29 Gifts ~ Days 14 and 15 Humor and Prayer

Day 14 ~ Yesterday I went to Target to pick up a few things. It was a rough day as we are going through some family challenges at the moment and I was attempting to cope with the reality that change must happen even at the risk of consequences I haven't been willing to face. When I arrived at the check out and saw the helpful cashier, I just thought geez, don't go and spread your lack of joy so, I as I took each item out of my basket and placed it on the belt, I said "Something to drink, something to wash my hands with, something for the dogs", and so on...and we both giggled as we realized that there was something for everyone there. She was smiling when I walked away with my purchase...and I felt contented that my gift of humor had a part in making her job fun this day. I have a sneaky suspicion that she has fun anyway, but still, it was nice to be a part of it.

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Day 15 ~ This is really hard to call a gift simply because I would do it regardless of whether I was participating in a challenge or not. My good friend, Candace, is facing some challenges as a caregiver for her mother and now her 27 year old daughter. Her mom is in the hospital having just had surgery over the weekend locally, and her daughter has surgery, out of state today. Candace is an only child and was being torn between caring for her mother and caring for her daughter. I have held each of them up in prayer today, praying for quick and easy recoveries, for peace, comfort, calmness and courage for each of them. For help to be available as they need it and for them to each know the comfort of a kind and loving Creator. I have so often heard the phrase, "All I can do is pray," and I am always stunned at the little weight such a powerful action is given as I truly believe that the most powerful position on earth in On Your Knees in Prayer.

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Today I am grateful for:

1) Aunt Judy (for lifting my spirits)
2) Delicious leftovers for lunch (yes, I love leftovers :-)
3) My Mom (for stopping by and bringing the puppies new toys....It was so sweet and they love them)

May we all be blessed this evening :-) Janet

29 Gifts ~ Day 9 Just a note to say hello...and I'm thinking of you :-)

This was another easy one as my high school BFF is always in my thoughts. After high school we lost touch and after 2 decades I began to search for her through google, classmates.com, etc. It is often harder to find women because we change our names when we get married and that was so with Sara. Feeling pretty nostalgic about 5 years ago during the holiday season, I signed on to my classmates.com account and searched for her. She wasn't there, but both her sisters were! I wrote them both to say hello and letting them know I was looking for her. Long story short, we reconnected after 22 years! Sara and her husband flew out here and we spent time catching up. Afterward, we spoke on the phone every Sunday for about a year. Then, tragically, her daughter-in-law suddenly died and Sara was left to care for her grandchildren and our calls became fewer and fewer and now, we only talk about once a year. She is never far from my thoughts though...and my gift to her is a personal note letting her know that I am thinking of her, that she is important in my life, and that I will always be here for her.

A note for Sara

The one thing I know about spontaneous letter writing, is that you never know what kind of impact it will have on your recipient. I have been blessed to have had God's timing on my side and have written notes seemingly randomly, only to find out later that my letter was just the comfort needed at that moment in life, or that it was the inspiration to do art again. A seemingly simple and inexpensive gift can have an enormous impact. Now, I don't know if Sara will just read my note and smile...or if it will be just what she needs to hear right now. What I do know, is that people don't know they are on your mind...unless you let them know. 

Today I am grateful for:

1) Dinner at home three nights in a row :-)
2) My sweet, remarkable clients
3)My beautiful Arizona Ash Tree baring only her winter skeleton. She gives me the seasons

Minnie Mouse ~ Silly Girl

I just captured this photo of Minnie Mouse laying sprawled out in the family room for an afternoon nap and thought you might enjoy...:-)

Here's a link to the 29 Gifts Website in case you want to check it out. Have a beautiful day! ~ Blessings, Janet

29 Gifts ~ Days 7 & 8 ~ Because you're special & Doing my small part

Day 7 ~ This gift goes out to all of you special people who take your precious time to read my blog and then go the extra mile to leave a comment letting me know you were here :-). Your thoughts are just so heart-lifting and I am so aware of the time it takes to read through the myriad of wonderful blogs and leave comments. I feel especially blessed when I am chosen to receive your words. I have turned off the Crazy Scrambled Word feature which will make commenting go a little smoother. Thank you again for the gift of your time and your comments.

Day 8 ~ This gift is for the Planet and for all animals that are saved from being lab subjects in the testing of health and beauty products. One of my 50@50 things to do is to make my home as toxin free as possible. I now use homemade products for cleaning my home; (vinegar, baking soda, lemon, peroxide, essential oils and water). I have replaced my hair care products with products that are manufactured by a company committed to protecting the environment and do not use animals in their testing. Today...I replaced my empty Neutrogena Healthy Defense daily moisturizer with Aveda's Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Creme.

Aveda's Mission Statement : Beauty is as Beauty Does

I can expand my contribution by supporting companies who are truly environmental leaders. There are many who claim to be environmentally friendly through slick advertising campaigns and yet they contain the same toxic ingredients and are testing in the same inhumane ways. Being aware of what I am purchasing and from whom is just a small part...and as the Dali Lama says something like: "Your contribution is insignificant, but it is important." And I thought about that for awhile. When we string together all of our contributions, it becomes quite significant :-)

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Other Environmental Leaders in the Health and Beauty industry are Shaklee and Jane Iredale
(I am not paid to endorse any of the products I talk about :-).

Today I am grateful for:

1) The absolutely delicious homemade stuffed bell peppers my friend Candace gave me for dinner Monday evening. Yum!
2) My wonderful mentor and friend Marsena who graciously allows me to rent her beautiful office by the hour.
3) Farmers who really provide humane care for the animals they raise.

Here's a link to the 29 Gifts Website in case you want to check it out. Have a beautiful day! ~ Blessings, Janet