November 29th: Birthday Month Celebration #29

Today I went to Lone Star for lunch, with a free appetizer.

I went by myself, and ordered buffalo wings.

They were HUGE.

It was a little awkward...

But its all good... although Ive had way better wings ;)

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Join Us for Images of Homelessness"

I am unable to attend this tonight, but if you can, you should!

http://homeless-awareness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Art-Exhibition.pdf

One image that has always made my head spin with thoughts.... is a picture I took in San Fransisco a few years ago.

I just wonder... what was he thinking... what was he doing... where did he come from... where was he going next... 

This ends the Mercy House 30 Ways 30 Days...

But I encourage you to reach out and do something and help the homeless community in the coming months, years, etc.

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Share"

Share how you have taken action this month.

I have taken action by sharing every day on my blog anything that I can for 30 Ways 30 Days.

I have also been trying to collect items for the cold weather shelter in Santa Ana.  Are your closets clean yet?  :)

I am ready to collect your items!

I have also signed up for three, if not more nights to volunteer at the shelter over the next few months.

November 28th: Birthday Month Celebration #28

It seems silly to continue after my birthday BUT I said it was a whole month thing :)

Only THREE days until the RAOK starts again!

Tonight... Happy Day After My Birthday, to me!

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Sign Up"

http://homeless-awareness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Adopt-A-Resident-Flyer.pdf

Sign up to Adopt a Resident for the holidays.

I already did :)

November 27th: Birthday Month Celebration #27

What a day yesterday!

I came in to work - to a cake on my desk from Mary... 

 A bottle of wine from Jessica....

 Flowers and a card from my coworkers....

 My parents drove THE cake up to my work :)

(My mom swears she wasnt drunk when she frosted it)  ;)

 I got a Wine Country Gift Basket from Lauren.... cant wait to dig into this one!

 The partners at work took me to lunch at Lucilles

 Came back to a cupcake from Carrie....

 Had dinner with my parents at Citrus Cafe, and birthday pie for dessert...

 LOVE my gift from my parents... its so warm and will be perfect for my trips to Chicago and Colorado!

 Flowers from my parents garden...

What a great birthday!!!

November 26th: Birthday Month Celebration #26

Got a cute birthday card in the mail today :)

Quite honestly the highlight of my day was getting in to see my regular doctor - getting different pain medication to help me feel more comfortable and moving forward with exercises, xrays, MRI's, physical therapy and heading towards getting better :)

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Organize a Cold Weather Clothing Drive for Homeless at Emergency Shelters"

I am posting the wish list again...

I have not had a single response this year for clothing items / donations / anything... its very sad.

Is there ANYTHING you have that you can get to me?

EVERY item helps.

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Volunteer"

Volunteer to help at the OC Armory Emergency Shelter Programs.

I am signed up for multiple shifts at the Homeless Shelter at the Santa Ana location, starting December 16th.

Can you help?

https://www.volunteerup.com/Login.asp?w=i&o=130

BIRTHDAY FREEBIES!!!

When you go to these companies websites, and sign up for their email clubs - you get something free for your birthday.  I have so many birthday freebies, I cant even use them all.

A couple are only on your actual birthday, most are your birthday month.  Im going in order from completely free, to buy one get ones or other restrictions.  (I prefer the totally free where you dont need to depend on someone else ordering something)  :)

Jersey Mikes: Any Regular Sub and 22 Oz Drink 

(Actual birthday only)

Dennys: Free Grand Slam

(Actual Birthday Only)

Annas Linens:  10% Off Purchase

Chilis:  Free Brownie Sundae

Baskin Robbins:  Free Scoop of Ice Cream

On The Border:  Free Brownie Sundae or Bowl of Original Queso

IHOP:  Free Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity (Or equal value)

Wienerschnitzel:  Free Corn Dog

Del Taco:  Free Premium Shake

Veggie Grill:  Free Entree

Red Robin:  Free Burger

Farrells Ice Cream:  Free Sundae (No coupon, just notify wait staff)

Acapulco Mexican:  Free Entree (Up to $12.99)

Lonestar Steakhouse:  Free Appetizer with Purchase of Entree

Fuddruckers:  Free 1/3 LB Burger with purchase of another entree

Mimis Cafe:  Free entree with purchase of another entree  (BOGO)

Don Joses Mexican:  Free entree with purchse of another entree  (BOGO)

Hofs Hut:  Free entree with purchase of another entree (BOGO)

November 25th: Birthday Month Celebration #25

This morning I had breakfast with the parental units at Cinnamon Productions... 

After breakfast, my mom surprised me with a cake... I was devastated the other day when I realized we were having dinner out on my birthday and I wouldnt have THE cake.

I GOT THE CAKE.  Ohhhh yeah!  :)

Then I took a mini nap at the their house, while randomly repeating one line of a holiday song over... and over... and over... and cracking up at myself.  (Im exhausted, FYI)  My Dad (unbeknownst to me) left the room, which burst my bubble slightly... I was going for "Most Annoying Daughter 2012"

I left, and went to get a fill / pedicure.

Both of my nail girls gave me birthday presents...

Free designs on my toes, and free designs on my nails.

I asked for hearts on my toes, but LyLy wasnt happy with what she did, and took them off, and wanted to call her sister to ask how to do the hearts.  I told her it wasnt that serious and I would be happy with flowers :)

November 24th: Birthday Month Celebration #24

Met Julianne for lunch at Veggie Grill, I had a free birthday lunch coupon.

Not really impressed with the place - and Julianne had an even less than wonderful experience.

I also got this card in the mail which I thought was awesome :)

November 23rd: Birthday Month Celebration #23

Tried to avoid Black Friday, however I had great coupons I had to use....

The only problem, Kohls wouldnt let me use them all... which is NOT how they normally do business, so it turned into a huge argument with me and a manager, that I plan to complain to corporate about... but I did still get some fun stuff... for myself :)

I went out for an early dinner with Bunten, and she treated me for my birthday.  

November 22nd: Birthday Month Celebration #22

My neighbor gave me a present... she said she saw them and thought of me.

How very sweet of her!!

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Forget The Sales"

Black Friday - Forget The Sales

Purchase a much needed shelter item.

Please see my list, and let me know when you want me to pick up your donations :)

November 21st: Birthday Month Celebration #21

Tonight I had dinner with Carla, at Acapulco.

My dinner was FREE :)

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Organize a Drive"

I am ready to collect your donation items!!!

Please let me know what you have and when I can come get them :)

I am volunteering on December 16th at the Mercy House Cold Weather Shelter, and I do not like to show up empty handed.

I have almost nothing yet this year, so please... let me know what you can donate.

Items do NOT have to be new - just in good, wearable shape.

They are always low on mens items, as well.

Socks and Underwear MUST BE NEW AND IN PACKAGE.

Please see my attached list of much needed items, and again - let me know what you have and when I can come get it.

Notice I said when, not if :)

You know I appreciate it as do the homeless who hands, feet and bodies you will be keeping warm this chilly winter.

November 20th: Birthday Month Celebration #20

Today was a fun day!!

I had lunch with Jessica, and we went to Bucca di Beppo where we had $10 free!!!

After work I had an appointment with a lawyer in Mission Viejo, so I headed over to my parents.  We went out to dinner at Farrells, it was my first time there  :)

The waitress screamed it was my 21st birthday.

Its my 18th anniversary of my 21st birthday, more like it :)

This was so much fun, and the video I posted on Facebook is priceless.

I have SO many free items of food - I am not sure I can use them all before they expire.  I am going to make a list in the end of everything I got so everyone can sign up and get a ton of free stuff when its their birthday month.  Its been SO awesome.

November 19th: Birthday Month Celebration #19

I wasnt sure what I was going to post for yesterday....

Then my friend Jen came over to pick up some stuff I had for her...

And she brought me a birthday present and card :)

Thanks Bunten!

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Become a Monthly Donor"

If you are able to....

It is for a good cause :)

http://homeless-awareness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Monthly-Giving-Form-Public.pdf

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Be Inspired"

Learn how one resident turned his life around with Mercy House...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnRL31_9i3s

November 18th: Birthday Month Celebration #18

Today I actually slept in a little bit... :)

I headed out to my parents house to go shopping with my mom... Every year she takes me shopping for a day for something to wear on Thanksgiving, or my birthday, etc.

As many years in the past, my mom and I both fell in love with the same shirt, so... we will be twins again.  LOL

The two middle shirts, my mom also got :)

The Breast Cancer shirt on the left, was $40, then 50% off, then 30% off.  WOO HOO!  We had a really nice woman check us out also, and gave my mom all sorts of deals... she rocked!

I dont know what the deal is with the circular orb but Im too lazy to take another picture.

After shopping, we both took small naps... and then had dinner... Peking Pete Chinese... AKA My dad cooked Chinese food.

Pineapple and Mango Shrimp with Fried Rice.

MMMMM!!!  

Thanks Mom and Dad!

November 17th: Birthday Month Celebration #17

So, the day started off on a really bad note...

I woke up at 5:15 to get ready to volunteer at The Red Cross, and my head was splitting.  I tried so hard, and I just couldnt do it... I emailed the volunteer coordinator and I dont think she will get it until Monday but I felt SO bad.

My only consoling thought was there are 2 volunteers on Saturday so I didnt leave them in the dark.

When I woke up again a couple hours later I literally couldnt move - my body was so sore.  I cant wait to figure out when and where I can start treatment from my accident, I hope next week.

ANYWAY.

I got my hair colored yesterday, finally - it was looking pretty bad.

My hairdresser had a mild heart attack, and she referred me to another woman in her shop.  I was SO nervous, because ya know, hair is a big deal, lol.

She did a great job, and I ended up having her cut my hair too, because it also, was bad.

In the evening, it was time for a little early birthday celebration with some friends.  We headed out to Temecula for Stampede. 

I was super bummed I couldnt try the mechanical bull - but with my pain, there was NO way I was even willing to get up on it... for a picture.  Stampede was interesting.

I think as an (almost) 39 year old single woman, its not the place for me.  Its 18 and over.  For someone who loves to country dance and has a partner, older is fine.  For someone single, I dont think so.  I had fun nonetheless though... and thank you SO much Jen for the AWESOME shirt, and Jason and Joy for the amazing gift card!

And thanks for helping me celebrate my birthday!  I really had a great time with you guys.

November 16th: Birthday Month Celebration #16

Woo Hoo!

I got my first birthday gift today!!!

Thank you, LoDiggity!!!

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "Evening of Awareness"

Evening of Homeless Awareness at The Camp

http://homeless-awareness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/CAMP-Flyer1.jpg

November 15th: Birthday Month Celebration #15

I got my first birthday card  :)

From Mary, at the American Red Cross

Homeless Awareness Month 30 Ways 30 Days - "National Philanthropy Day"

On this day, we give special thanks to those who give back!

November 14th: Birthday Month Celebration #14

My friend Angie (What a great name!) sent me a coupon she got for a FREE dress from Old Navy.

She got one for herself and one to share.

The only rules are I have to take pictures of me in the dress and write up a little blurb about it.

Easy Peasy!

For whatever reason, EVERY dress I tried on at Old Navy was wide open in the chest area.  Not just showing a lot, showing my ENTIRE chest.  Ive never had that happen.

The last dress I tried on was perfect!

I will have to post pictures later when I can get someone to take them of me in the dress... but here are a few.

Check out that receipt.

TOTAL???  ZERO!!!