Sound off.....

I wasn't going to bore you with this, but then got to thinking.....I'll just bet there are a lot of people out there that feel exactly the same way I do about this. Let's see.

I had noticed a certain toll-free number on my caller I.D. a LOT. Sometimes twice in one day. Yet no message was ever left on my answering machine. A few times I was here but I won't answer toll free calls or unlisted or 'caller unknown' so left it to go into the machine only to hear a "click". Then I became curious. Who in the hell is trying so hard to get ahold of me, yet won't leave a message. I made up my mind to answer it next time I got one.....I knew I wouldn't have to wait long.

A few days ago, I received one. When the phone rang, I nearly killed myself to get to it so I could see who was calling. Yep, there it was, same toll-free number. I answered it on the third ring only to be disconnected. That did not set well with me. The next day I received another one and again could not make it until the third ring and was again disconnected. My curiosity was killing me, I must admit....although I was fairly certain it had to be a solicitor. I wanted to answer it for no other reason than to tell them off. How fast do they think an old lady can move, for cryin' out loud.

Yesterday I received one and this time I was right by the phone and got it on the first ring. The wind was blown out of my sails when she announced that she was from "(I'll hold back the name)" Well, I certainly could not tell her off....not a charity, although a lot of them have overstepped their bounds on some occasions. I did not tell her off but was rather curt. I have never given to this particular charity. Matter of fact, I'll tell you that I do not give to charities unless they are non-profit. I want 100% of the donations to go to the cause; I'm not paying someone's wages. I'm sorry, but that's how I feel. Check out what some of these executives of certain charities obtain in wages and you'll see why.

Anyway, she was quick to say that she wasn't asking for a donation. The scenario here is that they send you 20 informative brochures, donation cards and envelopes. You are supposed to stuff these, put postage on them and then TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR FRIENDSHIPS by sending these to all your friends and neighbors. It further irritated me that she had my name and address. I hate it that we no longer have privacy. They have you in a fail-fail situation here. I would LOVE to know what IDIOT came up with this hair-brained idea. First of all, that's a lot of work. Secondly, when your "friends" receive these, they are ticked off for sure because now they have to send money or look bad in the eyes of the whole neighborhood. They don't even want to get around you for fear you may ask them if they've sent anything in yet (and they haven't). This is a HORRIBLE idea. I was quick to tell her that No, I do not participate in anything like that, thank you very much, have a nice evening.

I get so much more out of buying a winter coat for a child, or being a secret Santa for a family or saving the lives of 20 dogs and cats. How about you?

Give and Then Give to Cover Costs.....

Is it just ME? I found this horribly amusing…so much so that I laughed my way through to the end of the conversation. I received a phone call tonight…soliciting money for a “good cause”…..aren’t they ALL? Anyway, after courteously listening to his sales pitch, he then asked me if he could count on me for a “small” donation. With a sly smile on my face I suggested an amount and he retorted with, “well, we do ask for a minimum donation of _____ to cover costs and handling, etc." (I thought I was donating for a CAUSE, not costs and handling) WHAT costs and handling? Am I paying someone’s salary? Handling? I’m paying someone to open the envelope to remove my check?

This tickled my funny bone something terrible. Sorry, but I just found this darkly humorous. Someone is asking ME for money….and then they have the audacity to DECLINE an offered amount that they deem TOO SMALL and suggest a higher amount? Forget about being GRATEFUL that you would consider even donating in the first place. Am I missing something here? Is it just me? Did I lose a few brain cells? Anytime I collected for charity, we were happy for every penny. Sigh. Just thinking out loud.

Oh and to answer what you’re probably wondering….yes, I did donate something and it was only because it was for children, which is a soft spot with me.

All that glitters.....

I just HAVE to share this story with you. A few days ago I spoke of giving to a few of my favorite charities. I actually mailed those off on Friday on my way to work. Remember how I said that when you give, you also receive? Ok…. now I have to back up to about 6 months ago.

I had a diamond ring that belonged to my great aunt. The ring was very old (probably 80 years or more) and the diamond very precious, not only because it was valuable, but because it had sentimental value as well. One day at work I looked down and to my horror, discovered an empty setting in my ring; the diamond was gone. I was absolutely sick. I knew I had seen it on my hand the previous evening at home. But I had covered a lot of ground since then. I looked everywhere I could think of to look. Against all odds, I even looked in the toilet when I got home. No luck.

I kept thinking to myself that I would find it but days turned into weeks, which turned into months and I finally began to accept the fact that it was gone.

Today, Monday, I was working updating some business books at work and when I went to put the one binder back in the cubby on my desk I noticed something nestled in the corner inside the cubby. I took my nail and nudged it and as it turned around I could see it was shiny on one side. Upon closer inspection it looked like my diamond….but I had never seen a loose diamond before and I wasn’t sure if maybe it wasn’t a fake rhinestone that may have fallen from someone’s bracelet. I was too scared to let myself HOPE.

I could hardly wait to get off work. I drove directly to the jewelry store and asked the man to look at it, telling him the story. He said it was a diamond….a nice one at that. Worth about $750 all by itself. I cannot think of words to express how elated I feel. But in the back of my mind I keep thinking about what I’ve always believed. Karma. This is my pay-back. This is my reward for helping others less fortunate. I am not a lucky person, so I know it wasn’t luck. To find it after 6 months is amazing. And yes, I did remember to thank God.

Isn’t this a great story? I think this may be one that will be told and re-told in our family. In the meantime, I am going to get it re-set in a new ring; this time with 2 extra prongs to make sure that stone is super secure.

I’ll end this post with a little reminder. If you have diamond rings, take them to the jeweler and have the prongs checked twice a year. Won’t cost you a thing and may save you the heartache of losing a precious stone. I’ve learned my lesson.

Helping Where Its Needed.....

Well, its getting close to the holidays now and with it comes tons of mail from different organizations requesting donations. They are relying on your ‘good heart’ along with Christmas being the season of giving. My name must hit just about every list out there because I get so many requests. I do donate to a favorite few because they are dear to my heart for one reason or another. But I do have a pet peeve about a lot of these charities. I really wish they could be objective and really “see” what WE see on the receiving end.

What is with this enclosing a penny, nickel or dime in the letter while making the plea for your kindness in a donation? I can’t help but sit and think to myself that if they quit doing that, they could put a small fortune into their charity. What brainchild decided that this was an attention getter? If anything, its getting my negative attention.

So, please….you charities out there that are doing this….please stop it and put that money to good use. I don’t want to even BEGIN to think about how much money you’re giving away. For that reason, I have NEVER donated to a charity that does this. My first thought is that you must not need it that bad if you can afford to give it away, albeit nickels and dimes and pennies. They add up!

That being said, I sat down and wrote out checks to a few favorite charities. Sending early to Toys for Tots so they will have time to buy all those toys. Another one to buy a Thanksgiving meal for 15 who are less fortunate than I. Can’t forget about the animals so a check went to the Humane Society. Another one will go to a rescue facility. Another goes to disabled Vets. Every time you give, you get so much back. Even if its no more than a warm feeling, it makes you feel so blessed that you are ABLE to do something for someone else.

My daughter had surgery yesterday. It was some sort of nerve block on her spine. It was risky and we were nervous but put our faith in God as well as the technology that makes this type of surgery possible. She walked out of there only 3 hours later and is fine but it will be a while before we know if the surgery will do for her what its supposed to do. In the meantime I’m grateful for our blessings. Go hug someone today. I mean it. Makes you feel soooo good.