Blood Drive as a "Short Timer"

I was able to finally give blood at work.  I usually try to as often as I can {ever since college}, and that only seems to be if my workplace is running the drive.  I never seem to be able to get to one anywhere else if it's during the work day -- I can't really afford to take the time off to do so.  And I don't usually find any drives close enough on the weekends.  That's the good thing about companies sponsoring them for their employees.

So, yeah, workplace blood drives are my best bet.  If your workplace does not currently sponsor blood drives at least once a year, I highly recommend you contact your HR department and make that suggestion.  It only benefits EVERYBODY.  And technically they should be able to run a drive every quarter, in line with how often a person should be able to donate.  How easy is that??

And I say "finally" because I haven't had the chance in nearly two years since my previous workplace.  I couldn't at all last year since I was pregnant.  And I'm just now getting around to it this year.

I feel like I have to get back into it and also pick up the slack from Hubby.  You see, he's Trypanophobic.  Haha.  BIG WORD.  I just learned it actually.  Googled "needle phobia" and yep, that's Hubby!  So since he is unwilling to give blood I need to give as often as I can. 



[ source ]



And of course, I sent the below picture of me to him just to tease him.  Unfortunately the lady wouldn't let me take a picture of her putting the needle in me to send to my husband -- because that's too mean.  Hehe.  So even without an actual needle shot I still got this response from Hubby, "Not funny! I just gagged a little."





I was the first Donation of the morning.
My "war wound"

I've also been called "Short Timer" a lot this week.  On account that it's my last few days working there.  All I can do it smile and nod.  Because yes.  I am a Short Timer.  :)

I hope my new workplace runs Blood Drives.  If not, I'll be contacting the HR department to encourage it.

Another thing: Giving blood is also on my 101 in 1001 list.  Another one to cross off.  :)  Woohoo!



http://www.redcrossblood.org/



Give Blood.  Find a Drive near You.

Bake Sale for Childhood Hunger

It was about 5-6 weeks ago that Lucas' daycare sent out information that they were going to put together a Bake Sale.  It wasn't to raise food for themselves but for Starving Children in the world.

It's actually called the Great American Bake Sale and it's an event hosted this very weekend nationally.  Apparently we are the very first organization in North Carolina to host.  Please see the website for more information.

So our daycare created a team, Sweet Smiles and I joined up to donate my wonderful baking skills.  Since they announced the event I had gone through my coupons and set aside all the baked goods.  I would do my grocery shopping and pick up this and that.  And before I knew it I had a stash of cupcake mixes and frostings.  I went a bit overboard.

But I still signed up on the little sheet of everything that I was going to make.

It's a cell phone picture so it's blurry, but it's A LOT!

I spent FIVE hours baking and invidually wrapping each cupcake, brownie and set of 3 cookies.  I even tried a new recipe from Pinterest, Tie-Dye Fruity Cupcakes.  I ended up having to throw about half the batch away unfortunately.  I overfilled the cups so they muffin-topped out of the pan.  And I also felt that some of them were way too moist and fell apart a bit.  But my second batch was a bit better and the right consistency, so SUCCESS!

Also from the phone. 
But they are colorful, and I added SweeTarts Jelly Beans on top.

I also made those FUN da-Middles and they are YUMMY.  I had a few extra of those so I brought them to work.

Yummy gooeyness inside!

The ladies at the daycare were very grateful from my overzealous baking.  :)  I sure broke my back doing it all but I was glad to do it for a great cause.

This morning we went over to the Bake Sale and snatched up some goodies for ourselves.  Even though Hubby isn't into sweets...so I'll most likely have to eat the treats myself.



Our goodies we purchased.  Hubby likes the peanut butter balls.



It's not too late to donate to fight Childhood Hunger!  If you missed our Bake Sale you can also donate money online.  Here is the link to my personal page which is linked to my team, Sweet Smiles.  Thanks to several people who have already helped me exceed my personal goal of $30 - I have reach $70!  The team goal is $600.  Thanks for your help.  :)

**UPDATE 05/02/12: The team raised over $1400 and donations are accepted throughout the year.  Thanks to all those who help support this bake sale.