THE NOTE II

Today it is raining in Detroit. I have a boatload of work and a husband recovering from surgery. A sassy husband. He's very funny when he's lying on his back in pain. He's been cracking me up with his sarcasm all morning.

So it's a good day to catch up on some videos that I have been meaning to watch. I'm able to multi-task--working on web design, waiting on my husband and watching a movies. Today I've seen "Seven Pounds" and "The Note II". And I'm out of Kleenex.

My husband claimed he had NO interest in watching "The Note II", but he is in too much pain to complain about it. (He's a liar by the way, because I think he was more into the movie than me!) The movie stars Genie Francis and Ted McGinley. It will be released on DVD on May 5. I never saw the first "Note" but I enjoyed this movie anyway.

Genie Francis is a newspaper columnist who is facing a lot of challenges, as is her love interest. It's all kind of normal--job stuff, kid stuff and relationship stuff--that you confront when you reach a certain age. But is this case the ordinary becomes extraordinary. I don't want to give away too much because there are quite a few twists and turns, but in the end it's one of those inspiring movies that makes you reflect on your own life and your own values. I found it very peaceful to watch, even though I shed a few tears along the way!

If your mom is into inspirational love stories (like I am), she'd really enjoy this movie. I don't think it's a coincidence that it is being released in time for Mother's Day!

bCAUSE

I am gettin' it done today.

Here's the latest website I'm working on. It's for the bCause Marketing Group in Tampa FL.

I'm working with designer Bev Ostrom.

One of the great things about web design is that my clients are from all over the country and I do my stuff in my living room! Technology is wonderful.

The other great thing, besides the convenience, is all the wonderful people I get to meet. This project, like so many of the things I work on is a GOOD idea, for a GOOD cause, put forth by GOOD people.

BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND

My husband had his gall bladder removed on Tuesday. What was supposed to be an "easy" surgery didn't go quite as planned. The doctor said he's barrel chested--whatever that means-- and he had a hard time getting to the gall bladder. He was supposed to make 3 small incisions and I swear John's belly looks like a pin cushion. He's OK though. Sleeping on the couch as I type.

I have quite a bit of work to do today, and the house is quiet so I am catching up on some DVDs I have to review, while John sleeps and I type.

First video I watched was Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield of the Mind". Now I have never heard of her, but John recognized her immediately from television.

Of course, I'm interested in the DVD topic--positive thinking. When I saw Joyce, well I thought this might be a little preachy for my taste. To be honest she reminded me of my scary high school English teacher who terrified all her students but who taught us so much. The teacher who forced us to focus.

The video is pretty terrific. Joyce has so much good advice and how to think and believe in yourself. How to be in charge of your life. How to be merciful. How to be patient. And how to listen. How to hear God's voice. If you can get past her gruff demeanor and just listen to her and open your heart to her message, I think you can really be enlightened.

(John just blurted out--with eyes closed--"She's annoying, isn't she?" I disagree!)

ALASKA

I just purchased tickets to Anchorage, Alaska for this summer.

We are trying to travel to all 50 states by the time Dylan graduates from high school!

After Alaska, we just have Hawaii left. (We saved the best for last!)

THE STORY WITH DICK GORDON

I was on The Story with Dick Gordon last night. If you missed it you can find it in the archives at : www.thestory.org

HAPPY EARTH DAY

Malcolm Rands is New Zealand's "ecoman". In a USA interview he talks about permaculture, regeneration and the quest to rid the world of nasty chemicals.

Check out www.ecostoreusa.com.

MAKE ART AND FEED THE HUNGRY

Check out this super cool website.

http://www.breadartproject.com/

Make a piece of toast and feed the hungry.

It's quite simple. Now go! Do it!

FRESHAIR.ORG

You can give a child the experience of alifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund!

Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities. Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.

Check out this video and go to http://www.freshair.org/ to learn more.

SPEAKABOOS.COM

I had the pleasure of interviewing Noelle Millholt the associate publisher of one of the coolest kids' websites EVER--speakaboos.com.

Noelle is still in her twenties and is not a mother, and YET, she was able to develop a website that both parents and kids love.

Speakaboos is an interactive website aimed at children aged 3 to 8. Celebs like John Krasinski ("The Office"), Kevin Bacon and Kelly Ripa provide the audio to fables and nursery rhymes that children can listen to while watching illustrations. But that's not all, they can then play games, print illustrations and color them, or even record their own stories.

Noelle says she developed the site when she noticed that while there are quite a few sites geared toward kids, few of them are educational. So she worked with teachers to develop Speakaboos. As a result, teachers are some of its biggest fans. There are worksheets, story guides and arts and crafts for use in the classroom in one link, and similar information for parents in another.

Did I mention that the site is absolutely graphically stunning too? It's so colorful and the illustration is beautiful.

The site generates revenue by selling mp3s of the audio found on the site. You can purchase individual tracks or purchase an entire album. At least fifteen percent of Speakaboos' profits are contributed directly to charities supporting children’s causes.

WILLIE IS CONFIRMED

Today was a beautiful day. Sunny. Warm. The tree in our front yard has buds.

It was perfect weather for the Earth Expo. I got to follow New Zealand's Ecoman, Malcom Rands, with a camera and a microphone. Joe Johnson from CMN helped me out. So I got some quality time with two of my favorite men in the whole world.

But the BIG news today is Willie made his Confirmation. His Godparents were both able to attend, so it was special. It was a little weird that after Mass my father-in-law was in the parking lot giving my sister-in-law a gun so she can shoot a groundhog that is wreaking havoc in her yard.

THE STORY WITH DICK GORDON

I had the honor of doing an interview with Dick Gordon today for The Story on NPR. I'm not sure when it airs. The subject was how I am reinventing myself.

I got there really early. I wasn't sure about parking etc. So I was sitting in the lobby and in walks Bob Lutz the Vice Chaiman of GM. He pulls up in an Escalade. It's massive. And he has two big guys with him. And he's talking to them like I am invisible. It turns out that he's in some sort of play this weekend. Making his acting debut. I guess we ALL have to reivent ourselves in this economy.

KISS MY FACE!

I just received the most wonderful products from KISS MY FACE.

As you know it's Earth month, and I've been on a GREEN bender for several weeks. My friends April, and Lyne are enlightening me. So you can imagine my pride and delight to discover a WONDERFUL set of products that are good for me and the planet too!

Kiss My Face products combine the latest "beauty" science with ingredients and resources that are environmentally sound. I have been using the products for about a week and my skin looks great and it smells good too. (My 13-year-old even noticed!)

AND here is some great news! I have a whole set of products to give away at the Mydols concert at the Detroit Zoo on May 2. That's right it's MamapaZOOza time. Come down and see us rock and walk away with some fab products just in time for Mother's Day!

POWER MOMS!

I just finished reading "Power Moms". The timing for the arrival of this book could not have been better, as I am in the middle of a HUGE transition of becoming a work-at-home mom.

The book contains 101 stories that celebrate the power of CHOICE for stay-at-home and work-at-home moms. The essays are inspiring and give me hope that the decisions I personally am making are right for me and right for my kids.

What a wonderful book and great gift idea for Mother's Day.

I will be giving away a copy of the book at the MamapaZOOZa concert at the Detroit Zoo on May 2 as part a FREE raffle to celebrate Mother's Day. So please stop by!

SKIRT.COM

Check out my interview on www.Skirt.com.


http://www.skirt.com/node/34795

MALCOM RANDS

April and I had the honor of interviewing Malcm Rands of New Zealand yesterday. I am making a 1/2 hour documentary on him for Earth Day.

He's really an amazing individual--smart, funny, humble, inventive. I really enjoyed my the time I spent with him. I'll be following him around for about a week as he hits the local Earth Expos.

NEW WORK

New client websites in the works!

JEMSITE: GUITARS & MORE

Hey check this out I am part of the Guitar Hero series on www.jemsite.com. Check out my interview @ http://www.jemsite.com/blog/43-general/806-judy-davids.html

GILDA'S CLUB BROCHURE

I spent today working on a brochure for Gilda's Club, and taking a THREE hour test for a school I am trying to get into.

WHAT A NIGHT!

How much fun was it seeing Jay Leno at the Palace last night? He performed for 18,000 people in what was called the Comedy Stimulus Plan. The show was for folks who are laid-off. In addition to a free show, we also got free parking, soft drinks, Doritos, Pepsi products to bring home, Olga's, haircuts and carwashes. It was really heartwarming. Oh yeah and we got to see Kid Rock too. He was there. It was a beautiful thing. My sons, Dylan and Willie, loved it. Willie and I even got our picture up on the BIG SCREEN!

FOOT BATH

I have been praying like mad and finding peace with myself. In the past week, out of no where, I have picked up all kinds of interviews. I am on the MSNBC site and next week I will be on NPR. The work has been pouring in. But a wierd thing started happening. My church started calling me to volunteer. I was never one to do a lot at church and now I find myself there constantly. The kids ask why and I say Bridget asked me (she's the religious coordinator) and John always adds "Jesus signs Bridget's paycheck." So last night my whole family was working at our parish mission and a lady approached Dylan and asked him to participate in Thursday's mass by letting Father Ken wash his feet. He was MORTIFIED. I jumped in and asked if I could do it, thinking I'd get him off the hook and she said "You can do it too. We need 12 people" and then proceeded to sign us BOTH up. I thought Dylan was going to cry! But I am convinced when you ask God for something, he gives it to you, but then he asks you for something too. Now I better get a pedicure.

DAN ZANES ON MYDOLS.TV

Wensdy recently interviewed Dan Zanes for Mydols.TV. Check it out.

MISSION: THE MISSION

I am really sore. I played soccer today and it was more work than usual. Some teams just play hard. They may not have the greatest talent, but don't tell them. They play every game like it's their last. The Mydols soccer team played a team like that today and I am whipped. Sooooo much running. So much chasing the ball up and down, up and down.

After my game I hobbled up to Ultimate Soccer for Dylan's soccer game. By contrast, his pitch is 4 times as big as the one I play on and he played the whole game. It seemed effortless to him, whereas after 10 minutes of my game I wanted to lay down. Well he is 16 and I am...well I am not 16.

Tonight my whole family is headed up to St. Mary. We are on the hospitality committee and we are serving coffee and cookies. Tonight is the first night of our parish Mission. I am looking forward to working with Mona all week--greeting, and serving refreshments.

REINVENTING AMERICA

I help teach Catechism classes on Tuesday night. I assist Mrs. Shukwit and she is a big fan of the rosary. She has been teaching the kids the really formal way to pray it.

When I went to a retreat a few weeks ago I bought a rosary from the Benedictine Monks. It's very plain. Wooden beads. I started taking it with me wherever I go. It's kind of like my worry beads.

Well since I have been taking the rosary with me, and visiting the grotto at Manresa, I have had really good luck. I'm on MSNBC's website. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29878992/ I'm talking to an NPR producer next week, and I just found out I'll be on the Author's Radio show. I think when you take a deep breath and concentrate on what is right with the world, not what is wrong--you see clearer and you speak clearer.