Kindness is Not Weakness

When I was in elementary school I used to sometimes hide my book fair packets and read them over and over. I did this because I loved books and knew my mom would buy me a bunch. I didn't want her to waste her money on that. Once we had a book fair at the same time as the bake sale. Mom knew and sent me to school with a check to buy a few. A girl in my class (Kristin) was crying because her mom wouldn't give her any money for anything and she wanted a cupcake. I used the money mom gave me to buy the entire box of cupcakes, gave her a couple, and started handing them out. I bought enough for my entire grade but didn't get one myself. I used the remaining 50 cents to buy a bookmark. I was really worried about what my mom would say since I used the money for something else. When the teacher told her what I did I was really nervous. I just couldn't stand seeing someone cry over a cupcake when I had the power to change that. I don't think anyone even thanked me, actually. For the longest time whenever my mom told that story to close friends and laughed I was so embarrassed. I felt like I showed weakness and that was scary. Now that I look back I've decided not to be embarrassed. Kindness is not weakness, it is strength. Being selfless isn't a flaw, it's courage. I share this with you today so that you know that I'm kind, not a pushover. There is a difference. Don't think you can get anything out of me, but know that if you really need something I will never avert my eyes and ignore you. I've never been that type of person. I won't be ashamed of a soft heart any longer.

P.S. I always placed first in spelling and the prize was a free book. Karma.

Let's Change the Internet

I am so tired of loading literally any page on the internet and seeing complete and utter trash. People don't know each other anymore. All they know is which celebrities are fighting, in rehab, or getting paid way too much to not care about you. I'm going to start revealing truths about myself and I hope people follow suit. We've lost touch with people we used to physically see every day because they won't send us that crop we want on FarmVille. It's ridiculous. I urge everyone to be true to themselves no matter how they feel others will react. If it's anything other than accepting, you don't need that person in your life. I keep my essence to myself and then wonder why people don't know me. It's my own fault. Show everyone who you are. Don't be afraid.

Sodastream: Less Guilt, More Fizzzz

I've been using reusable shopping bags for a while now. CVS even gives you greentags that reward you when you use them. I hate those plastic bags that are bad for the environment and break before you even get home. Lately I've been getting a lot of drinks on the run. As I throw the plastic bottles in the garbage I feel guilty. There still aren't many recycling programs in New Orleans since Katrina. I heard that there is a place you can bring cans and bottles but it's only open on Saturday for 3 hours. That's ridiculous. It's so difficult to drink a soda without feeling terribly guilty about the waste I'm creating. I've seen infomercials for the Sodastream. It creates soda and fizzy water using a jet. The concentrated soda mixtures contain no aspartame or high fructose corn syrup. It seems like the answer to my prayers. Sometimes I want something refreshing but soda and juice don't cut it. Water is too bland, but I'm thirsty. I think a carbonated water would hit the spot but I can't justify paying over $3 at the store for a small bottle of fizzy water. This machine makes it in a matter of seconds with no mess, waste, or clean up. I cannot wait to try it and share my healthy alternative to the overpriced and waste producing soda I have picked up off the shelf over a dozen times this week. My guilt thanks Sodastream.

Check out Sodastream!

I'm a BzzAgent!

Burt's Bees: All Natural & Refreshing

Don't you just love chemicals? No? You don't like things that were made in a lab and required goggles, gloves, and mad scientist gear to develop? You're smart! Burt's Bees uses all natural ingredients in their products and they are amazing. They feel great and smell good. I'm a BzzAgent and got the chance to try them first-hand. They smell so fresh and clean and they make me feel pampered. I love the tingly feeling peppermint gives my skin as it goes on smoothe. It makes me feel like I'm at a spa and getting a special treatment. I can have great products at a great price and feel like I'm being pampered. Try their new acne treatment. It gets rid of swelling overnight and doesn't smell like a chemical mess.

A Little Help For The Independent

Sometimes I wonder how it is that twentysomethings and single parents can survive on a small salary, especially at minimum wage. After recently reading an article about a woman in her fifties that was laid off and now moonlights at 3 jobs my eyes have been opened to a few oportunities that not everyone may know about. This woman, without giving specifics, told how she searches out freebies and only purchases what is absolutely neccessary. This instigated my decision to seek out such services. She proclaimed that she hadn't paid for toothpaste, shampoo, or perfume in years. I wondered how this could be done untill I came across a website that is a blessing for every deal searcher in existance. The website is aptly called DealTaker. It is a collection of member-gathered coupons, sales, and freebies. I love browsing the forums to read about the latest find. I've already attacked the Freebie section head on and started receiving some of my samples. Most of the links are to name brand websites we are all familiar with and I didn't feel nervous about entering my address. There are links to websites of products I already use or have been wanting to try and they offer free samples and coupons with no strings. I've already received free address labels, Aquafresh toothpaste, and a giftcard from the American Gem Society. I'm anxious to see what else comes. I've already signed up for free shampoo, perfume, soap, and cleaning samples. They also have coupons for several dollars off and free products as well as coupons for online stores that I usually purchase from. I now know that while many can afford to choose what shampoos they like and what toothpaste they prefer, for those that are really on a budget these things seem trivial. What they don't spend because of these helpful sites can aid in stretching out their paychecks to cover rent which has skyrocketed in most larger cities. This can truely be the deciding factor of whether or not a person can continue to survive independently in this time.

Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is right around the corner and gift-giving is becoming a hard task for those that seem to have everything. I have so much Victoria's Secret lotion and sweetsmelling candles that I'll be smelling of Love Spell in my nursing home as I accidentally set it on fire. So this year do a bit of research and give practical, useful gifts or something that you know they want. Trust me some people are already dropping hints.

• Gift cards or gift certificates are always good if you just don't know what the person likes or needs. Just make sure that it's a place they frequent or at least a somewhere that has many different selections so that they're not stuck. Most gift cards either become null after a year or they begin deducting money from it each month after a year of non-use. Don't be wasteful. If in doubt one of the following are always a good choice. And if you still don't know what kind of gift card they'd like there's always the option of buying a prepaid Mastercard. Discovery had started this program but as Discovery is not taken as widely Mastercard is a nice choice. It is especially a nice gift for teens that can never seem to hold onto their cash. The younger set will also enjoy the fact that they have a "credit card" and parents don't have to worry about payments or losses. They can be reloaded with allowance or for birthdays.
  
• Amazon.com
• Starbucks
• Borders
• Blockbuster
• Wal-Mart
• A gas card

• DVDs are always a hit from the young to the older. Just browse their collection and get a feel for their tastes. Have they raved about a movie they rented lately? Buy it. Many classic movies are now being remastered and formatted. They'd make a great addition to a family collection of movies where the VHS tapes have become dull and marred over time. For classics anyone would appreciate try: The Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, Meet Me In St. Louis, It's A Wonderful Life, Bringing Up Baby, My Fair Lady, Shop Around The Corner, and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. For the really avid movie fan a few dollars more on many movies can get your a Special Edition with extra content and a beautiful display case that they can add to their collection. It's the perfect time to expose young adults to films of the past. Film standards are making a comeback as "Everything old is new again." The next month will also be the release of Pirates of the Carribbean 2 and Superman, 2 of the top grossing movies of the years and guaranteed to be at the top of most lists.
  

• Television on DVD is a relatively new fad. New shows are coming out with full season sets just after the yearly run while older shows that have had a cult following are finding their way back to the shelves. Even shows that haven't aired in 20 years are now available in full with special features and commentary. Some of the newer shows that have found a wide fanbase and are a hit among teens to adults are: Lost, Veronica Mars, Prison Break, Supernatural, The Office, Ghost Whisperer, Medium, Charmed, Buffy, Angel, Desperate Houswives, House, One Tree Hill, and the lamented cult favorites Roswell, Firefly, and Arrested Development. Some of the older shows now being released include Full House, Andy Griffith, Dallas, and I Love Lucy. You're sure to find something for everyone on your list.
• iPods are all the fad right now and with tons of accessories and gift cards for use in the iTunes library the possibilities are endless. A good set of earplugs, a case, and a car adaptor are good ideas for those that already have one. There are also many stereos systems that you can plug them into for a great listening experience. These headphones are great as they sit in the ear confortably with a rubber tip. They're also available in white, pink, and black to match the most popular choices for iPod colors and casing. This audio system is new and provides a light show to accompany the music. It's sure to be a hit.

Do a search now and start exploring possibilities. Don't forget that Amazon is a great place to do your research first as you can read reviews. Don't believe everything you read but if 10 people say have had the same problem it's best to move on.

Duno Knows The Answer

Looking to make a little Christmas cash with no strings attached? Check out Duno. It's a question/answer board where you can make a little money based on your own knowledge. Have a question? Post it! When it's answered you can decide how informative and helpful the posters have been by awarding them money. Anywhere from 0.10 to 0.60 cents. If someone asks a question and you know the answer post it. You can earn in return. Once you reach $30 your money will be sent via Paypal. Sign up using the link below and dive in. There's no fees or person information involved. Choose a screen name and add your paypal email into your private profile. All money is generated by traffic to the site coupled with ads placed by various companies so the more traffic on the site, the more available cash. Plus the site donates a percentage to charity. Be rewarded in cash and karma. Join now!

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