Hello Cuties! We had a great family reunion and although we had a lot that weren’t able to attend, we still had 83 in attendance. I ended up making and giving 25 gifts. The 5 runners in my postings here along with vinyl hand sanitizer holders, cosmetic bags, in the hoop zipper bags, coaster sets, tall clear vinyl bag (I put hairspray can,tall items when traveling), and some fold over pouches that have clear vinyl compartments. They seem to all like their gifts.
I have to tell you this. I knew there was no way I could make a gift for every woman there. I just kept sewing and ended with 25 gifts because I thought that was a good number and also I was running out of time.When I put all the ladies names in a bowl to draw I told my son-in-law and my hubby I felt really bad because only a very few would not get anything.
However, before we had the drawing 3 women left. I had told my cleaner girls their name was going in the drawing too because even though they received a runner they EARNED those.
Ashley drew the names and I had all the gifts numbered and a list of the gifts with the numbers. As she drew a name for the first gift I was able to find gift #1 on my list and in my box. The same with each name afterwards.
Ashley didn’t know the gifts were a few short but I had told her to announce that everyone may not receive a gift. We have no way of knowing how many women would show up. She also must have forgotten I put the 3 cleaners in the drawing on purpose because when she drew Cindy, Vickey and her own name she threw those away. If she hadn’t the outcome would have been different.
Can you believe I had exactly enough for ALL the ladies. Talk about God blessing the giver! I was so happy no one was without a gift!!!
But NO pictures to show of any with their gift😣 I do have a few of the day though that others shared.
I just wanted to let you know how happy we were to be together again. I missed our family!
Have a great day!❤️Toogie
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Wow! I am sure all those ladies were so happy with their prizes!! Kudos for you and all your hard work. Tonya
1 comment
by toogie
15 Jul 2021
Thanks Tonya, I think everyone would have been happy to receive a runner. They seemed to love them most but were appreciative of all.
20088God is truly amazing Toogie. I loved hearing how it all turned out. So glad that you had a wonderful reunion. You have such a big heart wanting to please everyone. You are a special person.
1 comment
by toogie
15 Jul 2021
It’s not ‘me’ that’s special , it’s the love of Christ in my heart, I would like people to see. He wants us to be givers of self, time, love, etc. I know you understand what I mean. You have given so much to, and for, your family.
14637Thanks for your beautiful story. I hope you enjoyed yourself and now take some time to relax, you earned that!
1 comment
by toogie
14 Jul 2021
No relaxing. Although our garden is not doing very well we have friends that have given us vegetables. We cut up almost 20 bell pepper yesterday and have that many to cut up today. Last year she gave us over 200😳😂
We also have tomatoes I have to do something with
145304I'm so glad your reunion was a wonderful affair. I'm not surprised God worked it out so each and every woman got a gift. You are an amazing woman and i hope you got a thanks from every one. I'm sure you are still reliving that day and still with a special smile. Now take a break and recharge.
1 comment
by toogie
14 Jul 2021
I not only got smiles but hugs too! I told our neice Cindy, who is a school teacher and one of the ‘cleaning crew’, that I was disappointed to not have any pictures of them with their gifts. We have a family Facebook page and photos are coming in now of their gifts in their house or them with their gifts. Yea!👏🏻👏🏻
169064Congratulations, Toogie, on another successful reunion....I know all the ladies were thrilled with their gifts, too.
1 comment
318513Awesome effort my friend, and isn't God good in enabling you to have just the RIGHT amount for the ladies. So glad you all got to be together, even if some were missing. It's time like these that really bring out the meaning of love in humanity. Love Chris
1 comment
by toogie
14 Jul 2021
We can never say enough about how good God is. He knew how hurt I would have been if someone was without a gift. He worked it out perfectly, as always. The oldest sibling Faye is 95. Her and none of her children nor grandchildren came. Also, none of Dean, nor Douglas’ family came. Only one of Donald’s daughters and hubby came and Donald had 5 children and a lot of grown grandchildren. Other niece or nephews absent too so still a lot didn’t come. We enjoyed visiting with the ones that did though!
234505Wow that is a large family specially when you say that a lot were not able to .attend. The fact that you had exactly the amount of gifts you needed is amazing. The amount you are producing is cause for me to wonder wether you ever sleep. I Envy you for all your energy. Well done
1 comment
by toogie
14 Jul 2021
I think it’s more drive than energy. If you could see the list or piles I have to-do. Large quilt in progress, tote too. Lady is bringing an old large doll for me to make a new outfit. Was her doll as a child so old. A quilting friend that gave me vegetables yesterday sent me home with a panel and fabric to piece her husband a quilt the size of our QOV 60x80. She’s been quilting a lot longer than me and I told her she could make it. However, here it is at my house…..it is a panel of an old tractor like Marty’s and she said I am better at panels. I don’t know about that but I’ll get it done. She’s had it sitting 3 years!
109774So glad it worked out for all the women! You couldn't have done better if you had planned it. You are an amazing embroidery "machine!" Glad you had such a good crowd and had a fun day.
1 comment
by toogie
14 Jul 2021
It was important for us to have this time with family. No one worked harder than our youngest daughter (age 40) organizing, cleaning, shopping and updating everyone. I used to go buy all the meat for years, then get my sister-in-law and our girls to help us wash and season the day before. Hubby would cut the wood and haul, needed for the large pits. Also mow all the grass which is a LOT. I would also shop for the supplies like paper plates, forks, bbq sauce,etc
We are too old to do all that now so the younger ones need, and some are, to step up and take over.
5431Wow, 83 in attendance - that is amazing! How did you feed everyone? Hope each one brought a dish to pass!!! That was a bunch of gifts and it sounds as though it worked out beautifully!! Great job!
1 comment
by toogie
14 Jul 2021
Lol- Laura, most of the ladies do bring at least a dish but then others like me bring more. This year I only brought three. A pasta salad, potato salad and coleslaw. Someone missed my banana pudding but we always have plenty deserts. The meat is now ordered from our local butcher who also prepares, seasons it, ready for the grill. We usually count the adults and children over about 12 . Whatever the meat and supplies total up we divide the cost by the number of people. Usually it’s about $10 or $12 a couple like us, so $6 a head. We eat both meals and usually bring some home. You sure can’t eat one meal out for that!
This year one of the nephews and his wife donated the cost of the meat. We still donated money for the cost of supplies Ashley picked up and I think we came out better than the cost. I didn’t tally it up but I told the niece Starla ( another teacher) that was accepting the donations to give whatever was left after paying the supplies to Josh for the meat. We donated $20 and my oldest grandson Caleb gave me $25 for his donation so I’m sure even though Josh wanted to donate the meat, he probably got his money back.
96283Gosh Toogie I cant keep up with you. It takes me all my time to achieve what I do but you do far more. Glad all went well and Congratulations on producing the exact number of gifts required.
1 comment
by toogie
14 Jul 2021
Thank you C, I am slowing down a lot. Some days I feel almost worthless-lol- we had a great day. I was glad to have a happy time with family and see them somewhere other than a funeral.❤️Toogie
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