Fundraiser for Irene Victims.

Help Irene victims

It seems like every time there is a natural disaster in this country the media and govt focus on it for a few days then it is on to the next big thing and the victims are left to their own devices.  I have a real problem with that.  It is not in the first few days that the victims need our help it is in the months after when the cameras have left that people need to be remembered.

I applaud The Orange Owl for doing this fundraiser.  We need to let vicitms of this disaster know they are not forgotten and that fellow Americans have their backs.

One of my best friends Anna is among over 20 artists who are donating their crafts to this wonderful fundraiser.  There will be a list up later to day at the Blog with all of the artists.

Help out and get your raffle ticket for 10.00 I know I will be getting mine.

Frugal

My word for the second half of the year is FRUGAL. I am making a game of clipping coupons and now seeing how much I can save. I will only be going to4 stores. I don't think you save money if you drive all over and spend as much in gas as you save. I am choosing CVS, Bel Air, Target and Henry's. We are also going to start getting our veggies from the farmer's market. I actually pass all the stores (except the farmer market) almost everyday on my way somewhere so I don't think it will be wasting gas because they are on my direct route. I figure if I make it a game to save money then it won't be so hard and I will think twice or three times before I buy something. I am using Krazy Koupon Lady and Penny Pinching Mom to help me understand the finer points of couponing. I even found out that our local paper if you are a subscriber to the Sunday paper will deliver last Sunday paper for free so I will get 2 copies for the price of one The SacBee has a special going right now where I can get the Sunday only for 20.00 a year.

We have lived in this house almost 3 years now and I have yet to put much on the walls. Drives my Mother in Law nuts. So I am looking for some great ideas. I joined Pintrest to get ideas.

I have really gotten hooked on blogs lately that have cool (easy) crafty things. Like this one, isn't this the neatest idea? Scott would probably have a fit if I did something like this but oh well.I want to do lids for several events so they will be useable more often.

So if you want come on my journey to learn how to be frugal and not pay full price for anything. It should be an adventure. Who knows I may put all my savings in a special account to pay for a trip to Disney since I can't seem to win one.

I AM

I look around and feel off balance in my life. I look around at everything we HAVE and it doesn't feel right. Why do I need 2 boxes of yarn? Why do I need 4 TV's. There are only 3 of us. We have as many computers as people this house. I am feeling bogged down by all the STUFF that we feel we have to have. I look back at the small house we had in Kansas - it wasn't that small it was 2200 square feet. I wanted more. Now I want to get rid of so much of it. I am tired of stuff. I feel like there has to be more than stuff.

Why do humans always want more? I have jackets I haven't worn in years but I don't get rid of them because some day I MIGHT need one of them. I look at my youngest and I am realizing I am setting a bad example for him. I lost my cell phone and after not finding it in 4 days I had to go buy a new one. I didn't need it. Drew found my phone a couple days later. I am part of the NOW generation. I never WANT for anything. If I want something I go buy it. I am realizing that is not the way to live.

As I have lived in California for the past few years I have realized that so many people have a sense of entitlement. I am one of them. I want to be someone who sets a different example for the world. I don't know how I am going to do it but there is a path I feel I am being called to walk and changing my thinking my step is the first step. Wanna walk with me?

Go to the Oprah site and watch and read about Tom Shadyak and who he was and who he has become. Also learn about what 3 guys have done in Uguanda for the invisible children. After reflecting on how I want to live my life and know I am not fulfilled and it is time to make the changes and follow my hearts desire and give back to this glorious Earth.

Army of Women

My friend Elaine had a wonderful blog post and wanted to let everyone know about an amazing opportunity.

Have you been touched by breast cancer? In todays society it is hard not to find someone who does not have a story about being touched by breast cancer in someway shape or form. Whether is a mom, sister, aunt, friend, or themselves everyone is being touched by this disease in one way or another. My grandmother had breast cancer. My dear friend Mary recently beat the disease. Their courage and strengh were an inspiration to me.

My mom was sick for many years and she signed up for any study for her disease that came her way. She wanted others to benefit from what could be found through her and the disease she fought. It was also an inspiration to me as well.

For these reasons I am asking you, my readers, to give a little of your self to help fight breast cancer in a way you may not have thought about before.

Avon Army of Women is working with many medical studies to find a cure. Take 2 minutes and go to the website. It will give you a chance to sign up for studies you might qualify for. I currently do not qualify for any of the studies but as soon as one comes for that I meet the qualifications for I will sign on the dotted line.Occasionally you might get an email notifying you of new studies. If you qualify you can sign up a study that might just find the key that unlocks the door to curing a disease so that our future, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends won't have to fight and leave this world early.

Do this for those in your life touched by Breast Cancer, Do it for yourself.