(Day 1) 29-Day Giving Challenge - A place for sharing.

[weaveagarden]

3 boxes for the Women's shelter, 1 box for the food bank ready to go out the door tomorrow. I didn't find the crazy lace rock. I will have to give it another go later tonight. So many eggs, so little time. Well, they are boxed and ready to go... 2 dozen. But it wasn't in the cards for me to walk them around the neighborhood today. So that will also be tomorrow. I guess this is going to have to be a two-day giving extravaganza. I am going to get more things ready tonight. That will make me feel more like I accomplished something.

It sounds like things are moving along better for people. That is great. And we still have lots more time to share a lot more with people.

 

[jojo54]

Haven't been doing too well at giving. Besides the eggs and a few other things, I've found this very hard.

We've only lived here around a year and I haven't met alot of people. It is a small town and I seem to be content to stay around home - working in the yard and garden, feeding the chickens, spending time with Lulu, the lame runt, reading books, being on the computer, baking, etc and the day is gone.
We aren't doing too well financially, my DH does construction which is seasonal and had been off for a few months.
I thought by joining this I would get going a bit more but it hasn't helped.
I've also been painting several rooms in the basement (just finished today) to add to things that seem to eat up my time.
I am going to keep trying but be patient and bear with me.

So many of you are doing great at giving, and leaving your comfort zones.

 

[WriterofWords]

Remember, it can be as easy as telling someone to have a great day, holding a door open, letting someone use your phone to call for help, walking a lost dog back home, picking up a plastic bag or something in the parking lot!

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
Don't worry Jojo54 This isn't about judging or competition. Anything that you are able to do is fine. The last thing this should do is make anybody feel guilty or less than adequate. You are doing fine. This is easier for some of us than others. So don't worry about comparing. We shouldn't be either. It really is about giving ourselves a little bit of an opportunity to grow a bit in this area. And the fact that you are posting, is showing that you are thinking about it. That is a great step also.
A new town is hard if you are at all reserved. If you can, and whenyou are ready, use this as an opportunity to meet somebody new. Doesn't have to be a big production at all. Make it low key and just try to enjoy what you can do. And there are things that you can do that will not require meeting anybody if you don't want to. Like Rainplace's Rocks with the words "friendship rocks" written on them. If there is any kind of a food bank, or animal shelter, you could call and find out when they could use your help for the day if you are up for that. Or, just return somebodies cart to the store for them in the grocery store parking lot.
For now, give yourself the gift of less pressure. You are doing just fine. And by coming here to talk with us, you are giving us the gift of your friendship.

 

[weaveagarden]

My little gift to you all. Remember your day could be worse. So smile your way through it as best you can.

 

[feathersnuggles]

My DH was sick yesterday with flu-like symptoms, so it was a very quiet day. I didn't do much except to encourage him to drink some tea and a homemade broth, and tried to help him get some rest. He's still sick today. I read to him, for a while. And I gave my sister my last dozen eggs today, to take down to my niece living in Oakland CA. Waaaa, now I need a few eggs for ME - and DH, whenever he gets better!

One of my five is spending more & more time on the nest, like she's getting broody. Do they go broody at 9-10 months? Seems early.

 

[feathersnuggles]

What writer said.

It struck me, after I gave my very last eggs today, that I won't be giving eggs again until I can build some inventory. Need to think of something else to give. Then, my mind wandered four blocks away to our neighborhood Middle School. (don't ask me WHY). I realized the bottom of the field and the street side of the fence is littered with garbage like plastic bags, food wrappers, cups, etc. So, I've decided to take a half hour, tomorrow, pick up some garbage at the middle school, and throw it away.

It's easy to give to animals too. At least for me, it is. I'm always giving to my chickens, can I count them!

 

[feathersnuggles]

Quote:
Oh man, Ditto for me. I feel just plain awkward when saying what I have given. Either the "give" feels small and stupid. Or, I'm self-conscious because it made me step out of my insulated space, and I cringe to recount it.

 

[jojo54]

WriterofWords - I guess I don't think about the small things. I always try to be polite and smile and say hello. I talk to the staff at the grocery store and tell them how much the produce means to my chickens. I returned a grocery cart from the parking lot to the store for someone this week. I guess these things are normal and I don't think about them.

weaveagarden - thanks for the words of encouragement. I keep thinking about doing things to meet people and I know one day I will. I guess I have to get comfortable with the thought and then put it into action.

 

[Damummis]

Didn't leave the house yesterday until evening when I picked DD up from practice. 3 days left, woo hoo. I did thank the lady at the House of Pizza for making my dinner. She laughed.
Yesterday was hard. DD #1 is 15 and giving me a lot of grief. It is hard to give when you are seeing red. I am trying SO hard not to be my mom. I am trying so hard not to tell her she is just like her father, my late ex. And it is even harder to stay cool when she is yelling in your face and she looks just like Him. With all the emotion I had running thru me (don't forget PMS) last night the hardest thing of all was not to puke!!

Any who......

Have to go to work and paint the bathroom for the 3rd time this year. It is going from brick red to pearl onion. It was pink then blue last spring. They can't make up their mind. The best part is DH will be doing the ceiling trim, so I don't have to cut in the ceiling.

I hope everyone has a good day. Anyone in the challenge in the mid-coast states, stay safe, your in for round 2.