I didn't know it would happen like this... I've been so excited about sharing creative caring ideas with you, even to the point of having to whittle down my list to keep it at 31 days ... but today I've got nothing. I'll share the list starting tomorrow, but today I guess you get to see another side of creative caring. I'd rather not show you this side, because I'd rather not be experiencing it. You see, yesterday someone I know heard the words "Stage 4. Inoperable. Months." She's a friend. Not a We've been best friends forever kind of friend, but definitely someone to whom I want to reach out. She lives about as far across the U.S. from me as possible, and that makes "doing" caring a bit complicated. I'm numb from ... Keep Reading...
Search Results for: creative caring
Creative Caring
The complete 31 Days of Creative Caring series ... 31-Day preview: Blue Umbrella and a Pie Day 1: Doing the Awkward (Keep scrolling down to read the post) Day 2: When Creativity Disappears Day 3: Caring on a Shoestring Day 4: Being Neighborly Day 5: Send-off Surprise Day 6: Sharing the Excess Day 7: Keeping 'Em Guessing Day 8: Seasonal Considerations Day 9: Society on the Move Day 10: College Students Day 11: Teacher Treats Day 12: Smoked Chicken Day 13: Single Mothers Day 14: Memory Book Day 15: The Usual ... with a Twist Day 16: Hospital Care Day 17: Yard Work Angels Day 18: Take a Meal Day 19: Mani/Pedi Day 20: The Gift Registry Day 21: Care Packages Day 22: Foster Families Day 23: Community Helpers Day ... Keep Reading...
Whatever it takes…. Keep your heart close to the hurting
Part of the world’s healing is doing whatever it takes to get your heart to stay close to the hurting. ~ Ann Voskamp But aren't we all hurting right now—just a little bit . . . or a lot? Is it really possible in the midst of our own "stuff" to dig deeper into ourselves and intentionally move closer to someone else who's hurting? Maybe. Maybe not. Sometimes it's true: we simply have not one iota more of ourselves to give, and that's okay. But sometimes, in choosing to shift our focus from our own pain, disappointments, and discouragements to the people around us—and the hurts they're facing—we find that we experience healing, too. When I change the perspective from MY reality to YOUR ... Keep Reading...
When last we were together here . . .
When last we were together here—two weeks ago—we lived in a different world. A world where, dare I say, many of us were mostly oblivious to (or disinterested in) a virus making people sick in China. And I may have heard something about Iran. But I was flying to Texas for my parents' Diamond Anniversary! And for several days, Mother, Daddy, Sister and I had a lovely time celebrating, digging through family photos, reminiscing, laughing, and staying up too late. Yes, I know how fortunate I am to have parents who continue to stick it out together through good times and bad! But by the time I returned to the airport a week later, everything had changed. ... Keep Reading...
LETTER FROM READER: Success story—and thank you
On New Years Eve 2015, I received an email. The subject line: Getting stains out of an old blanket As I clicked on the email, I was sure it would be another (always welcome!) request for "how to" advice—but it wasn't. It was a success story! And Kim—a total stranger—wrote to say thank you. Made my day! Kim had discovered one of my posts via a Google search (thanks, Google!)—and then followed my linen care instructions all the way to CLEAN! With her permission, here's the back story... I had a baby blanket (that had never been used but had been in storage for 18 years) that was made and given to me by my grandmother to put in my hope chest. I wasn't able to have kids, so in the chest it stayed ... Keep Reading...
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Meals for Stressful Times
Two men stood chatting at the nursery window, one a stranger admiring our friend's new grandson. As they spoke, the father of the baby walked up and said, We have two more just like him in the NICU. That's right. Triplets. Sixty little fingers and toes! All boys. 💙 💙 💙 ... Keep Reading...
Merry Christmas from {Adventurous} My Place to Yours
Well so much for those "all about Christmas" posts I hoped to write after getting moved . . . Believe me. I wrote every one of them in my head. Instead, I'll just count it a major accomplishment that the move is behind us, everything (including the tricky laundry) now has a place, and Christmas presents are wrapped—except several ordered online and shipped ahead of me to Texas—because I didn't plan well enough . . . but you won't make me count those, will you? It's five days until Christmas, so I'm going to assume if you're reading this, you're skimming quickly (I get that!), so I'll give you a very quick peak at the new digs where we'll be adventurous for the next few months while building our Finally Farmhouse. ... Keep Reading...
Breaking the silence
When it's quiet here at My (virtual) Place, it's almost always noisy at My (in real life) Place. It's been quiet here for quite awhile. I've really missed you. At home it's been crazy-noisy, ridiculously yo-yo-ish, and an emotional roller coaster. It's been a long time since I've experienced a period so chock-full of travel on top of Life... and it's not over yet. Through it all, I've been a student. Sometimes intentional. Sometimes by necessity; almost unwillingly. Learn to walk slowly through the crowd. When you truly understand God's abundance, there is no good reason to be in a hurry. Summit Leadership Foundation newsletter Since April we've celebrated several birthdays, ... Keep Reading...
How a Google search extended a legacy: The stained old blanket
On New Years Eve, I received an email. The subject line: Getting stains out of an old blanket As I clicked on the email, I was sure it would be another (always welcome!) email asking for "how to" advice—but it wasn't. It was a success story! And Kim—a total stranger—wrote to say thank you. Made my day! Kim had discovered one of my posts via a Google search (thanks, Google!)—and then followed my linen care instructions all the way to CLEAN! With her permission, here's the back story... I had a baby blanket (that had never been used but had been in storage for 18 years) that was made and given to me by my grandmother to put in my hope chest. I wasn't able to have kids, so in the chest it ... Keep Reading...
Flower delivery
Renaissance Man sent me flowers. While walking downtown to his office, he noticed something he knew I'd enjoy... and so (on a busy street with cars passing by) he pulled out his phone, stooped down, and took a picture. Then he sent it to me via text message! In these days of instant technology, there are a lot of ways to practice creative caring! Why not do something for someone TODAY— "just because"? Have you ever been on the receiving end of techno-caring? Leave a comment and tell us! Coming Friday: New Summertime series Sign up to get new posts delivered via email so you don't miss it! I'm joining Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Join me? ... Keep Reading...
Are you forgetting anything this Christmas?
8 days and counting ... In these hustle-bustle, crazy-baking, online-shopping, gift-wrapping days of the season, I hope you're not forgetting Christmas. Will you spend less than 3 minutes to see if you are? There's still time for some creative caring ... ... Keep Reading...
Why I love Southern Lady magazine… and why I canceled my subscription
Southern Lady magazine... I remember the first time I encountered her over a decade ago—and how I slowly devoured her content. Page after page of feminine beauty and elegance. Her stories appealed to the "hopeless romantic" in me... and the fact that they were well-written passed muster with my inner writer. I was hooked. Over the years, the love affair grew stronger—and my spirit noticeably quieter—each time I sat in her presence. To this day, I cannot imagine ever discarding a single issue of the restorative glossy. You see, I'm a gal raised in the South. I own the requisite string of pearls, monogrammed stationery, and set of "good silver" albeit one acquired from someone else's ancestors. I ... Keep Reading...
Are you feeling abandoned? Lonely? Discouraged?
Two little girls – abandoned by their mother in front of a church. A couple took in the youngest girl but didn't want the oldest. She was sent to us at Hope Unlimited for Children. The first month, she didn't speak. Not one single word. That was 2009. Hear the story (with name changed) as it was told to us back then by Philip Smith, co-founder of Hope Unlimited: Before I left the office for the evening outing, I pulled up Beatrice’s picture on the computer screen. Together with the office staff, we prayed that Beatrice would smile and talk that evening. While at the video arcade with the birthday children, I kept her close by my side and talked “at” her. She showed no interest in anything. ... Keep Reading...
#RiskRejection: Unsubscribe if you must
Have you noticed? RISK has been a common topic here lately. Even before Amy Sullivan issued her #RiskRejection challenge – and I accepted it – risk was already happening. I guess without intentionally choosing one, RISK has become my word for 2014. Throughout the month of December, as I wrote my daily Themes of Christmas series, I'll admit: My heart wasn't completely in it. Oh, I enjoyed writing those posts – because I always love playing with themes – but I was distracted. Distracted by impending risks. My very first post of the year spelled it out: That’s where I find myself here at the beginning of 2014: stepping into the unknown. . . . the more I watch God work in lives of desperate children, the ... Keep Reading...
When’s the last time you showed someone your back(side) story?
Life Lesson #17: There's more to every person than meets the eye; slow down and look! We all have them: backstories. Behind-the-scenes parts of our life story. Things we'd rather keep to ourselves due to embarrassment, shame, fear, mistrust... Vintage linens have them, too–and, like people's stories, some are prettier than others. Some are downright messy. Don't judge a book by its cover. You never really know someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. I've been looking at people differently ever since God did some creative caring and helped me open my stubborn, judgmental eyes. I keep being reminded–over and over. We all have them: backstories. ... Keep Reading...
How to think outside the box…
Life Lesson #4: Think outside the box Sometimes a little creative thinking comes in handy... but I often have to remind myself to do it! You, too–or is it just me? Since this series is about lessons I've learned from linens, let's look at a few linen-related examples of thinking outside the box. Do you have lots...and lots...of doilies put away? I mean, seriously, just how many doilies can you use at one time? Perhaps a few more than you think! Use a small one to cover the center design on a plate so your centerpiece "shows off" like in this Red Dazzle tablescape. Or stick a few in a fancy bowl for a burst of visual texture...or "sprinkle" them across your entire tabletop to set a ... Keep Reading...
