May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Think of what you can do in May for Mental Health Awareness Month. Everyone has someone in their life that suffers from mental illness. Make sure you let them know how wonderful this world is with them. This month if you buy my book 'Grace Under Pressure - Smiling Through Adversity' I will donate a portion of the sales to Bring Change 2 Mind. Read the article below to understand their mission.
Grace

MESSAGE FROM GLENN CLOSE and BRING CHANGE 2 MIND:

Many of you learned about Bring Change 2 Mind through our 2009 Public Service Announcement (PSA) directed by Ron Howard and filmed in New York’s majestic Grand Central Station. Thanks to generous media partners, and your outreach, our anti-stigma awareness message has been seen by an astounding 800 million people.

Our community is strong but we want our collective voice to be louder! In support of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we’ve partnered with Time to Change, England’s largest program challenging mental health stigma and discrimination, to create a new PSA based on one of the U.K.’s most effective social media campaigns.

We need your help!

As we develop our new campaign, we’re looking to you to help us fund a small portion of the production. We’ve called in lots of favors but some fixed costs must be covered. With your donation, large or small, we will reach millions of new viewers. If you cannot contribute, we hope that you will continue to support BC2M by sharing our message, enlisting friends to take The Pledge and helping us grow our community through Facebook and Twitter.

Our message is based on the latest science.

Members of our Scientific Advisory Council have measured the efficacy of a Time to Change PSA prototype for an American audience. Data collected from this study shows increased understanding of the commonality of mental illness, a reduction in social distancing, and a strong belief that recovery is possible! We will reshoot the PSA featuring my family. Like 1 in 4 families affected by mental health disorders, we struggle through the challenging times and celebrate the good days.

It’s time to talk about mental illness and end stigma & discrimination. Thank you for your participation in our new campaign and your continued support of Bring Change 2 Mind!

With great appreciation,

Glenn Close

To show your support with a donation please click here

Or Mail Checks to: BC2M, 1265 Battery St. 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111

In recognition of your contribution:

Gifts of $1,000+ will receive a BC2M Campaign Partner Certificate with my signature and special title credit in an online version of the PSA.

Gifts of $250+ will receive a collectible BC2M Campaign Partner certificate with my signature

Gifts of $100+ will receive a BC2M t-shirt

100% of your contribution will be put towards the PSA campaign and is fully tax deductible.

Celebrate Life to the Fullest - What's On Your Bucket List?

I know I have said this before, but I love my family! I had the opportunity to visit all my children and their families last month. They are lucky for the next 5 months to all live within 15 minutes of each other.

While I was visiting, I was able to watch my grandson Ethan for a few days. He patiently went to visit apartments with Rachel and I, so we took him to the aquarium as a reward. Fun times. He is a sweetheart. We always say to each other, "I love you to infinity and beyond."  Last month, he sent me his 'shadow' after reading the book "Flat Stanley" in preschool.  I took the shadow on several adventures and then returned him to Ethan with the journal of our time together. It was a lot of fun. We were glad to see his shadow still fit when we arrived.

Chris and Rachel moved after being with me for 4 months. It will be lonely here but I am so glad he was offered a wonderful job. They found an apartment and are settling in to their new life. I am glad she will be living near her siblings and hope they can spend some time together.

Another wonderful blessing arrived while I was visiting with everyone. My son and his wife now have a beautiful baby! He was 11 pounds and 1 ounce and mom had a rough time but they are all home and healthy. They named their son after both of their fathers. So we now have a new Michael Chumley in the family. He is adorable, big, and cute as can be. I can't wait to go back and hold him again.

As for me, lots of fun things are going on. I set a goal to do three 5K's this year and just finished my first one. I walk and try to jog a bit. It feels so good to feel healthy! I have lost 30 pounds and 8 inches since last October and feel great. I have less pain and my bursitis has hardly bothered me. I feel so good!

I received a pin today at the 5K that says, "Celebrate life to the fullest - What's on your bucket list?"  I had to laugh because I have done a lot of the things on my bucket list and need a new one! I love the phrase "Celebrate life to the fullest."  Life is short. Celebrate the good and find the happiness that surrounds us. I love visiting with friends and learning about their lives. With all of them, there have been tough times, but everyone of them that find the good in their tough times, are happy people. Life is tough. Life is hard. But if we can smile and find the good, we are so much happier and that radiates to the people around us. Someone recent asked me if I am always smiling. Well no, but I try and I actually practice smiling when no one is around! Yes my secret is out. I practice smiling!!! I smile while driving down the street, I smile while typing on the computer, and I smile when I am at home alone. And guess what? That smile seems to happen a lot more when I practice. Life is hard and we all go through pain, but we can still find ways to celebrate life to the fullest and smile along the way.

Another Valentine's Day Slips By

It is February again, and for those who know me, it is kind of a tough month. Sad to say February 7th went by without me even thinking about that as the day of my first date with Mike and the day he proposed 2 years after that first date. I am not sure if it is sad I didn't think about it or good that I am moving on...

Valentine's Day is always harder for those who don't have someone special to love.  My daughter and her husband are living with me temporarily so she made some amazing cupcakes and we shared them with people. Service always helps so we don't dwell on ourselves. That night, I dressed up  and went to a church dance with them. Most of the couples were older so Rachel and Chris didn't stay too long. I decided to stay and make some new friends. It was hard watching all the couples dance but at least I was visiting with people.When I came home, I found this on my bed. It was very touching, sweet and made my day! I love my kids and their spouses. Everyone wants to know they are loved. Most people NEED to know they are loved and not just on Valentine's Day but every day. "I LOVE YOU," may be the most important words you ever utter. Say it often.

My Book is Finally Written!

I am so excited right now! My book is in its final review, it has a cover and will be ready to sell by 12-10-12 . This is a dream that has taken a long time. The first few chapters are not from my blog but has some information that is a great addition. So there is a lot of new information. It will be available on Amazon, Kindle or directly from my blog. I hope to have several copies at home too and would love to sign them personally! Spread the word!

The cover picture is one a took at the Outer Banks right after hurricane Sandy passed through. I love the ocean. It is powerful but yet has such grace and beauty.

It is currently available at:

It is also available on Amazon.com for Kindle or paperback!
 http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Under-Pressure-Chumley/dp/148105385X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357518733&sr=1-4&keywords=grace+under+pressure

Wedding Photo for Rachel and Chris

I know it has been awhile, but I thought I would share the professional photos from Chris and Rachel's April Wedding. It was a beautiful day for April and all the receptions were perfect. Great way to start married life!

Professional Pictures from Chris and Rachel's wedding

As for me, I spent the summer living in Utah were all my kids were living within an hour of each other. We have had a lot of fun together. Picnics, Stadium of Fire with the Beach Boys, dinners, game nights, and next week WICKED at the Capital Theatre! It has been fun but at some point I have to go back home and Chris and Rachel will head back to Hawaii to finish school. Jeffrey will start a medical program here in Utah keeping them here for another 3-5 years. Chris and Marie will hopefully finish in 1-2 years and move somewhere in the Northwest. So life is good and we are holding together as a growing family.

One Person's Example Can Last A Lifetime

Have you ever known someone who had an impact on your life in so many ways that you are still realizing it? My father was one of those people. He lived through the depression as a kid often eating just milk and flour, he was beaten by his father and he left home as a young teenager. His only son died after a few hours of life and then his first wife, Carol, left him. Before dad could get all of his stuff from her, Carol's father used my dad's gun to kill himself. In WWII, my dad found himself in a military hospital where an unnecessary surgery was preformed on him causing him to lose one of his lungs. He was considered 80% disabled after that.

He had several things happen in his life that he could have chosen to be bitter and angry about. But I never saw that. He was a quiet, calm, happy person. Most of the above events I didn’t even hear about until after he died. He chose not to dwell on them. It was his sister that told me a lot about his hard life.

When I was in junior high and high school, I ran for different offices & cheerleader. I lost for 4 years straight before I won anything.  My dad was the one who taught me to keep trying, to never give up, and be happy for the winner.  He always told me I could do anything, and I believed him. He spent time with me building remote control boats, riding dirt bikes, going on motorcycle poker runs and teaching me to fix things.

All the little things in life that he helped me work through made a huge difference on how I handle all the big things that happen as an adult. When I was faced with the hard times, I worked though them because of what my dad taught me and because of his example. He was a man who easily could have been angry but chose to be happy. It wasn’t until last week that I realized I am who I am because of his example. I choose happiness at difficult times because he taught me to. I owe my dad a lot. Thanks dad, I miss you.

Dedicated to Keith Howard Christophersen 

May 9, 1919 to Nov 9, 1982 

Bad Day = Change Attitude

I try to teach people to smile and find happiness in whatever life throws at them.  Lately several people have alluded to the fact that they think I do not understand what is thrown at them or that I never have a bad day. Today was one of those days everything went wrong, and I just wanted to cry and give up. That is still one of my choices. 

I went to check on my pump for my sprinkler system. A company has been working on it for 1 1/2 years and it keeps breaking down. Well, they still have not fixed it. You can tell they come and look at it, but it is still torn apart. Then my one-year-old riding lawnmower broke down as I started to mow the yard.  It is no longer under warranty. I am leaving next week for the summer and I am trying to get everything ready for the new occupant of my home. 

I sat on the ground by the lawnmower and wanted to cry. I am tired of always having to do this on my own.  I looked at the mower and felt helpless. Then I thought about what I teach. Smile; find the lesson. At first, I did not want to. I wanted to cry. For some reason I thought of my dad. He always taught me I could do anything. He was always my biggest fan.  Having all daughters, he taught me to fix stereos, work on my car, build remote control boats, and ride a motorcycle.  I think he was the biggest influence on me having a positive attitude. He had been through so much throughout his life and I never heard him complain.  

I got the tools, checked closely how the lawnmower was built, tore apart what needed fixed and fixed it and put it back together. The good news is it worked and I was able to mow the lawn. Some days it is very lonely here but I still have control over how I am going to deal with it. I started out feeling sorry for myself and wanting to cry, I ended up reminiscing about my dad and finding the confidence to go on.

I will still teach that we have the power to decide how we will react. Sometimes, like today, it just takes longer to react in the positive way. I never said I was perfect. It takes a lifetime to sculpt yourself into the person you really want to be.

Wedding, Travel and Fun, OH MY!

The big wedding day is coming fast! I have worked so much this month at the school and now for the next 2 months I will be running around like a mad woman. I feel like things are on track. I have not gone into debt for doing 2 major receptions, none of it is on a credit card and I am all caught up on bills. Either I have been working a ton or the angels have been on my side helping me to find great deals! I will go with both. One of the new things that is fun for engaged couples is to make an engagement video. We couldn't resist the opportunity and due to an incredible videographer, Shane Harder, they have an amazing engagement memory. Check this out:

Rachel & Chris North Shore Engagement from Shane Harder on Vimeo.


In the next 2 months, I will go on 5 flights, 3 long distance drives, attend 3 receptions, rent 2 cars, and enjoy 3 mini vacations.  I have been working a lot to cover all this but it is so worth it! It all goes back to what is the most important thing to me and the answer is my family. Even though they are all grown up and will all be married soon, I love them so much and would do just about anything for them. They are more important then gold, jewels or money. They are my diamonds, my most prize possession, and worth more to me then just about anything else. I don't know how long I have on this earth and I don't ever want them to doubt my love for them, my faith in them, or what they can do. Marie, Jeffrey and Rachel mean everything to me. Now I add their wonderful spouses as my own. They all married well and I hope someday soon I can do the same again  ;)

Coming Soon to A Bookstore Near You!!!

Well, it is in the final stages! I am getting close to the final product and trying to decide eBook or softbound...I think I will do both! You can check out the article in the Women In Networking on-line magazine that is promoting my book. It is on page 8 and I am really excited. Hope you will all check it out!  WIN eZine

Valentine's Day? Hummmm

So what do you do on this day when there is no one special love of your life? I started first by expanding my "love" circle to my kids and their loves. Sent them all cards to arrive today. Then I went a step further and sent all the high school girls I work with at church a card, just in case no one thought of them as a Valentine. Yesterday, I started to think about my middle school church girls, what if they didn't get anything? So while I was working yesterday, I bought the 'Candy Grams' the middle school was selling and had them delivered to their classes today.

But when Valentine's Day actually came, I laid in bed all morning not wanting to deal with it or with the fact that maybe no one would remember me. Then I had to make an attitude adjustment. This was ridiculous. I got out of bed and started making cupcakes. When they were ready, I drove to my aunt's house and told her she was coming with me. We delivered cupcakes to single friends we both new around town and a few other people we just love. Took us most of the afternoon. Then we went to a late lunch together. As we were getting ready to leave the diner, two of the young men from the high school came in and were waiting for their dates, who just happened to be two of my favorite girls. I teased the boys, gave them a few tips then made one more delivery.

Now I am home, still alone, still somewhat sad, but yet very happy because service helps us to think of others and not dwell so much on ourselves. I learned a lot from the wonderful people Donna and I visited today. Some who may be lonelier then me. I am thankful that somewhere in my life other people taught me to serve. Life is all about choices and attitude adjustments. Today I made a choice to adjust.  Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Sometimes A Good Cry Can Cleanse the Soul

Today I got on the treadmill and walk/jogged for 45 minutes...in tears.  I wish I could say it was from the pain of exercising but it was not. More like a mind overload or meltdown. Many things are on my mind. What am I doing with my life? Why does everyone let money run his or her lives? Why can't I sleep at night or focus in the daytime? Who am I, no really, what defines me?

I love music; loud, popular music.  I turn it up loud so I don't have to think. It sometimes keeps my mind occupied and off of thinking.  Other times it makes me think too much. I like my eyes and my hair. I hate how I look in pictures because of my weight but that is a never-ending battle. I can be happy with it; it just is not great for attracting guys! (I was smiling and laughing as I typed that) I am religious but often forget to practice what I truly believe.  I love being my own person and doing what I want but ironically I hate being alone.  I believe I would do whatever I could in my power to help a friend or family member.

Right now, my thoughts are focused on letting go of my youngest so she can move into her new marriage stage of life. A friend once told me that you raise them the best you can then let them go and pray they make good choices. I believe all of my children will do just fine.  It was exciting for me to let them go and watch them move into finding their own way. What I did not realize was how hard it would be with the last one. She is ready to move on and I am ready to let her go, but what I did not realize is what the next stage for me is? I am guessing this is when the nurturing mother starts putting more focus back on her husband. Therefore, that leaves me wondering what I am supposed to do.

The best answer I can come up with is get a job so I have a life! Not for the money, but for a life. This brings me back to the topic of "Why does everyone let money run his or her lives?"  If you do not have money, all you think about is what you could do if you had some. Some people will sacrifice everything to gain money. When you do have money, you can easily become a Scrooge so you do not lose it. Money can be "the root of all evil." My mom had $15,000 in cash hidden in her house for a rainy day. She showed me where it was just in case she died before she spent it. It was to go to her 3 children. Well she died before it rained and then her boyfriend took it all so none of it even went to her family like she planned.

Money is one of the things in this life we depend on for survival, but we cannot take with us when we die.  I look at my late husband and wonder what he worked so hard for. For me to live alone in a nice house. Yes, he worked to provide for the kids and me, but he missed so many recitals, plays, fairs, and vacations that I went on with the kids alone.  No one knows how much time he or she has on this earth and money is pointless beyond this life.  Make sure making money does not take over spending time with your family. Being alone has opened my eyes to how much money cannot buy. Maybe that is why I am so bad with budgets and saving money.  Mike did not live long enough to enjoy all his hard work. Is it wrong for me to spend it on my kids and enjoying life now?          
So through tears of confusion I push through my exercising on the treadmill. I am actually smiling and I am happy, but I can also be confused and lonely at the same time. It is life and I will make the best of it, through tears and smiles.

My wonderful family
(minus Marie who loves being behind the camera!)

Life Is Good

So a lot has happened in a few months time! I enjoyed another trip to Hawaii to pick up Rachel from college before Christmas. She vowed it would be my cheapest trip ever and fed me at the campus cafeteria and housed me. Good times. It was fun to meet all her friends and to see her in action working at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Rachel, Chris and I hiked to Makapuu Lighthouse and then Rachel and I later did a hike to the look out on top of Diamond Head. We also had a great time snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. I think the only things I paid for was the flight, rental car, and eating out a few times!

We arrived home and Christmas was upon us. I had so much fun with all of my immediate family home for 2 weeks. We laughed so much playing games and watching movies. It was good to get to know Jeffrey's wife Elaine better and to spend time with my grandson. We had our annual cookie day with a twist...we skyped Chris Ivie and his family and made cookies together. That was like doing a cooking show over the internet! Christmas was a wonderful family time. Jeffrey called after they returned home and said he felt a bit home sick...that actually warms my heart to know he had so much fun he was a bit homesick. It was great to have Chris surprise Rachel and join us for New Years, but you can read that fun story at Rachel's blog: "Fireworks"

The answer to his proposal

Ethan with Santa's cookies and Rudolph's onion

One of our marathon game nights!

After all the excitement and 8 four hour round trips to the airport, everyone went home but Ethan. Ethan and I had a blast playing together for the week. He is so much fun. When the week ended it was time to drive him home to Utah. What a fun week that was too! My friend Christy drove with me so I wouldn't be alone. We spent the time down there running around planning Rachel's wedding and reception. (you must read her blog above!) It was great.  By the time we were ready to head home we were dodging snow storms but we made it. There was one scary moment when I had to guide Christy, who was driving, by the snow measurement poles on the side of the road. That was heading into Pendleton where the ice storm was hitting and we stopped for the night.

Now I am home and trying to get back on top of everything, but I had to stop and be thankful for all I have. My wonderful children and their spouses. My fun grandson who broke my heart when I told him I was leaving to go home and he said, "Don't you love me anymore?" My dear friends who love me even with my short comings, the wonderful youth in Sequim, and my wonderful caring co-workers at the school, have all left me a better person. May this New Year bring the joy of peace and happiness into your lives no matter the challenges life throws at you. Keep smiling, I know I will be.

Lesson's Learned

I have been thinking a lot about what I have learned over the last 3 years. There have been good and bad lessons learned. I have learned you will get hurt many times trying to find love again. It makes it hard to open your heart but I believe there is still hope. I have learned just because someone is your friend does not mean you can't trust them with your money. I have also learned that even at my age, some men don't understand no and will try to take advantage of you. No one I went out with, just a dirty old man; somethings never change.
There have also been some good things I have learned. My children are my rock. My extended family is so supportive. My girlfriends are amazing. And even with the bad lessons, I may cry for hours or days, but I can smile, forgive and slowly move on. That is the main thing I have learned. Smile, forgive and move on.

A World Of Opportunities

What a world of opportunities I have in front of me! I cannot say enough, how fun it was to participate in the Global Women's Summit in Los Angeles last weekend. It helped me to realize how to make a few of my dreams come true; very empowering! I met so many wonderful and talented women with such diverse occupations, dreams and skills, but yet all very similar in many ways. It has put me back on track with writing my book too! I have three manuscripts that have been proofed and now I am merging them together to glean the best finished product to get published.
I really appreciate all the support and guidance people have given me. The youth around me are so wonderful! We need to applauded them more often for the amazing things they do. I am thankful so many youth are a part of my life. It has been a pleasure serving the youth at church and at school. In our crazy world they are shinning stars.
The other day when my youngest was have a tough day I sent her a text saying, "You are my sunshine on cloudy days!" and she wrote back, "You are my cup of hot chocolate when my soul gets cold." When she posted it on facebook, she wrote, "I have the best mother in the world."  For the record, I have the best kids in the world and I love them dearly. We need more love in the world. So after you read this, go tell someone you love them. Smile at a stranger, wave to a neighbor, and be polite while driving. All these little things make the world a better place, one person, one deed at a time. So if you are reading this, I love you too!

Now, It Is Finally About Me...For the Most Part!

So I have been living alone for 2 months now for the first time in my life...ever! Again the question is constantly posed to me, "How are you doing?" I like to respond with, "Fine. Have you seen the movie, The Italian Job?" For those of you who haven't seen this movie, fine stands for F-freaked out, I-insecure, N-neurotic and E-emotional! Now having said that, aren't we all a bit 'fine?'  I will admit that I spent the last three years taking care of my kids first and now that I am alone, the first few weeks I broke down and cried more then normal.

After dropping off Rachel at school in Hawaii last July, it took one week of being home alone to go stir crazy! I packed the car and went to California. That was an amazing trip. I traveled where I wanted, when I wanted and saw people and places I wanted to see. This past summer I para-sailed, cave swam, zip lined, rode horses, inter-tubed behind a boat, hiked to a waterfall, road a 1,570 ft sky lift above the Redwoods, hiked to a sea lion cave and played in the Pacific Ocean off of Hawaii, Oregon, and California! I had some great times with special people and great times alone. I even did some grave hunting and found the 1943 grave of my half brother who died as an infant. It was unmarked so I am having a simple marker put on it. I doubt if anyone will ever see it but me, if I get back to Eureka, but it felt good to not leave him in an unmarked grave. It was a great summer.

I was home for a week and again ready to go stir crazy, but then school stated and I worked a little and life settled down. It is really quiet here, sometimes I lay awake all night wondering how to make myself fall asleep.  I do still have fun. It only takes 5 minutes to set up the huge wall screen, so alone I still watch movies.  In one day I can go from starting a new puzzle, to working on the computer, exercising, sitting on the new deck in the sun, reading a book, walking the dog, remembering I forgot to eat, working in the yard (yep, I really do), getting in the hot tub and even cleaning up things every now and then. Once in awhile, someone will talk me into helping out with something and I feel the love of this great small town.

Having said that, I do know what I want for my future. I know it is not something I will easily find here in this small community.  It took a good friend to point this out to me. The question was asked to me, "How many  dates have you gone on here? How easy is it to meet people your age here?" Both answers were not great! So after much thinking, I am going on a new adventure. I am renting out my house for 4 months and moving into a condo/apartment right in the heart of a big city. My older kids and grandson will be closer but not too close. Now I just need all the details to work out and come together!


When you are my age, there is no point in wasting time. I have said it a million times and I will say it again, people who say, "I will be happy when..." or people who are waiting for something but they don't know what, or people who are trying to get things in order first, are losing precious time. They will always be searching and will never find what they want.  It is now my time and if things aren't happening, I am ready to go out and make them happen.