Pure Fun!

When we first moved to Georgia it took us quite a while to find friends.

Rich wasn’t working – he didn’t get a job until we’d been here about 7 months. Then, when he did find a job he was traveling to Nashville every week.

We live in a town northwest of Atlanta and I had a job southeast of Atlanta. If you’ve ever experienced Atlanta traffic you know what a hellacious journey it could be! Sometimes 2 hours or more to get to and from work.

When I finally stopped working I set out to find friends. Josh and I would attend story time at the local Borders. Mary, the story teller and I soon discovered we had a lot in common and became friends.

Giveaway! Always and Everywhere

I have a give away for you over at Being Savvy Atlanta.

I first heard of Laura Bowman and Margie LaSalle through a mutual friend. Their story moved me so much I want to get the word out and am doing my part.

Here's the article from Savvy, to enter the drawing, please leave a comment with a valid email address on the SAVVY SITE (not here). You will probably have to sign in to leave a comment.

++++++++++

Laura Bowman, today's guest author, is a local artist, mother and friend. She has written her first children's book, Always and Everywhere, for her friend Margie LaSalle, who is suffering from Breast Cancer, and Margie's children.

------

This is my first children's book. I am a professional artist living and working in the Atlanta area and normally paint contemporary landscapes and figures. Writing and illustrating a children's book was completely foreign to me and a complete learning experience.

The inspiration for 'Always and Everywhere ' came from a desire to help raise money for my dear friend, Margie LaSalle and her family. Margie is the wife of Chris and mother of five year old John Mark and seven year old Claire. Margie was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2007. A few months after mastectomy surgery, Doctors informed Margie the cancer had metastasized. Statistically, the Stage IV diagnosis includes a life expectancy of two to four years. Margie's world is upside down right now. She is in continual pain from the cancer in her pelvis which makes it hard to navigate the stairs in their 2 bedroom condo.

I felt so helpless when it came to Margie's cancer. With two young children of my own, I couldn't contribute my time or money, but I could produce this children's book for her in my spare time. Initially, the book provided an opportunity to help the LaSalle's with expenses (for her continuing medical bills and for expenses involved with moving into a more manageable house). However, writing the book was a cathartic experience. I was able to collaborate on the book with Margie and our mutual friends, which makes the message so much more meaningful. I also painted quite a few of the illustrations at her house while Margie and friends watched my young children. This special time with Margie was unforgettable. I learned so much about courage, the importance of friends and family and the will-to-live.

Margie does not believe her fate is dependent on generalities or statistics. While Margie undergoes chemotherapy and radiation, she and Chris work to keep life normal and consistent for their children. The well-being of John Mark and Claire is their most significant concern and challenge. Margie also reassures her children; when she leaves the physical world - two years from now or fifty years from now - she will still be with them, always and everywhere.

"Always and Everywhere" is a light-hearted children's book featuring Margie and her two children, John Mark and Claire. It reminds us that even when mom isn't by our side, the lessons that she taught will always be there. At the end of the book the children ask mom about angels. Mom reassures Claire and John Mark that if they believe in angels, then they will always be by their side.

A wise friend of mine said that what we are doing is comparable to how dolphins behave. "When one is sick or injured another one joins them until they recover or die..they are never left alone to face trials of this nature. Very wise, Godly creatures are dolphins!" Writing and illustrating "Always and Everywhere" was such a powerful experience for me. I will definitely illustrate another children's book in the near future.

We are having a book launch event on November 20 where the book will be available for purchase and the original illustrations will be auctioned.

Book Launch Details:

Thursday, November 20
5 - 9 PM
Mason Murer Projects
325 E. Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
404.551.3900

Live music, Book signing and silent auction of the original artwork from the book.

All proceeds go to the Margie LaSalle Cancer Fund

If you can't make the event but would still like to help the LaSalle's by purchasing a book or bidding on the artwork, please visit our website at www.alwaysandeverywhere.org

+++++++++

Win it: I have a signed book available. If you would like to win a copy of this book, please leave your name and a valid email address in the comments section on Being Savvy Atlanta. I will pick a winner at random on December 1st. If you have a blog please feel free to post about the contest. If you don't have a blog, be sure tell all your friends and neighbors about this book and this worthy cause!

ETA: Apparently the Savvy Site is having problems with comments. If you leave a comment there with an email, use "at" instead of @ -- if that still does not work, then leave a comment below and I will add you in.

Only one entry per person please!

I Love my Bloggy Friends

One thing I love about blogging is it brings people together. I have met so many fantastic people from all over the globe through blogging and the internet.

I can't begin to tell you about the number of people I consider "friends" although I've never meet them, or met just briefley. Just look at my blog roll. There are people on there who share their lives with me everyday and I relate to them. And they relate to me. And I consider them friends.

There is one person who I've joked with for well over a year now about being a "twin" (a much younger twin) or a "long lost sister." We have so much in common and I just love her and her blog. She is a very gifted writer who actually does remind me a lot of my own sister.

I consider her a mentor and a friend. She is a wonderful writer and all around good person. And we both have two boys and that gives us a sister-type bond beyond compare.

She's hit the big-time with TV gigs and national exposure through Shine! Yahoo's site for women. I'm honored that she considers me a friend too.

So when I came home from picking Sam up from school today and found a package waiting for me I was all a tingle with excitement! Something other than a bill, credit card application or addressed to "resident."

I opened it up and this was inside:

A book called "No One Cares What You Had for Lunch Today: 100 ideas for your Blog" by Margaret Mason. Sent to me by my good friend Charlene, aka: CrazedParent.

Gosh, I hope she wasn't trying to tell me something about my blog?

Just kidding! Thanks CP, I really appreciate it!




And by the way, I had a Publix Turkey Cobb Salad today!

Friendship and Love

When I moved to Georgia 5 years ago, I didn't know anyone. Once I quit work and became a stay at home mom I was desperately looking for something to do with Josh to keep our days filled. Josh was 2 at the time. It was winter and while winters in GA are nice, it is sometimes difficult to get to the playground! I started going to story time at the local Borders after I had been a SAHM for about 6 months. There I met Mary, the story teller.

I felt a connection at once. I knew we'd be friends; we have the same sense of humor. At the time, her son was 3 and my son was 2. Her son Cade was Josh's first friend and she was my first friend in Georgia.

Not long after I found out I was pregnant with Sam. I had a few issues with the pregnancy but the worst part was I broke my foot when I was 7 months pregnant. Rich was at work and couldn't get home quickly. I called Mary and she rushed right over to help me. She drove me to doctors appointments, she organized friends of hers to cook dinners for my family. Those friends were becoming my friends, but the "broken foot" incident forced the friendship to a level that normally takes much longer to establish. And, she had just found out she was pregnant with her youngest son.

The friendship I have with Mary is one of my most precious gifts. She is a wonderful person. You can see it in everything she does. Mary's father passed away today after an almost 2 year struggle with Lung Cancer. Jim's fight with Lung Cancer and the struggles are her story. She can explain so much better than I the pain and suffering from this disease. This post isn't about Jim or Cancer. It's about being a good friend to Mary.

She has been such a good friend of mine and I want to repay her. I feel so helpless right now. She's taking care of her mother, organizing the funeral, has more siblings than I can count (half, step & whole), and I'm sure she'll be organizing them all.

I want to help. I just don't know what I can do. I know Mary would say just by being here helps her. I know it does, but I feel so helpless. She was such a great help to me when I needed it and I just want her to know I'm there for her and all she has to do is call. I want her to know I'll do Story Time for her next week if she needs it. I want her to know the kids can come play here if she needs it.

I want her to know she's one of my best friends and I do love her!