Panties With A Purpose

My friend Kelli had a marvelous idea for a service project. This one is especially for the ladies! (Guys, you can help too if you want.)

Here is what Kelli has to say...

Ladies,

I have an exciting opportunity to share with you to truly bless women in need.

I'm calling it "Panties with a Purpose" and it starts Today.

Do you get the "Free Panty" coupons from Victoria's Secret? Do you really need another pair to fill up your drawers?

Imagine what would happen if each of us used our coupons to redeem a pair of panties not for ourselves, but for women fleeing domestic violence situations with nearly nothing to their names.

The goal of Panties with a Purpose is to collect 100 pairs of panties to donate to the residents of Nashville's YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Shelter.

The drive starts today and will go through November 30th. Once all the panties are collected, they will be donated to the YWCA.

So, how can you get involved? Let me tell you!

1. Use your VS free panty card to redeem a pair of panties in any size OR

2. If you don't have a card, buy a pair or package to donate

3. SPREAD THE WORD! Post this drive on your myspace, facebook and twitter accounts. Tell at least 10 other women about the drive and encourage them to participate.

4. Don't live in Nashville and want to take part? Find a shelter in your area and start a drive to support women in your community.


Panties with a Purpose...because it's no Secret that giving is beautiful
-Kelli

If you can help us out, it would be greatly appreciated! Email me if you have questions...
bethquarles@gmail.com

<3

First Thankful List

In the past, I have blogged about things I am thankful for during the month of November. It is that time of year again! This month, I will write a thankful list each Friday.

Things I am thankful for this foggy, fall morning...

Chai Lattes from Starbucks. I am a sucker for these things!
The Kindergarten team at my school. They made it a point to do something for me each week to let me know that I was being thought about.
My kiddos. Too precious!
Naps. I have been able to take a lot more lately. :)
My blue scarf. I love the color and it is so soft.
Catching my favorite dinner at Cracker Barrel. Broccoli Cheddar Chicken which they only serve on Wednesdays and I never think about it except on Thursday or some other day of the week. Got me some this week! :)
The Office. I am addicted. It truly tickles my heart.
Eyes. This might be sound rather odd, but I am thankful for them. To be able to see all the wonderful things around me, to see color, to see the fall leaves, to look in the eyes of friends... Something taken for granted too often.
Trip to Gatlinburg. This weekend, Amy and I are heading to the mountains to have a little reunion with many China friends. We all have been readjusting since being back in the States, so this will be a time of encouragement and relaxation. There are no real plans except to enjoy each others company, sit in a hot tub, and soak in the mountain air. I have packed a couple of books, my journal and I am hopeful for a stop at the huge Christmas store. So excited!

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October has come and gone. This year I was fully aware that it was breast cancer awareness month and it was celebrated/honored/whatever you want to call it.

The first Saturday in October was Nashville's Race for the Cure. We had more than 30 people sign up for Beth's Buddies team. We raised $2,462.70 We walked 3.2 miles. (Maybe we should count another mile for parking so far away...)

The second Saturday, Justin and I went to Little Rock, Arkansas for Race for the Cure with his family. For the past 4 years, they have been participating in the walk in honor of Justin's grandmother. This time we only walked 2.5 miles. When you have a chemo patient and a 2 year old I think 2.5 is just fine.

The third Saturday was Nashville's Strides Againest Breast Cancer. This time I walked with Beth's Bosom Buddies team. (see picture above) This team was made up of friends I made when I attended Granny White. While I no longer attend that church, these people are very dear to me. We raised $2,325.00 and walked 5 miles.

The last Saturday was spent in bed. Recovery. ;)

We also raised over $400 for the Susan G.Komen organization through "Deeply Rooted" t-shirt sales.

Amazing.

1 month.

3 walks.

10.7 miles.

Over 5,100 dollars.

Lots of friends.

Tremendous support.

One truly blessed girl.

An Inspirational Family and Woman

At this season in my life, I have met many people who are worthy of admiration. There is one family though that has had a huge impact on me rather recently (and may not have even known it). Meet the Cruze family...

Meggie (the beauty in pink shorts) was a member of my small group last year. Meggie is one of those people who you just love being around. She is so much fun! In June, Meggie shared that her mom had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was devastated. Rightfully so.

Over the past couple of months when talking and emailing with Meggie, she has shared her mom's positive outlook. The whole Cruze family has relied fully on God to get them through Mrs. Cruze's chemo. The Cruze girls wore matching necklaces on days their mom had treatments. Mrs. Cruze went around the house singing "gypsies, tramps and thieves..." when she lost her hair and wore scarves. They all loved on each other and built an army of prayer warriors around them.

All of these things, I have thought a lot about when I have had a crappy moment. "What would Mrs. Cruze do?" ;) We have never actually met, but she is an inspiration to me.

On Wednesday Mrs. Cruze will be undergoing her last chemo treatment! This is so exciting!!!!!

So thankful for the inspirational and amazing people in my life...

Zoo Fieldtrip

On Wednesday, the fourth graders were off to the zoo. The Nashville Zoo is one of my favorite fieldtrips. This year was especially fantastic when I hear the laughter of my kiddos when they heard the monkeys screeching. So cute!

"Mr.Justin" was a chaperone and I decided to have a little friendly competition. The boys took off with Mr. J and the girls went off with me. The challenge was to read the signs and remember as many facts as possible. The girls loved looking at the maps to see where the animals were from. It is always exciting for them to see animals from the kids' native countries. When we made our fact sheets the next day, it was quite obvious the girls won. The boys came up with one fact and the girls came up with seventeen. ;) There were pictures from the boys camera that were proof that learning was encouraged. ;)

Before we went to play on the massive "jungle gym", we stopped at the parakeet landing. Let me just say, having no hair makes for a much more uncomfortable pecking.

It really was a great day at the zoo, but I was oh-so-glad to make it to the couch when I got home.

No Treatment

No chemo today because my blood count was too low yesterday.

Gave these babies a little pep talk while getting ready at bathroom mirror this morning.

As soon as they are back up then I can have my next treatment.

Pray that it is soon because I am sooo ready to be done with all of this mess.

Bless.

Don't Judge Me...

My iTunes account is looking a little uncharacteristic of my amazing taste in music.

Here is what I downloaded today...

I and Love and You album by the Avett Brothers (what took me so long?!!?)
Thriller by Michael Jackson (classic... one day I will learn the dance)
Life Let Go album by SafetySuit (really, really love song "Find A Way"... It is on repeat for hours!)
"Peanut Butter Jelly Time" by Chip-Man (this really is a song)
"Single Ladies" by Beyonce (oh, it gets worse my friends...)
"Boom Boom Pow" by Black Eyed Peas (you will find me doing Zumba moves in my classroom now...sigh)
"Cupid Shuffle" (haven't listened to this yet, but judging my 4th graders love for it, I will probably hate it)
"The Boys Are Back" from High School Musical soundtrack (cringing!!!!)
"Party In The USA" by Miley Cyrus (there are no words. truly.)

I own a Miley Cyrus song. Endtimes must be near. ;)

In my defense, the last songs are for my 4th graders dance party we are having this afternoon. I was to make a "clean" dance mix of songs they like. Talk about a difficult job.

Yesterday, I took up a piece of paper from one of my students that had the lyrics to "Kiss Me Through The Phone." ELL students cannot say "thank you" but "sexy" is one of their favorites. Sigh.

This mix cd task made me feel old for a second. Who is this Soulja Boy guy? What is P.Diddy's name now or is he even still around?

Thankfully, I snapped back to the reality that it is not a bad thing that I don't know these songs and artists. It means I have good taste. I find comfort in the fact that my radio only knows Lighting 100 and NPR. My iTunes is chock full of great tunes from Springsteen to Journey to Ryan Adams to Coldplay. Dave Matthews Band and The Features will always be my favorite bands. And Justin Timberlake is my guilty pleasure. ;)

Don't judge me...