Too Soon ? Christmas, About Those Kids

         It's almost never too soon, unless you;re talking about marriage, But we aren't far from Christmas and I'm suggesting people start now to ask families and friends that they usually buy for, what can I get you that you will really use, as far as adults go. Now about those kids who are stuffed with electronics, please it's never too soon to change ideas on gift giving.
        Some suggestions for little ones are a gift certificate to an in house playground where they can jump and climb. Actually that can also be a family gift as the parents enjoy time with the little ones as they burn up enough energy for a full nights sleep. Find out about preteens and teenagers now as far as gift giving and write it down for a time unexpected. Maybe they'd love a day out with just mom or dad or a friend or grandma or yes, grandpa.
       What about piano lessons? Guitar? Overnight at a safe friends home with a phone to call if needed as in, MOM come and get me! Back to the little ones.  If you're giving gifts to someone elses baby, think about this: would I want my child to have it? So many people love to give noisy gifts thinking it's funny-it isn't! Along with that, little ones play with things for minutes at a time then toss it.
       Remember old fort sets? Choose things that kids will use their tiny creative brains for. Think about what adults love then minimize it . This is a challenge to get kids to become creative in a good way. Buy a large roll of brown paper and tape it to the floor or table. Buy paint boards and sit with them and paint, giving them a choice of four colors. Draw a huge hopscotch game on cardboard, or color a bank on cardboard or paper. Make boxes and write in ideas to bank,, adding money as well, but nickels etc. Keep it small or you'll end up broke. One banking idea is, Park time within two weeks. Don't make the time piece too far away as it becomes a disappointment. Get creative! Go to someone who builds and buy odd pieces of wood, sand them down and make your own blocks.
         Theses ideas fit all kids and adults too. If you're strapped for cash, ask for help. Don't let the holidays take away the spirit of giving and receiving . You can always exchange help. Keep it simple and you'll enjoy it too.

A Grandson, a Son and a Daughter

         I am so proud of how my son and his wife are raising their little boys.  His wife is very "GREEN" conscious as is my son. They recycle not just on every day things they use, but touch the hearts of many in how they live. Volunteering, giving, helping, teaching and in any way they can help others in their community, they do. They don't just say, I'd like to but... They find a way. I do know we can't all be the same as we all have different lives, ages , health problems, finances, and so on. Oh my son and his wife asked for something the my grandson can create, not anything boxed, not a kit,  or a truck. Well, I have a bunch of cut up pieces of wood for Christmas and he'll be surprised how he'll get them.
         My daughter is the same way. Every year she makes Thanksgiving baskets and with a friend delivers them to those who need a better thanksgiving, or just need some kind of Happy Thanksgiving. She bakes cookies, muffins and adds to what she can when she can besides her full work days. I have watched her grow more and more over the years to be a wonderful giving person.
        Both my son and daughter have always given. My son used to bring at times almost an army of kids home-not always a good thing, but his heart was in the right place. My daughter helped hide a neighbor kid and made my heart jump into my chest as her mom came to me and asked, have you seen...? Uh, oh boy, and yes I told. But it's all about the spirit. One night at two in the morning on a cold freezing rainy night, my son walked two and a quarter miles to help a girl out who stayed the night. She and her dad worked things out that week.
     Another night I heard a knock at the door. It was cold, dark and as I opneed the door, no one was there. It was just myself and my daughter home. She wanted me to get a flashlight and go outside looking.Another knock, soft as a whisper. This happened four times. He was hiding under a tree. The kid was scared. Finally he showed himself. He was a skinny little thing, froze to the bone, afraid of his father. We ended up taking him to the ER, called his father who said, he can stay with you. He did for  a few days, and returned home.  That mans' sons, two ended up in prison, another died and yet another went on to a good life. Through those kinds of times both of my childen said always," let him in!"
       I believe the spirit of Christmas lives in not just my son and daughter, but my sons' wife as well every day. Between my son and his wife and my daughter they will pass a legacy of giving to everyone they touch, like a path made by rivers.

          We all love our children and our children, no matter how we raise them decide on their own to be who they are as adults. Sure a great foundation helps. But I have seen kids come from rotten parents and grow into wonderful people and the other way around, so parents tell your kids how much you love them because of  who they came to be.

        Hey! You two. I love you and thank you. My life has been a life. A life so much better, so much counted because of you two. I am so proud of who you both are and what you've given in life to make the world a better place. Remember too, all of the funny and silly crazy times we've had. I love you.
Merry Christmas, Mom

Free Exchange of Community Help, Time Banking

       

The word FREE usually engages people more often than not. Tonight I was introduced to this great product of human decency. As I sat and listened in a small meeting house room, people were filled with ideas and questions. These Time Banks are all over and unknown to many like myself.
       Where else can you put yourself in as a deposit and withdraw someone else without penalty but with human profit. If you believe in God, I believe this is what He knows we were always meant to do.
        Anytime we need a service the first thing we worry about is cost and honesty. This is a no cost, but an exchange of the best of you. The human factor. Remember years ago when neighbor helped neighbor? Somehow we lost the way and yes I know personally there are very good people out there and here who are more than willing to give, to freely help. But the cycle of giving and taking pays off, always!
          Try giving first, Join a Time Bank in your area. Ask your church or school if they are aware of Time Banks. It's an investment that yields a higher rate of return than any Stone building will give you. Go to a health food store. Chances they are aware of Time Banks. Seek and ye shall find.
     Here are a few ways to contact Time Banks
timebanks.org
 in Allentown Pa.  tdn.timebanks.org   They are in most states. You'll be glad you did and by the way this is a perfect way to set an example for your children. Now, go do some good.

This took place tonight in York County PA.
 

ADKINS vs. JILLETTE

   The Red Cross or Opportunity Village . While both are useful and great organizations, one is worldwide and one is on the West Coast. That is unless Opportunity Village is all over, I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge concerning Opportunity Village. What I do know about this is, it is for those with developmental disabilities, always a good charity. I know. Some years back I worked in mental health which was involved in both the mental retardation aspects and mental health.
   Never have I had any personal experience with the Red Cross except when they came to the agency I worked for to have people donate blood. Yet in any disaster or crisis anywhere in the world, the Red Cross is there, to provide shelter, medical, food and clothing. Neither one in my opinion is more important except for scale. People are people and when a need arises, people are there weather it be, The Red Cross or The Opportunity Village.
   I love Trace Adkins, always hoping somehow he'll discover my songs, well poems because they are great and make this retired woman a little bit financially better off. When talking about his charity I do wish Trace would talk more about how The Red Cross affects many more and how far and wide, than just his own experience. Yet, Trace, please contact me to send you a few too cool songs like, I left Jesus on My Doorstep or I love Men in Plaid Wool Shirts.
   Penn Jillette's entertainment with his sidekick partner is beyond good. Little did I know much about him before The Apprentice and the more I watched him and listened to him, I was able to see past the magic. As he gave credit to his partner quite a few times and talks so sincerely about his charity and his kindness comes through with each segment, well all I can say is Penn, you're a winner.
   Men, two big men, I can only hope it's a draw. Because in my book you Two Big Men are on the same side.