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Somedays a brain is a funny thing in the way it leaps and jumps about from topic to topic, and the places those leaps and jumps take us. Need convincing? Read on…
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It has come to my attention that I’ve woefully neglected this blog. Yes, I mainly use it as a mirror site for my main blog which is here – but that’s no reason not to utilize a few of the options.
So, I’ve updated the posts with categories. Yes, if you click on Free Reads you see all the Free Read posts made here. Also in the works – I’ll actually put up a few pages with some additional information.
Christmas is almost here and gone for those that celebrate. Following that will be the New Year’s gaggle of resolutions. Then it’s back to a frigid January and a routine, real life. But there are easy ways to keep your holiday spirit through the next year and beyond. Take advantage of this annual period of reflection and choose just one of the following ideas to keep your family’s holiday spirit bright.
Start a charity box. Take one of those empty christmas gift boxes and instead of tossing it to the curb (or, hopefully, recycling) put it under your kitchen table. Now, what to do with it?
– You’re out at Walmart and see a sale on packaged underwear and socks? Buy a extra package or two and toss it into your box. Knit gloves/magic stretchy gloves are 0.50 cents? Grab a few pair and toss them in as well.
– You’re at the bulk store and buy a multipack of toiletries. Break the pack apart and toss one of the extras into the box.
– Anytime you are shopping and the store has a row of sample/travel sizes buy small versions of toothpaste, antiperspirant, shampoo, powder, soap, etc. and toss them into the box.
– Does your dentist still give out free toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste? Put them into the box.
– Have travel plans for the new year? Instead of tossing out the sample size products from your hotel when you get home, toss them into the box.
Once a quarter donate the contents of your box to a local women’s shelter, homeless shelter, or other charitable organization that suits your nature.
Start your holiday crafts. You’ve seen my posts before. Can you make one scarf a month starting in January and have 11 to donate by the time next Christmas rolls around? Here are some links to various knit/crochet organizations.
– Lion Brand Yarns Charitable Connection. Just enter your city or state and let the charity registry doing the searching for you.
– The Humble Stitch
– Scarves with a Purpose
– Knit Your Bit Campaign – scarves for veterans
After Christmas Sales are a great source of ridicuously discounted ornaments, toys, and many other items you can donate to local children’s hospitals, next year’s Toys for Tots programs, or service organizations geared toward families in your local area.
Like to bake? Contact nursing homes in your area. See who will accept home-baked goods and gather your friends and family together once a month in the new year. Bake your favorites and donate them to the elderly. Be sure to include sugar-free options for those with diabetes.
Support the troops Contact your local servicemen and women’s organizations and see what drives are active in your area. Care packages, letters, and other items are sent out no matter what time of year.
Your time is truly one of the most precious commodities you have. Find an organization that suits your personality and commit to one day a month of charitable service.
Best of all, enjoy the feeling of connecting with those around you.
These are just some of the ways my friends and family keep the spirit throughout the year. What are some of your family’s favorite ways?
For those of us who love to watch the skies – a Holiday Treat in the form of a Total Eclipse of the Moon will be visible December 20th-21st. Visit Space.com here for more info and notes on what to look for.
Image by Michel Hersen, courtesy of Space.com
While reading the National Conference of State Legislatures Unemployment Report as of November 23, 2010 I came across this interesting statement:
“Michigan continues to experience the second highest unemployment rate, at 12.8%. After leading the states with the highest unemployment rate for 50 straight months,…” While the article then tries to offer up encouragment as to how this is an improvement over June 2009′s 15.2% rate of unemployment it’s still not what I would call good news.
So I’m offering up Michigan Product links to those still looking for holiday gift ideas. Most will ship your choice of items across the U.S. in time for the holidays. Buy Michigan and help support our local economy.
– Vollwerth Fine Meats. Family owned business started in 1915. Seriously the best hot dogs, ring bologna and other meat products EVER. Don’t believe me? Try them yourself.
– Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen. Established in 1964 with mutiple locations (including Fudge du Locke in Sault St. Marie). Made with all natural ingredients, you have your choice of over 21 different flavors. One is sure to be your personal favorite.
– Holly Candle Shoppe. Featuring soy candles with over 500 fragrance products. Buy a “Hope” candle and all proceeds are donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
– Pasty.com. Pasties made in the Upper Penninsula. Your choice of U.P., Cornish or Veggy! Gift Certificates are available!
Not sure what gift you are looking for?
Visit Michigan-made.com or Pasty Central and browse their selection of Michigan Vendors and Products.
Because at 5:00 this morning we discovered the heating element in the oven was broken – in more than two places. Thankfully, most of the other oven-needing goods had already been prepared in advance. But for those that love a yeasty roll with their mashed potatoes? No go.
Tomorrow’s adventure? Finding a heating element for a stove that was new in 1971.
Are you a list person? I am. Not only do voluminous lists give me a practical use for all that stationery I can’t resist (*T-shirt wearing member of office supply lovers anonymous*), but it lulls me into mistakenly thinking I have things under control.
Lists made so far today in between everything else:
– menu for next week
– which then led to the grocery list
– which led to the bulk store list
– holiday plans list for November/December including timing for gifts and cards
– which led to the gift list for said holidays
– and, of course, the card giving list
– appts to get out of the way before end of year
– exercise plan for December
– shutting down the cottage list (needed for this weekend)
– tools needed for various projects and plans involved in shutting down the cottage
and the lists go on. 
Dipping a toe into the modern waters…or, yes, I’m finally getting a Kindle. Before anyone is too shocked I’m giving up my stone-age ways it’s not that I plan to actually buy books from them or use the WiFi function – but I was looking for an inexpensive eReader that could contain my eBook/word document library already collected and give me text to speech functionality with a minimum of fuss.
While I understand I can send Kindle my pdf and word documents to have them converted and sent to me via email (see, still not taking advantage of the WiFi option as I’m far from any Wifi area), I also want to convert my own documents.
So, for anyone already happy and busy converting documents/eBooks themselves which software do you prefer? Calibre or Mobipocket Creator?
Yes, I’ve made someone’s list, but it’s a good list. Based on my earlier post re: Crochet for the homeless I received an email asking me to pass on info from the National WWII Museum’s Knit Your Bit Campaign. Where you can help the Museum honor WWII veterans by Knitting (and crocheting) Your Bit – in this case a simple scarf to be donated to a veteran in a Veterans Center somewhere in the United States.
There’s plenty of information, free patterns and even a downloadble flyer to pass out
here at their website.
Rainbow eBooks is at it again – offering up free eBooks this weekend from their featured publishers. A quick secret? Sign up for their free newsletter/become a member and get emailed direct links to the downloads without having to hunt.
to a
It’s a great way to treat yourself to a variety of authors and genres without breaking the budget.
Many of my friends know that Fall is my favorite time of the year. But as the weather cools the need for warm hats, mittens, and scarves grows among those who are struggling and underserved. For years I’ve joined local groups that crochet for the homeless no matter what state I’ve lived in. But these groups weren’t always easy to find.
If you like to knit or crochet and haven’t made the connection in your area here’s some help:
Lion Brand Yarns Charitable Connection. Just enter your city or state and let the charity registry doing the searching for you.
Not a group person? Contact your local homeless shelter and discover just how great the need can be. Even one person, crocheting or knitting over the course of a year can make a huge difference.
Interested in starting your own group, but not sure how to go about it? Take a look at these project sites: The Humble Stitch and Scarves with a Purpose for excellent examples of a well-organized endeavor. Let them inspire you or just join in.
For those on the un-crafty/out-of-time side of things remember that nothing tops a new, un-opened, multi-pack of socks or underwear as a donation to your local shelter.
No, it’s not for me. I confess to being a sluggard of late. Let me fondly turn my blog’s attention to my dear friend and prolific author, Clare London,
Recognize any of these titles? We have 72 Hours which was released on September 17th. Between a Rock and a Hard Place, released October 10th, and Branded, (the re-edited re-release of The Gold Warrior and Twisted Brand) which will release on October 15th.
Makes me exhausted just thinking about it.
How does she do it? Well, if interested you can read her fascinating blog post on how it takes B.A.L.L.S. here at Reviews by Jessewave.
I have no clue why. LOL. Really I don’t. One minute it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon and I’m hard at work on my latest, the next I’m bundled into the passenger seat of the truck and we’re driving up 1-75 heading North once again. It could have been the fact the day started with seeing a flying wing aircraft up in the sky. Seriously. Can’t tell you which one or why – but it gave the day a certain auspicious feel that we just had to exploit.
Click here to read.
Click here to read my blog post about how the stomach wants what the stomach wants. In this case, a trip to the Straits of Mackinac and some incomparable northern Michigan pasties.
