It's that time again

Time to wake your angels, folks. Yesterday was Thanksgiving. One month from Sunday is Christmas. That gives us all 33 opportunities to make EVERY single day a day to give. Big, little, secret, out-loud. It doesn't matter.

I'm starting today. There will be no spending involved, since I refuse to shop for anything today, but I'll do something. Last year I kicked off the Days of Thanks and Giving by doing all my kids' chores for them. There's an idea. I'll report back later. Or maybe I won't. It's all good.

Little Miss Sunshine

That'll be me, today! The daffodils for the American Cancer Society arrived yesterday, so today is delivery day. I make everyone happy, showing up with spring flowers while it's still winter outside. Ahhh, I love this job.

This is my favourite arrangement of flowers - bud vases with just a couple of stems each. Some people collect fabric lines, or jewelery, or place settings. I just love bud vases - I pick 'em up at thrift stores and garage sales for rarely more than a quarter. And if I pick you a bouquet from my garden, keep the vase. Seriously. There's PLENTY more where that one came from. I like votive holders too. And glass lid canning jars. Cheap thrills.

Daffodil Days

Daffodil Days
Pigley asked...

Every winter (late January here) my friend Tracy and I hit the sidewalks with our brochures, posters and order sheets selling bunches of daffodils to benefit the American Cancer Society. Right now, that's all we do, we drop off forms and promo material. In a few weeks, we'll go back around and collect orders and dollars, and a few weeks after that, return again with armloads of beautiful daffodils.

A bunch (10 stems) is $7, they last for a long time, and they're wonderful. If you feel inclined to contribute, look for order sheets at your bank, at your workplace, at the gym... lots of places. Don't want the flowers? Consider ordering a "Gift of Hope" - a $20 donation makes bouquets available anonymously to cancer patients in hospital. Want to do more? Contribute online, or volunteer with a local group. Some states even offer an online option.

I consider it nothing short of miraculous that cancer has not touched my immediate family. It has, however, slashed deeply at the families and friends of people I love. I *can* help, so I *do* help. How could I not?

I did it!

Woohoo! I decided that the bag o' Fun Fur has been waiting long enough. At 1:30 this afternoon I cast on 60 stitches and did little else but knit. Well, not entirely true, I changed the sheets and vacuumed our bedroom, did some laundry and made supper, but that's about it. About 20 minutes ago, I cast off the final 6 stitches, with about 18" of yarn to spare. I need to weave in the ends, but as soon as I do, this and the two others I have finished will be on their way to Kate for her Muppet Head project. If I can do this again before the end of February, I'll send more, but this way, at least, some will be there in time to keep some kid's head warm and fuzzy. :o)

Maybe tomorrow I can challenge myself to get the last little bit of that string quilt done. Yeah, and maybe spring really is just around the corner.

Actually I need to take some time tomorrow to drop off Daffodil Days order sheets for the American Cancer Society. I started doing daffodils a few years ago as a favour to a friend. Now, I still do it to help, but it's a blast, and people look forward to seeing me (and the flowers.)

To everyone in my life, 3 wishes

Scott, Tori, Simon, Daniel, Mom, John, Glenda, Shannon, Andrew, Amanda, Nic, Hannah, Juliana, Ed, Bev, Jen, Kristi, Duncan, Bevin, Alana, Rob, Barb, Amanda, Braiden, Katherine, Sandra, Paul, Philip, Danielle, Marg, Lisa, Kay, Carl, Kathy, Matt, Lori, Joe, Nancy, John, Andy, Kitty, Pauline, Helma, Lisette, Eric, Laura, Gerd, Karl, Greta, Ann, David, Jackie, Kevin, Devin, Liam, Dennis, Jeannie, Jody, Sandy, Maureen, Sandy, Rita, Jane, Karen, Alexis, Diane, Anna, Vicky, Sue, Shaka, Lisle, Michelle, Michelle, Laura, Diana, Stacy, Pat, Deb, Jane, Jeri, Paul, Debra, Dianne, Fitzy, Suze, Rian, Deb, Jules, Sam, Teri, Jane Ann, Teresa, Christine, Susan, France, Sue, Susan, Mary, Dave, Natalie, Jordan, Ashlyn, Jonathan, Rachel, Heather, Richard, Jon, Marsha, Mel, Jeri, Cari, Laurna, Paulina, Annie, Natalie, Elsie, Ann, Graham, Kayla, Sandra, Hannah, Sasha, Shelley, Dona, Julie, Cassie, Chris, Paul, Hannah, Laura, Todd, Justus, Jessica, Maurice, Jane, Peter, Hannah, Joelle, Evan, Elias, Jennifer, Christine, David, Wanda, Kayliann, Abigail, Dorothea, Betsy, Mark, Debbie, Oscar, Charlie, Isabel, Anna, Sue, Mandy, Dan, Ethan, Tyler, Tammy, Julian, Grace, Summer, Lynn, Emma, Jacob, Melanie, Jake, Tucker, Tammy, Jim, Jack, Will

Joy in this season of light, love in everything, with everyone, and above all, through all your days, peace.

I know I've forgotten some, and I'll add you as you come to my mind. I hold all of you close to my heart. Thank you for being a part of my life.