today

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Gift cards to my postal carrier and other dedicated delivery professionals for their holiday efforts.   Yes, they work hard.  Although things seem to consistently get to my door 2 days later than they should.  I think I am in a time warp (minus 2).

I also sent out some birthday cards and gifts.  There are a lot of December and June birthdays here, so it comes in waves.  Kitty is still sick, so a lot of the day has been spent nurturing the kid back to health.

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I received a note today that a friend has been secretly participating in the GIGGGLE project.  She had recently thrown a couple of parties specifically for children’s charities.  I love it, even in stealth mode.  This couldn’t make me happier.  Really.  This is what it’s all about.

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in a pear tree

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This morning I sent out positive energy into the world.  A bit esoteric maybe?  Or perhaps my cynicism is rearing again.  In any case, I think it helps.

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This afternoon I made poached pears (two variations) for a little holiday gathering.  It was really more of a “receiving” because I got so much pleasure out of it.  Everybody seemed to enjoy them and they went wonderfully with the delicious dinner our host had prepared.  When I can do a little cooking, it has some meditative qualities.  The sweet aromas and colorful produce mixed with a steamy kitchen and soothing music . . .

I will post the recipe on expandingSpace when the opportunity arises.  And then you can enjoy the experience too.

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pleasant surprises

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I braved the post office today to send off little surprises to a few folks that are close to my heart.  I hunkered down for the hour plus wait that was sure to come.  Took a breath – and walked in.  Empty!  I was shocked. Sending things out at the nth hour is the right hour in my case.  Plus, it’s always a good day when I can write to friends and let them know that they are special.

Tonight I took some pictures of a strikingly beautiful couple before their Christmas eve outing.  When I say some pictures, I mean 40 ;- ) .  Hope it was as amusing for them as it was for me!

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And today I had a friend to share in the last-minute errands with.  Certainly turned out to be a fun expedition, not a chore at all.  What if every potentially frazzling task was instead a delightful treasure hunt ?

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kiva.org

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Are you thinking about ways to significantly impact another’s life ?  Perhaps with little time and effort on your part? A way that is low risk to your pocketbook and high return to your heart ?  Or maybe you want to connect a face to a name and a need?  Do you want to give a helping hand up rather than just give out? If you desire to be part of something that assists individuals in becoming more independent – thus raising the standard of living for themselves, their family, their community -  then yes, there is a way to do it all.  Microfinancing.

Although I have researched a number of MFIs (microfinance institutions), I have chosen to go through Kiva.org.  They have a wide variety of people, projects, countries, risk factors, and partners.  Choose what you feel comfortable with.

I am not highly invested in getting a return back, but more interested in the experience.  I am curious to see what the repayment rate truly is and look forward to following the individual project’s success.  I chose to loan to 2 groups in rural regions of Cambodia in the agricultural and retail sectors.  “In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a group of individuals bound by a group guarantee. Under this arrangement, each member of the group supports one another and is responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members if someone is delinquent or defaults”.  My funds have now been sent to the local partner (AMK – Angkor Mikroheranhvatho Kampuchea) and I will get periodic updates showing the impact of the loan.  Once full repayment has been made, I can choose to either withdraw the funds or sponsor another entrepreneur.  Lots of flexibility.

The two group loans I participated in are currently less than 50% funded.  If interested in those specific entrepreneurs, you can find them here and here.  I am already thinking about how to create a small funded account that is continuously recycled back into the system. See for yourself just how the site works and what Kiva is all about.  This is a way to empower your fellow beings and in turn empower yourself.

‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’  — BBC

‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’  — CNN Money

‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’  — WSJ

‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’  — Entrepreneur Magazine

p.s.  MFIs vary widely in size, kind, return and risk.  As with all charitable organizations and other investment opportunities, please research thoroughly before contributing.

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A nice thing that happened a few days ago … I had made arrangements to meet my mentor in marin.  When it became clear that I wouldn’t be able to drive there, I considered calling to cancel.  I figure that I’d give it the night in case something changed by morning.  When I awoke, there was a lovely message that had been left for me.  Her plans were taking her farther north than usual, so could she come to me?  We hadn’t spoken for weeks so she was unaware of my current condition.  Now that’s a nice surprise.

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virtual food bank

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Technology is pretty amazing.  It’s a silly thing to say – I have high expectations about what I can do online.   But when I really think about it . . . a few clicks and I’ve got groceries to my door the next day.  It is.  It’s pretty amazing.

I’ve been under the weather for a few days and unable to get out.  But I can still do some simple things from home.  Sonoma County’s Redwood Empire Food Bank has a virtual food drive with wholesale prices.  Vegetable soup for $5 / case.  That’s fairly impressive.  Check it out today!

Thanksgiving may be over and Christmas will soon be long gone, but folks need to eat every day.  It’s one of those annoying things we all have to live with.  Pleasurable for some, just life sustaining for others.  It seems intangible that this contribution is helping such an enormous need.  But the more I trust that small gestures help, the more I can see that they do.

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Wow, have not been this tired for a long time.  The kid is also sleeping off some bug, so it is awfully quiet around here.  I put on some cds, specifically those I have received as gifts, to remind me of those faraway friends this holiday season.  I am thankful for the many comforts that I can surround myself in such times.

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catching up n helping out

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Catch up day.   See some of the action here.

It’s a pleasure to share some how-to’s with the world.  Girl – yes, I’m talking to you – you can do these things too. It’s easier than you might think!!  And just think, if it takes me 3 hours to put up some drapes then you should have it done in about 30 minutes!  I will be adding more helping household to-do’s as time goes by.

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Ant emergency last night and kitty emergency today.  All the creatures must be stirring.  I am quite glad that everybody is safe and sound this eve.

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paperbackSwap

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Mottos are “Read…Swap…Save!” & “Share It Forward”.  How smart is that?!  PaperBackSwap lets you recycle your old books to others seeking your book.  A lil info without reinventing the wheel . . .

PRNewswire — PaperBackSwap.com, an innovative web site that allows the public to recycle used books, launched two sister sites, SwapaCD.com and SwapaDVD.com, due to demand from club members.  PaperBackSwap.com began in 2004 as a way for book readers to share their already-read books with each other via the Internet. Since then it has grown enormously with a library of over 2.2 million books, which includes paperbacks, hard covers and audio books. To date over 2 million books have been swapped successfully through the U.S. mail with an average of over 35,000 book swaps each week.  The club has been featured on CNN and The Today Show along with other media across the USA. The success of PaperBackSwap.com led to the launch of www.SwapaCD.com and www.SwapaDVD.com. Richard Pickering, president and founder of the clubs, explains, “As people try to save more and more money during these difficult economic times, these new clubs allow people to swap with each other for free! No gotchas, no gimmicks, no SPAM, no kidding! These are real clubs for real people!” Please visit any of the sites and click on “How does it work” for a full demo.  The clubs are easy for members to use. A member simply logs onto the site and selects a Book/CD/DVD that they want. Then the system sends an email to the member that has the selected item. The sending member then simply prints two pieces of paper from their printer, wraps the item with those papers, attaches postage and drops it in the mail. It is so simple and convenient for members since they do not even have to go to the Post Office. Just drop it in the mail and the requesting member gets the Book/CD/DVD for free! Of course, members do have to pay for postage when they mail an item. But every time you mail one, another member returns the favor and mails you one that you have selected from the club. Postage to send a typical book is $2.23 Media Mail rate, and the mail transit time averages about a week. [editor's note (from me): I have yet to pay over $2.25, so this is true!]. Those are the basics, but the clubs offer many additional features. The most popular feature is the Wish List, which allows you to “queue” for any item that is currently unavailable to request.  [I am in line #8 of 18 for Tom Daschle's book about the american health crisis, "Critical: What We Can Do...]. The Discussion Forums offer lively conversation about books and authors, and Live Chat is a way for members to meet “virtually” in real time. There are Local club Chapters where on-line friends can meet in real life.

My first book swap was easy, I sent out three and requested one.  I received Anderson Cooper’s “Dispatches from the Edge” first.  And while I don’t believe this would be true of every sender, it came packaged in a clear concise way, was pretty much new – binding doesn’t even seem broken.  And, true to my request, came from a nonsmoking household.   I then got more excited about swapping and requested Richard Cohen’s book, “Blindsided”.  It also came in less than two weeks in excellent shape.  This one might be a keeper!!
The other day a request came to my email, asking for a book that has hung around my list for quite some time, a new hardcover of “9 Secrets of Women Who Get Everything They Want”.  Maybe if I had read it a dozen years ago, I would have everything I want!  Jesting aside, I am out of my big “self-help books” phase, and am delighted to place it in somebody’s hands who is just getting into it.  Ahhhh… the circle of life.

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A good friend came to visit.  Always happy for that.  We went to lunch on the Green – more winter soup, more happy tummys.  Helped me with my first fire!  Now I’ve really got some ambience (and a little smoke) going in the sanctuary.

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mission accomplished

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Secret Santa Mission Accomplished!  I had a lot of fun with this.  And I hope the little girl loves her gifts.  The key is the statement on the instructions of “or similar to the request” in case the particular item is nowhere to be found.  Next year, I will pick up my heart on day 1 of the program!!!

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So much fun.  And a good reminder of how easy it is to slip into the holiday crazies and how the unreigned desire to get it “just right” can damper a good mood.  The project is teaching me a lot in obvious places but unexpected ways.

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