When I got the email asking me to share this, it brought up a memory.  I have pictures of my brother teaching me how to ride and I was older, 7 almost 8, and it was the only bike I ever owned.  It got stolen soon after.  I was sad of course but I’m more sad now when I think about it because my Mom worked so hard to be able to afford that bike for me. :(   I talked to my Mom earlier about it and she said she remembers us not being able to afford to get my flat fixed and how Kathy our neighbor, who is now my AUNT KATHY, would fix it for me since we didn’t have the money.  OMG, these memories are making me sad. GAH!   I happen to find a photo of me and Jeremy on my Black and Gold BMX Huffy Bike!!!!  I was 7, almost 8!

So this is why I’m writing about it.  We were fairly poor.  I was one of those kids who had the necessities but not much else and was completely thrilled to get something.  I know  how valuable the Toys for Tots program is and how awesome it is for Huffy to donate the money.   So I’m asking you to ‘Like’ and share with others for the cause.  They….I would appreciate it.

As I was adding items to my basket, all I could think about is what child would get them and wondered if they’d get anything else.  It puts things into perspective and makes you take a good look at what you have yourself, or at least it did for me anyways.   My husband often shares how he and his siblings would get like one toy or two and have to share.  I guess that’s not too bad unless there are 8 of you.   Anyways, I made sure to get something for every age group and for both boys, girls, and toys that both genders could play with since I wasn’t sure who would get what.

I didn’t take Truett with me shopping for the toys because well, he’s 4 and do I really need to explain?  I did, however, explain to him what was happening and why I was buying all those toys and what we were going to do with them.  He seem to understand and at one point, offered up his football and cars.  He totally got it and I loved that.

I bought some of the Top Toys that I saw in the Walmart toy catalog and tried to keep it under $10 per toy. I think I did a great job and didn’t sacrifice any cool items.  I got the Kung Zhu Hamsters that are hot right now, the Sing-a-ma-jigs from Mattel (they are so cute and I got to see them up close before they were out everywhere back when I was in NYC), and Play-doh (just to name a few).

Check out the video (Truett makes an appearance) and remember, there’s still time to grab an extra toy and donate to your local toy drive or even to a needy family in your area.

Disclosure: Compensation has been provided by Walmart for my time and efforts to shop and create this post. All opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.  As I said before, I ended up spending my own money because it felt right and I want to give when I can. Hope you do the same.

I have already begun my treadmill workouts so this will fit right in with that and at the BeeWell website, you can actually log your miles, calories, and even your meals. I’ll be wearing a pedometer to keep track of my steps and encourage you to do the same. The website is jam packed with information to help you succeed in beeing well. From getting valuable information from healthy living experts to healthy eating to having a community forum so that you can share your experiences, ask for help, or get a little support.

MY GOALS

When you  sign up, you can put what your goals are.  I will strive to walk 2 miles, 3 times a week.  It’s not much but I’m new at walking like this so I feel it’s appropriate for me.  I will log my miles to keep track, to help money get donated towards the cause and because  each day you log miles or game codes from pink label Bumble Bee cans,  you could instantly win one of 15,000 prizes!

My goal is lose weight, not just for vanity issues but also to make sure I’m here long enough to see  and run around with my future grandchildren.

With the beautiful weather around the corner, it would be a great time to start walking, even if it’s just around the block!  My kids are joining in with me and I will be reporting back to you how I’m doing so keep checking back and maybe we can unite to be healthier and make a difference!

YOUR GOALS

So what about you?  Would you be willing to partake in the BeeWell Miles campaign by taking steps for a cause?  What steps are you taking to BeeWell and live better?

So here’s the deal…

I need your help! I am the chairperson for the fundraising committee at Sweetwater Christian School. This school is the ONLY full-time Christian-based day care that we have in Sweetwater. To make a long story short, two years ago, it almost closed due to funding. (It was an Episcopal school at the time and the church ran out of money). The community rallied and saved the school but we are running on a budget and are in the hole if we aren’t to raise money through fundraising. The teachers make NOTHING and work primarily for the love of God and those kids. They don’t even get insurance! Sweetwater’s kids and this community need you.

Here is where I need your help:
We are having a Silent Auction on December 4th. We are trying to raise items for the auction and cash donations. Can you help me, please? If you work for a company that can donate an item to our auction, can you please get that to me? If not, might you or your company feel inclined to give a cash donation towards our school? Anything would be awesome as we are truly on the brink of closing without this money.

Here’s the selling points:
1. We are a NON-profit organization so all donations are tax-deductible.
2. Every donation will receive a letter of recognition for tax purposes.
3. Every donation will be recognized in the local newspaper as well as the program from the event.

Thank you so much! I wouldn’t ask if we didn’t desperately need it.

As you can see, our local Christian school needs your help.  I know these are hard times for everyone but I’m hoping that some of you will step up to the plate and help them stay a-float.

If you are a person/company that simply wants to donate cash or you have something that you can put into the silent auction, please email me at lori at thecowboyshack dot com.  I will publicize you or your company and will add your link or banner in my sidebar should you choose to help.  Please tweet, email, blog, or call someone and pass along the information.  It will be greatly appreciated and you will be blessed in return;)

I always give to certain charities so when I got an email from my niece asking if I would sponsor her in a Math-a-thon, I couldn’t say no!  The money goes to St. Jude, who does wonderful things for people.  Just a little FYI for you:

• St. Jude treats 230 patients every day on an outpatient basis.
• We maintain 60 inpatient beds.
• St. Jude has about 4,900 patients in active status.
• During past five years, 83.7 percent of every dollar went to current or future needs.
• St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 foreign countries.
• St. Jude Hospital’s daily operating costs: $1,146,616.
• In 1962, survival rate for ALL was 4 percent. Today, it’s 94 percent. Hodgkin disease is 90 percent; Medulloblastoma is 85 percent; Wilms tumor is 90 percent.
  Protocols have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to more than 70 percent.

Before I put the info that was in the email.  I would like to say this…..obviously it’s a great incentive for kids to complete math problems, but you would be helping families that can’t afford health insurance.  These families would have no where to turn if it wasn’t for places like St. Jude.  No family is turned down or asked to pay a cent. 

If you can find it in your hearts to donate $1, $5, or even $50, it would be a an awesome way to encourage my niece to complete all math problems, a great tax deduction, and such a blessing to those in need.  I hope you at least help me out by spreading the word! 

Now here’s the info with the link to donate and sponsor my niece in her math quest!

Hello! I am participating in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Math-A-Thon at my school. Through Math-A-Thon, I will reinforce my basic math skills while raising money for St. Jude. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fund-raising organization.

That is why I am helping St. Jude. You can help me reach my goal by clicking the button below to make an on-line credit-card donation. If you don’t want do an on-line donation but prefer to use a check, please e-mail me back and let me know. I can make arrangements with you to obtain your donation. You can either sponsor me per problem, or you can make a one time donation

You can donate and sponsor her here.  An advanced thank you to all who donate and/or spread the word. If you’re dealing with those mortgage lenders, then don’t donate. Use that money to get out of debt!
I would really appreciate a stumble on this post to get the word out.