mini random vent.

mini random vent.i have to vent a little bit. keep in mind that this has been a bit of a crazy week, and normally, i hope i wouldn't be so sensitive about this. but this week, i have had so many people share variations of the following, "how are you and joe doing? i'm sorry, i haven't checked your blog in weeks." some of these people told me this in person...the same people who said the same thing to me several weeks ago. some of these people told me over email...uh, couldn't you have spared a minute to check the blog before you emailed? now i don't expect everyone to read our blog (i'm of course talking about the REAL blog, not this one. i don't care if nobody reads this one, because i realize i just post all kinds of nonsense here...). some people are truly super busy. some people are truly computer illiterate. some people don't have regular internet connection. some people don't feel all that close to us, and therefore we don't register in their daily thoughts. i understand that. and i understand that people are not supposed to think about joe every waking moment like i do. and i understand that the fact that people are asking at all shows that they care. and i understand that any inkling of love and support we receive is an incredible blessing because we're not entitled to any of it. but at the same time, i just think...if people really cared as much as they claim to care, wouldn't they try to check up more regularly? i have learned to pick out the polite people from the caring people. polite people almost always get the answer, "oh fine, thank you for asking" when they ask about joe. the others get a more honest answer. that is my vent for today. and that is all it is. just a vent. i'm not actually mad at anyone. really.

Soleil

I'm currently working on Soleil from Knitty.com. I'm really excited and really nervous at the same time. I decided that I have made enough scarves and hats...although, I do love making hats, and I'm getting quite intrigued by "fancier"scarves. Still, I thought it was about time that I jump in and create my first "real" article of clothing. Woohooooo! I chose Soleil because it has no sleeves...it is knit in the round...and the suggested yarn is pretty yarn that works within my self-created budget. I was a very good girl and I created a couple of gauge swatches. This is so that my sweater does not end up too tiny or too big. (when that happens with hats, i can just find a different head for the hat...) I'm still not entirely convinced that the top will come out the right size, but every good knitter must start somewhere. If it works...Joe's mom will be the lucky recipient. Yes, she is like the most perfect lady in the world, and so I must be out of my mind to think that I can knit a top for her. But if it DOES work, even if she hates it and will not ever wear it, she will be so impressed, since she does not know how to knit, and I will get bonus daugther-in-law points. (that was a really long sentence) Oooooooh! If it does NOT work, then I have decided I will frame my creation, because I will still be so proud that I created something that is not a hat or a scarf.
I am almost finished with the lace part at the bottom. I must confess that I'm pretty amazed by myself. Hahaha. I promise I'm not trying to brag. It's just that after a few months of knitting, I really don't think I will ever NOT be amazed by the fact that a pile of yarn can turn into MATERIAL. It is seriously magical. The whole magical process has kept me calm and sane through many hours of waiting in the hospital, and many moments of not receiving the news that we wanted to hear. I'm not even kidding. I think that knitting (& crocheting) ranks right up there with music as being extremely therapeutic. *sigh* Yes, I'm in love with knitting...
I have another confession though. I'm really quite nervous about the day that I pull out my knitting and find that I'm sitting next to a "real" knitter. Although I'm tickled pink with my creations and my techniques, I'm quite certain that I do a million things wrong. Oh well. In music therapy, it's all about the process and not the product. Meaning the goal is not to be a musical genius and create amazingly beautiful music (although, it's a bonus when that happens.) I figure the same goes with knitting. As long as I'm having a blast that's all that matters.
Geez, who knew that I could become so long-winded about yarn? Actually...Joe probably knows.

And here we have my latest creations...

A hat for my brother. It is HUGE...because with little things I am bad and don't bother with gauge. But miraculously it fits my brother's head quite well. So then, I guess I can confess that it was originally for Joe. :)

Hat and blanket for my friend's new baby boy. I crocheted the blanket and knit the hat. I used sugar'n' cream cotton...which in retrospect I should have chosen something nicer and softer...but being budget concious makes your brain different. It got much softer after a washing though.

A purse for big sister of new baby boy.

And another hat and blanket for another new baby boy.

Ten ways YOU can help

In general this is my casual non-serious random blog. But because I think it is important, I'm sharing my helping post from my serious blog here and everywhere.

So often, when friends, families, and acquaintances learn about what we are going through, they want to know how they can help. Every so often, I like to post specific ways people can help. Although I know these posts can get long and tedious for some, I urge you to please read through the list. Everyone is different, and everyone has a different gift. I tried to take that into consideration as I compiled my list. Together, we can make a difference. We really can. And honestly, the best way you can help us is by helping others.

1. Pray. So many of you have been praying for us, and I cannot emphasize enough how much that has meant to us. I firmly believe that each of your prayers, happy vibes, and virtual hugs have kept us strong on days when we should have been weak, helped with the overall smoothness of Joe’s recovery process, and have all around enveloped us with the best of warm fuzzies. I would also challenge you to add one or two other people to your prayer list from our links to the left. Or go to Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches and pray for the patients there. There are too many people who are battling these awful cancers, and each one of them could benefit from the power of prayer.

2. Spread the Word. It is all about spreading awareness. We knew virtually nothing about bone marrow failure, blood cancers, and bone marrow transplants before our journey began. Now that we have been forced to come face to face with the awfulness of MDS, it has challenged us to arm ourselves with information so that we are able to educate others and promote awareness. Go out there and spread the word. Tell people about this list! Getting information directly from a human being can be much more effective than getting information from a flyer.

3. Register to be a Donor. If you are in good health and are between the ages of 18-60, you can register to be a donor. Registration is simple and doesn’t hurt. Just fill in some forms and swab your cheeks. Most people will never be called, but if you are – honey, you’ve won the lottery. What can be more fulfilling than an opportunity to save a life and be an answer to prayer. Click here to get started.

4. Pregnant? Make plans to donate cord blood. If you have already decided to make arrangements for personal storage, that is a personal decision and totally cool. If not, then the umbilical cord and placenta are commonly tossed after birth. Consider making arrangements to donate the blood. It could help save a life! If you will be giving birth in a hospital that is not affiliated with a cord blood bank (for example, Pittsburgh does not have a cord blood bank yet) you may call Cryobanks International, and visit their site for more information. The number is 1-800-869-8608. They accept donations from all over the U.S. You must register between the 28th and 35th week of your pregnancy. You can find more information here.

5. Donate blood and platelets. Patients with cancer often have to have multiple blood and platelet transfusions throughout the course of their battle. Donating blood and/or platelets is a wonderful way of helping to make sure they get the transfusions necessary. Look up your local blood bank or Red Cross for more information.

6. Support a charity.
Marrow Trek – Thursday, April 19, 2007 is Joe’s Day 100! Friday, April 20, 2007, Joe’s college roommate Jim and another college friend Jesse will be starting a 3,000 mile hike over 4 months. The purpose of their trip is to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Cammy Lee Leukemia Foundation (CLLF), and raise awareness and sign up donors for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Amazingly enough, the pledges have already exceeded their goal of $15,000. However, Jim always hoped that the goal was a conservative amount. You can still donate. And you can be sure that every penny of your hard earned, tax-deductible donation will go straight to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or CLLF. Visit the site for updates on their progress.

Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, Inc. – AA&MDSIF is a wonderful group that provides support to patients and does research related to treating and curing bone marrow diseases. The bravery bracelets that some of you have are from AAMDS!

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – This is another group that funds education, research, and support. You may recall that our friend Louis ran a marathon to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

7. Knit, crochet, or sew. I know that there are many people out there who are crafty. Here are two organizations that are dedicated to turning craftiness into charity. Check out the pages for more information.Project Linus - providing security through blankets.
Head Huggers - providing hats for those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy or other medical situations.

8. Shop through iGive.com – For all you shoppers out there, you can shop at many of your favorite online stores through iGive.com. Go shopping, and a percentage of your purchase will go to the charity that you designate. CLLF, AA&MDSIF , and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation are all charities that you can choose from.

9. Use GoodSearch.com to Surf the Web – Love to surf the web? If you use GoodSearch.com as your search engine, money will go to your designated cause. I know that you can choose AA&MDSIF as a charity.

10. Contact your congressperson. This message was in the most recent AA&MDSIF e-bulletin.
Dear Friend, On March 6, 2007, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) andMary Bono (R-CA) introduced H.Con.Res. 81, the Bipartisan Bone Marrow DiseaseResolution, to encourage the federal government to fund research and engage inpublic health initiatives that give patients greater access to more treatmentoptions and, ultimately, cures for bone marrow diseases.
The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation played a key role in drafting, presenting, and securing the introduction of this resolution before Congress.
Now it’s your turn to help!
For this resolution to pass, we need to have a broad level of support from individual Members of Congress. Now is the time to contact your U.S. Representative to urge them to cosponsor H.Con.Res. 81. If you do not know who your Representative is, or need contact information, please access [the U.S. House of Representatives site] and enter your zip code under the heading "Find Your Representative."
For your convenience, we have attached a sample script that you can use when you contact your Member of Congress.
Members of Congress do not cosponsor these types of resolutions unless they hear from their constituents. Spread the word and contact your elected Representative today!
Sincerely,
Sherrie Van Vliet
Acting Executive Director Click here for Script

If you have read this far, THANK YOU. I know for a fact that many of you have been doing your part to help as much as you can. How can we begin to thank you? I want you to know that every time we hear that someone has helped in some way, Joe and I literally jump up and down with joy. It is important that we make every effort to turn something negative into a giant positive for others. We are grateful for each one of you who is helping us with that effort!

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
~Matthew 5:14

My new favorite food!

So my new favorite food to snack on is the new Tostitos flour tortilla chips with or without Tostitos creamy Southwestern Ranch dip. YUMYUMYUM!!!!!!! I can't even begin to describe the amazingly wonderful and glorious taste sensation. You must go try it. Now. So good. There is also a creamy spinach dip, but I haven't tried that yet.

Happy day!

boys...you may not want to read this.

i'm just warning you. boys not prepared to be manly men might be uncomfortable with this random posting of mine. just so you know.
~~~
yesterday, i was at target picking up some necessary items for me and joe when i witnessed the second best husband in the pittsburgh area. (joe is the #1 best, of course.) this poor guy was on his cell phone, in front of shelves and shelves of feminine products, patiently asking his wife what she needed.
"what brand do you need?"
"ok."
"heavy, or regular, or...?"
"how many do you think you need? 16...32...?"
"do you need me to look for the light?"
"no, no, no...i mean the pads..."
"ok honey. i love you, see you soon!"
he was just so patient and loving about it, and not in the least bit embarrassed. it was just too sweet.

Baby Livi

The cutest and bravest 2 year old, baby Livi in her Zoe hat!













The purple hat...
...and the crochet hat.

She just might be able to leave the hospital on the 15th. She is currently 27 days out from her cord blood transplant. Keep her in your prayers