Food Bank Date

Good Thursday morning! And Happy Thanksgiving! (A twofer!)

The Gallery Pic is one last photo from Thanksgiving #1. Tomorrow, I will be adding some pics from Thanksgiving #2 which will be taking place on Mike's side of the family.

I have a few reminders for you...

REMINDER #1 - Tomorrow's post will be late. Since I will be spending the night at the Wynfrey with cousins, sister, niece and daughter (all in the same room), I won't be home until around 11:30 Friday morning. Check after 2:00 p.m. for all the normal Friday stuff.

REMINDER #2 - Enter the Contest! Yes, I'm blog yelling at you again. It will be so much fun... if you win. Read instructions for entering on yesterday's post.

Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving

I said today would be lighter, and it is. I'm going to list the Top Ten "Little" Things I am most thankful for this year. It could go without saying I am thankful for the big stuff (God, family, friends, a home, food, a wonderful church in which to worship, health, etc.), but I did want people to know I don't take any of those things for granted. However, there are some simple pleasures I will share today for which I am also thankful.

10. Diet Peach Tea from Arby's on a hot summer day. Refreshing!

9. A cool breeze on my face signaling the changing of the seasons from summer to delightful autumn.

8. Roxie slipping her hand in mine and walking for a few minutes in Wal-Mart before she remembers she's 13 years-old.

7. Mikie slipping his hand in mine for long periods of time, and realizing after 22 years of marriage we still "fit."

6. Austin coming through the door on the weekends yelling, "I'm home, Mom. I'm home, Pop."

5. Finishing a "to do" list. (A very rare occurrence.)

4. Watching Josh hop out of the car, grab his books and head inside a school building. There were years I didn't think I would ever be witness to that "Little Thing" again.

3. An unexpected invitation to lunch with a friend.

2. Slipping into a bed with crisp, clean sheets after a long, long day.

And the number 1 "Little Thing" I am thankful for this Thanksgiving Day is...

1. Any and every time I find myself in a room with the Faulkner Five. That is a very good day indeed!

Special Guest Hints

6. The outside of her house is my favorite color.

7. She's a water lover (and I don't just mean bottled).

8. Her daughter is her fashion advisor (and she does an excellent job).

Blog Linkage

I'm a little slim on Linkage today, but what I have is good, good stuff.

1. Of course, you have to go to http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/ for bargain after bargain after bargain for Black Friday and beyond. She has a lot of printable coupons, too. You will want to check it out!

2. Once again, please go to Nitty.Gritty under My Blog List and read Jody's November 19 post. There are links you can click on in this post to hear more stories of families and children who are struggling this holiday season. Families who need our prayers. Families who would do anything to trade places with some of us this Thanksgiving. Jody's posts always give me perspective... and I always need perspective.

3. Next, go to www.coalcreekfarm.com and read the post entitled "Just another day at Coal Creek Farm and a surprise." This is a very entertaining blog about a farming family. This post describes in detail her visit to Ree Drummond's book signing (The Pioneer Woman). It is fun, light and enjoyable reading. (I started reading scrapbooking blogs two years ago, and now I think I'm getting hooked on farming blogs. Go figure!)

Food Bank Date

Ask your oldest child to accompany you on a shopping spree... to the local grocery store. This is one of those dates where you go through the house and gather all the change you can find in all your family's change-collecting places. (Make sure you have at least $15 before visiting the grocery store.)

The purpose of this one-on-one time is to buy canned goods for a local church, mission or fire station food bank. Call ahead of time to see what items the food bank needs and the times they will be open. Once you have all the information, you can plan the date.

Explain to your child where you're going, what items you're looking for and how the items will be used. While shopping, make sure you talk about the best prices to get the most items for the money you have to spend. Once you have finished shopping (buying a variety of canned goods), head to the food bank.

Before you walk into the food bank with your child, sit in the car and pray over the food you are about to donate. Pray for the families who need help and ask God's blessings on the meals which will be made. Walk in together and deliver the food.

Now it is time to spend some more time with your child answering questions he/she may have about why there are people who do not have enough food in their homes. It's hard for some adults to understand, so you can imagine children can have a hard time comprehending this situation, too.

This is a time to talk about being thankful for all of our blessings, and because of this hands-on date, this time it will not be "just words." You and your child will have done something to help the situation.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day. I hope you are making wonderful memories with family and friends. (And if you are making wonderful memories, what are you doing reading A Simple Life? Get back in the living room and visit!) Tomorrow afternoon (check after 2:00 p.m.), I will have Weekend Happenings and the end of the month Book List... and all the info regarding our adventure during Black Friday at the Wynfrey Hotel. (Pictures may or may not be forthcoming depending on what everyone looks like at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning!)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow around 2:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda