Memorial Day, 2012 It has been a rough year. Twice a driver has creamed me, within 6 weeks of each other. The first turned left in front of me and the second ran a red light. I am still in a rental car and searching for a replacement car. I have lost so much time to filling out forms, dealing with ins, physical therapy, etc. While I am fortunate and know it could have been much worse, I resent the time this has taken that could have been spent doing more acts of kindness. In the meantime, I read someone had made a vow to give one compliment each day. Seemed like a good idea. I think I give lots of compliments and am careful that they are sincere. But it hasn't been that easy. I think I will try harder and see what I can do. Everybody needs a compliment now and then. I have started a garden and hope to have lots of produce to give away this summer. My raspberries are starting to produce. My apricots are ripe and need to be used quickly. Not a very long post, but lots going on.

Christmas, 2011

It has been a very rough year. The trial for the man who killed my niece was held this summer. He was found guilty, but only of voluntary manslaughter instead of murder. He has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, of which he has served some 4 in the local county jail. He has filed an appeal. Attending the trial was very difficult and painful for me. Additionally, it took so much of my time that I have fallen behind in many areas.

I have taken time to do some more quilting It is like therapy for me. It helps to relieve some of the stress I am dealing with. So I am not getting caught up on things. But I am coping. I just finished 3 lap quilts today and took them to a senior care facility. It is sad to see these people no longer in their own homes and not being cared for by family. The first quilt was given to a man. He was laying on his side on his bed. He had dribble of some sort on his mouth. He seemed quite lonely. I don't know how much he understood or how much he will use the quilt. But at least he had a visitor and a gift. The second quilt was given to a woman who was also in her room and in her bed. She had a cat with her. I was glad to see that. She seemed to genuinely like her quilt. The third was given to a woman sitting on a couch in a room with some other people. I was introduced to her as her daughter. They said she has vision problems. The woman sitting next to her asked me to make lunch for the woman I gave the quilt to and offered to pay me to do so. It was past their dinner time, I am sure. I also am sure they had been fed.

Whether any of them were made any happier, whether any of them will remember tomorrow or any time in the future, I will never know. Considering how much time it takes to make one of these quilts, even the very simple ones, it may be a foolish thing to do. But I want so much to make life better for others in some way. So I will keep at it.

I have one near completion that will be given either to a teenager in a foster home or to the local juvenile hall. I have several others in the planning stage. I hope to have some ready by Mother's Day to take to another senior care facility.

I have bee making good progress with volunteer hours at the local museum. I will need to look into an animal shelter to do some volunteering. I have taken some food and other supplies to some homeless people. There are some people talking about starting a community garden in a nearby town and I hope to donate some trees there if it comes to fruition.

Before taking the quilts to give away, I took a picture of each. I am going to try posting them here. I don't have a good place to take pictures of the quilts and I am inept with cameras. But I will give it a try. Well, that didn't work out. I have pics and the card is in the computer. But when I click on "add images" it does not respond in a way I understand. Maybe another time...

Valentine's Day

This doesn't start well, but it finishes well, so bear with me. Thursday, February 10, my car engine started smoking as I was driving home from work on the freeway. I pulled over and called for a tow truck. Yeah, the car will be in the shop for several days. My main concern is transportation to work. I have insurance, so not a problem, right? Wrong! The car rental place has been giving me the run-around. I finally got a car at the last minute Friday night after spending all day Friday trying to get it nailed down. They told me with my insurance I could have "anything on the lot". Then they proceeded to ignore me while giving away everything on the lot as a "free upgrade" to other people. They gave me a car that looks like a hearse. I told them this was unacceptable. They didn't care and wouldn't have anything until Monday.

So, I drove this hearse-like contraption and discovered many problems with it. When I got back to the town where my car was in the shop, the shop was closed. As I had not eaten due to lack of transportation and needing to keep after getting a car, I drove to a restaurant. This is where it gets good, so stay with me.

By this time my nerves were shot and I could not drive the hearse-like vehicle any more. I was a physical wreck from not eating and not sleeping. I knew I was not a pleasant person. I tried to explain and apologize to the waitress. I also explained I do not eat animal products and I know that is a problem at most restaurants. Dawn assured me I was not difficult and my request was not a problem. She brought me a beautiful plate of tofu and vegetables. I asked if I could leave the vehicle in the parking lot and arrange to have it towed in the morning. This was not a problem. I then walked home in the dark. (After getting a big hug from Dawn and her assurance God had a blessing for me.)

The mail held a very welcome and long-overdue surprise for me. The phone company had claimed I owed a large amount and refused to provide proof. They cut off my phone service. This made me look like a deadbeat everywhere when I had to explain my phone had been cut off. I requested assistance from Better Business Bureau. They accepted a statement from the phone company with no itemization other than there were charges from another company. I requested a copy of the contract authorizing these charges to my account.

In the mail Saturday morning was a letter from the Better Business Bureau. They claimed the phone company had sent me a letter. (They had not.) The phone company had dropped charges from the outside company and also late charges they charged which I did not owe. And they sent me a small check. I still do not have phone service. They had no right to disconnect as I did not owe them, so I still have a little hurdle. But that should be resolved soon. I decided I wanted to celebrate by taking Dawn to dinner.

We met this afternoon, but she had already eaten. We went for coffee. I wanted to give her some flowers or chocolates, but could not go shopping. I had a scrap of fabric printed to look like a box of chocolates, so I made a tiny tote with a zipper from that. I put $10 in it for her to get herself something. She was thrilled that I had made something for her. She was walking because her bike needs a repair and it requires a $20 part. Her boyfriend will make the repair. As I was not buying her meal and had budgeted $10 for her meal, I gave her another $10 on the condition she repair her bike.

As we visited, she pointed out various homeless people outside the window. She seems to know them all. I explained to her what I am trying to do and asked if she would help me distribute things to those who most need them. She agreed. I have things for one more sock package. When I get a car, I will get more supplies. Then I will take some sock packages to her to be distributed. She suggested hair ties, so I have added that to my list.

So, while I am having a horrible time with car troubles right now, it was the car problem that brought me to Dawn and she will be a great help in distributing things for me and giving me suggestions for my list. And I am thankful I was able to celebrate my victory in the phone situation by helping Dawn get her bike repaired. I hope it is repaired soon, as she has a long walk to and from work.

So often the most difficult times result in something good. I try to keep reminding myself of that. This car situation is a good example of that. I hope it is the beginning of some bigger problems being resolved equally well.

End of Year Recap

Let's see what I've accomplished this year:

Here is my list so far:

1. 8 gift boxes to armed forces members
2. 0 trees
3. 49 toothbrushes to homeless shelter
4. 1 bags of dog food to shelter
5. 1 coats to homeless shelter
6. 34 books to a school or shelter
7. visit 2 shut-ins
8. 8 stuffed socks to homeless
9. 0 bags of cat food to shelter
10. 2 bags of cat litter to shelter
11. 16 pairs of shoes to a homeless shelter
12. 0 prepared food dishes to homeless shelter
13. 4 boxes of bandages to homeless shelter
14. 2 towels to animal shelter
15. 0 hours of volunteering at animal shelter
16. 2 toys to battered women’s shelter
17. 7 bags of rice to food bank
18. 2 bags of beans to food bank
19. 2 tarps to homeless for sleeping mats
20. 1 blankets to homeless
21. 60 razors to a homeless shelter - done!
22. 10 quilts to charity (baby, lap, twin, etc)
23. 6 tote bags to charity
24. 5 jars of peanut butter with bread to homeless on weekends
25. 8 pillow cases to homeless/women's shelter
26. 9 bottles of shampoo to homeless/women's shelter
27. 5 books left in random places for anyone who wants to read a book
28. 1 vases of flowers to residents of care homes
29. 1 sweaters to a homeless shelter
30. 60 hours of volunteer ushering at local center for the performing arts - Done!
31. 2 snacks to emergency workers (ie firemen, highway patrol)
32. 0 prom dresses to local high school (given free to high school girls)
33. 7 bags of potatoes to homeless shelter/food pantry
34. 0 packages of feminine hygiene products to a homeless shelter
35. 7 pounds of garden vegetables to shelter
36. 1 bottles of electrolytes to a shelter
37. 0 boxes of laundry detergent to a shelter
38. 1 bottles of cooking oil to a shelter
39. 59 bags of masa to a food bank
40. 2 lbs of lentils to a food bank
41. 0 lbs of chickpeas to a food bank
42. 7 loaves of bread to a food bank/shelter
43. 11 hours of volunteering at local museum
44. 8 cans of vegetables to a food bank
45. 0 bags of salad to a food bank
46. 2 pounds of oatmeal to a food bank

Looks like I have a long way to go. I do have some masa to take to a food bank. I have very little money at this time and most of these things require money. I have been watching for bargains, but not seeing a lot. The shoes were a real bargain and I am hoping to find more deals like this.

There are still several years before my "deadline", so I am going to keep working at this. Even if I don't reach the total goal, I will have done something to make the world a better place. And that is something worthwhile.

Memorial Day

Recently I saw a post on the local Craigslist from someone requesting homemade lap blankets for veterans. I responded and said I would make a lap quilt. I planned to do it over the summer, maybe for Father's Day. But then I realized Memorial Day was only a few days away and finished it and delivered it on Memorial Day. I haven't heard back, so I don't know how it was received.

I have been making more quilts. Quilting is a form of therapy for me. But I was under so much stress for a few years I wasn't able to quilt. I am making up for lost time now, I guess. I have a lot of fabric and am trying to use it up. I went to the same senior care facility where I took the quilt on Mother's Day. I spoke with a woman who is, I think, the activity director. I left a quilt with her and asked her about some others I am making. She said a resident has been requesting a lap blanket as she is cold. The one I had ready was one she thought this woman would like. She also told me another one would be perfect for a woman who likes cats. The woman's birthday is August 1, so I will deliver it then. I have several more in process. This is serving several purposes. I am destressing by quilting. I am using up some of the vast collection of fabric. And, hopefully, I am bringing a little joy into the lives of some people.

I donated another bag of cat litter and some towels to an animal shelter also. It's just baby steps. I'm not making much progress, but I will continue to work on this. I am still trying to expand my list to the goal of 60. Right now I only have 34, so I am only a little past one/half way. I really thought I'd have a longer list by now. But I remind myself that even if I don't reach the goal by my 60th birthday, I can finish it later. And all acts of kindness are worthwhile. So I will continue to chip away at this.

Although I have a digital camera, I don't use it much and I have no idea what happened to the cord that connects it to the computer. So at this time I have no way of posting pictures of the quilts. Pictures make a blog more interesting. But for now there are no pics. Maybe one of these days...

Mother's Day 2010

Although I had hoped to have several lap quilts finished to take to a residential care home for Mother's Day, I only had one. I picked a rose from my garden and put it in a vase. I put the quilt in a gift bag with tissue paper. Then I drove to a care facility. I walked in and looked for an employee. The first one I saw I stopped and asked if there was a patient who had no family coming to visit her and was mentally cognizant. She pointed to a woman sitting in a wheel chair down the hall and told me the woman's name. I walked over and called the woman by name and gave her the gift bag with quilt and the rose. It was amazing to see her face light up with joy. I put the vase on a table near her bed in her room. I gave her the bag and told her what it was. She didn't open it while I was there, just sat there with a big smile on her face. I couldn't stay as I was volunteering elsewhere and was running late. As I was walking out, the employee came over and gave me a big hug. It felt good to do something that made someone happy. I hope the quilt will be something tangible that will remind her there are people who care about her.

I also gave a quilt to a teen parent program. I was told it was given to a young lady who had a baby girl. A picture was taken but not sent to me yet. The adult said the teen held the quilt in front of her face for the picture. I said that was fine. If I am able to post pics of the quilts, I do not want to violate anyone's privacy.

Today, May 14, I took some goodies to a Highway Patrol office. There was an "Every 15 Minutes" presentation at the school where I subbed. I thought the workers would be a good place to start with doing this act of kindness. The office was closed when I got there, but I called and someone came to the door and accepted the food.

So, while the things I am doing are not much by themselves, they are adding up over time. I also bought a bag of cat litter for a shelter today. I will need to get it to the shelter. One step at a time. I am doing my best to make this world a better place.

April Update

It's been a while since I've made an entry other than to update the list on my first post. I haven't really had much time to do much. I have made a few quilt tops, but need to find the time to finish them. One is nearly finished. It is a baby quilt that will be donated to the teen parenting class at a local high school. I'd like to take some pictures and post them, but I'm not much of a camera person.

Recently I saw some men's shoes on clearance for $5. I bought two pair. As it will be summer soon and these were closed shoes, I wasn't sure how useful they would be or what sizes were needed most. I took them to a local shelter along with a bottle of shampoo. I was surprised at how the receptionist's face lit up when she saw the shoes. She said they really needed men's shoes. Some men need them for work. I wished I had purchased more. But my finances are very limited right now.

Yesterday I saw some men's work boots on clearance for $3. This time I bought 5 pair. I haven't had a chance to take them in yet. Today I saw a man picking up recycling in a parking lot. His shoes looked like he had them for a long time. I asked him what size shoe he wears and if he would like a new pair of boots. I had one pair in his size and gave them to him. I hope to get the other 4 pair in to the shelter soon.

Today I was in a department store and the cashier told me if I purchased another $6.15 I would get a coupon for $10 off the total purchase. I had seen some t-shirts, so went to look at them again. There was a teen girl there with her mother. I told her if she could quickly pick out a shirt her mother approved that cost between $6.15 and $10, I would purchase it for her. I asked for a gift receipt and took it back to the girl and her mother. She seemed happy I had done this for her. The shirt was $7.99, so I got $2 off my purchase. I'm not sure this counts as an act of kindness since I benefited from it. It also doesn't relate to the number 60 and doesn't fit a category on my list. It did feel good to do something nice for a stranger with no expectation of getting something in return.

Well, I went back and bought out the remaining work boots at $3 a pair. There was one more pair of the shoes also down to $3. Including the first 5 pair, there was a total of 10 pairs of work boots and 1 pair of shoes. I took them all to the homeless shelter. Two workers were walking up as I was getting the shoes/boots out of the trunk. They offered to help me take them in. They and the receptionist all seemed very happy to get them.

The quilt for the teen parenting class is just a few stitches short of completion. I also have one nearly finished for taking to a care home. I hope to have several finished by Mother's Day to take to women in a retirement home who do not have family visiting them. Time is getting short and I don't know if I will meet this goal, but I will do my best.