How to learn compassion in a week or less.....

Week one at the new job.

We all know me. I'm cynical, prejudiced, and negative.

While my political views will not be changed, my level of compassion towards others, will. After one week working for a non profit day care and preschool, I see it all.

I see happiness, sadness, ignorance, and unconditional love.

My new place of work could not be any more different than any previous job before.

I see children of every race, religion, and age. Some come from well established households, while a majority do not. They come from foster homes, broken homes, and situations I don't care to think about. And every one of them is beautiful with a different story to tell.

I wanted this job so I could make a difference, in any possible way I could. I'm so incredibly thankful that within a few days time, I'm able to bring Christmas to a couple of kids that walk the halls I work in. I see moms that don't care, and some that have reached their breaking point. I've already seen the good foster parents and the bad. It's amazing that I can be so disgusted and elated about these kids at the same time.

All I can say is.....love your children. Take care of your children. Put them before yourself. Be thankful for everything you have. Food, love, and clothes. I already want to give these kids everything.

......have a good weekend.

Aunt Bunny's Tree

Back in October when we went to my Grandparent's house in North Georgia, my Grandpa (mom's dad) handed something down to me. It was a ceramic tree that his sister had made back in the 60's. Aunt Bunny and I clicked right away when I fist met her, back when I was about 10 years old. She owned a Llama farm in Sedro Wooley, Washington and she became my 'fax pal'. We'd write every couple weeks and when she and my Great-Uncle traveled, she was always sure to send me a postcard from their destinations. 19 years later, I still have all her letters.

She passed away some years back after having two strokes.

This tree was something special that everyone in the family grew up with as a Christmas decoration.....when Grandpa pulled it out for me to see for the first time, half of it was shattered.

I consider this mine and Aunt Bunny's little project. Since I brought it home, it's had a little bit of work done to it - so that it can be enjoyed for many more generations.

Here's what it looked like after I'd pieced together most of the parts that had broken off. Only about 1/3 of the tree was still intact with no cracks.


All together.




I used spackle to fill in a few small holes, and to smooth over the cracks. Then I sanded it down.



It took me a while to find a paint color that matched what she had painted it all those years ago. The glitter that she had on there was browned and dingy from all the years. I contemplated for a while whether to leave it, or redo it, so that it can once again be displayed again. I sanded off what I could of the old glue and glitter, but made sure to leave enough there so that I could 're-glitter' it in the same lines that she had. (sorry for the bad garage lighting)


I was so scared to do this, but I'm so glad I did. It turned out so wonderful.



I was even able to still find plain white glitter - just like what she used.


Hope you like it Aunt Bunny. I enjoyed 'our' little project.