Remembering

I remember a time before 8 years ago when I'd think to myself how there'd never really be a moment in history that I could tell my children "I know where I was at that exact minute in time." The generation before us had the assassination of JFK and MLK, Vietnam, and more. The generation before that had the attack on Pearl Harbor. I lived in a bubble. Everything historically devastating happened before my time and it would stay that way. I was wrong.

This day is an important day. I think about the assassination of JFK and how much this country hurt but then how over time, the wounds healed. Since this was way before my time, I didn't quite understand the magnitude of the situation. Then 9/11 happened. In the digital age of technology and instant information, we were flooded with emotions brought on by vivid imagery of the flaming towers, dust-covered people, then finally the lasting image of the towers falling with thousands of our loved ones still in them. These images are burned in my brain as if it were stuck with a 9/11 branding iron.

I was a senior in high school. Just got done talking an English test about Anglo-Saxon era literature. At the end of the period, my teacher said without emotion in these exact words, "oh by the way, just so you know, a place hit one the World Trade Center." So naturally, I thought, "wow, that's terrible, but no big deal, right?"

Wrong! Walked downstairs, hearing the buzz of what's going on and learned that another plane just hit the Pentagon. What's going on? It was then that I realized that this IS a big deal. While in fourth period chior, we sat quietly in front of the TV watching our country crumble before our very eyes. Literally. The second plane hit. The buildings came down. It was the most horrifying site I've ever seen. The emotions surrounding those images still bring me to tears to this day. It's hard to believe that was 8 years ago already.

I had to go to work that day. I didn't want to. I wanted to remain glued to my chair in front of the TV. I wanted to learn every bit of information I could. My work was around the corner from my house. I left that day and remember it being the most eerily silent day in my life. Planes were grounded. There was no traffic. Life stopped.

This post is not dedicated solely to the victims and their loved ones. This post is dedicated to all Americans. We are all in this together. My heart aches for those who lost family & friends. One thing that we learned from this horrific tragedy is that when it comes right down to it, we are here for eachother. To lean and depend on.

Spread the Awareness: Kelly Ripa's Text-A-Thon for a Cause

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month! Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are launching an exciting campaign that utilizes a form of communication that many of us use every day - texting! During September, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Electrolux and Kelly are holding a "Text-a-Thon for a Cause" to help raise support for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.

Throughout September, you can donate $5 to the cause by texting "KELLY" to 85944 from your mobile phones (standard text messaging rates apply) - or logging on to http://www.kelly-confidential.com/. Also during September, visitors to Kelly Confidential can help spread awareness for this important cause by sending a virtual T-shirt to a friend. For every virtual t-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF. Fashion-forward Moms can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Ripa; 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF.

But here's the best part, every time you log on to the web site, you'll be entered for a chance to win an amazing luxury front load washer and dryer from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky, the color inspired by the teal ribbon of ovarian cancer awareness.

While you're at it, check out Kelly Ripa's PSA and help spread the awareness.

Turds

My sanctuary, the place where I clean and refresh, has literally become someone's toilet. We began bathtime with the usual. I started the water and let him splash around and play first. While the water was just starting to cover his legs, I noticed something had sprung a leak. So in order to avoid bathing my child in his own urine I drained the tub, sanitized and started the process all over again. While the tub was filling I was thinking about how easy bathtime is now. There will be a day when he fights with me or screams the whole way through or even poops in the tub.

He splashed around as usual then daddy came home and he showed him how he splashes. Next it was time to wash up. Head to toe. Stood him up and started washing his face. Moved down his arms, then belly. Just when I was scrubbing his little hands he paused and made a familiar grunt. Immediately I said "you better not be trying to poop!" As if he understood every word.

Plop.

Plop.

Ah! He pooped in the tub! The little turds floated in the water taunting me. My first thought was now my son is standing in toilet water. I flipped up the drain while my husband grabbed our showerhead (thank God it's removeable) to scrub him and spary him off. I got the lovely task of sanitizing. Yay.

Lessons learned:
1. Nothing is sacred after you have children.

2. There will always be someone to poop in your theoretical toilet.