Wecome...

Thanks so much for stopping by. I look forward to you sharing thoughts and comments about my blog posts and to getting to know you better through them.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

Below is the Christmas E-Mail I sent to my volunteers, and it will give you a little flavor of what is happening in my world this holiday season.

Hi All,
Is everyone ready for Christmas?  Would I be bragging if I said I was?  It is easy when you don't do much...  This year my husband is having a total knee replacement (12/19) and there is no way my personality could handle having all the Christmas "crap" sitting around until such a time that he can climb back into the attic to take care of it (I like to adhere to our stick division of marital labor, and climbing into the attic is DEFINITELY his job!) so we didn't put up any decorations this year.  We have a neighbor that always gets us a poinsettia and I hung a few bulbs and some garland on my rosemary tree and we called it good. 
I am also a big believer in "shopping at home," and those of you that have experienced my computer skills know I don't mean Internet shopping!  I walk around and look for things that others might enjoy.  Sometimes the gifts just call out to me that so-and-so would LOVE having me at their house so that is how I decide.  For the rest of the people in my life, Christmas was a craft this year so as I see those of you that didn't come to the party I will present you with the wonderful creation made just for my volunteers. 

I hope you have a wonderful celebration with all of your loved ones and that all of your Christmas wishes come true!  Know that you are treasured and appreciated by all of us at Hospice Advantage (me most of all), and look forward to my New Years e-mail next week! :)
Many blessings,
Patty

Saturday, December 24, 2011

12 Days of Christmas With a Twist

I took the traditional 12 Days of Christmas and changed the words "True Love" to Volunteer and swapped out the traditional gifts to the gifts my volunteers give to us all year long. 

I am pretty proud of how it turned out and I think the volunteers that attended out holiday party enjoyed it, even though the staff really could have benefited from some singing practice before hand.


The Twelve Days of Christmas” 


On the first day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the second day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the third day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the fourth day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the fifth day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the sixth day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us six games of Dominos, five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the seventh day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us seven Reiki sessions, six games of Dominos, five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the eighth day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us eight letters written, seven Reiki sessions, six games of Dominos, five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the ninth day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us nine music performances, eight letters written, seven Reiki sessions, six games of Dominos, five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.


On the tenth day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us ten office tasks, nine music performances, eight letters written, seven Reiki sessions, six games of Dominos, five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the eleventh day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us eleven bereavement calls, ten office tasks, nine music performances, eight letters written, seven Reiki sessions, six games of Dominos, five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

On the twelfth day of Christmas our volunteers gave to us twelve friendly visits, eleven bereavement calls, ten office tasks, nine music performances, eight letters written, seven Reiki sessions, six games of Dominos, five gen-t-l-e ma-s-s-ages.  Four special art projects, three games of Skip Bo, two life reviews, and a healthy dose of care and compassion.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Giving and Receiving

I have again been remise about posting regularly, but if at first you don't succeed try try again.  Right?

On a personal note, after nine years my mister and I have closed our adult foster care home.  Assisting the residents in finding new homes and closing everything down took lots of our time, and then last Monday (my) Mister had a total knee replacement.  I think I am finally organized to the point that I can start blogging again.

I found this article when I was looking for something to use at our latest art group that some of my volunteers do at one of the facilities we serve.  I think it is something that  all of us would benefit from practicing and wanted to share it will all of my readers.  Enjoy!

The universe operates through dynamic exchange . . . giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.
I will put the Law of Giving and Receiving into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:
1. Wherever I go, and whomever I encounter, I will bring them a gift. The gift may be a compliment, a flower, or a prayer. Today, I will give something to everyone I come into contact with, and so I will begin the process of circulating joy, wealth and affluence in my life and in the lives of others.
2. Today I will gratefully receive all the gifts that life has to offer me. I will receive the gifts of nature: sunlight and the sound of birds singing, or spring showers or the first snow of winter. I will also be open to receiving from others, whether it be in the form of a material gift, money, a compliment or a prayer.
3. I will make a commitment to keep wealth circulating in my life by giving and receiving life’s most precious gifts: the gifts of caring, affection, appreciation and love. Each time I meet someone, I will silently wish them happiness, joy and laughter.