We spend the late afternoon Saturday at Thomas Road Baptist Church's indoor playground which is like the McDonald's playland 'on steroids.' Kids are able to lounge in the mouth of Jonah's whale, climb trees, take the helm of Noah's ark, etc...
A boy who looked a little younger than our 5-year-old son kept stopping Luke to look at his 'Polar Express' tee shirt. The promotional shirt for the new holiday classic movie depicts a train in the snow in front of the main character's house. This young boy looked starry-eyed as he examined each detail of my son's shirt as Luke stood patiently. The shirt was actually a hand-me-down from a great friend who passes down all of her son's darling clothes.
Later we saw the boy crying. We didn't know why, but I talked to Luke about how he had been given the shirt and how it might make this little boy happy. I told Luke how it can make you feel better to do something for someone else. "It's better to give than receive" is sometimes a hard lesson for a 5-year-old.
Luke took his shirt off and gave it to the boy, then ran away. The mom was so grateful. She said her son had seen the movie for the first time the previous weekend and was mesmerized by its magic. We noticed the boy showing others his new shirt. I pointed out to Luke how happy he had made him.
Luckily we had an extra shirt at our disposal. We will remember this every time we watch the movie.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Back to the Basics
So, our heat went out yesterday...and it's been pretty darn cold this week.
We slept under lots of blankets last night. Luke was snuggled between Mike and me, and Waxy lay happily on our feet.
The heating/cooling workman came out last night, but unfortunately he has to order a part which may not arrive for a week. I gave him an earful, then asked Mike to take care of it. The piece will be overnighted, so hopefully we will be warm again tomorrow. In the meantime, Luke and I are spending tonight at the next door neighbors' house. Mike will brave tonight with our puppy. It will probably drop down into the 40s or 50s in the house.
I thought it ironic that I should receive this "thought of the day" from Real Simple:
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." - Jane Austen
Now I love Jane Austen, but I couldn't really agree with her today. Then I received these words of wisdom from my dear friend and surrogate mom, Betsy:
"Well, see, it's Modern Times that're to blame. Jane's home had No Central Heating and no gas or electricity; only fireplaces, with peat and logs for fuel - and those long-handled bed-warmers for the nighttime hours. The also wore lots of flannel, including those night caps. And probably cats were better in bed than dogs for sharing body heat without crushing one under their weight.
And a Hot Toddy was mandatory at bedtime!
New isn't always better."
She's right...and today we don't always appreciate the simple and important things until we don't have them. Thanks, Jane and Betsy...and I will take that hot toddy!
We slept under lots of blankets last night. Luke was snuggled between Mike and me, and Waxy lay happily on our feet.
The heating/cooling workman came out last night, but unfortunately he has to order a part which may not arrive for a week. I gave him an earful, then asked Mike to take care of it. The piece will be overnighted, so hopefully we will be warm again tomorrow. In the meantime, Luke and I are spending tonight at the next door neighbors' house. Mike will brave tonight with our puppy. It will probably drop down into the 40s or 50s in the house.
I thought it ironic that I should receive this "thought of the day" from Real Simple:
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." - Jane Austen
Now I love Jane Austen, but I couldn't really agree with her today. Then I received these words of wisdom from my dear friend and surrogate mom, Betsy:
"Well, see, it's Modern Times that're to blame. Jane's home had No Central Heating and no gas or electricity; only fireplaces, with peat and logs for fuel - and those long-handled bed-warmers for the nighttime hours. The also wore lots of flannel, including those night caps. And probably cats were better in bed than dogs for sharing body heat without crushing one under their weight.
And a Hot Toddy was mandatory at bedtime!
New isn't always better."
She's right...and today we don't always appreciate the simple and important things until we don't have them. Thanks, Jane and Betsy...and I will take that hot toddy!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Addendum
If you were planning to give Gift Cards this Christmas, DON'T. There undoubtedly will be more store (and corporate) closings upcoming. - my surrogate mom, Betsy
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Store closings
Seems the domino effect of our current economic situation continues to tumble. This information was forwarded to me today. Better use your gift cards if you have any.
These are stores that informed the Security Exchange of closing plans
between October 2008 and January 2009.
Circuit City stores... most recent
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered
Lane Bryant,, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 store
nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down all stores
J. Jill closing all stores
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January.
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pacific Sunware closing stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores.
These are stores that informed the Security Exchange of closing plans
between October 2008 and January 2009.
Circuit City stores... most recent
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered
Lane Bryant,, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 store
nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down all stores
J. Jill closing all stores
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January.
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pacific Sunware closing stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Santa Shop on Nov 15
See and experience the true meaning of the holidays at the 2nd Annual Challenged Sports Exchange Santa Shop and Craft Show on Saturday, November 15 from 9am - 4pm at Grace Church,
21129 Timberlake Road in Lynchburg.
The Challenged Sports Exchange provides twelve months of recreational activities and sports programs to individuals with mental and/or physical challenges in th Central Virginia region.
Enjoy Christmas shopping while knowing you are helping a wonderful cause. Vendors will offer many homemade crafts, baked goods, artwork, jewelry, toys, cosmetics,apparel and home goods. Wonderful raffle items include
two tickets to the November 21 Bucky Covington concert and a 'meet and greet,' a flat screen television set and various goodies and fan items from Sawyer Brown, Casting Crowns, and Bucky Covington. Pictures with Santa Claus and
delicious treats will also be available for purchase. Bring the whole family for a great and meaningful time!
For more information, contact Bethel Thomas at 434-821-1420.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Two Lukes
In today’s challenging economy, I find myself looking back to the simplicity of my childhood and lessons learned. With a five-year-old of my own, it has been a great teaching tool.
My grandfather Luke Bates was a simple man. He never graduated from college, but worked his way through the ranks of the Appalachian Power Company prior to founding a bank in southwest Virginia. Growing up, I was forlorn at holidays to receive stock rather than toys. Maturing, I realized the gravity of these gifts.
A typical girl with a love of horses, I ran down the stairs each Christmas morning to look for my present in the backyard. That would happen many years later, but my grandfather helped me open a savings account. Here I put all my allowance and the five dollar bills he’d slip me. My “horse fund” grew over time.
When he died, my grandfather left a legacy that included lessons on how to live. This simple - in the best sense of the word - man loved his family greatly and gave to others generously.
“Momma, I want that,” exclaims our son Luke incessantly during Noggin commercials.
Marketing is a powerful thing. But an even greater tool is desire. And, my husband and I are working on showing our little entrepreneur how he can earn, spend his own money, save and give.
We are not perfect. This only child has pretty much anything he wants. But, we are endeavoring to teach the same lessons his namesake taught for many years.
Saving is hard in today’s instant gratification society. I hear my son talk about who has the best toys and which ones he wants. I remember myself as a hardworking, single woman in Washington, DC in the 1990s. I bought whatever I wanted and went wherever I pleased. My grandfather’s lessons were neatly tucked away in the back of my brain.
If I only knew then what I know now - as a work-from-home, coupon-clipping mom - I would have saved a lot more. Now I relish finding a bargain. “It’s sport,” says one of my friends.
Like the fake leather jacket I found for $12 at a children’s consignment store. Coupled with his father’s fedora and khaki pants, Luke looks like the true miniature version of his latest obsession, Indiana Jones. He can also wear the jacket all winter and I will be warmed by the satisfaction of knowing I didn’t spend $39.99 on a flimsy costume.
The other lesson is giving. This is a hard one to teach a five-year-old. But, we started this spring with a walk for the Humane Society of Lynchburg, Virginia. Luke and our pup Waxy raised $458 for this organization - and although they didn’t win the prize for raising the most money – they did win “Most Creative Team.”
“Would you like to give some money to church, Luke,” I tentatively ask, hoping for the reply we’ve worked so hard to instill.
“Not today,” says Luke, so we ask Luke to put our family’s offering in the church plate.
Luke has a separate piggy bank at home for his allowance that he will share with others. Here we put 10% of the total he has earned for the week, and he will give it to someone or something of his choice. Hopefully our lessons will sink in over time. We can only hope. And, we can only practice what we are preaching.
These days it is a little easier to teach these lessons. As my grandfather learned during The Great Depression, we are learning today to get by on less – a good lesson when times are tough and when times are good.
My grandfather Luke Bates was a simple man. He never graduated from college, but worked his way through the ranks of the Appalachian Power Company prior to founding a bank in southwest Virginia. Growing up, I was forlorn at holidays to receive stock rather than toys. Maturing, I realized the gravity of these gifts.
A typical girl with a love of horses, I ran down the stairs each Christmas morning to look for my present in the backyard. That would happen many years later, but my grandfather helped me open a savings account. Here I put all my allowance and the five dollar bills he’d slip me. My “horse fund” grew over time.
When he died, my grandfather left a legacy that included lessons on how to live. This simple - in the best sense of the word - man loved his family greatly and gave to others generously.
“Momma, I want that,” exclaims our son Luke incessantly during Noggin commercials.
Marketing is a powerful thing. But an even greater tool is desire. And, my husband and I are working on showing our little entrepreneur how he can earn, spend his own money, save and give.
We are not perfect. This only child has pretty much anything he wants. But, we are endeavoring to teach the same lessons his namesake taught for many years.
Saving is hard in today’s instant gratification society. I hear my son talk about who has the best toys and which ones he wants. I remember myself as a hardworking, single woman in Washington, DC in the 1990s. I bought whatever I wanted and went wherever I pleased. My grandfather’s lessons were neatly tucked away in the back of my brain.
If I only knew then what I know now - as a work-from-home, coupon-clipping mom - I would have saved a lot more. Now I relish finding a bargain. “It’s sport,” says one of my friends.
Like the fake leather jacket I found for $12 at a children’s consignment store. Coupled with his father’s fedora and khaki pants, Luke looks like the true miniature version of his latest obsession, Indiana Jones. He can also wear the jacket all winter and I will be warmed by the satisfaction of knowing I didn’t spend $39.99 on a flimsy costume.
The other lesson is giving. This is a hard one to teach a five-year-old. But, we started this spring with a walk for the Humane Society of Lynchburg, Virginia. Luke and our pup Waxy raised $458 for this organization - and although they didn’t win the prize for raising the most money – they did win “Most Creative Team.”
“Would you like to give some money to church, Luke,” I tentatively ask, hoping for the reply we’ve worked so hard to instill.
“Not today,” says Luke, so we ask Luke to put our family’s offering in the church plate.
Luke has a separate piggy bank at home for his allowance that he will share with others. Here we put 10% of the total he has earned for the week, and he will give it to someone or something of his choice. Hopefully our lessons will sink in over time. We can only hope. And, we can only practice what we are preaching.
These days it is a little easier to teach these lessons. As my grandfather learned during The Great Depression, we are learning today to get by on less – a good lesson when times are tough and when times are good.
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