Marwood Gift Bags

This Christmas, we once again had our traditional Christmas Tea and gift bags for the nursing home. We've been doing this for about 20 years now. When I called this year for the number of people with no visitors, the number left without anyone to assist was 80. So, we took them all! Forty men, and forty women.

Mom labeled the bags, and put in lotions and powders.

Wendy and Robyn filled little bags with socks, candy, and a candy cane.

Kathy, Ken, and Robyn then added the throws used for lap robes, and stuffed animals. This is Robyn, wading through some of the bags that filled the living room, hall way, and kitchen.

Bobby played guard, after the bags were completed and stacked on chairs, the table, and under the table, for delivery on Christmas Eve morning. It took one car, a station wagon, and a Blazer to transport the gift bags this year. We have already started to stock up for next year since we'll be doing this many from now on. Ken cleared out the clearance bin at Wal Mart, of their throws, 60, and bought bins to put them in. We now have a great head start. It wouldn't be Christmas without this yearly project. It just warms our hearts to be able to help those forgotten this time of year.

Good Night, God Bless You, I Love You...

Has been a nightly blessing in our family since I was a little girl. We'd give Mom and Dad a kiss good-night, and before going up the stairs to bed, we'd tell this to our parents, who in turn would say "Good Night, God Bless You, I Love You Too." All us siblings have carried this nightly ritual to our own children, and now they pass it to theirs. Four generations. Sharing a special blessing every night. At Robyn's tonight, I told my triplet great-nephews Good Night, and received a "Good Night, God Bless You, I Love You" from each. And so it continues. Passing on a precious blessing of God's love to those He has so blessed us with.
And so I'd also like to pass this to all of you, my dear blog family. "Good Night, God Bless You, I Love You!"

Valentine Exchange

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I would love to organize a Pink Valentine Exchange in honor of Deena, of "Can I Be Pretty In Pink?" If you don't know Deena, she is a cancer survivor, still fighting the effects of her illness. She couldn't organize her Christmas ornament exchange this year, so I would like to do this one for her.
The rules are simple:
1. Leave your name here if you would like to participate.
2. Create a pink valentine to be exchanged with another person who has signed up. this can be any media of your choice!
3. E-mail me your address. laurienuske@yahoo.com
4. On February 1st, I will assign your exchange partner, and you will mail that person your Valentine.
6. You don't need to have a blog to participate in this exchange.
7. Be Creative! Mail a Valentine you yourself would like to receive!
8. Please mail out by February 7th to insure your Valentine reaches your partner before the 14th.
9. Please! Only join in if you are sure you can fulfill the obligation to your partner!!

That's it! You can sign up at any time between now and February 1st. There is also a link on my side bar, to bring you back to this post. If you would like to help spread the word, please feel free to post the link on your blog!! And say a special prayer for Deena, O.K.?

Merry Christmas!

A Very Merry Christmas to all my fantastic blog friends. You've made my life so happy, and each day a pleasant surprise. God Bless all of you!

The Christmas Story by Kids

"Tom" foolery!

Innocent?

or guilty!?

Back on!

After what seems a life time, my internet is working again and now I can catch up with my blog friends! I've missed all of you, I could only get on for a couple minutes at a time when I could get it to work! I'll be on soon, reading all the fun posts I've missed!