Don't Mess with my Chocolate

Time's running out. I wish I had known about this sooner.

Guittard Chocolate has a campaign running called Don't Mess With Our Chocolate. Here's the basic concept. Like many food products, there is a legal definition of what can be called chocolate in our country, which has been set up to protect us, the consumers. Certain members of the US chocolate industry have decided that they would like that legal definition to be relaxed, so that they can replace high quality ingredients such as cocoa butter and real sugar with cheaper, and much lower quality ingredients at our expense.

Please take a moment to head over to Guittard's campaign site and click the link on "How to Help". We have until April 25th to let the FDA know that we won't stand for this. It's time to stand up for yourselves and let it be known that we as Americans care about quality, and that we will not be duped or taken advantage of by greedy chocolate makers.

Attack of the Corduroy Ninjas

The Bowling for Kids' Sake, was a blast. The Corduroy Ninjas did great, we raised $650 as a team. There was pizza, bowling, prizes and FUN! Robert won an Ulu Knife for getting a spare or a gutter ball ... I don't remember which. I won a gift certificate to Ritz Camera for a free 8x10 enlargement with a wood frame.

Our team members where: Mona (Ninja Master), Robert (Out-Numbered Ninja), Heather (Mommy Ninja), Connor (Cutest Ninja in the World), and me (hmmm... Ninja in training).

Our scores ranged from 50 to 160, with Mona kicking our butts!

And yes... I will probably do it again next year.

All Moms Go To Heaven

Fun little contest about the 10 reasons All Moms go to Heaven:

10. Will stay up until 4 am sewing the jewels back on the princess dress so that baby girl can wear it for the 4000th time.

9. Will come home from work, stop a fight, clean a room, get kids dinner, help with baths, get kids into bed, and then realize that she still has her coat on.

8. Will comfort 6 year old when older brother won't play with her.

7. Will comfort 8 year old when little sister won't play with him.

6. Will attempt to keep kids quiet on the weekend to let Dad sleep in...just a bit.

5. Will do the majority of the driving to ballet, sports, scouts and church activities, not because Dad won't, but because Mom wants to be involved.

4. Will not often say "no." - Sure she can: make 2 dozen cookies, sew 4 cheer leading outfits, make new dress, build castle, build fort, and be PTO president (for a year).

3. Will cry when baby goes to kindergarten...also cries when kindergarten is out for summer.

2. Will take 1000's of pictures, 100's in focus, and scrapbook in that 20 spare minutes once every 3 years.

The #1 reason:

1. Will love unconditionally forever, even when lied too (she knew), watching babies make mistakes (but doesn't step in so they learn), will let you date "that" boy (then hold you when it is over and you need to cry), and she will always be there loving.

Mel will do it... she will do anything!!!

Okay so I get this email :

I know it's the 11th hour, but I know you are extremely resourceful person. The Corduroy Ninjas need another team mate for this Saturday's Bowlfest. Our team slot is Saturday @ 8:30pm. Interested in joining us? There's only one catch. To participate (which is a fun event in itself), it requires gathering $150 in donations (this is the 'you're resourceful' part). Mona

This is for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and it is called Bowling for Kids' Sake. And of course because of who I am I will do it (why can't I ever say no)... so if you would like to pledge then please click the link below.

Bowling for Kids' Sake Pledge
On the left side of the page click on "Donate to a Bowler" then enter in Melissa in the search field.

Thanks so much!

One Cool Doctor... still no answers

So my Dr. (who is fabulous as she is an internist who diagnosed me with Sjogren's 5 years ago) called me yesterday to tell me she received the reports from my latest trip to Seattle. Guess what!!! They show I am completely normal (other than RA and Sjogrens).

So my wonderful Dr says "You know I hate just treating pain without knowing the cause, but we need to help you!" Isn't she great!!! Then she continues to tell me she has no idea what is wrong but she feels in her gut that it is neuro based, so after a week of Prendisone we will start some neuro meds. She admitted we will be doing some hit and miss... and that she is guessing. But she wants to do something.

The leg pain is to the point where I break into a sweat walking to and from the bathroom at work. The pain happens every time I put weight on my right leg, it is a shooting pain that originates just below the knee on the side and travels to my toes and up to my hip.

Anyway, it is hard knowing she is guessing, but I am glad we are trying something.

My boy, my son, my love

My baby boy turned eight years old today. I try to think back to the day I found out I was pregnant. August 11th 1998, it was the day before my third anniversary. I was scared, excited, and overwhelmed. What did I know about having a baby? What was I thinking?

And then the day came… my water broke, and off to the hospital we went. At 4:00am on April 9, 1999 he was born.
7 lbs 10 ozs, 21 inches long.

My boy, my son, my love.

As he grew I watched him become a toddler full of wonder. Then a child off to Kindergarten, to learn what the world is about. Now he is a handsome young man. Full of compassion, love, energy, and patience.

He loves to play on the computer (like his dad), and loves soccer. Over the past years he has wanted to be an Army Soldier when he grows up, but that has recently changed to a computer programmer that makes airplane games.

What can I say… I love him. May his dreams always come true.

Names

I found a site that puts fun meaning to names... I did the whole family... you should do yours!

What Melissa Means
M is for Musical
E is for Explosive
L is for Likeable
I is for Innocent
S is for Spontaneous
S is for Sweet
A is for Astounding

What Joseph Means
J is for Joyful
O is for Organic
S is for Spiritual
E is for Enthusiastic
P is for Pesky
H is for Honest

What Jonathan Means
J is for Jolly
O is for Outgoing
N is for Normal
A is for Adventurous
T is for Talented
H is for Humorous
A is for Adventurous
N is for Normal

What Hannah Means
H is for Hardworking
A is for Athletic
N is for Nice
N is for Nutty
A is for Adventurous
H is for Humorous

What Does Your Name Mean?

Life's Side-Effects

So I got a call from my doctor in Seattle and they are putting me on a new medication. It is called Imuran (http://www.medicinenet.com/azathioprine/article.htm). So I decide to look up the side-effects...

Keep in mind that this is to help with my joint pain:

• Azathioprine can cause serious lowering of the white blood cell count, resulting in an increased risk of infections.
• Azathioprine can cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
• Azathioprine can also cause liver toxicity (in less than 1% of rheumatoid arthritis patients).
• Other side effects encountered less frequently include fatigue, hair loss, joint pains, and diarrhea.

Hello, we are trying to get rid of Joint Pain!!! Anyone ever think that life would be filled with so many side-effects?