Day 8

I think I have to start over.  I never gave a conscious gift today.

Unless I count oddball things like letting Max live for crawling back in bed before he took care of animals.  Or that I did go and do the water aerobics this morning.  But, I fussed and whined how cold it was in the water and the locker room.  It took all day to get warm.  I think that one is no good:~(

I talked with the instructor at the water aerobics.  She said everyday I need to move, stretch, or something.  If I do not come to the class I still need to move at home.  We also talked about the acepella that I am suppose to use at 2x a day that I am not so good at picking up.  She said it would help the lungs, not just get rid of the gunk.  It used to be next to the bed but I think I put it away the last time I cleaned up...

We talked about skiing.  She has 4 kids (and looks great!) and said it was too expensive.  I told her about getting discount tickets - 4 pass, or at King Soopers and things like that.  I told her about the big room at Best Western in Frisco, the one that sleeps 6, with a microwave and refrigerator.  They also have breakfast which is a big saver for the slopes.  Maybe that was my gift.  If another family can find a way to go skiing that is a biggie.  It is not that they had never skied, she just found it expensive.  We have found ways to cut cost so that we are able to do it.

I am thankful that the surgeon said that I do have nerve damage in my elbows but to wait and see what therapy and the RA meds can do.  I go back in 2 months.

I am extremely grateful for the neighbor that lets me come over and disturb his show and drink a beer.  He is probably going to be very happy when Tim comes home too!

Have a Grace day,

Karen

 

 

Day 7

Mom came home from her visit with Vickie.  She had a good time in Florida and enjoyed her visit with her great grandson.  She said it was rather cool there.  It was almost 60 when I picked her up but by the time we had lunch and I dropped her off it was down in the 40's.  By the time I got back to my place it was snowing.

Mom brought back a shot glass for Tim's collection and Vickie sent me a present from her friend, Becki's store .  Go visit her site or better yet, if you are ever in Mobile stop in and browse.  (PS - thank you, Vickie!)

My gift today is letting Chris stay at school for his practice, even though that meant driving in the snow and dark.  He seems to be really enjoying this play and the interaction with the other students and I want to let him do this.  However, Thursday there is supposed to be a bigger snowstorm rolling in and I may have him come home on the bus.  We will have to watch the weather.

Speaking of watching the weather.  Joe's first choir concert is on Thursday and I had to tell him I was not gong to drive to Pueblo for his concert because of the snow.  Now I have another thing to worry about  on Thursday.  A very dear friend is going in to have her gallbladder removed and I told her it was my job to worry and her job to get better.  She will also have a liver biopsy done while she is under as she has been on more of the RA meds than me and for a much longer time.  She is a strong person and has lots of family and friends around her.  If it does not snow too much I will ty to go and see her.  It is supposed to be a day surgery and she is supposed to be home that night.  Her house is being renovated and she may have to go to a hotel to get some rest.  Please offer a prayer for her and her family.

I am thankful that Mom made it home safely from her visit with one of my sisters.  I am thankful that Chris and I made it home from his school but I am more grateful for the moisture that the little bit of snow brought us.

Have a Grace day.

 

Day 6

I made some bread in the morning.  I am really trying to get back into making our bread, it tastes better and is cheaper.  It is more work and takes some planning.  I had not made the potato starter so I just made straight up bread.  It takes less than 3 hours start to finish.  Max and I enjoyed fresh, hot, smothered in butter bread for lunch.

I went on the exercise bike for about 20 minutes.  Man, I dislike that thing!  It is not the most comfortable seat I have ever sat on and it really hurts hands and knees.  BUT, I want to be able to ski this winter and if I don't get off my tail and make myself move, hurt or not, I wont be able to.

Chris has been practicing for a play in school and he was going to be late last night.  530 was the time to pick him up.  The rec center in Falcon has a pool that non members can use for lessons.  Water aerobics started at 6PM.  That was my gift for the day.  I took Max and Chris swimming while I went and did the aerobics.

I have not worked that hard in a long time and I did enjoy it.  Now as long as I can move the next day, I may have to try that some more.

I am thankful for being able to move good enough to do the water aerobics.  Yes, I was out of breath and coughing a little but not so bad that I had to quit early.

Have a Grace day.

Day 5

Today was a quiet day.  I think all of us went in and out of napping and tv or computer.  It was really windy so not much fun to go outside.  Max is still not feeling well so it was a good day to lay low.

A few months ago I had given one of the neighbors all of the hamster stuff.  He had gotten his twins daughters hamsters and I still had some toys and a cage.  As I was going through books on Saturday, I found a book on hamsters.  I took it over to the girls today and gave it to them.  They were squealing with delight.  The funny thing is I think that might have been the same book from when I had hamsters as a little girl.

I am thankful for the phone calls from Zach and Ted today.  They are both doing well in school and called to chat today.  Ted has moved into a new dorm, the geek dorm as he called it.  Zach is trying to figure out the logistics of getting to Missouri to see some old friends at Thanksgiving time.

Have a Grace Day.

Day 4

It was a very busy day today.  Saturdays are generally busy with barn chores and today was no exception, sort of.  After chores we had some quiet time to get ready for the Warren Miller movie, Wintervention.  It is ski season up in the mountains and ski fever is hitting in the house.

Unfortunately, ski season also brings cold season and Max is sick.  He was not able to go to the movie with us.  I wish the timing of the cold could have been better but that is the way that things go sometimes. I took Chris and 2 friends to the movie and to Phantom Canyon for some of their great rootbeer.  We walked around the downtown area a little bit.  Downtown lights are cool to see and it was not a cold night.  We found an icecream shop and had an ice cream.  I think all the boys enjoyed themselves and I hope got bit by the ski bug.

That was my gift for today.  The boys that I took have been a great blessing to our family and I have enjoyed knowing their family.

I am thankful that I have had the chance to ski, to travel, and to be able to share those adventures with family and friends.

Have a Grace Day.

Day 3

Today was First Friday.  Max and I went to Mass and the homeschool activity.  Max had made an apple crisp to share with the others.  He received lots of compliments and we did not bring any home.

We are within the Octave of All Saints Day and Mass was said for the departed.  I was not able to go to Mass on All Souls and I was blessed for the reminder to pray for those that have departed.  I was thinking a lot  about my Dad.  It is funny, in  a way, Father said that this Mass was a gift from the Most Sacred Heart for us to be reminded about our dearly departed and to be able to pray for the souls in purgatory and ask for help from the saints in Heaven.

I am thankful for the moms that organize activites for our homeschool kids.  For the chance to sit and visit with other moms for a little while.  For all the little kids that run around and show you their craft that they made or let you hold them.

My gift today was a blazer that I bought last year and never have worn.  I left it in the clothes closet for another mom to be able to enjoy something brand new, tags still on it.

Day 2

The day started out very cold.  I think it was in the 30's when Chris left for School at 0610.  By the time Max headed out to take care of the animals it had dropped to 26.  BRRRR

I am still fighting another round of coughing and all that comes with it so today was a day to stay in hiding and not go anywhere.  I have been trying to find Tim's side of the bedroom under all the piles of stuff before he comes home.  I really should throw away things more often.  (Remotes to tvs that have been gone more than a year.)

It warmed up enough to sit outside in Peggy's chair and enjoy a good microbrew beer and some sunshine.  After last weeks wind it was a very nice respite.  This is what I am giving thanks for today.

My gift for today was to give Joe and Ted some pocket money before thay had to ask.  I know that it has to be rough not having a job and no spending money.  Now Ted can go get some munchies for in his room.

Have a Grace day.

29 day giving challenge

29 gifts

I enjoyed reading Cami's book and the idea of making a conscience give for 29 days interests me.  I am not the best at following through with things but I should at least give this a try.

Day 1 - My gift was to be able to take my mom to the airport so she can go visit my sister and her family.  I hope that they have a wonderful week together.  And that she pokes her great grandson for me!