The Daily Grind of a Work @ Home Mom...

And Sometimes We Do Use Our Powers For Good...

On Tuesday, November 17th, a fellow blogger, mom, and woman named Anissa Mayhew had a stroke that sent her to the ICU.  Anissa has 3 kids and a family and, clearly, has had a very strong impact on this community.

Because everywhere I click, whether it be a blog in my feed or Twitter, there's something about Anissa's condition or someone inquiring about it.  It's apparent Anissa is not a person who lives in a bubble because everyone knows her.  And, it seems, everyone cares.

Hundreds of bloggers are directing readers to Anissa's CaringBridge.org page where they can read updates on her condition as well as help out her family.  A Paypal account has been set-up so people can give a little to her family, if they want to.  The bottom line is, bloggers are using their powers for good.  Just when I'd about given up hope.

I had the pleasure of meeting Anissa a few weeks ago, when she and her Aiming Low team visited Boston and spread some good cheer by throwing a party and inviting local bloggers.  Thanks to Anissa and her party, many bloggers, who are otherwise chained to their families and houses, were treated to a fun night out.  Thanks to Anissa, I won an awesome HP printer that night!  Thanks to Anissa, I had a few great laughs that night, during a time in my life when great laughs are not as frequent as I'd like them to be.

So here I am, jumping on the blogwagon as I like to say.  I'm directing you to the CaringBridge.org page where you can follow Anissa's progress and support her family in several different ways.  Or, you can leave here thinking about a woman who is laying unconscious in ICU today, while her family exists in a what I can only imagine to be a state of terror as they wait for their loved one to wake up. 

Today is a great day to give an extra squeeze to your kids, your spouse, your mom, or whoever it is you love.  Because this woman, who was cracking joke after joke on a stage in front of a hundred or so people a few weeks ago, today lays in a coma. 

Shop for a Cause

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Alex Casey Baby Will Donate 10% of

 Every Order to the Young Survival Coalition* During the Month of October.

Shop Now and Make a Difference.

www.alexcaseybaby.com

 

* Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC works with survivors, caregivers and the medical, research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under.  www.youngsurvival.org

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I wish I could say that my personal association with breast cancer was limited to just the facts and the promotion of October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I wish I could tell you that I don't have friends and family who have been touched by this deadly disease.  I wish I could tell you that I didn't sit by one of my closest lifelong friend's bedside after she underwent a double mastectomy as a result of having been diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene.  I want to tell you that I can't vividly remember the details of this same friend's mom's funeral, which I attended when we were young teenagers.

I wish I could say any of this, but I can't.

So today, this month, I contribute what I can to finding a cure for this awful disease.  Instead of sitting here, feeling helpless, I am spreading the world about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the hopes that you, or someone you love, might be inspired to check out their website, learn about breast cancer and do what you can to protect yourself.  I am also hoping you might contribute funds to help research breast cancer, so maybe in the future, there will be no more phone calls that begin with words, "I have breast cancer.  I wanted you to know."

There are also ways to contribute money that combine charity with shopping and as an enthusiastic proponent of shopping, I am sharing some fun charitable shopping items that might make the perfect gift for a friend (or for yourself!).  Here they are:

White + Warren 

Pink Ruffle Cashmere Scarf $150 & Pink Ruffle Cashmere Gloves $75     

  

 50% of all proceeds of the sales of these items to be donated to Women at Risk – the Breast Cancer Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center – whose mission is 'to enhance the lives of women who are at high risk for the development of breast cancer and women with breast cancer through research, education and support.'
Available exclusively at www.whiteandwarren.com

 
 

Dabney Lee 
Pink Lucite 4x6 Frame $60 

 

25% of all proceeds from the sales of this frame will be donated to the AVON Foundation for Women – ‘The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992 in the UK and now includes breast cancer programs in more than 50 countries focused on advancing access to care and finding a cure. Numerous Avon Crusade programs raise funds and awareness for the cause, such as the US Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, the global Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer and the sale of Crusade pink ribbon products worldwide’.
Available exclusively at www.dabneyleeathome.com

Beyond Yoga 
Pink ‘i am beyond…’ Water Bottle $36
Pink ‘i am beyond…’ Lift & Support Bra $64

30% of all proceeds of the sales of these items to be donated to the Women’s Cancer Research Fund – a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation which ‘supports innovative research, education, and outreach directed at the development of more effective approaches to the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all women’s cancers.’
Available exclusively at www.iambeyond.com.

 

The Stuff That Memories Are Made Of.

I can remember the early days with my first baby like it was yesterday.  They were quiet, just her and I to pass the day together.  They were sweet, I can remember her tiny little fingers exploring everything they came into contact with.  They were LOUD - she was a hungry little thing!  But most of all, they were everything I dreamed they would be, a time so special that really, the feeling could never be duplicated.

When my baby was 6-weeks-old, we were going to travel to a wedding in Montreal.  Have you ever tried to pack for a 10-day-long trip while simultaneously taking care of a 6-week-old?  Not the simplest task.  I would get 5 minutes into it and have to stop to nurse, to swaddle, to shush, to change a diaper.  But I do remember one trick I discovered to being able to get a few things done.  I found that if I put her in her bouncy seat and turned on a Baby Einstein DVD, she would settle in and relax.  This is a true story, and one that paved the way to lots more quiet time, her and I, chilling while enjoying the soothing sounds and images that the Baby Einstein offers.

It's been 10 years since brilliant mommy Julie Clark filmed Baby Einstein and Baby Mozart in her basement using borrowed equipment and a home computer to edit.  Since then, these titles (and about 24 more) have become household names.  The product offering has expanded to include wonderful books, lullabyCDs, educational toys, and more.  Baby Einstein is quickly headed toward joining a select group of children's products that can be labeled "classic".

To celebrate their 10 years entertaining children, Baby Einstein has released a special edition Baby Mozart DVD and Baby Beethoven, two of their most popular titles.  And as a gift to you, The Daily Grind is giving one special baby a bundle of Baby Einstein gifts to enjoy this holiday season.  Alternatively, the winner can donate these items to a child in need.  The gifts consists of the 10th anniversary special edition Baby Mozart DVD, the Baby Einstein Touch and Feel Baby Animals board book, and the Lullaby Classics CD, a compilation of classical Baby Einstein soothing sounds.  

To enter, simply tell us why you should win this bundle - simple as that!  The contest will run through Sunday, December 7th.  Sorry, open to US residents only!

Congrats to Cindy on winning this bundle!  She'll be donating it to a child in need.  THANKS!

Room To Grow

In several weeks, I'm going to be a launching a new program for families in and around boston (details to come).  As I was developing the idea for my new venture, I started thinking that it might be nice to hook up with a local charity of some kind, not only to complement what I'm doing, but also to allow me to give back to the community in a way that might be a little more relevant than donating a few dollars here and there.  So after much thought and many queries, the good people over at Isis Maternity turned me on to Room to Grow, an organization currently serving Boston and New York.

I was intrigued from the get-go.  The mission is simple:

"The mission of Room to Grow is to enrich the lives of babies born into poverty throughout their critical first three years of development."

What this means is the organization works with poverty-stricken moms from their 3rd trimester until Baby is three years old (at which time the city's resources become more abundant).  The provide not only support through social workers, but equally as important, they outfit the child with clothing and toys EVERY THREE MONTHS until that child's 3rd birthday.  The mom visits the center and actually chooses clothing and developmentally appropriate gear for her child.  Every visit consists of books to take home as well.

How awesome is that?

I met with Audrey yesterday at RTG, the amazing Program Director.  She told me the story of a family they recently worked with whose baby was developmentally behind as a result of the fact that the family had no money to provide toys to stimulate him.  RTG donated a simple Johnny Jumper to this family and by his next pediatrician's appointment, the doctor was amazed at his progress.  Something most of us take for granted, a simple $25 toy, made an enormous difference in this child's life.  At that moment, I was sold.

Room to Grow collects not only donations, but also new or nearly new clothes and toys (anything in excellent condition) to distribute.  Please visit the list of suitable items and let me know if you can help.  I am willing to bring your unwanted items to their offices for you or get you more information.  If you live in another city, mail me your items and I will see that they get there.  RTG ocassionally seeks particular items (sizes and whatnot) and you will find that information here.

I am so looking forward to working with this organization and will bring you so much more news in the coming months!!

Silicon Valley Marrow Drive - APRIL 19th

Jill over at SVMoms is organizing a Marrow Drive on April 19th and has asked for some help to spread the word.  Check out her site for more info.