Day 253 of 365

I started wearing gloves last weekend. Not winter gloves, not mittens, not driving gloves.

Arthritis gloves.

I remember after surgeries having to wear compression stockings. I figure these arthritis gloves are similar to those. The look like tight gloves with the fingertips cut out. They press on my knuckles and joints. I use them for sewing, for typing at home and at work.

But I can't tell if they're working or not. My hands hurt just as bad as before. I still can't tie anything or grab anything in the morning. My hands still feel like they're cramped up.

Like everything else, I probably need to give it some time. More time with the gloves on, less time with the gloves off. Although I do look pretty dorky wearing them, I'm gonna keep on doing it until it works. I hope.

While I wish it didn't hurt so much to finish this next quilt for Operation Kid Comfort, I still got it done.

Day 252 of 365

In Ferris Bueller's Day Off there is a scene where a waiter tells Ferris and his crew, "I weep for the future."

I think at some point lots of adults feel that way about kids - particularly teenagers. Some folks even feel that way about them all the time. Even for me, as an elementary teacher, teenagers haven't been my favorite age to be around. My husband, on the other hand, as a high school teacher? Loves teenagers.

Something happened this week that could sway anyone who might have lukewarm feelings about the goodness of teenagers.

On Day 237 I wrote about my husband sharing the list of items needed for Stockings for Soldiers. The deadline to have items in is fast approaching. I stopped by the high school this week and picked up items the kids had collected.

Thanks to the National Honor Society members and the Future Hispanic Leaders of America (FHLA) at Marsing High School, I'm just not sending more stockings to Stocking for Soldiers.

Just check out the haul!

• 45 canned goods
• 56 packs of Ramen noodles
• 21 meal items
• 56 drink mixes
• 13 CDs
• 28 toiletries
• 182 snacks
• 14 Christmas cards

That's 415 items!

Add in my previous 80 stockings, my mom's eight stockings, and quite a hefty amount of postage I'll be paying at the post office, deployed servicemen and women in the remote areas of Afghanistan will have Christmas stockings full of goodies.

No weeping for the future here.