Growing up with a father from Wisconsin, you constantly hear about 3 things: snow, cheese, and the Green Bay Packers.

So, my whole life I thought I was a Packer fan. But in August 2008, Packer quarterback Brett Favre signed with the NY Jets (and later to the MN Vikings). I  realized I was actually a Brett Lorenzo Favre fan. Screw the Pack.

I am a huge fan for many reasons, but it has very little to do with football.

Of course he is one of the most amazing quarterbacks of all time, but come on guys, this isn’t ESPN, it’s a mom blog. I’m not here to rattle off sports statistics.

As a mom with 2 boys (and a woman with a heart), it goes much deeper than that. I already know Morris and Bronson like sports and it is inevitable that they will look up to an athlete. I hope as my boys get older they will respect and appreciate Brett Favre not only for his athletic greatness, but for at least one of the following:

He’s passionate about what he does. The average career in the NFL is 3.5 seasons according to the NFLPA. Brett just completed his 19th season in the League. He has even retired twice and came back to the game.

He’s a family man. His wife Deanna (his college sweetheart) is often seen at the games. He constantly mentions how she is such a driving force in his life. They have 2 daughters, Brittany (21) and Breleigh (10).

He’s honest. He always tells it like it is and is very candid. He commands his press conferences/interviews with his Southern humor and charm.

He’s humble. He’s a gracious winner….and loser. Credit is given to his teammates and opponents. I am amazed to see how much time he spends at the end of a game hugging the opposing team. You can even see him chatting up the other quarterback and coaches for extended periods of time. 

He has an amazing work ethic. I already see how young kids want instant gratification with little time or effort put in. He holds the record for most consecutive starts by a quarterback at 285 games!!! Who in the world plays 285 games straight? That’s more amazing than having perfect attendance all 12 years of school. Brett is known for triumphing amid adversity. Some of his best games were played while seriously injured or coping with personal tragedy (such as the passing of his father, his mother's home loss during Hurricane Katrina, and his wife's battle with breast cancer).

I have grown up with and gone to college with many guys that played in the NFL and they all have nothing but nice things to say about Brett Favre. In any profession, the opinion of your co-workers goes a long way.

But the other day, I had the opportunity to meet this great man and now I can voice my opinion.

My friend Gayle got tickets to see Brett (we’re on a 1st name basis now) on the Tonight Show and invited me to attend with her. After the show, we’re escorted to the Green Room. When Brett comes out, I feel a sense of calm. I forget he’s one of the greatest football players and feel like I’m back in high school. He’s so humble and down to earth, I’m taken back to my high school days after the game. It’s like he just came out of the locker room and I still have my cheer leading uniform on. I almost blurt out, “should we head to McDonald’s or Taco Bell?”

He's so gracious and charming. He was visiting LA to take his daughter to see Miley Ray Cyrus and is traveling with his mother-in-law and Priest, both of which we meet. I can easily relate to their humble down home attitude. They're from Mississippi and I'm from Georgia, instant connection! lol. 

After conversation and picture taking, his Priest orders me to turn my back to Brett (I thought the Priest was gonna do some kind of Catholic ritual since Brett had just taken a photo with me, to wash away all the bad sins or something...lol). But I feel something pressing on my shoulder, and it's Brett autographing my jersey!!!!!!!! I joked with the Priest that I thought he was about to bless me or something and he said, "I just did."

And he was right. It was such a blessing and a joy to meet Brett and see that he is everything and more that I thought he would be. And I hope our 15 minute interaction has inspired him to come back for his 20th season in the NFL and win Super Bowl 2011!!!

Ok, so I know I have been neglecting you guys. I have a good reason (excuse). I am in the process of moving.

We all know what a PITA moving is. On top of that, I didn't have internet service for SEVEN days (gasp). Now I know what it's like to be Amish. 

Anyway, I promise I'll be back up and running soon. And I will be a happier Nora (with a lot to say). 

Thanks for your patience. You don't have a choice.  :)

Living in California, makes me very conscious to earthquakes. I've been through a few minor ones, but none the magnitude of the 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010.

I can only imagine the devastation to a country that is desperartely poor and politically unrest.

Without the help from other countries, it would be incredibly challenging to coordinate mass relief efforts from such a major natural disaster.

Haiti might be a small country, but it is mighty. The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), the successful slave revolt against the French, established Haiti as the second independent country in the Western Hemisphere. There is no doubt the Haitian people are resilient, but international help is essential for a new beginning.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, 80% of Haitians live below the poverty line. It also has the highest rates of infant, under-5 and maternal mortality. 

As a mother, seeing pictures of children alone and scared really resonates with me. That could easily be me or my kids. Perhaps one day me or someone in my family could be in a position that we could benefit from the kindness of strangers.

For those interested in helping, something known as "text donations" have been popular. You simply type a code in a text message to a number and the dollar amount is added on to your cell phone bill. I have done this and it is highly efficient and very easy.

You can do this with The Red Cross and Yele (an organization established by entertainer Wyclef Jean).

Text "Haiti" to the number 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross. 

Text "Yele" to the number 501501 to make a $5 donation to Yele.

Other organizations and sites to make donations or get information are:

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross, which is almost three-times bigger than the next-biggest charity listed here, is providing support to Haitians affected by the earthquake. 

Food for the Poor Haiti Earthquake Relief

Food for the Poor is providing emergency relief to earthquake victims.

World Vision Haiti Earthquake Relief

World Vision is distributing relief supplies – including food, clean water, blankets and tents to children and families impacted by the earthquake and aftershocks in Haiti.

Care Haiti Earthquake Relief

Care is sending helping to rescue people from the rubble, and providing food and water.

UNICEF Haiti Earthquake Relief

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is providing immediate support, even though its own offices in Port-au-Prince were devastated by the earthquake. At this writing, the UNICEF USA donation page is down, though.

Samaritan's Purse Haiti Earthquake Relief

Samaritan's Purse dispatched a team just hours after the quake to help with water, shelter, medical care and other emergency needs. We will focus on medical help, shelter, clean water and hygiene supplies.

World Food Program Haiti Earthquake Relief

Friends of World Food Program works in the U.S. to support the U.N.'s World Food Programme, which is supplying food to Haitians during the crisis.

Global Giving Haiti Earthquake Relief

Global Giving has launched an emergency earthquake relief fund that will provide emergency assistance.

Fonkoze  is providing emergency relief to earthquake victims.

Fonkoze is Haiti’s alternative bank for the organized poor. It is a family of three institutions working together towards a single compelling mission: building the economic foundations for democracy in Haiti by providing the rural poor with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. 

Partners In Progress

Partners in Progress help the organized poor of Haiti help themselves to increase human capacity for living with dignity by promoting and advancing a Fondwa community  model of (sustainable) rural development through educational outreach and resource networking.

Although Mariah Carey is my favorite singer of all time, Janet Jackson is probably a close second. She doesn't have the singing chops Mimi has, but she's a great performer and much better dancer (sorry Mimi...hugs).

Janet does not get enough respect in the music industry. She has set the video standard for many musical artists that followed. Without the inspiration of Janet Jackson, would we have Britney, Ciara, and The Cheetah Girls? LOL. Seriously, you know it's true. Janet Jackson raised the bar for female entertainers/performers.

Janet has a new album out called "Number Ones". It's a double disc with some of her greatest tracks plus her new single, "Make Me". It's on sale at amazon for $13.99.

So, I will anxiously await her opening 8 minute performance on the upcoming American Music Awards this Sunday. Tune in at 8PM on ABC. I'm sure Janet's performance will be "NASTY"!!!!!!

Happy Veteran's Day to everyone serving in the military past and present.

Thank you for your sacrifice and bravery.

Do you remember waaaaaaaaay back in June when I hipped you about H & M launching a Jimmy Choo line on November 14, 2009?

Well, the time has come!

Don't think you're just gonna waltz in there and grab a couple pairs though. They are anticipating a big crowd, so get there early (and stay out of my way!).

They will be selling ladies clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories.

I'm mostly excited about the shoes, which will range in price from $69.95 for cute ballerina flats to $299 for some kick ass thigh high boots. If you're  not familiar with Jimmy Choo (seriously?...we can't really be friends!!!) their shoes normally range from $600-$1,200.

The shoes are AMAZING! I thought they would be some sort of lower quality styles. No way. I've got my eyes on 3 pair. 

They will also be selling their Jimmy Choo purses, clothing, and accessories.

But wait, the fun doesn't stop with the Jimmy Choo ladies line. They will also have Jimmy Choo for men: shoes, clothing, wallets, bags/briefcases, and belts.

Don't sleep on this one guys. Check their website before you camp out in your sleeping bag. The H&M Jimmy Choo debut will only be at a handful of select H & M stores.

See you biatches there. Hopefully I'll be in front of you at the checkout line.

Wow! This is love.

Gotta love Nick for getting into the Halloween spirit.

What else would someone with an album titled "Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel" wear for a Halloween celebration? BTW, that is my all time favorite Mariah cd ever. It's amazing.