Get Organized Now! Weblog

An Inspirating Book and Video, Plus a Request for Help

I just finished reading 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch. Wow, what a powerful book. I know I'll never forget his words.

If you haven't heard of it, in a nutshell, the author, a computer science professor who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, was asked to give a lecture--his last lecture before dying.

This was a person who had to say good-bye to the life he loved so much, including his wife, and his 3 children--all under age 6.

The actual lecture he gave can be found on You Tube:

The Last Lecture

I highly recommend you watch the lecture AND read the book. I assure you this will be time well spent, in mind and in spirit.

Imagine you were given just a few months to live. What would you do? What would you say to your family? How would you live the remainder of your life? We all hope we'll never have to be faced with something like this.

That's why finding a way for those diagnosed with cancer to celebrate many more birthdays is a goal we can all reach together.

For those of you who have known me through my web site, newsletter and blog over the years, you'll know that I've been passionately involved in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Event. This is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

I'm asking you, and every person reading this, to make a small donation towards this cause--even $5 or $10 would be an enormous help. Along with my Relay team, I'll be collecting donations until the date of the event on August 13th and 14th. We'll be camping outside at our local town high school and taking turns walking or running around the track for 18 hours straight.

I have close family members and friends who have had to battle (or are currently battling) with cancer. Being involved in this event is my individual contribution for giving people who have been diagnosed with cancer, as many birthdays as possible.

I hope you will support this effort by making a small donation.

There are 3 easy ways to donate

1) You can donate online on this link: Relay for Life Donations

2) You can make your check or money order out to the 'American Cancer Society' and mail it to me:

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown WI 53094

3)Finally, if you prefer, you can simply send it to my Pay Pal account: getorgnow@charter.net

Your donation is tax-deductible.

I will keep you posted on my personal totals, and on our team totals, via my blog and newsletter.

I don't like asking people for money, but this fundraiser is such an important reason to do so. Thanks so much and may you receive many blessings for your generosity.

Thanks SO MUCH for making a BIG Difference

A short while ago, I asked for donations for my efforts in the Relay For Life event in my town. Once again, so many Get Organized Now! subscribers have shown their generosity. My personal goal of raising $500 was exceeded, and our team raised over $2000 collectively.

If you were one of the contributors (some of you donated anonymously or by name only with no mailing address), thank you so very much. You've helped to make a BIG difference in so many lives.

The event itself was lovely. I camped out with my daughter and good friends overnight. We took turns walking around the track, keeping someone on the track at all times for 18 hours straight. There were kids activities, such as fishing games and face painting. Adults and kids alike got to enjoy the local high school band, an ice cream social, and a morning of Zumba.

Luminaries went around the entire high school track, lit brightly all night for a) those who lost their battle with cancer, b) survivors, and c) those currently battling cancer.

It was a touching, rewarding, very emotional evening that I was proud to be a part of.

I'm so touched by your generosity and support. I so appreciate your help.

Help Fight Cancer: You Can Make a Difference

For those of you who have known me through my web site, newsletter and blog over the years, you'll know that I've been passionately involved in my town's Relay for Life Event as part of the Watertown Newcomers and Neighbors Club Team, WI.

Relay For Life is a family-oriented event where team members take turns walking or running on a track for 18 hours. Cancer survivors, their families and the public are invited to take part in this rewarding team relay event.

Why am I involved in the Relay?

First, it's an amazing cause and wonderful to be part of an event that is helping others in such a big way.

Second, my husband, Joe, and I both have close family members and friends who have had to battle (or are currently battling) with cancer.

Joe and I will, once again, both be walking in the Relay which takes place on August 14th and 15th in Watertown, WI. We see it as an opportunity to remember friends and family members who have lost their battle to cancer, to honor cancer survivors and to encourage those who are fighting cancer.

Last year, our team raised nearly $5000 for this cause and tied for 4th place in our city.

This year, we're participating once again. We hope to surpass last year's goal.

I hope you will support this effort by making a small donation. This is a flat donation and not a per mile donation. Even $5 - $10 would be an enormous help.

How You Can Donate

This year, you can donate online on this link:

Relay for Life Donations

OR, you can make your check or money order out to the 'American Cancer Society' and mail it to me:

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown WI 53094

Finally, if you prefer, you can simply send it to my Pay Pal account: getorgnow@charter.net

Your donation is tax-deductible.

I will keep you posted on my personal totals, and on our team totals, via my blog and newsletter.

I usually do not feel comfortable asking people for money, but this fundraiser is such an important reason to do so. Thanks so much and may you receive many blessings for your generosity.

How Old is Your Mascara?

Our Organizing Challenge this week was to clean out the medicine cabinet. One reader, wrote and asked about the shelf life of cosmetics.

According to Beauty and Wellness Expert Dayle Haddon in an article written by Brian Bernbaum for CBS News:

'Cosmetics aren't required by law to have expiration dates, so you can't just look at the label to know when a product has expired.'

A solution to this problem? When you purchase cosmetics, label the container with the purchase date so you'll know when it's getting old. Here are some general guidelines.

Liquid Foundation: 3-6 months (Cream foundation can last 4-6 months)

Foundation in a bottle should last 3-6 months, but wide mouthed jars can expose the product to more air and should be tossed sooner. You'll know it's time to purchase a new bottle, when the ingredients begin to settle or separate, the texture thickens or thins, or the smell changes.

Concealer: 6-8 months

Powders: 1 year

Pressed powder, eye-shadows, blush or mascara: 3 months (Note: You should never keep mascara for any longer than 3 months (air pushes bacteria back into the tube). Never 'pump' your mascara.

Lip gloss and Lipstick: 1 year

Eye and/or Lip Pencils: 1 year (Note: Eye and lip pencils should last 1 year or more, but you should sharpen pencils at least once a week to prevent bacteria from being transferred to your eye area. You'll know the product has gone bad if it dries or crumbles).

Keep Yourself Well, Even if Others are Ill

On Wednesday, I dropped my daughter off at school and went to the gym. An hour later, I arrived home and was taking a shower when I heard my husband knock on the bathroom door. He said, 'You're not going to believe this, but Amanda (our almost-5-year old daughter) is sleeping in the middle of her classroom on the floor with her best friend Anna.'

Red flags, immediately. She's ill.

So I finished up, dried my hair, and Joe and I went to her school to pick her up. Sure enough, she was cranky (very unusual for her) and warm to the touch. By the time we got her home, she had a high fever and just wanted to sleep.

Two days later, Joe was laid up in bed for days, getting over whatever he caught from Amanda.

My mission since last Wednesday: Stay healthy. Knock on wood, so far, so good.

1) Hand washing: I've been an absolute maniac about it.

2) Paper medical masks: I kid you not. My neighbors likely think I'm crazy if they stop by to visit, but at least you won't be catching germs. (Note: It's not like you can wear these everywhere--you could, but what will people think?) but they do help in your own house when your own family members are sick.)

3) Vitamin C: I'm a big believer in it. I like the liquid Emergen-C available at the supermarket.

4) Sleep on another bed (or the sofa): Not as comfortable as in our bed, but as long as my husband is sick, I'd prefer to be in the clear.

5) Lots and lots of rest: This is not only for those sick family members. Rest can actually help keep YOUR immune system high enough to fight those bugs.

Functioning on Just a Few Hours of Sleep

So, I've had this cold for the past few days, and last night I just couldn't get to sleep. The coughing, even with a suppressant, just wouldn't stop. I got into bed at 11:00pm and finally dozed off about 2:30am.

To my dismay, I was awoken at 3:30am to the sound of my daughter screaming from her bedroom. I jumped out of bed, ran into her room and asked her what was wrong. She replied, 'My ear hurts.' I thought, 'Ugh, an ear infection.'

This caught us totally off guard because Joe and I were both playing Lincoln Logs with her before bed. She was perfectly happy and content, with no complaints whatsoever.

Oh, and did I mention that Joe has a bad cold too? When it rains, it pours.

I gave her some Tylenol and stayed with her in her bed for awhile. Then, being quite uncomfortable on her full size bed, we piled in with Joe on our queen size bed.

This doesn't sound so bad, right?

It was awful. Amanda was crying through the night, twisting and turning, not getting any sleep and just feeling awful. Of course, my husband and I didn't sleep a wink.

I watched our digital clock minute by minute until it hit 7:30am and I was on the phone with the pediatrician that instant. I managed to get Amanda an 8:45am appointment.

Of course, it did turn out to be an ear infection, and very severe at that. The eardrum was almost to the point of bursting.

The doctor sent us to the pharmacy for ibuprofen and amoxicillin. Thankfully, they already seem to be working. Amanda has been resting comfortably since.

Now, here it is 3:52pm and I haven't accomplished anything on my To Do list. But, I'm OK with that. My daughter's health came first and that took priority over everything else.

How am I functioning now? Well, I'm writing this blog. If there are any spelling errors, I'll at least have an excuse.

But I'm only doing some light straightening up until Amanda wakes up. Once she does, I just plan on cuddling with her. The To Do list, when interrupted by something important, can always wait until tomorrow.

Relay Photos 2008

Here is the link to this year's Relay For Life photos.

http://albums.phanfare.com/2771770/2542303

Thanks again to everyone who supported our team's effort this year!

Post-Relay Update

The Relay for Life event in Watertown WI was, once again, amazing this year. I wish you could have seen all the luminaries around the track, with the lights turned off and the candles burning brightly--representing both those who are battling cancer, and those who have passed on.

It was chilling, but also heartwarming to see and feel the love and commitment from everyone present. It was an honor to collect and walk for this so-worthy cause.

Donations for our team are still coming in. I believe we ended up with nearly $4000 collectively (Thanks so much again to all of you who helped us reach that total). I'll have the town totals soon, and will share them with you when I do.

$2000! Wow!!

Tomorrow evening (Friday, August 8th) is the beginning of the much anticipated Relay for Life event here in Watertown, WI.

We'll arrive at 4:00PM to decorate our campsite and to ensure we're there early for opening ceremonies. Throughout the evening, and into Saturday morning, our team members will take turns walking around the track for 18 hours straight.

When we're not walking, we'll get to experience amazing activities, such as the Survivor Lap and the Luminary Ceremony. My family will be camping out under the stars, along with our other team members.

We expect it to be a lovely, touching evening--and one that we'll not soon forget. You always hear amazing stories of survival and battle from the thousands of people who attend.

All proceeds collected by our team, and the other 40- something Watertown WI teams, will go to the American Cancer Society and this organization's fight against cancer.

For those of you who were able to donate this year, thank you so very much. With your help, and the contributions we added from Get Organized Now!, I was able to raise $2000. There are 14 members on our team this year, so I'm looking forward to discovering what our team collectively raised for this wonderful cause..

P.S. We can still submit any donations we receive at the Relay event. If you haven't donated, and you wish to do so, you can send your contribution to my Pay Pal account up until 3:00PM Central Time on Friday, August 8th. Our account is: getorgnow@charter.net

Thank you and God bless.

An Organized Annual Doctor's Appointment

Prior to my annual doctor's appointment the other day, the nurse was updating my records in her new computer system. She began asking me at least a dozen questions regarding my health history--most of which I really had to think about and wish I had known about ahead of time so I could have been better prepared.

When I got home, I opened a Word document and began typing all the information I may be asked in the future from my current doctor's office, or another doctor if I ever decide to switch.

The nurse first wanted to know my health history, any current problems and any medications (bring the names of the medicines, dosages and dates started if applicable) I was taking. She then asked about any allergies.

She then proceeded to ask me about my family health history--my mother, father and sister, my maternal grandparents and my paternal grandparents. She wanted to know if any of them experienced specific health difficulties (heart problems, cancer, etc.) and what age were they first diagnosed.

Finally, she asked me the dates of my female health screenings: menstrual cycle, pap and mammogram and the results.

While I was able to give her all of the information, it did take some thought and definitely extra time.

The next time I have an annual appointment, or even an irregular appointment during the year for a sore throat, etc. I will bring this prepared document with me.

For general illness appointments, I always take a notepad with my symptoms, dates and any other information I know my doctor will need. I also bring a list of questions I want answered while I'm there.

Being prepared will save you time, will ensure you're not guessing and your records will be more accurate.