Pay It Forward ~ 2nd Blogiversary

A post with a difference 

to mark 

Sprout's House's 2nd Birthday!

It can not have failed to escape your notice that there are some terrible things happening in the world at the moment ~ the killing of journalist James Foley, the Ebola epidemic that continues to threaten lives and communities, the ongoing conflict in Gaza to name just a few.

It can be hard when the world seems so full of suffering and hardship to feel positive about the future, but we all have the ability to create more happiness and positivity in the world. This week the following showed up in my Facebook news feed.....

After all the recent terrible tragedies that have happened and are happening, this world needs as much kindness as it can get.....
I'm participating in the Pay it Forward initiative: 

the first five people who comment on this status with "I'm in" will receive a surprise from me at some point during this calendar year- anything from a book, a ticket, something home-grown, homemade, a postcard..... absolutely any surprise!
There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These five people must make the same offer on their Facebook status. Once my first five have commented "I'm in" I will forward this message to put on your status. (Don't share it) so we can form a web of connection of kindness.
Let's do more nice and loving things in 2014, without any reason other than to make each other smile and show that we think of each other.
Here's to a more enjoyable, friendly and love filled year.... Also, when I PM to you, I will need you to PM your address back to me (if I don't already have it!). xx

I replied and now have a team of five (or six if you count my lil' sis who snuck in at the end!) who will receive something from me.

Whilst I am under no illusion, opting in is not going to cure world hunger, prevent terrorist attacks or improve the living conditions of millions of people around the world, but it is going to encourage people to shift their focus away from themselves and their own lives and think of others. It is going to promote thoughtfulness, kindness, reflection and consideration. It is not about spending vast amounts of money or showering your team with gifts; it's about thinking carefully and considerately about what might make them happy, what they might need and when they might need it. It could be a book, a voucher, a home cooked meal or even help around the house.

It was interesting to see who responded - I ended up with two colleagues, an ex-colleague, a uni friend, a teacher training friend and of course my sister. All from a variety of different backgrounds, different ages; some married, some not; some with children or child on the way, some without; some living nearby, some living abroad. Each of those five will end up with their own five people and so the chain will continue.

If you see this message pop up in your news feed, why not consider opting in or simply copy the message above and start your own 'Pay It Forward' chain. The more people involved the more happiness and positive vibes that will be generated.

Sprout’s House

 xox

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Tackling the Toy Mountain

With only a few weeks (hopefully!!??) left before we move it’s time to tackle the toy mountain.

In my defence, I would like to point out that once upon a time I was going to start my own child minding business so I spent a bit of time raiding charity shops to help expand Sprout’s collection of toys.

It definitely got worse before it got better!!

I worked my way through each shelf and divided her toys into the following piles -

Broken toys – BIN BIN BIN!!!

Baby toys - I cleaned these ready to store should there ever be a Sprout Mark 2.....

Toys to donate – These were cleaned, bagged up and then I took them down to the charity shop so they didn’t get a chance to linger and be ‘re-discovered’!

And finally the toys that are still played with….my aim was to try and fit these into the four baskets you can see in the first two photos ready for easy transportation on moving day. Mission accomplished - ish... (All those puzzles will have to be stored in the baskets closer to M-day.)

Why don't you cull something in your house over the next few day? Even if it's just a few old books or magazines that have been sitting around for ages!!

Sprout’s House

           xox

Weigh and Pay

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have recently had a good clear out of my wardrobes and as usual I took all the bits and pieces that I'd decided to part company with to my local charity shop. However, my soon-to-be sister-in-law recently drew my attention to a scheme that operates in her area – Weigh and Pay. In a nutshell, they are a company who specialise in recycling textiles – clothes, shoes, handbags, belts, curtains and household linen – and for every 10kg bag you drop off at their recycling centre they will give you £4! So you can raise a bit of money and cleanse your house at the same time – result!!

Although Weigh and Pay only operates in the Wrexham area, there are other schemes available too.

Cash for Clothing operates throughout the UK and will collect from your door. They not only take clothing, but also CDs and DVDs too. The clothing they collect is sent to third world countries or to those experiencing situations that result in extreme poverty. Clothing that is not suitable to be re-used will either be made into new textiles or be used as wiping cloths by various industries.

UK Clothing Caravan also offers a clothes collection service. Their work force grade and sort each piece of clothing into over 200 grades before exporting it worldwide. As well as proving affordable second-hand clothes it also generates employment and supporting entrepreneurship in the developing world. You can also use this scheme to raise money for your local community or fund raise for a cause you want to help.

Ultimately by recycling clothing, you are also being environmentally friendly as the more that's sent to landfill the more that has to be produced thus increasing pollution.

If you need any more convincing here’s an equation that everyone can relate to!!

(Equation courtesy of soon-to-be sister-in-law!!)

Sprout’s House

           Xox