Our Beautiful World

Sometimes I compose a post in my mind but then when I sit down to write, it doesn't seem quite right....it doesn't seem like enough! We are all learning and adjusting as time goes by and I do think it has brought us all closer together....as citizens of the world.

Most days, I find lots to do and stay very busy.

And on the days I can get outside and hike, I feel wonderful.

I'm grateful for my good health, a beautiful place to live, nice weather and a trail to hike on near my home (and a sweet hiking buddy to go with!). 

And this week, my blog buddy Sheri from Red Rose Alley even sent me a lavender rose. I put it in my sidebar Sheri! Thank you SO much for thinking of me!

I received this in my inbox from Hospice this week. I am a patient visitor for Legacy House and we are not able to do our visits at this time. One of the many things 'on hold' now.

How are you doing this week? Want to share something you are thankful for in the comments?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Giving and Receiving..updated!

I have been so blessed by the volunteer work I do visiting the patients at Legacy Hospice House.

I've met some wonderful people, both patients and their families and friends. And I admire the professionals that take care of the patients. The nurses and aids are all amazing! Rock Star Amazing!

And I've enjoyed doing a few extra things when I visit, like take handmade cards to give to the patients. I know there are stores that sell all kinds of card making supplies and embellishments but since I make so many cards, I try to use what I have. 

I was so surprised to have my blog buddy Ann from Ann's Snap, Edit, Scrap write to tell me she had cut out some butterflies for me to use on my cards. That's my favorite embellishment. Butterflies are used in decoration throughout the Legacy House so these are perfect. Thank you SO much Ann!

So I got busy and made some new cards. I tried to change up my design just a bit by rounding the corners at the top. 

I'm blessed in giving AND receiving this week!

I decided to come back and talk about what I do in a Hospice house as a patient visitor. I know a lot of you have had experience with hospice in your home and in hospitals. The Legacy House has rooms that don't really look like a hospital room, with nice furniture and personal touches. The patients all have a handmade quilt on their bed and handmade pillowcases (made by volunteers). Everything is beautiful. 
I had extensive training to become a volunteer. So when I enter the room I introduce myself (and if the family wants privacy, they close the door and I do not knock or enter). I don't disturb someone if they are sleeping either.

The first thing I do is ask the patient or visitor if they need anything. I bring water, cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice or snacks if that's what they want. I help them with the tv stations (there are music stations that many prefer), adjust the blinds, lights, pillows....all of the things that can make a person more comfortable. And then if they want to talk, I stand there and listen. I hold their hand, pray with them...whatever they want to do. I'm in no hurry. I have time. I pull up a chair and sit with people that don't want to talk but just want company. I take young people (visitors) to the family room. I even colored a page in a coloring book with a little girl one time. I've taken one child outside to walk around. I've stood in the hall after someone has passed and had someone cry on my shoulder....more than once. I've sat in the lobby with a lady that was wondering if Hospice was right for her situation. I've read to people, looked through their photo albums, come back when it wasn't my day to visit because someone asked me to...many times. It's really a comfort to have a volunteer at a Hospice house. Not everyone has family close by here in Florida where they've retired. 

I hope this explains a little better what I do when I spend an afternoon once a week at Hospice. And I hope it will encourage others to seek out hospice treatment if it's needed or volunteer if you have time. It makes a difference. It's a blessing to everyone. 

Thanks for all the wonderful comments.

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

"Happy Memorial Day"

I have lots of photos from recent hikes so I put together a couple of mosaics to share what I've seen on the last two!

(Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly)

Hike #71

I hope everyone is having a beautiful Memorial day and taking time to be thankful for the sacrifices made to keep us free! I'll be spending time visiting the patients at the Legacy Hospice House today. I always feel humbled when I spend the day with those that are at the end of their lives. Let's all be compassionate and pray for one another.

Hike #72

*God Bless America*

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

 

 

When one thing leads to another...

...don't you love the unexpected? I had an idea to buy some odd 'cheap' frames from the old thrift store for some of my art. I thought I was putting SO much work into some of my characters, that it would be nice to frame my favorites.

 All of these are empty except for the one on top. I cleaned them all and put them in a small box and if I don't use them, I can always donate them back!

 

I never go on Saturday because I think it will be too busy but that's what I did anyway. And I walked in and went straight to the frames and found exactly what I wanted and went to the checkout with my 'haul'. (25 cents each for frames)

Oh and they had jewelry at the checkout and I picked out these pins for 25 cents each. 

And the cards were where I was standing in line and I got this bag of handmade cards...yes, 25 cents!

 (an example of those in the bag)

But when I was driving home, I passed a 'Craft Sale' sign. I mean I really drove past it. But guess what? My car turned down a side street, turned around and headed back in the other direction!!! 

Cherrywood Estates has the VERY best craft sales EVER! 

And the ladies there all recognize me too. I got hugs from several of them. There were even some of the Hospice Volunteers there shopping...more hugs!

So what did I buy? 

I bought a basket from the basket lady and got a hug.

And I splurged on these beautiful handmade Queen size pillowcases! 

I hope my sweet cousin Cindy doesn't see this post. She has told me how to make them and will surely remember that I have some pretty fabric I could use.

 But these were PERFECT! Don't you think? (I have blue sheets on my bed!)

I feel very blessed to get to shop for things I enjoy and love finding the unexpected!

Have you had something good happen to you this week too?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .