Blog with a purpose – Anthony Nolan/Open Links

   

If I have a flaw, and the truth is … I have many, it’s that I’m loyal to a fault. I’m either on your team or I’m not. I either root hard for you or ignore that you are in fact on this planet with me. I tend to have tunnel vision about things as well, but when I become a fan I am usually all in until … well I’m not. As is the case with one Tom Holland. I have posted on here before on my love of Spiderman (all of them are unique in their own way but I especially love Tom’s version of Peter Parker), my love of the Crowded Room, the enjoyment I get watching Spies in Disguise or Onward after a long week, and my obsession with the movie Cherry … all of which star … one Tom Holland. I even enjoyed In the Heart of the Sea (which also starred Chris Helmsworth) and Pilgrimage, Chaos Walking, and of course the one that started it all The Impossible. The more I learn about this kid the more I love him. I can call him a kid cause he’s younger than me. The young man carries himself very well in both his personal and professional life and he just seems like an all-around nice guy that makes you want to cheer for him to succeed.

One of my favorite things about him is the charity he and the family set up, The Brothers Trust, in order to make positive use of his "fame". I have previously talked about this on this blog and will likely do so many more times moving forward. I love that it exists to shine a light on charities that might not get the limelight it deserves but what I really love is that the entire family is involved. I love that what they are doing is really making a difference. I gladly support it with charitable donations and proudly wear my t-shirt and hoodie when the weather allows it. A few weeks ago I had a cold (not covid) and couldn’t get warm so I wore that hoodie for 2 days straight. It was the only way I could get warm.  That’s how I found out about the subject of my 2^nd Blog with a Purpose post which focused on DEBRA one of the charities supported by the Brothers Trust to help fight Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

HOWEVER ……. Like my previous blog … this one isn’t really about Tom Holland …. or frankly the Brother’s Trust ….. well … not really, but they are all connected.

While learning more about this young man, I stumbled upon the fact that his father is an author in addition to a successful comedian in the UK. As a self-diagnosed “Bibliophile” (A person who collects or has a great love of books) I was intrigued. While clicking around on the Brother’s Trust site one day to see what all they had to offer, I saw one of his books on sale called “Open Links” oh a Golf Book I thought …. then read some more and realized all proceeds for the book go to the charity called “The Anthony Nolan Trust” which saves lives by matching people with blood cancer. Oh that’s interesting I thought … and bought the book. 

   

It sat on my shelf for a while cause again it was a “golf book” not something I’m particularly interested in. Golf I mean. My company has a “internal” golf tournament every year that I go to in order to take pictures and I like putt putt when ever I’m on vacation but that’s so not the same thing. Then one day I am looking around for something new to read and at the top of my to be read pile was Mr. Holland’s book, Open Links. It was a short read. I was in the mood for something different so I dove in. It took me longer to not read it than it did to read it. I couldn’t put it down. This “golf book” sucked me in like no other book had in a very long time. Open Links follows the story of Ricky Randall a journeyman professional golfer playing in the final round of the Open Championship at Muirfield. The book starts with Ricky in the middle of what I would call a panic attack at the idea of the day ahead of him. In this final Round Ricky finds himself at the bottom of the standings with nowhere to go but up. It takes Ricky a bit to pull his arse out of his hindquarters and get on with it, which makes the reader want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. At least I wanted to. The novel takes place over a single round of golf, 18 holes, 18 chapters and even non golf fans can feel the build up and understand the drama unfolding in front of them.  The Anthony Nolan Trust features heavily throughout the book and upon learning more about them you quickly understand why Mr. Holland gave the proceeds to the charity.  

In 1974 Shirly Nolan founded the Anthony Nolan Trust after her son was diagnosed with blood cancer. In 1971 Anthony was born with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. The cure … a bone marrow transplant. In 1974 the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register was established to make searching for unrelated donors easier. Mrs. Nolan wanted to give other blood cancer patients and those suffering from other forms of blood disorders a second chance at life. Finding donors was much harder back then than it is today. In 1979 Anthony died at the age of 7. That’s also the year I was born. Today the Anthony Nolan Trust has helped over 22K people receive a lifesaving transplant.  As the Trust celebrates 50 years I'm excited to help support them through a book that I really enjoyed. 

I won’t tell you how Rickys’ round ended or the insane circumstances surrounding the round. For that you’ll need to pick up the book and read it on your own. You will not be disappointed in having taken the ride. If it gets you to learn more about the Anthony Nolan Trust even better. 

Purchase your own copy of the book here via Amazon .... https://a.co/d/1l3q328

To learn more about the Anthony Nolan Trust go here ….   https://www.anthonynolan.org/

Check out The Brothers’ Trust here ……     https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/

I have since bought many of Mr. Holland’s books and highly suggest I Gabriel, the Fruitbowl, and if you are a Tom Holland fan Eclipsed which is a diary of sorts about a son eclipsing his father which takes place during the filming of The Impossible and I often think that one day Tom might be writing a similar one about his brothers one day. Mr. Hollands latest books “Takes on Life Vol 1” and “Takes on Life Vol 2” evolved into a Podcast that can be found on Spotify and is a GREAT listen as well as excellent reads. The Margaret Mizen episode really stood out for me, as did the Omid Djalili one and the Graeme Souness episodes.

To learn more about Dominic Holland  go here …….      https://www.dominichollandbooks.com/

To join his Patreon for exclusive content  go here …….    https://www.patreon.com/dominicholland/posts

(tell him Marcy sent you) 😊

As with the rest of my Blog with a Purpose posts the goal is to teach you something, and make you think about or become aware of a cause that I think is worthy of your time. People dealing with blood cancers and unseen diseases, of which my partner in crime @theonlygolden can attest to, is harder to deal with than those that people can see. People tend to dismiss the battle inside cause they can’t really see it making the effects worse for the patient.

I am proud to support the Brothers Trust, proud to support Open Links and am very proud to support the Anthony Nolan Trust as they fight to save lives. With the exposure from this book and the recognition that comes from it may they go from saving three lives a day to many, many more.

Marcy

(@beaslma)

 

I AM BACK!!!!! Did you miss me ?!

So I’m back on social media …… and I’m not going to lie I missed the people not the various platforms. Like Twitter (also known as “x”) used to be my go to play ground for all things social media. I talked to people about sports, movies, tv, books, video games, consoles, literally any and all topics were on the table. Then it was harder to have those conversations. Either cause it would get drowned out by the noise or the people I used to talk to are no longer on the platform and some I really miss. Like have thought about trying to do a deep dive on the internet to find them but I decided that felt that was creepy and let them go.

I use Instagram to keep up with my nephews, my niece, and one fantastic girlfriend as well as specific celebrities who I like to “keep tabs on” but mostly AU athletes. I admit with AU in the SEC Championship for Basketball, the SEC Championship for Gymnastics, and AU Volleyball having spring games it’s been real hard to stay off. I use the platform to cheer these guys on…to talk to them and encourage them and there were times I felt they needed it. I held strong tho.

I logged into Facebook a few times cause I run our church account and needed to post for the church but didn’t stay around long enough to do much other than post. If I’m being honest it’s the one I use the least but I do enjoy hearing about what everyone else is doing and where they are going even if sometimes it highlights that they are doing and going and I’m …. Well not. My father on the other hand is kind of obsessed with it and i find that really interesting and often get people coming up to talk to me about whatever he's recently posted. Cause he tags me in everything. 

Ironically the one that was hardest to log back into was TikToc and I can’t figure out why. Every time I try to log in it wants to send me a code then does not accept said code and I’m in this never ending loop of hell. I’ll get it tho cause I understand that Golden has set up a library for me to watch and it will likely take me the next 40 days to catch up. 

Today is the last day of Lent so I’ve successful logged into all the social but won’t really start using it until tomorrow sometime. So, expect posts from me int eh coming days and I apologize if it’s crap you have already seen it’s new to me. The thing I like best about this social media break is that often I’m forced to reset passwords or update information cause I’ve been gone for so long. I got a new phone over these last 40 days so I had to relog into all of it and it was a chore but it does force me to check the status of my accounts, set up notifications etc.

Can’t wait to hear or see what everyone was up to while I was gone!

Marcy

@beaslma

 

Social Media Break

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ! That means Lent is nearly over and I have to admit this Social Media Break has been a little tougher than in years past. I haven’t really missed it …. I’ve thought about keeping this break going through the election. I promised when we started this thing that I would avoid politics and I meant it. It does grind my gears that all these years later and we are back where we started and that just seems stupid on so many levels.

However during this break I have thought several times about specific people that I “check in” with on the various social media apps and wondered how they are doing. Golden has kept me informed of news events I need to know about and she has apparently created a TickyTock playlist for me assuming that we are all still allowed to use TickyTock by the time I get back.

So what have I been up to ?

I got to take a work trip in late Feb. as part of that trip I got to see Golden, walk around a bookstore and eat some good food. I also got to go watch my boss get inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame which was really really cool. See he’s amazing. I helped prepare his application for induction even after he told us to stop. He said he wouldn’t win so I doubled down. I really wanted this for him. When we found out he won he looked me right in the eye and said I want you there. I said yes sir. I booked my hotel room and waited fro someone to steal my seat. Turns out he bought his OWN table for his family (brothers/sisters) and I had a seat at that table. I felt super important and got to meet many people who I’ve e-mailed many times over the years but never talked to in person. That was pretty cool.

My nephew and his wife just celebrated their one year anniversary. I think they had a good time, they are hoping to take a trip once the summer starts to really celebrate it. I hope they do. They have been through a lot this year but they are still standing, things are still moving forward. They are about to move from a cramped townhouse to a starter house (renting) with a yard for their big furbaby. My nephew is about to finish his college life and I think that’s sinking in some. The real world is waiting I’m not sure he’s ready but he’s going to figure it out quickly.

I just got a new phone …. I got the Samsung S24+ mine was ok … but it was starting to lag and kept telling me it had no storage even though I had removed everything I could off of it. I just got tired of fighting it and said I’m gonna get a new one.

My Auburn Tigers have just lit up the place in basketball and my gymnastics team is gearing up for the SEC tournament. My poor Gymnastics team they were doing so well and the last few meets seemed to have gone off the rails. The SEC Gymnastics championship are in Baton Rouge and I almost bought tickets but cooler heads prevailed. I mean I just bought a phone, taxes are coming up, and work is still moving pretty fast. I like to think they miss my peptalks.

Golden and I did secure out Dragon Con memberships the other … yippie something to look forward too! :D I am also hoping to get to her house for her birthday again this year. If nothing else we’ll be in the same room. We might both be sleeping through the movie of choice …there will also be laughter, fun, and good food.

So until I get back online … I hope you are all doing well, having a good week/day and I’ll see you all again soon!

 

Marcy

Happy …. Whatever.

It must be a New Year cause everyone keeps telling me that it is, and people are posting these long eloquent write ups about what kind of year they have had and their hopes and prayers for the aforementioned new year. I know I should be one of those people. The kind of wants to document the year prior, see if there is anything I can learn form it as I move into a new calendar but I just don’t have it in me this year. 

I didn’t have a BAD year per say nor did I have a great year with things that stand out so that makes this process hard cause it feels like another wasted year. Let’s see the year started off with me battling a kidney stone, but I didn’t know it yet (cause I’m stubborn and don’t like doctors). Then my mother almost blead to death, which was super unpleasant. Mom’s emergency surgery took place not even a week after my kidney stone surgery so helping her recover while I was still recovering was a challenge, but she’s doing great so that’s a positive. She has like the smallest stomach in the world but she’s here and she cooked New Year’s Day lunch today, which was delicious, and for that I’m grateful. Then about a month or less after mom got out of the hospital my oldest nephew got married. Literally. Like from one massive activity to another in very quick succession. I broke his heart cause while mom was still in ICU he asked if she was going to make it to the wedding and I told him that was the least of my concerns at the moment. I meant what I said and I said it with my whole chest. My mom surviving was my entire focus at that moment and while I hate I broke his heart I’d do it again. She did in fact make it to the wedding, was dragged all over that church by the photographer and she never complained. She was exhausted and spent for the next 4 days but she watched the baby she helped raise (she kept him while his parents worked until he started school) walk down the aisle and get married. She had already made my dad and I promise that we would go even if she couldn’t and we had made plans incase she couldn’t go. Lucky it all worked out, but it was a very stressful Jan/Feb/March to say the least.

Oh and in the middle of all that I turned 44.

In April, I took my younger nephew and his friends to play Top Golf for the first time in Birmingham (the closest facility to where he lived) and we had a great time. I got to stay with my older nephew and his new bride (first houseguest for them), I got to spend a crapton of money on the nephew, and I had a really good time. It was a quick trip. Up on Friday, back on Sunday kind of trip but a good one. It was on that trip that I made a very important decision. See Golden was supposed to join us for Top Golf. However, her beloved Beetle … well blew up. Literally. As I am driving my parents van home (large enough to hold the group going to b’ham) I couldn’t stop thinking about Golden’s situation. See I have been watching a Hyundai Kona for years … I am going to say 4 or 5 (maybe longer) and I really really really really really wanted that car. However, my Hyundai Sonata was too good a car to just give up. I thought about trading it in but it was just too good of a car to even think about getting something else. So I waited. Every time I saw that car drive by tho I pointed it out. I loved that car. I had a very specific car in mind that I wanted tho. Hyundai Kona N Class Grey with grey interior, red accents, sport seats, and a sunroof. I must have built that car like a thousand times on their website only to back out cause I didn’t “need” a car. On that drive home it hit me ….. GOLDEN NEEDED A CAR …. I had a car … and I wanted a new car. The wheels started turning. I got home called Dad and immediately told him my plan. He said and I quote, “That’s a crazy reason to buy a car.” Then mom looked at him in disbelief and looked over at me and said “I think it sounds brilliant. You deserve this … do it.” I had been saving like a miser to get this car for a very long time. I had the budget to do it.

I usually get to work about 45 minutes early. Around here traffic can turn on you very quickly. 5 minutes on either side of the clock can cost you 15-20 minutes very easily. I’d rather be there early than risk being late. I used to go right in and get to work. Lately I’ve been sititng in my car playing on my phone for about 30-40 minutes then drag myself out of the car and into the building (I really gotta get out of that habit). On this day I used that time to do a search on the Hyundai website for my Hyundai. I found one yall….. like 30 minutes from Golden’s house. It was PERFECT! Like someone was telling me to do this for my friend. I filled in the information and asked someone to call me back. I had a call back in less than 2 hours. I spoke with the guy, we settled on some things and I explained what I was trying to do. I asked if he could hold it. He said yes but not long. See I still hadn’t talked to Golden. Maybe she doesn’t want my car. So, I hung up promising to give him an answer by the end of day. I texted Golden and asked if she had a few minutes to talk. She said sure is everything ok. I shut my door. I called her and I really believe she was in disbelief about what I was telling her. I basically told her that she could go out and buy something or I could do this, and she could have more time to get something she really wanted/liked as opposed to what was there. My car was a 2013 (bought in 2012) so it wasn’t like I was giving her a new car, but it was well cared for. It wasn’t going to last her forever but could last her another 3-5, maybe even 10 years. It wasn’t perfect it has some dings; the dash was cracking like crazy, paint was chipping in a few places but it was and is a good car. She really didn’t know what to say and I think she was afraid of getting her hopes up.

I got with dad, told him what the guy and I talked about, he suggested I counter with this other price, and I was like um ok… the guy said let him see what he could do. They countered and met us halfway. I was pleased. He was gonna get the paperwork going. I called Golden to say it was a Go. While we were on the phone the car guy beeped in. Another dealer had just sold MY CAR. I was devastated. I knew it was all coming together to easily. He tried to sell me on another and I said no it has to be that car, that set up, those colors that’s the car I want. That’s the car I’ve been dreaming about for years. He said let me see what I can do. I called Golden and we were both exhausted by this roller coaster. The dealer asked for me to give him until Lunch. I said ok. 10am … he calls. I found it, I don’t have it yet but I found it. I’ll call you back as soon as I have it. I said same car as yesterday he said yes. I’ll send you a picture as soon as I have it. I was confused by that but said ok. I called dad, I called Golden and I called the bank. I didn’t know how long it took to get a cashier’s check. Then I didn’t hear from him again until nearly 10 pm. I was like well there we go it was all too easy. Sigh. Golden was trying to figure out how to get to work the next day and I was sad. At 10 I get a text from the dealer. It was a picture of a car in a parking lot. It had just arrived from the swap me made with a dealer in TN. It was MY CAR, same color, same trim, same accessories as the one had and it was perfect. He said the next morning the guys would do the Hyundai inspection on it, and they could be driving to me by 10am. I was like wait the whole point is getting mine to Golden. He said due to all the trouble the dealer was willing to drive it down to me and drive my car back for Golden to pick up for free. I was like I’m sorry, what? For no additional money they were going to do that for me. I said let’s do it. He told me the total, I paid the deposit on my credit card, the rest by money order and I had purchased a car, mostly via text which blew my father’s mind. I called Golden and I tossed and turned all night. The next day was like a weird dream. I went to work, waiting for the bank to open so I could get the cashier’s check then came home and cleaned my Sonata like it had never been cleaned before. I almost cried when it left my driveway and prayed that the guy wouldn’t have any problems on the drive back I got my dream car and helped a friend out at the same time. We did the bill of sale stuff Golden sent me a check, I sent everything with the car so she could do the tag thing and to this day I’m afraid some glitch in the matrix happened cause it was all too smooth and perfect. I am still waiting for something to go wrong, even after all this time. It was a win win win and I was so very happy to do it. To this day it’s the coolest thing I’ve ever been able to do for a friend and while that was awesome, I can’t tell you how happy this car has made me. So, for me that’s my highlight of the year. I don’t know if I’ll ever top that nor will I try. Mighty, Golden's furbaby was very confused as to why my car was tehre but i was not. 

In May, a month after the car swap, I drove to Golden’s to watch her niece graduate and to celebrate Golden’s birthday. We went to the zoo, a tradition I haven’t been able to participate in years, and I had a very lovely time.  In Aug/Sept Golden and I made it back to Dragon Con for some much-needed time away, fun and laughter. We decided to venture north and found a really cool bookstore, which made for a nice relaxing drive to the con. Which was nice cause life was trying to suck the very life out of me and Golden and continues to do so. Golden's niece has just finished her first semester in college and seems to be doing really well there. I am very proud of her. 

In October, my oldest nephew and his wife suffered a devastating heartbreak and while they are still dealing with the aftereffects of it, they are still intact as a couple and are going to come out of this stronger I truly believe that even if they don't yet. 

In November, I started dealing with some more weird health issues. I used to have really high blood pressure but suddenly I have very low blood pressure. It runs in the family, and I am not a small girl, and I have a horrible diet. I'd tell you I'm going to work on that, but history says otherwise. However suddenly this year it started just dropping out of nowhere. I'm walking along and boom all dizzy and grabbing at walls about to pass out. I can hear my heartbeat, I can feel my heartbeat (sometimes it feels like it's about to leap out of my body...most of the time it feels like I'm on vibrate, or there is a techno show happening in the front yard). I haven’t taken my BP meds in over a month, and it keep bottoming out which is just crazy pants. I have been keeping a journal of my blood pressure since my last visit and have a follow up later this month. I think it’s stressing Golden out too. There really doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason for it. In December Golden had a very invasive sinus surgery which she is still recovering from. So when I say 2023 can go ….. I mean it can go and I’m ready for a New Year I’m just not optimistic that some of the 2023 crap won’t come with it.

So, consider this my year in recap I guess …….. and I didn’t even get into the work stuff which had its own drama and hell running through it but that’s another post … maybe.... or maybe I leave that in 2023. 

I hope everyone has a great start to 2024 and that we all keep moving forward cause at the end of the day that’s all we can do.

Marcy

2023 Christmas TV Calendar

 I have a confession ……… there’s too much Christmas … I mean honestly, everyone slow down. I can’t imagine as an actor how it feels to be all Christmasy in like February but then again they shoot Halloween Wars in January so BOOM take that Christmas! I’ve always wondered how they keep their pumpkins so fresh …. and how do they convince a farm to hold out that many pumpkins ?! Maybe they delay their planting and use greenhouses ….. wait … this one is about the big guy in the Red suit, the reindeer with the red nose, the snowman in a magic hat, the geeky mouse that broke the clock, and the poor 4 eyed kid in a pink bunny costume! In case you are living in a cave with no electricity it is already Christmas, or as my bestie calls it Crimmus. Not sure how that happened but calendars don’t lie ….. the clocks often do but calendars are always trustworthy. You could think it’s 3 but it’s actually 1 or worse it’s 7 … but even if you think it’s Tuesday and it’s actually Thursday well it will never NOT be Thursday it will always be the day it’s suppose to be. Every.Single.time. Trust me. It’s a thing! Wait … how did you get my calendar in your cave?!

I will admit that this one was easier than Halloween, but it usually is. It’s crammed tight with nostalgia, new offerings, and remixes of old fun family favorites told in what they hope is a new and “interesting” way…spoiler alert it’s usually not. By the way … THIS … is how holiday fun should be. Now I admit, Hallmark just went stupid, as they do every year, and started showing these things in like March. Truth is that I’m not even sure they have a time when they aren’t showing Christmas offerings. God love em they know their audience and they deliver the goods. I do admit hearing the Freddy Theme Song as you also hear Jingle Bells coming from the next room is a little discombobulating, yet…oddly comforting too. No bad Marcy …. This is about Crimmus not Halloween. Get it together!

To prove my point, I present you with this …. there’s Hallmark Channels 2023 “Countdown to Christmas” which I believe started a few days before Halloween ended and replaced their Christmas in July or some jazz like that …. there’s UPtv’s “Uplifting Christmas” with over 600 hours of holiday cheer (yet oddly didn’t really make my calendar cause I don’t get that channel anymore *sad face* … I think even Hallmark said sit down UPtv …. There’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” on well…Lifetime (come on guys some of these are easy) …. TBS is having a “Winter Break” …. you can find the “The Best Christmas Ever” on AMC, “Nickmas” is on Nickelodeon (Question…. how many Nicks are in the Nickelodeon theme song … asking for a friend… who is me – PS I say 7, if you say 8 we can’t be friends anymore, just kidding we totes can but you are wrong) and of course “25 Days of Christmas” on Freeform …the OG of Holiday fun. Not to mention all the streaming stuff cause well you have all heard my rant about that and I just don’t have the energy for that again.

So, my point is the calendar is full … it’s the fullest calendar I’ve done in years and frankly I really enjoyed it. You might need a magnifying glass to read it but that’s what ZOOM is for right?! Right?! I tried to include as many new offerings as I could and yes sometimes a beloved had to go. Sorry Clark! While Halloween was kind of a catastrophic failure on my part, I hope I have redeemed myself with this one. I know I have renewed my love for doing these so I am going to take that W.  

A few items of note because I don’t want you to miss these and that is the purpose after all…

·       TBS is airing the new A Christmas Story Christmas released on HBO/MAX last year!!!!!! Oh, Happy Day!!!!! Don’t worry tho the Christmas Day Marathon is still the original movie only, I checked! I mean they aren’t that insane. You don’t mess with tradition. But the fact that this one is now going to get to be watched by the masses makes me happy. They are showing equal love to the original but oddly the sequel from 2012 isn’t getting any love at all. If you have seen it you know why! Don’t yell at TED it’s not his fault. I have to warn you my mom finds A Christmas Story Christmas to be a bit depressing but what does mom know, well a lot but still it is a good movie. The gentle nod to the original, the returning original actors, a catch up of the characters and what they have been up to, a lot of love to the Old man and an original story all make up for the sadness. Give it a go let me know what you think cause I love it! Thanks Marvel for giving us back Ralphie! IYKYK

·       NEW Shows for the Win! As stated, there are several new items on the calendar, I haven’t watched them, but I am interested in many of them cause well at least they are new. I like new. I like original. I enjoy the old school seen it a thousand times, but will watch it again and again whenever it is on too but new … makes me giddy. Do some research before you put Sally in front of the TV with popcorn or plop little Bailey down in your lap for something that you deem inappropriate …that’s not my mess. Take it up with your facebook friends on how horrible it is so they can justify themselves as well by sharing in your fake outrage. Or just take it for what it is .. a lesson learned for both you and your offspring. You are welcome!

·       Speaking of Bailey …  God Love Hallmark for getting Scott Wolf and Lacy Chabert back together for a new Christmas movie called “A Merry Scottish Christmas” and no before you ask these two are not love interests, but are in fact playing siblings. I think they even realized how problematic that could be. I have seen it cause of course it premiered in November as part of their lead up to Christmas. I not only set my DVR but counted down the minutes until it started and I could wait 30 minutes or so in an effort to not have to watch commercials. I didn’t succeed. It’s good, predictable in a Hallmark movie kind of way but … good. I’d watch it again and I plan to. I am so excited about this movie, for many reasons that have little to do with the story line of said movie … so it’s getting a lot of love on this calendar and I’m not even going to apologize for it. Full disclosure … Don’t show up if you are expecting Bailey and Claudia (HEY Fox isn’t it time to find out what the Salinger clan has been up to all these years?). Bonus points if you catch the nod to their FOX show Party of Five. However, do show up if you still love Scott Wolf’s dimples, which I do, or like seeing Lacey’s doe eyed look every time those dimples are on display. If you haven’t seen Party of Five and are like what is this crazy lady talking about … I have all the episodes on VHS and DVD and can hook you up. I’m just gonna need you to put down a deposit and leave a note saying you promise to take care of it and promptly return it or I’ll send over the law. It’s that good. For me it’s right up there with Sports Night, another excellent show that you should totally check out … you know in January after all this holiday madness ends.

·       AMC is the marathon machine…. Like for reals. At various points of the month, they have dedicated theme nights. Dec. 9^th is “Merry 80’s Marathon” …. Dec. 10^th “So Many Santas Marathon” …. Dec. 16^th “Best Elf Marathon” …. Dec. 17^th “Holiday Hijinks Marathon” ….. and my favorite Dec 26^th as the “Holiday Hangover” I think there’s even one for Reece Witherspoon. If you are stuck and can’t figure out what to watch check out AMC and see what they are offering.  

·       CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute will air on Dec. 10^th at 7. It’s always a great reminder that in the doom and gloom of the world there are people attempting to make things better and good for them, better for us.  

·       Kennedy Center Honors  will air on CBS Dec. 27^th at 8 it’s another good program to remind you that there are very good humans in this world but this one leans more to the celebrity side while CNN’s version is for the everyday man. This year’s honorees include Billy Crystal, Reneee Fleming, Barry Gibb, Dionne Warwick and my Queen …. Dana Owens.

·       As always if you are looking for something to throw the littles in front of while you wrap gifts, bake, shop online, drink a glass or three of wine, scroll on your phone, or just need a minute … Freeform is the place for you. Their love for Claymation is admirable and while not all the offerings are eyeball worthy they do have a very impressive lineup again this year. May we all bow to the awesome that is Freeform this time of year.

Now for …the rules. If you are an OG user of this calendar, feel free to skip ahead. If you are new to the party …. Well, you want to read on or face my wrath.

·       NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

§  Thanks for your understanding.

§  For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list, just let me know.

·       I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

§  That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

·       Late Hour Focus, but hour round fun. For you work from home people, stay at home mom’s, or employers who have access to good wifi ….  they run these specials all day long, and while my calendar focuses mainly on the after-work hour times since that is when I can watch (especially during the week), fire it up as background noise for that meeting that you are totes paying attention to, or while you edit that really long annoying document.

Much like the Halloween one ….. I have been doing this one for at least 15 years …. The goal is to set aside some time for the holiday cheer to enter your soul …. for those shows and stories we all grew up with to fill your heart with happiness … and most importantly to stop…breathe…take a minute … then jump back out there into the madness that is the holiday season.

Merry Christmas to you all …. and I hope you each have a wonderful and safe New Years. Here’s to a fantastic 2024 for us all !

Marcy

Blog with a purpose – Giving Tuesday

What I’m doing two blog posts this week!? It must be a holiday that … or I’m avoiding cleaning. I’m not really sure why holiday’s make me remember that this thing exists, but they do and here I am.

One of my all-time favorite shows, Sports Night, did a show called “The Quality of Mercy at 29K.” It’s truly a fantastic episode (then they all were really) that was about these guys climbing to the top of Mt. Everest which the sports network CSC, that hosts “Sports Night,” is covering. However, it’s the side stories that stay with me. One of the main characters “Dan” had some “extra money” that he needed to use or be taxed on and walked around the office all day asking people what do they like to give their money too. The show, which I really suggest you find and watch, highlighted a lot of charities and organizations that are worthy of your time and your money. Some said homelessness, some said cancer research, some said the arts (shoutout to Montgomery, AL), a few jokingly said food and rent, and some just gave money to the guy down on their luck as they walked to and from the office which is based in New York. Then one of the characters, Natalie turns to Dan at some point and says, “The Key is to get in the game.” Meaning it didn’t matter where he decided to put his money to but he just needed to give. Every little bit makes a difference, and you just need to find a group you are passionate about and give to that. You can’t give to everything, but you can give something. That always stuck with me. . . . I mean to this day I had forgotten all about the Mt. Everest business until I looked it up for this blog. So Nat…. I’m getting back into the game.

As I have mentioned before I decided that this blog needed more of a purpose than a place for me to list journal entries which is what this thing has pretty much become. Interesting enough but I could be doing more with this space. At least every once in a while. In between some computer issues and life, I ended up with 2 ….. 2 of these “Blog with a Purpose” postings … and well that’s just sad. There are 265 days, 12 months, and roughly 30 days each month and I only came up with 2 of these … well I can’t have that. So here’s the next one … oh 3 … :D go me! Heck by the end of the year I might make it 4 … but no promises.

Incase you are wondering the postings so far have included: 

Triumph over Tragedy 

DEBRA 

As many of you know Thanksgiving was last Thursday, then we had the holy grail that is Black Friday, a wonderful day of knocking your fellow man down for a TV or the hottest toy of the season etc., and of course we will then have Cyber Monday and in the last ten years or so that’s all followed by #GivingTuesday. The theory being that you have now spent enough on yourself and others that if there is any left it would be good to give it back. Giving Tuesday has taken on many forms …. Online donations … volunteering at local food banks and shelters…whatever you decide to do is fine as long as you do….. something. Much like Dan you just have to get into the game. Not saying a blog posting by me here would boost anything, but at least I can say I gave it some spotlight if only for a small moment in time and with the tiniest bulb out there. What they do with it after that … well that’s on them!

So here are a few organizations that I feel are worthy of your time and dollars if you are, like Dan, looking for something to give those extra dollars to this time of year.

Triumph over Tragedy

The Brother’s Trust

Make-A-Wish     this link is to the account that a friend of mine runs to raise funds for Make-A-Wish (for full disclosure)  

Kids Need To Read

Cause we are a duo … I asked Golden what she’d add to this list and these are her suggestion for charities/organizations worth your time and possibly your dollars …

Trevor Project

True Colors United

Doctors Without Boarders/Medicins Sans Frontiers

NAMI

Reading is Fundamental

Dolly’s Imagination Library

Many of these organizations are having matching funds to really maximize your donation. 

If you are looking for something closer to home .... You can go to your local elementary or high schools and see what support they need or pay of a student's fees so they can start off the new year without that hanging over their head. Don’t get me wrong I know that this time of year it’s hard to scrape together a few extra bucks for anything but just know that your money is not the only thing that these organizations need. Donate time to animal shelters or drop off food, toys, treats, clothing, puppy pads. You can also drop off newspapers or gently used blankets/comforters/towels and donate those items as well. Find and support your local little libraries found in your town (locate one near you by going here …. ) by dropping off books or reaching out to the person who stocks them to see what they need. Food banks, blood banks, nursing homes, there are various ways to get involved that only cost time you just have to look for them. Time is very valuable, but the reward is also very high. Again, it’s all about getting involved in any way that you can. 

Then there are Angel Trees, Sock Drives, Hat & Glove Ministries, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army buckets at every major store this time of year... once you fall down the rabbit hole you end up like Dan and paralyzed to do anything. So just leap cause it really is true ... any amount no matter how small or how large makes a difference. That's really the point after all ... making a difference. 

Who are you reaching out to this year that’s not in the list above but should be ?

Marcy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

It’s Turkey day !!!! I hope by now the Turkey has been consumed, the dressing is safely in your belly, the pie and cakes have been sliced and the drunksgiving antics are fully underway wherever you are as you read this. We had over 10 at our table this year and all the food was delicious. We had turkey (cooked by my nephew on his new big green egg), dressing (made by me using this recipe), green bean casserole, candied sweet potatoes, creamed corn (all made by mom), lima beans, deviled eggs (made by my niece), and broccoli salad (made by my SIL). It was Andrew's first time manning the turkey and he did a great job with it. 

                                                     

I am very thankful for my family, even if I did fall asleep on the couch after lunch and missed the hanging out and catching up time with them today. I don’t snore! Ok I might. Look I live alone a little snoring has never bothered me. I am lucky to be surrounded by my parents who are still together (53 years strong), my older by 4 years brother and his wife live nearby, their boys still want to come over and spend time with the family. My oldest nephew who just turned 24 got married this past year and his wife (my new niece), also 24 is a fantastic addition to our family. They are still learning to navigate the pitfalls of married life but they are a great duo and are finding their way. They are so far navigating the my family or your family aspect of life and holidays. My other nephew is a sophomore in college and has the most adorable girlfriend who joined us today for the holiday. She and he will be having Thanksgiving dinner with her family tonight. 

As I waited on my family to arrive today I thought about the athletes, coaches, support staff and their own families sacrificing time to play the sport they love from the collegiate level to the pro level to play the sport they love. It must be a pretty lonely thing when you are the one who can't fill that chair at your families table. I bet their families miss them very much. 

I remember holidays spent in cars driving from one hose to another and spending a few hours at each and eating and playing and wishing it were time to go back home. I slept in this morning, helped prepare our house for the onslaught of people, ate dinner and never left the house once. It’s a nice way to spend the holiday.

I haven’t been very active this year on this blog but I’ve been having some computer issues. I have just gotten it back from the shop so hopefully I can be more active as we start up another year ahead. Golden is getting ready to have another set of eye surgeries …… she’s going to be fine … but she’s going to have some downtime over the next few weeks. Maybe I can talk her into another blog, you know once her eyesight returns. She has decorated her the holiday in anticipation of not wanting to do it after her surgery. She spent the morning watching the Parade and her family will be getting together tomorrow for their celebration. 

I have once again been neglecting my PTO and will either lose some or take some over the next month …… which is nuts cause I have taken more time off this year more than others but I guess I’m still ahead from 2020 the year that no one did anything and taking time off seemed silly if I were just going to be at the house anyway. I passed a pretty big milestone recently of 20 years at my job it's been quite a ride. 

My Christmas TV calendar should be out any day now so be on the look out for that.

 Have a wonderful thanksgiving holiday, be safe during your black Friday shopping and WAR EAGLE!

Marcy