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Help The Children of Payatas

I recently saw a TV commercial showing what it is like for the children living near a landfill in Payatas. It truly tugs at your heart. The conditions in which these children and families live in are horrendous. Just to survive they must pick through this landfill for any item they can sell to get money. All they want to do is feed themselves. Could you imagine if your own children had to pick through garbage to survive? There is a youtube video entitled Christmas For Payatas and the url is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUBVKLZXK3E. Please watch for yourself what these children and families must go through on a daily basis just to survive for one day!

If during the Holiday season you volunteer your services or donate to a charity, please consider Christmas for Payatas. Join the many celebrities and other organizations in their efforts to raise money this Christmas season.

The landfill in Payatas, The Philippines, is notoriously known the world over as Smokey Mountain. For over 35 years, the smoking dump site has grown to become a stark and heart-tugging reminder of the desperate conditions of humanity.

On a daily basis, children pick through newly arrived garbage to
collect material to sell. The earnings made by one child are not enough to even buy food for the day. Hence, entire families are forced to climb the mountain each day, hoping to earn enough to feed everyone. Children as young as four years old are forced to work in this daily struggle for survival.

In response to the plight of these children, Totedaddy.com is working with Lighthouse Center For Children Foundation to bring a little cheer to the children this Christmas.

Totedaddy.com has kicked off with a cash sponsorship of USD 10,000 to enable the children to celebrate Christmas. FusionExcel International has also pitched in a USD 5,000 in cash sponsorship. The money raised will help fund the projects already in place, and help fund additional projects aimed at providing better housing, and a means of livelihood for the Payatas community.

It is hoped that by creating better awareness to the plight of these children, more support can be gathered towards their betterment. Together we can bury poverty!

New Breakthrough Using Women's Stem Cells

I was first introduced to the word 'stem cell' by known actor Anthony Herrera. I met him while working with Willie Nelson. Anthony and I chatted long about his illness and he being the first to ever have a stem cell transplant (his brother was the donor) many years ago, explained the whole procedure to me. This really opened my eyes to the use of stem cells and how valuable they really are. Without this transplant, Anthony may not have had the chance at life.

The subject of stem cells is one some are not comfortable with and it is a controversial subject. I happen to believe in the positive approach science is taking for the use of stem cells. Stem cells have helped so many facing serious illnesses.

Having said that, there has been a new breakthrough for women. As seen on CNNMoney , a company by the name of C'elle has been dedicated to research and technology regarding women and the use of stem cells. Women can now take control of their own lives. No one wants to even think about future illnesses. Whether it is their own or that of a loved one,but the reality is, illness can strike at any time. To be prepared and to help with a cure for serious illnesses, women can now look to their own bodies for the help needed. Future therapies of some serious diseases may be found in women's stem cells by way of menstrual blood.

C’elle has come up with a way for women to use a non-invasive collection process in the privacy of their own home. The menstrual cells are processed and cryo-preserved (stored at a very low temperature) for potential cellular therapies that may be used in the future.

See below a press release from C'elle. This is something every women should look into and may be important one day in the future.
***

Taking Control: Future Therapies for a Host of Serious Diseases May Be Found in Women's Menstrual Blood

July 07, 2008: 01:28 PM EST


OLDSMAR, Fla., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With today’s hectic lifestyle, where most women are juggling careers, family, relationships, and a host of activities, the idea of possibly facing a serious illness in the future is not something that readily comes to mind -- especially when a woman is in the prime of her life. But what most women don’t know, is that the key to treating a number of possibly life-threatening diseases that she, a parent, a sibling or even her children may face in later years, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, may be found within her own body -- in vital stem cells, which can now be harvested from her own menstrual blood.

Now, thanks to the revolutionary research and technology of C’elle, a service dedicated to providing women with a safe and easy method of collecting and preserving stem cells found in her menstrual fluid each month, even the busiest woman can take control of her future, right in the privacy of her own home. With C’elle’s non-invasive collection process, menstrual cells are processed and cryo-preserved (stored at a very low temperature) for potential cellular therapies that may be used in the future. These self-renewing cells one day may even be used for sports medicine or cosmeceutical treatments, such as anti-aging therapies.

"C’elle enables and empowers a woman to take control of her future health, and possibly of those genetically closest to her, in a fast, painless and stress free way," said Michelle Kay, Marketing and Sales Manager for C’elle. "We live in exciting times, as science and technology are discovering how extremely valuable menstrual blood stem cells really are, and the enormous treatment potential they represent for future therapies. C’elle’s ongoing research is supporting these promising findings."

For more information about C’elle, please call 1-877-892-3553 or visit www.celle.com.

In My Perfect World...

In a perfect world, I would have a log cabin in the woods in the mountains and a cottage like home near the ocean to live in. They are my two favorite places....the ocean and the mountains.

This weekend I had the opportunity to get away for the weekend at my friends trailer at a campsite in Cape May. It wasn't exactly camping nor roughing it in the woods. Unlike some, we had all the amenities of home...running water, a bathroom/shower, wide screen TV, electric, stove etc..

But, we still had the feeling of being in the woods...connecting with nature. With the other campers, we lit our fire at night in the fire pit, we sat around just bonding and talking. It was a great feeling. The air was clean and the smell of the fires lingered in the air. It was just so peaceful and quiet.

The best part was that we were only 10 minutes away from the ocean. In the morning, we packed up and went to the beach. Spent the day absorbing the sun, listening to the sound of the waves and then the most wonderful, peaceful thing happened. We were able to watch dolphins frolic in the water. They came in pairs... jumping out of the water for us to watch. More came, then a mother and her babies. The dolphins stayed in front of us for like 15 minutes. I just wanted to swim out to them and play along...

The dolphins weren't that far off from the beach. It was the most beautiful thing to watch and a calm feeling came over me.

When we were ready to leave, we packed up and headed back to the campsite. Barbecued dinner and then relaxed...and we knew we could do it all over again the next day.

It was a really great weekend. I felt I was able to get a piece of my perfect world, even if it was only for the weekend. A getaway that was much needed...

In a perfect world, where would you live?

Why Does God Allow Pain and Suffering?

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:
"I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because
if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist!
That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help.
That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Your thoughts? Please share by commenting...

It's All About Gratitude

I am against the war and probably shouldn't share my views here. I do think we should have ended 'the problem' immediately after 9/11, but...

I am proud and thankful of our service men and women who defend US....United States Citizens. Blessings to them, their family and loved ones.

Watch this video, it will touch you.

I just learned my friends 23 yr old son is going over to Iraq in February. I can only imagine the thoughts and fears as a mom she is experiencing, including her sons' fears and all that love them.

Please remember to pray for all involved. It means more than you know.



Thank you to my cousin Nancy, who brought this video to my attention.

Free eCards To Help Toys For Tots

Have you ever heard of the Marines Toys for Tots? This has been an ongoing tradition in the United States Marine Corp. Reserves for 60 years now! Toys for Tots delivered an amazing 19.2 million toys to over 7.6 million children.

But, there are literally over 13 million children living in poverty and Toys for Tots is asking in the name of the Holiday Spirit in each of us to help out this year.

If you are sending eCards this holiday season, here is a great way to raise money for Toys for Tots by simply sending free eCards to your friends and family. Here’s the scoop: Month2Month.com is a totally free, high quality eCard web site that has joined with Toys for Tots and will make a contribution for every holiday card that is received. Their site has no advertising, doesn’t require subscriptions, sign-ups or downloading toolbars. And the cards are great…better than what you’d find on those other sites that charge for subscriptions. This is what the holiday spirit is all about... giving. So let’s all take advantage of this and PLEASE!!!! Pass this along to everyone you know.
Here's where to find Toys for Tots free eCards

Believe in Fairy Tales

I am a big fan of Grey's Anatomy and if you listen carefully to what the characters say, you might hear something worthwhile.


You know how when you were a little kid and you believed in fairy tales, that fantasy of what your life would be, white dress, prince charming who would carry you away to a castle on a hill. You would lie in bed at night and close your eyes and you had complete and utter faith. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Prince Charming, they were so close you could taste them, but eventually you grow up, one day you open your eyes and the fairy tale disappears. Most people turn to the things and people they can trust. But the thing is its hard to let go of that fairy tale entirely cause almost everyone has that smallest bit of hope, of faith, that one day they will open their eyes and it will come true.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of the day faith is a funny thing. It turns up when you don't really expect it. Its like one day you realize that the fairy tale may be slightly different than you dreamed. The castle, well, it may not be a castle. And its not so important happy ever after, just that its happy right now. See once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you , and once in a while people may even take your breath away.

Blessings For YOU

May You,

and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate

to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled

from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

Help Spread the Word

NAFASG received a request for help in spreading the word about a friend who has been looking for her younger sister for many years.

This friend is also highlighted under my 'spotlight of wonderful people' (see top left of this blog ~ The Painted Veil)

Please read below from NAFASG:

Please spare some time to read this post that we have written on behalf of a good friend of ours in the blogosphere. By reading this post and spreading the word to the others around you, you could reunite two people who shared an extraordinary relationship. You could be the one to reunite two sisters.

Her name is Jackie Hooper, also known as Shinade. Her biological mother was Maxine Soape, but a couple had adopted her. According to her, besides her mother, she also had a younger sister as a family member. Just like her, her sister, who was born in 1959 or 1960 and is three years younger than her, had also been adopted out to another couple, by her own paternal uncle.

Both were born in the same hometown of East Texas, but are now being adopted by two different couples and have been separated since then. The sister is currently staying with her adopted parents in Pueblo, Colorado.

Jackie has never stood a chance to watch her younger sister grow, and has never even known what her sister’s name is.

As painful as it is to be worlds apart from your friends, it is even more painful to be worlds apart from your own flesh and blood. So readers, we hope that you can show some sense of empathy towards Jackie ‘Shinade’ Hooper who longs to rebuild her life with her younger sister whom she holds very dear in her heart throughout the years.

This is your chance to do something good for someone in our global society who is in need of our helping hands.

If you can provide any information about Jackie’s sister that would be able to assist Jackie in her search, we urge you to keep us in the loop or directly inform Jackie at her blog. Your liberality towards helping out in this search would be greatly appreciated by all of us here, but the one who would be most thankful to you is Jackie herself.

A little kindness goes a long way. Readers, please show your compassion towards someone who wants nothing else but to reunite with her beloved younger sister once again. They share a strong kinship, and they deserve to be together till the end of time.

Please read this special message from our friend, Jackie, and start doing your part in finding her long lost sister.

“My only message would be that I would so like to have the opportunity to get to know her and her family. I know she has children also. And, that I love her even though I don't know who she is or where she is.” – Jackie ‘Shinade’ Hooper

Creating Your Heart's Desire

I recently posted on AC Associates Blog a series regarding Your Heart's Desire. There are 9 principals of spiritual law that when learned, they are the keys to lead you to successfully realizing your dreams.

I reviewed each Principal that will help you create your heart's desire. Once you complete Principal 1, move on to the next and so on.

As the author of Your Heart's Desire, Sonia Choquette states...

"The Universal Laws of creative manifestation are impartial and success is available to anyone who learns how the process works. By coordinating our conscious desires with our subconscious beliefs and accessing our intuition, we tap into the natural power we all possess to create the life we wish for"

Go to each Principal below and learn how you too can create your heart's desire.
Principal 1
Principal 2
Principal 3
Principal 4
Principal 5
Principal 6
Principal 7
Principal 8
Principal 9

Are You Thankful?

I woke this morning feeling thankful…why does it take something horrible to happen in our lives before some are truly thankful and appreciate what they have?

We take so much for granted. Why do some wait until a holiday like Christmas to feel the love and share the warmth or Thanksgiving to express our thanks and say a prayer before the big dinner?

My saying is…”it can always be worse”. Be thankful for what we have and count our blessings now…

I have my senses about me…(ok, except for the senior in training moments!), I can see the world around me, touch my loved ones, smell the ocean and hear my favorite music. I couldn’t imagine being without. I have my health, my family, a job/business to attend to, which allows me a comfortable home, food on the table and other necessities.

I can walk in the sun and dance to my favorite song…

Life has a way of keeping us all busy, but we should slow down every once in a while and be thankful…appreciate each other and what we have in our lives. Tell those we love how much.

I'm thankful I don't have everything I want, it gives me something to hope for and desire. I'm thankful when I don't know something because then I have the opportunity to learn something new. During the difficult times, I grow as a person. I'm thankful for challenges because I find new strength. My mistakes give me the opportunity to learn lessons. I'm thankful that I try to turn each negative into a positive.

When I pray, I say thank you. Do you?

Help Find a Long Lost Friend

While over at NAFASG - United And Dedicated Behind You ,I came across the below post.

In the name of friendship, please take the time to read this post. You never know if you can be the one to unite these two friends.

If you ever find yourself in the same situation of looking for someone you have been separated from, there is a site called anywho.com you should be aware of. I had success using this site to find one of my mother's high school friends. Now they are enjoying the friendship they had many years ago. It brought new life to both of them.


Looking For A Long Lost Friend
Dear Readers,

We hope that you can spare some of your time reading this article. It would mean a lot to one of our good friends in the blogosphere, if you can help her in this.

Our good friend named Sandy is currently searching for a person whom she had always regarded as her best friend. They were very close to each other, until a conflict between them arose. Ever since then, both of them lost touch of each other.

It has been nine long years since they last communicated with each other, and Sandy is deeply affected by her best friend’s absence. Her greatest wish right now is to reunite with her best friend and be close to her like before.

SANDY G

Her best friend’s name is Judy Sanford and is staying with her husband named Mike. According to Sandy, she was last found to be staying in California. Whether she is still staying in California or not is still a question mark. But you could be the person to answer the question!

If you happened to know Judy and her whereabouts, kindly inform us or inform Sandy directly via her blog. Even if you have never heard of Judy, you can still do your part by spreading this heartfelt message via your blogs.

Your immediate response to this message is greatly appreciated. What we are doing may be something small, but if all of us can put our hands together and be part of the search, it can bring two best friends together again after nine long years.

Sandy, please be strong in going through this obstacle in your life. Have great faith that miracles can happen, always look on the bright side of life, and believe that your long awaited wish could come true. We are here for you and will do our best to help you.

Judy, if you are reading this, please contact Sandy as soon as possible. She really misses you and wants to make up for the lost times. Let bygones be bygones. Hope that you will reciprocate Sandy’s feelings as soon as you can.

Internet Bonds of Friendship

For anyone who thinks it is not possible to form strong bonds with "Internet" friends, you are mistaken. I have mentioned on several occasions friends I have met through myspace. A couple friends have even been guest writers here.

With all the bad hype myspace and other communities receive, I will defend it. It is up to you who you choose to connect with. Like attracts Like. If it wasn't for myspace or mybloglog, I would never had the opportunity to meet such special people. It is a wonderful feeling that warms ones heart.

The bond that forms is so strong, the friendship so real. This type of friendship is on a whole other level...it involves the mind, the soul and the heart, not the physical. The connection goes deeper.

Is it because you aren't face to face, in person, and can share your inner most thoughts and secrets? Is it because you are not being judged by how you look, what possessions you have or what job you go to day after day? Is it because when you write to one another, the truth comes out and you aren't afraid what the other person is thinking? Is it because the 'real you 'comes out?

The reason for this post is because one of my friends...Hippie (aka Natalie) needs our prayers.

Hippie is from Oklahoma. We began our friendship about a year ago. Starting with emails,that went right into IM's, quickly growing into phone calls. We even spoke about actually meeting each other one day.

I can't tell you the countless hours spent as we sat in front of our computers,using our web cams, laughing hard and out loud. The countless hours, days, months of chatting girl talk on the phone, telling our secrets, supporting each other through good and bad times. Whenever we needed each other, we knew we only had to 'log in' or call and bamm..we were there for each other.
Both of us going through break ups, we really leaned on each other for support.

I remember sitting in front of our computers; her helping me with my web site, me helping her with html and then realizing we had household chores to do, telling each other we'll meet back in 2 hours...I remember being on the phone while decorating our Christmas trees and telling each other the meaning behind each ornament we hung on the tree. I remember having a drink while being on the phone to toast the New Year. I remember all we shared and all that we know about each other, our families, friends and children.

I received an email that Natalie was in a motorcycle accident in Colorado. She is in a coma, had to have immediate brain surgery and is on life support. I spoke to her daughter last night and the chances are uncertain. I'm so far away and feel quite helpless. This news hit me like a ton of bricks.

So for any who are afraid to form a bond with an Internet friend..you are missing out on the wonderful friendship you can form. For anyone thinking it's not possible, you are wrong.

I believe in the power of prayer. If you are still reading this post, please include reading the prayer below...for Natalie...for anyone you feel is in need...and for YOU.

Prayer for the Sick
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones, O Lord
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And for all your love's sake. Amen.

Saint Augustine


Please let me end this with a plea to anyone who ride motorcycles...PLEASE WEAR A HELMET

Amber Alert

As I post this, I have the goose bumps. I know there are literally many,many children who are lost and the very thought of the parents and families having to go through such torture of not knowing where their child is, is just unimaginable for me. As a parent myself, I just couldn't imagine this ordeal.

I received the following in an email tonight and wanted to post this since the information is verified. I have received similar emails regarding lost children,but they turn out to be false.The below information was taken directly from snopes.com.

I don't understand why children have to suffer and pay the price...whether it is the difficulty the parents face while going through a divorce or something else, our dear children suffer. The innocent ones who cannot speak for themselves.

In reading the entire article at snopes.com, it states that the person who they thought was with this child, Leigh Cowen, has since been found dead of apparent suicide. There haven't been any clues where the little girl is. Maybe, just maybe, through others awareness, we can help in some way.

Child: Reachelle Smith
Age: 3
Height: 40'
Weight: 40 lbs.
Hair: Light brown straight middle of back
Eyes: brown
Clothing: no description
Additional Information (Location, Date, Time): Last seen at residence 105 16th St NW, Minot, ND on May 16, 2006 at approximately 10:30 PM.

If you have any information about this child or suspect, please call 701-852-0111 immediately. The above AMBER Alert information is available to the public by calling 511 and at www.nd.gov/amber .

Let's pray for this child and have hope that she is returned to her loved ones