Third Grade Girl Is Curious About the Brain

Meet Miss Snyder.  A third grader in (yes!) Mrs. Fox's class at Warm Springs Intermediate School.  And, guess what!?  She.is.curious!

Yes!  She is curious "about people that have Parkinson's disease brains, like Mrs. Hott's husband."

And, she says, "I love Mrs. Hott's shirt, Team Fox!"

As a facilitator for a program called Positive Actions, it is my job to encourage and inspire elementary students in grades 3, 4, and 5 to consider their unique qualities, diverse gifts, and special talents.  We learn that every child can choose a positive path.  Recently, we asked nearly 400 children, "What are you curious about?"

Since my audience is a mix from rural West Virginia, we often challenge each to overcome their obstacles with encouragement that with positive actions, even those from an itty-bitty town in the Appalachian foothills can dream big and provide exciting and positive contributions that can change our world.  Yes, with positive actions today, third graders are preparing to improve their tomorrows!

Wearing my "Team Fox" shirt on our day when the Positive Action word is the coolest ever (in my book):  "curiosity."  Digging deep in my heart for a message of hope to encourage children to talk about what makes them curious and why "curiosity" can contribute to their futures, improve their quality of life, and, ultimately, provide a resource to propell them not just to the next day or grade, I offered that with "curiosity" young students can begin a journey, much like Katherine Johnson!  Have you heard of her?  Her story can be found in the new movie, Hidden Figures, another West Virginia girl, who was curious, about.... numbers!  With math, Ms. Johnson calculated the formulas to send John Glen in to orbit!  Pretty cool curiosity!

As a black woman leaving small town West Virginia in the 1960's, Katherine Johnson had plenty of struggles.  Rather than wallow in negativity, Katherine chose a positive path.  She followed her curiosity all the way to NASA!

That's me.  At barely 5 feet, I am a 51-year-old-gray-haired-PD-blogging-Positive Actions teacher who, like Katherine, and like Michael J. Fox, is "Always Looking Up".  I have to.  After telling the class about my adorable, hott-hubby Dan having a chronic brain illness, I share that it is indeed possible to remain positive, rather than wallow in all the yucky changes that came once Parkinson's Disease moved in our house in 2008.

With research, exercise, healthy choices, education, policy, and inspiration for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) I advocate for positive choices not only for PD and but also our youth.  Who knows?  Maybe by encouraging students to be curious, they will seek a cure to this disease that "affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine"  I shared this with a room of 3rd graders, then...I shared that I am curious about the brain so I understand more about Dan's symptoms.

Can I just say "wow!"  A third grader made me this paper.  She is curious about the brain.  Want to know that I think?  These students are going to cure Parkinson's someday...

...soon!

So, watch out Capitol Hill!  Dan and I are coming to the Parkinson's Policy Forum in late February to advocate for people with PD.  We will be meeting with representatives, sharing our story in support of benefits and research for Parkinson's Disease.

Fund science.

Cure Parkinson's Disease.

(And, stay curious!)

Fifty Ways Fifty Feels Fun!

Fun? Seriously!?

On the eve of my 50th birthday just the other day, my own mom reminds me over the phone on one of our many daily conversations:
"Have fun today!....  Because tomorrow you'll be in the last half of your CENTURY!"

Then she erupted in a fit of giggles! "Bwhahahaha!" She does that a lot lately!  Really Mom!!!  Wow!

But I decided a loooooong time ago, that each day is a celebration!  Regardless of what life may throw at me, from four busy kids to a hotthubby with PD, I purposefully seek to find the positive in each and every situation.  So, on that note, on the eve of my 50th birthday, I made all my mom friends sing "Happy Birthday!" to me!  Of course, they really didn't mind (at least I don't think they did...) that on Monday M.O.S. (which stands for "Mom Only Swim") I bought a cheesecake, stuck in some candles, fired them up, then began my 50th year (a little early) with a celebration that "Fifty Feels Fun!"

My flame lit cheesecake!  Thanks for the picture Ms Nikki!

...in Fifty Ways?

Oh sure!  So, rather than moan and groan about joining the bottom half of the century, I thought that I would attempt to see if I could think of 50 ways to celebrate turning 50.  Maybe you can help me, here we go:

1)  Provide your own favorite dessert at a gathering.
2)  Force a crowd of unsuspecting friends to sing "Happy Birthday!" to you.
3)  At 12:00:01 a.m. on your actual birthday, run in to your 15 year old daughter's room where her 15 year old friend is sleeping over and shout:  "It's my birthday!"
4)  Then do a little dance and run out of the room.
5)  Check Facebook at exactly 12:04 a.m. on my birthday just to see if there are any "Happy Birthday" posts to me.
6)  Read 8 "Happy Birthday" posts!  Then force yourself to go to bed because, really,... who wants to sleep on their 50th Birthday?
7)  Enjoy mimosas for breakfast.
8)  Prepare Eggs Benedict for all the crazy people in the Hott House, even those that don't eat it.
9)  Invite a friend, or 10, to celebrate at the coolest restaurant ever:  Lot 12!  Except, they are closed on your birthday day so make reservations for two days later!
10) Sign up to do a half marathon for the first time ever, in Cumberland!
11) Go for a run at 50, because you signed up for a half marathon a month away.
12)  Enjoy 4 miles in the early morning W. Va. outdoors without my two annoying dogs (because I snuck out the basement door to keep Freckles from waking up even though he is deaf).
13) Say a prayer for all those I love during my run. Say more prayers for my neighbors as I run by their houses.
14) Decide to text Jenny Ellis as soon as I get back to the house with an idea!
15) Return home, walking up that stinking hill, and drink a giant glass of water!
16) Discover Leah walking around outside with a beautiful butterfly we release in our weedy flower garden just before she presents me with the most amazing dragon drawing ever.

Leah's Dragon

17) Blast your favorite musical Wicked in the house at 9:00 a.m.! (even though the kiddos are still sleeping because it is time for the entire world to be up to celebrate my 50th birthday)!
18)  Sing at the top of your lungs "I have been changed FOR GOOD!"
19)  Run 8 loads of laundry.
20) Sign up for another half marathon because, well, I just turned 50, but this one is in Vegas!
21) Play the soundtrack to Wicked,... again because, well, people are still sleeping!
22) Sing loudly "Defying Gravity"
23) Attempt to defy gravity while making hollandaise sauce for Eggs Benedict.
24) Fall in the kitchen, because,... well.... of gravity.
25) Stir up Leah reading downstairs in Caity's room.
26) Make another mimosa.
27) Eat Eggs Benedict, twice.
28) Receive loving birthday surprises from my favorite people in the universe, like Violet's new coffee mug filled with chocolate covered coffee beans and beautiful Pinterest card!
29) Display my own Lego Sigfig next to my original Levi Lego creation of our log home on the piano.

Original Lego Art by Levi

30) Scream hysterically when opening my hotthubby's card with tickets to see Kristen Chenowith at Wolftrap on August 28th!
31) Watch "Taylor the Latte Boy" 50 times on youtube, because...yes, I am 50 now!
32) Giggle nonstop because Kristen Chenoweth is hysterical.
33) Sob nonstop watching Kristen and Idena sing "For Good" because it is just the best duet ever.
34) Discover a youtube video with Kristen and Anna Kendrick that is amazing!

35) Remember to text Jenny about an idea for which she'll probably consider me a weirdo.
36) Text Jenny Ellis.
37) Put on a tiny bikini (because no one is home but me and well, I am now 50).
38) Blast Wicked for the third time, except this time on the outside speakers (just in case the neighbors missed it in the kitchen, or they are also still sleeping!).
39) Float around the pool.
40) Sip on some sweet tea someone left here earlier this week.
41) Wonder which teenager went home without their giant blue Nike's sitting by the pool.
42) Remain puzzled by the mom who went home last night without her pool bag.  Make a mental note to text someone about that.

43) Forget to apply sunscreen.

44) Wonder if Dan wants to go to Vegas in November.
45) Spend the best 90 minutes ever with my 11 year old Isaac while floating around in the sun.
46) Notice Dan arrived and is sitting by the pool too, sipping a sweet tea.
47) Remember he really hates sitting outside, but is hanging out with me because, well, I'm 50 today!
48) Enjoy my favorite ribs and corn with my favorite people for my first supper as a 50-year-old-grey-haired-PD blogging-hott-mama of four - and sometimes more!  Talk to Caity on the phone.
49) Lace up my Runners Retreat, size 5, kid Brooks sneakers again on my second day as a 50 year old and go for a run.
50) Register to do a half marathon in Key West in January 2016 and dream about sand under my before mentioned sneakers while it is snowing up north.
51) Arrive home finally after my Lot 12 dinner party celebration to discover 50 people in my house!

SURPRISE!

Sounds like the PERFECT birthday to me!  While most of this list actually occurred, some items remain to be seen; like registering for a half marathon right down the Vegas strip or around Key West in the winter.  Still waiting on the mimosas; but just thinking about champagne at any time feels festive, right? And honestly, I think there were way more than 50 people here last night,  You guys are the best!  Thank you ALL for loving me and my family, my crazy ideas, reading and sharing my posts, and most of all, making turning 50 feel like so much fun!  Where two or three...or 50 are gathered, right?

"No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, 

and his love is brought to full expression in us."  1 John 4:12

Know what?  I saw Him here on Hott Mountain many times this week, His full expression, in the faces of each of...

...you!

Advent Conspiracy for Cyber Monday

December 1st!

Cyber Monday!

So, the kiddos are back to school and this morning is the first time I have checked my email since before Thanksgiving.  Holy cow!  214 messages in my "Promotions" inbox!  Are.you.kidding.me?

Thinking I could do a little online shopping since the house is quiet (and Levi is not manipulating my laptop), the shear amount of great deals and offers are making this 49-year-old-grey-haired-PD blogging-hott- mama-of-four's mind spin!

Aaaaaarrrrrgh!  Delete,... delete...  DELETE!

You know what?  Yesterday, Pastor Stan shared this video called the "Advent Conspiracy."  Check it out.  I never realized the US spends $450 billion at Christmas!  Wow...that sure could purchase quite the STEAM robotics engineering program for our at risk county here in rural West Virginia.

Excuse me, can I tell you something?  My sister-in-law, Tammy (who headed home to Philly early Sunday morning) proposed just this idea on Thanksgiving Day!  She suggests that our family contribute to a charity collectively as a family rather than purchase gifts for adults; and continue her traditional yummy cookie and mint fudge exchange!  Her idea was that we select the Michael J Fox Foundation, who is researaching a cure for Parkinson's Disease.  There's a cool gift!

I love it!  And, how interesting that within an hour after she heads home Pastor Stan shows us all this video.  I think God was winking at Aunt Tammy as she headed north on that PA Turnpike!

Technology, Toddlers, and PD

"Technology, technology everywhere.  Everywhere you look!"

As April rolls around once again to another month of Parkinson's Awareness, I love to celebrate!  Plain and simple, give me the tiniest accomplishment from first freckles, lost teeth, to MBA's and grad degrees, I'm popping champaign!  Bring on the big stuff, and don't hold me back because you'll find two bottles of bubbly.  Celebrate Parkinson's?  Why not!  Sure beats being bummed out about it.  Instead, I chose to recognize the blessings in PD's little gifts like another family sunset or late weekend mornings watching tv.  This year, this 48-year-old-grey-haired-PD blogging-hott-mama-of-four is even celebrating technology and Parkinson's.

Technology...me?  Well, yes.  You see, some how I have managed to find myself living in 2014 in this crazy house full of techno gurus!  Where did they all come from? 

Just look at our boys!  (But don't you dare tell them I showed you this picture!)  Fresh out of the tub, the Hott brothers just 2 and 3 years old, are cruising the internet on their own laptop provided by my hotthubby, Dan.  (Of course, look past those bare bootys to what is on the table...a computer.)

At an early age, Dan realized the importance of emersing our family in the latest in technology.  We have more laptops, gadgets, and game counsels in our house than technology in southern California!  Before long, I expect to see both boys and Dan wearing Google Glass around the house.  (At least they will be wearing something!)

Honestly though, this picture of Isaac and Levi online is one of my favorites.  Good thing we don't have neighbors out here in the hills.  Someone tell these kids to please put some clothes on. 

Now...about eight years later, check out Isaac (now 10) and his daddy, Dan.  Pictured here are my true techno boys building their own computer.  Yes, from laptops to a custom built gaming computer, Isaac researched and selected the parts to create a custom machine all his own.  Oooooh, just a small project for another snowy day at the Hott house.

Yeah, right.  But the funny thing is, as the mom in the house, all this technology stuff is like a foreign language to me.  So, when the National Parkinson's Foundation called me a few months ago to talk about Parkinson's Disease and technology, I kinda had to giggle.  Me?  Technology?! 

Does technology help my family deal with living with Parkinson's?  Well, once I get past the mystery of how this keypad transfers my thoughts to your screen and beyond, I had to answer, "yes," it does!  I may never get excited about giga-thingys and mega-pixels like Isaac and Dan; but, I honestly do rely on technology to connect me to others and keep me apprised of what's happening with this stinking disease.

So much so, that for Parkinson's Awareness Month, I think it was kinda cool that this interview on page four of the Parkinson Report features my thoughts on technology and Parkinson's Disease.  I may not be able to load my own PD app on my smart phone, but I do connect with others and express what it is like to be a PD partner through the use of technology.

Even "cooler" is the great people I have met all over the world along this PD journey through technology.  I will never have the millions needed for research to fix it, but "Excuse me, can I tell you something?"... with continued prayers and support from our friends, technology really does make it tolerable by keeping us connected and informed.

Counting Blessings (and Inches) for 2014

As the holidays wind down here on Hott Mountain and the lemon cookies have disappeared, I wanted to share with you a startling discovery.  With 2013 coming to a close, I was searching for a picture in my files and found it within this post.  Since it's original publication, let me just say this now 48-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four is celebrating 24 new inches of Hott fun for 2014!
Here is where I found the picture and am reposting it in part because it still makes me giggle.  You'll find the picture at the end:

Burning the Christmas Cookies... Again!

"My woeful attempt to portray Julia Child at Christmas time is normally met with some traumatic experience either on the part of me or my family.  Although I do enjoy experimenting a little in the kitchen and am grateful to my loyal subjects for their willingness to sometimes act as my guinea pigs, one would think the simple tasks of Christmas Cookies would be met without incident.  Here's what happened one day when my phone rang:

Me:  "Ahlooo-oh!"  (That's my best Julia impression!  I'm really good at it!  Just ask Dan!...  I do it all the time!)
Caller:  "Uh, hello?  Mrs. Hott?"
Me:  "Whooo?  Oh, you mean me?  Yes, speeeeaking!"  (It's my Julia Child again!  I'm still not used to being called Mrs. Hott.  That name is reserved for Dan's 89 (now 92) year old mother.  I really do forget it's me after 14 (actually 17) years.)
Caller:  "This is Morgan County 911 Emergency calling.  Is everything alright?  We got a call from one of your neighbors."
Now, I can hear a fire whistle zooming up our hill.
Me:  "My neighbors?  Are they okay?"  (I am confused.  All the Hotts are fine, present, and accounted for.)
Caller:  "Yes mam.  They are fine.  But they have called to report a fire."
Me:  "Fire. Really?!!!  Where"
Caller:  "Well, at your residence!  We have received a report of billowing smoke emitting from your home."
Me:  "Smoke... where?  Are you serious?  Can you see me at my house?  How do you know there is smoke?"  -- Like 911 has some magic eye;  I really thought they were looking at me talking on the phone via satellite or something.
Caller:  "Yes.  Emergency services should be there any second."
Me:  Finally realizing what in the world was going on, "Oh, oh, oh!   Smoke!?  Oh no.... that's just me.  I was burning the Christmas cookies,... again."

Oh!  I.am.going.to.make.those.neighbors eat these cookies!  They called the Fire Department on me!  Yikes!  When they showed up, I had to give them the only good batch I had.  Talk about feeling like a fool!  There was NO fire!  The only smoke coming from the Hott house was a tray of Christmas cookies I stuck out on the back porch.  Well, they nearly did go up in flames before I got them out of the oven.  But the house wasn't on fire, for goodness sakes.  You probably don't believe me; so, I'll show you a picture:

Doesn't that look yummy?  You see, Julia Child (although I love her) I am not!  And for some unknown reason, I manage to ruin 90% of everything I bake and/or cook.  Although I am kidding about 911 and the fire truck, I seriously DID have to set out quite a few trays of smoking cookies on the back porch after my kitchen was engulfed in smoke and our house alarm went off.  Even the cats won't touch them.

Now, I look at that tray of burned cookies and I am reminded of all the dishes I've burned; crazy things I've done and silly mistakes I've made both in the kitchen and over the years.  And you know what?  It's just cookies.  Each crispy chunk of carbon reminds me of a disappointment I've had over the year 2010 (original post); another mess in the kitchen; mountains of laundry; numerous trips to the grocery store; boo boos needing band aids; noses to wipe; miles of trips to town for school events; more gas for the car; midnight runs to the ER when Levi fell out of bed; mountains of bills waiting to be paid; medical needs that never quit; to mouths to feed again and again."

But like I said, they're just burned cookies.  Let's count blessings! Here are mine!
     Christmas 2010                                                                          Christmas 2013

Just like the Hott family, our blessings grow every year.... just.look.at.them...at least 24 inches combined.   2013 brought us new adventures, wedding dates, career move for Caity, an economics masters degree from AU for Brian, race ribbons for Violet our athlete, Rubik's twisty puzzle records for Isaac, and well.... Levi continues his constant stream of comedy and now music!

Happy New Year from the Hott Family!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

I send all my troubles (a.k.a burned cookies) to God.  He doesn't mind!

#MichaelJFox - Are YOU watching? My Review of Michael J. Fox's New Sitcom

The new Michael J Fox Show.  Are YOU watching?

I.am.

Yes, this 48-year-old-grey-haired-PD bloggin-hott-mama-of-four tunes in faithfully to NBC on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. (est).

Why?  Well, not to see the comeback of Michael to prime time television.  No, not even to laugh with Michael at his own victory over a chronic illness.  Nope! Not even to see how the writers will incorporate Parkinson's Disease into the script.

For me, well.... I can't wait to see what this little guy will do next.  Sound crazy?

But just look at him!  Those chubby cheeks erupting with freckles.  That strawberry blond head full of luscious curly locks.  Those enormous blue innocent blue eyes.  And, get this:  He's eight!  I wonder why I love this guy so much?!  Wait a minute, check out my 8 year old!

Sound familiar?  Well, he is.  Just look at him!

And so is so much of what I see while watching Michael's new sitcom.  Although the marketing folks gave away all things interesting in their promotion of the pilot episode, The Michael J. Fox Show, and in all honestly, I was drawn to its' efforts as a follower of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research there are some genuinely cooky life parallels I keep discovering that keep me watching.  There are several "real life" scenes that only a "Parkie" would understand.  Here they are:

*  Family Dinner -- The painstaking pauses of Parkinson's Disease that keeps a family waiting, yes waiting to eat!
*  Bedtime Banter -- The husband and wife beneath the covers kinda talk that only a spouse with Parkinson's could understand.
*  Nightmares and Sleep Talking -- The endless, crazy PD dreams that startle and stir slumber.
*  Timing PD Meds -- The inclusion of Michael's PD meds into his daily routine is a scene ripped directly from the Hott House!
*  Crazy Kids and Goofy Relatives  -- For my favorite aspect of The Michael J. Fox Show, the complete immersion of his children into living with a dad that has Parkinson's Disease is celebrated in this new comedy.

For this, well,... Michael has me watching.  Because, you see, here is where between the laughs and antics of his quirky moves and dropped lines (another PD symptom), I find that watching The Michael J. Fox show is like standing out on my own front porch and peeking in the window.

Although diagnosed a bit later than Michael, my "hotthubby" Dan came home one day in 2008 and told me that his neurologist was certain that he had Parkinson's Disease.

Wait,... really?

And like Michael J. Fox, we had a family of four.  How would we manage to raise two boys who were at the time just 3 and 4 years old?  Will the progression of this stinking illness mean that Dan will be capable of dancing with the girls, now 13 and 23, at their weddings?

But here's what happened.  Parkinson's Disease just became our new normal.  Not that we were remotely close in the first place, but we sure learned to enjoy each other n.o.w.!  Rather than "throw in the towel," we chose to give PD a room in our house with the rest of us.  As Michael promotes, we chose to believe in "the power of optimism"... and to to always (be) looking up.

Looking up to the one in control of it all, I find that with God's daily Grace, we find ways to giggle at the little things that living with Parkinson's Disease means.

So does Michael.  For this, I recommend tuning in on Thursdays for a peak at our PD families.  And for those of you that don't have Parkinson's living with your family, well,... you just may find something similar that also gives you the giggles.

National Parkinson Foundation Links My PD App Review!

Parkinson's Today is a monthly e-newsletter from the National Parkinson's Foundation.  In the September 2013 edition,  the National Parkinson Foundation links a review I posted earlier this summer about their new smartphone app called PARKINSONS CENTRAL.

Needless to say, I'm a little tickled to see this 48-year-old-grey-haried-PD bloggin-hott-mama-of four's post linked on a national publication... especially NPF!  I first learned of this foundation 5 years ago.  We were at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, where Dan (my hotthubby who has PD) participates in a research program.

Since then, I blog stories about living with PD in the Hott House and raising a dynamic family of four (and sometimes more!).  Recently, a reader commented that "Your blog touched me Angie!  Faith, a Positive Attitude, Exercise, and a Strong Family is the 'secret' to beating Parkinson's Disease!  You guys have it all!!!"  

Secret?  Dan always tells me I can't keep a secret.

This time he is right!  ;-)

(To see the e-newsletter, click Parkinson's Today.)

No Moms Allowed!

At the Daddy Daughter Ball!

Last night, First United Methodist Church was the host to an elegant evening designed just for dads and daughters.  From tiny toddlers to adult daughters, dads arrived to a crowd of cameras on the red carpet in suits, tuxes, fancy dresses and ball gowns.  It.was.beautiful!

So, why then was this 48-year-old-grey-haired-PD-blogging-hott-mama-of-four so blue?  Honestly, I had to swallow back the tears before we even left the house.  Please don't tell anyone this, especially Dan, Violet (and Caity), but as they were preparing for the night, this mom had a bit of a panic attack.

What a nerd, right?  Well, after I finally convinced our basketball playing, hurdle jumping, 400 meter running, cross country training 13 year old to put on a nice dress and wear a corsage of daisies on her wrist, a got hit in the head with a ton brick.

Or maybe it was a boulder.  But, while I was brushing my teeth, I panicked.  What if Violet decides she is just too cool to dance?  What if our teeny bopper would rather hang with her pals than dance with her daddy?

What if tonight was the only night the two had this unique opportunity to dance together?

And I don't get a picture?  Enough, right?  But listen to me.  Just the evening before, Dan and I encountered another young adult in our house.  For the first time EVer, Violet asked to be "dropped" at the movies.  Our local "Star" theater became the middle school Friday night place to go - withOUT parents!

Okay.... so the time is coming. I know. I get it. So, why was my heart swelling in my throat and my eyes stinging?  (I tried my best to hide it all.)  Then, today our 23 year old calls the house after seeing the plethora of pictures poudly presented on facebook.  And she says it:

"These girls will LOVE these pictures when they are planning their weddings!"

So.  Save the pictures parents!  Caity is right.  At 23, she has set her date and is deep in the midst of planning her big day when she walks down the aisle to get married.  For now, Violet is 13.  Dad and I may not be the coolest set of parents out there; but, a looooooooong time ago, he took Caity to her Daddy Daughter Dance too.

And, she found the picture to prove it.

"Excuse me, can I tell you something?"  I panicked.  Sorry to be such a desperate sap; but last night's Daddy Daughter Dance was so much more for this mom, and just maybe you too.  This evening, (which required some pretty careful med planning for Dan) once again, made me appreciate this very day, moment, second, that my heavenly Dad gifts us with - a moment in time - to dance with your daddy.

Thank you, dear Father, for the memories made last night at the ball, and I pray that my girls will get to dance with their daddy at their weddings too.

In the meantime, I have another picture to prove it!  (Thanks Luke!)

Tomorrow is the Daddy Daughter Ball

Yesterday, it was 1996.

A much younger Dan and our "baby" girl Caity are headed to the Brownie's Daddy/Daughter Dance as they practice moves in the kitchen.  Just look at them?!  (Dan's hair is soooo dark!)

Tomorrow, First United Methodist Church is hosting its' premiere Daddy Daughter Ball!  Dads and daughters of all ages will descend on an elegantly decorated "ballroom" filled with cupcakes, a candy bar, a red carpet photo op, and finally... a night families will never forget.

All planned by the dads!  As moms hide in the bushes to sneak snapshots, our Violet will get an entire two hours with her daddy.  All.to.herself.

With two younger brothers, that doesn't happen every day.  But for one night only, it's just Dan and Violet, where she is his princess for the night.

And he is her knight in shining armor.  Designed for dads to honor their baby girls (and vice verse), affirming their love, the Daddy Daughter Ball is a chance to not just remind but glorify our girls of their worth, beauty, importance, and value -- also from a Father in heaven.

They are not only daddy's little girl; they are also...

... a princess of a King!

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;..., 

that we may also be glorified together!"  Romans 8:17-19

How a Bracelet Helps Parkinson's Disease Symptoms When Meds Don't

Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease depends "upon the presence of one or more of the four most common motor symptoms of the disease."  These primary motor symptoms include a resting tremor, brandykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability.  Medications  to treat these symptoms involve a dopamine replacement therapy with levodopa/carbidopa.  In addition to all the medical treatments, even DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation), I recently was introduced to a unique and simple little "thing"... yes, it's a bracelet!

Although this bright paracord bracelet doesn't have the capabilities to generate dopamine, it does something equally as important:  It sparks a candle in your spirit that will light up the difficult days when Parkinson's Disease seems to get the best of you.  It let's me know that there is someone out there that keeps studying this crazy stinking illness.  The orange Survival Paracord Parkinson's Bracelet stands for this:

Hope.

Hope for people with Parkinson's.  Hope for organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the National Parkinson's Foundation that raise money for research; hope for the caring specialists, neurologists, and nurses that treat patients; hope for caregivers to better understand; and... finally, as I see it, hope to seek God's grace during the most difficult struggles as the symptoms progress.

For those days, and there may be many, when the meds just don't seem to do the trick, this little Parkinson's Bracelet symbolizes my prayer for God to wrap himself around this awful illness.  With the MJF Foundation's signature "orange" color, I found the white paracord represents all that ties us together in the Parkinson's (or any) community:  a God that offers us hope in the darkest days, woven around the orange.

Delighted to open my mail yesterday to see a package from Sandy at Jewels for Hope makes me realize just how much I have grown to love the cool "Parkie Pals" I have met by sharing stories with you here on "Excuse me, can I tell you something?"  From the artist Shasha in Wales, Fiona in Ireland, to dear Linda in Florida and writer, Daniel in Minnesota, living with Parkinson's Disease isn't so crazy when I can fire up the laptop and find someone who understands at my fingertips...

and wrapped around my skinny ole freckled wrist!

You know what?  I may never meet Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali, or Diane Rehm (I just LOVE her hair!), but this 48-year-old-grey-haired-PD bloggin'-hott-mama-of-four is grateful to all I've met and shared stories online.  Thank you all for inviting me on your computers for a short time to share my

hope.  "Where then is my hope?  Who can see any hope for me?"  Job 17:15

I now see hope on my wrist as I wear my  new bracelet!  Thank you Sandy!

A Review of "Not Of This World" by Lisa Chan from this 48-Year-Old-Grey-Haired-Hott-Mama-of-Four

Lisa Chan, wife of Frances Chan (author of one of my favorite books, Crazy Love), returns for the third installment of her True Beauty Films, "Not of This World".  

Following "Be Still" and "Deny Yourself", this final video "invites women into an authentic conversation about God's Word."  Lisa weaves her teaching with scripture intertwined with the real life story of another woman's hardships and struggles.

Here is what I liked about "Not of This World":
* Practical Scripture - Lisa beautifully backs up every point she makes with Biblical scripture.  She offers key points from His word to encourage us to live a life in Christ.

*  Personal Reflection Guide - "Not of This World" offers a unique booklet with scripture and thought provoking questions.  It is eye catching and artistic in its' presention; leaving room for personal input and reflection.

*  Personal Story - An incarcerated husband, a mom reveals her path from the depths of sin to salvation.  Lisa melts the story of a young mother with a toddler and, while nine months pregnant, encounters loud knocks as the police take away her husband.  Be sure to watch the "Back Story," which puts it all together.

"Not of This World" is beautiful.  It is eloquent, artistic, and clever; filled with warmth and emotion, providing a direct connection to the love of Jesus.  The answers are all there.  So, why have I been edgy all day after viewing Lisa's final "True Beauty" film?

Here's what I think happened.  You see, when you watch "Not of This World" as well as Lisa Chan's other films, you will see beautiful people in lovely surroundings.  The moms, no matter what struggles they encountered, are dressed to the hilt in perfect hair and make-up, in neat organized surroundings or striking outdoor settings.

Since I am human, what do I do?  Well.... I start comparing.  What.am.I?  Like in the title, I am a barely five feet tall, freckled-faced, five pounds heavier, chaotic household, Parkinson's blogging, 48-year-old-grey-haired-(not-so)-hott-mama-of-four!  I haven't experienced incarceration, abuse, or poverty.  I am stuck in this world with school shopping, sports activities, piano lessons, grocery shopping.  Where, exactly, can I relate to Lisa's "True Beauty" series?  Tell me.

Then it struck me.  God thinks I am beautiful.

Interested?  Just let me know and I will include you in a drawing for a free copy of "Not of This World" from David C. Cook or click here to purchase your copy.

"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

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!

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?

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!

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