Happy Thursday friends! I hope the start to your Christmas weekend is going great! It's been a little bit since I updated (a couple of months to be exact *smiles*) and I thought today would be the perfect day to update on our move up to New York as I receive so many questions each day about how things are going, how teaching is going, how we are settling in, etc. In many ways it is completely surreal that this week marks seven months since the process really began and a couple of months since we moved in and I started teaching in New York and then as some of you are aware we moved again. In some ways it seems like years because so many things have taken place... time is funny like that- isn't it?
Overall
Overall, I would say that there are many times that I feel like we are taking one day at a time and just taking things each moment as they come and other times where it feels like we are really settling in. I think big changes are like that- just lots of adjustments and giving yourself a LOT of grade.
Teaching
As I shared last month, there were some incredible changes that took place. You can read more HERE.
1. Be Present.
I have said this before, but the best gift that you can give is yourself. Yes, the holiday seasons are busy for you with lots of parties, events, and gatherings but most likely your loved one who is fighting Lyme Disease is not able to attend all or any of these types of events. Many times they feel loneliness more than ever at the holiday season as they spend more time alone during these weeks then others as people are off having lots of fun. The best gift you can give is to schedule in a phone call, stop over for a visit, or skype with your friend during your busy and their lonely holiday season - what a beautiful gift this would be!
2. Offer monetary help if possible.
Many Lyme Disease patients use special bath products (including shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, perfume, deodorant, etc.) that are free from certain dyes, chemicals, or ingredients. Yes, these items are more expensive but are necessary. What a lovely gift this would be for someone! Don't know what they use? Ask them or a family member!
Most of us with Lyme Disease desperately need our cell phones and that yucky bill each month takes out a huge amount of money. Consider paying their cell phone bill for a month! I have a Lymie friend who shared that a group of her former co-workers went down to her cell phone provider and paid her cell phone bill for the year. What an AMAZING gift!
You know how you spend a lot of money on having your hair cut, nails done, etc. for the holiday season? Your loved one who is suffering from Lyme Disease would love that to but would never dream of spending the money on something like that anymore. I can speak from personal experience that the changes that occur with an illness in regards to personal appearance can be difficult. Different medications can cause weight changes, hair loss, skin break outs, and generally make you feel like you look "awful". I personally would love to have a hair cut, eye brows waxed, nails done, etc. but there is NO money for this type of thing. (To be completely personal I have had my hair cut twice in the last three years.) You get the point friends. If this is something you can give to a friend- it would be an incredibly blessing.
When you offer unsolicited advice, it can come across as a lecture- even if that is not your intent. Someone once said: "Assume that we have heard all of the tips on Lyme Disease and leave it at that." I couldn't have said it any better.
Why not gather a few items together to give to those who can't go out? Perhaps a snack, movie, etc. could provide a lovely gift!
8. Soft, Snugly, and Comfy blankets.
I love feeling comfy- especially on days where the pain is intense and I feel so miserable. I love the gift of soft blankets, comfy sheets, and sweet throws. A couple of years ago I was the recipient of a beautiful prayer quilt. Every time that I look at it and use it I am reminded that there are SO many people praying for me.
Need suggestions? Here are just a few things that immediately come to mind:
Those with Lyme Disease spend a lot of time in bed, at home, or in the hospital and nice pajamas are always a lovely gift.
11. Magazine subscriptions are a lovely gift!
12. Purchase a netflix/hulu/pureflix account for a year.
13. Buy a "prime" membership on amazon.
14. Create a relaxing atmosphere.
15. Gas Gift Cards.
I can't even begin to express how much money I spent in gas money each week driving to all of my local doctors appointments and this doesn't even begin to account for the ones that are not local. Gas gift cards are a wonderful gift.
16. Mind the car.
Along with #15 - a car gets lots of use. Take the car for a "spa day" and get the oil changed, washed, filled up with gas, and tuned up. This would be an AMAZING gift! Better yet, have someone do an entire tune up!
17. Ask them what the best books are on Lyme Disease and then read them.
18. Introduce a hobby or supplement their existing hobby.
Does your friend do a hobby that helps them pass the time or that they enjoy? Perhaps your friend has opened an online shop to help cover the cost of treatment? Purchase items that they have been wanting or give them a gift card to their favorite specialty craft store. Do they not have a hobby but have been talking about starting one? Buy the intro book, the intro supplies, and give them the gift of creativity!
19. Give the gift or reading.
Is there something that your friend loves to read? Buy them the books they have been wanting but can't afford. Does your friend struggle with Neuro Lyme and can't read anymore? Give them books on tape! Don't know what to give them? Purchase a gift card to a bookstore or a kindle gift card. Maybe even purchase a kindle...
20. Research and Purchase a Gadget that can help them as they fight Lyme Disease.
21. Pay for an upcoming Doctors Appointment.
One of the things that many people don't understand is that despite having insurance your Lymie friend most likely has to pay for their doctors appointments out of pocket. This means that instead of just having a co-pay your friend is responsible for the entire doctors visit at the time of the appointment. Prices vary but patients can bay anywhere between $375 to $1800 per appointment. Consider paying for a doctors appointment (or partial appointment) by calling the doctors office and seeing how you can put money on their account. Believe me- this would be a priceless gift.
While not everyone is a writer, some of us go through journals
Is your friend using alternative supplements? Most people with Lyme Disease use alternative treatments and these can be an expensive but necessary "addition" to their regime. Consider giving a gift card to their reflexologist, acupuncturist, massage therapist, chiropractor, etc. These are often expensive and this would be a wonderful gift. (Disclaimer: only purchase what your friend is currently using. This is not the time to give advice on what you believe would be the cure!)
Many Lymies have had to leave the job they love and have tried to find a way to make money in a new capacity. Support their endeavor. Do they have an etsy shop? Purchase gifts from that shop and spread the news about their shop via social media. Do they make things and sell them on the side? Have they written books? Help spread the word! One friend that I have who has Epilepsy had to quit her job teaching but is the most AMAZING baker and creates gorgeous and delicious pies. Another friend of ours went around to local churches who were holding Thanksgiving dinners this year and set up a business deal for her where the churches purchased the pies and she was able to gain enough income for a couple of months. This was an amazing idea our friend had but my friend with Epilepsy didn't have the energy to even think about it! This was an incredible blessing and guess what? She has "expanded" outside of our city and next year has double the orders from other churches and businesses!! Think outside the box for your friend, support their work - whether it is through purchasing something yourself or just simply spreading the word!
I suggested asking your loved one what books that they would recommend to read about Lyme Disease but why not also because an advocate? Isn't it wonderful that there are so many walks and "government supported" funding for certain illnesses? That came about in part because of friends and family rallied to bring awareness. What about Lyme Disease? Do you know how what it really is? (If you don't you can read this post, "What is Lyme Disease" by clicking HERE!) Do you know how it is affecting your friend specifically? Do you know what is happening in Congress or at the state level in regards to it? Become an advocate for your loved one and for the thousands of others that might not have loved ones who care.
Yes, hot tubs are expensive but Amazon sells the Conair Thermal Bath Spa Mat for a very reasonable price. This would be such a lovely gift! Along with this idea: special heating pads, massage heating pads, etc.
Do y'all live in an area where winter rears its ugly head? Consider purchasing a can of spray defroster so that they do not have to scrape their car! (And maybe gloves, warm scarves, etc.!)
29. Help your friend address Christmas Card Envelopes.
Sometimes the energy to address the cards can be an issue. Offer to address the cards (and mail them!) for your friend! (Does your friend need to send out presents in the mail? Offer to do this for them! Waiting in line at the post office can be physically exhausting!)
The amount of emotions that encompass a day of living with Lyme Disease is absolutely staggering. There are hundreds of different side effects that your Lymie friend is dealing with and the road to healing is not a straight line. Your friend may be happy in the morning and one hour later is in tears because something didn't go right with the insurance company or the pharmacy. A beautiful gift in the middle of all of the chaos is a letter from a friend, cheering them on, expressing support and love and hope. This would be a beautiful gift that your friend would read many times over. Another idea? I was just the recipient of an envelope stuffed with letters from people that I don't know from a dear friends church. These people had spent time praying for me and then all wrote me letters. I have cried over them, re-read them hundreds of times already, and have been reminded that I am not alone. Words are powerful and can be the best gift of all.
31. Homemade Inspirational Artwork.
Create artwork that can be displayed- especially for those who are bedridden.
32. Create a Retreat.
Do you have a Lymie coming to visit for the holidays? Consider setting them up somewhere that they can retreat to rest and relax when they are feeling sick. A sweet friend of mine shared a precious story from a Christmas a couple of years ago. She was dreading a trip to her sister and brother-in-laws home simply because she knew that there would be 30 (!!) people that would all be staying in the home and it would offer little quiet time which she desperately needed at that stage of her treatment. She was very concerned about this and was considering not going on the trip when a beautiful present arrived in the mail. Her sister and brother-in-law had reserved a room at an exclusive retreat center in the same town. This allowed her the freedom to be apart of the holidays but also the necessary space to retreat and rest. As she says "it was the best Christmas present ever"! What a beautiful gift. Maybe you can't afford to do that but why not set up a special room in your home for your loved one where they can retreat as needed? This will give them an incredible blessing amidst the "hustle and bustle".
33. Give a gift card for "unmentionables".
If your friend hasn't had the money (or the energy) to buy new clothes in a while consider giving them a gift card to purchase the necessities that they probably need.
34. Purchase Pet Items.
Does your friend have a pet? Consider purchasing a gift card to their vet, paying for a pet "check up" (or grooming), or giving them a gift basket of necessary food and litter, treats, or toys.
35. Remember the caregiver(s).
I have often said this but me being ill is often harder on my family then myself. To see people that are constantly hurting and suffering and not be able to do anything about it is excruciating. Reach out to the caregivers and you will touch the heart of the person who is ill too.
As I have said countless times here on the blog, realize that your friend or family member with Lyme Disease is the best gift this season. Their illness is forcing them to set limitations but the gift to you is remembering what is truly important in the holiday season. Celebrate people. Not things or activities. At the end of the day people are the most important thing not whether or not you were able to buy every single gift in the world, decorate your house the best, or have the cutest pinterest worthy decorations. People are what matter friends and Lyme Disease may be the best gift in helping us all remember that this holiday season!
Looking for other posts on how to help friends with an illness during the holiday season?
Check out these other posts:
15 Ways to Help a Friend with a Chronic Illness at Thanksgiving
Interested in purchasing one of my Lyme Books as a Christmas Present? You can click on the links below to go to each Lyme Disease book! Thank you so much for your support!
(1) When Light Dawns: Daily Reflections on Advent and Christmas for Lyme Warriors
(2) Praying through Lyme Disease- Book of Prayers
(3) When Hope Restores: Daily Reflections on Hope from the Psalms for the Lyme Disease Journey
(4) When Truth Refreshes: Daily Reflections for the Emotions that Accompany the Lyme Disease Journey
Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share with y'all a new product that went into the caravan sonnet shoppe at teachers pay teachers this morning! This is a resource for personal finance teachers at the high school or college level.
If you would like to go directly to this resource you can click HERE!
* Finding and Researching Apartments
* Budgeting for an Apartment
* Financial Aspects of Apartment Living
* 22 Hidden Apartment Costs
* Location Considerations
* Apartment Amenities
* Walk Throughs
* Specific Walk Through Considerations
* Negotiating Rent
* Final Lease Signing
If you would like to purchase this powerpoint you can find it HERE! Thank you so much for all of your support of the shoppe! If you would like to check out the shoppe you can find it HERE! This has been an incredible blessing and you are making this possible!! Thank you again friends! Happy Monday!
This book is written for those with a heart and desire to practically meet someone struggling through the confusing and difficult road of a chronic health condition this holiday season. Often those who long to walk the journey of a chronic health condition with their loved ones ask from a sincere place, "How can I really help this holiday?" but feel at a loss of where to start. This book is filled with unique and one-of-a-kind ideas for this holiday season that will be a wonderful "jumping off point" for you to be reaching out to those whom you love that struggle with chronic health issues and their loved ones.
This is the second book in the "Chronic Grace Series"; the first released in April 2018 entitled, "12 Things to Pray" which you can find HERE. You can purchase "12 Things to Do: For Yourself, A Loved One, The Spouse, The Parents, The Children and The Caretakers Dealing with Chronic Health Conditions During the Holiday Season" on Amazon by clicking HERE!
Thank you so much as always for your sweet and continued support of all of my writing friends. You are a gift!
Simple touches of christmas decor have come to the bungalow! This year we are focusing on enjoying the small and simple moments and grabbing onto them. We are adjusting to a lot of different changes and I look forward to sharing more in the weeks ahead, but in the meantime, I hope that you and your loved ones are treasuring the small and precious moments too.
Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share with y'all one of the newest additions to the caravan sonnet shoppe at teachers pay teachers! This is a resource for middle east and world history teachers and is based on the textbooks, a History of the Middle East and The Middle East in the World.
If you would like to go directly to this resource you can click HERE!
*Basic introduction and background
*Operation Desert Storm Codename
*Invasion into Kuwait
*January 15, 1991
*January 18, 1991
*Israel's Response
If you would like to purchase this powerpoint you can find it HERE!
Thank you so much for all of your support of the shoppe! If you would like to check out the shoppe you can find it HERE!
Happy Friday friends! I hope that you are finishing up a great week! Today I am excited to share the top 5 items that y'all have loved the most from the Caravan Sonnet Shoppe for the month of November!
I have been SO excited about all of the additions in this first month of the shoppe being opened and I am I am thrilled that y'all are loving these products! You may be wondering why I am sharing this information and I wanted to share a little background on why:
I am loving using this information to see what products that y'all are liking and buying. I am constantly making new items and creating new things for my classes, but if it is not helpful for another teacher I don't want to waste anyone's time in putting it in the shop. Instead I want to put in the shop things that are helpful, creative and colorful, and most of all educational.
I also want to take a moment to say thank you for every single purchase that has been made in the shop. My goal is to grow this into a full time business and because I am working incredibly hard behind the scenes to make this happen, I want to share the products that others are finding helpful in case you or a teacher/homeschool mama friend could find them useful also. There is a lot that goes into this work and I am LOVING it but I know it wouldn't be possible without YOU. So thank you again for your support of my newest shoppe!
Now... onto the top five sellers from November:
This bundle includes ALL of the powerpoint presentations and resources lessons with colorful and animated sections for Personal Finance for an ENTIRE semester!! With over 120 powerpoint presentation pages/slides/PDFs and Keys! (121 to be exact!!) you will be ready to have a foundation to teach your personal finance class for a semester!
When I first started teaching personal finance I wasn't even sure where to begin and lots of the materials that were available that could be found (which was extremely limited) seemed out of date and very boring. Creating these resources for my students helped bring this material alive in new ways and these powerpoints will help be a foundation for your semester also!
*Powerpoints can be easily converted into Google Slides for your convenience
**Powerpoints can be edited to fit the needs of your classroom!
This resources includes:
PowerPoint Presentations
Word Document Assignments
PDF Document Assignments
Answer Keys to Assignments
Powerpoint Contains 13 Powerpoint Slides with colorful and animated sections on Taxes.
*Powerpoint can be easily converted into Google Slides for your convenience
**Powerpoint can be edited to fit the needs of your classroom!
Powerpoint contains the following information:
* Basic Definition and Understanding of Credit, Credit Cards, Credit Scores
* Credit Terms
* How people under 25 years old can obtain credit
* Credit Scores
* The Schumer Box
* 6 Benefits of having good credit
* Credit Reports
* Companies that check your credit score
*Powerpoint Contains 19 Powerpoint Slides with colorful and animated sections to help a unit on South America come alive for your Middle School students!
*Contains Up to Date (2021) information and facts
*Contains link to YouTube Video to help bring different areas alive
*Contains Pictures - Including a variety of Sources
**Powerpoint can be easily converted into Google Slides for your convenience
This powerpoint contains South America Geography Including:
*Location
*Countries (including a slide on the 2 non-sovereign countries located in South America
*Population
*Rivers
*Rainforests
*Lakes
*Mountain Ranges
*Specific Mountains
*Waterfalls
*"Hand of the Desert"
*Language
*Most Popular Sport (Football)
*WordDocument Contains 2 worksheet pages to help students prepare for college and their budgets in college! This would be perfect for a junior/senior high school level finance class. This will work perfectly with the Semester Finance Bundle or any of the Personal Finance Resource section!
The college budget project includes the following things for students to accomplish (also hitting many state standard requirements):
* Bank account for college requirements
* Check writing requirement
* College application fees
* Scholarship Applications
* College experience and complete budget requirements listed
* Pick your top school choice and complete budget requirements listed
AND MANY MORE ITEMS....
Document can be edited to fit the needs of your classroom!
