#payitforward - helpful tips - giveaways... There are so many things floating around in my brain that I don't even know where to begin so I'm going to call this post

splatter

^{image source
Prepare your index finger for scrolling}

What's on my mind?

In alphabetical order:

• #hamburgersaintproject
• #payitforward
• Helpful tips for Steemit newbies
• My boys in bootcamp
• Steemfest 2
• SteemGnome

That's a lot on the brain, right? So I guess I'll just work my way down the list with these random thoughts and see how many of you make it to the end.

---

#hamburgersaintproject

As one of the first gift recipients of the #hamburgersaintproject it is my responsibility to carry on the legacy of Sgt. Michael Barkey through a Pay It Forward initiative based in love, giving, and a bit of fun.

• Read this for the gift reveal

I NEED TWO VOLUNTEERS!

<sup>It's kind of simple and kind of not. Volunteers agree to accept the gift, write a Steemit post about it.
Find 2 of volunteers and gift them with something meaningful...and maybe include a snack bag of Cheetos.

image source</sup>

@lexikon082 is the amazing veteran and friend who launched this initiative. He wrote a call out for volunteers to move this forward. Will it be you? I'm selecting names on Friday, June 30 and I'm extending this to my Facebook following as well.

So far the names I have to pick from a hat are: @jdawg, @gay123 and possibly @inkbeard

For updates on the project please also follow @hamburger-saint and keep an eye out for the # veterans and #hamburgersaintproject tags.

#

---

#payitforward

This is my Steemit passion project. If you've been following me for the better part of a year you know that I love outreach and helping Steemians get over the hump.

What hump?

Any hump! Could be a tiny financial boost because I donate the liquid funds; could be putting their # nameinlights as a way to highlight a fellow who could use a boost in morale or followers.

^{image source}

These calls to action are so important. When you participate you are telling the world that you care because WE ARE COMMUNITY.

Just in the last 28 days I've managed to create 9 blog posts and donated liquid funds from three of them.

^{Note to self: Write more often!}
#hamburgersaintproject received a total of 134 SBD
@thecrazygm received 175 SBD to after he fell, further injuring his back and finding himself facing medical expenses and possible eviction. His post is here

To Pay It Forward does not mean strictly financial giving. If you see a worthy cause, give it a 100% upvote. Resteem them. Write a post a dedicate the liquid funds...or don't. The simple fact of sharing a Steemian's story with a broader audience is usually enough to bring organic traffic to them.

It's not hard to do!
#

---

Helpful tips for Steemit newbies

Strangely enough, some of the posts I've created 8 to 11 months ago are starting to gain traction. I have every intention of updating them; clean them up and maybe omit some of my anecdotes but here's a short list of the ones I feel are most valuable.

• Best Practices for Steemit Newbie Artists
  ^{This post is also very appropriate for photographers and vloggers who think posting one thing and nothing else is going to generate a huge following.}
• Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Your Steemit Wallet
• What is a "QUALITY" post?
• Steemit Blogging 101: Title, Picture, First 100 Characters and WHY they're important!
• Steemit Blogging 101: Headers and White Space and WHY they're important!
• SteemVoter and the organic curator
  ^{In the interest of transparency, I have temporarily shut down SteemVoter to get a handle on how HF19 is affecting my voting power but it's coming back online soon...possibly with new people to auto-follow.}

Something to think about

STEEM and SBD are the two liquid currencies that you can easily trade on the exchanges. The past few weeks have been great with both trading well over $1. These are amazing times for me because it wasn't that long ago when STEEM was down to EIGHT CENTS.

My estimated account value was crap. I stayed anyway.

Sure, now the money is pretty great. The potential to earn has no limits - but bad times happen. I want you to really think about what brings you here to Steemit and then ask yourself what is it going to take make stay if/when the price tanks again?

In order to stay a happy Steemian, I've always maintained that I have no expectations of earnings, which makes a payout that much sweeter. Whether or not STEEM or SBD is $10+ or $0.02 I'm going to continue holding the torch because it's still 100% more than what I'm making on Facebook.

Think about it.

!!! IMPORTANT !!!

Listen up, newbies...
You have a very important responsibility that you may not even be aware of:

STEEMIT WITNESS VOTING

Your homework is to read @pfunk's User's Guide to Steem Witnesses then place your educated votes here

Your Steemit future lies in their hands. Vote wisely.

#

---

My boys in bootcamp

	Jeremy (3050) is my middle child and he's got one month left of bootcamp. He's managed to survive the gas chamber, Swim Week, Grass Week, and he's getting ready for Team Week and Table 2 firing.
Joshua (2061) is my youngest and he's just finished up Swim Week and the gas chamber. I'm still waiting to see how his platoon did for Initial Drill! He's three weeks behind Jeremy but so far he's hanging in there.

I try not to worry about the future and where they may go once they've been assigned a permanent duty station - or if they're deployed. I focus on their achievements and the steps they are taking in becoming fine, young men. I am so proud of my boys.

#

---

Steemfest 2

I want to go.

There, I said it.

I. Want. To. Go.

It's nice to wish something. It's entirely different to see if it's even remotely possible! And I couldn't just buy one ticket. This would be a trip for two and it's been hell trying to convince my husband that traipsing around Europe is a good idea. He's very security-conscious and doesn't like what he's reading in the news. Traveling abroad is not on his list of "good ideas."

But it's not FOMO that's making me anxious about going but rather a feeling that I should be there. I love Steemit and its people with all my heart. As an early adopter I feel like it's calling to me. I want to break bread with you in the worst way.

I mentioned possibly traveling by myself and he gave me the look. Well, I certainly wouldn't be alone; I have my Steemit family! Ideally, I want my husband with me. He's my partner in all things. It's going to take a lot of convincing and a lot of saving to make the trip.

I could shoot for the moon and try.

Worst case scenario, I've got a war chest to attend Steemfest³.

What do you think?

Is it worth powering down for airfare and accommodations?

#

---

SteemGnome

This guy is still waiting to travel!

If you're interested in hosting SteemGnome, please leave a comment. I'd like to pull a name out of a hat and send him on his way. He's getting cabin fever.

#

---

ONE MORE THING...

I'd like to close with one more #payitforward mention.
@girlbeforemirror is going through some tough times with her health. Her husband @azurejasper wrote an amazing piece about what they are going through.

About four months ago, @girlbeforemirror posted this doodle; something she drew while in the hospital. The image has stayed with me and I want to share it with you.

Here is her original post

I purposefully kept the image large in case you wanted to download and save it. You see, one of the things that I do on occasion is fill the window with something goofy and leave it as a comment on her posts.

This is the last one I sent with the crazy thing from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. In other words...

DON'T PANIC!

@girlbeforemirror and @azurejasper need us. Remember what I said about #payitforward - it's not just a monetary donation. Give them your time and attention. Upvote their content and comments.

Read their story and give them your support - however you see fit.

I intend to write a #payitforward post for them tomorrow. Stay tuned...

<sup>image source
- End of Splatter -</sup>