It's Always A Good Day To Fight The Good Fight

Last weekend, hubby and I did the "Fight For Air Walk".

We walked 5 kilometers to show our support and raise money for everyone who fights to breathe, such as those with lung cancer; asthma or emphysema. This is a cause close to our hearts.  My daughter lost her beloved godfather to emphysema.  I lost my best friend to lung cancer when I was only eighteen, and my cousin who had asthma and fought for breath his whole life finally succumbed, too early in his adult life, to lung disease.

We got there bright and early to register on a beautiful Southern California autumn day. 

Some people walk the distance and others run.  We know a lot about lung disease, but there is so much we don't know.  

 It was a glorious  day in San Diego at the Embarcadero Marina Park. 

 So beautiful in fact, it almost felt like we were cheating! 

I didn't want to lug my Canon, so hubby took these photos for me from his iPhone.  Not to shabby if I do say so!  You can tell however, that just as he is a man of few words, he is a picture taker of few pictures.   

 The walk was along the sea wall and through the park including Sea Port Village.  We had a gorgeous view of the Coronado Bridge where we also love to sail!

Puppies were encouraged, along with strollers, wheelchairs and anyone else who wanted to walk.  There were huge teams like Sempra Energy, and Beta Engineering.  Lots of University's brought their service orgs and I high fived a few of my Alumni from University of San Diego.  Go Torero's!  

Hubby and I wore our Loyola Marymount Sweatshirts, which was just a happy coincidence, and all the cheerleaders and encouragers along the route would yell, "Go LMU" whenever we passed.  So, we decided we were team LMU for our son Cooper's University which he will graduate from this May.  Go LMU!  Go Cooper!

We brought our pups along, including Kieran the Alpha Dog.   Think, pint sized Kujo! Before we got there I had a stern talk with him (the tiny 7 lb. lucky pup who's lucky he hasn't been some pit bulls hors d' oeuvres yet), about what we were doing and why we were doing it.  I told him there would be many people and OTHER DOGS whom he would feel he'd have to guard me from with his very life.  I explained that it would not be necessary this time because, everyone should have the chance to walk for the Fight For Air Walk and he should just be a good boy, keep his nose to the grindstone and WALK without being a big alpha jacka... like the good puppy I know him to be.  And guess what? He DID!!!  Not one incident.  Not one bark or snarl or growl.  It was like he knew how important this was.  WHAT a good boy!  That's why I love dogs.  Dogs just know these things.

 We did it!  You can do it too.  If you'd like to donate, go to "Walk For Air".  Eighty-one cents of every dollar raised by the American Lung Association goes directly to education, research and advocacy.  

You can walk just because you think our children deserve to breathe clean and healthy air!  Thanks xo

Blessings,

Tia


Update
Our event was a tremendous success for all involved. More than 800 walkers participated and thanks to you we have raised over $164,000.00! 

What Your Kids Do When You're Not Home

This is a somewhat cautionary tale because someday it too, could happen to you!

I wonder, what do all these thing have in common?

My theory up to this point has been, I don't want to know what it is that my teenagers do when I'm out. I've had five kids.  I'm tired. I can trust them by now I don't really want to know anymore but, sometimes these things come back to haunt you no matter how hard you try to be an ostrich!  Check out these photos taken by my kids.  Apparently the telltale tableau photographed above are the ingredients for what is about to happen.  

(Disclaimer):  If you have a weak heart go read a different blog, now!

All I wanted was to kick off my Rainbows and have a Cuppa after a long day.  As I relaxed in my studio chair and flipped open my Mac to check a few emails, I was treated quite unexpectedly, to the following photos. 

Huh?  Nobody except my husband and I are over 21 at our house at the moment and I've never heard of Pumpkin Ale.  You can imagine my surprise,

When I saw several different bottles of alcohol being lit on fire! And is that not the beverage holder on my back patio?  Why yes, yes it is the very same.

Can you guess what they are now going to do with this flaming bottle of beer?  Me either.  But do let us see if we can figure it out.

 Have you figured it out yet?  Me either.

How about you dorkus?  Have you thought this through?

What I do appreciate here, is that, my daughter is obviously being very careful and I know this as she has on her (I'm taking this very serious) face.  She always puts on this face when she does anything with her brother.  They're Irish twins (only 13 months apart).  If one doesn't think of it the other will and if one does it the other keeps what they call, THE CODE.  Do you know what that means?  I'll explain in another post at another time but, if you have teenagers, or if you ever do, beware unsuspecting innocent parents, there is  A CODE amongst them. 

We see before us a flaming bottle plunged into ice water with bare hands.  Have you figured this out yet?  Me either.


So I asked.  I did.  I screamed their names, first middle and last (never a good sign).  WHAT WERE YOU GUYS DOING HERE???

 What Ma?  I was just helping her with her homework...

 It's all clear to me now.  School made her do it.  And I pay good money for this. 

So if you're old like me and you don't want to know what your kids are doing while you're out anymore - because, of course after the first three you now have complete trust in the last two, don't, I repeat, do not leave your camera or your Mac unattended.  That's the final answer pure and simple.

By the way, if you still haven't figured it out (I really haven't either).  The yarn was dipped in several different flammable ingredients and tied around bottles.  Said bottles were then set on fire and instantly plunged into an ice bath where they were supposed to crack exactly where the yarn was tied.  Why?  I know, I asked the same question.  They were endeavoring to make cups from bottles of alcohol.  Cool huh?  If you look back on the first tableau whereby they staged their ingredients you will even see the sandpaper which was supposed to smooth out the edges, so the glasses were fit to drink out of.  In short, it didn't work and I was scorned for even questioning my little scientists for trying to squelch their dreams of discovery.  "Mom, we thought you'd love it!  You're an artist for hecks sake."  (Hecks sake - did they really say that?)  You've seem them; you guess.  Hahahahahahahaha. 

And what happened to the beer in all those bottles kids?

And what were the seashells and the telephone (that hasn't worked in 40 years) for you ask?  I never got a straight answer on that one.  And guess what?  I DON'T REALLY WANT TO KNOW.  

It's your turn.  What do your kids do when you're not home?