Operation Christmas Child

For the past few years I have participated in Operation Christmas Child and this year was no exception. Hubby and I put together two boxes this year and I wish I would have had time to do more.  I'm blogging about it again because I really feel that Samaritan's Purse is such a great operation and that this project is worth while. Take a look at the video below to see what I mean...

You can pack your own shoebox (it is so much fun!) and find a drop off location here.
Or if you like to shop online, you can now Build-A-Box!
A really neat perk is you can Follow Your Box and find out where it was delivered and how you helped out.

Please join me in helping spread joy and blessing this Christmas.

A Favor for the Gulf

I received a lovely email from Monika today who is also concerned for the Gulf. She shared with me a link to her shop Favor Jewelry which carries her beautiful jewelry. She will be donating 10% of all profits to The National Audubon Society to help with relief efforts. If you are in the market for beautiful baubles be sure to drop by and you'll be shopping for a cause.

Help Save The Gulf!

As a lifelong Louisiana resident it comes as no surprise that the tragedy that has unfolded over the past few weeks is really hurting my heart. Each day new images and news bring me a bit more sadness and leave me feeling a bit more helpless.

Generations of fishermen who are following the only trade their family has ever known are jobless. Innocent animals are swimming in the effects of our human error and meeting their demise. Our delicate marshes and waterways despite efforts are being flooded with oil and our native plants are faltering. The beaches lining the coast show signs of the spill as tarballs wash ashore. Each day and hour that passes makes the situation more dire and leaves the gulf coast (and the world) wondering just how much damage will be done. And we all are praying that a solution is found before hurricane season rears its head.

I don't like feeling helpless. Seeing these things unfold around me makes me want to find a way to do my part to help. So I have decided to offer a photo print of mine and donate 100% of the proceeds to the Audobon Society who is helping preserve wetlands, heal animals and clean up the mess. Please help our coast by purchasing a print or donating directly to one of the organizations aiding in relief.

Blessed Necklace = Help for Haiti

Beki of The Rusted Chain has created a beautiful "Blessed" necklace.

By purchasing this necklace, not only will you receive a beautiful accessory but you'll be giving the people of Haiti something too. Ten dollars from the sale of each necklace is being donated to Compassion to aid in disaster relief to Haiti.

I love what she says about this project:

"We are so blessed. With a warm home.

With shoes.

Starbucks. Internet. We're blessed to not live in poverty.

We're blessed to be able to shop online!

And by purchasing this, you can bless those who need it most right now. "

She's SO right about this! Drop by her store to purchase/donate. And don't forget, the most important thing we can all do right now is pray for all of those affected by this disaster.

Grab Bags of Goodness

Even though The Great Give is closed (for this year), the great giving doesn't have to stop. I was so inspired when I read the idea of "grab bags" on Wide Open Spaces. It really warms my heart to hear of ways that people are trying to do good every day, year round. Emily's children were fascinated by the many homeless and she let her children help her with a project to help these less fortunate. They put together (ziploc) grab bags filled with a water bottle, snacks, wet wipes, toothbrush+toothpaste, beef jerky, chapstick and socks. She put a few in her car and her husband's and the kids get a kick out of being able to help. Her idea was to have these easily available and ready to give. While it is only a little thing, these little things can add up. This has me thinking of ways I can always be prepared to give.

Fill My Kettle

Hi Friends, if you are looking for an opportunity to donate this holiday season please consider the Salvation Army. You know the red kettles that you are led to by the sound of ringing bells. I love those ringing bells! They are synonymous with the Christmas spirit for me. Unfortunately, I am not a cash kind of girl. I use my debit card for everything so the last few years I have noticed I never have anything to donate when I leave a store. The only kettles solve this problem! Click below and you can pay online. I've set my goal (higher than the norm) of $250 and I'm hoping that I'll make it. Will you help?

The Blind Side

My hubby and I went see The Blind Side last night and as friends predicted I loved it. I really haven't heard anyone who didn't like it actually. It is a perfect feel good movie that left me inspired. It made me think about "The Great Give" and how I hope many of you out there will participate not only for a chance at great prizes but more so to change lives. Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy did one heck of a "Great Give" that changed Michael Oher's life. What will yours be?

Help Lift Up Ellie

Through a friend was I introduced to little Ellie on twitter. Sweet Ellie is battling Stage 4 cancer and really needs some prayers. I'm personally hoping for her own special miracle. You can read Ellie story here and follow Team Potvin on Twitter too. This little fighter is a twin and the family is asking for prayers for the two girls, Ellie and Grace. As a sister myself I can't imagine seeing your sibling hurt. And for Ellie's parents my heart aches.



Friends of the family are requesting anything that may brighten their days, especially the girls, be donated right away. Check their twitter if you want to help. A few very generous ladies and myself have combined funds to send a couple of these to Ellie and Grace. A BIG thanks to Melisa for helping out and to Quinn for her generous donation.

Let's Lift Up Ellie! I'm praying for Team Potvin and hope you will too.

Day 11: K

Today I'm grateful for kitchen, especially my kitchen. There's a reason people say the kitchen is the heart of a home. When we moved into our first house last year the kitchen helped sell us on the home and since then I've been baking and cooking up treats there. I'm so grateful to have a place to prepare meals and to have good foods to eat each day. So many around the world aren't so lucky...



Instead of featuring beautiful kitchen photos today (I figured I do that enough) I thought I'd post a couple facts about Heifer International who is trying to help those who hunger.

Heifer International:

• focuses on building sustainable communities across the globe.
• teaches impoverished groups around the world how to protect and rejuvenate their land, water and other natural resources.
• gives hungry communities animals and tools to feed their members and keep them from going hungry again.
• teaches recipients animal welfare guidelines.
  
• hopes to end world hunger.
• accepts donations to further their mission.
• offers gift cards so you can donate in someone's name (a perfect gift this upcoming holiday season)
• can be found here if you want more info.
  

I really support this charity and hope that spreading the word will help them grow and flourish. One day I hope that I'll get to contribute to them and help those who hunger across the globe.

photos from Hiefer International

26 Days of Thanks

I was thinking about Thanksgiving a few weeks ago and remembering how last year I did my ABC's of thanks. It was a fun exercise in gratitude but I think that in honor of my blog (and its ultimate purpose of gratefulness) I wanted to do more this year. A little more brainstorming and the connection was made between 26 letters in the alphabet and Thanksgiving day being on the 26th.

Starting today I will blog each day between now and the 26th with an area of life that I am grateful for. Each day will represent one letter of the alphabet. I feel so blessed that one day to celebrate gratitude just doesn't seem enough. Please feel free to join me. If you do, let me know so I can be thankful along with you!

I've created this nifty little button for you if you'd like to participate in this exercise in gratitude. Copy the code below to post it on your own blog and share the love.



<a href="http://greatfullday.blogspot.com/2009/11/26-days-of-thanks.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/agreatfullday/greatfulldays.jpg" /></a><br />

Will You Help Me Out?

Hello lovelies! I'm working on a very special project and I wanted to get some opinions. You guys are the best and I'm hoping you'll help me out. What do I need your take on--your favorite Christmas Charity. I've set up a lovely little poll on the left column. Will you please take a moment to vote for your favorite? Your votes will help out and I'll reveal why real soon. Finally if your favorite Christmas charity is not listed feel free to leave me a comment.

Thanks a bunch and happy Monday!

photo from here

Cookies for a Cause

This is a long post but please read it through...


So today is Friday and for many that means pay day. Sadly Kristen doesn't get a regular paycheck anymore. I found Kristen's blog and my heart immediately went out to her. A few years ago her husband was diagnosed with a life threatening kidney disease that left him unable to work. In 2008 she too lost her job. Now days her family is struggling to pay for medical bills, prescriptions and day to day expenses. They've given up their cars and other non-essential items (that many of us take for granted) in an attempt to make ends meet but have still come up short...some days they aren't sure they'll be able to pay for their home.

As a life coach, Kristen remains positive and even posts gratitude lists. Through all this struggle she is upbeat and refuses to ask for handouts. In this time of need she's come up with a a way to help her family survive. She opened up an Etsy shop selling cookies using her hubby's special recipe. They're said to be extra tasty and come in yummy varieties like: Butterscotch Chip, Sweet Almond Cookies, Chocolate Orange Espresso, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Gingerbread. The family even offers cookies as favors or for corporate gifting.



To maintain their downsized way of life they have to sell a minimum of 200 dozen cookies a month while Kristen continues to look for work. I know most of us splurge on edible treats a few times a month. Maybe this month we could satisfy our sweet tooth by buying from this inspiring family? And if you are on a diet or want to donate funds Kristen was finally persuaded to add a link where you can contribute directly. I know many families out there are struggling with health issues and having to worry about keeping their home because of it--I can't imagine the courage it takes to go through this.

Let's help this family out! Keep them in mind for Christmas gift giving...don't worry about baking yourself. And order up a treat that is sweet in more ways than one!

Just Because...

I heard about the most heartfelt of tributes via twitter yesterday. Liz, the creative force behind Linda & Harriet papers wrote a beautiful post about memories of her mother who passed away in 1998. She said of her mom: "the thing people tell me most about my mom is how she would do things for them that always made them feel special... It was these little things she did that made her her - and in turn made us feel special, feel thought of, feel loved."

So in honor of her mother on her birthday she is giving away note cards in exchange for the promise that you'll send it to someone just because. What wonderful way to celebrate a person who did so many things "just because" in her lifetime. To sign up to spread a little "just because" cheer visit her blog for details. Hurry, the sign up deadline is Monday.

Lucky Me!

If you haven't dropped by The Bright Side Project yet then you are missing out. This website brings a little sunshine to your screen through daily giveaways. I love reading the entries which are often thought provoking responses to questions posted by sponsors. It is definitely a happy spot to drop by.


A few weeks ago I actually won a giveaway...first time for everything, right? And I was so excited to when this giveaway because I genuinely loved and wished for the prize: a sweet Ellie Necklace from Acts of Kindness. She arrived in the mail in a package so lovely: tied up with twine and in a craft box filled with fluffy feathers. Since that day, I've worn my prize several times and wanted to share the cuteness with you. I highly recommend AOK if you are looking for darling jewelry.

Thanks to The Bright Side Project and Acts of Kindness for such a fun treat!

Bracelets for Kate

If you haven't read about little Kate McRae you should take a trip over to her CaringBridge page to learn more about her battle. Almost 2 months ago she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Looking into her beautiful blue eyes on her site my heart can't help but ache for the pains she and her family are enduring. But they have faith (and so do I) that she can overcome this disease. To help the family financially and remind yourself to be grateful each day you can purchase a bracelet for under 6 bucks. But most of all please keep the McRaes in your prayers.

Calling All Hearts

Kelly is calling all hearts. When you get to help out a deserving woman conquer cancer and have a chance to win $200 worth of wonderful art, it is an opportunity no one should pass up.

Megan is fighting for her life and battling stage IV breast cancer. The life saving treatments her doctors prescribed are being denied by her insurance company. To help her pay for treatments that are so necessary you can make a donation to her chip-in fund. If you make a donation and let Kelly Rae know her blog, she'll enter you in her contest to win $200 to spend her Etsy store!

Give up your coffee shop drink this morning, pack a lunch for work tomorrow, pass up that pair of flip flips you know you don't need...give $5, give $10, give $20! There is a dollar somewhere in your wallet waiting to do some good. If we each found that dollar bill this woman's life could be changed. Let's do it!