I used to think I had insomnia. Then I discovered that whenever I couldn't/wouldn't sleep, I was just procrastinating. Not procrastinating going to sleep, but avoiding whatever was going on the next day. The theory is this: If I don't go to sleep, then I won't have to wake up in the morning. It will never be tomorrow. The night just goes on and on!
Yeah, that worked really well for me.
And I'm doing it now. Whee.
7.13.2008
6.25.2008
Buy stuff!
Hey, readers, time for a little self-promotion.
This Saturday, June 28, I'll be at CRAFT's Summer Extravaganza with ghia. You should check it out. There will be dozens of local artists peddling their fabulous work, plus a cookout to benefit East Nashville Cooperative Ministry.
I'm supposed to receive a new shipment of fair trade jewelry and accessories tomorrow, so anyone who comes to the event will probably get to see new products even before they are on the website. Hope to see you there!
This Saturday, June 28, I'll be at CRAFT's Summer Extravaganza with ghia. You should check it out. There will be dozens of local artists peddling their fabulous work, plus a cookout to benefit East Nashville Cooperative Ministry.
I'm supposed to receive a new shipment of fair trade jewelry and accessories tomorrow, so anyone who comes to the event will probably get to see new products even before they are on the website. Hope to see you there!
6.21.2008
Let's Be Neighborly
When I worked downtown, I used to wish I had a card with a list of resources for people down on their luck. I didn't want to give money to panhandlers, but I did wish for ideas to help people who needed a way out of their situation.
Two years later, I found out that such a resource does exist.
It's called Where to Find Help in Nashville, and it's a pamphlet compiled by the Metropolitan Homeless Commission and the MDHA. The pamphlet lists organizations that can help people with shelter, food, medical care, clothing, and many other services. It's a great resource for churches and non-profits to have on hand, but I also recommend it for individuals.
If you frequently find yourself wishing you could help someone who clearly needs a place to stay or a way to eat, print out a few of these pamphlets and keep them with you as you go about your day.
WHERE TO FIND HELP IN NASHVILLE [PDF]
I also did some work with East Nashville Cooperative Ministry to help them compile an East Nashville and downtown-specific pamphlet. Several churches on the Eastside asked for a list of helpful organizations within walking distance of the Main Street/Woodland Street area, so we obliged. The pamphlet does contain a few places that aren't in walking distance, since there are some organizations that don't have an equivalent on this side of the river.
WHERE TO FIND HELP IN EAST NASHVILLE [PDF]
P.S. -- Yeah, I think I'll ask for your money again today. If you have some extra cash and you're wondering what to do with it, consider giving to ENCM. They do awesome work in the East Nashville community, including a food box program, thrift store, and lunches for the homeless. You can donate through GivingMatters.com.
Two years later, I found out that such a resource does exist.
It's called Where to Find Help in Nashville, and it's a pamphlet compiled by the Metropolitan Homeless Commission and the MDHA. The pamphlet lists organizations that can help people with shelter, food, medical care, clothing, and many other services. It's a great resource for churches and non-profits to have on hand, but I also recommend it for individuals.
If you frequently find yourself wishing you could help someone who clearly needs a place to stay or a way to eat, print out a few of these pamphlets and keep them with you as you go about your day.
WHERE TO FIND HELP IN NASHVILLE [PDF]
I also did some work with East Nashville Cooperative Ministry to help them compile an East Nashville and downtown-specific pamphlet. Several churches on the Eastside asked for a list of helpful organizations within walking distance of the Main Street/Woodland Street area, so we obliged. The pamphlet does contain a few places that aren't in walking distance, since there are some organizations that don't have an equivalent on this side of the river.
WHERE TO FIND HELP IN EAST NASHVILLE [PDF]
P.S. -- Yeah, I think I'll ask for your money again today. If you have some extra cash and you're wondering what to do with it, consider giving to ENCM. They do awesome work in the East Nashville community, including a food box program, thrift store, and lunches for the homeless. You can donate through GivingMatters.com.
6.20.2008
Life Update
My blogging seems to come in bursts. In fact, I'm writing several blog posts today (June 19) and then scheduling them to post once a day so I don't clog anybody's feed reader. But that's okay. As long as I keep the crowd happy. Or indifferent.
Last weekend was my sixth wedding anniversary. My handsome husband took me out for dinner and dancing, which was lots of fun. I definitely picked a good guy. :-) He also sent me these fantastically beautiful flowers.
I posted the picture from ProFlowers.com, because I neglected to get a good picture before they started to fade. Oh, and not only did hubby choose and order beautiful flowers, he did his research to make sure the flowers were not poisonous to cats. Now that's true love, folks. (And despite the fact that I am keeping the flowers in my bedroom, Loa keeps sneaking in and stealing the buds that have fallen on the floor.)
In other news.....well.....does anybody remember that cartoon Belle and Sebastien? Not the band, the weird anime cartoon?
Well, I always wanted a big white dog like Belle so I could ride around the mountains with her, stopping in little cottages where friendly people would let me eat bread and cheese.
Now I have a Belle.
Actually, his name is Khan, and he's a foster dog with Freedom Farm. We're letting him stay with us until he finds a forever home. He's a wonderful dog, very calm and gentle. However, I'm still adjusting to the wrestling matches he and Cameron have every 15 minutes. (No, we did not name him Khan. He already had a fantastically geeky name when we met him.)
Anyway, if you need a big, fluffy goofball who can also watch your sheep (he's a Great Pyrenees mix), this might be the dog for you.
One more thing: I'd like to invite all you Nashvillians out there to donate to this year's Tomato Art Fest. The festival needs donations for security, street closings, etc., and any amount helps. To donate, click on the Tomato Donato meter! Thanks!
Last weekend was my sixth wedding anniversary. My handsome husband took me out for dinner and dancing, which was lots of fun. I definitely picked a good guy. :-) He also sent me these fantastically beautiful flowers.I posted the picture from ProFlowers.com, because I neglected to get a good picture before they started to fade. Oh, and not only did hubby choose and order beautiful flowers, he did his research to make sure the flowers were not poisonous to cats. Now that's true love, folks. (And despite the fact that I am keeping the flowers in my bedroom, Loa keeps sneaking in and stealing the buds that have fallen on the floor.)
In other news.....well.....does anybody remember that cartoon Belle and Sebastien? Not the band, the weird anime cartoon?
Well, I always wanted a big white dog like Belle so I could ride around the mountains with her, stopping in little cottages where friendly people would let me eat bread and cheese.
Now I have a Belle.Actually, his name is Khan, and he's a foster dog with Freedom Farm. We're letting him stay with us until he finds a forever home. He's a wonderful dog, very calm and gentle. However, I'm still adjusting to the wrestling matches he and Cameron have every 15 minutes. (No, we did not name him Khan. He already had a fantastically geeky name when we met him.)
Anyway, if you need a big, fluffy goofball who can also watch your sheep (he's a Great Pyrenees mix), this might be the dog for you.
One more thing: I'd like to invite all you Nashvillians out there to donate to this year's Tomato Art Fest. The festival needs donations for security, street closings, etc., and any amount helps. To donate, click on the Tomato Donato meter! Thanks!
6.19.2008
Tales from the Sportsplex, Part 2
So after last week's skating lesson I saw Six again.
Six: [skating up to me] Hey, you're wearing hockey skates! I'm wearing hockey skates, too.
Me: Yes, I think I met you last week. Tootoo is your favorite player, right?
Six: Yup! [skates off]
5 minutes later....
Six: [skating up to me again] Do you want to be my goalie?
Me: Um, sure! Do you have a puck?
Six: [shakes head]
Me: Oh, so I'm your imaginary goalie. Okay, I can do that.
Six proceeds to tell me to go to the crease. He then informs me that we are on the same team, so my main job is to watch him skate down to the other end of the ice, watch him score a goal against the other team's invisible goalie, and then cheer. Occasionally I have to pretend that I'm saving pucks shot by the opposing team.
After a few minutes of this, I wonder where Six's parents are and what they think of him playing with some strange adult.
Me: Hey, do you have a mom or dad or someone here with you? I think they might like to know who you are talking to. They might not want you talking to a stranger.
Six: Okay. [Takes me to his mom, who is sitting in the bleachers]
Six: [pointing to me] Mom, do you know why she is following me?
(Oh, great, now I really sound like a weirdo.)
Six: She said she wanted to meet you!
Me: Um, hi. Your son said he wanted me to be his pretend goalie, but I said I needed to meet you since you might not want him talking to strangers. So hi, I'm Christy.
Mom: Hi! I'm Mom, and this is Six. [smiles]
So apparently I avoided being arrested for kidnapping on that particular day, anyway.
But seriously, to you parents reading out there -- do you have a rule about not talking to strangers? I can't tell you how many children have started conversations with me at the rink with no parent in sight. It's uncomfortable for me, but it could be dangerous for your children. I'm glad these kids are so kind and friendly, but please, make sure they are safe, too!
Six: [skating up to me] Hey, you're wearing hockey skates! I'm wearing hockey skates, too.
Me: Yes, I think I met you last week. Tootoo is your favorite player, right?
Six: Yup! [skates off]
5 minutes later....
Six: [skating up to me again] Do you want to be my goalie?
Me: Um, sure! Do you have a puck?
Six: [shakes head]
Me: Oh, so I'm your imaginary goalie. Okay, I can do that.
Six proceeds to tell me to go to the crease. He then informs me that we are on the same team, so my main job is to watch him skate down to the other end of the ice, watch him score a goal against the other team's invisible goalie, and then cheer. Occasionally I have to pretend that I'm saving pucks shot by the opposing team.
After a few minutes of this, I wonder where Six's parents are and what they think of him playing with some strange adult.
Me: Hey, do you have a mom or dad or someone here with you? I think they might like to know who you are talking to. They might not want you talking to a stranger.
Six: Okay. [Takes me to his mom, who is sitting in the bleachers]
Six: [pointing to me] Mom, do you know why she is following me?
(Oh, great, now I really sound like a weirdo.)
Six: She said she wanted to meet you!
Me: Um, hi. Your son said he wanted me to be his pretend goalie, but I said I needed to meet you since you might not want him talking to strangers. So hi, I'm Christy.
Mom: Hi! I'm Mom, and this is Six. [smiles]
So apparently I avoided being arrested for kidnapping on that particular day, anyway.
But seriously, to you parents reading out there -- do you have a rule about not talking to strangers? I can't tell you how many children have started conversations with me at the rink with no parent in sight. It's uncomfortable for me, but it could be dangerous for your children. I'm glad these kids are so kind and friendly, but please, make sure they are safe, too!
6.04.2008
Show and Tell
Got two fun packages in the mail recently.
First, my sis-in-law Becca sent me SOAPS OF AWESOMENESS.
Actually, they're from Hydromissions, a company working to provide clean water in developing countries. Proceeds from the soaps fund their mission.
Not only is the soap funding a great cause -- it's also great quality, made from fair trade shea butter, goat's milk, honey, and other natural ingredients.
Thanks, Becca, for my super-cool random gift!
Second, I received my BzzKit for Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF. (As a Bzz Agent, I get free samples of certain products so I can try them and tell people about them. I have to be honest about the products, though, even if it means trashing them.)
I was so excited when I signed up for this campaign. I love Aveeno products, but I hardly ever buy them .... I have a hard time splurging on myself (despite the fact that most of their products are under $10).
Extra points to Aveeno for including a full-size bottle of the moisturizing lotion in the BzzKit. That made me feel pretty special, although I know I'm just one of hundreds of BzzAgents.
But look, there's more! Aveeno also sent me trial sizes of their moisturizing lotion with SPF, so if you want one, let me know. Two catches -- you have to be somebody I know in the Nashville area (no shipping this time, I'll give it to you when I see ya) -- and you have to tell me what you think about the product.
I love mailbox treasures. Especially unexpected ones. They really brighten my day.
First, my sis-in-law Becca sent me SOAPS OF AWESOMENESS.
Actually, they're from Hydromissions, a company working to provide clean water in developing countries. Proceeds from the soaps fund their mission.Not only is the soap funding a great cause -- it's also great quality, made from fair trade shea butter, goat's milk, honey, and other natural ingredients.
Thanks, Becca, for my super-cool random gift!
Second, I received my BzzKit for Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF. (As a Bzz Agent, I get free samples of certain products so I can try them and tell people about them. I have to be honest about the products, though, even if it means trashing them.)
I was so excited when I signed up for this campaign. I love Aveeno products, but I hardly ever buy them .... I have a hard time splurging on myself (despite the fact that most of their products are under $10).Extra points to Aveeno for including a full-size bottle of the moisturizing lotion in the BzzKit. That made me feel pretty special, although I know I'm just one of hundreds of BzzAgents.
But look, there's more! Aveeno also sent me trial sizes of their moisturizing lotion with SPF, so if you want one, let me know. Two catches -- you have to be somebody I know in the Nashville area (no shipping this time, I'll give it to you when I see ya) -- and you have to tell me what you think about the product.
I love mailbox treasures. Especially unexpected ones. They really brighten my day.
6.03.2008
Tales from the Sportsplex
So I was practicing at the Sportsplex tonight, and a little boy skates up to me.
Six-year-old skater: Do you cheer for the Predators?
Me: Yes, I do. Do you?
Six: Yeah, I like the Predators.
Me: Yeah, they're great.
Six: What number do you go for?
Me: Um, I like all of them. I guess Radulov's pretty good.
Six: I like Tootoo. He's the best.
Me: Yeah, he's a good guy.
Six: He scores all the goals. Like, a hundred.
Me: [*crickets*]
Six-year-old skater: Do you cheer for the Predators?
Me: Yes, I do. Do you?
Six: Yeah, I like the Predators.
Me: Yeah, they're great.
Six: What number do you go for?
Me: Um, I like all of them. I guess Radulov's pretty good.
Six: I like Tootoo. He's the best.
Me: Yeah, he's a good guy.
Six: He scores all the goals. Like, a hundred.
Me: [*crickets*]
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