Doo It!

For three years I carried around, in my House of Shine journal, a piece of scrap paper briefly describing the Pinky Dinky Doo story that I shared with you yesterday.

As promised, today is Part II.  I hope you agree that the ending of my story is at least as good as the beginning.

Like Pinky Dinky Doo, I also enjoy thinking big.  In doing so, I immediately convinced myself that telling Pinky's story of the magic sack would be more memorable if there really was a pillow that big thinkers could use for soft landings.

And, if there really was a pillow then I knew exactly the person who ought to own it.

The three year journey of this pillow was a little like an episode of Pinky Dinky Doo.  Lots of big ideas and big plans and lots and lots of problem solving.

First was coming up with a pillow design.

Then was meeting with quilters to share my vision.

Then there was lots of rejection, mixed with a healthy dose of other responsibilities to get in the way.

For a year the project died, but the idea never went away.

Then there was a resurgence of energy and a commitment to try again.

Judy, the heroine of the story, entered the picture in August 2010.

She agreed to try sewing - not quilting - me a pillow.

I got in Judy's long queue of customers who were waiting to have something sewn.

In early October I saw a preview of the pillow.

WRONG.  ALL WRONG.

Back to the drawing board in late October.

Judy, while we are at it, make two pillows.  Please.

Last week the pillows were finally finished.

Yesterday I packaged and mailed one of the pillows to the biggest thinker I know.  It will arrive on her doorstep in a week.

The story isn't over.

I want to give away the other pillow, but I can't stop until I know it is going to someone who is as creative and as big a thinker as the recipient of Pillow #1.

If your nominee is selected, our Dream Big pillow - along with a copy of your nomination - will be delivered to their doorstep in time for the holidays.  Please, help me.  Visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and tell me about the biggest thinker you know.  Is it a teacher, friend, colleague, volunteer, or community leader?  What big thing has he or she done, created, or tried that makes them like Pinky Dinky Doo?  If your nominee is selected, our Dream Big pillow (valued at $100.00), along with a copy of your nomination, will be delivered to their doorstep in time for the holidays.

Shining off until tomorrow...

Pinky Dinky Who?

Today's post is Part I in a two part series.  You will have to tune in tomorrow for the second (and arguably better) half.

Three years ago Matthew was watching a cartoon in my bedroom while I was getting dressed for the day.  Cartoons are usually background noise to me, but on this particular day the main character was talking about being creative and thinking big.  Immediately Pinky Dinky Doo caught my attention.

When the cartoon began Pinky Dinky Doo and her classmates were participating in a school activity.  Each child was called to the front of the room and told to pull one item from a large sack.  The items selected were in some way representative of each child's talent.  Sally reached in and pulled out a paint brush, because she good at art.  Billy selected a soccer ball.  Evan, who is good at music, selected a trumpet.  Chloe got a book because she loves reading.  And so the process went, until Pinky Dinky Doo took her turn.

Pinky Dinky Doo reached into the sack and pulled out an oversized pillow.

The rest of the cartoon showed a disappointed Pinky Dinky Doo trying to understand why, of all things, she selected an oversized pillow as her item.

Here's when I became a Pinky Dinky Doo fan.

The story goes that she selected an oversized pillow because Pinky Dinky Doo is creative and a big thinker.  She dreams.  She comes up with ideas that others think are crazy or impossible and she solves problems by finding creative solutions that others can't see.

And... when you are a big thinker and willing to take risks, things do not always go as planned.  Sometimes your ideas flop and your attempt to reach for the stars falls short.  When that happens then you, like Pinky Dinky Do, need a big, soft place to land.

And that is why Pinky Dinky Doo was given the big pillow.

Tune in tomorrow to hear the rest of my Pinky Dinky Doo adventure.  But first, hop on over to the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and tell us this: If you were to reach into a bag and pull out an item that is representative of your talent, what would it be?

Shining off until tomorrow... 

Yellow Envelope Project: Afghanistan

It was suggested, today's winner of the Yellow Envelope Project is timely, because of last Tuesday's season finale of Dancing With the Stars.  True enough.

The other reason today's winner of the Yellow Envelope Project is timely is because Thursday was Thanksgiving and I, for one, am thankful for the men and women of the United States military who have answered the call to serve our country.

Like many of you, I have the luxury of not having to worry about loved ones who are oversees and in harms way.  But, watching soldiers receive holiday greetings, via satelite, was a sobering reminder that these men and women, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, each left behind a full life.

Ruben is a perfect example.  Look at what his nominator had to say:

"I don't know if you can do this with an APO, but I'd love for Ruben to get a batch of yellow envelopes. Ruben is my ballroom dance instructor and a Staff Sergeant in the Army Reserve. He's currently serving a year's tour of duty in Afghanistan. He has already served a year in Kuwait/Iraq. Ruben has now stopped his life twice to serve in harm's way. This time he's missing a year of his young son's life. He's a great guy, everyone's favorite dance teacher and I suspect right about now he could use a little bright yellow in his life. I hope he can be a candidate for this great idea."

There is something particularly striking about Ruben's story to me.  By day, ballroom dance instructor and by night soldier for the American military. Yin and Yang.  It seems a beautiful reminder that our troops are real people with real families and real hobbies - many of which have been put on hold, so that they can serve our country.

Before this Thanksgiving weekend is over, will you join me in thanking Ruben?  I know he is only one of thousands of troops overseas, but he represents the sacrifice that so many men and women have been willing to make.  Thank him for being great at all his jobs - teaching ballroom dancing and serving our country.  Remind him that, though he is missing for a portion of his son's life, he is making a contribution that will help secure his son's future.

Participating is easy.  Once your note is written, seal it in a yellow envelope and place the words, "Yellow Envelope Project" in the return address.  Though the letter will be mailed oversees, it will take a regular first class stamp ($0.44) and can be mailed to the simple address listed below.  Commit to mailing your letter sometime before next Saturday when we meet again to recognize our next worthy recipient.

Tying a yellow ribbon around a tree is nice way of letting Ruben and the other troops know that we are thinking about them.  But, writing a short note and mailing it in a yellow envelope is the perfect way to show Ruben that, not only do we think about him, but also that we respect and appreciate his service.  

Please give thanks to Ruben before Thanksgiving weekend is over.

Shining off until tomorrow...