Wishing all of you health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
M.O.W.
This week, I volunteered for our local Meals on Wheels. I had participated in the same program with my grandfather in Longview, Texas when I was in middle school. I loved going door to door and the feeling of completion knowing that we had provided lunch and dinner for so many individuals. Doing this on my own, however, was quite a different experience.
It was a beautiful 70 degree day that I was quite grateful for in the middle of January. There were a total of 12 homes on the route and I was excited to revisit what I had experienced with my grandad. The first person I visited with was an elderly woman. She wore white stockings, the special kind made for diabetics to help with circulation. She slowly answered the door; it was difficult for her to get around on the walker and carry her oxygen tank. I joyfully handed her the meal and asked how she was doing. The response was a simple "Fine" followed by a "Thank you". It hurt my heart to see how difficult it was her to do a task that I take for granted. It has never occurred to me when answering the front door that maybe one day I won't be able to do that task anymore.
With each home I visited, my heart became heavier and heavier. Twelve dark homes and apartments. Twelve elderly people who are were barely mobile. No one there to help or visit except for maybe a dog or the hair stylist who does home visits. I wish I could have stayed at each house and completed a few chores for them. I wish I could have given everyone a hug and asked them about their week. I wish I knew if their homes were empty during the holidays too.
When I completed the route, I sat alone in the car pondering about everything I had seen. Too often do I take for granted all the wonderful things I have. My home is clean and bright... filled with the love of my husband and laughter of my two stepsons. There is a little weenie dog who happily greets me every morning and snuggles with me every night. I have plenty of food to eat in my refrigerator, a working central air/central heat, a lawn man who mows my yard, and a home with no leaks. It is easy for everyone in the house to obtain medications we need and all of our limbs are fully functional to walk the dog, wash our clothes, or pack up the Christmas decorations. I have almost too much.
I pray for love and protection for all the people I met on my route. SPAN is a wonderful organization who provides so much for individuals in our community who have so little. Consider giving to SPAN as it is our responsibility to take care of our neighbors.
It was a beautiful 70 degree day that I was quite grateful for in the middle of January. There were a total of 12 homes on the route and I was excited to revisit what I had experienced with my grandad. The first person I visited with was an elderly woman. She wore white stockings, the special kind made for diabetics to help with circulation. She slowly answered the door; it was difficult for her to get around on the walker and carry her oxygen tank. I joyfully handed her the meal and asked how she was doing. The response was a simple "Fine" followed by a "Thank you". It hurt my heart to see how difficult it was her to do a task that I take for granted. It has never occurred to me when answering the front door that maybe one day I won't be able to do that task anymore.
With each home I visited, my heart became heavier and heavier. Twelve dark homes and apartments. Twelve elderly people who are were barely mobile. No one there to help or visit except for maybe a dog or the hair stylist who does home visits. I wish I could have stayed at each house and completed a few chores for them. I wish I could have given everyone a hug and asked them about their week. I wish I knew if their homes were empty during the holidays too.
When I completed the route, I sat alone in the car pondering about everything I had seen. Too often do I take for granted all the wonderful things I have. My home is clean and bright... filled with the love of my husband and laughter of my two stepsons. There is a little weenie dog who happily greets me every morning and snuggles with me every night. I have plenty of food to eat in my refrigerator, a working central air/central heat, a lawn man who mows my yard, and a home with no leaks. It is easy for everyone in the house to obtain medications we need and all of our limbs are fully functional to walk the dog, wash our clothes, or pack up the Christmas decorations. I have almost too much.
I pray for love and protection for all the people I met on my route. SPAN is a wonderful organization who provides so much for individuals in our community who have so little. Consider giving to SPAN as it is our responsibility to take care of our neighbors.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, October 13, 2011
My favorite blogs
I love reading blogs and could spend hours each day doing nothing but. Here are a few of my favorite blogs....
mucho mucho bueno bueno
Sisters with a BAD sense of style. My favorite series is the Jenny Lee makeup series. As someone who hates makeup, this has been lifesaver figuring out how to enhance my looks without caking on the makeup!
simplyvonne
A lover of interior design and fashion, this blog has great graphic design tips. However, my favorite thing about this blog is the pictures of her beautiful baby girl! I love Asian babies.
Money Saving Mom
After having several heart attacks at the beginning of our marriage after each trip to the grocery store, I knew I had to find ways to trim our budget. Money Saving Mom has taught me how to make my own hand soap, taught me how to use coupons effectively, and plan meals out ahead of time in order to get the most bang for my buck! I visit the sight several times a day.
The Pioneer Woman
Probably one of the most popular blogs on the internet, Ree Drummond aka the Pioneer Woman, has easy recipes that I use for my family. I do however have to modify most of them because she uses TONS of butter and cream which is not so good for my waist line.
Life's Spices
My friend is one of the best writers I've ever encountered. I just wish she would do more of it! A fellow lover of dogs and only child, Peggy shares her adventures of moving from Texas to Seattle, trying to navigate graduate school, becoming a new puppy parent to the cutest Westie ever, and adventures in dating.
Green Wedding Shoes
Rachel DeBell Photography
Lindsey Shea Photography
Even though our wedding is over, I still read lots of wedding and photography blogs. These three are the ones I used the most for my own wedding. Since I plan events for a living, I often peruse these sites for ideas that I can incorporate into my own events such as table displays, flower arrangements, and unique decor.
mucho mucho bueno bueno
Sisters with a BAD sense of style. My favorite series is the Jenny Lee makeup series. As someone who hates makeup, this has been lifesaver figuring out how to enhance my looks without caking on the makeup!
simplyvonne
A lover of interior design and fashion, this blog has great graphic design tips. However, my favorite thing about this blog is the pictures of her beautiful baby girl! I love Asian babies.
Money Saving Mom
After having several heart attacks at the beginning of our marriage after each trip to the grocery store, I knew I had to find ways to trim our budget. Money Saving Mom has taught me how to make my own hand soap, taught me how to use coupons effectively, and plan meals out ahead of time in order to get the most bang for my buck! I visit the sight several times a day.
The Pioneer Woman
Probably one of the most popular blogs on the internet, Ree Drummond aka the Pioneer Woman, has easy recipes that I use for my family. I do however have to modify most of them because she uses TONS of butter and cream which is not so good for my waist line.
Life's Spices
My friend is one of the best writers I've ever encountered. I just wish she would do more of it! A fellow lover of dogs and only child, Peggy shares her adventures of moving from Texas to Seattle, trying to navigate graduate school, becoming a new puppy parent to the cutest Westie ever, and adventures in dating.
Green Wedding Shoes
Rachel DeBell Photography
Lindsey Shea Photography
Even though our wedding is over, I still read lots of wedding and photography blogs. These three are the ones I used the most for my own wedding. Since I plan events for a living, I often peruse these sites for ideas that I can incorporate into my own events such as table displays, flower arrangements, and unique decor.
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