The Pillow Project - January 2014 service project

In 2013 Tyler and I did a monthly service project either benefitting a designated organization/group or  volunteering.  Although he was only 7 at the start of the year, I knew he was able to understand service and the importance of giving back by helping others (in a future post I'll share my personal reasons why community service and volunteering are and have become vital to my emotional well being).

We have already started planning our projects/activities for 2014 and are starting the year with the Pillow Project.  This will be the same as what we did in 2013 except on a larger scale, we are reaching out to you to join in with us.  The Pillow Project will benefit three shelters (The Relatives Inc, My Sister's House and Men's Shelter of Charlotte) in Charlotte, NC, one (The Healing Place) in Raleigh, NC, one (IRIS Center) in Baton Rouge, LA and one (The Homeless Voice) in Hollywood, FL by donating new pillows and pillowcases.  Many of us take for granted laying our heads down in our own beds, let alone, on fresh linens and pillows.

In order to have an impact we need your help and the help of your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. You can easily participate one of two ways: by purchasing pillows and pillowcases and giving them directly to us (we'll coordinate with meeting you and we will take to the facility) or you can purchase via the online wish list (if you select Ship to Home, they will be sent directly to the designated facility). We WILL NOT accept money to be used to purchase items, only pillows and/or pillowcases.

Below are links about the shelters so that you can see the group of people they serve as well as the number of beds.  We thank you in advance on behalf of the children, women and men that will be able to lay their heads on new and clean linens and pillows because of your generosity.

Charlotte, NC: Wish List (items will be sent directly to Men's Shelter of Charlotte)
The Relatives -The Relatives is a system of resources that helps children and youth find shelter and support.

 My Sister's House -The mission of My Sister's House is to provide a program and housing for single homeless women in a safe environment, which provides resources to improve mental health, physical health, financial health, spiritual health and legal health and empower the residents with the tools needed to become self-sufficient and end their homelessness. 

Men's Shelter of Charlotte -We serve over 500 men per night, 365 days a year for less than $20 per guest per night. Each man we serve has access to all of our services for that cost. 

Raleigh, NC: Wish List (items will be sent directly to The Healing Place of Wake County)

The Healing Place of Wake County - Our mission is to offer innovative recovery and rehabilitation to homeless alcoholic and chemically dependent men and women through a continuing mutual-help program. The program is specifically designed to rekindle the client's desire to return to a meaningful and productive life. 

Baton Rouge, LA: Wish List (items will be sent directly to IRIS Center)
IRIS Center - Shelter for up to 60 women and their dependent children. Services include free room and board, counseling, residential support groups three times per week, emergency transportation, children's services and emergency financial assistance. 

Hollywood, FL: Wish List (items will be sent directly to The Homeless Voice)
The Homeless Voice - Their mission is to provide the homeless population access to shelter, food, employment opportunities or referrals, as well as access to social services all toward the aim of enabling their return, if possible, to self-reliance.

Atlanta, GA: Wish List (items will be sent directly to My Sister's House)
My Sister's House  -Provides Emergency Shelter, Temporary Shelter Programs and Residential Recovery for 264 women and children. 

Santa's Favorite Kind of Reaction

With all of the thought that goes into getting gifts that our loved ones will enjoy, nothing shows appreciation better than an excited reaction.  That took place several times on Christmas morning.  Hope everyone is having a great holiday with their families!

Service Project Announcement Coming Soon!

At the beginning of 2013 I made the decision that my son and I would do a monthly service project.  Each month this year we gave time, and in some cases, money to help different groups of people/organizations. In 2014 we will be doing the same, but on a larger scale.  Stay tuned for a post within the week about January's service project, of which we are really excited!  This year we are looking to get more people involved and hope that you will join us.  There will be plenty of ways for you and your family to be part of the solution to some of the challenges within the community.

Stay tuned……..

We Haven't Left

I promise I haven't abandoned this blog, I have missed sharing and have tons of things in my head and in journals.  We're coming back and by we I mean me and Tyler.  When I started I planned for this to be a blog where both of our voices are heard.  Give me a few more days and WE will be back sharing some things we have planned for 2014, including some activities that we hope you'll do with your family and us.

Fun With Food: Stand 'N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas

Recently while grocery shopping I found the must have item for any taco night…..Stand ‘N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas! They are the answer to several problems with taco night, especially for people with little hands.  These shells are basically mini soft shell bowls that stand on their own.  The shells make it easy for everyone to fill their own tacos. 

You simply heat the shells and in the time it takes for them to finishing warming you can prep your fillings. Next, you set out the toppings and wa-laahh BYOM (Build Your Own Meal)! :-D Tyler enjoys helping in the kitchen so this is right up his alley. It also cuts out the time that I normally take to fix his meal and then mine, so on taco nights we're able to sit down at the same time and eat together. 

Tyler's tacos: cheese, steak fajita strips (sold pre-cooked in a package) and salsa. My tacos: sour cream, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, salsa and pan seared scallops. This is the other great thing about taco night, you can easily satisfy the various food critics in your house. Unlike hard shell tacos these don't immediately fall apart as soon as you take the first bite. 

If you and your family enjoy tacos, pick some of these up the next time you are in the grocery store.  I've added these as a kitchen staple. 

Switch Witch: Halloween's newest super hero……for parents!

On Halloween and the day after, Facebook was flooded with cute and awesome pictures of children of all ages (including yours truly) in their Halloween costumes.  As I was scrolling I saw a post that said "For the Switch Witch…" with pictures of a decorated note. When I checked out the details of the note I was introduced to one of the best ideas to get your child to surrender their trick or treating loot…the Switch Witch. I reached out to my friend to ask more about the Switch Witch and their new family tradition. After reading about this, she may soon be one of your family's newest traditions too.

The story of the Switch Witch as shared by Sky:

I first heard of Switch Witch when I lived in Asheville. I didn't have any children then, so I filed the idea away got when I did.   This was the first Halloween my son, Kingston, 3.5, really cared about the candy. He got so much I started to cringe with the thought of endless requests for candy. Knowing the "yes, after lunch, or maybe later" I would reply would surely send him into a whining boy, of which I do not see often. But let's be honest, candy can have that effect on kids (and a few adults I know) (hehehe) (you know who you are).
So it was November 1st, The morning after the big event. I asked him, after breakfast, if he had ever heard of the Switch Witch. He replied "no, who's that?" I said "she's a good witch that switches your candy for a toy. Does that sound like something you might be interested in?" A resounding "YES, I Would!"
We dumped his candy onto the table. I took his candy bucket and said "ok, what candy do you want keep, let's put it in your bucket,"
He set some aside for himself and started a pile for the Switch Witch. His pile was getting bigger so I explained "the more candy, the better the toy"
"Oh, ok." He said. We put just a few pieces in his bucket and put that away for safe keeping.
We got a notepad and I said "ok, let's write her a note telling her what toy you want."
 Then a million question came up, typical for a toddler.
"Where does she live?"
"I don't know!"
"When does she come!"
"When you are sleeping"
"Maybe she will be here in the morning and we can have breakfast with her"
"Maybe, but she has a lot of candy to switch, lots of houses to go to"
"How many"
"More then you can count"
"Wow! She's busy! There's gunna be a lot of happy kids!!"
"Yes there are. You can ask the Switch Witch whatever you want and I will write it down for you,"
"Cool! Thanks mom!"
  We spent a few minutes doing the letter, then he colored on it for decoration.
We put the candy in a bowl with the note.
I think it's an amazing idea. I got him a tow truck toy, per his request, from target ($6.99) and a few small cars (.99 each). The switch witch felt there was a lot of candy to warrant the extra cars (;
Happy boy! Happy mom!
Win! Win!

Halloween Candy Disposal

So, Halloween is over.  After weeks of planning and choosing costumes, decorating houses, school and church activities, Fall Festivals and the most exciting part for kids, Trick or Treating, Halloween is now over.  Probably for the past week your ghouls and goblins have been building a stash of candy, enough and this morning you are looking at it trying to figure out how to get it out of your house.

Earlier this week Tyler had a dental appointment and hanging in the office (Dentistry for Kids) was the above flyer letting us know that their office will buy your Halloween candy ($1 per pound up to 5 pounds) and then send it overseas to the U.S. troops as part of Operation Gratitude, from October 31 - November 15.  The healthy supermarket, Earth Fare, is hosting a TRICK or TRADE-IN this Saturday, November 2, 10 am - 5 pm where you can "trade in your unhealthy candy for a real sweet treat".

Many dental offices offer a candy buy back program so reach out to your dentist or others in your area, this is a win - win for everyone, especially us parents who are bad about raiding our kid's stash.