Pages

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Grateful

by EBJ

I got this video from a friend and thought it would be great to post as a blog It is really touching, and sad, and eye-opening.

The family at the end will make you get teary-eyed.


109 comments:

  1. Well I guess no one is up yet. I even had to chase the dogs out of our field as they had escaped and still no one had taken first.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Morning Glories!

    EBJ I needed to see that video this morning. It was a reminder to me why I volunteer at the food bank. I have been feeling overwhelmed and tired this last week and about ready to just throw it all in. As our lines are getting longer and we are seeing so many new people. Last week literally our shelves were empty and I was getting the hopeless feeling. It was weighing me down.

    We did get our shelves restocked but we are flying by the seat of our pants right now. Some how it all seems to work out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. From area 51: I really hope that Dawn will come and be comforted by this group of caring people. For all of our differences, silliness, wise cracking this is a really caring group! Dawn I will be thinking about you all day today.

    Whabby the power poles and lines to the back of our property have had problems before. As they run the length our properties about 6 to 7 months out of the year they are in water. We are seasonal wet lands and a good part of that time it is like a lake back there. So the wires and fittings holding the poles rust and eventually give way. This is the first power outage though.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats on 1st Lynn D!

    Powerful blog EBJ. A picture says a thousand words. A videos says a lot more.

    ReplyDelete
  5. EBJ: Sometimes we forget..thank you for reminding me today.

    LYNND: Congrats on FIRST..It scares me to think what would happen if the Food Bank shelves were empty. So many people are hungry, it's hard to even understand it.

    Good morning SHIRLEY!

    DAWN: You will be in my thoughts today as well..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Anniversary to Mr and Mrs TINA!

    Happy Birthday SANDIE!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Morning Zona and Shirley!

    Holy Carp Batman!

    Happy Anniversary Mr.and Mrs. Tina UT!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDIE!

    I can't keep up! LOL

    Zona empty shelves happen more than you would guess. We have been low before but this time of year is hard on most food banks. Giving is down and we have to make our dollar stretch. We have just had an influx of people and it took us totally by surprise.

    Because our food bank is so small we get a funding of about $7,000 dollars a year for the next two years. Normally it is a little tight but we manage by budgeting that out each month for stocking food. This year is turning into a huge challenge on that amount. Next month we have our Anniversay and a big fundraiser. Keep your fingers crossed that we do well!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good morning to LynnD, Shirley and Zona! That's a moving video, EBJ. We never realize how much we have. I've forgotten what it feels like to be truly hungry.

    Happy anniversary, Tina, happy birthday to SANDIE! Though I only know her through her handle NaughtyCroc, my thoughts are with Dawn & family as well. How lucky we all are to have such a family as the nest.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Morning..

    Lynn.. Shirley.. Zona..

    Happy 1 Lynn..

    :O)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Birthday Sandie!!!

    Happy Anniversary Mr.& Mrs. Tina!

    (((((HUGS))))) Dawn.

    Morning Zona, Bonacci and Carol!

    I'm off to get my hair cut and grocery shopping. I was suppose to do that yesterday but couldn't get a hair appointment. See ya later!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good morning....

    I had just assumed that Rick was close to Dawn in age. Tina and iteach and Mary talked to Dawn last night and Rick was 50. Sorry for the misinformation.

    911 instructed Dawn to perform CPR and although she knew Rick was gone she followed 911's instructions and it turns out that this is one of the things thats hurting her most. Dawn has suffered the loss of her partner of 18 years and has also been traumatized by by this.

    Her Mother is en route but won't be there possibly as late as in the morning.

    There is just no angle from which to look at this situation that is reassuring for me right now. It will be better when her Mother gets there.

    I hope today is easier for her and that she will join everyone here for love and support. You folks have a lot to give.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lynn..

    Kudos to you for volunteering.. I am always in awe of you..

    EBJ..

    The vid really got to me, so I could not watch it, I started to, but I could not go further.. It just made me sad.. I know it is the way of life for some.. which saddens me even more.. I do appreciate the reminder to be grateful tho..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dee..

    Oh my that is so sad.. my goodness..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Shirley..

    I thought I was in area 51, you were suppose to do that yesterday.. :O)

    Zona..

    I think we both need this today..
    happy blue

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sandie..

    Happy, Happy Birthday.. Enjoy Your special day..

    :O)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Area 51..

    RonnieGirl..

    Hello! Glad you stopped by, it was good seeing your name, I hope you are well..

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ok.. I have to start my day.. I was reamed out by a client the other day, and I have written a letter to her.. I have to polish it up.. spit on it.. and mail it..

    :O)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, Crap, Sorry..


    Happy Anniversary Mr~Mr~T~both~in~ut

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, Crap,

    let try this again..

    Mr~Mrs~T~one~in~ut~one~in~CA

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dawn..

    As all above me have stated, you will be in my thoughts as well..

    ReplyDelete
  21. How come no one woke me up this morning? ...he-he...it's kinda nice to still be at home!~

    EBJ~ That was a powerful film...thanks for sharing it...I'm going to make the hubby and kids watch it, too~

    Dawn~ Continued prayers~

    LynnD~ I admire you for the work you do, and even when it gets you down, in my mind I keep pushing you because I know how important it is~ (maybe I should be praying for you, too!)

    Good Morning to Shirley, Zona, Bonacci, Carol, and DeeDee~

    ...and thank you for the Anniversary wishes~

    ReplyDelete
  22. Carol~ ur a goof~ He's still here...leaving around 1pm~ :D

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good Morning Hooters!

    Congrats on 1st Lynn!

    No time to watch the video yet- but I will!

    Have a great day everyone..

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ok this probably more than anyone of you wants to know about food banks but I realized that I only gave you part of the picture in my last post. So please indulge me.

    For every dollar that we spend of the state money we then have to show that we have brought in through cash donation, food donation or volunteer hours, that we can double the amount. This is called In Kind matching.

    So if we spend $100 and want to be reimbursed by the state we then have to have show $200.00 in matching amounts. Our food bank chose the easiest way of showing matching.

    We weigh all donated food from the grocery stores and private donars. It gets recorded and at the end of the month I go through and multiply the weight by $1.50 a pound until I have a dollar amount match. It is tedious but is really the easiest way to do it. The formula for volunteer hours is convuluted and takes so much more time.

    The food we get from the grocery stores has to be gone through box by box and we have to sort the good from the bad (kind of like in the video) sometimes it is very bad. We do not complain because most of the time it is good and we feel fortunate to get any. Some grocery chains will not donate to any food bank at all. Many reasons why but in my mind none good enough. Just sayin.

    With the economy being the way it is right now some of our grocery donation is down. As I am sure they have cut back on their budgeting too.

    The money we get from the state we use to buy canned goods, cereal, pasta, beans, rice etc... Non perishable items. We also get a very small allowance for Special Dietary Needs. This would be baby food, diabetic supplies and food that would work for the homeless. That amount averages about $750.00 dollars a year for two years.

    Some how it all works out, but it takes alot of work to keep it running.

    Thank you all for letting me ramble.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I forgot- HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDIE!

    My thoughts are with Dawn, I hope she can have a peaceful day.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Good Morning everyone

    Lynn - I was at the dog park when the blog posted. Heck, with mr. harley man across the street - there was NO sleeping past 5:00 a.m for anyone!!....

    congrats on FIRST...

    dawn - continued thoughts and prayers for you today -

    Tina- happy anniversary -

    Sandie - happy birthday...

    waving howdy to all who land...Lynn D, Shirley, Zona, bonacci, cpgem, deedee and everyone else.....

    I hope everyone has an excellent day!!
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Tina and Goldie landed as i was typing..

    good morning.......

    ReplyDelete
  28. okay - all you bachlorette people.

    I turned over just when the guy in the van arrived...... I thought - WTF......(since I have NO idea what has been going on )......

    I just can't believe that the producers allowed that to happen to mess (would use a different word right here) with her mind like that....

    No wonder none of these relationships work out..

    I hope for her sake that she made the right choice and will be happy.

    Dianne - i did NOT tear up, as I was not invested........ I felt really bad for her...... at least that was only 29 minutes of my time..

    ReplyDelete
  29. Alright kids enough of that I am in awe crap! It makes me uncomfortable and there are so many that do much more than I do out there to keep this country going when all else fails. I feel the best thing I can do is to educate people about hunger and raise awareness and you guys always let me. It helps to ease the stress. So (((Hugs))) to you all!

    Dee Dee thank you for the updates about Dawn. 50 is still so young and makes me so sad. Last night Mr. Lynn D was late getting home and I worried about him until he came through the door. Reading about Dawn's husband made me realize he is no spring chicken as he is 12 years older than me. We just take for granted that all will be well each day when you really never know.

    Jodi thank you for giving us the update on Lovey yesterday. I am so glad you called her! Hi Lovey sending you some Love!

    Yes Ronnie it was great to see you post yesterday too!

    Ok have to get moving here and run errands before we hit triple digits this afternoon! God I hate this weather. I want rain!

    ReplyDelete
  30. LynnD~ I STILL LOVE YOU AND ALL YOU DO~ :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. oh my word...I forgot to wish Sandie a Happy Birthday!!

    I hope you get just what you deserve today....on this most auspicious occasion!!

    Lycklig födelsedag!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Good morning!

    Thank you DeeDee for the update on Dawn, I feel soooo badly for her.

    Congrats on 1st today Lynn! I enjoy hearing about your food bank, I admire you for what you do.

    Happy Birthday Sandie! I hope you have a fun, special day!

    Happy anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Tina!

    MEK I agree, I was not happy they allowed Reed to come back and "grovel".

    I think the most disturbing part was his wearing white tennies with a black suit.

    Di, I will tell MR. EBJ that he owes you and I a victory dinner!

    I need to get to the store before we get to triple digits here today, too.

    I'll be back! Hope everyone has a nice day today!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Carol, thanks for remembering me on my birthday, as this is the BIG one! lol I haven't been here much so it was especially nice that you did that!

    Stopped over to get an update on Dawn--just can't imagine what she's going through.

    LynnD, so glad you're okay after the fire incident--just read your blog--WOW!

    Happy Anniverary, Tina--you picked a good day to get married! :)

    Thank you for the birthday wishes Carol, Zona, LynnD, Bonacci, Shirley, Goldie and MEK!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Good Morning All Owls

    I wanted to wish my friend Sandie a very Happy Birthday. Have a good one my dear.

    Dawn - I am heading to church to light a candle. My prayers will be with you for a long time.

    Zona - We are having a heat wave. It is going to get close to 90 today.

    Lynn and EBJ - Thank you for the blogs.

    Have a great day everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  35. LYNND: I think people think more about donating to food banks at the holidays than during the summer. I know I always forget..that's why I appreciate the video today..it reminded me that hunger is a year round problem that needs to be addressed year round.

    CAROL: How do you always know? Thank you. And I'll send you back some smiles... :)

    TINKA: Please stay in the house and keep cool!! :)

    DEEDEE: Thanks for letting us know what happened..just so very sad.

    MEK: I can relate to the early morning noise..the kid next door has a truck that you'd need a ladder to get into..and I don't think he knows what a muffler is..luckily I'm usually awake when he fires it up! I have to admit..it does look kinda cool though...even if it does rattle the windows. ;)

    GOLDIE: You have a wonderful day too. :)

    Good Morning BONACCI.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Good morning/afternoon!!
    Waving at Zona,Shirley,DeeDee,Bonacci,

    EBJ,such a sad film. I am not sure which was worse, the waste or the hunger.
    Sandi~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

    Tina~So Mr Tina is giving you an anniversary gift of "peace & quiet" eh?

    Tinka, hi there! Stay cool sweet Lady.

    MEK,maybe the Harley will find it's way to a deep pool someplace close by lol!!

    Carol,I am glad you are not upset with me lol! No letters please!
    Good to see Ronnie & Lovey stop by.

    LynnD,your job at the Food Bank boggles the mind! Juggling the figures would do me in!
    I have been curious about something.Do the recipients have to prove they are needy?

    I talked to an old acquaintance a few months ago. He went to the food bank with a couple old duffers who would brag about going from food bank to food bank getting extra foods. They were not necessarily destitute, just tightwads. It infuriated me! That was food that could have gone to a needy family. I told my friend at the food bank and she said she would be on the look out for them as they were supposed to stay in their own county.

    ReplyDelete
  37. EBJ- That video was amazing. I cried too. I plan to share it with my friends and family.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sandie, Happy Birthday, any big plans?

    Happy Anniversary to those crazy mormons in Utah. :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Dawn, I'm still thinking about you a lot and hoping you find a moment or two of peace.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi iteach! I was just getting ready to do some more chores and checked in here first.It was good chatting with you, Tina and Dawn last night. It felt like I was back in high school again talking with my bff! Sometimes the miles apart seem so close.
    bbl

    ReplyDelete
  41. Ok I am home and drenched from head to toe just from unloading the freaking car! I hope I am at least sweating a few pounds off here and there.

    Mary in our state if we use state money we cannot discriminate for any reason. Period. We do have them sign a waiver that they will use our food bank only, and if they are out of our area we remind them that they have a food bank in their area. This applies to almost all grants we may get to run different programs.

    The only program that asks for verification of income and age is for the Senior commodity program. If they want to receive senior government commodities, this is federal, they have to fall into a certain income bracket and be 60 years or older. Tho we just found out they have expanded this program to pregnant women and single parents with small children. They also have to fall in the same income guidelines and have to prove their yearly income.

    We (the food banks) are asking the state to start allowing us to compare our registered clients so we may be able to cull abusers out. So far it is in the consideration phase.

    Luckily our state money is based on the number of registered clients we serve counted by households and individual numbers. That is how they do the money break down for each food bank. This is good and bad because some food banks abuse the system too. The more people you register the more money you get. These food banks usually have paid employees.

    Our food bank is all volunteer and we want to see as much money we receive go to food. We do have some operational costs but we try to pay for those out of cash donations. Example, Lights, heat, garbage, gas mileage for our volunteers who do grocery pick up, Office supplies etc....

    This is why I have so much paper work every month we have to tally how many household served how many individuals with age break downs and then there is how much food we distributed by pounds. Last month our little food bank gave out 19,000 pounds of food and a running total of monies spent. There is more for the government programs that we have to track.

    Our biggest problem is that we are not computerized (too poor) so we do all of our record keeping by hand. We keep hoping to get computerized in the next few years.

    There I go rambling again! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hello Owls.

    Chad has been editing and downloading photos to his flikr account so I haven't had much access to the computer.

    Dawn, I want to say how sorry I am about your loss. I have been in your position and I know you have a huge hole in your heart right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and hopefully you will be able to find some peace soon. Please lean on your support system including the Owls in the nest. (((HUGS)))

    ReplyDelete
  43. Sandie, Happy birthday to youuuuu ♫♪♪☺

    Mr. & Mrs. Tina, Happy Anniversary to youuuuuu ♫♪♪♪☺

    Waving a wing to all the other Owls. Gotta surrender the computer again.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Waving at Sacbarb! Have a great time at Mt. Rainier tomorrow! It should be alot cooler up there.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Dang, EBJ. Great video, very touching.

    LynnD, congrats on first.

    Happy Birthday Sandie Cakes!

    Happy Anniversary Tina Cakes!

    Dawn, I left you messages on both myspace and facebook. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  46. LynnD,Thanks for the info. I like knowing the ins and outs of such things. I am our VFW Ladies Aux.Treas. Thank goodness our post is small as we are too poor to computerize also.We do have to answer to "higher powers" too. We are non profit, but we still get bogged down with paper work.

    Hi Bebbi & SacBarb!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Okay ladies, 14,467 steps. My sister is on her way over. I want to get at least 23,000. That's my goal and I'm stickin to it.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thank you for the birthday wishes Tinka, Mary/mi, SacBarb, iteach, and Bebbi!

    Nothing special tonight, iteach, as my son got his wisdom teeth out today. We'll celebrate this weekend--having a big party!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Later Bebbi, I got about 300 steps in ,,,,,,,,,, there's 10 more lol!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sandi,your poor son! No B-DAY cake for him eh?
    Glad you will be celebrating this week end.
    BBL I have a few things to attend to.......

    ReplyDelete
  51. Bebbi, YOU GO GIRL!!! I wonder how many miles you'd be going if you walked in a straight line? That sounds bad. I mean if you walked cross country.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love brocolli, but boy has it done number on me today. I think some of it is my nerves too.

    I am going to see if I can walk it off.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Sandie, it sounds like you are going to have a fun weekend.

    Please come back on Sunday and give us a few details. I so love birthday parties.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Ok I am officially a melted pile of goo! It hit 104 at our house today! Crap if this keeps up I may have to move to AZ in self defense! Fans are just not cutting it!

    Mary you welcome. Yep we are Non Profit too and oh the hoops!!!

    Waving limply at everyone! Don't want to hit anyone with the flop sweat.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Okay, well I didn't make my goal. I got 21,828. Almost though. Not the best day but still 7.5 miles today, not too shabby.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh and did I mention the fans move the lovely scent of the chicken farm across the road RIGHT INTO MY FREAKING HOUSE!!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Bonnacci: I knew what you meant. According to Virginhealthmiles I've walked:


    Since joining (June 2009):
    12,319 daily avg
    33,437 personal best
    5,014,043 total steps

    ReplyDelete
  58. That should have said since June 2008.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Lynn: Sounds really rough. We have had really, the mildest July I ever remember since moving here (Louisville).

    ReplyDelete
  60. iteach, brocolli is like corn and fritos. You can pretty much tell what it used to be the second time around.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Bebbi, since you started walking, you've walked 1,722.8 miles. That's more than halfway across the U.S. You should be very proud!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Oh Bebbi... If you're taking Alli and eat Fritos, you'll learn another one of them thar lessons.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Dang! I could make it to California..haha. I better get a move on. I would like to be in Sacramento by 2010~! hehe See my great niece.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Well, 2night I had Breyer's chocolate ice cream, salad and Alli..AND, I decided to walk where there wasn't any restrooms..OMG, Thank GOD (literally) for the Church and thank goodness there was an Al-Anon meeting in progress. It could have been REAL bad for Bebbi. Ew.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Bebbi Never,never be out of bathroom
    reach! You will know what I mean when you get to my tender age lol!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Mary! I prolly know what you mean more than you'll ever know! I have a serious issues sometimes..haha.

    And, you are right, never ever, ever, and always have a back up plan.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Okay..enough surfing and playing mafia wars. I am heading to bed. Good night and sweet dreams.

    Hugs to all. Dawn, thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Nite Bebbi, Don't run in your sleep!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hello to all..

    This night went by so quickly I can't believe its almost 12:30.. I am heading to bed.. as I am starting to see cross eyed..

    Hope all had a good day..

    Bonacci..

    You have gmail..

    Dawn...

    I can't get you out of my mind..

    ReplyDelete
  70. Bebbi...

    You crack me up.. ice cream and alli, and then a walk.. for some reason, I don't think those three things go together, as you have already found out.. :O)

    ReplyDelete
  71. I really want to read the rest of the comments but I can't.. the words look funny... too sleepy...

    :O)

    ReplyDelete
  72. I did not say anything about not seeing numbers tho..

    That was so easy!!!!!

    Now I can sleep..

    :O)

    ReplyDelete
  73. HA! I crack myself up.. I guess I can't see numbers either, cause 100 just turned to 200..

    LMAO @ me..

    :O)

    ReplyDelete
  74. cpgem - you crack me up!!

    congrats on 100!!

    ReplyDelete
  75. I hope everyone has an excellent Wednesday!

    good nite.

    ReplyDelete
  76. I took a walk tonight too, but it was more of a stroll.

    I tried to do the counting step thing last spring, but it was just too depressing for me.

    My walks are precious to me. It is all about nature. I look at the birds, trees, and flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  77. I also look at the stars in the sky or the numerous trees on our street. We have tons of them. They are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  78. At this time of the year I love listening to all the bird and insect sounds. Very relaxing and enjoyable.

    Someday I will step it up, but I so enjoy my stroll.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Tonight's walk was a treat! As I was listening to the night sounds, I heard a very familiar one.

    I heard a couple having sex and boy were they enjoying it. Our houses are close together and all the windows are open.

    I gave them the thumbs up and kept on walking.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Iteach you crack me up! They didn't deserve two thumbs up? LOL

    ReplyDelete