But wait, that's not all!

After blogging for 30 days in a row in November, I had absolutely no intention of continuing my posting streak in December. After all, December is just too darn busy. Plus, I'm feeling draggy and blue and I need a break.

But then the universe decided to change my mind.

First, an email came containing the December NaBloPoMo theme: MITVAH.

"...it comes with a challenge: to give something, to someone, every day of the month, and then blog about it. The goal is to act with kindness [...]. Your gifts can be as large as volunteering or donating to charity, or as small as a kind word to someone who needs it."

Hmmmm, interesting.

Then, today's post on Operation NICE happened to be about giving and how it's good for your health (read about the health benefits in this NY Times article).

Intriguing.

Operation NICE also pointed me to the 29-Day Giving Challenge. What an amazing site! It's all about giving. Giving your time, your money, your support ... giving of yourself!

And the cool part is, giving doesn't just benefit the people you give to, because giving feels good and can change your life in all sorts of ways, big and small.

That cinched it. I'm in.

I think this MITZVAH challenge is exactly what I need to take my focus off me and direct it toward some other people for a change. Plus, I'm hoping that 31 days of giving will give me a boost in the Christmas spirit department (I've had a heckuva time getting in the holiday mood the last few years).

So, here goes...

Mitzvah — day one

Child has an advent calendar shaped like a Christmas tree with little drawers. Each year Husband and I stash 24 little goodies in the drawers so Child can open one every day leading up to Christmas. It's so much fun seeing how excited she is each morning before she opens that day's drawer!

Today Child got to open drawer #1 and this is what she found:


Zumba the monster necklace from Mariska

She loves it!


Check back every day in December for more mitzvah.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I have gifts to give away to some lucky readers! Yes, you can get in on the mitvahing too! Stay tuned for more details ...