"As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way." Mary Anne Radmacher

Long time readers will know that I love to participate in Share the Dignity's #Itsinthebag  Christmas campaign. It's my perfect pick me up when feeling a little flat. I take great delight in sourcing some lovely treats (Sephora has a gift make up palette for buy 4 for the price of 3, making them $8 each!)

I do one for each group - the Priceline Mum's and Bub's bag gives you the bag too, as well as lot's of extras. (Though you need to take the condoms out as per Share the Dignity's Guidelines).

Real Generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present." Albert Camus

Kmart currently has these bags for $5 if anyone wants to do the teen bag, and it fits plenty of items in.

Chem-mart has a bonus bag also full of goodies, to really bulk up the donation and save on the cost of a bag.

The lists of items are here. If you give all three bags, make sure you tag them (or colour code the ribbon accordingly)

Bunnings will be accepting bags from the 6th November until the 22 Nov.

"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."  John Holmes

For a pick me up for you, and something lovely for someone in need, find some joy in this Christmas campaign.

Linking with #XmasLinky

Anyone with tips on good buys to donate, add them to the comments.

"Charity begins at home but should not end there." Francis Bacon.

I am loving the feeling I got when shopping for the nice things to put in the bags to make them a little special (as well as all the practical bargains to get more bang for my buck!) What are you loving this week?
Linking with #XmasLinky

Share the Dignity - #Itsinthebag #iitb

Long time readers will know Christmas is coming when I start thinking about Share the Dignity's #Itsinthebag campaign. It's one of my Christmas traditions that cheers me up. I love finding the bags and stocking them with toiletries and little gifts.

Bunnings is again kindly taking donations from 6 Nov until the 22nd November.

This year, as well as the women's bag and teen bag, there is also a Nappy Bag (Mum& Bub).

If you're too busy to organise a bag, but want to support a great cause, you can donate money here.

Full details can be found on the Share the Dignity Website.



I'll also take this moment to point out the website also has a Seek Emergency Help tab covering shelter, food, counselling, and other every day things. If you know someone in need, you might be able to direct them. No one should have to go through this stuff alone.








Small dignities make a big difference.

Linking with #MLSTL as single women over 55 is the fastest growing demographic of people experiencing homelessness and we really need to do something to help (or better, change that).

An invitation from the Prime Minister

Yesterday I received an invitation from the Prime Minister. Well, from the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister of Finland. It was an invitation to attend the International Gender Equality Prize Ceremony and Reception. In attendance would be the Prime Minister, the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ombudsman for Equality (Helsinki), the Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality and the MP and Chair of the National Council of Women of Finland (Helsinki) - who I might add, is a woman logically, unlike ours was a few years back. I think these are people our country could learn a lot from. Note the Finnish government has almost parity of gender - not from quotas, merely by chance because women are valued as people.

I am very excited, as I nominated the Daughters (and Sons) of Cambodia for their work to improve gender equality, getting women and trans men out for prostitution and violent situations by educating them with skills to work in other fields. For those that continue to work in the sex industry, they support with health testing. It is a religious organisation, but you don't need to convert to receive help (as true Christians know. Shame on those applying charity with 'strings').

I have my fingers crossed that they win, as they would make good use of the cash injection. If you are looking for Christmas gifts, maybe check out their site and see what the shop has in store.

I toyed with the idea of going, as the city of Tampere has a Moomin Museum, a Spy museum and their Vivid on (The Festival of Lights). And I would get to hear these wonderful forward thinking people speak on a panel, discussing ways forward for equality.

However, I've decided not to make the journey, as exciting as it would be. The money, the emissions (and the 27 and 29 hours flying time) for only 2 days in Finland, seemed too extravagant, especially when I will be there in January.

So I will just have to get myself invited again. Next year.

Thus this week, I am loving the feeling that there is a better way to do things, and that I'm vaguely somehow part of it. I'm loving the hint of hopefulness that I may have enabled something to help  people doing good for a lot of people living a devastatingly hard life. I want to thank the Finnish Government for their generous $300k prize that goes out globally, and for realising their role is bigger than their own borders.

We can do better, we must do better.

What are you loving this week?

Linking  up this old post with #TimelessThursdays. I was discussing my regret now,  at not going when I had the chance as travel is no doubt to become impossibly expensive when it's finally allowed. I guess you learn a lot in hindsight...

PS Happy Halloween everyone. I fell in love with this display and am declaring them the winner of our neighbourhood. I am currently trying to work out how to take my youngest and her friend out trick or treating and be home to answer the door so the middle one can study for his exams tomorrow without being disturbed. Any suggestions are welcome!

Down in the dumps - Share the dignity #Itsinthebag

I've been a little down in the dumps lately, I suspect because I'm not sleeping well and it's having a knock on effect into everything else.
So, as you may remember, one of my favourite cheer me up activities is to sort out my xmas charity donations. Share the Dignity's #Itsinthebag drive is one of my favourites, giving toiletries and goodies in a bag to homeless women. This year the drop off locations are at Bunnings, and the drive is from the 6-22 November. (For those that don't have the time or interest in putting together a bag, you can sponsor a bag here).









This year I've done five - an adult one and a teen bag, mum & bub and also for transman and nonbinary person. If you get a period, you get a bag as far as I'm concerned.







As for what I'm loving, one of my children finished school! I am so thrilled for her and excited by the next adventures that lay ahead, whatever they may be! The HSC stretched over three weeks which is just way too long. (As I have one kid still in primary school, I feel a long way to go before I'm out of the woods, but I'll take each celebration for what it is!). I don't feel sad or like it's an end of an era, I'm just excited by all the change that's coming her way.

What do you do to lift your spirits?
Will you be doing #Itsinthebag?
Got a school leaver? Are you happy or sad?

Linking this old post with #Blogtober but it is coming up again....

Remedy

I was a little down in the dumps today - no reason, just general malaise and a bit of wear and tear. I have talked many times (here, here and it all started here) about my awe of the work of the Landmine Museum and School in Siem Reap When I got back from our trip to Siem Reap, I set about finding a way to help them. I rang airlines to see if I could pay an attendant to carry books over for me. I tried to see if I could get book depository to post there for me. A friend's daughter was going to go there on a school trip but then it fell through in the last minute. Fast forward almost three years later and a friend is going for work. She has offered to take the bag of donations over for me (please note she will pack the bag herself and I've purchased a new bag that can be left with the charity.) I have rung the embassy who has assured me it is fine to bring in a suitcase of donations/gifts for the charity as long as I have a copy of the correspondence with the charity. Given the items are pencils and toothpaste, we will be well under the value limit for importing gifts anyway.

Which brings me back to my mood. Feeling a little fragile, I decided I would go out and purchase the bag she will take over. I then came home and packed it with the items already donated by friends. It made me feel so good. My mood has shot back up and currently is slightly elated. You see, now that I've managed to fulfill this small dream, three years in the making, I've decided to aim higher. On their wishlist page, where they have a link to donate  via paypal for simple things like hair brushes and laundry detergent, they also have this: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MAJOR DONATION TO HELP US BUY A NEW TRUCK TO TRANSPORT THE KIDS, CONTACT US DIRECTLY AND WE EXCHANGE DETAILS.

So I've decided I'm going to get them a truck. I have no idea how, as of yet, but it's a worthwhile project. They say helping others makes you feel good. I have to say even just the idea of helping others seems to lift your spirits.

So I'm adding it to the list. And if there is any big business that needs a tax write off or wants to help some fabulous kids and people in need of transportation, please contact the Landmine Museum and Relief Centre.

Torshlusspanik List:

1. Shooting (check)
2. Fencing (check)
3. Play croquet at Croquet Club
4. Laser skeet
5. Off road buggy driving
6. Play Assassins Creed
7. Jetpacking (check)
8. The Color Run (check)
9. Invent something
10. Cooking Masterclass (check)
11. Master a Masterclass (check)
12. Perform a rap song (check)
13. Trampoline adventure (check)
14. BMX Riding (check)
15. Do a cart wheel (check)
16. Ride an Electric Bike (check)
17. Astonish Myself
18. Write a book.
19. Participate in a distance event (check)
20. Climb Sydney Tower (check)
21. Dance in a dance class (check)
22. Trust a stranger

23. Get a truck for the Landmine Museum and Relief Centre in Siem Reap

Linking with #KALCOLS & #MummyMondays #FortheloveofBLOG #StayClassyMama #OpenSlather