First Rudy Day of 2011...

For my first Rudy Day of 2011, I'm choosing to start my morning off with a cup of hot chocolate and listening to a few Christmas songs on YouTube. While doing so, I came across the fantastic version of Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt.

This song is a favorite to remake, year after year. Although I enjoy the Eartha Kitt version he best, there are some others worth listening too. 

Kellie Pickler: 

Other items on my agenda today: 

-Transfer some of my Christmas bookmarks to my Pinterest account. 

-Pull old items out of my Christmas notebook & note swap info and   other things into my Past Years section. 

-Print off the agenda and Calender for redoing my Christmas journal for 2012

Project Valentine Info and Donation Opportunities

 

Valentine Card making is currently in full swing at our house and many of you have heard me mention Project Valentine and wonder exactly what it is and how you can help. The deadline for this years event is coming up soon, but below are some ways you can still help. Ciara and I will have the privilege of delivering to the Thornton Cancer Center this year, so we're feeling very blessed.  My friend Carrie, was blessed to receive a bag several years ago and has been delivering to patients ever since. Here are a few pictures from last year. 

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Project Valentine was founded in February of 2002 by Colleen Anderson, with the mission of making Valentine's Day a "little sweeter" for individuals in the Denver area undergoing cancer treatment.  Since that time, Project Valentine volunteers have created and donated items to assemble hundreds of gift bags.  These gift bags are hand-delivered to men, women and children undergoing cancer treatment on Valentine's Day.

Delivery Stats for 2011: Our best year yet! At 607 bags delivered, we were able to personally reach more than 244 women, 172 men, 124 children, and had 81 additional gift bags that were appropriate for adult women or men.

Ideas for bags are endless! Handmade gifts are not only appropriate; they are often the most appreciated items we distribute. Remember, we serve cancer patients from all walks of life: young and old, male and female, and those of all faiths.  Since cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are susceptibility to infection, all items must be NEW or newly made.

Need ideas? Here are some items we need for 2012:

• Crossword, Sudoku, or Word Search books
• Decks of cards
• Puzzles or Travel Games (played by 1 or 2)
• Journals
• Note cards
• Bookmarks
• Unscented or slightly scented lotions*
• Hand sanitizers
• Water bottles
• Gift cards ($5 & $10)
• Candy, gum, mints - individually wrapped**
• New CDs of comforting and inspiring music (suitable for all religious faiths)
• Hand made or purchased knit scarves and hats
• Fuzzy, warm socks or Stretch gloves (one size fits all)
• Handmade jewelry or jewelry kits
• Simple craft kits

*  We cannot accept home-made food items.
** Please package handmade items (scarf, hat, jewelry) individually in a ziplock baggie. 

If you can give one item, ten, or a hundred - we will be delighted with what you give!

           Give your donations to a Project Valentine board member or  volunteer.  Or you can deliver them to us:

·         Jan 14 (1- 4 pm) Valentine Making at Colorado Community Church, 3651 S. Colorado Blvd., Englewood

·         Jan 28 (10:00 - 4:00pm)  Inventory Day at Colorado Community Church

·         We'd love to have most items received by our Inventory Day (January 28, 2012), but will continue to   accept donations through 11:00 am on Assembly Day (February 11, 2012) at CCC.

Project Valentine is a 501-c3 non-profit organization so your donation is tax deductible.   Visit our website at www.projectvalentine.org for more information.

My Word of the Year: Rejuvenate!

Rejuvenate: "To Bring New Life To"

For the past 3 years, rather then choose a New Year's resolution, I've chose a word of the year. Last year, my word was "Resolve". The year before that "ME". Both took some thought, but were easy compared to my decision this year. For several weeks, I've pondered and just couldn't think of the right word. Some of my friends have serious words and other online buddies chose fun words like "Rainbows" and "Bubbles". With a little explaining, what appeared to be fun on the outside, actually had some deep, rooted meaning. 

This past year has brought trials for many around me. Trials can be like a double edge sword. Some make you stronger, but some break you down piece by piece. Those small dents aren't all noticeable at once, but over time you become worn and a little neglected. That's when you need to step back, take notice and make time to REJUVENATE.

When I think of the word REJUVENATE, it goes far beyond mental and physical needs. I have relationships that need to be rejuvenated, my home needs to be rejuvenated, my career path needs to be rejuvenated, my hobbies need to be rejuvenated and most importantly my faith needs to be rejuvenated.

I've been enlightened by my word now for 24hours. The first step in taking action is to sit down and take notice. Have you done that recently? If not, I encourage you to take all the time you need to pick your "Word of the Year" and then Take Action!

A New Year Ahead!!

As much as I hate to see December and Christmas go, I do love the new clean slate that the New Year brings. I don't know that I have an actual Resolution, but I do take the time to sit down and evaluate things in my life. Taking the time to write down my concerns, my goals, my wish list and my To-Do list are absolutely necessary. I strive to do these things all year long, however come November and December they seem to be put aside and life goes into survival mode.

I also try and pick a WORD of the year to focus on. In the past years I've chosen "ME" and "Resolve". This year, I haven't come across or been able to think of the perfect word yet. It's more like, I'm still focusing on what exactly I want my year ahead to look like. 

In the mean time, I always refer back to Benjamin Franklin and his Governing Values. In his 20's after struggling with both family, failing in business and becoming a single parent,  he sat down to write a list of values and virtues he would focus on daily. It amazes me, how this list is still so pertinent today.  Since discovering this list, I still find it very ironic how it mimics my moral and religious choices.

I do suggest you take the time to evaluate these areas in your life.  Even taking the time, to mentally note which you will work on during a weeks time, will make a difference and make you just a wee bit more aware of what's going on around you and with your choices.

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 

Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 

Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 

Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 

Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 

Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. 

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 

Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

Humility: Emulate Christ and Socrates in all things.