An opportunity to help

Have you ever thought of sponsoring a child?

I’m always warry about sponsorships because as cynical as it may seem – how do you really know how much goes to that one child (or community) you are primarily sponsoring? Perhaps 75% of what you sponsor actually goes to the charity persons salary, or maybe all 100% goes to the child/community. You never really know, not until you make the commute and go and see for yourselves.

That takes a lot of time and commitment a lot of people don’t have. Which is a lot of the reason people are a bit skeptical of the whole sponsoring thing, just like I am.

However, it can’t hurt to sponsor a child and help them grow. Essentially we take a lot for granted over here, we have clean water, access to medicine and eat whatever we want ,when we want. If you donate $35 a month, you can invest in programs that will help communities and help the poverty stricken communities in the third world countries. You will help people be able to build schools for the children, train teachers and run heath clinics — there’s so many opportunities when you sponsor a child.

The Haitians for instance, after the terrible tragedy of the earthquake that recently hit, everyone has been affected worldwide. They are in absolute dire need of help, and best yet the Canadian Government will match contributions made between January 12 — February 12, to eligible Canadian organizations (like Plan) to help people affected by this horrific earthquake. Isn’t that just fantastic?

With Plan Canada an average, 80% of worldwide donations go to programs benefiting children and their families.  You can learn more on their accountability to donors, or visit the Frequently Asked Questions section.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of SEO 5 Consulting. All opinions are 100% mine.

Visit my sponsor: Plan to Change the World

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I am sleep deprived!

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It’s strange how your body gets into such a routine.

For instance, when we wake up the puppy to go potty in the middle of the night (because he can hold it just a max of five or five and a half hours), I end up waking up to pee too! That is, if Scott is the one letting him potty. It’s a regular occurrence in this household now that I automatically wake up, which is a little annoyance of mine. At least I’m a lucky one where as soon as my head hits the pillow I’m in a deep sleep 14 seconds later, where as the boyf takes a good half hour or more.

I can’t exactly see myself having kids at this rate, if I’m exhausted with the puppy taking up all of our time. I mean, when the puppy is getting a little out of control, at least you can ignore it right? Seriously though, he’s a good little guy. We’re taking him for his first obedience school class in February and I’m kind of wondering what I’m paying this lady for. Nothing I can’t learn on YouTube tutorials, that’s for sure. That’s how I taught him to lay down was manipulating the treat in such a way — bringing it towards his chest so he looks down, and lays down almost automatically. So, we’re ahead of the game in that sense. I just want to get him to stop being saucy whenever we discipline him. He hates being told NO. lol.

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Shabby Apple

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I e-mailed Shabby Apple back in December asking if I could do a review of one of their articles of clothing, on my website. They promptly wrote back mentioning that they have a company policy about shipping outside of the states and I would have to pay for shipping. That wasn’t a problem, because quite honestly how much would it really cost to have in my hands? I first picked out the half zip jacket from the athletic wear section of their website. Isn’t it super cute? Almost like a lululemon style zip up, perfect for a warm up piece for the gym. Unfortunately Shabby Apple couldn’t allow me to do a review on the new fitness line. As they don’t have the rights to, from the company who actually makes that line.

Bummer.

I guess I could purchase it without problems though, obviously. They did give me an option of two of their popular dresses, Anchors Away or the cute aqua colored 90wpm dress. I chose the 90wpm dress in an extra small.

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After I chose the dress, I wrote the company telling them which dress I’d like to review and I mentioned that I realized I would have to pay the shipping – not a problem! However, I should have asked how much the shipping would cost me initially, as I was surprised when they invoiced me for $29.95. I had the option to pay it, and I didn’t mind doing so as I mentioned before, it’s a review and paying for shipping was fine. Except … $29.95 for a light weight, cotton dress to ship to Canada?

The ladies I dealt with throughout the process were quite kind and prompt with their replies, and I would definitely deal with them again in the future since I’m definitely eying the half zip jacket. In fact, if you purchase from their Shabby Apple store by January 28, 2010 you can take an additional 20% off your purchase by using the coupon code: winter20off. Four days leftttttt!

Well, now that I’m done rambling about what had happened, I suppose I should talk about the dress a little bit!

When I opened the packaging  which was presented in bright colorful tissue paper. The fit of the dress mentioned on their website that if you’re a size small regularly, than to size down as it’s a big make. I did so, and it was a good fit! I loved the cinched sides of the dress and the length – it’s perfect to wear in the summer, or in the fall/winter with some leggings and a cute sweater. I can’t wait to wear this number to work! It’s cute, no? Go over and check out what other adorable things Shabby Apple has to offer!

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