Big Mama's Closet

This quote sums up exactly how Big Mama's Closet came about!  In early fall, I was overcome with this overwhelming feeling of needing to volunteer to help children in our community.  I didn't quite know what I was supposed to be doing and I wanted to do something that I believed in...something that would truly make a difference in the lives of children.  I began praying about it daily and started talking to friends about what I could do.    I also went in to Moulton and talked to Mr. Myers to see if there was anything I could do to help out there.  He suggested that I volunteer at Homework Helpers, an after school program that allows children to stay at the school and do their homework, while getting help from teachers and adults who volunteer. They also get a drink and snack each day! It is a wonderful program and I loved helping!  (If you have a free hour during the week from 3-4, I think you should try it, too!!)  Anyway, one day, I went into the office to talk to Mr. Myers and it just so happened that the women in the office were discussing getting clothes for a boy in need.  Tamara asked me if I had any boys clothes sized 10-12 that I could spare!  It was so crazy...I had a big bag of 10-12's sitting by the back door, most of it never worn!  I ran home and got it and they gave the clothing to the boy that day.  On Sunday at church, Mrs. Horseman came up and told me that it was like I was an angel in the office that day and that the boy was so thrilled with the clothes and shoes I gave him!  Of course, that made me cry...but it also made the wheels start turning!  I sat through church that day on the verge of tears...God had answered my prayers!  Now if you know me, I can get some pretty big ideas...and if I want something I usually don't back down!  So, I went to Mr. Myers, Mrs. Bence & Mr. Pullen over the next few days.  They were all very supportive...Mrs. Bence even said that they had just had a meeting about what they were going to do to get all the items they needed for students and that this was the perfect solution...isn't it amazing how God works??  So by Thursday of that week, I had my plan, I had approval from the schools, I had a LITTLE space in the schools to store the clothing, I had sent out messages...and the money and donations started rolling in!!!  When it is God's plan, things can happen very quickly, without much effort!  I was amazed, overwhelmed and and humbled by what God can do through one unqualified person!  Since that week, Big Mama's Closet has been going strong!  We have helped so many kids!

This is how it works...I collect donated money and GENTLY used, CLEAN clothing & coats, NEW underwear & socks, I buy new shoes, hygiene products, and clothes that we need with the money donated.  Everything is stored at Moulton and the High School (and in my van!).  Teachers and staff  have request forms that they fill out and put in my mailbox at their school.  I then get the request and fill the "order" as quickly as I can!  If we have the items needed on hand, sometimes I can fill the request that day, other times, I have to go out and purchase items and that can take a little longer.  I then get the items back to the teachers and they get it to the students!  Sometimes, at Moulton, we let the children come in and try on items and "shop" for what they like!  It is so awesome to see them smile about what we are giving them...when you see a 4th grade boy get excited about pajama pants and get a big hug because he is happy he is going to be "all cozy warm" in bed that night...it warms your heart and puts life in perspective!!!
I have to say a big "THANK YOU" to all the people who have supported this project!  Some people have really gone above and beyond and been so generous and helpful...I want to list a few names and if I leave your name off I am sorry...I am just going to type those donations I can recall off the top of my head...Lisa & Earl Peifer, Gary & Diane Crowder, Jamie & John Heiserman, John & Patti Tynan, Dennis & Kendra Ross, Kent & Cristy Murphy, Kristen Ross, Stu & Carol Hott, Mr. Myers and Moulton Student Council, Pete & Laura Vitale, Randy & Marilyn Biehler, Heather Cloe, Tonya Sarver, Tonya Lynch, Jill Bleskey, Bill & Ronda Robinson, Dawn Toberman, Gary & Lorrie Hayden, Kristi Banning, Cindi Owens, Greg & Rosanne Reynolds, Donna Storm, Lila Husdon, Lois Williams, Shirley Kennell, Lorene Davis, Cristy Pullen, Lisa Mayhall, Jennifer Endsley, Schryll Bernson, Janie Fox, Jessica Fox, Pat Swartzbaugh, Nancy Wilhelm,  Dena Darnell, Julie Winnings, Penny Standerfer and Shelbyville Polkice Department,  Beth White, Krysta Hendrix, Eric & Jamie Bowyer, Suasn Stephens, Tamara Meyer, Dan Gordon, Vonda McConnell and The Chamber, Interagency group...(sorry for any mispelled names!) I know I am forgetting SEVERAL people but I also know that the people who help are NOT doing it to be noticed...they are doing it out of the kindness of their hearts!  And they will forgive me for leaving off their names...as many, many, many more have donated clothing items and money!!!

Without the monetary donations, we could not do this!!!  EVERY DOLLAR HELPS!!!  So if you would like to make a monetary donation, you can order from Joe's Pizza tonight, you can stop by and drop off a donation at Joe's between 5-7, you can send a check to the school with your child in an envelope marked Big Mama's Closet, or you can mail a check to me!  Right now, we can not take more clothing...our closet space is full!  I will let you know when we need items!

Today, we need NEW big boys/small men's shoes size 6 & 8, and a men's 12!  We also need some 34X34 jeans!  If you have either of those items, please contact me! If I do not get anything, I will be going to Effingham to purchase them tomorrow!  Remember, we are giving these to Jr. high and high school students...they would rather go without that wear something that they will get them harassed or made fun of...so we try to get them something they will like and be proud of! 

TONIGHT is the fundraiser At Joe's Pizza...20% of ANY order between 4pm and 9:30pm will be donated to Big Mama's Closet!  This fundraiser is being put on by Moulton Student Council, so students will be working from 5-7!  Please come out and support the children in our community!!!

And last but not least, I challenge you to listen to what God may be calling you to do to help others! Pray about it and then get on your feet and work!  I promise you, your life will be better and you will be blessed when you forget about yourself and do something to help those less fortunate! 

Tag...I'm it!

My blog-friend Janie tagged me...so I am playing along...but I don't have 11 blogger friends to tag, so I am gonna tag some friends that had better (that means MUST) post their answers under comments or else....this should be fun and/or embarrassing! 

1. post the rules.

2.  post eleven fun facts about yourself

3.  answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.

4.  tag eleven people and link them on your post

5. let them know you’ve tagged them

Here goes:

Eleven Fun Facts About Me:

1. I love to sing...I dream about singing...on stage while dancing like Madonna...she is my idol!  Problem is...I am HORRIBLE!!!

2. I love musicals...I also want to dance and sing on Broadway...I would like to be "Sandy" in Grease,  "Belle" in Beauty and The Beast, "Tracy" in Hairspray, "Annie" in Annie or anyone one of the women in Mama Mia!

3. I played volleyball in college and in my mind I still can play just like I used to...however, when I play it doesn't seem to go so well!  My body does NOT seem to get the memos from my brain!

4. I was on The Oprah Winfrey Show...it was taped on my birthday, April 29 in 2010.  I embarrassed myself in front of Oprah and the world!  Why, oh why, did I have to start crying??? And why on earth would they post this awful photo on the website for the world to see?  Exactly how many chins do you count???

4. I love to play wiffle ball...I think I will be playing when I am eighty! Wanna know the problem with this?  When I run and laugh at the same time, I tend to pee down my leg! Yes, sad, but true!

5. I am far too short for my weight!  I blame my grandmothers Hazel & Lois for this!

6. As my friend Theresa pointed out to me recently, I am addicted to quotes...sayings...and I have them all over my house!  I love them!  I'll share one of my favs with ya...

7. I love to have people over...I would be happy with a house full of kids...or a house full of my friends...it just makes me so happy!  And no matter how late it is, I am always sad when they leave! I try not to show it but I just want to grab them and squeeze them and make them stay!

8. I don't like to be touched accidentally...like when you're sitting by someone and your legs bump...or your arms touch...GROSS!

9. However, I do love to HUG!!!  It is hard for me to not hug people when I see them but I feel like I have to hold back...people might think I am crazy!  I just want to squeeze people that I care about!  I think I might make a rule at my house that you have to hug me upon arrival and departure...maybe that would make the leaving easier?? Doubt it.

10.  I still wish I could belch like my best friend, Joni!  She is amazing!  I can recall many days drinking pop & eating Doritos...and having burping contests.  Don't think I ever won!  That Joni, she is one talented gal!

11. I LOVE to shop and I LOVE clothes...I tell Darren that it's a good thing I'm chubby...otherwise he would be B-R-O-K-E!  My kids tell me to STOP buying them clothes...really??  Who says that??

Now to answer the questions...

1. Who is your favorite singer/music group?

Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Trisha Yearwood, Janet Jackson, Sugarland, I love so many, I can't pick one!  Music calms me and makes me dance...if it is on I can't sit still!

 
2.  Do you have a favorite game to play on the computer/tablet/iPad/iPod?  If so, what is it?

yes...it's called "online shopping"!

3. What is your favorite movie?

What About Bob, Tommy Boy, Pretty Woman, The Hangover, Bridesmaids, The Help, A Time to Kill...don't watch movies very often...only at theatre where I can't get distracted easily!

4.  How long did you know your spouse when you got married?  If you're not married, what is the longest  you have seen someone?

We were in the same class all through school...I remember him from 4th grade on...he was my "boyfriend" in 8th grade...we were high school sweethearts, so we dated since we were 15.

5.  Were you involved in music in high school/college?

Does singing loudly on the volleyball van while everyone else was sleep count?  If so, then yes!

6.  What special group were you involved in during high school/college?

The volleyball team...Twin City Club, Shelbyville High School and at Millikin University

7.  When you're all alone, what do you like to eat for dinner?

 I scrounge for whatever looks good. I never cook for myself.  But cheese always is a winner with me!

8.  Left or right handed?

Right. 

 
9.  How tall are you?

5'2" on my long leg!

 
10.  What is your favorite pair of shoes?

Right now, my leopard print flats...just bought my second pair because I wore out the first pair!

11. How long have you lived in your house/apartment/condo?

4 years at this house.

 Questions from Tiffani:

Nice just realized I was answering the wrong questions...oh well...I'll just keep going now!

1. favorite color

right now...turquoise & red...I have no clue if that is spelled right!

2. dream vacation

I want to take my family to Hawaii or somewhere tropical...I LOVE the beach & ocean!

3. are you a hugger or not

YES!!!  Big HUGGER!

4. what do you want to be when you grow up

-A Solid Gold Dancer

-Singer
-Wish I would have got my Masters in Counseling instead of Family Services!  I would love to be a school guidance counselor!  I love kids and would love to work with them daily!

-tall & thin...yes, I am very unrealistic, I know!

5. when you eat out do you usually order dessert

Almost never...I would rather have some more taters or cheese or bread!

6. what is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity

Shopping for bargains...playing volleyball...reading...hard to choose

7. what is your favorite day of the week

Sunday...least busy day of the week and usually everyone is home!

 

8. what was your favorite food as a child?

Tacos & Doritos

9. what is something you learned this last week

I need a back up alarm for my 2:45 alarm!

10. if you could change your first name what would you change it to?

Not sure...Allie maybe

11. do you have a nickname

Sis or Sissy...my family calls me that, especially my dad and brother

Now Questions from Janie...the ones I was supposed to answer...I am an over acheiver!

1. Favorite chipmunk...Alvin, Simon, or Theodore?

Theodore

2. Plastic tubs or cardboard boxes?

BOTH...I have lots of treasures!

3.  What's your best suggestion for a gag gift?

 Anything from Plaza Boutique...I bought several there this year!

4. Who is your favorite author?

Jodi Picoult

5. Do you have a lucky number/letter?

Not really..6 was my volleyball number but not sure it is lucky!

6. What would your brother/sister say is your best quality?

He would say I have no good qualities!  Not sure, I'll have to ask him!  I can tell you his...he is very GIVING!

7. Do you paint your toenails in the winter?

NOPE!

8. How old were you when you had your first date?

Prob 14

 

9. If you were in the Miss USA contest what would be your talent?

Dancing

10. Are a you a lover or a fighter?

Lover...that loves to argue!  I can agree to disagree!

11. Kardashians...friend or foe?

Friends...they are ridiculous...they are crude and make me laugh...I think we would get along just fine.  Especially if they shared their make up artist with me!

                           Now, my questions for the ones I tag...

1. Who is your favorite Real Housewife??  Please tell me you watch at least one of them!
2. If you went to college where and what did you study?  If you didn't, where do you wish you would have gone?  Would you do something different now?
3. What would be your dream day?
4. What person would you most like to interview and why?
5. How many kids did you say you wanted when you were growing up? How many do you have?
6. Who do you miss the most?
7.  What is the best gift you have been given?
8. Have you ever done a random act of kindness?  What was it?  Don't you think we should all do one today? I do!
9. Who is your favorite living celebrity?
10.  What is one thing you would change about ME (amber) if you could?  Be Honest!  And one thing you would like to change about yourself?
11. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Who am I tagging?  You can post your answers in comments section under blog or on your facebook page as a note and tag me...I would love to see them!  Please cooperate girls!  All you have to do is answer the 11 questions above!

1. Janie Fox
2. Vonda McConnell "I'm not the only one!"
3. Di Winson No link to her blog...just to FB
4. Julia Boyd
5. Joni Biddle
6. Beth White
7. Theresa Clark
8. Cristy Pullen
9. Jennifer Crowder
10. Lois Williams
11. Teri Whalen
12. Jamie McDonald
13. Tonya Kern-Honea
14. Tara Crews
15. Tonya Lynch
16 Wendy trimble

So I can't count...I figure the more I list the better chance I had at getting someone to play along!

Mother of The Year???

Mother of the Year...I was nowhere near getting that award last week.  I debated telling you all such honest, negative things about myself already, with this only being my second post...but I thought, "what the heck, they are gonna find out sooner or later anyway"!  Right? 

I don't know if I can remember all of my mistakes from the last week...but I can recall a few!
I have been known to forget things every now and then...ok, since I'm being honest, I should say daily!  My friends and family are very kind to offer suggestions to help me remember.  We have a big white board calendar by the back door, that Darren faithfully fills up every month with all we need to do!  Problem with that is, I have to actually READ the info on it...NOT just GLANCE at it as I walk by. I have a little trouble with things not "registering" when I read them!  (THE gas tank being on EMPTY is one of the main things that does not seem to register when i glance at it! And that is NOT good!) Which leads to the first mistake...missing Abbie's basketball practice Thursday.  Now, I know what you're thinking..she is only 8, no big deal.  Problem is...I HELP coach! So, yes, put a big "L" on my forehead...I am a loser!  Poor girl missed three of her practices...2 of them because I FORGOT!
Another "friendly suggestion" I get is to set the alarm on my cell phone.  Believe it or not, I do know how to do just that!  I have several alarm times set..one for 4:20am for the days I teach Body Pump, one for 4:33am as a back up for the 4:20am in case I hit off and fall back to sleep,  one for 7:00am for Sunday's that I can actually sleep in, one for 6:25am for Tuesday and Thursday if I don't want to exercise in the morning, one for 5:20am for the days I do want to exercise with my lovely neighbor, Lorrie. I also have  one for 11:30pm and I HAVE NO CLUE as to why I would need that! And last but not least, I have one set to go off DAILY at 2:45pm as a reminder to pick up my kids from school!  That 2:45 alarm has been set for to go off daily for 2 years...since I worked at Whalen's and would get so into making arrangements that I would forget to leave at 3:00.  So, Teri told me to set an alarm to signal to me to stop, clean up and go get kids!  THANKS to Teri that has worked great for quite a while now! 

Do you see where this is headed???  I thought so! 

Yes, on Friday, I came home from work in the afternoon and was attempting to clean up the house a little. HONEST, I really was!  However, the new puppy (aka: small furry devil) was attacking the broom and going crazy, so I decided to sit down with him and get him to calm down.  The time was 2:30.  That's the last thing I remember...until I jumped from my sleep and looked at my phone in horror as I see the numbers 3:12!!!  NOT GOOD! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TRUSTY 2:45 ALARM???  I ran to the van, called the school, I'm sure making no sense to Susan, as I am wiping the slobber off of my face, trying to explain that I fell asleep, blah, blah, blah...Anyway, I get to the school about 3:17.  Had to run in and explain to Mrs. Ladd why I am late...and apologize over and over, because this is the 3rd day this week that I was LATE! (yes, you read that correctly...the 3rd time in one week!) Not this late but I was late! Then I rush across town to go pick up Brett...it is now 3:25, no cars, no crossing guard, no bus, no other children...just Brett standing there FREEZING...mad as hornet! At least, I didn't have to explain to his teacher and be embarrassed all over again! 
And did I mention that Abbie was having a friend spend the night?  Up the embarrassment level once more! 
And then the kids get to tell Darren...who already thinks that I nap each day!!  I don't!!  I promise!!!

So, this morning, on the way to school, Brett says, "MOM, PLEASE DON'T TAKE A NAP TODAY AND FORGET ME!!"  to which Abbie says, "YEAH, MOM!!!"  Nice, real nice!

Hey, it wasn't my fault...I want to know who turned off that alarm...I think i was set up! Don't you?

So, there you have it...I admit it...I am not and probably NEVER will be "Mother of the Year"!  However, I DO LOVE MY CHILDREN and I am lots of fun...just a bit of a "fly by the seat of my pants" kinda gal! 
It's 2:17pm...and a nap sure sounds good!

Inspiration

Do you have someone in your life who inspires you to be better, to do more, to love more or to laugh more?  Recently, I started reading Janie's blog...and she inspires me in so many ways!  Just how, you ask?  Let's count the ways...
1. To be a more LOVING mom
2. To LAUGH at myself (even more than I already do!)
3. To SAY what I think...(I know what you are thinking...don't need much help in that department!)
4. To LIVE and LOVE my life
5. To be a WOMAN of GOD!
6. To DECORATE however I WANT!
7. To ACCEPT that I LOOK GOOFY in pictures and that it's OK!  And not be afraid to show them!
8. To KEEP snapping PICTURES with my CAMERA...(she makes me look REAL GOOD!!! LOL)
9. To try again to QUIT  DRINKING THAT BLASTED DIET COKE!
10. To DO MORE with my FRIENDS because I NEED THEM in my life!
11. To LOVE and ADORE MY AWESOMELY (is that a word?) HANDSOME HUSBAND!
12. To be honest about being ADD...which I pretty much share openly, I am ADD after all...not many secrets here!
13. To continue to use HUMOR daily to make it through CRAZY days!
14.  To be OK with myself and ALL THAT MAKES ME WHO I AM!
15. To START posting on my OWN BLOG...

Well, I could go on but a girl has to shower before church!
So, thanks Janie for being an inspiration to me!
WHEW...first one done!