December 2011 Blog Posts (553)

Amid the New Year's festivities, I felt blessed for the opportunity to offer my influence to two dear friends, Andy and Kathy, as the new year approached. Shortly before midnight, I helped each of them to verbalize their intention for the year ahead, which was to "appreciate each person who enters their lives." Both were concerned about their tendency to pass judgement upon others, so I was thrilled to know that each of them held the wish to be more tender in their encounters with others and…

Today is mostly a repeat of yesterday.  I slept all day yesterday not feeling well and I had told my son the day before that yesterday we'd go to Wal-Mart.  Well as I set up last night after I got over my migraine I realized that since we didn't go to Wal-Mart and since we didn't go he'd want to go today and I don't do Saturday at Wal-Mart unless it's a life or death emergency.  So I had just put my last load of laundry in the dryer and I knew he was still up so I asked him if he wanted to…

Today is the one year anniversary of my joining this site.  What an amazing, experience it has been.  I had no idea when I first read Cami's Book, that I would soon be hooked on the giving experience or that I could feel so welcome and supported by an on line "family". THANK YOU!  This challenge has opened up a whole new universe for me.  I have come to totally re-define giving and receiving in my mind and…

I stayed at home and worked today, and I only interacted with one person until very late in the afternoon, when I realized the grocery store was closing at 6 and wouldn't be open tomorrow - yikes! So my neighbour drove me to the store (a total gift, because it was cold this afternoon), and I made a donation to the food bank. That was my gift.

My New Year's tradition is to take a bubble bath and review the past year and think about where (and who) I'd like to be a year…

Tonight we are in Orangeburg SC for New Year's Eve .... on the way back to Pittsburgh...so far we have done our toll paying gifts on the Fla. turnpike, left the front desk clerk at the hotel we are in this evening brownies and apples (really, all we have in the treat department!), and have wished our hotel neighbors good wishes for the new year (just in case they are not running out to the parking lot celebrating at midnight!). Oh, and we left my parents a surprise amaryllis, pumpkin bread…

The end of Round 1 on the 29-Day Giving Challenge.  Today I gave of myself.

•  I did a freezer/cold room inventory in preparation for menu planning and grocery shopping.
• I am making hubby his favourite New Year's treat - Welsh Cakes.
• I spent time quilting a charity quilt.
• I clicked 'donate' buttons on Greater Good.
• I have been going over the budget with hubby, trying to keep him from totally axing out charity.  He's not a very generous man. …

Today, I'm trying to get my heart, soul and mind ready for the next year...to open my heart, to see love and giving in everything I do. I didn't realize that I had distance myself so far away from others. To actually be aware, to look everyone in the eye..to care about them and be sincere. I must have seem like such a bitch to some people...not that I was mean or said rude things. I just didn't take a minute and notice them, to say hi, how are you? and actually wait for a response,…

Checking out at our local dvd rental place and the girl says to me " are you sure you want the blue ray version?"

Now I have before rented the blue ray version before we had a blue ray player - which is very frustrating as you have

to return it.  So she asks me this question and I said yes.  And then a few seconds later I said to her "Thank you

for taking the time to ask me that - I really appreciate it" She looked at me kind of wierd and then said you are welcome!

VJG 12-31-11 Various Gifts Today & Recently

I know this is long, but I hope you read this post.

Today was my first day after I was laid off/terminated/forced to resign from my job yesterday. As I went about running my errands, …

Started feeling a little better last night than had a nasty allergic reaction so until THAT clears more, I will probably not be here much.

Hope everyone has a great new year.

Hey, remember me?  Maybe not.  I did my 1st 29 days in November & then I stopped posting.

But I did continue on... I just did not post every day.  I found that posting every day got me a little too revved up or something, but the tracking every day did keep me on track with the Challenge.  So I just wrote my blog for me & kept it private.

I did find that it got to be a little harder without the group...  easier to forget or not as fun sometimes.  I did rely on online…

Today, I took time for myself. My life has been extremely busy and chaotic lately, so I took the last day of 2011 to reflect on this past year. My trip to Honduras, my two wrecks (neither of them being my fault), my boyfriend, and all the drama that has been troubling me. I spent a few hours just decompressing...doodling...enjoying the fresh air. I hope that 2012 brings me happiness and peace. I'm not setting a list of resolutions, I just hope that every day brings me joy in some way. I hope…

I first posted this approximately one year ago, in memory of my loving teacher and mentor, Mrs. Gillian.  I believe it is very relevant for the beginning of this New Year!

I try to start each morning doing some meditation and thumbing through my Inspiration…

My friend who has been going through chemotherapy had her last treatment yesterday so I made some banana bread and took it to her while she was still feeling good. She will find out soon whether or not she has to have radiation therapy as well. I really love her and hope she does not have to endure this too.

Day 28 was yesterday actually. As I come to the close of this round I realize how much giving I do in life and what an impact it has on myself as well as others.  People have opened up to me like nothing before.  I've had opportunities put in my path as well.  Yesterday I was quasi-offered a very part time job, which is about all I can handle.  I still have an interview process to go through, which is very stressful for me, but I am just pleased the boss wanted me to even apply.

My…

      now i can't wait to write my experience.  yesterday i met a foreigner, who got a cold . in my opinion,one outside is so lonely and helpless.so, i want to send a message to him to show my care. but i am worried if it's ok to for the  people who  just talk for a while. at last, i sent it. i don't hope my doubtness stop my step to share my kind. oh, the good news is ,i receive his call to bless me for the new year. thanks for the foreigner and for my braveness.

      i have chance…

It is officially New Year’s Eve now, and I am sending this really early because I will be busy reflecting on the past year and planning for the next! I have a feeling that this will be my year! 

2011 was one of the worst years of my life, and…

One more wake up and then a new year. I realized today that I have not missed my nightly glass (or two) of wine and actually feel good with lots more energy. I am now enjoying my evenings of reading and sitting by the fire without nodding off. By being present the days seem to be longer and more fulfilling.

The neighbors across the street have lived there…

I pondered on what would be an ideal gift for the day. My heart is out for the dear friend who has accompanied me on holiday and every twist and turn that I have to make to move around, he is always there to help me and always there to make sure that I don’t hurt myself.

We laughed endlessly when we decided to describe our relationship as one that an old…