The Elf Blog

How NOT to Save Time

By now, everyone who reads this blog knows that I'm a huge fan of multi-tasking and using small blocks of time well.  But lately, I've seen people trying to save time in unacceptable ways.

It seems like every day when I get on the subway, someone has confused it with the beauty salon.  I see people putting on makeup, doing their hair, etc.  NO.  Those are things you do at home.  I also get to listen in on people's intimate conversations -- another big no. Your subway ride is an excellent time to catch up on reading or to make lists.

On Sunday, I saw something that takes the cake.  A woman in the airport departure lounge casually sat waiting for her plane while flossing her teeth.  I don't want to see that.  NO ONE wants to see that.  It's fine if you want to use the time before your flight to freshen up.  That's why airports have bathrooms.

So, when you decide to multi-task and use your time well, please keep in mind how that will affect other people.  Living life graciously means being kind.

Taking Time for the Little Things

Summer schedules are often a bit slower, leaving you with extra little pockets of time.  It's important to use those pockets of time to lay the groundwork to take care of the little things:

• Update your address book and calendar so that you won't miss birthdays, anniversaries, and the like.
• Stock up on stationery and cards so that you'll have supplies on hand to celebrate with or comfort those you love.
• You know those people you've been meaning to call or visit?  Use the slower summer days to do it.
• If you craft, make a few extra presents so you'll have things on hand.
• Make a stack of the books you've been meaning to read or the movies you've been meaning to watch.  Read the books on your hammock and watch the movies on rainy days.
• Take advantage of summer festivals, outdoor concerts, and the like.

Most of all, enjoy!

Volunteering

For most of us, our summer schedule is a little less hectic.  While

I certainly encourage folks to take advantage of a little extra leisure time -- especially spending time outdoors and gathering with friends.

But I also encourage you to use some of that extra time to help others.  There are lots of things you can do:

• Find an organization you care about and donate some time, either on a regular basis or even just one-time.  Many organizations have fundraisers or special programs in the summer and they can use the extra help.
• If you are a crafter, dedicate part of your summer crafting to something like the Linus project or a shawl ministry. 
• If you are a regular walker, start wearing gardening gloves and carrying a plastic bag on your walks.  As you walk, pick up trash and make our world a cleaner place.

What else could you do?

Simplify

So, how do you keep all those wonderful things you got for Christmas from adding to the clutter?  Try this technique:

When you put away your presents, take something else out of that storage space and discard it. In some cases, discard may mean throw away. (It's not a coincidence that 3 loved ones bought you new socks.  Take the hint.)  In other cases, the old item may be perfectly good.  Perhaps you received an upgraded version of something.  If that's the case, consider donating the things being replaced.

Basic kitchen and other living items are hugely helpful to refugee resettlement centers or transitional housing centers or domestic abuse centers.  Old luggage (especially small pieces) is useful to foster placement agencies.  Books and board gam, CDs and DVDs may be helpful to hospitals or schools or assisted living facilities.  Animal shelters might love your old blankets and towels.

Always follow a few rules when donating:

1) Donate USABLE materials.  If you wouldn't be pleased to cntinue using something if you weren't bored with it and didn't have a new one, why would anyone else like it?

2) Call first to make sure the agency accepts donations. Some may specify specific hours that donations are received or request special pacakaging.

3)  If you are donating to a registered charity, don't forget to pick up your receipt for tax purposes.  You can deduct the fair market value of what you donated.

Christmas Thank Yous

While you are still basking in the Christmas glow, please sit down and write thank you notes to all the kind people who gave you Christmas gifts.  If you did not open the gift in their presence, they should get a thank you. It doesn't need to be long.  A short note expressing your gratitude for the thoughtfulness is sufficient.

If you have kids, get them in the habit of writing thank yous as early as possible.  If they can hold a crayon, they can send a thank you drawing -- with your note.

It always amazes me that we spend weeks preparing for Thanksgiving, but can't be bothered to spend 5 minutes writing a note to thank someone. 

Giving Before Christmas

This blog post comes to you from the inspiration of regular reader, Jeanie, who just happens to be one of the kindest and most generous people I know. Her name is on Santa's nice list in ink.

She pointed out that, given the economic situation, homeless shelters are full and the agencies that help the needy are in desperate straits.  If you can help with a financial contribution, please do.  If money is tight, there are other ways to help.

• When you are cleaning out your cabinets and pantry, set aside some of the canned or non-perishable food you are unlikely to use in the near future and donate it to a food bank.
• Take advantage of buy-one, get-one specials at the grocery stores, with special attention to food bank basics like rice, beans, tuna, and powdered milk.
• If you know that you plan to replace clothing items at Christmas, please consider donating the old ones.  Especially useful are coats, hats, scarves, gloves or mittens, sweaters, and sneakers or heavy shoes.
• Many agencies also accept household goods that they resell in thrift stores. 
• If you have blankets in good shape, many homeless shelters will accept them. 
• If they aren't in the best shape (say they have a small stain or are a bit worn), consider donating them to an animal shelter.  Animal shelters accept blankets, towels, and sheets to help the animals feel cozy and loved.  Due to the foreclosures, animal shelters are extremely full.

None of us alone can do everything, but each of us can do something.  And together, we can make a difference.

Stamp Out Hunger

This Saturday, May 10, letter carriers across the nation will be collecting non-perishable food items to replenish local food banks.

We all know that times are tough right now.  Energy bills, food prices, and other costs are climbing faster than wages.  Local food banks are seeing increased demand for services and less supply.

Here's your chance to help.  Tonight, go into your kitchen and pantry and see what's there.  If it's unopened, non-perishable, and not expired and you aren't planning to use it in the next month, put it in a bag and leave it by your mailbox on Saturday morning.  Your letter carrier will pick it up and take it back to the post office.  From there, the contributions will be shipped to the food banks.

If you don't have anything in your pantry, consider a quick trip to the grocery store. For the price of a large latte, you can buy a lot of rice or corn meal or tuna or oatmeal.  Go for basics, not brand names or convenience food.  A little sacrifice on your part can make a big difference.