7.21.11

Hi Blogging Friends.... the last time I wrote in my blog was April, which was a very hard month for me.  Losing my father was and is the hardest thing I've dealt with so far in my life and while I assure you I remain dedicated to doing "Random Acts of Kindness" I just don't seem to have the emotional energy to blog about it anymore. Bennett (my dad) followed my blog everyday and it hurts to know I'm sending it out there without him. I hope that my "acts" have made you think and maybe inspired you to try a few of your own.   For now, at least, I'm ending this project.  Love to you all.

4.5.11 - Anticiparcellation

Here's the last three days, which will lead up to "Anticiparcellation"

4.3.11 - My dear friend A who has NOT been eating needed something tempting to remind her to eat so I made her a batch of pumpkin muffins and some chocolate chip cookies!  I hope she rounds it out with some veggie and protein but hey, at least it's some calories! xox

4.4.11 - I rounded up ALLLLLLL the spare change we had around the house and put it in a giant container.  We do this once a year and take it to Coin Star.  The kids get to pick which charity to give it to, which we will do later in the week.  When they were little we used to do Toys for Tots and things like that and they had so much fun picking out the presents with all the money but now that they are teenagers, they just aren't thaaaaaaat into it....they are happy to just fork over the dough.  Fine with me.  I'll post later once they decide where it's going.

4.5.11 - My darling father is a crazy, kooky kind of a guy and he loves to make up words that we end up adopting into our daily language.  One of our favorites is "Anticiparcellation"...sometimes we will get a call or an email with just that word and it means what it says -- expect a package.  Today I ordered a PhotoBook with various photos from Noah's bar mitzvah weekend just for my Dad.  It should be there within the week....so Dad, if you are reading this, I just ruined your surprise and I will leave you with one word...Anticiparcellation!

4.2.11 - Helpin' Out could make me Top Banana

Here's catching up on the last few days...

March 29-30 I was in bed with the flu so I'm giving myself a PASS on RAKs for those days.

March 31 - At school conferences our Forensic's coach mentioned they will be needing lots of help to get the kids ready for the next big competition.....so being a former Forensics nerd I volunteered to coach a class two days a week for the next month.  I loved being a judge at the last competition so this will be fun and also interesting.

April 1 - My little friend Sophia told me that for her 13th birthday her grandmother was taking her to San Francisco this week for her present!  OF COURSE I was so excited for her since SF is my "adopted" hometown and my favorite place to be.  So today I found an old SF map, circled all my favorite things to do and sent her a top 10 list of things to do/sights to see that I thought she would enjoy.  I also added a list of "insider tips" about the city that you wouldn't find in a guide book!  Hope she has an amazing time!

April 2 - With our failing economy and our state in a "state of disaster", it is harder and harder to get corporations and even individuals to sponsor charitable events.  I spent a few minutes today to send some requests out on behalf of the For a Day Foundation to underwrite the cost of 300 bananas for our runners for the Fun Run/5K April 23rd.  I will continue to pursue this during the week until I have found a donor! Yes, I do believe this will make me Top Banana. Sorry, that was bad.

3.28.11 - Weekend Stuff

Today I'm taking a pass as I've spent the entire day in bed with the flu -- so maybe my RAK is that I quarantined myself so as not to pass this onto the rest of my household?

In a quick recap of the past three days (b/c I really need to go back to sleep)

SUNDAY - organized a group of volunteers for a friend's project.
SATURDAY - volunteered my entire day/and half the evening to be a Forensics Judge in Anchor Bay (the middle of nowhere) for Noah's school.
FRIDAY - packed up and donated a box of school supplies for a Roeper student who is donating them to students in Afghanistan.

Okay, back to ginger ale and Saltines....see you in a few days.

xox

3.24.11 -- Fighting the Good Fight and more...

March 22 - Tuesday the Michigan Film Office hosted a Pen to Paper Rally in favor of keeping the Tax Incentives for the Film Industry.  Obviously it is something I firmly support.  It has offered me a chance to recreate my career and it is one that I love and don't want to lose.  I had a few hours to kill on Tuesday so although it was faaaaar away, I made the trek out and volunteered a few hours of my time.  We stuffed envelopes, educated people on who their senators and reps were and helped them write letters to be delivered to the capital.  I was happy to help and will continue to volunteer as much as they need.

March 23 - Volunteered to be Snack Coordinator for Noah's baseball team -- contacted all the parents and put together a calendar of games/dates/snacks, etc. No biggie but someone had to do it.

March 24 - Wednesday I shared my loot of fashion magz with my neighbor. Who doesn't love finding magazines in the mailbox?  It's like an unexpected gift~

3.21.11 - ARF a K

March 21, 2011 -- Mondays are usually full of errands and today was no different.  While buying Buckley's dog food at Pet Supplies Plus today I noticed the decorated bins in the corner asking for food and supply donations.  I've seen them many times before and honestly, never paid much attention as I'm usually in a hurry.  I knew I had food in the pantry that we weren't going to use after trying lots of new brands over the past year ---- so I went home, gathered it up and brought it back to the store. Local animal shelters will receive all the goodies.  I'm pretty sure every pet store does this so next time you're there (and I will do the same), pick up an extra bag of treats.

3.20.11 - Weekend RAKs

Hello once again - it's time for the TRIO of RAKs again....seems like that's my new trend; writing every three days....STILL working on getting better at this.

FRIDAY - I can't say "what" I did b/c "someone" may read this and it pertains to "Someone's birthday" --- let's just say I went on a tiny roadtrip to make something happen to make someone feel special and have fun on his/her special day.

SATURDAY - This is a tough one, as being Mom does not mean everything I do is an RAK....I mean I think it's pretty much understood that my needs and wants will always come last and I know that's part of the deal...however, I'm giving myself a pat on the back for this one......all week I've had plans Saturday night. I just wanted to go out, have a few laughs and a few drinks and just relax from the week. The "Noahs" had a party to go to so I schlepped them out and should have been on my way.  An hour later the "Noahs" decided they would rather "hang out with the ladies" than be at the party and "would I plz pk thm up".......so to make a long story short, I nixed my plans so I could ONCE AGAIN play chauffeur to my kids.....I was boy-crazy at 13 so I totally get it...and I'm giving myself credit for an RAK on that one.

SUNDAY - While walking the cutest dog in America today I noticed my neighbors had a bunch of newspapers piling up on their driveway and lawn.  I happen to know they are out of town so I cleaned it up.....I'm only giving myself an RAK on this one b/c they happened to be SOAKING wet and full of mud.

PS:  Does inviting your mother-in-law for dinner for no reason count as an RAK???? I'm thinking that's a YES!