The 29 Day Challenge: Day #7

What I Gave Away: Some quality afternoon time...

Who I Gave It/Them To: My mom

Why: Because I sensed that she just needed me beside her this afternoon...

What I Observed/Learned: When my mom and I set our mind to something we are quite a powerful duo.

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #6

Ooh... I didn't give anything away today, but I am going to make up for it tomorrow. And I am going to fill a donation bag tonight so that I am ready to go...

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #5

What I Gave Away: Some time and attention to my mom's flowers

Who I Gave It/Them To: My mom

Why: Because she loves her flowers and has taught me the importance of caring for living things. Finally, after all these years, I might just be catching on...

What I Observed/Learned: Nature is incredible and brings me a kind of peace that calms me instantly...

Southern Reading Challenge

I've decided to join the Southern Reading Challenge and, in doing so, will choose three or more books to read this summer that focus on Southern culture or history. I'll update this post later when I've chosen my books.

Food Matters

Food Matters

We, as a society, have come so far from where we need to be in terms of what we put into our bodies. Here's a challenge - for a week, or a day, or a meal, or whatever you can... try to have meals that each have no more than 4 ingredients in them. Ideally, these foods will all be locally-grown, organic, and plant-based.

I'll update you on my progress here later. Until then, make sure you check out the site. Watch the trailer, learn what research is out there, make conscious decisions every day about the choices you make and the effects of those choices.

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #4

What I Gave Away: 2 more boxes of books and a bunch of classroom supplies to a friend who will be teaching high school English for the first time next year

Who I Gave Them To: Goodwill and to my friend

Why: Because I don't want all of my classroom materials sitting in boxes and collecting dust.

What I Observed/Learned: Sometime you just have to let go...

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #2 & Day #3

What I Gave Away: 10 boxes of classroom books and misc. supplies and some of my time to tutor a friend's son...

Who I Gave Them To: The boxes went to Angel View Crippled Children's foundation

and the time went to my friend's son...

Why: As far as the boxes go, I had enough classroom stuff to fill 10 classrooms. I only need enough stuff for 1. And for the tutoring time? My friend is a single mom with two teenage high school boys. She works hard and asked me for help. I have a special place in my heart for single moms, as I've watched some close friends walk this path. Coming from a home where my parents are still married, I can't fully comprehend the alternative... but I know that in this friend's case, she needed help yesterday and I have the time and the resources to help out.

What I Observed/Learned: Not being in the classroom every day this year, I sometimes forget how much I enjoy working with teenagers. It was a nice reminder...