Merry Christmas

Well, the Port Orchard Jingle Bell Run/Walk is over.  It was a huge success due to the overwhelming support of the community, the sponsors and the volunteers that came together to make it happen.  There's a wonderful article (one of many) published in the December 9 issue of the Port Orchard Independent.  Our totals currently stand at 1,522 participants and $48,178 raised.  Not bad for a first-year event!

DJ Scott Fijolek was a BIG hit as emcee.  Thanks, Scott!

Trina, Vanessa, J.B. and I had a great time at the MoonDogs, Too Breakfast with Santa!

Ways to Give Back

There are so many ways to help but here are just a few ideas during the Christmas season:

*  I attend a wonderful networking group in Silverdale called Friends of Facebook.  They are planning a meal for 200 homeless teens at Coffee Oasis on Christmas Eve.  They are in need of stockings to fill (Dollar Tree has them for.......that's right.....$1), candy for the stockings and any other small items you might want to give.

Just a few of my friends from our Friends of Facebook group.

*  MoonDogs, Too is having their annual Christmas Dinner for $1.  Proceeds benefit the South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank.  You can help by stopping by and grabbing a bite to eat or by dropping off food/monetary donations for the food bank.

A few of the volunteers working the buffet from the MoonDogs, Too Thanksgiving Dinner for $1. 

*  The county's emergency cold-weather shelter is in need of volunteers.  They recently had to close because they were ONE volunteer short!  Could YOU be the one that keeps them open?  

*  Don't forget our local small businesses.  When planning your shopping list...SHOP SK FIRST!

Merry Christmas!

Gratitude

Gratitude

The quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.

Today I was grateful for the sun

the friends

the time

Yesterday's gratitude is in a song

in my heart

and never gone

Tomorrow's gratitude is yet to come

will be bright

will be felt

will be

Show your gratitude everyday

......and then there's YOU!

That's right. YOU!!  How can we help others when we aren't helping ourselves? So, this "Just 5 Minutes" is all about taking care of YOU.  Here are a few things to consider:

1.  Just do it!
      ~ Don't make excuses.

2.  Indulge in something.
      ~ Mine would be Carter's Chocolates.

3.  Relax with a cup of tea.
      ~ Orange spice is my favorite!

4.  Reconnect with an old friend.
      ~ Pick up the phone!!

5.  Sing a song!
      ~ I LOVE to sing!

6.  Clean your closet.
      ~ Hehehehehe.....I always feel better when things are clean and organized!

7.  Dance!
      ~ I like to do the "Elaine" dance when noone is looking...hehehehehe......

8.  Read.
      ~ Even if it's just a few pages a day.  Carry a book with you wherever you go so you can take advantage of those "waiting" times.

9.  Wear Sunday's panties on Tuesday.
      ~ That's right!  Why save that special "Sunday" outfit?  Wear it to the store on Tuesday.  You'll be glad you did!  Sometimes it makes you feel good when you look good.

10. Sit outside.  Breathe the fresh air.  Enjoy your surroundings.


Do what makes you HAPPY.  Do what makes you SMILE.  Do it because you CAN.

"To Do" List

Do you have one?  I do!!  I don't think I would ever get anything accomplished without one.  More than likely, yours looks something like this:

1.  go by bank
2.  pick up dry cleaning
3.  make car payment
4.  take back library books
5.  make dentist appt

Here's what I think it should look like:

1.  give back - promote local charity events on FB
2.  give back - take donations to 1st Christian Church (Backpacks for Kids)
3.  go by bank
4.  etc.....

That's right!  I think we should begin each day by thinking about and planning our way of "giving back".  OR...maybe you make your "to do" list at night for the next day.

Be CREATIVE!  Have FUN!  Make it a FAMILY experience!

"It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible,

 but also for what we do not do." ~ 

Moliere

Roll Your Change - Feed A Family

We all have one.  Right?  That jar full of change.  Maybe you're saving it for a rainy day. Maybe you're planning on buying yourself something special.  I say....ROLL it and FEED a family!

Did you know that through the South Kitsap Helpline food bank in 2010, more than 3,218 local children, adults and seniors received meals for Thanksgiving?  Another 3,765 received meals for Christmas.

AND.....maybe, just maybe, you'll have enough to feed MORE than one!

Pen, pencil, notecards & stamps!

Well, did you choose a letter writing day?  Today is mine.  In preparation, I purchased a pen/pencil set, pretty notecards and stamps.  While shopping for these items, I found that stationary/notecards can be quite costly!  Hallmark and Barnes and Noble have wonderful selections.  The Dollar Tree has notecards, for those that enjoy finding a great bargain.  And of course, for those who are crafty, you can always make your own!

Now, for the "Just 5 Minutes" idea.  In my last video blog, I introduced you to Gini Lee Kalkwarf and all the wonderful things she does for her son and the other soldiers in the 172nd Blackhawks.  She needs YOUR help. She would like 100 handmade cards by October 20th to send to the soldiers for Thanksgiving.  She would also like 100 handmade cards by October 31st to send to the soldiers for Christmas.  Everything helps.  Even if you or your child just made one card or one picture, what a wonderful thing it would be for that one soldier that would receive it!

Need a little inspiration for your cards for the soldiers?  Here are a few pictures.

If you decide to make cards for the soldiers, please feel free to email me sheilacline7@gmail.com.  I will gladly pass along anything you make to Gini Lee, or give you her info. Thank you!

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

I have a very old recipe card in my cookbook that I could easily replace with a typed copy or just simply save it on my computer…..but I don’t.  Why?  It was written by my grandma, my Nannie.  I haven’t actually used the recipe in years.  But I come across it often and enjoy the memories it evokes when I see it.  You see, it’s the handwriting that evokes the memory.  Not the recipe itself. 

Nannie once told me that it meant more to her to receive a handwritten letter or card from someone than a phone call.   It takes much more time and effort to write a letter than to pick up the phone.  These days with email, Facebook, texting and everyone’s busy schedules, who has time to write?  I posted that question on Facebook and received a few responses of “I do”.

I truly believe that letter writing is a lost art.  I don’t even send Christmas cards anymore.  I try to keep in touch with far away friends on Facebook.   It’s just not the same.  I think Nannie would be very disappointed in me.  So, this is something I want to change. 

I’ve decided that Sunday night will be my night to sit down and write someone (yes, Mama, I’ll include you) a letter or note. I encourage you to pick a night to make your “letter-writing” night.  Who knows!  Maybe we’ll start a new trend, the “Letter-Writing Club”!

I hope you enjoy the video I’ve put together.  Please feel free to leave a comment!  But please be nice....hehehe....I did all the editing myself.  Even put in a little music.  A special "thank you" to my mom, Joanie and Gini Lee for sharing their thoughts, their feelings and their love.  Enjoy! 


P.S. The video is viewed best on youtube.