Fight Like a Girl

October is breast cancer awareness month. I know you have all seen the displays in stores, ads on tv and the radio, and I have even mentioned it here on my blog. The pink ribbons, the shirts, pens and coffee mugs abound. I buy a lot of these things because I believe in supporting research for breast cancer and other health issues that relate to women. (I do support mens health too, but this is one thing I feel adamant about!)

I know a lot of you, my friends and family, read this blog. I thank you for that. Right now, I need you to pass on the link of this blog to your friends and family. I need your help in getting some fundraising for a fellow co-worker of mine who has breast cancer. Our hospital, small that it is, and the county of Elberton has been a great support of Mona. T-shirts have been made up by a local store and sold. A portion of this money from the t-shirt sales benefit Mona and her family. If you are interested in ordering one of these t-shirts, they are $15. All you need to do is contact me and make a check out to Sports Connection. I will turn your order in to Mona's mom (who is our registrar on the weekends) who will get the shirts back to me for delivery. It's really simple. Just think you'll be doing something beneficial for someone and getting a great t-shirt to boot. Let me now take the time to tell you a little about Mona and why it is so important for you all to help.

Statistics are really cut in dry when it comes to breast cancer. 1 in 8 women will develop it in their lifetime. To me, that just seems like a whole lot of women being affected. Early detection is a must. Self breast exams, doctor exams and MAMMOGRAMS are essential. What makes me so passionate about female health is because it can happen to you. Look at the statistics. More than likely, if it doesn't happen to you personally, you will be affected by it. Simply because one of your friends or family members will be diagnosed in their lifetime. I can list off on both hands women that I know who have went thru breast cancer or a type of female cancer. Cancer isn't choosy. You don't have to not have the family history, the predominant race, the age or anything. It can just strike. Look at Mona.

Mona is an employee at EMH. Like I said, so is her mom. I don't personally know Mona, (because I work only weekends) but I feel for her. She is a mom, a wife, a daughter. She is loved by so many people in that hospital and in that community. I am proud of EMH for standing by her. Probably every employee has a Fight Like a Girl shirt in honor of Mona. Administration even allows for the employees to wear their shirt on Fridays. Not many places would. I talked with nurses this weekend and they told me that this support for Mona is far reaching out of the county. They have been taking orders for other parts of Georgia. Mona has said that the t-shirt sales have been a "blessing to her and her family." I want us all to be a part of that blessing.

Remember when I said that cancer isn't choosy about whose body it invades? Mona is a mom of two girls, she has no family history of breast cancer and she is only 35! She is fighting like a girl. She is taking some rough chemo. She is hanging in there. She is being strong.

It astounds me that most doctors will not say that a person needs a mammogram until the age of 40. More and more breast cancer is popping up in patients under 40. Age evidently is not a factor. Just look at Mona.

I hope you all will want to buy a shirt and Fight Like a Girl. If you can't buy one, please just offer up a prayer for Mona and her family. She needs that too.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:15)

Recipe of the Week

Banana Nut Bread

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Martha White® All-Purpose Flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
3 tablespoons buttermilk
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Crisco Flour No-Stick Spray

Directions
HEAT oven to 325°F. Spray the bottom only of a 8 x 4 or 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with flour no-stick cooking spray. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in large bowl; mix well.
ADD sugar, oil, buttermilk and eggs; blend well. Add bananas and pecans; mix well. Pour batter into prepared pan.
BAKE 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove from pan; place on wire rack. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator.

Recipe of the Week

Ok, today is a dreary day. Rainy and cold. But 16 years ago it was a wonderful, bright, sunny day. That was the day that James got lucky and I married him. Well, you would think that it being our 16th wedding anniversary I wouldn't have to cook today, but I do. James is working so I am making a large pot of soup. Here is an easy recipe for Taco Soup. Feel free to tell me anything that you may do different if you have this recipe. I like to change things up.



Taco Soup




Ingredients


2 pounds ground beef
2 cups diced onions
2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans
1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles
2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles
1 (4.6-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional
1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional
1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
Corn chips, for serving
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheese, for garnish
Chopped green onions, for garnish


Directions
Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.

Moi and James 16 Years Together

Today James and I celebrate 16 years together. Who would have thunk it?

Happy Birthday to Moi!

Today I celebrate the big 3 8. No, I don't feel different. I look the same too. I had a blast of a birthday. Debra and I took off this morning and went to Greenville shopping. We then had a fantabulous lunch and for the life of me I can't remember the name of the restaurant. It was so good. We did some damage at Garden Ridge getting ready for Christmas.



James had to work today, but he has called me bunches. I have got lots of texts today wishing me Happy Birthday and a couple of e-cards, e-mails and cards. I can't complain. I feel loved.

Ok, evidently turning 38 messed with my brain since I couldn't remember the name of the place we went to eat, but now it has come back to me....Bone Fish. Good place. Check it out.

Kailee, Our Niece and All of Her Uniqueness!

Kailee is going to be a fisherman for Halloween. I don't know why she picked that, but after Logan's birthday celebration last night, we went to Wal Mart where she bought a PINK fishing rod. Well, today, she needed fishing boots. We had some and she met us for lunch and to get the boots. Then she needed her a fishing vest. We thought we had one here, but we didn't and had to go back to town. This is Kailee at Goodwill shopping for her fishing vest. She actually found her a shirt that she is going to use. Between it, the boots, the hat (she got it last night) and the pink fishing rod she is going to be jam up. We are so proud to call her our niece. If you notice in the picture, the boys are away from her (which is rare). James didn't believe that she would actually wear those into the store, but she did. It was hilarious. I wish I could be at the party she is going to. She dressed as the fisherman and her roommate is her catch, a rainbow fish. I hope she sends me pictures.

I am Queen of this Castle

We met Kailee in town today and she came back home with us to enjoy some potato soup. Well, while I was cooking, she and James were out buying me this lovely crown and matching earrings. They also got me a single serving cake (James gets me Chocolate Delight for my birthday- we will get it next week). James also gave me my birthday present from him which was an electric skillet. People, I love it. I know most would be like that is a stupid gift, but I love to cook and I have been wanting one and he gets what he knows I want. I hate this picture of us for the fact that I have no makeup on and no lipstick, my bra strap is showing and my hair is a mess. Some queen, right? Well, I just loved the crown and the earrings. Kailee gave me those with her modified birthday card. She couldn't find one that said happy 38 so she got one that had happy 8 and put a 3 in front. She is so gifted that girl. I tell you, she is going places. It was fun. When the boys got back from church they gave me their gift of a double Christian CD. James is having to work tomorrow on my birthday as well as Friday on our anniversary that is why they were trying to get it all in tonight. I thought they would wait til next week when he was off. I'll be the first to admit, they do treat me like a queen. I love them.