I Admit It, I Am a Dork!

It occurred to me today that this whole blog is a smokescreen for my desire to give things to people and not feel like a dork. (Hey, I am just doing it for the blog, so it is no big deal!)  I should just embrace that I like to do these little things and not feel silly I guess.  Kaitlyn and I went to Carrie's for a play date today and I brought her some candy and cookies for her to save and eat when the kids are not around.   Us moms of small children have to stick together and keep each other sane.  I like to stay on Carrie's good side with bribes of food.....

Pretty Pretty

At the grocery store this morning Kaitlyn and I saw some pretty red, green, and white Gerber daisies.  We got them for the girls' Grandma, since she loves flowers!  They sure brightened up her kitchen on a gray and rainy day like today.

Last Post of the Week

With all the baking tonight and tomorrow, cleaning and putting together a lasagna for when my brother is here this weekend, I am too wiped out to do anything else official.  I will be as nice as I can with James' family tomorrow and my family Friday!  Happy Thanksgiving!

SURPRISE!

My aunt Barbara is getting into town late tonight and staying near me.  We won't see her until tomorrow, and I can't wait!  Today the girls and I picked up some drink options and candy for her.  I put it all in a box and wrapped it (that is how much I love Barbara-I hate wrapping!)  We are going to take it to her hotel and see if they will put it in her room as a surprise tonight!

Reminding a Friend....

.....How great she is!   This morning I decided to write a note to my friend Holly who has gone through a lot lately.  I told her that no matter what, she is smiling and joyful and we could all learn from her attitude.  I just pray that seeing her daughters for Thanksgiving lifts her spirits!

Kids Always Need Toys, Right?

A while back when my neighbor brought her almost 2 year old grandson to play, she said he didn't have Legos.  Kaitlyn plays with them a lot so I am pretty sure he would too.  I happened to find a set in the basement (how did I forget buying them?  I still can't remember where they came from!)  I took them over today and really hope Ethan gets to play with them this weekend!

Another Card

Today's plan was changed a bit, because something more pressing came up than taking cookies to our new neighbors.  I realized I missed James' grandma's birthday so I got her one of the cards that opens up and looks like a bouquet of flowers.  She has been in a rehab center/nursing home since May and seems to be giving up.  I thought getting a card that looks like flowers would brighten up her room.

Not Warm and Fuzzy

Sometimes people need to hear something, and no one wants to be the one to tell them.  Especially me.  But my Mom would be proud of me today, because I did that.  I told someone I love that they are wrong, but not in an accusing way.  It is hard to have tact when you care about a situation and are close to it, but I think I did it.  She didn't get offended and seemed to agree.  I pray she really sees my point and does the right thing.  Well, this wasn't a fun day for the blog, but I think it can help some people.

That's What Friends Are For

So Carrie has her hands full (more than usual) with a sick boy home from school, a trouble causing 4 year old and a baby who won't sleep at night lately.  She sent me an email this morning saying Calgon take me away!  While Kaitlyn and I were at the mall this morning, I was trying to think of what I can do for her.  I won't watch sick kids when mine just got better....We passed Bath and Body Works so I ran in and got a mini bottle of my favorite lotion, since it always makes me feel better.  I hope it helped her get through the day and that she knows she can ask me if she needs anything!

Merry Christmas Soldiers!

Wow is this really the 10th week I have been doing this?  It has gone by so fast!  This rainy afternoon Lauren and I are doing Christmas cards for soldiers.  Our Church is going to have a booth set up Sunday for us to drop them off, and they will be bulk shipped to soldiers overseas.  Lauren is enjoying coloring hers, and I have several cards I didn't use last year.  I figure writing notes on 5 or 6 of them is the least I can do for strangers who are giving up Christmas with their families (and possibly their lives) for my freedom.

No Title

Since I have been taking care of another sick child today, I haven't had much chance for other things.  But I am giving my sickie the (probably) last rose of the year.  I always keep any flowers on the counter, but I think she is old enough to have it in her room!    She has had a rough week, so maybe it will make her feel better.

Thanksgiving

Our Church's big give this month is to bring certain boxed and canned items this Sunday for families for Thanksgiving.  Hard to imagine not having the money for Thanksgiving dinner, but it happens all around us.  This year I am just doing 2 families.  Last year I somehow found the time and energy to shop at different stores to get deals, and did 10!  Today I just pushed my kids through Walmart (a feat in itself) and got everything I need.

Getting Easier!

This whole "being nice to other people" thing is starting to seep into my brain.  :)   Yesterday our neighbor brought her grandson over to play on our driveway.  He loved the car that our girls haven't cared much about lately, so I gave it to them.  She was so excited!  Then this morning I got James the paper when I took the dog outside.  It may not be big, but I was thinking of him (when I was barely awake and had to get Lauren ready for school.)  I will try to do that from now on in the mornings.  I am counting it for today though. 

Can't Go Wrong with Coffee and Chocolate

My friend Laura has 2 little girls and a baby on the way.  Yesterday her husband lost his job and she is obviously worried.  I know they have faith, but there is still a lot of unknown.  I put a little bag of coffee and a mini box of chocolates in one of the mugs and took it to their house today with a card.  

Another Take 2

Well, tonight I was SUPPOSED to be working at MUST from 4-7.  They have their Toy Shop next month, and there is registration the next 2 weeks.  I was going to help sign the parents up and tell them the time they need to come in December.  However, I had to cancel last night since both girls still have colds.  I can't take them to the drop in day care if they are sick.  It made me feel so bad to back out, but Kelley said she could find someone else.  Now I have to take care of sick kids and make dinner.  I would much rather be there!

Instead, I made blueberry muffins for Lauren's teachers (from a mix this time.  They smelled really good so I am sure they are good.)  It made a dozen, and I gave them to the teacher that was getting the kids in the car at pick up time.  I told her they are for all the teachers, since they do such a great job with Lauren!  

Getting the Weekend Off to a Good Start

On my kitchen windowsill I have a Bible verse a day calendar.  I saved a bunch of past days and looked through them today.  There were a couple that applied to something that happened to a sweet young girl whose mother I know, so I put them in an envelope and brought them to her house.  Sometimes you want to help, but there doesn't seem to be much (or anything) you can really do.  I wish I could have done more, but between appointments today, there just weren't enough hours in the day.  At least we get an extra one this weekend with Daylight Savings!

Take Two

"If at first you don't succeed, do something else" was my motto today.  This morning was cold and wet so I thought muffins sounded great.  I found a recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and made them.  My plan was to keep a few and take the others to Lauren's school for her teachers.  Well, it was a good thing I tested one.  They were awful!  Guess I should stick with mixes and not go from scratch.  After all that wasted time (and muffins) I was worn out and didn't want to think about baking anymore.
I was not going to just give up for the day though! 

Instead I wrote a note to my great aunt Polly who is getting over pneumonia.  Hopefully a note can cheer her up and make her smile. 

Put Life in Perspective.......Volunteer

The first Wednesday of the month, NorthStar helps out in MUST Ministries' bread pantry.  I got to do this tonight!  Last Sunday 10 people brought 10 loaves of bread to Church and we gave it out to people who came tonight, along with food and clothes if they needed it.  It was a good thing it was a slow night, as I wanted to learn about the process and computer system, and the printer wouldn't work anyways.  Always something!  The people who volunteer for this regularly were so friendly and the people who came in for food were nice too.  It is just so great to help young families (and old) put food on the table-something I definitely take for granted.  The shelves with nonperishable food was full and I realized this is where my donations go when I bring it in.  Made the whole thing real.  Someone asked for a heater, and I think all of us wanted to go out and find one for her.  Life may be hard, but we can all help.

Interesting Title

All day today I have been racking my brain to think of something to do.  I wanted to think of some new ideas.  I have been trying to do some volunteer work through different organizations, which I am doing some tomorrow night, but not much has come of that.  So what I did was take a little shrink wrapped pad of paper and pen with the verse Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" to a neighbor who has been asking for prayer the last few days.  I found the paper today and thought of her and her family right away. 

So Cool

Before I talk about today, I have to mention what happened yesterday.  I wrote on here last week about giving a cup and coffee to some friends in our neighborhood.  Well, last night we trick-or-treated at their house and both Jim and Rita thanked me so many times-I counted 5.  When we saw Jim, he had a cast on his leg, but James and I don't know what happened (and still don't because we are too embarrassed to ask when we feel like we should know.)  Since the men's tennis team disbanded, we haven't seen much of him.  He said he is doing better, but seriously, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED OR WHAT MADE ME GIVE THAT COFFEE AND CUP.  Well, I know God must have put them in my mind that day.  (Jim and Rita, if you ever find out about this blog and read this, I am sorry we didn't know.)  I am thrilled to be used to make someone's day brighter, even unknowingly.  That just goes to show that even when you feel like you might be doing something silly, you aren't.

Today I got on Facebook and wrote encouraging notes to a cousin and some friends.  We are all overwhelmed and can use a Bible verse or an offer of help.  Heck, even for someone to just say they are thinking of us can do wonders for perspective!