My Sweet Free Library
Continue Your Fitness Plan
Determination
Bread 'N' Boards
Birthday Bake Sale for a Cause
Birthday Silent Auction for a Cause
freerice.com
GO USA Sochi Olympics Mittens
Help for Typhoon Haiyan Victims
Great Gatsby Ideas
Neighborhood Easter Candy Hunt
Get Motivated: Strategies to Get What You Want
Kiva Gift Cards
Make A Difference Day
5 Ways to Continue Being Thankful
Decide To Be in Control of Your (Destructive) Emotions
Found Joy
Blooms Instead of Pricks
Stitching A Team Together
Plug in Your Power
Step By Step
Great Gatsby Shirt Book Giveaway
There Comes a Time
Walk, Walk, Walk
Give A Goat
Turkey Trot
School Supplies
Once again this year I received a perfect birthday gift. My sweet husband, Tom, found a really cool little unfinished library house online and presented it to me with a flourish. "You can paint it with whatever colors and design you want!" Knowing that I like to personalize projects, the unfinished version was right up my alley. I got right to work.
Customizing My Library
I adore the scalloped edging that Tom and I added to the front gables of our house. Neighbors often compliment us on the colors we chose and how much they like that detail. So, I decided to install scalloped edging on the front gable of my library house to match. I found the perfect size wooden edging at Hobby Lobby in the unfinished dollhouse section of the store. Next came the engineering part of the project.
First, I cut a template of the gable out of parchment paper. Then, we cut the pieces of edging within a half inch, knowing that we would need to make the final cut after they were painted. Starting at the bottom, we cut the pieces so that the curves were staggered. Then, I painted each piece before I made the final cut.
We found that cutting the thin pieces of edging with scissors split the wood, so we ended up using an X-ACTO knife and later another really sharp knife to make the final cuts. I actually eyeballed the angles and the lengths that I needed. You may want to measure the lengths and angles if you're not comfortable with winging it. It worked out quite well for me.
To secure the pieces of wood to the house, I used clear silicone, making sure I held each piece in place for about a minute. After all the pieces were secured, I applied a thin bead of silicone along the edges, not including the bottom.
On the side of the house I wrote a poem using a paint marker. The associate at the hobby store recommended applying a clear coat over the lettering to make sure the lettering didn't fade or run. After testing water based Varathane on the bottom of the house, I discovered that it made the lettering run. So, I ended up spraying that side with Krylon clear coat spray paint. I'm not sure if it is as heavy duty as I was looking for, but it will do for now.
Getting Ready to mount the library
While I was busy painting the library, Tom was making sure the 4x4 post it was mounted on could withstand a tornado. He dug an 18-inch deep hole, covered the end of the post in plastic, stuck the post in the hole, and we poured concrete around it. Then, he pounded a couple stakes in the yard and nailed two 1x4s to the stakes and the post after he made sure the post was plumb.
He also bought an additional bracket that was mounted on the post to further steady the library house on top. Once secured, (and I mean secured!), both the post and the bracket were painted black.
When I was done with all the painting and the embellishments, we mounted and secured the library with wood glue and bolts.
Ready to Meet Reading Friends!
I was now ready to load the library.
Since I have a diverse collection, I tried to put books in that would appeal to wide audience: ages 5-100. I also included three pairs of reading glasses of varying strengths for those who might need them.
I decided to launch the new free library with a little party, giving away treats to those who happened to saunter by. So far it has been a success! I love visiting with neighbors as we talk about various books and one of my favorite hobbies: reading--as sweet as candy to me...
Or, How to Get Through the Day Feeling Accomplished Part 2
Sometimes, when it's snowy and cold outside, fitness goes on the back burner. You sense that it's not gone; it's just waiting to be fired up. Motivation, however, is on the down low, since you apparently have many excuses to skip your fitness routine. I know, I know. Sugar plums and delicious baked goods are literally staring at you from the snack bar. Perhaps it's time to package them up and put them in the freezer for a small treat later. :)
But it's January. All of the busy holiday excuses have melted away. It's time to get busy.
Here are a few ideas to get you in the swing of getting healthy:
Before you start any fitness plan, stretch your muscles. They will complain a little, but it will help to avoid injury. And, if you haven't kept up with your daily routines, make sure you start slowly.
If you don't like snow and cold~
1. Jump rope.
2. Dust off that elliptical machine or treadmill. Use it in front of the TV, so that you can stick to a timed plan.
3. Try yoga.
4. Use weights. (Canned and bottled goods will do if you don't have actual weights.) Google a weight lifting plan. Choose one that fits your age and/or skill level.
5. Work out using stairs. Be careful if your stairs are slippery, though.
6. Briskly walk the mall. (Twenty to thirty minutes is recommended.)
7. Check out your local recreation facilities. Many have fitness centers, complete with fun classes, pick-up basketball, pickleball, ping-pong, swimming, ice skating and dance.
If you do like the cold, bundle up~
1. Shovel the snow. Make sure to lift with your legs and not your back. Tip: shovel early and often. Don't wait until the snow plies up. That's a recipe for injury.
2. Take your sleds out and find a good sledding hill. Trudging up the hill will provide a good cardio workout.
3. Ice skate. Pretty fun!
4. Go skiing or boarding.
5. Go for a brisk walk. Take your dog if it's not too cold and he is properly insulated.
In any case, the longer you wait to get back to your fit life, the longer it will take for you to see and feel its benefits. Besides, you want to feel younger, don't you?
Or, How to Get Through the Day Feeling Accomplished
What does that mean? Determination is different for everybody. Really, the degree of determination varies as much as there are people on the earth. What is determination to complete a task for one person is laziness for another.
Every year spring offers a sunny new hope for life, but many tasks spring up in the spring as well. Some I like (planting flowers), others I don't (spring cleaning).
So, how do we motivate ourselves, and to what degree?
It depends upon how focused we are to the task.
Is the task a life or death situation as it is in the photo above? In that case the motivation might be stronger. But usually, the tasks we involve ourselves with do not appear to be life or death state of affairs.
It all comes down to how you want to conduct yourself--with or without anyone looking.
You must decide what is important to you. Remember, perfection is unachievable. So, the best you can achieve is your best, given the resources available and the time constraints. And your best involves effort.
Ahhh...effort. Effort is a tricky word. Just because you give a project effort, doesn't mean it results in a high quality job. Be careful of the words, "Well, I tried." Sometimes, those words are sufficient because the task is truly insurmountable.
However, most of the time if we plan more effectively, by dividing up the sections of what we need to accomplish and assign them to a specific amount of time, we can accomplish our tasks.
Blah, blah, blah. I know what you're thinking. "I don't want to do that. And I was so bored that I didn't even read that part."
Ok, do this: Every day
1. Make a short list of tasks. A sticky note works well. (That will give you a goal.)
2. As you accomplish each task, draw a line through it. (That will give you satisfaction.)
3. At the end of the day, you can survey your accomplishments. (That will give you a feeling of fulfillment.)
4. If you finish your tasks quickly, you can add to the list. Or relax! You've done a good job. If you don't have time to finish all of them, don't despair. You will just be more determined to finish them tomorrow.
For long term goals
1. Give yourself enough time to complete them.
2. Stay the course. (Give yourself pep talks.)
3. Give yourself rewards from time-to-time for sticking with the plan. (If your goal is weight loss, a reward of a new pair of jeans in a lower size is probably a better reward than an ice cream cone.)
4. Try to have a partner to share in your journey. (You will keep each other on track.)
By all means, have determination. Look at the short term rather than the long term and you will surprise yourself with what you will accomplish.
Benefitting the Larimer County Food Bank
Every year, Sears Trostel Lumber and Millwork in Fort Collins, Colorado pairs up with Great Harvest Bread Company to host this fantastic fundraiser designed to benefit the local food bank. Employees and volunteers hope to make 1000 handmade carefully crafted high quality wooden cutting boards to sell, with all the money going to this worthy charity. Some have a set price of $30; others that are more intricate and one-of-a-kind, are up for bid. All of them are gorgeous. They all come with finishing oil and a coupon for a delicious loaf of bread from Great Harvest.
I just love this kind of event. It embodies a true community effort: employees and volunteers make the boards; employees and volunteers create a festive environment with talented musicians playing softly in the mezzanine, while customers peruse the exquisite hand-crafted cutting boards, perfect for holiday gifts. Thus, the true meaning of the holiday giving season comes alive: gathering together to help those less fortunate.
This year the event is on Saturday, December 5 from 9 am-1 pm at Sears Trostel, 1500 Riverside Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado.
If you would like more information about this event, please call 970-482-1928.
Why not orchestrate a delicious bake sale for your birthday? Even better, donate all the money generated to charity!
Preparing
Decide upon what treats to offer your guests. It's best to choose desserts that will not melt in the sun.
Fortunately, we held our bake sale under the huge maple tree in the front yard, and the weather was perfect, so we didn't have melting issues. Once you decide, look at the recipes and calculate what ingredients you'll need to buy them about a week in advance.
Flyers and Signs
Make sure you post flyers around your neighborhood, igniting the excitement for your upcoming event. Early in the week before the bake sale on Saturday, I hung a poster on a stand in my yard to advertise the bake sale. On the day of the bake sale, hang a couple neon signs directing more customers to your event.
Make it Easy
Bake the cookies and bars that will freeze well early in the week. I even baked the cupcakes and froze them. Just frost them the day of the event.
Menu
Natalie, my daughter, created a price sheet of what we were offering. We kept the prices low so that the event was neighbor-friendly: $1 for cupcakes, Scotcheroos and turtle brownies, 50 cents for a cookie.
Set Up
Make a bank run to make sure you have change for your customers. Put tablecloths on your table(s). My generous husband, Tom, felt that we should offer free lemonade for each customer, so I made a gallon of lemonade dispensed in to go cups.
He even set out a lawn game for kids to play while the neighbors visited. Natalie and her fiance, Chris, helped to arrange the treats in pleasing way, adding a cupcake tree for some height and interest. 
We put out a plate of everything I had baked, about a dozen of each. I kept the remainder cool inside the house and then we all replenished the supply from time-to-time, to make the table look plentiful. Also, we had bags available that we packed with the delicious treats for each guest.
Boy, Did We Have Fun!
The kids were so cute! (I used pink sanding sugar on the fairy cookies for the sweet twins who live down the street. Sure enough, they reached for a pink cookie right away! And their brother said he loved the mini Bundt cakes!) And the adults were very gracious and actually donated more money to the causes we were sponsoring. We met new people and got reacquainted with neighbors we hadn't seen in a while. Our sweet next-door neighbor was our first customer. That got the ball rolling and we ended donating $133, divided between Wounded Warriors, Children's Hospital and the Northern Colorado Food Bank! What a sweet birthday!
But that was just in the afternoon...read about the silent auction we held that night in the article called "Birthday Silent Auction for a Cause"!
After our successful and sweet bake sale, later that night our friends came over for a birthday celebration. When I invited them, I told them that there would be snacks, drinks and a birthday cake, made by our lovely daughter, Natalie. In addition, and most importantly, I told them that they were not to bring gifts, but that they would have an opportunity to bid on homemade baked goods in a silent auction, and that all the money would go to charity. They were all enthusiastic!
Up for Bid
Since I have known these friends for years, and baked for them often, I chose pies and cakes that I knew they liked. I also took a couple requests. So, this is the lineup I chose: Cherry-Raspberry, Lemon Meringue, Peach and Key Lime Pies, Carrot and German Chocolate Cakes, as well as Chocolate Cupcakes. Even though I told everyone to just come, our sweet friend Debi brought her legendary, award-winning Maple-Nut Chiffon Cake. But we didn't just offer baked goods for bid; Natalie and Chris, Natalie's fiance, brought some fine wine and spirits to be included in our silent auction for charity!
Set up
Natalie created auction sheets that were placed by each item, with a value of the item at the top and lines for people to put down their names or initials and a bid. Meanwhile, my husband, Tom, and Chris hung a large tarp between several trees, since an unexpected storm loomed. Natalie and Chris hung strings of party lights, making everything look magical.
We all got busy setting out the hors d'oeuvres and the pull pork sliders while our good friend Cindy and Natalie made Cindy's recipe of Best Margaritas. The side bar had a variety of spirits and mixers as well as homemade Luscious Lemonade. All the guests were free to help themselves to whatever they desired all evening. 
Super Fun Night
So, once everyone had a plate of snacks and a drink of choice, Cindy's husband, Warren asked what the time limit was on the auction. (He had a strategy.)
We all agreed that it would end at 9 pm. Little did they know that Chris and Natalie had already done some bidding of their own. While we were all visiting, people would get up here and there, ostensibly to refresh their drinks or snack plates, but we really knew that they were checking on their bids.
There was a flurry of activity right before 9:00, as people jockeyed for their favorite treat.
Nine O'clock--Time's up!
Then came the big announcement. Debi volunteered to be the banker. As people were awarded each item, they went to Debi to submit their gift. After all was said and done we raised $400!
Then we indulged in triple chocolate fudge/cherry cake that Natalie made for the birthday part of the celebration.
A perfectly luscious finale for such a lovely evening.
Here are the charities we decided upon:
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
http://www.childrenscolorado.org/
Food Bank of Northern Colorado
As a substitute teacher, I am always looking for activities to for students to do when they get finished with their assignments.
A few years ago a colleague introduced me to a Web site game called http://freerice.com/
The object is to match a vocabulary word with the best synonym from a bank of four choices. And, if you feel that you want to switch it up, in the top right hand corner of the game you can change subjects. There are questions from humanities, math, world languages, science, English, chemistry, geography, and SAT test prep.
The more questions answered correctly, the more rice is donated where it is most needed by the World Food Programme, an organization to end hunger. (Freerice is based in Rome, Italy.)
As of today over 101 billion grains of rice has been donated. You can see totals here: http://freerice.com/frmisc/totals
Not only do you donate rice with just a few moments of your time, but the game also exercises your brain. And, even if you get an answer wrong, the game gives you a chance to redeem yourself by repeating the question later.
The questions get more difficult as you play the game, stretching your abilities.
It's pretty fun.
If you would like to read more about the World Food Programme, here is the Web site: http://www.wfp.org/
The other day I saw a commercial advertising an opportunity to support your USA Olympic team. This year they are offering these warm mittens for $14. Not only will you cheer our athletes on to victory, but you can also give them a virtual "high five".
Here is where you can find these mittens: Team USA Shop
Once again Nature has breathed its fury. The Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines about a week ago with such force that so far the devastating death toll stands at 2,357, with that figure expecting to rise as the debris is cleared.
According to ABC News, the power has not been restored and many will not have power for six weeks. In addition, the huge record-breaking storm destroyed and in some cases swept homes away, leaving the majority of the people there trying to survive in the open in the midst the all of the wreckage. The rain continues to downpour.
It is estimated that seventy percent of the city of Tacloban 220,000 people need emergency aid.
Here's how to help:
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Typhoon-Haiyan-Disaster-Alert
http://www.redcross.org.ph/
https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=16500&16500.donation=form1
http://www.wfpusa.org/
While visiting Colorado for our mom's 90th birthday, my sister told me her intriguing idea for a Great Gatsby party. She plans to have it on the Fourth of July when everyone celebrates our independence. Her neighborhood often orchestrates creative parties, so it was her turn to pump it up. The revised version of the movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, debuted this spring, so she feels like it's a perfect time to reminisce about those Roaring Twenties.
She's already planning her costume: white, silky, dropped waist shift with long pearls. She has notified her neighbors to begin to plan on what they will be wearing as well: any "flapper" type garb for the ladies and probably some kind of white attire or Zoot suits for the men. If everyone gets into the spirit of the party, it will make it more fun. You can even tell your guests there will be prizes for the best female and best male costumes. You can make your own or find a costume company in your area. Here are a few costume sites online:
Party City
www.flappercostumes.com
www.costumecraze.com
Speaking of prizes, she plans on creating a Roaring Twenties trivia contest. How much do you know about the 20s? The person with the most correct answers wins a prize.
Sample Trivia Contest
Who was the famous gangster known as "Scarface"? Al Capone
What were the "underground" clubs called in the 20s? Speakeasies
Who was the famous heavyweight boxer in 1920? Jack Dempsey
Which baseball team won the World Series in 1920? Cleveland Indians
What was the generation who went to WWI known as? The Lost Generation
Name a famous movie star at the time. Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Rudolph Valentino, Greta Garbo, Gloria Swanson, John Barrymore, Tom Mix, etc.
What movie won the Academy Award for the first best picture in 1928? Wings
What was the best-selling car in 1920? Ford Model T
Name a famous song/artist in 1920. Al Jolson- Swanee
Prizes
Great Gatsby t-shirts or sweatshirts - this site gives a book away for each shirt ordered
Eyebrow waxing gift card-referencing "the eyes" in The Great Gatsby
The Charleston dancing lessons
A scarf to tie over their hair as they "motor" in their convertible
A bottle of good gin (popular in the 20s)
Set the Scene
Make sure that your guests feel the 20s vibe with Charleston, early jazz or your favorite 20s music playing as they arrive. If possible, clear an area for dancing. See the Floral Artistry page for an idea for a beautiful floral arrangement.
Also, you could have The Great Gatsby movie, starring Robert Redford, showing on your TV in the background.
Appetizers and other Tasty Treats
Jay Gatsby had buffet table laden with all kinds of food. Some mentioned were "pastry pigs" - pigs in a blanket? hors d'oeuvres, spiced hams, "salads with harlequin designs", and lots of oranges and lemons.
So, to be somewhat accurate, try wrapping Lil Smokies or cut up hot dogs in puff pastry instead of crescent roll pastry for a little more updated version of pigs in a blanket.
An elegant hors d'oeuvre to serve might be Oysters Rockefeller in honor of John D. Rockefeller, a famous millionaire of the era. This recipe looks good: Food Network's Oysters Rockefeller
Make toast points. (Cut crusts off bread and cut into wedges. Lightly toast.) Offer a dish of pate to spread on them.
Arrange a beautiful fruit platter, including oranges.
Make a "salad with harlequin designs" as described in The Great Gatsby book out of roasted asparagus.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Snap one of the spears and then cut the rest of the bottoms off of the asparagus. Place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and lightly sprinkle with Kosher salt and pepper. Bake for 5-10 minutes until crisp-tender. Arrange on platters in diamond shapes. Drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar.
Add a make-your-own sandwich bar including Gatsby "spiced" ham, turkey and other deli meats, several types of rolls and condiments.
When the time comes - around 9 - 9:20 pm, entice everyone outside to watch the fireworks in your town. If you can't see them from your neighborhood, bundle everyone in cars, utilizing those designated drivers! and joyride to your city park/beach/lake, wherever you can find the best firework display. (Be sure to bring blankets to spread on the ground and offer bug spray.)
Afterword, let the dancing and celebration continue. When the last Side Car has been sipped and the last car slips away into the night, just like Gatsby's parties, your own Gatsby party will become legendary.
A few of us got together and worked out all of the logistics and spread the word.
First, we created a flyer on pink or yellow paper that we distributed to every house in the neighborhood. At the top was the title of the event: Evergreen Park Neighborhood Easter Hunt. Under the title was an outline of a large bunny. (It could be a duck or any other harbinger of spring.) Under the bunny were the directions for this event.
It was a huge success! The kids were delighted. And more importantly, the event brought people outside to greet each other. It's a wonderful way to shake off the lingering winter blues, get reacquainted with or meet new neighbors and revel in the promises of spring.
Strategies to Get What You Want
"Easy for you to say..."
But really, you just have to give yourself a pep talk and decide to do it, even if it's hard. Because you want to.
I'm a bottom line type of person: I like to get right to the crux of the matter. So, the first thing I ask myself is, "what do I want?" Then I make a list. Then, I narrow it down to a few goals/wishes that can be accomplished.
For example, this year I want:
1. to maintain my current weight and lose body fat
2. to pay off credit cards
3. to build friendships
4. to spend more time with family
5. to make weekends fun
Then, I take each item and write down some strategies some that anyone, even you, can try to move toward accomplishing what you want.
To maintain my current weight I will:
a. Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day
b. Try to fast walk 30 minutes a day
c. Drink at least 32 ounces of water a day
d. Lift weights and increase the amount when they become easy
e. Limit fat and sugar intake.
f. Be mindful of my daily calories.
To pay off credit cards I will:
a. Pay off either the one with the lowest balance first. Or, if the balances are relatively equal, pay off the one with the highest interest rate.
b. Calculate how much I can put toward the payment each month. (Pay the minimum on one of them until I can get the first one paid off.)
c. Take the full amount and divide it by that amount to get the approximate pay-off date. That will clarify the goal and make it feel possible.
d. Once the first credit card is paid off, take the money paid on both cards and apply it to next card to get that one paid off as soon as possible.
To build friendships I will:
a. Schedule time to spend with them.
b. Consider those who can be "couple friends" and invite them to events.
c. Events could be at home dinners, at home dessert nights, going out to coffee, going to a sporting event.
To spend more time with family I will:
a. Arrange events around all of our schedules.
b. Travel to Denver once a month.
c. Invite them to our house once every month or two.
To make weekends fun I will:
a. Make sure one of the days is a "no-work" day.
b. Plan a date with my husband.
c. Make time for myself. Make sure my husband has time for himself.
d. Try new recipes.
e. Call a favorite cousin.
f. See the kids once a month.
All this seems daunting, but keep in mind, this is what you want. To stay motivated, give yourself small rewards for keeping yourself on task.
Ideas for fun, inexpensive dates:
1. Go on a hike if the weather permits.
2. Explore a new part of your city on your bikes.
3. Check out a new movie--a matinee.
4. Read the local newspaper and find out all of the events in your city. Choose one that you both would like.
5. Cheer on a local high school or college basketball team.
6. Go ice skating and then stay to watch the local hockey team play.
7. Play ping-pong at a local pub.
8. Play tennis on a nice day
9. Hit a bucket of balls at a driving range.
10. Get ready for spring home runs at the local batting cages.
An Opportunity to Give Again
Kiva Gift Cards
'Tis the season of giving once again. There are so many worthy causes, but this one caught my eye.
A couple years ago, my sweet cousin, instead of giving my daughter a regular gift, bestowed upon her a $50 gift from Kiva. Gifts are offered in increments of 25 dollars.
It's my understanding that he was giving her several ways to use that gift:
1. She could take the 50 dollars and buy something with it. Done.
2. Or, even more intriguing to her was that she could loan it to someone who is working hard to start a business. Then, when the recipient paid the loan off, she could loan it out again. So, the initial 50 dollars could keep on giving for as long as she wanted it to. She has already turned it over 3 or 4 times in two years. Pretty cool.
Here is Kiva's Web site:
http://www.kiva.org/
I love the idea of helping someone who wants to help herself or himself. Who knows? You just might be the reason for someone's success.
Make a Difference Day: Bake Sale
On a cold day it's easy to sink down and melt into the couch. So that's what I did.
However, in my reverie, (and so that I would not completely waste a day), I started thinking about what I could do for this year's Make a Difference Day/Week during the week of October 22-28.
A bake sale.
OK, but what kind?
Why not invite friends over for a party with a cause? Let them know that they will be bidding, using a silent auction, on spectacular baked goods as well as other treats just for sale.
Instead of choosing one charity, the money raised could go to a variety of causes. Your friends would be able to choose from 4 or 5 different charities that their money would benefit from. That way they would feel more engaged in the process. Or, you can open it up to allow the patrons to choose any charity. Along with the bidding sheet make strips of paper in different colors with the name of the cause on it. For example: pink for Breast Cancer Research, green for an environmental cause, Red for Heart Disease Research, yellow for Children's Hospital, blue for cleanwater.org. Then, if you choose you can offer a white strip for patrons to write down the charity of their choice.
In addition to the biddable items, offer a variety of baked goods available for sale. Display samples for free and then offer individually packaged gorgeous cupcakes, mini Bundt cakes, caramel apples, cream puffs, pralines, etc.
Also, offer cookies or brownies by the half dozen or dozen for sale. If you serve apple cider at the party, offer the spice mix for sale or as favors as a thank you for their generosity.
Set up
Make sure that you extend your table out as far as it will go. (You may need more than one table, depending upon your space and how many friends and neighbors are invited.) Cover it with a beautiful tablecloth. Set footed plates in varying heights to display the baked goods. (If you don't have a footed plate, make one by turning a bowl or glass over and set a plate on top of it. Add a tall flower arrangement with a bold pop of color.
If you have room set up the table so that people can walk all around it.
Set up a drink station with a variety of drinks and plenty of glasses to draw from to serve your guests and for guests to help themselves throughout the event.
Distribute the baked goods that you are contributing around the table. Set out the samples in front of the packaged items that will be sold. Put a silent auction sheet and a pen next to each item.
Have boxes, bags or some kind of container for guests to take their winnings home.
OK, this sounds like a lot of work. So, how about giving your friends the opportunity to bring their signature spectacular creations? That will make it feel like a cookie exchange, but instead of giving the cookies away, you will raise money for those less fortunate.
Keep in mind that people may be offended or hurt if no one bids on their dessert. Plan to bid on any dessert that does not have a bid. You may collaborate with a couple of your friends and let them in on the plan, so that the three of you bid on every dessert that does not have a bid. That way, everyone will feel good about donating.
Mix it up; have a drawing for prizes every half hour.
Above all, make it fun. Welcome each guest regardless of what they contribute. Revel in the idea that you and your friends are indeed making a difference.
5 Ways to Continue Being Thankful
Why is it so difficult to be thankful? In this ever-changing rat-race every day we hit the ground, galumping our way in and out, trying to reach that prize of happiness we so dearly desire. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're thankful, but not really.
What we really want is more.
More of the things that others have:
More cute boots
More status
More of the "right" friends
More acceptance
More trips to the spa
More time off
More Money.
Ok, it's not necessarily bad to strive to improve yourself. In fact, it can be very satisfying and actually good for your outlook. The problem becomes evident when enough is never enough. The obsessive nature of never being content inside your own skin will start to destroy your attitude, your family life, your relationships, and ultimately, your health.
So what can you do to combat the spinning hamster in your psyche?
1. Start thinking, really thinking about what you are thankful for.
2. If it helps, write a list of what is truly important in your life.
3. Read or check out the news. That should give you a reality check.
4. I know I have said this before, but help someone else.
5. In this wonderful world of opportunity, decide what you can afford and what will be too expensive for you to handle. Stress builds when it becomes difficult to pay for that new "necessity".
Once you identify your goals and necessities, take time and look around. Savor what you do have and be thankful that you have taken the time to foster meaningful relationships. Looking to the horizon is productive, but be thankful for the boat, your strength to paddle, and the lunch that you packed.
Decide To Be in Control of Your (Destructive) Emotions
Ten Strategies to Beat Sadness
Controlling emotions? Isn't that opposite of what actually happens? Isn't it the point to let your emotions go free to experience life more fully? When the emotions are positive, setting them free can create a catalyst for others to benefit from the optimism. However, sometimes it may be difficult to see the bright side of dire situations.
There seems to be a sense that something or someone controls the universe and that there is nothing that people can do to change their emotions. That bad things happen and nothing can be done about it. This seems to be true considering the fierce forces of nature when everything people have worked for is wiped out in a single storm. Or, when fires blaze through communities despite the diligent efforts to put them out. Similarly, when disease crops up when it seems like individuals have done nothing to deserve such pain. Even "smaller" everyday issues tend to suck people down and threaten to ruin their outlook on life.
One thing to remember is that it is OK to feel sad or bad about a negative issue in your life. Let your tears flow in order to cleanse your spirit. It is important to recognize those feelings. However, people should not allow those feelings to control their psyches or relationships. The key is to move on from the sadness and other negative emotions into a more productive state.
So, how can people do that?
Try these strategies:
1. Examine your feelings. Are you reveling in the sadness? Take a look at what you can control about the situation and what you cannot. Get rid of those worries that you can't control.
2. Focus on what you can control.
3. Make a plan of action.
a. Start cleaning up after a disaster. Contact the insurance company.
b. Interview doctors to try to discover the cause of your pain. Go online to learn alternative treatments.
c. Comfort your loved one who has been diagnosed with a disease, offering rays of sunshine instead of sadness. Spend quality time-take her somewhere that she has always wanted to go. That will cheer her up as well as help your mood.
d. Investigate what it takes to tackle a new career. Meet with a school counselor and ask about grants and scholarships that are available. Register for classes.
e. If you can't really define your sadness, adopt a pet. Consider your home situation and choose accordingly. Make sure that you have the time and resources needed for the animal you choose. Most of the time a pet will delight you and pull you out of your funk.
4. Meet with a friend you trust.
a. Discuss your situation and then try to come up with a solution. Venting helps, but without a plan, your sadness will not be resolved.
5. Strive to do at least one positive activity a day.
a. Accomplish a task.
b. Try smiling more often.
c. Help someone else.
d. Start reading a new book.
e. Do something fun.
6. Watch a comedy or an uplifting movie, anything that will make you grin.
7. Go for a walk, outside if you can. It is surprising how fresh air will clear your mind and give you a new perspective.
8. Give yourself some time away from your worries. Indulge in an activity that frees your mind from sadness. Try baking cookies or cupcakes.
9. Give yourself a spa treatment, either at a salon or at home. Pamper yourself to release tension.
10. Surprise your friends with something that they would never expect.
a. Bring them flowers.
b. Give them tickets to a game.
c. Give them a break and watch their kids for them.
d. Give them some of the cookies you baked.
e. Take them out to coffee.
Above all, climb out of the pit of despair. Concentrate on what you can accomplish, even if it seems small. With every stride in a positive direction, your heart will swell with the wonder of success.
Found Joy
I am always delighted by unexpected pleasures. One of my sweet friends, Beth, just reiterated that I am a "cup half full" person. I told her that it was closer to three quarters... Anyway, you all know that we have a backyard garden project that has given us so much pleasure and anticipation. We have decided to take it slow and build our garden haven in stages to make sure that our end result is one that we will love.
But lo and behold! What floated in on the breeze?
Volunteer petunias (those that we did not plant!) decided to dress up the sand that was waiting for our decisions. They must have thought that we needed a little joy to accompany our future plans. What an unexpected pleasure!
And that is the key to a happy life. We could have been impatient and stressed about the unfinished, sandy aspect of the yard. But by allowing ourselves time to create, we were rewarded with a little color to brighten our journey. Revel in your pink petunia perfumed days!
Blooms Instead of Pricks
It's hot. The Dog Days are sticking their tongues out, panting, hoping for a breath of sweet breeze. I can feel the irritability rearing its ugly snarl as we move through the swelter. But as I move, I resist the urge to slog. Just because I am tired, does not mean I should not get off the comfort and invigorate my evening.
Focus on the beauty of the blooms instead of the prick of the thorn.
OK, so it was sprinkling when I headed off for a nice jaunt around the park. (Anyone who knows me knows that I do not particularly like to get wet, unless I'm in a shower or bathtub.) I almost turned around. But I gave myself a pep talk: it probably won't pour, it's actually refreshing after a hot day, even if it pours, it's warm and who cares, there is no lightning, and I need to do this, for me. I picked up the pace.
Along the way I was noticing how gorgeous the park is with the intermittent rain (as well as the irrigation) we have had lately. The blooms in the neighbors' yards burst with sweet delight. And, before I even realized it, the rain had stopped and the sun shone. I would have missed that beauty if I would have turned back.
You can apply this same sentiment when dealing with possible thorns in your daily lives. Look for the blooms. (After all, roses thrive in a little bit of heat.) When plucking the blooms of life, avoid the prick of a thorn, since it carries poison that might linger and cause concern. If you do get pricked, apply a generous amount of anti-poison so that you can move on to the next challenge. Accept what you have no control over, (sometimes it will rain) but be open for a change for the better. And all along the way notice and celebrate the blooms.
Stitching A Team Together
You've done your chores. You want to relax, maybe want to watch a little TV. But what looms? Summer reruns. But wait! A sparkle gleams in my eye when I remember: the Olympics are on this year! Two weeks of pure adrenalin-filled pride and admiration. Right toward the end of July. On July 27th the opening ceremony in London should explode with all of the pomp and celebration that the British are known for. We have gotten a taste of the games lately with the broadcasting of the US Olympic Trials. It looks like the USA will be well-represented with familiar favorites like Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Allyson Felix. New faces have emerged to entice us like Missy Franklin and Gabby Douglas. So, they have done their work; now it is our turn.
Since our government does not subsidize our Olympic teams, it is up to the citizens and corporate America to donate to the fund. They are calling for everyone to donate a stitch in the American flag to help our athletes in their quest for Olympic medals. Here is how: go to the following Web site and for 12 dollars you can buy a stitch in the American flag: raiseourflag.teamusa.org. You will even be able to put your name on the stitch number. Just like with other organizations, I have suggested that maybe you could donate a stitch in honor of another person's birthday or other special event. They'll even send you an actual American flag if you donate 10 stitches.
So, what do you say? Let's show our support for the athletes we love to cheer for. And let's be honest. Don't we all get goose bumps listening to The Star-Spangled Banner when our athletes are standing on the top step?
Plug in Your Power
Looking to add more purpose into your life? Maybe a college education makes more sense to you now than it did when you were 20. Your kids have most of the tools they need to navigate life and now you want to enrich your own life. You want to do something for you.
The problem is, those pesky questions come creeping into your mind: what if it's too hard? What if I can't do it? What if I look ridiculous? How am I going to take care of my family and do what it takes to get As? (After all, I've always told my kids that they need to try to get As. So, now I have to practice what I preach.) I had the same fears.
My solution? Go have coffee with a trusted friend. Make sure she is a friend who is totally on your side, a person whose opinion you can respect. That's what I did. After expressing my desire to go and finish my bachelor's degree, and the fears that loomed, my friend Linda said simply, "you can do it." So I did.
I'm not saying it isn't hard. However, think about what you have already accomplished. Raising kids with virtually no instructor's manual is extremely difficult. You've done that. You've already taken on that ridiculously challenging responsibility and did so with aplomb. So, don't be afraid; trust your abilities.
You may find that you can't memorize as easily as the 20-year-olds in your study groups, but what you lack in memorization, you make up for in focus, desire, determination and work ethic. And, did you know that your professors will be on your side? They love non-traditional aged students, because most of the time these students act like they want it more. With that in mind, you have one less thing to worry about.
If you don't have the money, apply for financial aid. Go to www.fafsa.gov and register. Go online to check out scholarships and grants to apply for. (Try www.finaid.org. Consider your age, gender, heritage and anything that might give you an edge with scholarship reviewing committees.) Once you graduate, you have six months before you even have to start paying on your loans; don't worry.
So, power up. You already have the skills. Just tap into your vitality and get busy. Decide what program will be the most viable for your lifestyle. (Research what jobs will be in demand when you graduate. Right now it seems like anything in the medical and engineering fields are good options.) Register for those classes and get underway. Don't listen to those nay-sayers, especially the ones in your head. You've got this. Plug in your power.
Step By Step
Besides phenomena like lightning strikes, hardly anything happens instantly. OK, I take that back. In this society of, "Oh, that was so 27 seconds ago", we are used to instant messaging, instant answers, and have come to expect instant gratification. However, when faced with a task, it's always best to do the research, prepare and then implement the process. And all this takes time.
Take, for instance, weight loss. One of the main obstacles we face is our own sense of entitlement. We worked so hard that we deserve that decadent triple fudge cupcake, frozen strawberry margarita, or in some cases that whole bag of delicious Carolina BBQ chips. But what we are really doing is sabotaging our well-being. We are satisfying our immediate desires only to regret that decision later. When the chips morph into the extra padding on our thighs.
So, we have to change our minds first. Do whatever works for you. For me, guilt has always worked! I tell myself, "Really? Who do you think you are , eating a whole bag of chips? Just because you live in America doesn't mean you have to succumb to every pleasure and eat it all!"
In fact, if I eat a whole bag of chips, how will I ever work off all those calories, plus all of the other delicious morsels I've scarfed down? Not to mention the liquid to wash it all down with, because you know that there will be some drinkin' going on with all that chip consumption.
So what do we do? Take each day as a new start. Get rid of the "I don't need to write things down", or "I don't eat much", or "I deserve these" types of statements. Even if you can afford any luxury you like (and chips are luxuries), doesn't mean you need or should eat them. Especially in excess. So try this:
1. For the first day write down everything you eat and drink (don't cheat!) just to see what your lifestyle is.
2. Add up all the calories. Go to one of the Web sites and find out how many calories you can consume according to your age, gender, and height to lose weight.
3. Then start replacing some of the foods you normally eat with more healthy choices. Try new selections that you always thought you hated, like asparagus; you may discover that tastes have changed as an adult and that roasted asparagus with salt and pepper and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese is actually delicious!
4. Find some vegetables that you love. You can eat a ton of them, but don't dunk them in Ranch dressing. Try drizzling them with di Modena balsamic vinegar.
5. Drink lots of water, 4-8 8-ounce glasses per day. Make your water desirable by drinking it in a cute glass with ice and a slice of lemon.
6. Walk briskly for 20-30 minutes every other day.
7. You will probably lose quite a bit of weight right away, but after the honeymoon period, the expected and recommended weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. If you stay on this course, you will start to change your lifestyle and your tastes and it'll be easier to keep the weight off.
8. Little by little you can enjoy some of the treats you like. However, if you know that a particular type of candy or chip will cause you to overindulge, don't even buy it. (And, don't justify buying it by saying "my husband loves these", or "I'm getting these for the kids". Let your husband buy his own if he wants, preferably not eating them if front of you, and the kids will adapt to whatever you serve.)
9. Don't deny yourself treats. Try to discover small indulgences that you can treat yourself without over-doing it. For example, if you love milk chocolate and can't leave it alone, try replacing it with small squares of dark chocolate which is rich in anti-oxidants. I seem to be satisfied with only one or two pieces of Dove dark chocolate as opposed to ten of the milk chocolate Nest Eggs.
10. Remember, you'll need to write down whatever you eat or drink, so don't casually pop things into your mouth willy-nilly. I've found that if I don't allow myself small treats, I'll end up splurging later and un-doing all my strides.
11. If your partner is sweet enough to journey with you, cut him or her some slack now and then. One night my husband plaintively asked, "we can have chips for the game this weekend, can't we?" So, of course, you can occasionally decide to indulge. Just remember that you can start again. Don't beat yourself up about the chips/cake/candy/hot fudge sundae/cheeseburger you just had. Enjoy it and move on. Tomorrow is a new day. If you add on the 600-1000 calories for the treat you just had and look at the total, and that will probably be motivation enough to get back on track.
12. Celebrate yourself and tell yourself how good you're doing. And don't go out for a treat. Go shopping and try on new jeans instead. You'll be pleasantly surprised how easily the lower size slips over your new hips. That will be your triumph.
Great Gatsby Shirt Book Giveaway
I try to validate students as I pass their way each day. So, when I noticed a cool sweatshirt on one of my students, I asked her about it. The front of it displayed the title The Great Gatsby. I asked her if that was the new spring production, since it looked like it was advertising for a play. Apparently, she found a Web site that sold T-shirts and sweatshirts that advertise book titles. What a concept! Instead of a sports team, people can advertise for their favorite book.
Not only can people walk around touting reading, but this Web site will donate a book to "a community in need with [their] partner Books for Africa" for every shirt sold! Always love a cause tacked onto commercialism. Makes my dollar feel better. Get a gift; give a gift. Here's the Web site: http://outofprintclothing.com/mission/
There Comes a Time
There comes a time in everyone's life where we say, "Enough is enough. I'm tired of struggling to: walk upstairs/pick up a baby /get into my jeans". Whatever it is, it's time to take notice of your habits and decide to alter them to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Because you'll feel better. Trust me.
Now, I'm the biggest proponent of eating delicious food. I am not advocating that notion that you can't eat anything appealing ever again. In fact, you can eat anything you want. You just need to write it down, literally. It's what I like to call Calorie Allowance. If you look up a chart, using this link: http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/calculators/calories-required
you will discover how many calories you will be allowed to eat to lose or maintain weight based on your current age, height, weight, gender, level of daily activity and how much weight you would like to lose. Also, if you've already taken my advice and have stated to briskly walk on a regular basis, you have probably already noticed that your jeans are looser. The more calories you burn, the more you can eat.
Please don't fall into the pitfalls of "I hate math, so I don't want to count calories". Once you get used to writing down all your calories, you'll establish a routine, and memorize the number of calories in the food you normally eat. Here's an easy calorie counter you can use: http://www.thecaloriecounter.com/ . If you try new foods, often they'll fall into the categories that you have already memorized. Don't make it too complicated. If you miss a few calories, it's no big deal.
Walk, Walk, Walk
It works. Plain and simple. They said it would and it does. My legs look leaner; my belly continues to melt. It just didn't seem possible that something so easy and cheap! would work so well.
So, try to vigorously walk for 20 minutes 4-5 times per week. That means that you'll need to walk at least one mile in that amount of time. If you can't do it, don't worry. Do what you can and then build up to walking faster. The main thing is not to throw up obstacles and excuses-just get out there.
Before you walk, stretch out your back and legs-front and back. This will cut down on the soreness and help prevent injuries.
This is what I do: As I walk, I count the steps I need to take for each sidewalk rectangle in order to keep my heart rate elevated, but still allowing me to breathe. This method distracts me so that I don't think about how far I still need to walk. If I get bored with that, I look around at the gorgeous park and think about my next floral or home and garden project. Also, I always wear a watch and check it from time-to-time to make sure I'm still within my target time frame.
If you walk with a friend, that can be really fun, but don't let the fact that no one's available be an excuse to skip walking.
Also, choose several places to walk in case of inclement weather, (the mall, the gym, inside your place of work on your lunch hour, etc.) and just to change up the scenery.
If you make health a priority, you whole outlook will be sunnier. And, as a bonus, you'll melt the jiggle.
Give A Goat
It's been a rough couple of years for families in America. Our dollars just seem to be sucked out of our pockets and we wonder, "What did we buy? There is nothing here." It's true that our buying power is diminished, but it's probably time take a closer look at our choices. It's time to take action.
When discussing our Christmas celebration this year, our family started thinking about the true spirit of gift-giving. We decided that we would continue to look for ways to help other people. This year we have decided to buy a goat for a family in Africa. Apparently, owning a goat is not only a status symbol in some cultures, but it also provides much-needed milk protein as well as the opportunity to make cheese. A flock of chickens is another good choice with their egg-laying properties. If you visit several Web sites devoted to livestock gift-giving, there are many opportunities that you can choose from. Here are some links:
World Vision
Mercy Corps
Oxfam
Heifer.org
Turkey Trot Neighborhood Drive
I have a fun idea for Thanksgiving this year. We are always wondering what to do after our delicious meal. There is always the Lions game; I love football. But I was thinking, couldn't we do more than eat and veg on the couch? So, this is what I'm going to propose to my family:
I will make flyers to post in our small neighborhood, asking them to contribute non-perishable food items. The flyer will indicate that our family will be around to collect whatever they would like to contribute on Thanksgiving Day. If they are going to be gone, they can leave a bag of items on their front porch, marked Thanksgiving Day Drive, and we will pick it up. Then, once we have collected all of the items, I'll deliver them to the local food bank the next day.
What do you think? A good idea? Perhaps you can have your own food drive this Thanksgiving Day. After all, isn't being thankful for what we have and sharing, what Thanksgiving is all about?
Update:
I thought you might be interested in how the inaugural Turkey Trot Food Drive turned out. We woke up with the warm sun smiling down on our planned efforts, so if we hadn't been before that made us psyched about the activity. Since I had indicated on the flyers that we would like the food to be put on the porches by 10 am, we decided to gather it before we ate our Thanksgiving dinner.
I hadn't really thought everything through, (which is actually my normal nature), so we were trying to brainstorm about how to carry all of the food. Since we don't have a wagon, we thought that we would drive down the street and stow the food in my trunk. Right before we left, my smart husband spied our rolling coolers and suggested that we use them to carry the food. Yea! We could all walk to together (down the middle of our quiet streets, it turned out) to gather all of our sweet neighbors' donations.
It only took less than an hour to pick up the food. Our family ended up gathering 64 pounds of food for our local food bank. We felt it was pretty successful for our little two and a half street neighborhood. My husband said that maybe I should have put our address on the flyer so that people would know our efforts were legit. That's a really good suggestion. I'll change our flyer next year, and hopefully our Turkey Trot will be even more beneficial to those less fortunate.
School Supplies
It always seems to creep up on us. Like Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries, even though it's the same time each year many of us are somewhat surprised when the reality of the new school year hits us. Despite the July "Back-to School" ads, we feel that we have "plenty of time", and truth-be-told don't really want to face the fact that summer is almost over. Finally, when school starts tomorrow, we switch into damage control, forgetting how costly the beginning of each school year can be. We complain about teachers "requiring" tissues. Really, we know that noses need to be wiped, but are secretly mad at ourselves for failing to plan for this crazy spree THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR. AT THE SAME GENERAL TIME. EVERY YEAR.
So, we grab only what's "on the list", vowing to replenish as necessary. Herein lies the problem. In August, actually more specifically, the third week in August, school supplies are the least expensive. When the list indicates, "filler paper", the instinct is to buy one or two packs. The problem is that usually students use five times that throughout the school year. When they run out, parents are often reluctant to replenish the supply because the packs that were once 75 cents/ pack are now $3.50. Teachers, and even substitute teachers, are burdened with providing supplies to students whose parents have neglected to plan for the future.
And isn't planning part of students' education? What are we projecting to our kids when they see that we procrastinate and fail to plan ahead? Responsibility is the most difficult concept to grasp as we mature. We don't wanna. It's not fun. We'd rather be swimming, biking, hanging out, lying in the sun, texting, gaming, skateboarding, and on and on. Well, sure! It's not fun to mow the lawn, clean the house, go to work, weed the garden, do homework, budget our money, pay the bills, do the laundry (fold it and put it away!), and make sure the car is maintained. Granted.
However, it is our mission in life to prepare our students for life. If you model procrastination, they'll drive you crazy with the two-in-the-morning bleary-eyed 100 point project that is actually due in a few hours. Or, worse yet, they'll "blow it off", claiming that they can get an extension. This behavior often leads to statements like, "I don't know why I have a bad grade in that class", "the teacher doesn't like me", or "s/he won't let me turn it in late". Instead of taking responsibility, the student spirals down into a victim's swamp, making life miserable for everyone involved.
"And all because I didn't buy enough filler paper?" you say. Well, of course, that's just a small part of this whole idea of supplying our students. So try this: at the end of the school year, make a list of everything you think your student will need and note the items that ran out. Bring your students into the discussion. Then, together, add up the cost and divide it into three. Then fill out the savings account deposit slip together, showing the amount that you're going to save every month. Then, religiously put that amount in a savings account every month, anticipating the shock in August. Once "Back-to-School" arrives, stick to your budget and happily demonstrate how smart you and your students were to have planned for this new beginning. And, voila! You have magically reduced your stress and your students will have learned a valuable lesson. Just in time to impress their teachers.
There are lists for every grade but here is an example of one:
Backpack
3-ring binder with dividers
Filler paper X 10
Spiral notebooks X10 (Make sure you buy the kind that has a clean perforated edge.)
Pack of 10 No. 2 pencils X 10
Pack of 10 pens X 5
Colored pencils
Pack of 3-4 Highlighters
3x5 cards X 5
Flash drive
$44.20 Divided by three = $14.73/per month in savings
(Or, if you buy a more expensive backpack, the cost would be $84.20, divided by 3=$28.07 per month in savings.)