{selling cookie dough}

I must admit, I've never been "gung-ho" on fundraisers. Too busy, I would be doing all the work, not-so-great memories of standing in the cold trying to sell candy bars as a kid...the usual excuses. Of course, I usually buy one or two of what my kids are selling. That's only the right thing to do. So, when my mom (the fundraiser queen) came into town and found out that there is a cookie dough sale going on for Silver State, she jumped right in. She corraled Kate and Chad, taught them what to say, and took them out door to door. Mom took Chad and I tagged along with Kate, thinking I could help somehow. Little did I know the blessings I would receive!
No one turned Katelyn down. Big surprise there. But we've got a few things to work on;-) As soon as we walked out the door, Katelyn asked a young couple walking by with a double stroller. They paid right there. I was delighted to meet a couple in the area in our age group. At the first door, Katelyn walked right in, while Maria was finding change. She made herself quite comfortable, and even started up the stairs. Maria had me help her hang her Halloween decorations, then overpaid and told us to keep the change. At the second door, Linda didn't want any cookies, so paid for Kate to get her favorite kind: M&M. Pat next door was in her 90's, was on 6 liters of oxygen, slept in a hospital bed in the front room, got around in a wheelchair, and had a caretaker there making her meals. Pat wanted white chocolate macadamia, but couldn't find any money. I told her that her neighbor had just paid for it. When we got to the fourth house, Patricia was writing a check when Katelyn walked in the kitchen and said she was "so hungry." Patricia found a protein bar, which Kate spit out and said was "nasty!" Embarrassed, I pulled Kate out of there, promising her supper after we went to one more house.
At the last house, John met us at the door wheeling a large trashcan out. As I held the door open for him, he growled, "What do you want?" Kate responded, "Well, I'm selling tooties for my stool." John growled again, "Over-priced I bet." Kate didn't know how to respond to that. Just then, John's grandson Salem ran out and asked for M&M cookies. John didn't have enough cash, so went inside for his checkbook. When he came out, he sat down in a broken plastic chair by the garage, pointed to another broken chair, and ordered "Sit." I sat. He wrote out a check, asked for a receipt (which I didn't have), then proceeded to talk to me for 45 minutes. After a while, his grandson Salem went inside and brought out gatorade and crackers for Katelyn-who was starving. When we left, John said "No one ever has time to sit down and just talk. I'm glad you did. All I do is sit around with my right hand shaking constantly, trying not to die from cancer and Parkinsons. When you come back with the cookies, bring your husband so I can talk to him." With that, he slammed the door shut.
So maybe I have changed my mind a little about fundraisers. This one anyway. It was a great way to meet new neighbors and help them. Even if it was a little out of my comfort zone. You just never know.

{mountain autumn}

As usual, I love to brag about the state I live in. And this year's autumn has been exceptional. We've taken several fishing/hiking trips to the mountains to "soak" in the beauty as much as possible. And as the weather gets cooler, I start baking. Bring on the apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and hot cider, brisk evening walks in the crisp, cool air and relaxed conversation around the fire pit. Love it!!!

In fact, it would be all right with me if it stayed fall all year long. That way, whenever you come visit, you could witness the breathtaking beauty as well!