Smacksy Sunday Links

In this season of spending, how to take control of your money and stuff.

Ruth is a role model of kindness.

And a Great Dane puppy that won't get out of bed.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: The Playoffs

He stuck with it and now soccer is his favorite thing of all the things. Yes, even more than Minecraft. I know.

Dave Is Here! Dave Is Here!

And he is glorious.

Dave Update: Day I Don't Even Know What Day

"Dave! Dave is almost ready to pop out of his Dave chrysalis! You can see his Dave wings and everything! Dad, you should totally call New York and tell Uncle Dave about Dave."

Rainy Day

"Bob, I brought these marshmallows from home so we can have them with our hot chocolate."

"Good idea, Felix. We can melt them in there."

"Marshmallows don't melt, Bob."

"Yeah, they actually do."

"Let's watch."

"Okay, that was sort of boring."

"But sort of cool too."

It's Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday, a movement started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post Thanksgiving season. Celebrated on the first Tuesday after American Thanksgiving (and Black Friday, and Cyber Monday), it's an opportunity to channel the generosity of the holiday season to inspire action around charitable giving. If you are fortunate enough to be able to share financially this December, today is a good day.

Where will we give? The options are endless. Here are some ideas below:

Bob's school adopts a number of local families each December to sponsor for the season. Our LA department of Social Services also has an Adopt a Family program. Your community may have something similar.

Food pantries and homeless shelters can always use a boost, especially at this time of year. In Los Angeles, there is the Downtown Women's Center, The LA Mission, and Covenant House for homeless children and teens. LA's SOVA Pantry is the local food pantry from Jewish Family Services.

Make a donation, or join, renew or give a membership to a favorite place. Descanso Gardens in nearby La Canada/Flintridge is one of my favorite places on the planet. Our local children's museum Kidspace in Pasadena is terrific. Our local library can always use a boost. Think of a local spot you love that could use your money to spread the goodness.

The nearby Clare Foundation offers free alcohol and drug rehab services. Friendly House, the oldest women's recovery house in the US is a terrific place. MusiCares supports musicians with financial, medical, and personal emergencies.

Maybe animals are your thing? Or the environment? Or a Children's Hospital? Whatever is close to your heart, you can find a charitable organization to reflect it. Today is the day. Go give.

10 Things I Did Instead of The Stuff I Needed To Do

10 Things I did on Monday morning instead of the stuff I needed to do on Monday morning:

Drank coffee.
Watched this Decemberists video.
Tried (unsuccessfully) to find the pee smell.
Drove the long way home from school drop-off.
Drank more coffee.
Bought an X-Zylo Ultra Gyro Toss on Wendi Aarons' recommendation.
Listened to side 1 of Fleetwood Mac's Rumors.
Looked on-line to try to help Mr. Rosenberg in his pursuit of vegan shoes in a size 15.
Thought about who could have anonymously FedExed us 20 packs of dehydrated food last Friday.
Got the Santa cookie jar out of the garage.

That is all done. Okay, Monday - it's on.