Week 22 - Thank the Mailman...Success!

Our mailman is pretty nice...

If the boys are outside, he will stop at the end of the driveway to hand the mail to the boys instead of quickly shoving the mail into the mailbox and driving on.

If I receive a package that won't fit in the mailbox, he will place it on the porch, in a spot that is noticeable but not too obvious.

And, the big one for me, he will pick up my outgoing packages, no matter how many, without me scheduling a carrier pick up. One day it may be just 3 small boxes, and another day it could be 22 boxes of all sizes piled high on our front porch.

I have even pulled up next to his little mail carrier truck and handed him a stack of boxes on my way to the post office and then was able to turn around and go back home.

Our mailman always has a smile for us. So when we made cookies on Wednesday, I decided we should share them with our mailman as a "thank you."

Chocolate chip and mini Reese's Pieces cookies

A little handwritten thank you note attached to the bag of cookies.

 I placed the cookies and note in the mailbox along with outgoing letters and packages and went on with our day. I had hoped to be able to watch when the mailman arrived, but it didn't work out with our schedule.

He got them, as the cookies were gone...hopefully he liked them!

Week 17 and 18 - Shower Someone

The idea for this one was not my own. I had seen it pinned on Pinterest several months ago and repinned it for when we could use it.

These are Blessings Bags (see the original idea here), bags to give to the homeless.

Last week was our first St. Louis Cardinals game for the season, and we parked in our usual spot, walking our usual route down the street to Busch Stadium.

And, we saw the usual people: Cardinals fans, street vendors, and a couple homeless people begging for change.

It didn't sink in until after the game as to what we needed to do. I remembered my Pinterest pin from this winter, and our plan was hatched.

We had been given tickets to another game this week, so the boys and I headed to WalMart to pick up the items to be put into our Blessings Bag. Here is what we decided on:

• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• mouth wash
• comb
• Clorox wipes
• baby wipes
• Tylenol
• first aid kit
• tissues
• bar soap
• shampoo
• deodorant
• lotion
• germ-x
• chapstick
• gum
• granola bar
• crackers with peanut butter

I then slipped all the items neatly into a one gallon ziploc bag and added a Bible verse in the front. We made two of these bags, as we had seen two homeless men on our last walk to the stadium.

So last night was the game. I carried the bags in my tote, and Noah had an eye out for a homeless person to bless. And, we didn't see a single person to give the bags to. We were a little disappointed.

Plan B: pass the bags to our neighbors who are going to the baseball game tonight!

Week 13 - Ice Cream (just a little late!)...Success!

Lion's Choice

Today we had to run to the orthodontist...again. Our 8 year old's head gear wasn't fitting properly, so back we go to get it adjusted.

And, surprise!  No more head gear - we are moving on to a full time retainer. So he got to pick out a cool retainer with a design on it, from about 30 choices. Why didn't they have fun retainers when I had to wear them?

So to reward the boys on how well behaved they were at the office, we went to Lion's Choice for ice cream cones.

Our 10 cent ice cream!

Their ice cream is delicious! And, it's only 15 cents for a small cone, or 29 cents for it to be dipped in chocolate. They must have been running a special today, though, as I only paid 48 cents for 4 cones. Yum!

The two unsuspecting vehicles behind us.

Then on impulse, I decided we would pay the tab for the car behind us. Then I overheard the cashier tell the next car their total, which I thought was just 30 cents. Sweet! When the cashier handed me my last two cones, I handed him my debit card and said I would like to pay for the two orders behind me.

He stared at me. He was a little confused.

"The two orders behind you?" he wanted to clarify.

"Yes," I said.

He finally took my card and then gave me the receipts. Both vehicles had ordered 2 roast beef sandwiches. I didn't have time to watch their reactions in the mirror, but I am sure they were a bit baffled. :D

Week 14 - Fry the Chicken...Success!

First day of Week 14, and we are finished with it already!

Mike took this one on his own...fry the chicken.

Today was the annual Lions Club Chicken Dinner to raise money for the Union Lions Club. What does this club do with the money?

The money goes directly back to the community. One of the main focuses for the club is to provide better eyesight for community members. When the club hears of a child or an adult who needs glasses, the Lions Club pays for an exam as well as a pair of glasses for the person in need.

The Union Lions Club has also provided park amenities to our local parks department, including a set of nice swings. Each year the club also gives out several small college scholarships to local high school students.


The mission statement for the Lions Club International:

To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.

So, this morning Mike spent over 4 hours frying chicken for the meal today.

And it was some good chicken! The club also served mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, cole slaw, applesauce, rolls, and dessert. This was an all-you-can-eat meal, and club outdid themselves this year.

Note: I realize we skipped Week 13. Somehow the week got away from us, so we will be doing it this week.

Week 8 - Grocery Gift Card...Success!

So yesterday we had a preschool field trip to our local Schnuck's store. What do you do on a field trip to the grocery store? A lot!

First the kids received a shopping bag to collect their goodies. Next stop was the bank inside Schnuck's. Here, the kids each received a lollipop and a copper colored balloon.

Then, we stepped over to the floral department where they showed us how they blow up balloons. The balloon that was used to demonstrate was a giant (probably at least 2 feet in diameter) mylar that sang. Yes, it sang when you tapped it. The kids got a kick out of that!

After hitting the balloon several times, we snaked our way through the produce department and into the refrigerator where the produce is stored. Then, each kid received their choice of a banana or an orange. Jacob choose a banana - can you tell? We then took a group picture in front of the bananas, with the bananas as our smiles.

Next stops were the the seafood department, then the deli department, the bakery with the giant ovens, the meat department, the dairy department, a refrigerated truck (that we went inside of), the general storage area, and then through the aisles back to the front of the store.

Then, the kids each received a freshly baked cookie and icing and sprinkles to decorate them with. Oh, but that wasn't all. Schnuck's also gave the kids juice drinks, a flower, and then a toothbrush since they ate some sweets. Wow! Very impressive field trip.

So after the field trip, Jacob and I did our regular food shopping since we were there already. I debated whether or not to pick up a gift card while we were there. As we were waiting in line to unload our wagon, I looked around for a gift card. After spotting one, I realized no one was even behind us to give it to and decided that it just wasn't going to happen today.

the gift card

But then an older couple came into line behind me. I knew I had to do it. After getting all of our groceries on the checkout lane, I stepped over to the next lane and grabbed the gift card. Jacob held up the card for a quick pic, then we bought the card. I quickly wrote on the back before the cashier was finished with our purchases.

After I had my receipt, I let Jacob hand the card to the couple. Of course, they told Jacob to give the card to his mommy. I quickly told them the card was for them. I just wish I had a picture of their faces when my words registered! I do believe they were blessed.

The unsuspecting couple