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!