Day 6-Bubble Smoothie?

I think I must be out of the loop, but before last night I had never heard of “bubbles.”  I learned that bubbles are tiny tapioca pearls that can be added to tea and smoothies.  They are dark in color, chewy and have a sweet taste.

Last night I met Wendy Taddeucci, owner of Simply Organized, LLC at Uptown Café for drinks. I would say coffee but neither of us ordered coffee!  It was my treat and gift for the day.  Wendy ordered a bubble smoothie, which I had never heard of but it looked yummy.  I think I am going to have to try one the next time I am at Uptown Café.  

Wendy and I are both professional organizers and have been organizing in NW Indiana for over five years but have never met.  We had a fun evening discussing what it is like to work with people and change their life by helping them get organized.  We had similar stories and both learned that we have laughed, cried and become friends with many of our clients.

Are there professionals in your community who you would like to meet, collaborate with and get to know better?  If so, reach out to them and ask them to join you for coffee or a bubbled smoothie! I have so enjoyed getting to know many fascinating people over the years.  I encourage you to look outside the four walls of your office/home and get to know someone new today!

Check out Wendy on TLC’s Hoarding: Buried Alive on January 29^th.   

Day 3-Letters to families of fallen officers

Last year I started writing letters to families who had a loved one that was killed in the line of duty.  Due to other gifts I was able to give throughout the year I got behind on these letters.  I kept a list of letters I need to send and eventually I will send letters to every family that lost a loved one in the line of duty starting in 2011 until I decided it is something I should no longer continue. No sure that will ever happen!

Today I wrote letters to the families of Border Patrol Agents Eduardo Rojas and Hector Clark.  They were killed in the line of duty on May 12, 2011 when their vehicle was struck by a train.  Both Agents left behind a wife and two children.  To learn more about these officers click on their names.

Through a tragedy that took place in my home town on December 30th, a young, vibrant 18 year old girl lost her life way too early and was laid to rest today.  I was reminded how quickly those we love can be taken away from us.  Never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.  RIP Emily.

Day 2-Recycled Christmas Cards

Do you still have your Christmas cards laying around the house?  Want to help a great organization fund raise with your used cards?  If so, mail them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children. They recycle the cards and sell them to raise funds for their organization.  They also except all other types of greeeting cards. 

This was my gift for today and it only took me about 10 minutes to go through my cards, place in an envelope and prepare to ship. 

Here are their card donating tips:

• All types of greeting cards, including Christmas are used.
• Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)
• We can not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.
• 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred.
• Mail donations to :
  St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
  Recycled Card Program
  100 St. Jude’s Street
  Boulder City, NV 89005

For additional information: http://www.stjudesranch.org/shop/recycled-card-program/

365 Days of Giving

Happy New Year!  Well 2011, a great year, has come to an end and I am looking forward to the possibilities for 2012.  A year ago today I made a goal to give a gift everyday for year and I am happy to report that I accomplished that goal yesterday!

In the beginning I don’t think I really knew what I was getting myself into or where my gift giving journey would take me.  It has been fun, challenging, heart-warming and life changing.  I have met many great people, learned about wonderful organizations and causes and have made many new friends.

This journey that started as a challenge has turned into a new way of life for me; something I can’t live without.  Over the past couple of months people have been asking me if I am going to continue with my daily gift giving and without hesitation my answer has been, “YES!” 

I know this will sound strange, but I think I would be sad not to give a gift every day.  It is something I look forward to and enjoy the smiles it brings to people faces.  It is something truly being done with no expectation of receiving anything in return.  I also strongly feel this journey I have been on and will continue in 2012 is part of God’s plan for me. What I am suppose to be doing.  And until I feel otherwise, I will continue to make the commitment to give.

Are you wondering what my final gift of the year was?  It was a New Years Eve Party at my home for a group of close friends.  There was one catch if they wanted to attend, they couldn’t bring any food.  Usually when we have parties we all pitch in and everyone brings food but not this party.  I think I outdid myself and had tons left over.  With the help of my husband, I spent half the day in the kitchen preparing all types of yummy appetizers.  We are not partiers so the night included watching a football game, Family Feud, Dance Central, Rock Band and the Newlywed game.  We all made it to midnight and some of us even made it until about 1:30.  We had fun laughing, joking with each other and more importantly enjoying each other’s company.  I love to entertain so this was a fun gift to give.

I am not big into New Year’s resolutions, but I do set many goals for myself for the year.  If you do the same and I hope one of your goals for the year is to increase your giving!

Thank you for letting me be a part of your life for this past year. I hope you continue to follow me on my gift giving journey.  Have a blessed 2012!

Day 364-Gifts Galore!

Yesterday may have been one of my busiest days giving days of the year.  I had several gifts that I had meant to give earlier but for one reason or another I just didn’t.  Also, I have been off work for over a week and I have been cleaning out every drawer, cabinet, closet and room of my home and some gifts from decluttering.

Several of my gifts came because of a tradition that was started when I was little and continues to this day.  When I was growing up mom, my sister and I would spend a day baking cookies and candies and then deliver the treats to friends and family.  Sometime around Christmas, even though we all can’t be together to bake, I still spend a day or two in the kitchen making tons of goodies for neighbors and friends.  This year on Day 363 I took cookies to a neighbor and then yesterday on Day 364 I took cookies to several friends, the post office and a nonprofit I support.  Gift #1.

The non-profit that I took cookies too is Housing Opportunities.  They provide housing for the homeless, help families prevent foreclosure; provide home ownership education and affordable rental housing in Northwest Indiana.  On Day 187 I donated toilet paper and on Day 238 I volunteered in their food pantry for the United Way ofPorter County’s Day of Caring.   Yesterday besides cookies, I dropped off new hats and mittens and toilet paper and paper towels.  They always seem to be running low and in need of the last two items. Gift #2.

I love the public library but my books to tend to always be overdue.  I finally finished, Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow and needed to return it. It was only about 10 days overdue!  I enjoyed the book though there was too much play by play of his college football games and the book got a little boring for me.  I am intrigued of how the media has treated Tim Tebow over the past year.  We have a guy who has, from what I can tell, done nothing but good things in his college and NFL career yet the media makes him out to be some terrible person just because he boldly talks about his Christian faith. Call me crazy, but I am not for sure what’s wrong with a guy who does a lot of charity work, goes on mission’s trips to help with an orphanage in the Philippines and is a role model for the upcoming generation, regardless of his faith these are all positive things that children of today don’t see much of.  You would think positive is positive and let us encourage him to continue to do good deeds. Okay enough of my soapbox!  I got a little sidetracked; while I was at the library I donated used books and magazines.  Gift #3.

Finally I dropped off a car load of unwanted items at Goodwill.  As a professional organizer, now is a good time to make a commitment to simplify the material things in your life.  Go through your home and keep only those things you love and you use on a regular basis.  The other things are physical and mental clutter which causes stress.  This donation was Gift #4. 

I want to wish everyone a safe and blessed New Year’s Eve.  Have a fun New Year Eve but please don’t drink and drive!