Week 24: Candy Canes on Cars

Last week, I kicked off my annual December tradition of handing out candy canes to strangers and hanging them on door handles in parking lots while out running errands. 

I did the math and realized I've been doing this for 23 years already, after a trip to Phoenix to visit my cousin. She had some candy canes in her car and gave them to appreciative strangers at the gas station. I saw how simple it was, how happy the recipients were by the gesture, and the tradition was born.

This year, the candy canes have been distributed in Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado as I drove across the states last week. Just today, back at home, I asked the young man who took my cart in the Meijer parking lot if he'd like one and he excitedly said, "Sure! Thank you!" 

It's fun thinking about my kids only knowing a life of handing out candy canes in December, that it's a total normal thing for them. 

"You need to replenish your stock" my 16-year-old told me this afternoon.

And she's right, because we still have two weeks left in the year!

Week 23: 10" Cut For a Cause

A whole new woman is writing the summary of last week's project: I got a substantial haircut to donate 10" of my hair to donate to Children with Hair Loss, an organization that provides human hair replacement at no cost to children facing medically-related hair loss (cancer treatments, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns, etc.). 

Their mission to help empower children to feel whole again by making hair replacement available, especially to those financially challenged and might otherwise not have a means to obtaining the hair they desire, is one my family and I have been drawn to many times. My son and one of my daughters have previously donated and this was my third time giving to this worthy organization. 

My longtime stylist, Leah from Beauty on Bridge in Grafton, Wisconsin, once again nailed the haircut, giving me just the cut I wanted after a year of thoughtful trims knowing my goal at the end of this year. And during that appointment we discussed my desire to work with my hair's natural wavy texture going forward now that the weight from the length wouldn't be pulling it down. 

I'm still adjusting to last combing my hair in the shower before rinsing out the conditioner, applying different products using a scrunching application, spritzing my hair with water in the morning to bring the wave back after sleeping on it, and of course the shorter length in general (I've definitely wasted some shampoo and conditioner this week as I've gotten used to have less hair 😅). 

I hope somewhere soon there's a child who gets to go through an adjustment period of having more hair to care for. I hope any empowerment they may feel with the outer change will help their inner beauty and self-confidence shine brighter than ever.

Week 22: Kindness Is a Piece of Cake

My kids and I spent Thanksgiving with family in New Mexico last week. And as expected, traveling over the busiest weekend of the year at the mercy of two college schedules was not without its "excitement." 

Our flight out got moved up two hours making our layover in Atlanta over three hours long. Our first rental car smelled like it was on fire after 15 minutes on the road, so I had to drive back to exchange it, then they forgot to switch the next car's reservation to my name, so I had to go back in again; third time was the charm though and the Jeep Rubicon I ended up with was fantastic. Even driving through a snowstorm in the pitch-black on winding desert roads at 1:00am.

On the trip back, our first flight was delayed three hours, and we passed our connecting flight on the tarmac in Dallas at 10pm. We were then put up in a janky hotel with the thinnest of walls for 4 hours and slept for literally 10 minutes (I woke up in a panic afraid we missed the flight) and headed back to the airport at 3:30am for our 6:00am flight to Chicago; then we took a car to the Milwaukee airport to get my car (and my daughter took the Badger Bus back to Madison). 

I say all of that to point out a few things: 

1. We had a fantastic time with our family in Santa Fe, shared some amazing food and stories, old and new, and adventured to Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument. We'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

2. I was so proud of my kids and their positive attitudes throughout the challenges. "There are so many people in worse situations" was said many times and my heart swelled each time. 

3. We encountered a handful of really nice people throughout it all but the one who "took the cake" was a woman working at Varasano's Pizzeria in the Atlanta airport. She was extremely friendly and kind on such a crazy busy night. Our conversation went like this: 

Me: So, what do you think of Kirk Cousins as your quarterback? 
Her: I don't watch much football; I prefer basketball and boxing.
Me: We're from the land of Giannis so I like basketball too. Did you watch the Tyson fight?
Her: No; I haven't had a day off in 13 days. 
Me: Have you tried that cake place around the corner?
Her: Yes, it's so good! 
Me: What's your favorite kinds?
Her: I'd recommend the strawberry with the cream cheese frosting, it's amazing.
Me: Thanks!

My daughter and I took a few steps to the side; her holding the thingamajigger that buzzes when the pizza is ready. I said, "I'll be right back; I'm going to go buy her a strawberry cupcake." 

The smile on her face as I handed it to her was contagious, and her positive attitude for sure buoyed me for the rest of that long travel day and beyond. 

It truly is the little things.

Week 21: Christmas Care Packages

Last week's activity has been an annual tradition for my kids and me for a decade now: filling three boxes with self care products and fun treats for kids to be distributed as part of the Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child. 

Each year, my kids coordinate a date to hit the store to fill their boxes. They each start with selecting their recipient's gender and age group and then start shopping! 

I couldn't help but notice the evolution of their purchases this year. When they were younger, the toys were the first thing my kids would add to their boxes, knowing how much they themselves would enjoy them. 

Now that they're ages 16, 18 and almost 21 years old, they have come to accept that soap, deodorant, new socks, hair care items, etc are luxuries for the kids opening their boxes and they seemed to pick those things out first. But don't you fear, plenty of toys and art supplies were gifted as well. 

Stuffed animals (and a stuffed boba drink?), coloring books, toy cars, crayons and special pens, and plenty of notebooks will all be finding new loving homes this holiday season. 

What a gift it is to be in a position to give. 

Week 20: Election Eats

Americans voted to elect the next president of the United States, among other local positions of government, last week. And regardless of one's political leanings, one thing I hope we can all agree on is the feel of gratitude for the poll workers giving their time to ensure accurate election results.  

With that in mind, I put together this baked goods tray and dropped it off at my local voting location in Cedarburg, Wisconsin in the middle of election day.

As my police escort and I made our way to the break room in the back of the Community Center, poll workers flagged me down and excitedly took cookies and cupcakes off the tray while at their table.

It was so much fun to put a smile on their faces in the middle of a long day. I texted my kids the pictures right when I got home and told them it was something I'd surely do again for other elections, big and small. 

And then I reminded them that regardless of the election outcome that evening, the choices we make each day make a bigger impact on our lives than who lives in the White House. 💘🤍💙

Week 19: Moving My Bestie On Up

Moving is one of life's biggest stressors. I know this firsthand; I have personally moved 2.5 times in the past 4 years and I've moved my daughter into a dorm and my son in and out of a dorm and in and out of his first apartment in that same period of time. All with minimal assistance. 

Soooooo, when my best friend told me her move date, I adjusted my work schedule and some little things to make myself available to help. 

The move was a smooth one: she did such a great job getting everything clearly boxed up and her oldest daughter packed the truck with impressive strategic ability while her boyfriend and I did some heavy lifting. 

Then we drove, following each other's cars like ducks in a row, across three towns, to the new digs. 

After we finished getting the truck unloaded, my friend gave us a tour. Almost immediately we all vowed to make the most of the pool, hot tub, golf simulator, and more. And then we toasted with some whiskey before starting the unpacking and organizing. 

It was fun configuring her couch and living room layout with her daughter, making the most of the kitchen storage for her large collection of baking supplies, running to the store for new dog dishes while she returned the moving truck and picked up her boy to bring him home, and ending the night with pizza from a place in her new town. 

No one loves moving, but as with everything, doing it with friends makes it, dare I say, fun? 

Do you have someone in your life you could lend some time to? I'm sure they'd appreciate the help, and most definitely the company. 

Many hands make light work. 

Week 18: Street Corner Care Packages

I just walked in the house from completing week 20's activity and realized I hadn't yet posted week 18. Life has been busy, I have been busy, and I guess if I'm going to drop the ball on this project of mine a time or two I'm glad it's in the writing about the acts of kindness and not the doing of them. But still, I'm vowing here and now to do better. 

OK, onto week 18, when I assembled care packages to keep in my car and hand out when I see someone in need.

I almost always have a few of these in my car, the contents change depending on the season. Two weeks ago (oopsie 😅) I put together packs for winter that include the following:

• Winter hat
• Winter gloves
• Wool socks
• Kleenix
• Lip balm
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush and case
• Cookies
• Peanut butter and cheese crackers
• Mints and fruity hard candy

The idea of keeping these stocked in my car came over a decade ago when I read an article where someone mentioned them, and it's something I've done ever since. Instead of scrounging around my car for a granola bar or snack pack, I'm able to reach in back seat and hand these out my car window. 

Over the years, I've seen people excitedly remove the hat and gloves and put them on before picking their sign back up. A man has torn into his bag, not able to get to the snacks fast enough (I circled back and gave him more). I once set one next to a woman on a park bench and heard her crying as I made my way back to my car across the street. 

This is heartbreakingly easy to do.

If this is something you'd like to try, I have a couple of suggestions: 1. Dollar Tree is a great place to shop for these items to keep costs down. 2. Be careful who you open your window to and how far down you roll it, please. Safety first.