I love staying in hotels.  I’m in Indianapolis for a couple of days and I have more than enough *stuff* in a small carry-on bag.  The mess in my room is limited to my 3 cubic feet worth of stuff.  I have a king size bed with 7 pillows, all to myself.  I have 4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, 5 washcloths, and 3 miniature bottles of lotions and potions – all mine.  I haven’t turned the TV on once since I arrived and have not had to listen to a single cartoon voice or adolescent actress in crisis.  Nobody woke me up during the night for a drink, a trip to the potty, or a sleeping companion.  People keep feeding me and cleaning up after me.  As much as I love my family, it’s nice to spend a couple of days in Indiana now and then.

Today’s gift was to set up an online wish list for the teachers at Aliya & Adlani’s elementary school.  It’s not finished yet, but I hope to have it done in time for teacher appreciation week.

And now, I will pass out in my giant bed where I will huddle at the edge and not move for the entire night for fear of waking up whoever may have crawled in during the night.  It’s amazing what you can get used to. 
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I don’t know if it was spending my weekend with Josh and Rachael, who are very careful about what they eat, or the gluten-free muffins from Sunday brunch, or the fact that I’m sitting at the airport surrounded by ultra-fit marathon runners who ran 26.2 miles two days ago and are still able to walk without limping today, but I’ve been thinking a lot about food.  There are a lot of things that I’m too busy to think about, because I’m always so friggin busy.  I think that needs to change because someday when I have enough time to slow down and think about things, I’m going to be 80.

Last weekend Josh and Rachael’s friends were talking about Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, and I was intrigued so I started watching it.  It’s a little embarrassing to watch it in the airport because it brings tears to my eyes and my fellow travelers are probably wondering what I’m bawling about.

This show is eye-opening and disturbing.  In the ‘Ham we’re lucky because our director of food service, Brendan Ryan, has already made huge strides in improving the food served in our schools.  75% of the food is made from scratch to avoid all of the additives found in processed foods.  Whole grain breads and pastas have replaced white bread and regular pasta, and the kids have fresh fruit and vegetables available daily.  Sugary drinks and snacks have been removed from vending machines in the middle schools and high school (here’s a recent article).  Many towns have not made those changes – yet.

My gift today was a donation to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Fund at America Gives Back.  And speaking of America Gives Back, Idol Gives Back is on tomorrow night – 4/21 at 8 p.m.

In the words of Jamie Oliver, “Everyone can do better.”  The episodes of his show are available on Hulu.com until June 5th.  Watch it.  Seriously.
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Wow…only two days* left in the 29 Gifts challenge.  I’ll be traveling for the next three days so I have no idea what my gifts will be.  Could be interesting.

Today I gave a flock of chicks to a family in need via Heifer International.  I have given several gifts of animals in the past, and Aliya collected money instead of gifts at her 7th birthday party and bought a water buffalo.  I think it’s a great organization and a fun way to give.  The animals are given to families who are taught how to take care of them.  The families then have milk, eggs, wool, etc., to sustain and create an income for their family.  The first offspring is passed on to another family, and the gift keeps on giving.

Here’s a quick video about Heifer’s work: 

There are tons of other videos on the Heifer International website if you want to learn more.  There’s also a pretty cool interactive tool here.

*UPDATE:  I just realized that I skipped Day 20, so I guess I have 3 days left in the challenge.  Unless you count the Brownie Husband as a gift.  😉
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This weekend I went up to Portland to celebrate the impending birth (in June) of my niece, so my gifts were all about Duende Bloo. Friday night I gave the gift of pork, when I took Josh & Rachael out to dinner at Norm’s BBQ.  Delicious! 

Saturday morning after a leisurely breakfast I jumped in and out of the shower, blasted through my 5-minute morning routine, and threw on my coat…I think it freaked Josh out a little because he’s not accustomed to living his entire life like his hair’s on fire.  Saturday afternoon we had a really nice party with great food and great friends, and we sat around talking so long that I just had to stay over and get another night of sleep that was not interrupted by someone kicking me or peeing in my bed. 

I drove home today after brunch at the home of Josh & Rachael’s friends, Jim & Nancy.  It’s amazing how much louder the kids sound after 48 hours of relative peace and quiet.  For today’s gift, I’m going to upload some photos to Duende’s website and then call it a day.  I have to rest up for Day 1 of April Vacation.
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Time flies when you’re giving gifts, I guess.  I can’t believe I only have 6 more days in the challenge!

Today I bought a gift for my future niece’s time capsule.  We thought it would be a fun addition to Babypalooza to have everyone bring something to represent current times, that can be put away for the baby and opened when she’s 16, 18, 21, or whenever.  I bought a book, which I am now coveting – Snapshot – The Visual Almanac For Our World Today.  Maybe I’ll get it for Mother’s Day.  hint hint

I also bought one of our favorite kids’ books to add to the baby’s media collection – Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, by Mo Willems.  The kids crack up every time I read it.  I think it’s my delivery.

Babypalooza is this Saturday so I’ll be heading up to Maine tomorrow.  All alone.  I apologize in advance if Ben forgets the oranges for soccer on Saturday.  I bought them, I’ll cut them up, but then he’s on his own.
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