Online Auction for Ethan

Remember a little while back when I posted about little Ethan who is fighting cancer?  Well, Ethan has qualified for a medical study for his leukemia.  The study is in Seattle, Washington, which means he has to travel quite a bit.  To help his family I am hosting an auction on Facebook.  If you would like to bid or donate I will share links to the event page on Facebook and the photo album for the auction when it opens.  I would really like for this auction to be a big success so please share with your friends and family so we can help Ethan and his family.  Thank you all for your support!

Here is the event page.  I'm fairly certain you have to have a Facebook page to view the event, but if you'd like to donate an item or service to the auction and don't have one feel free to email me a picture and description of your donation and I will add it to the auction (if you need to collect money to ship anything please include a shipping charge).  lmeestone@gmail.com

The goodness of people never ceases to amaze me!  Along with the auction I am hosting many people who participate in direct sales companies have opened up online parties to help Little Ethan.  Below are links to the parties and descriptions of each.

A good friend has opened a Pampered Chef catalogue show for Ethan.  Each party booked through this catalogue show means a donation to Ethan and a portion of the sales from each party will also go to Ethan.  Pampered Chef sells quality cooking and kitchen items.

Jamberry Nails is a new way to keep you fingers and toes looking stylish.  These nail decals come in a HUGE variety of prints and colors that are sure to make anyone happy.  They are adhesive and apply with a little heat and can stay for up to two weeks! (that's longer than any polish I've every applied).

And here's another Jamberry Nails party from a different host!  Both of these parties are donating 100% of the profits to Ethan.

Last, but not least, is Origami Owl.  This unique jewelry company features living lockets that you can personalize for you and your story.  Show off your children's birthstones or choose charms that match your hobbies or beliefs, wear it as a necklace or bracelet.  These lockets make great gifts for anyone!

Go check it out!

Tech-not-so-savvy

I may not be the most technology savvy person, but I sure am grateful for it.

I am thankful for cell phones that make it easy to get in touch with people quickly, through a text or a call.  I am thankful for computers and internet that allow us to connect with people from significant distances, programs such as Skype and email.  I am thankful for doppler machines that make it possible to hear my unborn baby's heartbeat and ultrasounds that allow me to see my babies before they are born.  For cameras that allow me to capture pictures and videos of my children and family to help preserve memories.  I am thankful for CAT scans, x-rays, MRI's blood pressure cuffs, and other medical technology that can alert doctors to problems that cannot be seen.  I am thankful for TV and movies to entertain.  I am super thankful for dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and many other appliances and hardware that make my life significantly easier.  I am even thankful for items we don't necessarily think of as technology any more.  Items such as walkers, wheels, matches, lights, and so much more.

But a word of caution.  I hear so many people now that rely so wholly on their techno devices that they can't remember passwords, login information, bank account numbers, and even one or two phone numbers they call frequently.  While technology is wonderful for storing and retrieving information it can break, fail, be lost, or get hacked.  Many cell phones now have a built-in program for the user to select ICE (in case of emergency) contacts so that these numbers and people are easy to find and notify in an emergency or accident.  As nice as these features are, sometimes it is not convenient or as fast as we might think.  In my accident my cell phone was in the car cup holder in the center console.  Upon impact it was thrown around in the car and was not found by police until a day or two after the accident.  Had I not had Lawrence's phone number memorized who knows how long it would have been before he and my family would have been notified of the accident.  But because I knew his phone number a witness was able to call him immediately and Lawrence was able to notify others.  Something I have seen that I think is an excellent idea is to make a note to stick on children's car seats and/or jackets for this very purpose.  Include emergency phone numbers, the child's name, names of siblings and parents, allergies, medications, birthday, and any other information that might be necessary for medical and emergency personnel in the event that an adult is not capable of giving this information.

Technology is wonderful and does amazing things for us by making our lives easier and faster, but it is nor infallible.  I am thankful for technology and look forward to more advances in the future.