Weekend Cuteness

Happy Easter, everybody!

An Easter gift from his girlfriend, CC

Thinking

Project Spare Change for Lotus

AKA Change for Change.

*UPDATED AT THE BOTTOM*

Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus, has fallen on hard times. I particularly identify with her because we both have thyroid glands that are whacked, and both of our sons had allergies to milk in our breast milk.

I also know how expensive blood work is, since I get my thyroid levels tested regularly (you know, 'cause mine's whacked?), and even with insurance, it's a pretty penny.

Due to insurance companies being such asshats, Lotus is currently without insurance (and un-insurable in the minds of said asshats). Since Lotus's thyroid is currently whacked, requiring plenty of doctor visits and no help from insurance, she has a lot of bills to pay. All by herself.

That's when I thought, hey, I can do something to help. I cooked up Project Spare Change for Lotus, or Change for Change. This is something I could do that wouldn't affect my bank account balance, since all this money is just lying around my house, doing nothing.

The Warrior comes home from work with change in his pockets. He deposits the change in random locations. Change also lives in his car. Having all this change just lying around causes me mental anguish. It's the clutter thing.

I invite you to de-clutter and clean out that change! Take it to a Coinstar machine, dump in your money (it is actually surprisingly fun to do), and turn that into a gift card for Lotus. Leave a comment here or on Angie's post that you are going to get your Change on, and we'll send you the address to which you can send your Lotus love.

Might I suggest Old Navy for that ever-growing boy Braden?

Since I had my idea, even more suckage has come into Lotus's life. Her house is falling apart and the landlord is also being an asshat (see a theme here?). Mold is growing everywhere. Imagine knowing you are living in a health hazard WITH YOUR PRECIOUS BABY and you can't do anything about it. Ugh.

Or perhaps Pier 1 to spice up the new digs (hopefully coming soon!)?

Did you know that there are places online where you can exchange your gift cards for ones you really want/need?

Perhaps you're not super lazy, like me, and actually cash out your change at the supermarket with your Coinstar slip. You could then take that money and get Lotus a card to Target (who doesn't need THAT?) or Home Depot. The possibilities are endless.

Go forth and earn good karma points, people!

Thanks to my girls Angie and Dawn for doing this up big time and cooking up HoF'oSho!


**It occurred to me last night while I was lying in bed NOT sleeping (heh) that the best thing to do would be to get an Amazon credit -- the machine just prints out a slip with a code on it and you can just email the code straight to Lotus. She then can shop for groceries, tools, baby stuff, etc. and there is no snail mail involved!**

Weekly Winners, March 9

My Weekly Winners ~ new outfit, lots of friends, and big day out!

And, I *actually* WROTE something the other weekend -- click here to check it out. Maybe you can throw me a bone or something by commenting. :D

Lucky ~ March Blog Exchange

There have been many times in my life that my dreams did not come true. The disappointment and heartbreak of not having things go my way would leave me so hurt, so broken, and I remember how wounded I would remain. As an adult, however, life has taught me that being lucky sometimes means things do not go your way.

When I was in high school and college, I wanted to go into International Relations. I wanted to go to law school. The jet-setting lifestyle, the traveling to the far-reaches of the Earth, and living in hotels sounded so glamorous. I was certain that International Relations was the field of study I would end up in. I finished my undergraduate study, my Master's program, and began my search for PhD programs. I found the "right" program after a trip to Seattle. It was settled. I would complete my PhD at the University of Washington.

When I arrived home from Washington, I began getting closer to my "friend," Eric. As time went on, things were becoming more serious with Eric. By Christmas, we were serious and my plans to get a PhD were put on the back burner for a while. By October, we were engaged. I was officially not moving to Seattle. By June the following year, we were married and life was good. I went to school to be a teacher and had found my niche. I loved teaching!

We were enjoying our time together as a couple. We talked about not having children. We were certain children would ruin our perfect little life. A year later, we were pregnant.

These are just a few examples that taught me that the blessing is sometimes found in the wish that does not come true. I know now that living out of a suitcase, in and out of hotels would be an incredibly lonely life for me. International Relations would be a demanding lifestyle for a married woman and I have no regrets not pursuing that career.

The luckiest thing that ever happened in my life, is that my wish to be childless did not come true. I cannot imagine what life would be like if I never became a mom. I have been so lucky that life did not happen the way I wanted it to go. I am so lucky I became a wife. I am so lucky I became a mother.

Stay-at-home mom, runner, disgruntled...Laura blogs at My Beautiful Life and lives in San Diego, California with her husband, 28 month old baby girl, two dogs, and a cat. Laura is training for another marathon in June 2008. Today, Laura is running her second race of the year--- in San Diego.

You can find more info about the Blog Exchange and how to participate, as well as the March participants and entries, by clicking here. VDog is at Laura's place today!