Mondays Matter: Week 11

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways to Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

Register To Vote

71 Million registered voters didn't vote in the 2004 presidential election.

ACTION STEPS:

1. Register to vote by using the national Mail Voter Registration Form. You can get this at http://www.rockthevote.com/ or http://www.eac.gov/

2. Register in Person at your local DMV, state offices that provide public assistance, official campaign headquarters, armed forces recruitment offices, public libraries, post offices, public high schools and universities.

3. Pay attention to registration deadlines in your state to ensure that you register in time to vote.

4. Make sure your friends, family, co-workers, or fellow students are registered.

5. Get informed on the issues and candidates.

6. VOTE!

Whether you are voting for your local county supervisor, mayor of your town, school board representative, senator, or President....take the time to learn about the candidates and be a voice. Many men and women have fought for our freedoms and voting is a privilege that too many of us take for granted. At your next opportunity, make your voice heard in your community and vote in your next election.

Cool Tees!

I just found out about these great tees! Check out the button to the right that says, "God is Good Wild Olive Tees". All the tees have a saying on the front and a Bible verse on the back. These are awesome and I hope to order one...as soon as my budget allows! From their website, this is how the gals say they got started...
Wild Olive began four years ago with a dream. Literally. It took a while for that dream to grow into reality but, thankfully, God's timing can be trusted completely. God orchestrated the friendship between Colleen, Stefanie and Amie, and soon they recognized that they had not only a shared goal, but a passion: to be God's instrument in sharing His word in a fresh and funky way.
Check them out today!

Say What You Mean!

I ran across this quote today and it reminded me of a situation I had with my husband this week.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
-Dr. Seuss

For several days, something had been bothering me and I had been putting off discussing it with my husband. Then I was gone for 3 days and the issue kept festering in my mind and affecting my sleep as well as the way I was relating with my husband. So, finally, I decided to bring it up. I wish I had brought it up right away. My husband immediately noticed I was upset and came and sat next to me, listened to me, and heard me out. We discussed it and he appreciated me bringing it up with him. I suddenly felt lighter and finally got a good nights sleep. So, I was reminded I need to say what I feel and speak the truth. It makes things a lot easier from the beginning. If the person you have an issue with really matters, then they won't mind you being honest with them and talking it out.

A Laughter Filled Weekend!

As I said earlier, I traveled to Minneapolis with my mom, my aunt and my cousin for the Home and Garden Show. But, the weekend was so much more than that. We shared so many laughs, had some great conversations and stories, and connected in ways we hadn't before. We got foot massages at the Mall of America, gorged ourselves on awesome food, had grown-up beverages, and layed in bed talking until the wee hours of the morning. We also celebrated my mom's 70th birthday, with several servings of her favorite...ice cream. This was a weekend I will remember for a long time and even though I had to drive home in awful winter weather...I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Mondays Matter: Week 10

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways to Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza.

Change Your Lightbulbs!

-75% less energy is used with an ENERGY STAR labeled compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) compared to a standard incandescent bulb (regular lightbulb).

-CFLs last up to 10x longer and save $30 over the life of the bulb.

-Replacing 1 bulb prevents the release of 300 pounds of carbon dioxide in just 1 year.

-If every home replaces 5 frequently used lightbulbs with CFLs, close to $8 billion a year in energy costs could be saved.

ACTION STEPS:

1. Buy a package of CFL bulbs today.

2. Refer to the lumen or light output on the product packaging as your guide to determine correct wattage.

3. Replace at least 1 regular lightbulb with a CFL bulb. The more bulbs you change, the better it is for the environment and your wallet.

4. Place qualified CFLs in the fixtures you use most frequently.

5. Use qualified CFLs in the fixtures that are hard to reach such as ceiling fans, other ceiling fixtures, and enclosed outdoor fixtures.

6. Call your local waste management company to ask for proper disposal methods: CFL bulbs should not be thrown away in your regular garbage. Retailers also offer take-back programs.

One bulb. Will you do it? How about five?

Flowers: Here We Come!

In just 33 hours and counting I will be heading north to the Minnesota Home and Garden Show. I am picking up my mom and meeting my aunt (mom's sister) and cousin in Minneapolis for a weekend of flowers, shopping, relaxing, and catching up. No men and no kids allowed! I can't wait to be surrounded with beautiful, sweet smelling flowers, to not have to take anyone potty, to not have to cook a meal for anyone, to not have to do any laundry, to not have to answer "why", and just enjoy a weekend of laughter, grown-up conversation, and LOTS of fun! Thank you to my cousin Melanie for inviting us along for the weekend and to our husbands for giving us the weekend off. I am sure I will have numerous flower photos to share with you next week!

Mondays Matter: Week 9

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways to Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

Protect Yourself with Internet Safety

ACTION STEPS

1. Create a password that has a combination of upper and lowercase letter, numbers , and symbols for unlocking your computer and for accessing websites. Use a different password for each site.

2. Never use an automatic log-in feature that saves your username and password.

3. Always log off the internet or your computer when you're finished.

4. Avoid storing financial information on your computer.

5. Use anti-virus software and a firewall.

6. Do not open emails sent from strangers.

7. Forward spam that is phishing for information to spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email.

These are all great tips and excellent reminders when we are in the internet. Remain cyber-safe by protecting your computer as if it were your wallet. Practice safe surfing and you will be glad you did!