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. 

Week 17: Concession Stad Concierge

Last week's Kindness Countdown was five years in the making: I volunteered to work the concession stand at The Rivoli, the restored single-screen movie theater in my town of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. 

As I mentioned, this activity was one I had planned to do five years ago when I was counting down to my 45th birthday. But COVID hit, the world shut down, and the movie theater went on a hiatus that lasted past my birthday. 

I really regret not doing this sooner, not for a birthday, but just because. But I made excuses to put it off: Just because I felt busy getting acclimated to the new post-COVID normal. Just because I forgot my cast-aside list of ideas. Just because I was going through a lot in my personal life. 

But I should have done it just because. Just because it was fun. Just because I had intended to and take pride in carrying things out. Just because I appreciate the theater being available to me and therefore, I should have given some time long before last week. 

But as my favorite proverb says: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today. 

And it definitely won't be my last time working a shift. It was fun to see people I know in line, and to serve those in my community looking to enjoy the incredible venue that is our restored movie theater. 

What is a service or place in your community you enjoy? Is there a way for you to lend a hand? To meet new people? To get involved in something you enjoy? 

Take it from me: Better late than never. 

Week 16: Meet Remarkable Mable

I started Kindness Countdown 10 years ago to do some good with my kids. I did another round five years later because 1) It was a lot of fun, and 2) I knew it was the last round before my kids started moving onto all life has in store for them post-high school. 

I had wondered what this round would look like with two kids now in college. I'm thrilled they've still been making time to share in the experiences with me, when possible, but I'm also thankful for all of the special people in my life who have asked to be a part of this little project of mine. Last week was one of those.

My boyfriend's sister is a talented crafter. She makes us all personalized items each Christmas and crochets amazing items for the kids in the family. So when she asked if I wanted to partner up for something for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, I was honored to say YES!

Maria crocheted 50 chickens (she said each one took her 45 minutes!) over the course of a few weeks. I couldn't believe how adorable and sweet and soft they were when I first held them! We named them all Mabel.

Last week, we met at her mom's place to assemble 50 "Mabels" into bags with nesting material and an egg with a note inside that read "Hi, I'm Mable. I'm a chicken. You're not. YOU ARE BRAVE!" for the kids staying at the Ronald McDonald House while getting treatment at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. 

We then loaded them all in a plastic bin and transported them to the RMDH to be gifted to their new families. 

It was great to hear how loved the staff there thought they would be, that they enjoyed the simple but sweet message, that it brought a smile to their faces as well, because I imagine their days are very rewarding but probably more than a little emotional. 

As we were leaving, we asked if they'd like us to do another drop off sometime next year. We gave them the inside scoop on what we had cooking. Sorry to say all y'all are gonna have to wait a bit longer to find out. But trust me when I say the talented Maria is crafting up something just as adorable! 

And it couldn't be for a more deserving organization who supports those going through an unimaginable season of life. They sure are brave.

Week 15: A Labor of Lasagna Love

My life philosophy is to remain curious, all the time. I wonder about everything, I spend time researching randomness, I keep my head and heart open to new things/places/challenges/ideas, I think quite a bit about my life, what my childhood was like to make me who I am, how I can improve myself and the world around me. 

All of that has led me to know I am far from perfect. Ha! But I do know that when I'm presented with a way to help others, I figure out a way to say yes. Which leads me to last week's Kindness Countdown activity. 

One day, a few months ago, I was scrolling through social media when the ever-present, powerful algorithm (is it in the cloud? 😅) introduced me to Lasagna Love. It was ❤ at first sight in my feed. 

Lasagna Love is an organization located in three countries with over 56,000 volunteers who provide 3,500 lasagna meals a week to those who request them. No questions asked, except for those I routinely follow-up with:

• What date and time would be best of your delivery?
• Any specific requests/preferences? (A woman once told me her and her son loved onions so I sauteed extra, just shy of caramelized, to add with the sauce layer)
• Would you like one full pan or two half pans?
• Would you prefer I deliver the lasagna cooked or assembled with cooking instructions?

My first donation was for an elderly woman who requested two half pans so she could invite her son over one night and her neighbor another, providing her with company. Another was for a wife and her caregiver husband who was going in for surgery and unable to cook for a while. 

Whether one just had a baby or surgery, is having a busy week and could use a night off from cooking, is making ends meet until their next payday, whatever! They can visit the website linked above to request a lasagna and be matched with a volunteer in their area who will reach out to make arrangements. It's that simple! 

And it's simple to volunteer too! Visit that same website and click the "Get Involved" tab, set up your profile, including how often you're willing to be matched (I'm currently set at once a month) and wait for your first match. 

Adding red pepper hearts to the top of your lasagnas is optional. 😉