Humbling Experience

I meant to write this post yesterday, but the day went by quickly.

Yesterday, I had the privilege and honor to help deliver 300 pounds of food and household items to a family in need in my area. One of my friends who was helping told us not to expect emotions or feelings from the family for a variety of reasons.

When we arrived at the home, it seemed like a sad home. A home that was in need of desperate repair. The homeowner, a father on leave from the U.S. Reserves, opened the door and smiled to greet us. Although his eyes looked sad, he managed a smile and a warm welcome. Three friends, the homeowner and I carried the boxes and bags of donated items.

After we about 15 minutes, we were done. He invited us to meet his wife who is recovering and slowly gaining back movement in her body. She was paralyzed and is making a miraculous recovery through their strong belief in their religious faith. Her husband has been unemployed since he came back from the U.S. Reserves to take care of his wife, 24 hours/7 days per week. They have five children, two of them on disability. The wife was working before she came down with an infection, leaving her temporarily paralyzed.

We chitchatted with the family for about 20 more minutes. Then we left. Since I left their home, I have been thinking about them and how we can help them some more. I do know that a local school is having a golf tournament on the family's behalf to help pay for medical bills.

I have been on a "Happy High". I was happy all day yesterday and even today. I haven't felt like that in a very long time.

If you are interested in helping this family, do leave a comment with your email address, and I will get back to you.

Benefits of WII

Normally, I wouldn't blog about video games or systems, but I honestly found something different about Wii.

I don't know much about the Wii. I do know it is hard to get in some areas because of its great prices.

Let me tell you why, I like Wii. It all started on Sunday, March 16, 2008. We were invited to come over to my parents' home for brunch. We had heard about my brother buying the Wii Saturday. We went for brunch and to see the Wii.

I saw my brother relaxing on the couch when I asked him to hook up the Wii because my son would like to try it. (At the time I really meant my son).

He hooked it up, and it turned out that my spouse, son, brother and myself played bowling using the Wii as a motion. You literally had to "bowl". Depending how fast you "bowled", depending how fast the bowling ball hit the pins. There are even other sports you can play as well. There is tennis, golf, boxing, batting, bowling, and physical training.

This is a great item to get for families from the grandchildren to the grandparents. It is perfect for ages 3-over 100. Here you are spending time with each other. You are encouraging each other to achieve the goal of the support. There is even laughter involved as you observe the player's responses and reactions. You even begin to talk about those sports and can see how much your family may enjoy something you never realized.

Physically, Wii is a GREAT workout for all players because in some of the sports, you literally had to move the Wii control with force as if the hit or throw was literally real. Depending on how much you play with the Wii, you can become physically tired--as if you worked out. There is even a brief message on Wii to take a break before playing another game.

Share Your Funny Stories For A Contest

A website called A Girls Treasure at http://www.mytreasures.biz.
Here is the contest info as it appears on the website:

New Fall Contest

"Does Your "Pet" Get Along with the Doll in your Family"

It can be a love hate relationship for some, and for some they just don't care. We want to hear from those who have funny stories with the love hate relationships between their pets and dolls. Or if you don't have a pet maybe it's your brother/son or sister/daughter and your doll. Or maybe another pet or even a spouse!!! Whatever the case may be, they have to be FUNNY stories. (Go to my newsletter archives and see my cute story this month between my cat and my daughters doll clothes).

How to enter? Write or type your story out completely. Don't leave out any funny details, and send it or email us. If you would like, you can also send in a picture of your pet and your doll together and we will post it to the website. All entry pictures that are received will be posted on the website but that does not determine the final winner. The winners will be determined by the judges here at A Girls Treasure.

There will be 5 winners:
1-Grand Prize Winner - Funniest Overall Story
Prize Category A- Funniest Cat Story
Prize Category B- Funniest Dog Story
Prize Category C-Funniest Brother/Sister Story
Prize Category D-Funniest Spouse Story

So get those pens and pencils out and tell us your funny stories and take your best pictures. All entries must be received by October 31, 2007. Winners will be determined by November 10 and notified by email. Send all entries to A Girls Treasure 565 East Walnut St. Long Beach, NY 11561, or email to akranitz@msn.com. Make sure to include your name, address, and email address so that we can contact you. Have fun and GOOD LUCK!!!

A Girl's Treasure~~ http://www.mytreasures.biz
18" Doll Clothes for American Girl Dolls

Summer Vacation

I have been on summer vacation from blogging because I was wrapping up a summer class I was teaching, and I also had family matters to take care of. I am happy to say that I am pleased with the way those matters ended.

Things I learned from my class: students DO listen, even if they appear like they are not. I had one student told me that he enjoyed my class, that he regretted not taking it in the fall or spring times. He sincerely meant it. Many students nodded in agreement. Some students stayed after on the last day of class to watch The Freedom Writers Diary film (a very good one by the way).

Things I learned from my family: is not to take anyone for granted. Enjoy what each family member has to offer, and not to nit pick on each other's qualities. Why should we? Enjoy them for who they are and what they have to offer. Family is a building block. We are all interdependent on each other.

Now, I am spending more time with my family, and loving it. I also will begin preparing for the fall semester. I will keep you updated. I am in the process of looking for interesting books for my students to read. I am going to have them read the Freedom Writers Diary again. If you have suggestions for what other books I shall use for my education course that focuses on today's issues, let me know. Post your comments, and I will consider them.

It's Your Responsibility--Not Mine

People need to take responsibilities for their own actions. People need to plan ahead for themselves and their families. When a misfortunes comes along their way, then chances are they will be ready to deal with it as best they can. However, when there is no responsibility of planning involved and a misfortune occurs, it is not everyone else's fault, but the irresponsible. So, the irresponsibles cannot blame others for their miseries and failures. It is not fair for the responsible to bail out the irresponsible for their mistakes.

Just some ramblings going on in my mind lately.

Special circumstances

I apologize for not posting yesterday. I have had special circumstances that I could not post. However, I am hoping that this circumstance will improve, so everything could be the same or even better.

During this time right now, family has come together. Unfortunately, we don't always come together during non circumstances times. There are some I haven't seen in a couple of years except for the past two days.

Family is a vital thing in society and is strongly needed to help each other through trying times. Yet, family should be there in good times as well. How many people in this world to not know their family? Immediate or Extended? If people had strong family units, society would have less problems because people would be held accountable by their family members.

People say yes, but friends can do the same. Not always because it depends on your meaning of friends. Even most religions emphasize the family thing. If you already have a strong family unit, good for you. Keep it up. If you have a weak family unit, try to strengthen it. If you don't have a family unit, try to build it.

Time is a gift

While we are constantly working, or constantly busy filling up our time. Don't forget the most important thing on Earth after yourself. Your family. Step away from your schedule with activities that can wait, and spend time playing ball with your kids, or conversing with your spouse. Those are moments that will be preserved forever in the minds of your family members. Time is a gift that can never be replaced. When you are on your death bed, reflecting your life, what will you wish you had done? Probably spent more time around those you love. Don't wait till that happens. If you cannot give up those activities that fill your time, at least include them in those activities. For example, when I used to work for a local newspaper, I would take one of my siblings, on a photo shoot. We would converse going to that location, and returning home. My sibling got to experience what I go through. It felt really good.

Time is one thing that keeps going, and never stops. Time was here before us, with us, and will continue after us. Think before you use your time. Take advantage out of it. Get the most from your time. You will be glad you did.