SHINE!

Today I am thrilled to share my blog with author Jackie Cangro.  I first found Jackie through a mutual blogger and started to follow her posts.  She has a huge heart and I believe we share a lot of the same values and ideals which makes her the perfect person to guest post on It's Just Life. Did I mention she is an author?  Jackie's book The Subway Chronicles: More Scenes from Life in New York had me enthralled and hoping I would run into some of the characters she has met on the New York … [Read more...]

#North Iowa Bloggers + Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank = A Very Good Thing

Friday was a gray and gloomy day in Mason City, Iowa but some of my local blogging buddies definitely brightened up my day and their actions will brighten the days of others in our area. We took a field trip to Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank located at 122 S Adams Street in Mason City to drop off our trunkfuls of food and cash donations that the bloggers and their readers had collected during November.  It was a fun morning for all of us and volunteer Ozzie Ohl was the consummate host and gave … [Read more...]

Mustaches to Docs—Comments for A Cause

November is Men's Health Awareness Month and the Comments for a Cause for the month was designated to go to my oldest son's efforts to raise money for Movember Foundation US.  Micah's goal was to grow an amazing mustache that rivaled Tom Selleck's and I think he came pretty close, what do you think?   I am thrilled to be able to report that because of YOU we will be donating $210 to Micah's November efforts.  If you would like to make a small donation of  your own please click … [Read more...]

Outtake Wednesday

Congrats to Susi from Boca Frau for winning the book giveaway for the My Family's Farm children's book!!!!  A book will be on its way to you soon! For your viewing pleasure today I present Outtake Wednesday. … [Read more...]

#CanChallenge

http://vimeo.com/112547261 … [Read more...]

Be The Ripple

Recently I gave a little presentation at our local Social Media Breakfast entitled Be The Ripple.  I shared with the group some of the great things that have happened to me over the years through having my blog and how fabulous it has been to be a part of this big world that becomes smaller when you have access to social media and the internet.  The basic theme of my talk that morning was that we can all start a ripple of our own in a variety of ways. I never have sought fortune and fame or … [Read more...]

From Food to Mustaches—Comments for a Cause Marches On

Yippee Skippee!  It's the 1st!  The day every month that I look forward to with the most excitement and anticipation on It's Just Life because it is all about the Comments for a Cause.  You know you want to jump up and down with me so go ahead----take a hop and know that I am hopping up and down with you. October was a fabulous month and it allowed me the opportunity to make a new friend, Ozzie, and find a new place to direct our donation love for the month.  I was thrilled to see all that our … [Read more...]

Going Above and Beyond—#North Iowa Bloggers Are Making a Difference

I love how things come together unexpectedly sometimes.  I love how I can still find so much good in the world amidst the sadness and tragedy.  I love how people continue to amaze and astound me.  Quite frankly---I am loving life right now. When I had this little idea I threw it out to my North Iowa Blogger family and they all jumped on board so I am thrilled to announce that we are embarking on a campaign of sorts to raise more awareness and help stock our local food pantries. The month … [Read more...]

From Bridges to Stepping Up To the Plate

It's the first of the month and if you have been hanging around It's Just Life for the past 3 years you know that I get pretty doggone excited when the first day of the month rolls around.  Time to tally up the comments from the month and let you guys know how well you did at commenting!  This past month all of your comments went to help Mitchell County Bridges Mentoring Program (click on their name to take you to their website).  They do all kinds of fabulous things connecting kids with mentors … [Read more...]

Comments for a Cause: Bridging the Gap

I am having to scramble a bit to get this post done but I know everyone is looking forward to the first of the month now just like I do every month.  I am a bit distracted this weekend by the festivities of Cory and Sam's wedding but what a wonderful way to be distracted!!!  Best wishes to my son's former roommate and his new wife!!!! This past month has been a wonderful month to highlight a local group that is fundraising for a new facility that will house the local women and children who … [Read more...]