Compassion

Here I am after being a shavee for a St. Baldrick‘s Foundation fundraiser for children with cancer on September 22, 2011.

A couple days ago I looked in the mirror. I desperately need a haircut. (I’ll be seeing @mafiahairdreser for that next week.) I remembered doing a fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s a couple years ago.  It got me thinking.  I am feeling the love for others. I want to do something more for such worthwhile organizations. I don’t plan to have my head shaved again for a while. I have a love for health issues and social services so probably it will be one of those. One I am considering is St. Jude. This organization gets to my heart so much! there are so many great organizations that I love! I am open to ideas if you know of any in Chicago area who need my help. I have a few websites that I will watch for good opportunities too.

This is me today.

Hugs and <3 to you,

AM

Catholics nailed to crosses on Good Friday in Philippines

Reblogged from WGN-TV:

In the Philippines, it's tradition on Good Friday for some is to actually suffer crucifixion.

This year, nine devout Catholics had themselves nailed to crosses, duplicating the passion of Jesus Christ.

Thousands of Filipinos flocked to San Fernando City in Pampanga province to witness the event.

Some 200 police were on-hand to make sure things didn't get out of hand.

Read more… 2 more words

Funeral services set for state trooper killed in crash

Reblogged from WGN-TV:

Funeral services have been set for the Illinois State Trooper killed in a car crash.

Visitation for James Sauter will be held Monday at the Hills Funeral Home at 10201 South Roberts Rd. in Palos Hills.  The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Morraine Valley Church, 6300 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights.

With heavy hearts, friends and coworkers of Sauter visited his wife Elizabeth late Friday afternoon at their Vernon Hills home-- offering whatever emotional comfort they could.

Read more… 265 more words

A very sad post. Any story of death is sad but when it involves the death of someone who tries his (/her) best to protect and help communities, perhaps it is felt a bit closer to the heart. These everyday heroes deserve the same respect and honor as our own family. They will and do anything for us. I pray for their safety, the health of those they serve, and I curse the #$%&ing idiots who don't slow, pull to the side and stop for emergency vehicles. Another sad loss of one of our emergency and safety heroes. My condolences hugs and prayers go out to this man and his family.

Yummy Easter Peeps Coffee #marshmallowpeeps

 

The makings of a marshamallow Peeps (R) coffee.

Make your favorite coffee, and gather
Peeps (R), marshmallow creme, sugar, food color, and if desired, marshmallow sprinkles.
In separate container, mix marshmallow creme with a drop of food dye.
Add to made coffee the colored marshmallow creme, sugar, marshmallow sprinkles, and top with a marshmallow
Peeps (R).
Enjoy!

I actually tried this recipe this morning and it was pretty good! Thought I would share. Happy Easter and blessings to you! 

Sorry, this photo is minus the topping awesomeness of the marshmallow Peeps. I ate them.

PS: If you are looking for a delicious and fantastic treat, you can shop for our beloved marshmallow Peeps at http://www.peepsandcompany.com/.

PPS: If you need  my address to send me a sweet gift, message me. @padschicago on Twitter, or email padschicago@aol.com.

Sleepytime

I am sooo tired! Finally heading home after what I think I would call a productive afternoon on my laptop. I spent most of my time on my various social media accounts, linking and updating. I can’t wait to arrive home and crawl in to bed. Tomorrow I will do much of the same. I am typing this on my phone while on the bus and trying to stay awake til I reach my bed. I still don’t have my phone service paid but I should be able to send this post using wifi near the bus stop by my home. Hopefully it will be turned on. Good night, my lovely tweeps, wherever you are. ♥

Words of Wisdom

Wow! Awesome catering deal by @Ramon_DeLeon Domino’s in Chicago!

Talk about #RamonWOW! Ramon just posted this on Facebook. I *had* to share! Now please don’t assume that this is a paid advertisement because it is not. I am just in love with Ramon and his pizzas. ♥ Shhh! He probably thinks its just his smile. But really, the chicken carbonara pizza, the Wisconsin six cheese pizza, and many others are so attractive! Yummmy! Plus #Lavacakes too!

Mental Chaos

Tonight my mind is succumbing to overpowering thoughts of what happened last night. I have not been able to get this memory out of my head all day. It is taking its toll on me now tonight. Too many thoughts, so many bad memories. Last night, overnight, I had a bad dream related to my PTSD. So much happened in it. And so many people. My ex-husband, my family, friends, my children’s old pediatrician (who touched me inappropriately once), and so many others. My children as well, separately and in different parts of the dream, as babies. At one point in the dream I held the corpse of my baby. Much more happened but this holds in my mind the most. Decay was already starting to settle in. I miss my children so much! I wish they knew the truth about me. I wish they would feel my love.  I need you, Kerry and Patrick.  Please, learn the real reason why I have not been able to see you for so long. I love you!

Backpack Envy

I still feel like a homeless person. I have no money and no income with an SSDI case pending. Once a person is forced to live on the streets and in shelters, you never forget that life. There is compassion and a comradery for others experiencing homelessness. And you never forget. Many times, when I could, I have given food and water, and pulled a homeless person in from the rain for a cup of coffee–this including while I was homeless myself.

I have been #NoLongerHomeless since April 7, 2011. I am now living at Marah’s, a permanent housing program of Deborah’s Place. This organization gives shelter and housing to homeless women. In my location there are thirty of us residing. Without this having been offered to me, I would be on the street not knowing where my life was headed. And I still don’t forget. My mind is now wired to think about homelessness issues. To this day not only do I offer to help and feed the homeless if I can, but I still think like a homeless person. I truly suffer “backpack envy” when I see a really awesome backpack that would have been a great for me when I was homeless. Believe me, I was known around town for my backpacks! I would pack whatever I could inside. My pack was actually weighed a few times. Its heaviest known weight was about 72 pounds. I walked everywhere from town to town carrying that thing on my back. Often times I would have an extra bag for any foods I could get. Sometimes I carried yet another bag–a sleeping bag or blankets. Without trying in my walk tonight I found several places where I might set up camp at night if I was still homeless. Some places were occupied. Its an automatic thought to think like i am still homeless–like backpack envy–because, I will never forget. My brain is too hard wired now on the subject of homelessness. I wish I could do more to help.

The Cure For Boredom

One day last week I was bored out of my mind.

I even posted that I was bored on Facebook and Twitter:

#Bored #Bored #Bored #Bored #Bored #Bored #Bored #Bored #Bored #Bored#Bored #Bored #Bored

— AnnMarie Walsh (@padschicago) June 16, 2012

I played computer games. I tweeted. I Facebooked. I watched TV. Nothing I did peeked my interest. And then…it happened.

@Ramon_DeLeon commented on my Facebook post.

Ramon De Leon LMK when you can stop in….pizza will solve this

June 16 at 2:06pm via mobile · Unlike · 1

I thought long and hard looking at the menu on my Domino’s pizza app on my android phone. I wanted something different that I hadn’t tried yet. It didn’t take long before I found the first course of my order: Chicken And Bacon Carbonara Artisan Pizza.

After drooling over the pizza’s description I scrolled down to the breads. It hit me! I spied the Stuffed Cheesy Bread With Spinach And Feta. Second course discovered!

I needed something to wash it all down so I also asked for a diet Coke to drink.

I picked up the pizza and tried the first bite at the bus stop. Oh! My! God! It was so delicious!!! The Chicken And Bacon Carbonara Artisan pizza sent me straight to heaven. The team at Ramon’s Domino’s store at 3103 N. Clark in Lakeview area of Chicago crafted perfection!! Well, I let a couple buses go by without boarding so I could enjoy a little more of this awesomeness. The Stuffed Cheesy Bread With Spinach And Feta was equally as amazing! Just take a look at all the spinach and feta stuffed cheesy bread in this pic of it!

To top things off, #lavacakes were included in my feast. Sweet, gooey, sinful chocolate decadence. Delicious any time of the day–including breakfast.

(Added memo: Lavacakes are a perfect gift for any woman suffering from PMS.)

This was such an awesome experience! I think I have a new favorite pizza and cheesy bread. ☺

Overall rating: ★★★★★