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 ~ Days 12 & 13 Entertaining Him

Day 12 ~ This gift also goes out to my husband. We were pretty stuck in a rut after graduation and his work is pretty intense, yet he is always there for me. When my God-daughter's husband was killed in Iraq, he supported my flying to Austin to help her. When my other niece was in crisis, he was there to say..."you need to go." The list just goes on and he never complains or asks for anything. And so, on Thursday evening, he made the comment that he would like to see a couple of shows that are coming to our local performing arts center in April. I decided it was the perfect time to surprise him. So I bought tickets to both events and surprised him.

Hotel California

Spencer's Theatre of Illusion

 Day 13 ~Gardening here in what we affectionately call the Salt River Valley is different than most places in the country. Low rain levels, clay soil, searing summer heat and alkaline soil bring a few challenges to even the most experienced gardener. Years ago I took a Master Gardener class with the University of Arizona's Maricopa Country Extention Center. I have loved that manual and it has been so useful in helping neighbors, family members, friends, friends of friends and even our own lawn guy with different aspects of gardening. What does this have to do with my gift. Recently a sweet client shared her love of gardening with me. She has inspiration of starting a personal gardening business where she helps people design and install home gardens. I know the manuals will be as useful to her as they have been to me, so I am passing them along to her. 

I just know she will enjoy this as much as I have and it will answer so many questions she has about gardening in our interesting conditions. 

Today I am grateful for:

1) Our fun Segway Tour today

2) Quiet time to finish reading 365 Thank Yous

3) My Bailey's and Coffee with Homemade Whipped Cream (It's the small things :-)

29 Gifts ~ Days 10 & 11 Acknowledging Mom

Day 10 ~ My parents are both retired, well dad is semi-retired so they they are pretty used to each other's company. Dad is out of town this month, and while Mom keeps herself pretty busy during the day, I'm sure she's finding the evenings a little unnerving, so I stopped by her house and dropped off the book: The Shack by William Paul Young. It's a nice read with a great message and I think she'll enjoy reading it.

 Day 11 ~ Mom is on my mind and I have been noticing how much of her time she spends taking care of my 96 year old grandmother's needs. Nana lives alone, but she hasn't driven in decades and has been having some health challenges of late. The thing that really makes this special, is that admittedly, care-giving is not in Mom's gifting. She claims not to have the patience :-). And yet, at the drop of a hat, mom leaps into action and does whatever needs to be done. Doctor's visits, grocery shopping, hair-dying, hair-cutting appointments, lunches or shopping excursions, ER visits, house cleaning, yard tending, Christmas decorating, hearing aid battery changing take up much of her week. The list goes on, because like all of us, Nana has needs, but unlike most of us, she needs some help getting things done.

When I posted on my other blog that Rick and I were reviving date night and were going to see Country Strong, Mom asked me how it was and said she would like to go. She and my Aunt Judy, who also works with mom taking care of Nana are going to see it together. So, today I dropped off $50.00 in Theatre Gift Cards and a $10 Starbuck's Gift Card so they can treat themselves. I don't think Mom knows it's there because I just quietly left them on the counter....:-) I hope she doesn't accidentally throw them away :-) She got tendencies :-)

Mom...Enjoy! :-) Love you!

Today, I am grateful for:

1) A beautiful warm and sunny day :-)
2) Home cooked dinner 4 nights in a row! It makes the next one really special :-)
3) Date night revived! :-)

Have a wonderful weekend! ~Blessings, Janet

29 Gifts ~ Day 6 ~ Almost more than words can say: Love Bugs and Hacky Sacks :-)

This one was so easy it could almost be called cheating. But giving is giving and I'm going to do it anyway. Back in the summer when I saw these two little cuties, I immediately thought of my nieces, Carissa and Rachelle. You may have guessed by now that I procrastinated in sending them.

Lady Bug and Patriotic Hackie Sack

Every time I see a lady bug I think of Carissa. She's my 22 year old niece who works as a Veterinary Assistant in Carlsbad, CA. For as long as I can remember she has loved animals. When she was just a tot, she and her mom, my sister, Barb, would create these miniature bug farms in their back yard. Barb knew Carissa's tender heart and would go to great lengths to nurture it.

Carissa and one of her patients :-)

Whenever I see anything with a stars and stripes theme I think of Rachelle. She lost her husband nearly three years ago in the Iraq war. She was six weeks pregnant and he had only been there for a month when he was killed. She was devastated, we all were. Now, she's got a beautiful 2 year old son who keeps her going. He is an amazing child.

Rachelle and Richard

I've shared before about losing Barb twelve years ago to a fatal heart attack. It's been a rough go for these precious girls. They're doing pretty well now though. They have an amazing family that loves, lives, and plays together and I couldn't be happier for them.

Anyway, back to giving. You know how much fun it is to get a little surprise in the mail; Something different than junk mail and bills? I just thought I'd pop these in the mail for them and let them know I'm thinking of them...Just because I love them :-) ~ Blessings, Janet

Today I'm grateful for:

1) Time
2) My new whipping cream dispenser (I know, it's stupid, but I love it!)
3) Fresh lettuce from my garden

Here's a link to the 29 Gifts Website in case you want to check it out.

29 Gifts: Days 4 & 5 ~ Reviving Date Night and Helping Others Help Others

Day 4 ~ Well, I'm going to get boring here, but this one was for hubby again. I picked him up from work a bit early and revived our date night. We started at our favorite little neighborhood Greek place for happy hour and dinner. We planned on going to a movie, but skipped it in favor of a movie at home cozied up with Bailey's and Coffee in front of the fire place. What makes this a gift to hubby is that our lives have been sort of out of balance during the last few months and I know that he appreciates me making the effort to regain our balance. He's working on a huge new project at work that has its inherent stress so providing that "safe place to fall" back at home helps him manage it easier.

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Day 5 ~ One of my favorite charities is Big Brothers~Big Sisters because I really believe that every child needs and deserves a stable adult in their lives who care about their well-being. I so admire the men and women who make time in their lives for child in need and I love supporting their efforts. So today, I gathered up a car load of goodies, including a computer and monitor to take to Savers, which is their affiliated thrift store. I only dropped the things off today, but I also shop there a few times a year (when I need a certain jean size :-) and am not willing to pay good money for new jeans...and when I've got an interesting party I'm putting together because they sometimes have really unique serving pieces. Then I donate them back at another time.

Today I am grateful for:

1) A beautiful crisp day
2) My mom
3) New Photo Organizing Cart (yes, I need a cart :-)