A very Happy Holiday to one and all!
After my recent rant on the downside of gift exchanges, I wanted to publicly announce my gratitude to Jill West, my Diabetes OC “Secret Santa” this year, who went all-out to make it special:
She blew me away with a full collection of “romantic evening” items, including crystal candlesticks, a set of glasses, a wine opener and purty sequined wine-bottle cover, and 2 romantic music CDs; a keepsake box with slots for family photos; plus a generous sampling of her homemade beaded jewelry and more!
Jill made the wine charms herself. I’m still not sure how she managed to safely ship all that glass.
“When Kacey (8 years old) was diagnosed, I had no way to vent my feelings and so I would sit up for hours at night and bead jewelry,” Jill writes to me. “I decided that all the stuff I made would be sold and 100% of the profits would be given to JDRF for the Diabetes Sweeties team.”
THANK YOU, JILL! Maintaing HOPE is so central to living with this blasted illness.
Everyone: Please visit Kacey West’s JDRF fundraising site HERE; even though the walk is over, you can still donate any time.
Enjoy your time off, All.
See you all back here on Monday, for the announcement of our HOLIDAY SURVIVAL SWEEPSTAKES GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!
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Amy,
I was worried that you’d end up with a box of shattered mess but I hoped that the nice postal people would see the FRAGILE GLASS written all over the box LOL! When you posted about “Hope” I kept thinking “Wowwww the earrings I made had that on them!” Couldn’t of been more perfect! I’m so glad you liked everything 
I knew you said you didn’t need candles but what would a perfect “romantic” evening be without new candle sticks (hahaha!) I figured the “snow charms” would be festive and would last through the winter 
***wipes tears*** OK now you’ve made me cry! I am sooooo glad you liked everything
As far as her JDRF team….we just found out she will be getting the “Golden Sneaker” award which is a really neat glass sneaker trophy. The ceremony is Jan 11th and we will be attending for sure! She raised $2500.00 and this was our first walk! We were blown away by how gracious everyone has been! Thank you for posting the link!!!
Have a great holiday
Looks like your gift karma has reversed!!
Hi,
As a fellow blogger, I just wanted to wish you a happy holiday season, and hope that neither of us find ourselves screaming in the new year, like one of the Beatles on “Helter Skelter” (was it John? was it Ringo?) “I’ve got blisters on my fingers!”
best wishes,
Merrill
http://www.gooznews.com
Awesome stuff. Jill & Kacey are the best.
Just wanted to add a quick THANK YOU!! for your Secret Santa gift. I love it! I will post about it when I return from my holiday travelling adventures. (Typing this from the airport WiFi right now, heehee)
HAPPY HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
hugs,
Hannah
Jill rocks!