Seen this yet?

It’s an awesome opportunity to do something good. Something excellent and to help someone out. Mike and I signed up today and we have no intentions on going to Disney, but …..here’s the greatest part. For us this will be a two fold project for kids. Mike and I have chosen to work with Project Linus, a organization that has blanketeers that make blankets for children 0-18 that have had some traumatic experience in their lives and then when we receive our vouchers for tickets to either Disneyland Resort or Disneyworld Resort we will donate them to a non-profit children’s organization so they can send a child that can’t go, there. If you want to check into this go here www.disneyparks.com and see what you can do. There are amazing opportunities and so many to choose from. We have a reason for choosing Project Linus, we’ve done this twice before.

A little background…..

Mike needed and Eagle Project for boy scouts, Mike isn’t one to do something someone else has done, he’s not going to copy anyone else’s or be the same as anyone else. So we did a dogpile search for volunteer opportunity and Project Linus jump right off the search page and he knew from the minute he read it that was what he wanted to do. So we contacted the Headquarters that had us talk to Northern Minnesota Project Linus and low and behold Jonette loved Mike as much as he did her and it was a hit. Mike hosted his first “Make a Blanket Day” with friends/scouts/community and it was a huge success. All together they made 80 blankets.

Jonette took some back with her to her community and Mike donated some to our local hospital. There’s more but first gotta tell you this part…..While at our hospital there was a little boy in ICU that was very sick and Mike was able to donate a blanket right to him. You should of seen his mama and the little boy and Mike, oh the eye’s. It was great.

That part always make my eyes leak……

Okay the next part….

Mike’s great grandpa, grandpa Grahlman was a Shriner, for many, many years. So Mike asked the National Headquarters if he could make a donation to the Children’s Shrine's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Of course it was a go so we took down 40 blankets for Mike to give to the children there. He had to go on a weekend so of course not to many kids there but Mike did get to meet a couple kids and talk to them and he was greeted by the big Shriner man (don’t remember what they called him, starts with a “P”). They were so appreciative of him and his work. Sure did make this mama puff up proud.

All in all it was a great project and he earned his Eagle Scout rank.

Then one year later we did it again, we hosted another “Make a Blanket day”, this time the weather was horrible with a snowstorm and temps way below freezing but we still had a good turn out and made 45 blankets that Mike kept here to keep our hospital full of Project Linus blankets.

It has been a very rewarding project to work with and Jonette has become a big part of Mike’s growing up life. We will get to work with her at least one more time and are hoping to host one more “Make a Blanket day” but if that doesn’t work out Mike and I will still be working on a few to make sure there are plenty of blankets for all of God’s Children in need.

So that means go to www.disneyparks.com check it out and just see what you can find to do for your fellowman, woman, child, or one of God creatures. I promise you will feel so good, so rewarded and fulfilled.

Good Evening....

Oh the fun of garage saling. I took mama and daddy for 3 hours this morning. We found lots of good deals. I only took a few home with me but the ones I did I love. I got a few things for the daycare and a pretty little bowl for me and then a found some jewelry for my jewelry business so I can make into charms and such. I gotta share some pictures of that soon, but first.....

When we went to my friend's in Crosby last week my little ones got to pet her billy goat. The kids loved it. Jon and Justin are feeding the goat and Hannah had to see if she could touch it. We had such a great time there. I have known Cindy since I was in 4th grade or so and that was back in the late 70's so it's been awhile and I am so blessed to have such a great friend like her. She has her own blogspot if anyone is interested in checking her out. It's rajdog1.blogspot.com

Well my son is off to camp this weekend with his O.A. Brotherhood. He is so involved with scouting. He is working on his 6th palm and what that means he has earned 30 merit badges above and beyond what is needed to become an Eagle Scout. In March next year he will be 18 and to old for boy scouts as a scout but he can become an assistant scout leader or a merit badge counselor. He will be part of O.A. (which is called the Order of the Arrow) for a life time if he chooses and is vice president of our Venture Crew. Our troop started Venture Crew 52 which is co-ed scouting for youth 14-21. It's more adventuresome and challenging and so good for Mike. I work with two of the three groups Mike is part of, I'm not part of the O.A., I chose not to be because the other two keep me hopping enough.

Oh I've gotta share this, yesterday in the mail came this note card for Mike. He opened it and smiled and smiled. In it was a thank you from a little girl that had received one of his blankets that he made during his Eagle Project with Project Linus. Project Linus is a organization that uses volunteers to hand make blankets that are given to 0-18 year old kids that have had some kind of tragedy in their lives. Mike, family, friends and scouts made 150 fleece blankets for Project Linus and some where kept here in our area and some went north. He has received two thank you's in the past two years now and each has touched his heart and mine. If you want to check out www.projectlinus.org and learn more about this terrific organization.

Okay off to do some paperwork and relax a little bit. I have daycare at 5:00 tomorrow morning so will be heading to bed, I hope, at a normal time. Take care my dear friends.

Hearts….

Today the kids and I made hearts. I had found a heart template at the Dollar Store so Justin was able to draw the heart on the inside on the wrong side of the paper and then I cut them out, we put them on contact paper, Justin helped cut the yarn and strung it on the hearts then Hannah and Justin got to hand them on your holiday tree. It was our Christmas tree but since we didn’t take it down we’re going to use it for Valentines, St. Patrick's day and Easter. By then it’ll be full of all kinds of good things. The first of our Valentine decor.

I haven’t had “my” kids for 8 days so today was such a treat. They were so full of hugs and kisses and hold me love me. It reminds me of why I do this, I love them as much as they love me. We played outside for a little bit. The kids love helping me feed the chickens and collect the eggs. Our baby chick and chuck are growing so fast, in fact the chuck is sounding more like a duck each day. He no longer peeps, he quacks. The same for the chick. They both talk to me the entire time I’m out there either feeding the wood fire or carrying in wood or feeding the big ones. They are going to be so surprise when they are free this spring.

I got a letter tonight from Mike’s Project Linus coordinator Jonette Anderson from Blackduck, MN. Project Linus is looking for donations of handmade blankets to send to Haiti. By March 1st they are wanting to send 10,000 blankets to the children of Haiti. Mike and I have been making blankets for the Give a day/Get a Day from Disney so we just told Jonette we’ll make a few more and send them all together. They also need donations so if you don’t have the time to make a blanket maybe you’d consider a donation instead. Just imagine if you were a wee one and everything you knew and held dear was gone. To get something you could hold and cuddle and cry into just might make things just a tad bit better. For each blanket Mike and I make we say a prayer for whomever gets it. We ask that the Lord to wraps them in his arms like this blanket is wrapping them up. We ask that he takes care of the wee one parents. We can’t do lots but the little bit we do we try to do our best.

If you want to get a hold of Jonette we have her address, e-mail and phone number. I am sure she’d love it if I gave it out to anyone interested. Just comment here or e-mail me and I’ll send it to you.

So that was our day here. Not a bad one at all. I hope you had a great day. Sleep well my friends. Take care and God Bless!!

Blanketeers…

Remember I told you about Project Linus asking for blankets to send to Haiti? I have to share the letter I got from Mike’s project coordinator.

Wow--what an amazing group--I have had several people offer to make blankets for the Haiti children and some are helping with postage.  The great news is that Headquarters just emailed and said we have the 10,000 blankets covered in less than 24 hours!!!!  Our chapter will be sending 100 blankets to Kansas so there is still an opportunity to help out.  We will need a few more blankets (we will need to replace our own supply) and some help with the postage for the boxes.  Thanks for those that have already responded you are such a great group!!!

Don't forget to put March 13th on your calendar for our "Make a Blanket Day" at Trinity Lutheran in Bemidji.  Come and have a great day of sewing, fellowship and food!!

Jonette Anderson

Don’t you think that’s cool? 10,000 blankets in less then 24 hours WOW!!! Mike and I will be sending ours off on Monday. We made the 4 for the Give a Day/Get a Day and then 7 for Haiti. It’s not much but it is our contribution to add to the 10,000.

Today we are suppose to go to Brainerd for groceries and new things for my parents bathroom. But first we need to wait for the ice to melt. There is a nice layer of it on everything out there plus more coming. It is so slippery right now. Jim and Mike went to work and it took them 30 minutes to drive a 10 minute route. Only saw one other person out there but it was a dad pulling his kid out of the snow bank. I’m hoping by 9:00 the roads are okay but we’ll see. When I drove semi I had a saying that there isn’t a load worth my life, well that goes for anything now days. I’ll stay put if I feel it’s just not safe and you know it’s now always mine or your driving, it’s sometimes the other persons that makes the roads not safe.

I bet you didn’t know I had driven an 18 wheeler, did ya? For 9 years I drove with my hubby. Really I did most of the driving and he did the paperwork and maintenance. By time we had been out there for 8 years I had a million miles under my belt with no accidents and just a couple tickets. We drove 48 states and two Providences. In all the jobs I’ve had, that one was “my” job. Oh I have loved each of my other jobs but if I had a chance, truck driving would be high on my list to do again. I loved it. My hubby however did not, he was more then ready to quit and go back and work with his dad at the family business so that is what we did.

Well now you know just a bit more about me. I’ve got stories I can share if anyone wants me too. When I drove, there weren’t that many lady drivers out there ,so to earn the respect of other drivers and companies was a challenge but oh so worth it.

So I’m off, I have to exercise this morning and then shower and get Scott up. He so loves staying here with us and yesterday he told me he was worried. Not about his mom or even school or a girl. He was worried that because Mike is turning 18 that Mike won’t want to spend time with him any more. He’s only 15 and afraid that when Mike becomes an adult that he won’t be able to come over and play, come over and help, come over and be part of our family. I just hugged him and told him that never, ever would he not be part of this family. That Mike will be here always for him, even if Mike goes to college he’s doing the local college and will still be here for him. When we talked it was like a big weight was lifted off his shoulders. He was worried he’d have no where to go but home where life there just isn’t the greatest place on earth. It’s a place to sleep and eat but not be appreciated for who he is. There are some people that are mama’s and daddy’s. There are others that are Mother and Father and that is what it is at their house. Love is a difficult thing at that house and though they do love each other it’s not the loving kind. Do you understand what I’m saying? It’s hard to explain. If anyone been there and done that they’d understand and if you haven’t, you’re oh so very lucky, you don’t have to understand because ignorance is bliss at times.

Okay, I’ve got to go. This was a long post with lots of words in it and I sure don’t want to bore you all. Take care and have a blessed weekend. Remember to thank the Lord for all he’s given you, for all the love he has to share with you, for giving his only son to die for us so that we, when we die, get to spend an eternity in his Love !!!