All Good Things - March 2008

Here's the good news/items that have been posted on the Facebook group page for March (in no particular order):

1. If you go to eatbetteramerica.com, they have a free coupon book they will send you with $10 in coupons and some really yummy healthy recipes in it.

2. I also enjoy www.shopforfreebies.com - they will send you an email each day with a link to list of free things. A lot of these are samples. I started with this about 6 weeks ago, and now it's a treat going to the mailbox each day because there's been lots of fun stuff sent to me!!! I'm thinking of collecting the beauty product samples and donating them to the local women's shelter. If you don't like providing your information or signing up for email newsletters, be selective about the freebies you choose.

3. Check out www.thebreastcancersite.com. You can click once per day to help pay for mammograms for those that can't afford it. It's free to click. There are also several other sites/causes as part of the site that you can click to help out with too literacy, hunger, animal cruelty, rainforest, etc. Takes 2 seconds! Get to clickin'!!!!

4. If you are looking to recycle old/dead electronics - computers to phones and all in between try www.myboneyard.com - I know they offer free shipping, and they might even give you a few pennies for your equipment :-). If you are planning on getting rid of a cell phone, cellphonesforsoldiers.com is great. Usually, whenever I order anything from Amazon an envelope is included from cell phones for soldiers. Eas-y peas-y....

5. This one comes from my friend Francie Cork:"I'm working on something right now and when I find out more details, I'll definately do everything in my power to drag you and anybody else with breath into it with me. I like your idea. A "community of women" can be a powerful tool. There are all SORTS of "peace and justice" efforts available to us locally and globally. One I've been tempted to act on is www.kiva.org which for a measly $25 you can help provide a woman seed money to help her get started in her business. "

6. Chris Pahssen-Noble writes, www.kibble.com Free dogs. Remember to feed cats also.

7. Quote for today:We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."--Epictetus, Greek philosopher

8. I thought this was a great list of good deeds that kids came up with!http://www.kidsturncentral.com/topics/issues/gooddeeds2.htm

9. Check to see if your grocery store offers reusable tote bags. They are great #1 for the environment, but #2 some of the stores will take money OFF of your final bill for each bag you use. Fred Meyer in Alaska does this (they also have a wine tote bag/carrier that holds 6 bottles, which is really cool that will have many uses in my house...plus an additional 10% off for buying in bulk. The quantity of groceries each bag holds is amazing...way more than paper or plastic. I keep mine in the car too so that I remember to use them.

10. www.tasteofhome.com/healthybudgetrecipes - for healthy recipes that are easy on your wallet.

11. Is anyone interested in participating in a book swap? If you are interested, let me know and I'll send you some reading! If you've never had a book exchange party at your house, it's pretty fun. Just ask everyone to bring their old books or magazines that they don't want anymore and a book bag to tote all their "new" books home in. I usually just use a kitchen table or counter to lay the books out on and make a few munchies. Afterwards, if any books are left over, donate them to your local literacy council, library, or bookstore. A good deed and great reading! If you are in Fairbanks/North Pole area, I wll probably host a book exchange at my house late April - I haven't had one in a LONG time!!!

12. This comes from LeAnne Hedrick, "And I would like to recommend a book to the group. Life's Greatest Lessons - 20 Things That Matter by Hal Urban. It's a great book to keep in focus the things that really matter in life. Good to focus on during these times."

13. On April 8th: Fight heart disease with the American Heart Association. Lace up your sneakers and take a walk on National Start! Walking Day.

14. Fairbanks & North Pole - Mark your calendars for May: Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. Since that time, campuses and communities have held rallys, marches and educational seminars. These activities are as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but have common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence. We now know that domestic violence is no respecter of race, creed, religion, gender, educational background or financial means. It is pervasive and is growing out of control. This year Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living will be marching in Fairbanks, on Friday, May 1 at 7PM. For the first time, North Pole area residents will be walking on that same date! We hope to provide more details as the event gets closer!

15. A tip from Kitina Donders Braithwaite: I got 3/4 of my laundry done today!!! Hey, when there are seven in the house (including four adults, most of whom wear BIG clothes but shall remain nameless!) we make two to three loads per day so this is a big accomplishment! Can you tell I need some excitement in my life when this is my good news?I do actually have a tip for laundry too that has worked well for us. We recently got a metal framed organizer with hanging mesh bags for sorting. This was kind of a custom setup from an organizing shop--you could pick the colors of the bags. Since there are five girls in our family we should have had a pink bag, but had to settle for red. :0) Then we have one for darks (a black bag) and lights (white bag). The only thing I regret is that we don't have room for a fourth bag for the blues and greens so we would have a place for jeans and shirts. We have put our old green hamper back into service for this purpose! It makes laundry more fun for my little girls, and maybe even for me!