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Keeping it light this weekend:

More studies on happiness: Find out what your Facebook photo says about you and your friends here.

Favorite headline of the week: “Not Tonight, Honey, I’ve Got the Internet”.

Upload a photo of your Christmas tree to World Christmas Tree: for each picture uploaded they’ll raise enough to save a square foot of rainforest through the World Land Trust. And then check out other trees throughout the world! via Non-Toxic Kids.

Probably only of interest to Phillies fans: FCC received 26 complaints about Chase Utley dropping the F- bomb during the World Series victory parade. Really? Only 26? I’m surprised. Even my husband, who loooooves Chase Utley (asking me nearly every game if I don’t think “that Chase Utley is a handsome devil”), booed self-righteously when that happened.

I mean, c’mon. Kids all over the freaking place who’ve been waiting for hours to see you. Chase’s excuse?

“I tell all kids not to use that word. If they’re 29 and they win the World Series, I think they can say that. But I definitely would say to all the kids out there, ‘Kids, it’s a bad word. Don’t say it. And I’m dead serious.’ “

Anyway, the FCC is taking the heat on this one because they didn’t have a delay set up to keep the word off the air, but what about all the kids in the stadium? Booooooo. Chase Utley, grow up. Show some class. Cursing is the descriptive language of the uneducated and the unimaginative.

A mother explores the motivation behind her passionate Twilight addiction: Yes, I read them too. And I hated myself even as I was doing it.

Some schools are dropping their “gifted” programs: Not the programs themselves, but the elitist labelling. As a formerly “gifted” kid, I say amen to that. The less labels the better. Maybe this will lead to more emphasis on motivation, effort, and achievement? You know, the qualities that are useful in life?

Snoring burns calories: Ahhh, this is why my husband and I are the same weight. (Also, I am ALL MUSCLE.)

I like this idea: To avoid an American depression, every citizen is offered a 30 year mortgage at 1.5%. Not going to happen, but a girl can dream.

Walrus rocks out on the saxophone: (email subscribers please click through to view, it’s totally worth it):

CheapHealthyGood offers up a comprehensive list of 37 food charities, from global to national to local.

Please, please, please, if you haven’t already, consider making a donation this holiday.

Off to festivities!

Have a good weekend! Be merry!!

Stimulate a Green Economy:

“Members of Congress are crafting an economic stimulus and recovery plan. Please tell them that the stimulus must help to build an inclusive green economy – not reinforce the pollution-based economy’s status quo – and has to include funding for the Green Jobs Act.”

-from Green for All.org

Ask Congress to green the inevitable economic stimulus by filling out this petition.

While you’re at it, you may want to consider asking your mayor and county executives to pledge to support green jobs on a local level.

And if you REALLY want to get all fired up, read Van Jones’ The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems.

Be An Instrument for Change:

Ideas For Change in America is collecting, well, ideas for change in america, and encouraging everyone to vote for those ideas they most support.

The “Top 10 Ideas for America” will be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day. We will then build a national campaign to advance each idea in Congress, marshaling the resources of Change.org, MySpace, and our dozens of partner organizations and millions of combined members.

At first glance I am partial to asking the Obama administration to support Al Gore’s challenge for 100% green energy in 10 years.

That’s just looking at energy; but, as this eloquent post from Treehugger states, we can’t afford to get this issue of energy use and the environment even one little bit wrong.

There’s also ideas on education, the economy, gay rights, healthcare, the Middle East. Let me know if you come across any other worthy ideas; I’ll keep digging, too.

Make Schools Non-Toxic:

In response to the Smokestack Effect Special Report, MomsRising.org has made it easy for you to demand action on school air quality health and safety standards.

Sign that petition here.

Save the Teddy Bears (and other homemade toys):

After all the recalls brought about by the discovery of phthalates and lead and date rape drugs in children’s toys, Congress passed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act strengthening testing and safety standards. Unfortunately, the cost of the testing required will likely put every homemade toymaker (like anyone who sells on Etsy) and every small toymaking business under, benefiting the big business companies who made this mess in the first place!

Again, who do we want to support? Do we want big business to be the only ones left standing? Here I thought America was all about independence and individuality and and the entrepeneurial spirit.

Take a look at the petition for amended changes at the Homemade Toy Alliance and check out Cool Mom Picks for other avenues to save homemade. (And don’t forget to show support by buying homemade!)

Just a few minutes to add your voice. That’s all I’m asking.

Thanks.

Brighter Planet is giving away presents of carbon neutrality for a day!

Go claim your carbon neutral day now- give them to family and friends- all they ask in return is that you think about conserving throughout the holiday season.

What a festive way to raise awareness… love finding presents in my email!