Mamie's Poppy Plates

Whew! What a whirlwind weekend. We headed to Ft. Lauderdale for a wedding--I promise I'll post about that later, but I wanted to post this first.

A year ago on June 25, our very good friends, Sarah and Taylor, delivered their sleeping angel, Mamie Katherine. I have talked about Sarah several times on my blog. Her strength has yet to do anything less than amaze me.

So, of course, I HAD to post about Sarah's newest endeavor, Mamie's Poppy Plates. You can click the link to make a donation to the organization. Here is what Sarah wrote about her new organization:

As you all know, I am Mamie's mom, and Mamie was my first child. I was pregnant with her from October 2008 to June 25th, 2009 when she was born a sleeping angel (stillborn) two and a half weeks before her due date.

Stillbirth and infant death are realities that too many parents face even today. Did you know that each year 1 in 115 babies delivered is stillborn? And 1 in every 102 newborns die before the age of 28 days old?

Now, a year after losing Mamie, I have started Mamie's Poppy Plates, my organization providing keepsakes for parents who are not able to take their babies home from the hospital. Because handprints and footprints are something that we cherish as parents of children in Heaven or here on this earth, I wanted to find a beautiful way to preserve such a precious reminder of our babies.

Your donation of $13 will provide a plate to bereaved families who are delivering at St. Vincent Hospital. Their baby’s birth stats, hand and footprints will be stamped and painted on the front of the plate while your name or organization will be painted on the back. Firefly Studio in Little Rock, AR will have a creative hand in painting names and stats on the plates and firing them for the best quality work. My hope is that in the near future, I will have enough donations to provide plates to all hospitals in the Little Rock area.

Thank you for considering a donation and thank you to Firefly Studio for helping make this happen in memory of my precious Mamie.

Happy 1st birthday sweet Mamie. We miss you so very much.

Blessings,

Sarah Bussey Adams

My intent is to post more this week--since I've actually had stuff going on!! Til then--have a great week.

a summer view

Here is a glimpse of a summer night at my household. The sun is gone, the crickets are chirping, the frogs are croaking, and it is nothing but peace. In my mind this is perfection. The 100 degree weather has taken its evening break--the silence has moved in (with the exception of the summer critters, of course...).

I ran the sprinklers to help the grass try to survive this horrid heat--and it took all constraint I had to not run into the house, throw on a bathing suit and run through those sprinklers like I did once upon a time...

What a series of emotions going on in my mind right now. Our good friends are about to have to readdress that day they lost their beautiful baby girl. I'm married. One of Tim's best friends is still not here, still gone. JaNoel's daughter--my sweet LJ--is getting married on Friday. I have heard of three beautiful ladies finding out they're pregnant--and I have heard of one beautiful life born too early and now fighting to grow in a NICU (thought she is a strong little one!). Life is full--yet empty.

So...on nights I get to sit in this seat and hear the crickets chirp, the frogs croak--I feel humbled and relieved. That it really is all in His hands--and there really is nothing else I can do, but say, "I've conquered the day" (h/t coworker's son) and look forward to tomorrow, for that is a day that our Lord has made!

LA vs L.A.

Where would you rather be?


Louisiana:

Saints Superbowl Victory

Or...

Los Angeles?


I mean--ok. NOLA is not known for its peaceful atmosphere MOST of the time. But even Wright Thompson (ESPN) writes in an article, "Maybe you use numbers: 84 percent of the televisions in town were tuned to the recent Monday night game against the Patriots. Maybe you use bizarre trends, such as an NOPD cop telling me the 911 calls almost stop when the Saints play and there's been only one murder during a game this year."

I'll take my SAINTS over the LAKERS any day. They're magical. If you've ever been to NOLA, especially post-K, you know.

Our Saints truly ARE saints.

Orleans Parish and more...

Yep. This is for real. I have been summoned to Criminal District Court of Orleans Parish. Here's the kicker. I have not been a resident of that parish since AUGUST 2004!! No big deal, right? Just call them up, figure out what they need as "proof" and send it on to them.

Right.

I have called every day for a week and JUST NOW got in touch with someone. Notice the summons date? June 11. Almost a week later from the date I "failed to appear." This should get interesting. More yet...my name has CHANGED. So the fax I sent them consisted of 6 pages (NOLA residents...are you getting nervous yet?). One page proved that Melissa Shay (maiden name) actually lives in another state. Another page is the marriage license and another page is my drivers license.

I guess on the bright side, if I were to get pulled over in LA, Melissa Shay (maiden name) wouldn't register in the system (maybe) because she no longer is Melissa Shay (maiden name)? Who knows?!?

So, that has been a joy I've been working with this week. Orleans city employees. Joy.

On another note--I have to tell you all about this SUPER cute store located in the city. Love, love, love her concepts--and if you have any familiarity with that part of Southern Louisiana--you'll love it, too. The store is called Fleurty Girl.

This was created after the tragic oil spill in April. Proceeds go to help out the sea turtles, and lots of people are begging Fleurty Girl to do one for the pelicans, too:

Most of the ladies in the Guy's family (including myself) have this shirt...we love us some Irish Channel (especially around St. Patty's day...):


I love Chris Rose. Read him religiously those trying months after K. I always felt a connection to NOLA--but now that I have a very LARGE amount of family there (or in surrounding areas)...this quote rings all too true. I want this shirt!

This shirt was created "because NOLA is greater than hurricanes." A portion of the proceeds from this shirt will go to Evacuteer, an organization that helps New Orleanians who don't have cars get out of the city during an evacuation. This shirt will help New Orleans become even greater than a hurricane. I want this one, too!!

Finally, and on a totally random note (though, that doesn't surprise anyone, now does it?)--I tried a FABULOUS (and easy recipe) last night. It's called Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Pizza. Click the link to get the recipe. It's so easy and yummy!

I suppose that is it for now. Trying to keep the blog land upbeat and politics free.

the gulf coast

So, this is where it started on April 20, 2010.

And now, it is June 11 and still...nothing. Nothing but bickering between politicians and businessmen. Well, of course, all of those that "know best" are throwing their two cents in as well.

I have had to avoid much of the coverage because it breaks my heart. I avoid it--which isn't really my style and then I read statements such as these:

(pulled from Nola.com)

"Don't look for a dime of my millions. You good folk have consistantly whined about the intrusion of big government. Well..., then clean up your own damned mess. We'll eat fresh Maine seafood."

And--if you continue in the comments of the link provided, they get worse--and people just bash the state of Louisiana and the fishermen and anyone else that makes their living from the Coast.

It is heartbreaking. It is disgusting. Look Mr. East Coast and Mr. West Coast "know it all"...I understand that you do not think the South or Midwest is worth anything to your day to day "green" living...but to us--our land and waters are our everything. The fact that anyone would make such nasty statements ANYWHERE infuriates me.

What the hell has happened to this country that our own citizens are quick to turn their backs on fellow states that need help? Why have we become so selfish? And of course, those that "know best" ALWAYS tell us the decisions they make are "for our own good" and that we should give, give, give to Africa, Haiti, Chile--and whatever else...but they won't start a drive for residents of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA???

I'm disgusted. I feel as though this country is falling apart.

We're now on day 52 and it is still there and they're still arguing in DC about what to do.

Heartbreaking.

Ok, stepping off the soapbox.

our little world

I LOVE the Saints. Did you hear that the entire team went down to Plaquemines Parish yesterday to visit with the residents that have been devastated by this terrible oil spill? I'm sorry--but you don't hear about entire sports franchises packing up and heading to a devastated region of the team's state to provide moral support to devoted fans very often. They're also going to auction of a Superbowl ring next week and give the proceeds to a foundation dedicated to getting the coast back on its feet. Amazing. I love the Saints--am SO ready for football season to get back in swing.

My Hogs should look pretty good this season, also. It's always so much more fun to watch the Hogs when they're winning. :)

Well, can you believe it? We've already been married for a month and a half! Time flies.

I'm SOOO ready to get out on the lake. It's very hot here, looks like we might have a repeat of the summer of 08.

Last night proved to be an interesting election night here in Arkansas--Senator Lincoln just barely won. The months leading up to November should be very interesting...

And--we found out today that our very good friends will be having a baby GIRL this fall. Going to have to start breaking out the pink. Woo hoo!

I suppose that this is a random enough of a post for today. I'm still wading through all 993 pictures trying to decide which are my "favorites." Seriously!

Hope everyone is having a great week--and I hope to get out of my blog slump sooner than later.