Mario Monday stop-motion cooking video

Happy #MarioMonday! Please enjoy this #stopmotion cooking video featuring #Lego and #SuperMario, from amazing digital creator #tomosteen. Love the clever details, sound effects, and creative use of Lego. Visit the YouTube channel for more like this. https://t.co/2fhkdeqFrG
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 4, 2022

fundraiser success

Two days left in my Rader Ward Memorial Scholarship fundraiser, and folks have almost donated enough for us to help two elementary or middle school kids enjoy a student-centered Montessori education! Give on Facebook or at https://t.co/PoEZb6kt1r. ❤️💙💛 https://t.co/g22pmnkoS4
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 3, 2022

empty-nest bedroom makeover

It’s been emotional getting everything ready, but I’m excited to turn it into a welcoming space that’s a beautiful tribute to Rader and the things he loved. ❤️💙💛 #MarioMonday #EmptyNest #BedroomMakeover
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 27, 2022

birthday fundraiser

It's my #birthday, so I started a Facebook fundraiser for the foundation: https://t.co/pzrgp4KKAW. Not on Facebook? https://t.co/SNacljeN0h is always open. We just awarded partial scholarships to six deserving kids to attend local Montessori schools like the one Rader loved.
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 21, 2022

father's day treasures

Here’s what the chocolate #WonderBall looks like out of the box, plus some of the candy that comes out of it. And my husband’s other #FathersDay #Mario stuff, @Hot_Wheels #DonkeyKong #MarioKart, and a silly pop-up mushroom toy. [2/2] ❤️💙💛 pic.twitter.com/ByoEmjiXPU
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 20, 2022

have a gentle father's day

Tough day; we have made the best of it. Wishing a gentle Father’s Day to all of you. https://t.co/qUJ4zoUDuE
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 19, 2022

988 day of visibility

Tomorrow, June 16, is 988 Day of Visibility — one month before the launch of the new 3-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Join AFSP & #ReimagineCrisis partners for a virtual rally at 1:50pmET. Tune in, advocate, and spread the word! https://t.co/IYwbnOqDGQ https://t.co/9XQuyhKORV
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 15, 2022

observing Rader's 21st birthday

It’s #MarioMonday and Rader’s #21stBirthday. @frankfordcandy is having a 20% off sale online, so I ordered some more #WonderBalls to try to complete our series 2 #Mario coin collection. Tonight we will open the last two Wonder Balls from my earlier purchases. ❤️💙💛 #MissYou pic.twitter.com/JcqK3d57D7
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 13, 2022

three needs of the griever

Tough question. It means a lot to me when people tell me they’ve been thinking of Rader. I wish I heard more often from people who have memories of him. ❤️💙💛 #CompassionateFriends #LossOfAChild #GriefSupport https://t.co/Iiu4vLo0t0
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 9, 2022

looking for a time machine

It’s 5 years today since my 15yo son Rader died by suicide. “Parent’s worst nightmare” is true, as is “my life will never be the same.” Yet I have found hope and purpose, and it fulfills me to share it with you here in this space. Remembering him on a quiet day.
🎨@lianafinck pic.twitter.com/X5iTEL9rTw
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 7, 2022

more Mario domino magic

Happy #MarioMonday! Video is from Reddit, where on r/Unexpected, people explain it’s a computer simulation (build pyramid, collapse it, color the fallen #dominos, rerun simulation). Regardless of if it’s ‘real,’ still so cool. Would love to credit the artist if anyone knows. pic.twitter.com/MghADYD93q
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 6, 2022

pride month pedicure

Self care is a lot more than “take a spa day!” [eyeroll]. But a little pampering can be part of your self-care routine. You don’t have to do your nails. Start with trying your best to get good sleep, eating enough nutritious food (with some splurges if that’s your thing), and drinking plenty of water! PLAN to say yes to activities and people that make you feel uplifted, and as much as you can, say no to things that make you feel worse.

Happy #Pride! This has already been a super busy month for me as ⁦@PFLAG⁩ Greenville president. Then this week is Rader’s death anniversary, followed by his birthday. It’s important for me to be deliberate about my self care. Starting on the right foot w/ a Pride pedicure. pic.twitter.com/EtRIEmYkN4
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) June 5, 2022

world-record-setting Mario domino mural

Happy #MarioMonday! This fun video is keeping with my theme of posting what's making me happy. Today it's a googly-eyed domino-laying robot setting up a world-record Mario-themed mural, created by YouTuber @MarkRober. #SuperMario #dominos https://t.co/2OJcIIdYDV
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 30, 2022

… may flowers

Reading the news and even scrolling social media has been tough lately, so here’s a little temporary relief: #flowers #blooming! #MountainLaurel #KalmiaLatifolia #Azaleas #RhododendronIndicum #RhododendronCalendulaceum #Peony #PaeoniaOfficinalis #Rhododendron #HighlandsNC pic.twitter.com/C5spEWQ0hn
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 29, 2022

you are not alone 💚

💚 from my friends at @SuicideIsDiff https://t.co/b1zpludqp6
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 28, 2022

support is available when you need it

I’m overwhelmed and sad, as I am sure many of you are as well. So I’m passing along this message from my friends at https://t.co/GhaVLOOGND. Reach out to @CrisisTextLine if you need support: text LIV to 741741. pic.twitter.com/9ojFVeQt78
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 26, 2022

old friends rock

My longtime friend Ann Peden and I meet twice a year for the Gem & Lapidary Show in Franklin, N.C. I look forward to it all year!

Gorgeous copper pine trees, and a magnet of #NorthCarolina from https://t.co/xK4VLGoaAH. Laboradorite frog carvings! I love them. I hadn’t seen the grey/purple #labradorite before. And hundreds of rainbow heart beads to make jewelry at #PFLAGgvl events during #PrideMonth. pic.twitter.com/WP6kMuN8pd
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 25, 2022

Mario Monday: Doctor Fest!

Happy #MarioMonday! Husband and son are enjoying #DoctorFest in #MarioKartTour. So far they both have #DrLuigi, and my physician husband also has #DrBowser. No #DrMario or #DrPrincessPeach yet. Hoping #DrToad also gets introduced. pic.twitter.com/qm13LXUK1S
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 23, 2022

listen to the ask lisa podcast

Episode 79 was excellent and I plan to listen to many more. Find them wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit the archives on Dr. Lisa’s website.

Recommendation: the @asklisapodcast! There are 81 episodes so far on the psychology of parenting (archives here: https://t.co/gl5vgnOhEw). I deeply appreciate how thoughtful this "what do parents need to know about suicide" conversation is. The quote below is spot-on. ❤️💙💛 https://t.co/ta0KSoY1WZ
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 22, 2022

first blooms of the season

There’s something exciting about when a plant blooms for the first time in a new season! Today: #callalily & #pricklypear. #DayLilies are also blooming. The sad thing in pic 4 is a transplanted #doubletigerlily that I expect to bounce back and bloom with a little TLC. pic.twitter.com/LGcLyyIfLr
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) May 21, 2022