Happy New Year Folks

How many of us make New Years resolutions? I decided in November to get the ball rolling so that when New Years came I would be in full swing of my resolutions and not forget about them January 2nd. As you are aware, January is a little busy for us MacDonald's (and Nicki's), anything that enter Tammy brain - slip out Tammy brain (got that from Confucius). My unhealthy habits that enhance the Valentine twitch are already being dealt with - coffee, sugar, chocolate, late night computer work, talking and driving (I tend to say yes to everything when I am pre-occupied).... and so on.

I wish you all success for your personal resolutions. For any of you who have resolved to quit drinking, I am doing the opposite, If we hit that million, I am gonna celebrate and tie one on. Never allowed myself to experience this before (and being 11:45 pm on new Years Eve - one would think this would be perfect timing).

With that, I am signing off wishing all of you a wonderful 2010! Thanks for following!! Catch up in 2010!

CISN COUNTRY promotion.

For all of you avid country music fans out there (like myself), you may soon hear CISN's promotion of the Hair Massacure, or if you are a CISN member - you will receive an email with an announcement. Yay!!!

CISN has been promoting our event since our World Record Attempt in 2006, which has helped our cause immensely. In 2008, Chris Sheetz (Program Director) surprised me with an exciting idea - An incentive concert to the school with the highest level of participation (this was based on numbers involved and total raised). He really wanted to focus on schools, as the involvement of the kids is very near to his heart.

Along with the ongoing weeks of radio promotion provided and DJ involvement (Ian Sterling and Mike McGuire), Chris Sheetz miraculously managed to tag both Johnny Reid and Emerson Drive to provide the entertainment for our winning schools.

I still get goosebumps when I think about how we became so lucky.

This all started through an answered email from this desperate mom who wanted exposure from this radio station one week prior to our 06 event. Back then I was still driving a school bus part time and heard (on route) Ian Sterling live talking about this "Tammy MacDonald" person and if anyone knew her, to please help them reach me as they lost my contact info. Took a second to register...... scrambled for the cell phone, but had difficulty reaching them because their line was flooded with calls of people who apparently knew me (times have changed....)

Ian (who was replaced by Mike McGuire the following year) pinked his hair and set two feet in.

His promotion was so heartfelt - a few months later I received news from Chris that Ian was diagnosed with Leukemia. There were two "Proud Victims" that year that were, after participating with us. I am happy to say that Ian is currently finished his treatment and doing very well as a radio DJ in London, Ontario.

Our 09 event was heavily promoted by the infamous Mike McGuire. Last February, my daughter Meagan and myself had the honour of pinking his mop live in studio, along with Dr. Basch (our lead researcher for the program we are funding). Anyone that knows Mike, knows this man is compassionate AND crazy.

Later that day, Chris Sheetz mc'd an Oiler's shave at Make-A-Wish with Ethan Moreau and Ales Hemsky.

I am throughly grateful for media, particularly those promoters that have heart and respect the grass roots of our wacky event.

On behalf of our family and our event, our hats (toques) off to CISN for the wonderful sponsorship as platinum sponsors. Keep on CISN....

Boxing Day

Who... besides me took their children to West Edmonton Mall to hit the boxing day sales?

Yikes!! What was I thinking? Typically for me, "Boxing Day" means box everything up and take it downstairs to the storage room. Once I recovered from THAT unnecessary and traumatic experience, down went my hot pink tree and all the ornaments - and OH there was the boxes of pink hair dye and bleach underneath it all.... waiting. It quickly transitioned from Xmas to Massacure - my focus for the next 7 weeks.

FRED is nice and pink (thank you Mandy), and my wheels are turning once again. How to raise a million dollars so close to the crunch?? It's not possible to tell whether we will reach a goal until months after the event, so I have decided to not set one this year. Of course my wish remains - 1,000,000.00. I will not ever feel satisfied and accomplished until this is achieved because I dreamt this and I know it will happen one day. With everything that brought us success in this event, I dreamt it - it came as a vision, saw it all before it materialized. True. When charities are suffering in this economy, it will be a difficult ask that we again surpass our total from last year (849,000). I can only pray we do.

I know this is random, but with Xmas barely over, I wanted to end this blog by including a memory that I felt appropriate to share at this time.

When Kali was diagnosed, it was September. This placed her in hospital for her scheduled monthly week of chemo, a few days shy of Christmas. She was released on the 22 and back in on the 23 in isolation with fever. This became the first incident of many consecutively hospitalized holidays (next was New Years, Easter, July 1st, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Remembrance day of 2001).

What we did not expect that would lift that that Santa would bring coming to 4E3- in a full sized sleigh (assembled right in the hospital). Every child and their sibling received a gift (which was wonderful considering that we were strapped for cash). Santa came to Kali that year (as she was isolated) and THAT prompted an idea which materialized 2 years later (which I will share at another time). Kali was released mid Christmas day (1 day early), just in time for Christmas dinner (with select healthy family members). A food hamper and a turkey was provided to us by the knights of Columbus, among various gifts and donations donated by our friends and neighbours. We learned what Christmas was really about that year. To this day, this has altered my personal perception of this particular holiday.

Pinking of you at Christmas

Hi folks, I cant believe tomorrow is Christmas.

Who is actually ready? I am sensing I am not the only one. During our high season of Massacure scramble, it's very difficult to fit Christmas into the equation.

Managed to pink the dog and touch up Santas beard, but slipped a little on the festive preparation. Nicki is still replacing bandages for her sliced fingers (from our pledge packages).

I wonder if folks in the laid back Atlantic provinces are all caffeined up today in a mad panic to rescue the effects of their hectic, over-scheduled lives? I am guessing not. Could be mistaken, but from what I observed from their culture as a whole, they seem a lot more laid back than we are. Think this is healthier.

I know from where I stand - I have more baking awaiting, my home is in disarray, and my roots need a touch up. What about that gift fairy that slips in and wraps everything for you? Oh - I have one of those this year finally (I was on a waiting list - for 23 years) her name is Kali. Thank the Lord that this kid sees wrapping as a novelty. New week I will change the subliminal recording under her pillow to "I love tidying". Even as I fret over the state of being unprepared for hosting Christmas Eve, I am writing a blog and have harassed Ellen again with a picture of herself with pink hair.

On that note, I will bid you all adieu, and wish you the Merriest of Christmas's.

Christmas too...

Ah Christmas…

I’ve been woken up the last few mornings about an hour earlier than my alarm clock would go off… then I run into the bathroom to shower as quick as possible as the house heats up for the morning… then I run to get dressed in the warmest clothes I can wear to work and still look professional… then I run to my car and start it, then run around my car to brush it off… then I wait in my car while it warms up enough so I can get it into gear (I’m hoping for a new car from Santa.. hint hint).. then just as I start to warm up, I park my car and run across the street into the office.

You’d think with all this running, I would be in fabulous shape – and I should be. Except everyone keeps bring fresh baking to the office – which I would be rude to refuse to sample (It's a hard life..) and the fact that I’m wearing a million layers (plus my new John Deere scarf and tuque set!) and so ladies and gentlemen… I have a proposition to make.

I propose that we should switch Christmas to June 25th. People can enjoy a “White Christmas” by traveling to the very North, or very South, and sometimes, Edmonton. Imagine how Christmas shopping would be when you don’t mind walking across 3 overflow parking lots to get to your car with arms full of presents. It’s fine – It’s plus 25C!

And if the reason we celebrate Christmas in December is because teachers need a break – I’m still for it! I need the break too. A nice break in Mexico perhaps…


I also think that if we spread Tammy’s “Christmas Cheer” around maybe there would not be so many people trying to escape Edmonton at the same time...

Xmas times

I think this nice gentleman must have read my last blog before the incident at the theatre last night. 6 people in the theatre - I mistook him for my daughter. Simple mistake, it was dark, I was enthralled with the flic. He didn't seem to mind having me snuggle in for 10 minutes, nor did his lovely wife. He even spoke nicely to me after I made off with his jacket.

The man in the suit that I hoofed in the forbidden place with the back of my heel seemed nice too. His colour returned quickly and to my knowledge - no hard feelings.

Gotta love the holidays. Now I feel bad about my last blog, posing concerns about tolerance and kindness.

At the Stollery yesterday, Tyler (last years project coordinator) gave me a beautiful plastic purple unicorn keychain. It was sealed in a crunchy plastic baggy so I think it was expensive. Nicki gifted our entire family with homemade mittens (with the string) - think she knows I would loose mine, or maybe the string is helpful in case Fred eats one? Thoughtful - yes?

The Stollery staff is really very nice and I quite enjoy my visits there. I bring cookies. Yesterday I left with a big bow - I guess that was to offer subliminal messages that I needed to be unwrapped. You can hear them from afar - its the laughing and its wonderful. They are a fun group.

My drive home was nice too - folks offering me sign language alluding to the fact that I am still number one. I drove extra slow, so maybe this was appreciated. Christmas only 2 days away, I am feeling the spirit hit me. Lets find out what Nicki feels about Christmas....

Christmas mentality

Forgive me folks, I am a little all over the place today so I hope you can keep up....

Is it just me or are our roads and shopping malls lacking that same christmas spirit that is present at parties, and various gatherings in Whoville. Many of us cram inside places of worship, enjoying each others viruses and gasses and we sing away at the top of our lungs and thank the Lord for the birth of his son. Then we shake anti bacterial hands and hug as we politely filter out, get into our vehicles and the metamorphosis process is almost instant. Next to the divine birth, this would be considered the next Christmas phenomenon. It's like a spin off of New Moon, only the masks are invisible. We go home and watch a Christmas movie and think warm and fuzzy thoughts. What is that all about?

Imagine keeping the Christmas spirit a consistent attitude year through.

When one is involved in a charity, particularly in a position of leadership (like myself), you must maintain this kind spirit (yes.... especially in your vehicle). This is indeed a lot of pressure, but for the most part will be genuine (except on those pms days and high caffeine / low sleep days). You can tell who is in it because of their heart, as it will reflect in their personality. Still.... when push comes to shove, there is no opportunity to take someone to the parking lot if they deserve it. Instead we save that pent up frustration to bounce our problematic sewing machines, cell phones, and power tools down our driveways (in the dark of course).

I live and work with good people. Example that comes to mind, any of my peeps who have driven around with me in my billboard can testify to the fact that even as their lives passed before their eyes (as a result of my bad driving) they remained cool and collected. Slipping quietly in fearful medication of prayer, there is no evidence of harbouring ill feelings.

My lengthy lists of to do's, scattered thought process and wack sense of humour forces them into a position of tolerance and acceptance.

My point... is it possible to exercise control over how we treat others?

Is this more about how we are brought up, how we are wired or our daily exposures in our environment?

Can we be more considerate in our vehicles and crowded shopping areas, work places, schools? Is it that we choose not to simply because we know we can

and

what if conditions change and our choices to be inconsiderate and indifferent were not a consideration? Are more mindful of our behaviours and attitudes only at Christmas?

Just food for thought....

Enjoy your Christmas week.