She would place salt, bread or cracker crumbs, and a dime in the box and hide it in a kitchen cabinet. When I found it (years later) I ask her what it was. A blessing so we would always have food to eat, enough spice to keep life interesting, and money in our pockets. I know my grandmother also did this when my parents moved to a new home. My grandmother was from Germany so I'm guessing it is a German Blessing. Ihaven't been able to find anything and would love to know if anyone knows about this. Thanks
212691
The custom you described sounds a lot like the old shamanistic Wicca ritual to protect a dwelling, often carried over to Christian culture without the participants knowledge of why they were doing what they were doing, just done because it was always done; or lost origins to time. I of course mean no disrespect to your Oma, and I personally find it charming that She loved you so. Thank you for sharing this interesting finding.
539536
Some inexpensive ideas are handy little key chains (I got my parents lock de-icer key chains for about $4), scratch off lottery tickets, funny little magnets about stuff that they're interested in (politics, cooking, etc), practical things like pens, post its, chapstick, candles. I also saw this idea to take plastic spoons and dip them in melted chocolate, then when you put the spoon in hot milk, it makes hot chocolate. My mom likes to use them in her coffee. Of course you can also put nice chocolates in their stockings.
542600
After I graduated from high school, I moved to Florida to help my great-grandma who was quite ill.  Between my minimum wage job and her medications, we were dirt poor.  Presents were completely out of the question--even a traditional turkey dinner seemed out of our reach.\n\nAbout a week before Christmas, we received an unsigned Christmas card from Washington with $200 inside.  Neither of us knew anyone in Washington, and we didn't recognize the handwriting on the envelope.  We ended up having a lovely Christmas meal after all, and even a few gifts "under" the table top tree.  We were astonished and so touched that some mysterious benefactor had thought of us.  Grandma died the following March, and I was happy that the last Christmas of her long life was a good one.\n\nTo this day I have no clue who sent us that card, or why.  I'm still grateful, though, and I think of him/her/them every year.
305129
No offense taking. Anything dealing with religion should be looked and with an open mind. With that in mind, the cracker wasn't made for the soup (as you stated), but the cracker give the soup a little side flavor that brings a smile to the face.
167046
This was somewhat difficult to find, I have to tell you, and it does not necessarily mean that the foods were his absolute favorites, but according to the weblink below, he liked to give sauerkraut and mashed potato parties.\n\nPlease take time to vote for the best answer.  I took quite a bit of time looking this up, but I found out some fun stuff along the way.
191200
i only knew my great-grandmother. she took care of me every day when i was little, but she died when i was 8.  it was cool because she was 80 years older than me which is a whole world of difference.  she could remember back to the turn of the century (1900, not 2000 of course).  she told me stories all the time about how the world was when she was little.  she really valued teaching children nursery rhymes, bible songs, and stories of the past.  i think she was really important in shaping the values i still have. also, i have lots of respect and some sympathy for old people now b/c of her.  it's got to be sad to be old and be living in a world that is so unfamiliar to you and where you don't really feel like you are a valued part of society.  i really miss her even today, but i'm so grateful that i knew her.  i'm sorry you missed out on that, maybe, hopefully, you'll be around to know your own great-grandchildren adn you can make good memories for them like i have.
395508
Can I tell you what we did for my Grandfather which may be of help to you.  Like your Dad, he was the cornerstone of the family and didn't care much for gifts--but we did a very special thing for him which made it a wonderful occasion for him. I suggest you do this with a writable CD.  There used to be a television show called "This is Your Life...(fill in a name)" Where someone would be honored for their accomplishments and contributions throughout a life time, starting with family photos when the person was really young, working up through high school and college and then career.  Anything that would be important to that person as memories. During different phases, different people would talk from behind a curtain describing favorite memories until the guest of honor figured out who it was.  For our family, we had all his children telling little stories about favorite times together and tape recorded it, and worked it in with the slide show of photos.  It wasn't mushy, it was honoring.  I'll just be frank here, it's like a living memorial while the person is still alive.  As  a poem I read said:"If you have anything nice to say to me, tell it to me now while I can appreciate it, don't tell it to the cold unfeeling gravemarker, tell it to me now when I can bask in the warmth of sincere appreciation." Or words to that effect.  It is easier than ever to make multi-media CD's now or some photo shops will do it for you. You cazn even have music in the background from the 20's,30's and 40's.  It would mean so much to me to have my children put on CD words that they love me, and appreciate me as a father along with memories of happy times together.  It doesn't have to be a big production, and it would mean more than any store-bought gift whether it be $60 or $600. People like to think that they have accomplished something in their life time--it doesn't have to be anything major --infact for a man it can be just that he raised his family as best he could, went to work when he wasn't feeling well, saw his kids through heartaches and sorrows, joys and happy times and is appreciated for it and loved.  My Dad died when he was 62, and I have wished over and over that I had taken more time to say "Thanks Dad for being a great dad and all that you did for us kids and the family!"  I don't have that chance now. You do.  I know you will do that which is right.\n-Spec
447671
My family received the Nielson Ratings book about 5 years ago, but I've never known anyone else that received one.  It's a journal/booklet kind of thing where you document what you watch at what time on each television in your house.  I believe we kept it for a week and then mailed it back.  They enclose a 10 dollar bill when they request your help.  I know we just kept ours in our living room and filled it in.  It was fun to think that someone would consider what we watched at our house for national television ratings.
528
How weird, my mom just had this, and I had never heard about it before that. All the above is correct, but I just wanted to add that you ought to get it treated soon and change your diet around accordingly. My mom almost died from it, which is unheard of, and she ended up having a foot of intestine being taken out. Watch out! It can get pretty damn serious.
421207
I can remember all the way back when I was about 4 years old.  I was setting in my grandmothers walk in closet trying on her shoes from, God knows what era, and my grandfather walked through the bedroom door and stood beside me.  He looked down and said, "your granny is going to get you for playing in her shoes".  I kept on playing and laughed with him about it.  Strange thing is, my grandfather died nearly two years before I was born in that very room I was playing in.  I can remember it all really clearly, pretty weird for my age.
24055
How about homemade bread and preserves!  I think it is very 'primative' and makes me think of a lunch consisting of a cup of tea with bread and preserves.
547967
I think this would be a good time to pass on something precious to you, to her.  If you were given something from your mother or grandmother, maybe you would want her to have it.\nKeep it in the family!
348548
HERES A REAL ANSWER - \nSalt is for flavour ENHANCING! when i put salt on my hot chips - it tastes great!\nAs christians Jesus is telling us to be like salt - to get into the world, change the flavour, and ENHANCE it!\nThere is no real correlation between any Jewish custom and salt - what i think Jesus was getting at was this:\n1. salt enhances the flavour of a meal\n2. spread out! hear me out on this one. We agree that salt makes food taste better right? but only when its spread right throughout the meal! imagine me and my hot chips again but with all the salt intended for a large chips all over ONE CHIP! disgusting and too much right?! So Jesus is telling us to get out there in the midst of everyone that isn't 'salty' - and to not just get introspective in our christianity - its a lifestyle that is proactive and outward focussed!\n\nJesus then takes it a step further - He even goes to the extent of saying that if you dont stay salty you'll LOSE your saltiness. \nTo understand it don't look excessively deep into this one - here's the key - if salt doesn't taste like salt whats the point of putting it into anything? its lost the whole point of being salt! \nie if christians stop doing the stuff that enhances and affects humanity (preaching the gospel, bringing healing and restoration, bringing God's presence into circumstances, making life unforgettable for our non christian friends etc) whats the point of them being christian?\nHeres the facts of what Jesus was saying - Christian is as christian does - otherwise whats the point?!\nHave a great day!
367794
I happened to come across this - looks interesting.\n\nhttp://cgi.ebay.com/500-TASTY-DIABETIC-RECIPES-Satisfy-Your-Tastebuds-Diet_W0QQitemZ160024054423QQihZ006QQcategoryZ47103QQcmdZViewItem
535014
First of all...God Bless your mother!  I commend her for what she is doing for your Grandmother!  We went through this same thing with my Grandma a few years back.  What we found what the best answer for us...and the least costly was...we hired a lady to live with and care for Grandma.  Most of her pay was room and board...paid her a small weekly wage, and she stayed 24/7 and only taking off 1 afternoon a week and every other weekend.  Then, we called an in home health nursing facility to come in daily for medication, bathing, anything the live in was not qualified to do.  The live in was responsible for meals, house cleaning, companionship, making sure her bed was clean.  (My Grandma was bedridden for the last 8 months she was alive)...this live in companion/caregiver enabled her to stay in her own home until she passed.  We found the live-in by running an ad in the newspaper. Please feel free to send me an email and I will go into more detail.  By the way..we are in Indiana.  I would be glad to help you research and answer any questions I can.  This is a very tough situation for everyone involved.....My Prayers and thoughts will be with you!
366668
OK this is TRUE...  My mother, wanting to get alittle healthier as she ages, decided to take some "wheat grass" for its nutrients.  It comes in a green, rather powdery form that you should mix with some water and drink it down.  Well she didn't mix it with water and instead took a tablespoon and tried swallowing it plain.\n\nShe must of taken a little breath and then began to choke but didnt want to waste this expensive nutrient so she tried to hold it in and get it down.  Well she ended up coughing while still trying to hold the wheat grass in, she shot out puffs of green numerous times.  She looked like a dragon trying to use its power for the first time.  We almost died laughing at this sight!  Wish you could of been there!!  Her new nickname is "Puff the magic dragon" or just "Puff" for short!
95462
Oh my, what a delima.  Next time you see her why not suggest you bring lunch?  That way whe won't have ot make anything, and you'll be sure to get something besides sauerkraut.