Thinking oustide the box (Christmas gift box)

I haven't been that great about keeping up with my blog lately, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been busy. Oh, just a side note, I went back to see "Pride and Prejudice" at the new theatre and they now have water bottles for sale behind the counter! Since I started my new job in Savannah I have been leaving earlier and coming home later (with the commute and extended hours through the end of the year). Then after work I try and get to the gym which means that I'm not home until 8pm sometimes....sometimes later. I've been trying to eat better which is difficult at this time of the year, especially when people are bringing in cookies and candy for the holidays but not impossible. Anyway...

I know that Christmas is coming and people around you are asking what you want for Christmas and everything seems so hectic but I want to remind people to stop for a minute and think of how others less fortunate are spending their Christmas/Holiday season. Do we really need all of this stuff that people are giving us? Probably not in most cases. We are lucky to even have a roof over our heads and food on our table. I urge people to think outside their families and into others this holiday season and give to those who can't even afford a Christmas dinner.

Last year Morgan and I sponsored two children from different families from the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton. They give their Christmas wishes along with their clothing sizes and we went shopping for them and delivered the gifts to the Boys and Girls Club. I can't tell you how great that made us feel. To know that we shared a piece of happiness with strangers who are in need of extra attention. Whether through poverty, sickness, etc. these families need our help. This year Morgan and I are sponsoring a family from the same club and are eager to help out and give what we can...even when our pockets are tight.

I'm not preaching to people and telling them what they should or shouldn't be doing with their money this year...that's the last thing that I would want, but I think that a lot of times we forget to look around and outside of ourselves...and this is the perfect time and opportunity.

Organizations:
Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton 843-706-2300
Salvation Army (angel tree)
Churches

what a rip-off

Morgan and I finally ventured out to the new SeaTurtle movie theatre that my former architecture firm (KRA, Inc.) designed. The building is beautiful and the layout is very clear...the carpet could be better but that's ok. We paid for the tickets online and used one of the kiosks inside the lobby to print out our tickets and were amazed with how quick and painless it was. We decided to fork over the money for concessions since it was our first time there. Morgan ordered popcorn and a soda and I ordered sour patch kids (my favorite) and tried to order a bottle of water. I was told that the bottles of water were only for sale out of the drink machine in the hallway...here's where it goes downhill.

We enter into the hallway after giving our tickets to the attendant and walk over to the soda/water machine. First of all, they wanted $3.00 for a bottle of water! After I got over that shock I tried to feed the machine three dollar bills but it wouldn't take them...it wouldn't even try to take them. So I trudged back to the concession stand and asked for three dollars worth of quarters...the machine still wouldn't take my money. So back I went and asked where else I could get water. She handed me a small cup and said that I could take the cup and get water out of the water fountain that was behind me! I almost laughed in her face. In the whole establishment's concession stand they did not have a single bottle of water nor did they have a water option on their soda machines (fountain drink machine). This was very annoying. So I had to get a lemonade which did not go well with sour fruit candy.

After spending who knows how much money on building such a great place you would at least think that they would have on hand one of the Earth's most important and plentiful resources...but no, it was there taunting me from behind the glass of the soda machine. Next time I'm taking my own water...and possibly my own candy...take that Seymour Turtle!