#Back2Blogging Event- Day 5

Wow I made it, our last day of the #Back2Blogging challenge!  Since this past Monday through today we were to write posts according to the daily prompts.  You can view the prompts on my first post here.  This has truly pushed me to post daily on my blog and hopefully improve my posts too.  Thank you The SITS Girls, for this  #Back2Blogging Event!

As our last assignment to jump start our return to blogging, I am to write about what blogging means to me. Why do I blog? What purpose does it serve me and how have I benefited from sharing a piece of myself online this way?

I first started blogging to document my life journal and help others too.  I also wanted a venue to share what I had learned during my journey with network marketing and direct sales.  My passion is to help others, but the reason I also blog is to make my readers laugh, cry and just plain react, hopefully in a positive way!  Oh and I love that a blog is interactive because I really love comments! 

There are topics that I have not begun to share and some that I never plan to share.  I wanted this to be a place where I can come and sit with a nice hot cup of coffee and relax.  If I were to start discussing controversial topics I definitely would not be at peace!

To address the last question in this assignment I will have to share my post  as an example to be able to show how I have benefited from sharing a piece of myself online in this venue.  I have been able to share things on here that I haven't shared with anyone and that definitely benefits me in a healthy way!

To give the example, my Mom died back in 1993 from Breast Cancer.  I had never written about her but of course have never forgotten all that she did for me and what she has meant to me.  

Yesterday the prompt on this challenge was to write about a woman that inspires us.   This opened the door for me to be able to write about my Mom and honor her with a post.  You can view the post here.   As I wrote down the words, it brought back so many wonderful memories, some of which I hadn't thought of in years.  

Thank you The SITS Girls and for your #Back2Blogging Event for helping me share about one of the most important and inspirational woman I have ever known, my Mom. 

Please come and join a group of inspirational women that I have been blessed to associate with and blog to your heart's content!

Please, I introduce you to Thelma and Louise, a fabulous washer and dryer set, one of the lucky participants will walk away with them!  How cool is that?!! 

You can read more about Thelma & Louise at the Electrolux Website!

To visit our sponsors please click on their links:
Standards of Excellence , Westar Kitchen & Bath,  Florida Builder Appliances

#Back2Blogging Event- Day 4!

Welcome to Day 4 of our #Back2Blogging event!  If you don't know what I am talking about, I am a member of The SITS Girls and they have a blogging challenge going on this week.  Each day there is another assignment to do.  This has really helped me to post on a daily basis on this blog. 

Today we are writing about a woman who inspires us.  I have been blessed with many wonderful women who have or continue to inspire me.  However, I am going to talk about the most important woman who gave me life, my mom.

Mom with her grandsons, Matt and Alex in 1988

She was a Social Worker and was a stay at home mom until I, being the eldest, was around 10 years old.  From a very young age we all were expected to do chores.  I was around 5 and my sister 3 and a half years old, standing at the kitchen sink on chairs after dinner washing and drying all the dishes.  I started cooking for the family after Mom started working and yes there was a lot of jello molds for dessert!

She may have been having many disappointments in her life, but never complained about anything.  As kids we were sheltered from anything negative that may have been going on.  She loved us with all her heart and soul and we knew it.


She taught us how to take care of ourselves early on.  I will always be grateful for that insight as it has helped me during my life's challenges.  We didn't need to depend on anyone, just ourselves and our wherewithal! I learned to cook, sew, clean, do laundry and take care of a  home way before I ever went off to college.

My favorite memory as a child was waking up on Christmas morning and the tree was lit and full of packages. There were two fur coats, hanging by the tree.  One for my little sister and one for me.  Apparently she had spent her evenings sewing them while we were asleep.  

Another Christmas she brought home two little foster children who had no where to go for Christmas.  We had so much fun that Christmas.  It was no longer about what we were getting but what we were going to give to those little boys. I wonder where they are, but I am sure they never forgot that Christmas, I know I haven't.

My mom didn't believe parents and children should be pals, buddies, friends, she was the parent and we were always her kids.  However, in my eyes she was my best friend.  We talked all the time on the phone.  She was always so fair, if I was doing something wrong she would tell me, at times she even would take my husband's side over me, if he was right.  She was always there for advice if we needed her.

In 1992 my dad and mom called and told us that they were coming to visit us in Florida.  We were always so excited with their visits.  My kids would call them Grandpa and Grandma Airplane because they always had to fly to us for their visits!

They arrived and soon , my mom sat with us and told us that she had to see a doctor.  My dad was also surprised, she hadn't told him anything.  He just thought they were coming for a fun vacation.  She said that she had a lump in her breast that needed to be checked.

We quickly got her in to see the doctor.  Little did we know that the "lump" like she called it, was an actual large mass already protruding out of her skin.  I remember sitting with her and my dad waiting for her to have the CT scan. I was so scared and had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The CT came back and when I looked at it, it was as if her bones were swiss cheese.  There were actual numerous holes up and down her hip and leg bones. I was sick.  I then realized that she must have been in terrible pain, but never complained.  I knew I was soon going to lose my mom.

My dear mom lasted around 18 months after her arrival to Florida.  She died in 1993.  I miss her so much.  I always thought she would be there to see all her grandchildren marry and have kids.  It took months before I finally stopped picking up the phone to call her.

My mom  was a blessing to all of us and to all the people who crossed her path. So my mom is the woman who to this day inspires me.

Grandpa and Grandma Airplane with Chris and Matt

Before I close, I must first say that her death was most likely preventable.   She never went to the doctor, never had mammograms, or even a simple self breast exam.   She eventually found the tumor but never told anyone, not even a doctor.  Please check out how to do a Breast Self-Exam here and please get your yearly mammograms.


Join Kelly and Electrolux in Supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

You can visit the Electrolux site here and also read how you can support the ongoing research for early detection of ovarian cancer.  Electrolux has committed to donate $750,000 to this cause.

You may be wondering why I have a picture of a turquoise washer and dryer on my page.  The #Back2Blogging event was created by The SITS Girls, it is to help us get back into the routine of posting on our blogs.  One of the lucky participants will walk away with this washer and dryer set! How cool is that?!!

So drum roll please... I introduce to you Thelma and Louise, the fabulous washer and dryer set!

You can read more about Thelma & Louise at the Electrolux Website!

To visit our sponsors please click on their links:
Standards of Excellence , Westar Kitchen & Bath,  Florida Builder Appliances

#Back2Blogging Event- Day 3!

I have reached Day 3 of our blogging challenge!  Whoo Hoo!

If you don't know what I am talking about, I am a member of The SITS Girls and they have a blogging event going on this week.  Each day there is another assignment to do.  This has really helped me to post on a daily basis on this blog.  Today's assignment is to re-upload a post with a title that you are particularly proud of and explain why.  


I don't know if I am particularly proud of the title, but it is funny, actually the entire day was funny to me.  So here it is:

Grandma Must Be a Redneck!

Let me first start off by saying, that I have nothing against Rednecks!  If I knew any I am sure they are wonderful, fun loving people!  I think I am!

If you have read the About Me section, you would already know that we have a lot of animals and that we live in a small rural town in WA.  Everyone has a truck, well almost everyone!  Here is a picture of my Teeny Mini!

My car has been out of commission for a bit so I haven't been getting out much.  The other day I had to pick up some records at my doctor's office.  I didn't know how I was going to get there, since all there was to drive was my husband's big, long truck and I am afraid to drive it.

However, I needed to go, so I started getting ready.  One of our dogs, Pancho, loves riding in that truck.  I guess he could hear my conversations that I had earlier in the day about me not wanting to drive it.

He wouldn't go out back when I was ready to leave, he just sat by the front door.  So I let him outside and instead of his usual, running to the grass to pee, he ran straight to the truck and sat by the door whining!

I got my keys and said, "Okay, you can go with me, but you have to go pee pee first."  He looked at me and ran to the grass and went to the bathroom, all the while whining for me not to leave him! He jumped in the truck and off we went. Here he is!

Pancho ready for another ride!

I had to stop at two different offices.  The car I usually drive is quite small, as you can imagine I am not used to parking something of that size.

When I got to the parking spots there were only compact spots available.  Now I started to sweat.  I was so nervous already, but after several tries I finally got it somewhat straight and parked it. Whew, I did it!  I was feeling pretty good, went in to the offices and got back in my truck.  Thankfully we made it home safely and I was so relieved.

When I opened the door for Pancho to get out, I looked at the seat and this is what I found....

Then I looked down at my clothes and I was covered in white dog hair, among other things, I looked like a powdered donut!  That wasn't the half of it, my shirt was on backwards too!  So I guess Grandma is a Redneck and that Grandma is me!

Items normally found on our lint roller!

Join Kelly and Electrolux in Supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

You can visit the Electrolux site here and also read how you can support the ongoing research for early detection of ovarian cancer.  Electrolux has committed to donate $750,000 to this cause.

You may be wondering why I have a picture of a turquoise washer and dryer on my page.  The #Back2Blogging event was created by The SITS Girls, it is to help us get back into the routine of posting on our blogs.  One of the lucky participants will walk away with this washer and dryer set! How cool is that?!!

So drum roll please... I introduce to you Thelma and Louise, the fabulous washer and dryer set!

You can read more about Thelma & Louise at the Electrolux Website!

To visit our sponsors please click on their links:
Standards of Excellence , Westar Kitchen & Bath,  Florida Builder Appliances

#Back2Blogging Event- Day 2!

Today's assignment is to re-upload a post you wish more people had read and explain why it was important to you. It was hard for me to choose which one, because secretly I think we would want people to read everything we write!


I did end up choosing this one that I wrote on September 1, 2010.  Never having heard the term "#LinkLove before, I was fascinated about the concept. I thought it was such a lovely way of visiting other people's pages and blogs and allowing them to share their links too!


It did remind me of cross-pollination in a way.  Since no one commented, I started to wonder if I was off base comparing the two! Here it is:

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

#LinkLove and Cross-pollination!

                                                        Image: federico stevanin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


On Facebook , I recently was introduced to the concept of #LinkLove. I think it is such a generous and wonderful idea. You can have a LinkLove section on your fan page, which lets people who become a fan of yours, post their links of their websites, blogs, fan pages, Twitter and Facebook on to your page. I always like to thank the people becoming a fan on my page and reciprocating on to their pages.

There is also the ♥ #LINKLOVE ♥ GROUP PAGE  and LINKLOVE SUCCESS  on Facebook where you can add your links and find more information on Lovin the Links! 

It automatically reminded me of the sweet bird, butterfly or bee who jumps from flower to flower cross-pollinating!

According to Wikipedia, "Cross-pollination, also called allogamy, occurs when pollen is delivered to a flower from a different plant. Plants adapted to outcross or cross-pollinate often have taller stamens than carpels or use other mechanisms to better ensure the spread of pollen to other plants' flowers."

How wonderful it is to be cross-pollinating other people's blogs and pages, increasing their fan base, a.k.a flowers and at the same time benefiting you!  When I see a post of someone that is nearing a milestone, let's say almost 500 fans, and she is at 498, it feels wonderful to be able to help that person bump up to the next level.

I just started my fan page, so I have a way to go, but it feels so good to help others on their journey.  May we keep cross-pollinating the gardens of others and soon we too will have a garden full of precious blooms!

Join Kelly and Electrolux in Supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

You can visit the Electrolux site here and also read how you can support the ongoing research for early detection of ovarian cancer.  Electrolux has committed to donate $750,000 to this cause.

You may be wondering why I have a picture of a turquoise washer and dryer on my page.  The #Back2Blogging event was created by The SITS Girls, it is to help us get back into the routine of posting on our blogs.  One of the lucky participants will walk away with this washer and dryer set! How cool is that?!!

So drum roll please... I introduce to you Thelma and Louise, the fabulous washer and dryer set!

You can read more about Thelma & Louise at the Electrolux Website!

To visit our sponsors please click on their links:
Standards of Excellence , Westar Kitchen & Bath,  Florida Builder Appliances

#Back2Blogging Kick Off-Day 1

I decided that I needed to be up for this challenge, so I joined in on Get Back to Blogging & Jump Start Your Blog !!  It is to help us with our blogging and hopefully improve my blog too! Here are the daily topics for this week:

Monday, September 13: Re-upload the first post you ever wrote on your blog. If interested, re-write that post, showing us a before and after look at the piece.
Tuesday, September 14: Re-upload a post you wish more people had read and explain why it was important to you.
Wednesday, September 15: Re-upload a post with a title that you are particularly proud of and explain why.
Thursday, September 16: Write a new post about a woman who inspires you.  (As an example, you can see Mama Kat’s recent Women Who Inspire post here.)
Friday, September 17: As your last assignment to jump start your return to blogging, write about what blogging means to you. Why do you blog? What purpose does it serve you and how have you benefited from sharing a piece of yourself online this way?

Please, I introduce you to Thelma and Louise, a fabulous washer and dryer set, one of the lucky participants will walk away with them!  How cool is that?!! 

You can read more about Thelma & Louise at the Electrolux Website! 

To visit our sponsors please click on their links:
Standards of Excellence , Westar Kitchen & Bath,  Florida Builder Appliances

So for today's challenge I need to upload my first post. I just started blogging in August, so that was easy to find! Here it is, 08/28/2010:

Today I have been looking at old pictures and photo albums of my kids. We are a blended family with 5 sons, my husband with 2 and I with 3.  They grew up so fast, it seems like yesterday I was holding them in my arms coming home from the hospital.

 Matt, Andrew and Chris in 1992

Chris, Andrew and Matt NYC August 2010

We recently became empty nesters when our youngest graduated from High School. He was planning on going to our State University, so I thought I had some more time with him! He decided that he was going to move with his brother and sister in law in NYC and join the Navy! I had 10 days to digest the news. It was really difficult at times to look at him and not cry!

As I was flipping through the pages of the albums, I kept wondering if I had been there for them each time they needed me, or had I missed out on something important? Was I a good mom? Did I...., I could go on and on. I think as moms we are always second guessing our choices when it comes to our children. Working nights as a nurse for so many years, I know I was tired many a day.  Try as I did, I also know I was cranky at times with only 1 hour of sleep.

I realized we do the best we can at the time. I have to believe that! The answer to my doubts is when I look at the great men they have become. God is great, we may be reminded of our faults but also of our greatest achievements! May you recognize your achievements too!! Until next time~

If I were to write this one over, I would elaborate more and include more pictures to add more interest. The day I wrote this, I was feeling pretty emotional and couldn't stop crying, so I cut it short! I have a lot to learn but I am looking forward to this week and thanks again for the opportunity The SITS Girls Rock! ~Lisa