OT: Doing Christmas cards,etc..getting ready 4 $$

[wwjdthrume]

seagull said:

I spent the day working on Christmas cards and wrapping gifts... so that will be out of the way before the $$ comes

We will be so busy AFTER the money comes.

Last year I missed Christmas...
went to work one day and didn't go home for months
a bit like Rip Van Winkle

Hi Seagull, It won't be too difficult to buy presents with money. You can always hire a few personal shoppers and assistants to help out with the extra chores.

I hope we have some money before Christmas. It's only been three years since the party in Vegas where 'our good news' was going to be revealed. It's past time to let the owners know what they own and boot the criminals to the curb (if there aren't enough jails or righteous judges to send them there).

IMO-Debi

[wwjdthrume]

Hi Seagull, Great idea. I agree on not making Christmas commercial. But I still love to give and receive gifts from those I love. It doesn't need to come from a store or cost a lot. It really is the thoughtfulness that counts.

Other great gift ideas are sponsoring children through World Vision, helping to build a school or a hospital through one of their many programs. Or funding one on your own. It doesn't cost a lot to build a hospital in a developing nation. Check out some of the possibilities via the link on my CMKX day of hope board. www.CMKXdayofhope.proboards37.com

I love the idea of getting kids involved with helping others. It could be by buying an animal through Heifer International to help people feed themselves or earn money, it could be helping to feed the hungry here in a soup kitchen, or buying Christmas gifts for a family that can't afford to buy gifts.

Doing good is a habit worth getting.

IMO-Debi

[Tyfel]

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to KNOW in advance that those we want to help also want to help themselves???

I live in a place that has the highest per-capita public assistance costs in the country.....the second highest unemployment rate, AND the third highest incidence of morbid obesity....

I get SO tired of seeing young (teens) women with two or three little kids in the grocery check-out line using food stamps and complaining that the "govament" hasn't given them the increased allotment that they "deserve".

I would give anything to be able to "see" in advance whether or not the person I'm trying to help is willing to help him/herself....If it were possible to do that, I would gladly give everything I could to help him/her.....But I'll be d@&N3d if I'll give ANYTHING to someone who, not only thinks I SHOULD, but then has the nerve to tell me that what I give is not enough...

It's no wonder to me that we, as a country- as a people, are so much more willing to give to those in "third world" countries than we are to give to "our own"...at least in those poorer countries people seem to be more willing to help themselves.

Sorry.....just venting...but you ladies definitely hit a sore spot with this old man.

[wwjdthrume]

tyfel said:

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to KNOW in advance that those we want to help also want to help themselves???

I live in a place that has the highest per-capita public assistance costs in the country.....the second highest unemployment rate, AND the third highest incidence of morbid obesity....

I get SO tired of seeing young (teens) women with two or three little kids in the grocery check-out line using food stamps and complaining that the "govament" hasn't given them the increased allotment that they "deserve".

I would give anything to be able to "see" in advance whether or not the person I'm trying to help is willing to help him/herself....If it were possible to do that, I would gladly give everything I could to help him/her.....But I'll be d@&N3d if I'll give ANYTHING to someone who, not only thinks I SHOULD, but then has the nerve to tell me that what I give is not enough...

It's no wonder to me that we, as a country- as a people, are so much more willing to give to those in "third world" countries than we are to give to "our own"...at least in those poorer countries people seem to be more willing to help themselves.

Sorry.....just venting...but you ladies definitely hit a sore spot with this old man.

Hi Tyfel, I think we can know in advance if the people we wish to help want to help themselves. Offer them a job to earn the money they want. They could rake leaves, wash a car, shovel snow, do some job that doesn't require a special skill other than the desire to help better their lot in life. If they are disabled, they may need a little more flexibility to be able to help themselves; but I think everyone needs to make an effort to be responsible for their own life.

One of the reasons I like World Vision so much is that it isn't a handout. It's a hand up. It gives people the tools they need to reach sustainable development. (The place where they no longer need financial contributions to continue their progress). It can work here with those we want to help. Ask them what they would need to help them have the kind of life they hope to have with their children. What kind of job they envision for themselves. Some people really do just need some financial help to get them on that road. Others need a kick in the backside. Money can't fix character issues. Feeling entitled to be lazy and have society support you and your offspring is a character issue. Not being able to find work that will enable you to feed and house your family are society's issues.

I hope that we can all help develop meaningful jobs for those who are willing to work. During the Great Depression people were ashamed to take a handout of food or money, even when it was badly needed. Today many welfare recipients don't even give it a thought. I cringe when I read about advocates for those on welfare 'demanding' more money or benefits for those unwilling to work.

I think most American's want to help those who need help and desire to help themselves. We can support those charities that work with those types of clients. Habitat for Humanity comes to mind. Funding Scholarships is another way. Funding a community work project is another. There are multiple community groups that could use a worker or two to help clean the premises, help with setting up or breaking down rooms for meetings or activities. This can be a win win situation for everyone involved.

IMO-Debi