I don’t often write posts that ask for “votes”, but, I am making an exception for little Pinot, the “Chiweenie”.
Pinot, named for the fine wines of Northern California, is vying for “top dog” for theAmerica’s FAVORITE Pet Contest! The prize is being the COVER model for Dogster magazine AND a $5,000 prize.
PLUS, America’s Favorite Pet will be donating to the PAWS FOUNDATION. (“PAWS actively rehabilitates orphaned and injured wildlife, shelters and adopts homeless cats and dogs, and also provides education and outreach within the community to promote compassionate action for animals.”)
Why Pinot?
I happen to know Pinot’s fur-mommy, Nicole Z. She tells me that her fur-baby was adopted after being in three other placements. To this day she can’t figure out why this bundle of energetic love needed to be rehomed so many times. But, now he is snuggle bug with his fur-parents and doggy sibling, Max.
Actually, Max is the reason why Pinot is competing. Apparently, he needed some unexpected surgery. The cost – $5K. The parents opted for this expense to help save Max from pain – but let’s face it – during COVID 19 that is a lot of cash to outlay when times are uncertain. So, they are hoping that Pinot’s cuteness and the kindness of friends and strangers will click to press the vote button below!
January 5, 2011 I spent 7 plus hours under the knife at Johns Hopkins Hospital to remove Stage 3 thyroid cancer throughout my neck. My hubby can give you a play by play as how that day went through his lens. How he waited all day to hear I was done and instead received lots of medical updates- hour after hour. He also can tell you he was one of the first to arrive in the JHH waiting room and the last one to leave that day. As for me, I remember very little except being asked upon my waking to recall anything I said from the morning before they dosed me with heavy duty anesthesia. My answer: “I am STILL a cancer warrior goddess?”. The nurses and doctors laughed and looked relieved. I laughed with a very froggy throat, too. Apparently, my talking was a sign that my vocal chords were still working, albeit very raspy. “Top-Doc” wasn’t too sure that would be the case – so my declaration – was considered the evidence of medical success.
Ten years later and countless tests, trips back to Hopkins for follow-up exams, and blogs later, I remain vigilant with my health and a bit of a crusader for thyroid wellness of others. I also recognize that I have had my own challenges after ten years. My voice still gets raspy and there have been times when I simply couldn’t talk for days, weeks or months. (Once again proving that knowing sign language is a skill we all should have!) Plus, a good head cold can put me down for the count for a week or more. I don’t have the immune system of most folks and that makes Covid 19 really really sucky! And, losing the weight I have gained is my biggest challenge.
Yet, I do have an immense sense of gratitude for the medical professionals who have cared for me since my diagnosis late 2010. I also want to reiterate my “mantra” – be your best advocate. I had ZERO of the usual red flags for thyroid cancer except for weight gain. Rapid weight gain! I was told it was menopause. It wasn’t. So, if you feel something is “amiss” – then you are more than likely correct and should keep seeking answers until you feel better or more at ease.
No blogger should post without taking time out to stop and thank their audience. That includes me. I want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of YOU.For more than a decade many of you have read this blog, commented and shared. You helped to educate others and also yourselves. I appreciate you. I pray for your health and hope that all of us have better days ahead.
If you are new to my blog and wonder what the heck I am talking about?… Well … here are links to get you started to learn about my journey and perhaps find some nuggets of help for you, too. If you are a recurring reader – again thank you and enjoy the re-runs below.
This blog is dedicated to all the wonderful healthcare professionals who have helped me during my cancer journey and have supported and cared for the the health needs of others.
Also, dedicated to my friends who have experienced “lumps” in their roads and have survived with grit and grace. You are my inspiration.
This will not be my usual post. It won’t be full of humor or “teachable moments”, but, instead a blog that puts 2020 to “bed” as we turn the proverbial calendar to 2021.
The year started off with such hope and promise. While tensions over elections were predicted to be high – no one really grasped the enormity of impact that could be made by a microscopic terrorist that was to ravage our globe. During 2020 Covid 19 became the devil that walked among us – everywhere – 24/7.
I stopped sleeping last January. I know the exact day that I started to only rest for about 4 hours a night – it was the day our daughter flew China Air to Asia. Her wanderlust took her on a great solo-preneur journey throughout Cambodia, Singapore and Bali. But, I had heard about this global terrorist – then called CORONA – and was petrified that the two would meet up. Thankfully, our daughter traversed Asia without crossing paths with CORONA.
By the time she returned to the US, the now termed “Covid 19” was at our shores. But, just a “few cases” – mostly isolated. People seemed to not take it seriously or thought it was “fake news”. Nor did we quite expect that within a few months in to 2020 this disease would take hold of the US from coast to coast and across the globe.
I equate my March birthday with QUARANTINE. At first it was a novelty. Happy hours every night on the street – physically distanced, of course. People stirring their creative juices, pivoting their careers and learning how to assume the role as their child’s teacher. Zoom became a noun and a verb in March – meaning to meet online and not to physically race past another person or vehicle.
By summer we thought we were going to get “sprung” and travel. Some folks did. Some stayed put. I continued to be one of those people who did’t venture more than a mile or five from home.
I discovered this past July that I have Covid 19 anxiety. Every time I see people in crowds I start to sweat and my heart races. I have left a store with a basket full of items upon hearing a single person across the store cough – once. No joke – I literally ran out of the store and to the car at a speed that may have broke my personal best running time due to a single little cough. That my friends is situational anxiety. I got it. It ain’t fun.
In August I started a new virtual job – pivot, pivot, pivot! I pivoted so many times and in so many ways that I found myself becoming dizzy. But, my new job is really good and replaces the dire straights I was feeling with trying to make my “old gig” work financially and spiritually – especially during a pandemic. (So, this may be the 2020 silver lining). While I still work in social media from time to time, I am really enjoying helping kids and their families as a School Psychologist.
By fall I realized that 2020 would end but Covid wouldn’t. I must admit the sadness started to really drift in to my psyche when it hit me like a brick the cumulative toll that 2020 took on so many of my family and friends. People had become seriously ill. People had died. People had lost their jobs, relationships and for some – hope. Covid was indeed the name of the new Satan. It had no mercy. It had no rationale. It was just the devil. It took too much from so many.
Then today happened. The devil took someone else. Someone I knew and admired. Her name – Dawn Wells, and on this second to last day of 2020 she died due to complications from Covid 19. You may know her as Mary Ann from the TV show, Gilligan’s Island, but, I knew Dawn for herself – a great person. Dawn and I met several years ago at the premiere for a web-series directed by the very talented, Steve Wishnoff, and starring her called, Life Interrupted. My “assignment” at the premiere was to snap some photos and “do” some social media postings. My goal was to at least introduce myself to Dawn – and I did. I snapped the photo below, and several others, and that was the start of our first “meet and greet”. She invited me to sit next to her and we chatted for what seemed like quite a long time. We talked about her work with the awesome ensemble cast and crew of the series. Then we chatted fashion, how great she looked in the color she was wearing, and how I could never don an outfit in that hue of yellow. We gabbed, we laughed, and we said good-bye. I didn’t know it then – but we would cross paths again.
Dawn Wells at the LA premiere of Life Interrupted, May 2015 Photo: Louise Sattler
Photo by Louise Sattler, October 2017
Life Interrupted also was my pick for opening the San Pedro Film Festival (SPIFFEST) in 2017 – where Dawn and I met up again. I was helping put together the festival and thought it would be fun to celebrate the opening night with a party. Dawn attended and again we spent quite a bit of time talking and sharing funny stories. She was a huge “trooper” as she wasn’t feeling her best that evening – but you would never have known that!
Dawn impressed me as a consummate professional and genuinely an amazing person. I didn’t know her well – but I was glad we had an opportunity to meet and share some laughs. She was indeed very special.
Today, the news of Dawn passing came to me via text as I was leaving the dentist office. That was it. 2020 finally got to me. I broke. I cried all the way to my car and then the whole drive home. It was a sucky day.
Then this happened. A sunset. A glorious sunset with random formations of clouds and blue skies peaking through. I noticed that in the photo a little glimmer of yellow – perhaps nature’s tribute to Dawn?
If nothing else, the sunset reminded me that there is a lot wonderful days ahead. We just need to have patience, grit, and hope.
I have started and stopped writing this “Retrospect of 2020” blog – a dozen times. Seriously. I started to organize my thoughts into a succinct blog days ago – each time with the intention to write about why we need to be hopeful and positive as we turn the calendar to 2021. I wanted to write about being grateful . I wanted to write how I learned so much by literally staying home. Yet… what I ended up typing (and deleting 12 times) was a potpourri of complaints. My rants ranged from a tirade of how so many people ended the year with unfathomable heartache due to Covid 19 to my disgust with the polarization of our country – largely due to politics. Delete. Delete. Delete… etc.
Finally – on my 13th attempt to write this blog – I found clarity.
2020 was about survival. I don’t have any words of wisdom for 2021. No big resolutions. No grand plans.
So, I end the year with a blog of photos from the year. Hard to believe that 2020 was a year that we saw LA Zoo Lights New Year’s weekend- back when the year held so much promise. Then off to Nevada to see Alan Parsons in concert and hike red rocks! January, February and early March also brought fabulous times including with the cast of THE CUBAN at the PanAm Film Festival followed by the LA Travel and Adventure Show, cheering our favorite films of 2019 the Oscars at a party at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, working on The Salon Digital Series for Emmy consideration, and celebrating Margaret McSweeney’s induction in to the Hall of Fame for the Taste Awards! Then Covid hit and we pressed the pause button. That is when you will see my photos become more of my surroundings -including starting a fairy garden for neighbors to enjoy. I learned to listen to nature and appreciate the simplicity of life. Enjoy my photos and please drop your blog in the comments for me to check out your year in review.
Be well. Be safe. Happy 2021. ~Louise
All photos are the property of Louise Sattler. Snapped with an iPhone 8 or iPhone 11 Max. 2020 All Rights Reserved Louise Sattler
So, you waited until the last minute to shop for the holidays? Don’t worry- I have ideas for the last minute shopper who is looking for a unique gifts
Think Positive! DIY!
Short on time and cash? Here are some gifts that are from the heart and shouldn’t break your wallet.
Make a photo book chronicling the positive aspects of 2020. Send your photos to a one -day/ hour service (such as Walgreens or CVS) and then place the prints in to an inexpensive photo album or create one yourself from materials you can find at home. For bonus fun – write a poem to add to your gift.
Sew from scraps of cloth and fill with beans – your very own bean bags. Use to play games or teach another person how to juggle!
Bake cookies, decorate and place in creative containers.
Not in the creative mood – well then give the gift of TRAVEL!
Eventually, we will be able to satiate our wanderlust! Travel will be back on the calendar and you can make your family and friends smile with travel themed gifts. ( I already talked with my travel agent guru from The Travel Store, Linda Kahn- Ferrell for our next adventure!)
Consider ITALY!! We are! I can’t wait to reunite with the awesome Ana from Selected Tours Italy! I met Ana more than a year ago at the LA Travel and Adventure Show. We stayed in touch and she smartly has pivoted her business to helping travelers who are “stuck at home” enjoy the spirit of travel – virtually! Check out their awesome virtual tours for holiday gifting here. And, surprise your loved one by booking as a gift a customized tour of Italy for a post-Covid future trip!
Zion
Not ready to fly across the ocean? Well here is another travel themed idea. How fun to give the gift of a trip to a National Park! Rent an easy to drive RV and surprise your family with a trip to go visit Yosemite, the Grand Canyon or even Niagra Falls! These parks have been open (more or less) throughout the pandemic and help press our inner “reset” button.
Last but certainly not least – Give the Gift of Paying It Forward!
Let’s face it – you get to a certain age when you have collected more than enough “STUFF”. You don’t need anymore “stuff” because you have no room in drawers, closets or shelves.
That is when you give to others.
Consider giving to your local shelter, domestic violence center or a GoFundMe that helps individuals and families in need across the globe. Donate in honor of others. As I am sure, others you know also don’t need more stuff!
RUFF! RUFF! MEOW! MEOW!
Animals need love, too! While there has been a surge of animal adoptions since the Covid 19 pandemic- there continues to be a huge need for help at our local shelters and organizations that care for animals in fragile situations. This is where you can help by sponsoring an animal, donating or adoption.
Try PetFinder.com to find your local organizations in need and pets looking for homes. And remember, before you shop – look to adopt! There are many “pure breed” animals looking for their fur-ever families.
This past holiday season I sponsored five dogs in shelters. Each dog was sponsored in the name of a family member or friend. The sponsor fee helped pay for food and care for the dogs. I heard a lot of “aws” and “how cute” when the envelopes with photos of these pups were opened. I opted to sponsor via RUFFStartRescue.org and they sent a lovely thank you.
Just look at these faces (and by the way – they all have been adopted since we started to sponsor them – except for Minnetonka (with the red collar on the left). How sweet is this little pup!Learn more here
And, as the calendar turns to 2021 – know that I have appreciated each of those who have read this blog. Happy Holidays!
Life during COVID 19 is hard. It is more than a minor challenge for parents, now turned teachers. It is a crisis for restaurant, hospitality and beauty shop owners and their employees. And, for those who are creative talents – such as performing and visual artists – COVID 19 has made their livelihoods null and void. The result – many artists have opted to pivot.
So, my mission for this blog is to introduce you to some artists who use their creativity to make our homes and offices beautiful and are worth checking out this holiday season. Plus, I added two textile creators that recently caught my eye (and credit card).
This is the second of my holiday gift recommendations and I hope you enjoy it! Read the first one here.
I was invited to meet Steffi Pecarich when her family members asked Hubby and I to attend her 2019 art opening. I love art and always want to support my friends projects of their kids, but I was not prepared on how much I would enjoy the artistic talent of this young lady! Steffi is featured on ETSY and very much an artist you should take time to learn more about and support by simply pressing > “click here to meet Steffi”.
My take… Her art seems simplistic until you really look closely. And please do. How this talent melds her colors together and embeds symbols in each of her paintings is quite intriguing. I think this one might be my favorite (click).
Plus, ArtFactory69 (Steffi’s company’s name) is priced for the average person’s budget with many pieces under $40. Here is an interview of Steffi from a YouTube’s show: On The Trend with Elliott Desai
My repertoire of artistic talent can be summed up with a few puffy paint shirts and stick figure drawings. Not so with my niece, Elissa Masin Blumstein. She always was a master with the art brush. Now, with her husband, Ryan Blumstein, they have expanded from their successful special event signage and decor company – SURFACE GROOVES with the fun and functional – SURFACE GOODS. This new venture came at the right time! Their customer base is the consumer who now find themselves staying at home in lieu of spending their annual vacation bucks. SURFACE GOODS brings to home and hearth beautiful and customizable decor. So much to love (and, that truly is my “unbiased” opinion!). PLUS… they have created CHANUKAH decorations that aren’t your store bought cookie cutter offerings. I am sooo tired of the same old Chanukah decorations that are usually ugly and BORING (or expensive). I was thrilled to see their variety of signage including one that has a very clever play on words – HAPPY CHALLAH DAY! (See below)
Each year I write a post with my list of ideas for holiday gifting. I try to skew to gifts that give back to charity or are educational. I also like to list gifts that are provide “random fun”. This year I am writing three blogs – three lists full of holiday gift ideas. The first one is dedicated to educational toys and games. AND… there is a GIVEAWAY. Simply comment below to be entered to win the Griddly Games 5 STONES game by midnight Pacific Time December 13, 2020. See rules below.
Two things you need to know…
First, if I recommend a product or charity I do so without any payment from the company or organization. A few companies sent samples and they will be donated to families who are struggling due to Covid 19 or teachers.
Secondly, I welcome your suggestions. Simply add your holiday gift ideas in the comment section below.
From Griddly Games comes a very unique ensemble of ” just add…” products and others that use word and numerical reasoning. I must admit, as an educator, they had me at their descriptions of being products focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). All of these kits are user friendly (younger children will require supervision, as can be expected).
CALLING ALL TEACHERS AND HOME EDUCATORS – CHECK OUT VERY FUN STEAM ACTIVITY KITS FOR THE HOLIDAYS FROM GRIDDLY GAMES.
just add EGG.(ages 5 and up, parent/ teach guidance required) – Comprised of more than 10 interactive activities with “egg-speriments” included in this very fun egg shaped box. This game is filled with everything from molding clay, crayons, glue and even corn syrup! Lots of hours of fun are to be expected and all need is a child, their imagination, a parent or teacher to supervise and EGGS!
Like science AND art? Then check out just add BAKING SODA! You can make at least 20 different projects – including your very own bath bombs, volcano or holiday ornaments with this very visually fun and interactive kit! I like that this kit uses a lot of visual motor perceptual skills and helps to build fine motor skills.
Children’s Products) If you enjoy trivia games – then you will LOVE Wise Alec(TM). Meant for family night or classroom game time – WISE ALEC incorporates mind games such as brain teasers and tongue twisters with physical activity. Over 1000 questions are included in the game box. The game is geared reinforce elementary school curricula covering the subjects of History, Science and Spelling!
Need easy questions for your first grader – no problem. Want to challenge your fifth grader? With Wise Alec you can do that, too! And when you pick a STUDY BREAK card get ready to MOVE (and earn points for doing so!) Excellent game and great for those who need support with literacy skills, too! Supper fun and creative. I give Wise Alec a solid A++
SHOW ME THE KWAN!
When I first saw this game in the box I started hooting and hollering! A WORD game!! Plus it was very reminiscent of Scrabble® and Boggle®. SHOW ME THE KWAN also had many components of categorizing games such as Scattergories®. This game is Intended to be played with a large group (you can have up to ten players). I envision this game as great for classroom use, “Covid 19” education pod groups (home education) and parties with tweens and teens.
“KWAN” takes a bit of a learning curve to get the rules down – but once you do – watch out! This is a fast paced game for letter/wordsmiths! Small enough to bring along to family and friend gatherings.
PUZZLES! PUZZLES PUZZLES!
There are several reasons for parents to buy puzzles this holiday season. How many gifts can teach history, art, geography and much more for a fraction of the price of an electronic gaming system? Plus, kids can learn foundational literacy skills.
First, when you assemble a puzzle you need organizational and visual discrimination skills. Some people like to separate pieces by color, or by shape. Others are very focused on the cover picture and organize their puzzle pieces section by section (frame vs. inside, for example).
Did you know that when you assemble a puzzle you also are training your eyes to see how “parts become a whole”? Puzzles, believe it or not, can help teach children how letters become words and words become a paragraph?!
Endless Gamesis a company that you can access online or by driving to your nearest Kohl’s. If you are a lover of puzzles AND Broadway you will FREAK at their PLAYBILL Presents puzzle! Hours of fun for under $15!
.
PEACE ON EARTH
This is a beautiful 1000 piece puzzle spotlighting the artistic talent of Malcom Watson. Your whole family can linger over the dining room table as you complete this puzzle that measures almost 20″ by 26″ when finished.
Master Pieces – beautiful quality puzzles.
I received this CATOLOGY puzzle. While not a huge fan of cats (more of a dog lover) – this puzzle was simply lovely and the poster inside was a nice bonus feature!
More Favorite Puzzles with Educational Value
White Mountain Puzzles. Their Nostalgic / Vintage Collection are my favorites. These puzzles are great for multi-generational play. Grandparents and parents can educate children and young adults about life before the new Millennium! The pieces are thick and that is good for young and old fingers, alike. White Mountain Puzzles are POPULAR – so be sure to check back if ones on your wish list are out of stock. Website and Amazon.
Uncommon Goods offers novelty puzzles with political and historical themes. This VOTES FOR WOMENis a circular pattern.
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
GIVEAWAY- the Griddly Games new edition: 5 STONES! Open to all United States residents who are 18 years of age or older. Must comment on this post on or before Sunday, December 13, 2020, 11:59pm Pacific time. No employees or family member associated with Griddly Games nor LouiseSattler.com may enter. One winner. Will be announced here on the blog AND via email. No substitutions.
Coming up in the next blog: Giving with a Purpose!
How can it not be a dream? After all, the year started off in January with an impeachment hearing and a horrific mystery virus that brought death to thousands in Asia and Europe. That is not a good start.
Next, February rolled in and it proved to be just as awful as there was the horrific helicopter crash in Los Angeles that took the lives of many people, including basketball great Kobie Bryant and his daughter. And, more died from this “Corona” virus. But, we remained optimistic.
March came in like a lion and then seemed to stay with the fury of a pack of wild animals. Just when you thought this CORONA VIRUS was going to “get under control” it became OUR greatest fear here in North America. Oh, how naive some of us were to think that “oceans” would keep germs away from our loved ones. By mid- March we got smacked in the face with a huge dose of reality – 2020 was going down in history as the year our world was forced to press a giant PAUSE button! We had no choice. COVID 19, as the virus was now called, was our enemy – a microscopic terrorist that arrived on to our shores and in to thousands of our homes.
The pandemic not only captured our health and the lives of nearly 200 thousand people to date in the US and millions worldwide, but also our spirit. We closed businesses, schools and places of worship. We had to endure major disruptions to our lives. There were no options. We were in survival mode. Even toilet paper, sanitizers, and canned goods became treasured commodities.
Many took to social media to vent. However, for all the good that comes from social media there has been a growing undercurrent of people who just wanted to use this media medium to post their agendas, engage in ongoing arguments , or disseminate (mis)information. . Some disagreements have become wildly out of control, especially on Facebook. There has been a lot of finger pointing and blame over political allegiances or if you believed in science vs. “theory”. Some folks just liked to post nonsense as they seemed to enjoy being a catalyst for volatile discourse. Plus, I never knew that a request to wear a mask could cause significant rifts among friends, let alone communities.
What has been so tragic to watch is how neighborhoods, families, and friendships have been destroyed. How did it happen that ordinarily decent people morphed and became so disrespectful and mean -spirited? Their words propelled through the social media spheres like verbal knives directed to hurt or disrupt a person or a group of people.
Why?
I think many have stopped thinking with their brains. Out of boredom, sadness, anxiety or despair due to economic pressures perhaps, some people have allowed logical thinking to be replaced with emotions on overdrive.
But wait, I thought the the message of 2020 was for us to STOP and put ourselves on hiatus?
Please note that I am a lifelong student and I will admit I still have much to learn in our world. HOWEVER… this I know with 100% certainty – we need to stop hurting each other. The “recipe” to survive this pandemic and these awful troubled times of unrest isn’t easy – but it is “do-able”.
First, we need to work together. To help each other, especially the people who need food, shelter or a job. Pick up the phone to check on your elderly neighbor. Send food to the single mom who is out of work. Mend fences with the people who you may have offended.
We need to collectively be supportive of each other and show the best of humanity. We absolutely must stop with the verbal daggers and replace them with genuine acts of kindness.
I know we all can be bright lights in a year that has seen so much heartache because I have faith that kindness and compassion do exist aplenty and will prevail.
I am confident we will wake up from this bad dream. We will survive. Eventually, we will thrive.
