Okay, so this is my quick Sunday afternoon plea.

Some of you, if not all of you, know that I volunteer and serve a few times a month at the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women in Raleigh, North Carolina with my church newhope Church. It’s a humbling experience every time that I serve. Every time.

Well, this Tuesday, we will be heading there to hold a Christmas service for the women, and we want to serve them by bringing a little something nice.

Now, our definition of something nice is completely different from what is actually allowed. So, we are bringing toiletry bags for the women – however, there’s a catch… we cannot bring ANY of the bags if we don’t have enough for every one. (Sad but true common sense). We are short right now about 20-30 bags.

That’s where you come in.

Would you like a quick opportunity to serve and bless a woman in need this Christmas? Gather these toiletries, place them in a clear ziploc / hefty bag, and bring them to ME (I will meet you and get it from you) or you can bring the bag DIRECTLY to newhope Church in Durham, NC by 6PM TOMORROW (that is MONDAY, December 19th, 2011). Mark the bag to the attention of Amy Lynn.

Here’s what the bags need – and I cannot stress enough that it has to be THESE EXACT ITEMS – I know we all feel generous and want to put in other things, but this is a prison and they will not allow it.

• 1 TOOTHBRUSH
• Colgate classic medium or soft FULL HEAD toothbrush
• 1 TOOTHPASTE
• Colgate gel toothpaste (4.2 oz)
• OR
• Colgate mint toothpaste (6.4 oz)
• 1 BAR OF SOAP
• Dial Gold Soap (3.5 oz)
• OR
• Ivory Soap (4.5 oz)
• 1 DEODORANT
• Lady Speed Stick Shower Fresh (1.5 oz)
• OR
• Secret Solid Powder Fresh (1.7 oz)
• OR
• Suave 24 Hour Protection Fresh Invisible Solid
• 1 SHAMPOO
• Suave Humectant Shampoo (14.5 oz)
• OR
• Suave Naturals Shampoo Strawberry (15 oz)
• OR
• Pantene Pro V Shampoo (12.6 oz)

When I become a homeowner, this is exactly what I plan on doing.

Best. House. Ever.

(Thx @greglee for telling me about this house).

Word.

Although this is a local-topic post, the message is relevant no matter what city you live in.

For the past two and a half months, I have been spending my early Wednesday mornings attending the Chapel Hill Leads Group. Three months ago, I didn’t even know what a Leads group was, let alone did I know about one to attend. Well, as I was cold calling businesses trying to network, I met a man by the name of Jamey Tippens, a local home inspector. As I spoke to him about being new to the area, networking, and the like, he told me about the Chapel Hill Leads Group and suggested that I come check it out.

So I did.

For those of you that don’t know, a Leads group is a meeting/forum for individuals and/or businesses to meet, network, and talk about their business and goals. In just two months, I have met some incredible people at the Leads group, so I’m very grateful to Jamey for encouraging me to check it out.

I even had the privilege of volunteering for a few hours at the annual Chapel Hill Leads Group Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of North Carolina. We collected over $1,400 and enough food for 10,001 meals. That’s right… 10,001 meals. How awesome is that?

*Quick plug: for those of you in and around the Triangle, NC area, you should definitely come check out the Chapel Hill Leads Group. They meet EVERY Wednesday morning at Extraordinary Ventures in Chapel Hill. It’s FREE your first time, and only $5 a week after that (which helps to support the facility and pays for delicious goodies). It really is a GREAT way to meet new people, make friends, network, and learn about amazing new opportunities in business and career development. The group is really welcoming, fun, light-hearted, and well connected. They are really there to help you out.

If you don’t live in Chapel Hill, know that there are Leads groups that meet all over. I’m sure Google can help you find one in your area.

I also wanted to take a moment to plug the CHAPEL HILL LEADS GROUP BUSINESS AND CONSUMER EXPO.

When: Tuesday, November 10th

Time: 5PM – 9PM

Where: Extraordinary Ventures

Who: Anyone and everyone!

The BUSINESS AND CONSUMER EXPO presented by the Chapel Hill Leads Group will feature businesses from all around the surrounding Triangle and Triad communities.

Why not start your holiday shopping Early? Get gifts, food, clothing, and even services all in ONE location. Do a little networking! Bring business cards and make great new connections! Free admission and free catered dinner for ALL attendees!  Bring a friend. Network. Support local businesses. I’ll be there! Come see me!

Check out the event on FACEBOOK. Check out the event on EVENTBRITE.

Okay, back to my original point. Why is this relevant? In an economy such as this, many small and local businesses are struggling, yet small and local businesses put money back into the community. A community thrives through the strong support of small and local businesses.

Movements like the 3/50 project or LocalMotive are great for supporting the local economy. Check out movements in your area. Tell me: how are You helping to support your local economy?

Just food for thought.

Shop local. Buy local! See you at the Leads Expo!

All for now.

I don’t care what you say. Why in GOD’S NAME would they want to create a SNUGGIE for dogs? Snuggie’s for humans were bad enough, but a four-legged creature does not need a backwards robe.

Now look at this. This is a picture of my dog, Audrey. She’s adorable. Precious even. A gift from the doggie heavens. BUT she does not look cold in any way.

No snuggie needed.

Now look at this dog. He is adorable. On his own. He does not look cold. In fact, he looks uncomfortable. He is saying, “For the love of all things sacred, take this thing off of me.”

is that a dog or a burrito?

Everything about this is NOT okay.

So folks, don’t buy in to the Snuggie hype. Stand strong. And don’t put your dog in a backwards robe.

ADDENDUM TO POST: October 12, 2009 the SNUGGIE DOG COMMERCIAL