As the decade ends

Wondering what is my biggest accomplishment during the last decade. I think #1 is a conscious awareness with the spirit world. I am also aware and grateful to have inherited my maternal grandmother's generous spirit. Of all my ancestors I believe I am most like her. She may have had her secrets, but they are just that- HER SECRETS!   

How much does a smile cost?

I came up with what I thought was a really great idea this morning. I was going to go to the dollar store and buy boxed Christmas cards, sign them Secret Santa and take them to our local nursing home. I checked and they have 65 residents. I figured three boxes would do it. I imagined the smiles it might bring to the residents. I am sure there are many who have no visitors.

So I began checking the dollar stores we have in Grants,NM Would you believe there isn't one that carries boxed cards?! Determined, I checked out online sources and ended up being discouraged because it would have cost more then I thought I could afford.

Still determined, I again used Google this afternoon. I checked Walmart and found cards that were $9.95 for boxes of 40. Although it was more than I expected to pay I ordered two boxes, which will be delivered to my store Friday, with no shipping charge. Yay!

It gives me plenty of time to sign the cards, Secret Santa, and deliver them to Good Samaritan Center in time for Christmas. I hope it makes some of the residents happy, if only for a moment!

A Secret Santa

I am just finishing the Kindle book, Luke's Gift by Kaylie Newell. Luke is a Secret Santa who does not want his identity revealed. Who could blame him? The book encouraged me to do little acts of kindness in my small town. I can't tell you what I did because then it wouldn't be a secret! It doesn't take a ton of money to do this project. All it takes is a little imagination.

I encourage you all to give it some thought and try it. It's fun, it really is!

Who is frying what?

Holiday shopping is such an interesting activity- no one said.
I thought I was being very clever this year and shopped online for the few gifts I needed to purchase. I got my son an air fryer because he is really enjoying the instant pot he gave me last year. The fryer came and has been sitting in its box in my office.

Yesterday was my birthday. I woke to a very large box sitting on my dinning room table with a birthday card on top. Opening it I found an air fryer. Granted it was fancier than the one sitting in my office, but now there were two.

I told a couple of friends about my problem with the hope that someone would want to buy the smaller one. I really didn't want to take it back to the store, which is in Albuquerque. Later in the day I got a call from a friend who announced that she wanted it for her daughter and was fine with reimbursing me the amount I paid for it. It is now sitting in my trunk waiting for the exchange!

Apparently my Christmas shopping is not done!

Happy almost birthday

In one more day I will be 82 years old. Remembering back when I was 5 or 6 and, according to at least one nurse in the hospital, I was not expected to live, my response is- fooled you!!

So far I have outlived most of my family, including my parents, brother and two ex-husbands. I have also survived raising three children, who have produced four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

I have written and published two hard cover books, three E-books and created two newspaper columns. I have spent the last twenty years of my life focusing on inspiring others to be the best that they can be.

My life reminds me of the young boy, reaching the end of his life, asking Oprah Winfrey, "Have I done enough?"

If I were to answer that question my answer would be, "No, not yet."

I haven't read the book of my life so I have no idea how the story ends, but I am sticking around for the final chapter.

Leftover Friday

This is the day I make leftover turkey soup. I boil the carcass, adding chopped onion and celery to the pot. After picking off the meat and adding some smaller pieces from last nights turkey I add whatever pasta I have and some vegetables and seasoning. I did add a can of chicken broth for a little more flavor. That's all it takes to make leftover Friday soup!

So much for Thanksgiving!

Gratitude challenge

I just answered #28 on a 30 day gratitude challenge. My answers were interesting. I noticed that they were all pretty much internal or didn't cost much. Is that the Universe speaking to me again? Probably.

My life isn't perfect, but I am where I am supposed to be at this time in the history of my life.

This will be the fifth Thanksgiving since my oldest son moved back home. Lucky for me he likes to cook so the turkey is left to his expertise. The rest of dinner is up to me, just the way I like it! We ate out last night because he wanted tamales. Only in New Mexico would people desire Mexican food before devouring the turkey the next day.

There are a lot of things I am thankful for, but I think the most important are family members and friends who still communicate with me.