Labor Day weekend is coming to an end and it has been a wonderful vacation. On Sunday, some friends and I went out on the boat for a day on the lake…have not been tubing in forever and I have the battle wounds to show for it! Ahhhhh….exciting and relaxing all in one. Now my brain is turning and going back into work mode…there are so many things I want to accomplish…so many creative ideas I want to unleash…time to focus. Focus is not a big fan of mine, so I’m treating this time like a New Year’s resolution. What I mean is, instead of waiting until New Year’s to set all these tall orders, I am starting now and digging knee deep! There’s only one way to get started and that’s to get my hand’s dirty…just start moving forward with goals I have in mind. Some goals I will share, some I will not because I can’t give it all up! Organization is where I will start as well. I need to find a ‘space’ in my house that I can call my own and work…create ideas for the show…handle business…and just have that MY space. It is hard to have a space in a modest size home with a 2 year old. Little man and his giant size teddy bear have taken over…lol….That’s alright, I just need to designate a work area. I’m thinking of moving a lot of furniture in my bedroom that I don’t even use and making that my space. I know they say keep the bedroom quiet and peaceful for sleeping, but this girl may not have any other options unless I want it colored on. Parents, you know what I’m talking about. So, there…step one…find workable…creative space…make it happen…start working on projects and ideas that have been turning in the head….but not executed. Time to not be lazy…time to motivate. We live this one life and I need to make the most of it. Even though I have been questioning my singlehood lately, I need not. I have a fantasy imagination that needs a reality check. My mind needs to be focused on my child and my work. Give that 150 percent and then see what’s left over. To be honest, I have not come across…ran into…whatever you want to call it…somebody that has been worth my time. I mean that in the nicest way. I’m a passionate person, and if you have met me, you know that. If you have heard me rant on issues I really stand for…you know that. So, if it happens at this point in my life, that is great. If not, I’m ok with that too. It’s only the expectations of others that create a lonely place…when I look from the outside in it is a great place that can only be added with kindness. So, on that note, another resolution is to not to worry so damn much! Just roll with it and get on the ball as far as my goals! It’s not going to happen just by thinking about them all day…it takes discipline. There you have it. My thoughts on a Monday that’s ready to get back to work! Make it a good one and be safe!

Back from the beach…there is something to be said about a little 2 year old playing on the beach and getting in the water for the first time. We brought the video camera so one day he can look back at his cute self! Looking through a little kid’s eyes is so amazing. Every little thing…every little wave…the bubbles…the seashells…all of it they are so intrigued by. It really has taught me how to slow down and look at the world around me and appreciate it more. We run such busy schedules everyday as adults and forget to stop and look at all of God’s gifts. Little man has taught me so much and taught me how to really live again. He was such an angel the entire trip…and can I say how great a DVD player comes in handy on road trips! Yeahhhh for the DVD player – lol – Anyway, these precious moments come and go so quick it is so important to live every moment to the fullest with our children. I am truly blessed and thank God everyday for giving me such a wonderful gift. As always make it a good one and welcome back to all the kid’s in school! Time to hit the books!!! Muahhhhh

Just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who donated and helped out with Operation Tyson’s Toys to benefit Brenner Children’s Hospital. The Simon crew is headed to the hospital tomorrow to drop off the toys and thank the staff for all their hard work! I will be sure to take pictures for everyone to see and I should have a total # of toys collected as well. ps….I went to my mailbox today and found a check for $500 DOLLARS as a donation. My eyes swell up just thinking about it. That is amazing!!! Thanks again!

Tell a friend! Operation Tyson’s Toys going on now though the end of July! Stop by the radio station and drop of a new, unwrapped toy today. All toys will go to Brenner Children’s Hospital. For all the locations you can drop off at…read my blog below. Thank you so much. Make it a GOOD one!

Operation Tyson’s Toys 2010 is in full drive now! Kicking off July 1^st going all the way till the end of the July, we are collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit Brenner Children’s Hospital. With much help from the community, we now have the drop off locations you can go to. The boxes will be in stores Thursday, July 1^st.

Winston Salem Locations:

The Deacon Shop at Hanes Mall (upper level next to Old Navy)

The Deacon Shop at Reynolda Village – 120 Reynolda Village – Suite A

Massage Envy – off Hanes Mall Blvd. (next to Jason’s Deli)

Urban Artware – Downtown Winston Salem in the arts district next to 6^th and Vine

Greensboro Locations:

Toys & Company – Friendly Shopping Center

Hungry Howie’s Pizza – Adams Farm Shopping Center & Friendly Ave.

Kid Tested – Battleground Ave

98.7 Simon Radio Station – 7819 National Service Road

So tell EVERYBODY to chip in…drop off a toy…show some love and make this a HUGE success!

Thanks again and if you have any questions feel free to email www.carmen@987simon.com

I will bring more updates as we kick off the toy drive July 1^st. THANK YOU!

Operation Tyson’s Toys is under way! If you have not read my blog I posted a while back, here is the deal. I am collecting new, unwrapped toys for Brenner’s Children Hospital during the month of July. (I may start collecting mid-June…still in the works) I thought this would be a great way to celebrate Tyson’s 2^nd Birthday and start the path of giving back in his life. So why is this so important to me? Tyson was admitted to Brenner’s in March for a reaction he had. We are still not sure exactly what caused the reaction, but he was in bad shape. The little red wagons and the Toy room amazed me and made me realize how this gives a child a chance to be a kid while in the hospital. We were lucky with my little one because he was only in there for a couple of days. While I was there, I saw kids that were in and out many times or had been in there for a while. What I really need right now are boxes (big) in good condition that I can set up at different locations. There will be a box here at the radio station, so spread the word for ANYBODY who wants to drop off a toy. You have plenty of time to go shopping. Also, I have had a couple of offers to set up boxes in places (businesses…etc) If this sparks you interest, email me and let me know and we can get started! My email address is carmen@987simon.com – Stay tuned for more updates!!!

It was so funny, this weekend I took little man to one of my friends little girl’s birthday. There were so many kids there…all ages. It was at a gymnastic center with all kinds of mats and stuff to bounce on and play. All the kids were running around playing…doing flips…jumping off these big like yoga balls…having a blast. Well, my little man is still getting used to playing in a large group (he’s not even 2 yet) So, he looked around when we got there…taking it all in and just like that he found a small toy truck in the corner. That was it…that’s all he needed to keep him busy for like 2 and a half hours. I kept on trying to get him to play in the groups but all he wanted was that truck. Too funny! So I have come to the conclusion that no matter where we go…if I want to keep the peace, all I have to do is bring his favorite truck…out to eat….bring the truck…to the doctor…bring the truck…over to a friend’s house…bring the truck… you get what I’m saying! Cars, trucks, planes, and trains. He will either drive a BIG RIG when he grows up or he will be a pilot. He points out every airplane that flies by in the sky. I’m going to try to type it like he says it…let’s see…abb–paa – ha-ha…Everybody have and wonderful day! Carmen

Little stomach bug…uhhhhh…even the best moms have a hard time with this one. I have officially experienced the first episode of smelly house…smelly baby (toddler)…and I can not do anything to make it better other than a lot of love and pedialite. It started last Thursday, he threw up every time he would eat…this went on Friday as well…and you know me, I HAVE to go to the doctor for every little thing…better safe than sorry. Doctor checked his ears just to be safe…sent us on our way with official diagnosis ‘stomach bug’. Well, Saturday morning I was sure he was feeling better…nope…then it reversed…you know what I mean. This is the part when you start worrying about dehydration and he looks so helpless. What do you do? Call the nurse on-call of course! She said what I thought she would…stomach virus…it could take up to 7-10 days to pass. WHAT! How could this be…what horrible virus is infecting my little man…can I just spray some Lysol to make it go away? Why is there nothing he can take for this…this is absurd! Well, I know better than that…but if I had a magic wand I would make every baby well just by waving it! He finally ate some food last night for the first time since Thursday. It seemed to stay down for a little while, but not in the clear yet. So, now I’m just waiting and hoping it will go away asap and he can get back to school and finish that hat he was making for me for mother’s day. Wish us luck and crossing my fingers that by mid-week he will be back to his normal silly self.

If you have any community events going on…walks…non-profits…fundraisers…etc…please email me and I will try to help you get the word out. My email address is  carmen at 987simon.com – Also, we have a community show on Sundays called ‘Triad Today’ that focuses on community events. Feel free to contact me. Make it a good one! Carmen

So, I have always been fascinated with dreams…I was that curious little girl with the dream interpretation books…looking at every meaning…every definition. Absolutely intrigued by every word…every way to apply it to my life…people from the past…future hopes and dreams…what does it all mean? I had a dream when I was eight that I traveled to Africa to help the children (at that time my own age) that were poor and did not have as much as we do…to meet another culture and give as much as I could. All those commercials I saw devastated me…I felt guilty for having all the things I had. I still do. One day I sat down and told my mom the only reason I wanted to go to college was to have an opportunity to study abroad and see the world through another’s eyes. I made that happen by the grace of God and determination. God works in mysterious ways. I moved to Spain for a summer to study and was given the opportunity to travel to Northern Africa while I was there. Needless to say, it changed my life…just for the short time I was there… was given the experience to see their village…play with the kids on the streets…gain an understanding that I had never known before. It was a very impoverished area…a lifestyle that most cannot even imagine. But at the same time…it was their way of life…with not even a quarter of the pleasures…necessities we have in America…they were truly happy people. A beautiful culture living off the basics. I guess I’m writing this to try to help others in their day to day routine… realize how much we take for granted and on that same note…believe in your dreams. If you have the opportunity to do something great in this world no matter how small…no matter how grand…make it happen. Believe in the power of ‘you can do that’… I am nothing compared to the people I have met. I hide behind lenses most of the time and capture those moments in time…maybe for my own personal fulfillment…maybe to try to live in their world just for one moment and understand…maybe bring peace in my heart by realizing how wonderful people really are…people different than me… to mend the heart that was broken when I was a little girl. To bring back a piece of reality that most will never understand. I know not everybody has the resources to travel around the world, without the opportunity through college I would have never had the chance… but if you believe…you will succeed. Even here…most importantly here in our hometowns…down the street…wherever… take what God has given you and share it with other people…it’s not all about money…it could simply be lending a hand…it could be a hand to hold. It could be a conversation that nobody thought they could have. Ok…well hope this makes sense and keep that love in your hearts! Carmen