Day 79: Brown Boots--like new

Another pair of boots has made it out of my closet and into the Planet Aid box in front of the wine store on Highway 28. Happy day. These boots looked great (but didn't feel great) with a suede platform-like heel and a rich brown color.  I even tried them on again this morning to make sure that parting with them was the right decision. I might have been clued in by the fact that I haven't worn them in two years and they look like they are brand new, but I still tried them on, stood up, and immediately pictured myself stumbling down the hallway at school desperate to reach the copy room in the main office not wanting to let on to anyone that my shoes were ridiculous.

I just saw something similar this past week at school with a student.  She had really cute, but really tall brown boots on, and when she got up to turn her essay in, I noticed her wobbling all the way to my desk and all the way back. It wasn't 8:00 a.m. yet, and I completely felt her pain.  Not only was that a mistake I would make in high school, it was a mistake that I still make today and probably will continue to make. There's nothing worse than seeing someone in adorable shoes struggling to walk and pretending like everything is fine; I have the purest empathy for any woman in that situation. In fact, I think I only know one person (my friend Nancy) who can consistently wear high heeled shoes and look satisfied with the world at the same time. I think Nancy could wear her high heels for 18 hours and still stand for the final two hours of the night.

All that being said, I bet I will wear my uncomfortable strappy high heeled black sandals to prom again this year. They look good after all.

Day 78: $1 to Japan aid via Salvation Army via Fresh Market

I went to Fresh Market today in search of some good plums and some fresh fish for dinner tomorrow night. I got two different types of plums and some Parmesan tilapia. (Also one square of chocolate and some little pretzel nuggets with peanut butter inside.) I had a feeling that Fresh Market would have an opportunity to donate to something. They seem like a socially-conscience organization.  (After all, they label their fruit as organic or conventional).  I was right. They have a code to put into the register and then a customer can donate whatever amount he/she wants.  Can't get easier than that.  The sign for customers said that the money would go to the Salvation Army and then to Japan.

Day 77: $10 to the Red Cross for aid to Japan

Finally. I gave some support to Japan. The Red Cross website is really great because they allow you to donate using your Amazon Payments account.  I'm just lazy enough to put off donating when I don't want to get up, find my purse and locate my credit card. Also, I trust the Red Cross enough to think that my small donation just might actually make the smallest difference somewhere. I hope so. I still may look into Matthew 25 Ministries as well.

Day 76: $1 Pediatric Brain Cancer

My official donation for today was $1 at Gold Star Chili. They are running a fundraiser for money to fight pediatric brain cancer. This is the second time I've given at Gold Star. I went back to try the vegetarian chili on a three-way instead of in a burrito (better). While there, I also donated a quarter to the fight against childhood lymphoma. This sounds like a paltry donation, but they have this little cardboard stand that has spots for quarters only, so that's what you are supposed to do. 

Later, I stopped by Whole Foods to pick up some more pixie tangerines before California is radiated by the nuclear plume coming from Japan and I have to start hoarding oranges from Florida instead. I gave spare change to the Whole World Foundation. I forgot my own bag (hate it when I do that) so I didn't get a wooden nickel to donate to any other charities.  The cashiers at Whole Foods are so nice. I wonder how they hire them that way.

That's really three doantions for the day, although all quite small.

Day 75: Ronald McDonald again

Today was a pitiful day for giving. (So pitiful, in fact, that I'm actually blogging about today tomorrow.) Before 7:00 a.m. I had donated 52 cents--the change from my morning Diet Coke--to Ronald McDonald. But it was downhill from there. On these days when I'm working two jobs and then have plans for dinner afterward, I am apt to forget to donate anything else, and that is exactly what I did. I will make up for it on Thursday (which is actually today).  I'm still trying to rack my brain to think of anytning else that I gave way yesterday.  Food?  Pencils? I've got nothing.