Guerilla Goodness Quaker Style

This week is Random Acts of Kindness week. Greenville Friends, the small Quaker meeting in Greenville, South Carolina we attend, has First Day School on the first Sunday of the month. It was my month to organize a lesson and I was very excited to have February because I had been reading about an activity a fellow mom blogger, Patience Sogaldo, does. She has her own blog, Kindness Girl, that I follow regularly. Along with her sisters, she also contributes to the blog Supersisters at PBS Parents(a great website I might add). She does a thing called "Guerrilla Goodness" which was my inspiration for First Day School. Get on over to her blog and read all about the history of Guerrilla Goodness. Maybe it'll inspire you too!

We set out to do our own little Guerrilla Goodness project in honor of Random Acts of Kindness Week. I talked a little about sneaky guerrilla warfare but that as Quakers we honor the Friends' testimony of peace. Kids love the idea of being sneaky! Hey, let's face it, who doesn't like being sneaky every now and then? So I told them we were going to practice sneaky guerrilla goodness. I caught 'em...their curiosity was peaked, along with the bribe of juice boxes and snacks later, of course. It was a joy to see the personalities of all the children, even the shy ones, emerge as they began to dive into all the crafty goodness. Seeing wonderfully loving sayings written by a child's hand makes a sneaky love note even better don't you think? I gave them some examples of sayings the kids could write but they began to come up with their own like:

• Love Your Sluf (translation: Love yourself)
• Think good thoughts
• The day is sunny, so are you!
• A three year old thinks you are cool!
  

As they were creating their notes they began to talk of who they would give them too. The list grew and grew. Some of them even decided to continue the project when they got home. We put of few of the notes on some of the cars in the parking lot and gave some to some of the adult Friends in the meeting for worship. The rest that they made they took home with them to practice their own random acts of kindness. I also made up a little "goodness bag" that had a few chocolate kisses, a heart sucker and two guerrilla goodness type cards printed from a website dedicated to anonymous kindness called Help Others. You can go there and print your own. It's lots of fun and does a body good!



So I'd love to hear what your plans are for this week of Random Acts of Kindness! Leave a comment telling me...that alone is a random act of kindness delivered to moi!

Obamicon Crazy!

Have you heard about this website, Obamicon.Me? I went a little mad one night after finding it and created a few of my own. Whether you are a supporter of Obama or not it's a lot of fun to play with! I made some pictures as a "birthday present" for my Dad and Patrick. You can also order mugs and other items to put the image on. I'd love to see what you guys come up with!

Wordless Wednesday 01/28/09

You have snow...we have daffodils.

Happy Birthday Paddy!

In January of 1987 if you would have predicted that I would be married to and have two adorable children with the wonderfully complex man that I call Paddy I do believe I would have been quite surprised. The man I wooed with Hostess Ding Dongs finally, after seven years of dating, decided he might want to spend the rest of his life with me. There have been over twenty birthdays we have celebrated together, me and my renaissance man. We're closing in on being together longer than we have been single. During this time we have witnessed the best in each other and the worst in each other. And through it all we honor the commitment we made to one another in 1993. So here's to Patrick who challenges me to be my best whether I like it not...who has given me opportunities to see the world...who has loved me to the best of his ability through my not so gracious stretches...and who continues to hold my hand in our little house in this little town. I'm so glad you were born 43 years ago today. Good job Ceil and Dan. Happy birthday, sweetheart.

Snow!

Well, it is officially winter in South Carolina now. On the day of the Inauguration we got a two hour school delay because of this snow. Of course it was all gone by the afternoon. In true Gavin style he refused to wear a winter coat to school. Anna was hoping to build a snowman. Clearly her ability to measure hasn't kicked in yet. By tomorrow we'll be back in the low sixties. Oh well, it was pretty while it lasted.

Wordless Wednesday 01-21-09

DIY Inauguration Tees for all!

May the Force be with you...

...and any other parent who is throwing their child a birthday party. It's crazy...I am crazy...I need therapy. Martha Stewart has ruined me for life because it all started with her. She made it look so damn easy and convinced me it was. And not only that, convinced me that it was a good thing. Soon so many things became a necessary good thing. Where did that come from? And how did I become such a person that would get sucked into such a thing? Well, what I know about myself is this:

• I have always had champagne taste and beer money.
• I want my children to have good memories of birthdays & holidays.
• I love being creative.

So some cable network needs to hire me to do a show called, "On the cheap" because I've got it down to almost a science. I was going to write I had it down to a science but I really have to leave that recognition to Kevin and second runner up, Erin. I come in third definitely. But they inspire me to keep being cheaper yet maintain my dignity. Thus we come to Gavin's birthday party.

Until now, we've lived in a city...a real city. When one aspires to have the perfect birthday party one must live in a real city...even one in the Midwest will do...or plan very far ahead. I wasn't asking for much...a little star confetti, a black table cloth, and some plain cellophane bags. But what I got was big stars, clearanced black material and blue paper bags. These things along with some "Clone Wars" napkins, two Star Wars figurines, and a "Clone Wars" poster became the decorations for the party. Certainly no "tablescape" here. What a terrible word I might add. I cringe every time I hear Sandra Lee on Semi-Homemade Cooking utter the word. I swear she is a poster child for Stepford Wives.

As most of you know, our house is little. Our house is a very very very fine house but it is getting smaller by the minute. Not a house for an eight year old boy's birthday party. So our kind friends Michael and Karen offered to let us host the party at their house. Not only that but Michael creates the most kick a** pizzas that he offered to make for the party. Yummmm. All I had to do now was invitations, goody bags and cake.

Gavin, as you can tell by the pictures and possibly, some of this post, wanted a Star Wars party. So I decided to make it a Jedi Training Academy party. We invited four padawans and their parents. They became Jedi Knights after two training sessions. The first was light saber training where they had to keep a balloon up with a light saber. The one who did it the longest won. The second training was decoding a secret message sent from the Jedi Council by finding asteroids (aluminum foil balls) and finding the hidden word inside the asteroid. The message was, "It is now time to eat cake!".

The cake was along the theme of the Light and Dark side. So I used Wilton's Fanci-fill cake pan and made a chocolate cake with white mint chocolate chip ice cream. I iced one side with chocolate icing and the other half with white icing. You can see in the picture above where Gavin is looking like he is training for the Dark side the finished cake. I also made edible light sabers by dipping pretzel rods in red or blue colored white chocolate and wrapping the other end in foil. They were fun and tasty too!

Best of all, the adults got to drink wine and have adult conversation. The kids seemed content to play with one another, sing "Happy Birthday", eat a little cake, open a couple presents, get goody bags, and then play some more. We were all home by 7:30 p.m. and the only thing that got broken was a wine glass by an errant light saber swing by an inexperienced padawan.

All this was fun and celebrated my oldest son's birth. But there were many moments throughout the day where he would lament the people missing that he loves so much. So know dear readers that many of you are loved fiercely by an eight year old boy of very few words but a very big heart. The Force is definitely with him.

For my friends and family who have youngins'

As you may know, my morning routine includes checking out some of my favorite blogs. Since we are all bargain hunters and you are all in Indiana, I thought its time to let you in on this blog, Bargain Briana. She's a central Indiana mom who'll do the dirty work for you of letting you know where to get items inexpensively and sometimes even free! Plus, she does giveaways...which I personally am a little crazed about right now. The current giveaway is a pair of shoes from Eleven Collection. They are classic and fashion forward all at the same time. If you want to try to win a pair just click on Bargain Briana. Once you are at her blog read the review for instructions on how to enter. Have fun!!

Kismet!

Is it a new word for some of you? It's one of my faves and I use it whenever I have the chance (I wish Jonathan were here so I could hear him say his famous quote...sorry, inside joke). We were given the chance when the Miller's of Indianapolis visited their family in Columbia, South Carolina during the holidays. Kismet brought us together, for on their way home they have passed the Clinton exit year after year. This year was different however. Given that their good friends, namely us, were now living in Clinton they mapquested us and took that exit. It was our good fortune to have them hang out with us for the day. The boys got to try out Gav's new Nerf gun set. The safety goggles make the picture don't you think?

We got to see Grace's new fangled buttons. After oooing and ahhing over her artistic creations, we all had a yummy lunch made by the Soup and Bread King himself, Patrick Kiley. On the menu was a fabulous red lentil soup from Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home. If you don't have this cookbook I highly recommend it. Yummy easy recipes that are actually healthy too! Who knew that could actually be the case?

I got to give my good girlfriend Ellen a quick tour of the town and the houses we haven't bought. We both decided we'd make great neighbors. I have yet ("yet" being the operative word) to convince them that moving down here is the right thing to do for their family.

I pulled out the camera after lunch knowing that I wanted to get them on the blog. Their high schooler, Grace, one of my favorite teenagers, doesn't like the camera. Please accept my humble apology my dear Grace for sneaking a blurry picture of you. A photo of you with your hand in front of your face just wouldn't commemorate your visit here to our little house. Did you know I was a fortune teller too Grace?


Well the afternoon was coming to a close and my camera was acting up. I rarely get in front of the camera but had to get a photo of me and Ellen. She has literally stuck with me through thick and thin. I love her like a sister. In fact, I am officially making her my older sister as of this post! I've always longed for an older sister and never had the chance, uh, given that I was the oldest in my family. So here's to you big sis...lylas!

Wordless Wednesday 01/07/09

Cousins out on the town - -preschool style

Christmas Past

Christmas 2008 is past but it is now counted as one of my significant Christmas memories. This is, of course, because it was our first Christmas holiday in our little house in South Carolina and Santa's first geographically challenged Christmas for our kids. I'm happy to report we all survived it.

With our little Honda Civic packed to the gunnels we headed to the Hoosier state early early one morning. When we left our little house it was 68 degrees and when we arrived in Indiana the wind chill was 14 degrees below zero. Welcome home! When Anna got out of the car Grandma asked her how the nine hour drive was. "I just couldn't take it anymore!" was her gracious reply.

After unpacking the car (I think I heard it breathe a sigh of relief) Mom and I immediately headed to Wal-mart. Because nothing says welcome to Shelbyville like a trip to Wal-mart. Actually, the real story is that "Santa" forgot to pack a significant gift for Gavin and had to get a replacement. All I can say is thank heavens Amazon's return process is so simple; it made Santa's job so much easier when she, er, I mean, he got back.

After that little trip then Christmas in Indiana officially started. We began by heading to the Indiana State Museum. Actually, Patrick and the kids headed there and I had lunch with my previous Wellpoint co-workers. It was like I had never left...except the no paycheck thingy. Well, all the cousins met at the museum and the cousining began. And it truly didn't stop until we got back into the Honda Civic to head back home.

The next day was spent with friends we love dearly. We had great food and great conversation (as always). Our kids and theirs reunited beautifully and didn't want it to end when we had to head back to Grandma's and Grandpa's because of the impending ice storm...again, another little lovely Hoosier Christmas gift.

It was about that time that I began feeling it; the combination of comfort and grief. I wasn't sure what it was all about so I just sat with it a while. Then I realized I was surrounded once again by everything and everyone that is familiar to me. I didn't miss the malls or the Starbucks or the amazing library system (well, maybe that). It was the familiarity of the life I left behind that brought me comfort and grief all at the same time. All I can say is that there is better living through chemicals, my friends.

Christmas eve came and Elfie headed back home to the North Pole leaving Christmas pajamas for all as a parting gift. Cookies were baked and thank you notes to Santa written. And off to bed where sugar plums danced in their heads until about 5 a.m. Christmas morning. Then it was cajoling the oldest to wait until at least six before we headed downstairs to see what Santa left. Jeez, you would have thought he was a seven year old boy the way he was acting!

Santa left toys that seemed to make the little ones happy. And soon Uncle Sean, Aunt Cindy and the boys arrived. Serious cousining began and didn't stop until the evening. Presents were opened, food eaten, cookies stolen, and the boys were in remote control heaven. We all were wiped out...even the dog, Molly. It's hard to believe the next time we see Cindy and Sean they will have added a new baby to their family. I'll miss seeing her tummy grow.

The next day Gavin got to spend the night with his cousins Jacob and Ella. He told us on the way there that he wished Jacob was his brother he loved him so much. Oh, that made my heart hurt with love. After dropping Gavin off we headed to Aunt E-E's so the little ones could have some cousining of their own. The grownups made some serious yummy white chili and enjoyed one another's company.

And then the Kiley Christmas. More cousining - - much louder cousining - -and delicious food prepared by the famous Kevin and family. What gracious and generous hosts they are. The kids got some great gifts. Anna has officially been indoctrinated into American Girl with twin Bitty Babies given to her by Aunt Laurie and Uncle Kevin. And Gavin keeps rockin' out to his guitar hero from Aunt E-E and Uncle Scott. All of us keep looking at the family pics calendar Cece gave us.

Our time together seemed so short and it seems so long before we'll see you all again. But remember we have unlimited long distance calling, a webcam (that we actually know how to use...I think)and loads of time to talk, gossip, and laugh at one another. We'll talk soon. In the mean time we're grateful for the best gift we received this Christmas, time with our family and friends.

Happy New Year!

We're back from the frigid Midwest and far from the people we love and hold dear. Just a quick post to say how much we loved being with our family and friends. And to those we were unable to see this time, know that it doesn't mean we love you any less. Time is something we took for granted when we were geographically close to one another. My hope for the new year is to take less for granted and to have more gratitude. Oh, and to spend an extended amount of time in the Hoosier state in the summer. Until then, you are always welcome to squat at our little house or the Patrick Center at PC can house you nicely and reasonably. Yes, it is called the Patrick Center. We were destined to be here I guess.

Great giveaways...

Okay, here's a quick post to let my economically savy friends and family know about a blog I discovered while blog trolling this morning. It's called A Contest Blog and if you click on it it'll take you right there. It has links to all kinds of blogs that are having giveaways. Generally, all you have to do to enter is post a comment on the blog. For instance, I entered a Lands End giveaway at Petit Elefant. All I had to do was leave a comment about the giveaway. And, hey, it's a blog with a french title! I have to plug it or the french professor might get cranky...uh, I mean, crankier. I love my cranky french professor by the way. Merry Christmas and Bah humbug!

Wordless Wednesday, 12/17/08

TICKLE TIME!!!!

The Stockings were hung...

Well, we've decorated our little house for Christmas. It's certainly pared down from our Saint Joseph days I must say. Gavin and I went shopping for a Christmas tree that would actually fit in our little house. As fate would have it we found a 4 foot Indiana Spruce pre-lit artificial tree at the Wallyworld in Laurens. So we have a little bit (and I mean a little bit) of the Hoosier state in our living room.

The tree sits on top of the trunk. All of the kids' yearly ornaments plus a few memorable ones are hanging on the tree. This year Anna got a Minnie Mouse ornament in the hopes we actually do get to go to Disney World in June '09 and Gavin got a Presbyterian College ornament. The rest are waiting in boxes in the attic for a bigger house that can house a bigger tree. Until then we are enjoying our petite Indiana spruce humming "I'll be home for Christmas".

Only one creche got displayed this year. This caused Patrick to do a little jig of happiness because my creche collection drives him a little batty. Of course, I'm plotting and planning ways to drive him batty all the time. Keep your eyes open for interesting creches on mega clearance after the holidays! You know I'll reimburse you. Then we can all join in the madness.

(Does that crooked picture drive you as crazy as it does me?)

The stockings were hung on the armoire with care. This brought Gavin much distress. He was certain Santa Claus would not fill the stockings because they were not displayed in the correct spot. We spent some time assuring him that Santa would see these stockings as the room was small and cozy.

How could he miss them...they're so darn cute?!
You can make your own "no sew" version just click here, A Fanciful Twist.

Our front door that has seen better days even got in the holiday mood. I filled a distressed metal basket from "Southern Living at Home" with some festive faux flowers (note the magnolias) and clipped some of the unidentifiable red berries that have sprouted in our yard and, tah dah, our dingy front door looks shabby chic for Christmas.

Who knows, I may leave it up all winter.

How are you decorating this holiday? I would love to hear about it and see pictures of your lovelies.

The Christmas Magic of Elfie

This Christmas tradition started when Gavin was 3 years old. I had a client who had told me about how as a child during the Christmas season they had an elf ornament called "Elfie". Their mother would secretly move Elfie around after they went to bed each night. In the morning they would get up and search for him. The kids were told he reported back to Santa if they were being naughty or nice. Well, I recently discovered she was not the only family with this tradition. Everyone can have an elf on the shelf.


Our Elfie has some personality thanks to Great Uncle John who gave Gavin the quirky plush elf when he was too young to remember the gift.

Elfie arrives in our house on St. Nicholas Eve night. The children set a pair of shoes outside their bedroom door before they go to bed. And then when they are fast asleep Elfie works his magic and usually leaves a treat or two and an Advent Calendar for each of them. Well, there was a snag or two this year.

The first snag was Elfie could not locate any advent calendars in our little town or any surrounding towns. So "Plan B" had to be put into place. That involved mama elf wrappping individual pieces of candy with a tag attached that had a number on one side and a "random act of kindness" on the other.

After twenty four pieces of candy were wrapped and labeled for each of the kids, mama elf put them into a cute Santa mug

As you can cleary see, mama elf has way too much time on her hands these days. The better to create memories with I guess, huh? So now a way to collect the tags and visually count down to Christmas had to be created too. Green foam core board, a sharpie marker and silver map tacks did the trick simply.

But all this had to be postponed because on St Nicholas Eve night we met with snag number two: unruly children who wouldn't behave...not even for the pope himself I swear (And I think I did a couple of times that night). Even with the threats that Elfie might not show up if they don't straighten up didn't work. The kids put their shoes out but Elfie didn't show. Instead he left this letter for them:

Well, two days later the kids set their shoes out again in hopes that Elfie would show up the next morning.

This time he did show and left them their mugs and candy. I wish he would have run the sweeper while he was at it. Jeez, you just can't get a good elf these days!

Wordless Wednesday 12/10/08

Christmas Comes to Clinton

Happy holidays everyone!
Christmas has arrived in our little town in a big way. And it all started with the annual Christmas parade, which I am told is our little town's biggest parade. Hmmm. We were instructed by several Clintonites to be on Broad street in front of the college and bring a gift bag for the kids. Huh? So we dress warmly (for South Carolina) and put Anna in the coat that I wore at that age.

Thanks go to Grandma Debbi for keeping it in such pristine condition!

Well, the parade starts and the candy starts flying(thus the gift bags)! Kids turn into crackheads and go crazy...until he shows up that is, then they all scream in horror. Thank heavens he wasn't handing out candy to the kids or the local police may have arrested him.

What was he thinking?!
Once I saw this scary clown I got all excited like a kid in a candy shop because I knew this was going to be good blog fodder! And they didn't disappoint either. Soon after scary clown passed and the children stopped screaming we were treated to an adorable little elf that seemed to calm the freaked out kiddies. Oh, that and the copious amounts of candy they were throwing out of their truck.

Yes,my friends,their truck. There were many trucks and cars that just had a cute kid or baby in it and the parents showing them off. Really not parade worthy...except in our little town it seems.

Then the piece de resistance occurred.
The Hillbilly Clan Motorcade showed up.

The local Shriners have created a whole line of crazy hillbilly vehicles that I must say are very entertaining. Let's hope and pray no one uses them as their everyday vehicle.

Ya'll have a Merry Christmas!

So festive!

Yes, that is an ginourmous pair of women's underwear for a door. See what I mean when I said that this was gonna be blog fodder?

And what parade would be complete with out Barney Fife? I have to say I ran out into the street to get his picture! Okay, a complete blog maniac now. But, hey, he showed me his one bullet. Can you beat that?

Keeping our little town safe from Burgermeister Meisterburger!

Finally, I need your help in explaining this last parade picture I have. So after thinking about it, leave a comment here telling me what your take on it is. We live in the Bible belt right? There was float after float of the manger scene, bell choirs from the local churches and a Christian rock singer or two. Then we have the Devil himself.

Nothin' says Christmas like the devil in a Santa hat. That image is burned into my mind. So the local high school's mascot in this God fearing town is the Red Devil. Explain that one to me. It defies logic...
...More merriment to come this week!

The Great Give Away

Now I know my family and friends well. They like free...
If you want free and possibly something cool and homemade click on Sew, Mama, Sew a fabulous blog that I love. You'll find lots of people out in cyber-world participating in a cool experiment. For instance, check out this amazing give away at This is Life blog. I'm loving it and I think you all will too! Check it out...now...I said, now.

Wordless Wednesday 12/03/08

Stickerlicious!

Attitude of Gratitude

We're back from our lovefest known to many as Thanksgiving. Back in the day I had a sponsor who would have me write an ABC gratitude list when my attitude was in the toilet. Today, I am happy to report, my attitude is good. But this exercise is always helpful and gives you the opportunity to match pictures to gratitudes. Note: there are not 26 pictures! Good luck!

• A - Another photo opportunity
  
• B - Baby Gallagher #4 coming in June '09
  
• C - "Cousining"
  
• D - Delicious food
  
• E - Erin & Scott's wonderful new home
  
• F - Fun was had by all
  
• G - Gallaghers
  
• H - Hugs, mmmm, hugs
  
• I - Inlaws
  
• J - Joy
  
• K - Kileys
  
• L - Lazyboy full of love
  
• M - Making memories
  
• N - Noise and laughter
  
• O - Over the river and through the woods...
  
• P - Prostate Cancer treatments are over
  
• Q - Quitting smoking
  
• R - Requests for Piggyback rides honored
  
• S - Seeing friends and family
  
• T - Traveling safely
  
• U - Understanding grandparents
  
• V - Visit with Santa
  
• W - Whip cream
  
• X - Xtra cute kids
  
• Y - Youngsters & Oldsters alike
  
• Z - Zzzzz, sleeping kids

God, Laurie, you look absolutely gorgeous!


Anna is still talking about playing with Maddie


Maggie was exhausted after the day's activities


It's blurry but captures Sean's ability to seize the moment


The result of Papi Dan and the whipped cream can!


Happy Anniversary, honey! I'll do the dishes.


Gavin loved being the big cousin!


Yummy food!


Exciting game of Chutes & Ladders


I love the "ant shanin"!


uhhh, not sure what's going on here...


It's all worth it for this sweetness...

So now we're back, safe and sound, in our little house and life has continued it's regular daily pace. But the memories sustain me until the next time. Oh, that and maybe a Christmas cookie or two.