Post your Day 13 gift giving experience here!

It sounds really simple but I didn't yell at my son when he insisted that I return home to get the video game he left. Not sure who that gift was for: me or him. But I did promise him I would bring it for this afternoon.

I also walked Ada to her class, which I really did not want to do.

It's early, maybe something else will crop up!

Robin

I was about to walk out the door this evening and I could see a group of young guys getting out of their car in football jerseys. They were walking door to door trying to sell coupon books to raise money for their team. I did not want one and seriously considered not answering the door.

I waited ten or so seconds after my door bell rang before it suddenly occurred to me that this would be a great gift for me to give. The guys were hustling trying to make money and even though I didn't want to spend $20.00 buying the coupon book, it would help a good cause and the guys were probably getting plenty rejected by other homes. I purchased one book.

The best part is... now I will give the book away to someone I know will use it. It is the gift that gave twice.

Gift 13 ~ simple, today I returned things loaned to me in a timely fashion. My father always used to say me: Neither a borrower nor a lender be; but I do borrow.... but always feel guilty!

Ooohh Claudia...how did you know that I sent them away without a sale?

My gift today was a TOUGH one for me...I CLEANED OUR MASTER CLOSET! Might sound like a gift to myself by I abhor that closet...I hate it with a passion...I'd avoid it at all costs. But, Bal's parents are coming into town, Bal wants the closet organized but isn't the best at hanging or folding clothes so they don't wrinkle (not that they wouldn't have been wrinkled sitting in the laundry baskets they were in on the closet floor). So I took the time last night to organize, fold, and hang the clothes in the closet so it is clean and organized for Bal.

My Day 13 Gift was putting together a package of cookies and a Starbucks GC for the lady that directs traffic at the boys school. It's a thankless job and she's out there every morning come rain or shine. JB looked so cute carrying up the bag. He was going to just drop it off in the office. We'll see how anonymous we stay.

Day 13

I take the boys to a mother's day out program 2 mornings a week at my church. They've been going for almost 3 years now and I love all the ladies who work and volunteer there. However, there are a few who do not drive and are constantly asking me to give them a ride home. I always say yes, but have animosity towards it. They live close to the church, but sometimes I just want pick up my boys and go home without having to go out of my way and making additional stops. Today, when I was asked to take one of the ladies home, I said YES and focused on the positive side. This particular woman is a volunteer and a wonderful woman. I can't volunteer my time to the program right now, so why should I complain about taking someone home who loves my kids and takes very good care of them! The gift today was saying YES and only YES...no complaining or negative thoughts.

It was fun reading the rest of your Day #13 gifts. Cheryl, the cookies for the crossing guard is a great idea.

I wanted to share the note that I got from the crossing guard. We weren't anonymous at all. The secretary asked the boys names and teachers... anyway... she wrote:

Thank you for the most wonderful day of my life! I have never felt so special. What a treat!

Something made with that much love and patience... there are no words that can express my thanks.

Thank you also for caring. Mrs. Swart

I'm pretty sure I've never made anyones most wonderful day of their life before. That note was worth any bit of time I put into her package.

Cheryl...sorry you didn't remain anonymous but that note was AWESOME!

Day 13 - take 2!

I don't want to keep starting a new page so I'm just going to start using the original days I guess.

Yesterday I bought a couple of packages of cute napkins. Today I pulled up my Christmas list and pick a friend of my sister's to send it to. We lived next door to her family until I was about 7. Her parents passed away a several years ago now and she remains close to my sister. I thought an anonymous gift to her would be fun. So naked mail to Shelly.

That was a fun idea, Cheryl.

Day #13, Round 2.

Today's gift was the gift of time. The time I spend with the boys after school and before dinner is some of my favorite time of the day. Today I gave my time to a friend.