Because we can, that's why!

I don't think my sister reads this....but if she does *wave* I'm posting about you! Not because I'm being a snob (which I've found is fairly common lately, must be the changes in my schedule that I'm adjusting to) but because it was a really good thinking thing...
We were discussing dinner at the shelter Friday night, and going through the list of things that we need to get. I mentioned that besides the 7 gallons of beverage that we (I) bring for dinner, we (I) need to bring 5 gallons of milk for the next morning. I also mentioned that instead of trying to make 13 pans of applecrisp, we're going to buy what we need. She said "WHAT? Why do YOU have to supply milk for the morning? Why are YOU buying all the desserts? You're doing THEM the favor already!" I thought about that. Why? And why haven't I asked everyone to chip in on those things? Do you know why? It's because I worry everyone would feel to some degree the same way.Maybe that's not fair! Maybe the lesson is in the continuing to ask things of people who are already giving. But I worry that this little endeavor stops being so sweet when you're doling out your own money when you're "already" doing them a "favor" (I don't think making a sustaining meal is doing them a favor in so much as it's doing unto others as you'd have done to you/We Are All One)...and besides that, we're RICH right now. ROLLING IN THE DOUGH. ;) HAHAHA In the end, I revert back to the fact that I have a roof over my head all day and all night, every single day of the year. In fact, I've never NOT had a roof over my head. I've never had to worry about where I'm going to sleep at night. I have a KICK ASS mattress that is all mine, and I have blankets that I bought and I love, and I can eat anything I want right now. Anything. If it's not in the house, I'll have it delivered. If it's undeliverable, guess what we're doing for dinner, you know? I do not have to depend on someone else to feed me. i know that isn't fun. That can't be fun! I bet it brings you to a whole new level of grateful though? Thankfulness? Hope? In a world where our own little pathetic problems are THE BIGGEST DEAL to us, we're either at work worrying about it, or in our own warm, cozy houses. So ...there. We are doing it because we can, and because we are all thankful and no, to the 2 of you who might read this that are participating, I really DON'T need anything else done. We're covered, cross my heart. I love all of my very, very generous giving friends who are taking time out to help cook food! And I'm sorry to everyone who won't read this that I've prejudged the reaction to being asked to give more. However- I did turn down a cash offer, so I mean it when I say that we're covered and it's all good!

But I couldn't stop thinking about it because I think that that's a very common feeling. Just in general..."What? You have to provide THE WHOLE MEAL for ALL THOSE PEOPLE?!" Well, someone has to/ is going to, and it might as well be us. Isn't there too much of every man for himself already? Cullen had a GREAT example of this--- there was a woman ahead of him at subway, who had forgotten her wallet. She ran to get it, and didn't have it, but had a check book. Now she's behind Cullen and asks if they take checks, and guess what. They don't. Cullen told her he'd buy her sandwhich for her. After 30 seconds of "arguing", she thanked him and left. He went to pay for them and found out that there were no more $$ on his gift card, and he only had $4.oo cash. He was short $2. There is a line of people behind him, and I know at LEAST one person heard this going on. No one stepped up. It's TWO DOLLARS, PEOPLE. No one. Cullen went out to the truck and scrounged up change (good thing he keeps it all!) and got it covered, but I was so shocked that no one helped. Woulda been faster for everyone too, but oh well. Cullen gets all the points for that one. Thank God I don't have a lazy husband! Thank God I have such a sweet giving husband. Whatever issues he has, those are NOT two of them!!!!
Anyway----I can't WAIT to dive into the chili...Beth brought over here black bean turkey chili, Beck is dropping hers off tomorrow, and I'll be starting my grand chili making tonight. Guin is making some, Jamie is making some, mom and Chelle are making some, and everyone should be able to have as much chili as their tummies can hold, us included! Chili w or w/o fritos, french bread, sour cream, cheese, onion options, pies and ...what should I do for beverages? Decaf coffee and milk? Will that be good?

My house is going to perma stink after tomorrows cook fest.

I love when Jordan and Samantha ask for hand sanitizer... they call it hanitizer. :)

PS- I love me some Delphin and Ophelia! They are picking up Julia for me from school. We brought flowers over to Marybell because we're glutton for punishment and because she had to work so hard to get her citizenship and it's a big deal! One of these days she'll stop disliking us because she will run out of reasons, right? If Cullen and Other Chuck are such good buds, and Dephin, Ophelia and I seem to get along well, Marybell will eventually stop thinking we're horrible. Or not. Whatevs. We can be nice anyway.

And Chelle is getting all the french bread (after all the balking about why we have to buy anything). :) Atta girl!