Spirit of Giving- the 31 Days Begin!

I read an incredible article in my Glamour magazine (Dec'09 issue) using each day of December to do something to benefit those that are needy in our communities, and just ways to better the world. I am taking the challenge. I hope you do the same. At the very least, pick one task from each week list or complete each day with me! It's AMAZING what we can do when we help each other out. 
I will start by listing this week's challenges and will post every Monday the next week's list. Even a little bit helps. Most won't even cost you a dime!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.
-A

The 31 Days of Giving

Week of December 1st- December 7th

Tuesday, December 1st: Help get PJs to kids in shelters so they won't have to sleep in their clothes by giving just $10 dollars at www.pajamaprogram.org.

Wednesday, December 2nd: Mentor a struggling student online at www.icouldbe.org. Studies show that a little boost can double a kid's chance of going to college.

Thursday, December 3rd: Donate books you've already read to your library. (Most public libraries accept them.)

Friday, December 4th: End homelessness through soccer: $10 dollars to www.streetsoccerusa.org helps a homeless person meet challenges off and on the field. 

Saturday, December 5th: Fight malnutrition. A $1 dollar gift to www.vitaminangels.org will provide much-needed vitamin supplements to children in places like Honduras, Haiti and even poor areas of the United States. 

Sunday, December 6th: Tend a garden. $5 dollars to www.dinnergarden.org buys seeds for enough veggies to feed a struggling family of seven. 

Monday, December 7th: Do some pro bono work. Whether you're in marketing or IT, www.taprootfoundation.org can match you with a non-profit in your community that needs your skills.

Until next week,

-A

 

Happy Thanksgiving

In thought of the season approaching and today's meaning for being thankful, I wanted to post a clever email I received recently on changing your perspective to be grateful for even the 'trials' in your life. Read on...


I thank God....

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.


FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS..


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.


FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .



FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.


FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.



FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE



FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME


FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.


FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .


FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.


FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.



FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.


FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.



FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.


AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!
     
AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE
THINKING OF ME...


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
-A

Ways to Say You're Thankful (Without Eating)

It's less than one week now until the big Thanksgiving Day, and aside from the big meal (what Thanksgiving has become known for), I challenge everyone to find ways afterward and before to give thanks to your loved ones and have fun as a family! To help give you a jumpstart on some ideas, here is a great article I found from Weight Watchers...
Love you all. I'm so thankful for each one of you!
Happy Turkey Day!

Zero-Calorie Thanksgiving Day Ideas...