Random Acts of Kindness

We all need kindness in our lives. We all have, at minimum, a smile to give. But what little things have we received that made us smile? What things do we give that make an impact, small or large?

We all need new ideas in our repertoire. I'm going to share a few of the things that I try to do on a regular basis but this post is about YOU. Please share, in the comments, the little things that you do for others that cost you little to nothing and make the day or world a little brighter for someone else. If we share our ideas, then put them all into practice, maybe, just MAYBE we'll all be happier tomorrow, and the next day, and so on, and so on.

My (not exhaustive) list of smile-inducing things:

• Buying coffee for a friend
• Making my kids blueberry muffins on a random school morning
• Making dinner for a friend/family when they are "in the weeds"
• Giving the homeless guy or gal not just A dollar, but enough for a full meal, or that hotel room that they need for the night so they can sleep well and get a shower, etc.
• Doing a chore for my husband to lighten his load
• Buying a candy bar from the kid selling them outside of the store for their soccer league 
• Holding the door for someone
• Letting someone go in front of you at the grocery-whether they look like they're in a hurry or just have a single item
• Write a hand written note to someone and send it by USPS
• Sharing flowers from my garden with a teacher/friend/elderly neighbor, etc.
• Welcoming my children's friends into our home unconditionally.
• Saying hello and smiling at someone who you do not know

What would you add? Share your ideas in the comments, then share this post on social media so we can all come back to it and get fresh ideas to brighten the days of those around us! (Full disclosure-I never ask for people to share my posts, but this one is important. We all really, really need to smile.)

Tuesday got away from me

Many, many posts are brewing. I should start them all in draft so I don't forget anything. (Saying that more for me than you. I'll so forget.)

Today has been non stop. I didn't even get to do the breakfast dishes until after we ate dinner. No problem.  I've been going since 5:30 am. That's a problem. I'm tired, y'all.

So. Since I'm pooped I'm sharing a video with you. An old video. 5 years. But very funny. And yet another example of why we're headless. Yes, that's his HEAD. It's a talent, really.

HT to my HG for reminding me of this!

I'll be back tomorrow with a much more serious update. There's stuff to tell my friends.

OH! And if you missed yesterday's post, could you check it out and help out with a few clicks to vote for Hope Pavilion? Thanks!! We're up to 157 votes! Keep it up everyone!

Fund Hope Pavilion in Pomona

Pomona, California.

Some of you may have never heard of this city before, many of you have. If you're from the LA area then you know that the once thriving city is now struggling under the weight of homelessness, drug addiction, and poverty.

Todd Construction wants to change all of that. The owner, Glenn Todd and his wife Carrie have a heart for Pomona and are looking to break through some of the obstacles that the residents face. Enter Hope Pavilion.

The vision is for Hope Pavilion to be a place where the homeless, youth aging out of foster care, under-employed, and other at-risk people can get culinary job training, access to health care and housing, entry level jobs, and other counseling to get on their feet, ultimately benefiting themselves and the larger community of Pomona and the Pomona Valley.

"Sounds great Headless Mom, but what has that got to do with me?"

Todd Construction has applied for a $250,000 Chase Mission Main Street Grant for the seed funding for the program. Here's where you, my lovely readers, come in. We need your votes! The applications are considered by the committee only after a minimum of 250 votes.

To vote:

• Visit the Chase Mission Main Street website.
• Click on Vote. Enter "Todd Construction" in the search box.
• It may ask you to connect with Facebook but they guarantee that they do not store your information for any other purpose than the voting process.
• Click "Vote" 

"OK. I voted. What now?"

If you want to do more, here are some ideas:

• Help us get more votes by sharing this post with your friends via email, Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else you are online. Voting is open through November 15 so please don't be shy about sharing. Remember, Hope Pavilion will only be considered for the grant if there are a minimum of 250 votes. 
• When you share on social media please use the hashtag #HopePavilion so we can be sure to thank you for your help!
• If you are in Southern California and have a specialty that you would be able to contribute to the project please contact Glenn Todd, President, CEO Todd Construction, 1206 Price St. Pomona, CA. 91767, Office ph# (909) 469-6242, glenn@toddconstructionservices.com
• Prayer. This project needs prayer warriors, just like Pomona needs them. Prayers are always accepted.

"How are you involved HM?"

Just so you know, Carrie and Glenn are friends of ours. We went to church together for years. Glenn and Headless Dad have worked together on actual professional projects. Our kids are friends. Carrie has been featured on this blog before for her amazing artwork. Please know that I would never feature a project like this that I didn't believe in. I'm not asking for your money, only a vote so they can be considered for a grant. Thanks!

Gatorade Moms: Video

Do you remember when I told you about filming some video footage for Gatorade? We filmed at the BlogHer conference in San Diego. It was very cool. Well, I got word that it was ready and, TA DA! I get to share it with you today!

Gatorade Moms Video

I'm honored to be a part of the BECOME campaign. As moms, that's what we all want to do, right? to help our kids become the best they can be and to follow their passion. Please go take the BECOME pledge. For every pledge (just a couple of clicks), Gatorade will donate $10 to the Women's Sports Foundation. Yes, TEN DOLLARS. That's worth a few clicks, no?

Thanks again to Gatorade, the Zeno Group, and my fellow Gatorade Moms. It's been wonderful working with all of you and I'm so proud of the work that we've done!

Tweet

Take Steps

As you know, certain health issues run in families. Some have heart disease, some have diabetes. Over the last several years we have come to find out that our family has intestine issues. Isn't that quaint? Luckily, so far, I don't have any issues, but that doesn't mean that it can't happen. My aunt has Crohn's Disease, and if you've ever known anyone with any type of IBS, you know it's awful.

Next Sunday, September 25, 2011, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is hosting a walk to raise money to find a cure for digestive diseases in Memphis, Tennessee. If you happen to be in Memphis and want to find out more, visit the event website, Take Steps, Be Heard for Crohn's and Colitis.

Since I can't be there on Sunday to walk, I'm doing the next best thing. I'm donating to my aunt's team, Curbside Casseroles. I'd really love it if you could too. Every little bit helps, and that other group that is raising lots of money in October already gets a lot of help. (Not that there's anything wrong with them, of course.) 

Come on, Internetz, help a gal out? Thank you in advance!

Tweet