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Back from BlogHer ’10 NYC! *$50 Pay it Forward Giveaway!* (Closed)

August 10, 2010 By Tanya 934 Comments

Life is too short to overlook the good things that happen in life. While I had a hard, long and busy summer, there are so many things that happened that made me really appreciate my life, my family, my friends and even my adventures. Life isn’t all about ‘me, me, me’, but here we go… ready? Oh,  holy moly, what a BUSY two months this has been. I apologize to you all, my readers, subscribers & sweepers for the lack of my presence lately. In less than a month:

  • We broke down in Wichita, KS in July
  • Flew to Texas in July
  • Went back to Wichita in July (busy July, huh?)
  • Then went to visit the inlaws in NW Iowa
  • and last – but not least – we went to BlogHer in New York City for the past week.

What an adventure it was! Truly was an amazing opportunity to meet up with some old friends, meet some new ones, I had fun exploring New York City with  my hubby

With the help of an amazing sponsor, Aetrex (more info to come this week!), I was able to walk comfortably in NYC, be in style and track my ‘mileage’. Hard to believe I walked 2.93 miles in one MORNING, but we did and I felt great and went to do more the next day.

While at BlogHer ’10, I saw tweets where a lot of people were eating in style, all day… every day. While this may be fun, this is not my style. Why?

  1. I refused to spend $50 on one meal, times three, for 4 days. That adds up. We were very frugal and found a Whole Foods market our first hour of being in the city and we bought sandwich stuff (ham, cheese, bread and even doritos – to make our famous sandwiches) This, my lovelies, was my breakfast on Friday morning. It was a.m.a.z.i.n.g.! Don’t hate.
  2. We spent about $40.00 on food, water, sandwich stuff, Gatorade, chips, and even sprung for some beer. This lasted us from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. Frugal? You bet your ass I was frugal.
  3. Confession: I spent $34.00 on one meal for hubby & I – the entire trip. Why? Because I deserved it. :D

While I was at BlogHer ’10, I met up with companies that I have worked with for years, I chatted the family companies that I have grown more and more to love and I even made it to a few parties and events. This year, I didn’t announce where I was going to be at, until I had already left due to privacy and stalker issues, but I was so excited to have found out that Jennifer from The Dirty t-shirt was my partner in crime, and my hubby was our personal bodyguard and navigator. This was a blast!!! Jen, my husband and I all were invited to a fun filled cocktail hour with Smucker’s,

to a truly heartwarming event with Ralph Lauren

I cried during this presentation. Seriously, ask anyone. It was touching! They were so kind to have invited my husband to come with me, AND they even presented him with a gift bag of his own. Thank you!

Once this was over with, Jen (The Dirty t-shirt), hubby and I ventured over to a rooftop event with Nikon, where we sat back and relaxed while I drooled over the D300s.

On Saturday, we caught a cab in to NYC and met up with a bestie that I had never met face to face; yet we have known each other online for about 5 years. This trip was jam packed with knowledge, information, laughter, shock, fun & an entire novel of memories.

I have SO much to say, SO many pictures to share, and so many thoughts and thank you’s to present. With this said, I am feeling like paying it forward to one lucky reader.

I have a $50.00 American Express Gift Card to give away for one reader. Why? Because you deserve it.I learned a lot about life, business ethics, people… and myself in general.

  • Prize: $50.00 American Express Gift Card – 1 winner
  • How to enter: Main entry – required - Please post a comment to me if you have ‘Paid it Forward’ to someone. If so, what was it? If you have not, what would you love to do for someone else?
  • Entrants: US and Canada entries
  • Entries: Unlimited entries/comments on this post and unlimited tweets – just be sure to comment here with your link to your new tweet and make sure that the required entry is your first entry, then you can tweet away, enter daily, tell your friends, send a smoke signal, or even make me a Dorito sandwich.
  • Contest deadline: This contest will end on August 28, 2010 at 11:59pm Central Time.
  • Prize Details: Prize will be mailed out with a tracking number, the following Monday after prize is claimed. (This is my shipping time frame)

This is not a sponsored post by or for anyone. I firmly believe in paying it forward.

Life is too short to let it pass you by. Stop, take time to smell and soak in the beauty of life and life around you. Smile every chance you get. Laugh every second you can. Love every minute of every day.

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Filed Under Closed Contests, General, Pay it Forward

About Tanya
After working professionally in computer information technology, as well as prior work in the telecommunications industry, Tanya Gordon relocated to southwest Iowa in conjunction with her husband’s job. Mommy Goggles launched over 5 years ago, rising to prominence as a national Mom Blogger and highly sought after by brands to work closely with them on their reach to Mom consumers. In addition, Tanya happily parents two wondrous children who despite best efforts still have been known to engage in ongoing sibling squabbles: Tucker, 6, and Kambry, 3 1/2.You can read more about Tanya here.

Comments

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    Anne Taylor says:
    August 14, 2010 at 1:38 PM

    http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/21170114281

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

  5. 202
    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 14, 2010 at 1:17 PM

    tweet

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/21169007576

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. 201
    Cynthia C says:
    August 14, 2010 at 12:54 PM

    When my parents were kind enough to babysit for me when I returned to work, I paid it forward by sending them to Hawaii.

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    Betty N says:
    August 14, 2010 at 12:02 PM

    College students usually are on very tight budgets. I can remember when I was in college and I bought only what I needed and then cheap stuff….I visited a relative of my then fiancee and they had bought Old Maine Trotter shoes for their daughters. One of them was my size so they had me try them on. Those were the most comfortable shoes I could even imagine but out of my price range. After I returned to school, I received a package from them. And there was a pair of the shoes for me. So recently, I met a young college girl and she worked and was pretty much putting herself through college. I gave her a little money to go shopping and buy something new that she would like. She shopped thrift stores and was able to buy 2 adorable dresses with the money. It made me feel good that I could do it.

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    Anne Taylor says:
    August 14, 2010 at 10:37 AM

    http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/21158269053

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

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    Patricia Treskovich says:
    August 14, 2010 at 8:53 AM

    sat. tweet Latest: http://www.mommygoggles.com/back-from-blogher-nyc/ less than 5 seconds ago

  15. 192
    Betty N says:
    August 14, 2010 at 8:49 AM

    tweet
    Back from BlogHer ’10 NYC! *$50 Pay it Forward Giveaway!* (8/28)

    Betty Nations Reply:
    August 14th, 2010 at 11:56 AM

    @Betty N, I forgot to leave a link for the above tweet. Here it is
    http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/21163854250

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 14, 2010 at 6:31 AM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/21143244123
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 14, 2010 at 4:17 AM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/21137703618
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Suzanne K says:
    August 13, 2010 at 11:02 PM

    My neighbor has 2 apple trees and shares her apples with me. She also takes many of them to the local food bank. So, when I have blackberries, I pick them and take them to her to thank her for sharing her apples with me and the food bank!

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    Denise S says:
    August 13, 2010 at 7:12 PM

    I have ‘paid it forward’ in the past by sponsoring poor families in the rural South and sending them monthly care packages.

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 13, 2010 at 4:17 PM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/21096054681
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Betty N says:
    August 13, 2010 at 3:15 PM

    How have you paid it forward…tweet
    http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/21092274159

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    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 13, 2010 at 2:32 PM

    Another thing I thought of that I pay it forward with, is sometimes in the line at Starbucks drive-thru or even fast food(which I rarely eat lol), I will offer to pay for the person’s order who is behind me! I love that and can just imagine the surprise on their face! lol

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com :bye:

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    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 13, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/21089453342

    tweet

    Stacey(165): I love that! so sweet!

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    Shawna OBrien says:
    August 13, 2010 at 2:08 PM

    I have a friend and co-worker whom a tree fell on her car which was totaled. My husband and I have 2 cars, so we let her borrow 1 of our cars for a few weeks until she could get another one.

  40. 167
    Stacey Kaiser says:
    August 13, 2010 at 1:20 PM

    I have a friend that works full time as a teacher and also does yoga classes, marathons and CCD classes, etc. She still helped me out by picking up my children at school a few days in the spring when my schedule was crazy. It was not much out of her way (down the street) but it was very much appreciated. My husband and I wanted to do something back for her family when it got crazy. So our plan is to feed her family an Italian dinner (their favorite) one night this fall when her schedule is crazy. We plan to take everything over in the am drop it off with disposable pans, plates, silverware and everything so they can make it when it’s convenient and have no dishes. :bye:

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    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 13, 2010 at 9:53 AM

    tweet:
    :good: :good:
    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/21070049209

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Patricia Treskovich says:
    August 13, 2010 at 9:52 AM

    tweeted Latest: http://www.mommygoggles.com/back-from-blogher-nyc/ less than 5 seconds ago

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    Mellissa C says:
    August 13, 2010 at 9:45 AM

    I made some birthday cakes for free for some kids who I new their poarents were having a hard time financially.

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    Susan Margaret says:
    August 13, 2010 at 7:47 AM

    tweet
    http://twitter.com/littlecomper/status/21060901973

    charmtime at gmail dot com

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 13, 2010 at 3:46 AM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/21048659453
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Autumn B. says:
    August 13, 2010 at 1:34 AM

    i’d love to make our elderly neighbor a meal

    autumn398 @ yahoo.com

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    Mari says:
    August 12, 2010 at 11:34 PM

    I have paid it forward by helping friends find jobs through my contacts.

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    Nikkie Kluesner says:
    August 12, 2010 at 11:02 PM

    Lets see in the past month I have had to help my brother recover after having a fire in his home and losing everything! I can’t not afford to help him as much as I would like. but I do what i can! I may not a have a lot but I know that ever good dead is paid forward! Also I was approached by a gentleman a few months back saying how he had no money for gas and what not so I gave the man moey for gas, he swore up and down that he would repay me but i never heard back from him. My friends say im stupid for doign it, but i totally believe in what goes around comes around so I would want someone to help me if i was ever in the situation :)

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    Jennifer says:
    August 12, 2010 at 9:38 PM

    Sounds like you had a blast at BlogHer! I was there too, but didn’t run into nearly as many people as I wanted to meet.

    I paid it forward recently by sending some of my swag to a friend who doesn’t have much. Some of the toys she can use for her daughter’s birthday in September!

    Tanya Reply:
    August 13th, 2010 at 1:43 PM

    Jennifer, same here! I had one box of stuff that I had sent to a daycare that I donated swag to last year. If you remember, I was the one that drove to Chicago BlogHer 09 and drove back with a loaded full van of swag that was donated from bloggers that couldnt travel with it. All went to 2 daycares & one church. They still talk about it!

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    Anne Taylor says:
    August 12, 2010 at 8:33 PM

    http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/21023270307

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

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    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 12, 2010 at 6:27 PM

    tweet

    https://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/21014729914

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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    DJ says:
    August 12, 2010 at 6:14 PM

    It’s not much but I always leave the quarter in the shopping cart at ALDI’s.

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 12, 2010 at 4:56 PM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/21008702109
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:11 PM

    We have always believed in paying it forward and now we see our adult children doing the same. One just took i n a lady (and her 3 cats) for a period of time because she had no where to go; another is adopting a child to go along with their own 4 children because they felt that they could love and provide for this child. They exceed anything we ever did and those are just two examples from their lives of caring.

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    Tweets that mention Back from BlogHer ’10 NYC! *$50 Pay it Forward Giveaway!* (8/28) | Mommy Goggles -- Topsy.com says:
    August 12, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kelly Ann Thuet, Kelly Ann Thuet. Kelly Ann Thuet said: $50.00 American Express Gift Card http://www.mommygoggles.com/back-from-blogher-nyc/comment-page-1/# [...]

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    Elizabeth I says:
    August 12, 2010 at 2:00 PM

    I would pay it forward to my son’s godmother. She has been a wonderful friend to me for years and I have always wanted to surprise her with something, but hadn’t had the means.

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    cheyanna jaffke says:
    August 12, 2010 at 1:40 PM

    I won some gift certificates to a local amusement park. Instead of using them myself, I gave them to others including a coworker with a 2nd grader.

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    Leslie Price says:
    August 12, 2010 at 1:14 PM

    Every once in a while I like to sneak out of the office in the afternoon and come back with banana splits for all of my employees.

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    Marsha P says:
    August 12, 2010 at 11:15 AM

    Sometimes I will surprise some of my coworkers with a Rt 44 from Sonic. We all need a nice surprise every now and then!

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    Marsha P says:
    August 12, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    Recently my two girls were given a ton of Polly Pockets, Little Pet Shops, plus accessories for both, from a neighbor girl who was ready to embrace being a tween. In order to make room for all of this stuff I told the girls they needed to choose what to get rid of. Plus this was a good time to do a thorough clean (2nd time in 2 months). Well they were ready to get rid of a dollhouse and all of it’s accessories. We thought about what to do with it, should we donate to a local charity and get a tax deduction (this did cost me a pretty penney after all). But in the end we decided to give it to a little girl that my two like to play with. We loaded up all the stuff along with books that they had outgrown (the little girl is 3) and a Barbie laptop toy. We walked over to her house arms loaded, you would think it was Christmas Day with the reception that we received. It felt good to not only clean out toys that were no longer wanted but to also give to someone that couldn’t afford all this “stuff”.

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    Lori A. says:
    August 12, 2010 at 11:11 AM

    tweeted
    http://twitter.com/ljatwood/status/20986968501
    ljatwood at gmail dot com

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    Lori A. says:
    August 12, 2010 at 11:09 AM

    We try to pay it forward by passing on our still-good used items when we get newer ones to people who need them. We also needed assistance with food at one time so we are always giving to the local food pantry.
    ljatwood at gmail dot com

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    Bacallsmom says:
    August 12, 2010 at 10:38 AM

    For many years, I baked cookies every single weekend and brought them in to work for all to enjoy. I can’t do that now, but I enjoyed doing it when I could. I believe in treating people the way you would like to be treated, including doing nice things for them without expecting a reward for doing so.

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 10:25 AM

    We look for things to genuinely compliment people on….it is a lift to my spirits when someone says something nice…and there is so much negative coming at us in the world today that I think we all need a boost sometimes

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    My father always told me that “Children are to be seen and not heard” and he meant that! As I grew older, I hated what that says to children. I want children to know that if they come to our house, they are welcome to visit just as their parents are welcome to visit. I keep children’s books on the book shelf, games readily available and right now we have a used train table! (and a doll sitting in a little rocking chair)

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 10:20 AM

    My husband and I are so about paying it forward… when my grandkids lived far from me and I could not see them very often because of travel difficulties, two older people who lived near them loved our grandkids and acted much like grandparents….now all of our grandkids are close but I know how much we appreciated the couple taking an interest in our kids and grandkids. Now when we meet a couple with young children, we always ask about the grandparents. Right now we have 2 little boys who call us grandma and grandpa and hopefully we are doing for them what someone else once did for our grandchildren

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    Vickie Couturier says:
    August 12, 2010 at 8:42 AM

    I would love to be able to take my entire family out to dinner,but with 6 grown kids an 6 grandkids an their spouses,this is almost impossible dream to do,some of them live 1200 miles apart but hey I can dream

    vlbelk(at)Hotmail.com

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    Jennifer says:
    August 12, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    Recently we have been helping a family that is broke by providing them meals. Sometimes they come eat with us and others we just run the food to them. My boys went and picked out school supplies for their children.

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    Susan Margaret says:
    August 12, 2010 at 7:12 AM

    When I recently left my job, rather than get gifts from my colleagues, I gave them gifts. I wanted to tell them how much they had all meant to me over the years. Most were surprised and said they should be getting me gifts but I told them that simply having their support over the years was gift enough and they should show the same kindness to someone else at work!

    charmtime at gmail dot com

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 12, 2010 at 6:47 AM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/20968580834
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Betty Nations says:
    August 12, 2010 at 6:46 AM

    I have a real heart for single moms….I can not even imagine how hard it must be. My husband and I walk in the neighborhood each morning and we just met a very sweet single mom and her preschooler. The child is absolutely adorable and chatty and they walk her to her preschool before going to work. The other day the child was out of sort and mom still had to go to work but hated leaving her child like that. She had had a bad dream during the night and so she was still not her usual happy self. My husband is really good with kids and he talked to her and teased with her and she smiled and “high fived” him and was ready for her preschool day. The mom was so thankful for this little effort because she could feel ok about leaving her now happy child so she could go to work. It seemed like such a little thing to us but it was not a little thing to this single mom

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 6:41 AM

    I have a really hard time seeing someone need something that I have….we met a really nice, hardworking lady who had a husband and son out of work, she worked at a day care center…she needed glasses (she could not read a book to the children because of her vision). I happen to wear glasses…it just didn’t seem right that I could have them and she couldn’t. So my husband and I figured out how we could pay for the glasses and then we arranged with a local place to bill us. We told her it was all taken care of and she went in to get her glasses. I felt so much better and she was soooo happy. We have since moved from that town but we still receive emails from her from time to time.

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 6:36 AM

    When you help others, sometimes there are people that will help you to help others. One couple found out that we were gathering clothing for people who needed it. Now every year when they get their new wardrobe, they drop off their used clothing…which are still very very nice….and we have the opportunity of finding who to give it to. It is a blessing to us to have resources beyond ourselves.

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:35 AM

    You asked what we would like to do if we could…oh my, I see so many people struggling with loss of jobs and difficulty meeting bills……………I know the stress that money problems can put on people and on marriages. I would love to meet each individual need and relieve that stress from them….I chose one to help….if others chose just one then many, many people could be helped through this time

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:32 AM

    Sometimes it isn’t real convenient to help others but it is needed. A lady in our neighborhood needed a ride to the store each week. My husband does most of the grocery shopping so he told her he would stop by for her each Thur. And he was so patient if he had to wait….one Thursday we went together and she didn’t answer the door so we called 911 and police came out and let me go into the house to check on her…..and she needed aid and they called for the needed aid for her.

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:28 AM

    Sometimes God will have us do things we never thought we would be doing. Visiting in nursing homes is not always a pleasant experience. My husband and I delivered cookies to a home one Christmas; I met one particular lady and she said she could not have sweets so I asked what she would like to have….she wanted a fresh banana…so I went out and got her a banana and sat and talked with her. She had only one occasional visitor; her only relative was a niece out of state; she had outlived all her friends……soooo for the next two years my preschool son and I visited each week….along with a banana!

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:24 AM

    I reinstituted GP camp this summer. (GP stands for Grandparent) I started this when one of my grandsons was too young for any type of camp and his siblings were all going so I invited him to GP camp. My husband provided “field trips”, I initiated crafts and board games, special treats for snack time, stories, bubble blowing, and any other fun things we came up with. This summer a mom and dad needed some time away from their 5 and 7 year olds so we offered GP camp Fridays…on Fridays from 9:30-2:00 we did the same kinds of things that we had done with our grandson..It was good for the kids and for the parents.

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:20 AM

    If we have a larger item we no longer need, we put it by the curb with a free sign on it. Everything from an old and warped entertainment center (a lady stopped and said it would be perfect—-she was setting up a club house for her daughter; old wood that used to cover our windows during hurricane warnings all went within a few hours…if you didn’t live on a well traveled street, I just noticed that on Craig’s list under garage sales there is a “curb alert” of what will be put by the curb and you can have for free)

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    Betty N says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:16 AM

    good morning tweet
    http://twitter.com/home

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    hollowsins says:
    August 12, 2010 at 3:10 AM

    I have helped many people many times.I have donated or given money,time and more to events charities etc. :bye:

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 12, 2010 at 1:14 AM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/20952747091
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Jill L says:
    August 11, 2010 at 10:04 PM

    Whatever I can do to help someone else out, I try to do. I know even in the hardest of times, there is always someone who is suffering more than myself. When I was fortunate enough to get a new washer and dryer last year, I gave my not so old one to a friend who I knew really needed one. I would much rather help a friend out then make a couple of bucks.

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    Min says:
    August 11, 2010 at 9:00 PM

    I always try to pay it forward, last time donating found money. :-)

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    Cynthia R says:
    August 11, 2010 at 8:55 PM

    I don’t think I’ve ever done anything major for someone, i give someone coupons or let them use my savings card, let someone in while driving in heavy traffic, i babysit for free when a family really needs someone but can’t afford it. just small things

    Betty N Reply:
    August 13th, 2010 at 4:13 AM

    @Cynthia R,
    Cynthia…these “small things” are big blessings to others…it shows you care about them.

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    sandra says:
    August 11, 2010 at 8:50 PM

    i gave a ride to a teenager to school

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 8:15 PM

    We try to make meals whenever someone else could use the help…a new baby, illness and of course we like to help our relatives; for example my DIL works, has four kids and sometimes my son has to be out of town on business. So I make some of my grandkids favorites…take it over during the day….let her know what days I will be bringing food…

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 8:12 PM

    We shop at church sales, charity sales, thrift shops…not only do we find things that we need but we feel good that the money we spend is going to help others.

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    Doris C says:
    August 11, 2010 at 7:52 PM

    Ok most people know I am a huge animal lover and will do anything for them! When I was younger I ran into a problem where my pet was dying and I didn’t have $1500 (lots of money those days) to fix the problem because the company I worked for closed and I had just bought my first house at 24yr old this was devastating. I cried and felt so helpless I couldn’t help my pet, then an angel stepped in and lent me the money which i did pay back in full with interest and I was so grateful and ever since I have helped 6 people do the same but I do not expect repayment I do because I want to and I know how it feels. As for the interst I paid on my loan?? I married him!! 21 years and still happy and in love and he’s never let me down! :yahoo:

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 7:51 PM

    I enjoy entering contests…but not just for me. I love gift cards because they can be used to bless people in so many ways. They can decide where they most need it. A toy can be for the Christmas toy drive, a baby gift (such wonderful baby gift contests) for one who needs it, plus blessing my own husband, children and grandchildren.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 7:42 PM

    It is important to be a part of a group that helps others. There are a lot of things that we cannot do alone and there are many wonderful groups that we could choose to be involved with. We are at a church that does variousl “random acts of kindness” throughout the year. Every thing from free car washes (and will NOT taken donations for it), coffee on Black Friday, cookies to policemen and firemen, cold water on hot days, etc…just to show that people do care about them.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 7:38 PM

    We try to use our particular talents to help people…I can tutor young children in reading…but I couldn’t stand the thought of turning someone down because they couldn’t afford to pay for it. So I let people set their own price….I tutored for fresh fish, quarters, whatever. The main object was that the child got help

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 7:34 PM

    Whenever we eat out, we pray over our food before eating. When the waitress/waitor comes, my husband explains that we will be praying and is there anything we can pray about for them…very few say no and a few have teared up that we would even care to pray for something for them.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:59 PM

    Something we can all do is to extend grace to those around us. Is the waitress not too attentive or maybe even rude? (think about what may be going on in her life that could affect how she is acting). Give people the benefit of the doubt. Care about those who may be rubbing you the wrong way…sometimes they just need a kind word and a caring heart

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:56 PM

    Sometimes a person just needs a listening ear. I have no special wisdom to provide them but I can listen and try to be supportive at a difficult time

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:55 PM

    We put on an extra room on our house when my mother came to live with us. After she passed, we decided that occasionally we could use this room to help others that we knew. We let 2 college students stay there free as they did their internships in our town, a church secretary lost her home and needed time to get on her feet; etc

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:53 PM

    We have found young couples who cannot go out because they cannot afford babysitting. We have made it a practice over the years to do some free babysitting to relieve some of these young couples. They seem so refreshed to be able to have some time together without the kids.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Dealing with grief seems to be one of the most awful things to try to deal with. We found a book called “Good Grief” that explains the stages of grief and that they are common to all people and it is ok to grieve. We put aside money to buy multiple copies of this book to keep on hand and my husband keeps some in the car. Whenever we come across someone who is grieving, we offer them a copy of the book (free). It helps more than we ever could.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:30 PM

    Sometimes what we can do seems really little but we need to do what we can. We were asked to pray for a cancer patient…the sister of someone we knew…we could not visit because of any exposure to germs…so we called her and asked was there any thing she would like us to get for her….she wanted a milkshake from a particular place in our town….so my husband got the milkshake…called her and said he was on his way and that he would ring the doorbell, set the milkshake just beside the door and immediately leave and she could retrive the milkshake. It worked great and we repeated until she was hospitalized and could have visitors because she would die very soon. And we visited her………

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:25 PM

    If we can’t use something, we figure someone else can so we donate our unused items to such places as GoodWill, church sales for missions, and to individuals we know can use them. It is nice to know that others can use and enjoy that which we no longer need.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:24 PM

    We try to make our money stretch to support church food banks and others who are helping feed people. One way we do this is to watch for Buy ONe Get one food items at our grocery store. We put the “free” one away to give to help others food needs.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:22 PM

    We love to support others who are doing for others….each year we make sure to have canned food to give to the mail carriers food drive for the hungry. They are doing so much extra work to make a different for the hungry in our community that I want to really support their efforts.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:19 PM

    How do you share with a neighbor in need? We stocked up on basic food and things like toilet paper, etc. Then we invited the single mom next door to shop from our “plenty”. She was delighted and could pick out the items that they needed. The one item that she shared about was the toilet paper………imagine that you could not afford to buy toilet paper…it makes you feel….(I don’t know the word to describe it)

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:17 PM

    Christmas seems to be a time of year that brings out caring in many people. We were out shopping for our grandkids and we saw a little boy with a toy and the biggest smile you can imagine . Then we saw the parent take the toy and put it back. My husband struck up a conversation with the daddy and in the course of the conversation he shared that the toy was too much money. How about a grandparent buying it…no, that’s not possible. So we told them we were grandparents and we were going to buy it for him. So we did…and when we got to the cash register, we found that it was on sale! All of us were happy.

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:12 PM

    Paying it forward does not have to involve money. My husband is a great example of that. All of the workers at places we shop know him because he talks with them and genuinely cares about how they are and how there day is going. There seems to be such a lack of caring that I think this is a wonderful example.

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    nan lara says:
    August 11, 2010 at 5:57 PM

    my husband and i have helped my bro a few times when he’s needed it
    i know he’d do the same
    nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

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    Monique Rizzo says:
    August 11, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    I have sent money anonymous to families in need several times.Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill@comcast.net

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    A. Sorvig says:
    August 11, 2010 at 5:37 PM

    :heart: I love that you were so frugal with your food budget in NYC. That is NOT easy. You inspired me to be better about that on my next trip for sure. And the breakfast sandwich looked like just the thing to perk ya up in the a.m.!

    One of my online friends was having surgery, so I sent her a pretty and easy to get in and out of nightie from Carole Hochman for her to wear while getting back on her feet. She was shocked, and thrilled. I love that such a small gesture can change a person’s mood. She is doing well now, by the way. ;-)

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 11, 2010 at 4:11 PM

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/20916849638
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    addrienne mertens says:
    August 11, 2010 at 3:28 PM

    never had the chance..im broke. but i do alot for the family to help out if they need stuff. we do our best.

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    Jeff says:
    August 11, 2010 at 1:23 PM

    I believe in paying it forward always. A friend helped me move a tv, I gave him a bunch of beer. I also help him when I can.

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    Diane S says:
    August 11, 2010 at 1:13 PM

    I am making sure a new Mom is getting to enjoy a bible study by taking care of the expences.
    dessiemae10(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Denise B. says:
    August 11, 2010 at 12:27 PM

    There are usually one or two homeless men on the side of the Cross Bronx when we drive through. So, I usually bring extra food with us to hand to them if we see them out.

    Just an FYI, most people unfamiliar with New York City think it’s very expensive to eat and shop there. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you get caught up in the areas that attract tourists, you probably will pay far more than you have to. Before going to New York City, do your homework on the internet. Put in searches such as “New York City Cheap Eats”, “New York City Cheap Shopping”, etc. You would be quite surprised at how cheaply you can eat and shop for there–good food, good-size portions. :yes:

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    Sara Broers says:
    August 11, 2010 at 11:38 AM

    Just the other day, a woman ahead of me in a store did not have enough cash to pay for her purchase, she needed $2.00, I handed the money to the clerk and told her to take it. The woman said, “Thank you.” That’s all I needed, it felt good.

    sara_broers (at)yahoo (dot) com

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    Anne Taylor says:
    August 11, 2010 at 11:27 AM

    http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/20898722378

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

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    Jessie C. says:
    August 11, 2010 at 11:26 AM

    Whenever we acquire some gift cards, like Starbucks, Subway or Barnes& Nobles…etc, Hub and I have a habit by giving the rest balance to the next customer.

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    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 11, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    Daily tweet(and I brought you a dorito sandwich haha)

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/20896023192

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com :rose:

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    Jessie says:
    August 11, 2010 at 10:42 AM

    I hit a patch of ice and slid into a ditch about a decade ago. # cars drove by before a couple of gentlemen pulled my car back onto the road. Since then I’ve always stopped for distressed motorists if someone else wasn’t already helping.

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    Adrienne Gordon says:
    August 11, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    I have, last christmas, we took $100 in an envelope and put it in the mailbox of a lady in town we knew was having financial troubles.

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    mena says:
    August 11, 2010 at 9:20 AM

    this is just too wonderful, thanks so much for setting it up, what a great way to pay it forward! I love receiving surprises, specially the little ones that really make my day, so sometimes I pay the toll for the car behind me, or buy coffee for the person standing behind me so when they get to the counter they have a great start to the day!

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    Mary Williams says:
    August 11, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    I’ve also bought a thanksgiving dinner for a friend and her family because they couldn’t afford one that year! And, this gift card will so nice to use on Christmas!

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    Idaho Jill says:
    August 11, 2010 at 9:14 AM

    I am giving a grocery gift card to the local food bank. And I give away veggies from our garden, too. thanks – sounds like you had a great time. I’ve GOT to get to NY someday!

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    meeyeehere says:
    August 11, 2010 at 9:12 AM

    I pay it forward all the time,to many people. I have a giveaway on my blog right now ,you should enter! I am giving away a travelocity gf worth 100 bucks just because I felt like paying it forward too.I won that gf a long time ago and wanted to see it go to some good use.
    jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com
    :heart:

  167. 40
    Mary Williams says:
    August 11, 2010 at 9:12 AM

    Hmmm, not sure if this counts as paying it forward but I once won a Chili’s gift card, I entered because I thought there was one near me, well there wasn’t. So, I did a giveaway on my blog for the gift card. Does that count?
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

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    Patricia Treskovich says:
    August 11, 2010 at 8:24 AM

    I paid it forward by volunttering at my senior center

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    Tari Lawson says:
    August 11, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    Yes, I have. I had an elderly friend who was in a nursing home who was being neglected. I worked very hard to get her care brought up to a standard where she could live comfortably and be able to enjoy the visits from her friends.

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    Heather S says:
    August 11, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    I try to pay it forward as much as I can. I give homeless people on the curve whatever food I have in the car. I always give to the firemen when they have their little boots to raise money for charity (plus I get to see a cute fireman up close..lol). I have helped a coworker with a flat tire (I have a nifty inflater in my car). I have gone grocery shopping for an elderly woman who doesn’t get out. There are so many ways to help. I just offered my teaching services to an elderly woman who doesn’t know about computers and I also gave her info on an inexpensive laptop so she wasn’t intimidated by it all. I just see what opportunity comes up and do it.

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    Rochelle says:
    August 11, 2010 at 6:04 AM

    I went to a u-pick farm and picked a lot of strawberries. Knowing my elderly neighbor loved strawberries, I dropped by her place and gave her those strawberries.

    Thanks so much for the nice contest.

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    debp says:
    August 11, 2010 at 5:49 AM

    I was once behind a young man with developmental disabilities at a dollar store. He had his purchases and wanted to buy one of the things they were selling to donate to our soldiers. He didn’t have enough money, so I paid for what he was short on. The clerk was shocked, because she said she had heard about it, but never seen it done before. I told her I have a son with special needs, and I hope someday, if he needs help, someone would help him.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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    Missy says:
    August 11, 2010 at 5:47 AM

    I have paid it forward in the form of giving away clothes or clothdiapers that my kids have grown out of and have helped a few people out when they were a little short at the till at the grocery store.

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    Linda Kish says:
    August 11, 2010 at 5:17 AM

    Does it have to be in monetary form? I never have any of that. I did drive a total stranger home from the auto repair shop just yesterday so she didn’t have to walk the mile and a half or so. It didn’t cost me a thing and made her day. She said she’s not used to strangers doing something nice for someone else in California.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 11, 2010 at 4:53 AM

    i tweeted
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/20873257356
    staceyx at telus dot net

  177. 30
    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:
    August 11, 2010 at 4:53 AM

    i have paid it forward many many times, i live in a building with many older people or people who dont have much, i share my wins and garage sale finds , they know to come tell me what they are looking for and i will find it , i like to help people in need as i sure know how that feels, the last thing i did was help my 83 yr old neighbor sell all her things as she need to move to another province , it was a huge job, but she had no one and it really felt good to make it easier for her , i got my kids to help too so was a whole family effort
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Betty N says:
    August 11, 2010 at 4:21 AM

    My husband and I are of Grandparent age and we have had so many times to pay it forward. We are also at a church right now that do “random acts of kindness”…I thought I would share some of these along the way that might give others some ideas of simple ways to do this.
    Currently, like so many everywhere, our church is collecting school supplies to give to those in need. We watch the extreme sales 15 cent spiral notebook and 2 pack glue sticks, 10 cents pkgs of 10 pencils, etc and this makes our money go further. This year I am going to have the privilege of handing these out to parents/kids at their meet the teacher day at one elementary school…I am so looking forward to it.

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    shel says:
    August 11, 2010 at 3:43 AM

    One of the girls at work is getting married and her weekends have been busy; she’s been great to me in the past by helping me out and working my shift for me when I needed off so I’ve been swapping days to cover her shifts while she’s making her wedding arrangements.

    I also loaned my sister a bit of money last week…she’s watched my daughter for me so many times in the past, I was glad to be able to help her out for once.

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    Renee' Simmons says:
    August 11, 2010 at 2:19 AM

    I try to “pay it forward” in many ways. On our trip back home from IL, a 12 yr. old kid didn’t have enough money. So he had a hard time trying to decide what candy he was going to put away. I told the cashier I would pay the difference, it turned out it was only 68¢ but it was worth a million dollars to see this kid smile & thank me.

    The following day while we stopped at a local restaurant in Steamboat Springs, CO, while waiting for our food a prior customer/tourist had forgot there shopping bags, and the owner didn’t know if she could catch up with them let alone find them and still keep up with her work at the restaurant, and it was like 100 degrees outside. So I asked her would you like me to see if I could find them, and I went looking for them. It was a small bag. I found them, and it turned out it was a small item, but they paid over $50 for it. I came back, told the owner I found them. Hubby just sat there smiling.

    Its the little things.

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    Jenna says:
    August 11, 2010 at 2:18 AM

    I would *hope* to say I am paying it forward for my little cousin Megan. She has come to confide ALOT in me and call me for questions she might have about school, health, and just about anything and everything in between. I know she’s had some not so great patches growing up and I hope that my me being there, I am helping her. She’s such a smart girl and deserves to have an AMAZING adulthood!

  185. 22
    Jessica Stewart says:
    August 11, 2010 at 2:16 AM

    I cant enter because I havent been able to “pay it forward” yet. As Im in a bind. Im a single mother of a boy who will be 3 in September and Im fighting for custody. I left his father because he abused me for 2 years. Im living with my parents till I can make it on my own. One day I hope to pay it forward. Good luck to all who enter! I loved your story.

    Betty N Reply:
    August 13th, 2010 at 4:22 AM

    @Jessica Stewart,
    Jessica, you are paying it forward to other people who are still in abusive relationships. You are showing that you can take a stand against it even though it is not easy. You are a blessing to your parents who would not want you to take abuse from your husband. Don’t sell yourself short…..God can use even bad situations for good. Stand strong and I pray God’s blessings for you and your little boy.

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    brandy nelson says:
    August 11, 2010 at 1:19 AM

    I try to pay it forward on a daily basis…That is kind of how I try and live my life. I am so grateful for the many blessings in my life, and I try to always help those around me. I am very fortunate. I am a survivor of childhood abuse, as well as domestic violence by the hands of my ex-husband. I also have PCOS, and it made it very difficult for me and my hubby to conceive. (The GOOD husband, not the ex,lol) We are so blessed to have a healthy 7 month old daughter, and we are pregnant again. I try and do things all the time for people. I donate a lot of baby items to both friends who are new parents who may not have the money, as well as to charity for women who have suffered from domestic violence. I also frequently babysit for a friend who’s parent requires constant care due to cancer. I also love to cook, and I will usually take homecooked meals to neighbors or my elderly father-in-law, and I have helped with housekeeping for friends and family. I have been through so much in my life, that I now appreciate the good and don’t take anything for granted. It is how you treat others that really counts, and I truly believe that what you put out is what the world gives you back. :)

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    Anne Taylor says:
    August 11, 2010 at 12:45 AM

    http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/20861159982

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

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    Stephanie V. says:
    August 10, 2010 at 11:18 PM

    yes, just gave my mom a $50 gift card on Sunday for everything she does for us
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

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    Kelly Ann T. says:
    August 10, 2010 at 11:10 PM

    When my friend was struggling financially I got her a gift card to the local grocery store, I gave her a walmart gift that I won and also gave her coupons for free products.

    I’m vice president of a local volunteer club, so I pay it forward whenever I can. I help organize food, toy and school supply drives each year.

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    Anne Taylor says:
    August 10, 2010 at 10:41 PM

    I try to pay it forward every day…. Today we were at the drs office and we had to purchase a 2 hour parking ticket. We were in and out in probably 10 minutes and while we were pulling out of the lot, we gave our ticket to someone waiting to purchase their own! People are always very grateful and I always ask them to do it for someone else!

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    :yes:

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    McKim says:
    August 10, 2010 at 9:41 PM

    I was on my way home when I was just out of school and was about to run out of gas and had no money left. An older couple gave me money for gas, but wouldn’t let me repay it later. Since that time, whenever I see a young person down on their luck I always try to give them a few dollars.

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    Margaret Smith says:
    August 10, 2010 at 9:17 PM

    It sounds like you had such a wonderful time. It’s wonderful that your hubby was able to share this experience with you.
    You had me laughing about going to the store to make your own meals. We do the same while on vacation and will usually buy 1 meal (because we deserve it too).
    Thanks for being so generous.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

    Margaret Smith Reply:
    August 10th, 2010 at 9:19 PM

    Forgot to add that yes, we have paid it forward. Often, if we see a great buy on toys, we’ll buy them & donate them to our local social center during the holidays.

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    sandy says:
    August 10, 2010 at 9:02 PM

    i try to pay it forward-like I was at dq and we had 3 and odd change left on a gift card and I told the cashier to use it up on the people behind- it is something little but I know it makes a persons day

  197. 10
    Tweets that mention Back from BlogHer ’10 NYC! *$50 Pay it Forward Giveaway!* (8/28) | Mommy Goggles -- Topsy.com says:
    August 10, 2010 at 9:01 PM

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tanya ♥, JoeyfromSC. JoeyfromSC said: RT @mommygoggles Back from BlogHer ’10 NYC! *$50 Pay it Forward Giveaway!* (8/28) http://bit.ly/agbCGi [...]

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    Jennifer @ J. Leigh Designz says:
    August 10, 2010 at 8:44 PM

    I’m not entering just had to say I had a blast with you guys! So glad we all got to hang!

    ps. Hubs and I spent $100+ on a meal at Planet Hollywood in Times Square Sat. night!

    Tanya Reply:
    August 10th, 2010 at 8:52 PM

    @Jennifer @ J. Leigh Designz, Oh. Holy. No’ness. LOL I about freaked with $34 for one meal that we shared. LMAO! Wish we hung out more, but it was so nice to see you too! :rose:

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    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 10, 2010 at 8:34 PM

    tweet:

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/20843774397

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com :yahoo:

    I enjoyed this saying right here that you put above:

    Life is too short to let it pass you by. Stop, take time to smell and soak in the beauty of life and life around you. Smile every chance you get. Laugh every second you can. Love every minute of every day.

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    JoeyfromSC says:
    August 10, 2010 at 8:30 PM

    I SO enjoyed your post!! I am NOT hating at all on y’all eating on a budget..I did the same thing my 1st time in NYC but I splurged too and had creme brulee at a fancy restaurant lol

    I am all about the pay it forward mentality..always have been that way..it’s in my nature!! lol

    I always put others 1st before myself, so I’m trying to think of a specific pay it forward incident!

    Well, let’s see, I do remember once when I gifted a $25 visa card that I won in a giveaway to my best friend..He was struggling at the time..and I was blessed to win and just had to help him out!

    thank you for being so generous and I am glad y’all had a fantastic trip!

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com :good:

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