EMM: Thank a Firefighter

Things to do:

• Thank firefighters when you see them in uniform (like at the grocery store).



• Get out of the way when you hear the sirens or see the lights.



• Help to create a thank you card to be delivered to the local station.



• Minimize your risk of fires by installing smoke detectors (and checking batteries) and keeping fire extinguishers on hand.

We made cookies and took them to the local firehouse for the firefighters. Unfortunately, the truck was out so we didn't get to see it but the kids enjoyed meeting the firemen. When we got out of the car with the cookies, Logan says, "The firemen be happy, 'cause I have them cookies."

EMM: Meditate or Pray

I have tried several times to "read the Bible in a year" and have just never been able to do it. This year I found the One Minute Bible and have put it in the bathroom (the one room with in the house with a lock and also the only room the kids know to stay out of if I'm in it). It's not the entire Bible just the "heart" of it, basically hitting the high points and main topics. In one page it may have parts of the old testament and the new testament, with all of the passages for the day related in some way. For example, during the first week it had the scriptures of God creating the world, including the light and then had passages from the psalms that also referred to that. I don't always read each day, but that's the thing. Since it's only a minute I can easily make it up the next day. After I read, I'll say a prayer for whatever prayer requests have come through my email.

Along with that prayer time, I've started printing those same requests. I know, probably not the best use of paper, but having the hard copy allows me to pull them out whenever I sit down with my planner (where I keep them) and say another prayer, or send an email to get an update. I have found that the written word on paper (instead of a monitor) seems to stay in my memory longer. I actually remember the requests throughout the day.

One last thing...I have a child's devotion book that I've been reading with Logan each night. We usually do story time together with Sophie so this has become just our time. I know there is so much of what I read that he isn't getting, but I felt that it was an added dose of hearing the words. It was also another time where he could practice sitting still and listening. The devotion also has a couple of questions that relate to what was read. The funny part is Logan has already found the pattern and will answer almost every question with "God" or "Jesus". The bonus, at the end I get to say another prayer for my children.

EMM: Use Online Bill Pay

Although I don't usually pay the bills for our family, I know Paul is using online bill pay. I know this because other the past year he has asked me for stamps less and less. Also, I've noticed that the checks I write (for things I can't do online for) are sometimes the only ones in the book for weeks. Sometimes I know because I'll hear his frustration when a website is down and he has to either wait or pay with an actual check.

By using online bill pay we've also seen less mail because statements and bills are coming through email. Of course the kids aren't too happy about this since they like to help me carry in the mail!

EMM: Donate Clothes

I started purging when I was pregnant and on some level I have continued doing that. I keep a container in the garage (just outside the door) that I throw donation items in. Once it gets full I take it to the donation truck (or set up for a pick up). With kids, I have taken some of their outgrown clothes to consignment sales or given to friends. But lately, I've just been donating the clothes.

I learned a long time ago that I have no desire to sew on buttons, so if I have a shirt that has a button come off, I'll just safety pin it back and then donate it. I've also been trying to get Paul to get rid of clothes he knows he'll never wear again.

Typically in December the church collects cold-weather items. I don't anticipate that we will have anything, but I'll probably purchase some gloves and hats to donate.

One of the tips in the book, suggest labeling the items. I'm not sure I will do this since I collect as I go, but I could certainly try.

EMM: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I was never really too concerned with recycling until we moved into this house several years ago. They didn't have separate recycling pick-up at our last home, but this area does and it has made it so convenient. Also, from what I understand at least a portion of the recycling proceeds goes to help the animal shelter. At home we separate out the paper to take to one of the local schools to help them out.

I think the hardest part about recycling at home is getting guests to do it as well. I'm not hard-core about it but would love to make it easier for guests to recycle when they are here. But at this point I don't have space for a multi-container trashcan.

I do think it is time to get another recycle container. We've been doing such a good job of separating that the one we have is overflowing most weeks by the time they come to collect.

EMM: Thank a Teacher

This is the fact that jumped out at me today, "The single most important factor in determining student performance is the quality of his or her teachers."

My appreciation for the teachers at the preschool is 2-fold now that I have kids. Before it was more about the great job they did because I was "the boss". Now it also involves how great I think they are for all they do for my children.

I put my kids in a different program for part of the summer so I could go into the office. I took this for the teachers and staff on their last day. You can see more here.

I had this basket for the teachers for their first in-service day.

Here was their gift on the first day of preschool.

I also had gifts for the kids to give there teachers. I used those wax soda bottles with a note that said "Just soda you know, I think you are the best teacher."

I have a whole pinterest board devoted to teacher appreciation and I can't wait to shower the teachers with hugs!

EMM: No Fast Food

Actions for today:
1. Don't eat fast food today.
2. Start by switching 1 fast food meal a week to a healthier alternative.
3. If you do eat fast food, eat smaller portions.
4. NEVER super-size.
5. Plan your meals for the week to help cut down on impromptu fast food meals. Find helpful tips here.
6. Keep your fridge and pantry stocked.
7. Pack a healthy lunch or cook dinner at home tonight.

So here is how I tackled these actions this week. Here is my dinner meal plan:
Monday-Box dinner using chicken with applesauce (my kids are not eating much these days and Paul has been working late so this was a simple meal mostly for me)
Tuesday-Enchilada casserole with corn (I actually made 2 of these and froze one for later)
Wednesday-Easy Italian Chicken ( crock pot recipe) with green beans
Thursday-Round Steak with herbs and mixed veggies
Friday-Broiled chicken with oyster sauce with jasmine rice

Today I took the kids to McDonalds but we didn't eat there, just played in the the play area. The kids asked about eating but we came home instead. I will be at the office tomorrow and I am planning on taking my lunch (actually, I have a lunch there I think, probably tuna, crackers, protein bar). I have never super-sized anything, in fact I usually get the kids meal because it is just the right portion.

I would really like to find some healthy fast food options because sometimes I need the convenience.

EMM: No Nicotine

Okay, so I don't smoke (and never have) but my dad does. He had a cancer scare a couple of years ago and tried to quit. I know that didn't go so well, but I do think he's still trying to cut back. The book suggests helping someone else who's trying to quit so that is what I will do...help my Dad.

EMM: Read a Book

Actions:


1. Read a book you've never read.


2. Join a book club.


3. Give books to people as gifts.


4. Exchange books.





I would also add: donate books!





I've read 11 books so far this year which is more than the average. We have so many books in our home it's really kind of crazy. Lately, I have been trying to get rid of some of them (but usually not the children's books). I decided I was never going to have enough time to read all the books I have, much less re-read ones I've already read. Sometimes, I donate the books, sometimes sell them (to buy more). I've always liked the idea of a book club but never found one. I do enjoy small group studies at the church that use books as their basis. With the kids I haven't been able to fit one in my schedule, but maybe soon.

EMM: Don't Speed

Paul would probably laugh if he saw this. My driving makes him crazy because I tend to be too cautious (at least in his opinion). I tend to stay close to the posted speed limit, try not to change lanes too often (kind of the idea of no need to change paths until I need to), and slow down in bad weather. I rarely don't have enough time to get where I'm going (usually show up early). Hey if you don't speed you can't get a speeding ticket!

EMM: Don't Honk

This day's actions are:
1. Only us horn when reasonably necessary to ensure the safe operation of your car.
2. Don't use your horn to let someone know you're angry, to let them know you are waiting outside, or as a way of protesting.
3. Get your hearing checked.

I read the actions first and thought the last one was funny, but they are trying to make the point that unnecessary horns blaring is a form of noise pollution that can cause hearing loss. I'm not sure when the last time I used my horn at all or the last time I heard a horn being used as indicated in the first action. I'm not even sure that if I used my horn for some safety-type reasons, those around me would even understand it that way or just think someone was mad.

EMM: Treat Homeless with Diginty

Actions:
1. Don't judge people.
2. Better understand the homeless by speaking to them when you get a chance.
3. Look them in the eye and be polite. A simple "hello" or "God bless you" is fine.
4. Offer bottles water or pre-packaged food instead of money.
5. If you can't help, simply state "I'm sorry. I'm not able to help."

With small children it's been difficult to do any kind of volunteer work, but I have tried to find other ways to help our local life shelter. We had a dozen cupcakes plus a cake left from Logan's baptism celebration so we contacted the life shelter and was able to take the sweets to them. I have always tried to be polite when I can't help. I do like the idea of giving out water or ready-to-eat food. I rarely have cash on hand and this would be a way to give something.

EMM: Don't Flick Your Cigarette Butt

Although my Dad smokes, I don't see much smoking. The city I spend most of my time in is fairly non-smoking...other than the outside the only place I can think of that you can smoke is the bar-area of restaurants. Because of this most of the Action Items don't really apply. There is one...if you see a discarded cigarette butt either ask the smoker to pick it up or do it yourself. Okay, I can do that. Oh, and also the last Item:

DON'T SMOKE!

EMM: Adopt a Pet

All of our pets except the dog were rescue animals. We didn't get them from a shelter, but we prevented them from having to go to a shelter. The mother of our first 2 cats was a stray our friend had found. The next three were found by a co-worker and had to be bottled-fed. Even the bird came from someone else who could no longer keep it. Now Wrangler is an AKC dog that we paid for but he was in our church's auction to raise money for charity. So although we paid for him the money went to a good cause.

Our city had just opened a brand-new animal shelter when we moved here and I wanted to do some volunteering. I was a Cat Care-Taker at the shelter for about a year. It was fun to go in and just get to play with kittens and cats. And it helped to socialize the animals so that they would be better pets once they got adopted. In addition, Paul and I have been fosters for both puppies and a mama cat and her kittens. Both of those experiences were so wonderful for us. I hope we have those opportunities again once the children are older. We have also contacted the shelter several times to see what kind of supplies they needed. One of our Advent Activities is to take donations to the shelter in honor of our pets.

So if adopting a pet really isn't something you want or should do, just support your local shelter so that others can adopt.

EMM: Identity Theft

Actions:
1. Shred important documents.
2. Use the mail drop boxes inside the post office.
3. Empty your home mailbox promptly.
4. Don't carry you social security card.
5. Keep personal information in a safe place at home.
6. Don't give out personal information over the phone or internet unless it is secure.
7. Create random passwords.
8. Check your credit report annually.
9. Check your bank statements regularly.

Thankfully, we do most of these without much thought. I do need to be better about shredding our documents.

EMM: Show Your Smile

Some Facts About Smiling:

• Happy people generally don't get sick as often (which would explain why Sophie's rarely sick)


• People are born with the ability to smile


• Children laugh about 400 times a day

The actions for today:

1. Smile at EVERYONE you see


2. Keep track of how many times you smile and laugh


3. Do things to get yourself to smile


4. Note if you feel differently after a day of smiling

I've always known that even if you are just faking it, smiling will make you fell better so...

Fake It 'til You Make It!

EMM: Donate Your Organs

So it's been a while since I posted about the Every Monday Matters book. You can get more information at the EMM website. I assumed that my drivers license stated I was a donor, but it doesn't so I will have to remedy that. I did go to the link and registered as a donor which also provided me with a card to carry.

I am sure that there are people who don't choose to be donors and I hope they have reasons that they at least believe in for not donating, but I have known I wanted to do this for many years. My grandmother donated her body to science when she died. Unfortunately, she was not a candidate for organ donation due to her health, but she still gave even in her death. This is what I would like to do as well. Whatever organs and tissue can be used is donated and everything else can go to science and research. I guess I need to make sure Paul knows what I want, too.

EMM: Get Tested

Out of modesty and my privacy, I won't go into details about this one. But if you've never been tested, you probably should be. You can go to the Every Monday Matters website and get more information about this week's activity.

EMM: Learn CPR

I have to be CPR certified for my job. So for the past 6+ years I have been through the training several times. Thankfully, I have never had to actually use that training. One of the things I remember from the first training was someone making the comment about how they were worried that they wouldn't remember what to do in case of an emergency. The instructor told us that what was really important wasn't that we did the correct number of contractions or breathed for the right amount of time. What was important was that we breathed for the person and pumped their heart...basically just do something until the professionals could step in. Knowing that actually helps me feel more confident in my abilities.

If you are interested in learning CPR, there's a new program called Family & Friends CPR that makes it so simple to learn the basics. Check it out here.

EMM: Choose Canvas Bags

I have been trying to use reusable bags whenever I go shopping. Sometimes I remember and sometimes I either forget to bring them with me or leave them in the car. Duh! I have noticed that there are some grocery stores that are giving discounts for bringing your own bags (now that has helped with the motivation). Since I typically carry a big bag (combo purse and diaper bag), there are times I just tell them I don't need a bag and put it in my purse.

I do still get plastic bags occasionally but I try to at least re-purpose them, so that they do double duty.

I know reusable bags are becoming the norm. At our staff Christmas party, one of the teachers brought these really cute bags and plastic (reusable) cups. Now a day, going green can look good too.