Fund Raiser for Sandy Club: A Safe Place for Boys and Girls

Hey all you soft-hearted people out there! I'm speaking to you!

I am hoping to help raise money for a worthy cause. The Sandy Club "A Safe Place for Boys and Girls" is an independent organization that provides a safe, educational, and fun place for children and teens to hang out after school. This organization is similar to the Boys and Girls Club of America, but operates under the city of Sandy. This organization holds a special place in my heart because I've seen first hand the positive effects it can have on a child in need when I worked as a counselor last year. The director and staff are fabulous people who work tirelessly for all the club members to provide them with the best environment possible.

The Sandy Club holds an annual fund raising event at The Hidden Valley Country Club. This year it will take place on March 28th. I would like to encourage anyone who is able to give cash donations, sponsorships, or auction items to help this cause.

In addition to that, my brother Jason is raising money to buy a domain and build The Sandy Club a website. He is doing so as part of a volunteer project as a student at BYU. This is another wonderful opportunity to help your community. The website will provide information about joining the club, online donations, upcoming events, and helpful links for the clubs members.

If you are interested in donating to The Sandy Club through the Annual Fundraising Event, please contact Linda Saville (Director) at 561-4854. If you are interested in helping Jason raise money for The Sandy Club's website, please contact him at jasonstowell@gmail.com.

Whip-Its With Evil Aunt Rissy

Last Saturday Bret and I had my two cute nephews at our house while their parents had a night on the town. When they got there, Lachlan (almost two) indicated it was snack time. I like to set the precedence that anything goes at Aunt Rissy's house. So I opened the refrigerator and said, "Show me what you want to eat!" I thought for sure he would go for the leftover Adam's Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory, but he kept pointing to something higher on the shelf. Behind the milk was a can of whipped cream (I promise we just use it for hot chocolate). So, if that is what Lachlan wants, that is what he gets! He and I did "whip-its" together while Bret just stood by shaking his head. It is fun things like this that make "Aunt Rissy" the answer to "Who is your favorite aunt?"

The Lost Art of Chivalry is Found!

Yesterday I made a quick run to the grocery store. After loading my bags in my car, I turned to take the empty cart to the cart return. Just then, a good looking guy walked by, took hold of my cart, and said "Let me take that for you." At first I thought he meant that he was just going to use the cart. But when he turned it around and steered it over to the cart return, I was stunned that he was simply being chivalrous. When he turned, I quickly smiled, and thanked him as he went on his way.

This small act of kindness was huge to me. My mood instantly lifted and it felt great to be a woman. I've always found chivalry to be a very attractive and important quality in a man. While I don't claim my husband to be a stellar example of chivalry, he puts in a good effort and I do my best to keep him on his toes. I've made sure that Bret has a copy of Emily Post's "The Etiquette Advantage in Business," although it has dust on the cover. I have given the book "How to Raise a Gentleman" to mothers with new son's, though I never feel like they are very excited to read it!

I'm a fairly independent woman and have strong feelings about equal rights. Therefore, I definitely agree that chivalry is a two-way street. Men and women alike must be courteous and respectful to each other, particularly to our partners. Acts of chivalry should be based on the desire to show kindness, not simply based on gender.

Many of you that read my blog have young sons. While I'm sure that you will all raise your sons to be respectful of women, in my counseling practice I see a lot of male teenage clients who fail to understand how to express their respect. Let's make an extra effort to bring chivalry back by teaching our sons, and husbands alike, to be polite and show respect and kindness through simple, day-to-day acts. As women, we can teach our daughters, as well as commit ourselves, to show kindness in return.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Every year I love to get pictures taken for our Christmas cards and for frames in our house and my office. To some it may be weird, since we don't have any children. But why do you have to wait for children to have this kind of fun? Our good friend Julie Burton offered to exchange her photography skills for my help with her Christmas cards. I think I got the better end of the deal! So if anyone reading this is in need of a great photographer, please visit Julie's blog to see some of her amazing work (http://julieburtonphotography.blogspot.com/).