5 for Five - Dec 9

So what is 5 For Five? In the short form, it is 5 goals you want to achieve this week. Next week, I will report on my success (or failure). Jenn does a better job of explaining it here.

Here were last week's goals:
1. Finish reading the preview copy of Crystal's book.  Nope. But I am almost done.
2. Finish cleaning out my expired coupons. Nope.
3. Read 2 newspapers a day.  It felt so good to make such progress, I want to hold myself accountable!  I read 2 newspapers on 5 of 7 days.  That is one day more than last week.
4. Finish decorating Shelby's room. I really want to get this done before she sleeps in there full-time. Nope.
5. Write at least 3 more blog posts this week. I enjoy writing, but need to make time to do it. Yes!!

I'm saying this is a 3 of 5 week - not really good at all, but I got the items done that I wanted to.


So what are the plans for next week? I'm sticking to the same goals this week as last.  I want to get them all done this week!
1. Finish reading the preview copy of Crystal's book.
2. Finish cleaning out my expired coupons.
3. Read 2 newspapers a day.  It felt so good to make such progress, I want to hold myself accountable!
4. Finish decorating Shelby's room. I really want to get this done before she sleeps in there full-time.
5. Write at least 3 more blog posts this week. I enjoy writing, but need to make time to do it.


Anyone want to join me in making some goals? How did everyone do with their goals from last week? So what are you planning for this week? Feel free to post them below if you want.

Worldwide Candlelight Ceremony

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who left too soon. As candles are lit at 7:00 p.m. local time, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memory of all children gone too soon.

Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, the 17th annual Worldwide Candle Lighting, a gift to the bereavement community from The Compassionate Friends, creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. 

From the NNPDF:

Please join us in honoring those who lost their fight with Niemann-Pick Disease in 2013, and all those who were gone too soon:

http://www.nnpdf.org/NewsLinePage.html#Candle

The link above commemorates all those precious loved ones that we lost to Niemann-Pick Disease during the past year ~ please take a moment to view the link and hold these precious ones in your thoughts and hearts.

7 years and 4 months

Happy 7th Birthday Dan!  I see you sent some snow to us for your birthday. Even though its has been 2 years, you are never that far from our thoughts.

 

Here is the photo and thoughts we put in a Niemann Pick 2013 calendar.

It is also your sister's 4 month birthday. I know that you are watching over her and I'm pretty sure she sees you. Keep being her guardian angel.

Focus On Your Strengths

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge – Day 2: Focus On Your Strengths

It is so easy to compare yourself to other women. You worry about what you don’t have that someone else does. Instead of beating myself up over what I can’t do, I’m learning to appreciate and exercise my gifts.

Think about some of the personality traits, qualities, gifts, talents, and characteristics you really admire about yourself. Maybe you are naturally self-disciplined, compassionate, or hardworking. Maybe you are gifted in music, entrepreneurship, or writing. Crunching numbers, cooking and baking, or babysitting the neighborhood kids might come easily to you. Maybe you enjoy budgeting, encouraging others, or serving those in need.

Today’s Challenge
This challenge is all about you. I want you take 10 minutes to brainstorm your innate gifts, talents and abilities. Think about what really lights you up, what people rave about or what you may even take for granted because it comes so easily for you. To get in flow, stand up and stretch, turn on some music if you like. Maybe even step outside for some fresh air.

Then, set a timer for 10 minutes (I use Online-Stopwatch.com or the timer on my Smartphone) and write down what you like, admire, and appreciate about yourself. If you get stuck, call a family member, friend or colleague and ask them to tell you your top three strengths. You DO have talents and gifts, you just may need a little help recognizing them.

 

Now go for it! 

You can sign up for the Challenge at the link in the picture.

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Ok, so I'm working on this Challenge, just like I told you I would on Monday. But I am modifying it a bit. I'm going to work on an item a week, instead of an item a day.

Last week for Day 1 (or Week 1) this is what I wanted to do:
I've started two lists for the next few days: one for work and one for home. Some of the home list is on my weekly 5 For Five post.  I will make another home list for the weekend and then two more lists for early next week. I will keep you updated on how I do.

So how did I do? Well, I created my lists for Wed-Fri (work and home), Sat-Sun (home), and Mon-Tues (work and home).  I created the lists on my phone so I couldn't cross items off, but I was able to truly see what I thought about doing each day and what really didn't need to be done that day and could be put off for a day or two.  I was able to add a symbol to those items I did complete, and quickly found myself looking forward to having more symbols so I knew my list was getting shorter.  At the end of each time period, I deleted the items that were completed and added new ones.

So for Day 2 (or Week 2 in my case), I'm going to take 10 minutes a day and list those things I am good at.  Please readers (family, friends, others) help me out. Leave a comment below, use the contact form to the right or call or send me a message directly.  Next week I will share with you some of the items from my list.

Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday. You didn't know that? I didn't either until I saw several people writing about it.

You can read more about it here.

What is #GivingTuesday?

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. This year help us create #GivingTuesday. A new day for giving back.  On Tuesday December 3, 2013, global charities, families, businesses, community centers, students and more will come together to create #GivingTuesday.

It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Be a part of a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity.

So how can you help?  There are easy ways to donate time or money to a non-profit.  Of course, I am going to encourage you to donate to the National Niemann Pick Disease Foundation (NNPDF) in memory of my son Daniel.

So here are some ways to participate:

Easy no cost option:  Register with GoodSearch. I have sent almost $10 to the NNPDF just by searching!

Signing up is simple:

• Register and choose the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation as your supported foundation.
• Once signed in, start using their search engine every day as you normally would any search engine.  Make www.goodsearch.com your home page if it helps remind you!
• For every search you click a link from the results page, Goodsearch gives $.01 to the foundation, which adds up fast!
• It even keeps track so you can see how much YOU have earned on our behalf!

Once you are on GoodSearch, you can complete Surveys or shop online through GoodShop.  All with benefits going to the NNPDF, for no cost out of your pocket (unless you buy something through GoodShop).


Are you an Amazon shopper??

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the NNPDF every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com after registering, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the NNPDF!

Registering is easy!

• Visit: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/35-1844264 & sign in under your current amazon account, or register one if you are a first time user. It may ask you if you want to support the NNPDF in a pop up, click yes to continue.
• You'll notice when it returns you to the AmazonSmile home page the top left corner now says "Supporting: National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation".  This is how you'll know it registered correctly.
• Make sure you always go to www.smile.amazon.com so your account registers the donation upon checkout.  Bookmarking the address can help as a reminder to!  If you use the standard www.amazon.com link, purchases made will not register to benefit the NNPDF.

 

You may wonder how you'll know if an item qualifies for a donation to the NNPDF, as there are some restrictions when a donation WILL NOT be made to the NNPDF (ie: Gift Cards)…..follow these simple tips:
~ While on a product's page, you'll be looking for the text below, which is usually placed under the area where it says if the product is in stock or not.

 

That's it!  Upon checkout you will have provided funds to the NNPDF without doing anything more than shopping! It's the gift that keeps on giving!


Something simple but wearable: An NNPDF Persevere For Life wristband.

The popularity of wristbands cannot be denied, as they are not only a simple way to wear your cause, but also as a constant reminder of who we fight for in our Quest for a Cure!

Recently updated with "Persevere for Life" engraved along the band, these periwinkle wristbands are so versatile they can be used all year round as:

• Local fundraiser items to help build a sense of community, whether as saleable items or handouts  - both of which to help promote awareness
• Party favors in grab bags for birthdays or holidays
• Stocking Stuffers!
• Crafters can put their own creative spin on it - why not link them together to make a holiday wreath?
• Purchase one for yourself in Honor or Memory of a loved one as a lasting keepsake, while simultaneously helping to fund needed research.

YOU can help raise Awareness, but you can also give something that means so much more than a standard gift does. The gift of Hope for a better tomorrow for all NPD patients and their families.

Wear the Cause in your Heart on your Wrist.

*Youth & Adult Sizes available.



Want a great gift? WillowWicks!



Lisa Chavez, of New Mexico and Mom to Breann (who passed away in 2006 at age 3 from NPC), hand-crafts the special PERSEVERE candles to benefit the NNPDF. A Whopping 40% of the total sale cost for these items will be donated directly back to the NNPDF!  Wow ~ what a GREAT way to give a wonderful gift and support the NNPDF to boot!

Just in time to help with your holiday gift giving, Lisa has created a NEW “PERSEVERE for Life” line of hand-crafted products including both candles and lotion! For those who have had the opportunity to attend the NNPDF annual family conferences and are welcomed into the large conference session rooms by the warm, beautiful scent of the memorial candles ~ these candles are made with the same comforting warm aroma ~ Butterfly Kisses.

                                

Both the candles & lotion are scented with the NNPDF signature Butterfly Kisses scent (aka Creamsycle). Special sizes and prices for our NNPDF family membership are:

• 16 oz. tin candle - $20
• 8 oz. tin candle - $12
• 8 oz. lotion - $10

For NPD Willow Wick Candles and order form information please visit the Niemann-Pick Fundraiser Candles page. Remember ~ 40% of the total sale cost will be donated to the NNPDF in support or in honor of your loved one.


Another online shopping option: iGive (including gift cards)


From the hard core, to the casual online shopper, iGive.com is perfect for all types!

So what is iGive and how can it be used to benefit the NNPDF?  In more ways than you think!

When you sign up using our specific link, which will automatically set the foundation you wish to benefit as the NNPDF, you have two choices:

• I want to browse stores through iGive's web site - This means you visit iGive.com and browse their large catalog of stores that, when the links are clicked, will automatically detect that proceeds for purchases go to the NNPDF upon check out on retailer's web sites.
  
  
• I want iGive to tell me what sites benefit the NNPDF as I visit them on my own - This requires the free iGive Button, which sits in your internet browser. As you visit web sites, you'll get a popup telling you automatically if purchases from that site will benefit the NNPDF. The download is simple and quick!

iGive also gives you the chance to buy Gift Cards, while still benefiting the foundation! While viewing the list of stores on the iGive web site, you can use "Options" to narrow it down to only stores who offer gift cards, like: Kohls, Gamestop, Lowe's, Forever 21 & Cabela's just to name a few!

It has never been easier to purchase for loved ones and benefit the NPD community at the same time!  You were planning to shop online, why not take that one extra step and make each purchase count to a better tomorrow? 

Give the Gift of Awareness... Give the Gift of Hope!

5 for Five - Dec 2

So what is 5 For Five? In the short form, it is 5 goals you want to achieve this week. Next week, I will report on my success (or failure). Jenn does a better job of explaining it here.

Here were last week's goals:
1. Do Crystal's 7-Day Challenge. I'm making it a 7-week challenge.  You can read more about that here.
2. Finish reading the preview copy of the book. I'm not quite done with it, but have made substantial progress.
3. Read 2 newspapers a day. I did 5 of 7 days (weekdays).
4. Finish decorating Shelby's room. Nope.  At least she doesn't realize it yet!
5. Write at least 3 more blog posts this week. Done!

I'm saying this is a 4 of 5 week - so really, really good!


So what are the plans for next week?
1. Finish reading the preview copy of Crystal's book.
2. Finish cleaning out my expired coupons.
3. Read 2 newspapers a day.  It felt so good to make such progress, I want to hold myself accountable!
4. Finish decorating Shelby's room. I really want to get this done before she sleeps in there full-time.
5. Write at least 3 more blog posts this week. I enjoy writing, but need to make time to do it.


Anyone want to join me in making some goals? How did everyone do with their goals from last week? So what are you planning for this week? Feel free to post them below if you want.

Elks Memorial Sunday

The First day in December is designated as Elks Memorial Sunday, and it is mandatory for all Elk Lodges to conduct a Memorial service for the members who have passed away during the year. 

 This day remembers all those Elks who have passed away with a special dedication to those who have been lost since the last Memorial.  

There is also a special recognition to those veterans who have been lost and those who continue to fight, as well as a dedication to those lost on September 11, 2001.

This is a public ceremony and is very moving and touching. If you ever have a chance to attend, please take the time to do so.

This year, the poem below got me choked up:

TO MY DEAREST FAMILY:

Some things I'd like to say
but first of all to let you know
that I arrived okay

I'm writing this from Heaven
where I dwell with God above
where there's no more tears
or sadness there, is just eternal love

Please do not be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight
remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night

That day I had to leave you
when my life on Earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me
and He said I welcome you

It's good to have you back again
you were missed while you were gone
as for your dearest family
they'll be here later on

I need you here so badly
as part of My big plan
there's so much that we have to do
to help our mortal man

Then God gave me a list of things
He wished for me to do
and foremost on that list of mine
is to watch and care for you

And I will be beside you
every day and week and year
and when you're sad, I'm standing there
to wipe away the tear

And when you lie in bed at night
the days chores put to flight
God and I are closest to you
in the middle of the night

When you think of my life on Earth
and all those loving years
because you're only human
they are bound to bring you tears

But do not be afraid to cry
it does relieve the pain
remember there would be no flowers
unless there was some rain

I wish that I could tell you
of all that God has planned
but if I were to tell you
you wouldn't understand

But one thing is for certain
though my life on Earth is o're
I am closer to you now
than I ever was before

And to my very many friends
trust God knows what is best
I'm still not far away from you
I'm just beyond the crest

There are rocky roads ahead of you
and many hills to climb
but together we can do it
taking one day at a time

It was always my philosophy
and I'd like it for you too
that as you give unto the World
so the World will give to you

If you can help somebody
who is in sorrow or in pain
then you can say to God at night
my day was not in vain

And now I am contented
that my life it was worthwhile
knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile

So if you meet somebody
who is down and feeling low
just lend a hand to pick him up
as on your way you go

When you are walking down the street
and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind

And when you feel the gentle breeze
or the wind upon your face
that's me giving you a great big hug
or just a soft embrace

And when it's time for you to go
from that body to be free
remember you're not going
you are coming here to me

And I will always love you
from that land way up above
Will be in touch again soon
P.S. God sends His Love

--Author Unknown