I can refer back.  Also, the Erin Condren team is very responsive.  I went to a conference last week and was afriad that I might not get my planner in time.  They assured me that it would ship and I received it very quickly once I explained my concerns.

 

Some of you may wonder why everyone is obsessed about Erin Condren and her life planner.  Once you get one you will see! 

For Mary - Anyone Can Get Lung Cancer

Yesterday, I signed up for the Breathe Deep Atlanta Lung Cancer Walk sponsored by Lungevity Foundation.  I'll be walking in support of my mother, a lung cancer survivor.  I know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - my grandmother died from breast cancer.  But when my mom was diagnosed, the assumption that she smoked was too much - because she didn't.  You can read about my mom's story in my post, Standing Up For Mary.  I wanted to share with you a few facts that you may not know about lung cancer.

The Statistics

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity.
• Lung cancer impacts one in 14 Americans and kills more than colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers combined.
• Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer, and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer.
• About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers.
• Lung cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancer diagnoses but 28% of all cancer deaths.

One major fact that us in the Lung Cancer supporter community are trying to end is the stigma.  Anyone Can Get Lung Cancer - you don't have to have smoked or lived with a smoker.  You can be old and you can be young.  The following story truly touched me.  I have decided to do a weekly post (or more) on Lung Cancer to get the word out. 

 

 

Jill lost her battle with Lung Cancer.  Her wish was to beat this disease.  Let's do more!

Weekend Blog Walk: Greetings

I just wanted to say hello to any of the new visitors who might come via the Weekend Blog Walk.  This is my first time doing a link up and I am pretty excited.  This blog is just about me and my daily life. 

But..since you are here...

Question:
(Just a fun question)

If you could visit any country, where would you go and why?

The Waiting Game

Remember one of my first posts on the Erin Condren Life Planner?  Well, I bit the bullet and purchased it last week.  Now I am in the waiting game, becoming almost OCD checking the website for an status.  I know that is is really not that serious, but only a few things have capitivated my attention like the planner.  I think it is because it is very practical but very different and personalized that has truly made me want one.

I am definately going to do a post so that you all can see the unboxing - maybe a vlog, who knows.

On another note, can you believe that it is October already!  This time of year is my absolute favorite.  Waiting on the leaves to change or watching them change is oh so breathtaking and reminds me of all of the special celebrations that take place in my life this time of year.

• My Pastor's anniversary at my church
• Football games
• Fall Leaves and Cool Breezes
• Breathe Deep Atlanta Lung Cancer Walk
• Birthdays! (mine ;) )
• Christmas
• New Year's

I don't really celebrate Halloween but I do get candy in case some kids come by.  They haven't in the past couple of years - yet I still buy it.

Trip Down Memory Lane

This past weekend was a busy one for me.  It started off on Friday at the City of Refuge volunteer project. Then a prayer breakfast on Saturday morning and a cooking class in the afternoon.  In the hustle and bustle of going to and fro, I was able to take time to think about life and reminise on various events.  Here is my little trip down memory lane.

• Volunteer Day: My volunteer experience really began as a candy striper at DeKalb Medical Center.  I served from 8th-12th grade.  I really loved my time helping the patients and nurses.  In fact, I didn't even have a job in high school as I was busy being a volunteer.

• Cool Fall Mornings: I think my favorite season is Fall.  The cool crisp air reminds me of comfort, warmth..and football (lol).  Not to mention that when fall begins, the leaves turn on the trees.  And soon after we have the winter holidays and my birthday!

• Japan: The Japanese cooking class condjured up so many emotions that I am not even sure if I could settle on one thing.  We cooked miso chicken, takegomi rice, and sweet potatoes.  The food was delicious and even the tv shows we watched were nostaligic.

What has happened to you that makes it easy to travel along life's journey? 

 

 

 

Where Good Works - City of Refuge

Today was a great day.  Every year, the company I work for, 2 Places At 1 Time, holds an annual volunteer day where employees nationwide give back in their local communities.  This year the staff in Atlanta volunteered at City of Refuge.  City of Refuge is in fact that - a place of hope and rebuilding in a community ravaged by poverty and crime.  Our task was to work in the Eden Garden. 

When we met the Volunteer Coordinator, Phil, he gave us bracelets that said "Where Good Works" Micah 6:8.  This bible verse reads: (taken from New King James Version)

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

I don't always do this.  I know what is right in so many situations, but do I always do what the Lord requires of me to do.  If someone is hurting or going through a bad situation, I should do whatever is in my power to assist them and build them up - not tear them down.  I never intend to do them harm - but my inaction can often speak volumes.

City of Refuge is a blessed place.  You can feel the love there.  You feel safe there.  Not one time, did I even think of what neighborhood I was in - in terms of feeling afraid.  They are doing the Good Work and continues to spread God's message of love and healing to those who need it.

I think of the times that I am asked to help others and I complain or asked to give a hand to those in need and I do it begrudgingly.  I may not have nothing going on but I am mad that someone asked for my time.  Is it possible that I have nothing going on because it was for me to help them.  I am sure that is the case.  I will gladly wear my bracelet so I can share with others about the City of Refuge and how we can me be models of Micah 6:8 and do what the Lord requires of us to do.