Doing for Others Monday MLK Holiday US

[Cowinkie]

Afternoon y'all...

I've been busy organizing my home...outside bushes and other projects done. Garage and huge GW run done. Merriment around the house done. Y'all see a theme going here??? Oh, and I even did a bit of subbing last week. Have an assignment for two days this week. That's part of my doing for others...I try to help out my friends when I'm needed.

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful brunch with Norma, her daughter, Mr. Guy and several other friends. I think the guys did more gabbing than the gals. They politely informed us they had solved all the world's worries and we should see evidents of their work in a few days

I watched both football games yesterday leaving Sweetie to fend for himself for most of the day. Only stick myself in front of the TV like that for three weekends during the year so I don't feel bad. This morning I was up and have done all my morning routines plus worked with Willis and attended to several loads of laundry. Next is to fix myself some lunch. For some reason I have been super hungry these last few days.

I spent part of my morning clearing off my desk. Still have a few things to do, but think I will take a break and come back to it. I seem to be fighting a headache again today today so baby steps might be the best approach.

Harriet.... I set up a dummy email with yahoo for all my subscription to interesting sites. That way they don't get confused with my personal stuff. Really cuts down on all the trash and I don't have to spend time unsubscribing to things.

Cy'all later.......... Enjoy your day and make time for some fun.

[Ivy]

I bet your balloon, MT, was one of those aerial big balloons with a riding basket, right?

I'm doing for others today. Sometimes I wonder if I do for others too much and ignore my needs. I don't want to feel guilty by saying, "NO!". I want to please. Am I a "people pleaser"? I guess, as long as I/we do our self-care, responsibilities for ourselves, family, etc... There's nothing wrong with pleasing others. "People Pleaser," is a label, to me. I'm delighted when someone loves what I make. It brings joy to them AND myself. MLK talks about giving, it makes our world a better place and he was a wonderful role model for us all.

But, on the "other hand", I am doing small thing- not monumental, but I'm:
1- Crocheting dishcloths for dfriend w/memory problems, I visit. She forgot to crochet. I take something, in the way of a small gift to her, when I call on her. She's a shut-in.
2- Am crocheting scrubbies from 100% plastic canvas nylon yarn as a "just because" gift for dfriend and her recently widowed dmom.
3- Plan to crochet 2 dgrsons' Seahawks colors b-day hats. ♥ ♥ (Golly.... )
4- I write stories for others to learn lessons, be entertained.
5- I write letters for an outlet, outreach, and bring happiness to others AND myself. It's fulfilling the need of friendship for myself AND others.
6- I do for DH and dfamily a lot, too.
7- I visit another shut-in BFF 97.5 years gal, and call her on the phone. We have a wonderful time.
8- I recently began to write a lady who lives in assisted living, too.

I'm glad I do for others, it brings a sense of well-being, and generosity, warms my soul and that of others. I've been thinking of other ways to give. Like crochet hats for the homeless to donate to the Salvation Army and donate cage mats to the cat adoption rescue agency where the cats live. There are many ways to serve. Karma is a good thing.

I'm running late! Woke early, went back to sleep, so my day's later than usual. I am now to do s2s and do the rest of the crochet-day stuff. Need to get a mailer off to a dfriend tomorrow, too, with a book. Another way of doing for others. She uses a pedometer, I can't, so she's getting a step book which motivates you in different ways to get more steps in. My reason for not using a pedometer is they won't stay on my waist OR shoes because of my belly shape and AFO's (ankle/calf braces with bars) in my shoes. Oh, well. She'll be receiving a new book from me to help her out.

[Nancy]

BabyN was here gone now.
I hear the hens so maybe there
are more eggs to gather now.
I need to unload the dishes.
I wanted to wish everyone a Happy MLK day.
Neighbors had a tree taken down, it is quieter now.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

The day is underway. It started rainy but the sun has broken through and dh is out sunning now on the balcony. There are clouds all around so it will be one of those unsettled days. The sea remains calm as ever.

I awoke long before the alarm and we listened to the news from home. Then I got up because I didn't want to lay about. Went up to walk on deck but the rain caused me to retreat to the gym and I did 2 miles on the bike and a mile on the treadmill.

Then breakfast, s2s, watched an episode of Season 1 of Downton Abbey (the current season is unavailable to me) and then a lecture. Am waiting for lunch now, filling in the time by checking email and posting here.

[Harriet]

Cathy, are you still working transporting the handicapped, or have you officially retired?

Was thinking about our topic the other day of the time it can take, up front, to get ready to be organized. Interesting. There does seem to be a trade-off in terms of the benefits of 1) just diving right in and hurrying to see results and feel encouraged to continue, or 2) careful planning that may get you farther along when you look at the marathon/continuous aspect of maintaining your life well.

Norma, that's so nice your dd can hang out with you and the Cowinkies.

dishwasher - well, helia, I didn't have a brainstorm for you. Don't know what your warranty might be - I was so glad mine was still under warranty when I had to Call The Man.

On this beautiful day it was so pleasant to get out and do some trash/recyclable stuff, some checking on the other house, putting things away in the quilt studio, a bit of general clean up around back of house.

As Ivy mentioned, we all might notice organizations that ask for handmade creativity donations. Happy to add any new ones we find to the links in A, C and N, or update those.

[CathyS]

Harriet~dd will not be skating, but she will be there. I take every opportunity I can to see her, even if it means paying to get into a sporting event. Last year she was the head of merchandising, so she was responsible for setting up the table with the t shirts and stuff. This year she is just another skater, and much happier.

Not officially retired yet, just thinking about it.

[Ivy]

EDIT HERE: I apologize for writing a "novel"! I got carried away.

Cowinkie, I wanted to tell you how I did the same thing YOU did! I set up a dummy email address for newsletters, I don't want in my inbox for personal things, editor business, etc... I think it's good to have a 2nd place like this, too. I keeps the "official" emails, personal "stuff" and/or reminders under control better for a tidier inbox.

Harriet, I've seen the thread for charities, but haven't looked at it. I probably should. I know I can phone the local pet adoption place to get the size measurements for the cat cages, like I did in 2006. They also look for donations of cat food, kitty litter, and other items, as well. We occasionally receive their snail mail newsletter. However, they have a website, so I can email them, to find out what sizes they need. So many good pet mats/beds are on the internet. Or I can make up my own with 2-strands of P 'n' C together crocheted into rows back and forth, to fit the cages. I made them some acrylic ones, 2-strand, which seemed too soft and plush and easier for claws to snag on. The Peaches 'n' Cream is more rugged and seems to be better, although it's not an extremely soft bed. But it's better than nothing though. I used to donate hats for a kids' hospital, did 4 boxes, and shipping was killing us. One time, Dgrson and I took 350 rubber stamped cards in my "stash" I'd made, we signed them with positive messages, I signed them Grandma and my first name, drew a Grandma face with curly hair and long earrings. It was so much fun, and a quite lengthy afternoon, as dgrson was 6 or 7 at the time. It kept him quiet and he did a beautiful job, drawing photos with markers, etc.. It's an afternoon I'll never forget. ♥

I finally got my s2s at 2 p.m., after a later lunch. I have 1 dishcloth to go to make 3 for my dfriend, where I'll stop. I can save dishcloths for her for later, when these wear out. I have a Diet Buddy, who woke up this morning, weighing exactly my weight today, on my 1st day of W. W. We're amazed we're the same right down to the ounces. She's a widow of 2-years, made some stressful eating choices and gained. Now she's trying to shoot for losing 3% of her weight, as she read about in the Washington Post. I'm going by my healthy BMI, to "see" how I look and feel, before I decide to lose more or maintain. She's a delightful Diet Buddy! I'm so fortunate. I need to earn activity points today, too. I've got 3 points finders (from different years) (and dfriends) and 1 activity points finder.

Sadie and ALL- We finally got sunshine! It's so uplifting to have some rays of sunshine drifting in the windows. Foggy and cloudy days get a wee bit depressing after awhile. No wonder so many people drink their lattes in these parts!

CathyS, I'm glad your DD is happy to be just another skater and is much happier. It sounds like pressure's off her and she's able to be relaxed.

Norma, You sound like you and your DD and the Cowinkies are enjoying each other.

Helia, I hope your DW's under warranty like Harriet's was. Good luck on the DW.

Kathryn, I'm glad you got sunshine after the rain. It's like that in life, too. Emotionally, sunshine comes after the rain of a trying period in life.

I'd better get back to my dfriend's last dishcloth. I'm making a pattern I've seen before, but am doing it from the picture I saw once. Round 1 is the circle to a Granny square, but round 2, on up, you DC inside each stitch, so it's not "holely" and it's more sturdy. I'll SC around or scallop edge it, for a feminine look. Or once, I saw where you slip stitch, chain 3, skip 1 stitch,then slip stitch, chain 3 around, which makes a sort of decorative lacy finish. My head's swimming with alternative endings. My stories get that way, too.

Happy MLK way and doing for others, too, Everybody.

[lucylee]

Hello!
I haven't done a lot for others today, but I am proud to say I used my timer & spent almost 30 minutes on daily/weekly tasks --
* watered plants and pulled off dead leaves
* refilled vitamins for the week
* s/s all three toilets, and spent a little extra time on the master bath toilet, b/c that's the focus for the week
* emptied humidifier

Also went to Wmart, CVS, and the cleaners... and then delivered groceries to dmil (all this w/dh).
I also went to local steak house and got dmil's supper, so I guess that was something done for others.

DH has a meeting at church tonight and I may vacuum while he's gone... but right now, I am feeling kinda puny myself, and I may lie down for a little while. I had no appetite at all for supper, and that is quite unusual.

[Elizabeth]

Good evening all! I had DD11 today, and she had a friend over, freeing me to get stuff done, but tying up the computer occasionally, so no job stuff yet. Many LOLs have been washed and dried, but only partially put away. MUCH filing has been done, and I found my birth certificate! All Christmas stuff has been boxed up and put in the shed. Some sewing room stuff has been put away.

I have a smell in my house (seems cat related), but I did an extreme clean of the catbox last night, and the floor underneath, and even the walls near it. Smell is better, but not gone. The extreme clean has always worked before. Maybe it is because it is too cold to really air out the house. I will check the disaster area of a sewing room, but I don't think it is coming from there. I am going to add Pine Sol to my grocery list.

Monday is usually errand day for me, but all errands have been done already. Instead, my goal is to get at least one resume out today. I will check my email (in case an employer has written), then sit at this computer until it is done! For a reward, I will probably watch an episode of Dr. Who. I have to finish two more episodes before Thursday, when it is due at the library. See y'all later.

[Ivy]

Elizabeth, Although DH also keeps the litter box clean, he's using an air freshener on a time, which I believe "poofs" out scent once every 35 - 40 min. or so. It helps, but there are "those days"....

I dumped trashed, did toilets, and cleaned out drawers. Have figured out my points for dinner, earned some activity points, while doing housework. Also, printed up a list of addresses, to be used as labels on mailers for "just because" gifts or books, sent to dfriends or family.

It's sunny here, the entire state has Seahawk's Fever, and people are really getting psyched up! I'd hate to see what happens to such hopeful emotionally excited people for the "what if" loss. Hope we win, but hope if we don't, people will not get depressed. Have "heard" how people do go through a bad time of it emotionally, after a big loss, and there are even support therapy groups. One d-relative said her "ex" was one who just couldn't deal with losses and life was so much harder for them after a loss. I never knew that about him. Surprised me.

I finished 1 second dishcloth, am on #3,the final 1, then will do scrubbies this evening. Want to make a Seahawks colors hat for dgrson-turning-5 next month, too.

It's so nice to have a sunny day here! Everybody have a nice evening!