I luv Starbucks

I was headed to Starbucks the other day ... coffee, wifi, and time alone is the perfect afternoon for me. hey, I never claimed to be glamorous.

so I went to order my drink (grande skinny vanilla latte, hot, no foam ... its seems like a mouth-full, doesn't it?) and she's ringing it up, all is normal.

and then she asks, "so how are you today?"

and I know all sales people do this, as well as, uppity people in coffee shops ... I'm not insulting her, but usually those that work in a coffee shop are "on" coffee, so they are extra happy, you know?

anyway, I told her the truth.  I didn't begin venting and tell her my drama, but I said, "you know, I've been better.  but thanks for asking."

and she stopped what she was doing and said, "you know what?  the drink is on us."

me - "what?  really?  you don't have to do that."

her - "yep.  we want your day to get better, starting right now."

and I looked at the barista there, and all he could do was smile and agree with her.

WOW Starbucks, thanks!

now if you're the stingy type, you can go and try this, however, I'm not saying it guarantees a free drink, but ...

I was just honest.  and I somehow got the message that being honest is a valuable thing and still worth something.

that day, it was a latte.  hey, works for me.

not the "haha" funny

I think its funny that the most loved holiday is Christmas.


I think its funny how people talk about the Christmas Spirit, and somehow, this Spirit allows people to be more generous and thoughtful of others.


I know you've heard this before ... CHRISTmas.  now, how did HIS name get in there?




I know that every family has their own traditions, and yes, its not quite like that of 2000+ years ago .... but at the same time, it is.




families come together to eat, drink, & be merry. we get together and celebrate the day, together.
kind of like when Jesus was born; it was celebrated among many.


we give gifts to people who are important to us, who have a place in our hearts.  we give much, because we were given much.
kind of sounds like that CHRISTmas spirit, no?  allow me to be the first (or not) but the Spirit IS real.  you're not imagining it.  there is "something" in the air.


we all have either a star or an angel on top of our tree, right?
and that's just like how the wise men followed a star to find that newborn baby, meanwhile, the angels rejoiced.


its funny.


I also its funny how so many people know and sing our traditional Christmas songs.  you are proclaiming so much more than you know.  sing it loud!


so many don't claim to be christian, but the traditions of long ago are still very much happening ... which to me, says the same thing as ... you don't have to be a christian for God to be real.  you don't have to believe its Christ's birthday, but it is, and its happening anyway.




just my thoughts for tonight ....

good news

a good news update -

by total "coincidence" our neighbors neighbor (people we know in the complex, just on the other side of the complex ... our neighbors, right?  it was their next door neighbors.) was cleaning out the kids room and had some stuff to give away.

I'm told the "kid" is 17 and is just now getting around to getting rid of his toys from youth ... kind of like toy story 3, maybe?  but we didn't know this guy.  he wasn't necessarily giving to give, but maybe he was ... I think it was more like getting rid of junk.  either way, its a HUGE blessing for us to receive it.

there are TONS of hotwheels, along with buildings & roads to build for them, various balls, a kite, a big box of legos ... lots of boy stuff.

it was really making me sad that the boys wouldn't have anything to open from us for Christmas.  I cried.  it was perfect timing.

God gets me.

that's perfect too.

got $1?

I always loved going to the $1 store. hey, what can I say? I'm easy to please.

I know most of it is junk ...

which really means, give it to my kids and it will break within 5 minutes guaranteed. but then again, there are some items that are very worthy of my $1. sadly I haven't found a $1 store here. its a bummer because that is where I'd buy crafty supplies for the kids ...

totally not my point. sorry.

I've been doing some Avon research and found THIS. what a great way to spend a buck, don'tcha think?

my thanksgiving resolution (because why New Year's, right?) is to really put in the effort to have a legitimate business. I've read so many inspiring stories of women who got hooked up with Avon and ran with it; ran far. why not me, right? right ... I'll just go ahead and answer for you.

ps. when you donate, that $1 doesn't go to me, nor do I get any kind of credit for it. Avon has some really great outreach programs happening; this is just one.

... baby steps ...

for nature,for business, in anything. all you can do is try your best, one step at a time.

should I write daily motivational emails? hahaha. no.

shop now: www.youravon.com/katiegrimm

pps. FREE shipping on all orders this weekend only. use coupon code: FREE2010

volunteer gift wrap

I recently found out that bookstores, like Borders and Barnes & Noble, take volunteers for gift wrapping during the holiday season.

They will also allow you to collect tips, but only for a non-profit organization. Perfect for me since I've registered to walk in Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer. I was there last night and only made $10, which covers my gas to get there since I'm in the sticks, but that's ok! it's fun and it gets the word out about the walk anyway.

Now this would not be for you real creative types. They gave me a folding table with paper, tape, scissors, a few bows, but that's it. it's pretty blah. you may have guessed, everyone that did get the wrapping were men. ha! typical, but hey, at least they got it done!

I called yesterday and got a couple different shifts, but only because someone cancelled. apparently they start scheduling this in July/Aug. I had no idea!

this could be good for churches, moms clubs, or schools. lots of possibilities.

just wanted to spread the word.

food donation

Land O'Lakes is donating $1 for every person who clicks on their web site.

Go to their website (listed below) and click on the top right side of the

screen where it says: “You Click, We donate. It's that easy.”

Please feel free to pass this on to all of your friends. Food shelves need our

donations more than ever this year!

http://www.landolakesinc.com

pink gloves

how fitting ... after I wrote this last blog about my Avon Breast Cancer Walk, my mom sent me this email. please check it out.

all you need to do is click on the video then you can delete it right away it's the click on it that matters and you'll help in the fight against breast cancer thank you so much! In honor of breast cancer awareness! When the video gets 1 million hits, Medline will be making a huge contribution to the hospital, as well as offering free mammograms for the community. Please check it out. It's an easy and great way to donate to a wonderful cause, and who hasn't been touched by breast cancer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

Avon Outreach

I just attended an introduction meeting for Avon's Breast Cancer Walk, happening June 2010. I've done The Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society a couple of times; once as an individual walker, then the following year as team captain for the local mom's club in was involved with. it was very satisfying for me, and since then, my heart aches to help in any way I can.

Avon's walk is set up much differently than the ACS Relay. for one, this is a 39 mile trek in the Rocky Mountain region; 26 miles on Saturday then the remaining 13 on Sunday. I have NEVER walked anything close to this, ever. I think th

e longest continuous walk I've done is 5 or so miles.

they also have every registered walker commit to raising $1800. they don't really care if you come individually or create a team, anyone can join.

it's a fundraiser, but also much more. attending the walk itself will not raise any more money, but it is to come together for the cause, to see survivors & co-survivors, to see exactly where your fundraising

efforts are going to, to hear stories & testimonies, to encourage hope & offer support. I'm sure to be in the presence of women who have to fight this fight, or help others fight, will be inspiring.

I was telling Matt all about it and he will support me, but he honestly doesn't see the point of the walk itself. he's always been pessimistic about the medical industry, believing it's one big conspiracy and everyone is just in it for the money. but more so, he also believes God giveth, and He taketh away.

for me, the conspiracy part is partially true. just the evils of the industry, the world. but I too believe God gives and rightly takes away, but I also believe that God works through other people (like the doctors & nurses) and also using foundations such as Avon and ACS.

one of my favorite passages. you should read it.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

being a registered walker, they will be assigning me someone to work with me to make sure I get to $1800, as well as, work with me on training. because I WILL need to train. 39 miles in 2 days?! oh my goodness, I'm in for a butt-whoopin'! but hopefully starting now (6 months away) I can do it. I honestly haven't been to the gym since I was pregnant with Elliott, so it's definitely time to get off my butt and get physical again. so yay for getting skinny! another plus to starting now, I will lose some weight before Hawaii!

I have a GPS in my car, and as I was driving home the other day I noticed how far away the next town is, it's about 15 miles. so I guess some days I'll have Matt drop me off and I'll just walk home. seems crazy, but that's only 1/2 of the first day!

as far as the $1800 goes, I'm planning on using my Avon business to help promote it. so with that, along with my friends and family, I'm hoping to exceed my goal. I should be getting a website set up for it soon, and when I do, I'll be sure to post it. every $1 helps!

so in the future, I'll be blogging about this journey. it doesn't exactly compare to having cancer, but it's the least I can do to help.

have you participated in Avon's Breast Cancer Walk before? tell me about it.

a simple request

this was brought to my attention from a friend of mine on facebook.

A friend of a friend of a friend has a 5 yr old son Noah. He is in the last stages of 2 1/2 yr battle with Neuroblastoma Cancer. The family is celebrating Christmas next week and Noah's request is to get lots of Christmas cards. Let's get him some!

Please send cards to:

Noah Biorkma

1141 Fountain Viewcircle

South Lyon, MI 4817

if you're wondering what neuroblastoma cancer is, check this out. pass it on!

easy giving

I have the tendency to hang onto old magazines; there is so much information in them, it's hard to just throw them away.

I recently came across one from Christmas time and found some great resources for anytime of the year.  whatever the economy, we shop simply because there are things we need, and it's the things we want that need to be under control!

so since your going to shop anyway, check these out -

here you will be able to shop many major retailers, while a portion is donated to a non-profit organization of your choice!  over 20,000 to choose from!

here you can shop and 35% will go to the charity of your choice.

and here you can purchase pre-paid visa or mastercard gift cards, and 10% goes to a charity of choice.

happy shopping!