Today's Task: Food Shopping For The Homeless December 22, 2012

Today's Task:  Food Shopping for the Homeless

 

December 22, 2012

 

     Today is the first day of my 14 day holiday vacation.  First joyful task will be to head to Winn Dixie to stock up on canned fruits and vegetables to help feed the homeless.   Winn Dixie, on the corner of Colonial and Bumby Street, really helped me get this job done.  Here is a link to the main Winn Dixie site:

 

Be sure to shop at Winn Dixie grocery stores---they are helpful and generous to our homeless in Central Florida.

 

     In a previous post, I described buying shopping carts full of canned fruits and vegetables to take to the Coalition for the Homeless.  That was way back at Thanksgiving, to help with their Thanksgiving meals.

 

     I'm doing this again because I set that goal:  to do something in a small way to help the helpless and homeless in Orlando.  Have you been able to do something similar?  Here is a video of where I will take the boxes of canned goods:

 

A beautiful video composite of what the Coalition for the Homeless does for others

 

 

      My neighbor and friend who helped me shop last time is not feeling well, so I have asked my son to go with me to shop and deliver today.  It's a very small drop in a very big bucket of need. 

 

 

     Here are the day-to-day needs that the Coalition needs to serve their clients, not just with food:

 



     On a lighter note, I am grateful for what I have and for what I am able to give to my family and friends at this time of giving.  "All you need is love," by John Lennon says it all.  But let's be more global and help provide for those who have nothing but love this Christmas. 

 

     After this task this morning, I'm forcing myself to start work on my taxes.  Ugh.  If I really dedicate myself, I can still have time to go watch those vultures and ibis playing in the park this afternoon.

 



Click this link to see what you need to make for Christmas dinner and all of your parties.



The Official Activities List--So Far December 11, 2012

The Official Activities List--So Far

 

December 11, 2012

 

     Thank you to everyone who has read some or all of my posts since I began this blog in early November.

 

     I just viewed each post, around 30, and now you can see the activities I believe may keep my attention after I officially retire next year.

 

     I am adding a Number 15:  writing more thank you notes to people who make my life happier and more enjoyable by the little things they do.

 

 

Official List of Retirement Activities December 11, 2012

1. Treasure hunting with a metal detector

2. Bowling

3. Bus trip with others to visit Mt. Dora, Florida

4. Take ballet classes

5. Joining in activities at my local Senior Citizens Center

6. Getting a job, part-time--Cancelled

6a. Helping the homeless, in a small way

7. Reopening my business, "Set The Table--Vintage Tableware and Linens," on eBay

8. Meet and greet the dolphins at Sea World--Cancelled

9. Bike riding in the greenway/park, having a picnic--tried it and it was wonderful!

10. Bagging and redistributing 40 bags of clutter in my home. (Tried it; too depressing)

11. Having laughter-filled meals with friends or family

11a. Go somewhere on a train

12. Visit a kennel where greyhounds are born and raised.

13. Go fishing in a river at the greenway/park

14. Accept all invitations for social events

15. Send more written thank you notes

     There you have it:  the list.

     May I be perfectly clear in saying this is not a bucket list!

     If I keep this up, let me do the math, I will have approximately 150+ additional possible retirement activities in the next 10 months. 

     Now it's time to go do some laundry before I go to work. 

Click here to get to my pinterest site. That's where I spend way too much time now.

 

 

No Bowling Yet--Too Busy November 21, 2012

No Bowling Yet--Too Busy

November 21, 2012

 

 

     My trip to the bowling alley never happened, but I spent the day in a flurry of activities, nonetheless.  I believe that this is what retirement will actually look like.

 

     My neighbor helped me fill  two shopping carts with canned vegetables and canned fruit.  Winn Dixie donated a $10 gift card toward my purchases.  Thank you, Winn Dixie and its manager.   https://www.winndixie.com/Pages/Home.aspx

 

     Troy, the young man at Winn Dixie, boxed all of the canned goods and loaded my car, then we headed to the Coalition for the Homeless.  There we delivered the food to be added to tomorrow's Thanksgiving meal for the hundreds of people who will be waiting. 

 

      Both my friend and I were tired and happy at the same time.  It was a small part of many donations to those in need here in Orlando. 

 

     Afterwards, I spent the day with my son at an upscale mall, just wandering, and we ended up at IKEA.  He purchased decorations for his table for Thanksgiving.  We were both very grateful that we have homes, family, friends, and security at this holiday season.

 

      I'm hoping that you and  your friends and family share a wonderful meal together tomorrow.  Happy Thanksgiving.

 

     This feels better than bowling.  Maybe bowling can wait.

 

www.idleatlast.blogspot.com

 

     

Buy a Homeless Person A Meal November 14, 2012

Step One--Buy A Homeless Person A Meal   November 14, 2012

     So I was back in IHOP, sitting not 20 feet from a homeless person, who was guarding all of his baggage and worldly possessions.  IHOP, in downtown Orlando, is very kind to the homeless, and allows them to sit and rest and drink free coffee.

     So during my meal with my friend, I asked the waitress to order a full meal for the man.  That is one way I can help, even though it's very temporary. 

     I have also been searching on pinterest.com for homeless helping pins.  There are ideas I can follow.  Wish me luck.  I am taking baby steps here.

     When you go to buy your 20 pound Thanksgiving turkey in the frozen food aisle this week, pick up several more and take them to a shelter.  That will add to the food they can serve next week for all of those who depend on us for their Thanksgiving meals.

     Please leave comments/suggestions for how I can improve the lives of even a few homeless families in the future. 

     I'm going to enjoy my Thanksgiving Day meal at a local Chinese buffet.  I'm very fortunate. 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton