Those of you who know me know about my passion for fair trade and raising awareness in the community of global issues - such as poverty and the environment.  I came across this today and thought I would share it for this reason.

"that is the goal for 2008. This year I am challenging you to become a smarter shopper. We have laid out 12 challenges to help you to help everyone save money and save the planet at the same time.

So let's get started! To download your planner go to:-

www.simplesavings.com.au/wealthyhabits/

The official challenges start in January, however from now until then we have an unofficial challenge to get everyone in the mood for change: Get this calendar to as many people as possible. Email it to your friends, print it as a Christmas gift, post links to it on your favourite forum, call in to radio stations, email the media. We need *everyone* to become smarter shoppers to have a global effect. So let's get to it! Merry Christmas! 2008 is going to be a great year!"

A friend of mine had her third son last week, so, looking for an appropriate card, I came across this and thought it is just perfect.  For those of you without sons, maybe substitute "daughter", but I think the sentiment in this is just beautiful:

(From Izzy's blog)
I have to say there are heaps - couldn't list them all if I tried - and I'd be here all night, but my top ones would be:

Izzy - you were my introduction to Minti and completely changed the way I saw my challenging child. It was great to meet another Mum with a High needs child and get a reading of list of books that have helped us heaps

KathrynR1402 - also has a "high needs" child, but we seem to share a lot of interests and views and it is good sometimes to have someone you can relate to so you can bounce your struggles onto someone else (and be encouraged by theirs...).

Margir and janicepovey are truly inspirational, older mums who keep things in perspective and have taught me about being balanced, positive and loving despite life's challenges.

Sorry I've not named all my friends, as I said there are so many, but these are the ones that came first to mind - thank you everyone for all your advice, help, feedback etc....

I think I am a pretty good communicator but I learnt today that we need to be aware all the time about what we communicate.  I was doing something for a friend and emailed, when I should have rung and it has ended up in a bit of a mess.  Nothing drastic and nothing that can't be fixed, but I keep thinking if I had only rung instead of emailing, if I had reread it and thought "is this as clear as I can make it?" and maybe even thought how they would interpret it.  I tend to overanalyse, but I think sometimes email means that we don't communicate as well as we do in person.  Just my lesson learnt for today.

Starting to gear up for Christmas - crazy really that we spend months preparing for the one day (or three days in our families).  You have the agonising over which family you go to on what day (due to distance we can't do it all in one day), making sure you see everyone and noone is upset about anything.  Then you have the presents to buy - we spread it out due to limited finance.  As always the kids are the first to get sorted and then you have to get ideas for all the adults (unless you very sensibly decide to skip the adults).  So this year I have discovered two things:
1) boys have much cooler toys than girls - looking through toy catalogues etc... I see trucks, trains, transformers, lego, castles, bikes, scooters etc for R and I find it hard to decide what to get him.  Then I look for B - she already has all her brother's stuff to play with, so I try to go for something he doesn't have - all I can see is dolls - baby dolls, barbies, bratz, dolls clothes, houses, furniture, cars - even horses for the baby dolls (when do babies ride horses) and she is not really into dolls.  Ideas anyone? 
2) For the adults I am finding it hard when I want to get them something meaningful and thoughtful, but I can't see any obvious needs. I hate asking and feeling I have to get something in particular and I hate buying vouchers.  I like my gifts to give twice - either fair trade or made locally by a real person, but we are also on a budget.  It is so hard. 

All this as I say for just one day!

Anyway, I'll stop my rant now and go clean my toilet (mmm great - can I join you?? i hear you asking).  Don't I just love housework????  Anyway that's a whole rant for another day.... 

Just had to brag - I bought B some of those fake crocs the other day - very handy for keeping near the back door for when you want to duck outside.  Anyway this morning she put them on - herself!  She tried to put socks on too but couldn't quite manage them.  She is just growing so quickly!

R's back at preschool, and so is Adventure Bear, who we had for the holidays (a school mascot who goes home with a different child each week).  Everything is now gearing up to Christmas and planning for next year.  There has been a lot of discussion about sending R to school next year, but we are leaving it for now and putting him into preschool three days a week.

DH has started a labouring job, so is up at 5am, and gets home about 5.30.  So he is tired, but enjoying it and smiling a lot more.  I feel a bit like a single mum at times, but I'm quite used to that!

Otherwise life moves on - B keeps growing and learning.  She hovers in the kitchen while I am cooking and if I am not quick enough gets out plates for everyone - and keeps getting them out until it is ready!  Very funny....  She can say Daddy and is starting a few other words.

Speaking of words, R corrected me today - as he pointed a large rod at his sister, when I told him "No, you don't point sticks at people" (been through this a million times!).  He replied, "It's not a stick Mum!".  So slow Mum responds "well, what is it then?".  Comes the reply "duh - it's a curtain rod, not a stick (and therefore Ok to point at his sister!)"   too smart for his own good!

Just had a lot on and no Minti time - sorry all my Minti friends!  Been doing something every day - tax, shopping, coffee - you know how it is!  No seriously...  had a few friends over at different times (school holidays here), catching up on a few things needed doing, some family visits etc....  Off tomorrow to the in-laws for a few days - where else can you go when you can't afford a holiday?? 

Had a grown up dinner tonight!  C&I went out with some friends to a lovely dinner party at a little art deco guest house - beautiful!  Highly recommended if you're in the Southern Highlands at all!  Had a friend sit - R was fine and B was ok until bedtime!  Apparently she went knocking on all the doors looking for mum!  Eventually went to sleep - VERY late!  Oh well, hope the friend is still my friend - think so!

Must go to bed, so I'll drop  in again soon for a bit longer!