tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17032200982025121442024-02-20T22:38:18.335-05:00A Life UnexpectedOne Man's Journey Through Life and FatherhoodJTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-6474118613263536422011-02-22T22:55:00.002-05:002011-02-22T23:02:10.168-05:00A Quiet Celebration<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On December 21<sup>st</sup>, I quietly “celebrated” a private milestone. No congratulations were necessary. Nobody even knew. For most people it was just an ordinary Tuesday. But for me, this particular Tuesday had more relevance. On this day, I had officially been at my new job one day longer than my previous position. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In reality, it was a bittersweet milestone that brought back some ugly feelings of self-doubt from what felt like a previous life. Despite my short tenure at my last job, I learned a lifetime of valuable lessons about deceit and greed, empty promises, and unfulfilled potential. It left a lasting impression. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I started my new job this past November, I hoped any residual cynicism from a poor experience would be buried with a clean start - that somehow the old axiom, “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” would apply to me. But for weeks on the new job, I channeled my inner <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cal Lightman</i> and analyzed every situation, every closed-door meeting, and every microexpression in an attempt to avoid history from repeating itself. I couldn’t help it. Despite early praise from my supervisor and a good start on the job, I felt tainted. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For a year of my life, my confidence as a family man and father soared. At the same time, my professional life was on trial. For every cover letter, every phone screen, every interview…I was forced to constantly scrutinize every word, every action, every decision. Even after enduring a 3- month interview process and landing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> job last year, every day was a test of my worthiness to receive a paycheck. On numerous occasions, my salary was thrown in my face. Even a simple dinner invite from my boss turned into an informal interview of my wife. We both left that dinner wondering what had just happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All the judgments over the course of a year had internally built up what felt like insurmountable doubt. Being laid off blew that doubt through the roof. Fear…is power.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">******************************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I figured that as I distanced myself from a poor situation and started a new job that I would gain clarity and my fears would ease. I've been told "that time heals all wounds". However, my experiences tell me that this can’t be true. We never truly recover from deep personal loss. Even more trivial problems have lasting effects that influence future behaviors. Perhaps my self-doubt would dissipate given time, but that wasn't good enough for me. I couldn’t afford to have doubt creep into my newly rejuvenated career. Confidence is one of the most important attributes in life. I couldn't allow the previous actions of others to dictate my path.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For Christmas, my wife had all my blog entries bound into a hard cover book – a keepsake that serves as a constant reminder of our tale – one where we not only survived the toughest stretch of our lives, but we flourished and grew closer as a family. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I could ever receive. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As I read through my own words, I admired my confidence and optimism. Despite all our struggles during that time, I always knew things would get better. I knew we wouldn’t always just be treading water. I was reminded that no one has control over my own feelings. I was reminded that I "get to" have a career without sacrificing my family. I was reminded that this is a story of success - that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">WE</i> made it. I've learned from my mistakes and made the right decisions. There is no reason to worry anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day dealings of our lives that we just need to be reminded of the good. Too often we are clouded in fear…in doubt. I have a beautiful family and now I have a career that matters. Past mistakes don't have to define my future. They don’t even need to affect my future. I needed my own words to remind me of who I am. At the end of the day, I was chosen for this job and every day I prove why I was the right person. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today is Tuesday. Today I am celebrating another milestone. Months after returning to work and struggling with the fallout from a past life, I stand tall and proud of whom I've become...and confident in whom I'll be.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO7xbTKHya5LQpOhqlTtmyUU9JwCO_6wXkXT-D9_B7ydboX4-v-pr-q0vih7wPQXB0-pg0smM5e3K7TtxgoB54K1HsBBbrdA73CxAC_TzCvrgTLHKHGsWNi2raAv1HHWYdWCSynhUBibQ/s1600/A+Life+Unexpected+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO7xbTKHya5LQpOhqlTtmyUU9JwCO_6wXkXT-D9_B7ydboX4-v-pr-q0vih7wPQXB0-pg0smM5e3K7TtxgoB54K1HsBBbrdA73CxAC_TzCvrgTLHKHGsWNi2raAv1HHWYdWCSynhUBibQ/s320/A+Life+Unexpected+Book.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fquiet-celebration.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: none; height: 35px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe></div>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-81143240743520827602011-01-02T22:46:00.009-05:002011-01-02T22:59:57.215-05:00From Hungry Dog Heaven, A Tail for a New Year: In Memory of Mugsy<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5IgDnucSx66yl3REaUrZTQw7fMwj1frUZUzUaWNq-qJ8mdLqK-KADOd9GVxm6N8pBA-PeS2Y_bvkIn_1ps46DwB-aakoS23n0s8HOi0UCY_7B5bEuC2VedgY9kXOoIohij_-yp2ZCee-/s1600/mugsys+first+snow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801988353122562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5IgDnucSx66yl3REaUrZTQw7fMwj1frUZUzUaWNq-qJ8mdLqK-KADOd9GVxm6N8pBA-PeS2Y_bvkIn_1ps46DwB-aakoS23n0s8HOi0UCY_7B5bEuC2VedgY9kXOoIohij_-yp2ZCee-/s320/mugsys+first+snow.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 233px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: arial;">The clock strikes twelve, like it does the other 364 days a year, yet on this night, this monotonous act carries such weight. Resolutions. Promises. Plans. Dreams. A clean slate. An opportunity for change, happiness, pursuit of passions and fulfillment of goals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">For us, at <a href="http://www.hungrydogheaven.com/" target="new">Hungry Dog Heaven</a>, the birth of a new year provides us a chance to offer love and hope to our four-legged friends struggling through the long, cold nights of winter. Those four-legged friends aching for a warm home, a big heart and the promise of security.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">As Hungry Dog Heaven celebrates the ten year anniversary (!!!) of our very first batch of cookies, we want to honor those who have shared our love and compassion for animals. Friends like Missy and John, who have been tireless advocates for displaced pets, in particular those mistreated and abandoned due to the perpetual problem of breed discrimination. <br />
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Friends we have never met in person, yet have been so very fortunate to have in our canine-loving circle. In 2009, when my "brother", Chaos (a 150+ lb. Cane Corso), injured his leg and accumulated thousands of dollars of medical expenses, it was Missy that rallied a virtual community to make generous contributions to my family. Their compassion continues to remind me of the goodness of people.</span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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On Christmas, when we were surrounded by the warmth of our family (two and four-legged alike), Missy and John were at the emergency vet making the most difficult decision a pet parent ever has to make. A day for joy and celebration, for this family, will always carry with it the memory of Mugsy's final moments and the deep sadness and emptiness that follows. We want to start the new year by honoring Mugsy, and his family.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.hungrydogheaven.com/" target="new">Hungry Dog Heaven</a> is pleased to debut the <a href="http://yhst-90486525727074.stores.yahoo.net/inmeofmu.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="new">"In Memory of Mugsy"</a> treat. Each bag has been specially priced to include a $1 dollar donation to Liberty Humane Society (serving Jersey City and Hoboken, NJ). In addition, during the month of January, Hungry Dog Heaven will donate an additional $1 per bag (plus our standard 3% charitable donation). If you would like to donate more, we've made it easy for you, too!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">To read Mugsy's story, and to follow the Hungry Dog Heaven blog, click here: <a href="http://hungrydogheaven.blogspot.com/" target="new">http://hungrydogheaven.blogspot.com/ </a></b></div></div><br />
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</div><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Ffrom-hungry-dog-heaven-tail-for-new.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:35px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Hungry Dog Heaven - A Dog Barkeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203560763587780927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-64823493264799928742010-12-25T21:37:00.008-05:002010-12-25T22:22:27.467-05:00And The Winner Is...<div style="text-align: justify;">Congratulations to Lesley on winning the first ever "Get To" Giveaway. The two finalists were only separated by 25 votes. Votes were cast from across the country and even in Europe, Asia, and South America! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you to both of our finalists, Lesley and Jennifer, for having the courage to share your stories. We sincerely believe that 2011 will be a great year for both of you and we look forward to following up with you to see where your journey takes you. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We would also like to thank <a href="http://www.theheldrich.com/default_.asp" target="new">The Heldrich Hotel</a> for their generous contribution to our "Get To" Giveway. Their philanthropic spirit of supporting the local community is admirable and we truly appreciate their generosity. Courtesy of The Heldrich Hotel, Lesley will receive a one-night stay, as well as breakfast for two the following morning at Christopher’s Restaurant and Bar. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During this holiday season and beyond, we hope that everyone "pays it forward".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you to everyone who submitted entries for the "Get To" Giveaway and also to all our voters! Great things are coming in 2011. Stay tuned!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fand-winner-is.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: medium none; height: 35px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe></div>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-76568785363959859812010-12-19T21:00:00.005-05:002010-12-25T00:05:06.156-05:00And The Finalist Are...<div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you to all who submitted entries for the "Get To" Giveaway. We are excited to announce our 2 finalists, Lesley and Jennifer (who is submitting on behalf of her parents Leigh and Paul). The winner will now be decided by you, our readers. The poll is located at the bottom of this post, as well as on the sidebar of our homepage. You can only cast one vote, so choose the most compelling story. The poll will stay open until 11:59pm on December 24th. </div><div class="O"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16pt;"></span></div><div class="O"><br />
To read the submissions by Lesley and Jennifer, click <a href="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/p/meet-get-to-giveaway-finalists.html" target="new">here</a> or follow the link to <i>Meet the "Get To" Giveaway Finalists</i> under the picture on the home page.</div><div class="O"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16pt;"></span></div><div class="O"><br />
The "Get To" Giveaway winner will receive a one night stay generously donated by the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, NJ, as well as an opportunity to become a biweekly contributor to our blog.<br />
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Good luck to our finalists!<br />
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--- Voting Is Closed ---<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Q) I'm not unemployed, but I've had a rough year. Can I apply?</span><br />
<span style="font-family:arial;">A) YES! Although the focus of our blog has been on our journey through employment struggles, this contest is not limited to those in the same situation. If you've had a rough year, apply!</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Q) I don't think I'm a good writer. I'm not sure I would be the right person to win the "guest blog" opportunity.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">A) We recognize that not everyone likes to write and not everyone is comfortable making public of their personal issues. We, however, have found the process to be cathartic and will gladly edit and provide content suggestions for you (if you win!). However, don't let this be your deal-breaker. While we think it's a nice thing to offer and we're happy to share your story, if it's way beyond your comfort zone, we can let you slide. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q) I just found out about this contest and don't know if I can make the deadline. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >A) In the spirit of the season, we are going to extend the application deadline to NOON on Saturday, December 18th. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">So... there you have it! We know it's been a rough year for so many people, let us help you forget your worries, if even only for a night! </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fquick-contest-q-and-deadline-extension.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:35px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Hungry Dog Heaven - A Dog Barkeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203560763587780927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-72207338166596969152010-12-07T20:28:00.013-05:002010-12-18T21:44:50.987-05:00Paying it Forward - A Contest<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">This has been a rough year. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">But, this year also provided many moments of greatness. In January, my husband and I were the lucky recipients of a weekend of respite, thanks to the philanthropic spirit of a local establishment. We, along with 11 other couples, won the opportunity to participate in <a href="http://www.bluebayinn.com/" target="new">The Blue Bay Inn’s</a>, “Hotel for the Holidays”. For two nights, we joined others in a similar situation. We stayed in a boutique hotel room, were treated to delicious meals from <a href="http://www.thecoppercanyon.com/" target="new">The Copper Canyon</a>, were visited by Human Resource representatives to provide job-hunting tips to the group, relaxed to performances by local musicians and were inspired by the voices of a local children’s choir. At this time, my husband had been out of work for four months and we had no idea how long and trying the months ahead were going to be.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">We also didn’t know, and couldn’t anticipate, how much my husband and I would learn about each other during this time – about our priorities, our fears, our passions. We worked well together as a team and spent a lot of time talking, and soul-searching and talking some more. We were inspired by the comments of our readers and humbled by their shared experiences. In a strange way, we found comfort in knowing we weren’t alone.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">And now, almost a year later, things seem to be looking up for us. Yet, we know so many families still struggling. Although there is a lot of legitimate focus about how unemployment or underemployment contribute to the sacrifice of basics such as food, utilities, etc., we have first hand experience at understanding the stress of not having sufficient income to maintain (or advance) our quality of life. This stress limits the frequency of date nights, family adventures and opportunities to relax. When times get tough, our relationships are what help us keep it together. But, often our relationships become secondary to employment struggles. Now we have a chance to pay forward the gift we were given last season.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">In the spirit of the holidays, A Life Unexpected is pleased to announce “The ‘Get to’ Giveaway”. One lucky winner of “The ‘Get to’ Giveaway” will receive:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>A gift certificate from <a href="http://www.theheldrich.com/default_.asp" target="new">The Heldrich Hotel</a> (New Brunswick, New Jersey), good for a one night (weekend) stay at this luxurious hotel. In addition to the overnight stay, our lucky winner will also receive breakfast for two the following morning at <a href="http://www.theheldrich.com/dining/dining.asp" target="new">Christopher’s Restaurant and Bar</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>A bi-weekly (every-other-week) guest blog spot on “A Life Unexpected”, providing an opportunity to share your perspective on your “unexpected life” for the next three months.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>If unemployed/underemployed, an opportunity for you to post your resume, personal/professional statement and cover letter on our blog, to increase your visibility and job prospects.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Submit your story to us via email and explain why this year has been difficult and what this opportunity could mean for you. Be creative! We welcome photo montages, videos, poems, artwork, songs, etc. Please conclude your submission with <i>at least</i> five reasons for which you have to be thankful, despite the difficulties you’re experiencing (think back to our “<a href="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-get.html" target="new">I Get to…</a>” blog entry). </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
Do you know someone who has had a rough year and could benefit from the "Get To" Giveaway? Feel free to submit on his/her behalf. In addition to your submission, please include a signed letter (from the nominee) authorizing permission to be entered in this contest. <br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">A Life Unexpected will pick the finalists for the second round of the competition, during which our readers will have an opportunity to vote for the most compelling submission and ultimately help determine our winner!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b><br />
Important dates to know:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>Round 1: Submissions due by 11:59pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 15<sup>th</sup></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>Round 2: Finalists will be posted by 11:59pm Eastern Time on Sunday, December 19<sup>th</sup></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>Voting for Round 2 will end at 11:59pm Eastern Time on December 24<sup>th</sup>. “The ‘Get to’ Giveaway” winner will be announced on Saturday, December 25<sup>th</sup>! </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Send your Round 1 submissions to us at: <a href="mailto:alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com">alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Good luck! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QypT9hSvgfb6qrwpadLRqvR2HFwxs_mKli1id5x7Yp2-S1HybHXM4ArC8W3KDPhA9SQ7H_6F4zSRjSXEnB5Rrnp4Sq2Acv-TaPft2u2WaOgNsYA5lLv1iB_lIdyFqiYlzrp2dkBZFPSW/s1600/Heldrich+Gift+Certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QypT9hSvgfb6qrwpadLRqvR2HFwxs_mKli1id5x7Yp2-S1HybHXM4ArC8W3KDPhA9SQ7H_6F4zSRjSXEnB5Rrnp4Sq2Acv-TaPft2u2WaOgNsYA5lLv1iB_lIdyFqiYlzrp2dkBZFPSW/s400/Heldrich+Gift+Certificate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For complete rules and regulations, visit: <a href="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/p/get-to-give-away.html" target="new">http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/p/get-to-give-away.html</a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">or click on the "Get To" Giveaway link on our homepage.</span> <br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fpaying-it-forward-contest.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: medium none; height: 35px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-45494408256036200872010-11-25T22:25:00.004-05:002010-11-25T22:30:03.545-05:00A Brave New World<div style="text-align: justify;">It was a Monday not unlike other Mondays I’ve known. I woke up before the sun rose. I got dressed by the light of my cell phone so I didn’t disturb my sleeping wife. I had laid out my clothes the night before to avoid any potential wardrobe malfunctions. I kissed my wife goodbye and kindly reminded her to put money on the EZ Pass since we were way overdue. When you are unemployed, things like putting money on the EZ Pass just have to wait. But this day was going to be a big day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been unemployed for 14 of the last 15 months. For 15 months, my life has been in a holding pattern, just trying to stay afloat. All of this…our crowded house, the start of my career, the penny-pinching…was supposed to be in my rearview mirror distantly down the road. But it’s not. I’m still here…but not for very long. On this day, I started my new job.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Traveling through traffic to get to work, I feel completely conflicted. I know that my son will wake up soon after I leave and will inevitably ask my wife, “Where’s Dad?” and this hurts my heart. I’ve been so accustomed to always just being there for him…for everything. So has he. My wife and I joke that my son goes through “Mommy and Daddy” phases, where he exhibits a preference for one of us. For the first 2 years of his life his “daddy” phases were short-lived – perhaps lasting a week or less. But, for the first time in his life, my son has been on a “daddy” phase for over a month. Perhaps he subconsciously knew I was starting a new job. Regardless, I would never want to pass up this bonding time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During my unemployment, I was a first-hand witness to my son’s remarkable growth. At first, we struggled to get through some days (okay, maybe most days). I was happy for a 30 minute reprieve to watch Diego save the Tapir. But, we persevered. As he grew, our days and time together just weren’t long enough. At 2 ½, he expresses such complex thoughts. Instead of mimicking my words, we can have real conversations about his infinite inquiries. Most days I just can’t get enough. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And because of these things, somewhere along my journey, I deconstructed and reassembled my goals and priorities. While I once dreamed of climbing the proverbial professional ladder, I now dream of being with my family. It’s a constant balancing act. But, this time, I feel I’ve found a job that allows me to prioritize what is most important to me. The lucrative bonuses and profit-sharing are non-existent, but those “luxuries” come at cost – one in which I am not willing to accept. I’ve made that mistake in the past. I’ll trade those financial luxuries any day to spend more time with my family. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It’s true that my journey may have started with uncertainty, embarrassment, and even fear. I most certainly have avoided conversations to side step any probing questions about my employment. However, I’ve learned that a job is just a means to providing an existence. My personal wealth is defined by the moments of joy I get from my family – not by some corporate financial structure. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I sat in traffic on the way to my new job, a lot of my previous insecurities flashed in my head. Am I good enough? Will the same thing happen again? Can I seamlessly transition? Can I balance it all? Will I have enough time with my wife and son? Of course there will be times when I will be asked to make sacrifices. Some days I may not even get to see my son and wife. However, most days I will have to sacrifice very little family time. So, on this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful to have a job when so many people are still losing their jobs, or worse. I persevered…I survived. It’s bittersweet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a bonus, I no longer need to avoid those probing conversations about my job and identity. I now have an answer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am a husband.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am a dad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am a man that has taken an unexpected journey and found out a lot about myself along the way. I’m embarking on a brave new world.</div><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fbrave-new-world.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: medium none; height: 35px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-52929864290864686892010-11-13T16:42:00.007-05:002010-11-13T18:50:13.649-05:00Humbled, Honored and Hopeful<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">New to the world of blogging, we are honored to have been nominated for one of the top Daddy Blogs in the country. We've never been on a talk show or the feature of a magazine article. We're really just regular people trying to carve out some good in a complicated, fast-paced world.<br />
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That being said, it's not like we haven't crossed our fingers that someday we might get a phone call from a publisher or a producer (ehem!). But, the reality is that we enjoy writing and we are glad to have followers that enjoy reading our posts. Ultimately, we are really glad that through our blog we've been able meet new friends and help families and communities in need.<br />
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So....we're psyched that we are currently in the <span style="font-style: italic;">lead</span> in TheBump.com's "<a href="http://pregnant.thebump.com/extras/mommy-blog-awards/articles/daddy-blog-2010.aspx" target="new">Best Daddy Blog</a>" category. Besides bragging rights, winners will receive gift cards to Pottery Barn Kids (and, well, the holidays <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> coming....) and the grand-prize winner will win an iPad!<br />
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Voting ends on Monday, November 15th at midnight. The competition is stiff, so keep us in the lead and who knows where this road will take us! Thanks so much for all of your support!<br />
</span></div><br />
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<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fhumbled-honored-and-hopeful.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Hungry Dog Heaven - A Dog Barkeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203560763587780927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-74387478357449918952010-11-13T00:03:00.004-05:002010-11-13T00:09:33.473-05:00An Amazing Concert...for a great causeThe <i>Rock Your Bottom</i> concert was a resounding success. We had over 130 attendees at the concert and together, we raised 3,624 diapers for NJ families in need. It's been a week since the event and we are still amazed by the generosity and support that made the event such a success. Thank you to everyone who participated and donated diapers. We are still receiving diapers from our amazon wish list, which can be found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1XF3AULOQ5CHZ" target="new">here</a>. If you were unable to attend the concert and you still want to contribute, please feel free to buy diapers from our wish list.<br />
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A special thank you to all our volunteers for their time and talent for making <i>Rock Your Bottom </i>an amazing event. We were so honored to have the support of all our volunteers for an entire afternoon.<br />
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In addition to all the diaper donations, we received generous donations for our tricky tray raffle from some very talented people: <br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelBeez" target="new">Angelbeez Sassy Stitching</a></li>
<li><a href="http://edibleessentials.blogspot.com/" target="new">Edible Essentials</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://bellasbrownies.blogspot.com/" target="new">Bella's Brownies</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://silveirastouchphotography.com/" target="new">Silveira's Touch Photography</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.hungrydogheaven.com/" target="new">Hungry Dog Heaven: A Dog Barkery</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.jmorgansalon.com/" target="new">J. Morgan Salon</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.fonsecaartdesign.com/%20target=" new="">Fonseca Art Design</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.doulanj.com/" target="new">Central Jersey Birth Services</a></li>
<li><a href="mailto:steph1976@aol.com">Make Up by Stephanie</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/danadelo" target="new">Pampered Chef</a></li>
<li><a href="mailto:selectbrnds@aol.com">Select Brands/Sherani</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scentsy.net/" target="new">Scentsy</a></li>
</ul><br />
The lucky winners went home with some amazing prizes!<br />
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Of course, we also had an amazing performance by <a href="http://www.preschoolofrock.com/" target="new">Preschool of Rock</a>, who had all the little bottoms rocking! His songs are so infectious, my son was singing them days after the event! Preschool of Rock's new semester of classes begins in January, so be sure to check out his website and sign up early! <br />
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Also, a big thank you to Jason Platko for taking over 400 pictures of the concert. His pictures will be posted soon!<br />
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Finally, I am most thankful for my wife. She wears many hats on most days, but she worked tirelessly in organizing and planning the concert. I'm constantly amazed by her philanthropic spirit and selfless devotion to breaking down barriers for positive change. She should be proud of herself. I certainly am! <br />
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Thank you again to everyone who was involved in making <i>Rock Your Bottom </i>a huge success. A little help goes a long way and your donations will help many families. For that, you should be proud. Congratulations to everyone! <br />
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Stay tuned...there's more to come!<br />
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<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Famazing-concertfor-great-cause.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-575611614046601262010-11-04T12:40:00.009-04:002010-11-04T13:00:25.902-04:00Rock Your Bottom Concert is This Saturday, November 6th<div class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Rock Your Bottom</i> concert is quickly approaching - this Saturday, November 6th - and we are looking forward to seeing you there!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The doors open at 3:30pm at:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Community Food Bank of New Jersey</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;">31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;">Rock Your Bottom</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;"> <b>Concert</b> is FREE, but as part of the Huggies Every Little Bottom campaign, we ask our friends to donate an unopened package of diapers to support New Jersey families in need. All diapers will be donated to the <a href="http://www.njfoodbank.org/" target="new">Community Food Bank of New Jersey</a> as part of the Huggies® Every Little Bottom Campaign. Our goal for this event is to contribute over 2,500 diapers to the cause.</span></div><br />
<i>Rock Your Bottom</i> is sure to provide a great time for friends of all ages. In addition to a fun-filled performance by <a href="http://www.preschoolofrock.org/" target="new">Preschool of Rock</a>, all attendees will receive FREE raffle tickets to win a variety of prizes from our generous tricky tray contributors! Take a look at the list of prizes below, and start thinking about where you want to drop your tickets!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 67.5pt; text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, the more the merrier. Feel free to invite friends/family/colleagues/<wbr></wbr>neighbors to our event. Encourage them to register here: <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom" target="new">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/<wbr></wbr>rockyourbottom</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVcKJRtxyTnza_pSIzzeYHV2IT-AesphdRLaB8nopcYSJfccrJ4NocbYqoebSDZj5l4GBiup9YefQNZaT0sC4wszcCngFhyphenhyphenk1ZmuhDx7hMZKuGZuuHPF34hSPLNMv1BbMsoK9aozzphF8/s1600/Rock+Your+Bottom+Sponsor+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVcKJRtxyTnza_pSIzzeYHV2IT-AesphdRLaB8nopcYSJfccrJ4NocbYqoebSDZj5l4GBiup9YefQNZaT0sC4wszcCngFhyphenhyphenk1ZmuhDx7hMZKuGZuuHPF34hSPLNMv1BbMsoK9aozzphF8/s640/Rock+Your+Bottom+Sponsor+Page.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
We will have a free tricky tray raffle with prizes from: <br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelBeez" target="new">Angelbeez Sassy Stitching</a></li>
<li><a href="http://edibleessentials.blogspot.com/" target="new">Edible Essentials</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://bellasbrownies.blogspot.com/" target="new">Bella's Brownies</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://silveirastouchphotography.com/" target="new">Silveira's Touch Photography</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.hungrydogheaven.com/" target="new">Hungry Dog Heaven: A Dog Barkery</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.jmorgansalon.com/" target="new">J. Morgan Salon</a> </li>
</ul>If you want to co-sponsor the event and promote your business, there is still time. Email me at <a href="mailto:alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com">alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com</a> for more information.<br />
<br />
Over 100 diapers have already been donated to the concert. It is sure to be a great time for a good cause.<br />
<br />
We are looking forward to seeing you there!<br />
<br />
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<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2F99-and-counting.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-14845378715418214912010-10-15T16:33:00.011-04:002010-10-16T11:27:17.104-04:00A Truly Great Love Story... Happy Anniversary!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e_vACwlVjisFKSGGM58TtvD-fFicU7fJZiMss0H0sj3Km_mGVtFIha9LGyVm6U7BPEhEDWcz5rUDgAYpMCBWUpID4vayoGbP_G4ywmud1miuhB0Avv-ZBLYqxDO2E4d2OdnRRE_dhF00/s1600/kissing+bw+woods.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528374256807978434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e_vACwlVjisFKSGGM58TtvD-fFicU7fJZiMss0H0sj3Km_mGVtFIha9LGyVm6U7BPEhEDWcz5rUDgAYpMCBWUpID4vayoGbP_G4ywmud1miuhB0Avv-ZBLYqxDO2E4d2OdnRRE_dhF00/s640/kissing+bw+woods.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" border="0" height="640" width="427" /></a> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6); text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Our journey began quite a while ago – you were the cute guy in the bar during grad school. I was the bartender supplementing a non-profit salary. You were three years younger than me. I said I’d go to a party with you, but you took me to a jazz bar instead. We shared stories of our families, our goals and dreams. We ran home in the rain, running from awning to awning holding hands. That night had all the makings of the first chapter in a truly great love story.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6); text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6); line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" >A few years later, we decided to “make it official” and to celebrate our relationship surrounded by the people we loved the most. Under the autumn trees, just as the sun was ducking down behind the mountain, on the most beautiful of days, the next chapter began with these words…<br /></span></div><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">“I choose you to be none other than yourself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Loving what I know of you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Trusting what I do not yet know.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">With respect for your integrity and faith for your love for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I choose you, in the certainty of my soul.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I will love you, honor you and cherish you all the days of my life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">With this ring I marry you and join my life with yours.” </span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6); text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6); text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Today, I celebrate the five years since we exchanged those vows. The days between then and now have been full of love and laughter. There have been sacrifices and tears, as well, but my goodness has my life been sweeter with you by my side. Five years ago, I read you the words below. Today, I don’t think I would change one word. I love you – here’s to the next chapter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6); font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Dear Jason,</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I’m marrying you today because I can’t imagine spending one day of the rest of my life without you by my side. With you, I truly feel that all things are possible and all storms can be weathered. You provide clarity when I cannot see clearly, comfort when I grieve and support when I struggle.</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I have thought long about what has drawn me to you and I have come to the conclusion that my love for you rests on one of the most basic tenants of any successful relationship – respect. I respect and honor all things about you – your generosity, your wit, your compassion for animals, your dedication to school and career and your commitment to family. You are everything I could have ever hoped for, but never believed existed.</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">You are the most amazing man I have ever met. You possess such a strong sense of character and unparalleled understanding of commitment. You love me unconditionally, in spite of my flaws, and at times, I believe you may even love me more because of them. Your love has shown me a world painted brighter than any I had known before and I love you more intensely than I ever thought possible. I like to think of myself as a good person, but I realize that I am at my best when I am with you. For that reason, it is comforting to know that I will spend my life absorbed in the warmth of your love.</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I know that as long as you are in my life, I will be loved and cared for and our days will be full of laughter, and honesty. We will create a family that will be beautiful and strong. In fifty years, I believe that you and I will be the couple our grandchildren idolize.</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I am honored to be the person you have chosen to marry. I am so in love with everything about you. I look forward to sharing my life with yours.</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="color: rgb(180, 95, 6);"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I love you,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Bell</span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Arial;" ></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;">photo by <a href="http://photography-by-rebecca.com">Photography by Rebecca</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" share_url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-journey-began-quite-while-ago-happy.html" type="button_count">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><a class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-journey-began-quite-while-ago-happy.html" via="alu_jtm" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><iframe allowtransparency="true" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Four-journey-began-quite-while-ago-happy.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: medium none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>Hungry Dog Heaven - A Dog Barkeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203560763587780927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-61328598414731487672010-10-12T21:23:00.003-04:002010-10-12T21:53:33.905-04:00A Tribute to Bell<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I’m constantly amazed by my wife. She is so involved that it’s hard for me to recount all of her commitments. On any given day, she juggles multiple balls and wears many different hats. In addition to her full time job, she:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Sits on the board of 2 non-profit organizations.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Is the NJ troop organizer for the Love/Avon <a href="http://www.armyofwomen.org/" target="new">Army of Women</a>. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Owns 2 businesses: <a href="http://www.hungrydogheaven.com/" target="new">Hungry Dog Heaven</a>: A Dog Barkery and A Life Unexpected: <a href="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/p/life-unexpected-creative-family.html" target="new">Creative Family Adventures</a>.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Is a mentor to college students.</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It isn’t enough that she is just involved. My wife is passionate about what she does. I often envy her because she truly loves her work. And she makes a difference. I still vividly remember a few years ago when one of “her women” (as she calls them) described her as a messenger of God. I can’t help but agree. Her motivations are pure. She has sculpted an intentional way of life that serves a purpose – a selfless devotion that betters our world. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I can barely keep her schedule straight and I constantly drive her crazy when I repeatedly ask her, “Where are you going again?” I have mnemonic nicknames for all her friends to help me associate where she knows them from. How else can I even keep them straight? On top of all <i>that</i>, her most important priority is her family – her 4-legged children, her son, and me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">October happens to be my wife’s busiest month. This month, in addition to her usual commitments, and the annual programs she coordinates in honor of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (which just also happens to be on our wedding anniversary), she is also helping to lead the charge for breast cancer awareness – a disease that has intimately affected her own family. Her nights and weekends fill up fast with events, webinars, and even work. However, this month also happens to host my wife’s birthday, which can fall victim to her selfless ways. This year in particular, our plans for her birthday family-building adventure were cancelled due to our son’s ill-timed cold. This month while she works diligently to promote awareness and solidify our future, it’s my priority to celebrate an extraordinary woman. October is many things to many people…but for my family, it is a celebration of my wife.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I know that she often struggles with her identities as a mother, wife, and professional. However, above all else, she prioritizes us and truly values her uninterrupted family time. Society may tell her that she can’t have it all. I disagree. Society doesn’t know my wife. Anyone who knows my wife understands that she doesn’t accept social norms. She is constantly evolving to make a better life for us. Thus, for her birthday, it is my main concern to let her know that she is a great mom, who is raising an incredible kid. And importantly…he knows it too. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Despite that the fact that our birthday plans were interrupted by the unpredictable nature of a 2-year old’s immune system, our celebration of “mom” is always constant. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Happy birthday, Bell. We love you! I hope you enjoy your video gift!<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Ftribute-to-bell.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: medium none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-43063938562050148402010-10-04T09:51:00.018-04:002010-10-04T20:56:17.105-04:00Where Will You Be 33 Days From Now?The flier for the <i>Rock Your Bottom</i> concert is here! Click <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/38690341/Rock-Your-Bottom-Concert-Flier" target="new">here</a> to download it or even print it out to send to your friends and family. <br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom" target="new">here</a> to reserve your spot. Registration is quick and simple:<br />
<br />
There will be some great free giveaways from our sponsors for the concert. Attendees will have a chance to win products and services from some of these New Jersey's very talented businesses: <br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelBeez" target="new">Angelbeez Sassy Stitching</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://bellasbrownies.blogspot.com/" target="new">Bella's Brownies</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://silveirastouchphotography.com/" target="new">Silveira's Touch Photography</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.hungrydogheaven.com/" target="new">Hungry Dog Heaven: A Dog Barkery</a> </li>
</ul>If you would like to be a co-sponsor for the event, please feel free to email me at:<br />
<a href="mailto:alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com">alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Frock-your-bottom-concert-flier.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: medium none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-78347916831473792392010-10-01T23:55:00.039-04:002010-10-02T18:46:39.226-04:00My Life with Boobs<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic;">by: Hungry Dog Heaven</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">I've spent more than a decade submerged in the politics and practices of Public Health. I’m comfortable talking about bodies, health disparities and statistics. But…I do this work because it's personal. So today, the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am blogging about my boobs – perhaps the most personal blog I could write.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: center;">***</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">In the familiar tradition of family folklore, there’s a story that’s been passed down that tells the tale of yours truly, at the young age of six, insisting that my maternal grandparents take me to get a bra because I <i>needed</i> one for school. The reality is that now, even at the age of (almost) thirty-four, I could probably survive just fine without a bra and in fact, my biggest reason for wearing one is to take advantage of the miracle Victoria puts in her outrageous little numbers. ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">But, also when I was six, my paternal grandmother was confronted with the reality of <i>her</i> breasts. The reality that, despite having seen the doctor many times, her cancer had gone undetected until it had spread and required aggressive chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. While I was pining away for a pink, frilly, little training bra, my grandmother was coming to terms that her new bras would be lead-heavy prosthetic-filled contraptions that bore emotional and physical reminders of the loss of her own breasts.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">For eight years, my grandmother battled against the disease that took her breasts. During that time, it also took her hair. And her strength. And her ability to travel like she loved to. And eventually, it took her life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br />Another eight years passed before cancer invaded my world. This time, it was my mom. My best friend. The woman I called when I was scared, angry, heart broken and confused. The woman who answered the phone when I had good news to share and made my favorite dinners when I came home from college. I wish I could say that I remember all of the details, but I don’t. In fact, I remember very little. It’s a coping mechanism.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">I took a semester off from school and drove down to South Jersey to accompany my mom to a couple chemo treatments. I remember that we watched General Hospital on the TV in the sterile treatment room. I brought us lunch from Wawa and picked up a few magazines. She lost her hair – her hair that had been so beautifully straight and thick was turned to patches of peach fuzz covered by chic, stylish wigs.<br /><br />A few months into her treatments, I remember visiting her in the hospital, rather than a treatment room. Her immune system had been depleted by the aggressive chemicals she was receiving to fight the battle against the enemy inside. The very drugs intended to save her life were taking a tremendous toll. She lay, more defeated by the chemo than the cancer, in a stark isolation room unable to enjoy the warmth of my hand or the caress of my kiss on her cheek. I visited her in this room for many weeks and feared that every visit would be the last. She confided in me that, if she were to be diagnosed with cancer again, she would not choose to endure the pain of treatment again.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">Thankfully, she eventually left the hospital and returned home and tried to piece together a familiar life under new realities. The reality of gray, curly hair where shiny, straight hair once grew. The reality of emotional/mental/spiritual wounds that would take a lifetime to heal. The reality of the physical scars that serve as daily reminders of her courageous journey.<br /><br />I don’t clearly remember the first time I saw the scar from her mastectomy, but even now, thirteen years later, I can recall the image in my mind’s eye. An uneven line of scar tissue and concave flesh where a breast used to be. An uninvited battle wound from a victorious war. Unlike my grandmother, she seems to have beaten this thing. For now. That’s the thing about cancer - you can never really rest assured that the war is over. The fear of the enemy lurking in the dark shadows of cells and tissue is always there - the impact of her isolation-room-confession weighing heavily, even as we celebrate over a decade of "life after cancer".<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">I know many of us dream of a cure for breast cancer. I do, too. But, I also dream of finding the <i>cause </i>of breast cancer, because finding a cause means less physical and emotional scars, less fear and more smiles. Because, selfishly, finding a cause means that someone like ME might not have to fight the same war so many before me have fought. Finding a cause means there is the chance that cancer might elude me and never make me confront the fear of leaving my child and husband behind.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">For this reason, I have joined the Army of Women (AOW) – a non-profit breast cancer research organization which provides an opportunity for men and women to take part in breast cancer research studies aimed at determining the <i>causes</i> of breast cancer – and how to prevent it. The AOW is a groundbreaking initiative that connects breast cancer researchers, via the internet, with people who are willing to participate in a wide variety of research studies. The goal of the Army of Women is to recruit ONE MILLION MEN AND WOMEN of all ages and ethnicities, including breast cancer survivors and those who have never had breast cancer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;">So, with Breast Cancer Awareness Month upon us, I ask that you help my dream become a reality. Sign-up for the Army of Women. There is no cost to join and the AOW is not asking for donations, just for volunteers who agree to receive information about a variety of breast-cancer research studies. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); text-align: justify;"><b>Be one in a million to find the <i>cause</i> of breast cancer and help us get closer to reducing the number of millions <i>impacted</i> by breast cancer.</b><br /><br />To sign-up: <a href="https://www.armyofwomen.org/getinvolved" target="new">https://www.armyofwomen.org/getinvolved</a><br /><br /><b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZu45F-crn2LkMNKLt4Spi8GjYC0aOnqVHWwc51iHEiXdUM6-rT0u7OCCT4wmtSqxRV7D9sIxX4x14Z4RBCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><br /><a class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" href="http://twitter.com/share" url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-life-with-boobs.html" via="PatriciaTM">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" share_url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-life-with-boobs.html" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);" type="button_count">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><iframe allowtransparency="true" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fmy-life-with-boobs.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: medium none; color: rgb(255, 153, 255); height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>Hungry Dog Heaven - A Dog Barkeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203560763587780927noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-2918823462874092452010-09-29T13:37:00.001-04:002010-10-04T20:57:24.962-04:00A "Rock Your Bottom" UpdateWe received our first package of diapers today for the "Rock Your Bottom" concert. The concert is a few short weeks away and we look forward to a great event! There will be some free giveaways, so make sure you register! Registrations are already flying in!<br />
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To reserve your spot: <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom" target="new">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom</a><br />
Registration is quick and simple.<br />
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See you soon!JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-39234818625787832302010-09-18T22:46:00.030-04:002010-10-04T20:58:25.547-04:00You Heard it Here First: Press Release It's Time to ROCK YOUR BOTTOM!<div class="Section1" style="font-family: inherit;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Rock Your Bottom</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 15pt;"> Concert:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A Free Family Event for a Cause</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>New Jersey, September 17th, 2010</b> — A Life Unexpected, in volunteer partnership with The <a href="http://nlhn.net/" target="new">National Latina Health Network</a> and <a href="http://preschoolofrock.org/" target="new">Preschool of Rock</a>, is proud to announce a fun, FREE family concert to benefit the <a href="http://www.njfoodbank.org/" target="new">Community Food Bank of New Jersey</a>, in support of the <a href="http://www.huggies.com/en-US/promotions/everylittlebottom" target="new">Huggies® Every Little Bottom Campaign</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In 2010, a <a href="http://www.huggies.com/assets/huggies-2010-every-little-bottom-study.PDF" target="new">study</a> commissioned by Huggies and Kimberly Clark showed that mothers are making choices between diapers and other necessities when they can't afford both. This study showed that one out of every three mothers in America has, at one point, struggled with diaper need, which is the struggle to provide babies with a basic need - diapers. Moms struggling with diaper need run out of clean diapers monthly or more often. Babies may be kept in wet, dirty diapers for extended periods of time or, in more extreme cases, made to wear used diapers which have been cleaned or dried out. Forty-three percent of mothers struggling with diaper need say they need 14 or more extra diapers per week to feel they have enough. Yet there is little help for these mothers and babies as many community-based organizations don't provide diapers.<br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><br />
</div><div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After learning about the impact and prevalence of diaper need, Jason Maikos, the primary author behind the popular Old Bridge, New Jersey-based blog, “A Life Unexpected”, offered to lend his time and talent to support the National Latina Health Network’s local diaper drive efforts. A Biomedical Engineer who was laid-off due to corporate down-sizing in August 2009, Maikos has been blogging about his experience as a well-educated husband/father navigating the waters of a tumultuous economy. In his blog, Maikos writes, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"> “Despite all of our concessions, we’ve been relatively fortunate. We could always provide food and a comfortable, safe environment for our family. …Many families have sacrificed basic necessities, such as food, electricity, and even shelter. One of the most over-looked sacrifices is diapers. When families have to choose between food, rent, electricity, or diapers, they are forced to cutback on this basic child necessity.” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Thinking strategically about how he can help New Jersey families struggling with diaper need, Maikos contacted Michael Napolitano, the founder of the Preschool of Rock, who readily agreed to support the cause. Preschool of Rock’s original music, infectious energy and understanding of children brings happiness to tons of families in New Jersey and New York. “We give our students a moment to embrace, celebrate and create music in a fun and free atmosphere. We encourage investigation, discovery and creativity with different instruments, dancing, singing, drumming, strumming and lots of laughing out loud,” said Napolitano. With Preschool of Rock on the stage, the <b><i>Rock Your Bottom</i> Concert </b>is sure to provide attendees with an opportunity to celebrate life and community. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">To reserve your spot go to: <span class="yshortcuts"><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom" target="new">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom</a></span><br />
<span class="yshortcuts">Registration is quick and simple. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Attendees are encouraged to donate an unopened package of diapers of any size to support the cause. It doesn’t have to be much (and it doesn't have to be Huggies) because every diaper helps. Of course, large boxes will be greatly appreciated as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Rock Your Bottom</i> Concert</b> hopes to contribute over 2,500 diapers to New Jersey families. All contributions will be donated to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey which distributes over 23 million pounds of food and groceries a year, ultimately serving 1,656 non-profit programs including 436 programs served by its Partner Distribution Organizations (PDOs). Through their combined efforts, they assist three-quarters of a million low-income people in 18 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Rock Your Bottom</i> Concert</b> is being facilitated in part by the leadership of the National Latina Health Network. As a national partner in the Huggies ® Every Little Bottom campaign, the network is partnering with individuals and organizations across the country to increase awareness about the prevalence and impact of diaper deprivation and to help facilitate the implementation of diaper drives across the country.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Event details:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Date:</b> November 6, 2010</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Time: </b> 3:30 – 5:00 pm</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location:</b> Community Food Bank of New Jersey</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span class="gcpaddrlink">31 Evans Terminal</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> Hillside, NJ 07205</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in;"><b>Cost: <i>Rock Your Bottom</i></b> <b>Concert</b> is FREE. However, attendees are encouraged to donate an unopened package of diapers of any size to support the cause. All diapers will be donated to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey as part of the Huggies® Every Little Bottom Campaign.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in;"><b>To register: </b><span class="yshortcuts"><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom" target="_blank">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rockyourbottom</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Contact: </b><a href="mailto:alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com">alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com</a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: auto;" /> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</script></div>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-52782297512582608932010-09-15T21:15:00.014-04:002010-09-15T23:20:21.036-04:00On the Road to Responsibility, a Job and Dignity<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">During my channel surfing yesterday, I happened to catch a news clip covering the acceptance speech of a gubernatorial primary winner. His speech was largely about envisioning a New York that he can restore to past prominence. Naturally, he spoke to the woes of unemployment and helping those without jobs return to the workforce. In his speech, he said, “I see a New York where people who are down on their luck can get back on the road to responsibility, a job, and dignity.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It saddens me to hear a potential leader of a powerful and progressive state suggest that the unemployed do not have a sense of responsibility or dignity because they don’t have a job. I understand his message was meant to inspire – to show he has some magical fix for a major problem. However, his judgments about dignity and responsibility paint a broad stroke that our self-respect is tied to our business cards. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As I’ve written before, as an unemployed person, I have struggled with issues of self-worth and the fact that identities are linked to a job. However, during my time on unemployment, I have changed my perspective on life. My priorities have shifted. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am not my job.<b> </b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">My sense of dignity is linked to my actions, not my employment. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I gain my sense of responsibility from raising my son to be a good person.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I strive to create a meaningful life for myself and my family. </li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">During my unemployment I have tried to live an intentional life. I have tried to find the light during the darkest hours. I have attempted to provide optimism for those struggling and I have helped mobilize a community to aid those in need. We received such a tremendous response to our diaper drive that we are currently planning a second, much larger and impactful event. These are the things that help instill pride, a sense of community, and a responsibility to something greater. It’s what I do with my time that defines me. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When I return to work, my job will not consume my identity. My self-worth will be derived from so much more. My hope is to have a meaningful job that is in line with my core values of love and family. Jobs will come and go…but my dignity will not vanish and reappear with each passing position.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I’ve learned a lot about pride, responsibility, and my life’s purpose while unemployed. I’m a changed man with different priorities. I’m thinking of inviting the above-mentioned politician to my next philanthropic event. If he doesn’t win the election, he might find<i> himself</i> struggling with a crisis of identity and loss of dignity.</div><br />
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</script>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-66392111805893331852010-09-02T22:04:00.011-04:002010-09-03T08:51:54.208-04:00Tantrums: A Different Perspective<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I originally wrote the contents of this entry as a response to the post below.<span style=""> </span>But…my husband asked me to make it an entry, and well...ironically, today was a day in which I really felt like partaking in my very <span style="font-style: italic;">own </span>tantrum.<span style=""> </span>Admittedly, when I had the house to myself for a few moments, I did just that.<span style=""> </span>A good scream.<span style=""> </span>A few tears.<span style=""> </span>A war against my hardwood floors with the vacuum and mop. Afterwards, I felt better, but not as good as I felt after a nice glass of wine and a surprise dinner of sushi from my comforting husband!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">***</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Here's a little secret about this Mama: I often feel like waging my own tantrums - to clench my fists in a terrific fit of tears and screams. Sometimes, over small things like cold coffee or another pile of dishes in the sink. Sometimes over big things like financial uncertainty and social injustice.<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When my son is deep in the throws of a tantrum, I am reminded of our similarities. He is scared, frustrated, and unsure of his ability to control himself and the world around him. He and I are feeling similar things; he just hasn't been conditioned to control his response. <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />I'm a little envious of his ability to blow off the steam - to just get it out until he falls in a heap of exhausted boy mush. But...I also feel for him. I understand that this is just the beginning. Today he is frustrated because his train tracks keep coming apart. When he gets older, he will endure a broken heart, a lost love, a dissolving dream. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />When I am intentional and empathetic in my response to his tantrums, I find that we connect on a deeper level. My compassion drives my reaction. I am able to control my frustrations and act with more patience. I am able to see my boy as a small person who is finding his way through a world of confusing rules and mixed-messages.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />When I can control myself in the midst of his tantrum, I can see beauty in his freedom to rage and sadness in the reality that this is just the beginning.</p><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Ftantrums-different-perspective.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden; width: 450px; height: 35px;" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><a name="fb_share" type="button_count" share_url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/09/tantrums-different-perspective.html" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/09/tantrums-different-perspective.html" count="horizontal" via="alu_jtm">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Hungry Dog Heaven - A Dog Barkeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203560763587780927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-60772368771028771942010-09-02T00:02:00.007-04:002010-09-02T09:59:29.959-04:00Does Practice Really Make Perfect?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Raising a child is rewarding. It is also equally as difficult. Lessons of patience, understanding, and tolerance are a part of our daily experience – both for toddlers <i style="">and</i> parents. I answer the question, “Why?” as if it were on a constant repeat. I survive multiple tantrums each day (sometimes all day). I struggle with potty training. As I spend my days with my son, I can plan for quality time, but even the best laid blueprints are fallible. Tantrums can ruin a good lunch. Fighting over a dump truck can end a nice day at the pool. “Quality” is often lost amidst the chaos of toddler unpredictability.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As an unemployed person, it is easy to let each day blend into the next with no real structure. Time can slip by in a muted blur. One day. One month. One year. All unemployed.<span style=""> </span>The one thing driving me each day is my desire to maximize my quality time with my son while I have it.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I’ve been told “practice makes perfect” a million times in my life. It was drilled into my head as a kid – playing sports, studying for tests. <span style=""> </span>Now, as an adult, I’ve tried to apply a <i style="">new</i> twist to the old adage. If I “practice” things with my son (like sharing), it can lead to more quality time together. Hence, quantity can lead to quality.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Through my life I’ve learned, however, it is too simplistic to say that practice makes perfect. If I practice bad habits, I develop bad habits. If I practice them enough, I get really good at them.<span style=""> </span>Thus, it is not enough to just be with my son. I need to be more then just…there.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The reality is that there are times when we just “go through the motions”, letting time just pass. We’ve all done it before – at work, at the gym, even with our kids. We squander opportunities. Today, I witnessed a mom at the local pool who sat and read a book, instead of interacting with her toddler who was swimming in the water…alone. Did it matter that she was even there? When I take a good look at my life, I am extremely fortunate to be a “stay at home dad” and spend a lot of time with my son. But, am I a good dad just because I am there?<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For me, simply being present is not synonymous with “quality”. It is important for me to be intentional with my son. I want my actions to have true meaning for him. I want to be in the moment with my son. I know his mood is unpredictable. I know he will have tantrums that can interrupt quality time. I know he will fight with his friends over toys. However, if I treat every moment as a teaching moment, to let him learn about life, right from wrong, good from bad, then I believe that he can develop into a remarkable person. Because it’s not that practice makes perfect, but rather perfect practice makes perfect, it follows that productive quantity can lead to quality.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But…in the end, as I sift through my thoughts about the time I spend with my son, it no longer becomes about quality over quantity. If I choose to be truly intentional with our time together (no mater how long or short) and live in the moment with my son, all our time together becomes quality…even if he’s throwing a tantrum.</p><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fdoes-practice-really-make-perfect.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe><br /><br /><a name="fb_share" type="button_count" share_url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/09/does-practice-really-make-perfect.html" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="horizontal" data-via="alu_jtm">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-43867946788546650722010-08-23T23:04:00.013-04:002010-08-24T00:00:31.357-04:002 Years, 8 Months, 30 Days<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">November 2007 was the last time we went on vacation. Actually, it can be more accurately described as a babymoon since my wife was 5 months pregnant. At the time, we assumed this vacation would be our last for awhile. Because I had finally finished graduate school (and vacations can be less than relaxing with a newborn), it was a good time to start saving for our future. We never thought, however, that our next vacation would be almost 3 years later.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vacations were never a priority for my childhood. We rarely just went away to experience a new place. I do remember visiting family friends in <st1:state st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state> and <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Hampshire</st1:place></st1:state>. However, most of our summer vacations consisted of traveling to my sister’s softball tournaments across the country.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate peaceful (even restful) vacations that allow for time away from the stresses of life. It doesn’t even matter where I spend my time - I could enjoy a vacation in my own house. But, since my son was born, my wife and I have really tried to let our son experience the world – to let him know that life exists outside of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Jersey</st1:place></st1:state>. Even if he doesn’t fully grasp our time together on vacation, we were still making memories as a family. <i style="">We</i> will remember his excitement as he witnessed things for the first time.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">However, it became difficult to balance the need/desire for a vacation and the uncertainty of working for a fledgling company. It was never the “right time” to go on a vacation when in the background there was a constant looming fear of unemployment. And then finally, when my company officially went under, providing for our basic necessities became a much higher priority than taking a vacation.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But, after a year of unemployment, I came to the realization that there will never be the “right time” to take vacation. My son, at almost 2.5, had never been on vacation. As his parents, we owe him the opportunity to witness the world and participate in life outside of our home. Furthermore, it was important for me to give my wife the opportunity to enjoy time as a family. As the only working parent for a grant funded non-profit, her days are often spent trying to solidify her professional future in an uncertain economy. While, I’m off daily with my son enjoying our adventures, she’s working diligently at home only getting to enjoy her time with my son and I in short snippets. Thus, it was important for me to let us spend time together, uninterrupted.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The challenge for us became finding an affordable vacation on a one-income household. Combining our desire for peace with our need to explore, we decided to rent a house on a lake in the Poconos. It was a perfect vacation spot to spend some quality time as a family, including our dogs. It was a simple vacation that allowed my son to explore nature, make his first s’mores on a campfire, and learn how to row a canoe. It was too short, as most vacations are, but we made life-long memories and have a ton of pictures to remember them by (614 pictures, to be exact!).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHQNjian5XCq8zyJH861PcYeM9Ec_z5b2gukaqEnW9Vdmfo5suFqj0Vk1YeLP616WCVxkkjcVqxyprhqvbAxfUQwn_737EOBaRp_Je0Uy0i3bNbdk2yPQ1VULbdYFzItI5t0QfE-VVRu2/s1600/Chairs+in+Water.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHQNjian5XCq8zyJH861PcYeM9Ec_z5b2gukaqEnW9Vdmfo5suFqj0Vk1YeLP616WCVxkkjcVqxyprhqvbAxfUQwn_737EOBaRp_Je0Uy0i3bNbdk2yPQ1VULbdYFzItI5t0QfE-VVRu2/s400/Chairs+in+Water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508808872253549890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sThI33UjffGfnMdG4Ce8BmMqlOC_KRN57PbtBZj7l1__rBO32TLf5rNhAmTHwZcceKCHSyTfazBK1KFuKe07l_MUBAdoa3C8DFnBHXJXvFCruwYZUVgZKNn_sfvDXYGuv8VJwM4ltyWc/s1600/Link,+Mom,+Jeter+in+canoe.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sThI33UjffGfnMdG4Ce8BmMqlOC_KRN57PbtBZj7l1__rBO32TLf5rNhAmTHwZcceKCHSyTfazBK1KFuKe07l_MUBAdoa3C8DFnBHXJXvFCruwYZUVgZKNn_sfvDXYGuv8VJwM4ltyWc/s400/Link,+Mom,+Jeter+in+canoe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508821259865908290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBP8f2SN6d0m1xdrIUXETJE8_-fVFvxqYvUnE6fA0Wg2Zfpk1F7kIBExFKitSdUimMmb4UJXzSH2WqzTd3Fss7Zb8tt0Jqob3L861R4UB8I_SuLK7zkg9zzoL5EaO8DxlS3zBIaPkmr9r/s1600/Campfire.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBP8f2SN6d0m1xdrIUXETJE8_-fVFvxqYvUnE6fA0Wg2Zfpk1F7kIBExFKitSdUimMmb4UJXzSH2WqzTd3Fss7Zb8tt0Jqob3L861R4UB8I_SuLK7zkg9zzoL5EaO8DxlS3zBIaPkmr9r/s400/Campfire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508807745265308930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AZIcJU75gEiua9XgAaYdZqgnUHoVZjd7OH_0SmNzAJXq0CmUmXW01J6xZL9270RR6lkkFb-B3cTfRDpl1N44gyi1BVls1YvDRvcyMG-tz3tyHFDy48z5Q8kFjSycTHT4mu88kLrz_zXM/s1600/Link+and+Jeter.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; 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width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismU59gXxiz6PITYsWF1CCuk4jgINf0ZM_QzBK6Nk387yUPhuZNh9ulLT76BqUPhiFNxwOnCJHGB1YiPID703rqvacK87xw5VGKPijMivphK9fMIgb2TZWe3qYdet7cXWCYG9AsXltsUJo/s400/Aardvark+-+no+pets+allowed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508807853573434930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTzIoki-O51vMJAMzBm44SSm0U0OPSx-phnVxo01PgXY78twWq6WY04L8b-LcB9TNMGwygKVkM9_ZkUYyR6w4Pt4-5DsID3omGXKpZiWrmrH88yNX5oktyumrfRYXpkR5goFjqR29oAKM/s1600/Link+and+Bear.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTzIoki-O51vMJAMzBm44SSm0U0OPSx-phnVxo01PgXY78twWq6WY04L8b-LcB9TNMGwygKVkM9_ZkUYyR6w4Pt4-5DsID3omGXKpZiWrmrH88yNX5oktyumrfRYXpkR5goFjqR29oAKM/s400/Link+and+Bear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508808864516471458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2F2-years-8-months-30-days.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden; width: 450px; height: 35px;" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><a name="fb_share" type="button_count" share_url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/08/2-years-8-months-30-days.html" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/08/2-years-8-months-30-days.html" count="horizontal" via="alu_jtm">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-10780718604505001282010-08-14T16:54:00.010-04:002010-08-14T20:04:46.884-04:00I get...an opportunity for change.<style>><!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -->></style><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I want to thank my wife again for her inspiring words. In such a fragile economy, it’s easy to lose perspective and look at life negatively. It often becomes a downward spiral that we continue to feed – consciously or subconsciously. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Negativity is promoted everywhere. It’s evident in Facebook and Twitter status updates. The newspaper and nightly news broadcast horrifying stories. Commercials condition us to believe that we will get every disease unless we consult a physician about a new drug. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Even some of our most popular television shows are shrouded in negativity. These shows are so interesting to us because collectively we identify with the deeply flawed characters. Who doesn’t have a stressful life, or work-related problems, or not enough money? We even build up our real-life heroes into immortal role models, watch as they crumble under scandal, and then root for second chances. Why? Because we identify with their humanity. But, does “humanity” need to be synonymous with negativity? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I want to heed my wife’s words and put them into action – to really try to change the collective perception that life is a constant uphill battle. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I once read that the most powerful word anyone can say is the word “I”. Simply put, no person in the world can say the word “I” for you. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am stressed.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I underachieve.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am not wealthy enough.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am not smart enough.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I probably use some of these phrases daily. But, why should I allow myself to feel that way? In reality, what I choose to put my emphasis on is what I am. If I say these things, I become these things.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">If I want to change my reality and ultimately my perception of life, there’s a simple solution. I am committing to following the word “I” with something positive…always. This simple change can adjust my mindset:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am motivated.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am a loving husband and father.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I can help people.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am happy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">If I can make this one simple change, even if I force it at first, I can create a better reality for myself and my family.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">****</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">My sister recently sent me an article by Kristin Armstrong, a noted runner and author. As she was finishing up a hard run while training, she was struggling to get up that one last steep hill. As she was climbing that hill, she thought about all those people who don’t have the ability or opportunity to run that hill. Her change in attitude about the hill resulted in a shift in her overall perception. Instead of thinking, I <i>have to </i>run up that hill, she decided to think, “I<i> get</i> to run up that hill”. It’s a simple <b>one </b>word change, but it’s a dramatic shift in perception. She tried to apply her new mantra to everything in her life. She even passed it along to her peers. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We all have things we have to do. I <i>have to </i>wake up early with my son. I <i>have to </i>take my dogs for walk. I<i> have to </i>eat healthier. Kristin Armstrong’s point is simple. If we view life as an opportunity, we can create a more positive reality.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This behavior is contagious. At a recent race, Kristin noticed people wearing t-shirts that read:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I<i> get </i>to run today.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Once we change our habits that enable and empower negativity, we can replace those practices with productive ones. In a day, a week, a month, it can become commonplace – our new mantra. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Like those runners, as I think about my metaphorical t-shirt, it would read:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I<i> get </i>to<i> </i>be with my son today.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I implore every single person who is reading these words to leave a comment and tell me what your t-shirt would say. It won’t take much time and it doesn’t take much effort. Even if you think this is an exercise in futility, we can still carve out, at the very least, our own positive nook in this very tiny section of the world. So, tell me...what would your t-shirt say?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><iframe allowtransparency="true" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fi-get.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: medium none; height: 35px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" share_url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-get.html" type="button_count">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript">></script>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-22111140105642476352010-08-11T09:42:00.020-04:002010-08-11T13:16:01.480-04:00A One Year Perspective: Making a Living on Unemployment<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-style: italic;">By Trish at Hungry Dog Heaven</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I’ve attempted to write this blog entry a dozen times. But these feeling and thoughts have been hard to put into words.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I’m overwhelmed by the constant churning of my brain and heart. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about life – about what I want and what I need - about my legacy and my purpose. I want to be happy. I want to continue doing work about which I can be proud and that gives me opportunities to impact the world. I want to make a difference. I don’t want to be happy at the expense of someone else and I don’t want to succeed if by doing so I have to compromise my beliefs. I want to always stand up for what I think is right and take the road less traveled. I want to, at the end of my days, be proud of my decisions and have few regrets. I want<i> </i>my life to have mattered.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But, I feel like people are always waiting for opportunities to <i>do </i>things – waiting for nicer weather, more money, more time, etc. “I’ll do that when….”, or, “I can’t wait until…” But, while we’re doing all of this <i>waiting,</i> the world keeps <i>going! </i>Every time the sun sets, it takes with it our opportunities for that day. We cannot get them back.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We want our lives to be different, but are too complacent to work for change. We’ve been so conditioned to just <i>accept</i> our circumstances that we sometimes feel paralyzed to create a better reality. We want to be happy, but continue to look at life so negatively. Sometimes life seems to be stacking the cards against us. But, as long as we’re still here, can’t we shift our perspective to see the good in the bad? Of course, sometimes we’ll have to squint to see a grain of good, but it’s there – I promise you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It has been a year today, August 11<sup>th</sup>, since my husband was originally laid off. Had we spent the past year waiting for our luck to take a turn, or being overwhelmed with self-pity, we would have missed out on <i>life. </i>But I feel like this past year has given us the gift to think about the life we <i>want. </i>The challenge is in finding the road to <i>our </i>happiness. Not the happiness that others define, but <i>ours.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I am slightly flustered. I feel like one life is not enough to do it all. But…I know that my first step is to do <i>some</i>thing and to appreciate my opportunity to do it – to live intentionally and take small steps to <i>make</i> life, not waste it. </div><br />
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</script>Hungry Dog Heaven - A Dog Barkeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203560763587780927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703220098202512144.post-53028313743488433512010-08-10T16:23:00.010-04:002010-08-10T17:22:04.678-04:00Update for the Diaper Drive<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p>We are just a few days away from our play date/diaper drive. The response so far has been tremendous. People from across the country have asked to send diapers.<br /></p><p>We are so proud to be volunteering for <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000731238267#%21/pages/Bethesda-MD/National-Latina-Health-Network/13639051394?ref=ts&__a=576&ajaxpipe=1" target="new">The National Latina Health Network</a> and <a href="http://www.huggies.com/en-US/promotions/everylittlebottom%20" target="new">Huggies Every Little Bottom</a> campaign. It's exciting to help both organizations give a voice to this great (and overlooked) cause! Thank you to everyone who is helping. It will make a tremendous difference.<br /></p> <p>We are really looking forward to seeing all of you. If you would like to come, it's not too late. To receive the evite, send me an email at:<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <u1:worddocument> <u1:view>Normal</u1:View> <u1:zoom>0</u1:Zoom> <u1:punctuationkerning/> <u1:validateagainstschemas/> <u1:saveifxmlinvalid>false</u1:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <u1:ignoremixedcontent>false</u1:IgnoreMixedContent> <u1:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</u1:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <u1:compatibility> <u1:breakwrappedtables/> <u1:snaptogridincell/> <u1:wraptextwithpunct/> <u1:useasianbreakrules/> <u1:dontgrowautofit/> </u1:Compatibility> <u1:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</u1:BrowserLevel> </u1:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <u2:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </u2:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]-->alifeunexpected.jtm@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p>See you on Saturday!<o:p></o:p></p><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Falifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fupdate-for-diaper-drive.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=35" style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden; width: 450px; height: 35px;" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" share_url="http://alifeunexpected-jtm.blogspot.com/2010/08/update-for-diaper-drive.html" type="button_count">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script>JTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484296768114310334noreply@blogger.com1