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Ann
- Female
- Scandia, MN
- United States
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- GIVING STORIES: Recent 29Gifts Community Blog Posts (31)
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- Why I'm choosing to give:
- I think giving to others and expecting nothing in return is such a wonderful concept. It makes me so happy to be able to give something to others, particularly when they don't expect it! I'm excited to enter the holiday season with a more conscious, intentional attitude focused on this challenge.
- What I'd most like to receive:
- I don't expect anything in return for what I give...I do because I want to give something to make someone happy, or to make their life easier in some way.
A few things that would be nice to receive...if I had to name things...would be:
- Peace of mind...it's been a very difficult year to say the least. Our 12- year old dog died unexpectedly the day before Valentine's Day; my 2 daughters lost their first grandma in early May after a prolonged illness; our home was hit twice in one week by hail/high winds resulting in a total re-do of the siding and roofing (which they are still working on); and I went through multiple medical tests and biopsies throughout the summer as well as had surgery in August.
- warm clothes for my daughters (sizes 10/12 or 12/14; and size 4T or 5T)
- warm dress-up coat for my older daughter (either size 10/12 or 12/14)
- food (I'm using the food shelf and Fare for All to make ends meet)
- craft supplies or fabric to make gifts for my daughters for Christmas
- an eye-doctor appointment plus pair of glasses to help me see when I drive and read (mine broke and I haven't been able to replace them)
- a trip up north along Lake Superior
- a dream: a hedgehog (a real one! ... or things related to hedgehogs)
- an even further dream: all medical debt and bills paid off!
- How did you hear about the 29-Day Giving Challenge?
- through Swap-Bot
- About me:
- I am a stay-at-home mom who lives in Scandia, Minnesota; and homeschool both of my daughters. This is perhaps the most challenging - and rewarding - position I've held. I feel so fortunate each day that I get to spend teaching and learning with the girls.
I enjoy photography...and documenting everyday life around the home...including homeschooling, crafts the girls and I do, cooking, the pets (2 dogs and 5 cats), nature, and wildlife.
When I have breaks from homeschooling, I make natural toys by hand for my daughters and others that are made from wool felt and sheep wool. They are made by sewing/embroidery or needlefelting...both crafts that I truly enjoy.
I also make translucent window stars after admiring the ones at the local Waldorf school. The stars have been such a fun and creative way to add some beauty to the home, and to daily life.
- Other Website:
- http://www.harvestmoonbyhand.etsy.com
- Do you agree to read and follow the 29Gifts Code of Conduct once you join our site?
- yes
Ann's Blog
Round 2 - Day 2...Deep Cleaning, Garage Sale, and Miniature Therapy Horses
It's not what I consider the most exciting way to give, but started to thoroughly clean the house. My goal is to have the home done by the time that the "official" school season starts. Even though I've started homeschooling the girls now during the summer, the traditional fall activities start in September and I'd like to have everything in place by then.
Started by doing laundry - at home for the couch covers, throw blankets that go on the couches, and sheets and blankets in the master bedroo… Continue
Started by doing laundry - at home for the couch covers, throw blankets that go on the couches, and sheets and blankets in the master bedroo… Continue
Posted on July 7, 2009 at 5:07am — 2 Comments
I'm Back Again After 7 Months
(See below for more information about the picture.) I've missed reading the posts about how people are changing the lives of others by giving of themselves. Over the past seven months, I've watched my father struggle with memory loss issues. In May, he began a battery of tests to determi… Continue
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 2:17pm — 3 Comments
Day 29 - Simple Ways of Giving
Thought I'd take one day...the last day of the 29-Day Giving Challenge...and look at different ways I give in one day:
- Sewed/embroidered two wool felt sheep ornaments (gift to a woman in Ohio).
- Read 2 chapters in a book (gift to self).
- Made breakfast (gift to family).
- Took my daughters to church so they could sing in the choir (gift to the girls + congregation).
- Listened to a friend who I hadn't seen in a long time talk about her parents who have been sick (they are in their upper 80s… Continue
- Sewed/embroidered two wool felt sheep ornaments (gift to a woman in Ohio).
- Read 2 chapters in a book (gift to self).
- Made breakfast (gift to family).
- Took my daughters to church so they could sing in the choir (gift to the girls + congregation).
- Listened to a friend who I hadn't seen in a long time talk about her parents who have been sick (they are in their upper 80s… Continue
Posted on November 24, 2008 at 4:56am — 2 Comments
Day 27 - Teaching Art to Homeschool Children, Listening to Teens, and Helping a Teen with Grief Issues
Was asked to volunteer to teach art at the homeschool co-op that my daughters participate in on the first and third Fridays of each month. The children/teenagers are given different options during "social hour" of activities they can do, so the ones that come to my table are interested in art which is nice.
So, on Friday, November 21st, I taught the children and teens about artist trading cards (ATCs). Brought two books filled with ATCs that were made by artists throughout the world.
The first… Continue
So, on Friday, November 21st, I taught the children and teens about artist trading cards (ATCs). Brought two books filled with ATCs that were made by artists throughout the world.
The first… Continue
Posted on November 24, 2008 at 4:06am — 3 Comments
Day 28 - Sending Wishes to People on the Wishlist Group on Swap-Bot
On Saturday, November 22nd, I sent four packages to people on the Wishlist Group on Swap-Bot. Each month people can post 10 items that they wish for, and hope are granted. Others in the group look at the list, and see if they can fill any of the wishes. If they can, they ask one of the group officers for the address of the people to whom they want to send an item or package.
Some of the wishes are small (e.g., a card for a birthday) and others can be large.… Continue
Some of the wishes are small (e.g., a card for a birthday) and others can be large.… Continue
Posted on November 24, 2008 at 4:00am — 3 Comments
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Hi Lilian, if you were in Boston, I would be happy to spend some time with you on a Sunday and go for a walk with you and your lovely son! Just know you are surrounded by love, friendship and support through the 29 Days community... well that is t...
Hmm not sure what oppourtunities there are in Bogota (sounds beautiful), but if family is a mess why not help another family there are a lot of people that are in a similar position. I know its difficult to see through the fog right now and its yo...
Feel a little shorthanded in my reporting for today, I didn't do too much I was kind of tired and wiped out. So my main gives today were a few hours for the boys to swim, play ball and go workout.Then afterwards a trip through Little Caesars which...
Does a smile count? A "Good evening"? You know, to a stranger, to the person in the gas station even if you are just passing by, walking. Anyway, today it was just my baby and me the whole day. So I guess my baby was the receiver today of all the ...
Just 90 days? LOL
Accompanied the guy I work for (or rather I took him) to a movie. I am a Caregiver, taking
care of this guy who's paralyzed from the neck down.
Been taking care of him for the last 2 years (yes, every single day), yet we have nothing in common LOL...
Hi Jane:
Thanks for this information. A great gift! I passed it on to my friend Juli, who starts chemo tomorrow. She was very appreciative. Thanks again! Keri
Today was an ok day. It snowed last night, which was kind of fun for the holiday season.
My gift today to Chris today was to leave him be when he was upset about something. He took a ride in his car, and I wanted to call him to make sure he was o...
Today I was at Barnes & Noble checking out with some Christmas purchases when I was offered the chance to buy a book for a child. A book mobile with free books and meals goes around to different neighborhoods in the area and gives kids a chance to...
Well, okay. Here it goes.
This morning we had some family photos done. We've been going to the same photographer for years. Instead of just thanking her at the end of the session, I made a point to tell her how much we love her work and how we tr...
Something helpful I learned along the way was to honestly examine my motives in whatever I was doing...this always helps me look at my part of the interaction in a relationship. Am I trying to get attention, control, validation? If my motive are p...
Friday mainly consisted of giving clicks, calls to check on a lonely friend, and a ride home for a friend who called and needed a ride. Saturday I called a friend who has MS to check on her. She lives about 3 hours away so haven't seen her since M...
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Comment Wall (12 comments)
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Happy, Joyful, and Peaceful Holidays to you and yours.
MyHotComments
Here's to a wonderful Thanksgiving Day for you and your family Love and Light
Elly Rose
Thanks for your comment about Installing Love. I had to read it a few times as well.
Wishing you all the best, I hope you wishes come true :)
namaste
Peter
Enjoy your 29 days of giving and don't forget to share some stories to help inspire others. Click here if you need help posting stories in your Personal Giving Blog.
PLEASE HELP US GROW: Our collective goal is to revive the giving spirit in the world by inspiring 20,000 people to give at least 29 Gifts to others. Please help spread the word. Here is an email invitation you can send to friends.
CAUSE OF THE MONTH: This month we're supporting fellow 29Giver and breast cancer survivor, Elysia Skye. Elysia really needs our help to raise funds for a surgery her insurance won't cover. Read Elysia's story here. Donate to her surgery fund today if you can and please spread the word about her cause to anyone you think might help.
Good giving!
P.S. Don't miss our cool downloadable gift card and handy 29-Day Giving Calendar, which helps you keep track of your gifts.
P.P.S. The 29 Gifts book is now officially in the works and we're looking for 29 amazing giving stories from community members to include. Click here for details on how to submit one of your stories for publication.
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