Poppy had a heart procedure this morning that uncovered a 90% blockage of one of his arteries. Say what?!
To the surgeons who managed this surprise discovery and acted accordingly, and the hospital staff that is now making sure Poppy's resting and recovering comfortably, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
She's got a light around her
And everywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her
Everywhere
--Billy Joel, She's Got A Way
To all of you everywhere who celebrate Baby Girl with me--your dreams of love that surround her are appreciated, and you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
Happy 1st Birthday, my most precious and beloved Baby Girl. You too inspire me without a sound.
Here's what was referenced today and added to The Thanks Ranks:
* Monirah and enneagram studies (Part II)
* Garden of Wisdom raw materials for skincare
* The truth about soy? SoyOnline service
* Suzan-Lori Parks on being a writer
I didn't get to this, but wanted to still mention:
* The 5 Things You Need in Your Home to be Prepared for a Natural Disaster
If you so desire, you can click on the player to the left to hear this week's show in its 30 minute entirety. For earlier shows, check out the Thanks Ranks Radio archives at blogtalkradio.com.
It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired. --American Academy of Pediatrics
Baby Girl has two teeth that have just finally emerged, and she's learning how to use them. "And thereafter as far as long as mutually desired," is a countdown to July 28th, and it has just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
And while I'm on the subject of boobs, I feel like a big one for missing your special day, Kirsten. Happy Belated Birthday!
"I'm a writer every day I make the decision to write," said Suzan-Lori Parks during her conversation with Pearl Cleage at their NBAF event.
Really? I never thought of it that way... OK. I'm inspired. I believe it now. I'm a writer!
(loud fireworks going off inside my soul here)
For putting it that way, Suzan-Lori Parks, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
Why do I always have a taste for Chick-fil-A fries on Sundays--when I can't get any, because they're closed?
Today, I'll happily be able to get my fill. I often wonder if the secret to their success is divinely connected to their moral stand?
For the example of standing up for what you believe in despite conventional standards and expectations (I consider this foremost, above your fries cooked in peanut oil and your slammin' sweet tea--two lemons, please), Chick-fil-A, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
The gift of "today" has just been added to The The Thanks Ranks.
You've got it too. What are you going to do to celebrate?
I think I'll go buy some fresh flowers.
Happy 34th Birthday, my dear "baby" brother Craig.
Excerpt from the 51st (dream) state by Sekou Sundiata:
And what if we could show
that what we dream
is deeper than what we know?
Suppose if something does not live
in the world that we long to see
then we make it ourselves
as we want it to be.
R.I.P., Mr. Sundiata.
Here's what was referenced today and added to The Thanks Ranks:
* National Black Arts Festival running in Atlanta July 20-29
* The DNA Project and African Ancestry Inc.
* Ed and the crew at Paccino's Pizzeria
Big Boy has eczema. His skin has been plagued with it since he was 5 months old.
I am grateful that his condition is not as bad as it once was, and his pediatrician says he may very well be one of those children who for the most part outgrows it.
I hope this will be the case, but we're not there yet. And in the summer, it gets worse. Watching him itch involuntarily while his skin bears the leathery, scarred effects is one of the things that really breaks my heart as his Mom, and keeps me in the fight to find something that will give him relief.
It's been a long, costly battle, with remedies working for awhile, then his eczema becoming somehow "immune" to them, sending us on a quest for something else that may soothe his skin and give it a fighting chance. Today, it led me to California Baby Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion.
Upon first application, it seems to be having a positive effect. "It feels good, Mommy," is what Big Boy told me. It's the little things in life... I'm so happy I could cry.
In checking out their website, I see that there are creams that may prove to be even more effective. I'll give this lotion another couple of days and if appears to make a difference, I'll likely be ordering their Calming Botanical Moisturizing Cream.
Do any of you have experience with eczema? What has worked for you? Let me know, and I'll add you, as I'm doing now with mom-who-understands and California Baby developer Jessica Iclisoy, to The Thanks Ranks.
"Clean Is Happy" and despite the numerous puns I caught (which I wonder whether or not were intentional--I have to believe yes), these folks at TOTO appear to be serious about it.
Big Boy now wants to know what we need Kandoo for? This seems like so much more fun.
For the potty humor that gave me an incredulous chuckle, Washlet, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
At their gorgeous, brand-spankin' new beauty boutique now in Inman Park, these friends, helped my friend and me, to celebrate another friend, who recently lost 20 pounds (and counting). It all started with a professional eyebrow arching, but it ended with an experience that was so much more.
Tracy and Natalie--no, you're great--and you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks. :-)
To my new friend Kate in AZ who bought me a cup of coffee (which for me translates to frappuccino), I so appreciate it! You've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
Have you tried the recently introduced Starbucks Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino? Oh my goodness... It's my new summer love.
So for those of you who didn't know, I host a live internet radio show/podcast on Thursdays--"Thankful Thursdays at 3:00, EST"--to be exact. It's called, "Thanks Ranks Radio".
I had established a blog dedicated solely for the show, and had resources on blogtalkradio.com (who makes my show possible) where I'd post show notes and links to those things I may have discussed on air.
But my consistency in keeping up with all of this in multiple locations has been spotty at best. So I've decided to streamline my processes and just post the show highlights and resources here. It's just easier, and at this stage of my life, I like easy.
That being said, here's what was referenced today and added to The Thanks Ranks:
* vital juice daily
* Whole Foods, for "Supplementing with Superfoods"
* Bolthouse Farms, for Green Goodness and Blue Goodness
* Little India magazine
* charity: water
If you so desire, you can click on the player to the left to hear this week's show in its 30 minute entirety.
Here's my non-profit career background rearing its charitable head again...
1) Get past the fact that this Ford model is GORGEOUS and hear her message (I love and hate her simultaneously) :-)
2) Get past your knee-jerk reaction of, "What?! $20 for a bottle of water?!"
3) Check out http://www.charitywater.org/ for more info, particularly the 'why water?' page
4) Consider how fortunate you (and your children, if applicable) are
5) Make the decision to purchase a bottle and be one of 200 Thanks Ranks readers who makes installing a clean water well in a needy village possible
6) Tell me that you did or are planning to do so, and I'll add you to The Thanks Ranks
In the meantime, Hubby-Honey, for bringing this to my attention; Gelila, for using your beauty and celebrity for something noble (what a concept!); and Scott Harrison, charity: water founder, for determining to do something of monumental human significance with your privilege: you've all just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
Until I behold Warrick Dunn up close and personal (sigh...)
I present to you this Atlanta falcon that has been hanging out in my backyard for the last 3 weeks. We've named him?/her? Freddie-Frieda Falcon, and his?/her? visits have absolutely fascinated and delighted my family. Make no mistake about it, this picture doesn't do justice--this is a BIG bird.
For reminding me that nature is cool, and not attacking me as I tried to capture you on film (or rather, digitally), Freddie-Frieda Falcon, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
Truth be told, I STILL had clothes to donate, even after my massive spring cleaning clear-out in April, because I just couldn't get to it all. But I'd made a huge, significant dent.
And as good as it felt then after it was done, I still had trouble letting go of my little ones' clothes this time around, prompted by an American Kidney Fund representative calling late last month and inquiring if I had anything to donate. "Uh... umm... yes...," I reluctantly responded. I'm just a great, big, sentimental sap.
But I worked through it, and this morning, a little after 8:00 a.m., the American Kidney Fund truck came by and picked up my boxes of clothes and miscellaneous household items.
Through this process of giving away, you make more room to receive, right? That's what I keep telling myself--deep breath inhale-exhale after deep breath inhale-exhale.
For coming to relieve me of my things, providing me the reminder that I've been blessed so that I can be a blessing to others, American Kidney Fund, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
Happy Birthday Dara, Tenera and Stefani!
This photo, taken one-handed, looking up, while holding Baby Girl, is one of my favorites from the trip. It's one of the many tiled ceiling with chandelier "squares" in the relatively recently renovated Union Station. Beautiful.
Family reunion in Kansas City, MO. Mission accomplished.
Home Sweet Home, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.
