Updates So That You Can Now Sleep At Night

1. Remember when the tots and I made the Hospitality Bags? Well, I'm happy to say that we have had the opportunity to give two of them away. The first time, Michael was with me, and as we drove up to an intersection, there was a man with a "homeless. please help." sign. I rolled the window down as we approached him, and when he saw a sign of interest, he came over to the car. I'm sure he was expecting a couple of dollars, but instead, we handed him this kind-of heavy bag. You know, I would love to know what was going through his head when he got a hold of that bag. I just wonder if at first he thought he was getting a bag of trash. Maybe not. Anyway, he was all "God bless you! God bless you!" and I thought "He really has!!" I gave our second bag away yesterday to a homeless couple in the vacant Circuit City parking lot. My dad was with me as we were on our way to Sams to eat the samples. Whoops! I mean pick up pictures. Again, the man thanked me profusely. I truly do hope that these bags are a help to those that receive them. It's really not a "do-gooder project" in my eyes. I wanted a practical way to help the homeless that we pass rather than just keeping my window up and averting my eyes. I think I've found what works for me. I did, by the way, share some cash with a man riding his bike through the Target parking lot the other week (he did ask for money by the way... I don't generally just shove cash at strangers I pass in the parking lot). I'm not completely opposed to doing that as the Spirit leads either.

2. Remember my funky bathroom pictures? Oh! I love how "funky bathroom" can mean several different things! But I digress. I took my dad with me on Friday back to that same place. Despite living there for 30+ years, he had never seen the "concession stand" and field before. Probably because he's not a nosy 10-year-old. But anyway, he was interested to see it, too, and had a revelation for me: it is not actually a concession stand at all. There are small concrete pads in front of the "shack", and he concluded that it is actually a semi-old driving range (as in golf), and the building is where the balls could be purchased. Michael actually found a golf ball in the field while we were there on Friday. Also a wild turkey feather. Very successful adventure.

3. I am now proud to say that we are Squalor Free! At least for the time being. I've even steam-cleaned several of the carpets in our home, so feel free to eat your next meal here right off our floor. Also, give DSS a call back and let them know their visit will not be necessary now.

4. Turns out trapping raccoons and releasing them in another part of the county is highly illegal. Who knew! So, since we seem to have another raccoon snacking at the bird feeder, Alan has other designs for it this time. Seems he found out through Matthew's cub scouts group that there is a taxidermist right here in town...