Another Donation to a MAD Project...it's all about the SMILES!

 

Donny website says..

Smiling to Make a Difference

03/02/11

One of the best ways to make a difference is by simply smiling.

He must have been reading my mind...because I had made a donation to this very same MAD Project for the Oral Cancer Foundation just last week. Then on the very day that Donny posted this on his site...I received my package for my donation. They are note cards with Bea~U~Ti~FuL photography. They included two bracelets, also. I know that the entire Osmond family has always been known for their big, beautiful smiles...so, this is such a fitting cause for one of the MAD projects. I remember when I was in high school, my mom had a friend stay with us that was being treated at the local hospital for jaw cancer. It was not a fun experience watching her go through the treatments for it. So, with that in mind also, one of my first donations to a MAD project had to be to this one, which is being run by Susan. And I must say...these are great quality cards printed on high quality paper...and everyone can use note cards for their TAG YOU'RE IT projects...to write notes on...to let people know how special they are!!! So, order yours today!

Remember everyone to show your

smile...because a happy smile always 

Pays it Forward!!!

.

More Tulips to Share...

I had to get more of these pretty tulips to share!  I was positive when I got the idea to keep on tagging...that I would have to take something over to OUR friend Candy!  This is definitely another person who has been a positive influence on my family. You can always count on Candy to greet you with a huge smile along with warm words of how great you look! And she always has something special to share with you about your kids...and how much she enjoys them all.

I first met Candy when my third son was playing little league with hers. They were on ALL STARS together and they have been great friends ever since. We had a great season and that was where I learned what a great sense of humor Candy has. She is hysterical...and I am sure that is why she is named "Favorite Teacher" by the kids year after year. She teaches Spanish and Speech and Debate at our local high school...and the kids all LoVe her. My kids ended up being in her class...and TA-ing for her. She always saved that coveted spot for my boys...which was always fun for them. She was sad last year when my baby graduated, as she said he had lightening fast fingers for entering grades into the computer. (I guess all of those computer and video games paid off! LOL). My son was just telling us the other day that he still stops by to visit her...I personally think those are the special teachers...the ones kids go back to visit! That means they have touched that place that isn't always easy to find in teenagers.  

I really had to chuckle at this though. Her son is currently serving a mission for the LDS church. So...Candy had his best friends over to have breakfast to celebrate his birthday...and so she could send him pictures of his party. How cute is that! I think she was totally missing him and drew strength from having his friends surround her. They loved it! And I thought that was the cutest thing! He will be returning soon...although, I heard he had asked for an extension...because he was really enjoying his work in Japan. He is pretty remarkable, too! And we are all excited to see him when he returns!  

I just wanted Candy to know that we all appreciate her friendship, her kindness and the time we have shared with her... 

We Love You Candy! And yes...
TAG YOU'RE IT!!! 

SPREADING MORE TAGS...

I have decided to get more TAGS out on their journey. The first person who came to mind is OUR friend April. April is "One in a Million"! Just ask any of my own sons, or any boy that was on a team with either of April's two boys. 

I first met April when I coached her oldest son in Little League. She was amazing from DAY ONE. She is SO sweet and helpful. She has always given her time to Glendora sports and to "HER BOYS" (as she calls them)...as she has personally adopted every single boy...on every one of her boy's sports teams...as her own. If anyone ever needed a ride to a travel soccer game...her car was full of them. She always brought lots of snacks for everyone. Actually, if the boys needed anything...she was always there for them. She volunteered her time to every sport her two sons were involved with. She even played in the adult co-ed soccer league...and she worked in every capacity that she could for that league, too. She even kept up on her duties for the adults, after injuries made her hang up her own cleats. Her latest involvement was the Tennis team at the high school, where she quickly starting running a club team for the boys. There really are TOO many to things to name them all. And if that wasn't already enough...she has a weekly game night at her house for ALL the boys to stop by and play and eat and laugh! And they do! It is so wonderful to have someone like that in the lives of your children...not only to be a friend and a great example of GOODNESS....but, to love them unconditionally like she does. I have never seen her mistreat any of them...she loved them all equally! (of course...I noticed she has always had a special soft spot for my four boys...and vice-a-versa) tee hee

April's younger son is now a senior at the high school and has been friends with my youngest son ever since they were little. They always played together while the older boys were playing in their games. She would always have my son over and has been like a second mother to him...and he ADORES her. Her creativity is beyond measure...as you can she in the photo above...where she and her son are presenting my son with a darling candy creation at his graduation party last June. The smile you see on her face is always there...and she is always happy to greet me with a "HI SWEETIE"! Now you know someone like that has made many days brighter for soooo many people....I know she has for me!!!

I LoVe you April!!!....and so do ALL OF MY BOYS!!!! 

I decided to tag her with these tulips and a card of appreciation. The tulips looked so happy and reminded me of her. They are hanging on the mirror of her car tonight...so she'll have a surprise there in the morning when she goes out for the day. So April...TAG YOU'RE IT!!!!    Smooches xoxox

 

Olive Osmond was so good to us!

Okay...so, I have found out this is a little harder than I thought it would be! I have been (softly) harassing my tag people to get their tags moving...and I think...they are thinking this is harder than it should be, too! 

My original idea...was for this to be a FUN way to let someone special know how much they mean to you. Because, no matter how busy we are, we think of the people that we care about EVERYDAY....(and wouldn't it be SO nice if they knew it?).

So...instead of waiting...I decided that I am going to do some more TAG spreading projects myself. To start off, I thought I would update myself on the progress of the other MAD projects. They are doing great! I decided my first Mad thing would be to make some donations. Of course, I had to start by donating something in the memory of a beautiful women...Olive Osmond....to her own charity...The Olive Osmond Perpetual Hearing Fund. I was so lucky to have met her on more than one occasion. She had such a sweet spirit and treated all of us fans like GOLD...and was so wonderful to my mother when they would speak. She carried herself with a grace and dignity that was very special. I am positive my mother gave her a warm welcome when she arrived in Heaven and that they became fast friends! And this MAD...TAG YOU'RE IT is being sent to Olive....just to let her know how much WE ALL LOVED HER! And of course...she did give us Donny...which she deserves extra big thanks for, too!    =0)   

           

                         WE LOVE AND MISS YOU OLIVE!!!

New Hats for Liz

Another TAG started on it's journey. My sweet friend Kim was brought to me over 19 years ago when our sons were smart enough to become best friends in kindergarten! I praise my son's choice of friends...and so does our entire family...as we have shared countless holidays and great times with Kim and her whole family ever since then. And her Sammy has been like another son to me! Kim is such a kind person and did a wonderful thing for her friend Liz. Read her cute story.

Kim's TAG YOU'RE IT story...
I met Liz at a get acquainted gathering for incoming freshman students at our girls' high school back in 2005.  We realized we had quite a bit in common when we met, our girls were new to the school  a school where many of the students had been there from elementary and jr high, our girls had a passion for singing and acting and before long became good friends.  Our relationship started out slow  but over time we got to know each other better.  I recall reaching out in friendship to Liz, but she was a bit reserved and it took time to build our friendship.  

As she opened up to me I became aware that Liz had previously battled cancer twice and the treatments to rid the cancer from her body had taken it's toll on her  both emotionally and physically. Then just a couple of months ago Liz started losing her hair, it was coming out in chunks and she was struggling with the thought of losing it all together.  We prayed together for her peace and assurance that she would be OK regardless the outcome. I was shopping that week for Christmas and while walking around the store I spotted hats in the corner, I immediately thought Liz! I tried on some hats and found a couple of very cute ones and brought them to Liz the next week. She was overjoyed at how great she looked and I agreed she looked beautiful in those hats and  it gave a temporary solution while losing her hair.

Also, over the past year I found out that a back and hip ache that I had lived with for years was caused by a degenerative spine condition and I now was struggling to fine the right treatment.  Liz was there for me during this past year in countless ways and she gave me so much support.  

  

Liz is an amazing friend with a resilient spirit and I thank God for her.

Here's how Liz felt about her TAG YOU'RE IT from Kim... 
Hi, my name is Liz and my "pay it forward" friend is Kim.  We have been friends since our daughters started high school together almost 6 years ago.  I feel so fortunate to have Kim as my friend.  She has displayed her special brand of caring, kindness and godliness during this time.

Recently, I have been experiencing hair loss due to stress.  It has been quite stressful watching my hair end up in the sink.  I have lost at least half of my hair (thank goodness I started with quite a lot).  One day Kim and I were meeting for lunch and she presented me with a bag; inside were two of the cutest hats.  There was a black and brown version of a 1940's hat that newspapers delivery boys wore.  I'll be honest...I look pretty cute in them.

I was so thankful that Kim took the time and cared so much to help me with my problem.  I felt like I had an option should I lose even more hair.  Recently I wore one of the hats at Disneyland with my daughter who took a picture of me and immediately downloaded it to my facebook picture.  I've had many kind and positive comments from friends.

Thanks, Kim, for your kindness and friendship.

Love You,

Liz

I love these sweet stories!

Spending Time with a Friend

I am so excited...now we are on a roll...this is perfect! Katey and I  have been friends since we attended San Marino High School together. She was always like a sister to me, especially since I only had brothers. We have remained friends for almost 35 years. Friendship is the best! Especially, when it spans decades like ours has...and the stories so far!  You go girls! 

Here is what Katey had to say about it....

Hello, this is Katey and I was given the Tag You’re It project by Diane.  I too, stressed out about it at first, thinking I wouldn’t do it “right” and I too~put it on the back burner for a while. Then I realized I had already chosen my "Pay It Forward", friend Carrie Chase.  We have been dear friends since College.  This past year Carrie was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. She actually has had it for  more than 20 years. To remove the disease from her body, Carrie has had to take a myriad of medication that has taken a toll on her. She is a very strong person but this has been hard on her. She has lost a lot of weight and her clothes do not fit her anymore.  So for the past few months I have been going through my clothes and giving her outfits such as sweats, jeans, shirts and even a Pea Coat that I know will make her feel better and warm. The next "Pay It Forward" thing I  going to do for her is babysit her dear son Charlie, who is four years old, so she can have some "ME" time.  

 So THANKS DIANE for reminding me the true meaning of friendship….LOVE YOU TOO!

And here is the letter she wrote to Carrie

To My Lifelong, Wonderful Friend

Carrie, I think back of all our cherished memories and pray to the Dear Lord everyday for you to heal so we can spend another 30 years to laugh and cry together. You are truly my rock and I want to be your rock.   

Carrie you have been there for every major event of our our lives - Hikes on Bishop Peak, Horseback riding on the beach, Weddings, babies, Dobermans, Christmases, teenage  birthday parties, graduations, chick flick days etc...  

When Diane (another dear friend for more than 30 years as well) passed along the Tag You’re It idea, I had to pick you..  We have so much history. You know me better than most people and I know that you are always there for me and I want you to know I am always there for you. Life keeps getting in the way and I don't want that to happen anymore so I am sending you this "Pay it Forward" as my commitment to spend more time with my dear Carrie Robin.

Okay so let's do our Chick flick day~  and we are ready to babysit! I love you very much, my dear, precious Carrie.Tag…you’re it!!!    But you have already Pay It Forward to Brooks and Me for over 30 years of cherished memories and great acts of kindness!!!!!!!

 THAT'S A GREAT STORY KATEY!!!

I was thinking how these first TAG stories have been about longtime friendships...and I LoVe that I have been friends for so long with the twelve original Tag You're It Friends! I have known them all for over ten years...many for over twenty...and half for OVER THIRTY YEARS! How cool is that! And I can honestly say I could call any one of them if I needed something...and they know they could do the same back with me...again...I gotta say...

I LOVE YOU GIRLS!     =0)

FYI-HERE IS AN UPDATE!!!

Carrie’s family was coming into town for the holidays and she was exhausted from getting ready for them. So, Katey told her she would watch Charlie for a few hours to let Carrie take a bath and a nap and get ready. Charlie and Katey went to a small barn where they have a petting zoo of farm animals and a gift shop. They got hamburgers at a take out and went back to Katey’s house and watched Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer. When she took Charlie back home, she and Carrie got to spend some time together. Katey said she is going to baby sit Charlie on Monday also, as Carrie is going to Thousand Oaks to a specialist for her Lyme Disease. They are going to hook her up on a constant flow of Antibiotics. Katey just wanted me to know this was a good project to give her a good kick in the butt to be with Carrie. And how nice it feels to help someone who REALLY needs it! And how grateful she is to have a friend like Carrie! I think they are both SUPER LUCKY!!! 

GOOD FRIENDS ARE THE BEST!!!

Let's Go to Disneyland

OMGosh...I am so excited to finally have the TAGS start on their journey! And I found out it is going to be fun to see what I learn by doing this blog...I didn't know Gina and Robin have been friends since before they were born....and I have known them for over 35 years myself. Now how cool is that? Gina picked Robin to Tag and tell her how special she is with a beautiful handmade card filled with LoVe and photos of them and their lifetime friendship. After they went to Disneyland to have fun and spend the evening reminiscing!


Here is what Gina had to say about it....

Hello, this is Gina and I was given the Tag You’re It project by Diane.  I stressed out about it at first, thinking I wouldn’t do it “right” so I put it on the back burner for a while. Then time starting slipping away and I finally realized that I was making it too hard…just pick someone you care about and let them know it.  So I chose my friend Robin.  We have been friends since our mommies were pregnant with us.   I gathered up several pictures of us that spanned back to when we were about four years old.  Both of us are major picture takers, but I sadly realized that we had taken fewer pictures than one might expect for such a long friendship. Anyway, I wrote her a letter thanking her for being such a great friend and I put the collage of pictures along with the letter in a cute folder. We hugged, enjoyed the pictures and then we left to enjoy an “all adult, no kids to worry about” evening at Disneyland.  We had fun talking, shopping, eating and reminiscing. …all the fun things that come with a long friendship.  Once again… LOVE YA ROBIN!!!  You’re a great friend!!!!  And I’m glad that Tag You’re It  was sent to me because we often don’t take the time to stop and tell our special people how much we love them!!!  So THANKS DIANE….LOVE YOU TOO!!!!!

And here is the letter she wrote to Robin...

To My Lifelong, Wonderful Friend,

As I sit here and think of all the memories over the years I am so thankful to have you in my life. You are truly one of the kindest, most giving people I know and our friendship means so much to me.  As we turn…cough..…fifty years old, I want to thank you for all the fun. There are lots of memories of playing at each others houses when we were little when all our moms would get together for coffee. So many fun memories up through Kindergarten, and then we were separated. But we were destined to be brought back together as young teenagers, and those days are engraved in my heart forever.  What fun we had all those years!! All the loooong phone calls, the sleep overs, the “what would you rather do..”  the trips, the boy talks, the dreams. And then to be in each other’s weddings and be there for our babies.  How lucky we were to have each other to share it all.  I am sort of sad that as our kids were growing up we were soo busy and didn’t get together as much as we should have.  Life happens. But I always, always, always knew you were there. And I have loved all of our dinners over the years at Acapulco and all the catching up that we do. It’s so wonderful to have someone to share all the good the bad the fears and neurosis with and know that they will understand and be there for you.

When Diane passed along the Tag You’re It idea, I thought how perfect it is that it’s this time in our lives.  A lifetime of memories shared, and a wonderful friend who I want to thank for your love, your kindness, your generosity, your silliness, your dedication to your family and to all of your friends. You have a very special place in my heart and although I have always thought it, participating in the Tag You’re It has caused me to put my thoughts down and share them with you.

 Now let’s go to Disneyland and have a blast!!!

I love you very much, my longest and dearest friend!!!

Tag…you’re it!!!    

GREAT JOB GINA...and what a great friend you have in Robin...I loved it!  Now let's see if you inspire the other Tags to start moving on their journeys? .....and who will Robin TAG?