tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49154626730408779032024-02-06T22:34:35.148-08:00What type of Hero are you?Everyone is uniquely created with heroic talents. What type of hero are you?, is published to encourage your discovery of your unique talents and also to provide opportunities to engage those talents. YOU HAVE BEEN PLACED HERE TO BE RELEVANT! We are standing at the intersection of passion & destiny. We are called to a collision because...living your life's purpose is no accident!thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-88867172925025501722019-06-14T08:59:00.000-07:002019-06-14T08:59:22.272-07:00What I’m Telling Myself Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaFM__V8sMjw9u7dIvgDXMIMjqeuxD8DWxSgVcCWLXllPddfbGx6lv886cO1WscGQ1tNxMME6AVpzQrbjEbWi6rz-SpseLY_TwcVwVgNmMVbm3ugTKyPoggKXB2t-4c9_xtWGOYJ01So/s1600/20C5A4E9-EE7F-4C71-8519-25A9F853BCA4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="395" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaFM__V8sMjw9u7dIvgDXMIMjqeuxD8DWxSgVcCWLXllPddfbGx6lv886cO1WscGQ1tNxMME6AVpzQrbjEbWi6rz-SpseLY_TwcVwVgNmMVbm3ugTKyPoggKXB2t-4c9_xtWGOYJ01So/s320/20C5A4E9-EE7F-4C71-8519-25A9F853BCA4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Today is totally unique. There has never been, nor will there ever be another day like today. As much as I think I could plan for this day, it will possess moments and experiences that will catch me off guard. I’m ready, I am totally equipped to handle whatever comes my way. I choose to greet every experience with curiosity. I will ask myself how specific moments are meant to impact my thoughts, my actions, my personal growth. I will embrace every encounter with others as a challenge to leave them feeling better than when they arrived . For every individual that will seek my perspective, I will honor that trust with the same respect that I would desire. Today I will seek forgiveness for any transgressions as close to the actual occurrence as possible. I will aggressively search for the miracles, serendipities and anecdotal amusements that I so often miss. While this is my sincere desire, I expect that I will fall short not out of intent as much as human frailty. And should I be so fortunate to have experienced the completion of this day, I will require the same if not more tomorrow. Wish me luck!</span></div>
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thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-38004037432781465082012-08-02T16:43:00.000-07:002012-08-02T17:04:01.096-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We Can All Learn Something From</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">These Olympics</span></div>
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Yes it's true, these Olympics will show that every athlete competing is happy for the winners and happy for the other competitors. When the Closing Ceremonies conclude, the world will have witnessed an amazing show of sportsmanship. Silver medal winners will be overjoyed for the gold medal winners. Bronze medal winners will be excited for silver and gold medal winners. Fourth place and beyond finishers will cheer on the athletes that stand on the podium. Coaches will be ecstatic for the entire field of athletes and judges will do their best to recognize the talents as they are delivered. <br />
As citizens of the world we will take pride in the fact that there were no arguments, no disqualifications, no doping, no unsportsmanlike conduct and no differences between first and last place. This will be the Olympics that restore our faith in our fellow man. It will be the Olympics where competitors hug competitors with joy for their accomplishments. It will be the Olympics with a world record number of smiles. This is not a fantasy, it is reality.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The </span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.specialolympics.org/Games/PyeongChang_2013.aspx">Special Olympics</a></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> in PyeongChang, South Korea </span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> is scheduled for January 29 - February 5, 2013.</span></b><br />
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</ul>thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-87896243739205479952009-12-30T12:51:00.000-08:002011-06-17T06:52:02.014-07:00FREE BEER TOMORROW!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static-p4.fotolia.com/jpg/00/14/14/55/400_F_14145586_H6bvxc9D1fiCl2ll3nwkFX0wb39b4dUC.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img2.allposters.com/images/SEA/AA41.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 450px;" src="http://img2.allposters.com/images/SEA/AA41.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote></blockquote> <o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <font class="Apple-style-span" face="'trebuchet ms', serif" size="large" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; ">FREE BEER TOMORROW!</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a member of the Fairfield Optimist Club this sign would greet me at the bar every Thursday night.<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Free beer tomorrow promised false hope for the majority of our members, tomorrow never came.<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>And so the members would belly up to the bar and fork over their cash while longingly admiring what the future might bring.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">2010 begins the onslaught of many tomorrows that offer Free Beer, lost weight, new relationships, discarded habits and every other ambition under the sun labeled as a new years resolution.<font style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </font>Our signs might read:<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Totally Fit Tomorrow, Married Tomorrow, Smoke Free Tomorrow, Debt Free Tomorrow etc.<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>We do this every year.<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Is it because it works or is it because we have no alternatives?<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>If it did work, why must we repeat it again next year?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When confronted, our Optimist bartender would say, “ it’s today not tomorrow, come back tomorrow.”<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Of course if you came back tomorrow he would just repeat the same response and the vicious cycle would continue.<font style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </font>Isn’t that how we treat our new years resolutions?<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Don’t we promise ourselves that tomorrow we are going to put our foot down?<font style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </font>When we live for tomorrow, today comes and goes without fanfare.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static-p4.fotolia.com/jpg/00/14/14/55/400_F_14145586_H6bvxc9D1fiCl2ll3nwkFX0wb39b4dUC.jpg"><img src="http://static-p4.fotolia.com/jpg/00/14/14/55/400_F_14145586_H6bvxc9D1fiCl2ll3nwkFX0wb39b4dUC.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; "></a><p class="MsoNormal">What did you do exciting yesterday?<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>How about the day before?<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Can’t remember?<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>If everyday is spent concerned about tomorrow, then the vicious cycle is the first thing we should abandon tomorrow.<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Or, how about today?<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Why don’t we abandon an age-old tradition TODAY?<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Now there’s a twist, let’s try to get the most out of just this day and see if we don’t remember it tomorrow. Ever wonder why businesses aren't open 48 hours? I can see the sign now 'Drive-Up window...Open 48Hours!'<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Task:<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>attack today like everyone is watching and there will be a story detailing how you got value out of every minute.<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Don’t worry about tomorrow until it becomes today.<font style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </font>Give it your best shot and then call me and tell me about it.<font style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </font>Better yet, meet me at the local pub and we’ll have FREE BEER TODAY!</p> <!--EndFragment--> thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-24123530243163581412009-11-26T08:44:00.000-08:002009-11-26T08:53:51.980-08:00MACY'S THANKSGIVING PARADE IN JEOPARDY OF CANCELLATION!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">THIS JUST IN...MACY'S THANKSGIVING PARADE IN JEOPARDY OF CANCELLATION!<br /><br />Parade organizers may be found at fault for tragedy. Many people are asking why the professionals in charge could not foresee the impending doom. Who in their right mind would position The Planter Peanut Float directly ahead of Horton? </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"> <img src="webkit-fake-url://DA910A7B-47AE-458B-9A30-7C938D34D237/imgres.jpg" alt="imgres.jpg" /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;">Horton Hears a 'WHO WANTS PEANUTS?' and the rest is parade pandaemonium history. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://F9B25DED-F8AF-43EC-9C0C-B724B19D516B/alg_horton.jpg" alt="alg_horton.jpg" /></span></span></span><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;">one onlooker was heard to say "oh the humanity" and then of course the network lost their feed. Try and erase the pictures from your mind and Have a Happy Thanksgiving!</span></div></div></div>thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-49563375587264568722009-04-07T17:40:00.000-07:002019-06-14T09:16:09.986-07:005 Simple Ways To Be A Hero Today!The news pipelines are filled with stories of unsung heroes that beat the odds to triumph over tragedy. It's not unusual to hear of superhuman strength in the middle of an auto accident. We are not surprised with the details of the individual who risked life and limb to enter an inferno only to return <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cradling</span> a small baby. We may even experience a little envy when we learn of the airline pilot that wrestles a tumbling aircraft from the skies. As we digest the details of heroes in action we also calculate the odds of similar scenarios playing themselves out in our everyday world. If it happened to all of us on a frequent basis, well then it just wouldn't be news.<br />
And yet on a regular basis we are faced with the opportunity to be real heroes to real people but we may not recognize the hero value. Below I have listed 5 opportunities to have a hero impact today:<br />
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1. The human body is a blood factory with a limitless supply of product. According to the Hoxworth Blood Center of Cincinnati <a href="http://tiny.cc/OBTIQ">http://tiny.cc/OBTIQ</a> one unit of blood can be divided into as many as 5 different blood products. Every time you donate a unit of blood, your body immediately begins to replace that blood and you can donate as often as every 8 weeks. If you are donating just the platelet portion of the blood you can donate every 2 weeks to a maximum of 24 times per year. No matter what you donate your body will automatically replace the donation and allow you to donate again. As many as 3 lives can be saved with just one unit of blood <a href="http://tiny.cc/wlcoO">http://tiny.cc/wlcoO</a>.<br />
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2. Most of us have an extra kidney <a href="http://tiny.cc/SsMLN">http://tiny.cc/SsMLN</a>. That's right, we could live a normal life with only one kidney. Perhaps we are carrying around that extra kidney until someone else is in need. While not everyone is an ideal candidate to donate their kidney, thousands of people have successfully gifted a kidney to the save the life of another. You don't have to run into a burning building in order to be a hero. You don't have to land a jumbo jet on a postage stamp to be a hero. You don't even have to step between the president and an assasin to be a hero. You need only donate an organ that you could live without, to a recipient who may not live otherwise.<br />
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3. Skin, it's the largest organ of the body. Who needs skin grafts <a href="http://tiny.cc/YUOzX">http://tiny.cc/YUOzX</a>? Cancer patients, burn victims, babies born with deformities, the list goes on for those individuals who could benefit from the donation of skin. Skin grafts may be the easiest of organ donations because no drugs are needed to prevent rejection. Type matching is not necessary with skin grafts. With the increase in weight reduction surgery, excess skin has never been more abundant. Many people have a chance to be heros just by directing where that extra skin should go.<br />
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4. Did you know that the liver is an organ that regenerates? That's right, a small portion of your liver will grow to normal size in a matter of months from the time that a recipient has successfully completed a surgery <a href="http://tiny.cc/6irBl">http://tiny.cc/6irBl</a>. Not only will the recipient's liver grow to normal size, your liver will repair itself as if the donation had not occured. Hepatitis, alcohol disease, cirrhosis, and a hundred other conditions will cause a liver to fail. 1 decision on your part can eliminate any of the more than 100 causes. Be a hero, let your liver grow a little.<br />
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5. Leukaemia and other bone marrow related diseases have been impacted through the donation of bone marrow <a href="http://www.marrow.org/">http://www.marrow.org/</a>. Recent developments in medical procedures has made the harvesting of bone marrow products very easy. Look into the eyes of a young leukaemia patient that yearns for the assistance of a bone marrow donor and you can understand the impact of a hero. <br />
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The 5 opportunities mentioned above are just that, opportunities to be a hero. While many heroic acts are sudden and without preparation, you have the opportunity to be a hero in your own time under your own conditions. You have been equipped to save lives, improve the quality of life but maybe most importantly you have the opportunity to set the example that empowers so many more people to choose to be a hero.thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-18124436690461371512009-03-10T07:20:00.000-07:002009-03-10T11:58:25.220-07:00You Don't Have To Be Nostradamus to Understand What's Going On!<span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Which ever type of media you subscribe to the same topic seems to dominate the message, <a href="http://tiny.cc/NWJlg">it's the economy stupid! </a>For every opinion out there on the subject we find a new mystery unraveled. Being the lemming that I am, I too must follow the lead of all the prognosticators who would have you believe that they hold the answer to the question of the year. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 124px; HEIGHT: 150px" height="331" src="http://curtfletcher.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/nostradamus2.jpg" width="246" /></span><br /><br />While <a href="http://tiny.cc/74Pvg">Nostradamus</a> has earned himself quite a good reputation, I am bold enough to take my place on the world stage and proclaim what little wisdom has found its way into my cranium. <strong>The state of the world in the 21st century can be summed up in the knowledge of a wheat farmer during the harvest. </strong>I am reminded of a story about wheat farming that was shared with me several years ago. The author of the story is unknown to me so I share it with you without taking any credit other than remembering the message.<br /><br />The question was presented to me,"<em>do you know when it's time to harvest wheat?</em>" Like many of you, I was not familiar with the telltale sign. For those of you who do know the answer, please do not shout it out and render my story useless to the other readers. And so the storyteller continued, "wheat grows as a shaft with a spear like head that points towards the heavens. <img style="WIDTH: 681px; HEIGHT: 293px" height="331" src="http://www.maidennewton.biz/assets/images/Wheat_field.jpg" width="441" /> As the wheat grows tall the farmer looks for one sign that without fail announces the harvesting time. When the head of the wheat gains enough weight to cause it to bow, then the crop is ready for harvest." The storyteller was standing next to me when he explained the process. The visual of his clasped hands folded together in prayer and pointed to the sky was very demonstrative. When he ever so slightly allowed the point of his fingers to tilt towards the earth then did I get the full picture of the harvest.<br /><img style="WIDTH: 428px; HEIGHT: 345px" height="443" src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PF_New%5C462008%5C/4414885~Harvest-Time-Wheat-Crop-Palouse-Washington-USA-Posters.jpg" width="363" /><br /><br /><br />What pray tell does this have to with the state of our economy? I'm glad you asked. <strong>Not just here in the United States but in many nations around the world we have enjoyed unprecedented financial growth</strong>. We have seen our standard of living exceed our wildest dreams. And in the midst of it all, we have believed that it was all of our own doing. In essence, we have walked the earth with our heads held high thumping our chests and proclaiming our personal victory. Just as the wheat farmer has repeated the process of planting and harvesting, the process of nations growing in stature is not new. The <a href="http://tiny.cc/EQt4Z">history</a> books are full of stories of greatness that does not last.<br /><br />Back to the point of the message. What is going on in our economy here and around the world? <strong><em><span style="color:#006600;">We are in the midst of a great harvest.</span></em></strong> It is only when we are humbled to the point of recognizing where all of our blessings originate that we can truely appreciate their value. This is a time for great joy because the Farmer has recognized the time of harvest and for every head bowed there is a place in His storeroom.thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-11499461078306556532009-02-22T14:00:00.000-08:002009-02-22T14:02:12.214-08:00My Kidney, His Life...A wonderful story about one donor connected to three other donors and four recipients<br /><a href="http://whattypeofheroareyou.blogspot.com/">http://whattypeofheroareyou.blogspot.com/</a>thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-28689647183998632132009-02-19T04:15:00.000-08:002009-02-19T04:49:49.443-08:00Your Share of the Stimulus Package<a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/367750207_b2e6a6786e.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/367750207_b2e6a6786e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>If you have a few extra days you might invest them in the 8" thick yawner called the <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6270160.html">Economic Stimulus Package</a>. Or, take a few minutes and consider the following:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There are no shortages for opinions on what should have been in the package and what should not have been included in the package. In either case, they are right. Who are they? The <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1569514,00.html">Amercan public, the voters, the taxpayers</a>. The mere mention of an opinion is a longing to be involved. I want to encourage everyone who has an opinion to get involved and be a part of the stimulus. All it takes to have a positive impact on the current economic situation is to be outwardly focused. Ask yourself HOW in any situation. How can I assist a struggling family? How can I support a local business? How can I invest in my community? How can I be a positive influence on a distressing situation? How can my attitude shed a positive light? How do my actions contribute to exaserbating the problem? How can my opinions have a greater impact than just initiating another conversation?</div><div> </div><div>It is my humble opinion that <strong>my share of the Economic Stimulus Package lies in my refusal to believe that the government can do more for me than I can do for myself and my neighbor</strong>. My share of any stimulus program is my ability to recognize my role in creating the problem and my role in stimulating a solution. Very little gets accomplished in committee, much can be acheived through following your heart. Embrace your share of the stimulus package!<br /></div><div></div><br /><div></div>thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-85530191283525005132008-11-22T10:02:00.001-08:002008-11-22T10:02:57.954-08:00argh, these lites. my only joy is waiting for UPS to deliver my leg lamp in fish net stocking!thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-65690515020173435562008-11-22T05:20:00.001-08:002008-11-22T05:20:04.776-08:00the annual outdoor xmas lite project is about to begin, get the hot chocolate started!thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-47113652006578058862008-11-21T03:28:00.001-08:002008-11-21T03:28:53.899-08:00Fresh Floors is coming today, clean carpets means that holiday parties are not far behind!thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-86385395797057007732008-11-18T17:35:00.001-08:002008-11-18T17:35:25.172-08:00Today was one of those stressful days that can only be addressed at the Woodhouse Day Spa. How can I get my clients to meet me there?thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-87311971958482545632008-11-14T06:58:00.001-08:002008-11-14T06:58:58.904-08:00The ROI on Certified Networker can only be measured with the hamburgers served calculator used by McDonalds. I'm heading there NOW!thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-74845557062922635172008-11-04T17:10:00.001-08:002008-11-04T17:10:15.292-08:00the votes are in and we now have the results...Sally Monahan makes the best dinner in America!thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-86398160026123066122008-11-04T16:49:00.001-08:002008-11-04T16:49:59.958-08:00The ballots are mostly cast, the work has been done, regardless of the outcome we are a nation united. Let's act like it!thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-85451168624396075632008-11-03T15:59:00.000-08:002008-11-03T16:41:54.510-08:00A common blood type... an uncommon hero.We'll call him Russell Smith even though it's not his real name. I met him on Sunday in Chicago while we were both attending the Dream Manager certification program. When Russell heard that I was looking for a Type O blood hero he stepped to the forefront. There we were in a conference room together when Russell's blood donor card came sliding across the table. Whenever I find myself in a group of people I like to share Patricia's story and let people know that they can help. Sunday was the first time that someone responded. Russell told me that type O blood is fairly common and I told him that type O heroes are uncommon. Russell responded to a request because someone asked and he is programmed as a servant. He wasn't even sure to what service he was enlisting. This story isn't about a need for a kidney. This story isn't about a donor in the waiting. This story isn't about whether Russell and Patricia match as donor and recipient. This story is about the need to always be sharing your passion because the type of hero you search for could be standing next to you. So, if you don't know all the details about Patricia's fight for a traditional life, read the first entry in this blog. More importantly, if you find yourself in a crowd ask them if there is a type O hero amongst them. Maybe you are the type of hero that will save a life. <br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/thommonahan">http://www.linkedin.com/in/thommonahan</a>thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-18545082257800556662008-10-03T20:01:00.000-07:002008-10-03T20:04:41.897-07:00Analysis by DialysisI have been asked to write a bit of a bio by a very special person whom I have never met. He is willing to put his life on the line to save mine. <br /><br />Everyone has some type of problem that seems to dominate their families. Ours is kidney disease. My paternal uncle died in 1953 from gloumerial nephritis when his one and only son was 6 months old. He was only 32 years old. My dad died in 1962 at the age of 44 of the same disease. My Mom was left alone to raise five of us on her own. In 1977, my paternal aunt passed and once again, it was the same illness. She was 54. Then in 1993, my paternal uncle passed away of polycistic kidney disease. He was 73. <br /><br />My problems began when I was born, but I was not aware aware that anything was wrong until I went for my physical for college. My physician told my Mom that I had blood in my urine and I needed to be watched carefully. Being "indestructible" at the age of 18, I really didn't worry about anything. I know my Mom carried a very heavy heart and prayed that illness would never strike me. I continued on with my life getting physicals every year. I married at the age of 25 and was blessed with a son and daughter, still not really thinking that anything would happen to me. All this time, the creatinine (measure of kidney function) continued to rise. A normal measurement is .5 - 1. Each check-up was higher than the last one. At the age of 37 the doctor told my husband and I that I was ready for dialysis. My creatinine was at 10. My siblings (3 sisters and 1 brother) were all tested for transplant and for various reasons were unable to donate a kidney to me. Even my Mom wanted to be tested, but the hospital told her that she couldn't because of her age. She argued that she was healthy and that even if her kidneys were old, they were working and mine weren't. It didn't matter, the answer was the same - no! My arm was prepared to be my life-line. An artery and vein were tied together in my right arm (I am left handed). This "fistula" had to mature and then I began dialysis. My children were 8 and 10 years old. It was extremely difficult to leave them 3 times a week with Grandma and Grandpa. God bless them and all the others who helped take care of the kids, do their homework with them, and give them dinner. My husband would pick me up after he finished work and then we would go get the kids if someone hadn't brought them home. I begged and pleaded with God to find it in His heart to bless me with a transplant. I wanted to see my kids grow up, finish school and get married. I was called twice to go and see if I was a match, but it wasn't until the magic of 3 being the charm. I lay in the hospital from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm waiting to see if this was the match. It was 6-6-1987 - D-Day and it was indeed D-Day. I was in surgery for 7 hours and I truly was blessed because the kidney began to work immediately. I learned at a later date that as happy of a day as it was for us, it was extremely sad for someone else. A very generous person had donated her son's organs to give others life. He was 12 years old and had died in a motorcycle accident. He was exactly the same age as my son. I cannot tell you the guilt I felt knowing that someone had died for me to live. I wrote her to tell her the difference her sacrifice had made in my life and would always remember her generosity. I received a response from her and she was so glad that I was better. Her closing words in her letter were "that every time you hug your son, it will be a hug for her son". I still cannot read her letter without tears. I was a text-book case and everything went great from the very beginning. I cannot even begin to tell you the difference this made in my life and the life of my family. I was able to live a normal life. Do you know what it is to be able to drink whenever you want? That alone was a miracle for me. I am a huge water drinker and could not have this simple drink when I was on dialysis as your fluid are strictly watched. <br /><br />Fast forward to October, 2006. My husband and I went on our first cruise - actually our first real vacation in 33 years of marriage. I hadn't been feeling that great, but really didn't pay much attention. Needless to say, I got sick on the cruise and missed much of what went on. When we got back to West Palm, we were planning on staying with our son for a few days before we headed home. I ended up in intensive care for 3 days before I was able to travel home. That was the beginning of the end. As soon as I returned home, I went to my hospital here. I was there for 5 days waiting to see if they could save my kidney. I had had it 19 years and never once had a rejection episode or problem of any kind. Nineteen years is an extremely long time to have a transplanted kidney. So, I am back on dialysis, 3 times a week. I am also again trying to bargain with God because I am now becoming "greedy". My daughter has married and has a precious baby girl. My son is not married yet, but I'm sure he will marry. Now I want to live long enough to see this baby girl and any future grandchildren grow up and attend school and maybe even be lucky enough to see them get married.<br /><br />I now have this generous person who wants to give me a kidney, but does not match me. He has taken on this crusade to find a donor that will match me. I can't begin to tell you what it is like to be dependent on a machine to live. I am exhausted when I get home and don't have much energy the rest of the time. Once again my fluids are restricted, my diet is restricted and my "vacation" is Saturday and Sunday - two days without dialysis. I had to quit a job I truly loved. <br /><br />I am now much older and the doctor told me that the wait for a kidney is 6 to 10 years! I have passed my physical which I have to admit, was worried about. You just never know if the tests will reveal a problem. But, thank God, He has kept me healthy.<br /><br />To all those who may read this, thank you for even considering doing this courageous donation. May God bless and keep you healthy always. Without your health, you have nothing. And to Thom, where can I begin to thank you for attempting to me, a complete stranger? God bless you.thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915462673040877903.post-65261933575215189992008-09-23T05:48:00.000-07:002008-09-23T06:19:58.583-07:00Type O's... it's your turn!<span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>This is your chance to be a hero just because you are the right type or know the right type.</strong> </span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br />We live in a world of abundance. Just look all around you and the evidence proves there is no shortage of oxygen, smiles, sunshine, water, blood and living organs. And yet, we have people who need clean air, compassion, a walk in the park, clean water, blood, livers and kidneys.<br /><br />For years now I have believed that God gave me two healthy kidneys, one to sustain life and one to hold until someone needs it. And then in August of 2008 I learned that Pat needed my kidney. I should say that Pat needed a kidney and I thought it was mine. I have never met or spoken to Pat but I learned of her story through a close friend. I didn't need to know anything about her other than she needed a kidney. That was enough information for me to believe that this was the time that God was calling upon me for my end of the bargain. I have since learned that Pat has been on dialysis for over a year and while it is life sustaining for now, it is not permanent nor is it convenient.<br /><br />And so I started the process of determining if my kidney and Pat's body were compatible. I am a type A positive and Pat is type O. That's really all I know about her. We did not match initially but I was told that there was still a 20% chance that my kidney could be used. After going through additional matching tests, it was determined that my kidney would not work and we are back to square one. I have since gone through other tests so that Pat and I could get on a shared waiting list that looks for other people with the same scenario. So now we are on a list looking for a type O donor and a type A recipient. If this combination is found then the four of us will go through a donation procedure at the same time.<br /><br />This is where you come in. If you are reading this post it is not by accident. If we do live in a world of abundance then it's not a question of do we find a kidney for Pat? We will find a kidney for Pat and it will give her the quality of life that she deserves. What type of Hero are you? You could be a type O and the gracious act of giving one of your kidneys to Pat means that you are a life saving hero. You could be the type of hero that passes this information along to as many people as you can and you would be a life saving hero of the networking variety. Regardless of your type, please choose to be a hero, lives depend on it. <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/thommonahan">http://www.linkedin.com/in/thommonahan</a>thomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12289011399535320477noreply@blogger.com0