Spread the word-- and tax deductions.
The good deed for today is to spread the word about great charities out there.
A few weeks ago Nerdfighters and the Vlog Brothers started this one day event called The Project for Awesome. It's where people posted videos about different charities and everyone else commented, favorited and rated the videos and basically they took over youtube. It was a huge success this year. It was tweeted about more the Avatar the James Cameron movie.
So here are some links to videos and different charities...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPL6IxQpvOc&feature=related
Charity-Water... This is the charity my husband and I donated to this year.
Heifer.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fuHZvh7JU8
http://www.heifer.org/
There's a lot blogs right now doing things with this charity where if you comment on the blog then the blogger will donate to this charity. Nathan Bradford is doing it.
BTW Tessa (the girl in the youtube video WON!!!!!)
Autism
This video is pretty amazing. It is a great cause but there are better autism charities out there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMsCE2zgNjU
Uncultured Project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZIggf2_6hI
http://uncultured.com/
IRC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0iNh2OdC-E
http://www.theirc.org/
There's TONS of people out there doing great things. Let's make their day together. My hubby and I already donated to one cause.
I will personally use some my of Christmas money to donate to one of the charities. I will donate one dollar for every comment below. The charity with the most votes will get the cash.
How do I comment? Click on the comment button, if you don't have a google, yahoo or AOL account you can comment anonymously. Please do NOT comment only on my facebook page. Please comment HERE.
Please comment like this;
Name, Charity and say something else.
Example:
Erinn- Hiefer.org. Cow are cool.
That equals $1 for the charity that wins.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME THE CHARITY. All the comments will help but I need to know which charity to donate to.
I will personally donate up to $100. I am using the money I never spent cat sitting my mother in law's cats over the summer.
If you donate to a cause too,(and mention that in the comments) I will donate TWO dollars. I will do this until December 31. There's not a lot of time to comment! Do it quickly.
This is my evil plan to see how many people are really reading this.
Will I do it again: We'll see how this one goes, but I really like the idea!
Time: one episode of Dora the Explore to type up this blog
Effort: well, it took one episode of Dora the Explore to type up this blog
Cost: Well it's up to you...
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Day 28 Bought water for workers
Bought water for workers
As a parent, the single greatest places on the planet are indoor play centers.
A small fee (no, it's not a small fee, it's pretty over priced considering the whole thing is profit) and poof, you've a massive play area where your kid can run themselves to exhaustion meaning when you get home, your child needs a nap. Totally worth the not-so-small fee.
The workers there are super nice, they like kids and completely understand why their jobs are important to the sanity of the parents.
One of the workers was one of my former students. This student I remember her name. A totally redeemed myself from my student debacle from yesterday.
Event:
I went to the cafe and bought the workers bottled water.
Reactions:
Instantly smiles. I'm a big fan of instant smiles. There's also the smile of disbelief. I've been getting that one a lot too.
My daughter is taking a nap... totally worth it. Big smile on my face too.
Would I do it again. Yep.
Cost: $6
Effort: Not much, it was more work on for the girl scanning my credit card.
Time: 1 minute
As a parent, the single greatest places on the planet are indoor play centers.
A small fee (no, it's not a small fee, it's pretty over priced considering the whole thing is profit) and poof, you've a massive play area where your kid can run themselves to exhaustion meaning when you get home, your child needs a nap. Totally worth the not-so-small fee.
The workers there are super nice, they like kids and completely understand why their jobs are important to the sanity of the parents.
One of the workers was one of my former students. This student I remember her name. A totally redeemed myself from my student debacle from yesterday.
Event:
I went to the cafe and bought the workers bottled water.
Reactions:
Instantly smiles. I'm a big fan of instant smiles. There's also the smile of disbelief. I've been getting that one a lot too.
My daughter is taking a nap... totally worth it. Big smile on my face too.
Would I do it again. Yep.
Cost: $6
Effort: Not much, it was more work on for the girl scanning my credit card.
Time: 1 minute
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Day 27 Coupons galore
Coupons galore
done on 12-23
Event:
My number 1 cheerleader and idea giver, Cindy, texted me, "Since we have no school, you wanna get breakfast."
I texted back, "Since we're getting breakfast, you wanna help me do my nice thing?"
We meet for bagels, chatted, drank our coffee/iced tea and headed off to Harris Teeter.
We placed coupons on top of the items all around the store. $1.00 off soap. $.50 off of crackers and so on.
This was Cindy's idea back in November.
Maybe people would be excited to see a coupon for a product they were already going to buy. It was a like a very tiny gift, sprinkled all over the store.
Reaction:
No one asked us to stop or even what we were doing. According to Cindy we got some odd glances here and there, but I didn't see it.
I would like to think if someone was about to buy toliet paper and they saw a coupon sitting there they would be, like, "Score!" In my head they are also doing a happy dance. It's a delightful dance. You should see it sometime.
We did bump into a former student of mine, who I passed on the last stack of coupons and told him to spread them around the store. This was after I insulted him but not remembering his name.
Would I do it again: yes but I would change a few things. Cindy and I had ZERO plan of attack. Harris Teeter is not a store we shop at, we didn't organize the coupons at all and we were holding our drinks, which only gave us one hand.
If I would do it again, I would change all of that. Also I wanted to point out that all of Cindy's coupons were placed with care and love, strategically placed were someone would see them. Mine were slapped on top of the product.
Cost: None
Time: 30 minutes--- mostly due to the disorganization but once we got into our grove it was fun.
Effort: we had like a million coupons... or like seventy, yes it was a lot of work. But it was nice to have help with it.
done on 12-23
Event:
My number 1 cheerleader and idea giver, Cindy, texted me, "Since we have no school, you wanna get breakfast."
I texted back, "Since we're getting breakfast, you wanna help me do my nice thing?"
We meet for bagels, chatted, drank our coffee/iced tea and headed off to Harris Teeter.
We placed coupons on top of the items all around the store. $1.00 off soap. $.50 off of crackers and so on.
This was Cindy's idea back in November.
Maybe people would be excited to see a coupon for a product they were already going to buy. It was a like a very tiny gift, sprinkled all over the store.
Reaction:
No one asked us to stop or even what we were doing. According to Cindy we got some odd glances here and there, but I didn't see it.
I would like to think if someone was about to buy toliet paper and they saw a coupon sitting there they would be, like, "Score!" In my head they are also doing a happy dance. It's a delightful dance. You should see it sometime.
We did bump into a former student of mine, who I passed on the last stack of coupons and told him to spread them around the store. This was after I insulted him but not remembering his name.
Would I do it again: yes but I would change a few things. Cindy and I had ZERO plan of attack. Harris Teeter is not a store we shop at, we didn't organize the coupons at all and we were holding our drinks, which only gave us one hand.
If I would do it again, I would change all of that. Also I wanted to point out that all of Cindy's coupons were placed with care and love, strategically placed were someone would see them. Mine were slapped on top of the product.
Cost: None
Time: 30 minutes--- mostly due to the disorganization but once we got into our grove it was fun.
Effort: we had like a million coupons... or like seventy, yes it was a lot of work. But it was nice to have help with it.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Day 26 Free laundry
Free laundry
Event
Three weeks ago when I started this, I asked my friends and family for suggestions.
My dad suggested going to the laundry mat and give out quarters.
In case you haven't gathered by now, I don't live in the nicest of areas. My house is cute as a button and the street I live on is great, but just up the street it's a different story. It's a pretty vivid reminder that I am very lucky.
I've driven past the laundry mat at least a thousand times, but I've never been in.
I brought Zoey with me and I used the $5 I had left in my purse from the woman who paid for half of the medication.
I got changed and placed it in several machines.
Reaction:
Unknown but I can image how excited someone would be to go put money into a machine and see that it's already full. It's free laundry. In my head someone is VERY excited.
Would I do it again? It was fast and pretty easy to do.
Cost: $5 but it found money
Effort: Not much
Time: about a minute.
Event
Three weeks ago when I started this, I asked my friends and family for suggestions.
My dad suggested going to the laundry mat and give out quarters.
In case you haven't gathered by now, I don't live in the nicest of areas. My house is cute as a button and the street I live on is great, but just up the street it's a different story. It's a pretty vivid reminder that I am very lucky.
I've driven past the laundry mat at least a thousand times, but I've never been in.
I brought Zoey with me and I used the $5 I had left in my purse from the woman who paid for half of the medication.
I got changed and placed it in several machines.
Reaction:
Unknown but I can image how excited someone would be to go put money into a machine and see that it's already full. It's free laundry. In my head someone is VERY excited.
Would I do it again? It was fast and pretty easy to do.
Cost: $5 but it found money
Effort: Not much
Time: about a minute.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Day 25 Merry Christmas
Say you're sorry.
The whole purpose of this was to make someone's day. Most of the time it was stranger. Sometimes it was a neighbor. Other times it was my family or friends.
Today is a special day and I'm going to tell you a story.
Everything you read is 100% true.
I have a different perception of myself then what other people have. Despite how nice this blog is, I kinda a b word.
I like to feel like I'm better then people, and in my high school, there's wasn't too many people I could point to say "I might suck, but at least I'm better than that person."
There was one girl- She will remain namesless for the sake of this blog we will call her Jane Doe.
I didn't like Jane. There was no real reason to, expect that she was the person who I thought I was better then.
For those of you who are reading this blog and went to my high school you can correct me, but this is how I saw it.
In our high school the Varsity Jacket was an item of worship. It was worn from the first day of school to the last day. It was worn at Church, at funerals and at the doctors. If you were good enough to get one, you never took it off.
In our high school all the sports could get a varsity jacket, including band and color guard. This is not a place for me to vent about color gaurd but my opinion of it is not very high.
Color guard try outs were in the middle of November and they fell smack in the middle of ordering for the varsity jacket.
Jane Doe was trying out for the color guard, she bought a jacket, she didn't make the team.
Then Jane wore the jacket to school.
In my 30 years, this one moment that stands out to me and the meanest thing I have ever done.
I walked passed Jane while she was in the lunch line, I intentally went out of my way to walk past her. I said, loud enough for her to hear, "It takes some balls to wear a jacket to a team you didn't even make."
She never wore the jacket again.
I said something and it directly impacted her.
I don't know how much money her family had. That could have been her winter coat for the year.
Yes, I admit, I've said meaner things to people. But this was out of pure spite for no reason. It was an unproked attack.
I tell my students that story every year so they learn that their words effect people if the mean it or not.
They almost always ask, "Did you ever say you were sorry?"
I had to admit to them, "No, but if I knew where Jane was I would."
Flash foward a few years. I discovered Facebook.
Here was my chance to make things right.
The first person I looked for on Facebook was Jane.
I sent her this message
I got back this message
Thank you for your thoughtful note. I must say that I have pleasant memories of you. I don't remember you being cruel. I remember going through a few years of CCD at Saint David's with you. The last time we had any classes together was in 8th grade- Team 8D.
I do forgive you for any comment you may have made. But, believe me, whatever it was, it wasn't "horrible" enough for me to commit to memory, or be scarred by it.
I think reflecting back on your teenage years is very wise. I hope you continue to encourage your students to treat each other with respect. I teach in a high school and I have seen it all.
You should read Odd Girl Out, which is one woman's study of teenage bullying. "Hidden aggression" as she says. It's a little dry, but it's worth having for reference.
I've been carrying my shame for ten years. And she didn't remember it.
I'd like to think that she saw my message and smiled, it made her day.
I know I feel better.
It takes nothing to say "You're sorry."
It costs nothing.
It's no effort.
Say you're sorry and forgive someone.
Merry Christmas.
The whole purpose of this was to make someone's day. Most of the time it was stranger. Sometimes it was a neighbor. Other times it was my family or friends.
Today is a special day and I'm going to tell you a story.
Everything you read is 100% true.
I have a different perception of myself then what other people have. Despite how nice this blog is, I kinda a b word.
I like to feel like I'm better then people, and in my high school, there's wasn't too many people I could point to say "I might suck, but at least I'm better than that person."
There was one girl- She will remain namesless for the sake of this blog we will call her Jane Doe.
I didn't like Jane. There was no real reason to, expect that she was the person who I thought I was better then.
For those of you who are reading this blog and went to my high school you can correct me, but this is how I saw it.
In our high school the Varsity Jacket was an item of worship. It was worn from the first day of school to the last day. It was worn at Church, at funerals and at the doctors. If you were good enough to get one, you never took it off.
In our high school all the sports could get a varsity jacket, including band and color guard. This is not a place for me to vent about color gaurd but my opinion of it is not very high.
Color guard try outs were in the middle of November and they fell smack in the middle of ordering for the varsity jacket.
Jane Doe was trying out for the color guard, she bought a jacket, she didn't make the team.
Then Jane wore the jacket to school.
In my 30 years, this one moment that stands out to me and the meanest thing I have ever done.
I walked passed Jane while she was in the lunch line, I intentally went out of my way to walk past her. I said, loud enough for her to hear, "It takes some balls to wear a jacket to a team you didn't even make."
She never wore the jacket again.
I said something and it directly impacted her.
I don't know how much money her family had. That could have been her winter coat for the year.
Yes, I admit, I've said meaner things to people. But this was out of pure spite for no reason. It was an unproked attack.
I tell my students that story every year so they learn that their words effect people if the mean it or not.
They almost always ask, "Did you ever say you were sorry?"
I had to admit to them, "No, but if I knew where Jane was I would."
Flash foward a few years. I discovered Facebook.
Here was my chance to make things right.
The first person I looked for on Facebook was Jane.
I sent her this message
hi, I used to be Erinn C. You might not remember me, but I remember you. When looking back on my life, I am ashamed how I treated you. I was cruel to you. I made a horrible comment about you, and loud enough for you to hear.
I am now a teacher and often tell my students how I regret words, because school and teenage years are bad enough with people being mean.
I'm not looking for forgiveness or for you to be my "Friend" on facebook. I just wanted to say being sorry for being a brat.
I hope all is well.
I am now a teacher and often tell my students how I regret words, because school and teenage years are bad enough with people being mean.
I'm not looking for forgiveness or for you to be my "Friend" on facebook. I just wanted to say being sorry for being a brat.
I hope all is well.
I got back this message
Thank you for your thoughtful note. I must say that I have pleasant memories of you. I don't remember you being cruel. I remember going through a few years of CCD at Saint David's with you. The last time we had any classes together was in 8th grade- Team 8D.
I do forgive you for any comment you may have made. But, believe me, whatever it was, it wasn't "horrible" enough for me to commit to memory, or be scarred by it.
I think reflecting back on your teenage years is very wise. I hope you continue to encourage your students to treat each other with respect. I teach in a high school and I have seen it all.
You should read Odd Girl Out, which is one woman's study of teenage bullying. "Hidden aggression" as she says. It's a little dry, but it's worth having for reference.
I've been carrying my shame for ten years. And she didn't remember it.
I'd like to think that she saw my message and smiled, it made her day.
I know I feel better.
It takes nothing to say "You're sorry."
It costs nothing.
It's no effort.
Say you're sorry and forgive someone.
Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Day 24 Shoveled out a parking spot
MORE SNOW.
Shoveled out a parking spot for my parents.
Event:
My parents are coming up for the holidays. Yes, and it snowed. I live on a street with zero parking. Well there is parking but it's taken up by residents with ten billion cars.
With all the snow, the streets are narrower and there is a lack of parking.
Remember when I said the snow that had been plowed and a tiny mountain of soul crushing snow? Well three days later it's still there and just as soul crushing.
I shoveled out a spot big enough for my parent's car and when they leave on Monday and the ice and snow will still be there, someone else will have a parking spot.
Reaction:
My mom said, "that was nice."
Would I do it again: To create extra parking for those who need in my hood, maybe. Yes I have helped a lot of them, but lots of the people in my neighbor only look out for themselves. This one is a we'll have to wait and see.
Cost: energy and my back
Effort: lots- the snow wasn't as light and fluffy as it was a few days ago. Melt water and refreezing had a role to play in that.
Shoveled out a parking spot for my parents.
Event:
My parents are coming up for the holidays. Yes, and it snowed. I live on a street with zero parking. Well there is parking but it's taken up by residents with ten billion cars.
With all the snow, the streets are narrower and there is a lack of parking.
Remember when I said the snow that had been plowed and a tiny mountain of soul crushing snow? Well three days later it's still there and just as soul crushing.
I shoveled out a spot big enough for my parent's car and when they leave on Monday and the ice and snow will still be there, someone else will have a parking spot.
Reaction:
My mom said, "that was nice."
Would I do it again: To create extra parking for those who need in my hood, maybe. Yes I have helped a lot of them, but lots of the people in my neighbor only look out for themselves. This one is a we'll have to wait and see.
Cost: energy and my back
Effort: lots- the snow wasn't as light and fluffy as it was a few days ago. Melt water and refreezing had a role to play in that.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Day 23 Give credit where credit is due.
Give credit where credit is due.
Action done on 12-22
Event:
I was wrapping Christmas gifts and I ran out of tape. I drove to Walmart. Oh how I loathe Walmart close to the holidays. It's a pretty horrible place to be. My mission was simple, find tape, cards, a certain magazine that is a Walmart exclusive (which was the real reason why I went) and to buy something for my husbands gift.
It's tape, without tape wrapping paper is completely useless.
You would think there would be a giant flashing sign filled saying "here's the tape you need, Erinn."
Nope.
I asked a stock person. This Walmart is not as well organized as other Walmarts in the area (there's 3 in a 10 mile radius in case you were wondering) He walked around half the store with me, helping me look for the tape. He finally asked the assistant manager.
He lead me to a back area- the garden supply area. Yep there was the tape. By the way, what a stupid place for TAPE.
He spent a good 5 minutes walking around with me chatting.
After I got the tape, I walked back to the assistant manager and told him how hard "Matt" worked.
Reaction
The assistant manager smiled at me and thanked me for telling him. I figured during the holiday season it's easy for sales people to get overwhelmed. And really who doesn't like hearing someone who works for you did a good job.
Here's the thing, none of the Walmart employees were under the age of 30.
What's really hitting me about little experiment is how bad the economy is and how much people are struggling.
Would I do it again? yes.
Cost? None
Effort? not much, I had to walk past the manager to get where to the magazines anyway.
Action done on 12-22
Event:
I was wrapping Christmas gifts and I ran out of tape. I drove to Walmart. Oh how I loathe Walmart close to the holidays. It's a pretty horrible place to be. My mission was simple, find tape, cards, a certain magazine that is a Walmart exclusive (which was the real reason why I went) and to buy something for my husbands gift.
It's tape, without tape wrapping paper is completely useless.
You would think there would be a giant flashing sign filled saying "here's the tape you need, Erinn."
Nope.
I asked a stock person. This Walmart is not as well organized as other Walmarts in the area (there's 3 in a 10 mile radius in case you were wondering) He walked around half the store with me, helping me look for the tape. He finally asked the assistant manager.
He lead me to a back area- the garden supply area. Yep there was the tape. By the way, what a stupid place for TAPE.
He spent a good 5 minutes walking around with me chatting.
After I got the tape, I walked back to the assistant manager and told him how hard "Matt" worked.
Reaction
The assistant manager smiled at me and thanked me for telling him. I figured during the holiday season it's easy for sales people to get overwhelmed. And really who doesn't like hearing someone who works for you did a good job.
Here's the thing, none of the Walmart employees were under the age of 30.
What's really hitting me about little experiment is how bad the economy is and how much people are struggling.
Would I do it again? yes.
Cost? None
Effort? not much, I had to walk past the manager to get where to the magazines anyway.
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