Valentine's Day Service Project

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are once again... not much! Although things are "happening," they aren't necessarily Gallery-worthy. I could cook a complicated dish and take some food pics, but we all know that ain't happening today. With Roxie's hand surgery coming up tomorrow, I'm expecting some "medical" pics... and maybe some doc pics. Things will pick up around here. You'll see.

RANDOMNESS #1 - My "Top Ten Reasons I Love..." Lists are making me stop and think about the good stuff in life. I'm in a "Pooh" kind of mood today, so my Top Ten List is a no-brainer. Think, think, think.

Top Ten Reasons I Love Disney

10. I love the bathrooms. Not only are they always clean, but there are so many stalls. Walt Disney understood so much more than just a child's imagination... he understood a woman's HUGE desire for LARGE, CLEAN public restrooms. He really was a Renaissance Man!

9. I love Cinderella's Castle. I could sit on a bench and look at it for hours. It is every little girl's dream to live in a castle. Fun fact for you... I've always wanted a moat... and a turret... and a horse-drawn carriage in the shape of a pumpkin. (That must be the Autumn Nut coming out in me!)

8. I love the way my towels are folded when I come back to the room after a long day of having fun. (I had a towel folded into the shape of Eeyore once. Genius! Pure genius!)

7. I love all the characters, and even though I know deep down (as an adult) the characters are really sweaty, dehydrated humans in heavy, hot costumes, I still get a thrill when I see Baloo from Jungle Book or Tigger or... Oh, just name a character!

6. I love Space Mountain. It is by far the "most fun" roller coaster ever invented. I'm not arguing with anyone. It's a fact.

5. I love being in a place that believes the perfect ending to each and every day is a huge fireworks show.

4. I love Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream on a stick. It just tastes better.

3. I love the parades. I don't mind waiting an hour until the parade starts. I don't care they don't throw candy to the spectators. I don't care if it is 100 degrees, raining, windy or a little brisk. A Disney parade is worth any and all discomfort.

2. I love Animal Kingdom the best. I think it's because I am such a fan of African music and trees. No other park at Disney has as much African music playing or as many trees. I feel at home there.

1. I loved our two family vacations there. I love the memories we made... and I love that Mikie said, "It was worth every cent!"

I have a feeling after Roxie's surgery tomorrow, I may do a Top Ten List on why I love pain medication. We'll see!

RANDOMNESS #2 - I have a "scattered" kind of day today. I have to be here and there and everywhere. I do not care for "scattered" days because I tend to get less done at home... which means the next day is a little more hectic because I have to play catch up. It's not just me. I know every woman has days like this.

However, today I'm trying something a little different. I've determined in my heart (starting today) to perform each task with excellence. I may not finish my To Do List, but the items I do get to mark off at the end of the day will be done to the very best of my ability.

The phone calls I have to make to doctors' offices regarding appointments, insurance and lab work will be done cheerfully.

I will be on time for the two doctors' appointments I have today, and I will take something productive to do or read while I wait (and wait and wait) so MY valuable time will not be wasted.

I will serve dinner to five teenagers before church... and enjoy the time I get to spend with them.

I will not just sit in church tonight, but I will try to take it all in... even though I have a feeling I will be more than a little tired.

Instead of thinking of all the things which will not get done today, I will strive to do what must be done to the best of my ability.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might!" Ecclesiastes 9:10.

That is my goal for today. I'll let you know if I succeeded (or failed) tomorrow!

Wednesday's Wisdom - Oh, for the love of babies! I cannot stop thinking about all those young moms in one room talking about tiny humans. Needless to say, today's Wisdom is centered around one word... "BABIES."

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.” Anonymous (So true!)

“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” Don Herold (I love this one.)

“A two-year old is kind of like having a blender, but you don't have a top for it.” Jerry Seinfeld (I love this one more!)

"My friend has a baby. I'm recording all the noises he makes so later I can ask him what he meant.” Stephen Wright

Valentine's Day Service Project

Valentine's Day is a great time for families to focus on serving and loving others.

Create handmade Valentine's Day cards or craft items for people in nursing homes or hospitals. The family can go together to deliver these items. (Be sure to contact the facility first to make arrangements. You can't just drop in.)

Nursing homes residents receive a lot of attention and extra visitors during the Christmas season, but making sure the residents received a little extra love during February would be a wonderful way to teach your children that "giving" and showing love is something we should do ALL year long.

If it seems like the project is TOO big, you can also involve another family (or two), and each family could deliver to a specific hall or section of the nursing home.

Always, always encourage your kiddos to give a big hug when handing out gifts to the elderly. Remember, a hug is part of the gift!

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself." Leviticus 19:18.

Have a nice, snowy Wednesday! I have such wonderful Linkage to share Thursday... and, of course, the equally wonderful date! You must visit again! You simply must!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda