Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas Eve. As I write this blog I am thinking about my family and friends scattered all over the world. I miss all of you so much, but I think of you often.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas - may you be surrounded by peace, joy, love and laughter this season. I am so blessed to have a wonderful group of family and friends. As the Martina McBride song goes, "I'm a lucky girl." So true.

Have fun. Be safe. Laugh a lot and cherish the moments.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Life lessons learned from Up!

Tonight I had the privilege to present with other marketing/pr professionals to the University of Dayton PRSSA students (Public Relations Student Society of America) on how our organizations use social media. I always learn something new and am inspired by others.

I have not blogged in quite some time for a few reasons - busy, lack of feeling creative, felt like I couldn't bring anything interesting to the table. I was reminded again that I don't have to be an expert on every topic - that I can use my blog to just write. Yes, just write.

This past weekend I watched 2 1/2 movies - I haven't finished August Rush yet. If you have not seen the movie Defiance, please do so. It is a true story about the Jews during World War II. Wow.

Then I watched the Disney movie Up! I've heard so much about this movie and couldn't wait to see it. (I don't go to the theater very often, so I waited until it came out on DVD). Another amazing movie about life, love, loss and moving on. I think we can all learn a lot from Carl and Russell about unconditional love and determination.

Two inspiring movies that can teach you so much. It's truly rare when I can find that.

Blog it!

Dayton Children's was featured in Beth Kantner's blog on how non-profits use social media. Great publicity for our small children's hospital.

Read Beth's blog now.

Adventure at King's Island

Last Saturday, I finally gave in and went to King's Island with my husband and our friends. Scott has been bugging me about going to King's Island since we moved to the area. I have avoided the trip because I'm not a huge fan of roller coasters for two reasons - 1. I get motion sickness very easily and 2. I'm a big scaredy cat! The last time I was on a rollercoaster was 10 years ago at Cedar Point where my friends finally convinced me to ride the Magnum. 10 years ago the Magnum was the biggest rollercoaster. Today, not anymore. I was terrified riding the Magnum, but I did it and told myself that I could go to King's Island and tackle my fear.

We arrive at King's Island on a beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon. I'm feeling a bit anxious, but I keep telling myself that I can do this - "The rides last only for a few minutes, I'm not going to die and I MUST be brave for Scott and our friends."

Scott suggests that the first ride we go on is the Diamondback. I look up at the coaster, see the ginormous drop and say "ok" - all the while giving myself a pep talk the entire time in line. I say and think - "If I can ride the Magnum, I can ride the Diamondback." Did I realize I rode the Magnum 10 years ago!!?!?! Obviously not. Supid/naive me doesn't realize the Diamondback is one of the top 5 largest rollercoasters in the world - bigger than the Magnum! (I learn this after the fact when I googled it on my BlackBerry) OMG - I thought I was going to die! You sit in these seats with only a plastic bar that comes up between your legs. There's nothing over your shoulders holding you in! As the coaster is "click, click, clicking" up the first hill I turn to Scott and say "Oh my Gosh, I'm going to die!" and then close my eyes tightly. The first drop was terrifying! Then there's another ginormous drop - I don't know what was going on around me because I had my eyes closed the entire time and white knuckles from gripping the bar so tightly. The coaster finally stops, we get off and I think I'm going to barf. Scott and friends are laughing. I am not. But, I did it!

I think to myself - "I would be completely content without riding one more ride today." Then Scott says, "Ok, let's walk around and then go on some more rides." I quietly walk through the park thinking "I can do this, I can do this."

So...by the end of the day I am proud to say that I rode almost every ride. Was I terrified? You betcha!! Each and every time. Every ride I got on I closed my eyes tightly and gripped the bar thinking "why am I doing this to myself?!"

I'm sure I was a good laugh for the people around me. I kept looking at all of the 7, 8, 9 and 10 year olds going on all of the coasters and thinking - "If they can do this, why can't I?"

The next day, I could barely move. Riding rollercoasters in your 30s is completely different than in your 20s! Holy smkokes!

I'll never forget my adventure at King's Island. :)

Relentless for a cure - Light the Nigh Walk, Oct. 1

I am participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk on Thursday, October 1.

I am walking in honor of my brother, Paul, and in honor of my new friend Ally Barnett from Beavercreek, OH. She was diagnosed with ALL on my birthday, May 28.

I appreciate your support.

Donations can be made here: http://pages.lightthenight.org/soh/Dayton09/sbrufuswoods

Please send this message to whomever you think would be interested.

Relentless for a cure!

Remembering...

Last week, my grandpa passed away. This is my mom's dad. I went to see him in ICU, but I don't think he knew I was there. I keep seeing the image of him in the hospital, in pain and out of it. I wish this image would go away and I could remember him as my jolly grandpa.

I will always remember the smell of his pipe and his million-dollar smile. I think of grandpa often and worry about my mom. Both of her parents are now gone. Life is beautiful and tragic all at the same time and I know life always goes on, but sometimes....it's just not easy.

Rest in peace, grandpa. We will always love and remember you.

Cheers to Germany!

It's been awhile since I've posted a new blog. I've been extremely busy and actually now I'm sick. I think I pushed myself too hard.

Last weekend, I had the privilege of being involved in my best friend, Carla's, wedding and baby shower. She married a wonderful man, Patrick, from Germany. His family was such a delight to meet. I loved them all. I am saving my pennies to fly to Germany one day to spend time with Carla and Patrick and the Franke family. :)

Carla and Patrick are going to have a son in November. I'm so happy for them. I cry tears of joy everytime I think about it. Carla has been through a lot in the past few years. She deserves to be happy, loved and well cared for.

Cheers, to my new Franke family! You've taught me so much about life and love. May we meet again soon.

Carla, I love and miss you dearly!

Nottoli prepares for Chicago marathon

My brother Paul was featured in the Kalamazoo Gazette today. He is training for the Chicago marathon to raise money for the Non-profit Chiropractic Organization to help people in third world countries that don't have access to health care.

I'm a proud sister! Read the article here. Way to go, Paulie!! :)

Do you really get Twitter? I bet not!

I have been contemplating the last few days on what to blog about. It finally came to me. I found this blog post on Twitter and had to share it because it sums up Twitter to a "T!" (clever, eh?!) :)

The blog comes from Your PR Guy. He asks a very good question - Do your friends get Twitter? According to PR Guy, most people don't get Twitter and I completely agree.

PR Guy gives some helpful tips on how you can grow your followers:

1. It's not how big your Twitter is, it's how you use it.


2. Follow only those who will bring you value.


3. Define what's valuable to you.


4. Block obvious SPAM twitters.


5. Actually connect with your followers.


6. Start, continue and facilitate a conversation


7. Automate your presence. You can't always be around. You have a life to live.

Read the entire blog at: http://www.yourprguy.com/2009/06/its-not-just-my-friends-most-people-dont-get-twitter.html

Something to think about on "hump day." :)

Yellow Springs

We went to Yellow Springs to hang out today. I love that little town. We rode 12 miles on the bike trail, walked around and ate at Ye Old Tavern - the first house in Yellow Springs. The art work, flower gardens and scenery is beautiful. The people are so interesting. It's such a laid back/anything goes kind of place. 

Thank you, Yellow Springs for being so welcoming. We will return. :)

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Fourth of July! We've had a great weekend relaxing and hanging out with friends. :)

The Real Housewives of Ohio?

I am a HUGE fan of Bravo TV's The Real Housewives series. My favorites are the NYC woman and most recently the New Jersey woman. The drama makes me laugh. I still can't believe how these people actually live these over indulged lives!

I found this blog called Visual Ambassador. Posts are written by a few different women. I particularly liked the post by Saundra Marcel titled Real Fake Housewives. She hit the nail right on the head with some of the housewives thinking they are marketing/branding business professionals - making it look like anyone can do it! If you have enough money I guess you can do a lot of things.

I wonder if Bravo will ask some housewives in Ohio or Michigan to join the clan? Probably not as exciting as Jersey, OC and NYC, but I bet you could still find some major drama! :)

Check out Saundra's blog here: http://visualambassador.com/2009/06/25/real-fake-housewives/. Thanks for the insight.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. She would kill me if I revealed her age so I will refrain, but she still looks like she's 30!

My mom is one of the bravest, strongest, determined, hard working women I know. She had 4 kids before she was 30, was a stay-at-home mom and worked for my dad's business doing all of the behind the scenes paperwork and scheduling - dad could not have done that without her - cared for my brother Paul that had Leukemai (driving back and forth to Mott's Children's Hospital) and was always involved in all of my brother's sports and my extra-curricular activities. For years she was the team cook for the high school football team. I don't think the woman ever slept!

She is the beautiful mother of 5 children - 1 girl, 4 boys (I'm the oldest). All of her kids are grown, in college or moved away. A few years ago she decided to go to college and get her degree in medical coding and billing. She got a 4.0 grade point every semester, completed her externship and received her degree. She is now looking for a job on top of still working for my dad, remodeling their house, (and boy is it awesome!!!), teaching Sunday school, taking care of our 21 year old cat (hi, Spumoni!) and cleaning up after my brothers who are home for the summer.

So today, mom, here's to you. You have taught me to work hard, dream big, love much, give always, cry freely and laugh often (most importantly at yourself). Because of you, I am the woman I am today.

Happy birthday. I love you today and always. XOXO

Twitter: to follow or not to follow?

I have been following @KidsAreHeroes on Twitter for a few months now. Gabe O'Neil is the owner of the account and writes a blog about very interesting topics. I especially liked his posting about why people should follow or not follow you on Twitter. I completely agree and had to share.

Start following @KidsAreHeroes now. You'll be glad you did! :)

To Follow or Not to Follow
Posted by Gabe on June 11, 2009 under Social Media, Twitter, Twitter for Beginners 50 Comments to Read

Every once in a while when I think of it I like to solicit questions from my Twitter colleagues to see if there is any way to help the newer signups out there. I put out the call this morning and among others received this question: “What if I don’t follow back followers? Read more here:
http://www.justgabe.com/2009/06/11/to-follow-or-not-to-follow-2/

J n K + 8 - J

Like thousands, maybe millions, of those that watched the Jon and Kate plus 8 episode last night like me, what did you think? Honestly, I was not surprised, yet I was surprised by the fact that Jon said, "he was excited to start a new chapter in his life." Hmmmm....I'm not sure what that exactly means?

Anyway, today everyone was talking about the episode at work, blogs, text messages, Facebook, Twitter - we just can't get enough of J & K - and I admit it! :)

I have watched the show from the beginning and I love the kids. It was a half hour of my time that I could smile and be thankful I didn't have 8 children to care for. I've always thought Kate talked down to Jon (at least what made it on TV), but last night I finally realized that we have no idea what really goes on behind closed doors. We have no idea how bad this family is hurting. People continue to judge the Gosselins for every move they make or don't make. I say, take a walk in their shoes for a day and then give me your opinion.

Bottom line, I'm sad to see their marriage dissolve. Divorce is never easy and unfortunately all too common. But I think we can learn something from the Gosselins - don't be quick to judge.

Live a little and quit whining!

I am tired of always hearing about how we are in a recession and everyone is going out of business. I personally think this "recession" is a good life lesson on how to cut back on the things you really don't need. We have been living outside of our means for too long - and I'm taking full responsibility here, too!

I recently received an email from Marketing Profs. Their tid-bits of advice are always so handy and quick to read.

Here's what they are saying about the recession - not everyone is feeling the crunch:

• Wine drinkers are still imbibing—but they're "looking more closely at cheaper selections."


• Used car sales are on the rise, as are parts at auto stores.


• Sales at Goodwill Industries are booming—while those at luxury retailers like Saks have plummeted.


• Comfort food is king: Chocolate-maker Hershey's sales were up 20 percent in the first three months of 2009; sales of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese have gone through the roof.


• Do-it-yourself is tops. Consumers are "buying things that they can use themselves," Riechmann says, such as fishing equipment and seeds for at-home vegetable gardens.


• DIY fitness is booming. Sales of running shoes are robust, as are those of bicycle helmets.

I have to agree - comfort food and thrift store shopping are the best! :)

So get out there, stop whining and live a little smarter! I think you'll find that life is still grand!

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year

Tonight I will be attending the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year fundraising event. This is a special night to honor and remember those who have experienced the disease.

It's also a special night because 23 years ago, my brother was diagnosed with ALL. Paul is a survivor, a fighter and my hero.

I'm looking forward to this event and will honor my brother and all of the other children and adults who have survived or lost their battle.

http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=264035

Donors needed

Today I finally registered to be a bone marrow donor. I've been wanting to do this for years and just never did it. From now until June 22, you can register for FREE at www.marrow.org. Normally it's $55 to register. Please urge your friends and family to register. There are so many people waiting for a match.

This also hits close to home because my bother, Paul, (I talked about him below) had Leukemia. It's something easy everyone can do to save a life.

Speaking of being a donor...I have also chosen to be an organ donor since I was 16 years old. Organ donation is so very important, too! You can easily register at www.donatelife.org.

I recently knew of a 24 year old male that died in a freak accident. His family kept him on life support for one day and then decided to take him off so that his organs could be donated. This is such a special gift. I applaud his family for making that very difficult decision.

Life is precious. Give the gift of life.

Words you never want to hear...

I have been recently following a blog - ALL for Ally - about a beautiful, strong 7-year-old girl that has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL). Reading her blog, it takes me back to when my younger brother, Paul, was diagnosed with Leukemia (also ALL) at the tender age of 4.

Our family had traveled to Alabama on vacation, but my mom just knew something wasn't right with Paul. He was weak, pale and had bruises all over his body. As a kid, you don't realize the severity of his illness. As soon as we returned to Michigan, my parents took Paul to the doctor and later learned that he had Leukemia. Paul was immediately taken to Mott's Children's Hospital.

I can remember being scared, wondering if Paul was going to be ok. I'm the oldest and only girl of four boys so I was in charge of "holding down the fort" and being strong when my parents were in the hospital with Paul.

I can't imagine what my parents were going through - questions racing through their minds. Wondering why this was happening and how did this happen?

What I do know after 23 years is that it made all of us a closer family. My mom has always told me "everything happens for a reason" and I truly believe that.

Paul is now 27-years-old, going to school to become a chiropractor and running races and marathons just about every weekend. Paul is my hero and my friend. He has taught me to stay positive, be proactive not reactive and to be a fighter.

Thank you, Paul, for teaching me such beautiful life lessons. Everything does happen for a reason and you are a survivor and my hero. I love you.

Social media...everyone's doing it!

As I'm sure you aware (unless you live under a rock or want nothing to do with it), social media is all the new rage for individuals and businesses. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube, MySpace, blogs...whatever you're in to it's always changing.

I have been a part in creating social networks for Dayton Children's (http://www.childrensdayton.org/). It's been an honor to have other organizations and hospitals look to us as an example of what can be done with social media.

We currently have a Twitter page (twitter.com/daytonchildrens), You Tube Channel (youtube.com/daytonchildrens), Facebook fan page (search for The Children's Medical Center of Dayton), a cause page and even our mascot Wally B. Bear has his own Facebook page (below)!

Social media is certainly the new wave of sending out information to a large audience and having that two-way communication. If your organization is not participating, you should really reconsider. There are risks with everything, but don't let that scare you. I was recently sent a great article on "10 Must-Haves for your Social Media Policy" by Sharlyn Lauby. It does a great job at walking you through what should be included in your policy.

Bottom line...technology is always changing and you must adapt and change if you want to keep up, especially in the marketing and public relations field. It's been so much fun learning how social media is evolving. I think everyone in marketing should become a social media specialist.

What do you think?

Where do I begin?

I have always wanted to start a blog. So today I did it. I'm tired of always saying that I will do all of these things and then never get around to actually doing them. I still want to write a children's book...I've been saying that now for over 5 years...I still want to take a pottery class...we'll see if that actually happens...and I still want to ride in a hot air balloon. Life is too short so why do I never follow through? I'll tell you why - lack of money, time and motivation! :)

Anyhoo, here it goes. At least I can say that I tried it!