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.