Helping Veterans: Warrior Weekend Program

I have a thing for Veterans. I am a veteran, I know Veterans, I work with Veterans and the whole mission behind the HR work I  do each day is to honor America's Veterans. I even had the honor to mold, shape and build future Veterans when I taught ROTC at the University of Pennsylvania more than a few years ago.

Photo credit: iStockPhoto

It was during my ROTC assignment that I met Stephen Udovich. Steve was an infantry officer with more #badass in his buzz cut than the rest of our department combined. Steve is now retired and has used his #bad for #good.

Steve founded the Warrior Weekend Program. The Warrior Weekend Program provides weekends of rest and relaxation for America's Heroes who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and who are undergoing recovery at our Military Medical Centers.  They focus on small groups of between 8 to 12 personnel and offer events to participate in at various destination cities. The idea behind the program is to take these heroes and their family members out of the hospital environment for a weekend.

The program depends entirely on contributions.

Warrior Weekends is sponsoring a Super Bowl Raffle with proceeds to benefit the program. Super Bowl Package includes: 2 Tickets to the Super Bowl, 3 Nights at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, $1,500 in transportation of spending money.

For More Information or to Purchase Tickets, CLICK HERE.

Tickets by Mail: Send check made to Warrior Weekend Fund ($20.00 each) with self addressed stamped envelope to address on the flyer.

Click through and take a look at the program. It's a good one.

Giving Thanks For What I Don't Have

What's going on at your home this morning - turkey basting, pie baking, family on their way to visit? Things are on the down low at the Rosendahl house today.

We're looking forward to a breakfast buffet at home for three, an early afternoon showing of Catching Fire and homemade spaghetti Bolognese for dinner. The  seasonal what nots are on tap for Saturday and I am going for a thyme/roasted garlic  turkey. Stay tuned. This will be my second time cooking a turkey and the first time was a bust.

Photo credit: iStockPhoto

I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for the things I have yet I am more thankful for the things I don't.

I don't have it all. I am driven by security and have enough doubt for all of us. Because of the things I don't have, I am challenged to be better, to try new things, to break out of the same routine, to see myself through the eyes of others, to learn from my friends, to accept (and work through) uneasiness or fear rather than succumb to the desire to just throw it all away.

I don't have the perfect balance of what I need right here, right now and that's ok. If I did, I wouldn't have geared up to get back into shape, I wouldn't have met Jenny, stuck with CrossFit or been in the shape I am now. I'd still be whining. If I did, I wouldn't be taking a look at what I eat and how it impacts how I feel. If I did, I wouldn't be observing how I spend money (and how I get nauseous when I spend) or accept that I value experiences much more than things. If I did, I wouldn't be focusing on my relationships with others and what I can do better on my end to be present for the long haul, and not just in the moment.

Happiness, and acceptance, to you and yours.