No Problem!

I went on my first trip to Jamaica in March. It was a very special trip, my daughter was getting married and it was a beautiful ceremony! I was able to see a whole different kind of good neighbor. I loved it! When I asked for something the answer was always, "no problem". It was as if they did not have "no" in their vocabulary. Now, I am not saying, we have to say yes to everything but how about when we have to say no, we say it without saying the word no????? A bit of a challenge, heh? Well give it a try next time and see what happens. Oh by the way, the Jamaicans are hard working, hospitable and gracious people. I will have to make another journey to the island. Yeah Man!

Can you Make a Visit?

Do you know someone who is in the hospital, nursing home or just not able to leave the house anymore? If you know someone like this or have a friend of a friend like this, can you make a visit? I am not saying you have to make a big production of it by staying 2 hours and making promises you can't keep. How about you just stop by for a few minutes and say hi or say you were thinking about them? I bet you will brighten their day and gain something in the process. If you don't know anyone, how about visiting your local nursing home and making a new aquaintence? Let me know what happened or didn't happen.

Life is worth living and sharing.

Give It Away!

Hello everybody. It is still the new year isn't it? Do you have some clothes, jeans or shoes that you have not worn for the last year or two? Give it away! Give it to your neighbor, yeah you know the one, their kids look like they dress themselves. Or someone at church, in the grocery store or wherever you have seen someone who would appreciate an addition to their wardrobe.

If you don't want to give it to someone then take it somewhere: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Thriftstore etc. Just give it away!

Our Neighbor Haiti

I met a gentleman on a trip to Portland. He, his cousin(3rd year resident) and father(ER doctor) were on their way to Haiti. With their own money they had bought supplies, medical supplies and food to help with the Haitian relief effort. He was a young man still in college (a pre-med student) and 24 hours ago that is all he had on his mind. Now he was on his way to help with medicine, food and his medical expertise. His name is Jordan. I thought his name so beautiful to match the beauty of his soul. This entry is dedicated to you, Jordan and your family, thank you for being a good neighbor to a country in need. I am praying for you and your family and the people of Haiti.

Be a Good Neighbor to Haiti

I am sure you have heard about the tragic earthquake that occured in Haiti this week (if you haven't, now you have). It was measured to be approximately 7.0. I would like to dedicatate todays blog to our Haitian neighbors that are still in Haiti and to their families abroad that are suffering. I have two sugguestions for you, if you would like to do something to help: Pray for the Haitians and look for a reputable agency to donate through (try the your local news station's websites). This is definitely an opportunity to be a good neighbor.

Please send a comment if you have family in Haiti.

New Year Same Message!

Happy New Year everyone! New year, same message but hopefully with some new ideas. This year I worked on all the holidays except Thanksgiving. I am not complaning, (I'm just saying!)I learned that the holidays are breeding grounds for new ways to be a good neighbor. One way for me, was to remember "it is better to give than receive". I gave alot this year too, so much, it hurt in a good way. My daughter wanted a bridal shower during the week of Thanksgiving. I agreed to it, not knowing that I would have to work that day. It was stressful, exhausting, and one of the most wonderful times in my life. It showed me what was important, and what I was willing to do to see that smile on my daughters face. So even in the midst of my "stressed out and ends of my wit" giving, I still received.


My goals this year are consistency, caring and committment.

Make three goals this year: One you can obtain, one you are not sure you can obtain, and one you think you will never obtain. Watch what happens with these goals and yourself. Let me know!

Holiday Thinking

I know you probably thought oh-oh she done left. Don't worry I am not going anywhere. I have so much to write about I will have to make this a series. First being thankful. I am learning that being a good neighbor is being thankful for what I have and not feeling like I am in competition with my neighbor. I am happy for my neighbors success, new car, new clothes etc. I choose to think that I see these things to show me what I can acheive, what is possible for me and what I will have one day. So maybe you can adopt this way of thinking????