To Pin Or Not To Pin

So have you heard of Pinterest? Most women have, men...not so much. If you haven't, this is it in a nutshell. It is another internet vacuum which sucks you in and just like twitter, refuses to let you see the light of day...ever again.

But, it has some really cool pictures. And recipes, and ideas. The aim is to create theme boards and either upload pictures (pins), search the internet for pictures or search Pinterest itself for pictures. You then can like someone else's pin (sort of like coveting your neighbors whatever) or you can take that pin and pin it onto your own theme board. And just like every other social networking thing...you follow either people or their specific boards.

Basically, it's like creating photo albums of everything you wish you owned, places you could go, things to eat, crafts to make, lessons to learn...basically anything which makes you happy.  And just like some of those insanely delicious looking desserts...Pinterest is highly addictive.  Got a lull in your day, just go check out some new pins. It is fun, I'll grant you that. And some of the photography is absolutely breathtaking.

Now, from what I've seen in the month or so I have been "pinning," some people have way too much freakin' time on their hands. Some of the crafts for example, are so tedious...I would sooner pull out my fingernails than get involved with these projects. And the recipes...very big on variations of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and desserts using one of God's most perfect foods...Oreo's.

Now I quite enjoy this little adventure. It's like being back in grammar school and making collages. I was really good at that. Not really having any artistic ability, I did have an eye, so putting together a mosaic was something that was doable.

So now I find at the end of the day when I should do at least one more constructive thing, I sit with my laptop scanning through hundreds and hundreds of photographs for no other purpose than to build my own little fantasy land.

And you know what...that's fine by me.

OMG look at those shoes...repin.

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This Year, Let Charity Begin At Your Holiday Party

As the holiday party season comes into full swing, totalhomesupply.com has initiated a way to help the needy while still enjoying the spirit of the holidays. Hunger knows no season, and current economic conditions have left food pantries in dire need of donations. Total Home Supply is encouraging companies across the country to collect non-perishable goods at their annual holiday get-together and donate them to local food charities.

§ Talk to your party coordinator about setting up a box or a table where partygoers would be able to leave their donations. Ask them to email everyone who will attend the party about the food drive being held at the party. Have volunteers in place beforehand to remove the donations from the party for delivery to the chosen food pantry.

§ Animal shelters and pet pantries are also in desperate need. With the down economy, pet shelters are overwhelmed with family pets that have become too costly to keep. Some local communities have created pet pantries, where families receive donations of pet food and supplies, making it possible for the animals to remain in their homes, not end up in a shelter where their fate is undetermined. If your company is animal friendly, consider accepting donations for a local animal charity.

§ Most communities are also in the process of having coat drives for the homeless. Collecting warm winter coats at your party is another way of incorporating a charitable act into a night of fun and celebration.

§ If the idea of dealing with coats, cans of food or bags of kitty litter is not something your company can handle, there is always the donation jar. For charities, cash is a commodity always in short supply.

So, in the next few days, we invite you to send this blog post to anyone and everyone you know. If we can get even 10% of the people who read this to initiate a food drive at their holiday party, think of all the families that will be helped by this small act of kindness.

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Social Networkers: Use Facebook and MySpace to spread the idea:

Encourage your company to accept food items at your holiday party for donation to local food pantries. Click on the link below for details.

“Feed the hungry, then yourself: Make your holiday party a pay it forward event.”

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There is no greater feeling than helping one another. Begin this holiday season with a charitable act where so little can help so many.