Organ Donation

OK, so I'm not in bed yet... I wanted to finish the Oprah I was watching when I got the Snow Day call.

The show is about medical miracles. One of the stories featured was a story about a young man, Jason Ray, who decided to become an organ donor. Unfortunately, he was hit by a car and was declared brain dead shortly thereafter. His family was asked if they would donate his organs, and because of a conversation he had with his mother, his heart, kidneys and pancreas among many other organs, are helping more than three people live their lives.

Now, many of you know that I am already an organ donor. But just in case you were to ever wonder if I want to be one again after I'm gone from this world, my answer is a resounding "YES!" If my heart, lungs, pancreas, remaining kidney, liver, eyes, skin, etc. could be of use to another human being, then they should have what they need. I'd also be OK with them taking my brain, but I've already used so much of it, I can't imagine how much will be left when I die. :)

Seriously, though. If you are not an organ donor, please consider signing your driver's license and talking with your family members about your decision. In the state of Illinois, signing your driver's license no longer is a guarantee that your organs will be donated. If you live in Illinois, you can go to THIS SITE and be registered in less than 30 seconds! If you do not live in Illinois, go to OPRAH'S website and click on your state to become a registered organ donor.

You should still talk wit your family and friends about your decision to donate, though. That will make their ability to deal with your choice a little easier. Please, please, please become an organ donor, you could literally save a life (or two, or more!).

Snow Day!!

I just got the call from my boss that we are not going in to work tomorrow due to snow. Yay! Right now there's at least 3 inches on my back porch. I haven't seen this much snow in a really long time. If I can find my camera, I'll post a picture later.

I'm SO sleeping in tomorrow. Then, I'm going to do some work from home, then I'll clean my house for our SuperBowl party this Sunday. I honestly don't care who wins, I like both teams. So, off to bed I go so I can make the most of my day off.

Nighty night!

Celebration and Words of Remembrance

Wow, these past few months have been a real kick in the gut for me and my family. In August, I lost my grandfather to skin cancer. In September, I lost my mother-in-law to uterine cancer. Two weeks ago, a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. Last week, my grandmother passed due to old age.

My grandmother's memorial service was this past Sunday. During the service, I got up and said a few words of remembrance. Here they are:

As a military brat, there was a lot of change in my life. One of the few things that stayed constant was Gramma. You could always count on certain things when going to visit Gramma:

· You were going to be fed. From the moment you walked in the door, she was offering to make a sandwich, heat up some leftovers or get out some Fig Newtons and milk.

· You should not walk around the house without shoes. With all her sewing, needles always seemed to find their way to the floor.

· You were going to be fed. When mealtimes came around, there was barely enough room for plates, glasses, and utensils on the table. It was often filled with enough food to feed an army even though there were only 6 to 10 people to feed.

· If you got in trouble (which we rarely did when she was around), she would take your hand in hers and slap her hand as if she was punishing you.

· You were going to be fed (are you noticing a pattern here?). She always had five or more pies baking or cooling at any given time. Pumpkin, lemon meringue, blueberry, Boston cream, cherry, and her specialty, apple. If not pies, she had crème puffs, pistachio pudding or homemade cookies. It’s amazing our family isn’t in the running for the reality show, “The Biggest Loser.”

I kid about Gramma and food, but you always knew she loved you. The twinkle in her eye as she pseudo-punished you was enough to tell you that she wasn’t really mad, she really loved you enough to teach you how to be better.

Gramma also shared her love of learning. She was such a voracious reader; you never saw her without a book nearby. She impressed upon me at an early age how important education was. I’d like to believe that I teach much in the same way she did, with a twinkle in her eye and a passion for the subject.

I’m so lucky that I knew her for 30 years. I know that she’s happier now; she’s with Grampa and she’s free from a body that no longer allowed her to live as she wanted. I can’t wait to tell my kids one day about their Great-Gramma McCarthy.

Sorry....

Sorry that I haven't posted lately. I tend to go in spurts like that. Post lots and lots for a few weeks, then nothing for a couple. That's just the way it goes.

I was hoping to be posting some great news, but the good news is that Ben and I are now officially "trying." Keep your fingers crossed and send some good vibes our way.

Work has kept me very busy, and I've been trying to cook more when I get home from work, so that leaves me pretty well exhausted and I have little interest in turning on my computer to check e-mails, read blogs and post blogs.

Well, I'll try and post more often.

Happy New Year!

OK, so better late than never, right?! Sorry that it has been so long since I posted, but it's been a busy start to the new year. Since January 1, I have:

• been to the DMV
• registered to vote at the local courthouse
• bought an awesome (he made me say it) new TV with hubby
• rearranged our house for the new TV with hubby
• had a dinner party for 8
• returned to work

Plus many other little things....

• knit my first baby hat
• still working on a baby blanket for my sister (no, she's not preggers, but she might have a baby by the time I finish this dang thing...)
• started reading a kick butt book (more about that later)

So here's a picture of my first baby hat on the lucky recipient, Aidan, otherwise known as Cubby (Cutest Baby Ever).



And wouldn't you know it, the day I give it to him, he happened to wear an outfit that matched! Isn't he a cutey-patootey? Those little chubby cheeks are perfect for tickling, and now he laughs when I do that!

Now to the kick butt book:

This book is not only good for women who are currently trying to get pregnant (like me), but also good for women who are not. So basically, every woman should read this book. In less than two weeks, I have learned more about my body, especially my reproductive system, than I ever learned in 30 years of life before! It's an amazing book. Gentlemen (OK, there's like 4 of you who read my blog regularly...), if you love the woman in your life, you will buy her this book. It's a super easy read (the author is very good), and contains useful information for every woman, no matter phase of life that she is in. Ladies, you HAVE to read this book!