DISQUS

I agree with TML. A long time ago, I found my apartment had somehow got cluttered and out of control and it was too overwhelming to tackle the clean-up. I made a list of "bite-sized" projects on post-it notes and had a little task lottery, pulling one out of a bag each day. Some days, it gave me such a boost to get one done, I'd keep going.

We're doing well on 1 and 3. One of our earlier "dates" was a cooking class although neither of us was afraid of the kitchen before. It's great to serve a really good dinner and know that it would cost 5 times as much at a restaurant.

Congratulations, BB.
Oh Mike! Our little angel is a month old and I am still reeling from the last brick. But I wouldn't change it for the world. And neither would Mike.

I got turned off by a call from our museum asking for donations, because when I said $50, they said they were suggesting $500. After my initial shock I wrote the museum asking that they remove me from their calling and mailing lists as they obviously didn't need my measly $50 donation since they could afford to demand $500. I still got calls from them and each time explained that no, I couldn't afford their rates. One enterprising caller said I should forgive them their one mistake which may be true, but it felt like getting lectured.
There are a lot of charities out there, so they really cannot afford to alienate people. It must be very difficult.

A drop in centre is like a daycare except the parent has to stick around. There are activities for the kids, snack time, songs etc. It is actually pretty fun.

Mike

That's what I get for lurking. I liked the education one, but didn't really agree with the attitude one. I'll just have to go and read the book myself.

At my last job, my small department celebrated birthdays within the team by pitching in $2.00 and ordering an ice cream cake we could all eat that afternoon. If someone skipped paying now and then nobody cared (but we did expect them to help with the ice cream).

There was a lot of gift-giving on the floor, but it was usually done by circulating a card with an envelope for voluntary donations. Anyone who signed the card was invited to the cake and gift-giving for the recipient. The contribution, if any, was anonymous.

While I enjoyed the social aspect of the celebrations, I sometimes felt it was a little excessive. If it becomes an obligation, then all the fun goes out of it.

I really enjoyed this post. I'm a big believer in #12. Pregnancy is messing me up just now, but I look forward to getting my routine back in a few months, or maybe next year.

Excellent advice. Now we just have to follow it.

Congratulations on number 2 coming along. Even if it involves twice as much hypervigilance, it also involves twice as much love, twice as much fun, twice as many happy giggles... you get the idea.
(I have to think that since I'm expecting number 2 as well.)