The Power of a Mother's Love

The other day, an acquaintance asked me if my mom lives nearby. The question sounded so strange after having lived the last 17 years without her.

Although much has happened in my life in those 17 years (bought two new homes, got two new jobs, met my husband, got married, started a business...), I still feel her loss as if it was yesterday. That's the power of a mother's love.

I remember growing up, and my mom always talking about her mother. It was always, grandma this and grandma that...my mother this, and my mother that. My grandmother died when I was just 6 months old, so I never knew her, but my own mom's love and admiration for her were evident throughout the rest of her life.

Two years ago, after a diagnosis of dementia, my mother-in-law came to live with us. Although not always thinking in the present, she spent a good deal of time asking about and talking about her mother. I never knew her mother, but the power of that love between mother and daughter was evident.

It is a unique bond between mother and child; one that never weakens. I picture myself, 40 or 50 years from now, feeling very much the same about the loss of my mom, just as she did about her mom, and my mother-in-law does about her mom.

I relayed the story to Ken and how odd it sounded to be asked where my mom lives, and he gave a most appropriate response: no, she actually lives very far away.

To my mom in heaven: Happy Mother's Day!

A very Happy Mother's Day to all!

Wordless Wednesday: 50 Reasons to Exercise

We are winding down heart health month here at Thoughtful Presence so I leave you with these 50 reasons to exercise. I found this great inspirational post at Inspire My Workout. So get out there and make it happen!

10 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do on World Kindness Day

Today is World Kindness Day, and no matter your age, location, or occupation, there's something you can do today to spread a little kindness. You very well might be doing some of these every day, and if so, I commend you. World Kindness Day is intended to raise awareness of how small acts of kindness can make a huge difference and to encourage practicing small acts of kindness.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. As you go about your day, make it a point to share a smile and a greeting with strangers you encounter - at the office, grocery store, or gas station. Just a little smile will make a big difference to someone who might be having a bad day.
2. Bring a little treat to share at your work place.
3. Make a donation today to your favorite charity.
4. Leave prime parking space for others today.
5. Bring a neighbor a small treat or flowers and wish them a happy day.
6. Stop inside a nearby church and say a special prayer for kindness and peace around the world.
7. Sign up for a volunteer project today.
8. If you're out shopping, ask the cashier how their day is going. Tell them today is World Kindness Day and pay it forward.
9. Clean out a closet and donate some things you no longer need.
10. Practice patience on the road. Yield and take it slowly.

Randomactsofkindness.org has many other great ideas and inspiring stories. Take a few minutes to read and be inspired.

Have a happy day!

Wordless Wednesday: Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery

I've been to Sonoma and ridden a hot air balloon over Napa. It is a beautiful region with such a wide variety of styled wineries, making it an amazing vacation spot.

On a family reunion trip this summer, we discovered Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. It's in the area near Green Bay where my dad grew up, just up the road from his favorite meat shop. On our stop there, we purchased a freezer full of the best Wisconsin sausage and cheese and headed toward the Winery.

What struck me most about this place was the farm and silos in the background of the vineyard. It had its own unique feel that was very Midwestern and spoke to my heart. (And the wines aren't bad either!)

 

Learn more about Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery.

Have a happy day!

Blog Roundup - Top 5 Posts of All Time

Every time I look at my blog, I think of ideas for a redesign. Between creating gift baskets, enhancing Thoughtful Presence website, planning contests and giveaways (hint, hint, one is coming soon!), it's hard to find the time (um, or budget) to redesign my lifestyle blog. Ah well, one of these days, it will happen!

The other day, as I was looking at the site, I recognized that my top blog post of all time had over 1100 views. That might not be a lot for some bigger blogs, but for me, it was a big deal! That post was written about puzzles over a year ago. Who knew so many people were into puzzles! It was actually about Scramble Squares, specifically.  I know from calls I've received over time that Scramble Squares are very popular and can be hard to find. Last Christmas I sold a bunch of them to a customer who wanted them for all of her nieces and nephews. No gift baskets needed, just the puzzles.

Anyway, that got me thinking it's time for a roundup of my top blog posts of all time. So I haven't done a weekly roundup or monthly as some blogs do, but I do enjoy some of my old posts and if you haven't seen them, you may enjoy them too. So after this roundup, I may occasionally republish some of my old favorites, hoping you will enjoy them again too!

Stay tuned, and here are my top 5:

Unique Gift Ideas, Themed Puzzles Add Pizzazz

Unique Party Themes and Gift Baskets - In Celebration of the Hot Air Balloon

5 Baby Shower Themes to Love

New Baby Gift Baskets - Something for Everyone

10 Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids

Have a happy day!

In Celebration of Giving...A New Direction

I've been a little quiet on the blog lately as I've been trying to figure out a smooth transition. My gift basket company, Thoughtful Presence, uses an awesome eCommerce platform, called BigCommerce. Not long ago, they added a new built-in blog feature, which we in BigCommerce's world were all super excited about. So as I watched it unfold, and played around with it a bit, I also had to figure out what I would do with this blog, if I transition to the new platform, which would put the blog right on our Thoughtful Presence shopping website. Now without getting into a lot of technical nitty gritty stuff about websites and platforms and shopping carts, I'm here to say we're making the switch.

We've officially moved the Thoughtful Presence gift basket company blog to our shopping website platform. And this blog, as you may have noticed in the header, is now a blog about "A Lifestyle of Giving".

What's the difference? I knew you'd ask :)

Thoughtful Presence company blog will focus on our gift basket designs, products, and all things related to holidays and special occasions. Thoughtful Presence lifestyle blog will focus on celebrating a lifestyle of giving everyday, whether it's party ideas, recipes, or stories about giving. And while I'm crystal clear on the direction of the company blog, I must admit I expect this blog to unfold a little over time. And that includes a bit of a facelift!

So stay tuned and watch us grow. And if you like what we've done here, go check out the
new company blog and subscribe there too. We'd love to have you!

Have a happy day!

Healthy Heart Month - Commit to Exercise!

How many years have you made it your New Year's Resolution to start and maintain a solid exercise plan? Was it on your list this year?  It certainly was on mine, and as of today, February 11th, I am still not solid! If I had a dime for every time I tell myself, "I should work out today," I'd have enough to hire a personal trainer - permanently!

So the story goes, for many of us.  Yet, as I have been promoting my campaign for the American Heart Association this month, I am reminded of the necessity of exercise for long term good health! It's not about being thin or having a model body; it's about living a long healthy life. And that statement right there should make it easier to stick to a plan. Why, you ask?

When we strive to have a model body, we are usually comparing ourselves to some false ideal seen in a magazine. A regular gal like me doesn't have time or money to work with a personal trainer for hours a day, which is what it would take to have a model body! I am a wife, a business owner, and a caregiver.  When do I have time to exercise?  If I strive to be healthy, it doesn't mean hours a day in the gym, but rather a simpler commitment to 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. As a wife, business owner, and caregiver, I truly can commit to 30 minutes a day.

So that covers timing and my "too busy" excuse.  The next hurdle is what do I do in that 30 minutes? Go for a walk? Lift weights? Take an aerobics class?  The best answer is all of the above - on alternate days. I choose my favorite activities, and schedule them on a chart for 5 days each week.  I put it in a prominent place where I'm always reminded to put in my 30 minutes. Like this:

If you're already committed to your exercise schedule, my hat's off to you! If you're struggling, like me, to stick to a plan, join me in creating your own schedule of the activities you enjoy, and get started!

And actually, my next week looks something like this:

And after all that snow, I'll be back to my full month schedule!

Have a happy day!

True Meaning of Christmas

I am probably guiltier than most for being so busy during the holidays that I don't take enough time to reflect and rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas.  With the juggling of business and personal tasks, shopping, baking, decorating, and party planning, I am always on the go.  But knowing that I want to inspire others causes me to make the time to reflect and think about the true meaning of Christmas, from my own spiritual and religious perspective as well as the perspective of reaching out to others.

So in that spirit of Christmas, I found this story. Originally published in 1982, it's not a new story. Whether you are familiar with it or not, I hope you enjoy reading it and it brings you to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

 For the Man Who Hated Christmas

by Nancy W. Gavin

It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas--oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it--overspending... the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn’t think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.

Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears.

It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.” Mike loved kids - all kids - and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That’s when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition--one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn’t end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.

Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing to take down the envelope.

Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit will always be with us.

- Feeling inspired?  Visit WhiteEnvelopeProject.org 

Have a happy day!

Whew! Busy Gift Basket Makers - See What's New

Here we are mid-month and it's been a busy time!

On a personal note I started off the month with a visit to Indianapolis to visit my brother and sister-in-law and spend a day at my niece's school.  Claire is in first grade and had grandparents' day on October 4th. She has only one grandparent still living, who (unfortunately for Claire, but fortunately for her), is on a river cruise in Europe! Well, it was fortunate for me too! I got to be Claire's stand-in grandparent, and it was truly a special day!

Now, on to the business news! Many of you have probably seen my persistent promotions in Facebook for our place in the Intuit Small Business Big Game contest! Thanks to all who voted for us, we've made it through Round 2 and will soon hear if we make it to the top 20 finalists in Round 3.

As much as I am determined to be in the top 20, I know it's a wee bit of a long shot given there are thousands of other awesome companies in the contest! As my husband, Ken, says, it's all about the ride. We had a great time putting together our video, (which I will post here and on our website after the Round 2 contest judging), and petitioning all of our friends and customers for votes. It's a great experience to take on whether you make it all the way or not! A special thank you to my dear friend, Sylvia Springer for her work on the video!

Along with the contest, we've also been working on redesigning our website.  It's been on our road map for a long time and I'm thrilled to have it complete!  Thanks to our design team at
E-cart Customs for their creativity and hard work! Take a look and send us your feedback or leave a comment here.  Would love to know what you think!

Have a happy day and stay tuned for more exciting things coming in the weeks ahead!

5 Ways to Celebrate World Gratitude Day

Saturday is World Gratitude Day, and although it is not a traditional gift-giving holiday, I love the idea of taking a day to be grateful and showing your gratitude to those around you.  Whether you do it through words or actions, don't let the day go by without giving thanks. Here are 5 simple ways to show gratitude on this special day:

• Bring treats to work - For those you work with who provide endless support and an ear when you need it, bring in some cupcakes, cookies, or other office favorites and let them know you appreciate them.
• Have a conversation - In this day of texting and social media posting, pick up the phone and call a friend or family member to let them know you appreciate them.
• Fresh cut flowers - It can be a single flower or a bouquet, but choose a favorite flower for a friend or relative and surprise them with a big thank you!
• Send an e-card - Free e-cards are easy to find online.  Send a "thank you" or "thinking of you" card to a special someone in your life.
• Be spontaneous - Invite a friend or loved one out for lunch or dinner last minute and insist on buying.  Let them know you just want to say thanks for being you!

Post your own ideas here and have a happy day!

Where Were You?

Today is the day. You see it on Facebook. You hear it in conversation. At the park. On the street. At the office.  Where were you when the planes hit?

Over the last 12 years, we talk about it every year on September 11th.  Where were you?  We don't ask, "Do you remember?"  We just ask, "Where were you?"

I didn't know my husband at the time, but he was in the hospital, waking up from surgery, when he looked at the TV to see the second plane hit.  His mom was at the hospital with him and told him what was happening.  He was in a daze, from the meds and from reality.

I was at my home office, troubleshooting an issue that occurred that morning with an airline fare sale.  At that time I worked for a technology company that powered United Airlines website.  I handled the loading of the weekly fare specials.  It was a Tuesday morning, and it was my weekly responsibility to ensure the fares went in correctly.  That morning, they didn't, and due to the criticality of getting them corrected, I stayed home to work and did not turn on radio or TV.

The phone rang.  It was my boss. The first thing he said was, "Are you watching the news?" My response was, "No, we have an issue with the fares". He said, "Put the TV on."

I saw the second plane hit.

From that moment, my stomach went hollow and tears came, as they still do while writing this. The next thing I remember was driving to my office at United Airlines, where I was scheduled for meetings and such.  On that drive, I would pass through O'Hare airport on my way to the office.  There was a deafening silence that morning as planes had been grounded.  I was so used to watching the planes coming in and taking off while driving by the airport.  That morning there were none.

I arrived at the office.  All meetings were cancelled.  All promotions were cancelled. All ads were taken down from the website.  We were in mourning.  My stomach was still hollow.

After a half day of putting things in order for an airline in mourning, I was sent home.

I remember speaking on the phone with my brother that afternoon.  We both felt the same feeling. An emptiness and numbness we had only known one other time, when our own mom passed away. It is a sadness that never goes away, no matter how many years pass.

Where were you?

10 Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids

With back-to-school in full swing, you may well be challenged with the planning and preparation of fun snacks for kids. Don't grab every box of cupcakes, cookies, Doritos and Cheetos you can find. Opt instead for delicious and healthy snacks that are so easy to prepare, the kids will have fun helping, or may even do it themselves!  Try this top 10 list of fun healthy snacks for kids of all ages!  Toddler, tween, teen, and young adults alike will enjoy preparing and indulging in these after school or anytime snacks.  In fact, even us middle-aged grown-ups enjoy all of these mouth-watering snacks!

Try these in late summer or early spring:

1. Pretzels and hummus - As simple as having a bag of pretzels and a container of hummus on hand.  Pull them out of the pantry and fridge and dip away!
2. Frozen juice pops - An extension of summer: either buy ready made all natural juice pops or pick up your own ice pop mold and plan to make these often in the future.  Simply pour in fresh juice and freeze. 
3. Smoothies - In a smoothie maker or blender, mix together yogurt, a small bit of milk, fresh fruit of your choice, half a banana, and a handful of ice cubes. Blend and serve.
4. Yogurt parfait - Mix together a cup of yogurt with chopped fresh fruit of choice and sprinkle with granola.
5. Flavored popcorn - Make fresh or microwave popcorn and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and an herb seasoning.  Mix in a handful of goldfish crackers if desired.

Save these for fall or winter:

1. Trail mix - Buy already prepared or mix your own: peanuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, dried apricots, and chocolate chips.  Feel free to substitute any of the above for an equally healthy option!
2. Sliced apples with peanut butter and honey - Mix a teaspoon of honey with a couple tablespoons of peanut butter in a cup.  Dip apple slices and enjoy.  Tastes just like a taffy apple!
3. Toasted English muffin topped with peanut butter, banana slices, honey, and chopped walnuts.
4. Berry oatmeal muffins - Okay, this one takes a recipe, but still simple to mix together.  Find my favorite recipe here.
5. Mini baked sandwiches - Start with a small dinner roll.  Spread both sides with margarine and Dijon mustard. Top with sliced turkey and cheddar cheese (or ham and Swiss cheese).  Wrap in foil and bake for 5-8 minutes at 350 degrees.

Okay, really, you can eat these anytime of year, but some do feel very seasonal, don't they? Enjoy!

Have a happy day!

Paying it Forward through the Bank of Happiness

Have you heard of the Bank of Happiness?  

• Candace offers to light a candle and say a prayer for you
• Ralu offers a free tour of Bucharest and a warm tea
• Christine offers graphic design work, specifically logo creation
• Courtney offers a handwritten letter.
• Liza offers to send you a friendly email
• Alex offers help learning to cook

These are just 6 of the 500+ listings you will find at the Bank of Happiness.  This bank does not transact in currency, only in good deeds. Established in Estonia as a means of spreading good will in difficult times, the Bank of Happiness is open to users around the world. Those who participate do it for their own reasons.  Some are out of work and volunteer their service to keep up their skills.  Some are full-time professionals, looking to pay it forward. Some simply recognize the needs in others and want to reach out.  The premise of the bank is that everyone has something to give, no matter how big or small. 

You can volunteer a service or ask for help if you are in need.  It's a wonderful way to reach out and worth a look:  http://www.onnepank.ee/

  

 

Have a happy day!

For the Love of Gardening...Flower Gardens, Sam Adams, and More

Last Sunday, this was my Facebook post:

So often, I am rushing through the weekend day's chores and activities, keeping a close eye on the time as I move from one activity to the next.  Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of spending most of my day in the flower garden, and at one point realized, that for once, I was not tied to a schedule.  It made my gardening work that much more as it is meant to be - peaceful, calming, and rewarding.

For those who love flowers and gardening, the rewards are plenty. Digging in the dirt brings a feeling of being at one with the earth. Feeling the warmth of the sun, the cold moistness of the dirt, and taking in the beauty of my well groomed garden is a delightful way to spend a day.  The accomplishment of planting a multitude of plants, knowing you will reap their floral rewards for months or years to come, is overwhelming, no matter how many times I do it.

Oh, yes, and not to mention the cold Sam Adams that Ken brings out after a job well done.  That is its own reward!

Here are a few snaps of my favorite garden elements! 



Our front garden with the new Japanese Maple we planted a few weeks ago.

Close-up of the beautiful azaleas behind the Japanese Maple.

My favorite planter - been with me for years!

And this is where I spent most of my day last Sunday:

  

Ahhhhhh!!

Have a happy day and tell me, what is your favorite garden element?

Special Teachers Have Special Gifts

With this being Teacher Appreciation Week, I am remembering a special third grade teacher named Mrs. Triggs.  I believe it was Mrs. Margaret Triggs although my memory fails a bit, so I'm not sure if that was her first name. I went to school at St. Michael's in Old Town, in Chicago.  The school is no longer there but the church remains one of Chicago's finest.

My most vivid picture of Mrs. Triggs is her standing at the head of the classroom.  She was tall as I remember, and I don't recall her sitting much.  She was always up and walking among us, bending her tall frame down to meet our little third grade desks.  I remember her short gray, wavy hair, somewhat wrinkled skin, and always kind, gentle eyes and smile.  And most fondly I remember her wearing a gray jumper dress made from colored patches of fabric that I and my class drew and colored for her to sew together! 

Yes, Mrs. Triggs made herself a dress of fabrics that she had her students draw and color.  She wore that dress to school, and we were all so proud and thrilled that she so loved our handiwork!

That is my most vivid memory of Mrs. Triggs, but I also remember her being a most kind and dedicated teacher who loved and honored all of her students year after year.  There was a newspaper article in the Chicago Tribune, I believe, about the dress, which my mom had kept for years.  I've searched in all of my old boxes but cannot find it.  If anyone out there can help track an old article from the 70's, please let me know!

Have a happy day and thank a teacher today!

5 Reasons to Celebrate May

Spring is a season for gift-giving - Birthdays, First Communions, Graduations, Bridal showers, Mother's Day!  Whatever occasions you're celebrating this spring, make them memorable!

And here are 5 more notable reasons to celebrate this May:

A garden full of tulips

 

The innocence of second graders on First Communion Day

 

Bachelorette parties in anticipation of the big day

 

The first backyard dog bath

 

The first warm walk in the woods

What are you celebrating this spring?

Our Unique Gift Basket Company is now BBB Accredited

After just about 18 months in business, we are proud to now be an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau.

Throughout my career, in my various roles, customer service and quality of work have always been a top priority for me.  That is why it seemed only natural that once our gift basket business was established and gaining traction, we would seek BBB accreditation.

No matter how busy we get or how large we grow, pleasing our customers with quality product and excellent customer service will always be our top priority.

Have a happy day!

April 10th is National Siblings Day!

I'm not sure if I have been under a rock or what...I didn't know we had a National Siblings Day and that it has been so well recognized up to this point!  Although not quite equal to Mother's Day or Father's Day, it has been recognized by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush during their terms in office, as well as by 88 state governors.

The Siblings Day Foundation was organized by Claudia Evart in 1997 in honor of her late brother and sister, who she lost in separate accidents.  The date was set as April 10th, which was the birthday of Claudia's sister, Lisette.

As stated on the foundation's website, "Siblings Day follows the spirit of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day – a great American tradition and celebration of family-unit values.  It is an uplifting celebration honoring people who have shaped our values, beliefs and ideals.  It is a relationship as equally important as a parent’s relationship. Siblings are the reason we celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Day."

For more information, visit http://www.siblingsday.org/

For me personally, I don't know what I would do without my siblings.  They forever make me laugh, cry, love, inspire, dream, and accomplish.  They have done this since the day I was born and will continue until the day I die.  Whether near or far, they are forever with me, and for that I am eternally grateful!

Have a happy day!

A Really Happy Woman...

I saw this posted on Facebook last week and had to share it, but decided sharing just on Facebook was simply not enough.  It jumped out at me while I have been going through a bit of a life detour (okay, "bit" would be an understatement).  But I live every day taking in the new scenery as best I can while never losing sight of my original destination. For whomever this is applicable, I hope you are able to do the same.  Have a happy day!

 

I found this posted by my friends at emptyhousefullmind.com, so thank you Sharon.  Giving credit where credit is due :)