Friends ~

Me n Laura

out on

Lake Tarpon

CHILLIN!

It's mornin already, coffee is hot and good.

Babies did well on NASCAR, no one fell in the pool

it was all good!

I think Gypsy won, but it was really too dark to tell

but from the sounds of her

happy dance and bark

she was sure celebrating something!

It's National Social Worker Month

so

if ya know of a

Social Worker

be sure and tell them

Happy Social Worker month!

It's also

National HOSPICE month

bet

those hospices across the country

are getting some great treats

from vendors!

They used to come through the doors with

great foods and goodies for staff

during this time of the year!

Thanks HOSPICE

for all that you are

all that you have been through the years

for so many!

I tip my feather to those out there

doing the job and the volunteers

taking the best care

of patients

and

those who love them.

I am thinking this morning about

the upcoming

Car Wash

to raise monies

for research

so we can cure

MS

once and for all.

GET RID OF IT

DONE

Did I mention

MS SUCKS

One of our warriors here on this page and a fan of

Lily the Black Bear out there in Texas

Cathy Madden

has said she plans to be at the

MS150 in April!

She wants to meet

Laura and her daughter Shauna.

Isn't that great?

I'll hook them up with cell numbers as we get closer

to the date, so they can connect

the more support the better

is my way of thinkin!

MS

does not sleep, it is sneaky, it is a B**ch

and

it will all of a sudden

sneak up on you

when you are out there having a great time on the water

having a great day

and

BAM

you have to lay down right there right then

weakness just takes over

you just have to lay down.

This weakness thing is powerful.

Along with that you can be walking along

and then find that your balance is off; maybe a little

maybe a lot

it all depends on those neurotransmitters

and their short-circuiting.

WE MUST RAISE MONEY FOR RESEARCH TO END

MS

This is a moving clip with Montel, Dr Oz

and Oprah:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhvs9MeSB6w&feature=related

MS can bring on some pretty dark moments for folks,

depression is ordinary and will just

"pop up"

It becomes critical to find the "right way relationships" to walk the walk with you, to develop

Warrior Traits for daily life and living

in order

to own YOU.

Laura has MS

BUT

MS will never ever have

Laura

as long as she has her

Warrior self, her warpaint on

and

her family and friends walking with her.

STOMP

This applies to any and all fights, illness and life threatening disease.

Remember when we talked about "labels"?

We must use caution to not live into or up to

labels... they can beat you down, shorten your lives.

When you discover that there is a mountain in front of you; there are decisions that must be made.

1. sit at the bottom of the mountain

2. run away

3. do nothing

4. start climbing

5. find your way around it

6. MOVE IT

There are always options and choices

choose wisely

My friend; Laura, my family of choice

is a "scraper", a "survivor",

a

WARRIOR

and

proudly

We walk with her.

When she is hot from the suns' heat, we will cool her; when she is tired, we will be sure she rests, when she needs a steady arm, she will lean on us, when she has a sad day, we will allow it briefly and then

kick her butt into action

We she goes to battle

We too battle.

<^>

Mitch and Laura Roorda

Family

Let's wash out

MS

Sunday

November 7

Steak N Shake

Oldsmar FL

Tampa Road

Good eats too, so you can eat while we wash!

or

You can wash

and

I'll eat!

The fire is burning, embers are hot... cedar is filling the air with prayers going up for those in the prayer bowl and thoughts of HOPE for all who enter here.

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/

December 12,2010

The Compassionate Friends

World Wide Candle Lighting

Where families and friends will gather around the world in lighting candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause.

Candles are lit at 7pm EST creating a virtual wave of light remembering our

precious children.

http://www.tcfpascocounty.org/

to get info and submit a photo of your child

GOIN FOR IT!

Every year

Shauna

GOES FOR IT

She rides her butt off

for money

to

FIND A CURE

FOR

MS

in honor of her Mom

Laura Roorda

Gearing up for that car wash at the

Steak N Shake in Oldsmar this Sunday!

Goin to turn up the tunes,

and get our

swagga on to bust some suds

once again!

That Laura put me to shame I tell ya on the last

one!

She washed and washed til the last car was shining

and

our butts were draggin the ground ~

AND

when it was over?

We were ever so happy,

BUTT

our butts were tired!

I've said it before, but for those who may not have read it that day... I'll let ya know.

Laura has MS

BUTT

MS will "never, ever" have her!

She

is

A WARRIOR

and

she has

US!

And out there in Texas, Shauna is training, riding and running and doing all those things that she and thousands call "training"

(I on the other hand would call it sheer torture).

Spin Classes, tune ups, bikes in pristine condition,

bodies in buff condition

They are Warriors and will not

WILL NOT

Stop

Until the cure is found.

I cannot imagine being Shauna

and

riding and riding and riding

through the winds, the rains and the

UP hills and drafts out there in Texas

BUTT

she does it,

year after year

and

Laura flies out there with home made bite size

muffins made by

91 year old Grandma Edith

to fuel her on!

And

Laura is there each mile of the way

ultimately standing at the finish line

screaming her brain and vocal cords out

with the pride

of the majestic

Eagle

as her Eaglet

crosses the finish line for another year

closer to the

CURE FOR MS~!

Ahhh Muleque

what a celebration is had!

Here's just one view of that journey out there in Texas taken by so many each and every year!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=innLFDIZEkE&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Oh how I pray it is this year

that this dreaded disease is cured once and for all.

We

 together

are a powerful band of

Warriors

capable of greatness.

If you ever think you are too little to effect change, to make a difference...

you have never been in bed with a mosquito!

Remember that little pebble thrown into the creek?

The ripple just grows and grows, its sight a wonder to behold along with its effects on each and every thing.

The saying:

Touch one, reach one...

When you have been blessed

it is indeed heaven

To know the heart, the soul of another

nothin like it I tell ya.

When you are inspired to step UP

to

LOOK UP

and to move onward

and

step outside of-self

and

into other

you are living life to its fullest.

While you may ride alone as Shauna does on that bike of hers, you are never really alone!

You are with the Universal Oneness that lives large within, the force of the true onenss that moves all.

AND

you are contributing to the greater whole, with the love and support of more than the eyes can see or the body can feel the touch and depth of.

Know deeply within yourself that it is

there.

WITHIN.

We always walk with others,

whether we see, hear, or feel them

they are here

and

in

the next place.

Let that be your truth

settle into it

make it yours and smile with the knowing.

STOMP

Know that everything, every season has its own rhythm, its own season, its own dance...

Whether on a bike pedalling with all your might to cure MS

Whether busting suds at Steak n Shake to raise monies for research to

cure MS

Whether finding a way to get along with

friends

and family

As Maya Angelou says:

"Nothing will work unless you do"

Let's make it a party and get out there and work

for the greater good

of others

and

celebrate living while we are doing it!

The fire is burning brightly today, its embers are hot and the smells of cedar fill the air with thoughts on the wind for all in the prayer bowl and those who enter here.

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

That, is the HOPE in Healing Heartaches

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/

WASH OUT MS

CAR WASH

NOV 7, 2010

STEAK N SHAKE

OLDSMAR FL

9AM TIL 2pm

monies matched by

Laura's brother @ Home Depot

C'mon out and join us

lauraroorda@yahoo.com

for more info!

Please visit:

http://www.tcfpascocounty.org/

and get those photos in for

The Compassionate Friends

World Wide Candle Lighting 2010

December 12, 2010

Candles will be lit world wide at

7:00pm local time here in FL

Gulf Harbors Civic Center

4610 Floramar Terrace

New Port Richey 34652

"Remembering

 our

Precious Children

Gone Too Soon"

I hope you don't miss a thing!~

It just doesn't get any better than this

Moment

Just sitting here, me in my home, in my robe with my coffee... counting my blessings ...

and

so very blessed am I!

The 4 leggeds have already decided to have

NASCAR in the dark, so keepin an ear out for the

PLOP

into the dark waters of the pool just in case, I'm on the

ready to take the plunge should one of them

get pushed over the edge by the other.

I'm filled with thoughts today of that picture I was able to take... Sometimes it takes

intention,

patience

and 

spirit talk.

For this

I give thanks

and

so It is!

This is a small clip from the ceremony in Sedona

just posted on You Tube

the great voice of

Mortonette

singing

"There is NO Distance"

There is no distance of our God within" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08vTqKgdwEQ

Do Not Miss a Thing friends!

You can feel the energy that was out there

on that most remarkable day

of those light workers "walking the walk"

and

it brings back the memories

"click"

and I was there!

God is "inside of us, right where we are,

never far,

There is no distance"

When our loved ones are beside us

or

in the next place.

Keep that as your devine truth.

I was spirit talking to those beloved dolphins I was!

And then it happened;

not only did they grace me with their presence,

but

then they returned for the

kiss

and

then they both looked at me

as if to let me know

of the depth and the intensity that was felt in my soul.

This all happened after that wonderful and joyous time spent with Aunti V the dolphin.

We never know, just how precious time is, what remarkable things may occur unless we are fully present.

The thoughts of this day are short, to the point:

Be present! Alive and in the moment with all the senses.

Allow yourself to know the amazing grace of those around you, the magic that is yours to see, to be involved in at all times.

Whether it is loved ones, a remarkable sunrise or sunset!

Take notice of those things that are yours

if only you make yourself available and open to them

to the gifts and the love of all living things.

Revel in the moment, for this is the only moment that we have, that we know.

Yesterday is but a memory, if it fills your heart with gladness, rejoice in it~

Tomorrow?

Worry not about tomorrow...

HOPE in this day,

BE INVOLVED,

live in this moment~

Give it all you have~

This winter there is going to be North American Black Bears watched all over the world by folks tucked safely in their homes... and at some point in January there will be a cub(s) born and it will be witnessed by thousands!

It will be awe inspiring, on that you can be certain.

http://www.bear.org/

AND

there will be tragedies along the way; there will be loved ones who die after long illnesses, those who die sudden and unepected deaths... children, babies, Elders.

And hearts will bend badly, and the need for tenderness, love and support will be ongoing.

All even more reasons, to get out there and

STOMP

Live it with gusto, with grace, gratitude, and greatness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo_0UXRY_rY

I don't want you to miss a thing!

I've been very active in the kids' lives... very very involved I tell ya.

BUT

I am still trying to wrap my head and heart around the idea of my #1 Godson Buddy Pal graduating from High School next year...

 I just can't get used to the thought of that.

Where has the time gone?

I don't want to miss a thing ~

he comes for the holidays, for time in the summer,

he's my boy...

and still,

I wonder?

Have I loved him enough, told him enough, shown him enough, given him the foundation I wish for him enough.

How can it be, that he is going to graduate from

High School next year?

Does he really in his soul know

that he is loved to Pluto and back many times over

and is that knowledge enough to encourage him

to soar with the Eagles?

Oh Creator How I hope so!

And then there is Kamryn and Olivia, both 10 now...

oh lawd, please help me find a way to put

duct tape on them,

keep them little for as long as possible.

We don't want to miss a thing!

So

I'm thinking

JUMP, move, get goin

I don't want you to miss a minute

not a breath

of the day

So much to see and to do

and

to be and to tell and show those that you love

of your love and devotion!

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing

Do It

Just get out there

and

DO IT

NOW

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR LIFE

AND

THOSE YOU LOVE

WITH GREAT GRATITUDE THAT YOU ARE ALIVE

The fire is burning, the cedar is filling the air with thoughts on the wind to all who enter here.

Butterflies have the Creators' ear, a wish whispered to a butterfly will be taken to spirit-land and heard...

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/

The Compassionate Friends

World Wide Candle Lighting

December 12, 2010

6:30 pm

For info and to submit your child's photo

http://www.tcfpascocounty.org/

WASH-OUT MS

CAR WASH

NOV 7 SUNDAY

STEAK N SHAKE

OLDSMAR FL

TAMPA ROAD

9-2PM

PROCEEDS TO CURE MS

MATCHED BY HOME DEPOT

BY LAURA ROORDA'S BROTHER

lauraroorda@yahoo.com

for more info!

come on and bust some suds with us

and eat too!

11-01-10 November Hello To Ya

Another great picture of

Diana Burgess up there in CT

Notice that great

Reflection of her

tree~

Those magnificent colors will soon turn to brown,

their splendid leaves on the ground,

crunching under foot...

as fall is definitely under way.

I've even heard that out in MN there has already been

that "S" word for snow~

and in southwest Virginia

during Godson's ball game on Friday they were pretty darn cold in those stands where the temps were

38 degrees~

Out there in South Dakota where 2Wolves lives

she has told me of the cold weather earlier in October

and Susan S up in NY Allegheny parts she has her fuzzy slippers and "ole blue" the robe round her tightly!

Yep, it is

denning time for the North American Black Bears of Ely MN  (http://www.bear.org/)

and for many living around the globe

it seems, as

November 01, 2010

says hello to us today.

Where has the time gone?

Seems it goes faster each year I'm thinkin.

I can remember Granny saying that as she aged too...

hmmm, could it be that I'm aging with her?

LOL

The stores are a "buzz" with their trimmings for

Christmas already, the shelves stocked... for those

fast and furious shoppers who will grab the

half off priced candies today while digging in on bargains.

Here in Florida we are being interrupted by

"canned phone calls" by politicians and commercials of politicians telling us to vote for them

as a result of the other guy being useless...

No time for ads for the holidays yet, it's time to

hear of the politicians now.

Seems none are touting why they are the better choice

just the "default" choice!

The great news about that is this:

Nov 2 is election day, so by November 3 we won't have to hear about that anymore.

So my question for this day is:

How in the world would we know who to vote for, who to trust when none appear to be honest or with integrity since they talk so mean spirited about the other?\

Got a call from my dearest friend Laura yesterday, you know Laura, she has MS and we are having a

Carwash to WASH OUT MS

November 7 at

Steak N Shake in Oldsmar

9-2pm

Well, seems Grandma, aka Edith Vaughn who is 91 and rather independent and stubborn like her granddaughter, was wanting some weeds pulled.

She grew tired of waiting for some help so she sat on one of those cutsie little things close to the ground to do it herself....

you know the ones you see on TV that roll?

So Grandma (who is a Hospice volunteer) was bending there, pullin weeds and minding her own business having a great time:

fell over (ass over tea cup) from her little perch while doing this a couple of weeks ago.

Her hip has been hurting ever since, and by yesterday she was in excruciating pain. She had been to the doc who told her to "take it easy", but "did NOT" take x-rays.

Yesterday she could no longer stand without screaming, so Laura texted me from the ER with Grandma as they waited to be seen...

Callin out all warriors today,

we need some strong prayers for Edith Vaughn for that hip... No update as of yet as to what the update is.

Feisty Grandma don't ya think?

OK, it's time for you to get thoughts together as we begin to approach the holidays...

Time to be thinking of how and what is on the list of

wanting and being able to do this year.

The Compassionate Friends here in Florida

will be holding their

2010 WORLD WIDE CANDLE LIGHTING

SUNDAY DECEMBER 12, 2010

If you would like a photograph of your child to be included in this year's video presentation they must receive it by November 20th.

You can download the form

for submission on the website

at

http://www.tcfpascocounty.org/

I am honored to be speaking at this event this year.

If you have a child who has died, a grandchild, a sibling,

please

go online and find your local chapter

of

The Compassionate Friends

to see where they are holding

the

WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHTING

SUNDAY

DECEMBER 12,2010

The Fire Is Burning Brightly ... its embers are hot, thoughts to all who enter here and remember

we are all with you always,

along with some powerful angels

both here

and in the next place

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

That is the HOPE in Healing Heartaches

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/