Bits & pieces

Just a few minutes before the Biggest Loser starts, but I wanted to put a few things out there.

Energizing reminder
I received the Energizer batteries in the mail today. If you want a shot at winning them, be sure to check out this post and leave me a comment about someone you know who keeps on going, and going, and going...

Tongue Thai'd
I went to lunch with some co-workers today and I had Thai food for the first time ever. It was delish! Not sure what the soup was, but it had a nice little kick without being overpowering. Then I tried the classic Pad Thai with chicken for the entree. The bean sprouts and chopped peanuts gave the perfect crunch. I washed it all down with green tea. I felt so cosmopolitan, this Midwestern girl diving into such international cuisine.

Throwing up my hands
Charlie informed me at 4:30pm that he has a social studies test tomorrow. I'm sure he knew about it before today, but did he tell me? No. Did he have it written in his assignment notebook before today? No. Did he know exactly what material the test would cover? No. So I spent quite likely not enough time drilling words and concepts like consumer, producer, raw materials and human resources into his head. I give up. This child cannot keep track of his school calendar and responsibilities to save his life. Is third grade too young for military school?

Confession
Remember all those yummy Peeps that Joanie sent to me? Remember how I shared two boxes with my kids and was saving the rest for Easter? Yeah, forget about that.

Know someone who keeps on going?

You know those Energizer Bunny commercials where the little, pink, drum-beating rabbit keeps going and going and going? There are plenty of parents who have given their kiddos -- mostly seems like little boys -- the nickname Energizer Bunny.

But there are other EB types out there, too. I'm talking about the grown-ups, or even teenagers, whose daily schedules make me feel like I need a nap just reading them. And often those people pack 36 hours into every day despite challenges that would stop most of us dead in our tracks -- illness, disability, economic hardship...

There are several people I know personally who fall into that category, though I feel like I'd need to ask their permission before I share their stories here. But I will tell you about my mom who I think fits the description.

That's her on the far left:

My mom is a nurse. She works full-time in a hospital-based doctor's office. When she's done working most nights, she heads over to my dad's custom embroidery shop (Anyone need logo wear, custom t-shirts, etc? Let me know!) to help him for several hours.

Oh, did I mention she still has one kid at home? My brother is a junior in high school. So many times, my mom finds herself sitting in the gym watching a volleyball tournament or at school supporting my brother in his efforts on student council, National Honor Society and a handful of other activities.

In her "spare" time, my mom is the "craft lady" at an annual camp for cancer survivors -- a job that takes planning and meeting throughout the year. And whoever said Sunday is a day of rest, didn't see the volunteer schedule she keeps at church.

Whew! I am tired!

The folks over at Energizer want to recognize folks like my mom. So a few years back, they created the "Keep Going" Hall of Fame. The search is on for the 2009 inductee. And you can help!

If you know someone who should be part of the "Keep Going" Hall of Fame, visit the Hall of Fame website to nominate them. This year's winner will receive $10,000 and an additional $5,000 to donate to their favorite charity!

But hurry, the deadline to submit nominations is March 31.

Want some free Energizer lithium batteries to keep your iPod, digital camera or the kids' Nintendo DS supercharged?

Leave a comment on my blog telling us about the Energizer Bunny in your life and you'll be entered to win either a pack of Energizer Ultimate Lithium or Energizer Advanced Lithium batteries. To earn an extra entry, link to this post on your own blog and leave me a comment letting me know you've done so.

I'll use the random number generator at Random.org to pick two winners on Friday, March 27.