"We Will Finish the Race."

"On the cover of its May edition, Boston magazine pays tribute to its city with a moving photograph of 120 running shoes, all worn in the Boston Marathon, shaped in a heart around the headline: “We Will Finish the Race.”

Boston magazine's heart-shaped shoes honor city, victims: http://on.today.com/17XWvLJ"

Yesterday, I was commenting about "running in the family" at this weekend's 5K Run to End Child Abuse in Hancock, MD.  

Can't help but think about all the runners in the Boston Marathon last week.  This 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four has a hard time wrapping my brain around it all.

I'm not much of a runner but enjoy it's benefits and what it means to our family.  Just feeling blessed to participate.

Our 11 pair of running shoes "will finish the race" for the 120 shoes in Boston Magazine's picture!  Keepin' the faith!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 

 2 Timothy 4:7

It "Runs In the Family"

Here is an inspirational running story! which shares the benefits of exercise for healthy living for ALL ages. (If I posted correctly, click the link above!)  Did you watch it?  Isn't that a cool story!

First, I want to thank Anne for allowing me to share her family's running story on my blog where I journal about this crazy family of mine.  You see, she sent me the link for PD awareness month and well, let's just say... it inspired me!

So, here's what I did.  I signed us all up for a family run!  And am I ever excited!  Violet's middle school track team is participating in a Run/Walk to End Child Abuse this weekend.  What a cool opportunity for some family fun and contribute to a great cause in our community.

The last time I did such a thing Dan told me I better never do that again.  Well, I sorta kinda did in March and we all had fun...so I did it again. (Yes, I'm exagerating here...a little!) Coming up, not just the Hott crew, but also our nieces from Philly and Pittsburgh will be joining us at the 5K Run/Walk to End Child Abuse in Hancock, MD.

Wanna come too?  Ashley and Crystal are!  (Did I tell you I am excited?)  It really "runs in the family!" Well, at least this weekend it does.

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."  Hebrews 12:1

Promising Hope

"Wow! Look how brilliant the colors are!" (Yes, our nine year old talks like that!)  As April, Parkinson's Awareness Month, comes to a close, I thought that I would share with you what appeared here in West Virginia last night.  Check it out!

Earlier in the month, I was at a lost on what I could do, this 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four, to raise awareness about Parkinson's.  Sadly, I didn't manage to raise thousands of dollars, erect educational displays, or even offer the slightest glimpse of a cure.  If anything, it's just nice to know that we are not alone in this effort for Parkinson's Disease or any other challenge, for that matter. Well, at least it is for me anyway.

But you know what, this double rainbow was unusually brilliant.  A quick snapshot from my phone really doesn't do justice to the spectacular display the Hott family shared.  Appearing at the close of what has been one crazy month with everything from track meets, soccer games, talent show, Fun Nite, to a plethora of appointments ranging from multiple neurologists, dentists (my least favorite) diagnostic oncologist, to even a surprise request from Dan's cardiologist (golly that's a lot!), this rainbow rising from W. Va's emerald hills served as my reminder that no matter how crazy your storm is, whether it's PD or something else, there is always hope.

"I have set my bow in the cloud, 

and it shall be a sign of the covenant 

between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13

God promised!

Lookin "Hott" in Grey for Parkinson's Awareness

Sending out a hearty heart felt "thank you" to all you friends and family out there sporting grey for Parkinson's Awareness Day!  This even spawned new awareness here in my neck of the woods!  From strangers in the supermarket to family in Philly, many have made loving efforts to share this crazy disease with others today!  I read on facebook that World Parkinson's Awareness Day, April 11th, 1775, is the birth of James Parkinson's and the first to write about this "Shaking Palsy" in 1815, eventually named Parkinson's Disease.  Hard to believe it was nearly 200 years ago!

Here is my favorite picture of part of my crew:

 Isaac, Dan, Levi, Violet, and Hershey (his face is grey!)

 Violet at Mountain Run on Hott Mountain.









Mom at the track!



Aunt Tammy working at Hair Cuttery wearing a grey ribbon in support of Parkinson's Awareness Month!

Brian at a Nationals game in Washington, DC!

                                                                                                    And a few crazy Hotts!

See What Happens When You Ask For Prayer!

So... what happens when a 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four asks her book club to pray for Parkinson's for April's "Parkinson's Awareness Month"?  Well, sit back and just let me tell you a thing... or two!

To begin with, I have to admit that proposing this question in front of even a small number of mom friends really, and I mean really made me nervous.  So nervous, in fact, that I almost chickened out.  That's right!  My knees felt a little strange, and my stomach began to churn just before I looked in my bag where the green rubber bracelets were that I had intended to give to each to pray for PD. I thought to myself:  "Nah... this is really a dumb idea!  I'll sound stupid!  Everyone will think I'm a whiner... or, they'll see how weak I really am if I ask them to help pray for PD.  No.  I'm not doing this.  What.was.I.thinking?"  I considered a quick trip to the bathroom to throw up.

Isn't it crazy how that ole Satan can get in the way?!  And he nearly did.  In fact, if it weren't for Gretchen sharing how she almost gave up on going to a Good Friday service at her office for what sounded like peer pressure, I really think that I would have given up too.

But I sucked it up and with theses "chickenhands" of mine, spoke up, and asked my mom friends to "pray for Parkinson's".  And, guess what happened?

They did!  And so did YOU!  And, wow did things start to happen!  The.very.next.day I saw a super oooober important press release about funding for brain research with the National Institute of Health on The Michael J. Fox Foundation.  Later, at the grocery store, I met a mom that is making grey ribbons for April 13th "wear grey" day.  (Thanks Susan!)  Go God!

There 'ya go Satan!  Take that!  Can these moms pray or what!

I can't thank you all enough at book club as well as those of you here online that have been "praying for Parkinson's!"  It really does make a difference!  Guess ya just gotta ask.

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."  Matthew 21:22

Eureka!... Pray for Parkinson's

"Eureka!" After racking my brain about how I can make a difference this April for Parkinson's Awareness Month, I finally came up with an idea.

You won't find me out there running across the country or climbing up some mountain like those other folks you read about on the Michael J. Fox Foundation page (www.michaeljfox.org). It is doubtful I will ever attend one of those marathons in NYC or a Moving Day (www.parkinson.org)!  Here in the sticks of West Virginia, we are just way too far away.  And the World Parkinson's Conference in Canada (http://www.worldpdcongress.org/)?  Yeah, right.

So, what could this 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four do?

Pray.

That's all I came up with.  I got 10 of those green rubber thingies from www.pdf.org the other day and here's what I did.  I took them to my book club last night and asked my other mom friends to wear a bracelet and say a prayer for Parkinson's.  Then, I asked them to give their bracelet to someone else and ask them to say a prayer for PD.  Each time, pass the green "Fight Parkinson's Disease" bracelet on to another friend, asking them to "Pray for Parkinson's".

Think it will work?

"How will YOU make a difference?" for PD Awareness Month?

"How will YOU make a difference?"  Any ideas?  I am all over the PDF wear grey for Parkinson's Awareness on April 13th.  Saw this banner on facebook this morning and got to thinking in the shower how I could make a difference for Parkinson's Disease.

Really.  Me.  What could I do?  You see, I am hoping there is someone out there, somewhere in the world, a person or scientist will have that "eurika" moment and say: "I've just figured out how to fix Parkinson's Disease!"

Hummmmm.... what could I do?  I.don't.know.

But, I am still thinking!

April Is... Parkinson's Awareness Month

As part of Parkinson's Awareness Month, I am participating by utilizing the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's Toolkit of ideas to raise awareness!  Here is my letter to the editor printed in our community papers:

To the Editor:

This April, I urge our neighbors to take part in Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Nearly one million Americans live with Parkinson’s and many of them, including my husband are living right here in Berkeley Springs, WV.

There is currently no cure.  Parkinson's disease (PD) is "a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time.  Parkinson's involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons.  Parkinson's primarily affects neurons in the area of the brain called the substantia nigra.  Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination, as well as cognitive functions.  As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally.  Primary motor signs of Parkinson's disease include tremor, brandykinesia (slowness), rigidity, stiffness, postural instability."

Imagine being just 49 years old with a large family when a neurologist explains that the reason your movement is restricted, muscles experience terrible pain, walking appears intoxicated, sleep is elusive  and you occasionally "freeze" while doing simple tasks is because you have a degenerative disease called Parkinson's.  Our youngest children were only 3 and 4 years old. 

But that didn't stop our family!  Through PD awareness and support of a strong and loving church and family, we are conquering this illness through the power of prayer, positive attitude and exercise.  With constant activity and connection with caring experts in movement disorders, we have come to manage what was a devastating diagnosis.  Although the journey can sometimes be "shaky", it has been also been joyous; learning to live daily by counting God's blessings, realizing that each day is a new opportunity to be healthy.

I invite you to show your support for others living daily with chronic illness to "Wear Grey for Parkinson's Awareness!" on April 13th.  

For more information, please contact the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.  Follow our story at www.excusemecanitellyousomething.blogspot.com where you can submit your photo and global pictures will be posted.  Show your support and awareness, “wear grey” on Saturday, April 13^th! 

Sincerely,

Angie Hott

Berkeley Springs, WV

304-258-7625; ahottfamily@gmail.com           

April 13th Is Wear Grey for PD Awareness!

Grey!   Gray!  or   GREEEEEEEEEEAY!!!!    Yay!  On April 13th, I will be joining others in the Parkinson's community and wearing, yes... my FAVorite color:  GREY!  As part of Parkinson's Awareness Month this April, Saturday the 13th, has been designated as "Wear Grey for PD Day!"  So, from head to toe, join me and others across the globe in an effort to raise awareness for families living with Parkinson's Disease.

You know what?  Each and every time I post using that color which mixes a combination of black and white, I find myself googling the correct spelling.  Gheeszh.  Of all colors, I much prefer something vibrant, bright, maybe even fluorescent.  But, for some reason the Parkinson's Disease folks have selected grey as it's banner color where you can see it included in the recognizable grey ribbon.  Wonder why it couldn't be green to match my Irish eyes? :-)  (I'm just teasing!)

So.  Grey it is.  Having just emerged from the shower with my dripping grey hair (at just 47 years old, need I remind you), it suddenly occurred to me that, well, grey really isn't so bad after all.  Being nearly all white for the past few years, I recently discussed with Kim over at the local hair salon, attempting to cover up these locks of mine.  Perhaps this is largely due to my second grader, Levi, announcing on his 8th birthday that he doesn't remember me in any other shade OR his recent question:  "Mom!  Why are all the other moms in my class like 25?"

R.e.a.l.l.y!?  Well, because they are!  But, like Michelle O'bama recently said about her new bangs, "It's just hair!"  And for goodness sakes, the more "grey" the better if it brings awareness to Parkinson's Disease.

So, be looking for my letter to the editors in the local papers asking the community to raise awareness for Parkinson's Disease.   It's like this:  if more people hear about this stinkin' chronic illness, maybe someone out there will figure out how to fix it.  Right?  Until then, well, "Excuse me, can I tell you something?" guess it's just me and my grey hair wearin' grey everyday and April 13th for PD Awareness Day!  You?

My Blog With a Cause

Just when I think I am losing my patience, The Parkinson's Coach shows up on facebook.  So.  Really?  Not to excuse bad behavior, ever; but reading the story "Parkinson's Apathy: Don't Care or Can't Care" helps make things make sense.  I just thought maybe it would help another PD partner out there too.

If not, maybe check out these folks:

The National Caregiver Support Line is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The National Caregiver Support Line Toll-Free number is 1-855-260-3274.

Visit the VA's Caregiver support site atwww.caregiver.va.gov.

I'm All Shook Up

Who sings that song?... Do you know it?  Can't you hear the melody; something like "whoa... I'm all shook up!"  Found this graphic on a page called "Christians on Facebook" today.  Now, as my entire house is asleep, I just can't seem to get Elvis out of my head.

No.way!  Elvis' "All Shook Up" is a musical based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night!  Add that to the list of things I did not know!  (It's a long list.)  While browsing around some old Elvis Presley videos on youtube, I came across "Burning Love" also.  There's a fun song to watch Elvis dancing and moving across the stage!

Hummmmm.  And I began to smile as I remember the Hott House weekly Friday Night Dance Celebration.  "BB" (which stands for "before boys" OR those years ages ago before our boys, Isaac 9 and Levi now 8 were born), anyway... "BB," there was a time when every.Friday.night, we (then it was just Dan, Caity, Violet, and well, me) well, we would crank up some music in the living room all just dance ourselves silly.

Way back then, Friday meant the end of a stressful workweek for Dan as an environmental engineer for Chevron.  We all looked forward to that Friday night home when we all got a little goofy.  Fortunately, our neighbors were acres away.  I must admit, as Caity became a teenager, she seemed a little less enthusiastic with our boot-scootin-boogie.  That might be mostly because Dan's favorite song to blast was "Hott Mama" by Trace Adkins!  Do you remember that?  "You're one hot mama!  You wanna?"  :-)  I guess 14 year-olds don't like it when their mom's license plate says "Hott Mama".  Wonder why.

Since then, our house has doubled in occupancy.  And you know what?  We don't have those dance parties anymore.  Sure, we have our own sunset celebrations; but since PD moved in, well... I guess it's just a little more low key around here.  Yeah right!  Now, it's all about ninja training boys, bow and arrows, and the middle school track team.

You want to know what "shakes me up"?  With all that something like living with Parkinson's Disease has changed, Dan might be more of a silent observer in all our commotion  but "he will not be shaken" by it all.  No.  He is always somewhere in the middle of it all or listening from his laptop and watching his crew tear the house apart while Isaac plays ragtime.

Do I miss the dancing?  Sure.  The boys will never see their daddy's sweet moves like the girls did; but hey, you know what they do see?

Their daddy.  Every day.  And... he will not be shaken.

He's my hunka-hunka-burning-love!

"He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."  Psalm 62:6

YOU Can Help a Vet with PD!

Today is the last day to Help a Vet with PD!  Just click that to submit your comment on the Federal Registry.  It's easy!

For the comment section, just say something like "I think the US Department of Veteran's Affairs should include Parkinson's Disease as illnesses related to service connected TBI (traumatic brain injuries).

Thanks!

Veterans with Parkinson's Ruling on TBI Need YOUR Comment

Only two days left... did YOU comment yet? Click here to help vets with PD!

Thanks!

Did YOU Comment?

Click Here to Help a Vet

Only 111 people have submitted comments across the country.  YOU still have time to register your concern for vets who have experienced a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and have Parkinson's Disease as a result. The form is just a click a way and simple to complete.  Please give it a try!

The deadline is Feb. 8th.

Please comment and share this link.  Thanks!

From PAN (Parkinson's Action Network) For Vets

Show Support for Veterans With Parkinsons

"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a proposed rule to make it easier for veterans to receive health care and compensation for certain illnesses, including parkinsonism, dementia, and depression, which have been linked to traumatic brain injury (TBI)."

Comments are due by Feb. 8th.  Click the link above comment here to go to the form and submit your comment.  Please share the link with your friends and families.  I am sure we all know a vet that this will help.

I do!

Vet Brothers, Maravin Hott, Charles Hott, and Dan Hott 

Marvin and Dan both have Parkinson's Disease

And the Winner Is.....!

Rick Coffinbarger!  Thanks so much to Rick and all who participated in my first ever book review give-away! It was fun not only reading the book but also getting to share a copy of TROPHY CHILD by Ted Cunningham with you.  Rick will be receiving his free copy from David C. Cook soon.  Trophy Child Book Review was fun to read and write about.  Yes, I'm a book nerd.  Are you?

I just want to also thank all those who "liked" my new "Excuse Me, Can I Tell You Something" page on Facebook.  When I agreed to review the book, I wasn't sure how to do the give-away.  In case you are wondering, we put all names in a hat and 7 year old Levi Hott drew out Rick's name.  Simple as that!  (And,  here's a picture of the hat!  It's from the Washington Nationals baseball game.)

Now, it's on to my next endeavor attempting to have people comment to the Department of Veteran's Affairs on Parkinson's Disease and TBI's.  Praying that you and "Excuse Me, Can I Tell You Something?" will spread the word.

If anyone is still kinda curious about Trophy Child, check out The Spice over on GoGirls! or click here:
The Spice February 2013