Prayers, A Walk and a Rock Star.

I pray a lot.  I always have.  It stared with the book "Are you There God it is Me Margaret"  back when I was 12 and like the main character Margaret, I too prayed for what else -  Boobs!  And okay a boyfriend, and if he was in the mood I also prayed to be as pretty as Lisa what's her name.  You know, there was always a "Lisa or an "Alyssa" or a "Stephanie" or some grogoues name that went with the gorgeous girl you went to school with.
I prayed to be like her.
And as I got older I prayed for my heartbreaks to heal, my parents to let me have a longer curfew and for Jon Bon Jovi to never get married until I was of age and he could chose me.
After college I prayed for a job.  Any job that would allow me to get my own apartment and finally be on my own.
And when I was on my own, I prayed not to screw it up.
And when I did I prayed for forgiveness and another chance.
And then years later, once I became a Mom I prayed about everything...
Please let the baby sleep....Please let my husband grab that night feeding, please tell me I won't be a walking one eyed open zombie for the rest of my life..."
"Please tell me this child asleep on my chest will never get hurt, will never get sick, will always be safe, healthy and always always Happy."
Because Children deserve that.  All children! 
My prayers about children are very specific..."Please help that child." 
Because children don't chose to get sick, they don't chose to have a disease or a missing limb or a bad skin disorder when they can't be allowed out in sunlight.  Kids don't pick this.  It is just life doing what it does best, leaving us with questions with tugs on our hearts and of course prayers. 
I am not extremely religious but I am extreme fan of God and his son Jesus Christ.  I believe in heaven and I believe in the power of faith, of his will and that sometimes we are not in control of what he has planned for us. 
And clearly I believe in the power of prayer. 
And when I see the amazing power this has, I am overwhelmed, I am moved beyond words.  Even if what we pray for isn't exactly how we had hoped it would turn out....  I know eventually whether it is in this life or my afterlife, I will understand why.
So it is then I try to wait and maybe understand a bit differently why kids get sick.  Really sick, or why kid's are taken from us so suddenly.  Because in my book you don't mess with kids.  You just don't.  But my book is different than God's and I trust his over mine any day of the week.
So latley I have had a certian child on my heart.  Okay, a certain family on my heart.  Many of you in this community know the Greenwalt Family.  If not you are about too.....
Meet them here. 
And if this link doesn't work, go over to my blog roll and click on "Life Love & Laundry" 
Or google Mitochrondial Disease.
Either way you will learn their story, their struggles and what they too are praying for - A Cure.
I am honored, to know this family and beyond humbled by their story.  I care very deeply about helping this little girl fight her "sick"  The sick she didn't ask for or deserve, The sick that found her at only 3 weeks of age.
The sick that is still with her today, almost on her 3rd birthday.
So I ask you wonderful readers for two things, first prayers for this family. 
Second, please visit her "Saving Savannah" facebook page and learn how you can help contribute to a walkathon taking place this October. 
The walk is organized by  United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation -Energy for Life." And their team name is "Saving Savannah" which is a perfect name for this little girl.  She not only rocks her own walk, but rocks the hearts of everyone who has met her, who knows her and who loves her.
Meet Savannah, one of the many many faces of kids facing Mitochondrial disease.
One of the faces you can help. 
And I belive she say's it best in the photo.

Until one is found, I will be praying.  Please join me.


With Love,
Mary

 

Blog Along with Me

Sometimes, I come across some pretty amazing blogs.  They are blogs that I am not even searching for.  They are blogs that just appear sometimes from out of no where.  Showing me an image telling me a story, offering me a much needed dose of hope, laughter or simply just a quote or saying....

How I love these blogs and how they can sometimes turn my day from sad to happy.  Down to up and when I least expect it, teach me something new about myself, the way I handle my life, my relationships my faith and my heart....

Sometimes these blogs will talk to me.

When I am down.... and feeling overwhelmed, when my heart is heavy for whatever reason, I feel a sense of kinship with someone out there who at that moment is blogging about something similar...
It as if a stronger heart and soul has decided to pick me up, dust me off and say "Today, you are going to be Okay."

And while some of these blogs are deeper than others, witty, silly and at times emotional most of them show a glimpse of life, love and happiness that can be seen and felt in ways they were intended for....

To make us smile!

Make us laugh or cry!

To weave and spin us in a new direction!

And To Make us feel beautiful!

By just being the person we are, seasoned with experience, with grace, beautiful moments that hold joy beyond words.... 

 It is then I see the amazing effects of lagunage and images of art carved from love to be shared amongst friends in a world where we all Belong!

.

See the sections below and click on whatever you are in the mood for. 


PHOTO BLOGS:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/
http://yepimawriter365.blogspot.com/

FUNNY BLOGS:
http://themeanestmom.blogspot.com/
http://www.alifeintranslation.com/
http://www.complicatedmama.com/
http://thebloggess.com/
INSPIRING BLOGS:
http://www.wonderwomanwannabe.com/
http://greenawaltfamilylife.blogspot.com/

SWEET AND SASSY:
http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com/

SPIRITUAL:
http://www.chasingseagulls.com/

A BIT OF EVERYTHING:
http://stephen-babyvladimirandmythoughts.blogspot.com/

BLOGS ABOUT BLOGS:
Coming Soon..

UTTERLY GOFFY
Coming Soon...

SUNDAY MORNING
Coming Soon...

The Cookie Fairy

So, I haven't been feeling that great, allergies and a sinus infection combined is not the way to start a week.  My energy is zapped, and I am behind in so many things that I can't remember if I am coming or going.  I am still adjusting to the sadness from the passing of my friend Bo, and have a good ole fashion case of  "da Blues"
Yet life goes on.
And this fairy knows exactly how hard sometimes that can be.
It takes a certain kind of fairy to know that chocolate chip cookies are the soothe all, the make everything better that the pure sweetness of a chocolate chip melting in your mouth can chase the blues away.  Yes, this fairy is indeed special, she is inspiring; She puts the "ookie" in cookie and does so without even trying.
She rocks and she has no idea what sweet kindness and pure generosity she oozes.  She amazes me every day by her ability to think of others.
What a better world we would have if we thought more of others instead being so focused on ourselves. 
It sometimes takes a fairy to remind me of this.  That there are is so much beauty so much good in the world. 
Even when we are being tested.
Even when we are running behind, when we are zapped and lagging on motivation.
Even when life hurts.
The world will spin, the sun will shine and the good will show, the smiles will linger and the cookies will bake.
And thank God for that and for the fairies who know exactly where to fly and spread their love, one crumb at a time.
Thank you....

I Dunno...

When my sister and I were kids, I remember my parents watching Bill Cosby on HBO and laughing like they have never laughed before.  She and I would exchange eye rolls at our goofball parents, but we would laugh along simply because Bill Cosby just "sounded" funny.
Now that I am a parent, I laugh on a different level because I completely understand what Cosby is not only saying here, but enjoy his truthful and hilarious remarks because boy, I have SO been there.  How many times have you heard "THIS IS MINE...  I DON'T KNOW....."
Smart and clean comedy by one of the greatest comedians ever who reminds me that we are NOT alone.  Enjoy!

Check out some Funny Stuff

Laughter is an instant vacation.  ~Milton Berle

Click on link below to take you to the funny page

http://lakeside-chatter.blogspot.com/p/funny-stuff_19.html

New Baby-Lesson's Learned - A Fathers Take!

Hello Chatter friends.  Today I am happy to have Guest writer (and my male BFF) offer a funny look at life as a new Dad.
I wanted to share this for two reasons, first Steve is a fantastic writer and second it is always good to have an insight to the male brain durning a huge life changing event.  Especially if that male is your husband. 
I remember my own precious dear having a MAJOR "Culture Shock look on his face from 0-9 months.  Now I sort of understand more or less where he was coming from.
Enjoy Steve's perspective as a new Dad and make sure you visit his blog Baby Vladimir and My Thoughts
"Something tells me, after my vast one month of experience, that is parenthood in general. I am going to start with a list of things I didn’t know and learned in the last few weeks.
• I didn’t know that women bleed from their nether regions for up to 6 weeks after they give birth. Once again, I do not know how you women can do this whole pregnancy birth thing.

• I knew that you weren’t supposed to have sex for at least 6 weeks after the birth. What I didn’t know is that I wouldn’t really notice or care and the reasons are plentiful. Not the least of which is the previous point, as well as sleep deprivation and, for me, the underlying sense of being on the verge of panic for no real reason.

• I didn’t know how much of an effect Leah’s diet had on Vince’s level of gastrointestinal distress. (Women, for the sake of you, your baby and the possibility of sleep, avoid onions and garlic)

• I didn’t know that a woman’s nipple could actually get long enough to actually start to bend under its own weight.

• I didn’t know that mother’s milk does not come out of a single hole, but more like a sprinkler head.

• I didn’t know I could get so comfortable with a woman (even though she is my wife) flopping her boob out in mid sentence and have someone sucking on it and barely notice or care.

• I didn’t know the worst part of the whole pregnancy thing for women, at least Leah, is hemorrhoids. That more than anything is making Leah nervous about even the idea of having a second child.

• I didn’t know the level of guilt I would feel every time the baby is being cared for by me and starts crying and the only thing I can think to do is hand him back to Leah because I think he is hungry.

• It never occurred to me how ridiculously hard it is to figure out how to help someone who has absolutely no way of communicating with you other than screaming. It is like having a senile Italian grandmother under your care.

• I didn’t know how far baby boys could pee. If it were proportionate I would be able to pee from my desk to the office bathroom which is down the hall and has 2 doors.

• I didn’t realize how much I could care less about getting baby poop on me. I do realize this will change and probably fairly soon. But for now it is like being at a cook out and getting French’s mustard with some pepper flecks on my hand. Just wipe it off.

Those of you we talk to on a regular basis know how good and non-fussy Vincent has been over the first month. It has really been amazing. Here is the weird thing though. Even with having a great baby who sleeps pretty well and eats regularly and doesn’t even cry when being bathed, Leah and I still are exhausted, have very little chance of eating at the same time, can’t get through a single 30 minute show with any focus, sleeping for more than 3 hours at a clip is not even dreamt of and I have spent less time doing anything that is about me than I ever thought possible. So, my question is this… How in the world do people with Twins, or fussy babies, or colicky babies keep from just sitting in whimpering pool of their own excrement mumbling “why why why…” I have never had to schedule peeing, or showering, or checking email, or even eating, before. Seriously. Here is the type of conversations that is typical throughout the day. “Can you hold him for a sec, I have to…” or “He is sleeping, so can you stay nearby because I have to…” or “If that dog puts her cold nose on him one more time I am going to rip out her…”
With all of this, I have lost all sense of what is going on in the world. Have we caught Bin Laden? Does the economy still blow? Has my house gained enough value to not be an upside down mortgage anymore? Did the Caps win the Stanley Cup? Have the Cubs won a World Series? Have we found Hoffa? Thank God for the Internet. With that I can find out what happened while I am getting used to being a father.

Stephen Marchesani - Husband to Leah, Father to Vincent (now age 1 1/2)

A Letter to God. A Letter to Ginny.

Dear Ginny,

This is not God (just wanted to clear that up front) but I do know a thing or two about Holidays.  You see there is this certain secret between us girls.  We sort of own our very special holiday.  It starts with a V and ends with an E and goes like this: Valentine's Day.
Say it with me, "Vaaalllleeennnttiiineeesss Daaaayyyy......"
Very good sweetie, you see, when you grow up you will learn the valuable power of this special day.  First, it does come between Christmas and Easter.  Exciting Right?  Second, if you play your cards right you will get lots of cookies and candy (when you are still young) a nice dinner, flowers and/or jewelry when you are older (again if you play your cards right) and when you become a Mommy you get homemade Valentine’s Day cards made by your precious yet sticky (from all the candy I was telling you about) five year old. 
You also get to exchange Valentine’s Day cards with your friends and find out what they really think of you.  Things like "Cutie Pie," "Cup Cake" and "Hug Me" are all wonderful saying's, good for the soul and can be a fantastic mood lifter. 
Then you get to eat the little sayings and if you are still young you won't care about the caloric intake, and when you get to be 30 and over you will care a little bit more but not really.  They are small pieces so eating  18 in a row won't hurt (not that I would l know....)
Now, I must pause real quickly and throw in a small (yet powerful) warning, the men in your life will totally try and deny you this holiday.  They will say things like "It is a Marketing Ploy"  "Stores just want our money" and some other senseless crap.  Girlfriend, DO NOT BELIEVE A WORD THEY SAY and if they pull that trick on you ignore them, remind them of how fabulous you are and if that fails steal their credit card and go buy yourself you own Valentine’s Day present and double the amount on what you think he would have spent.  Some store suggestions...IKEA, Nordstrom’s, Pottery Barn, Jarred Galleria (my personal favorite) and so on. 
So you see, it is all good sweetheart.  A holiday focused on hearts and love and sugar and spice and everything nice.  It is a Girls DREAM.
Yet more than anything I want you to remember, that the most important part of a holiday focused on hearts, is to remind ourselves, to take care of our own.  So Ginny,  from one girl to another, be good to yourself, and Love Yourself.  You can’t go wrong there and I think even God just might agree.

Kind Regards,
A Friend

Intersections is now on You Tube

Because you asked (and I love you for that).  Intersections is now up on YouTube for easy viewing.  Please comment and let me know what you think.  I learned how much I LOVED making this and would like to make more videos in the future that INSPIRE and make you LAUGH!!  And show off any products or services.  Look out Spielberg, the Chatter is coming....

Having my Pink and Blogging it to.

The new is here. I am in love with my new look and hope you are too.  Like most things in life, it turned out not quite as I was expecting. 
A pink background? 
Really?
How did  that happen? 
But here it is new and fresh and simple yet lovely and sweet.
And different from anything I ever thought.
Which is sort of the point.
And I so love it when that happens.
Thanks for being so patient.
Welcome back and Grab my button.
Let's Chat.
Laugh
Inspire
Sort of what you all do for me.
Now we can do it together.
In all sorts of colors.
I can not wait!

Mary

Happy Saturday Chatter Peeps - I have been stalking.

So only a few more weeks to go until my new design/layout will be ready.  I am trying so hard not to keep changing things too much but oh my goodness is it hard!!  I have discovered a new obsession of "Blog Stalking" and trying not to compare myself to so many wonderful and brilliant mommy bloggers out there.  If anything, it just gives me more hope and even more inspiration so Bonus!
Okay back to business for now.  I have had the best week.  I met with 3 Mommy's who are all awesome and 'fantabulous' (it's a word in my world).  Two of these lovlies I knew from my Mom's Club and the other chick-a-dee I met via blogging.  So if you are one of those reading this thinking you can't reach out to other Mom's through blogging GUESS WHAT.  You can, you can, yes you can!!!
I will be bringing these 'fantabulous' Mommies to you in the next couple weeks with their stories, their unique business's and products.  I am also working on creating a Mommy Database of all "Mompreneurs" but don't be scared off if you are here and reading this and not a Mom (I love you just the same and envy the heck out of you because you probably sleep better).  No, this blog is for everyone, to show off WOMEN who freaking rock.
Okay kids are home.  Be back later.  Here are some awesome (and random) blogs I found during my stalking.  Feel free to pass the love:

My Diaper Diaries (Super Funny Stuff)
Top Mommy Blogs ( Data base of awesoem Mommy blogs.  Shameless plug coming but feel free to vote for Momsie here)
Blogging With Amy (Great info for getting a blog up and running if that is your thing)
http://www.ourmommyhood.com/mission/  (where Mommyhood meets Bloghood)
Designer Blogs (If you are looking for a blog makeover, (they do wordpress too).  30% packages through the end of the month.  Designer Blogs is who I will be using for the Chatter, and currently in their que for February, not that I am anxious or anything.

More coming later.

Channeling Oprah Part III

Well, I did it.  The slideshow/movie that is.  If you are new here, and reading this for the first time, let me promptly introduce myself.  Hello, I am a Stay at Home Mom with a blog and  most of my world is centered around not having a clue on really much of anything.  Welcome.  If you too don't have a clue I like you even more (and please become one of my followers).


No, in all seriousness I am that person who loves to laugh and mostly LOVES to be inspired. It is why I started this site and since it is January it just feels like laughter and inspiration needs to be inserted into my veins via an IV and I would like to spread around that love and inspiration as much as possible.  I could keep babbling (I am good at that).  Or you can just read more about my "Oprah Project" here:
http://lakeside-chatter.blogspot.com/2011/01/not-to-get-all-oprah-on-you-but-i-am-to.html#more
Don't worry you can come back to this post when you are done.  I am not going anywhere.


So back to my "Something New and Different" project.  This task was tricky but fun.  I don't know why but for some reason I came up with an idea to try and make a story using random photos.  These photos came from pictures I took one day while driving to meet my sister across town for lunch.  My plan: only take pictures when I get stopped (usually at red lights) or also behind really, really slow and/or incompetent people (that is my husband wearing off on me, the Horn Master I call him, the precious dear..).
Anyways,  all the pictures I took were from various intersections and the video must reflect a story using ONLY those pictures.  Let me just go ahead and say that intersections in general are pretty basic and boring.  But intersections on a cold and dreary January are even extra boring and basic.  So this was my challenge.  Take boring and basic, and make a video that isn't "Boring and Basic."  Easy right??
A few notes, I am not a video expert, and while I do own Microsoft Movie Maker which is the program I used (and then cursed at and then used some more and then cursed some more and so on…), the final project is well very amateur at best.  But I hope it brings a smile to your face as it did mine putting it together (after all the cursing).  You will have to go to Lakeside's Chatter Facebook page to see the link.  Apparently the video file was too big to post on blogger (even though the entire video is only 3 minutess and 17 seconds. Will try and iron our more kinks and also have it up on You Tube.  For now here is the facebook link.  Enjoy!!


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lakeside-Chatter/150260771652287

Channeling Oprah Part Two (in threes)

Update....  yes the Movie slide show of my random street intersections is coming.  I am a Mom of my word.  I, however, am also a Mom who has very little technical knowledge.  It's quiet a wonder really that I even know how to operate this blog. 

Channeling Oprah

Not to get all Oprah on you but I am going to get all Oprah on you.

Why? Because it is January and this is how I feel about January.  You know how it is when you are running late somewhere and you have to run to your car in the pouring down rain only to step in a wet, cold, dark puddle emerging your entire foot and ankle getting your shoe and sock soaking wet, and then you have to wear that cold, wet, shoe and cold, wet, dirty sock to where it is you are going because you don't have enough time to go home and put on a new sock and even if you did you would probably step in the puddle again because when you are running late you never look down!  You know that feeling??   Me too, and that is how I feel about the cold and dark, dreariness of gross, disgusting, January.