Day 4 - get involved!!!

I mentioned previously this week about my very active Granny. She may no longer with us but there are many people out there doing similar work / acts of kindness as she did.

If you know of someone who could benefit from some inter-action please contact one of the groups below. Or maybe you want to give something back by volunteering some time to help one of these groups, it will be very much appreciated.

http://www.homelinkbray.ie/
http://www.activeirl.ie/
http://www.ageandopportunity.ie/
http://www.olderandbolder.ie/
http://www.ownireland.ie/
http://www.ageaction.ie/
http://www.alone.ie/
http://www.friendsoftheelderly.ie/

Wow, week 3 of the 2011 blog already........

So what shall we talk about this week?? As http://www.homelinkbray.ie/ is a service for the elderly, I thought why not talk about the elderly in our community so this week’s blog is all about your community and how the elderly contribute and enhance life for us all and it’s dedicated to my wonderful Granny, who was always busy so there will little snippets of all her shenanigans, most of which will make you smile!!! If you have any stories, words of wisdom, grievances, advice etc. etc. please feel free to post to this blogspot.

Why not have a read of this little gem?

Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul: Stories to Open the Hearts and Rekindle the Spirits of Grandparents

Self help books....help or hindrance???

I heard an interesting discussion on the radio this morning. The topic was self help books and do they really work. 'The Secret', a best seller, came up in conversation. I personally have not read it as I wasn't a big fan of the notion that anything bad that has happened in my life is my fault but I do know of other people who swear by it. Have you read it? If so, what are your opinions? A masterpiece or a pile of waffle??

Interesting article..........

Sorry guys, blogger being a bold boy today and won't let me put a direct link on this post so have to go with this -->>

www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/0111/1224287231696.html

Day 6 - Marathon!!!!

So you’ve reached day 18 of no-smoking, healthier eating and getting more exercise. Sounds like you are an ideal candidate for a marathon in 2011. Think of the sense of achievement you will get crossing that finishing line. Don’t be thinking of getting fastest times, being on the winners podium etc. Set your own goal, get planning, follow through on your plan and achieving YOUR goal, YOUR very own podium.

We here in Homelink can help you get over that finishing line. By getting sponsorship for a charity, you get the added benefit that all your hard work and determination not only helped your own life but the lives of others. And we want to hear from you, your plans, your weekly goals, your training schedules, if you slipped a bit one week, how many friends you have roped in.

Drop us a mail homelink.fr@gmail.com and we would be delighted to send you out a sponsorship pack.

‘Help your heart, help all hearts’

Day 3 - Make Fitness Fun!!!

Make fitness fun – yesterday we looked at getting fit with a hula hoop. That might not be your thing so how about swaying in the moonlight, swinging in the sunshine or stomp stomp stomp!!!

Ballroom dancing– thanks to the success of Strictly Come Dancing, ballroom dancing is not just for the experts. Learning to ballroom dance ticks off lots of boxes – fitness, meeting new people, learning a new skill and posture.

If that is not your thing, then there are also hip hop dance classes, ballet for adults, line dancing (yee haw) and of course Irish Dancing (my favourite).

So go on, whether it’s a bit of fiddly de di, cha cha cha or clicking your heels, get your dancing shoes on!!!

Day 4 - Get DANCING!!!

Can't get out to dance classes but love the idea of learning how to dance. Then click on the link, get your copy and get dancing!!!




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing, DVD Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

Get Fit in 2011

This week’s blog is all about following up on that New Year’s resolution to get fitter in 2011. It doesn’t matter whether your aim is to run the London or New York marathon or just partake in some light yoga. As the saying goes ‘every little helps’.

So it’s off to do some research into getting fit the FUN way. Not everyone likes running, or even walking for that matter (me included). Likewise re swimming or anything to do with water. But I shall find alternative ways to get active this year, ways to suit all shapes, sizes, ages etc.

Check back tomorrow for an update!!!

Day 5 - Fitness and Health

Yes, I know, you all know that being fit is good for you. But do you know exactly WHY it is good for you? Well keep reading…………

1. Regular activity has a number of proven, positive health effects, especially on heart health. Vigorous exercise strengthens the heart as a pump, making it a larger, more efficient muscle. Even moderate activity can boost HDL ('good') cholesterol, aid the circulatory system, and lower blood pressure and blood fats. All these effects translate into reduced risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

2. Exercise can also offer other benefits, including strengthened muscles, increased flexibility, and stronger bones, which can help ward off the bone-thinning condition called osteoporosis.

3. Regular activity also promises mental-health benefits, like relieving stress and anxiety. It can help you sleep better and renew your energy. If exercise could be bottled, it would be a best-selling potion at the local pharmacy.

If exercise could be bottled, it would be a best-selling potion at the local pharmacy.

Surveys confirm the well-known fact that most people aren't active enough and boy, do we pay for it. 12% of all deaths are due to a lack of regular exercise. So look around you, 1 out of the 10 people you see right now will die from lack of exercise – SCARY!!

So what’s stopping you?

The reasons for inactivity aren't hard to figure out. Most of us have jobs where we sit most of the time, so chances are limited to be physically active at work. We also rely heavily on modern, labor-saving devices - cars, appliances, and power tools - to spare us manual effort.

But that’s not the main reason why people avoid physical exercise. Have a look at all those TV ads featuring some young, gorgeous celebrity jumping around with some other young gorgeous specimens with any extra inches airbrushed away. You know that is not within your grasp or capabilities so you ignore it and grab another biscuit.

Well, stop! Going for a walk with a friend is just as good and probably more fun. Gardening is a fantastic all over body workout and look at the added benefits, a pretty garden to sit in and enjoy the sunshine knowing you have earned a break. And as we mentioned yesterday, ballroom dancing is for all ages and no sweat or jumping around needed (until you get to the cha-cha-cha!).

So go for it, get up off your ass and make a difference to YOUR life. Care for YOUR heart, don’t break it.

Day 2 - whoop wHoop.......get fit!!!

So you don't like jogging, find it too cold to walk, swimming is just too wet, aerobics is just too much like hard work. Well then grab a hula hoop, throw on some music and swing those hips. Why not get some friends around and have a hula hoop party (not the munchie kind of hula hoops!!)....guaranteed laughter, fun and fitness :-)


Gaiam Marisa Tomei HoopBody Hoop and DVD Kit

Another product that may be of interest :)

Imak Arthritis Gloves Medium (Pack of 2)

Arthritis & Weather - Fact or Fiction

It’s winter and for some that means cosy nights in with the fire blazing and lovely walks in fresh winter air. But for others, winter brings on pain due to the weather affecting their arthritis. This made me curious so I decided to do some research on why the weather affects arthritis sufferers. What I discovered was very interesting.

The first note of interest is this: there is NO clinical proof that the weather affects arthritis sufferers. Numerous studies have been done and there was no conclusive evidence that a rainy day will cause pain for all arthritis sufferers. Some feel the affect on a damp day, others don’t but feel the affect just after or before a storm. And the same percentage suffer arthritis in Florida as in Cork!

What was proven is that changes in the weather does cause problems to sufferers but maybe not in the way we thought. Rather than the ‘damp’ getting into your bones, it is a change of atmospheric pressure that causes the pain. Plus, during the colder weather, we tend to do less exercise. Less exercise means less strength in your muscles. Less muscular strength equals more stress and strain on your joints.

I could go on and on and on but the most interesting article I found was http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/arthritis/44-1.html.

Reading Material :)

I came across this book that may be of interest to arthritis sufferers.



Conquering Arthritis: What Doctors Don't Tell You Because They Don't Know

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. ~Author Unknown

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty. ~John Selden

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months! ~Edward Payson Powell

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn

The proper behavior all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year's Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you're married to. ~P.J. O'Rourke

The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows. ~George William Curtis

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever. ~Mark Twain

Watch this space!

Well well well, have I found something seriously cool for you guys. Will post the details shortly!!!

New Years Resolutions Top Ten

Here it is folks, the final poll of 2010. And of course the final poll of 2010 is one that is all about 2011!!!! We have added how we can help with that resolution :)

1. Stop smoking - will power is really what is needed to succeed at this one but why not help Mr. W. Power and get sponsored by your friends and family. Each day you don't smoke they can contribute to your fund. So this way you are achieving resolution 1, 4, 8 and 10!!!

2. Get fit - sign up for a marathon or sporting event as your motivation. Get sponsored and get friends and family involved. Brill, that ticks off resolution 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10.

3. Lose weight - make losing weight easier by not just dieting but exercise so why not encorporate resolution 2 into your plan. You have now achieved resolutions 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10.

4. Enjoy life more - what better way to get the 'feel good' factor than helping others. Maybe you could use 7 and 10 in your plan.

5. Quit drinking - Get sponsored by your friends and family for each week you are away from the demon booze. That way you are killing 2 birds with 1 stone by completing 5 and 10.

6. Get organised - de-clutter your life. Get together with friends and family and have a garage sale. You will be amazed at how one man's junk is another man's treasure. Donate the proceeds to a charity and hey presto, resolutions 4, 6, 9 and 10 sorted.

7. Learn something new - the possibilities here are endless whether you want to try your hand at space flight or baking! Either way, learning something new can only enrich your life. My advice - GO FOR IT! And to really make it worthwhile rope in a friend or two to join you and if it's baking that is your new thing, have a cake sale of your wares and well, look at that, you have just completed resolutions 4, 7, 9 and 10.

8. Get out of debt - hmmm, this is a tricky one as there is not usually a quick fix solution. But what you can do is take baby steps in your quest. Maybe by learning a new skill you could improve your income (resolution 7)? If you are a smoker, then achieving resolution 1 will certainly improve your outgoings (€8.50 a pack....ouch!).

9. Spend more time with family - organising a charity event will certainly bring your friends and family together. Rather than looking at it like a task, make your event FUN! Laughter is surely the best medicine so the more fun you have the better you will feel. We here in Homelink just love whacky fundraising ideas so drop us a line and let's get laughing. That's a minimum of 4, 9 and 10 done!!!

10. Help people - 10 is the magic number. CALL US!!!

Want it, need it, source it!

So 2010 is drawing to a close and for many it seems, that is a blessing. There sure seems to be a lot of people out there who will be glad to see the back of 2010 and are hoping 2011 brings new hope and a fresh start.

Here in the Homelink Fundraising department we have SOOOOOO many plans to put in place for 2011 that we are hoping for 48 hour days, no snow disruptions and no more CUTBACKS!!!

One of our resolutions is to help all you fundraising and charitable souls achieve your 2011 goals - raise as much cash for charity as possible whilst having fun!!!

We want to HELP you HELP us HELP them :)

Watch this space for loads more on upcoming events/competitions/news etc. First up is our new FREE service 'Want it, need it, source it!' or Witnitsit if you prefer.

The idea is you need or want something but can't for the life of you find it in shops, online etc. and really don't have the time to do endless google searches. Well we are here to sort that out for you. Just post a comment with the details and leave the rest to us. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!!!

f

Photos!!!

So once again the country is at a standstill thanks to that fluffy white stuff. Everyone has so much to do before the big day on Saturday and I sense some panic is setting in. I got a call yesterday about brussel sprouts, yes, brussel sprouts. There were none in the local supermarket and no sign of them anywhere else. Christmas is not Christmas without brussel sprouts. So I have been given the mission of finding brussel sprouts before Saturday.....

In the meantime, I think some nice pictures (not of brussel sprouts!) would cheer everyone up so if you have any nice snow pictures feel free to post them on this blog :)

Close Call!!!

One team of teenage volunteers had a lucky escape when fundraising! They were out going door to door requesting sponsorship from local businesses for their upcoming event. At one particular office building, they knocked and knocked but no one answered.

The next morning however, they discovered exactly why. It turned out that they had just missed out on being picked up by the vice squad! The particular establishment was a ‘massage parlour’ and had been raided literally minutes before they got there.

I wonder what the kind of donation they would have got if it had been a day earlier!!!

Quirky Fundraising Idea

Quirky Fundraising Idea

I know I have asked for some ‘different’ fundraising ideas but I am not sure if this is one we will run with in 2011.

Pink Flamingo Fundraiser

Products needed: 10 pink flamingos

How the event works: Place the flamingos in various gardens in your neighbourhood with a note around the neck stating: For a €10 donation, we will take this flamingo and place it in the garden of your choice.(include contact information)

I would imagine we would receive many calls requesting the flamingo be removed (at a €10 charge happy days!) but I am not so sure if the animal rights organisations would approve. And of course, sourcing 10 pink flamingos might be a problem too.