connection to people

I don't have any big and earth-shattering stuff right now - I've been dealing with health problems, so I have been distracted. However, I was struck by the kindness of strangers and acquaintances and friends. Sure, friends are often kind, however, it can be particularly touching and when we all work together, it is saving and stretching budgets. I have a couple of teenage friends who have been very kind to me lately - offering books I'm interested in to distract myself as I await test results. Do you buy books? Why not ask the people you know if they know of any good ones they've read lately & maybe offer yours to people you think might like to borrow them. Before you know it, you might have a stack of borrowed books to read & that's free & connecting you with other people!! I love the internet! However, it can be tempting to get less engaged with people by using the internet. I am afraid of that for our culture. I'm also on the internet all the time (as many of you know). I encourage you to include connecting in your freebies & savings.

If you have freebies you don't need/want - give them to someone who might like them. I've gotten drama queen enthusiasm from a teenager from handing her a shampoo and conditioner sample that has eucalyptus in it (which I'm allergic to). This created a little bit more human connection, which I am thrilled this particular person. . . and a few others :-)

My husband came home from a business trip with aveda rosemary mint soaps from the hotel. OK, I know very few people who use bar soap anymore . . . aveda rosemary mint, though?! They sell the soap in a meshy pouch for kids, and I have a mesh bag (like those scrubby plastic mesh things). My daughter LOVES aveda (which will be much scarier when she's older), so I showed her the special soap daddy got her & put it in the mesh bag for her to use in the tub. She was thrilled! The soap she had used isn't expensive, but free is better! She is thrilled & feels grown-up, too. Everyone wins!

Getting freebies at stores my mom calls "trick or treating" & it's best done with friends - don't get dressed up like scary stuff, but go with friends & have a set of your freebies printed out for a friend. My mom and I like different things, so we go together & swap back & forth - more usable freebies and time with Mom. I have also done that with the shampoo girl :-) Give it a try & enjoy feeling childlike in the best possible way!

Have a great weekend! Blessings!