Substance of Living

In honor of the 29th Nationwide National Night Out event occuring accross the country, now is the time to meet your neighbors for a Neighborhood Night Out. For most of the country, this past Tuesday, August 7 was the event.  However, those of you in Texas still have time.  Your night out will be held October 2, 2012. I learned so much this past Tuesday evening.   This is a special night because law enforcement, medical support teams such as The Red Cross, and fire fighters come together in support of local neighborhood watch programs.  At our event, we had the privilege of the local sheriff, State Senator, and some other notable organizations and people.  In order to raise funds for projects this coming year, local companies donated baskets to be raffled.  We had the grills going, ice cream, clowns, DJ, and activities related to the cause.   I also learned about the Vial of Life or the Envelope of Life programs. If you are new to thi...

My health My family is ALWAYS there for me Having wonderful friends Waking up this morning My husband Knowing that I will meet new friends before the end of this week The drink I’m sipping as I type My Internet Connection My Beautiful New Home All the Websites that have helped me decorate my home All the times my mother allowed me to “help her” in the kitchen (even though it probably took at least twice as long to cook) The fact that my husband has a job in a time that so many people are without My passion for life The upbringing and safe environment my parents provided Charitable Organizations that help so many people The endless hours people put in to save the lives of strangers and animals The hand written good morning notes my husband leaves me for no reason except to say thank you or to let me know he is thinking of me Today The rain, sun, wind that all help the plants The four seasons My education, the blessing that I am fortunate enough to read and write ...

At a time when our Nation needs to believe in someone or something our Government Officials, Corporate Leaders, Churches, and Charity Organizations are being scrutinized.  Our leaders should be teaching us how to live without fear, prejudice, and greed.  Yet, here we are reading daily about our Country’s finest leading us down paths of homelessness and hunger. Our leaders should be held to a higher standard and live accordingly to their preaching/teaching.  When an elected official says that we all need to tighten our belts and band together, then they too should curtail their spending.  When one of them gets caught using tax payers’ money for their personal gain then they should be removed from office and not receive their benefits such as medical and retirement. If we can’t trust those telling us to trust them, then whom can we trust?   If a church official asks for donations to feed the hunger, then why isn’t he/she held accountable when that same mon...

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Tomorrow, Thursday, June 14, 2012 is Flag Day.  When I was growing up, I don’t ever remember hearing about this day.  As an adult, I’ve grown to appreciate this day more than July 4 th .  There isn’t a National Holiday, parade, or even a neighborhood celebration and yet the flag, along with the Bald Eagle, is a symbol of freedom recognized throughout the world. The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming; And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was st...

I received this story through email and had to share it with you.  This is a terrific tale about a dream (or bet) that turned into a goal and eventually a reality.  Read about Art Lacey's adventures, obstacles, and other hurdles he had to overcome. Art Lacey's Bomber Station Photographer and Initial posting unknown Shortly after WWII a guy named Art Lacey went to Kansas (actually, it was Oklahoma) to buy a surplus B-17.  His idea was to fly it back to Oregon, jack it up in the air and make a gas station out of it.  He borrowed $15,000 from a friend for it.  He asked which one was his and they said take whichever you want because there were miles of them.  He didn't know how to fly a 4-engine airplane so he read the manual while he taxied around by himself.  They said he couldn'...

Ever think that your contribution doesn't really matter since you are only one person?  One vote?  Think of all the changes one person at a time has made over the years.  One person sat in front of a building, one person took public transportation, one person had a dream, one person fought for gorillas, one person has made the difference. Although organizations are made up of many people, it is each person being involved that makes the collective voice.  Here are five of my favorite websites that are changing the world one person at a time. ASPCA Change.org Caring.com PETA American Sewing Guild What are your favorite charitable websites?  What cause are you passionate about?  Do you think schools should offer gluten-free lunches?  Should companies pay for your parking or subsidize your public transportation to help alleviate the strain on the rising price of gasoline or reduce the amount of cars on the road every day? Leave your c...

I almost had a theme going until the shorts and blouse were added.  Hey!  Maybe that's how I should think about going through the challenge.  Choose a theme or color for the day.  That's what I'll do on the days I'm "not finding a thing" to purge.  :-) Today's Items: Purse Crochet Rug I made a few years ago Silk Blouse 2 Candle Jars Basket and Fruit Running Shoes Red/Purple Paper Hat These would make for great garage sale items or maybe I should have considered a consignment shop.  Instead, I donated them to a local charity.  Donating seems to make me feel good inside.  Like I'm paying forward some good karma. I enjoy shopping in consignment shops and have found beautiful dresses, furniture, and other items.  The nice thing about consignment shops is that depending on the location or their boutique status, you will only find very nice items.  There won't be any holes or dings unlike a charitable shop.  Both hav...

Day 1: I stood in my closet this morning trying to figure out what to wear and not seeing anything because my closet was so full.  I'm thankful for being blessed with clothing but do I really need so many things?  In fact, a couple months ago there was an article about "My Favorite 100 Things in My Closet" (the title was something like that) and you know, I didn't really think there was anything wrong or weird about it.  In fact, the author had beautiful clothes.  She had over 50 scarves, who knows how many shoes, etc. I remember thinking that she was a very lucky woman.  Now, after accepting the challenge to eliminate 7 items from my house for 7 consecutive days over a period of 7 months, I'm beginning to think that I have too much stuff and yet I'm not sure if I can do it.  Not only do I have too much, it's costing me a fortune in laundry, storage, emotions, frustration in not being able to find something, and on and on. Taking a deep breath ,...

Over the next seven months we will be exploring the heaviness of accumulation and the lightness of letting go.  Each month, we will choose seven consecutive days to consciously declutter our homes and thus our lives.  We will baby-step our way to a new us!   The Goal:  FREEDOM! Once you let go of the drama surrounding your life wonderful things will start to happen.  Change your relationship with your memories and your stuff and they will no longer own you.   The End: I know this sounds like a really weird place to begin but if we don’t know where we’re going we will end up anywhere (loosely paraphrased from Alice in Wonderland).  Ask yourself these questions: “How do I want to feel when I enter (bedroom/bathroom/office) ________ room?”  “How do I want to use this room?”  "What does this room or my clothes say about me right now?"  "What do I want my surroundings and things to...

I’m a firm believer in charities and helping those that are less fortunate.  However, in recent (and not so recent) years we have heard about unscrupulous people at these charities or that barely a fraction of a cent goes to the actual cause.  I suppose, in essence, these cases have helped me narrow my charity contributions to perhaps a handful of truly good causes. Not only are these good causes, in my humble opinion, but also they actually help in my surrounding community.  My time, money, or goods provided stay local.  If I’m going to concentrate on buying local, helping out farmers or artisans then shouldn’t I help those in need locally as well?  I’ve recently seen a lot of articles about buying locally and figured I’d do my share. One of my personal goals this year is to weed my closet.  I did really well last year gathering up books, throw pillows, nick-knacks, etc. and boxing them.  (There are numerous books about going through our bel...