Kindness

Ever-present hustle and bustle, honking, fast talking...it's all part of life in a big city. The first year I moved here heartburn became my constant companion. I needed to wear a sign, "Careful...I'm slow."

Sadly, I have adapted. I have come to expect people to brush past without a nod or a look. People are in a rush, and I know to get out of the way. Even your friends don't have time for small talk. That's what makes last Thursday so special...

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors a series called Leaders In Action. I am on the committee, so I had arrived at 6:45 am to set up. We had discussed the fact that snow was on its way. For a girl from Louisiana, the winter here is a killer. Everyone knows I'm from the south by the way I talk, so it's always a subject of conversation.

The speaker was kind of a bust, unfortunately. Since this is a kind of high dollar event, we were discussing how to handle possible complaints as we cleaned up. In a city full of abrupt and sometimes rude people, we knew what was coming.

But then something wonderful happened. I walked out to my car to find someone had brushed the snow from my windshield and the driver's side windows. Just like that, my day, which had been so normal (and a little bit boring from the speaker) became memorable in a great way.

I can make a difference for someone in little, seemingly inconsequential ways...and I'm going to try...everyday! Think what a difference it would make if we all did it to together.

A nice place to rest

Sometime last year I stumbled upon Ana White's Knock-Off DIY Furniture site. Her free designs are fabulous. I was very excited for Gus to make Schmillian a "big girl bed" before her brother made his debut into the family.

I feel like my purpose in life is to help others realize the talents they have but may not recognize. What does that mean, you may ask. Well, let's just say Gus wasn't completely convinced he could do this. However, I kept insisting, "Ana says anyone can do it. You're good at building things."

He reminded me he doesn't have woodworking tools. "But she says you don't need special tools. And you can build a bed in an afternoon." Eventually, he got excited about it, too. So...we called pretty last minute and were on our way to the future DDS's home.

Well, it was an adventure...leaving the building supply place with wood hanging out the windows of our car, since we don't own a truck and don't know anyone in that area that does...buying a few "must have" tools...just to mention a few things. We really took Ana at her word and only had a day to do it.

A few things didn't go perfectly, but the cheerleader in me is never far away, and I just kept praying, encouraging, complementing, laughing (a little nervously, as we had quite an investment in the project by then)...you know how it goes.

But by golly...look what Gus made...

Now, to say I was excited about this would be an understatement. My faith in Gus increased exponentially. So...

The Doctor's sons need new beds before their new baby comes. We would need to build TWO beds AND a storage unit, so we allowed TWO days before Christmas. I told you I have great faith in what Gus can do!

Well, after two LONG days in the garage in very cold temps (he cut some things here, when it was about 7 degrees), look what Gus built...

I know...there are no words. The boys were almost as excited as I was about it. They declared it the best Christmas present EVER...until the next day when they opened their other presents! It was the best Christmas present Gus ever gave me, and I have so many more projects in mind...Go, Gus, Go!!!

A Party in Your Mouth!

Make this dough...

Bake these candies covered with the dough...

Enjoy!

Fudgy Bonbons...

Now I understand the appeal of sitting around eating bonbons!

Christmas Through a Child's Eyes

Although people talk about children forgetting the true meaning of Christmas, I think children help us remember what's really important about this season.

This year Schmillian helped me display the nativity sets I've collected over the years. As we set one up, I told the story of Jesus' birth.

A little later Schmillian took my hand and brought me back to a scene we had set up...with a few changes as all the figures crowded into the stable area, because "They all want to see Jesus, Mumsy!"

She is right. Those wise men of long ago showed us the importance of seeking and finding the Savior. May we all do so with the zeal of a child!

Traditions

I'll start this post with a little side note...Holidays involving so much food are hard for people with an eating disorder!

Now that I got that out of the way, I'll say this...There is SO MUCH to smile about during the holidays! Life is full of contradictions.

My son, Future DDS and his family spent Thanksgiving with us. I had a great time with all of them here...especially Schmillian and her brother, who thinks life is a party most of the time! We sang so many old favorite songs (which is my favorite thing to do) and did some fun things.

But the main reason for this post is to celebrate the traditions of family and the way it binds us together. On Thanksgiving morning, Schmillian joined me in the kitchen to make cornbread dressing, just like I did growing up with Mama.

It was great to be able to tell Schmillian about Ganmama while we crumbled the cornbread together. We added the chopped celery, onions, and parsley...yes, we need to put all of it in to make it good. We mixed in eggs, soup, and broth...that's a lot of broth! Last, we added lots of black pepper, because Ganmama says you can never have too much black pepper in your dressing.

After we put it in the oven, Schmillian went to tell her Daddy she made dressing just like Ganmama. "Ganmama is Mumsy's mother. She says, Never too much pepper." And so the tradition continues.

The keeping of other traditions...matching PJs for all the family (where I discovered just how big my family has become as I sewed and sewed...and ripped a little), baking gingerbread boys to mail to my son that likes them (unbeknownst to me until his wife told me a couple of years ago) help me feel connected to the ones I love.

My heart is full of gratitude for those I love and am tied to forever...those that are still here and those that have gone on. All are with me in my heart...neither miles nor death can separate us!

A Red-Letter Day

Last week I celebrated another year of life, and it was so fun waking up to this..

Thanks to all that made my day so special. I love you outside of numbers!

The Blessing of Family

July, 2010

I am amazed every day that I am blessed to call such wonderful people my family. Each one of them, whether related by blood or marriage, have taught me so much.

I appreciate the opportunity to get together with everyone, which gets harder all the time as families grow and live far apart. I'm grateful for their continued influence on me. Laughing together, supporting each other through trying times, loving each other through thick and thin...I love you all outside of numbers!