Busy Day and even busier tomorrow!

Oh, my what a busy day it was! We got snow last night or early in the morning and my but the road was treacherous when I headed out of town. By the time I hit the main highway, it was clear but sideroads are really no fun in the winter!!

I had a great afternoon, although not everyone would think it was great to go where I was today. As I mentioned earlier, I was off to do some volunteering at the Women's Correctional Facility in Shakopee. I started volunteering there about ten years ago. It's an interesting place that sits in a regular neighborhood in Shakopee, MN and not far from an elementary school. The facility has a unique feature - no fence, just a hedge around it. I passed it frequently to get to my local JoAnn Fabrics. One day I made a call to see if they had a need for volunteers. I was thinking of quilting but at the time, someone else was a paid instructor teaching quilting. So, I started teaching clay-crafting. At the time, I was teaching classes in our local community ed program and taught lots of kids classes. I began teaching many of the same things to the women in the correctional facility (I must attend a training session once a year to be a volunteer). The clay-crafting was fun but was time intensive and costly and I couldn't serve as many women in that craft. So, I thought of felt Christmas ornaments and then card-crafting. Sharing my time and talents in this way, makes me feel good to know that these women - who rightly must serve their time - are able to make a little something personal for their kids, moms, and loved ones. I could only imagine what it would be like if I were seperated from my kids and could not share something I had made with them. My friend, Barb, now joins me and we both feel good because, as the saying goes "there but for the grace of God, go I." My friend, Arlis, has also come along to help. This may sound strange but it is truly rewarding work. Each and every one of the women is exceptionally grateful and repeatedly thank us for sharing our time and supplies (I have a friend who donated a huge supply of cardstock and I shop clearance all the time for my supplies). And the end result of our afternoon was that 27 women created 70 cards to send off to family members. So, while we went to the facility and served 27 women, in the end we reached even more folk because of the cards that they will send out.

I had an e-mail from Nanette today that said she had been inspired to volunteer at a local senior center because of reading about some of my volunteer ventures on my blog. I thought that was so cool. We've never even met but we are affecting each other's lives. And on Monday, I had an e-mail from Nihal regarding an article posted in our Star Tribune about Turkey that connected us. And today, she posted a rose to my mom and me on her blog! And then tonight, I got an e-mail from my friend, Sue, that she had posted about me on her blog. Now Sue and I have met and know each other personally but she's right that we have come to know each other even better through blogging. I am touched by her comments about Christmas memories and encourage you to go check out her doll "Ellen". She's just a click away on Sue'sBlog. I have really enjoyed the Christmas stocking comments and memories. Keep 'em coming. Post your memory on any post now and up to midnight Christmas Eve. I think I will do the drawing when Santa pops in around midnight on Christmas Eve. ;-) You now, I may have had a blue Monday but, friends, I have had a great and colorful Wednesday!!

Time to call it a day (or night)!! As I said above - busy today and busier tomorrow. I'll be back tomorrow night to tell you what's got me so busy.

Sandi