Valentines Day Gift

Here is a Valentine's gift that anyone would like.

Introducing the Bear Comfy doll

Like the pink comfy doll I custom made for my friend (see post Jan. 24-2010) this one is the same except I made its face rounder and I used a printed fabric. I really like the way it turned out so I put him on Etsy right away.

Mondays

I love Mondays. Mondays for me are like the beginning of a new life. On Mondays I decide to loose the 5 pounds I put on during the holidays or call my kids more frequently, or make better meals. Then when the week goes by and life gets in the way and I forget to do my Monday resolutions I think, I will begin again on Monday. Mondays are full of hope and promise. They are like walking through a door and facing tomorrow. Living with the moment and having a plan sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. It is said that today is a gift but I think this moment is a gift because we really have no idea how the next moments will unfold. We could get a phone call or mother nature could do something dramatic and in an instant our life will be changed. So I suggest we enjoy our moments one moment at a time while planning for a fun tomorrow. After all it is the journey of this life that is the most important.

Bear Comfy Doll

I just finished this comfy doll for a baby named Malia. Comfy dolls are for babies and toddlers. They are meant to be part toy part blanket. This little treasure is 14" tall x 12" wide. The blanket portion or body is 8" x 8". The material is fleece so there is no worry about the baby sucking on the hands or ears, that is what they are there for! What do you think? Should I make more and sell them on Etsy?

Introducing Bunny

I just love the way Bunny turned out with her pink patterned ears and tail. I think she is my favorite hand made delight so far. What do you think?

My last newsletter was about Random Acts of Kindness. I love the idea of spreading a positive ripple effect out into the world. There are so many opportunities to do so.

As I was grocery shopping today I passed 3 women pushing carts who would not make eye contact. My goal was to say "hi" and give them a big smile but they went right past me without looking up. I was wondering what was going on in their heads. Were they sad, focused, insecure, bashful, I have no idea. I think we need to keep our heads up and look the world straight in the eye. Maybe if we do we will meet a new person or someone who has a nice smile to share.

I just read about this man and his dog who are traveling across the country in a bus promoting One Million Acts of Kindness. It is a wonderful idea and this man has been having a great time spreading the idea. Check out his website at: One Million Acts of Kindness. I am sure you will enjoy reading about his story like I did.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG  
(George Carlin)

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.  Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop."  And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on.  The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.  Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.

New Dolls

These 3 dolls are the newest version of my fleece dolls. Their names are Lucy, Jessie and Fannie. You will find them on Etsy for $32.00. What do you think about these dolls? Please comment.

Random Acts of Kindness

Have you ever noticed that kindness is contagious?

A school in Seattle teaches a class on kindness. The teacher gives the class assignments: be kind to yourself, a family member, a friend, a stranger. The students often ended up integrating their new-found kind behavior into their daily life. 

Those students teach us a beautiful lesson: that it's possible to train ourselves to be more thoughtful. Although Random Acts of Kindness are simple to do; we have to plan for them until they become a natural part of our life. Below are some simple ideas to get you started:

For Adults:

Smile and say "hi" to a stranger

Open the door for someone

Befriend a new co-worker

Let your staff leave early

Let someone move ahead of you in the grocery check our line

Tell someone a true compliment

Pick up trash while on a walk

Visit a sick friend

For Children: 

Befriend a new kid in school

Write a teacher a note of appreciation

Bring a treat to share with the class

Allow a new friend to join your group

Be kind to the kid that is picked on

Help a friend with their homework

Charitable:

Donate old but nice clothes to a shelter

Donate blankets to the homeless and/or animal shelter

With a little money:

 Buy a lottery ticket and give it to someone on the street

Pass out helium balloons to people on the street

Leave enough change in the vending machine for the next person

Deliver baked cookies to the local fire station

Give someone who is struggling a grocery store gift card

Top off someones parking meter

Pay the toll of the car behind you

Give a homeless person a gift card for a meal

This New Year, let's reach out as often as possible and create a ripple effect of charity, hope and kindness. Let's turn 2010 into a year to be remembered not because of its troubles, but because of its solutions. Together, with just a single act of kindness each day, we can make this world a better place.

Local News | Kindness taught in Seattle school's online class | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Kindness taught in Seattle school's online class | Seattle Times Newspaper