Burzynski Clinic, Houston's Premier Cancer Treatment Center

Check out this YouTube video about the Burzynski Clinic. My Mom is now cured of her cancer thanks to Dr. Burzynski.

Grandma Margaret's House

The boys LOVE going to my Mom's house. She spoils them and gives them individual attention every time... Like going on the swing around with Tate and playing the clavinova with Samuel.

Earning $ for Grandma's Pills

Tate is CONTINUING to earn money for Grandma Margaret's cancer medicine. So far he's earned well over $100, probably close to $200.

$86-from selling pictures that he colored

$6-from picking up nuts on two different occasions from Grandma S. neighbors pecan tree

$5-from selling gumballs to family and friends from his gumball machine

$?-Lots of money from finding quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies around the house and saving it to give to Grandma Margaret. It's amazing to me how just a small amount of change (that we don't even miss) can add up so quickly!

And just for your information, Tate is upping his level of commitment in earning money for Grandma. He informed me earlier today that he wants to start going around from house to house selling his coloring pictures "starting with Ian's mom" he said. So, you better watch out cause Tate's "NOT going to stop until Grandma's better"!!!

All I can say is I've got one determined kid...

"It's Working!!!"

I just wanted to thank each and every one of you who have bought a picture from Tate to help him help Grandma Margaret to be able to buy her cancer medication. So far he's made 41 dollars and let me tell you, he couldn't be happier!

This morning Tate SNUCK into our bedroom (really early) and asked if he could wake up and color more pictures to sell. I told him he could...

Later (when I woke up) I went into his bedroom to check on him. The first thing out of his mouth was, "Mom!!! It's working, it really is. I'm earning money for Grandma Margaret!!!!!" And then later he said, "41 dollars is A LOT of money Mom".

Tate is thrilled to be able to help...

Tate's Pictures

Yesterday, Tate had a plan...

He explained it to me this way, "Mom, I have it ALL figured out of how to make money for Grandma Margaret's medicine (she has cancer and a large amount of her pills are NOT covered by insurance)... I'm going to color pictures from my coloring book and sell them for money!"

He then worked for MANY MANY MANY MANY hours doing just that-Coloring Pictures. After which time he came to me and asked the question, "But Mom, do you think that anybody who's not YOU would want to buy my pictures?"

I reassured him by answering, "Of course Tate". What else was I supposed to say?

Late last night, Tate sold his first picture... For five dollars... To Grandma Bloomfield!!! He was ECSTATIC (to say the least). He even fell asleep on the couch HOLDING that five dollar bill.

Tate is DETERMINED to help make money for Grandma Margaret's medicine! So I figured that I'd help the kid out a little by doing some advertising for him via the blog...

Would you like to BUY a picture from Tate?!? Just donate ANY amount of money (at least enough to cover the stamp) and he'll mail a picture back to you!
(Please make sure that your Paypal address is correct)

Thank-YOU So Much!

I want to thank each one of you who helped out with our Golf Fundraiser to help raise money for my Mother's cancer medication!!!

Thank you to those who golfed, thank you to those who pledged/donated money, and thank you to all others who have kept my Mother in your prayers. I want you to know that your contribution is VERY MUCH appreciated!

We have not yet received word (from Positive Impact) on how much money we were able to raise or even who donated money... So sorry if you donated and we haven't personally thanked you, it's because we don't know yet:)

Thanks again,
Love, Maria

Benefit Golf Tournament

Yesterday was a BIG day!!! And not just for Bryan being in charge of the tournament and all... but it was a big day for me as well.
You see...at the very last minute some of the golfers didn't show up and so I was invited to join the tournament and golf in their place.

Well just for your information I play softball (as you can tell from the above picture), NOT GOLF. In fact I've NEVER golfed before in my entire life. So it was a BIT of a challenge for me to even hold the golf club like a golf club vs. like a bat. Anyhow...

I was VERY fortunate to have been placed in a team with my husband Bryan, Brother in Law Jon, and his sister Rachel. THANK GOODNESS they didn't seem to mind my lack of golfing skills.
It ended up being LOTS AND LOTS of fun! Here's Bryan being a GOOF!

And now a STUD!

We survived ALL 18 HOLES!!! It ONLY took us 6 hours! And our final score was... 102. Ha/Ha.

BTW, It's not to late to pledge $ for ME playing! After all, I didn't even know that I was going to be GOLFING until about 1/2 hour before we started.

So if you'd like to contribute towards a very worthy cause of helping my Mother recover click HERE. Remember to specify Margaret Manning as the recipient.

And if you have any questions...
Please email me onesmartchicken at gmail dot com

Today's the Day!

My Husband (Bryan) has been WORKING really hard the last several months organizing a Golf Tournament to BENEFIT my mother (Margaret Manning) and to raise money for her medication.



As most of you know... My mother was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (a very aggressive type of Cancer) back in March of this year and began cancer treatment at the BURZYNSKI CLINIC in Houston TX in April. Since that time, she has been making AMAZING PROGRESS! Her tumors are shrinking/disappearing and it appears that she will be in remission by February or March. In order for this to happen though, she must continue taking her medications until she gets the all clear.

My Mother is in desperate need of money to continue the medicine needed for her cancer treatment!!! A lot of her medications are covered by insurance, but a couple of the drugs are considered "experimental" and cost $5000/month. As you can imagine, this has been a HUGE burden for my parents to carry!

I am writing to you (my dear blog friends) to ask for your help in sponsoring my husband Bryan as he golfs in the tournament today.

Will you donate $1-10/hole or more, that he golfs, in order to support Margaret. Bryan and I have personally contributed the amount to cover the tournament’s cost and therefore all of your donation will go directly to Margaret’s Recovery.

I'm aware that this is a difficult time of year to ask anyone for money, but we would really appreciate any amount that you could donate, even if it is $5. Plus, everything that you donate is also tax deductible. It doesn't have to be by today either-just when you can! Hopefully sooner than later though...



Click here to make a payment online. Remember to specify Margaret Manning as the recipient. Or you can always mail a check to: Positive Impact; PO Box 8048; Chandler AZ 85246. Make the check out to Positive Impact, with Margaret Manning in the Memo line.



Thank you so much in advance for all of your help! My family and I have seen miracles happen already, and are EXCITED for more to come!



I'll keep you posted on how the Golf Tournament turns out. And hopefully I'll get some pictures!

Mesa AZ Temple Paintings FOR SALE by Thomas Manning

It's time for my Mother to buy some more pills again... We've got to combate that cancer! So in an attempt to help out (even a little) I've set up some PAYPAL "BUY NOW" buttons for my brother Thomas' beautiful MESA AZ TEMPLE PAINTINGS.

100% of the proceeds will go towards her cancer treatment.

Okay, so there are two different paintings to choose from:

This one is called the Mesa AZ Temple at Moonlight

and this is called the Mesa AZ Temple at Sunset

To purchase a print or canvas-check out my sidebar or you can purchase it from my Mom's Blog. We also have larger sizes available. Email me with questions {onesmartchicken at gmail dot com} Please help me spread the word.

Extreme Play Fundraiser-This Thursday!

I've never actually been to Extreme Play, but from what I hear it's lots of fun and kids LOVE it. Hope to see you there on Thursday!

Day 156-Thanks Everyone!

{My siblings all but Thomas who is in Washington on his mission. Left to Right: Jonathan, Christina, Maria, James, Aaron. We sang one of my Mom's favorite songs-Top of the World}

I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you who were able to come to the dinner/auction last night. We had a great turnout, and we met our goal of earning enough money for a months worth of medicine for my Mom! So... overall it was a huge success. Thanks again!

Italian Dinner and Benefit Auction-Tonight

Click HERE for an almost complete list of auction items. Hope to see you there!

Day 155-Busy Day

Yesterday was spent finishing getting last minute donations from some local bake shops. I really have surprised myself in my ability to be brave. For those of you who don't know me very well-I'm sort of "THE SHY GIRL". I've had to FORCE MYSELF to step out of my comfort zone and just ask. It was terrifying at first, but I've gotten a little more comfortable. I brought Tate and my SIL Natalie along for moral support:) We made it more FUN by stopping and taking pictures along the way. Can you believe they actually WANTED me to take pictures?

Day 154-Mother/Daughter

I went over to my parent's house today. My Dad took some pictures of my Mom and I (upon my request).  Mom and Daughter pics are always fun, and I only have a handful of them at most... I'm guessing my Mom was typically the one behind the camera.

Baja Fresh Fundraiser is Today!!!

Anyone who is in the Mesa area (Val Vista and Baseline) today can enjoy Baja Fresh and benefit Margaret. Print off this flyer and bring it with you. When you order, a percentage of today's proceeds will go directly to Margaret's health fund. Happy Memorial Day!

Italian Dinner and Benefit Auction for My Mom

What are you doing Friday June 5th? I'm going to this Italian Dinner and Benefit Auction, and I wanted to formally invite each of you! 

You can purchase your tickets through PAYPAL or credit card on the top left corner of my blog. Or... If you get with me or anyone else in my family, we can hook you up with some tickets.

 There are going to be some great items and deals at the auction. Click HERE for our growing list of auction items. We are still looking for additional items for the auction. Please email me onesmartchicken@gmail.com if you have something to donate. All donations are appreciated:)

Thank-you all in advance for your support! I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate each and everyone of you.

Baja Fresh Fundraiser-Every Little Bit Counts

115-Car Towed and Benefit Concert

As I wrote in my previous post... my Sister in Law Carrie spent the night at our new house last night. This morning when I woke up, I heard a loud noise. I got out of bed and looked out my bedroom window and saw that Carrie's mini van was gone! At first I thought that maybe she had left to go to the store or something and hadn't wanted to wake me. So I went into the guest bedroom to look for her and finally found her in Tate's bedroom with her kids. I told her the bad news about her car being gone, and then we both kinda started freaking out together. Then it occured to me that maybe her van could have gotten towed instead of stolen. So, Carrie called the police and they let her know that her car had indeed been towed. They also informed her of a very crazy HOA policy. Supposedly our new HOA has a contract with this towing company where they make routine drives throught the neighborhood between the hours of 2 AM and 6 AM. They make note of vehicles parked in the street and then at 7 AM, if the car is still there, they are allowed to tow the cars away without any warning. Then in order to get the car back, you are required to pay for the towing fees. They said that being a weekend she would need to pay extra fees to get her car back. I think that the total ended up being $255. Isn't that just wrong? Since she has 4 kids to get around-car seats and all, there is no possible way she can go without her car. So, she basically had no other choice but to pay for it.

Tonight was the benefit concert for Christian & Stephanie and my Mother. It was pretty fun. We got to get a picture with the Phoenix Suns Gorilla so that was cool!

Just a friendly reminder...

Yes, I am planning on going to this benefit concert Saturday night. It's going to be amazing, and moving won't stop me from attending! Hope to see you all there!

Good News

For those of you who haven't checked out MY MOM'S BLOG lately... She's written several new posts. They are definitely worth reading.