Thank you for visiting my blog from the 2006 Blogathon.
I am no longer updating this site, but if you're looking for information on clefts, please visit The Cleft Palate Foundation. They provide information about clefts and craniofacial anomalies, parent/patient support groups, and referrals to cleft teams in your area.
The Blogathon is a collection of bloggers from around the world who stay up for 24 hours to blog for charity. Each on their own blog, each for their own charity. The date this year is Saturday, July 28 starting at 9:00 am EST and going until Sunday, July 29 at 9:00 am EST.
Participants in the Blogathon (like me) are sponsored by kind souls (like you) who support the blogger’s charity and give a few of your hard-earned dollars to a very worthwhile cause. All money pledged is paid directly to the charity. Neither the blogger nor the Blogathon gets a penny. At the successful completion of the Blogathon, sponsors receive an email telling them their blogger made it and providing the information on how to pay their pledge. It is done on the honor system so no one will hunt you down to make sure you pony up.
This is my fifth year. For the second year in a row, I am blogging for the Cleft Palate Foundation.
Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate is the most common birth defect in the United States, affecting one out of every 594 newborns. That means over 6,800 babies are born each year with these conditions.
Cleft Palate Foundation operates the CLEFTLINE - 1-800-24-CLEFT - and produces free publications. The CLEFTLINE is an 800-toll free service providing information to callers about clefts and other craniofacial anomalies. Callers can request information about cleft palate/craniofacial teams and parent-patient support groups in their local region.
Now I ask you for two things.
First and most important, I ask you for your money. I have no shame. I’m looking you right in the eyes and sticking my hand out. Please sponsor me. Dig deep into your wallet and your heart and sponsor me. Sponsor the Cleft Palate Foundation and please know that no amount is too small!
Second, I ask for 5 minutes of your time. You must register to sponsor but it’s a quick and painless process with minimal info needed and it’s worth it for the end result. You can choose to remain anonymous if you so desire and I will only know that I received an anonymous pledge.
I can’t say thank you enough to anyone who sponsors me. My gratitude runs deep for you and I appreciate your generosity more than I can express.
Thank you.
Blog: Life is a Byte
Blogging for: Cleft Palate Foundation
Sponsor Me: Click Here
Wow - it's over. I made it. I didn't do half the stuff I'd planned on, I pooped out on educating people about clefts, but that's ok. I still raised $150 for my favorite charity :)
Thank you's:
Sleep time. *snore*
I would just like to point out that I have the coolest Site Monitor in the world. Pandora has done an AWESOME job encouraging me. Blogathon peoples - she deserves a raise ;)
A few minutes ago, James said "Do you want to go to bed and let me finish things up for you? You're the one who has to lead the praise service tonight."
Now he's asleep in the living room.
And Clio is snoring her loud doggy snores at my feet.
Traitors.
(or morning)
Too cute:
1.5 hours to go. I feel so icky. Nauseous. Almost there.
I have ADD, so if I can't find your first post within 10-15 seconds of landing on your site, I'm gone. No matter how cool you are. Sorry :)
2 hours! My second wind is blowing away and I'm getting sleepy again.
A couple weeks ago, I found this cool website, fitPod:
...the online community for everything fitness and iPod. Learn about new products. Share workouts and wellness techniques. Find new music. Catch the latest iPod and fitness reviews. Create, upload, and share fitLists (fitness playlists). Connect with fellow fitPodders...
Looking at other people's fitLists is cool. Now if I can just get up the energy to put them on my iPod and EXERCISE!
2.5 hours to go! Almost there!
Erm, $105 for 120mgs?!?! It's not THAT cute
Birthday ideas for James:
So, I already mentioned Ctrl-Alt-Chicken, but another one of my favorite video podcasts is Diggnation, which reports the tops stories from Digg.com.
I just found this funny commercial for Diggnation. Alex Albrecht is ADORABLE!
Btw, I <3 YouTube.
I have to get up and take a shower, so I can lead the praise services at my church. I'm going to be dead. on. my. feet.
You know what's worse than being sleepy? Sleepy and wired.
4.5 hours til sleep.
Ironic - I'm listening to "Wake Up" by Rage Against the Machine.
Poor Dog. Can't even catch a break.
Here is some information for my dear friends, Kathy and Lisa, who are not as much of a geek as I am ;)
Internet Slang Dictionary & Translator
From WIkipedia:
Blogs
Netiquette
From How Stuff Works:
How Blogs Work
How Instant Messaging Works
How Podcasting Works
How Spam Works
I finally overcame my laziness and popped in the first Lost DVD.
After being on the computer ALL day, I'm about ready to find a nice desert island to move to for a while. Having Matthew Fox and Josh Holloway there wouldn't hurt either ;)
6.5 hours to go. Jamie is being uber quiet. Tired.
I thought my brain was mush before - now it's all like "blah blah blah blah blah".
I'm reduced to watching "War of the Worlds". Ick.
Need. More. Coffee.
This one is for Brad and Jeremy - look what you guys get to look forward to ;)
Ok, the might-as-well-be-drunk-ness beings - this is absolutely cracking me up:
This has to be one of the coolest things I've seen all night, but then again, I'm tired, so it doesn't take a whole lot to enterain me ;)
Less than 9 hours now.
I LOVE this commercial. The camera closes in on a house, where a mom is arguing with her daughter:
M:I have NOT had it up to here with you, young lady!
D:Why do you insist on treating me like an adult?
M: Because you insist on acting like one! Now you're getting this new phone.
D:But it's SO small! I really like it! Why is it always what I want?
M: Well, do you have any idea how much money this is NOT going to cost me?
D:I LOVE you
M: I know you really mean that
D: You never hated me and you never will!
M: You are the most grateful little....
I guess it loses something in translation, but still :)
Update 8/1/06: Aha - some lovely person found it for me:
Since it's something easy to blog about, here's another memory:
When I was little, my brother and I went to Florida with my grandparents. It was cool. In the middle of winter we got to swim in the hotel swimming pool! At that time, it was the coolest thing EVER. My brother and I saw a sign for a monkey zoo on the road and BEGGED to go. Once we got into the parking lot, I freaked out, because I didn't want them to think my grandfather was a monkey and keep him. He was a banana eating MACHINE.
I miss him :)
Time to break out the espresso.
Here are some random fun facts for your viewing pleasure:
I'm looking for coffee recipes. I have a nice big bag of espresso beans, chocolate syrup, Coffeemate Vanilla Chai creamer, Cool Whip, vanilla ice cream, and caramel syrup. Any ideas? I'm going to make some soon :)
A morning without coffee is like sleep. ~Author Unknown
This is too cute - I LOVE the expression on the Hippo's face!
Yay! James made me a Hamburger and fries for a really late dinner!
So now the dilemma is - I take meds before I go to bed that make me sleepy. It's not good to skip them. Do I a) Say screw it and go on without my meds - 1 day won't be THAT bad or b) Take the meds, get really sleepy, and drink a TON of espresso?
One blog I visited while surfing talked about the first memory that they can remember. Mine is still VERY clear (which is ironic, considering how AWFUL my memory is):
I remember I was about 3 and my mom was getting ready to go out somewhere. I stood in the hallway, watching her put her makeup on. I thought she was SO pretty (that thought hasn't changed ;). I distinctly remember saying, "Mommy, will I ever be as tall as you are?"
Yeah, I've passed her by ;)
Then there's the time that I was taking a bath and noticed some kind of perfumy bath stuff of my mom's. Being the genius that I was.. I thought I'd smell REALLY good if I put the perfumy stuff in the shampoo! Could never be too nice-smelling, right? Mom was not amused.
And apparently, I don't remember this, but I forced my family to sing "It's a Small World" for eight hours on the way home from Disney world. I'd scream if they stopped. Yeah, apparently I used up my loudness when I was little.
Check out Stale Betty - they're blogging for The Fallen Heroes Fund. They're doing "Mystery Cases" - kind of like trivia? If you win, you get a "For those Who Serve" bracelet. I won one! Woo Hoo!
Halfway there, btw!
If you get a chance, check out Who Wants to be a Superhero on Scifi - our friend, Tonya Kay is Creature. How cool is that?
What will they come up with next?
Now I just need a usb-powered espresso maker ;)
I had to break down and take some benedryl for my stupid allergies. When it makes me sleepy, I'll just whip some espresso, mix it with some Vanilla Chai creamer and then whip it up with some vanilla ice cream. YUM!
It's a guilty pleasure...
| You Were a Mouse |
 You are also good at discovering details and remaining in the background. |
Whoa, that actually sounds kinda right. Weird.
Since I was recently called quirky:
Your Quirk Factor: 58% |
 You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it. Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them! |
You Are 45% Normal |
 While some of your behavior is quite normal... Other things you do are downright strange You've got a little of your freak going on But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself |
In addition to the dogs and the mice that scare the crap out of me in the middle of the night, we have possums around the house.
We stuck a bag of garbage out on the porch and put up the dog gate so they don't get into it. That night, James looked out and saw a possum with some part of it's anatomy stuck in the ties of the garbage bag. At first, I was like "Leave it alone!", but then I saw the poor little guy. He was so ugly, he was cute! I grabbed a pair of scissors and bravely crept outside to cut him loose. The poor thing looked scared to death and wriggled himself free after I jiggled the bag.
He probably went back to his possum family and told the story of the big monster that was going to EAT him! Figures ;)
If I'd been REALLY mean, I would've let Pepper out ;)
Ok, I have to post some pictures of my "foster" kids, Pepper and Clio. We're taking care of Clio for my brother, who's off partying at college, and Pepper for my parents, since he's much happier with company.
Here are more pictures.
James is making me watch something about some Mac program called Quicksilver - 2 minutes before I have to post. *snore* He's not helping the cause much ;)
I think I'm giving up on the structured posting. It's not working for me today. So, for the time being, I'll just be posting whatever comes to mind.
Man, coming up with Cleft information to blog about is impossible today, for some reason. I had all these ideas last week, but they're gone today. Maybe I'm just getting old?
I guess it's a good sign that I can still stay up all night - or so I think. Eep.
(I'm WAY behind on my cleft information, bleah.)
One of my absolute favorite video podcasts right now is Ctl-Alt-Chicken. My husband calls it "A cooking show by people who don't cook". It's absolutely hilarious. Take a computer geek and his girlfriend, mix in recipes and poof - Ctl-Alt-Chicken!
Continued from the last post:
(This is why I shouldn't get involved with stuff like this... it takes too long!)
QUESTIONS:
1. Which song do you prefer, #1 or #40? Definitely #40
2. Have you ever listened to #12 continuously on repeat? no
3. What album is #26 from? Momentum
4. What do you think about the artist who did #15? She's awesome - has a nice, smooth, jazzy voice.
5. Is #19 one of your favorite songs? Not one of my absolute favorites, but it's hard to stay still when listening to it.
6. Who does #38 remind you of? Brad :)
7. Does #20 have better lyrics or music? Tough one! I guess lyrics, but it's got an awesome beat
8. Do any of your friends like #3? James likes it
9. Is #33 from a movie soundtrack? Yes - Office Space
10. Is #18 overplayed on the radio? Nope - not played enough
11. What does #21 remind you of? My short stint at college
12. Which song do you prefer, #5 or #22? Ironically, they're the same artist - but #5
13. What album is #17 from? The Reason
14. When did you first hear #39? atleast 7 years ago
15. When did you first hear #7? About 10 years ago
16. What genre is #8? Rock
17. Do any of your friends like #14? Not sure
18. What color does #4 remind you of? Red
19. Have you ever blasted #11 on your stereo? VERY often
20. What genre is #37? Christian Rock
21. Can you play #13 on any instrument? Nope
22. What is your favorite lyric from #30? It doesn't have any lyrics
23. What is your favorite lyric from #23? I don't wanna move, and I don't think I could
24. Would you recommend #24 to your friends? Yeah, it's got great harmony
25. Is #16 ever on the radio? I Wish!
27. Is #32 more of a “nighttime” or “daytime” song? Its a anytime of the day song
28. Does #36 have any special meaning to you? Just that the lead singer looks kinda like my brother-in-law
29. Do any of your friends like #31? Hell, yeah!
30. Is #25 a fast or slow song? Fast
31. Is #35 a happy or sad song? Eh - snarky?
32. What is one of your favorite lyrics from #9? Breathe into me and make me real
33. Is #34 better to listen to alone or with friends? either
34. When did you first hear #27? a year or so ago
35. Name 3 other songs by the artist who did #29: Can't take my eyes off of you, Ex-Factor
36. Do you know all the words to #6? There are no words
37. Does #28 have better lyrics or music? Both!
38. What album is #10 from? Another Journal Entry
Put your music player on shuffle
Post the first 40 songs that come up. You can repeat artists if you want. If you have any repeats, skip to the next track.
SONGS
One of the things that drives me absolutely mad is when people refer to a Cleft lip as a "hare lip". It's a very derogotory, insensitive thing to say.
Wide Smiles has a very interesting article on where the phrase comes from, and why it's so inappropriate.
"Harelip" - The Dark History of an Unfortunate Word
I really, really respect the fact that CPF and other cleft/craniofacial organizations not only help with the physical aspects, but the psychological, as well. I've heard horror stories on how kids have been teased and the affects it's had on their self-esteem.
I'm all alone now. James abandoned me to go to the store and grab lunch. Now all I have are 2 stinky, barking dogs to keep me company. AND the entirely awesome, Jamie on IM.
Digg is keeping me a little too occupied right now. There are some hilarious things on there that I can't even begin to explain.
This is WAY too funny - Gas Pump Prank
I think it is time to take a shower and get out of my pj's.
I'm starting to wish I hadn't finished watching the episodes of NCIS that I had downloaded - I had 2 seasons to catch up on, which I finished in about 2 weeks, heh.
From CPF's For the Parents of Newborn Babies with Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate:
What is Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate? A cleft lip is an opening in the lip. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. Clefts result from incomplete development of the lip or palate while the baby is forming before birth. Babies' lips and palates develop separately during the first three months of pregnancy. In most cases, the left and right parts of the lip come together, or "fuse," creating the two vertical lines on the normal upper lip. In a similar way, the left and right parts of the palate come together to create a normal palate. The front-to-back line that can usually be seen along the roof of a normal mouth indicates where "fusion" occurred.
Why Didn't Our Baby's Mouth Fully Develop? We don't know the answer to this question, but it was not because you did something wrong. Sometimes clefts run in families, and in many cases, they rely on genetic predisposition. Some clefts occur in combination with other problems and are associated with a syndrome. It was not your fault.
Scientists have learned that there are many possible causes for clefts. Research is under way to discover more about these causes.
How Many Babies Are Born with Clefts? Cleft lip and/or palate is one of the most common problems found in newborn babies. Each year in the US, over 5,000 babies are born with clefts. That is approximately one newborn in every 700 live births.
(As of January 2006, the statics have been update to 6800 babies per year and 1 in every 594 live births.)
What Can Be Done to Help Our Baby? A cleft lip can usually be repaired in the first few months of life. A cleft palate can usually be repaired some months later. The exact timing of these repairs depends on the baby's health and considerations of his or her future development, as determined by the doctor who performs the surgery.
Can Our Baby Be Fed Properly? Some babies with clefts have very few or no problems feeding, while others have more difficulty. Use of special bottles and careful positioning of the baby are sometimes helpful modifications. Your pediatrician will give you proper guidance.
Will Our Baby's Teeth Grow Properly? If the cleft affects only the lip, the teeth will probably not be affected. If the cleft affects the gums where the teeth grow, your baby will probably need the care of dental specialists.
Will Our Baby Have Trouble Learning to Talk? If the cleft affects only the lip, speech problems are unlikely. However, many children with cleft palate need the help of a speech pathologist, and some may need an additional operation to improve their speech. The goal is to help the child develop normal speech as soon as possible.
Will Our Baby Be Mentally Retarded? There is no relationship between mental retardation and cleft lip and palate. However, if the cleft is part of a cluster of other problems (a syndrome), learning ability is sometimes affected.
How Can We Pay for the Treatment Our Baby Will Need? Health insurance will pay for all or part of the necessary care. Additional financial assistance may be available from an agency in your state which is supported by your tax dollars. Your family physician can direct you to the proper agency.
How Do Other Parents Feel When Their Child is Born with a Cleft? It is natural for parents to feel upset at this time. Feelings of concern, anxiety, and grief are not unusual. Your family physician and the hospital staff members will guide you to a team of specialists who can provide you and your baby with the help you will need.
How Can We Tell Our Relatives and Friends About the Baby's Cleft? Most new parents feel that this is a difficult task. Although you may feel uncomfortable, it is important that you tell relatives and friends as soon as possible. Try to be as direct and honest as you can. Your baby is much more than his or her cleft, and everyone needs to remember that. If the people closest to you can visit while the mother and baby are still in the hospital, this is often helpful. You may want to use this booklet to answer their questions.
I Have Heard the Word "Hare Lip." What Does It Mean? The word "hare" refers to a rabbit, which has a natural indentation in the center of its lip. The term is rarely used by professionals, because it is inaccurate and insensitive. "Cleft lip" is the correct description of the condition.
How Can I Get More Information? The Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) has a number of publications for parents of children with clefts, including booklets on infant feeding, on the child from birth to four years, on the school- aged child, and on genetics.
Modern care of a child born with a cleft lip or cleft palate is best managed by a team of medical, dental, speech, and other specialists. Ask your doctor to refer you to a "cleft palate team" in your community or state, or call the number listed below to help locate one.
CLEFTLINE: 1-800-24-CLEFT
Last time, I got 70%. I haven't failed a blogathon yet!
Gah - I'm finding it hard to find Cleft information to blog about, without just copying text from other sources (giving reference, of course). If I'd been smart, I would've written down a game plan last night, but Friday night distracted me too much ;)
Here's are some great resources for families with clefts:
Just one of the many reasons why I love my husband:
me (singing): You are my joy...
james: i know!
me (singing): You are my joy...
james: i know!
me (singing): You are my joy...
james: i know!
me (singing): You are my joy!
james: i know!
God, I love that man :)
He even set up his laptop in the computer room, so he can spend time with me, while I'm blogging and he's playing Everquest. Man, it's almost like we're back in Texas ;)
The following states have laws regarding health insurance coverage for cleft lip/palate:
I stole this from Nothing Special:
Bold what you remember:
Before Sidekicks & iPods.
Before MIKE JONESSS. (Umm, who?)
Before PlayStation2 or X-BOX.
Before the 5 hours of homework you put off every night.
WHEN LIGHT UP SNEAKERS WERE KOOL.
When you rented VHS tapes, not DVDs.
When gas was $0.95 a gallon & Caller ID was a new thing.
When we recorded stuff on VCRs & paid $3.50 for a movie.
When we called the radio station to request songs to hear off our walkmans.
When 2Pac and Biggie where alive.
When the Chicago Bulls were the best team ever.
Tag.
Hide-n-Go Seek at dusk.
Red Light, Green Light.
Heads Up 7 Up.
Playing kickball & dodgeball until your porch light came on.
Hopscotch.
Slip-n-Slides.
Tree Houses.
Hula Hoops.
Skip-its.
Reading R.L. Stine’s Goose Bumps.
The annoying Nano Pets & Furbies.
Running through the sprinklers.
Crying when Mufasa died in the Lion King.
Happy Meals where you chose a Barbie or a Hot Wheels car.
Getting the privelage to sit in the front seat of the car.
Drinking Sqeeze It “Squeeze The Fun Out Of It.”
Watching Saturday Morning Cartoons in your PJ’s still wrapped up in your Garfield comforter.
Hey Arnold, Doug, Rugrats. (I do, but as an adult ;)
The original Power Rangers
The Secret Life of Alex Mac. (what happened to that show?)
Ren & Stimpy.
Double Dare.
Rocko’s Modern Life.
Ahh! Real Monsters.
Wild & Crazy Kids.
Clarissa Explains it All.
Salute Your Shorts.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
The original cast members of All That.
Kenan & Kel.
The Magic School Bus.
Flash Forward.
Pete and Pete.
Legends of the Hidden Temple.
Hey Dude. (I loved that show!)
Dinosaurs.
Pinky and the Brain.
Blossom.
Hangin’ With Mr. Copper.
Wishbone.
Bill-Nye the Science Guy.
Kablamm.
Who could forget Snick? & Nick @ Nite wiih Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie, The Facts of Life, & I Love Lucy.
Where everyone wanted to be in love after watching The Wonder Years.
Or Nick Jr. with Face.
Gulah-Gulah Island.
Little Bear.
Under the Umbrella Tree.
The Busy World of Richard Scary.
The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Kool-Aid was the drink of choice.
Wearing your new shoes on the first day of school.
Class field trips.
When Christmas was the most exciting time of year.
When $5 seemed like a million, & another dollar a miracle.
When you begged to go to McDonalds for dinner everyday.
When Toys ‘R’ Us overuled the mall.
Decisions were made by going ‘eeny-meeny-miney-moe’.
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming ‘do over!’
‘Race issue’ ment arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money issues were handled by whoever was banker in ‘Monopoly’.
It wasn’t odd to have two or three ‘best’ friends.
Being old referred to anyone over 20.
A chance to skate as a couple at the local roller rink was like winning the lottery.
Scrapes & bruises were kissed & made better.
It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the ‘big people’ rides at the fair.
When playing Nintendo was the hardest thing ever.
When Ninja Turtles ruled the world.
When Lisa Frank was the raddest thing ever.
When a candy bar at the grocery store was the highlight of your day.
When coupons collected all year could get you a prize in your class auction.
When the only thing you cried over was your mom being late to pick you up.
When stress was addition and subtraction.
When friendships were as complicated as who’s house to sleep over.
When shaving cream was just meant for play.
When a first kiss only lead to cooties.
When Valentines Day meant cards for all.
When birthdays were a class event.
When a friend moving away was the saddest day of your life.
When the summer lasted forever.
When time didn’t matter.
These were the days we hadn’t realized escaped us until it’s all brought back.
* Tom Brokaw
* Carmit Bachar
* E. Charlton Fortune
* Jürgen Habermas
* Wendy Harmer
* Doc Holliday
* Jesse Jackson
* Stacy Keach (Honorary Chairman of the Cleft Palate Foundation)
* Thomas Malthus
* Cheech Marin
* Rita MacNeil
* Blaise Winter
* Jason Robards
* Chris Fry
* Nikki Payne
* Eric Edgar Cooke
* Mark Hamill
* Research reported that pharaoh Tutankhamun had cleft palate
* President Abraham Lincoln's son Thomas Lincoln had cleft palate
Of course, I don't know if ALL of these are true. I haven't been able to find anything reputable online that says Tom Brokaw or Jesse Jackson have clefts.