Healthy Halloween

The project:
Give out 100%, organic juice boxes to trick-or-treaters.

Time:
45 minutes - including shopping and answering the door over, and over, and over again! :)

Why bother?
When our own kids were tiny, they didn't eat junk food with the exception of the occasional home-baked treat, so when Halloween came around, it didn't make sense to me to give to OTHER children what I believed was detrimental to the health of my OWN children. We started to experiment with Halloween treats that might bring smiles AND be healthier alternatives.

It's probably no big surprise that, while our kids really loved fruit leather, this was NOT a warmly received Halloween treat. That was an expensive experiment.

We went with Halloween toys a couple of years. That was expensive, plus with our house packed with toys and trinkets, the last thing EYE want, as the maid, is more stuff, particularly cheap junk that the kids will toss into a corner and forget by morning.

We hit upon glow sticks and juice boxes a couple of years ago - both are warmly received. The kids are always so thirsty from running around that they usually turn around and immediately ask their parents if they can drink their juice. "Right now?" Plus the glow sticks, already snapped to life by us, help make the little ghouls more visible. This year, I had to cut out the glow sticks. (Those organic juice boxes aren't exactly cheap...particularly when you're hosting an army one door knock at a time.) Maybe next year we'll be set with the sticks n' juice again.

Worth it?
Yes. I do confess that I feel like a bit of a party pooper. But I find the kids' immediate reaction to the juice rewarding, and we've had no complaints...yet.

Soccer - Game Day Pictures

The project:
Fulfill parents' orders for game day pictures shot throughout this season.

Time:
15 minutes

Why bother?
See any of these posts for the background.

Worth it?
Yes, but I'm getting a bit burned out. Still, it's certainly nice to know people are enjoying the photos I snap from the sidelines.

Tail Light Warning

The project:
Flag down another driver in a parking lot to let her know her taillights were out.

Time:
Moments

Why bother?
As motorists, we're each responsible for maintaining our vehicles. That maintenance includes our taillights, which are tough to check if the driver doesn't have a second party to help her out, or a mirror or plate-glass window to use as such. When I tell other motorists about failed tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and backup lights, more often than not they're surprised and happy someone told them.

Worth it?
Yes. May have saved her a fix-it ticket, plus she'll be a lot easier (and safer) to follow once she fixes 'em.

Recycle for the Future

The project:
Recycle our bag of plastic bags and packages, aluminum, glass and plastic bottles and cans.

Time:
20 minutes

Why bother?
It only takes a few minutes (more today because we tried out a new location), the materials are repurposed, and the girls get some cash for their wallets and savings accounts.

Worth it?
Yes, though we'll be headed back across town to the old standby rather than deal with this center. (ARGH!)

Make Diabetic-friendly Cookies

The project:
Make a batch of shortbread cookies that meet the requirements of a diabetic artist we've recently met.

Time:
40 minutes or so, including cleanup.

Why bother?
This artist has been giving local kids some pointers. As a diabetic, most of the treats given him are passed on directly to his wife. I was hoping to provide a treat he, too, could enjoy.

Worth it?
Yes, though he was reluctant to take them until I provided the recipe. Then what a smile and sigh of relief he gave as he carried the cookies away.

Soccer Photos - redux

The project:
The youth soccer photo project continues. I adopted this project for the length of the season.

Time:
An hour today, managing, editing and providing images to parents.

Why bother?
See previous posts.

Worth it?
Yes, but I confess I'm growing a bit tired, perhaps in largest part due to some snide remarks made by a couple of parents who have taken advantage of the service, but are less than thrilled for whatever reason ("there's only one of my kid," etc.)

Join the Food Support Crew at Church

The project:
Sign up to help provide meals to families in need: recently returned from hospital, ill, aged.

Time:
Moments to sign up, but the projects will take longer in months to come.

Why bother?
I enjoy cooking, particularly for people who appreciate the effort. My husband's church membership is dwindling as children move on to other communities or other churches (or leave church altogether), and their parents and grandparents age. Many have passed on, and newcomers are few and far between. That leaves an increasing load of work for the dwindling number of volunteers. I thought I'd throw my chef's hat in the ring.

Worth it?
I think it will be.