A few weeks ago I was having a laugh with Anissa on Twitter regarding Twilight paraphenalia.  (Just trust me, there are some HUGELY outlandish things out there for the “true Twilight fan”)  Then, not a week after that, as I was packing for my trip to Atlanta, I remembered a chat I’d had with her on the FSF vid chat about getting together and meeting (for the first time in person) the next time I was down in Atlanta.  It was kind of surreal to be thinking that thought and to log on to Twitter to see every single one of my friends had a hash tag that said “prayers for Anissa”  Excuse me?  What?  What the HELL is going on?  It didn’t take much investigation to find that she’d had a massive stroke.

Shock is not how I’d describe how I felt.  Pissed off.  Yeah, that’s more like it.  Anyone who’s visited Anissa’s blog would know that this is not her first stroke.  Nor could they not know that her daughter Peyton had cancer.  I mean, seriously!  Enough is ENOUGH for some people.  As someone who’s had more than my share of struggles, I get tired of seeing people suffer; and though Anissa and I have not shared many of the same struggles, we have shared some very similar ones and she is another Sister in Christ and another kindred spirit through personal tragedy.  And enough IS enough for this remarkable woman.

I have since been cyber-stalking the http://hope4peyton.org website for updates on how Anissa is doing.  This morning, Peter’s post had my nearly sobbing.  Well, I should say, rather, that Anissa had me nearly sobbing.  (I was just crying relentlessly, hadn’t quite gotten to the sobs yet)  To say that this is a testament that our prayers will always fall on the the ears of a God who has suffered as we do would be an understatement.  The fact that Peter and Anissa still cling to God through all these overwhelming trials is inspirational.  The fact that there are hundreds to thousands of people praying for Anissa brings a whole new meaning to God’s promise of being in the midst of two or more joined in prayer!  And the fact that so many of these people who are praying only know Anissa through Twitter or the blogosphere just goes to show those who don’t believe that God works through ANY AND EVERY platform of human interaction for His Glory!

So, here’s what you can do to get in on this and help Anissa get better.  There are lots of things, actually that you can do.  You can donate directly to the family.  Peter, whose company is gracious enough to be as supportive as possible, is still home with the kids or with Anissa at the hospital. 24/7.  You can also purchase gift cards for the family members who are traveling to stay with them and help out.  (The address where to send those are on the Caring Bridge page.  here.)  Another blogger has created T-Shirts where all the proceeds go to the family.  However, if you can’t afford to make a financial donation and really want to do something to help, blogger, Megan at Undomestic Diva, has decided to collect pictures of people with messages for Anissa.  I’m pretty sure the goal is to have the slideshow to her in time for Christmas.  So, do what you can, and if you can’t do much in the way of donations or sending a care package, by all means, send a picture.  Let Anissa know she’s in your thoughts!

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You went from a beautiful, independent baby to a beautiful, independent little girl.

While you are so headstrong and opinionated, I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter girl. 

Everyday I see how you wear your heart on your sleeve and my one priority is to protect that heart as best as possible.  I see so much of me in you.  I see how much you love people.  How committed you are to your friends.  How much you want to love and protect your sister.  I am in awe.

Further, I see how bright you are!  You are so smart!  You learn so much so fast and I am excited to see where that carries you in this life!

So, my dear, sweet, beautiful S… Happy Birthday!  I love you!

Mommy

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See the gleam on the desk. Oh yeah, I even Pledged it! So, you see, I have been working. Working on my house. Taking my mom to the grocery store for THREE FREAKING HOURS yesterday (which is where I was all day) and doing all the other fun things that are required of me on a daily basis. But there’s your teaser. More to follow tomorrow!

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I need your support here. This is accountability time. Gah! My HOUSE is a WRECK! I know what most of you will say:

“You’ve been so ill.” “That’s nothing compared to my house” “Your kids are taking up all your time.” True. All True. (Well, except that “it’s nothing compared to my house” part. I’ve never seen your house.) But here’s the thing. I’m often not cleaning. Even when I have the time, I take it to do other things that are really of far lesser value than assuming the responsibilities that I have.

So, I’m going to show you three of my rooms. Next week I’m going to show you the same three rooms, cleaned up. I figure if I show you my pig sty and don’t show it to you all cleaned up a week later, then my word means NOTHING!

You might see me here and there on Twitter (especially over the weekend, cuz I’m really hoping to be done by Saturday afternoon). I’m even unplugging the computer until 7:30. I figure: Outta sight outta mind, right? Let’s hope.

So here we go. The proof of my momfail:

The Basement/Laundry area

Kitchen area:

The living room

And the real piece of work, MY DESK!

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Last year, my best friend, Katey (pictured below doing a Jaeger Bomb):
took me (this is me)

to Chicago (skyline from Navy Pier on a foggy day)
for my 28th Birthday (which is September 14 for anyone who’s interested… I need Alias Seasons 2-5, Angel Seasons 1-5, LOST all seasons, Heroes all seasons. Thank you, in advance.) Below: My birthday cake. Looks yummier than it was.

We ate good food. Chicago-style pizza and a lot of Irish food (which I did not photograph because I ate it before I thought about taking its picture).

We saw entertaining things. Such as the girl in the Potbelly Sandwich Works shop playing her guitar and singing, Gareth Woods [The slightly hunky (sorry girls, he's married to a wonderful gal and has a son) Irish guy that we stalked to a pub on Sunday after hearing him sing on Saturday at Fado], some street performers (which not only includes the dudes below who are drumming outside a Starbucks, but also a guy directing traffic outside Navy Pier that dances!)

(Below is the famous Gareth Woods…. at the pub we stalked him to!)

We saw beautiful things. Such as Navy Pier and amazing architechture:

We saw cool things. Such as Wrigley Field and some interesting art (?):

We saw some funny or “quirky” things. Such as a great billboard and some pirates (arrrrrgh, matey) and the “Crazy Monkey.”

All of which was enhanced by Cuban coffee, a.k.a. Liquid Crack, a.k.a. Una Colada:

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My favorite bag I’ve made (above)

Teal Paisley Tote

Baby Sleeper Sack/Bunting/whatever you wanna call it.

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I went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince with a friend from church, her twin sister, kids, and a bunch of friends. We went to the best theater in the Des Moines Metro, Century Theaters at Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines, IA. Their popcorn alone is worth the trip.

We were greeted by this guy: Alan Lance Anderson, who is one of the authors of the “Wizard Academies” books. You can find more information on him here.

Alan Lance Anderson was also one of the judges in the costume contest

Some folks in costume, I’m assuming Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid in the back, who was AWESOME! Pink Umbrella and all!

Some house elves

Potter wannabes

The guy hosting/judging the costume contest

Death Eaters

Very detailed “Mark of the Dark Lord” hand drawn, very impressed!

Denise and Danielle with the Death Eaters

The majority of our group. Bear with me, I’m terrible with names. From left to right: Michael, Kristen (?), Paul, Denise, Danielle, Jamie, Christina (?), Cassie, Julie (?), and Me!

Danielle reading trivia questions and Paul holding the prizes. Squish balls, Blood pops, Droobles, Pez, dragons, lots of prizes!

Cassie taking a picture of me taking a picture of Cassie!

Alastor Moody (and winner of the costume contest)

The back of Jamie’s shirt! My signature is on the top of her left shoulder, in purple.

The front of her shirt. Cassie FREE-HANDED the logo! Amazing!

Some Potters.

The Golden Snitch (his hat had wings!)

The Order of the Phoenix (with a Death Eater in the mix) The yellow t-shirt says “Severus can give me detention anytime” or something like that.

Nymphadora Tonks

Remus Lupin

Jamie eating a sardine Bertie Botts’ Every-Flavored Bean. She burped the flavor for like 45 minutes or longer! YUCK!

Denise’s really gross bean, but I forget what she got.

Harry and the Chudley Canons

Potters, one with a Hedwig

Denise, Me, and Danielle

Dumbledore’s Dork Army!
Don’t know who the chick in the front is!
Longbottom, Weasley, Granger, Weasley, Potter, and Lovegood

Bellatrix LaStrange and her DE mark

The back of Bellatrix’s costume.

Me and our usher, Jamal. He hung with us until the movie started, very cool dude!

Some Potter guy

Harry and Hedwig!

Harry, Ginny, a “student”, and Luna

Professor Trelawny

Denise and Xavier (my future Son-in-law!)

Shakur hanging out!

The muggle

Last and certainly not least, Professor Slughorn. (If you don’t get it, read the books!)

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**********NEW UPDATED LETTER************

Dear Michael Jackson,

A gold coffin? Really? It was bad enough that you had to bankrupt yourself in order to give into your shopping addictions for retarded things like amusement parks and vases, but to be buried in solid gold? You’re DEAD! (unless this is all a publicity stunt for the tour) Although I did enjoy some of your music when growing up, I can’t say the world is going to be a better or worse place without you. Just like me, you were human, and we all pass away. You could have paid off some of your debts with that coffin. SERIOUSLY! I’m pretty sure the cost of that coffin would have been enough to pay for your 2 MILLION DOLLAR FUNERAL! Do you even know what that money could mean to a person like me?

A perturbed former fan, Lisa

******************************************

Dear Teenagers in general:

(Valley Girl Accent!) O. M. G. *sigh* Like… I know you think you are sooooo cool, but life, the Earth, the sun, none of it revolves around you. And seriously? Where do you get off thinking you’re original getting tattoos and stretching your ears out to fit baseballs through? I won’t say it’s not cool, because on some people, it totally is. It may even look cool on you, but it doesn’t mean you were the first to come by the idea or that you’re “outside the box” of modern thinking believing you’ve come up with some grand gesture to reflect your individuality. Seriously! Please wash your hair, brush your teeth, and stop thinking that the crap music you listen to is the reflection of your soul. Did you know that your soul is so. much. cooler than that crap you listen to? You’re not the first one to be depressed. You’re not the first one to think you’re “indie.” You’re not the first one to dye your hair a “funky” color. You’re not the first person to take pictures at odd angles and call it art. You’re not the first person to think that your feelings are “like, so deep.” Get over yourselves already. For realz yo!

So over it already, Lisa

************************************

Dear Teenage BOYS:

Wear some pants that were made for boys. For REAL! Girl pants on you doesn’t make you look “cool,” “emo,” “indie,” or “scene.” It makes you look like skinny boys in girls’ pants. Mixed with your long hair (on some of you the hair is okay, but really…) you kinda look like girls. No offense, just calling ‘em as I see ‘em. Especially if you were not, er, genetically priviledged… and kinda overweight???? Yeah… you know what I mean. You look like girls.

Trying to look out for you, really… Lisa

PS, see letter above to teenagers in general, cuz it applies to you too.

************************************

Dear Christian Fundamentalists:

The more time you sit around bitching about the best way to do ANYTHING means that you have LESS time to do what God called us to do…. love other people and proclaim the Gospel. Between you fundamentalists who go around trying to dictate how others should believe and the “Christians” who go to church on Sunday but knowingly and blatantly sin throughout the rest of the week, it’s no wonder people don’t want to be Christians. Here’s a thought… Stop trying to determine the rules of Christianity and go be Christians.

A frustrated believer, Lisa

*************************************

Dear Keiko Tobe,

Thank you for your Manga series, With the Light. SO enlightening! I feel I understand more about the trials of raising an autistic child and I feel that I can understand a little more of the “rationale” behind the behavior of some autistic children better. Though I’m far from knowledgable of Autism, I feel I have a good foundation to absorb more knowledge. The characters are loving, lovable, and real. Even the ones you don’t love at first!

An avid reader, Lisa

*************************************

Dear Jerk,

You know who you are and what you’ve done. Don’t think you can get away with it. That girl deserves peace and to be left alone. So, go take a long walk off a short cliff.

I’m just sayin’

A concerned friend, Lisa

*************************************

That’s really all I have for now. You’ll have to click on all the links over at Kat’s to read more rants! Or, better yet, go write your own! Until next week!

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