The month of November was a challenge in several ways and one of them was that I committed to write a blog post every single day. If you have followed me for any length of time you know that I normally average about 5 posts a week with 2 of those being taken up with Teapot Tuesday and Wordless Wednesday.  I normally do a blog hop on Friday that Hilary at Feeling Beachie hosts but the past month I have put that on the back burner and done more writing posts.  Add to it that our Comments for a Cause recipient for November was Allison whose trip to Honduras and an orphanage spurred a lot of comments and you have one tired blogger!!!!   In a good way.   Allison rallied the troops and between her efforts and my participation in NaBloPoMo we had lots of visitors to It’s Just Life and a lot of commenters, too! Fabulous!!!  It might be a good thing that I do not include my own responses in the count!!!

Allison Spruill

I am thrilled to announce that we will be donating $411 to help Allison with her upcoming trip to the orphanage.   Pat yourselves on the back.  YOU made it happen!!!  This is by far the largest total yet and it makes me think that this was a spectacular month indeed!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

So many causes seem to be lining up presenting themselves as worthwhile and needed places to highlight and donate to these days.  It is difficult to narrow it down and choose but choose I did!  I will once again be giving to UMCOR to help aid with Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts in the Philippines.   The thing that I love about UMCOR is that 100% of my donation goes to the relief effort that I designate.  Please join me in making this a fabulous donation month for those affected by this horrific disaster.  A short video follows that explains what UMCOR is doing to offer aid and assistance.  If you can and want to find a cause to give to over this holiday season I would highly recommend using UMCOR as a starting point for your giving efforts.  While there are many wonderful charities out there (and believe me—there are a lot!) I firmly believe that UMCOR has boots on the ground during disasters as fast as some of the more well known agencies.  This coming Tuesday, December 3rd, all gifts made through UMCOR will be matched dollar for dollar up to $500,000. That means if you choose to make a donation on that day it will have double the impact.

Oh hey–I updated my profile pic today!   No more 2 year old picture.  I like this one almost as much as the last one.  Hard to like a picture of yourself sometimes!!  🙂  Thanks to Mr. Diamond, my photographer who always makes me smile.