Even More Than a Pinky Promise

SPOILER ALERT FOR MY FAMILY: IF YOU READ THIS YOU WILL KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING FROM ME FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR!

Okay, now that that is out of the way I want to talk about one of the coolest, most touching and inspiring grassroots campaigns for positivity that I've seen this year, and quite frankly all my life, run by a friend from Ohio University, Alex Sheen. Alex's organization is called Because I Said I Would and was established in memory of his father who passed away this past Fall from lung cancer. Since September, Because I Said I Would has inspired lesson plans, election platforms, promises in over 15 countries (including active military overseas), raised $7,500 for victims of Hurricane Sandy and currently, my friend Alex is sleeping outside as part of a promise to do so for two weeks to raise awareness for the needs of the homeless.

The basis of Because I Said I Would (and it's mission to honor Sheen's father) is that a promise is only worth as much as is promised if it is kept. Anyone is encouraged to write in with a request for promise cards - I finally requested mine last week and they came in the mail just a few days later. Inside the envelope is a list of instructions and 10 cards to be used as I wish to fulfill promises to those I love and to myself. I will volunteer at least three times in the next 6 months. I will be a better friend in 2013. I will support you through all of your wedding planning and do all that I can to make your special day the best day of your life so far.

This year has been a year of "out of left field"s for me. I've left the job I loved for the last 3 plus years, moved to a new city away from my family and am navigating the life of a young (trying to be) professional single woman. Thankfully I have the support of my family and my friends through this journey and I want to repay them for their love in any way that I can. Unfortunately right now I do not have much funds to support this so this year my closest family and friends will be getting the best gifts I've currently got to give - my love and my word. I'm going to create promise cards that will be fulfilled by Christmas of 2013, when I'll ask that the cards be returned to me. 

I am so inspired by Because I Said I Would and I encourage you to visit the organization's web site and support its mission and efforts for peace, promises and change!

Fireside at Hickory Creek

py·ro·ma·ni·a  [pahy-ruh-mey-nee-uh, -meyn-yuh]  noun a compulsion and love to set things on fire. (okay I added the love part)

It's getting cold out in Columbus. I notice it in the morning when I wake up and it's a little harder to pull back the blankets and get out of bed. I notice it when I forget to put socks on right away after I shower and my feet are as cold as the pavement outside. The times I don't notice the cold are my favorites. When it's cold outside and I can SEE but not FEEL it (yes, I know you can't really see cold but I hope you know what I mean.) The best part of my Columbus apartment is that it awards me the ability to cozy up on my couch in front of a movie,  looking outside at this new, crisp, cold air, all while in the glow and the warmth of a crackling, wood-burning fire.


Having a fireplace at my apartment has been an amazing gift since I moved here. I enjoy the coziness and heat it brings to my life and so does my cat who often falls asleep in front of the flames watching the embers glow and the fire grow then diminish slowly to ash. It's fun to pile the kindling and stack the logs, building the imperfect pieces to my perfect flame. I'll have to add a fireplace kit to my Christmas list as my fireplace has already gotten quite a bit of use and I only see more in the coming colder months.