Helping Others

**hollyhill** · 02-06-2006, 02:23 AM

There is a family who is struggling financially who I know through Choir.......I bumped into her today and asked how she was managing and she unloaded her problems on me.
Her Dh is out of work and she just lost her job.....they have nothing left! And now her children (she has 4) brought home headlice! She can't even afford the treatments!!!!
she went on and on about all the difficulties they were facing and I felt awful.
I listened to her and felt I was meant to see her today..... and even though we don't have alot, I do have a large sum of money in the bank from our student loan deposit and even though I know it is meant to last us till June.....I couldn't just do nothing! Esp. when she wasn't sure what they were going to eat that night.

I asked her if she would be home later.

I then went home packed up some of the groceries from my full pantry, went to the store and bought 10 lbs of gr. beef, 5 lbs apples, 5lbs oranges, milk, bread, peanut butter. And I drove to her home and gave her the groceries and $25 to buy all the lice treatments she would need.......

We will just eat from our pantry....to make up the short fall to my budget....but I can't imagine having to deal with all that and then LICE TOO!
Yuk.

**Englishlady** · 02-06-2006, 02:48 AM

Holly, that is so thoughtful and generous of you!

It is so kind of you to spread around what little you have, you are an

Now, if you had the chance and were able, do you think she would be receptive to learning some of your frugal wisdom?

You are a black belt in frugality and I think you came first in the making lemonade with lemons contest!

Holly, you have a lot to give and not just groceries

**homesteadmamma** · 02-06-2006, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Englishlady
Holly, that is so thoughtful and generous of you!

It is so kind of you to spread around what little you have, you are an

Now, if you had the chance and were able, do you think she would be receptive to learning some of your frugal wisdom?

You are a black belt in frugality and I think you came first in the making lemonade with lemons contest!

Holly, you have a lot to give and not just groceries

AMEN!!

**SewCrafty** · 02-06-2006, 10:33 AM

Oh Holly, I agree with Karen, you are indeed an

in disguise!

Hope the family lands on their feet soon.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 02-06-2006, 10:54 AM

You are an angel!

For the record, we've dealt with those pesky lice (working with kids almost guarantees that you will at some point) and I NEVER buy the expensive kits. I buy a good flea comb at a pet store and wash the hair and then apply olive oil all over the head. The real isssue is getting the bugs & nits out, not killing them. It works like a charm. After the oil and the intensive comb through then you shampooo again and blow dry the hair (the hot air is necessary) and comb through again with a clean nit comb. This worked for me. Olive oil is much cheaper than expensive chemicals.

**SewCrafty** · 02-06-2006, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by Emerald_Mommy
You are an angel!

For the record, we've dealt with those pesky lice (working with kids almost guarantees that you will at some point) and I NEVER buy the expensive kits. I buy a good flea comb at a pet store and wash the hair and then apply olive oil all over the head. The real isssue is getting the bugs & nits out, not killing them. It works like a charm. After the oil and the intensive comb through then you shampooo again and blow dry the hair (the hot air is necessary) and comb through again with a clean nit comb. This worked for me. Olive oil is much cheaper than expensive chemicals.

Wow, I've never had to deal with lice before but this not only sounds cheaper but a lot healthier than using chemicals!

**hollyhill** · 02-06-2006, 12:13 PM

Karen said- Now, if you had the chance and were able, do you think she would be receptive to learning some of your frugal wisdom

Not until she has the lice undercontrol LOL! I don't want to seem unfriendly but I did kind of step back from her when she was telling me this!LOL.

They are using oils and dippity doo first.......but even these things and the extra laundry det. costs extra $$$$$, which can break your spirit when you are down to your last dime. They gave the boys buzz cuts and her daughter had her hair cut short (she had waist length black hair.....poor thing). The children are really hurting too.

This family has many issues.....her Dh is a recovering alcaholic for instance but he is doing really well. But he smokes (one addiction for the other) but he is trying hard to cut back....

But I will try and help her anyway I can.....

Once the head lice is undercontrol!

**Vannie** · 02-06-2006, 12:26 PM

Your act of kindness will bring you blessings.

**Darlene** · 02-06-2006, 12:36 PM

Warms my heart.

**SewCrafty** · 02-06-2006, 12:58 PM

Holly, how about typing up (or copying and pasting) a "frugal notebook" for her. Just give it to her and tell her these are some of the things you have done to get through hard times, take and use what you can and discard the rest!

That way it won't sound like preaching to her and maybe she can get a few more ideas out of it. Just a thought.

**sunshine** · 02-06-2006, 01:28 PM

You are soooo sweet to help out.

How about a local list of food pantries she can check into? Other social agencies that might be able to assist them as well?

If one has never had to access these, they sometimes don't know they exist.

**hollyhill** · 02-06-2006, 07:34 PM

A frugal notebook is a good idea!

I have alot of frugal idea stuff saved on my desk top maybe I will print them off and pass them on to her.

Her family has been using the food bank and social services have been helping too.....but they are still living a hand to mouth existence......so the smallest emergency spells disaster.

**AmyBoz** · 02-06-2006, 08:09 PM

Good for you!

**marym** · 02-06-2006, 08:49 PM

There are wonderful, kind people here at the village and you are one of them

**emily_hope** · 02-06-2006, 09:05 PM

I don't know if they do this where you live, but here at the health department they will give you the treatments for lice if you do not have the money to purchase it. She could check into that, also.