Category: Holidays
-
Homeless Helper Bags
If you’re a longtime reader of Little Merry Sunshine, you may remember how last December I was inspired by my Facebook friend Scott to make meal bags and pass them out to homeless people. That activity was one of the best parts of my year of 100 new experiences because it reminded me how grateful…
-
Celebrate Thanksgiving with The West Wing
Today is Thanksgiving and one of the things I’m most grateful for is the seven season documentary* The West Wing. I know this show backwards and forward, sort of like some people know Caddyshack or Star Wars or the Blues Brothers I. Love. The. West. Wing. Don’t bother to argue with me about Aaron Sorkin. I…
-
31 Days of Random Acts of Kindness – 2014 Elf on the Shelf Edition
In December 2013, I hitched my wagon to my friend Stacy’s incredible idea of 31 Days of Random Acts of Kindness and spent the entire month spreading joy throughout the land. Stacy even created a hashtag, #31RAOK, which was a blast to use and follow on Twitter and Facebook. Last year was such a success…
-
Elf on the Shelf turns this hater into a believer
Unless you’ve been living under a rock without internet access for the past few years, you’ve undoubtedly heard of or come into direct contact with the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon that will shortly overtake the otherwise rational minds of parents everywhere. It appears the Elf on the Shelf began innocently enough, but has morphed…
-
New Holiday: Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes Day
In September 2013, as part of my personal challenge to have 100 new experiences, I created a holiday, International Stay In Bed and Read a Book Day. As you can imagine, it’s become very popular and is celebrated worldwide. Fourteen months later, I’ve decided that it’s time for another new holiday. Therefore, I hereby declare…
-
Happy Birthday America . . . and Betsey and Ross!
Like many of you, I will be celebrating all of the freedoms our ancestors fought for some 238 years ago. This post isn’t about America because High Gloss and Sauce has that covered. Go read her post. I’ll be right here. Seriously, she’s awesome and her blog is super witty. I’ve got a big girl…
-
Happy Memorial Day Weekend
I love Memorial Day Weekend. It’s a three-day weekend and the first work holiday since New Year’s for many adults. It’s the unofficial kickoff to Summer, although in Chicago this year no one knows for sure. It marks about three weeks to my favorite holiday of the year – my birthday. And, of course, it’s…
-
Letters to a new mom: A ChicagoNow series
Over the course of this week, ChicagoNow bloggers have come together to provide our collective wisdom to new moms. This series came to be thanks to the efforts of Mary Tyler Mom. It was her suggestion and it caught on like wildfire. To date, there are 41 posts by both moms and non-moms alike. As…
-
Letter to a new mom on Mother’s Day: Healthy relationships start with you
ChicagoNow bloggers are joining forces today in support of new moms as they celebrate their first Mother’s Day, although the advice below is just plain good life advice for everyone. Want to read all the posts written for Mother’s Day? We’ve Storified them and you can find them all here. Dear New Mom, Congratulations on your…
-
You Say It’s Your Birthday? It’s My Birthday Too . . . In 6 Weeks!
We need to have a serious discussion. It has come to my attention that some of you have not yet begun to shop for my birthday, which is just six weeks away. That’s like tomorrow! Knowing that you want to get me the perfect birthday gift, I’ve taken it upon myself to make a few…
Jessica L Gardner 