Rockin Out

Relay for Life 2010 Caitlin, Me and Charly!

What better then to combine dancing, friends, costumes (optional) and a great cause? That’s what we thought when we decided that for our group fundraiser this year we were going to hold the Rock Around the Clock Fundraiser dance for the Relay for Life in Maxville ON, in support of Cancer Research.

This will be my teams third year participating together in the Maxville Relay for Life. We are a team of family and friends that are already planning the next year as we walk tiredly to our cars after walking all night long. Are group in comprised of survivors, family members of survivors, people who have lost loved ones to cancer and those whose sole purpose is to raise money for a cause that affects so many people.

For those of you who don’t know of the Relay for Life, it is held all over in various venues for the purpose of raising money for cancer research. I participate in one located in Maxville ON every June. Teams fundraise all year for this night where we all get together and participate in a twelve hour walk. We walk from seven pm to seven am and get to dress up for team laps and participate in activities throughout the evening. It’s an emotional night with the survivor lap and luminaries (bags lit up with names in memory of loved ones or of cancer survivors) surrounding the track. It’s an amazing event that everyone should experience at least once.

So back to our party, we are holding our fundraiser event this year at the Maxville Sports Complex in Maxville, ON.  The theme “Rock around the clock” is hoping to inspire people to dress up (and win some prizes) as rockers from all genres and decades.  If you’re not the type to dress up, like my husband, still come out and have a great time.  We have a great DJ, a late lunch, tons of great prizes and items to bid on, 50/50 and a bar for those of you wishing to drink (please drink responsibly). Tickets are 10$ per person (kids 10 and under get in free) and can be purchased at the door.

We hope to see you at our great event this year, it is sure to be one to remember. If you can’t make it out but would still like to help out and make a difference click on the link below to be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society’s web site and donate to a great cause.

Any questions dont hesitate to msg me, tweet me or email me littlebitsofcrazy@gmail.com. I hope to see you all there , save me a dance!

Lotsa Love,

Tasha

Donate to the Relay for Life

Power Down

In the state the world is in today what better way to reflect and really appreciate everything then powering down for Earth Hour? What will you be doing at 8:30pm EST Saturday March 26^th?

I think that we take a lot of things for granted; personal relationships, the sun, moon and the stars, but most of all the very ground we walk on. If we cannot appreciate the earth that keeps us alive, what can we?

I think that the marketing event that is Earth Hour is ingenious. Create a trendy way to make everyone feel cool about powering down and helping out mother earth. If you asked Joe Blow down the street to power down tomorrow down any other day do you think he would?

It is unfortunate that it takes a global marketing strategy to make the world listen, but it’s great that there is even a time when the world can get together and care about the ground we live on.

It’s amazing how the smallest things matter and count when it comes to giving back and contributing to the earth. We take, take, take and rarely think about giving back, and unfortunate trait of today’s society. It’s like we think that there are no boundaries or limitations to what the earth can withstand.

Now I cannot even pretend that I do everything in my power to be eco friendly; but I do try. My recycling is always out with my garbage and we really pay attention to power usage. But I know there is always more we can do. The great thing is that there are tons of government funded initiatives and websites right at your finger tips (at least in Canada) that encourage you; even pay you to be more eco friendly- you just need to look for them.

In previous years we have had parties in the dark and relied on candle light and guitar music. This year we will be having girls night and dinner by candle light with some good old fashioned girl chit chat.  No movies, music (unless we’re singing) or lights; enjoying company the way it should be.

 I encourage you to partake in Earth hour this year there is an amazing website dedicated to it, http://www.earthhour.org, that you can find out all kinds of information on; as well as some cool games.

What about going beyond an hour or a night a year? What about making it a tradition at date nights or dinner to power down and take in the stars or just some great conversation. With warmer months coming up get outside, have a fire and don’t be afraid to power down more than just an hour out of every year.

Because, just as we need a break or special attention so does the earth we live on; so do her the same courtesy and power down.

Lotsa Love,

Tasha

Spring Cleaning

It’s amazing the things we find in our very own homes when we finally take the time to do our big overhaul spring cleaning.  Clothes that you forgot you put in storage for the next warm season and items that just kept getting moved around until they found a home somewhere in hiding. You’ll hear through the house, “I was looking for these” or “Is this yours? I didn’t know we had this!” lol.

For a while when I would find something that had gone to storage or hidden somewhere only to be found when everything gets pulled out from under the bed or I actually look in my attic/basement, I would recirculate the item, depending on what it was. But we only have so much room in our homes and closets for items so why do we hold on to things we forgot we even had?

Once I came to the realization that if I didn’t miss it while it was missing then why do I need it? I decided that I didn’t and when it comes to cleaning days I have a box and a garbage bag at the ready for my newly found un-missed items to be donated to people who would actually use these items.

It is so easy to get attached to items, because we bought them for a reason or for the fact that they were a gift. But how long should we keep things, how long are we obligated to hold onto gifts?

I realized after helping my Nana move into a smaller apartment and watching her go through all of her items and struggle to get rid of even a piece of plastic fruit, that we are all way too attached to our things. Should we be so dependent on things to bring us happiness or should that be left to the loved ones in our lives?

My sister gave my nana a simple rule, if you want to buy something new then be prepared to get rid of something to make space for it. I really like that rule and have started adapting it for my life as well. I have a small house that is easily cluttered, so minimalizing all our things and leaving more room for people and memories is a much better deal for me.

If we all donated our un-missed items instead of storing them away because we like them or someone gave them to us forever ago, there would be a lot of happy people out there who really need the items more than we do. If you haven’t worn that sweater in over a year chances are you’re not going to anytime soon and those pants don’t fit anymore so stop torturing yourself and give them to someone who will appreciate them

Dee-clutter your life and at the same time give a gift of warmth to someone else in need. Pass on the memories and let that unmissed item get used somewhere else. Make more room in your life and home for the things that you really do need and you’ll be much happier in the end.

Lotsa Love,
Natasha

Be the change

When we think of bullies we picture the mean kid who would beat us up or stole from us in the school yard. I think most people equate bullying with their youth and rarely see what happens in adult life as be bullied.

There are three different types of bullying; emotional, physical and verbal. Bullying can be defined as any repeated act by a person or group that enforces power over another person or group. Think about how many situations in life that can fit in to that definition.

Bullying can happen at home, in school, at work and within your social network to name a few. We need to be confident and defend ourselves and others.  Bullying will never stop in any situation until someone says enough.

Know that the bully is in the wrong and you have every right to sit wherever you want in the cafeteria, talk to whoever you want as no one is owned or go after that promotion. In my experience with bullies, both personal and observed, the bully is screaming out for attention or trying to fill a void. This does not make it okay, but it does make the bully a person instead of a monster and he or she needs guidance and consequence.

What do you do when you see someone being bullied, could you recognize it if you saw it? Some forms of bullying are very in your face and others are slighter. In any case neither is ok and should be stopped. If you see someone being bullied don’t just stand by and watch get help or help the person yourself (be careful not to put yourself in harm’s way). If you’re being bullied tell someone about it and get it to end.

Find your voice and say no to bullying. Trust me it feels much better standing up to someone bullying a friend or stranger then just walking away. Take the power away from the bully by talking to someone and standing up for yourself.

On this day of anti-bullying be a part of the change that could save a life.  Be the good you want to see in this world. Recognize when your behaviours could be perceived as bullying and correct them not just for the other person but for yourself as well.

No matter where you are there is tons of information on the internet (just Google anti bullying), at your school or at work. There are always ways to help!

“Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.” -Benjamin Desraeli

Lotsa Love,

Natasha

Give Back

How many times have you said, “Oh I would love to do that” or “I will donate next time”? And when it comes to community or charitable events, how many times have you? It is so easy to put it off and think that so many others do it, but it is also so easy to find a cause and participate. It doesn’t have to cost you tons of money or even time, choose something that meaningful to you but that also works for your schedule.

 This June will be my third year participating in the Relay for Life which raises money for Cancer Research. At first I joined because my mother-in-law was part of a team and it was for a good cause. It quickly turned into much more than that. Meeting new people while you fundraise, being part of a team, getting to give back and the memories you get to keep from the twelve hour overnight walk around the track are all amazing. I quickly felt like I was getting more from this deal than anyone else. I have also been a part of The Big Bike, The Canadian Army 5k Run and various fund raising activities with Big Brothers & Sisters.

 I think the most important thing is finding a group, organization or shelter that means something to you personally and get involved. It can be as easy as donating an old cell phone to a shelter, grabbing a group of family and friends to go on a walk or taking part in a longer relay or run. You would be surprised to know how many events are constantly being held in your local city or town. When I wanted to be a part of another run I googled runs in my area and came across a staggering amount to choose from.

Having a blast at the
Maxville 2010 Relay for Life!

You can make it an annual tradition, a family affair, get a group together from work or if you do not want to participate; these organizations are always looking for volunteers. Somewhere along the line we get it into our heads that donations are always money, but that is not the case. Sometimes donating your time or some of those clothes you haven’t touched in years can also have an astounding impact. In all the different types of fundraising activities I have been a part of I have never left with a bad feeling or thinking that I wish I didn’t do this; it was always the opposite. I left there feeling elated and rejuvenated that I, this small person in a big world could make something/someone better.

 So next time your work is cleaning up a park, you child’s school is fundraising or you see a ridiculously cheerful group of people looking for volunteers, try it out. You will find out that they are giving more to you then you thought.

Lotsa Love,

Natasha