Thursday Mosaic Community Development had our annual Miracle on 13th Street holiday party. Last year I was in charge of it and it was a let down on a few levels, for many reasons. This year I was so excited because we hired someone in August, and part of her role was to coordinate the event (yes! no calling restaurants for donations for me!). But, alas, she left after a few months and I was once again coordinating the event.

So after stressing out for a while about where to get food donations in this time of economic problems, I decided to get serious and make this year way better than last year. Tyler helped me, a few staff members called a few restaurants and got some donations, and finally the Olive Garden came through big time and supplied enough food for everyone.

Sixty eight people RSVP’d (last year only about 10 people came!), and although Tyler tried to prepare me to expect about 50, over 68 came! This was such a huge personal triumph for me, and the best Miracle event that MCD has ever had in its history. I feel vindicated from last year!

Not only was the placed packed out, but we had enough wonderful food, and it was a lot of fun! Everyone seemed to have a great time, especially with our icebreaker/quiz that I had whipped up. Here are some pix from the event, unfortunately I forgot to ask Tyler to take some of me up talking, but you can enjoy pictures of everyone else.

December 2008 – Miracle on 13th Street

By the way, I thought you all might enjoy this pearl from a conversation I had with Tyler a couple nights ago…

We were talking about Paul Newman and how I always loved how much he seemed to treasure his wife and that once when asked why he never strayed from her he said, “Why settle for hamburger when I have steak at home?”

I smiled as I said it, and I saw Tyler’s brain whirring and he said, “If anyone ever asked me that I’d say, ‘Why settle for steak when I have the cow at home?!’”

Yeah, I didn’t feel all mushy inside either.

Since I am leaving my husband yet again tomorrow for a work trip to Miami (and driving over 24 hours both ways in a packed mini-van), today I took a Sabbath to get my head in the right place.

It was great.

I woke up at 9, drove to my parents’ house and played their piano for a few hours, drove back home and worked on some art/drawing, listened to classical music, read a teeny bit, took a bubble bath (I’m sorry if that’s too much information), and got an email from my sister-in-law telling me about a huge fantastic makeup sale online where stuff is going for $1 – so I ordered a ton. What a lovely Sabbath day of doing things that bring my soul peace and rest (not necessarily including the makeup…but not necessarily excluding it).

Speaking of similar things, I recently wrote a “prayer”/update letter for MCD and wanted to post the link to it here in case you are interested in what I have been learning in the past few months.

Viva Sabbath!