It has been a long week and an amazingly stressful and emotional ride with a happy ending.  On Monday, one of our students, Isaiah - a 10 year old boy, went into cardiac arrest during recess.  What really happened from that point on, hasn't always been clear, but our custodian, Gerry and our nurse, Thomasina, in conjunction with local EMT personell stepped up to the plate and saved his life.  Here is a news report from our local news station:

Janitor Helps Save Boy's Life

Last Edited: Tuesday, 02 Dec 2008, 11:53 PM EST
Created On: Tuesday, 02 Dec 2008, 5:20 PM EST

• Report by : Ann Nyberg

- A Stamford boy went into cardiac arrest at school and his mother credits the school janitor and nurse with saving her son's life.

The incident happened Monday at Heart Magnet School in Stamford. Ten-year-old Isiah Butler collided with another child while playing in the school yard and went into cardiac arrest.

Gerard Sangerman, who was trained as a firefighter, immediately went to work on the boy. At the same time, the school nurse, Thomasena Smikle, grabbed the defibrillator and together the pair resuscitated Isiah.

Isaiah was taken to Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital where he remains in the pediatric intensive care unit.

"The janitor of God. I have no idea how to describe this man at this point in time," said Isiah's mother, Doris. "My savior, found my son, gave him CPR! Nurse came and helped, got him to the hospital and if it wasn't for that janitor, he would not be here right now."

Gerard and Thomasena both downplay their actions, saying they were just doing their job.

Isiah has a pre-existing heart condition known as hypo-trophic-cardio-myothopy. He's expected to recover and be out of the hospital by the end of the week. The miracle of life is gift enough to his parents this Christmas. As for Isaiah, "Get whatever he wants," his mother said. "If he can say it, he can get it. My baby deserves everything. He's a great kid."

Link to video

Our school pulled together.  There were moments of severe touch and go.  When the accident first happened, I felt sick and all sorts of things came to my mind.  Here was a 10 year old boy hanging on for dear life.  He was blue when the ambulance took him to the hospital.  A 10 year old boy who had never kissed a girl, never gone to a prom and never learned how to drive a car.  All of a sudden, it struck me as to how precious life is, and how much it is taken for granted.  We should live every moment as if we don't get to experience the next one. 

Isaiah is doing well.  He got a defibrilator chip placed in his heart on Thursday.  If his heart ever stops, it will get jump-started and its natural rhythm will be restored.  Our school community has a lot to be thankful for.  This long and stressful week has finally come to an end... a happy ending to story that could have ended so many other ways.  Isaiah is a sweet boy and we hope he is back in school with us soon.  Go out and love today... tell your friends and family how much they mean to you.
Hugs!
-Susan

     Relationships... and by relationships I mean just people interacting with people - friendships.  Lately, I seem to fall flat on my face when dealing with people... I like to think that people are upfront and honest, but I have found over and over again that people come into friendships with hidden agendas.  As time goes on and as friendships blossom, I am myself.  You either love me or you don't.  I am flexible, but I am what I am.  Yes, there are things about me that aren't perfect... I can change those parts, but Rome wasn't built in a day, and so it goes with change... it is a process that takes time.  I'm wandering.  I have just been naive about people and the fact that how they present themselves isn't always the truth.  Whatever happened to old-fashioned friendships where you talk and share and just be free to be who you are?  I'm tired of investing time and energy only to find out that there was a hidden agenda all along.  Please... just come as you are... but be honest about who you really are.  Life is not a masquerade!  

       

Nobody right, Nobody wrong...

Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong  ~ Michael Franti
They say you got to chose your side and, when its done.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.
It ended in a great big fight and, when its done.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.
Conflict each and every day, at home and in the streets, and in my soul every way.
Its hard to keep the faith, when I feels so far away.
Times i feel connected, times I'm runnin' away.
But Whoa Whoa, Cant you see, all the sickness, hunger, and poverty.
War on the land and war on the seas.
Whoa, War is a painful thing.
One argument that none of us can hide, is the one thats ragin down deep inside.
Tryin' to make a point, or have the last word.
But most the time people just tryin to be heard.

They say you got to chose your side and, when its done.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.
It ended in a great big fight and, when its done.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.

But how many people never eva broke a rule.
And how many people tryin to get their kids to school
And how many people prayin they only find a job.
And how many poeple are afraid of gettin robbed.
Whoa Whoa, nobody knows.
And whoa whoa, only god knows.
Numbers escalate, wall street, crime rate.
From the Bahgdad streets, to my city by the bay.

Hey they say you got to chose your side and, when its done.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.
It ended in a great big fight and, when its done.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.

And I say, can you say what you mean?
And can you mean what you mean what you say?
And can you say what you mean?
And can you mean what you mean what you say?
And can you say what you mean?
Every single day? Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Reach out a hand to somebody who needs a hand.
And reach out a heart to somebody torn apart.
Its hard, this livin, this life we've been given.
Locked in your soul, or locked up in prison.
Remember you have to reach high to be risen.
The day you let go is the day you are forgiven.

So they say you got to chose your side and, when its done.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.
Nobody right now.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.
And I say, one man got a jet fighter, and the other got a song.
Nobody right, nobody wrong.

~ Here's to hoping you can let go of that which doesn't matter.  Nobody right, nobody wrong.  Letting go of a grudge or some hate that you are carying around can be liberating.  Why not give it a try?
Hugs!
-Susan

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

                                   ~ Oren Arnold

I spend my ENTIRE childhood growing up in one home... I truly consider that house to be my home.  I have lived in 4 other places since I moved away, and the family home has been sold.  There are things that I miss about it, but I would never want to go back and visit... it just wouldn't be the same. 
I miss the cold hallway up to the bedrooms
The ancient orange carpet on those hallway stairs
The small (kinda creepy) closet in my brother's room
The smell of the cedar closet that my father built
I wish I could hear the sound of all of us playing wiffle ball and the ringing of our  
    bicyle bells
I miss the awful 70's style wallpaper in the playroom and the orange and brown 
   wallpaper in the dining room.
I miss the freezer that was on the BOTTOM of the fridge - that fridge that we had
   forever!
I wish that I could wrestle with my brother in his room just ONE MORE TIME... and
   we would be listening for mom to shout up to us to cut it out!
I miss dialing my childhood telephone number - I get the urge to dial it every now
   and again - I don't because I can't imagine anyone else having that phone number
   except for my family.

I could go on and on, but I miss my family getting together around the dinner table.. talking and sharing and then going for a walk with our dog after dinner.  I miss that little, white cape that I called home, but I will always keep it close to my heart.
Hugs!
-Susan

My youngest daughter is my mini-me.  She reminds me so much of myself.  I watch her and sometimes the only thing I can do is laugh because she is funny.  She is bold and brassy... confident and outgoing.  She speaks her mind and knows right from wrong (although SHE doesn't always DO what's right, but hopefully that will get better with age).  It's funny to have a mini-me... when she walks, I see myself, when she talks, I see myself.  When she plays with her ferret, I chuckle when I hear her infectious laughter.  I love having two beautiful daughters... having one that is a mini-me is just a bonus!

That sometimes it is not reciprocated...

Sometimes I think anger can be a catalyst for change.  Anger can also be dangerous because it can blind and paralyze.  The upside of anger is when there is understanding, resolution, forgiveness and the ability to recognize where the anger came from and to make changes so the anger doesn't take over again. 

Eating chocolate without gaining weight... Oh, sorry!  I think I was typing out loud... LOL!  Seriously, though, heaven is a place of peace and harmony - a place where loved-ones are close.  Everyone has enough so there is no want.  Illness and suffering don't exist.  Magnificent beauty all around as all creatures have learned to get along with one another... now that's a beautiful thought.

   

 

I walked across the hall into the Kindergarten classroom just as the students were getting ready for rest time.  I asked the teacher a question, and as we were chatting, I spied this book from across the room.  The book was called My Crayons Talk.  It is really a cute little book!  If crayons could talk, what would they say and how would they say it?  I'm inviting all of you to get creative today... dig out your box of Crayola 64's (I know that Geo has his box handy already!)... spill those crayons out and listen to them...

Talk. Talk.
My crayons talk.
Yack yack yackity.
Chit chat clackity.
Yackity. Clackity.
Talk. Talk. Talk.

I'm holding silver, silver, silver...
It snowed out last night and everything is covered in a blanket of glittery snow.
I'm feeling like wild strawberry, wild strawberry, wild strawberry...
How are YOU feeling today?!?

So?  What are YOUR crayons saying today?!?
It's time to get CREATIVE!!!
Show me what you've got...

Sending out lots of hugs and Crayola Crayons!
-Susan

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away  like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself...  
~  Norman Wesley Brooks "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976  

I came across this quote today, and thought to myself - how true!  To love and share and give... those should be things we do each and every day. 

This morning, as I was walking to the train, I was anticipating seeing Karen.  If you are a usual visitor to my blog, then you will know that Karen is a woman whose path I cross Monday - Friday morning.  I decided to personalize it - to get to know her better.  I introduced myself to her in September, and we have been greeting one another by name ever since. 

Today, I was excited to see Karen, because I had a small gift for her.  As she came into my view and I into hers, I began to chuckle.  She was like a mirror image.  I was digging into my bag to get out her gift, and she was digging into her bag to get out my gift.  "Merry Christmas, Karen!"  I exclaimed as I threw my arms around her neck.  "Merry Christmas, Susan!"  she bellowed.  "I made your gift myself."  I stated.  She laughed.  "I made your gift myself too!"  she replied.  We hugged again.  "Great minds think alike."  I said.  "Yes, yes they do."  said Karen.  We wished one another a great day and continued on our way.

Karen and I made a conscious effort to go beyond passing like ships in the night.  We make it a point to spend a couple of moments every day in an effort to go beyond being strangers.  What a wonderful gift... we have the gift of friendship... not just on Christmas, but every day that we see one another.  Here's to hoping that you take that extra step in order to have the gift of frienship - it's one thing you can't get in a store, but it is one of the richest things you can ever have in your life. 

I slogged through a lot of mud, uphill both ways... went on dates with weirdos disguised as men - and as kind as I am, I suffered through dates that I should have run screaming from.  There were times when I should have feigned illness or pretended to answer my cell - rushing home to a "sick" child.  Anyone who knows me, also knows that my poker face is non-existent.  I can't lie that easily, so I suffered.  You may be wondering how bad my suffering was - let me share some of it with you. 

There was the guy who divulged the fact that he was living in a storage space that his band used to practice in.  Don't feel too bad for him, though.  He actually liked it - well you see, he could drink 5 or 6 Captain and Cokes and not worry about drinking and driving.  He could just crawl into his storage space.  I also determined (the 2 hour date was painful) that he had done WAY too many recreational drugs... especailly since he couldn't see the huge croissant flake that he had deposited on his own eye... the shadow that it created on his face was equal to a small eclipse.
 
There was also a man who insisted that he was 5'8", but each time he got near me he stood up on his tippy toes.  No, he wasn't even remotely near 5'8"... not even on his tippy toes.  He kept on telling me that he was the greatest - not that great.

My favorite killer date included dinner, a bottle of wine, me picking up the tab on the first date (hello?!?), a trip to the bookstore (which was the best part of the date because I could hide from the guy in the different aisles, and I got some new reading material), more of THIS guy telling me how great he was (WTF?  I thought I should be the one to decide if he was great or not)... and here is the kicker.  We were saying goodbye... not even goodnight (in my mind it was the FINAL farewell - he had no clue).  He opened his mouth and this fell out of it; "I shave my balls.  Do you want to go to church with me on Sunday?"  I stood there in disbelief.  I almost burst out laughing.  My mouth hung there as if my jaw had instantly broken.  The only thing I could do was blink.  "Ummmmmmmm.... I'll call you tomorrow and we'll talk about it."  I didn't have the heart to be mean.  I could have replied "Manscaping and Jesus... I just don't see how the two connect.  Could you help me out there?", but I was too afraid that I would begin to laugh and not have the ability to stop myself.  Worse than that, I had to go to the bathroom, and I was frightened that I might laugh so hard that I might wet my pants.  I quickly hopped into my car and drove off... almost running the bald balled bastard on the way out of the parking lot.  

Oh, I can't go forward without telling you about one last freak.  He seemed nice enough.  A personal trainer with a degree in sports medicine.  We met at a restaurant for a drink.  We made small talk and tried to get to know one another better.  He asked me if I owned a massage table.  I should have run then.  I didn't have a clue about what would occur next.  He leaned in close and LICKED my cheek.  It wasn't a tiny, dainty little lick either.  It was a looooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggg lick that went from the bottom of my jaw all the way up to the apple of my cheek.  There were no words.  I was truly dumbfounded.  I finally composed myself and asked him exactly what he thought he was doing.  "My sign in the Chinese Zodiac is the tiger.  I always lick things to see if I like them.  I like you.  Raaaaaaaaaugh!"  I couldn't get out of there fast enough.  

Convinced that I was the largest freak magnet known to man, I was a bit reluctant to finally meet Karl.  We had met on Match.com, and we had corresponded for a few weeks - emailing and chatting on the phone.  His profile detailed everything that I was looking for in a man, and I wasn't sure that he was all that he claimed to be... for that would be a great fit!  We met, and the rest is history.  We get along well, and we share many of the same hobbies and interests.  Karl is patient, outgoing, easy going, fun loving, interested as well as interesting.  He cycles, kayaks and hikes.  He loves to bake and cook.  Karl loves my children and he loves me.  He gets along well with my family and my friends.  He even passes the cat test... my oldest cat, Taz, does not get along with very many people.  She hasn't bitten him yet, and Karl and I have been togther for a year and a half now. 

I'm lucky to have found love on the internet.  The treasure that I found in Karl is worth all of the bizarre freaks that I had to slog through.  I'm especially lucky that he is in it for the long haul... enjoying time with me as much as I enjoy time with him.  I often wondered what initially attracted Karl to my profile.  I laugh each time he mentions it to me... I had posted a photo of myself petting a goat... it was a joke (although I do love animals, and I wanted to portray that somehow)... the goat photo was the thing that piqued his interest, and the rest... well, the rest is history.

 

Oh, so many things... it would be impossible for me to choose just one, so here are a few of the best!!

Family.  Seventeen of us got together recently... it has been years since my cousins, my brother and I have been together in one place.  My dad was here from Germany for Christmas this year.  All of us assembled at my aunt's house... six chidren, between the four of us... the newest additions to our family - together at once - carrying out family traditions from electric candles on the Christmas tree to German desserts. 


Karl's cookies... Christmas wouldn't be complete without them.  All of my favorites - Hungarian pocket cookies, chocolate chippers, pecan rounds, old-fashioned sugar cookies, lemon poppy cookies, triple chocolate and my favorite... chocolate crackles - just to name a few!  Of course I shared them by helping to deliver them to family and friends and by eating them.  :-)


Glutwein - a combination of red wine, sugar and spices like cloves and cardimon - warmed and mulled on the stove and then served piping hot.  Sounds all kinds of disgusting, but it is really tasty and warms you up.  Lucia served it at a holiday party that we attended, and as we were enjoying the Glutwein, it was snowing like nobody's business outside.  How apropos!


I shared my egg ornaments... I made 23 eggs this year, and I gave 22 eggs away (fortunately, only 1 blew up as I was emptying it - A few years ago one egg after another blew up and I was beside myself!).  Designing, making and then giving my eggs away is something that I love to do.  It brings me such incredible pleasure and satisfaction to see my recipients' faces... they almost can't believe that I actually made the eggs myself.  Somehow, I never seem to keep one for myself, but that's okay.


The final thing that I would like to share, is a giant cyber hug from me to you!
(((((Insert your name here)))))
Hugs!
-Susan

Each Day A Life
      
I count each day a little life,
With birth and death complete;
I cloister it from care and strife
And keep it sane and sweet.

With eager eyes I greet the morn,
Exultant as a boy,
Knowing that I am newly born
To wonder and to joy.

And when the sunset splendours wane
And ripe for rest am I,
Knowing that I will live again,
Exultantly I die.

O that all Life were but a Day
Sunny and sweet and sane!
And that at Even I might say:
"I sleep to wake again." 

         ~ Robert Service

Chocolate, laughter, capturing the perfect photo, exploring nature and good friends.  These are a few of my favorite things.

The thought of cycling 50-100 miles in one clip in 2009 has me motivated.  Cycling more frequently and across longer distances is something I plan to do.  My bike is already set up on the trainer in the basement...

My friend Ralph lives in Montana.  He sent me the followng picture with the caption that is under it...  I cracked a smile even before I opened the email.  Ralph always sends something worth smiling about!

We've been getting a little snow, but I don't think it's getting serious yet.

Tonight, at midnight, a new year will begin.  2009 will be here.  A new year, new opportunities to take control of your life. 

There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge; both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought.

~ Napoleon Hill

Hmmmmmmm... no limitations to the mind except for those we acknowledge.  Great point.  I recently read an article that talked about New Year's Resolutions and why the majority of them fail.  Here is the article:

"You can forget about making New Year's Resolutions if you're hoping for a successful outcome. Most aren't worth the paper they're written on," says Vic Johnson, a leading goal setting and motivation expert.

Most New Year's Resolutions have gone by the wayside before January is over and most won't even be remembered six months later. And the reason is pretty simple. Most are made in response to something negative; a habit or situation that the person wants to change or end. And therein lies the problem - it's hard to develop momentum from a negative response. It is always easier to move toward something than away from something.

Consider one of the most adopted goals --- weight loss. No one can get excited about losing weight - it requires deprivation. It's a negative response to concerns about appearance, health, etc. The results of weight loss New Year's Resolutions demonstrate their weakness. A survey sponsored by Gardenburger found that more than three-fourths of all women between the ages of 25 and 54 make diet and weight-loss plans each year. Nearly nine of 10 respondents reported only occasional or no success, while almost half lost little or actually gained weight instead.

"The people who succeed at losing weight and maintaining the loss have usually been motivated by a dream much bigger and more positive than just losing weight," explains Johnson. "They see themselves living a healthy lifestyle. They begin to act and think like people who are in good physical shape. There's more of a radical change in a person's thinking and actions than you see with most resolutions. It wouldn't be possible to effect and sustain such a radical change unless the person is motivated by a big dream that is positive in nature."

Another popular aim is to quit smoking. Johnson himself was a three-pack-a-day smoker until he celebrated a smoke-free New Year's sixteen years ago. "For over twenty years I had tried to quit many times using every tool and technique I'd hear about. But as long as I was trying to quit, I couldn't break the grip. Instead, I developed a dream to become a non-smoker. I fell in love with the idea of breathing clean air instead of smoky air, of my body and clothes smelling nice instead of smoky. I thought about how wonderful it would be to taste food again. I decided to start acting and thinking like a non-smoker, and when the thinking took hold I simply quit smoking. In all the years since, I've never wanted another cigarette, never even thought about wanting one."

According to Johnson, the best goal to set is one that calls for the individual to create a plan for their life based on a set of personal dreams. "Most people are in a free-fall through life, careening from one crisis to the next. If you were going to build a new house and you had this idea for a fabulous master bedroom suite, you wouldn't rush out and start building the master bedroom. You'd have a complete plan before you started. When you approach resolutions and goals in the same manner, you end up with a much better chance of achieving success."

The mind is a powerful thing.  Shining a positive light on things - shifting perspective and giving something your all will yield tremendous positive results.  I know that it's easy to look at things in a negative light - for some reason it's easier to see the negative side of things.  I don't know why that is.  I'm looking forward to shifting my perspective and putting forward my best foot into 2009.  I've got a lot going for me and now it's time to accentuate the positive in all parts of my life. 

There are no limitations to the mind.  Let's put that thought in the forefront on this New Year's Eve day.  Wishing you all the best for 2009.  May you set a plan for your personal dreams and follow it until you achieve them.
Hugs and Happy New Year!
-Susan