I met Mike Wolf (from the Stow Company) and Molly Gold (from Go Mom) last year at the Type-A-Parent. conference

I got to know them better when I asked them to get involved in the Love Drop for a little girl with a brain tumor and they leaped on board with both feet to help her family.

I was so grateful for their big hearts. Their incredible generosity on behalf of this family.

Then in late fall of 2011 they emailed me.

When they told me that they’d picked my family to be the recipient of the Organized Give I was stunned.

It was on the tip of my tongue to argue that there are those in much more need of organization help.

The tip of my tongue shriveled up when I found out that as part of the Organized Give they’ll donate to the charity of my choice.

As a board member of Violence Unsilenced and knowing the phenomenal work done there to give a voice and support to survivors of all kinds of abuse, I HAD to accept a wonderful gift.

TOUGH JOB.

So, to explain more about the Stow Company and the Organized Give watch these:

For every person who will “LIKE” their facebook page the Stow Company will donate $1 to Violence Unsilenced. up to $3000 dollars. (ends 2/15 so HURRY!!)(please take the time to click over)

Thank you, Stow Company.

Thank you Mike, Adrienne and everyone at Stow that’s making this happen.

That you, Barbara, the Atlanta ORG designer who designed our handicap-accessible storage options. (oh wait till you SEE what they are going to make happen!!)

Thank you, Molly, for just being you.

Thank you, Mayhew family, for giving me something to fight for.

Well…

So, let’s get down to what I like to call “Anissa’s Rules of Engagement”

• I can’t see you when I’m moving or far away – This might be partially fixed by the eye-surgeries I’m scheduled to have but chances ARE that if you are left thinking “GOD, what a bitch! I waved and she didn’t wave back.”I COULDN’T SEE YOU. Because of the eye weakness (that the surgery is supposed to help fix) I have, I have trouble focusing on anything that is moving. THEN! Because the muscles spasm in my right eye (another surgery), everything is always moving.
• I have trouble hearing when there is a lot of background noise – My hearing aide is supposed to help fix this when I get it. But the reason I avoid loud/noisy places is because I can’t hear at all. I spend a lot of time in hallways and outside of things because of the noise. Not because I don’t want to talk to you. If I AM in an area where you’re surprised to see me, I probably have earplugs in, AND CAN’T HEAR SH*T. If you want to have a conversation of any substance, you’ll wait till I can hear. Otherwise, I’ll nod and smile A LOT.
• You may not have expected it but I have a speech problem - I talk wonky, quieter and my throat gets dry very easily. Things come out of my mouth that probably shouldn’t.  But I don’t think I can blame that on the strokes.
• The wheelchair is like a really big scarf – feel free to compliment me on it, ask to borrow it, if you have any questions the kids named the new wheelchair Bertha.
• I won’t break – people hug me, sit in my lap. step on my feet, knocked my arm off the wheelchair…but get between me and the coffee and I will report you to security as someone who mugs the handicapped. NO LIE.

Seriously, that’s really it.

What you have read or tweeted is pretty much what you get.

<sarcasm>I know you’re thrilled by that.</sarcasm>

I don’t mean I’m glad I had strokes. And I definitely could have waited years before becoming handicapped.

But if I was going to have strokes, I’m glad that I got to have some of the experiences I did FIRST.

I got to walk down the aisle to my husband.

I wrapped both my arms around my babies.

I danced countless night with my friends.

I’ve driven on the beach in a convertible.

I have a water balloon fight out in the woods.

I’ve done a keg-stand.

I’ve emulated Tom Hanks and performed “Chopsticks” at F.A.O. Schwartz.

I moved into  houses and apartments.

I did the “Walk of Shame”.

I actually went swimming when I put a bathing suit on.

I didn’t want to be in this wheelchair, but at least I know I took every opportunity life gave me.

Now we’re making a new kind of memory.

They’re still awesome.

**********************************

Over at Babble I wrote about 5 ways we make movie time interesting.

No, there are no directions on how to make your kids stay in place.

photo credit

If you’re REALLY SMART and that’s true, you won’t tell me about it.

I would hate to loose control of my wheelchair and run over you. Guilt makes it hard to enjoy the holidays.

Whether or not you have present shopping to do, you have a chance to make some fabulous pre-BLACK-FRIDAY-MAKE-IT-OUT-ALIVE savings at Sears’ Friends & Family Night on Sat 11/13 from 6-9pm, in-store.

For real!

You can save:

• 25% off *Regular, Sale and Clearance Lands’ End Clothing & Footwear
• 20% off *Regular, Sale and Clearance clothing for the family, Intimate apparel and accessories
• 15% off *Regular, Sale and Clearance Fine Jewelry, Footwear, Bed & Bath, Window Fashions, House wears, luggage and Ready-to-assemble Furniture.
• 10% off *Regular, Sale and Clearance Watches, Fragrance, Cosmetics, Appliances, Fitness, Game room, Sporting Goods, Lawn & Garden, Outdoor Furniture & Grills, Christmas Shop, Tools, Automotive, Mattresses, Floor Care & Home Services.
• 5% off *Regular, Sale and Clearance Electronics

Exclusions apply visit www.sears.com/familyandfriends for more details.

Just in case you’re wondering I wear a large shirt and size 12 pants. I love Lands End. Have fun shopping for your family.

Have fun shopping with a $50 Sears gift card that you can win!

**updated to add**

Friends and Family night is over, but you can still enjoy Sears and win!

TO ENTER:

What is your favorite holiday movie?  (Leave the answer in the comments)

EXTRA ENTRY:

TWEET  “@Sears has great holiday deals!  I’d like to win the gift card @AnissaMayhew is giving away http://tinyurl.com/7uxn7ch” and leave the link in the comments!

I’ll pick a winner by random.org on Nov 16th.

WINNER IS @tyandlaynesmom