winners

I
had a great Christmas week — plenty of time off, plenty of fun. Next
week I'm wrapping up several business projects and doing some winter
cleaning at home. I should be ready for the new year around January
3rd, which is far better than my normal acceptance of the new year in
February or March.

Doesn't this holiday pin make a great bow?  Next year I'll post a tutorial & put together some kits or something.

While it's still holiday season, it's time to announce giveaway winners from the Meet Nicey Jane post a couple of weeks ago — $100 in gift certificates to the Heather Bailey Store. (Read the comments when you need a spot of sunshine. They are like reading a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul.) Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to share your stories, weird information, insights, etc. I enjoyed every comment!  (Did I mention, you really should read those comments?)

Here goes:

One $25 gift certificate goes to… JENNE

    My husband had a terrible work accident close to 3 years ago. He has yet to
return to work, but did have his last hip surgery this past Spring. A friend
at church noticed our bald tires. This past Sunday we left church to find
new tires–and a repaired tie-rod–on our van. They had sneaked the keys out
of my purse, sneaked the car away to the shop and returned it to the spot
right beside our original one. We didn't notice until they all stood around
giggling as we packed the kids in the car. A whole group of lovely friends
was involved, and none of them has much more to spare than ourselves. I
bawled with joy over how loved I felt. They were just delighted they
surprised us so.
    Posted by: Jenne | December 08, 2009 at 11:06 PM

Another $25 gift certificate goes to… MELISSA

    You did say you wanted weird, right? I was at Swiss Days (a huge outdoor
craft fair) and my mom and I were sitting at a table eating lunch. It was
crowded and two men and two women asked if they could sit with us. We
scooted over to make room, and one of the women remarked to me, "Oh, no. If
you are sitting by my husband, you better guard your food." We all laughed
and continued eating, although the man sitting next to me WAS uncomfortably
close. Table space was at a premium, and he kept scooting closer to me.
After each scoot, he would say, "Are you okay?", probably in response to me
leaning away from him. I finished eating, and laid my fork down, and he
leaned over and said, "Are you going to eat those cherries?" I glanced at my
pie plate and said that I was finished. He proceeded to grab a potato chip
from his plate, reach across and scoop up and eat a cherry from my plate.
Then another, and another, until even the cherry juice had been scooped and
gobbled. Just as I was thinking, enough's enough, and we were getting ready
to go, he leaned across me, looked at my mom and said, "Aren't you going to
eat your cookie?" We handed it over and scooted away post haste. So bizarre.
I love Nicey Jane, by the way. Jane would know how to handle some random
stranger eating food off her plate. Me? Not so much!
    Posted by: Melissa | December 08, 2009 at 05:32 AM

And a plump ol' $50 gift certificate goes to… ASHLEY

    On Saturday, my Mom gave birth to my first little sister! Her name is
Hadley. She is such a sweetie. 🙂 After 16 years and four sons after me, Mom
is sure excited!
    Posted by: Ashley | December 09, 2009 at 09:07 AM 

Now
Ashley can go to town spoiling her new baby sister with handmade
clothes, toys, blankets and more. In fact, Ashley's mom commented on Meet Nicey Jane later on, revealing that 16-year-old Ashley was in the other room sewing a baby blanket when her sister was born:

    One of the kindest things someone has done for me lately happened last
Saturday about 4 a.m. I was in labor with my sixth child (only our second
girl) when I thought I heard the whir-whir-whir of the sewing machine. I
asked my husband what my daughter (our oldest, 16) was doing and he said,
"sewing a blanket for the baby". Of course she was! That's just how she is.
Thoughtful and crafty! Our baby girl was welcomed into the world with a
beautiful new blanket and lots of love from her sister and brothers. My
daughter loves your blog by the way!
    Posted by: Angela | December 10, 2009 at 05:44 PM

Merry
Christmas & Happy New Year's Week, everyone! Thank you for being a
part of my life this year.  I love reading your comments and
interacting with you all in this virtual world of blogging.