Silver Lining...

I apologies for the length of this post, but I felt it was a story worth telling, I hope you do too...Well, today after looking, watching & comparing different flights, times and trying to get all the schedules worked out... I can say, with a huge smile, we are all booked for Arizona!  I have for a while now, watched the flights to find ones that would work for us, as well as being affordable.  It is a whole different ball game when you have 2 kids and you know that you will be the only adult flying with them.  Flying with my two loves, is like trying to contain two bouncing balls, each one wanting to go in a different direction.  I always try to get a direct flight, but when the flight gods want to mess with me they throw out a challenge...  Like changing planes...ok, just hope that it is not on the other side of the airport or you are going to get one heck of a floor show.  As I scoop up the three year old and sprint from one gate to the other, trying to get the seven year old to move faster.  If we happen to add a layover into the mix, pray that it is not a long one!  Otherwise we will be in and out of every gift shop, bathroom and checking out whatever else catches their attention... Now with all that being said, I love my kids... but when you have to travel alone with them... I do everything in my power, to make it as painless as possible, ( for everyone. ) I find that it has much better results for everyone involved.  So, backtracking to booking the flight this morning... I was armed, with schedules, my frequent flyer # & the beloved credit card.  I was all ready to go!  As I started to book on line the prices were being changed... I felt like I was playing chess with the invisible man!  So, frustrated, I called Southwest and started to work with "Mark".  He was wonderful to work with.  He was polite and was working with me on securing the tickets for the lower price.  Right as we got to where I was going to give him the credit card #'s, we got disconnected.  Arrrgggg...  Ok, I had to call back... Next I got the "nameless" woman.  I went back through everything that I had just done & discussed with "Mark".  Everything seemed to be going smoothly.  Then she put me on hold as she ran the credit card.  She came back to tell me that we,  ( meaning me & the kids ) were booked on said flight, at said time and returning on said date, at said time.  Oh, she messed up the return flight, so I got put back on hold again. ( While on hold I got the pleasure of hearing the same "adds" repeated five times in a row, it almost left me begging to hear elevator musak. )   When she finally returned, she informed me that I wasn't charged a fee for changing my return flight... What?!?!?  Ok, I'm thinking that I shouldn't have had to pay a fee anyways, as it was her mistake in the first place.  Whatever... Then she goes on to say that the fees for the flights have just been changed and now for Chad to fly is was going to be almost $ 80.00 more.  I know, to some of you that is no big deal, but it just irritated me to no end that she was not going to honor what I was originally told.  She instructed me to hang up, and go on line to book Chad's flight.  I was now starting to see red.  I decided that I would just hang up and deal with someone else.  Try number three...  After going through the automated choices again... I waited for a few minutes before I got connected with "Elizabeth".  I didn't want to unload my frustrations on her so I asked to speak to a manager.  She pleasantly responded that she was a manager.  Deep Breath, I decided that I should try desperately to hold onto my cherub like demeanor, as she didn't cause the frustration & she might actually be able to assist me with my problem.  As we started going over everything that had happened she listened patiently, and then once I was done re-capped what I said.  Once I said yes, she started to help me solve the problem.  Within a matter of minutes, she got Chad on the flights that we needed him to be on, for the price that we were originally told and she signed up, Chad and the boys up for their rewards program.  I was so elated with not only her professionalism, but her calming demeanor.  By the end of the conversation I was beyond thrilled with the outcome!  I know that usually we never take the time to Thank people for a job well done.  It is far easier to lose our cherub like demeanor, and unload both barrels on someone when we are upset.  I asked Elizabeth if I could talk to her Supervisor, as I felt she was more than deserving for positive praise.  I can tell you that she seemed honestly shocked that I was going to take the time to tell her boss what an amazing job she did.  I got to talk to Carla.  Another amazing woman, we spoke for longer than I had intended, but I really enjoyed the conversation.  I told Carla of all that I went through to book the tickets, she apologized, ( which wasn't necessary. )  Then we chatted about the nature of the trip and how important it is to the family.  I told her all about heading out to Arizona so that I could participate in the 3-Day for the Cure.  We had a wonderful conversation!  After all of this, when it was time to hang up the phone I can honestly tell you that I was left with a huge smile on my face, and feeling like I passed along a little sunshine.  If everyone could take the same amount of time to say Thank you & a Job well done instead of waiting to bite someone's head off and tell them how rotten every thing was, what a better world we would live in.  There is enough ugly, nasty and down right hateful in the world do we really need to continue the cycle?  I challenge all of my friends to "try" to spread sunshine, instead of dark clouds... In closing, I just want to say THANK YOU AGAIN to "Mark", "Elizabeth" & "Carla".  I hope you know that you really are the best of the best and are an asset to Southwest Airlines.  In return I hope they know, and appreciate what they have in you, because I sure do!

Gearing Up...

On this fourth day of Pinkness, I was working on helping out some friends get the word out about their event that is happening this Friday on the 7th of October.  It is appropriately named a "Slice of Hope / Cakes for the Cure".  They have wonderful pizzerias.  Recently, they opened up a new shop that is located in the Historic Ashtabula Harbor.  The sign outside still reads Bridge Street Pizza, but the locals know, inside is all the goodness that we have come to know, love & expect with Bruno Brothers Pizza.  The event will take place at 1119 West 5th Street (Bridge Street) from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.   10% of all the Sales will go towards the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  One of my Facebook Friends who lives in New Jersey ( who can't make it to the event. ) Generously donated to my walk next year.  This was the first donation I have received towards my 2012 Goals.  So, if my "Anonymous" donor is reading this post tonight...Thank you again for your donation!  If anyone else is interested in donating here is the link to my 3-Day Account.
2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Donations 

Just a Thought...

This should have been my Monday, October 3, 2011 Post...
A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way: 

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.

They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.

They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?

They would have no sex life and could not bear children.

Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.

And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.

We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.

Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! " 
By: Delphine Fieberg  


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My Personal Note:

We need to learn to love ourselves, no matter what our size or shape.  There are monsters that we should be fighting ( Cancers ).  Would I like to be thinner, Yes.  Would I like to be in better shape, Yes.  But you know what?!?  I don't think that my Family or Friends truly care. They would rather have me here, spending time with them doing things we love and not obsessing about having the "Perfect" body... Everyone has their own idea of what that is anyway...  I can not tell or convince someone what the "Perfect Body is".  The only thing that I would ask is, love your body no matter what shape, size or condition it is in.  I have friends that are praying just to see another sunrise, because cancer is ravaging their body.  They don't have the luxury of worrying about such trivial things, that so many of us stress over.  So just for today love the body you are in, and the life that you have.  

Day Two of 31...

Today it was time for me to go to work at the Cleveland Browns Stadium, where the Browns were playing against the Titans.  Seeing all the Sorority ladies from ZTA come out and stand at the gates to hand out pink ribbons was wonderful!  Watching the fans take the time to stop, take a ribbon and put it on, heart warming. I had many fans compliment me for taking the extra step to dye my hair pink.  I had to tell them that it was much more than just "fitting" in for the day.  Lots of smile's & high 5's.  Yes, the Browns lost, but seeing all the PINK I know that today we all won!  Today I was given 3 new pink ribbons, and each one I will cherish and wear proudly.  Thanks to Everyone that came out today & showed your support for those that are Fighting, have Fought and those that gave all they had Battling breast cancer.  One day at a time we are getting closer to a Cure... 

Day One of 31...

Simply, Amazing!

We got up early and started the day off by taking the family to a Weight Watcher's Meeting... We decided to take the Dr. Oz Challenge!  Once leaving there we did the usual first Saturday of the month ritual of going to Home Depot for the kids to build a project, then we took off to the IX Center.  They were having a Car, Motorcycle, Plane & a few Boats on display.  The whole reason why I wanted to go?  Chip Fooze was going to be there form the hit show Overhaulin'.  If you have never watched the show Chip can pretty take any vehicle and with his team transform it into a working piece of art.  The transformations are Amazing!  Tristin our oldest, calls Chip, Mr. Angelo... As in Michelangelo...We got there and stood in line for almost two hours when we were told that we most likely would not be able to meet him.  Me being, well me, decided that we were so close I had to try to get the kids to meet Chip.  I walked around the back side of the stage and asked if there was any way the kids could meet him... His road manager asked me some questions and then said that Chip would love to meet the boys.  I thought that we would be the very last ones to meet him, but instead as soon as he saw Tyler he told them to move the partition.  Tyler ran up to Chip like he had known him forever.  Everyone watching was mesmerized by this little three year old who was entertaining Chip with his huge smile and energy.  When Tyler was done Tristin went up to Chip and shook his hand and said, " It's nice to meet you Mr. Angelo.  I don't think that he got it at first, when I explained it to him, I think he was genuinely surprised that a seven year old would think of him as a modern day Michelangelo.  The whole time he was talking to the kids he was drawing them their own cars.  Then he signed them.  I was amazed at how he took his time with us and for those few minutes it was like we were the only ones there.  He was wonderful with the kids and us.  I really admire celebrities that are genuine and are so down to earth.  We chatted about my participation in the 3-Day events and he Thanked me for walking.  Before we left, we got a picture with him.  The kids were thrilled.  We walked around looking at all of the cars and even saw the "Memphis Belle".  That plane is huge! I enjoyed getting the opportunity to see it up close.  The movie about it is wonderful, if you ever get the chance to watch it I recommend it.  We saw a big rig that was all pink!  It was stunning!  As we were getting ready to leave we found ourselves in FORD Heaven.  Beautiful Mustangs of all different colors and years.  I have to admit that I am smitten by Mustangs.  The body style, power and performance.  We were trying to make sure that the kids weren't touching any of the vehicles as some ( most ) are worth a lot of money!  As we walked by a Red 68' Shelby GT 350 Mustang the owner saw the boys & asked if they would like to get into the car & get their pictures taken.  I almost passed out!  I thought he was kidding.  Before I knew it,  put the boys in the car and put the seat belts on them.  Laughing at how the boys were all smiles sitting in his car.  I got some wonderful pictures.  Then his friend told the boys they should go over and try out his car.  It was an all Black 69' Mustang Boss 429.  The kids were having the time of their lives!  We got to talking to them about their cars and then it was on to my pink hair.  They asked me all types of questions then said that they would like to help me in my endeavors with my walks.  I once again, was left in shock.  Then the man who owned the black car took the LifeLines Decal that I gave him and stuck it to the window of his car.  I was speechless.  He stepped back & looked at it and said it made the car!  WoW!  We had an Amazing time today & in the process got to spread the word about the 3-Day.  Day one of 31, huge PINK Success!

Stunning!

Style!

All Smiles!

New Friends!

All about the PINKNESS!

Till we find a Cure!