I'm here, just not HERE.

I'm posting, just over at my other blog.   Mi blog de familia.  Why am I talking en espanol? Because we're in Mexico!  My daughter and I are taking some spanish courses in San Miguel de Allende.  So I will be at the other blog for a little while.  I really need to combine them, don't I?

Asta luego!

Still here

I have been MIA a bit lately.  Just wanted you all to know that I am still alive and kicking.  I have been preoccupied with being a parent with some hard decisions to make.   I have to keep reminding myself that while this current issue/opportunity/situation is a big deal, there are so many people in the world that have much bigger decisions to make - like if they should buy food or medicine this day.  Or whether they should continue to raise their child with meager means, or turn them over to an orphanage.  I need to keep it in perspective.  That's my mantra lately - perspective.  Sometimes that's hard to do.  Especially late at night when I can't turn my brain off.

So that's where I've been.  I'll be back soon.  

$10 Friday AGAIN. And next week too!

It's that time again.

Where we all come together to make a difference.

Where there is power in numbers.

Where our own $10 won't change the world, but our $10's collectively will.

So go be part of a bigger something.

Something bigger than yourself.  

water4christmas.com

Christmas~ Like never before

Thanksgiving is over, and now the Christmas shopping has "officially" began.  

But this year is different.  

This year we will not celebrate with overindulgence and  abundance.  

At least not in the traditional paper & bow wrapped  excessive gift-giving sort of way.

But we will give.

A little something for each of our family members, and a lot of something for those in the world who don't even have the basic necessities of life, let alone a list of extravagant Christmas wants.  

I am being very deliberate with my shopping.  No last minute gift cards, no random purchases just to have something to wrap and give.

My goal is to only purchase gifts that will help others.   One way to do this is to make a donation in the name of someone on my gift list.  The list is endless of great organizations & charities we can give to, but on the top of my list are 

Water For Christmas - drilling and providing a life source in villages who don't have access to clean water.

Rohi Childrens Organization (an orphanage & school we support and have visited in Kenya).  They have a gift catalog where you can purchase specific gifts based on your desires and budget - like goats, desks, bicycles, etc.  You can contact them about getting a gift catalog.

If it were just up to me I would probably stop there.  I can be quite extreme sometimes, but my darling  husband helps to keep me a little more balanced.  I think he was picturing our kids on Christmas morning reading a little note about how we built a chicken coop in Rwanda as their Christmas gift.  And as much as they really do seem to be getting it this year, they are still kids.  And gifts are good.  Just not in the excessive, over-indulgent, above-all-else sort of way. 

I'm convinced we can have it both ways.

So we will also be buying some material gifts to give.  I'm still trying make my dollars work extra hard.  There are a lot of places out there that give all proceeds to great causes.   And when that's not an option, I will at least be purchasing fair trade items, knowing that my purchase provided a decent living  wage to someone.

I will not be going to big box stores.  Not once.  That's my goal, anyways!

At the risk of my family members potentially seeing some of their gifts ahead of time, I'm going to list some of the great places I've found for some unique gifts.  

Check out these yummy soaps from Zambia at Samba Naturals

These tiny dolls made by HIV+ women in africa at Little Travellers 

Or how about Tom's Shoes who gives a pair of brand new shoes to someone in need with every pair purchased.

The best part about this kind of shopping?

It's done from the comfort of my home.

On my couch.

In my pajamas.

Doesn't get much better than that!

Winner!

Sheri K for $100!!!

I am so excited for you!

I would love to see this hanging - do you know where you are going to put it?

Contact me so that we can figure out how to get this awesome work of art to you.

Thank you Randy Lipsey for loving the Berry's in this tangible way.  I know they are feeling blessed by so many of you that are helping to bring their kids home forever.