Food Rescue

Through one of the ladies at church, I recently got involved in an organization called Food Rescue. Basically, what they do is get donations of perfectly good food from restaurants and stores that would normally get thrown away. The volunteers pick up the food from the establishment and then deliver it to an organization that can use it. I've been picking up from a Panera bakery a couple of times a month and taking it to the Clara White mission downtown. It breaks my heart to see the homeless people sleeping in the parking lot where I go to deliver, not to mention all the ones just hanging around waiting for the help they receive from the mission.

It's amazing how much Panera throws out daily. Some days I pick up as many as 7-8 huge plastic bags full. We just got word that we're delivering more than Clara White can use, so the next time I deliver, I will be delivering to a new organization. I'm not doing much, but hopefully it's making a difference to at least one person.

Maybe you'd like to donate 90 minutes of your time once a month? Or perhaps you know of an establishment that throws out food that they could donate? Find out more about Food Rescue by visiting their website at http://www.foodrescue.net.

2008 Songahm Taekwondo Fall Nationals - Orlando, Florida

JT has been taking Karate classes for a little over a year now and is doing very well. It's very obvious his instructors are impressed with his progress and he gets called out quite a bit in classes to demonstrate moves and help out. Of course, he loves it! He goes to karate class at least 4 days a week. He would go every day if we let him. He is very passionate about the sport and works very hard to be the best he can be. We are very proud of him!

His instructors told us he was ready for competition and asked if we wanted to let him compete in the Nationals competition in Orlando. We decided that since he worked so hard, and he really wanted to do it that we would let him. So for a couple of months before the competition he worked really hard getting ready.

We went down on Friday and watched the black belts compete. Then on Saturday morning it was JT's turn to compete. He was very confident and didn't seem nervous at all. It was a good thing because I think Tim was nervous enough for all of us. He ended up competing in a ring with about 12 other boys his age/size. I had a few knots in my stomach as well! JT put on his game face and competed like a little champion! We honestly didn't really expect him to win anything, just walk away with experience and life lessons. He surprised us though!

He ended up with a Gold medal in Weapons... a Silver medal in Forms and a Bronze medal in Sparring! I think he even surprised himself! He had some really good competition and the wins weren't easy... he truly earned them.

Here are a few photos and a video:

After a spending a couple of days at the karate competitions, we decided to head to Universal Studios on Sunday and enjoy some fun family time before we headed home. We had figured it would be a great consolation if he didn't do well, or a great way to celebrate if he did.

Random Labor Day Video Clips

Labor Day on Ichetucknee River 2008

We had a great time Labor Day weekend with the Emerson's. They invited us to their house on the Ichetucknee so we went down Sunday morning and came home Monday night.

We packed alot of fun into those two days we spent there with them. Shannon said the river was much higher than usual due to tropical storm Faye. Because of that, we had the pleasure of seeing lots of Manatees come right up to their property where they swim. Once there were 8 manatees there at one time. The kids had fun swimming with them and taking photos with my camera underwater.

It took awhile, but JT finally got to touch one. I told him I've never swam with them, much less touched one before so he was pretty lucky.

JT had a few firsts this weekend besides swimming with the manatees. He drove a golf cart, swung off a rope swing into the river and jumped from a high platform into the river. You can tell from the photos he had a great time. I don't think the smile ever left his face.

Tim and I had a great time too! Thanks Shannon, Derek, Zach, Jacob, Josh and Mia for a fun and memorable weekend with friends! Also, thanks to Becky (Shannon's mom) for giving up her bedroom for us for the night!

JT Asks...

JT is selling Entertainment '09 Coupon Books

We use ours all the time and have saved a lot of money between the restaurants and movie passes we've used.

If you like to go to the Alhambra, they have a buy one get one coupon that will save you up to $42!

Check out the discounts included at:
http://www.entertainment.com

Then let me know if you would like to purchase one. $20 for the Jacksonville edition if purchased from JT direct.

They make great gifts too! If you'd like a city other than Jacksonville, you can buy them online.

You can also visit http://www.entertainment.com/email to purchase an Entertainment Coupon book. Be sure to enter my Seller Number, 269183, so my group gets credit.

Thank you!