I Believe In Karma

In case you couldnt tell

2011-11-11T10:19:00.001-05:00

This is more or less dead.
I am still doing good things, and you should be, too.
I have been super busy over the past few months, and I just had to let go of a few things.
This blog was, unfortunately, the one I had to choose.
Peace and Love

A new job

2009-07-14T13:04:00.002-04:00

I was GIVEN a fantastic job on July 10th. I work from home, building the events page for www.windsorinsider.ca
I didn't have to apply, and it came right when I started needing a second income stream.
I feel like I should do some good in order to balance out

Make the city pretty

2009-05-24T18:59:00.002-04:00

I have been all over the place lately, both physically and mentally, and I needed to write something in a sort of hidden place. I understand it's the internet, but this is a blog that not many people follow, and those of you that do, I appreciate you sticking around for the very rare post that still happens.

I live in a car city, Windsor, Ontario. There is no one that I know here that has not been directly affected by layoffs in the auto sector. Because of this, there is quite a low morale across the entire city.

Everyone is sort of going through the motions, trudging back and forth to a job that may or may not be there tomorrow.

I am trying to cheer everyone up with the help of 2 sticks, some string, and some friends.

We are yarn bombers. We knit brightly coloured things and tie them around cold, hard, inanimate objects around the city. So far, our favourite targets are parking meters and bike racks.

We have gotten mostly positive feedback so far. Everything from people just smiling as they walk past, to saying "cool" when we tell them what we're doing. I have also seen people outside a bar, touching it and saying how interesting it is, and wondering who was doing it. I stood nearby, smiling to myself, knowing that I was doing my part to cheer up a city stuck in a rut.

If you would like to see more, here is a post on my knitting blog all about it.

Stuff the Bus

2008-12-15T09:41:00.003-05:00

Local charities have an annual Stuff the Bus drive, where they collect cash donations, toys, clothing and blankets.
Yesterday, my Mother and I brought 5 blankets, 35 knitted hats, clothing and canned goods to donate.
The hats were made on Knifty Knitters over the past couple years, and we were just trying to figure out a place to bring them.
Check to see if your local charities are doing any sort of collection this holiday season. Many are accepting things you may already have at home and don't use.

Free Rice

2008-12-02T14:26:00.002-05:00

You may have noticed I added a Free Rice button on the side bar here.
Free Rice is a fantastic website. If you haven't heard of it, the basic idea is that you are given a word, and 4 words that potentially mean the same thing. You choose the one that has the same meaning, and if you are correct, 10 grains of rice are donated to help end world hunger.
This is something I do in my spare time, while I'm waiting for the blogs I'm following to update, or just when I feel like exercising the ol' noggin.
They have an option to learn in a few languages, as well as many other subjects.
I have tried out the French option, and I am a little disappointed. Many of the words you are given have the article included. This is unnecessary, but I suppose it's not of great concern.
Other than that small issue, I think it's an excellent site, with a great cause!

New Born Babies

2008-11-29T10:59:00.002-05:00

Like I said in my other blog, my friend Jess just had her baby on the 27th.
When I went to the hospital to visit, I brought some knitted hats with me. Every newborn gets a knitted hat, often made by a local knitter.
I have been making hats on Knifty Knitter looms for who knows how long, and I finally brought them in with me.
This is something I have been doing for a while. I plan on also making more soon for Knit One Save One.

Helping others directly

2008-11-24T23:10:00.002-05:00

I take the bus nearly everywhere. I do not drive, so this is what I have chosen as an alternative.
Recently, I was getting on the bus at a non-transfer stop. I don't know if all cities operate this way, but basically, we can only use our transfers at certain stops where the routes cross.
Two boys, a couple years younger than myself, were getting on the bus at the same time, and handed a transfer to the driver.
We were one stop away from a transfer stop, and she said they would have to board there or pay the bus fare. After a couple minutes of arguing, and figuring that if they did RUN to the next stop, she would still pass them by, I opted to pay both their bus fares and file a complaint with the bus company.
A few thank yous later, and other passengers questioning why it took so long, we were settled into our seats, and an older gentleman came up to the three of us and handed us all 2 student bus tickets.
He said he only gives them to people who deserve them.

Salvation Army

2008-11-23T09:57:00.003-05:00

I know the holidays are coming. The season always seems to start a little earlier every year. My official start date is when I see the Salvation Army Kettles stationed at different places I go.
We have one where I work.
Generally, I don't carry cash with me at any time. I happened to have about $7 in change on me yesterday as I was leaving work. The bell ringer was just getting ready to go home, and I sort of ran over to make my donation.
I have never donated to a Salvation Army kettle before in my life. I never carry money on me, except when it has a specific need, like bus fare or something where cash is required. This year, I felt compelled to donate.
Many charities are out collecting in full force this holiday season. Times are tough for many people, but if you can donate even a dollar, you are helping.
Skip your visit to the coffee shop once a week, or brown bag your lunch and donate what money you would have spent to a charity of your choosing.

Work related

2008-11-20T21:10:00.002-05:00

My boss is a fantastic woman. She puts so much time into a job she seems to have mixed feelings about, and all she gets back is crap. Whether it's from one of the employees in our department, an other department or the store manager, she rarely gets the praise and thank-yous she deserves.
Today, we had a much larger delivery than we usually get. She started her shift about 2 hours after we got the delivery.
As soon as the shipment came in, I, along with my co-workers, started unloading, checking off the invoice, putting stock out etc.
Our collective unspoken goal was to get everything done by the time she started her shift.
We all knew that if we got this done, it would make her pretty darn happy, and keep her off our backs for at least the rest of the shift.
She was impressed. And gave us all one less closing shift next week.

Sorry.

2008-11-19T09:03:00.003-05:00

There is not other way to put this, but I feel like I am forcing my stories.
I have done this with other blogs, and I hate myself for it, I am not learning from my mistakes.
I will try to update as often as possible with quality stories.
Generally, I will update once a week at the bare minimum, but I'm shooting for twice a week.
What I post will be of much better quality.
I don't consider this failing my challenge, but improving myself and this blog to have longevity.

GAH!

2008-11-17T22:48:00.003-05:00

I really don't think I will meet my goal of 30 posts this month with the way I have been updating as of late!
Lately, I have been working like mad, doing a bit of partying and doing hair.
The other night at the bar, a friend of mine found himself a little too... "happy" to drive home... He was initially supposed to be the designated driver, but it was his birthday a few days before, and people were buying him drinks.
Instead of letting him fend for himself, and the 4 other people who were intoxicated that he was supposed to drive as well, I called up Cruise Control and got us all a ride home. On my tab.

Coffee For The Boys

2008-11-13T19:17:00.002-05:00

I have several friends that work at the local mall. I make an effort to visit as many of them as possible while I'm there, because we don't get to see each other as often as we would like to due to opposite work schedules and such.
Today, I had time to kill, and decided to bring them each their favourite beverage from Tim Horton's.
I dropped the first one off to my friend who works at the health food store. He gave me a discount on what I purchased from there.
I also brought one to my hairstylist friend, J. This guy is awesome. I tell him to do what he wants with my hair, and it always ends up awesome. When I brought him his drink, he was working on a client. I sat in the waiting area while he was finishing the cut. He called me over, to show me the cut he was doing. As a future stylist myself, this was something I appreciated. His manager came over, and asked me a few questions about my own hair. I informed her that J has been doing my cuts for a couple months now, and I have always been happy.
She absolutely flipped out. Called the rest of the stylists over, and before I knew it, I had 5 or so women and 2 men looking through my hair, offering me styling product, cheap colour and free hair cuts. They all wanted a chance to play with my hair.
I now have at least 2 stylists who are willing to cut and/or colour my hair for free as long as they can take the reins.
Free colour and cuts? Sure.
All this, just for bringing a coffee.

Animals

2008-11-12T10:54:00.002-05:00

I am an animal lover. I currently have 2 Guinea pigs, and if i had the time/money/space, I would have many more small animals. My parents will kill me if I bring any home anytime soon.

Today, when I was cleaning their cage, I noticed we had a few things bought on sale that our piggies, Atticus and Wanda, don't really care for. Treats, different brands of food and the like. I gathered them all up, put them in a box, along with newspaper, paper towels and a few god toys we have for some reason. My mom just brought them to the Humane Society.
I'm hoping to make some home made dog treats for them, as well. They don't usually need treats, but they do need raffle prizes for some of their charity events, and I thought a bag of home made dog treas would be a nice prize.

Girl Guides of Canada

2008-11-11T19:47:00.002-05:00

From the age of 4, until I was around 13, I was a Girl Guide. Not a Girl Scout, I am Canadian.
Guiding was a big part of my life. I met some people in my first year of Brownies that I can still call a friend today, 15 years later.
At work, we have the option to donate to any number of charities. They encourage us to donate to our company charity, but I looked through the list of options, and Girl Guides of Canada was an option.
I donated a small amount from my first pay check of 2009 to them.
This money will go to help girls
Make new friends.
Go on camping trips.
Learn how to sew.
Learn how to tie a hockey/figure skate and go skating.
And most importantly, find a place to belong.

Support the troops part 3

2008-11-10T11:44:00.003-05:00

Today I got around to writing a few short notes to go along with the decks of cards and personal hygiene items being sent to Afghanistan.
We used little note cards, cut in half, and stuck into the boxes the decks are in.
Short things like Dear Soldier, Your work is appreciated -Nicole

I recently finished the huge blanket I was knitting, so I can hopefully get back to charity knitting real soon!

Twitter?

2008-11-09T21:19:00.001-05:00

This is posted to both of my blogs.
I have signed up with Twitter. Mostly because "everyone is doing it". But also because it's an other way to promote whatever you have to promote. In my case, my blogs. And eventually a store of some sort (more than likely Etsy).
Now, this is my Twitter
http://twitter.com/3rd_timesacharm
I hear you can follow it, like Blogger.
Follow mine, I will follow yours. Promise!

Support the troops Part 2

2008-11-09T14:16:00.004-05:00

Sorry I didn't post yesterday! I was out with mom, then got called into work for a longer shift than I was scheduled for.
When I was out shopping, we ended up at a store that was going out of business. Looking around, I found a ton of lip balm, and baby wipes. For a dollar a package. I got 10 packs of 2 tubes of lip balm and 10 packs of baby wipes to send to the troops.
I will be sending one of each for the guys we know that are going over, and send as many as will fit for the others.
For $20, I hopefully let 20 soldiers know that their work is appreciated.

Support the troops

2008-11-07T11:11:00.002-05:00

I'm not giving my opinion on the troops presence in Afghanistan.
I have a few close friends who are going to be deployed within the next 2 years. I also found out my Mother's friends 2 sons are going over in the next couple weeks.
A few months back, we received about 200 decks of cards from the local casino for a charity euchre tournament. TWO HUNDRED DECKS!? Way more than what we needed, but the casino was changing names anyway.
When we got the cards, they were not sorted into full decks, but shoved into boxes in whatever order they fell in.
My mom and I have been sorting them into full decks off and on, as we need them for various events.
We decided to sort as many decks as we can in the next couple weeks to send over with the guys we know.
I will also be hand writing some letters and sending them with the cards.

Good karma is nice

2008-11-06T21:08:00.002-05:00

I just got home from a gala night at my place of employment: a grocery store. We are changing companies and had a tour of the store, tried new product and had a few draws for various products the store sells.
I won a panini grill.
I'm not a particularly lucky person, I don't win stuff often, but this was super nice.

Coffee Break

2008-11-06T11:30:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I visited a friend that lives about a half hour away. My mom had to go to the car dealership in the same area to get something looked at.
When I left my friends, I walked to a Tim Hortons and got a box of coffee, for lack of a better word.
I brought it to the car dealership, gave my mom a cup first, and sat it on the table in the lobby and told the guys that were working that coffee was ready.
Those guys could not have been happier.
There is something about Canadians and Tim Hortons. They're drawn to each other.

The Canadian Cancer Society

2008-11-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

As an Ontario High School student, one must complete 40 hours of community service between grade 9 and grade 12. When I was in school, I completed over 400 hours. I still managed to have a job during grade 11 and 12, and kept a fairly active social life throughout the entire 4 years.
The Canadian Cancer Society was one of the biggest benefactors to those hours. My mother has been a team captain for the Relay For Life for the past few years, and quite a bit of work comes along with that title.
On top of all the work captains do, she did extra things, like stuffing envelopes, random paper work, made photocopies and other work that no one wants to do.
After I graduated, I often went with her to the office to do a few of these things. The ladies that work there are awesome, and it's always nice to catch up with them.
Over the past few days, Mom has been finishing up last years Relay stuff, and is just starting on getting this year's ready.
I have offered to help with whatever the Cancer Society needs me for again this year.
Over the past few days, Mom and I have been stuffing envelopes once again. This task is simple, but something everyone can do.
I encourage everyone to help out with a group that is important to them. The Cancer Society is a great place to help.

Talking to bloggers

2008-11-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

I have spent some time talking to other bloggers over the past few days. Adding other crafters to my Following list, leaving comments on entries I like and other things.
One thing I have been trying to do is leave a nice comment whenever the blog author is feeling down. Whether it be a joke to make them giggle, an "I agree, that does suck" or something else, I like to leave a little something letting them know that they are not alone.
I have gotten emails and messages on LiveJournal with words of encouragement and anecdotes of their own.
When nearly complete strangers send you things like that, letting you know they care, it's awesome.

Official challenge details!

2008-11-03T10:27:00.004-05:00

I've figured out what I want from my NaNoWriMo type challenge.
Daily blog updates
-Both blogs updated 30 times each throughout the month. One a day if possible, but I want at least 30 on each.
-10,000 words in blog posts during the month.
50,000 knit stitches
-I'm going to figure out how many stitches are in each dishcloth. I'm guessing I have just over 100 rows left on the blanket, which means 20,000 stitches. (Almost halfway to the goal!)
25 total followers
-This isn't a priority. But it would be awesome if it happened!
If all of these happen, I will donate half my proceeds from the craft show to charity.

Does anyone have a charity suggestion?

A challenge!

2008-11-02T21:53:00.003-05:00

Over at my knitting blog, I posted a challenge for myself: posting to both of my blogs every day until the end of the month.
This is an attainable task for myself, I am THE serial blogger, after all.
My goal is basically to update both of my blogs daily for the duration of the month. Life will probably get in the way at least once, but I'm hoping to have a few mini posts ready to add in the next day or something. Or queue up a couple posts if I know I will be away from the computer.
A secondary goal is to knit 50,000 stitches during the month. Also doable.
If I attain both of these goals, I will donate half my proceeds from my craft show to a charity I will figure out later.
Oh no. I have set myself up for trouble!
I hope all of my followers will hold me to this!
I WILL UPDATE TOMORROW WITH MY OFFICIAL RULES FOR MY CHALLENGE!

Oh, and Dad thought the clocks hadn't been changed yet...

Daylight Savings Time

2008-11-02T18:30:00.001-05:00

I hate Daylight Savings. It's so much work changing all the clocks and phones and thermostat and everything. Usually my Dad does all this, but this morning, before I went to work, I ran around the house changing as many clocks as possible.
Once I get home, I will see if he noticed, or if he assumed it hadn't been changed yet and changed the clocks again!

A great end to Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2008-11-01T15:15:00.003-04:00

Halloween is probably my favourite holiday. I'm not really sure why, but I really, really like it.
Last night, we got around 30 trick or treaters, which is actually a lot compared to years passed. One little girl, around 7, showed up dressed in pink head to toe. Looking out the door, I assumed a princess, but then I noticed she was carrying a little pink piggy bank. As I walked to open the door, I noticed pink breast cancer awareness ribbons n her clothes, and painted onto the piggy bank.
When I opened the door, and got the candy out, she asked for a cash donation for breast cancer research. I said she would have to give me a minute to get some money from my room, but her and her father were more than welcome to wait inside the front door.
In the couple minutes I spoke to them, I found out the little girl's mother and grandmother had both been diagnosed with breast cancer, and the little girl wanted to help make them better.
It was all her idea.
I nearly cried as I poured my piggy banks contents into hers.
If everyone would be as generous and thoughtful as this little girl, the world would know peace.

On the bus

2008-10-30T16:48:00.001-04:00

I have purple hair. Not all purple, but about half of my head is, and the rest is blonde and black.
I also have my septum pierced.
When I was on the bus this afternoon, there was a flock of older ladies. I'm sure flock is the incorrect term, but a brigade of old broads is rude. Nearly all of them were using walkers.
I jumped up to help all of them off the bus, because no one else did, and I'm used to helping people with walking difficulties.
The first silver haired lady refused my help, and almost fell out of the bus as a result. The minute her feet hit the ground, she took off as fast as she could.
The next few ladies were much more appreciative of my help. All "Thank-You" and "Have A Great Day" from them.
I know I'm guilty of it as well, but judging one bases solely on appearances sucks.
I'm a productive member of society, I just choose to have purple hair this week.

Helping with Household Chores

2008-10-28T22:44:00.003-04:00

I woke up this morning and decided to take a shower so I could wash my freshly dyed hair. Upon entering the bathroom, and staring the water, I noticed there was quite a soap scum buildup on the one wall of the shower.
I decided to clean it before I showered for the simple reason that I wouldn't feel clean coming out of the shower if I left it that way. Yes, it was that bad.
This turned into cleaning the entire bathroom.
Once finished, my mother was very appreciative. A thank you was given, but little else.

Health and Beauty

2008-10-26T20:30:00.004-04:00

My mother is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the local Knights of Columbus. They are currently doing a collection for personal care type items. Shampoo, soap, make up, feminine hygiene, deodorant etc.
I somehow accumulate samples of everything. I went through my room this evening after work, and got 9 miniature bottles of shampoo (some hotel sized ones, too), 2 soaps, 3 bottles of nail polish, miscellaneous feminine hygiene items, and a couple of face washes I have used once, and didn't like.
I encourage all of you to check with your local food banks and churches to see if they know of somewhere that collects such things. Many will even take half empty bottles of shampoo and the like, because it is something that is used by nearly everyone, and thus used up quickly.
I also plan to keep an eye out for super awesome sales at the local drug and grocery stores on such things. Often, one chain drug store has toothpaste on for 25 cents a tube (this is known in the industry as a loss leader) with a limit of 4. I will get my 4 from every single store within walking distance.

Today is a bad day

2008-10-24T20:59:00.003-04:00

I am not having a good day.
I hope this Karma thing kicks in soon, I could go for some happy thoughts.

Oh, goodness

2008-10-24T16:56:00.001-04:00

Apparently, I fail.
I thought I proof read everything before I started this blog.
I didn't.
I missed the darn URL.
So, now this blog sits at http://iampayingitforward.blogspot.com

All smiles

2008-10-23T23:53:00.003-04:00

Today was a great day. I had a few errands to run, and got all but one for my mother done (which wasn't my fault, the store hadn't opened yet).
I don't drive, so I take our cities horrible excuse for a public transit system.
I smiled and said hello to every single person that I made eye contact with.
I got a few smiles in return, and some strange looks. Either way, I will continue this whenever I can!

Splitting wood

2008-10-22T14:44:00.002-04:00

Let me start this by saying I'm a city kid. I've grown up in a town with a population of somewhere between 20 000 and 25 000. This town is right outside a "city" of just over 200 000 people. What follows will seem strange to both city and county people.
My dad rented a log splitter this morning in order to split a cord and a half (I think? Like I said, I'm a city kid) of wood. We use this wood to have our weekly fire in our washer drum fire pit.
When he rented the splitter, he anticipated splitting wood from 10 this morning, until dinner time. Now, my dad is nearing 50, and due to a really bad car accident a couple years ago, he has a bad back. While he was having his lunch, I got out there, and split 2 wheelbarrows stacked high and then brought them to the storage area and left them there.
By the time he came back out from lunch, I had most of what was left to split done, and I had already started burning the bark and little bits of wood that weren't worth stacking.
I could have stayed inside and knit, but by going out there and helping out, it payed off for me: my dad said he would drive me to and from work every day for a week.

Knitting and such

2008-10-21T12:08:00.000-04:00

I am an avid knitter. I do knit for profit, but I do enjoy doing some charity knitting now and then.
On LiveJournal, I am a member of Homespun Helpers. These ladies (and gents?) are awesome. Crocheters, knitters, quilters and so on.
I have about 20 hats made on my Knifty Knitter that I am going to try to bring to the Downtown Mission this week. I really want to get them in before it gets too cold.
I have only shown a few of my finished hats over there. Mostly because I never know where they all are. My mom finished all the ends for me a few weeks back when she had her knee surgery.

Christmas Shopping

2008-10-20T21:07:00.003-04:00

After finishing work today, my Mother came to pick me up and get a little grocery shopping done.
Like I said in a past entry, we are under renovations. Because of the renovations, many departments are being temporarily eliminated. One such is the toys. The toys have nearly all be marked 50% off, or an even larger discount, depending on the initial price.
I found a rather large box of super soft stuffed animals, selling for around $3 each. I purchased nearly all of them. (A couple had small tears where the filling was poking out)
I have no specific purpose for these as of yet, but I know they will end up in one local toy drive or an other.

Work

2008-10-19T19:40:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I worked a 5 hour shift at a grocery store that is currently under major renovations. We're owned by a larger corporation that has decided to eliminate our store name and change it to an other name. Stupid, really, but that's beside the point.
Because of all this construction, no one knows where anything is. Not even most of the employees.
I took it upon myself yesterday to at the very least learn where everything in my department was. I work in the deli, and we have quite a bit of stock in our islands.
I greeted every single person that passed by me with a genuine smile, and asking them if they needed any help.
Obviously, most people did, and I got many "thank yous" in return.
I learned a lot from doing this. The main thing? A smile breaks down many barriers.

Online

2008-10-19T11:26:00.003-04:00

Today, I am trying to show people how much I appreciate them. I have been sending messages via FaceBook, saying things like "i miss you", "hope everything is going well" and the like. If even one person says this to someone else, I will be happy today.
I am a very... flirtatious, for lack of a better word, person. I enjoy hugs and hand holding, kisses on the cheek and random phone calls to check in. I like to let people know how much they mean to me.
I know first hand how fast people disappear. Whether it be they pass away, or just lose touch with the rest of the world.

Welcome

2008-10-18T11:16:00.000-04:00

I am a serial blogger. I believe in keeping records of what I do on a somewhat regular basis.
I also believe in Karma.
I don't belong to any religion in particular, but I do have a faith of some sort.
This blog is to document what I am doing every day (or almost) to improve my life, by helping others. I will eventually introduce myself, and what I do but that's all boring right now.