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Thinking Pink October 2011

Posted on October 7, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As October rolls around, brands, bloggers, news shows, and most of the world start to point their attention to the color pink. October is breast cancer awareness month, so it only makes sense.

Cancer in general has hit so many people that I know and love. Breast cancer has done the same. As I wrote in the past, my Aunt S is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed just over eight years ago, just before NHL was born.

This coming year, I will likely have my first mammogram. When I left my annual visit with my gynecologist in the spring, she gave me homework. She wanted to know exactly when my great-grandmother was diagnosed with her cancer. I knew she was very young when she passed away, but when I found out how young, the realization hit hard. My Mimi’s mother was diagnosed when she was 32 and passed away by the age I am going to turn in December. With this information in hand, I am sure I will be getting more screenings this year.

Am I scared about having a mammogram? No, I know it may not be comfortable – but the amniocentesis and labor that I have experienced are likely worse. Two years ago, Robyn vlogged about her experience with a first mammogram. I love that she did this and shared her feelings along the way. If you have never watched this, I highly recommend it. Thanks to Robyn, I hope to document some of my experiences in the coming months.

My friend Debra, A Frugal Friend, lost her mother to breast cancer six years ago. For the third year in a row, she will be having a breast cancer awareness event on her blog in honor of her beautiful mother’s memory. Debra shares breast cancer news, personal stories, and some giveaways from companies that support breast cancer research.

So my question to you this week:

How do you help causes like breast cancer awareness and others that are important to your family?

To all those who are survivors, have lost a friend or loved one to breast cancer - hugs to you. Remember, early detection saves lives, so please remind both men and women to do monthly exams. Yes, men also get breast cancer.

P.S. Do not forget to stop by my two current giveaways running right now. You can find them here and here.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #172

Categories:
Aloha Friday bloggy friends family health awareness PSA

Disney Store Dreaming

Posted on October 1, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL & JSL,

Once upon a time, in a galaxy within our reach – there was a Disney Store at our local mall. Actually, before the two of you were born, we had two of them. Then they closed one to centralize everything. Just around the time JSL was born, the remaining one closed its doors for the last time. It was a place that we often went to. We were able to be with Disney and have a fun time. Now, the closest store is several hours away.

A week ago, Shannan and I went to to the Disney Store in NYC on one of our breaks during the SheStreams Conference. To say that I was in heaven would be an understatement.

There was so much to look at in every corner of the two levels of the store. The Phineas and Ferb area immediately got me to check everything out. I now wish I had bought you both something.

There were endless amounts of the Disney Princess items. Those areas of the store were gorgeous, but my attention went to places like the gigantic Toy Story section. So many possibilities that my head was just spinning.

I joked to Shannan that the two of you would not have known where to go next. I think the Marvel area would have kept you there for a while. Lots of Spiderman, Ironman, Captain America, Hulk, and friends. I will say, I am sad that I didn’t get you each one of these:

Back on the first floor, I found what I was looking for. There was a giant display of Vinylmations. I knew this was what I was going to bring both of you and Daddy. I bought each of you a Lion King box to open at home. Then, I saw the NYC Cab series that are only available in this store. I picked one of those tins for Daddy. Then, for the heck of it, I grabbed a Muppet Series 2 box.

Oh, I also stopped myself from picking up one of these for each of you:’

The reason I stopped, I want to head to NYC on a train with all of you for a fun day that includes a stop at the Disney Store.

When I got home and started to unpack, I had the bag from the Disney Store ready to go. The two of you were thrilled with the new Lion King packages. I do not think you were aware that they existed. Daddy was very happy with the two he got as well.

So now we just have to figure out a time to take the train to the city for a fun day together. There are a ton of places that we HAVE to go to and the Disney Store is just the first on a long list. Now if only we would get our Disney Store back here.

Love,

Mommy

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If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
Blogging Conference bloggy friends Conference Dear Kid Saturday Disney fun jl jsl my boys nhl photos shopping travel

Making Time For You

Posted on September 30, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

A week ago, I was heading to SheStreams in NYC for the adventure of my life.

SheStreams 2011

I am still digesting all of the information that I learned during the two days in New York City. Maria Bailey and her team packed in an amazing weekend. Thanks to the amazing keynote speakers and panel members, my brain is still moving a mile a minute.

SheStreams was also the first time I have been away for a night without one of the boys since NHL was born eight years ago. Yes, I missed TechyDad, NHL, and JSL – but it was nice only to worry about ME and put ME first. The wise words of Rene Syler (aka Good Enough Mother) came flooding back to me Saturday morning when she reminded us that it is ok to move yourself to the top of your to-do list.

Late nights in NYC chatting, networking, and laughing with new and old friends reminds me of the importance of ME time.

On the flip side, I also know that TechyDad needs time away to do things he likes, and we need couple time as well. Mom and Dad need to keep their identities to be their best for the kids. As we begin 5772 this Rosh Hashanah – I hope that our family can work on this aspect of life.

So my question to you this week:

How do you make sure to get time for YOU and what do you like to do with these special moments?

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #171

Categories:
Aloha Friday Blogging Conference bloggy friends Conference decisions friends fun interesting looking back me moments photos TechyDad

Train Ride Home From SheStreams 2011

Posted on September 26, 2011 6:00 am by TheAngelForever

By the time this is posted, I will be home and back with my family. Right now, I am sitting here on the train coming home from New York City.

So many things are going through my brain thanks to the SheStreams Conference. Maria Bailey (@MomTalkRadio) put on an amazing conference. A huge thank you to her, the sponsors, and SheStreams staff for a truly magical weekend. I learned so much, met amazing people, and saw fantastic old friends.

Although I am tired from an action packed weekend, I am energized and feel like I can take on new and exciting projects. I have been inspired to try items that may have scared me in the past, but now I am ready to take care of business and work on bringing things to a new level. I am a blogger, but I am so much more. The world of social media has shown me that a teacher on hiatus has a lot to offer the world. Now, I need to take the necessary steps to keep moving forward.

I have a lot of amazing things to share from SheStreams, but it is going to take me time to wrap my brain around everything. First, I must head home, hug my boys, give them something special that I bought them at the Disney Store and get back into the swing of things.

A huge thank you to my amazing husband, TechyDad, for pushing me to go on this adventure. Being a major Type A person, this was a whirlwind weekend that I never could have imagine, but was so worth it. To Tamara, MomRN – I missed seeing you at She Streams, but was honored to have bought your ticket and go to this first ever event.

Another thank you to Shannan for kicking my butt into high gear and getting the ticket and then figuring out the rest. You were beyond right, I am glad I went. Of course, another big thank you to Kelby, the head Type-A-Parent, I can not thank you enough for all that you did this weekend. It was so much fun hanging out with you. I hope you are able to find your spot that was MIA all weekend and rendered your phone useless. My dumb phone and I can not even imagine the pain you must have been in.

One other shout-out to Rene Syler (more coming later about the head GEM). Thank you for also kicking me in the rear and reminding me before SheStreams to move myself back to the list of important to do items. It was a pleasure seeing you speak, learning with you in ResourcefulMom’s rockin’ session, chatting, and surprisingly not needing the bail money that you told TechyDad to send me.

I met many other people and learned so much more, but that will be coming soon. If you went to SheStreams, I would love to catch up with you online if I missed seeing/meeting you in person. Please say hello and remind me to catch up on my Twitter followers since I have been slacking some. Safe travels to everyone as they head back home.

Categories:
Blogging Conference bloggy friends decisions friends looking back me moments photos TechyDad travel

SheStreams and NYC Bound

Posted on September 23, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Yes, you read that right. I am heading to SheStreams today. I have always wanted to go since they announced the conference, but things came up and other factors were there.

Then, out of the blue Wednesday with less than two days before I would have to go, things started to line up. TechyDad gave me the green light, Nana and Papa can help with the kids after school Friday, and a ticket was purchased from a friend that could no longer go. It just worked out amazingly.

I am excited and scared at the same time. I have been to BlogHer (NYC 2010) and the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, but those were always traveling with TechyDad and other friends. This will be me going by train for the first time into Penn Station. Of course, once I get to NYC I will meet up with Shannan, Kelby, Amy, Rene, and countless other amazing women. The opportunities for learning, networking, and getting away with the girls is huge.

Did I mention I am a Type A person? To say that I am running around the last few hours trying to think of what I will forget is an understatement. So my question to you this week:

What stresses you out about travel? Is it the planning (or lack of), packing, or something else and why?

If you are at SheStreams, I hope to meet up with you. You can find me on Twitter @TheAngelForever.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #170