Holidays and Resolutions

Well, it's that time of year again and I've been thinking about holiday giving and New Year's resolutions.

Every year my siblings and I, along with our spouses do a gift exchange. I had a difficult time deciding what to buy this year because lets face it. Most of us, by the time we are the ages of myself and my siblings, don't really need anything. This year we already bought gifts but we've also decided to give a donation in someones name in addition to gift giving.

And my partner and I have decided to keep on giving this year as our New Year's resolution. Every month a different charity, each month giving in honor or someone we love.

We actually started the donation of the month club in October with Cellmates On the Run, and the whole Chicago Diabetes Project/Chicago marathon thing that I wouldn't stop blogging about. November, we donated to a local shelter for victims of domestic violence and this month Heifer International.

Diabetes and Organ donation aren't the only passions in my life and I'm an annoying blogger like that, so you know I'll be posting monthly links to each organization. If you have any suggestions please either email me or post comments.

Our only guidelines? Nothing political and donations need to either be 1. medical research related or 2. directly impact individuals in need.

Thanks for your suggestions and Happy Christwanzakah.

Encouragement goes a long way.

So today I was in line at the gas station all queued up to buy coffee. A woman was in front of me holding an apple. She kept eyeballing the candy bars nearby and then looking at the apple, over and over. I could almost see the thought process going on in her head.

Apple, or chocolate? Apple? Chocolate?

Finally, with visible resignation she reached towards the candy and I found myself whispering, "Don't do it!".

And she stopped.

I wasn't sure if she even heard me until after she paid for her apple and gas and walked past me on her way out the door,

and whispered, "Thank you".

Funny how (minus the coffee) I ate better today too.

Sometimes it's just good to know you're not in it alone.

Santa Speedo Run Chicago 2009

When: 11:00 am, December 12, 2009

Where: Shenanigan's Bar, 16 W. Division, Chicago

Details: Santa Speedo Run for The Chicago Diabetes Project

It's only a mile down Rush St and back up Michigan.

You know you want to!

Well, at least sponser a crazy person. Here.

Danke.