Alicia M. Bozza

Hello....goodbye....

2011-11-22T17:46:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was a little bitter sweet, especially as a cantor in the Catholic Church. It might not seem like such a big deal to some, but to me, it was kind of sad. The Catholic Church is changing all of its Mass Settings in every Catholic Church in the world.

http://www.ismasschanging.org/

It was 10 years in the making, and it seems to be a good change to me, but each time I rose to sing an Acclaimation song, (for instance the Gloria), I kept thinking; "this is the last time I am ever going to sing this version of this song".....and it was sad to sing it for the last time. Lately, my voice has been suffering and not sounding normal, so it was doubly as hard to sing with all I had, these songs, for the last time....especially since I could not sing "with all I had" since it was just not there! ( I hate it when my voice is not working normally...but it sure does make me appreciate it when its all there.)

Change is good, but we, as humans, usually struggle with it. We will never sing "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" ever again and it was...I don't know...a little unsettling. I know it is not even going to be a second thought in a couple of weeks, and I knew it was coming for a very long time, but when the time actually came to sing it, it was not as easy as I thought it would be. Just like a old friend moving away (yes, Betty, I am talking about you) it is hard when it comes down to the line and that person does move away and things seem to change forever.

Yes, we make new friends and life goes on, but there will always be that nostalgic yearn for what was in the past as we go forward into the future.

So, good-bye old music, tried and true, and hello new Mass Settings....here's to great new times with you!

All the best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment....Days 632- 640

2010-10-06T10:51:00.000-04:00

Today's entry, a total of nine days,$64,100 will go toward awareness. In the past, many schools have been involved in my entries, and the money for the tithe will go toward promotion of awareness and tolerance in the classroom. I am a believer of love and want to promote it. Jesus loves and so should we. It needs to be translated and expressed to the kids that it is so important to love the sinner since we are all sinners. We all have our crosses to bare and we need to help each other carry our burdens together.

The rest of the money $576,900 will go toward the Theater purchased in the City. Anything that needs to be replaced, like seating, the curtain, maintenance, dressing room. I will update the sound system as well.

All the best!
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment....550 thru 631

2010-09-22T08:44:00.000-04:00

Whoa. It's been a loooong time since I have posted, but I am excited to let you know that I have thought of what to do with all the money that has been accumulating in my "account"

Even thought I am supposed to spend it every day, time slipped by me very quickly and I have not had the time, but obviously, today, I do. I think it does not matter much whether it is done everyday, but rather when you need a boost in your mental frame of thinking in the realm of money. The more poverty mentality you tend to be, the more you need to write about your abundance.

The amount for today is an astounding $8,761.000....not much when compared to the State or Federal budget, but a lot of money regardless.

The tithe money from this bounty is $87,610 and it will go to help those in Pakistan, Guatemala and New Zealand through one of my favorite organizations, Shelter Box.

The rest of the money will be spent on the purchase of or the investment of a Theater on Broadway. It will be fun to have a big part in the restoration and upkeep of one of these treasures of the Arts. It would be a lot easier to try out on Broadway that way, anyway! Wink, wink, nudge, nudge...

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....535 through 550

2010-07-02T05:54:00.001-04:00

Wow! 550 days of my experiment. It has been quite a trip!! I have been away from the blog for far too long and now I have to "spend" a LOT of money. I believe it expands the mind to do so, as well as keeps the mind out of poverty mentality, (which is the number one reason I have this blog.) Now if I could get over my "stuffitis" disease!!

Anyway, that is for another blog.

Today, we have some money to spend
(one of my favorite things to do!!)

The money amount is $8,680,000 with a tithing amount of $868,000.

The tithe money will go to help those in the gulf coast with any needs they may have to get their finances in order and to have some relief. The rest of the money will go different things:

$722,000 toward helping the animals get cleaned up. (I know I have no responsibility to pay for the mistake of others, but it is of no fault of the animals to have to go through this. If some of the money I "have" will help those animals, then so be it).

Some of the money will go toward building a library at the school in Ecuador for the community as well as the students. The money allotted will be 6 million. $990,000 will be put into an account to pay for the salary of those helping to upkeep and run the library.

$10,000 will go towards a shopping spree for me and
for my family for new clothes and then we will, in turn,
give all our old clothes to the poor or shelters, so they
could have some nice things.

All the very best!!
Alicia

LOVE the new blog theme....

2010-07-02T05:36:00.000-04:00

I really like the new blog theme. I am such a busy person, that I usually use Facebook as my personal quickie blog, so I am not here as often as I'd like to be. Things sometimes go by so fast with 7 kids!! Still, I believe in making the best of whatever time you have; and for me, top priority is being productive!!

All the best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....531, 532, 533, 534

2010-06-16T09:50:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping those who lost loved ones in the flash flood in Arkansas. It is so sad that those who were lost were lost by no fault of their own. It reminds me of the Bible passage from Matthew 24, that says:

"For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your LORD will come."

The money will be earmarked for any expenses that they may need for the burial of their loved ones.

The rest of the money $1,917,000 will be used for the reconstruction of the campground, complete with a system that would warn the campers of any impeding flooding. I hope that the reconstruction will prevent any future disasters from happening.

All the best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530

2010-06-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wow. Missed a lot of days. Whoops. Oh well. At least I am here today. Today's tithe money will go toward helping to make bring some comfort to the people who have fallen victim to the oil spill disaster. I hope this money will bring some relief to the people whose lives depended solely on the sea. There is not much they could do and I would like to help them out with their living expenses.

The rest of the money will go toward the installment of a new gym in the homes in the Poconos, Ecuador, North Carolina and Mt Tabor. Mainly a set of treadmills and weights as well as ballet barre and such, complete with mirror and padded flooring. I would also like the latest ab machines and a health bar with that over priced blender thing that makes soup or ice cream and blends everything. I will order 2 per house so that it can be in the kitchen and the bar alongside the gym. I would also like a shower installed with robes and towels so that a person could shower off. Oh, and don't forget the sound system, flat screen tvs, a BA fan and the exercise balls with the weight bars. Oh, and don't forget my favorite Total Gym!! Some of the money will also be used to update any of the schools' gyms with a treadmill or two in their fitness centers. I will also hire a personal trainer for the homes I frequent the most as well as a lifeguard for the pools we will be swimming in this summer. Any left over money will be used for security upgrades on the homes and for payment of the services used to secure any homes I do not frequent as much as I'd like to.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....520, 521

2010-06-03T08:57:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo! I made it here only one day late! Something to be proud of, this morning, I guess!! ;-)
Today's tithe money will go toward the Immaculate Conception Seminary my Cousin just graduated
from. What a joy it was to celebrate with him this weekend. He was so well received. Such contrast
from the view of the media regarding Priests. My cousin was so revered by those in his presence, it
was truly beautiful. Makes me want to encourage my boys to become a Priest, too! :-)

The rest of the money ($936,900) will go toward purchasing land and building a church in Ecuador. I am going to have a place for those who wish to worship as well as give jobs to those who wish to run it. It will be a welcome shelter as well in case of any disasters that may occur. Hopefully, there will be none, but I want to have a place where they could come worship and have fellowship with one another.

All the best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....516, 517, 518, 519

2010-06-01T09:28:00.000-04:00

Here I am again! Keeping up a better schedule than usual, so I am happy for it. Today's tithe money is going to go to help the people of Guatemala who are going through a lot with the volcanic eruption AND the storms that have wreaked havoc in their little country. They need some serious help!! I cannot even begin to understand what they are all going through. I would be afraid that the earth beneath me would just give way. It looks like something out of Lost. It is amazing the way the walls of the hole are so perfect!! Unreal!

The rest of the money will go toward a chapel I will build on the Ecuadorian property and the property of my homes in Hawaii and North Carolina. I want them to have an altar and everything so that Mass could be said, as well as some pews to sit in. Each Chapel will include Stations of the Cross and Statutes, Electric Candles as well as real ones and candelabra. If the budget allows, the Altar will be made of marble and the lighting will be a combination of natural light and electrical.
All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514. 515

2010-05-28T08:23:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I did not keep up as often as I would like, but here I am, anyway.

Today's tithe money will go to help the Sister of Charity, the organization that was started by Mother Theresa in Calcultta. They are all over the place, but I am most familiar with the Sisters in Newark, NJ. That is where I met Mother Theresa for the first and last time. It was such an inspiration to be in the presence of a Saint. They will know exactly what to spend the money on!!

The rest of the money will be spent on purchasing the equipment needed to create a tennis court on the property of our homes in the Poconos, Florida, Jekyll Island, Hawaii, North Carolina and Ecuador. It will be also equipped with all the items needed to play tennis, complete with first aid kit and a little shaded stand for guests to hang out in, as well as back up supplies to upkeep the tennis courts. Any left over money will be put toward any upkeep costs to maintain the homes and to pay the salaries of the staff currently taking care of the homes we are not currently visiting.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....506, 507, 508

2010-05-20T12:50:00.000-04:00

My, my, my! I made it here in less than 3 days! Whopee!! So proud. I wanted to make it here earlier, but with my birthday celebrations, yesterday, I was quite busy.

Today's tithe money will go to help the babies of unwed Mothers who need help getting started with some supplies. I will choose some in my area and in the areas of the homes we sometimes visit. I want to give them some hope that things will get better and to give them a boost for taking the time to give life to their babies.

The rest of the money ($1,368,900) will go toward re-equipping a hospital in the area with the latest equipment for a cardiac wing in honor of my Grandmother, who died 35 years ago of a cardiac arrest. She will be smiling up above as she will see people's lives being saved in her name.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....502, 503, 504, 505

2010-05-17T12:53:00.000-04:00

Today I am proud to say that I did not wait 20 days before posting again!! 4 days is an improvement for me!! The tithe money from today's totals will be used to help the foundation of Will.i.am called i.am.home. I saw it on a show and his whole mission moved me so much that I want the money to go there.

The rest of the money will go toward the purchase of 3 condos at Ave Maria University for my kids who would like to go there. I want the kids to have some place to live, but I think the house there would be too big for them to take care of or live in. I want them as close to the campus as possible. One of them would be where the kids would live and two of them would be there for the kids to earn an income as they would be allowed to rent them out and take care of it during the school year. It would allow a student to live there inexpensively, near the campus and allow my kids to be in charge and be paid for doing so. Giving them the responsibility would give them a chance to prove they could be good stewards and earn a living. It would only be rented out during the school year, giving the chance for family to visit over the summer or winter break and have a place to stay!

All the best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....Days 494, 495,496, 497, 498, 499. 500 & 501

2010-05-13T10:02:00.001-04:00

How can 10 days fly by so fast?!? I am making a concerted effort to be here more often, especially since the money amounts are so big these days. I guess it is harder for me since I have been making even more of an effort to get to the gym in the morning and I have not been in front of the computer since I have the ability to get that fix on my phone. Technology is such a wonderful thing. That is where my tithe money is going to go to today. Technology. Specifically in the schools I have built. This money will go toward updating any programs that need updating as well as supplying some of the computer labs with I-Pads for the kids to use in the classroom and at home. Each student will be responsible for the care of each I-Pad and if they lose theirs, they will have to go without. I want the computer teachers to teach lessons using the I-Pad and challenging the kids to think with them. Games will not be allowed on the I-Pad, it will only be for school use. The kids in Ecuador will have to leave their at school since I am sure none of them will have internet access in their homes.

The rest of the money $3,582,000 will go toward helping restoration of the Grand Ole Oprey Hotel with the purchase of another store within the hotel. I will have 2 stores within the Hotel Mall and I will take on the restoration of both the stores and its surrounding areas. Any left over money will go toward helping the people of Nashville with Food Pantries, as I am sure they will be used heavily at this time of rebuilding.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....474 - 494

2010-05-05T09:30:00.000-04:00

Wow!!! ANOTHER 20 days have passed since my last post and it is hard to believe I let it go for so long. So much disaster has happened in the US in the last 20 days, I will not have any problems spending the entire amount. Even though it is A LOT of money, there is a lot of help needed out there, too.

Tithe is where I always start, so my tithe money ($101,640) from the last 20 days will go toward the disaster relief in the Mississippi area due to the Tornadoes there.

Some of the money will go toward the people in Rhode Island who were hit with a terrible flood as well as the people from Nashville, Tennessee. They were terribly hit and are in desperate need of help and prayers. More of the money will go toward Nashville since they are suffering the most.

The rest of the money will go toward helping to bring the Gaylord Opryland Hotel back to life. I would like to put the money toward the restoration of the hotel since I truly loved that hotel and found such peace being in its paradise like environment. It is such a shame that it has been destroyed by the flood and I would like to be a part of the hotel in some way so as to maintain a connection there. I am sure there is a store within the hotel that I could buy the space for and take on the cost to renovate the spot. Either way, I would love to be a part of that hotel, whether it is on a stock basis or actually owning a location. The ten million left over would be put to great use in the hotel's restoration and the restoration of jobs held by those in the community.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....453 - 473

2010-04-15T10:05:00.000-04:00

Whoa. 20 days have passed since my last post and I am here with my tail between my legs in embarrassment!

Life has overtaken me and I am sometimes dragged into its current!! I guess that is a not so abnormal thing to happen to a human, so I won't feel so bad. :0)

Anyway, we have a lot of thinking to do since 20 day have indeed passed. The total spending amount in order to catch up is $9,723,000! Yeowza! Out of this world amount, don't you think? I think it can be done. ;-p

First, as usual, comes the tithe money. I think we will be sending the money to Haiti, Chile and Tibet to help the earthquake victims there as well as the families who lost their loved one in West Virginia. I want to provide double what their loved one made for 20 years, so that they don't have to worry. I am sure that can be covered within the $972,300 allotted for them. The rest of the money would go to Haiti first, Tibet second and Chile last.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the helicopter, which will leave a balance of $6,057,500, then some of that money will go toward paying for 2 vans and 2 cars for us to drive in at our prospective homes; Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hawaii, North Carolina & Sicily. That could be paid for with a million dollars, so that would leave $5,057,500, which would be enough for us to help our church with their renovation costs $1 mil, and send more money to the food banks we help to stock all around the world as well as open up some new ones in Costa Rica and donate to some food banks in West Virginia.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....452

2010-03-26T04:51:00.000-04:00

Today's experiment day number 452. Wow. That's a lot of days. I guess I have to give myself credit for sticking it out as long as I have. Ok....pat on the back complete. :0-)

The tithe money today will go toward charities I normally support, as equally divided as can be. Which charities they are does not matter, they know who they are! I can tell you that they are varied and that there are many.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the helicopter that will take us to the house from the airport. It will just be so much easier to have one instead of driving. I will have to get a car or van to keep at the house as well. That will have to be for another post. The balance for the helicopter would be $2,693,200.

Gotta run!

All the very best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....442, 443, 444,445,446, 447, 448, 449, 450. 451

2010-03-25T10:07:00.000-04:00

I am doing my best to keep up my experiment on a daily basis, but I guess I have do better!!! It has now been 10 days since I wrote last, but I swear I think about it every day!! The only nice thing about the lapse of days is that it seems I get more done because I have more money to play with. It does make the single days kind of boring, it you want to know the truth! :0)

Today's tithe bunch will go toward the schools that I have built for maintenance, stocking shelves with supplies, or food if the school has a kitchen attached to it, such as the schools in Ecuador. It will pay for any rent that may be due for the utilities, any lights or things that may need to be replaced. I am sure every penny will find a home with the schools that are out there. I hope that $443,500 will cover it. I cannot imagine that it wouldn't since I would use any "left over" money to buy ahead for the things the schools will need. I also want to set up a scholarship for the students to travel abroad to interact with one another. I guess the students from the US will have more of a student teacher role since most of the students in Ecuador are grammar school aged kids. I have not had the chance to build any High Schools there yet, but as the kids who are getting ready to graduate do so, I want to give the brightest the chance to study as a Freshman in the High School in the US. I think that taking a grammar school kid alone from the US to go to school in Ecuador would be a stretch , but maybe I will plan a future missions trip to run a summer program there. We could have a nice addition added to the school to accommodate our "missionaries".

The rest of the money will go towards the house in Costa Rica. I promised more on the that home and now it is time to deliver! The house is a cool 2.9 million dollars with 8 bedrooms....so I could have LOTS of guests. I have a great big family and I want them all with me, what can I say? I will post other pictures, soon, because, as life has it, I am running out of time!! :-) Last time, the payment made was 1,188,000 added together with today's amount (3,615,300) will leave me almost enough money to buy a helicopter to go with my new helipad on the property. :-) I hear a helicopter goes for about 3 million, so let's say we will spend 5 million for a new one, which will leave me with a balance of 3.1 million dollars to pay it all off.

All the very best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....439, 440, 441

2010-03-14T13:51:00.000-04:00

Today's experiment continues despite the continual rain and temporary black out!! We actually had a fun night last night with no power, which has inspired me to create a website, which I will use and reveal at a later date.
The website is being worked on as we speak, but I think the concept can fly. I guess only time will tell! I think that if our family had fun, a lot of others would have fun too!

Let's keep the fun rolling here with my latest entry. Today's tithe money will go toward helping feed some hungry people in the usa by supporting the City Harvest Organization that takes food from restaurants and other food locations to feed the poor in the surrounding areas. The parent company seems to be the Food Donation Connection that can be found here: http://www.foodtodonate.com/Fdcmain/Testimonials.aspx

The rest of the money will go toward putting a down payment for a house in Costa Rica. I have always wanted a home there just in case Ecaudor gets too Socialist. I think the govt in CR are a lot more reasonable, plus there are a lot of Americans there who are retiring.

I will post more on pictures the next time, but I wanted to admit to a little omission that I left out of my last post! Unbeknown to me, the last installment of money was more than enough to pay for the plane!! There was left over money from paying it that we will say will pay for gas! :-)

All the very best!!
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....431, 432, 433,434,435, 436, 437, 438

2010-03-11T04:58:00.000-05:00

Today's series of thousand dollar experiments is brought to you by Mennen. I just felt like "saying" that. I am kind of disappointed that I thought more about doing this blog more than I actually did. Isn't that true about life? Most of us, in my honest opinion, think about more than we actually do. So, in that case, here goes today's installment.

The tithe money from today will go toward helping the earthquake victims across the world. Isn't kind of odd that so many are happening, one after the other? Yesterday, I saw I sign on the back of a car that "foretold" the date for the end of the world as May 21, 2011 with some reference that the bible listed that date specifically. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Jesus say something along the lines of "you shall not know the time or the day?"
Any who.....the rest of the money will go toward paying for the plane. So close to paying it off!

All the very best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment 429 and 430

2010-03-03T11:52:00.000-05:00

Here I am again trying my best to keep current with my experiment! I want to do my very best to keep it up to date so that I don't have to do so much figuring!! Plus, it helps a lot to keep my mind on positive things! :)

Today's tithe money will go toward helping some hungry people in the states. It is nice to help others in foriegn countries, but it is unmeritous to forget those on your own soil.....so.....$85,900 will go to the food pantries supported by the tithe money on the East Coast; NJ, North Carolina, the Poconos, too.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the plane. $773,100 is the amount that will be deducted today which will leave a balance of $2,766,900. Closer and closer to the pay off day!! :)

All the very best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....415 thru 428

2010-03-01T12:50:00.000-05:00

I find it remarkable to notice that the days are almost coordinating this past month, meaning, yesterday was 2/28/10 and it is the 428th day of the experiment. Kind of weird. Coincidental or providential? I guess that will be one of the questions I will ask of God when I get to the other side. ;) I have a lot of catching up to do here and I will accomplish all of that today. Today's tithe money will go toward buying more shelter boxes for Haiti and the rest of the money will be sent to help those in need in Chile. Now it does not appear that Chile will need as much help as Haiti still does since they have their earthquake ducks in a row (ie: preparedness for such a disaster) but I think they should still get some help; so, $110,100 will go to Chile and the rest will go toward buying more Shelter Boxes for those in Haiti who need them. The remainder of the money will purchase another 600 shelters, housing another 6,000 Haitians.

The rest of the money will be spent paying down the plane and for gas to fly to Haiti. The pay off amount for the plane will now be $3,540,000. The pay off date seems both a long way off and that it will be done in no time at the same time. :)

All the very best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....Days 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414

2010-02-15T07:46:00.000-05:00

Okay, getting a little ridiculous in the days between posting. I think 11 days is the most I have ever missed. The good thing about missing for so many days is that I have more to give and the plane gets paid off quicker. I know the point is to spend the money every day, but life just happens and with 7 kids, it happens a LOT! :)

The first thing I am going to do with the tithe money is give some to Cross International, an organization already helping in Haiti who will stay to help. The other half of the money will go toward purchasing more Shelter Boxes. I have 449,900 to spend on tithe money, so I will buy 282 Shelter Boxes, to help 2,820 people have better shelter and supplies they need. The rest of the money will go to Cross International to help. This way, different people will be helped at the same time.

The rest of the money will be put toward paying off the plane. Today will put down 4,049,100 toward the payoff, which is now $8,850,180. I can actually see a light at the end of the plane payoff tunnel!

All the very best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....400, 401, 402, 403

2010-02-03T06:54:00.000-05:00

Today is a delayed opening....so some extra time is mine to be here to catch up. I have 160,600.00 to spend on some more shelter boxes to send to Haiti...that will buy 200 more shelter boxes, enabling 2000 people to have some shelter. Unfortunately, that is only a drop in the bucket compared to all the people who need help. It is strange in this time....the time between the impact and the time that it all dies down. The news is still reporting, but you could feel it dying down and it is sad. I hope it will still be a concern enough to help all those who are in need of help. Together, we could make it all work.

The rest of the money will be put toward paying off the plane that will still be flying out to the Dominican Republic with supplies for the people of Haiti. Today's payoff is $1,445,400 and the remainder of the money owed is $12,899,280. Thank goodness I do not have to pay the plane off in order to fly it! Some of the money will be used to pay the pilot and for gas to fly it back and forth to the DR, so the pay off will be a little more.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....399

2010-01-30T17:22:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go toward buying more shelter boxes to be shipped to Haiti. Shelter boxes are just amazing. I am so excited that there is something out there that could help the people of Haiti with exactly what they need in their time of trouble. Today's money will provide for about 500 people to have shelter. Not bad.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the plane and for the fuel to fly the plane back and forth with supplies to the Dominican Republic to help Haiti. I am thinking it would be a lot easier to get into the airport there since I am not a star or anything. :)

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment....Days 388, 389. 390. 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396,397, 398

2010-01-29T09:36:00.001-05:00

Ok.....I have been very delinquent in keeping up with my experiment....to my detriment, believe it or not! Every day I forget to post is s a day I spend away from building up financial increase since focusing on what I do not have only brings me more of what I do not have...if that makes any sense to you. I believe that since God created us by first thinking about our universe and us (and since we are made in his image) that we also create in the same way. We can create chaos, or create in peace. Today I choose peace.

Today's tithe money will go toward Haiti in a most wonderful way. Through Shelter Boxes. Each shelter box costs $800 and houses 10 people. The tithe money today comes to $432,300 and that will allow for 540 boxes, which will shelter 5,400 people. Just a drop in the bucket, but 5,400 more people than before. Any leftover money will donated to Shelter Boxes for their supplies. I think this organization is amazing and it is exactly what the Haitians need right now.

The rest of the money will be used to pay the plane off so it can continue to be used to help send more supplies down to Haiti to help as many people as possible. The remaining payment is $14,344,680 and counting!

All the best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....387

2010-01-18T15:32:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go toward sending more money to Haiti to help in the relief effort. It is so sad how crazy it is there. They need all the help they could get. I will also put some money aside to help the people who have lost loved ones here in American who were the bread winners of the family so that they could have some financial relief.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the plane. I will still lend it out to anyone trying to get to Haiti or at least the Dominican Republic to help those in need.
All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment....385 and 386

2010-01-17T07:23:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go to Haiti again, but specifically to help Save the Children and Food for the Poor since they are both reputable organizations that I have had actual contact with.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the plane. Lord knows, I could lend it out to people who need to get to Haiti or give them a ride for free as a love offering. Speaking of free, the offer that I posted on the last post was false. Too bad. It would have been nice if they did do something like that. Not to worry though, since lots of people are reaching out and helping to serve those in need at this time.

All the very best always,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 383 & 384

2010-01-15T04:59:00.000-05:00

Today's money will again go to help the people of Haiti. It is such a horrible tragedy, but the effort to help is just beautiful. UPS is shipping anything under 50lbs for free to Haiti. Just imagine what an effort that is on their part! You can send food, clothes or shoes; American Airlines is taking doctors and nurses to Haiti for free. The phone number to call is 212-697-9767. Spread the word...Red Cross needs Creole speaking volunteers for a 24hr phone bank. Call Mr. Wilfrid @ 305-776-6900 ASAP...

All those things are good that has come out of an terrible situation. That is what love is all about.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 381 & 382

2010-01-13T20:37:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping those suffering in Haiti. It is a tragedy what has happened there and they need all the help they can get....as a matter of fact, all of the money today will go towards helping all the people in need in Haiti. I know it will go to good use.
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Days 374, 375, 376, 378, 379, 380, 381

2010-01-11T10:07:00.000-05:00

One whole week has passed since my last entry and I am trying to enter daily, but life just escapes me sometimes!! Today I have 7 days worth of entries, which will cove a LOT of ground with my plane, but of course I must start with the tithe in every entry. Today's money will go to help those who are in need in the Solomon Islands. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/asia/UNICEF-Rushes-Aid-to-Tsunami-Victims-in-Solomon-Islands-80714032.html The children were traumatized in the first tsunami in 2007 and they say this latest one is even worse for them. I want to send them this money to comfort them and to provide any means to keep them safe if it were to ever happen again.

The rest of the money will be spent on paying down the plane. I want to make sure it is completely refurbished as well as to avoid any accidents from happening. The total to be paid after today's payment would be $19,381,800. Inch by inch is a sinch! Before we know it, the plane will be paid off and free flying will be in our future! Well, not totally free, but somewhat. :)
All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment Days 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, & 376

2010-01-04T08:43:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go to helping the homeless in my area with warmth and cleanliness. The money will go to HELP USA, an organization dedicated to the homeless and helping them get back on their feet. http://www.helpusa.org/ is their website so you could see more....or click on the picture and it will take you right there.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the plane. I think I will have it painted something funky, but I am not sure what color. I saw a red plane the other day landing at the Morristown Airport and I thought, "Wow! That's different!" I will have to give it some thought. Don't want to look like I'm flaunting or anything. Maybe I will just paint the inside something nice. :)

So, in conclusion, the remaining money amount is 2 million, 16 thousand, 9 hundred, so that would make the remainder of the plane pay off to be $22 million, 99 thousand and 8 hundred dollars.

All the Best and Happy New Year!
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 370

2009-12-29T07:40:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go to my parish to help with any needs the parish family has. There are many in need who are too proud to ask for help and I hope they will accept this token of appreciation to the Lord in their behalf.

The rest of the money will go toward paying down the plane. The balance is now down to $24,449,700
and with today's installment, it will go down to $24,116,700. Still a very long way to go, it seems, but with every day's contribution, it will be complete. I would love to also add essential oils to the plane so that they air quality will be perfect.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 366, 367. 368. 369.

2009-12-29T07:31:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go toward supplying food for all the food pantries I support as well as to help feed the starving in Africa through Feed the Children.

The rest of the money will go toward paying for the plane. I will enter the plane into a registry to help those families in need who would not be able to afford a flight for a family emergency that they might have. I will let the admins of my parish know about this service as well, so that if there arises an emergency among our church family, they would have use of the plane.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 365

2009-12-24T12:18:00.003-05:00

My tithe today is going to Focus on the Family to help support the family in today's sometimes nutty world.

The rest of the money will go toward buying Christmas gifts for all the people who have helped me all around the globe in any way. There are a lot of people who have been a part of my journey and I would like to take the time to thank them all, whether they volunteered at a food pantry or cared for one of my homes, thanks is always the best thing to say and to the best thing to give.

All the best,
Merry Christmas!
Alicia

ps- funny how this entry is #365...after my wanting to thank people who have helped me throughout the year.

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 364

2009-12-23T06:13:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe is going to Catholic Charities of The Diocese of Paterson where I live. They help people of all religions and have a lot of great things going for them and the people they help.

The rest of the money will go towards paying down the airplane. I will also have to contribute to a hangar for the plane to reside in, since I do not have enough land to put my baby on the ground, like John Travolta!! Anyway, I have decided to name the plane Limitless, because I believe there are not limits to our imagination and to what we can do together as a human race. God made us that way....in His image. Gotta love it.

All the best.
Alicia

ps- the pay off amount for the plane is now 26,101,200.

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 359 360, 361, 362, 363

2009-12-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

OK, major fail in the keeping up department. Oh well....here I am again anyway. Today's tithe money will go to helping shelters in the outlaying area in this time of need to keep those who are homeless warm and dry. The money will be used to help the shelter stay open and to give the people in it gifts for Christmas. I know some may not celebrate the Christmas holiday, but it is being given in the spirit of Christmas and for the love of Christ and our gratefulness for giving us His Son to save us all.

The rest of the money will be spent to pay down the airplane. It will be fun to be able to have the ability to grab my family members and jet them away to a trip somewhere far away that is warm! Of course, the weather does not always cooperate and people have to sometimes stay at their destination longer, such as some who are experiencing that right now. Poor folks. I would hate to be stuck in an airport.

The total to be spent today after the tithe money will be 1 million, 2 hundred 97 thousand 8 hundred and leave the balance of the airplane at 26 million, 428 thousand, 8 hundred dollars.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 356, 357, 358

2009-12-17T08:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I failed to keep up. Sue me. Just kidding. =-) Today's tithe money will go to help some people stay in their homes this Christmas. The money will go to my Pastor, who will know exactly who to give it to. I want people to experience some peace this Christmas and not have to worry about how they are going to pay to keep a roof over their heads this winter.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off my beautiful airplane. It will be nice to give my Mom and Dad a lift to Ecuador if they choose for free. I will be happy to send them and sometimes take a trip there, too. My pilot will be flexible enough that he or she would not mind staying for a weekend while I am visiting with the family. (Of course the pilot would be paid and accommodations made.

$963,900 will go toward the plane, leaving a balance of $27,726,600.

All the best,

Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 355

2009-12-14T05:37:00.001-05:00

I am going to make a more concerted effort to consistently create my experiment on a daily basis since I see its value clearly. It's kind of like a gratitude journal but before it actually happens. It is kind of cool to see things happen that you always dreamed would be, and it the creation of this blog, at least I have a place to turn back and look to see if they have actually happened. Like, for instance, the desk I am sitting at right now. It is even more beautiful than the one I have originally put on my goal poster many years ago. Nice. I will keep up this as long as I possibly can...or just until all my dreams come true....problem is, I keep dreaming dreams that I want to come true! :)

Today's tithe money will go to the Heroes at Home Wish Registry to give a family of a soldier a wonderful, Christmas morning. Since they are giving up a family member at Christmas time, they do deserve a special treat to try to get their mind of missing their family member. I know it will not work for very long, but if it might make them happy, it would be worth the trouble.

The rest of the money will go toward paying for the plane. I want to have enough room to take my family on trips together if we wanted to go, so my plane will have at least 30 or more seats. My pilot will have MANY hours of experience and know how to fly without any controls, so that my family is safe on their trips. The balance of the plane is 29,010,000 so after today it will be $28,690,500. Still a long way to go, but with every day that passes, it comes closer to being mine. <3
All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar experiment...Days 348, 349, 350, 351,352,353 and 354

2009-12-13T18:31:00.003-05:00

Today's tithe money will go to help the American Retired Priests and Nuns who are struggling to make ends meet. It will help to provide for their needs and to have some peace about where the money is going to come from to care for them. God does provide us with so many blessings, it is up to us to share. I know there may be some of you who would never dream of supporting retired Priests and Nuns due to the poor treatment that they gave some of us in Catholic School, but you know what, maybe for some of them who were mean, for the most part, did help us to know what we did NOT want out of life...and there is some merit in knowing the things that you do not want to help you know what it is that you DO want.

The rest of the money will go towards paying of the plane, which is still a far ways away from being paid off. I would love to have a tiled bathroom similar to my beautiful new bathroom at home. (I can't wait for it to be inspected so that we could put all the stuff away!!) I would also like the plane to have a blue ray player with surround sound in it. Today's large installment is still a drop in the bucket!! The balance after today is 29 million, 10 thousand dollars. Still a long way to go!
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 339 thru 347

2009-12-06T07:20:00.000-05:00

Phew! Time flies when you are having fun! It has been a busy, busy couple of months in my life, but I am glad to take some time out to share my continuous, amazing experiment.

Today's tithe will be divided up between 3 organizations:
FORGOTTEN HARVEST

an organization that helps save food from being thrown out by grocery stores and the like;

THE FOOD PROJECT

an organization that helps feed others organically

AND

BAAL DAN

A Mother Teresa inspired mission that cares for orphans in India.

Each has proven worthy of a donation of $91,143 each.

The rest of the money will be spent on paying for my plane, which will not only be used for my own personal use, but whenever I could help a needy family or person to fly to a place that they need to get to that would otherwise not be able to get there. It will be through word of mouth, mostly, not an open kind of thing.

The balance on the plane after today will be $31,251,102. Still a long way to go, but every little bit helps! My plane will be painted on the outside with the words...with God, all things are possible. It will be my way of thanking God for the abundance he has given me and to reach out to all others that they are able to have the same if they so desire. The inside of the plane will be covered in beautiful pictures and biblical sayings as well. All who fly the plane and are a passenger in the plane will know whose plane it really is.

All the best!

Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 327 thru 338

2009-11-27T06:13:00.000-05:00

Wow. I sure let a LOT of time pass by in my experiment blog. Now I feel like a poor person from Dubai! Just kidding....ok, maybe just a slacker cousin or something. :)

Today's tithe money, $390,000 will be given to different places, one of them being the angel tree organization, another to honor the troops, another their families, another to my church, to the ministry of Joni Ericson Tada, to the ministry of helping pregnant Moms make good decisions, like several sources and last but not least, to the local food pantry that is struggling to keep enough food in it for people in the area. I would also like to make sure the other food pantries I am accustomed to giving to are filled as well.

The rest of the money will be spent on paying down the plane. We still have a WAYS to go. Makes this money look like a drop in the bucket!! After today's installment, the balance on the plane will be $33,719,802. Still a LOOOONG way to go, but since we are making a payment, I can stick my family on that plane and fly to wherever we would like. Maybe a weekend visit to the Naples home. We could go to Mass at the Bascilica, hit the beach, come home and relax, spend the night on the town, clean up, pack up, and head home back on the plane and back to business. I will house the plane at Morristown airport so that they ride home will be minimal. Who knows...maybe even get a car/bus to take us all home. :)
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327

2009-11-15T06:14:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money, $194,700, will go toward building a church in Ecuador that will be near the school there. It will just be a satellite church that can hold services once a month for now, a kind of chapel that people can enter and pray in. It will not be overly ornate and very simple as to keep it free from any attempts to rob it and to give the people the freedom to enter it and pray when they would like to.

The rest of the money, $1,752,300 will go toward paying off the house in Scicily, and the rest would go toward paying for an airplane, outright. After paying off the house, that would leave a downpayment of $689298 toward the plane, leaving the balance $37,310,802.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 321

2009-11-09T05:58:00.001-05:00

Today's tithe money will go to Toys for Tots Foundation to help those who are unfortunate to have something nice under the Christmas Tree or for whatever holiday they celebrate. Christmas is coming and it is the season for giving and sharing.

The rest of the money will go toward paying for the house in Scicly and for a trip there over the weekend to see the property and talk to the managers I will have taking care of the house. I will also use some of the money to install security along with cameras, so I could see my house on the internet. The remainder to pay off the house will be $1,063,002.

All the best,

Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 318, 319, 320

2009-11-08T09:27:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go to the families of those soldier who were killed at Ft. Hood this past week to cover any expenses or pay any debts left by the soldiers who died. How sad it is for all of them.

The rest of the money will be spent on purchasing Kangen water machines for all the faucets in my home and for any family members who would like them installed in their homes. I would also like to pay for any outstanding debts of my immediate family members, so that they could live relatively debt free. I would also pay off any debts that I may have, whether it be tuition for the kids or gym membership, as well as for my family members. Then we will treat ourselves to a nice dinner somewhere expensive where we could all fit.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 314, 315, 316, 317

2009-11-05T06:21:00.000-05:00

Today's tithe money will go toward building a food pantry for the people who live near the 1st Ecuadorian School that was built. It will be a building near the grounds of the school so that people who need food will be able to come to it readily and know where it is. The money will also provide for food and money to pay for a staff that will run the food pantry. They will be encouraged to share their own food as well if they are at all able. Any remaining money will go toward the stocking up of any of the other food pantries supported by the tithe money.

The rest of the money will go toward equipment for all the nurses' offices in the schools that have been built. I never took the time to create a happy place where the patient and the caregiver could happily be. This is the place I will have the diffusers running 24/7. I will have them painted cheerily, and all the medical supplies needed for the kids. All medical closets will be filled complete with cpr machines and defibrillators. Anything they need to care for the kids. I also want the kids to have steel water bottles to carry with them so that they stay hydrated during the day. Optimal health will be our goal. Any remaining money will go toward the building of a medical facility for the neighborhood where the food pantry is in Ecuador. A doctor who would live in the facility would have to be hired as well.

All the best,
Alicia

All the best~

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 311, 312, 313

2009-11-01T06:22:00.002-05:00

Today's tithe money will go to the troops to make their Christmas (or whatever holiday they celebrate) fun and loved. I will send the money to Military Missions Online http://www.militarymissionsonline.com/operationsendchristmas.htm Where they help to bring a little bit of home to where they are.

The rest of the money, $842,400 will be spent on paying for the house in Scicily. It will be so nice to have a place to stay there since it is so beautiful! It will be a blast walking around different places and exploring the DePasquale name. Hey, maybe I will find some of my long lost relatives! You never know! How much fun will it be to explore that place with my whole family? Lots of fun! The remainder to pay it off will be:$1,351,902.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 310

2009-10-29T05:56:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money is going to the Haitian Health Foundation and their Happy House Program. The program helps houses in Haiti go from what you see above to what you see here! Looks a lot better and a lot happier, too. :)

The rest of the money will go toward upkeep on all the projects I am working on including the food pantries, the school in Ecuador and any upkeep that needs to be done on the houses. If there is anything left over, I will put it toward paying off yesterday's purchase.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 308 and 309

2009-10-28T05:53:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help Millennium Promise in Ruhiira, Uganda. According to the Hunger Site: Over 40,000 people live in the Ruhiira Millennium Village, an area of subsistence farming in southwestern Uganda, near the town of Mbarara. This highland area has one long and one short rainy season. The Ruhiira cluster faces unique agricultural challenges. This money will go toward helping them survive.

The rest of the money will go toward paying for a franchise for our family to own. We will have to work together to make it all happen, but having this business will help us financially and give work to our family members and those who we know who need a job or want and need work. The money put toward the business will not be enough to cover the whole cost, but it will be large dent in getting it off the ground.

All the best!
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 307

2009-10-26T04:54:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help bring presents to those children whose family member is in prison. It is not their fault that they had a parent or parents who made wrong decisions. They deserve a wonderful Christmas or Hannukah in spite of it all.

The rest of the money will go toward paying for the High School's air purification system. I want our school to have purified air for the kids to breathe! I would also have a complete sound system installed throughout the school to ensure that the music will fill the halls with happy, calming sounds that help keep a clear thought process.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 305 and 306

2009-10-25T07:54:00.000-04:00

The tithe money today will go to help those in Asia who have suffered from the Typhoons and the flooding that it has caused. Water can do so much damage and it is so hard to clean up. They are going to need help with the clean up and with the funds necessary to restore the things they may have lost. I know how hard it is with just a little mold in damp places...I cannot imagine what it is like when it over takes your whole home. That being said, I think I will spend the remaining money to fund a trip to the areas hurt by Hurricane Katrina that are still not being helped and go to help them build again or grow again in a new area. I will send a couple of my boys to join them in the effort for a few days. It will be a great experience for all concerned. Thankfully, it would not be a worry for me to send them since there is already a group that goes regularly from my church! :)

All the best,

Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 304

2009-10-23T04:54:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money is going to help orphans stand up for their rights and their futures.
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces?siteId=1&campaign=OrphanRights

The rest of the money will go toward building an aviary and animal facility for the High School. It will have the best cages, proper heating and care to make it clean and user friendly for the kids. I will also make sure to have the proper fauna in the facility to make the place look like a jungle.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303

2009-10-22T09:56:00.001-04:00

SIX days have gone by since I have posted! Life is moving so very fast!! Things are coming at me left and right and I have hardly had any time to breathe.....so, I am here to catch up with all my postings.

Today's tithe money will go toward helping US schools to have safe water for the children. Apparently, there are many schools with toxic water and faulty water systems. This money would go to making sure the threat of any dangerous toxins would be addressed. I will also donate some money to the Philippines to help them recover from the last Typhoon as well as future help for the Typhoon that is upon them.

The rest of the money $1,622,700, will go toward buying a home in Scicily, where my Grandfather was from. I want to house by the shore along with land so that we could have horses and hire a person to live and work on the land. The money will pay for the land and the home and the farm that will be on that land, as well as a plane that we will pay more towards so that we can fly at will. ( Meaning, we will pay more money toward our investment on the fleet of planes so that we can have more flexiblity in flying to Scicly or wherever.)
The remaining amount to pay off is: $2,194,302

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 294, 295, 296, and 297

2009-10-16T17:19:00.001-04:00

Phew! Life has been flying past fast! This experiment has been amazing. My income has been steadily increasing and is on the rise ever since I started this whole amazing exercise to strengthen my mind and encourage my imagination. There are some who would battle that thought of imagination encouragement for me personally, but hey, are they doing better than me? No way! :)

Today's tithe money will go to help people in India who are suffering from the floods there. You could see pictures here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8307440.stm

The rest of the money will go toward paying for a filtration system for both the school's water systems as well as the system in the school in Ecuador including the Recreation Center there. Any left over money will be put toward purchasing books and computers for the library as well as updating books for the libraries of all the schools. I will also use some of the money to take the family on a quick trip to Ecuador to visit the school and rec center there.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 292 and 293

2009-10-12T05:57:00.001-04:00

Today's tithe money is going to go to help hungry families in the US. According to the Hunger Site:

Hunger in the U.S.

Families in Crisis

It is a tragic reality that the United States, one of the richest nations in the world, is also plagued with a poverty-driven hunger crisis. The statistics tell the troubling story. In 2005:

37 million people (12.6%) were in poverty

12.9 million (17.8%) children under the age of 18 were in poverty

20.5 million (11.3%) of people aged 18-64 were in poverty

3.6 million (10.1%) seniors 65 and older were in poverty, an increase from 3.5 million in 2004¹

Poverty is forcing millions of Americans into a hunger crisis. Their hunger emergency is defined by food insecurity, which is the lack of access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.² Families find themselves buying cheaper and less nutritious food, or cutting entire meals out of their diet, just to make ends meet. Increasing over time, this pattern leads to chronic malnutrition, affecting children and families in profoundly destructive ways.

It would be great to help those families in need with food.

The rest of the money will be spent on creating a mini farm with silos and all the equipment needed to create a farm for the agriculture sections that will be offered. Also, some of the money will be spent on creating a program for fashion program as well as restaurant services/ hotel service oriented careers. A child care center will also be created where the kids would be mentored by adults. The teaching staff may use the child care facility at a very low cost if they so desire. It would be made available to toddlers, age 2 and above.

All the best!

Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day s 289, 290, 291

2009-10-10T06:14:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help the people of West Africa, who are troubled by flooding in their area.

According to The Hunger Site: Severe flooding in West Africa has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and left even greater numbers in need of food assistance. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has launched emergency operations, distributing food rations across the affected region.

The rest of the money will go toward building a garage for the kids to have shop and auto mechanic training. It will include the structure as well as all the materials to hold instructional sessions for not only those who are interested in fixing cars, but those who are simply taking an Auto 101 course to learn the basics about how to take care of a car and saftey while driving. There will be an auto simulator for driving as well as an actual car for the kids to work on besides the cars of the staff, that is!

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 285, 286, 287, 288

2009-10-07T06:04:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to Help Tsunami Survivors in Samoa. They need our help and quick; so today's tithe money, from the last 4 days, will go to help them.

The rest of the money will go to installing the gardening center at the school and a little vacation get away for hubby and me. First, the garden center will be a place that the high school kids can grow their own food for consumption and to learn about the growing process. It will be an over sized green house with everything needed to grow veggies, plants and it will double as a haven to sit, meditate and even to study. There will be section for students to come and seep in the benefits of Carbon Dioxide and the calmness that plant life can bring. I will even have a waterfall installed for a rain forest effect and to add to the calmness of the green house. 1,032,000 is the remainder of the money for the day....$1,029,000 will be spent on the green house, lighting, plants ordered, waterfall, furniture and the heating needed as well as the ventilation necessary.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 282, 283, & 284

2009-10-03T16:31:00.000-04:00

Today I will take the tithe money and send it to help the victims from the Samoa Tsunami. It is terrible what has happened there and they need help to recover.

The rest of the money will be spent on building the science labs and art rooms for the High School. I want the kids to have laptops in school that would remain there with thumb drives that they could take home and work from their computers as well as the ability to work from a wikki that would be created at school. The art room would be equipped with the best materials that the kids could use to be as creative as they would want to be. Computers as well as your everyday art supplies would be available to them.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 277, 278, 279, 280, 281

2009-09-30T05:10:00.000-04:00

Ok, life has been a little busy lately, so here is my latest entry.
Today's tithe money will go to help the victims of the Typhoon in Vietnam. Here is a part of the e-mail sent by Samaritan's purse, the organization that would get the tithe money today:

Hundreds of thousands of people are homeless and in dire need of food, shelter, clean water, and medical care after Typhoon Ketsana ripped across the Philippines and Vietnam. Torrential rains caused massive flooding and landslides that swamped entire communities and killed more than 300 people.

In Manila, the Philippine capital, the storm dumped about 16 inches of rain—an entire month’s worth—in just six hours. Nearly 400,000 people have sought shelter in schools, churches, and other evacuation centers. The typhoon gathered strength as it crossed the South China Sea and inflicted extensive damage to homes and crops when it made landfall in Vietnam.

The rest of the money will go toward helping to build my high school library, cafeteria, and hands free fixtures for the bathrooms, as well as lighting for the school. I think $1,256,000 should cover it.

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 276

2009-09-25T09:52:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to stocking up on food for the various food pantries I support throughout the states and Ecaudor. I am sure that there are local people who are helping to stock it, but I want to make sure that all the pantries are stocked up for those that need it. I also want to allocate some money for t-shirts and aprons to those who are running the pantries to use while they are working or volunteering there.

The rest of the money will be spent on building the lobby of the school, which I would like to be a welcoming, cultural, diverse entryway to a school that is different than most. A school that fosters learning and thinking outside the box. I will have to spend some of the money with consultants who will advise and aid me in thinking of an appropriate size and of course for decorating....since I am not so good at decorating homes....it is not my forte.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment....Day 275

2009-09-24T10:13:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money would go to help those who did not have flood insurance in Atlanta, Georgia and were devestated by the floods that recently happened there. They were shocked to find their home under water when they returned from the evacuation. What a shock. I could not imagine it happening to us.

The rest of the money will be spent on building the High School Gymnasium which will include a partition wall so that 2 classes could be held at the same time or that a meeting could take place when PE is not in session.

My Thousand Dollar Experiment....Day 272, 273 and 274

2009-09-23T09:59:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money is going to go to raise awareness of feeding the poor in the US. I will give the money to Feed America to help those in our country who are truly hungry and to raise awareness that there are people who do not have food to eat right in our own country. http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx?SHOW_SHOV=1

The rest of the money will be going to build the pool in the new gymnasium of the High School as well as the flooring for the deck around the pool. If there was enough money, the constructions of showers would be included as well.

All the best!

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment....Day 269, 270 and 271

2009-09-22T09:52:00.001-04:00

Today's tithe money would go to the Bishop's Annual Appeal through our church to help those in need in our Diocese. They have an excellent program to help many different people in need and would help many. Besides, they give a percentage back to our parish and we would put it to good use as well. So $81,000 will go to the Appeal.

The rest of the money will go to starting another school near the one I built in NJ. It will be the Sister School which will hold the students of The Olive Branch High School. $729,000 will purchase the materials to starting building the school from the ground up. It will also pay for the labor associated with the raising of the building.
It will take about a year to complete. Just in time for the 8th graders to graduate into the new school.

All the best!
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 267 and 268

2009-09-17T09:40:00.001-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to the Sisters of Charity for their endeavors all around the world. One of my favorite Saints to be in Mother Teresa and I want her Sisters to have what they need to help others wherever they are and whatever they need to do.

The rest of the money will be spent on a cruise for all my family and friends for a week. Anyone who ever has had a positive impact in my life or has helped me in any way will come with me on this cruise to the Mediterrainian Cruise. It will cost a lot, but I will be happy to have so many of my loved ones and friends with me that it will not be a bother. I will even pay for spending money if there is enough left over. All they will need to do is take the week off. I will pay for it all, transportation in, and back, flights, the cruise, food, drinks, whatever. It will be a lot of fun and great memories for all.
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 265 and 266

2009-09-15T06:19:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money is going to go to help those in need of medical care around the US who cannot afford it. I will give the money to Catholic Medical Mission Board http://www.cmmb.org/ where the money can go to help those who need it most.

The rest of the money will be spent buying an investment property in Florida. It will be near Orlando so the kids will have a place to stay when they want to go to Disney. I will also buy enough tickets for everyone to go anytime they want.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 264

2009-09-13T14:06:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping any of the 911 victim's families who may be struggling. This time of the year is so hard for them, I am sure. Our family almost lost a loved one to the attacks, but thankfully, he made it out in the nick of time. The tithe money is an offering of thanksgiving for the fortune to be able to keep our loved one with us today. Gosh, I have a sweet little niece that would have never been born if we were not so lucky. That would be a bummer not to know her little sun shiny face.

The rest of the money would go towards an investment in silver. This is the time to invest as the price of silver is going up and up and will make many people very wealthy.

All the best!
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 263

2009-09-12T08:41:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go help the people of Burkina Faso in West Africa. Here is more info from The Greater Good.com : "Severe flooding in West Africa has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and left even greater numbers in need of food assistance. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has launched emergency operations, distributing food rations across the affected region.

"People's lives have been turned upside-down overnight and WFP is moving as swiftly as possible to minimize the impact," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran. "It is always the poor and vulnerable who suffer the most from floods like these as their few remaining assets have been swept away, leaving them hungry and destitute."

Burkina Faso was hardest hit by the floods, with more than 110,000 people forced to flee their homes. In neighboring Niger, more than 20,000 are without shelter, and in the Mauritanian border town of Rosso, floods have displaced over 11,500. In a region already suffering from escalating food prices, humanitarian aid in the face of crisis is vital."

100% of the money donated goes right to help the people. What a great way to give.

The rest of the money will go toward the very finishing touches of the 2nd school in Ecuador. Some will go toward salaries, scholarships for students, some will go toward advertising for the opening of the school, rennovation of the kitchen and cafeteria, gymnasium, bathrooms, (money goes a lot farther in Ecuador) and offices of the school building. I think it will be a great success!
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 262

2009-09-11T05:03:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to helping Food for the Poor feed people all around the world. The money will go toward providing food, healthy water, school supplies and such. It will be a great help to many people.

The rest of the money will go toward purchasing computers, laptops, smart boards, lighting, paint, supplies, cabinets, p.e.supplies, anything that the kids need for the school. Since this is a school in the city, in a building that already exsists, there will not be as many things to add to it due to the constrictions of the physical locations. I will have to find another place close by that will serve as a location for sports and more recreational activities. That will have to be for another day.
All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment...Day 261

2009-09-10T04:58:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping to house people through habitat for humanity. I really like that organization since they include the person going to live in the house. Here is a quote from their web page:

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.
The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Just awesome. I really like that whole concept a whole lot.

The rest of the money will go toward the building up of the 2nd school in Ecuador. I want to build this school and give it over to the people who live there to care for it, maintain it and enjoy the ability to have the use of the school. Kind of like Habitat for Humanity does, except with a little more help. There will be tuition, but no one who has the desire to attend with a love of learning and the right attitude will be denied. I will set up a scholarship program with some of today's money for that and contribute at a future date. The remainder of the money will go toward the furniture for the school...desks and such that the students will need to have a great learning environment.
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 259 and 260

2009-09-09T06:03:00.000-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help boost Catholic Schools that are in a financial crunch to keep the school going and to help them implement programs that would otherwise not be in place were it not for the donated money. It will be given to the Paterson Diocese to be distributed accordingly. I would spare some for our school, I must admit. Since it is $519,000, I would take the $19,000 for our school and donate the rest to the Diocese.

The rest of the money would be used to start another school in Ecuador. A sister school, modeled after the first one, but with improvements based upon our experience with the first school. First, we would set aside some of the money to pay local workers to put the school together. It is important to ensure that the money be used to create jobs for the locals so they feel a part of the project, directly or indirectly through a friend or family member who will be working on the job. This school will be closer to the city, in an exsisting building that has been for sale. I will take the money and make the renovations to the school, using any available technology to fortify the school against earthquakes as I can. This school is meant to be given to the community for the benefit of those who cannot afford as well as those who can. It will not matter the background, but there must be a love of learning and a desire to succeed in order to attend the school. I would prefer for the school to be used afterwards as a Girls and Boys Club of sorts, open to the community so that all may feel a part of it in some way, whether academic or for recreation only.
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 258

2009-09-07T09:58:00.000-04:00

Two hundred fifty eight thousand dollars....a lot of money to most people. How is one person supposed to spend that much in one day? People do it every day. Just like its nothing. Every day. Most people suffer as they only wish they had that much money in their lifetime, let alone one year. My $1,000 experiment is a game I play to stretch the mind on a daily basis, an exercise of sorts to keep my mind moving forward, expanding, to think beyond the status quo. Thinking only what is, is supposed to bring more of what is; I have been told....not that what is, is all bad. There are things I wouldn't change, like how much my family loves me, even with my faults and foibles; Like my sweet little town, although not perfect, I still love it VERY much. So, I am using this exercise as a road map of what my plans would be when the money arrives. After all, one of the steps to accumulating riches is to plan for it, right?
So, here are my plans for today. Since I always start with giving back, my tithe money today will go to helping the poor of Indonesia. The September earthquake damaged more than 25,000 homes in Tasikmalaya and neighboring towns, according to the Indonesian government. The quake killed at least 57 people, caused landslides burying at least one village and damaged infrastructure. I will give the money to Save The Children since their money will be matched by the government. Check it out: "For each dollar you give, we will have up to $4 to spend on children in need because of the federal government's USAID matching grants. So your gift of $25 can multiply to $100; a $50 gift can multiply to $200; a gift of $125 can multiply to $500." Really awesome....so that means today's gift will multiply to $100,000! Wow. What a way to give.

The rest of the money will go toward my school in Ecuador to enhance the school through superior lighting throughout the school, building a better gym/workout facility, creating a science lab, a state of the art kitchen, and a supply shed that is earthquake/ flood fortified that will house the supplies needed to support the community in case of an emergency. The supplies will include food, bedding, clothes, temporary shelters if there is not enough room in the building, partitions for privacy, mosquito nets, a water supply and some goodies for the kids to play with in case the other equipment is damaged or out of reach. I will also purchase flood and earthquake insurance to protect my building.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 257

2009-09-06T08:56:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe will go toward helping the Dafur did you know that on March 4th, the government of Sudan revoked the licenses of 16 humanitarian organizations, suspending their activities in the country? This will potentially impact 1.3 million people, so the money will definitely be put to great use.

The rest of the money will be put toward the cultivation of a green house that will be built on the campus alongside an aviary/animal shelter. I will not have a enormous amount of birds, but just enough for the kids to take care of. I want to teach the kids a love of nature and hands on is the best way to cultivate that love. Coveralls will be purchased for the kids to work with the dirt when they are planting. I want them to learn how to grow things and enjoy the fruit of their labor when they sit to eat a salad that they grew themselves. The animal room/aviary will be part of the science curriculum where the kids will learn how to care for the animals and learn about them. I will also have an aquarium for the kids to be able to watch and care for the fish. I will also have a fish tank installed in the hallway near the Principal's office for a more calming effect.
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 255 and 256

2009-09-05T05:44:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help the poor in Malawi, Africa. Malawi is one of the poorest countries and they need as much help as they can. I would send the money to an organization called H.E.L.P. Malawi. I know they would appreciate the gesture.

The rest of the money will go towards buying school supplies and text books for all the students at the school. We will also need art supplies, and office supplies as well as cleaning supplies to keep the school neat and clean. The cafeteria would need to be stocked as well and today's money would cover that as well. I would even consider buying devices that would allow the kids to carry a minimum amount of books, similar to the kindle to save their backpacks from being too heavy.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 254

2009-09-03T09:44:00.004-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help children in need through the Make A Wish Foundation so that they could have a fun vacation with their families or whatever else they might like to do. Our family had a very nice time together yesterday at an Amusement Park not too far from our home and it would be great to help other families have a great time together as well.

The rest of the money will be spent on the finishing touches of the music and communications program. I want to have equipment installed to help the kids learn about recording, lighting and broadcasting on an elementary level. I want to give them the ability to have experience hands on whether it be on one side of the mic or the other! So there will be a studio where the kids can record with the ability to record musicians as well as vocalists, more instruments as well as sound proofing, new lights for the stage, too.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 253

2009-09-02T06:37:00.004-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help those who are in need of help in the Kentucky, W Virginia area http://www.disasternews.net/news/article.php?articleid=3938. They have been hit and are having trouble getting back on their feet, so the money will help provide food and some necessities that they might not have and we take advantage of having day to day.

The rest of the money will go to scholarship money for those kids who qualify to come, but cannot afford tuition. I am sure there is going to be a large influx of applications and there needs to be a way to qualify the kids who make it as part of our school. In the future I will consider making the building more handicap friendly, besides the normal accommodations that are already in place. If there are any lacking normal accommodations, they will be put in place as well.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 252

2009-09-01T07:55:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping those who are without a home in California with the essentials they need while they are without their possessions. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose everything. Talk about starting from scratch! There was a fire down the street from me recently and the smell is TERRIBLE. I cannot imagine a whole community being on fire and the smell it must leave. I heard there were some who suffered through the fire and stayed, rebuilt and are going through it all again. Maybe they should build a house underground. I would be out of there in a flash. Prayers are needed for these poor people suffering. One of them is my cousin's Mother in law....so sad.

The rest of the money would be spent on a new sprinkler system and removal of any asbestos that may have been in place. If there is no asbestos found, then an updated form of fire retardant will be put in place. Any money left over will be devoted to landscaping on the campus.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 251

2009-08-31T06:08:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe will go to help support the families of the firefighters who perished in the California fires. How completely sad to lose a family member that way. You can definitely say that they gave their lives for a friend and in God's eyes, there is no higher honor. There is a special place in heaven for those men.

I have not much left to complete at the new school with the rest of today's money, but I am going to take the $225,900 and use it toward creating an excellent music program with new instruments and a pit for rehearsals. I will even throw in a new baby grand for the staff to play as well as the kids. I will have full keyboards for more students to practice or play with. I plan for music to be an integral part of their day.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 249 & 250

2009-08-30T06:26:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help the poor suffering in Mexico, Africa and the victims of the Typhoon Morakot.
I have a friend who supports an orphanage in Mexico and they are in need of about $9000 to help run their school and the rest of the money will be donated through The Greater Good Organization.

The rest of the money will be spent on scattered things like maintenance on all of the houses, updates on things that may be broken, and my school. Today's addition will include the outside structure of the school and the hallways. I will have the parking lot re-finished, the facade of the school re-painted, the hallways repaired and painted, new doors on all of the classrooms, supplies to make new bulletin boards, fingerprint locks on all the doors, the floors refinished and machines purchased to do the job of cleaning the floors as well. I will also include new lighting for the hallways to have the same natural light as the classrooms. New lockers will also be a part of this portion of the renovation. I plan on having the school start at pre-k and run through the 8th grade. A wing may be added in the future to include the 9th grade. For now, we will be accepting Pre K 4 to the 5th grade and grow along with them, so that we will have a sense of pride from the kids as they grow into their new school.
I know that when a person feels as if they had a part in building something, they feel more responsibility for their creation and allowing the kids to have input would be a great thing.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 248

2009-08-28T06:22:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping to give medical attention to the poor in Haiti, but also the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. A lot of people go there on vacation and enjoy it, as they should, but there are a lot of people who are there in need of basic necessities and that is where my tithe money will go today. I will give the portion of the money for Haiti to my friend who travels there and gives lovingly of herself....and the other money wil be given to organizations within my church, probably food for the hungry.

The rest of the money will be spent building up the library with new books and comfy furniture for the kids to relax on as they read. A computer system will be installed as well as some compartmentalized rooms for quite study. I hope to get some interesting items for display when the library is opened. If not actual items, a least a display of something cultural.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 247

2009-08-27T05:49:00.005-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to my church to help finish paying off the cost of the renovation that is almost finished!! I am so excited to see the finished product! It looks great so far, but once all the pews are in and everything is done, it will be a great day!! They are saying that it will be done in 2-3 weeks! WOW. It went by very fast for me. Singing in the basement has been fun, but singing in the new church will be so much more fun. I love the congregation at my church....they are one of the most alive group of people in a Catholic Church I have ever seen in the state of NJ.

The rest of the money will be put toward our car care facility and the Driver's Ed program. As I said in an earlier post, I would love it if everyone was to learn how to at least change a tire and change oil so that they could know for the future (maybe it would be part of a field trip from driver's ed)! I would also like to purchase 2 used cars that the kids would learn to drive in with our Driver's Ed teachers, so that they would not have to pay for lessons, but before they enter a real car, they would test out the simulator!! :)

All the best!!
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 246

2009-08-26T06:56:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping to build up the music programs in the area where schools have dropped their music programs due to budget cuts. I will offer the money through scholarships of sorts which will be distributed through the Mayor's offices of each town. The money will go in the name of my Grandfather Vicente Pastor, who loved music very much.

The rest of the money will go toward my school for its workout facility with renovated bathrooms complete with showers and a soaking tub for any of the athletes who may have been injured. The facility will include a room with hard wood flooring for yoga and dance, as well as other aerobic classes that can be conducted, with all the equipment needed for holding those classes. Spin classes will be held as well as other instructional sessions to teach the kids how to properly lift weights and what workout is best for them.

All the best!!
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment....Day 245

2009-08-25T05:45:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward scholarship money for Catholic School families who cannot afford to send their kids to school. The money will be given to the Paterson Diocese and awarded according to the family's need. It will be named the Mildred DePasquale Scholarship, after my Grandmother, a loving Mom of 7 children.

The rest of the money will be poured into my school where I will focus on building a track and field, equipped with all the latest and greatest for sport. I will include a new turf, a section for track and field, a baseball field along side and new bleachers for the fans.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 244

2009-08-24T05:43:00.004-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward a place called Several Sources Shelter who helps pregnant moms who are struggling with the decision to keep their babies in an unwanted pregnancy. They will help them along financially or to make the decision to adopt the baby to a loving family. I love to support organizations that are not fighting against something, but instead tries to contribute toward a solution.

The rest of the money will go toward my Olive Branch School. The next project to work on in the school is furniture. I want to furnish it with the right colors and furnishings to make all those entering almost feel like it is a home away from home. Beautiful paintings, and soothing sounds will fill the halls as well as much natural light as possible using proper light bulbs that are most conducive to the well being of all who enter. A new air conditioning system will be installed with state of the art technology that will filter the air and a science lab will be created with as many new items as we can afford.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 242 & 243

2009-08-23T06:55:00.004-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward my school, as well as most of the rest of my money since I would like this school to be ready as soon as possible. I am considering having a school that is open for the whole year, with some consecutive days off or maybe even weeks, but not so long as the whole summer. I think it is disruptive for all when there is such as long time off. A month, perhaps, but 2 or 3 is just too long for the younger generation. As for where the money will go, I will be installing a computer system throughout the school with laptops for everyone to use. I will have to consult with my team about whether or not the laptops, but they will be purchased for the students' use, none the less. I also want to have a state of the art kitchen facility with enough supplies to have cooking class for each of the students, where they will have the chance to cook and bake. I want them to have all the chances they need to help decide where their life path will go. There will be a garage as well for those who want to learn how to fix cars, but all the girls will have to take a crash course as well so that they at least know how to change oil and fix a flat. A classroom will be dedicated to business and have real professionals who will come in and share their real life experiences with the students. They will not only come and speak to them, but choose some of the students, who are interested to shadow them for a couple of days. This will give the kids a chance to take a real peek at what their business is like. Of course, if the professional would oblige, the student who shows true interest might even apprentice with that professional. I know a lot of it sounds like some of our high schools around the area, but it will be made available to the younger students as well. Since we will be in school a little longer, they will have more time to do more things with their schedules.
All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 242

2009-08-21T06:05:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go towards the same goal as the rest of the money. It will go toward finishing the school I purchased this past week. I will have an excellent sound system for the school's auditorium. The stage in the auditorium will be refinished, as well as replacing the curtains, purchase new instruments for the band which will play for the musicals and assemblies for our school. We will need new lighting (the best we could afford), audio visual equipment for the auditorium as well as the classrooms. I might even think about getting the seating refinished for the audience to sit in. Any leftover money will be spent on touching up the auditorium and making it look its finest. The backstage area will also get light up seating for makeup with fresh makeup waiting for the actors to don the stage. Our long term goal would be to re-construct the whole auditorium to state of the art condition, but for now, the touch ups will do.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 241

2009-08-20T08:18:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go into helping with abused children who need counseling and do not have the money. I believe that counseling goes a long way in the healing process, so I would like to help as many people as I can with the money from today...$24,100.

The rest of the money will be poured into my new school and the proper creation and foundation of it so that we may duplicate it all over the country. I want the program to be so tight that it could fit many different communities and that my students will be sought after by Universities all around the world. Some of the money will also be used to take a trip to Hawaii to see my house there and to relax a little with my family for a couple of days, then fly back using our time share plane.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 237, 238, 239, 240

2009-08-19T07:08:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward the food pantries in the area and in the areas surrounding my homes, to be split as evenly as possible with the extra going to help those hit by the typhoon.

The rest of the money will be spent on building up my school based on Think and Grow Rich and biblical principals. It will be called the Olive Branch, since it will allow my graduating students to branch out into ways that will change the way the world thinks. I will provide uniforms to my students, but cool ones, of course. There will be enough for everyone the first year and will be a place for the clothes that have been outgrown so that others may come and take if they need to. Some of the money will go toward refinishing the floors, providing smart boards, painting, providing computers, installing lighting systems as well as a security system. I want my students to be safe. Tuition will be low, but enough, providing the salary for the instructors. We will conduct workshops for the instructors to be knowledgeable in what we aim to teach the kids. It will be a very hands on school in every innocent sense of the word. We want the best instructors, who are certified, so our positions will be coveted and the process very competitive. We will not tolerate any teacher who acts as if they do not want to be with us. Every teacher/instructor MUST love their job, or move on elsewhere. We will provide the tools the kids need to excel and succeed. Nothing these kids need will be denied them. My Master Mind Olive Branch group will make sure of it. I will contribute my own money, but have sponsors contribute as well, making it one of the best schools around.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 236

2009-08-15T19:42:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help find an alternative way to help those who are in need of stem cells to recover. I would support any research that would solidify the validity of stem cells other than that of fetuses or embryos capable of becoming a human. It is not good to mess with human life.

The rest of the money would go toward my new school and the foundation that would sprout into other schools. I would even have a chapel built where worship can be an option to those who wish it. Freedom of religion and speech will be practiced at our school....home work will be kept to a minimum or done in a fashion that would cause minimal suffering to the parents and the home life. The stress from homework that causes the desire for summer to come to our house is shortly lived until the quite realization that homework brings an equal stress in September. There is, though, the quite and stability that routine brings along with it that does have its own peace....until the kids come home with their daily torture assignments. School without homework is like heaven. :)

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 230 thru 235

2009-08-14T05:40:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go towards helping Mercy Mission in it quest to help families get back their life a little more than before. It will help someone breathe at little easier everyday as they will have some of the help they need to get their life on track.

The rest of the money will go toward fixing up the first school I purchased and putting it back into action as a school. We will get the supplies we need, and start finding just the right teachers with just the right frame of mind for our school. I will get other investors who are willing to donate or invest their money in the school to help out with the salary of our teachers as well.

All the best!

Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 230 thru 232

2009-08-11T07:32:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping a family who is in need of financial help with their child who is suffering from cancer as well as to the Ronald McDonald House who helps with families who are in need.

The rest of the money $623,700 will go toward buying a school building to help kids who want to be in an atmosphere that is different than normal schools. One that fosters thinking creatively and outside the box. I may even purchase several schools to help kids all over the nation. We will base the learning on many different sources and the tuition will be low or free for some kids so that there will be no issue to accept those that want our education. One of the basis of learning will be from Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, as well as the Bible and other sources such as the Montessori way.

Any left over money will be put toward any repairs and maintenance. I am not sure what the school will be called yet. I will have to give it more thought.

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment Day 229

2009-08-08T16:49:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go help food banks all across the nation with a supply of food to help those who do not know where their next meal is coming from. Our family is so fortunate to have what we need. I will cart along some of the kids to help serve those in need when we drop off the money to the local food banks. I know I will make a point to personally take money to the Sisters of Charity in Newark.

The rest of the money will go paying off the house in Ocean Grove and toward paying for the party to celebrate its closing. Some of the money will also pay for any renovations and the tax that is due for owning the house. Any left over money will go toward a side trip to Ecuador to visit my home and the school there. I would like to look into owning a helicopter to get around in Ecuador if they allow that sort of thing there. My extra cash will be spent on the school and fixing up/maintaining the house in Ecuador.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 228

2009-08-07T08:19:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe will go to helping retired communities of clergy all around the US. I know some of them have built a bad rep for most, so I know the money will be put to good use anyway.

The rest of the money will be put towards paying off the house in Ocean Grove. I am closer to picking a party date! I am so psyched. I will play with the exact numbers tomorrow!!!

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment Day 227

2009-08-06T05:46:00.004-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to my foundation, Mercy Mission to help other families as well as money to put together a benefit for the foundation. I will get as many free or discounted services as I can, but the rest I will pay for with today's tithe. It will be called Mercy MISSION: POSSIBLE Ball. I will also spend some of the money giving free tickets for some of the family members who benefited to come if they wish with an allowance for attire that they could choose from to wear to the event and keep for themselves. It will be great fun to have and allow them to hopefully have a nice night out with an outfit to keep.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the house in Ocean Grove. The balance of today's money ($204,300) will make the remaining payments on the house $281,100! PAR-TAY here we come! The remaining payments are few, so it is time to look into rennovations!

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment Day 226

2009-08-05T05:29:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help people in Africa have clean water. The need for clean water is so important and helping build new wells will have a great effect on those who will benefit.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the house in Ocean Grove. There will be a balance of $485,400 after today's payment. Very soon it will be another one of my paid off properties...and you know what that means! PARTY!! Another fun party will ensue, except this time, I will have one of two places for people to stay in! It will be a fun time for all.

All the best!!

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment Day 225

2009-08-04T05:22:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping families in Haiti, who need very basic things in order to survive. Their needs are so simple, yet so vast and any help they could get would be great. I would like the money to go to expanding the village my church has helped to fund, and to my friend, who does mission medical trips.

The rest of the money will go toward paying for the house in Ocean Grove. The remainder of the payments after today's $202,500 to spend, will be a total of $688,800. I look forward to climbing these stairs and restoring anything that needs to be restored. For instance, the carpet on the stairs. Rip, rip, rip, I will take it off and bring the wood back to its original glory. I absolutely LOVE the window seat on the landing with the stained glass window. Just so beautiful!!

All the best,
Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment Day 222-224

2009-08-03T05:32:00.003-04:00

Today's combined tithe money will go toward the music programs in several schools that are missing the funding to provide the music program for the year. I will enlist the aid of some friends to find which schools they are. I am sure the schools will be grateful and the families of the children happy too.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the house in Ocean Grove.

More details to follow!

All the best,

Alicia

My Thousand Dollar Experiment Day 217 thru 221

2009-07-31T06:49:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money ($109,000) will go to Food for The Poor, Mercy Mission, and the rest will be divided among the food pantries I support including my own in Ecuador.

The rest of the money will go toward paying off the Ocean Grove Home and toward purchasing a second home to live in or rent out.

After paying off the first home, the remaining money is $507,700 which will go toward the 2nd house in Ocean Grove. I am not sure which house I will call home yet, but I am leaning toward the 2nd house.

You know, after looking at pictures, yes, the 2nd house is the one for me. The 2nd house is $1,399,000 and the down payment will be nice, so this house is the one for me!

All the best,

Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 213 thru 216

2009-07-26T06:42:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help those still in need after Hurricane Katrina. There are still so many out there in need. I would give the money to my church whose group goes down at least twice a year, so that they could actually use the money to help those in true need.

The rest of the money will be spent on purchasing another house, but in Ocean Grove, NJ. It is just like Mt Tabor, but on the beach! I guess it would be like taking home to the beach and it would be fun!

The remaining balance would be $477,800, which will be paid off very quickly.

I will fill in more details tomorrow....off to church!

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 212

2009-07-22T06:22:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward helping food banks at all the locations where my homes reside, divided up in an as needed basis.

The rest of the money will be spent on finishing up the building of my house in Lavalette. I would like to build a trampoline that is at ground level for the kids as well as a safe playground for the kids to play in, including water tables, and tactile items for the kids to play with, a basketball court, and a volleyball court as well. Of course the Bocci court would be built as well. Any money left over will be devoted to purchasing items for the house, such as outside furniture, pool supplies, towels, sheets and the like, as well as the proper seating and equipment for a home theater.

All the best,
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 211

2009-07-21T07:33:00.003-04:00

Today's tithe money will go toward giving money to the Troops to brighten their day and to their families who are struggling at home.

The rest of the money will go toward building a gym in my homes in Lavalette, Nags Head, The Poconos, Ecuador and in Mt Tabor. I will buy Treadclimbers, Ellipticals, Weights, Boxflex Machines and Total Gyms along with a Flatscreen TV for workout DVDs. All the gyms will have Yoga equipment, mats, balls, hardwood flooring included with mirrors.

All the best!!
Alicia

My THOUSAND Dollar experiment....Day 210

2009-07-20T14:36:00.002-04:00

Today's tithe money will go to help the poor in Africa in any way that it can. I will set it up through a trustworthy source where I know the money will get right to the people.

The rest of the money will go toward building a little chapel where I will house a library as well as prayer room a little aside from the house so that it will not be affected by the daily goings on and remain sacred. There will also be a pool house finished with outdoor kitchen and supplies so that we could easily entertain from the pool area. The pool house will be supplied with a lounge area that could be used as a game room for the kids. A flat screen TV will also contain DVDs, a computer system, several game systems and a pool table complete with Dart Board only for the adults, of course.

All the best,
Alicia