I Received this Email From NOAH . . .

Dear member of the Albinism Community:

It is unprecedented for NOAH leadership to communicate with you in this way. However, this situation is dire and we believe you would want us to let you know. We write to advise you of disturbing human rights violations against people with albinism in Tanzania that call out for action by the world wide albinism community.

Tanzania is in East Africa. Recent reports published by BBC News tell of the murders of persons with albinism, including children, on the orders of witchdoctors peddling the belief that potions made from the legs, hair, hands, and blood of people with albinism can make a person rich.

People with albinism are being savagely hunted for their body parts. Official numbers say that 28 persons with albinism have been brutally murdered in the last 18 months. Sources within the albinism community there say the number of murders is much higher - perhaps closer to 60. The youngest victim so far is a 7 month old baby.

There is also evidence now that this practice is spreading beyond the borders of Tanzania. Two persons with albinism were brutally murdered in Kenya, and even more shocking there was a recent arrest of a man in The Democratic Republic of The Congo. The man was arrested because he was found to be transporting the head of a person with albinism. He told police he was bringing it to sell to a businessman, and that he was going to be paid by weight.

Into this crisis, an organization called "The Under The Same Sun Fund" enters.

The Under The Same Sun Fund is a Canadian nonprofit organization headed up by Peter Ash. Peter is a person with albinism, who is also a business leader and member of NOAH.

The Under The Same Sun team will travel with Rick Guidotti of Positive Exposure to Tanzania on a mission of mercy and education in October. They want to see how they can be of help to the albinism community there.

The Executive Committee of NOAH fully supports Mr. Guidotti, Mr. Ash and Under the Same Sun in their efforts and ask that you read the following information from Under the Same Sun and consider lending your support by reading and signing the online petition.

Your small gesture of support will make a difference. Please help today.

NOAH Executive Committee

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Under the Same Sun Fund

"Our People" - persons with albinism in Tanzania are suffering and we need to do whatever we can to help. All of the details of the project are explained on the Under the Same Sun website:

www.underthesamesun.com

After you have taken a few moments to understand the issues I am asking you to DO TWO SIMPLE THINGS to help those living in fear of this unspeakable evil in Tanzania.

1. Please sign the petition on the website.

2. Email as many people as possible and ask them to do the same - sign the petition. Email everyone you can think of.

When we are in Tanzania during the week of October 21st it is likely that the team will meet with senior government officials, possibly the president of the country. When the team meets with such officials they want to be able to hand them a copy of a petition with thousands of names from around the world - imploring their government to convict the killers and provide protection to people with albinism.

So, please, take a moment now - go to the website - sign the petition and then email as many people as possible asking them to do the same! People you know from other countries are great as well. We want to show that people from around the world are deeply concerned.

Thank you for acting on behalf of Our People - our brothers and sisters with albinism,

Peter Ash

Under the Same Sun Fund

www.underthesamesun.com, www.positiveexposure.org, www.albinism.org

Happy 7th Birthday, Lizzy!!

Lizzy turned 7 today! It was a great day, and it is hard to believe how big she is getting and how much older. She seems so much more independent lately.
She got an America girl doll that looks like her, complete with glasses, she loves the doll named Lizzy. : )
Things that made me happy today:
Lizzy turning 7
Lizzy loving her doll
Apple picking on a beautiful fall day
Teaching Lizzy to ride her 2 wheeler
Apple dumplings with ice cream
Frankie singing "Happy Birthday" to Lizzy.

Brookfield Orchards

We went apple picking today at Brookfield Orchards, in North Brookfield, for Lizzy's 7th birthday! It was the perfect weather day and one of my favorite times apple picking. I have gone pretty much every year since I was a kid, I love to go in the fall. We have gone to Brookfield for the past 10 years.
There are plenty of apple trees, so it does not seem crowded and there is a lot of room. There is a playground, sandbox and hayride. The store sells homemade pies, dumplings, etc. The dumplings are delicious! There is a snack bar which sells lunch and the delicious apple dumplings a la mode. It is always a fun day!

Kid Friendly Recipes

I wanted to share a few recipes that are healthy, quick, easy, incorporate veggies and my kids like to eat!

Cheesy Loaf -
1 pound of ground turkey or chicken
2-3 carrots grated
1 tomato grated
1/2 zucchini grated
Combine all ingredients in a bowl with bread crumbs, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and basil. Press into a baking dish and bake on 375 for 1 hour. For the last few minutes, melt pieces of cheese on top.

Spinach Quiche -
1 egg
1 small container part skim ricotta cheese
1 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 packages frozen spinach (cooked and drained)
2 pie crusts
Combine and mix; milk, egg and cheese. Add in spinach, onion powder and pepper. Pour into 2 pie crusts. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes.

Squash Soup -
2 packages frozen squash
1 package cauliflower (or broccoli)
1 can chicken broth
1 can water
1 cup milk
Combine in pot on stove with pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cinnamon and cloves. Cook to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 1/2 hour. Can substitute with other veggies too.

Fall is Approaching!

The mornings are getting crisper! The air is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. I enjoy the fall weather, except for the days getting shorter. We are going apple picking this weekend, a favorite fall activity and one of my favorite days of the year!
I feel ready for the change, after the summer, which I love, it is nice to have cool weather and less sun. I am still diligent with sunblock, but the sun does not seem as strong. And as much as I like longer days, I am ready for earlier nights and getting everyone ready, it can be restful. So I am glad I live where the seasons change!

Thank You for the Birthday Wishes

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday special on Saturday by celebrating with me, calling, emailing, sending cards, gifts and wishes! It means a lot. It was a happy day and I am so looking forward to Lizzy's 7th birthday!
Frankie even sang his own "Happy Birthday Mama"!

Counting to Three

I was impressed today, Frankie counted the 3 stickers he had put on his baby. He pointed to each one and said the number, using one to one correspondence. I was surprised that he could point to each one and count it, it made me happy!
He is always surprising me! As is Lizzy, she takes her own shower now, puts herself to bed and mostly gets herself all ready in the morning. It seems as if she grew up overnight!
Today's happy list:
Lizzy reading to Frankie
Lizzy setting up her cradle, with blanket and pillow, in Frankie's room for his baby. : )
Playing outside
Eating with the kids at Vello's
Booking some Discovery Toys parties.

September 8, 2006

Two years ago, today, Frankie was diagnosed with albinism. It was one of the most shocking days I have been through. It is amazing how much had happened in these 2 years and how different Frankie is today! He is doing so well, it amazes me. He had his EI class today, he was happy to go and fine when I left. He was so excited when I came back to show me his picture of a bus. : )
Last year I felt a little sad when the fall came, because that was when he was diagnosed and I felt as if I was going back to that day. But this year I feel so much better!

The Best of Days, The Worst of Days

Today was Lizzy's first day of first grade and she loved it! She came home a bit tired and hot, so we went out to dinner to the Red Robin, and she lost her tooth. She was so excited and the waitress gave her a Red Robin pin! The restaurant has good food (burgers) and is very kid friendly, complete with a balloon as you leave.
When we got home, Lizzy asked me if the tooth fairy was real or if I took the teeth. I asked her what she thought and she said that I was the tooth fairy. I said yes and she is so upset!! I feel so bad!! Since she asked outright, I wanted to tell her the truth, but it would have been more fun to keep pretending and she would have been happy. I hope I did the right thing!
I don't know what's going to happen with Santa this year!

Back to School

Lizzy and Frankie have been playing together so nicely lately. He is actually at an age where he can play with her more and they entertain each other! It is nice!
Tomorrow is Lizzy's first day of first grade! He is going to miss her a lot. It is always an adjustmet for me too, when she goes back to school. I miss having her to talk to! But first grade should be an exciting year! I keep telling her that I learned to read in first grade, and she says, "I already know how to read!" I know she will do well.

Canobie Lake Park

We went with our friends to Canobie Lake Park last week, in Salem, NH. We had a great time! First of all, there is a lot of shade, and plenty of rides for all ages. There were plenty of benches and
tables in the shade and lots of trees as you are walking. There are kiddie rides for kids under 36 inches only. Bigger kid rides are also plentiful, Lizzy and her friend had many to go on! Many of the rides are good for everyone, the sky ride, train, boat ride, ferris wheel, etc. There are many meal options and the park stays open at night. We stayed until it was getting dark and it was relaxing to be there and not even think of the sun! This was a great park and we had a fantastic time!