A Weekend of Inspiration and Awe

Even though I work in education, there are many times I wonder if I am making a difference. If my contribution matters.

When I advocate, it’s a little easier to see because of the quick results that are accomplished by better grades, happier teachers, a calmer child in the same chaotic experience.

I’m constantly struck by the feeling to want to accomplish more, do more, say more, be more. Sometimes I rise to the challenge; but several times I wonder if I may have fallen short of the mark.

This weekend was full of amazing moments.

On Friday night, I had the pleasure of spending an evening with Anissa and her family. For those of you who have not met Anissa, she is everything she is on Twitter, on her many blog jobs, and more. But the job she is the most beautiful at? Is being a mom. I have seen Anissa interact with strangers and within minutes make lifelong friends. But the absolute best of her? Is for her kids. It was a pleasure and an honor to have her open up her home and share her family with me (and get to read two of my favorite books with her kids!). I will be forever grateful for the opportunity. She did more for me than just that, so you’ll need to read on…

Saturday morning came early, and well before the bright. With smiles on our faces, purple shirts on our bodies, and Starbucks in hand, we set off for the University of Tampa to walk for Maddie, Heather, and Mike in the March of Dimes Walk for Babies. Our Team was made up of some fantastic people, many of whom I had not yet met. To walk with a group of people who understood the reasons why we needed to be there, it was a powerful morning of bonding, sharing, grieving, and making a difference and a contribution. The weather could not have been better, and the walk was over almost as soon as it began. I will treasure that morning for a very long time.

The afternoon had us racing back home to change and head over to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for an event with the Mike Alstott Family Foundation and the Children’s Cancer Center; two groups that hold a HUGE piece of Anissa’s heart. After fighting beach traffic into Clearwater (what? a beautiful Saturday and you want to go to the beach? Sheesh!) We arrived and settled in for some dolphin time with some of the most wonderful kids and families I have ever met.

To have been granted that kind of access and to have been welcomed so graciously by everyone into the day was humbling and I will treasure it always.



I was struck by how much love was in that room, and the sheer joy of the moment was palpable. I can completely understand why Mike and Nicole Alstott have taken this charity into their hearts; it was hard not to.






It also made me miss my kids. Very much.

So after dinner with Anissa, Natalie (whom I adore!), and their families, we rushed back to Anissa’s so I could gather my things, say goodbye and thank you, and head back home.

Of course I got lost, would you expect anything less?

A quick recovery, and I was on the right path home. Exhausted, hopeful, melancholy, blessed, grateful…but home.

…and sleep.

In Honor of My 20th High School Reunion

So my favorite pregnant person, Faiqa, in her usual timely fashion, put up a meme that somehow spoke to me.

It could be because I have just reunited with several of my friends from high school recently and had a wonderful time (we’re working on making it a monthly thing).

It could be because my 20th high school reunion is a few short months away (I’d better start that Shred thing, like yesterday!).

It could be because I’m actually having lots of fun friending people I knew in high school and catching up.

But it probably just means I am a total geek.

So here you go. Enjoy at my peril.

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1. Did you date someone from your school senior year?

Yes. Uh-huh. Sure did.

Hey, look! Over there! Something SHINY!

2. Did you marry someone from your high school?

That’s a BIG negatory. No.

I ventured out of state for that one. Twice. We like to refer to that as my “Getting the Hell Out of Dodge Years”.

3. Did you car pool to school?

If by “car pool” you mean “borrow” my mom’s car and not tell her, then yes.

However, M-W for the first part of my senior year there was a fairly good chance I would call an “Alumni” and wake him up to come get me and take me to school on his way to college classes. Once I got my car though, and Universal Studios Florida was being built, I would carpool with Kristi G. and we’d have breakfast at BK and still get an excused tardy pass. What? (Hey, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!)

4. What kind of car did you drive?

1985 Toyota Camry

5. What kind of car do you have now?

Now I have two. However, one is a van. I know. I rule!

6. It’s Friday night… where were you (in high school)?

At a football game pretending to watch and be interested in the game. Or the movies. Making out.

7. It is Friday night… where are you (now)?

At a local high school football game, still pretending to be interested in the game. Failing somewhat miserably. Still making out.

8. What kind of job did you have in high school?

I worked for the family business, Walt Disney World. What?

9. What kind of job do you do now?

I’m a Teaching Assistant. I advocate for Special Needs children. I’m CEO of Runny Noses and High Fevers. What don’t I do?

10. Were you a party animal?

If the party included several people huddled around a Commodore 64 playing a Sid Meier game called Pirates, then absofreakingloutely.

If the party included cruising International Drive (Shut. Up. It was the thing to do back then.) then I was the chick in the hot car with the guy being an idiot.

Or I was the chick who helped her friends ask a group of cheerleaders they were rating on a scale of 1 to 10 (boring!) if “any of you nice young ladies believe in pre-marital sex?”

I live to serve, people.

11. Were you considered a flirt?

Yes. Sadly, I have witnesses to back this one up. And they still remind me. Constantly.

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?

If by “in choir”, you mean I sang for a while and got bored and pleaded sick as often as I could get away with to sit out?

That would be me.

13. Were you a nerd?

If by “nerd” you mean I already answered this in #12, then yes. If by “nerd,” you mean calculator watches and highwaters, then, I can say no to the highwaters part…

14. Did you get suspended or expelled?

In high school, no. In middle school, maybe.

Let’s just say I know what I.S.S. means.

15. Can you sing the fight song?

Seriously? We had a fight song? Are you sure?

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?

Mr. Frederick, Psychology. Ms. Meadows, Chorus. Mrs. Searcy, Intl. Business Mgmt/Law. Mrs. Esposito, English.

I think three out of those four still teach in the Orlando area.

17. Where did you sit during lunch?

On the wall. Near a door. That went somewhere. Can’t remember.

I do remember we were not allowed to leave campus though. Bummer.

18. What was your school’s full name?

Dr. Phillips High School (Gucci High to all the locals!)

19. When did you graduate?

1989

20. What was your school mascot?

Panther

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you?

Oh. Hells. No.

Well, only if I could take all that I know now back to then. Then maybe. But probably not.

22. Did you have fun at Prom?

Junior one, yes. Senior one, not really.

23. Do you still talk to your prom date?

Nope. Neither of them. Not even on Facebook.

24. Who was your best friend?

I refuse to answer this question on the grounds that feelings will be hurt. Hi, Mom!

25. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher. A mother. A wife. Arnold Palmer’s next door neighbor.

(Three out of four ain’t too shabby, eh?)

26. Any regrets?

Yep. I may have a few. Or many. Only my therapist knows the exact number.

Let’s just use the therapist-approved “Any time I stepped into a Limited: Express and purchased something”, and leave it at that.

27. Biggest fashion mistake?

Blue eyeshadow. Like Nancy said back then; Just Say No. I did not. At. All.

And I SO should have.

28. Favorite fashion trend?

Miniskirts, baby.

29. Are you going to your next reunion?

As an example of my geekitude: I am going to two.

(I went to four high schools in four years. Do the math.)

30. Who did you have a secret crush on?

Like I’m going to tell you now. Pfffft.

31. Did you go on spring break?

I lived an hour and a half from Daytona Beach. An hour if you actually pressed down on the gas pedal. (Right, Greg?) So. Um. Yeah. Check and double check.

It’s Back to Work I Go!

Spring Break is over, so back to the grind I go. I’m comforted by the fact I have only 35 days of school left before summer break. YES!!!

So since I’m not here, here are some of the places I have been:

5 Minutes for Special Needs:

The Aspergian Teenage Mind (in all of it’s wonder)

Whatever it Takes

NewBaby.com:

Mom Reviewers – Introducing Shash

I’m also on Facebook (Playing LOTS of Bejeweled Blitz!)

I’m chatting on Twitter

I went to Yanni Voices with my son.

I’m walking on Saturday in Tampa for the March of Dimes Walk for Babies in honor of Maddie Spohr. I’m also taking donations here.

I also said goodbye to a small person who had a big life. I will miss her. We will miss her.

I also partied with some old friends. I was nervous, but it was all good.

I celebrated my 15th wedding Anniversary.

..and now, it’s back to the grind!

…And Fun Was Had By All

to see the rest of the photos, click here (Facebook)

The best part is that it was like we saw each other at school earlier that day. We laughed, we joked, we plotted things… just like back in the day.

I’m looking more and more forward to my 20th High School Reunion!

The 80′s called; They want their blue sparkly eyeshadow back!

So in between typing this, and listening to Chris Mann, I’m downloading songs for a Mix CD because I’m meeting some friends from High School on Friday night for dinner.

Songs like:

Slyy Foxx – Let’s Go All The Way
A-Ha – Take On Me
Cutting Crew – (I Just) Died in Your Arms
Martika – Toy Soldiers
Duran Duran – The Reflex
Peter Schilling – (Coming Home) Major Tom
Re-Flex The Politics of Dancing

…and many more

All because I am going to have dinner with a close group of friends I haven’t seen for ten years or more.

Back then, I looked like this:

Now, I look like this:

I’ve gained a little weight, lost a LOT of hair, and expanded my family. I’ve also stopped working for Disney. In short, I have changed.

Or have I?

I’m still fun. I like a good time. I still see a few of them now and then. Two of them are permanent members of my family. I’m probably as much of a dork now as I was then.

Nah, I’m probably more of a dork.

So we will drink (we’re FINALLY LEGAL, BABY!), we will catch up, we will have a blast.

Because after all, we’re friends. Good friends.

And that’s what matters.

Thank You for 15

If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
If the mountains should crumble to the sea, there would still be you and me….
And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad, happiness….I’m glad.
If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
If the mountains should crumble to the sea, there would still be you and me.
-Led Zeppelin, Thank You

Laughter. Tears. Good Times. Bad Times. Joy. Love.

Two boys. Two states. Two people became one on April 16, 1994.

Our family. Us.

I love you so much. Happy Anniversary.

Ready for another 15?

Goodbye, Little One

Dear God

Dear God,

Why? and Why again?

Also? So. Not. Fair.

Love, Shash

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To help Maddie’s Family, click here.

To help Thalon’s Family, click here.

Also? Go hold your children tight. Please.

That is all I can say.

I Can Haz Weekends Nao? Yes?

This week has been horribly rough. For instance:

• I found out late last week that my job description is going to change next year, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I KNOW I can do it, that isn’t the point, but it is taking me away from the area in which I like to work. I’m sad to be going in a different direction, but I’m trying to remember that every opportunity is a good opportunity, and hope for the best. Still, Not. Thrilled.
• My FIL’s rehabilitation is not progressing as quickly as we had hoped, and we have had a slow start. Each day there is improvement, but while we are filled with the hope, we are quietly freaking out at the slow pace. Our days are filled with conferring with nurses, doctors, and traveling to and from the hospital in shifts. I feel like Orlando should name a highway after our family with as much traveling as we have done on it. I”m sure I have sent someone’s kid to college with all the tolls we have paid in the past three weeks.
• Maddie. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? My heart goes out to any parent that loses the love of their lives, but Heather and Mike are people I love dearly. When you meet Heather, you meet Maddie. Those two were one. Her star in the sky will shine brighter every day, guiding us forward. (P.S. The wordsmith leaves me when it comes to things like this) Please help them by donating here. If you are on Twitter, please send @mamaspohr your love.
• Spiff had a bullying situation at the school that ended with his notebook being thrown up onto the roof of a portable by a student. However, the galling part of this was not the notebook on the roof; but the student who started it in the first place. It was one of his closest friends at the school, and one of the kids egging him on was another friend. Spiff had to report it, and because of that, the student spent time in ISS (In School Suspension) and has told my son, who is crushed he “ratted out his friends”,  that he will “burn in hell”. Niiice. This is even more painful when you add in that the student who started it also has “issues”. So I suppose the old adage IS true, Kids (no matter what the issues) ARE mean. Breaks my heart.
  
  These are the lessons I really hate having to teach my son.

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So, you may notice some changes around here. If you read me in a Feed Reader, the changes you may not see. (Feel free to stop by anyway and see them though!) However, make sure you are still getting my feed. I’ve also started a review blog, the Crazed Mommy Reviews at crazedmommyreviews.com. I’m giving away FREE tickets to the Yanni Voices concert in Orlando on March 14th. Go enter for your chance to win!

Devastated

Tonight, a beautiful baby girl, Madeline Alice Spohr, daughter to Mike and Heather, suddenly passed away.

Please, take a moment to send Heather and Mike your love, thoughts, and prayers.

Then, please, donate to the March of Dimes in Maddie’s name.

Thank you.