Day 30

I bought a flock of geese! Not for me...silly gooses... a family in need in a third-world country. I "gave" my grandparents some baby chicks for Christmas a couple of years ago. I think my grandmother is still expecting to see some chickens on her doorstep any day now.  When you "give" through Heifer International, you are giving a hand up to someone in need, who in turn helps someone else. 

With gifts of livestock and training, Heifer projects help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. The animals as referred to as  "living loans" because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal's offspring to another family in need. It's called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of thirr mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace. You can give an ox, a camel, or a whole ark!  

Day 29

Go to the Ann Taylor LOFT facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/LOFT and like them... you can send a free Mother's Day e-card to anyone you want and LOFT will donate a dollar for each one, up to $25,000, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. You can choose from several designs, each drawn by a patient at St. Jude's. This is so easy for everyone and such a wonderful cause. It will cost you a minute of your time. 

Day 28

I went to the Chicago Temple and did a session. It was great to be in the temple with Missy and Paul and their ward members are always welcoming and friendly when I come out to visit.

Day 27

I got off the train to walk to my class today, and I saw tons of people out with these vests on. I asked what was going on, since I'm not local. Apparently, it is a big fundraiser for Misericordia which offers care and programs for developmentally and physically challenged children and adults as well as providing support for their families. I donated and was given a pack of jelly beans, which I then shared with the kids.

Day 26

Still in Chicago! I took Troy to lunch today and it's Matt's birthday, so we headed over to Maggie Moo's for ice cream after dinner. It was a madhouse due to the school concert nearby just getting done. I left a nicer than normal tip in the tip jar because those two girls were working hard and were still very pleasant.

Day 25

I'm in Chicago! So I took the girls out to ice cream and I gave Halle all my change to deposit in the Relay for Life fundraising can...

Day 24

I sent off an iTunes gift card to my adopted soldier. 

Day 23

My friend's son is raising money for the American Heart Association by jump roping. I think this is pretty awesome, so I contributed to his fund.

Day 22

I donated blood. I didn't really want to repeat good things, but the donor center called and needed me...and off I went.

Day 21

I am a hoarder... I admit it. I hoard my running shoes. I don't know why... I just feel like I need about 10 pairs at any given time. I really don't need this many pairs. So I donated a few pairs to my local running shop where they recycle them.

Day 20

Did you know that April is National Donate Life Month? I didn't. It's time for me to renew my driver's license, so I also made sure that I am a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor.

Day 19

I saw this on the news and was inspired by Jace Jensen. He is working towards his Eagle and the project he chose is organizing a benefit concert for the University of Utah Burn Unit. He was treated there as a child and wanted to give back. You can buy tickets for the benefit concert featuring Jon Schmidt, or you can make a donation. Every little bit helps :)

Day 18

I made a "monster truck" cake for my friend's son's 6th birthday. Happy birthday Charlie!

Day 17

This totally would have made my day. I hope it makes someone else's :)

Day 16

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery. Both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles in the cause of type 2 diabetes.

My friend is riding in the Tour de Cure. I donated to his team because I believe in this cause and that by educating people about the disease we can help to prevent it.

Day 15

I put my pinterest obsession to good use, found a yummy banana bread recipe here, and then made a batch to drop off at a cute neighbor's house.

Day 14

I found this quote by Amelia Earhart ... "No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves." So I designed a little card with my new favorite quote and I left it on a random car with an iTunes gift card.

*I would be happy to make a print of this card for you in any color/size if you would like to have it in your home somewhere as a reminder to be kinder :) ... Just leave me a message.

Day 13

I love the MS Utah: Harmons Best Dam Bike Ride.

I've done it a couple of years with some awesome friends. It's a beautiful course for a good cause. I have a different race that day (also a good fundraiser supporting cancer patients), so I won't be riding this year, and I made a donation instead. You can get involved by donating, volunteering, or riding yourself!

Day 12

I made PB&C cupcakes for a co-worker's birthday. This felt hard to me because it's a co-worker that I don't particularly like. Have you noticed how easy it is to do nice things for people you like, but for people you don't like, it is soooo much more difficult? That's what I felt like today...and I did something nice anyway.

Day 11

I donated blood...and since I was the only donor there, I was pampered. I have been donating with ARUP for quite a few years now. ARUP blood donations supply Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah Hospitals, Shriners Hospital, and Huntsman Cancer Institute. I'm a frequent donor, so I get points when I donate that I can exchange for ARUP stuff. I had accumulated 900 points, so I exchanged my points for teddy bears that will be taken up to Primary Children's Hospital. It was like a double good deed! And I got to watch a movie and have a snack, too. If you have been thinking about becoming a blood donor, please do it. There are so many who need what is easy for us to give.

Day 10

This box is just off the side of the road on Highland Drive below the Draper Temple and I see it driving home from work every day, and always thought it was kind of funny that it was sitting out by itself in the middle of nothing. Tonight I enjoyed the view of the Salt Lake Valley, and dropped off a bunch of my old paperbacks.

Day 9

My friends are coaching a running club for less fortunate kids from 3rd - 6th grade. All come from low income families & some are foster kids. They are taking them to a race on April 28th called the Cookie Chaser. This race offers a 2k & a 5k, and lots of Girls Scout Cookies for all! I sent a check to sponsor two kids to race. Running has brought a lot of joy to my life and I am hoping that it does the same for these kids. If you would like to help, or run the race yourself, go to http://www.active.com/running/riverton-ut/cookie-chaser-5k-2k-2012 for more info or to register.

Day 8

Took my nephew to the park. I even went down the slide with him. Apparently in his world, this makes me pretty cool.

Day 7

I wrote another note... I think I like doing it. It's not random, but I just wanted to let my friend know how much I appreciate her. I had a couple of sad days a couple weeks ago, and she and I went for walks together, and I talked and talked, and I felt better after just being with her. She probably has no idea how thankful I was to have her, so I wanted to let her know that her small act of kindness was worth so much to me. And I slipped in a gift card for a smoothie :)

Day 6

I love Peeps... the crusty sugary outside, the marshmallow fluffiness inside. So, I'm spreading the love for Easter. I dropped these off for people who have been on my mind, for who knows what reason. I try to keep a little prayer in my heart and then hopefully one of these little things will be a big thing for someone.

Day 5

All the kids that grew up in our neighborhood loved Sister Taylor. She made primary singing time so much fun and she always did something special for our birthdays. She passed out donuts at Halloween (but only if you hugged her first). I still think of her a lot, so today I thought I'd write her a note to let her know that I have a special place in my heart for her.

Day 4

No, I did not do myself a good deed by shopping at Ann Taylor. I just packed up a bunch of things I don't really wear anymore and took them to a couple in the ward who are collecting clothing items for the inner-city mission. This is an easy good deed to do and there are lots of places that can use your gently-loved clothing.

Day 3

Today I wrote a note and gave an iTunes gift card to my Tuesday spin teacher. Spin class is the only thing that keeps me from getting all rusty over the winter and I love that Kathy teaches like we're riding outside. They put time and effort into planning each class and the music, and I don't know how much money they earn each class, but I'm guessing it's not a lot. Thanks for keeping me motivated!

Day 2

I am grateful to the men and women who serve in the military. So, I adopted a solider and today I sent him a care package... he requested new pillowcases and "cherry anything". He is currently deployed in Afghanistan and won't be coming home for a long time. If supporting a member of the US military sounds like something you, your family, your youth group, or your workplace would like to do... sign up at AdoptAUSSoldier.org and help out someone who is far away from home and family, putting their life in danger to protect the freedoms we often take for granted.

36 Days until I'm 36 - Day 1

This is no April Fool's joke... I will be 36 years old in 36 days. As I am a firm believer in celebrating for a whole month, I thought I would get an early start and I was inspired by this woman on her 38th birthday. I have decided that I will celebrate by doing one small act of kindness every day until May 6th. 36 Days...36 Acts of Kindness. On May 6th, please stop by and have a cupcake...instead of bringing a gift, please do an act of kindness of your own sometime before then and then I'd like you to write it down in my birthday book. (If you live out of town, you can email me, snail mail,FB message me...whatever) I can't think of a better birthday gift...

I started out my kindness project today by baking cookies and delivering them to sweet women in my neigborhood. I almost got away anonymously but one little lady saw me from her window and was waving at me as I walked up to her porch. She hugged me and told me she loved me, and that pretty much made my day. Phoebe was right... there are no selfless acts of service. Each day I will post my good deed, and I hope that you will prove that kindness is contagious and pass it on.