Gift #22 is to myself again - I'm going to bring my BLOG up-to-date. I'm doing this on Wednesday, November 27, 2013.
I didn't start BLOGGING about my "22 gifts in 29 days" until gift #9. So my gift today is to myself - it will make me feel better by posting the first 8 gifts so my readers will have all 29 of them.
Gift #1 was on October 30, 2013 My gift that day was to forward an email video to my siblings and friends - I had gotten this video from Brad. The video was about an eighth grade football team in Michigan who let one of their lesser developed teammates score a touchdown. He was mentally challenged and physically smaller than his teammates.. It was an amazing story and it brightened my day so I thought I would brighten the day of my siblings and friends also.
Gift #2 was on October 31, 2013. I visited Esther - my 88 year-year-old lady friend. She lives in the mobile home court - and has been a widow for at least 30 years. She is a remarkable woman, always in good spirits and one of the most loving and sincere people I have ever known. I visit her every couple of months. She appreciates me stopping in to see her - she says I always brighten her day - and she brightens mine.
Gift #3 was on November 6, 2013. The gift was a $15.00 donation to the Salvation Army . They are one of the best run charity organizations in the U.S. They do so much good in this world.
Gift #4 was on November 7, 2013. Brother John and wife Lorna had hosted a family get-together in St. Peter, MN the weekend before.. The gathering was to watch great- nephew Josh Bungum play football for St. John's College against Gustavus Adolphus College. Even though I had THANKED them profusely when we left I felt it appropriate to say THANK YOU again - so I sent an email thanking them again for their great hospitality and food. This expression of gratitude was my gift for the day.
Gift #5 was on November 10, 2013. This might not exactly qualify as a gift but it is to me. Ruth Ann and I made 53 lefse and 40 krumkakke. My gift to the whole affair was contributing my expertise at being the perfect lefse flipper and my expertise at getting sugar on the krumkakke and stacking them in perfect piles of four. The lefse would never have the right number of brown spots on it unless I had done the flipping.
Gift #6 was on November 10, 2013 - it was to give an extra $5.00 to my church. Every month our regular gift is automatically taken out of our bank account. As I sat in the pew that Sunday I was thinking that my gift today would be an extra $5.00 to be given anonymously. That's is exactly what I did - I dug into my pocket, pulled out a five dollar bill and put in the envelope with no name on it.
Gift #7 was on November 11, 2013 - it was to the server at the Hale Supper Club in Hale, Iowa. Ruth Ann and I go to the hale Supper Club once a week for Happy Hour - we have a couple of beers each and go home. Terry always waits on us and pours our beers and I always give her a dollar tip. My gift that day was to triple her tip to $3.00. She got a big smile on her face and gave us a big "Thank You very much." I brightened her day a little bit.
Gift #8 was on November 13, 2013 - it was a gift to HACAP - which provides free food for the hungry and needy in Jones County. On Sunday our church bulletin had an announcement that HACAP was running low on food and needed to be replenished, I went to Walmart and bought $15.00 worth of non-perishable food items like canned vegetables and fruit, Hamburger Helper and macaroni and cheese. I delivered them and got a nice expression of gratitude from the administrator. It made me feel good.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Pete's BLOG: Day 26,659. Gifts 19, 20 and 21
Today is Tuesday, November 26, 2013. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga and 45 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for a November total of 49.6 miles. My weight was 166.2 pounds.
I'm going to get caught up this morning. Brad and Alexandra came Friday night from Denmark. Saturday we went to the Hawk-Michigan game and froze our butts off but it was worth it when we made a second half comeback and won 24-21. Sunday Alex's friend's from her 2008-09 yearlong stay in Anamosa had a surprise party for her at a local restaurant from 4-8 pm. She was really surprised and had a lot of fun renewing old friendships. Monday, our other granddaughter Ellyn and friend Nate came for brunch and we visited until 3:30. So I haven't had a lot of time until now. I'm going to report on how my 29 gifts in 29 Days Challenge is progressing. Here I go.
Gift #19 would be for Sunday, November 24. #19 is a gift I'm giving myself. One day I heard I Hoda mention on the TODAY SHOW that every morning she read a chapter out of a book called God Never Blinks: 50 lessons for Life's Little Detours - by Regina Brett. She mentioned it was such an inspirational book. So I went and ordered it from Barnes and Noble. Thanks to Hoda, what a great gift I have given myself - it is truly a wonderful inspiring book. It is divided into 50 chapters - here are three examples: Lesson 3 is LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE TIME HATING ANYONE and Lesson 4 is DON'T TAKE YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLY. NO ONE ELSE DOES and Lesson 50 is LIFE ISN'T TIED WITH A BOW, BUT IT'S STILL A GIFT.
I would highly recommend this book.
Gift #20 is for Monday, November 25, 2013. Monday morning my sister Janice called from her winter home in Mesa, Arizona. She said I have to ask you for a favor. My friend down here read your Gratitude Journal a year ago and was so impressed by it that she wants a copy to use for a Bible Study she is leading at her church. The Bible Study topic is on GRATITUDE and she wants to use my book for kind of a textbook or reference. Janice said she forgot her copy at home in Bloomington so she couldn't help her friend out. I told Jan I would put a couple of copies in the mail today and they would be there in a few days.
Later in the day Jan sent an email and said she would pay the postage. I told her what I was doing with the "29 gift challenge" and I didn't want any money. The books and the postage would be my 20th gift - SO NO MONEY AND TELLYOUR FRIEND SHE MAY KEEP THE BOOK - THIS IS A GIFT FROM YOUR BROTHER PETE AND HE IS GRATEFUL AND FLATTERED THAT SHE FOUND IT INSPIRING.
Gift #21 is for Tuesday, November 26, 2013 - it is another flower for Ruth Ann. When done walking inside Walmart at 7:00 this morning I saw poinsettia plants for sale. I know Ruth Ann likes flowers and always wants a poinsettia for the Christmas season. I have done this before but decided I would do it again and make my 21st gift a poinsettia for Ruth Ann for the Christmas season. She was surprised and grateful when I had it sitting on the kitchen table when she arose.
I'm going to get caught up this morning. Brad and Alexandra came Friday night from Denmark. Saturday we went to the Hawk-Michigan game and froze our butts off but it was worth it when we made a second half comeback and won 24-21. Sunday Alex's friend's from her 2008-09 yearlong stay in Anamosa had a surprise party for her at a local restaurant from 4-8 pm. She was really surprised and had a lot of fun renewing old friendships. Monday, our other granddaughter Ellyn and friend Nate came for brunch and we visited until 3:30. So I haven't had a lot of time until now. I'm going to report on how my 29 gifts in 29 Days Challenge is progressing. Here I go.
Gift #19 would be for Sunday, November 24. #19 is a gift I'm giving myself. One day I heard I Hoda mention on the TODAY SHOW that every morning she read a chapter out of a book called God Never Blinks: 50 lessons for Life's Little Detours - by Regina Brett. She mentioned it was such an inspirational book. So I went and ordered it from Barnes and Noble. Thanks to Hoda, what a great gift I have given myself - it is truly a wonderful inspiring book. It is divided into 50 chapters - here are three examples: Lesson 3 is LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE TIME HATING ANYONE and Lesson 4 is DON'T TAKE YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLY. NO ONE ELSE DOES and Lesson 50 is LIFE ISN'T TIED WITH A BOW, BUT IT'S STILL A GIFT.
I would highly recommend this book.
Gift #20 is for Monday, November 25, 2013. Monday morning my sister Janice called from her winter home in Mesa, Arizona. She said I have to ask you for a favor. My friend down here read your Gratitude Journal a year ago and was so impressed by it that she wants a copy to use for a Bible Study she is leading at her church. The Bible Study topic is on GRATITUDE and she wants to use my book for kind of a textbook or reference. Janice said she forgot her copy at home in Bloomington so she couldn't help her friend out. I told Jan I would put a couple of copies in the mail today and they would be there in a few days.
Later in the day Jan sent an email and said she would pay the postage. I told her what I was doing with the "29 gift challenge" and I didn't want any money. The books and the postage would be my 20th gift - SO NO MONEY AND TELLYOUR FRIEND SHE MAY KEEP THE BOOK - THIS IS A GIFT FROM YOUR BROTHER PETE AND HE IS GRATEFUL AND FLATTERED THAT SHE FOUND IT INSPIRING.
Gift #21 is for Tuesday, November 26, 2013 - it is another flower for Ruth Ann. When done walking inside Walmart at 7:00 this morning I saw poinsettia plants for sale. I know Ruth Ann likes flowers and always wants a poinsettia for the Christmas season. I have done this before but decided I would do it again and make my 21st gift a poinsettia for Ruth Ann for the Christmas season. She was surprised and grateful when I had it sitting on the kitchen table when she arose.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Pete's BLOG: Day 26,656. Gift # 18. My salmon loaf.
Today is Saturday, November 23, 2013. No stats today as I'm at Kinnick Stadium.
I'm really writing this on Friday, November 22 - because I'm going to the Hawk-Michigan game tomorrow and will not have time to do Gift 18. I'm kind of fudging a little but I want to keep my gift giving journey going.
Gift 18 really took place the other night. Ruth Ann had been busy getting things ready for the Hawk game and making plans for Thanksgiving. To save her from having to think of anymore things I decided a gift I could give her was to make supper. I made my famous "salmon loaf" - it was enough for supper on both Tuesday and Wednesday night. She really likes my salmon loaf and I like it to.
I'm really writing this on Friday, November 22 - because I'm going to the Hawk-Michigan game tomorrow and will not have time to do Gift 18. I'm kind of fudging a little but I want to keep my gift giving journey going.
Gift 18 really took place the other night. Ruth Ann had been busy getting things ready for the Hawk game and making plans for Thanksgiving. To save her from having to think of anymore things I decided a gift I could give her was to make supper. I made my famous "salmon loaf" - it was enough for supper on both Tuesday and Wednesday night. She really likes my salmon loaf and I like it to.
Pete's bLOG: Day 26,655. Gift #17: A $ contribution to the SPLC
Today is Friday, November 22, 2013. My stats today: 19 minutes of walking = 1.0 mile for a November total of 45.6 miles. My weight was 166.4 pounds.
QUOTE from Donna Chnupa: "Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place."
My THOUGHT today is about Gift # 17 in my journey to give 29 Gifts in 29 Days.
Gift 17 was an easy one. Every year I contribute to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) located in Montgomery, Alabama. The SPLC mission is to monitor and prosecute when necessary the right-wing groups or individuals promoting racism and hatred against Latinos, blacks, immigrants, etc. There are over a 1,000 hate groups in the country. My $10.00 contribution to SPLC is Gift #17. It will be doubled by some wealthy donor so my contribution is worth $20.00.
QUOTE from Donna Chnupa: "Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place."
My THOUGHT today is about Gift # 17 in my journey to give 29 Gifts in 29 Days.
Gift 17 was an easy one. Every year I contribute to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) located in Montgomery, Alabama. The SPLC mission is to monitor and prosecute when necessary the right-wing groups or individuals promoting racism and hatred against Latinos, blacks, immigrants, etc. There are over a 1,000 hate groups in the country. My $10.00 contribution to SPLC is Gift #17. It will be doubled by some wealthy donor so my contribution is worth $20.00.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Pete's BLOG: Day 26,654. Gift #16: Flowers for Ruth Ann.
Today is Thursday, November 21, 2013. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the ball and 45 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for a November total of 44.6 miles. My weight was 166.0 pounds.
QUOTE for today from YourPocketGuru: "If you had a bad day, don't worry. We all have a reset button - it's called tomorrow."
My THOUGHT today is about Gift #16 in my journey to give 29 Gifts in 29 Days.. Ruth Ann has been having some downer days recently so I've been trying to think of something to cheer her up a little bit. So Gift #16 was to buy her some fresh flowers at Walmart. She loves flowers and I actually think it is helping her think a little more positive. She appreciated my thoughtfulness.
QUOTE for today from YourPocketGuru: "If you had a bad day, don't worry. We all have a reset button - it's called tomorrow."
My THOUGHT today is about Gift #16 in my journey to give 29 Gifts in 29 Days.. Ruth Ann has been having some downer days recently so I've been trying to think of something to cheer her up a little bit. So Gift #16 was to buy her some fresh flowers at Walmart. She loves flowers and I actually think it is helping her think a little more positive. She appreciated my thoughtfulness.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Pete's BLOG: Day 26,653. Gift # 15. To myself - 73 mintes of exercise.
Today is Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - my 73rd birthday. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 53 minutes of walking = 2.9 miles for a November total of 41.6 miles. My weight was 166.2 pounds.
QUOTE for today: "No one ever admits they're wrong half as loudly as they claim they're right."
My THOUGHT today is on Gift #15. Today is my 73rd birthday - so my THOUGHT today is on the number 73 - for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that I'm 73 years old today. The second reason is I wanted to see if I could exercise for 73 minutes. Ten years ago I started this birthday ritual of exercising the same number of minutes as my age. I'm happy to say I've achieved that every year. I usually go 55-65 minutes but today I made it to 73. Next year the challenge will be 74 minutes. I'm hoping I can continue this ritual for quite a few more years.
So gift #15 today was to myself. It was not only a physical gift but a mental gift - I met the challenge of 73 minutes.
QUOTE for today: "No one ever admits they're wrong half as loudly as they claim they're right."
My THOUGHT today is on Gift #15. Today is my 73rd birthday - so my THOUGHT today is on the number 73 - for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that I'm 73 years old today. The second reason is I wanted to see if I could exercise for 73 minutes. Ten years ago I started this birthday ritual of exercising the same number of minutes as my age. I'm happy to say I've achieved that every year. I usually go 55-65 minutes but today I made it to 73. Next year the challenge will be 74 minutes. I'm hoping I can continue this ritual for quite a few more years.
So gift #15 today was to myself. It was not only a physical gift but a mental gift - I met the challenge of 73 minutes.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Pete's BLOG: Day 26,652. Gift #14: A phone call to help a 94-year-lady.
Today is Tuesday. November 19, 2013. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the ball and 45 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for a November total of 38.7 miles. My weight today was 164.4 pounds. After two months I finally have shed 6-7 pounds and am below 165 for the first time since August 31.
QUOTE today from Marc Chernoff: "It doesn't really matter if your glass is half full or half empty. Be grateful that you have a glass and there's something in it."
My THOUGHT today is on Gift #14. About 2:30 yesterday afternoon the phone rang. Calling was a 94-year-old lady from Denver, CO. Her name is Lenore and she used to live in Anamosa and was a friend of ours from church. Lenore called to see if I could get a hold of one of her old Anamosa friends (Dorothy) now living in Cedar Rapids. Lenore said she had tried to call her many times and could never get an answer and was worried that something had happened to Dorothy. So I asked her for the phone number and told her I'd try to make connect and deliver the message to Dorothy that she had better call Lenore and let her know that she was okay.
I called Dorothy and got through right away. I told her the story about Lenore calling and being worried about her. She said she would call Lenore right away.
A half hour later the phone rings again and it is Lenore. She had just talked to Dorothy and was calling me back to thank me for contacting Dorothy. She was so grateful I had done that.
So gift #14 was the phone call to Dorothy which sure brightened Lenore's day.
QUOTE today from Marc Chernoff: "It doesn't really matter if your glass is half full or half empty. Be grateful that you have a glass and there's something in it."
My THOUGHT today is on Gift #14. About 2:30 yesterday afternoon the phone rang. Calling was a 94-year-old lady from Denver, CO. Her name is Lenore and she used to live in Anamosa and was a friend of ours from church. Lenore called to see if I could get a hold of one of her old Anamosa friends (Dorothy) now living in Cedar Rapids. Lenore said she had tried to call her many times and could never get an answer and was worried that something had happened to Dorothy. So I asked her for the phone number and told her I'd try to make connect and deliver the message to Dorothy that she had better call Lenore and let her know that she was okay.
I called Dorothy and got through right away. I told her the story about Lenore calling and being worried about her. She said she would call Lenore right away.
A half hour later the phone rings again and it is Lenore. She had just talked to Dorothy and was calling me back to thank me for contacting Dorothy. She was so grateful I had done that.
So gift #14 was the phone call to Dorothy which sure brightened Lenore's day.
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