#24 (May): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed:  5/1/2010

My May activity supported Children’s Home Society & Family Services (CHSFS) which strives to give every child security, opportunity, permanency and a loving family. Based in St. Paul, MN, CHSFS serves families in Minnesota, throughout the U. S. and in more than a dozen countries worldwide in the core service areas of adoption, early childhood care and education, child and family support, and counseling and therapy. This month, CHSFS partnered with Bachman’s garden centers to celebrate May Day and Bachman’s 125th anniversary. Shoppers were welcomed to visit the CHSFS table to create a special free May Day basket. A featured mini-bouquet of flowers was also available with proceeds generously donated by Bachman's to CHSFS.

I enjoyed the event, but I’ll admit that I’m not a “master gardener” like my mother. Bachman’s Plymouth location where I volunteered actually sold me the one and only plant that I’ve ever kept alive for more than a week though! So everyone, meet Franklin - yes, I named him. I’ve had him since October 2008 and I figured if he had a name, he’d stay alive. He’s amazing. I got him because he’s not an ordinary plant. In fact, he was sold as a cactus. However, since I pretty much qualify as an Arizonan, I can tell you he’s more of a succulent than a cactus, but whatever – who am I to correct Bachman’s! Anyway, I thought I’d share this picture that I took with my new iPhone app called Hipstamatic. This is the John Smith lens and I love it - very artsy. I’m going to download some other lenses, but this little $1.99 base app is well worth it! A huge thank you to my friend Christina Snead who owns Blink in the Minneapolis warehouse district for suggesting it. And while I'm at promoting my friends and their businesses, please give Christina a call - she's great and you'll never feel so relaxed as at Blink. In fact, Christina is extra special because THE LIST concept actually came to me after chatting with her about our "to do's", organization and simplification, life fulfillment, etc. When you visit Christina, ask her about (1) the awesome door she has in her workspace and (2) the little black dress. You'll never want to leave.