Well, after quite a hiatus I am back and ne'er a second too soon. I have an important initiative to let my dear readers know about. And, it's especially important, since National Sandwich day was this week.
Stroehmann Bakeries is again this year supporting the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger through an important initiative called Nourishing Neighbors. Last year, Stroehmann was able to donate more than $100,000 to GPCAH. This year, they hope to surpass that number.
How can you help? Easy as PB&J! Go to your local Giant TODAY and TOMORROW ONLY. Buy Stroehmann Dutch Country or King bread. 10 cents from each loaf will be donated to GPCAH. They in turn will help to stock the food pantries in and around the Philadelphia region. This means you directly, by making your favorite sandwich or French toast (yum!), help to feed a hungry neighbor. It could be your next door neighbor. Hunger in our area doesn't mean emaciated Ethiopian children. It means the dad who skips his dinner so that his daughter can eat that night. It means moms feeding "junk food" instead of fresh vegetables because that's all she can afford.
This is such an easy thing to do. Take the few minutes to run over to Giant and buy that loaf of Stroehmann. It may mean much more to someone else than you. Do it today! This chance ends COB Saturday.
And on Thanksgiving, remember to give extra thanks for what's on your table this year.
Full Disclosure: I work with Crane Communications who is the agency of record for Stroehmann Bakeries on this initiative. I feel lucky to be both personally and professionally involved in this effort. It's not often you get to lend your professional talents to a cause you believe in so strongly on a personal level.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Um, What?!?: 10% of Under 25s Think It’s Okay to Text During Sex
I think this graphic says it all, but if you want to read the full article in Mashable, here ya go:10% of Under 25s Think It’s Okay to Text During Sex
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
For Mother's Day: A Profile of the Ultimate Mother - Carolyn Savage
Since Mother's Day is this upcoming weekend and I sit here, today, 3 weeks away from my own little one's arrival, I'd like to take a moment to honor someone who is an amazing role model for all mothers.
Motherhood is defined as a sacrifice. From the moment you realize that you are pregnant, you start making decisions, hard decisions because they are in the best interest of your child, and often these are made at the expense of what you want. Sacrifice becomes an easy word to say and to live.
Carolyn Savage has made the ultimate sacrifice and therefore wins the first-ever Blonde's I-View #1 Mom award. Do you have a #1 Mom, you'd like to see featured on Blonde's I-View? Send me the story!
Here's Carolyn's story - in brief:
Carolyn & Sean Savage went through IVF at the same time and in the same clinic as Shannon & Paul Morrell. This was Carolyn's last chance at having another child, as doctors had told her due to her medical conditions it was no longer safe for her to try to carry a pregnancy.
Soon after the IVF treatment, she found out she was pregnant - but not with her own child, with the Morrells. There had been a mix up with the embryos and Carolyn was implanted with the wrong one. No one could fault the Savages if they wanted to terminate, but that's not the hard decision Carolyn made. She decided to carry the baby to term and then WILLINGLY hand over the child to its true parents, the Morrells.
As someone who has been told that my pregnancy has been 'easy,' let me tell you - if this is easy, I wouldn't want to see hard. Pregnancy is a marathon of stumbles and obstacles and I still don't understand why people think this is a good idea. It's damn hard on a good day. I see it more as a means to an end. So, my respect for someone who was desperately trying to conceive their own child, with no luck, who would carry a child for nearly 10 months for SOMEONE ELSE, is beyond words. Only a MOTHER could do something so selfless.
You can read the story from the perspective of the Morrells here. They were quoted on the Today Show this morning, saying that this book was written as a thank you to the Savages.
Motherhood is defined as a sacrifice. From the moment you realize that you are pregnant, you start making decisions, hard decisions because they are in the best interest of your child, and often these are made at the expense of what you want. Sacrifice becomes an easy word to say and to live.
 |
| Photo Courtesy of NY Daily News |
Here's Carolyn's story - in brief:
Carolyn & Sean Savage went through IVF at the same time and in the same clinic as Shannon & Paul Morrell. This was Carolyn's last chance at having another child, as doctors had told her due to her medical conditions it was no longer safe for her to try to carry a pregnancy.
Soon after the IVF treatment, she found out she was pregnant - but not with her own child, with the Morrells. There had been a mix up with the embryos and Carolyn was implanted with the wrong one. No one could fault the Savages if they wanted to terminate, but that's not the hard decision Carolyn made. She decided to carry the baby to term and then WILLINGLY hand over the child to its true parents, the Morrells.
As someone who has been told that my pregnancy has been 'easy,' let me tell you - if this is easy, I wouldn't want to see hard. Pregnancy is a marathon of stumbles and obstacles and I still don't understand why people think this is a good idea. It's damn hard on a good day. I see it more as a means to an end. So, my respect for someone who was desperately trying to conceive their own child, with no luck, who would carry a child for nearly 10 months for SOMEONE ELSE, is beyond words. Only a MOTHER could do something so selfless.
You can read the story from the perspective of the Morrells here. They were quoted on the Today Show this morning, saying that this book was written as a thank you to the Savages.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Republish: Barack Obama is NOT African-American
Blogger's Note: I have chosen to republish this because I think there have been some very interesting recent comments made to it that my readers should have a chance to read and its been a year+ since its original publish date of 1/20/09. And, I'm a spelling freak and found a spelling error that I just cannot let go...
Please be sure to read the comments...
I'm very frustrated by the expression of Obama as the first 'African-American' or the first 'black' man in the White House and all the hype around it. I know I am likely to get slammed all over the blogosphere for saying it, but I need to. It needs to be said.
What is this country coming to? We profess to be so evolved now that Dr. King's dream has finally come to fruition. My understanding of Dr. King's dream was that the black man in America would finally be recognized as an equal to the white man (in its most simplistic form). It would be a day when America would not judge or define a man (blogger's note: I use the term 'man' as a gender neutral term in this post) by the color of his skin. Isn't that what we are doing right now? The media is reinforcing the color of Obama's skin at every turn and Obama is riding the coattails of this media hype! This is not my understanding of what Dr. King wanted - its the exact opposite.
This country is all excited and whipped up into a frenzy about a 'Black' man in the office of the President. Why aren't we excited about his talents and intelligence and quite frankly his youth? Dr. King wanted America to judge a man based on the content of his character. But, we are not doing that! Why must the media focus on the color of his skin - does it make him more or less talented or a better or worse decision maker? Isn't it actually demeaning him? 'Wow - a Black man is finally in the White House (as if he was somehow less qualified for the office than his competitors because of the color of his skin). It's unbelievable to me. We are REINFORCING the very stereotypes we've worked so hard to eliminate.
Obama is the American-born son of a WHITE woman and a BLACK man. Doesn't that make him an American? Not an African-American. Had he been born in Africa, migrated here and became an American citizen, then he would be African-American. Just because one parent was black that doesn't make him a black man - he is as black as he is white. Isn't this the true American? He is a physical definition of our country in its infancy - known to be a melting pot. Isn't this EXACTLY what we're trying to achieve? And Obama is the essence of it. Why is no one recognizing this? He has, in my opinion, united the races - he is an American of a new race - one that carries and plays on the strenghts of his ancestors, both black and white, before him.
The media doesn't talk about Tiger Woods as a black man - and what the black man has accomplished in the traditonally white world of golf. We, in DC, don't talk about our mayor, Adrian Fenty, as an amazing black mayor (which he is, love you Mayor Fenty!). He's just a terrific mayor. What about Colin Powell or Condoleezza Rice - they are typically remembered for their accomplishments, not that they were black or of African descent. They are just great Americans. Why can't they do this for Obama?
I challenge the Ameican media to start talking about Obama without referencing his race. I doubt that you can do it, but that would be my dream (and apparently Dr. King's too). A day when the media would judge President Obama based on his decisions and accomplishments, not on the color of his skin. I wait and pray for that day. I hope to see it in my lifetime.
I leave you with the words of Dr. King - it is clear and evident to me his meaning. To the media - read it again. I think you will agree with me.
Please be sure to read the comments...
I'm very frustrated by the expression of Obama as the first 'African-American' or the first 'black' man in the White House and all the hype around it. I know I am likely to get slammed all over the blogosphere for saying it, but I need to. It needs to be said.
What is this country coming to? We profess to be so evolved now that Dr. King's dream has finally come to fruition. My understanding of Dr. King's dream was that the black man in America would finally be recognized as an equal to the white man (in its most simplistic form). It would be a day when America would not judge or define a man (blogger's note: I use the term 'man' as a gender neutral term in this post) by the color of his skin. Isn't that what we are doing right now? The media is reinforcing the color of Obama's skin at every turn and Obama is riding the coattails of this media hype! This is not my understanding of what Dr. King wanted - its the exact opposite.
This country is all excited and whipped up into a frenzy about a 'Black' man in the office of the President. Why aren't we excited about his talents and intelligence and quite frankly his youth? Dr. King wanted America to judge a man based on the content of his character. But, we are not doing that! Why must the media focus on the color of his skin - does it make him more or less talented or a better or worse decision maker? Isn't it actually demeaning him? 'Wow - a Black man is finally in the White House (as if he was somehow less qualified for the office than his competitors because of the color of his skin). It's unbelievable to me. We are REINFORCING the very stereotypes we've worked so hard to eliminate.
Obama is the American-born son of a WHITE woman and a BLACK man. Doesn't that make him an American? Not an African-American. Had he been born in Africa, migrated here and became an American citizen, then he would be African-American. Just because one parent was black that doesn't make him a black man - he is as black as he is white. Isn't this the true American? He is a physical definition of our country in its infancy - known to be a melting pot. Isn't this EXACTLY what we're trying to achieve? And Obama is the essence of it. Why is no one recognizing this? He has, in my opinion, united the races - he is an American of a new race - one that carries and plays on the strenghts of his ancestors, both black and white, before him.
The media doesn't talk about Tiger Woods as a black man - and what the black man has accomplished in the traditonally white world of golf. We, in DC, don't talk about our mayor, Adrian Fenty, as an amazing black mayor (which he is, love you Mayor Fenty!). He's just a terrific mayor. What about Colin Powell or Condoleezza Rice - they are typically remembered for their accomplishments, not that they were black or of African descent. They are just great Americans. Why can't they do this for Obama?
I challenge the Ameican media to start talking about Obama without referencing his race. I doubt that you can do it, but that would be my dream (and apparently Dr. King's too). A day when the media would judge President Obama based on his decisions and accomplishments, not on the color of his skin. I wait and pray for that day. I hope to see it in my lifetime.
I leave you with the words of Dr. King - it is clear and evident to me his meaning. To the media - read it again. I think you will agree with me.
"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today."
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Why The Fed Gov't Is Closed for Snowmaggedon
Sen. Daschle's car gets stuck on Wisconsin Avenue during the snowstorm - and he was trying to push it himself! Being from South Dakota, you'd think he'd know better.... Just saying...
Click here to watch the video:
Raw Video: Fmr. Sen. Tom Daschle Stuck in D.C. Snowstorm
Click here to watch the video:
Raw Video: Fmr. Sen. Tom Daschle Stuck in D.C. Snowstorm
MadLibs at AdLibbing.org?
Nah - it's just me 'adlibbing' at the The Advertising Council's new blog, AdLibbing. Check out what I had to say...
Here's my Bastille Marketing blog post about my guest blogging experience and here's the actual AdLibbing post on Launching a Successful Blog...
Let me know what you think!!! This is a series I am doing for them, so feedback is welcome for what else you would include in the next post...
Here's my Bastille Marketing blog post about my guest blogging experience and here's the actual AdLibbing post on Launching a Successful Blog...
Let me know what you think!!! This is a series I am doing for them, so feedback is welcome for what else you would include in the next post...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Minute Suites: Lay-over Luxury?
I have read about these Minute Suites and I'm thrilled to see that they have finally made it to the US. The thought of trying one out is motivating enough to make me lift my ban on flying through Hartsfield (Atlanta, GA). The only thing not addressed in this article is the availability of the suites. I wonder how many people will be using them and if you need to reserve ahead of time. Or maybe its just that I would use them every time that leads me to believe that there would be a wait to get one - at $30/hr - that wait might be only in my imagination.
If you have tried a Minute Suite, please leave a comment on your experience.
Minute Suites: Rest and Recharge, Airport Style – WebWorkerDaily
Between security hassles and being charged fees for everything but the oxygen we breathe on board a plane, air travel has become something to be endured rather than enjoyed. But a new service that recently opened in Atlanta Hartsfield airport, called Minute Suites, wants to serve as travelers’ oasis from the stress of life traveling the unfriendly skies...
The Minute Suites host on duty when I arrived, Michael, was cheery and welcoming despite the extremely early hour and my jet-lagged, exhausted demeanor. He lead me to my suite and gave me a tour of its amenities.
If you have tried a Minute Suite, please leave a comment on your experience.
Minute Suites: Rest and Recharge, Airport Style – WebWorkerDaily
Between security hassles and being charged fees for everything but the oxygen we breathe on board a plane, air travel has become something to be endured rather than enjoyed. But a new service that recently opened in Atlanta Hartsfield airport, called Minute Suites, wants to serve as travelers’ oasis from the stress of life traveling the unfriendly skies...
The Minute Suites host on duty when I arrived, Michael, was cheery and welcoming despite the extremely early hour and my jet-lagged, exhausted demeanor. He lead me to my suite and gave me a tour of its amenities.
Minute Suites are 7ft x 8ft units that are entered through a sliding door. I was told the five suites are sanitized between each use. Each suite is furnished with a sofa that pulls out into a bed, and a desk with a chair. The suites could easily accommodate three adults or two adults and two children.
Be sure to read the WebWorkerDaily post for the full details...
Monday, February 8, 2010
Am I seeing double? Twins Separated at Birth? Part 2
As I wrote about previously, there are some people, particularly actors, that just appear to me to be so alike that I can't tell them apart....unless I see side-by-side pictures and even then, its apparent they were twins separated at birth...
Here is yet another example:
Here is yet another example:
Saturday, February 6, 2010
It's a Delaware thing...
While this video is 2+ minutes of a painful montage, it is worth sitting through it. It's a Delaware thing....
Friday, January 22, 2010
So cute...
This is easily the cutest, sweetest video about the unlikeliest of buddies. As the story goes, a family discovered a motherless baby deer, nursed it back to health, and then released it. Apparently the deer comes back daily to play with the family's lab. Watch...
Friday, January 15, 2010
Still Joking...Kind of... Conan Selling Tonight Show on Craiglist
While the Late Night wars have been given new meaning lately, this takes it to a whole new level. Conan *jokingly* said on his show that he was going to sell the Tonight Show on Craig's List, while he still could. Funny, right? Except, as Adam Ostrow points out in his Mashable article, the listing is for real... or it was until it was recently flagged for removal. Read the article for the screen shot of the actual listing...
Conan Puts The Tonight Show for Sale on Craigslist
Conan Puts The Tonight Show for Sale on Craigslist
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Flu Ain't Over Yet - Its Nat'l Flu Shot Week
From the HHS website:
“This is a challenging flu season for millions of Americans and their families, and it’s not over yet,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to prevent the flu. We urge all Americans to protect themselves and their families by getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.”
From April 2009 until mid-November 2009, H1N1 flu infected approximately 47 million Americans and contributed to more than 200,000 hospitalizations and nearly 10,000 deaths. Flu season is unpredictable and typically lasts until May.
“The window of opportunity to get the H1N1 vaccine is still open,” said Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC. “We do not know how many more cases of flu there will be in the coming weeks and months, but we do know that the H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself.”
Launched in 2006 as an annual initiative, National Influenza Vaccination Week brings awareness of flu’s risks and complications—and encourages vaccination—by designating each day of the week for an at-risk group or individuals who are in close contact with them. So far, over 130 events are planned around the country, and more are being added.
Some scheduled events and initiatives are below:
National Influenza Vaccination Week
HHS Announces Nationwide Effort to Encourage H1N1 Vaccination During National Influenza Vaccination Week January 10 – 16, 2010
National, state, and local events will encourage more Americans to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 flu
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a nationwide effort to encourage more Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine during National Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10–16, 2010.“This is a challenging flu season for millions of Americans and their families, and it’s not over yet,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to prevent the flu. We urge all Americans to protect themselves and their families by getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.”
From April 2009 until mid-November 2009, H1N1 flu infected approximately 47 million Americans and contributed to more than 200,000 hospitalizations and nearly 10,000 deaths. Flu season is unpredictable and typically lasts until May.
“The window of opportunity to get the H1N1 vaccine is still open,” said Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC. “We do not know how many more cases of flu there will be in the coming weeks and months, but we do know that the H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself.”
Launched in 2006 as an annual initiative, National Influenza Vaccination Week brings awareness of flu’s risks and complications—and encourages vaccination—by designating each day of the week for an at-risk group or individuals who are in close contact with them. So far, over 130 events are planned around the country, and more are being added.
Some scheduled events and initiatives are below:
National Influenza Vaccination Week
- Sunday, Jan. 10 Vaccination Week Kick-Off
- Secretary Sebelius Visits 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington, DC to urge congregants to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.
- Faith-based and community organizations around the country urge Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.
- Monday, Jan. 11: Healthcare Workers and General Public Flu Vaccination Day
- Health care workers and first-responders around the country urge colleagues and the public to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.
- Tuesday, Jan. 12: Underlying Health Conditions Flu Vaccination Day
- The CDC will hold a webinar along with the American Lung Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Cancer Society to discuss the importance for people with chronic health conditions to get the H1N1 vaccine
- Secretary Sebelius and Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director of HHS’ Indian Health Service will hold a press conference call to announce new public service announcements (PSAs) on the importance of American Indians and Alaska Natives getting the H1N1 vaccine.
- Secretary Sebelius will also hold a press conference call to announce new PSAs urging African-Americans to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.
- Wednesday, Jan. 13: Children, Pregnant Women, and Families Flu Vaccination Day
- CDC holds a bloginar on the importance of pregnant women getting vaccinated.
- Thursday, Jan. 14: Young Adults Flu Vaccination Day
- Secretary Sebelius attends roundtable discussion at Hunter College in New York City to discuss the importance of young people getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.
- Friday, Jan. 15: Seniors Flu Vaccination Day
- Secretary Sebelius and HHS’ Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee attend a vaccination event at Congress Heights Wellness Center in Washington, DC and encourage senior citizens to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.
- HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh, M.D., and Massachusetts Health Secretary JudyAnn Bigby attend a vaccination week event the State House in Boston.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
NBC Confirms It Is Pulling Jay Leno From 10 P.m.
File this under: Don't Mess with a Good Thing. I know I watched Jay religiously at 11pm - now its all about which CSI or SVU re-run is on at 11.
NBC Confirms It Is Pulling Jay Leno From 10 P.m.
NBC Confirms It Is Pulling Jay Leno From 10 P.m.
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