Grateful Saturday - social networking

 

This week I was gratefully reminded of the benefits of social networking.It has paved the way for easier communication with my friends, family and other friends I only know by avatar, alias or user name.

In just a few clicks people are connected by common interests, a purpose, and goal*(see below). People from all walks of life also get to mingle with each other from the comfort of our computer or anywhere now we have mobile phone access.

Through a message on my Facebook status I found a new home for two of our kittens - now named Neva & Jacob with R and her family.

I met R through an online parenting forum before my twins were born. I also met her twice in real life at forum meet ups too when they were babes. To be honest we're more online acquaintances than friends but I am so glad she was on my friends list. I wasn't having much luck with real life friends in finding a home for the kittens.I also got to see Neva & Jacob with R's little girls on her FB photos and could show my own boys.

Social networking on twitter or FB also allows us to instantly share knowledge, ask questions or have a quick rant and get instant answers or a little virtual TLC.

See this button also it is also in my sidebar. Liz @ Lizosaurus is organising a bloggy blood donation drive in April at new Town Hall blood centre.It's amazing we can connect together with a purpose to achieve a common goal and met up...will you join us. 

Blood donation is a gift those whose lives depend on it are always grateful for.

   
So, what's making you smile today?
... add your Grateful post below it's a blog hop .Please add a link back to Maxibella in your post. Blog hop to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.

 ♥ Never miss a post

Prayers for Tony

The gorgeous Lori @ Lori-RRSAHM is asking for your prayers.
Her beloved husband Tony is critically ill in intensive care fighting for his life.
I don't know any more details.
I can only imagine how terrified Lori is right now.
I really can. (without going into details).
If you would like to help - go here and read more & join this special FYBF blog hop.
There is a donation widget on a quite a few blogs already if you are financially able to give a few $.
I am off to donate blood but I'll try to add the widget later.



♥ Never miss a post

The Perfect Gift

Australian Red Cross Blood Service has launched a new and innovative Christmas campaign with the tagline “The Perfect Gift”. The focus of this campaign is to get people to consider giving something that will really make a difference this Christmas by donating blood and giving the gift of life.

There is a dedicated page where users can watch and share “The Perfect Gift” TVC. They can also print out and personalise a specially made “The Perfect Gift” gift box which they can put together and give to friends, family and colleagues bringing this digital campaign into the real world.

My dear Dad (~2005) during his treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia received countless life saving blood donations. I am forever grateful to those people who gave him this gift that allowed us to have him in our lives longer.

Ivy also needs your gift ...

This beautiful ballerina "Ivy"(5yrs) is one of many special people who have received the gift of life thanks to people who donate blood. Ivy receives a transfusion of IVIG every 3 weeks.

THERE'S NO BETTER GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS THAN GIVING LIFE.

Stuck for the perfect Christmas gift? Why not give something that will really make a difference. This year, give something life-saving and donate blood. Every donation saves three lives. To find out how to give the perfect gift, visit http://www.donateblood.com.au/blood-service-campaign/the-perfect-gift?sourceId=PGBL

1. Make an appointment to donate blood 13 14 95 or online
2. Print the PDF gift box on the ARCBS website (see above).
3. Write a personal note inside , talk to your family & friends about donating blood.
   

The hard facts: (AUSTRALIA)

• Every donation can save three lives.
• Every donation is valuable because 1 in 3 Australians will need blood, yet only 1 in 30 donates.
• The need for blood is constant and all blood components have a limited shelf life, which is why donations are needed every day. Blood and blood treatments are delivered to hospitals around Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on Christmas Day.
• Australia needs over 26,000 blood donations every week to save lives and to meet the need of patients.
• Donations made in December could help patients recover to be home for Christmas or the New Year.

Editted to add ...Please keep Ivy in your thoughts & prayers today as she is having surgery.

♥ Never miss a post

I'm not ready

I feel a bit unmotivated today.
All around me is chaos because we were away at the farm for 4-5 days. I don't quite know where to start ...

• on the washing & folding

• or general cleaning

• or tidy the rest of the mess & crap boxes from having de cluttering in progress

• or to go shopping for food (we are out of everything)
  

• or to the library (to collect my reserved book)
  

• or to walk my butt off on the treadmill (because I ate too much on the weekend and I feel very sluggish)

• or save water my precious wilting roses with Seasol . I tried to transplant a few from ~Charlotte's~ garden. (The garden I know I'm feeling heartbroken about leaving, already. I accept it has to happen but it makes me sad to think about it)

• or just mopp about some more and eat more chocolate... I think not eating chocolate at the moment is going to one the harder challenges.

• or pick up the 101 toys scattered about.

Nah ...nothing grabs me. I promise I will get to them in time.

I am unrepentant about doing nothing much but updating a few things on my blog, leaving a few comments and a little tweeting... while my DH is away catching up on a few work errands.

I did actually manage to do some monthly business accounts earlier this morning and send a few business emails.

I'm getting closer to finalising my Day zero 101 list.
I found this goal generator which will help me get started and a few other ideas to keep track of my projects/actions.

I just decided I must add a blog reading action to my 101 in 1001. My goggle reader must be ready to explode. It doesn't help I've added a dozen new Aussie blogs recently. I just wish I had more than 5 mins to read them all.

NEWSFLASH - my or rather 'the boys' DVD prize from Me & Boo arrived home by Daddy mail a short time ago (lucky I was working on a work email at the time). I can't wait to watch it with them .... another good excuse for a sit down later !!!

Tomorrow I have a plan of action ... I'm off to donate plasma again. This I feel passionately about because of Ivy the daughter of my friend Tiff @ Three Ring circus.

I'll be around to visit your blogs soon too and have a quiet cuppa while I catch up on your news creativity & writings.

♥ Never miss a post

Daffodil day

It's daffodil day today ...

with one in two Australians diagnosed with cancer by 85, there’s every chance your life will be affected. No matter who you are, Daffodil Day is for you.

& for all humnaity.

We want to defeat cancer ...
Together we can do it.
Please support those that need it. One planet One life, Give another person and family a chance to hope.
Fathers, brothers, mothers,sisters, children like Dainere (read her awe-inspiring story at Cate Bolt's)
The day , just over 3.5 months ago, my husband was diagnosed with malignant cancer was one of the worst ever. It is something I hope no family has to experience. I cannot begin to explain how it has affected us.
Yesterday, too was the 5th Anniversary since I lost my Dad to side effects of Leukemia ...a blood cancer.

Make a donation , buy some Daffodils, buy bears, balls or a pen ...



Even go donate blood ...that's were I am off to right now.
The majority of donated blood approx 34% goes to people with cancer and blood diseases.
♥ Never miss a post

Superheros

Do you remember as a child watching the Superhero cartoons ?
Do you remember wanting to be a superhero and save a life or two ?
To fight the villians with your super powers ?
Well you can ...

We recently inherited this Superman Doll (sadly only one so if anyone has a spare) and it has become J's favourite.Though I have no idea how he knows Superman ?

Today I wanted to save a few lives ... but the blood bank was booked out (yay)- so I made an appointment for Tuesday. I wanted to share some information on what I value in my life donating blood. How we can all be heros (or she-ros*) and use our superpowers to donate blood or plasma.

So do something heroic today and give blood - take this quiz if you are Australian to find out if you are eligible.

how is your blood used ?

Other blood components including plasma and platelets are also
vital. Plasma is used in bleeding patients, for children and adults with immune
disorders, and to prevent some complications of pregnancy. Platelets are used to
manage bleeding in surgical patients and cancer, including leukaemia.

When you consider that blood components have a shelf life; up to five
days for platelets, 42 days for red cells and up to one year for plasma - its
easy to understand why the need for blood is constant

My Dad (RIP~2005) required many blood /platelet transfusions throughout his battle with Leukemia. There are so many products made from blood and plasma.One of them IVIG helps children with immune deficiencies like Ivy to stay well.

IVIG contains the pooled IgG immunoglobulins (antibodies) extracted from the plasma of over 300 blood donors.(read more on wikipedia)

When I go for the plasma donation Tuesday it will take a little longer but the red cells are returned and just the plasma is used instead. You can donate plasma more frequently 2-4 weeks. It can also be stored longer and is used to make more blood products.

Do you donate blood?
So what are you waiting for - won't you ' Drop some red' ...or if you don't qualify you can spread the word and encourage others who can.

I am very thankful for the Australian Red Cross Bood Service... though I 'd rather never to need it.
2009 is the Year of the Blood Donor and 2009 marks 80 years of blood services in Australia.It was National Blood Donors week till today ...better late than never.You can read more stories here

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 85% Spider-Man 75% Robin 70% Iron Man 60% Supergirl 55% Batman 50% Hulk 45% The Flash 40% Catwoman 35% Wonder Woman 30% Green Lantern 30%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Ps This was a coincidence !

*Do you think woman could be called She-ros ?
♥

Never miss a post

There is a pair in there ,Seven Random facts and You've got a friend

There's a pair in there ... can you see ?



Today,I want to give thanks for all my old and new friends .I'm feeling nostalgic and Christmasy

You've Got A Friend---Carole King,Celine,Gloria,Shania


Well I have been tagged a few times now by this 7 random facts meme by many friends

1. Today two years ago we found out ... there's a pair in there.We knew we had two embryos but an early scan the previous week only showed only one heartbeat. My heart was beating so fast and loud I thought I was going to explode... with joy!
2. When I was in 6th class my teacher, Miss Edwards used me to send love notes to her boyfriend - an old and balding teacher Mr Rees .I read one can't remember the gooey stuff but it was signed off ...xx your humble cookie, Jan ! (Miss Edwards if you are reading this I am sorry).I am amazed I can remember this.
3. The first computer I used was at about 14 -15 I am not sure of the brand since I googled that the Commodore 64 (I thought it was this but wasn't released till 1982 and I was 16 then) and I thank my dad for introducing us to home computers.
4. I've donated blood since I was 18yrs old ... 26 times or 12.22 litres approximately. (sometimes with a huge gap in years due to various reasons).
5. Since July 2006 - I have been breastfeeding/pumping breast milk for twins at approximately 530 days @ minimum of 1 litre (but I know it's more that is over 530 litres or over half a tonne of milk. Litre is also slightly more than one U.S. liquid quart and slightly less than one Imperial quart or the less common U.S. dry quart.
6. I met my husband on a radio making program 19 yrs ago .Today marks the day I returned from my 1100km bike ride from Melbourne to Sydney in 1988 - desperately wanting to wrap my arms around him but I didn't (or did later because he wasn't at finish to greet me - boohoo) .It was our 1 month anniversary of 'going out' and 2 month anniversary of our first blind date.
7. I love hugs .I think free hugs program would start a revolution ... ( would you be brave enough to do this ?)
   

Your turn - I am supposed to tag 7 people but I think lots of people have already done this - if you are reading this and haven't been tagged tell me and I will link you here - go on I promise it is fun. It is all about linking up with friends too.

Hey Amy, Kim ,Melbo ... have you done this meme ?
hey - you have got to see the song below - the best version of the 12 days of Christmas ever ...