Saturday, December 7, 2013

Deepest Gratitude

One of the most exciting moments of the Shoe & Accessory Hunt Gathering party is when we announce the raffle basket winners. This year we had 17 baskets filled to their brims with items like Finish Line Training of Kewaskum sessions, L’Bri facial cleanser, and one of my new FAVORITES!, the dermgirls.com  glytone antioxidant anti-aging serum.  Mocha Nails, massage, and tanning sessions were given away. ..Many wine baskets…and one of my precious memories of the evening was when Rhonda with an “h” Lichtensteiger, owner of Moosenuckles came out wondering if what I wrote on “her” donation basket card- a Kindle, blanket, and wine- was really what she had told me she was donating for a basket..only for her to find out she would be coming face to face with Ronda without an “h” Lichtensteiger, dear friend and her very distant relative, that evening who had kindly donated said basket. Such a small world. Oh, and by the way, Rhonda with an “h”, owner, donated a simply fantastic basket as well filled with shirts, wine, cozies, treats, candles, and a wine aerator! As if it weren’t enough that she donated her business for the night, her time (as well as her great family and friends’ time!), and her authentic charm and grace. 

What I love about raffles baskets is it’s similarity to window shopping. There is lots of peeking, wondering “if I did…what would I do…”, and oooohhhhs and aaaahhhhs. Everyone in attendance recognizes and automatically becomes grateful for the generosity of others to such a wonderful cause. Some gamble on buying a few raffles and sporadically place them singly in a bag while others almost buy-out the raffle tickets putting each and every one in the most desirable item. Though it is extremely difficult to get the attention of busy women who want nothing more than to chat with one another about life’s goings on, I raise my voice loud enough (and am still recovering from the crackling irritation caused by that piercing pitch) to announce the winners. For brief moments, there is only the sound of the name called as everyone hopes it is theirs. Some women seem to get lucky with more than one. And the greatest test of faith is when we don't called. What I love about this night is that we are all able to say THANK YOU LORD! 
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. “
2 Corinthians 9:7 

The room was filled with cheerful givers that Wednesday December 4th, 2013. The women who gathered and others who donated on-line helped raise $3000 for chix4acause.org. A special thanks to Joy Heinan who I know was at least one of our “pheasant tag” donators who could not attend but was generous in donating.  

So many stories were shared enthusiastically in front of all or quietly at the quaint tables. Tammy hunted while a kidney stone was carving away at her ureter. Sarah admitted her shoe-a-holic tendencies of which ALL of us where willing to support rather than save her from…and to top it off…she informed all  of a slick delivery service that drops her fix right at her doorstep, and not once but TWICE a month. She certainly was “high” on her heels this evening. Ms. breath-taking Ali was decked out in a fur and sparkle as she confessed she would only do for such a great cause. Size 9, thank you very much! Divine! Our co-founder Kathy brought back out a kill that was downed during year 1 of the hunting season! I recall her hanging on to the Welcome Chix sign in those furry boots during the snowstorm. I seemed to be the one who had the desirable accessory…my new rooster bedazzled purse from E-collectique was nearly nabbed on numerous occasions Kelly’s story was top secret and will remain that way as we have learned that there are others cities besides Vegas where what happens has to stay. And then was the story of the night where a wise woman questioned our desires to dress differently. Why? 

When truly,… we… are… one.

Pause.

Namaste.

I cannot say enough or thank enough to truly reflect my deep gratitude for these women. They give of themselves in many ways. Time seems to be the most precious gift one can give. I thank them for theirs. 

I thought everything was perfect that night. Moosenuckles and it’s ambience. The food and naughty cookies. New friends for life like the dermgirls.com. Lastly, the giving to provide even more gifts of love to others. 

Until next hunting season my friends. Be well this holiday season! 

Love, 

Paula   

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Thankful!

It may be primal in all of us to leave some type of legacy. Mine is to give to others in creative ways- a "socialite philanthropist" I am told! A former Microsoft employee Scott Berkun once wrote "As soon as someone starts talking about changing the world or radically reinventing something odds are good he’s talking from his ego, not his heart." While I understand this whole "shoe and accessory hunt" may seem a bit selfish, the beauty of what surrounds it is the gift we give and leave to others. There is a way to simultaneously make major differences in our world—both to help other people and feel good about our choices—all the while positively improving lives. We can do things both large and small, for others and ourselves, every day if we choose to. I hope many of you know, I have a heart and mind that thrives on giving. I am frequently wondering "How can I help? Can I make this better?" So the shoe hunt is so much more than the hunt. When the idea first surfaced years ago, my brain (and those around me) went right to wondering how we could turn this into something for the greater good.

The beauty of the Shoe Hunt has been the many involved who give creatively in different ways. This is a night FILLED with givers. Some are dedicated hunters and come to the party to give their donation and show off their "kill".  Some silently donate to chix4acause.org and prefer not to be present. Others donate by adding a raffle basket for the party. This year we decided to recognize that in the best way we knew how. We created the "Dove Tag". This tag encourages one to create a donation basket to be raffled off at the shoe hunt party, and for that donation, the donator gets in free of charge the night of December 4th. With this year's party having over 15 baskets, we have many who are donating as doves! It is the ultimate "pay it forward" gift. 

All of the baskets are ready for this Wednesday's party. Here are just a few:

1. Hanging basket inspire summer!- A beautiful pontseitta to take you through Christmas, a herb starter kit for deep dead of winter, some spring time bulbs, and a gift card for your summer hanging basket. And don’t worry about watering- 2 plant watering bulbs are included!
2. Silent Night, Holy Night!- a quiet night around the table for 4 including wine glasses, a Heberer homemade wine holder, a candle centerpiece, Peirano Estate Vineyards 2010 “Six Clones” Merlot, and Local Singer/Songwriter Dave Gerardt’s latest album “Leaving the Familiar Behind”
3. Duck Dynasty Cooking- Cook like the Robertson family does! A nifty little grill with all the fix in’s including charcoal, cups, playing cards, Si's iced tea, food, and more food! There is even an iTunes gift card for you to buy anyone of the books this family has published this year!
4. Badger to go pack- for your next game at home or on the road! A Badger cooler, plates, napkins, cups, a Pear & Simple Core cutting board, Core ladle spoon, Wollersheim Winery Port wine, an ant-themed picnic party dip bowl & spreader and for the morning, a hangover buster shower burst
5. Wine Basket- To help improve your wine knowledge, this book titled Perfect Pairings contains over 100 different delicious recipes with wine recommendations. You will enjoy the Core cutting board and might as well see how the pairings of the olives, chips, and bruschetta goes with this bottled wine!
6. Cozy winter dream- Stephanie Luepnitz created these wool gloves and they are paired with the perfect deep purple knitted scarf. Throw this on after you heat up your tea in a ceramic mug nestled in a reusable small storage unit along side a white pontsettia. 

7. Pat&Pat- They have kindly donated again! This year’s theme is wine- some glasses and those beautiful homemade clothes!

We also have great baskets from Mattek's Dance studio, the dermgirls.com, Mocha Nails, Finish Line Training, and KerCar Catering. 

I am so grateful for those who have become our doves for this year's party. I am also thankful for the hundreds I know who conduct simple everyday actions that make a difference in the lives of others. 
It is said that "gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." (John Milton). 
Our little shoe hunt party is a good thing, simply said. I hope you are looking forward to this experience, the experience of giving in whatever way you choose. 

Be Well!

Paula