Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Need Your Help

Hey everybody.....I need your help!

My mom turned 75 years young last Thursday, and we are having a little party for her this coming Sunday to celebrate. I've been thinking about what to get her, and for some reason, my mind has been gravitating toward buying 75 of "something", I just can't figure out what that "something" should be.

I could do 75 m&m's in a jar, but how boring is that? I was wondering if any of you have some cool ideas about what I could do? Keep in mind, it has to be relatively cost effective.

Also, let me tell you one other thing we are doing for my Mom's birthday. My SIL thought of this idea. We (my three brothers and their wives, for a total of 8 of us) are going to give her a list of 75 bible verses, in a joural, that have inspired and helped us in times of trouble. You see, my mom is have some serious issues with chronic pain, and is so down and out because of it. Her personality has changed so much this past year because of her suffering. It's so sad. So I'm having everyone steer their bible verses to ones of strength, encouragement and hope, to get her through those rough days. I plan on writing all of them in a journal for her.

Isn't this a great idea? Now I just need to come up with some other fun thing to do with "75". This is what I'm looking to all of you for help with! Leave me a comment if you've got a great idea for me!

Hugs,
Amy

p.s. I also wanted to let you know that I now have a FaceBook page! I've had it for about a month now, and FINALLY, I'm compiling some friends (it looked so pathetic when I only had like, 10 friends:))! It's been so fun re-connecting with friends I haven't talked to for so long. If YOU have a FB page and want to be friends, send me a request. Did you know that there are sooooo many bloggers with FB pages?????? Check it out!

22 comments:

  1. How about 75 things that make your mom special or 75 reasons you love her? I think what you are doing is so great. Let us know what you decide.
    Cheryl

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  2. 75 reasons mom is so great! Of course there are many more than that! That popped into my head . Maybe putting them into a jazzed up basket or something along those lines.

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  3. How about 75 pictures or 75 family memories put in some type of keepsake book?

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  4. This doesn't really have anything to do with "75", but when my mom turned 75 I cooked her a special dinner with her favorite foods, used the good china, crystal, etc. and bought a pretty fabric covered box which I used as a "memory box". Each of her children and grandchildren wrote her a special letter telling her how much they loved her and what she meant to each of their lives. It was so touching for her to read each letter from her family members and she absolutely loved it. Just sharing what we did for my mom's 75th birthday. It meant more to her than any monetary gift could have ever meant.

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  5. Could you do a jar of 75 wishes for your mother? You could do a take off of the Dove chocolates that have the messages in the insides - make homemade chocolates and wrap a wish in with it?

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  6. Does your mom like chocolate?? 75 hershey nuggets? or 75 hugs and kisses?? I love your scripture journal idea. That will be a nice remembrance for your mom.

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  7. Well I am stumped too! I know when my dad turned 50 he got 50 quarters and 50 gumballs...but I can't think of anything really meaningful! I will keep thinking though. I personally think the bible verse thing is a fantastic idea! :D GOOD LUCK!

    ((hugs))

    P.S. I am going to add you to facebook! :)

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  8. Does she like any candies in particular? I was thinking of something like Andies mints, or Dove Dark Chocolates in a jar. Something that can be indulged in a little more than M&M's. Or you could do a jar with encouraging words, or if you have time, a picture book with 75 reasons why you love her.

    Can't wait to see what you decide!

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  9. Hi Amy, I don't have any good ideas for 75 of whatever, but we did a fun thing for each of my parent's 75th. Ahead of time we compiled a life story (2 double spaced pages) that included the words "left" and "right" several times. Like: "RIGHT after he was born, they LEFT to go to their new home... etc." We had everyone at the party sit in a circle and passed out different kinds of candy bars. As someone read the story out loud everyone would have to pass their candy bar to their right or left anytime right or left was said. I think we yelled "Yee-haw" whenever there was a number in the story. The kids like it and it celebrates your mom's life by everyone sitting and listening; of course, everyone ends up with a candy bar, too! We gave them the copy of the "story" at the end. I love your idea of 75 verses in a journal, too. It will be a blessing. I've been on FB for a few months and enjoy it to keep up with my kids and their friends. I'll have to look you up! Nancy Fair

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  10. Hi, I have chronic pain issues and think my "joy journal" has really helped me during tough times. It's just a blank book in which I put inspiring quotes, pictures of family, friends, things I like.

    Here are some quotes I like.

    When you hold back on life, life holds back on you.

    Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

    The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched, but felt in the heart. Helen Keller.

    A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. Irish Proverb

    Friends are the pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up, somethings they lean on you and sometimes, it's just enough to know that they are standing by.

    Be the change you wish to see in the world.

    True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom know until it is lost.

    Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.

    A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

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  11. One thing a friend of mine does for milestone birthdays, is give a present for each year. So for 30, they'd get 30 presents, etc.

    Most of the presents are little, funny items like rubber duckies, soap, candy bars, etc., with a couple/few "real" presents. It's always a lot of fun to have those stacks of presents to open!

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  12. How about 75 memories or things you love about her? It could be as simple as her homemade chocolate chip cookies....a funny story....whatever. Maybe the family could pitch in and write down a few, and you compile it for her?

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  13. Does your mom stamp? If so, you could give her 75 buttons or other embellishments for cards. If she doesn't stamp, maybe 75 envelopes - with the promise that you will make a card for her to send with each.

    Is she a quilter? 75 scraps of fabric.

    A specialized frame with 75 'somethings' that would mean a lot to her. Or 75 words or phrases that describe her.

    75 seeds to plant in her spring garden.

    A name (or word) frame with a background made from 75 pieces of dp.

    OK, I'm done!

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  14. *75 of your favourite chocolates
    *75 mini scoops of her favourite ice cream
    *75 small flowers
    *75 memories you write of your childhood....

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  15. Amy,
    Roses first sprung to mind but even a dozen roses is expensive. My mind then went to rose petals. Her is the UK you often have either soap rose petals or ones that dissolve in the bath - perhaps that might work for you? Only other thought is to break it down to 5 or 10 year gaps and buy little things associated with that time in her life. Tiny childhood toy, sweets, make-up for teenage years, something to symbolise her work, her children, grandchildren being born etc. I am sure as long as it is wrapped with love she will adore it!

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  16. First thing to come to mind was 75 hershey kisses. How about everyone coming to the party write one word to describe your mom. How about 75 pennies for your thoughts. Maybe a bowl or jar of 75 pedals or something like that. Can't wait to see pics and hear about the party. Happy 75th Birthday your MOM!

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  17. How about a jar with 75 messages - - - could be a mixture of positive sayings, a memory you have of her, a poem, a gift certificate like "one free vacuuming" or something like that. I help my Mom clean and I know she really appreciates it, so turning those little things into a gift certificate might be fun.

    Here's a meaningful poem -


    Do you know what hope is?

    It's magic and it's free.

    It's not in a prescription. It's not in an IV.
    It punctuates our laughter. It sparkles in our tears.
    It simmers under sorrows. It dissipates our fears.
    Do you know what hope is? It's reaching past today.
    It's dreaming of tomorrow. It's trying a new way.
    It's pushing past impossible. It's pounding on the door.
    It's questioning the answer. It's always seeking more.
    It's rumors of a break. It's whispers of a cure.
    A roller coaster ride. Of remedies, unsure.
    Do you know what hope is? It's candy for the soul.
    It's perfume for the spirit. To share it makes you whole.
    Take my hand...come... Let's share this hope...together...

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  18. OK, my first thought was laughter. How about 75 funny jokes? You could look them up online and choose ones you think would tickle your Mom. Just an idea...
    Love the idea for the scripture. She will surely find strength in that.
    God has blessed her with a wonderful daughter, that's for sure ;oD

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  19. Anonymous8:24 AM

    How precious...I hope it turns out to be a special day for her!
    I loved the 75 pictures idea above and the 75 childhood memories...I was thinking 75 coupons for little things like "making your fav cupcake" "doing your dishes" or whatever might float her boat...I was also thinking maybe a 75 minute massage for the aches and pains you mentioned...there are some really pricey places out there, but there are also reasonable ones...
    Let us know what you decide...it will be fun to hear all about it!
    D =)

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  20. Amy, I like the suggestions for 75 reasons your mom is special or the 75 pictures. I think you could ask your siblings and your kids to come up with ideas why they think mom/grandma is special. That would really be something from the heart.
    I too have FB but am embarassed to say I have no pictures out there yet....still trying to get hip enough to put some pics out there!

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  21. Amy, my mom just turned 93 in November and I got her 93 long stemmed red roses..delivered to her house by the florist all arranged in 3 huge vases..she was and still is overwhelmed by receiving such a gorgeous gift; she had pictures taken that day to the delight of all of her guests and had christmas cards made up with the picture of her and her roses and the saying on the card was Santa still delivers to me at 93!..she has such a sense of humor and delighted all who received the card...this year I will do 94 roses of all different colors instead of red; she loved them and remarked she had never received roses before so I felt so happy I could have done that for her.

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  22. Hi Amy,

    When my hubby's grandma turned 95 we bought 95 baloons and decorated her party tables with all of the baloons. When the party was over, everyone went outside and we all released the baloons together. It seems kinda simple, but I have one photo of grandma looking up at the sky at all of those baloons and watching them float away. It is the best picture I have of her. It delighted her and the smile on her face was heartwarming.
    So, what is special to your mom? What delights her heart and makes her smile and laugh?
    Whatever it is, have a grand time together!

    blessings,
    barb

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