Saturday, May 15, 2021

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2006. I know exactly where we were that day, given the balloon. Our grocery store, Harris Teeter, used to give out balloons to the children who entered the store. They also had sugar cookies for the children too. Mattie was a fan of both. Mattie never turned down a balloon and somehow they used to bring him happiness and of course lots of smiles. Which was most likely why I snapped a photo of that moment in time. I am so glad I did! 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,918,558
• Number of people who died from the virus: 585,664

This morning I woke up to a text from my lifetime friend Karen. She wanted to know why I hadn't posted a blog last night. As she knows, no matter what I am doing I post a message and have since July of 2008, when Mattie was diagnosed. I haven't missed even ONE night in 13 years. Which truly is a feat. Because think of your day. Can you imagine after a long day, sitting down and writing? Some days you might not feel like doing it. But regardless of how I am feeling, I write. 

When Karen said she did not see a posting, I was confused. Mainly because I knew I did write a message and I did publish it last night before going to bed! So what happened? Turns out my posting was flagged on the world wide web and therefore pulled from publication. I think the whole thing is a riot since if you look at my posting from last night, it was innocuous. We actually received an email late last night about the posting being pulled and then an apology this morning, saying it was flagged incorrectly and was therefore published. Wow is all I can say!  

It was another busy day for the Virtual Walk. I can't believe our 12th Annual Walk is tomorrow. It is an odd feeling not to have a live event, but in all reality, COVID forced me to think outside the box. In doing so, we now have participation in our event from all 50 states. But I do feel the connections and energy with a virtual event are quite different. Hosting a live event was a herculean feat. It would take me months to plan and there were expenditures like city permits, liability insurance for the event, moon bounces, and t-shirts to name a few. In all reality that wasn't so bad, what was challenging was set up and clean up. My home looked like a warehouse weeks before and after the Walk, and the day of the Walk, Peter and I worked from sun up to sun down. But intense work, work which I know is not sustainable as I age. 

Here is today's update on the Walk:

• Raised $114,730
• Raffle has raised $3,215
• 22 sponsors
• 18 Walk teams
• 226 registered walkers
• 50 States represented

We are grateful to ALL of our supporters! You have helped us exceed our financial goal of $100,000 and we look forward to seeing you virtually tomorrow. Peter and I will do a Facebook Live greeting at 9:45am on Sunday and we look forward to seeing photos of supporters walking and wearing orange. Don't forget to post photos on our social media platforms and use #MMCFWALK. 

Friday, May 14, 2021

Friday, May 14, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2006. That day, Peter and Mattie went to Toys R Us to pick up a bicycle! It was Mattie's first bike and he was very excited. I went out that day with Mattie's preschool teacher, Margaret. She and I went to a taste of DC event. When I got home, the boys had assembled the bike and Mattie was zooming around. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,887,176
• Number of people who died from the virus: 585,162

I honestly never moved from the computer today! I was on conference calls starting at 8:30am until 1pm, and then was processing walk donations, registrations, and raffle tickets. Certainly an excellent problem to have, so I shouldn't be complaining. 

This is our second year hosting a virtual walk! We had no idea if we would be able to raise money this year, because 2020 could have been a fluke. However, money is still coming in! Each day, I make it a point to thank whomever donated that day! I have received so many nice emails back about the Foundation and our work!

As of today:

• we have raised $112,852
• we have 18 walk teams
• we have participation in all 50 states, and three countries
• we have 207 registered walkers

As of today, we have sold 516 raffle tickets! Our on-line raffle closes on Saturday at 9pm. It is hard to believe that the Walk is on Sunday. 

https://2021.mmcfwalk.com/raffle

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2006. Mattie was four years old! When Mattie was in preschool we transitioned him from a crib/day bed to a big boy twin bed. Mattie loved his bed and he also loved that he got to pick out his sheets! This particular set was of Bob the Builder, a show we all used to love watching together.

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,841,406
• Number of people who died from the virus: 584,276

I feel like I am on absolute overload. All I wanted to do today was lie down! It never happened. Even reading a paragraph is exhausting. I am still feeling side effects from the COVID vaccine, and today's new one is an earache. I never get earaches, not with seasonal allergies or migraines. But it is annoying on top of exhaustion. 

There is nothing fun about buying a house! We are inundated with financial paperwork and today's winner was a 50 page Home Owner Association document, which we had to read and respond with questions by Friday. Honestly! I am okay with guidelines and regulations of homeowners, because I know what happens without them. Yet because it is written in legalese, there are many questions that result. 

I thought the donations would be trickling in this week. But I am still swamped with processing contributions. Definitely a wonderful problem to have, but I feel like I am drowning in tasks, responsibilities, and issues.

Today's thermometer reads: $111,897. There are 200 people registered to Walk, 17 Walk teams, and 464 raffle tickets sold!

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2004. Mattie was two years old and we took him to the National Arboretum. Around the visitor's center of the Arboretum is a koi pond. For a quarter you can purchase some fish food. This intrigued Mattie! He wanted to check it out, but he did not want to feed the fish himself. Makes sense to me, as he had no idea how these fish were going to react to the food or our presence. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,808,521
• Number of people who died from the virus: 583,558

I honestly do not know whether I am coming or going. I am swamped with chores, Foundation administrative work, focusing on applying for a grant, a licensure board meeting this week, and the list goes on! Not to mention paperwork for financing the house, about 50 pages of HOA regulations.... get the picture? I'm not sure there is ever a good time to buy a house, but during COVID and while planning a virtual fundraiser, makes it really NOT a good time. 

I am happy to report that the Walk thermometer reads $108,572 today!

Here are our top ten walk teams! 

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 -- Mattie died 606 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2005. Mattie was three years old. Every weekend, we would take Mattie on a nature adventure. It really did not matter what the weather was like. I think Peter and I traversed every park and nature center in our region! 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update on Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,773,387
• Number of people who died from the virus: 582,791

I would say that Peter and I are very stressed out! We are each juggling a lot and of course the house hunting and now the purchase of a house are all encompassing. I describe house hunting during COVID like speed dating. You are only allowed a certain amount of time to tour a house. Because appointments are scheduled so that visitors to a house do not overlap. So honestly you feel rushed and even on a good day, I don't like being rushed through anything, much less for the purchase of a big ticket item. 

So today mid-day, we took a walk with Sunny on Roosevelt Island. I have been so busy that I haven't taken Sunny to the Island for maybe a month. 

The last time I saw the Island, the trees weren't green! Now everything is in its full spring regalia and I love the yellow irises. 

A close up!

Naturally we can't go to the Island without seeing deer!

What is this a photo of? Well walking around the Island with us today was "Little Bo Peep!" If you think the back of her outfit is a riot, you had to see the front of her. 

While I was sitting in the living room today, I wasn't alone! Sunny and Indie are buddies! I literally gave myself forced breaks today, because I am very tired and the eye exam I had yesterday triggered  a migraine for me. So needless to say, it been a painful spring of one bad migraine or cluster headache after the other. 

Monday, May 10, 2021

Monday, May 10, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2005. Mattie was three years old and showcasing his tractor stool that he built with Peter. They literally cut the wood, assembled the pieces, and painted it to look like a John Deere. Mattie needed this stool in the bathroom, and instead of buying one, Peter decided to make it into a project that they could do together. Here's the irony of this, to this day, this stool is being used. As it helps me reach for things on top of the shelves in my closets. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,739,130
• Number of people who died from the virus: 582,099

Our encampment right outside our building is growing. The new addition this week is a porta potty and sink that was delivered by the city for this community. It is hard to believe that prior to COVID-19, this was a useable park by all the residents in surrounding buildings. Not anymore. Now we see this and a ton of rats.

Today's update on the Foundation Walk:

1. 194 registered walkers
2. All 50 states represented
3. 17 walk teams
4. raised $105,007
5. sold 428 raffle tickets

Buying a house has proved to be challenging and the next few days we are working on getting financial paperwork for the mortgage in order. So more stress, on top of the Foundation Walk, on top of side effects from the COVID vaccine, and also having to see the eye doctor today. As apparently I am a glaucoma suspect.

When I got home from the doctor! Sunny wanted attention and time! 

Of course I am biased, but isn't he just the cutest dog? We have a special connection. 

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken on Mother's Day of 2006. Mattie was four years old and on that day the boys took me out to brunch at Clyde's in Rockville. Mattie loved that restaurant, particularly the pond outside the entrance. We spent many a meal walking around the pond in between courses of food. That day, the restaurant gave moms germaniums. I am happy that our waiter snapped this photo of the three of us together, as I don't have many of them. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,703,500
• Number of people who died from the virus: 581,731

It is 5pm, and I now have aches and a fever from the second COVID shot! So my reaction was delayed! I am hoping this disappears as fast as it came! It has been quite the day of juggling Sunny, Foundation work, writing the Foundation newsletter and waiting for a call from our realtor. 

Here's the news..... we got the house in Oakton! Three's a charm! I truly feel this was a gift from Mattie. A house on Mother's Day. Mattie works in mysterious ways and this to me confirms he is walking with me through this process. If he were only here to enjoy it. 

Apparently the owners loved my letter and they want to meet us in person. They are the original owners of the house and they have kept the home in amazing shape. Right now Peter and I are practically numb. We really did not expect to get this house! We prepared ourselves for the worst, but like Walk day, where I say Mattie won't let it rain, Mattie wanted our house search to be over.