Thursday, Dec 18

Last night, I went to the Buxton Food Pantry's quarterly meeting at their request. What a warm reception I received! I explained the bootcamp, My PowerMall and what I had been doing since Nov 24. I explained the challenges I faced.....and asked for their help in getting the word out. No doubt it will, now. These strong women do the impossible every day. Our meeting last night was in an unheated room in the food pantry. The group was older than I am, but no one complained about having to go out on a cold, icy night. Their priority was making sure the people in need had food, especially following the ice storm. Our food pantry was fortunate because there was a generator. Many food pantries lost all their frozen food with the power outages over the weekend. One thing I know for sure, Maine people step up when others are in need. I love living here.

Jim and I started a World Changer Mall for our good friends Mike and Betsy. Mike was a State Trooper for many years until he developed cancerous brain tumors several years ago. Betsy's sister sent an email out asking for help. Because of the cancer, Mike needs special adaptations to their home. Have you ever met people and felt like you've known them forever? That's Mike and Betsy. Jim and I would do anything for them. And so, we did what we thought was the best thing for them, set them up with a World Changer mall.

I have been kind of down for the past several weeks. My next door neighbor, Donna, lost her 18 year battle with cancer. I have known Ed and Donna for ten years, they are like grandparents to our kids. Donna has been like a Mom to me. She was a straight shooter. You got what you got, the truth. I remember one time, after my youngest was born, I went out for a much needed break thinking all was under control with my husband home.
Well, I wasn't home ten minutes when the phone rang and it was Donna.
"I hope you enjoyed your time out, you really deserve it. Just wanted to let you know that your boys were on the roof while you were gone."

Apparently, my husband and both neighbor husbands were drinking their Belgian beers on the patio, thinking they were watching the kids.

One thing about this bootcamp that is so amazing. We get a glimpse into 25 lives. These are such strong people. I just want to get together and meet all of you!
Opening up on such a public forum can be tough, we risk the negative comments. But, I am so glad I take that risk because we are all focused on good intentions.
Merry Christmas!