Check This Out!

This is kind of a side bar, but if you are interested in a blog with some fun, carefree reading:

http://www.beachwives.blogspot.com

Free Hugs!

I haven't posted in awhile. However, there are a few things I'd like to share:

1. My friend, Francie, sent me an UNBIRTHDAY party invitation. No games, No party, No gifts. She requested that instead you donate a package of underwear to a women's shelter and "drop your drawers" there. Such a great idea!

2. A website: http://www.freehugscampaign.org - If you've never seen this guy, he's just on a mission to spread free hugs. You can search at YouTube for some cool videos, and there's also a guy out there offering a spoof on the theme of "Deluxe Hugs". Just a cute pick me up if you need one!

Do Gooder Challenge for November

Simplicity and Gratitude are this month's themes. What can you do to simplify your life this month? What are you grateful for? The challenge this month is to write down one (or more if you are so inspired) idea and then put your idea into ACTION!

Good Things for November!

Sorry, Do Gooders - I've been offline for awhile. A move across the country will do that to a gal!

Anyway, here are some good things for November that I'd like to share!
1. My friend, Francie Cork passed this site along to me: http://darynkagan.com/index.html
Thanks, Francie! Sorry it took me so long to get the news out :-)

2. Along the same lines, http://www.happynews.com

3. If you or a loved one have food allergies and you struggle with meal planning (I have Celiac's Disease, so this site has been a godsend to me!): http://www.heartofcooking.com

Good things for July

Good things for July!
1. August 4th is National Night Out - this is an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other through block parties and other gatherings - check out www.nationalnightout.org and plan now to organize your neighborhood Night Out!
2. Learn about water quality: www.nrdc.org/water
3. Locavore? Check out www.eatlocalchallenge.com or www.localharvest.org

July Do Gooder Challenge

Oh my goodness! In getting my house on the market and all the other craziness in my life, I completely missed the start of July for our Do Gooder Challenge this month. For July, I want to focus the Challenge on technology. Or, more about how we need to intentionally back away from technology a bit and get back to the value of face to face interactions.
Specifically, we'll start with cell phones (if you don't have one, stick with me, I'll have a little somethin' for you to at the end)....Here is your Challenge: Try to cultivate more considerate cell-phone habits this month, whether it be to not answer the phone or text while driving (which, more often than not, is gaining status of ILLEGAL in a lot of states!), set the ringer to vibrate while you are at the movies, get off the phone when you are at the cash register at the grocery store and actually talk with the clerk. There are more great tips at www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cell-phone-etiquette.htm to challenge yourself with.
If you don't have a cell phone, you are reading this message, so you at least have a computer. Set the intention of NOT turning the computer (or video gaming system, etc.) ON AT ALL by picking one day or one whole weekend and devoting that time to reconnect to LIVE people. See how many times in that day that you think about the computer, your email, facebook, etc. Besides reconnecting with friends and family, you'll save some electricity and help the environment :-) It's win-win.
As usual, post your comments and experiences for all of us to share!

Good Things for June

1. check out wearewhatwedo.org for ideas on small kindnesses
2. if you shop at igive.com there are over 700 retailers that will donate a portion of the purchase price to a charity of your choice.
3. Show our troops your support: write an uplifting message at americasupportsyou.mil or amillionthanks.org or ship a care package to a soldier through Uso.org/donate