Day - I've lost track!!

I'm baaaaaack! (As if I am foolish enough to think that anyone ever checks in here anymore!) At this point, I'm little more than a washed-up-has-been blogger! And, I'm perfectly fine with that!

I set out on this crazy giving journey on January 1st, 2009. I've had my share of challenges along the way, but at the end of the day, I'm still into this 'giving' thing; even if writing about it has been, (for lack of a better word), unfaithful.

I know that God has instilled within each of us, a natural desire to help those less fortunate. In some ways I think this notion is what compels people to strive to become nurses and doctors, firefighters and law enforcement, and maybe even lawyers and politicians. I'd like to believe that nobody sets out to earn a living with the sole purpose of taking advantage of others. Maybe I'm a little naive, but I think as teenagers, graduating high school, we set out to do something much more noble than to cheat and steal our way up the corporate ladder.

I started this blog as a way to help me (and others) focus on ways to help one another, and my hope was that, at the end of this year, (or whenever I'm done), I'll have made a difference in someone's life.

So many people have left encouraging comments and sent me emails. And I wanted to thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You have warmed my soul and brought tears to my eyes, and above all else, you have humbled me.

So, THANK YOU! Thank you for reading this silly blog, for taking the time to reach out and let me know you were here, or that you were thinking of me. You will never know how much your kind words have meant.

You ALL inspire me to be a better person! :D

Day 137 thru Day 146 - Blogging Backlog!!

I realize I'm way behind in my posting. Last night I actually considered deleting this blog entirely. Not because I don’t care about it, I DO! And not because I’m not giving, I AM. But falling behind in the posting has me stressed out!

Finding the time to write a thoughtful post hasn't been easy, (obviously). Sure, there were moments that I could’ve made it a priority, but honestly, I couldn’t muster up the motivation. And the more days that went by the more difficult it became to get back up on the horse and start writing. Procrastination got the best of me as I began to see my backlog in much the same way that a high school senior views homework and final exams in the last few weeks of school. I dreaded the thought of it!

As I tried to sleep last night I tossed and turned as I tried to think of a way to cleverly get myself out of ‘having’ to do this. And then it was as if a light came on over my head. I don’t HAVE to do this! But, I still want to!

The giving part of this project has been the easiest. I even find myself giving stuff that I never write about.

This whole thing started out as a personal journey on January 1, and that is how it will remain. And that means that I get to make the rules. So if I don’t post something every day, I forgive me. And if I do, I’ll celebrate with me. But either way, I’m going to continue to do what I set out to do, and that was to give something (anything) away every day this year.

It’s actually good, (in some ways) that I fell behind in my posting. It has forced me to reflect and think about what this thing is really about anyway…

I’m just trying to do a little good from my corner of the globe... small things that help or bless the people and organizations I encounter daily. I don’t have boatloads of money, or tons of material things to give away, but I’ve found that the more I've given to others, the more I find things that I have to give.

One weekend I emptied out my cabinets for two separate food drives – and we didn’t go hungry! And, when I went to the grocery store, many of the very same items I gave away were on sale, and I was able to replenish my cupboard with canned veggies and macaroni and cheese without going way over budget. Little things like that seem to happen often, and I believe that God will continue to provide me not only with the opportunities to give, but with the means to do so.

With that, here’s a list of the things I’ve given in the past nine days,(in no particular order); cookies for coworkers, donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Pinkberry frozen yogurt fundraiser to benefit the High School Choir, a donation to provide root beer floats for coworkers, a veggieburger for the USO, attended a student-run benefit for the Power of Love, canned goods for a food-drive for a student's Senior Project, my two-week notice at work, (haha - gotcha!!! Yes, I really did give notice, but I'm not really counting that among the things I gave!), a donation to raise money for Poway Days Fireworks & the Rancho Family YMCA, and helpful advice to a friend.

I hope to be more timely in my future posts, but please know that I am trying, and regardless, I am giving something to someone every day!

Day 136 - Early B'day Gift for Hubby

Anyone who knows hubby personally knows that he would prefer that people not 'waste' money on him for his birthday, or Christmas, or whatever. He's one of those people who are content with what they have and would gladly give what little they've got to someone else. It's one of the many things I love about him.

When the kids were small he'd rather forgo a gift if it meant that we'd have enough money for whatever activity they were interested in or toy they wanted.
Thankfully we've been blessed in recent years, and have enough money to cover the kids activities AND birthday and Christmas gifts. (Yes, there were years we went without, and didn't care a bit about it!)

A few weeks ago, hubby mentioned how cool the iPod Touch was. I made a mental note, knowing he'd never splurge for it himself, but if I bought it for him for his birthday or Father's Day he'd have have to accept it!

Day 135 - Ethos Water

I can't even recall the number of times I've looked at the bottles of 'Ethos' water sold at Starbucks. I don't think I ever really paid much attention to it, assuming it was more expensive than necessary, (like many other things at Starbucks!). This morning however, I took the time to take notice, as Emma and I waited for our iced coffees.
When our barrista came back with our order I asked if they had cold bottles of the Ethos water; they did. As he went off to get me a bottle, Emma told me how she had purchased it before, and that they strive to provide fresh water to children (and communities) around the world.

From Starbucks website:
Ethos Water is a brand with a social mission—helping children around the world get clean water and raising awareness of the World Water Crisis.
Every time you purchase a bottle of Ethos™ water, Ethos Water will contribute US $0.05 (C$0.10 in Canada) toward our goal of raising at least US $10 million by 2010.
Through The Starbucks Foundation, Ethos Water supports humanitarian water programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America. To date, Ethos Water grant commitments exceed $6.2 million. These programs will help an estimated 420,000 people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

Day 134 - paws4acure

I was on Facebook earlier today and noticed a friend of mine seeking support for the walk for Paws 4 A Cure. I'm always quick to sponsor friends who walk for cancer, autism, MS, or other human causes, but this was the first request I've seen for a walk to benefit dogs. (Love it!)
The Paws 4 a Cure mission is to provide financial assistance and awareness for canine cancer; helping the dogs in need of oncology care. Awesome!
I happily donated $5 per paw, and helped my friend meet her fund raising goal in the process! Bonus! :)

Day 133 - Petfinder.com Foundation Disaster Fund

I'm beginning to see a trend here! Funny, it's completely unintentional, but it seems as though my giving opportunities in recent days have been pet-related. I'm perfectly fine with that! I came across Petfinder.com while websurfing today.

The Petfinder.com Foundation is an effective way to show your compassion for homeless animals. By keeping our expenses low, we are able to distribute a significant percentage of funds raised directly to animal shelters and foster groups, large and small, in rural and urban communities across North America. We think this is the best way to recognize and support their hard work in finding homes for the animals entrusted to their care. By supporting the Petfinder.com Foundation, you are helping more than one animal organization in more than one community.

Petfinder.com makes it easy to make an online donation either through Paypal (as I did) or by using a credit card. It feels great to make a small donation to help pets, who become homeless as a result of a disaster, to find new forever homes!

Day 132 - Care2's Race for Pets in Need

As an animal lover, I was pretty excited when I came across Care2's website; here's what it's all about...

FIRST AND FOREMOST: The race is 100% free to you!

What you need to do: Click on the "Click to Help" button located at http://pets.care2.com up to once per day. Each click generates a donation, paid by Care2, to The Humane Society of the United States' (HSUS) Rural Area Veterinary Services program. 100% of the money you generate will be donated to The HSUS to help spay and neuter, vaccinate, and provide check-ups to pets in need.

How to help even more:

1. Get your friends to help: When you invite friends to join the Race, you'll get credit for their participation. After all, if it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be helping to help the needy pets! You'll get credit for the friends they invite, and their friends, and their friends. We'll chart everyone's progress so you can see your impact. One person can really make a difference!

2. Take advantage of special offers: Your clicks and purchases help pay for maintaining the Race for Pets in Need. Please support those who are sponsoring the race!

3. Sign the petitions advertised in the Race. These petitions help different social causes, often relating to endangered wildlife protection.

4. Register for the Race: Care2 will make a donation to double your contribution on your first click.