The Fairly Odd Mother

You Have to Pay to Play

October 8, 2007

I’m playing a new game this week.

One of the nicest bloggers out there, nuttnbunny, got involved in Pay it Forward which is described as such:

“. . .a promise to make something handmade, a gift of the heart, for another blogger who is also a crafty person. We’re not talking about knitting a sweater or making a large quilt for someone, something small and meaningful would be fine, and probably provide a big boost when it surprises someone in the mail. . .The first three people that leave a comment and pledge to pay it forward to three others on their blog will receive a handmade gift from me within one year of this posting. I will read your blog and get the essence of who you are to come up with an idea. It may be knitted or quilted or embroidered or……”

I have loved seeing nuttnbunny’s creations for a while, so I signed right up. And, she picked me! Yippee! I can’t wait to see what she sends.

And, then I realized that I hadn’t really thought about the ‘small print’ in this contest. Sure, I’m happy to pay it forward, but. . .with what? I don’t knit, sew, decoupage, make jewelry, do origami, write music. . .my attempts at cake decorating are novice at best (plus, how would I mail a cake???) and I doubt too many people would want to receive baked goods from a relative stranger.

But, by golly, I will pay it forward! What you receive from me will be truly a surprise to both of us (and may take me the entire year to fulfill), but go ahead and leave a comment if you’d like to play. Rather than follow the rules to the letter, I’ll put all qualifying comments into a hat and draw three names from that. Remember that you must agree to also ‘pay it forward’ to three people on your blogs!

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Also, thank you from the super-nice Whirlwind for bestowing another “Nice Matters” award to me. I really needed to hear that, so thank you!

Filed Under: Blog Love 4 Comments

You Might Know of the Original Sin

October 6, 2007

Next Sunday, I will witness my niece being saved from “original sin”. To my kids, this is an interesting, if odd, custom. I expect Belly will stand right up at the vessel of water, peering at the priest with a bit of awe and interest, as she has done at previous christenings.

While Belly will be front and center, I will not. For although my sister values my relationship as aunt to her two children, I cannot be godparent to them. I grew up Catholic, but, much to my mother’s chagrin, am no longer part of that religion.

I will feel a bit self-conscious at this christening, as I did when my nephew was christened two years ago. Self-conscious because I imagine this conversation taking place at the church:

Distant Aunt: “Who is that standing up as godparents?”

Less Distant Aunt: “Oh, that is Mr & Mrs Q’s good friends, X and Y.“

Distant Aunt: “I thought both had a sibling? Why aren’t they the godparents?”

Less Distant Aunt: “Well, Mr Q’s brother is a godless heathen, and Mrs Q’s sister is a (pause) U-Nee-Tary-An”.

Distant Aunt: “A what?!?”

Less Distant Aunt: “Oh, you know. . . those churches with the rainbow flags hanging off the front.”

Rather then let this imaginary conversation resonate in my head, I’ve decided to take a more proactive approach. I remember reading this post on Oh, The Joys, and it came to me: I am going to be Fairy Godmother to my niece and nephew.

Every year, on the date of their christening, I will think of something that tells them how important they are in my life and how important they are to this world. I haven’t quite come up with exact ideas yet, so any input would be welcome.

So now, during the upcoming christening, I will sit content in my self-anointed position of Fairy Godmother. I’m not yet sure if I will carry a wand.

I will also try to keep D from running up and down the aisles with his cousin, my nephew. And, I will watch as Jilly joins her big sister upfront until she realizes that the center aisle is an excellent place to practice her cartwheels.