When Monsters are Real

On the Today Show this morning they spoke to Somer Thompson's mom, Diena Thompson. 


Somer Thompson is the girl who made monsters real.  


She lived in Orange Park, Florida; a 'suburb' if you will, of Jacksonville.  We didn't know her personally, but regularly drove through her neighborhood.  It was the closest we had ever been to something like this.  As frightening as every single Amber Alert and kidnapping is, this one was personal.  It was a girl from our part of the world.  


I had almost forgotten that she had a twin brother.  They were the same age as my twins, and all the news coverage brought her and the search for her into our home.  It made my twins sit up and take notice.  They asked questions.  They were scared....and so was I.  I was heartsick.  Imagining being in her mother's shoes. 


I wanted to go to the candlelit vigil but was almost afraid that it would be too voyueristic.  Too nosy of me    to be part of something so personal.  We watched her family cry for her return on the news.  And our city suffered.  All of us, in our homes and collectively.  We were subdued and nearly broken.  We were holding onto our children like lifelines.  All independence for them was lost.  Because someone stole one of our children right under our noses.  


Their wondering was short lived.  Her body was found within 2 days in a landfill.  A landfill.  With trash. After using and abusing this child, the monster threw her out like trash.  I'm sure that I would not have had Diena Thompson's strength to carry on.  I remember very vividly when my twins were toddlers, fearing that one would not live to adult hood.  And this woman is living my nightmare. 


Today, they were discussing the fact that Somer's rapist and murderer plead guilty and was sentenced.  The family faced Jarred Harrell in court and confronted him with the hurt and sorrow that he inflicted.  He never even apologized, or had the balls to look them in face as they spoke.  Somer's twin brother, just 9 years old, spoke to the monster.  At an age where a child should still be innocent of the world.  


I left the Jacksonville area, just a few months later.  I haven't been back.  So I had almost forgotten until I turned on the tv this morning.  I'm so sorry, Somer, that I forgot you.  


A foundation has been started.  somerthompsonfoundation.org  Please visit as they have some interesting information about introducing Somer's Law to increase child safety.  They've dedicated a park in Somer's honor, and her disappearance moved the band Molly Hatchet to write an entire album.


You can read the chronology of the story on the Florida Times Union website.  Thank you for remembering her.  

Weekend Mayhem.....

This weekend was Pack the House night in Bramlage Colliseum.  It's a yearly event where tickets for the women's basketball game are only $1.  There are also select $1 concessions.  Favorites like popcorn, pretzels, and some other items which I can't remember right now. 


Two of our girls were going to the game with friends; we were given 2 free tickets, hubs and I were free to get it, so I bought three tickets.  Then we spent $56 on concessions.  How ridiculous is that?  It's insane!  But it was also dinner.  I never did ask how much the bottled water was, but I do remember it was 3.50 for a hotdog, and 4.00 for a sausage.  So...expensive.  


We lost to Baylor.  It was brutal.  Sad.  Painful.  We lost to a team who has a player that is so tall she looks like a running tree.  Loping down the court, she sways a little like a tree in the wind.  With her arms in the air...it's even more accurate a description.  The worst part about having a girl that tall on the opposing team is she just batted anything down.  Everything.  Not a single shot got over that girls head.  Oh, it was a hard loss.  To a packed house.  


The highlight of the whole game was that the Zooperstars were there.  They are hysterical!!  If you ever have the chance to see them, JUMP!!  Here is a pic from the beginning of the game.  

On Sunday, we went hosted a youth group Super Bowl Party at our house.  It was insane.  Last year, the group had more young men in it.  There was an interest in the game as well as the commercials.  During halftime, we played Wii games. It wasn't bad at all!  We enjoyed having spent the time with them.   This year, was a vastly different story.  There were 17 kids and 4 extra adults in addition to our family of 8.  It was loud.  There was fighting over chairs.  We had to trick the kids into going outside at halftime to get room on the couch for the adults.  I found cupcakes in the bathroom.  There had apparently been kissing in my daughter's room.  There was a girl who wanted me to tell my daughter to give her seat back.  I actually hid in my room during the second half and folded laundry for a bit.  Just for a little quiet. 

Here is a picture of the Insanity that prevailed in my house on Sunday night.  Thankfully, working in the video department we were able to youtube all the commercials this morning. 

Pic to follow.  When we find the camera!

Double Shot Friday - WAHM Reviews!

I have a lot of friends who are work at home moms.  (WAHM)  I thought it would be fun to highlight them here!  I love working with them, and I love seeing the things they create.  They're all so talented!  I'll give a link and a little bit about them.  If you do decide to visit their sites, or purchase from them, remember to tell them where you heard about them!  


First, is my friend Liana.  She is one of the most amazing women I know.  Sometimes I swear she's a robot!  Liana is the owner and creator behind Baltic Creations, as well as the mother of four children ranging in age from 11 - 15 months.  Amber jewelry is a miracle, especially if you get it from Liana.  Amber is a widely used pain reliever in Europe.  I know it might sound crazy.  I didn't believe it at first, either.  When my youngest was a baby, I bought a children's amber necklace from Liana when she was just starting up.  He cut teeth we never even knew were coming!  He never screamed, he never cried.  I didn't go through tubes and tubes of Baby Ambesol or Orajel or any other unhealthy things.  His pain was relieved naturally.  And I'm proud of that!  To this day he wears not one, but TWO of Liana's necklaces....because he won't let us take them off!  As a matter of fact, my entire family had necklaces custom made by her.  Her custom work is undeniably some of the best jewelry I own.  You can see some of her other products by visiting her website.  Did I mention that Liana has always, always stood behind her products?  Definitely look her up if you're in the market for amber!  Lots of other people that sell 'amber' are really selling a form of plastic...don't get had, get Baltic Creations!  You can also find her on Facebook, where she can answer all your questions AND gives out discount codes if you're good!  Here are pics of the anklet she made for me and necklaces she made for my family!  Yup, she still had it two years later!

Second, is my friend Heather.  She is the owner and creator of Baby Snickerdoodles.  The sweetest, most ridiculously young looking person I know (we're talking 16 here, folks)!  She is the mother of four young children, ranging in age from 5 to her  8 month old bouncing baby!  Heather says her store grew out of her own personal crafts that were such hits with her friends that other people begged her to open a store!  I happen to be lucky enough to own one of her warm rice bundles, and it's ahhhh-mazing.  The *perfect* thing to help you relax after a  long day at work.  And green, which I love.  Heather also caters to the cloth diapering world with her crocheted longies, upcycled woolen pants, and skirties!  'Upcycled', for those not in the know, is using something already created (in this case usually a woolen sweater) to create something completely new....like baby pants!  Isn't that amazing?!  Recycling!  Or you can check out her reusable chalk mats or I Spy Bags, both of which are perfect for occupying children.  Think about how much more pleasant your next meal out will be with an I Spy Bag....uh, Heather?  I'm gonna need one of those!  Her many items are the most unique gifts you can give.  Head on over to her store and buy something awesome!  She gives out discount codes on her Facebook, so get over there! 


Another work at home mom that I deal with often is Heidi.  I actually heard about her store through her daughter, so Heidi's children are grown.  Heidi is the owner of Ear Candy.  I tend to visit her site often, and I have quite the collection of her earrings!  For a very long time, I only wore one pair of earrings; now that I'm back at work, I enjoy having a variety.  She is also kind enough to send me an email when she adds new earrings!  Enabler.  Her designs are so colorful, and unique.  I even see a pair I want tonight.  I've been wanting a pair of pink earrings, and what kind of KStater would I be if I didn't own a pair of purple earrings?  In addition to earrings, she makes bracelets and necklaces.  You have to check to her flu gallery.  Like I just did.  Now I need a necklace.  These are the perfect gifts when you're stumped!  They are absolutely gorgeous and your mom will love them!  You know I'm right!   Heidi is always a pleasure to work with, and her shipping is lightning fast.  You can't go wrong with prices this reasonable!  Be sure to tell her that Cathy sent you. 


Olivia is a knitting mom I know.  She has one little person who calls her Mama, and is the knitting wonder behind Greys Bumatomy.  A funny play on one of my favorite shows!  I sent Olivia the yarn to knit a pair of pants I was supposed to knit 6 months ago.  In fairness, I DID knit a pair but UPS lost them.  Sadly, I haven't had the time to finish another pair.  And that's where Olivia comes in.  After seeing photos of her work, and chatting with her nightly in a mothers group I'm in; I knew she was the one!  Anyone who has dealt with her, knows how wickedly fast she knits.  Her prices are also some of the more reasonable I've seen in the knitting world!  Scary, isn't it?  Olivia also dyes her own color ways!  Which is something I'm too scared to try.  We had a great time trying to name her yarn!  In her etsy store, you can find 'You Guys Made Me Ink', and I swear that even when I read that, in my mind it sounds just like in the movie Nemo.  Wonder what color way she'll come up with next?  Keep up with her and either grab some of her squishy yarn or knitting on Facebook or her etsy.  But get there fast, cause this WAHM has a waiting list for her knitting!  And I'm on it!  Woot.  Join her Facebook to see more examples of her custom work and to see how long the list is now! 


Got time for one more WAHM?  This one will be quick and relatively painless.  Promise.  It's ME!  I am a newly minted Scentsy consultant!  Don't know what that is?  It's an entire system for scenting your home in the most wonderful scents! I haven't come across one that I don't like yet!  Check out our full line of products here.  And you can message me if you have any questions or would like to set up a party!  I don't have a Facebook yet, but when I do, I'll be sure to let you know!  


Thanks for sticking around.  I really do hope you visit some of my friends stores.  They have some truly lovely products to offer.  But mostly, they are a GREAT bunch of women who are a big part of my life!  

Up and Coming....

Here is a link to my first voiceover!

Brown Memorial Camp Promo

I can't believe people get paid for this!  It takes about 3 minutes per job.  Honest.  I did this whole commercial in under 5 minutes, and that was with a whole bunch of mistakes!  When you're in the sound booth, looking out at the engineers and producers, you feel a little like a lion at the zoo.  There were some slight problems recording on their end, so I had a few minutes to pace back and forth.  Oh I had lots of jokes in there.  I love making people smile!


My husband says this doesn't sound like me.  I think that's code for I never sound 'peppy'.  He's such an great guy!


I love working with the producer, James Rico.  We really hit it off, and enjoy teasing each other.  He's a great guy, who has done tons of other incredible projects for KSU (and other people).  I want to learn everything he knows, so I better get crackin'!


Thanks Rico, for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to do something new and fun!  Love you!

Here is a link to some of Rico's other works.  You can contact him thru KSU if you're in the market for an amazing video.  Tell him I sent you!

Happy Anniversary, Baby

Last night DH and I went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary.


Five years ago today, I met DH at the courthouse.  I had a friend with me, and a Calvin Klein dress on.  We paid whatever little fee we were supposed to pay, and got married.  That first year was rough.  Really rough.  I almost gave up.  I almost ran him over.  I threw divorce papers at him.


So on our first anniversary, we got married in our church.  With our church family from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Florida around us, some friends from outside the church, and a few family members.


I wore a white dress, even though it wasn't my first wedding.  DH wore a tux.  My oldest daughter was my bridesmaid, and his dad was the best man.


We filled the church with candles and roses  Stood in that holy place, said our vows, and knew that we were starting over.  I remember Father Tony wrapping our hands, and telling us that we were forever part of each other.  From that day forward we have been.


DH still finishes my jokes.  He can complete my sentences.  I can tell him I've been thinking about something, and he takes the words right out of my mouth.  With him, my heart is at rest.  With him, I'm not searching anymore.  I never wonder what if.  I never wonder if there's someone else, something better.  I have exactly what I need right here.


I'm not saying it's perfect.  I'm not saying he never makes me want to kick him.  Or scream. Or cuss very loudly, because sometimes he does.  I am saying that I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I wouldn't want to not be able to share my life with him.  The other day, we were talking in class about what would happen if your significant other died, and just speaking of it made me tear up.  Just the what if of losing my DH, paralyzes me with fear.


On our third anniversary, we had each other's names tattooed under our wedding rings.

I will offer this to my readers:  The 'right' person means you're willing to break the rules.  You're willing to forgive the unforgivable.  You'll move heaven and earth to find a way to work through a 'deal breaker'.  I know, because we've done it.  The 'right' person is one that grows with you, not watches you grow away from them.  The 'right' person holds you tight, and isn't afraid to give you a reality check when you've got your head up your ass.  So thank you Honey, for being the right person.  I love you.  

Just Like That, I'm Published

And it's killing me.  Cause this is not the article that I turned in.  It's been edited to the point of nearly NOT being my story at all.  And that hurts.  I sat with the Edge editor yesterday, and we reviewed the story together.  Tweaked it a little, corrected some of my very common grammatical errors (WHY are quotes so hard?) Took out the part about Jesus from one of the contestants....

I have a byline.  Marred - in my humble opinion - by the fact that it says the article was completed as part of a class assignment.  Because that's not why I did it.  I did it because THIS is what I want to do.  I want to tell stories.  I want to tell the news.  I want to have people like you, reading at home, know the people that I met on Monday night.  People I go to school with, and still never see.  I didn't want to let the people I met Monday night down.  I *wanted* to tell their story. And I wanted you to care. 

So, here I am.  With my first ever, out there for the world to see and criticize, marred by that stupid sentence about it being a class assignment, edited till it barely resembles anything I wrote at all, published story.  My first byline.  And I'm crying in my darkened bedroom.  Damn it. 

Here is the link to the article in the Kansas State University Collegian newspaper. Happy reading. 


EDIT 12:00 pm 2/1/12- So, I got to work.  I grabbed a copy of the Collegian on the way to my desk.  I cried to a coworker that they hacked my story.  I set the story aside and went to work.  


I went back to the paper, and pulled up my original article on my computer. I highlighted the areas in the original that didn't make the paper.   And realized that there are really only 7 sentences that didn't make the paper.  


There are several other minor changes, and the story doesn't *sound* like me anymore.  The people that I was highlighting, are not the focus of the article, and I still take great umbrage at the sentence declaring the fact that my article is part of a class assignment.  Even DH agrees that it kinda throws me under the bus, implying 'if you think this article sucks, it's because she's a student.'


My point is that I might have judged the article a little harshly at 5:30 this morning.  I might have overreacted or maybe I'm PMSing.  But out of the entire article, only 7 sentences didn't make it.  And for the first one, that's not so bad. Is it?