A Thanksgiving to Remember

Thanksgiving 2012 will go down in the history books as one to remember. Along with our family, we had invited our son's girlfirend's family to join us for the first time this year. For the table, as place cards, I had written each person's name on a rock and placed it upon their napkin. I asked each one to turn their rock over and write something they were thankful for and during dinner we would go around and share what we had written. The answers ranged from cute (Jack, age 6, was thankful for hockey!) to heartfelt (support of our spouse, health, etc). My son was last. He also expressed how thankful he was for his life, his family, and especially his girlfriend, Emily, who has been there for him through thick and thin. He then told us all that he actually had another rock, which he produced from him pocket. He turned the rock over and asked Emily to read what it said. As you can see from the photo above, it said, "Will you marry me?". He then proceeded to get on one knee in front of all of us and and asked her to marry him as he opened the ring box!!! She started crying and was beyond joyful. We did, however, point out that we had not heard her answer yet!! Through sobs, she nodded her head and said, "YES!". Tears flowed, hugs were plentiful and we all got to share this special moment. Who knew those silly rocks would become so important this Thanskgiving!
Later, as we said good bye to all our guests, Tyler & Emily hung back. Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, our son asked his dad to be his best man. He told his father that no other person in his life had been there for him, supported him and been his friend quite like he had. He looked up to him and couldn't think of anyone else he would want as a best man.
I feel so blessed and grateful for all the people in my life and the richness they bring to it.

Alice

I am constantly amazed at where life takes me. Sometimes I am closed off to new things and new people, but when I look around a little closer, I find the most wonderful experiences. Take Alice. I just met her today because she makes these fabulous scarves. I went to chat with her about her scarves as I am helping with the marketing of a local store that offers them. Totally a random thing that our paths crossed and, yet, maybe not so random. There are no accidents!!
Alice is 83 and as joyful and happy a person as you will ever meet. Her husband passed away two years ago (they had been married 60+ years!) and, guess what, she started making scarves two years ago!! It takes her about 5 hours to make one scarf. She never intended on selling them, but, one day, she walked into a luncheon wearing one and the ladies went wild for them. Sweet, mild Alice was stunned anyone wanted to BUY one! Today, EVERYONE wants to buy one! She attaches these adorable, handmade flowers to each scarf, which really adds a special flair. She showed me one flower she made and the center has a buttom that came from her own mother's coat. When she showed me and I admired it, she said, "Mama." That flower, of course, is not for sale! She keeps it in a special bag, a treasure, for sure.
I have decided I need more scarves, for myself and for friends. I may buy them one at a time. Then I get to go and visit Alice and hear more of her story. That may be even more of a gift than her beautiful scarves! So, thank you, Laura at the bank, who introduced me to Del, who introduced me to Tricia, who introduced me to Alice. Isn't this road of life a grand adventure?!?!

Kit Kat Crescents

This is the time of year when candy is plentiful in most people's houses. Sift through your kid's Halloween treats and grab a few Kit Kat bars. You can make a VERY easy chocolate croissant with a package of refrigerated crescent rolls and the candy. Simply roll one stick piece of Kit Kat inside each crescent roll. Bake as directed on the package. I like to have some of the candy showing on the side as it begins to melt and looks so inviting.  So easy and yummy, the kids can help. I have done this project in kid's cooking classes. They love to make them and they, especially, love to eat them!! Enjoy!

Spreading Joy

Last week was our daughter and son-in-law's anniversary. I decided to drive around town and buy them gift cards. Nothing unusual about that idea...except, every one I bought was for $9 because it was their ninth anniversary!
Asking to buy a gift card gets you no notice these days, until you ask for one for $9.00. I got many reactions from people: "May I ask why it is for $9?" "That's such a cool idea!" "How clever!" "I am going to copy this idea!" "Did you see that somewhere or think of it yourself?" My intent was to bring a little joy to two people I love and to honor their anniverary. What I discovered was, in a very unlikely way, I was bringing joy to other people as well. In some small way, they were happy to be part of the idea and it made all of them smile. I left each store with a smile on my face as well. The ripple effect of two people's anniversary gift, was spreading joy around. It made me realize how often we can spread a little joy in our daily life in small ways. But then again, maybe spreading joy is never small.

Smart Abbey

I accept the fact that I am totally prejudice about my grandchildren. It is line 42 of my contract and I intend to uphold every clause of said contract! However, even putting aside my complete and total admiration and love for them, sometimes one of them will do something that is over the top and demands notice.
On Sunday, the girls and I spent quite a long period of time crafting at the dining room table. There was foam board, glue, googly eyes and stickers involved. There were no rules, except have some fun inside on a hot day. Abbey, age 4, TOTALLY on her own, with no help by me WHATSOEVER created this page. Not only is it beautiful, it is totally and completely accurate. Did I mention, she is 4?!?!?! Even down to the amazing fact that, when she coudn't find a 7 amoung the numbers and letters, she created one by using an upside letter "L".
Dear Mensa: Where do we find your application form? Do you accept four year olds?!?!?!

Bad Dog or Circus Dog??

Abbey yelled from the other room, "Grammie, come quick!" Well, I don't know about you, but those words usually bring me to my feet fast to make sure everything is okay. Usually, the reason they want me to come quick is to see some TV commerical of a toy they want me to buy!! However, in this case, I came into the room to find my dog standing on two legs in the corner. All I could think of was that she looked as if she was in the "time out" corner! That would mean she is a "bad dog", but we think she is actually a "circus dog" with a long history of traveling the circus performing her tricks. Now we are her audience. Lucky us!!

Postage Stamp

I know this cartoon was supposed to make me laugh, but it did quite the opposite. It made me a little sad. Sad to think that this next generation will be rather unfamiliar with the concept of writing and sending anything ~ a card, a letter, a thank you note. Yes, we have many means of communicating in today's world. Email, text, cell phones all offer instant ways of reaching others. I just can't help but feel they are efficient and yet somewhat cold.

Remember receiving a birthday card from your grandma? I have several that have four cent stamps on the envelope! Remember receiving a note from a friend who just wanted to say "hi" and see how things were on your end? It somehow made your day. Remember receiving a thank you note for a gift you gave someone? I don't care what anyone says, thakn you notes are still, and always will be, necessary. My children knew they couldn't play with the toy or cash the check until they wrote the thank you note! Is that such a bad lesson to learn?

If you have read this blog this far, I challenge you to write a note, any note, to someone who matters to you and MAIL it...with a postage stamp!! It doesn't matter what it is, if the note is long or short. It may be an article you found in the paper or a magazine that made you think of them. Go the extra mile and rip it out and send it to them saying you were thinking about them. They will be touching the very paper you were touching when you wrote the note. They will feel your love and warmth. I promise. Who knows, it may just be the bright spot in their day!