December 10, 2007

I love doing the Pay it Forward contest because when I hear about some of the activities that people engage in, it just warms my heart to no end. 

But I wanted to say that I know we all do things like this throughout the year, and we shouldn't confine our "doing good" to a single month. No indeed.

What I hope, I guess, from this contest/activity is to generate even more goodwill–because goodwill begets goodwill. And because this is the craziest time of year for many of us, I hoped that it would be a reminder to slow down and pay attention to our fellow human beings. 

And so many of you are! And even more to come, I'm sure. I know it's not about tooting your own horn (of course not), and it's not even about the prizes (even though it's Colin Firth and Buffy and Amazon….).

But by sharing your experiences, I believe others are incented to join in. So do share. We want to hear, and be touched by your experiences.

If you haven't been over to see the post where people are listing their activities, go check it out. There are lots of great things–both big and small.

People driving twenty miles out of their way for a stranger, people helping out someone who years before had helped out their own family–without realizing it! People giving their time and money…

And then there are the bloggers who are participating by spreading the word themselves. Stop by their blogs and support them if you can.

Okay, so about the Vicks thing. I got an email from my brother the other day that suggested putting Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of your feet if you have a cough. Slather it on, put on a pair of socks–it especially works at night.

Well, let me tell you. I tried it on my littlest one, who's had this dry annoying cough for the last week. I swear she's coughed once since (and I think that was just because she swallowed her hot chocolate wrong). She even asked me to put it on before she went to school this morning (cue tearing through the house looking for the Vicks while the bus's arrival is imminent….) 

Try it. It seems to be an almost–dare I say it–miracle cure for coughs. Try it and report back, okay?

Okay. Have a great day. Pay it Foward. Stay warm. Drive carefully. 

December 7, 2007

And zee winair ees….

Stephanie

of Stephanie's Books 

Congratulations, gal! You're the proud owner of Wendy Roberts's The Remains of the Dead. I'll be in touch, or you can email me with your addy and info to: author at colleengleason dot com. 

December 7, 2007

I was having dinner with my friend J awhile ago, and somehow we got on the subject of her nephew–whom neither of us can believe is sixteen (because that makes us fricking old).

She was telling me about what a sweet guy he is, and how much he begged his parents for an iPod for Christmas last year. He's also a bit of a klutz.

Apparently, after begging for and getting one of the iPod classics, he was carrying it around in the front pocket of his hoodie. You know, the muff-like one where the left hand can see what the right hand is doing?

Anyway, I guess he had to use a public restroom, and he was in the stall (no need to go into detail) and he stood, turned, and flushed.

And just as he looked down he realized that…there went his iPod. Swoosh! Flushed away. (You know how powerful those public toilets can be!)

Poor kid. Not only did he have to tell his parents he lost a multi-hundred-dollar electronics device…but how. Yeowch.

That brought to mind a similar experience of my own. (Here's where the 'fess up comes in.)

Same sitch: I was in a public restroom, turned to flush, water went down all was clean and pure and I reached for my purse and carkeys–which had been hanging on a hook on the wall–and the keys flew out of my hand and splashed and clunked. Right into that pristine white bowl.

The worst part about it was that my electronic car door opener was on there. Fried. Totally useless…and it's for a late model BMW, so I can't get a new one.

The good thing was–well, there were two good things. First, that I'd already flushed. (Whew.) Secondly, that the little key drive that I keep on my ring–with my current work in progress on it!–didn't happen to be on there at that time. (Double whew.)

So, I emerged from my latrine calamity fairly unscathed–except that now I have to fumble with my blasted keys to get into my car when it's raining/snowing/dark/cold/windy, etc. Argh.

All right. I'm not calling this Friday 'Fess Up for nothing. Got a story about a latrine calamity to share? Here's the place to do it! Come on, give us all a laugh this crazy Friday. 

December 6, 2007

We've got some great participation from both bloggers (check them out here!) and commenters so far…but if you're still stumped on ideas for ways to enter my Pay It Forward Contest (the prizes are awesome—Buffy, Amazon and Colin Firth!), then here's a list of suggestions.

**Please don't post your Pay It Forward Contest Entries here on this post; add them to the original contest sticky post….here.**

Ways to Pay it Forward… 

1. Drive past the really good parking place so the car behind you can have it.

2. Pay for the person’s order in line behind you at the drive-thru window

3. Drop off two toys, instead of one, at Toys for Tots

4. Make a few extra batches of cookies and bring them to a local senior home

5. Find a family to adopt for the holidays

6. Buy an extra roll of stamps and give it to the person in line behind you at the post office

7. Offer to babysit (for free) for a mother of young children so she can go shopping or wrap gifts…or just take a breather!

8. Bring a box of your old books to a women’s shelter

9. Give a 30% tip at a restaurant instead of 15-20%

10. Make a donation to your favorite charity before they even ask!

11. Buy a bag of groceries and take it to your local food bank
(they’re really hurting this year!)

12. Donate blood

13. Let someone in line behind you go first at the checkout counter

Contest runs until Dec 19….post your comments/entries here, and if you're a blogger, you can enter for a special extra drawing here. 

December 5, 2007

Yesterday my dear friend Wendy Roberts–also known as one of the Non-Bombs (there's a story behind that one…)–released the first book in her new mystery series, The Ghost Dusters.

It's about a woman who does crime-scene or death-scene cleanup, and who also has the dubious pleasure of being visited by the ghosts of the victims.

I had the chance to read the book before it came out (look, Ma, my name's on the back cover!) and let me tell you…it's a really unique, edgy premise and I love the ghost aspect of it. (And I'm pushing Wendy for a good romance subplot, too…)

Ever since I heard the story a couple years ago on This American Life about a woman whose crime-scene-clean-up business has really taken off, I've been fascinated by the concept. (Er…fascinated from a distance.) And Wendy does a fantastic job with the research and reality of this business.

She doesn't back off from the gritty reality of what these people face, yet there's a twist of humor and the paranormal. Plus a whodunnit all mixed in. What's not to love?

So, if this sounds up your alley, I hope ya'll will go out and pick up this book and support Wendy….that is, except for the winner of the giveaway here on For All The World To See.

Oh, I didn't mention that? Well, of course there's a giveaway. To enter, tell me in the comments about a career or job that you would find fascinating…from a distance.  And I'll pick someone after midnight EST Thurs. (since this is a late blog post)

And please…don't forget to Pay It Forward! Do a little nice, unexpected thing for someone and tell us about it here.

Reading about these things motivates others to Pay it Forward too!