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My little 'Cover Girl'

Taylor made the cover of the Compass! And so did her little friend Maebel!



Visit The Compass Online

Christmas is coming early in Charlestown

Laurie Kathryn's Butterfly Dance

I finally managed to find Dee (Laurie's Mom) today so I could snag some fliers for this wonderful event they host every year so I can finally share the info.

Laurie Kathryn Hassett died on July 4th, 2006. She was 3 years old. News travels fast around here and I learned about it within minutes of it happening and I just about had a break down when I heard the news. Ashtyn was 2 months and some days old and I was still very post pardom crazy. Just hearing that someone lost their baby ripped me in two. I didn't even know Dee then, and I never met her beautiful little girl, but just knowing that a mother lost her child, it was more than I could take. It has been three years and I still get teary when I think of their loss. On a slightly more positive side, Laurie helped me realize my "loss" was not a loss at all and the little picture I have of her on my fridge reminds me everyday to love and cherish every second with my girls, even the very very bad seconds. Now, every year, the Hassett's host a Butterfly Dance in memory of their precious little girl. And now that I've shared a little piece of the story, and why I feel so compelled to share this with everyone, here's the flier and info:

(Click the pic for a larger view)


Patch Park in Charlestown, NH (I have linked the map to Charlestown Ambulance because even though it shows Patch Park on the map, mapquest doesn't think it has its own address.....its the same place)

Donations are accepted (recommended $10 for adults). Hope to see everyone there.... and kids, don't forget your wings.

SHrINE ON's Thank you from Shriners Hospital

SHrINE ON SPRINGFIELD

Some how, no one knew or informed us of Springfield having their alumni parade at the same exact day, same exact time, starting at the same exact location as our walk for Shriners. I was really kinda mad about not knowing due to the fact there were some Shriners at the parade!! That, and the fact that a couple of walkers drove down from Burlington to join us and couldn't find us due to NBC's parking lot being full of floats! And the traffic detour crew weren't going to let our water guy return to our location when he returned from the store. Aside from all the headaches and hassles and changes in plans, we pulled it off. The weather was awesome! And we all walked and sweat and sweat some more and then headed back to Ron and Sue's for a celebratory cookout and refreshing swim in the pool. And we raised a decent amount for a very quickly thrown together event. And no help what-so-ever from any of the sources I had sought out for publicity...... you know who you are....and if you don't, you will...... All the things that worked against us this year were good though. It has shown me things I need to plan for and take into consideration for next year. I'm still hemming and hawing about a motorcycle run this year but I'll have to see how things go still..... that might take a lot more preparation than I can give. So far, we collected $1392 and some change...(2 donations were done online....and are basically separate from our collections...but I am still counting them due to they were because of our SOS fundraiser). This collection is potentially incomplete at this time as we have a few people who have asked to still give a donation, but were unable to do so by Friday, and since I'm not going to Shriners until July 8th, I told those people to just get it to me by the 7th, so I'm hoping they come through. I also have a 50 gallon trash bag full to the spilling point of nickel cans that I still have to recycle and will be adding that money to the pot. And we also received a lot of "goods" donations. Between the stickers, the banner and the shirts, that was about 500 dollars worth of stuff. And Ron and Sue spent a ton on food for our post-walk party. We also collected about 6-7 pounds of soda can tabs!!!! That's an insane amount of tabs. I am sad we only collect $1400, but considering we just did another charity drive 8 weeks ago and this one was planned and pulled off in 5 weeks, I'm definitely thrilled we were able to collect what we did. I may have also stumbled upon a corporate sponser for SHC too. There is a company near me that is looking for a new charitable organization to donate to....we are currently looking into it and I'm hoping for the best. I will keep everyone updated as I learn more. Thank you to everyone who walked, everyone who donated and thank you Shriners Hospital for Children.

Taylor's Shriners Fundraiser Update

Saturday is almost here!!!!!

This is the email update I sent out to the people I have add's for.... for all of you I don't have....here it is.......

Mother nature is a crazy creature. The weather forecast was saying 86+ for Saturday and totally gorgeous, now its 79 with a chance of thunder showers. So I'm not really sure what to expect at this point..... if its nice out Sue has volunteered her backyard for a cookout and swimming....... I have 5 pack-n-plays if needed for kiddo's as I know naptime might cause some issues with a post walk gathering...but I can't change the weather so if its cruddy then....I don't know. I guess I'd say if anyone is interested,bring some swimables and towels just in case it is nice. I also have a little blow up pool for the little ones. If anyone has any ideas for a backup gathering if the weather is not in our favor, please share it. Please keep your fingers crossed that the weather stays nice on Saturday. And thank you all for helping with this fundraiser. It really means a lot.

SHrINE ON update

The support and donations are coming at us like wild fire. Some shirts and car stickers have been donated. The monetary donations are still coming strong and I'm dying to know what everyone has raised so far but I want to wait until the end so you all have to wait too......We've got tons of soda tabs....although I found out it takes a whole lot more than I thought to make 1 pound.... a coffee can full.... holy crap!!! And the word is getting out there. I've uploaded the flier to a few local news channels and I just wrote in to the local paper. So hopefully we get some feed back from them. I have a bunch more local businesses to talk to and hopefully I get some donations from them. This is such a good cause.....I wish I had realized what the Shriners did for people before I needed them to help my little girl....I would have started this years ago. I'm just so happy people are willing to help. Thank you everyone who has or is continuing to help us with this wonderful cause.

Another day, a better outlook

I'm impatiently awaiting next Friday. I want to run until I can't run anymore. I can not wait to get my butt up north and be surrounded by trees, trees, more trees, and no route 12. Yes, I'm talking about CAMP! It will be a short visit but well worth the 2 1/2 hour drive. I'm so giddy to sit my tushy on the new FLUSHING toilet. GOOD BYE OUTHOUSE!!!!! Just to be out of town for a few days.... I'm salivating... I'm so excited. No computer. No phone. Just the kids (and only MINE), some family, friends and atv's. and S'mores. Campfires. A pig roast. I need a vacation and I totally need camp ASAP.

Aside from my camp adventure excitement. Shrine On Springfield collections are still rolling in. I still have really no idea what to expect at the walk, which makes me nervous but in all actuality, it doesn't matter to me how many people show, I know I'll be there, and I know what I've collected for Shriners so far, and I'm beyond thrilled to be able to hand it over to them and know that I did what I could and it helped...even if only a little, it still helped. And next year, I will try harder and bigger and better.

Other fundraisers for Shriners

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