@padschicago's blog

Compassion

padschicago — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:50:02 +0000

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,

Filed under: advocacy, charities, Health, Personal, Uncategorized Tagged: advocacy, cancer, Cancer research, charity, Chicago, fundraisers, fundraising, Health, St. Baldrick's Foundation, St. Jude

Thanks, Mom

padschicago — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:47:28 +0000

I sit here drinking my coffee, waiting for it to energize me. It’s bitter but has grown on me over the years. Of course it is even better with cream and chocolate! I remember my first cup of coffee. I absolutely profoundly LOVED it! I hadn’t known about mochas and frappacinos(sp?) back then. It probably tasted so good simply because I was stealing it from someone I love. After that first cup of coffee it was many years before I drank it again. Maybe it was because of people’s shocked reactions and laughter, I don’t know. You see, I was only about four years old and stole that cup of coffee from my mom when she wasn’t looking. She was helping a customer at my dad’s business back then, Bob’s Campers. I don’t know if my mom remembers that day but I do. Thanks, Mom, for making coffee that day.

Filed under: Personal Tagged: coffee, memories, moms

Catholics nailed to crosses on Good Friday in Philippines

padschicago — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:58:26 +0000

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.

Funeral services set for state trooper killed in crash

padschicago — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 14:47:18 +0000

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.

Yummy Easter Peeps Coffee #marshmallowpeeps

padschicago — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:22:55 +0000

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.

Filed under: links, Uncategorized Tagged: candy, coffee, Easter, holidays, marshmallow, Peeps, recipes

Sleepytime

padschicago — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 03:30:06 +0000

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. ♥

Filed under: Personal, Uncategorized

Words of Wisdom

padschicago — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:17:17 +0000

Filed under: Quotes, Uncategorized Tagged: quotes

Can a day be any better?!

padschicago — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:58:42 +0000

I have been very tired and took a lazy, sleepy morning, finally leaving home at lunchtime. I immediately recognized the sure sign that despite my late start, it was a great day! As soon as I got outside I saw a @Ramon_DeLeon Domino’s delivery being made to a home across the street. (Obviously a sign from God, as the sun shone down on the pizza delivery besides.) I smiled. BIG. I wanted to post a picture to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram…(you know the drill), but sadly, quite sadly, my phone has been uncharged because the USB charger cord broke. Ramon has been so awesome to help offer food to the homeless and those who live in the shelter at @DebsPlaceChi with me, I can’t help but think of him and smile when I see a pizza delivery. So before heading to the bus stop, I walked to @OfficeDepot by my home in Lakeview, Chicago. I went straight back to look at the phone chargers and price them out. And maybe do some dreaming. I checked out the clearance sale section too. I’m a smart woman and refuse to leave a store (especially a “toy store” like Office Depot) without checking all sales. Naturally, I wrote a mental wish list of everything I’d love to have. Anyway, I decided to test my luck. I spoke to the Office Depot store manager. I wish I paid better attention to his nametag! I explained my situation, being unemployed, living at a nearby shelter, and in desperate need of a new charger cord for my phone. I offered to trade gift cards for multiple stores or make any arrangement possible to get one. He gave me a new one, no cost or anything. He said that he had an extra. I damn near jumped and gave the man a hug and a kiss on the cheek! LOL! I sincerely cannot thank this manager enough! Honestly, the same goes for @Ramon_DeLeon. I have been moody sometimes and not blogging as I was, I’ve been slower to mention how greatly I — how greatly WE at Deborah’s Place / Marah’s — appreciate his kindness in delivering pizzas to us. So surely, seeing the Domino’s delivery near my home today was a sign that the day could only be better? That the world is filled with the kindness of others. We just have to ask. I admit, that is something that I am still working on. I have always tried to be very independent and hate to ask for help. While homeless, I began to learn new social skills. One of which, includes asking for help. I am still learning this one. It is okay to ask help. I don’t like to get something for nothing. I feel the gratitude and pay from my heart, if nothing else. I appreciate what my followers and others have done to help myself and others. Many a time, someone’s generosity has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, @Ramon_DeLeon, the manager at @OfficeDepot in Lakeview, Chicago, @mafiahairdreser, @Superdawg, and so many others for all your kindness and help. <3 My phone service is still temporarily suspended because I couldn't pay the monthly bill, but having the new charging cord is a fresh start to getting it back on! I can now charge the phone, use my contacts and calendar to schedule appointments, and use email and make free phone calls on wifi. I am happy!!!!!!!

Filed under: #RamonWOW, advocacy, charities, Homelessness, Personal, Social Media Tagged: #RamonWOW, Chicago, customer, depot, homeless, office, service, shelter

I don’t know.

padschicago — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 02:37:57 +0000

I’m sorry for the lack of posting. Due to some things in life and some people who read my blog, I discourage myself from posting about stuff sometimes. I don’t really want to post tonight but feel that I really must apologize for not being as active. I have moods, I am good, I am bad; and today, I just don’t know. Today I am one kind of effed up. It’s hard to explain at the moment. I’m really not sure what to say about things. There is some PTSD involvement. Something happened today that has me kind of scared about what could happen. I am afraid to say what about because of who it involves and how. I thank God for friends though and some advice I have received last week about one issue. I think there have been consequences to my involvement in something (worthy) and, well, I don’t know. I don’t understand why and how someone would treat me the way they did today. But I think I can guess. I am guessing that it could be because I tried to help someone, and someone else got scared. I can’t explain now.

The service on my phone is temporarily suspended because of lack of income, but also my charger frayed a couple days ago so I can’t really use it anyway. So because of this, I no longer have internet access. I will visit a local free public wifi spot on my laptop sometimes to try and catch up. If you send me an email, tweet, or any other communication, please don’t expect a quick reply. Also, the phone number listed on my page as (312) 725-8373 is a Google Voice number accessed through the internet, so it is available and you may text or leave a message on it and I will receive the message when I come online. It is NOT my actual cell number! Though when my cell service is in service again, I have a Google android phone and calls to this Google number will then go through to my cell again as well. I am surviving the phone issue for now, though I am missing a lot of tweet and status update opportunities. Not to mention check ins on Foursquare and other social media. Thanks, folks.

And to a certain relative of mine: Don’t worry about me!

Filed under: Personal Tagged: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Virgin Mobile

Watch “Everybody Should be Treated the Same” on YouTube

padschicago — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 04:39:43 +0000

Filed under: advocacy, charities, Homelessness, Videos Tagged: Chicago, homeless, homelessness, Pads, poverty, shelters, stigma, video