This week I have been off work, taking a much needed vacation, just staying home and not doing much of anything. I did get to spend some time with my dear old friends from college on Sunday. We try to do that once a year and it's always a blast. Nobody can make me laugh harder than those folks and they don't even have to try. We only see each other once a year but it's like we never stopped seeing each other at all. Gotta love friends like that.
Yesterday, Alex and I went to the Racine Zoo. We do that once a year too. I've been to that little zoo so many times in my lifetime. My mom used to take me there when I was little. It's vastly improved since then. They've made the animal enclosures much better but they don't have a lot of animals there anymore. No bears at all. I remember the bears being the thing to see. Still, it was a nice way to spend the afternoon. Walking around the zoo showed me just how out of shape I am! I have to start using my treadmill more! Sheesh!
I got a Crop Box this week. That was something new. A local farmer here has a cool deal that you sign up for on Facebook. For $10 you get a crate full of fresh grown veggies. This week I got two cabbages, some peppers, green beans, a watermelon, beautiful corn on the cob, onions, raspberries, some apples, and cucumbers. It was great! They fill it with whatever they have that's ripe so each week it's different. I already signed up for next week.
Today I'm going swimming at my sister's house. Hopefully, I will be doing the same tomorrow. I love to swim and have done blessed little of that this summer. My time off has been restful and good. I've been trying to make the most of it and trying to keep my mind quiet and my mood kind. I can be a bitch sometimes, I know, and I have really been making an effort to not be. I really believe that kindness is the key to so many problems in the world. We need to be more kind to one another. So I am doing my best to try. So far this week, I know that there have been times I have failed. But I'll keep at it.
I'm off for a swim! See ya!
Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Monday, December 31, 2012
Welcome 2013...
I haven't made a New Year's Resolution in a very long time. Why? Well, because I never kept them anyway and after a while making them seemed like a moot point. This year, however, I've been doing a lot of thinking and there are some things I know I want to change. So, I'm making resolutions.
Now, before I get to them let me tell you this. I have been thinking about these things for a very long time and in that thinking time I've also done some research. Having done so, I feel like I'm coming to the plate, so to speak, more prepared for success than I have ever been before. My first resolution came to me over the past year as I watched the news and started to see a pattern of indifference and apathy to just how unkind the world has become. There have been a series of hate related crimes, crimes against women and children, mass murders, and terrorist attacks all perpetrated out of shear hatred and evil. Then there was the more "dormant" hatred, if you will, that was let loose during our last election. I've never seen, heard or read such heated, hate-filled, diatribes from one political party to the next. It all added up, for me, into a very concerning time. Where is the kindness in our world? So, my first New Year's resolution is...
To do a single act of kindness every single week.
That's 52 acts of kindness on my part. If everyone did that, wow, what a great place this would be! I thought a lot about this. At first I thought I could do one every day! Sounded great! But after thinking it out more I realized that this was setting me up to fail. Even in the course of my mundane life, some days do get hectic and then I would forget and then I would feel bad and then I would give up. That's how I am. But once per week? That I can manage. Completely doable. I'm making a list of preplanned kind things to do but I'm also going to be on the look out for other kind acts that happen spontaneously.
My second resolution is of a more personal sort. It's something I've struggled with life long, had some success and then went right back to how I was before. Being a woman of my age it is never more important that I tackle this thing once and for all, and that I do it in the right way for the right reasons. I'm talking about my weight. I am pleasingly plump, fluffier than most, curvy, roundish, flubatious - in other words, I am fat. I have been my while life. I weighed over 10 pounds at birth so when I say my whole life, I mean it! I've always been the chubby kid in school and also the tallest! I hit 6 ft in the 7th grade. So, I am a big person. Knowing this, I'm not trying to slim down to look like a supermodel. No, what I need is to lose weight to maintain my health. Now, having said that my health is surprisingly good for someone my size. I have no diabetes, no high blood pressure! But I have minor arthritis in my knees and lower back and I know that losing some of this weight will help that immensely. So, my second resolution is....
To eat more healthily and to exercise at least three times per week.
Again, completely doable. I've been researching this as well and have a slew of healthy recipes to try. I also have a killer treadmill in my bedroom that will be used a lot this year. My goal is to lose a few pounds and tone up a bit. I'm not setting a weight loss goal because every time I've done that I became some overly obsessed nut job that couldn't maintain it. Nope, I just want to feel better and so I shall.
That's it. Those are my resolutions. I imagine I'll be writing about them from time to time and though I know sometimes I'll be writing about my frustrations with them, I hope I'm writing more about my successes!
Happy New Year!
Now, before I get to them let me tell you this. I have been thinking about these things for a very long time and in that thinking time I've also done some research. Having done so, I feel like I'm coming to the plate, so to speak, more prepared for success than I have ever been before. My first resolution came to me over the past year as I watched the news and started to see a pattern of indifference and apathy to just how unkind the world has become. There have been a series of hate related crimes, crimes against women and children, mass murders, and terrorist attacks all perpetrated out of shear hatred and evil. Then there was the more "dormant" hatred, if you will, that was let loose during our last election. I've never seen, heard or read such heated, hate-filled, diatribes from one political party to the next. It all added up, for me, into a very concerning time. Where is the kindness in our world? So, my first New Year's resolution is...
To do a single act of kindness every single week.
That's 52 acts of kindness on my part. If everyone did that, wow, what a great place this would be! I thought a lot about this. At first I thought I could do one every day! Sounded great! But after thinking it out more I realized that this was setting me up to fail. Even in the course of my mundane life, some days do get hectic and then I would forget and then I would feel bad and then I would give up. That's how I am. But once per week? That I can manage. Completely doable. I'm making a list of preplanned kind things to do but I'm also going to be on the look out for other kind acts that happen spontaneously.
My second resolution is of a more personal sort. It's something I've struggled with life long, had some success and then went right back to how I was before. Being a woman of my age it is never more important that I tackle this thing once and for all, and that I do it in the right way for the right reasons. I'm talking about my weight. I am pleasingly plump, fluffier than most, curvy, roundish, flubatious - in other words, I am fat. I have been my while life. I weighed over 10 pounds at birth so when I say my whole life, I mean it! I've always been the chubby kid in school and also the tallest! I hit 6 ft in the 7th grade. So, I am a big person. Knowing this, I'm not trying to slim down to look like a supermodel. No, what I need is to lose weight to maintain my health. Now, having said that my health is surprisingly good for someone my size. I have no diabetes, no high blood pressure! But I have minor arthritis in my knees and lower back and I know that losing some of this weight will help that immensely. So, my second resolution is....
To eat more healthily and to exercise at least three times per week.
Again, completely doable. I've been researching this as well and have a slew of healthy recipes to try. I also have a killer treadmill in my bedroom that will be used a lot this year. My goal is to lose a few pounds and tone up a bit. I'm not setting a weight loss goal because every time I've done that I became some overly obsessed nut job that couldn't maintain it. Nope, I just want to feel better and so I shall.
That's it. Those are my resolutions. I imagine I'll be writing about them from time to time and though I know sometimes I'll be writing about my frustrations with them, I hope I'm writing more about my successes!
Happy New Year!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Unrandom Acts of Kindness....
A friend of mine had a birthday today. She realized she has a blessed life and didn't really need any presents. I copied her description of how she spent her birthday here. It was such a great idea! Here is Emily's account of what she did...
"I try to do Random Acts of Kindness any time in my life. But this particular day I wanted them to be UN-random. I was asked a while back what I might want for my birthday. I couldn't think of anything. I didn't need anything. And we okay in life that if we really want something, we get it. But I knew not every one was in that same boat. So I decided that I would give gifts for my birthday this year rather than recieve them. I wanted to come up with at least 31 ideas (one for each year). I let the girls decide who to give gifts to but explained to them that it would be extra special if we found big families with kids or people with very full shopping carts. I made sure to tape a little note to each gift so people wouldn't wonder as much.
It said: Hi! My name is Emily! Today is my birthday. Instead of getting gifts this year I am giving them away.
So, Here's how our day went! (see photo album for some of our fun)
1- We left Oreos and a Thank-You note for our postman in our mailbox!
2- We dropped off a Cherry pie from the LG Pie Co to our favorite bank teller (just in time since we were running behind and the bank closed!)
3- We hid four $1 bills in the Easter and toy sections of the dollar store.
4- At Target Starbucks, we paid for the gentleman's order behind us. He was very thankful to be able to save his gift card for another day. He promised to "Pay It Forward"!
5- At Target, we handed out a $10 Target Gift Card to a mother of twins!
6- Also at Target, we handed out four $5 gift cards for Starbucks!
7- In the Target parking lot, we put $10 gas cards on six different unsuspecting car windows!
8- At the Best Buy parking lot, we found men to share three $5 LG car wash gift cards with.
9- At the Home Depot parking lot, we gave four lottery tickets to any passer-by!
10- We then headed to LG's Wal-Mart. While there, we taped $1.04 to the Red Box with a note that said enjoy a movie on us!
11- Still at Wal-Mart, we taped a baggie with 6 quarters to the Bubble Gum machine!
12- Also, taped 4 quarters to the Claw Prize machine
*Also at Wal-Mart, since we had four extra pennies, we placed them face up in the entrance and parking lot to bring a little luck to peoples day!
13- We then came with 10 gift bags (5 girls and 5 boys) filled with stickers, pencils, mini notebooks, tattos, etc) and found children about 3-10 years old to give a bag to! (This was Peyton and Morgan's favorite part)
14- We also found teenagers to five out four nail polishes (to girls) and gum (to boys).
15- Off to Chili's in Delavan for lunch. In the parking lot, we found a car with their windows cracked. We slipped $5 onto their seat!
16- Here we gave the family of 5 behind us my birthday coupon for a brownie sundae. They were VERY surprised but the 3 kids LOVED it! The dad kept looking around to see if he knew anyone in the restaurant. My girls finally said it was from us!
17- Also at Chili's, I paid for the table on the other side of us. It was an elderly couple. It also happened to be their 60th Wedding Anniversary! VERY touching that I happened to choose them! (My favorite of the day!)
18- And another lucky table at Chili's, my twins walked up and handed them $20. They refused. Finally, the girls said its from our mom for her birthday. The woman at the table followed the girls back to thank me. (After their lunch she walked past our table a decretely placed a thank you letter on my table.)
19- And lastly our waitress. She couldn't take all the giving without joining in. The manager paid for our entire meal! We left our waitress a $45 tip!! She said some day she will spend the day doing just this!
20- A stop at a park in Delavan left a young girl with an Easter basket filled with eggs that had candy in!
21- Pit Stop to the Delavan Fire Department. We found 5 firefighters working on the truck outside. They got treated to an LG Pie Co blueberry pie! They seemed anxious to eat it! And then let the girls climb around the truck and even into the drivers seat!
22- We stopped at the Animal Shelter where we dropped off Cat and Kitten food, Dog and Puppy food and treats for all. But, we, of course, couldn't leave without some visits, hellos, pets and pictures!
23- At Mercy Hospital, we left 3 coloring books and crayons in the ER waiting room and the family room for the ICU.
24- Also at Mercy, a nurse working on the ICU floor got a bouqet of spring flowers.
25- Still at Mercy, I taped $3 in quarters in a baggie to the vending machine!
26- A quick stop at our church. We left chalk at the playground.
27- The church office also recieved a LG Pie Co blueberry peach pie!
28- At Caribou in Lake Geneva, we added some much needed new toys to there kids play bin. It was a wooden block shapes and clock, a Doodle magnet, 5 coloring books and crayons, and large foam stickers.
29- I stopped at McDonald's for a coke. It was an off-hour. There was no one behind me. I quickly went to the window and asked to pay for the man in front of me. Did you know its "against {their} policy to pay for some one else's food"?!?! Stupiest thing Ive ever heard. Almost ruined my whole day. The man still heard me ask over the speaker and thanked me anyway. To make up for it, I handed the person next to me at the next stop light $5.
30- Next stop was at the local laundromat. We left a new bottle of detergent with $3 in quarters.
31- Lastly, was the LG Police Dept. They got a yummy cherry pie from the LG Pie Co!"
I think this is such a great idea that I'm going to do it this year on my birthday. I'm going to plan ahead and get everything I need and then go around town delivering my unrandom acts. What a great and giving way to give back and celebrate a birthday!
"I try to do Random Acts of Kindness any time in my life. But this particular day I wanted them to be UN-random. I was asked a while back what I might want for my birthday. I couldn't think of anything. I didn't need anything. And we okay in life that if we really want something, we get it. But I knew not every one was in that same boat. So I decided that I would give gifts for my birthday this year rather than recieve them. I wanted to come up with at least 31 ideas (one for each year). I let the girls decide who to give gifts to but explained to them that it would be extra special if we found big families with kids or people with very full shopping carts. I made sure to tape a little note to each gift so people wouldn't wonder as much.
It said: Hi! My name is Emily! Today is my birthday. Instead of getting gifts this year I am giving them away.
So, Here's how our day went! (see photo album for some of our fun)
1- We left Oreos and a Thank-You note for our postman in our mailbox!
2- We dropped off a Cherry pie from the LG Pie Co to our favorite bank teller (just in time since we were running behind and the bank closed!)
3- We hid four $1 bills in the Easter and toy sections of the dollar store.
4- At Target Starbucks, we paid for the gentleman's order behind us. He was very thankful to be able to save his gift card for another day. He promised to "Pay It Forward"!
5- At Target, we handed out a $10 Target Gift Card to a mother of twins!
6- Also at Target, we handed out four $5 gift cards for Starbucks!
7- In the Target parking lot, we put $10 gas cards on six different unsuspecting car windows!
8- At the Best Buy parking lot, we found men to share three $5 LG car wash gift cards with.
9- At the Home Depot parking lot, we gave four lottery tickets to any passer-by!
10- We then headed to LG's Wal-Mart. While there, we taped $1.04 to the Red Box with a note that said enjoy a movie on us!
11- Still at Wal-Mart, we taped a baggie with 6 quarters to the Bubble Gum machine!
12- Also, taped 4 quarters to the Claw Prize machine
*Also at Wal-Mart, since we had four extra pennies, we placed them face up in the entrance and parking lot to bring a little luck to peoples day!
13- We then came with 10 gift bags (5 girls and 5 boys) filled with stickers, pencils, mini notebooks, tattos, etc) and found children about 3-10 years old to give a bag to! (This was Peyton and Morgan's favorite part)
14- We also found teenagers to five out four nail polishes (to girls) and gum (to boys).
15- Off to Chili's in Delavan for lunch. In the parking lot, we found a car with their windows cracked. We slipped $5 onto their seat!
16- Here we gave the family of 5 behind us my birthday coupon for a brownie sundae. They were VERY surprised but the 3 kids LOVED it! The dad kept looking around to see if he knew anyone in the restaurant. My girls finally said it was from us!
17- Also at Chili's, I paid for the table on the other side of us. It was an elderly couple. It also happened to be their 60th Wedding Anniversary! VERY touching that I happened to choose them! (My favorite of the day!)
18- And another lucky table at Chili's, my twins walked up and handed them $20. They refused. Finally, the girls said its from our mom for her birthday. The woman at the table followed the girls back to thank me. (After their lunch she walked past our table a decretely placed a thank you letter on my table.)
19- And lastly our waitress. She couldn't take all the giving without joining in. The manager paid for our entire meal! We left our waitress a $45 tip!! She said some day she will spend the day doing just this!
20- A stop at a park in Delavan left a young girl with an Easter basket filled with eggs that had candy in!
21- Pit Stop to the Delavan Fire Department. We found 5 firefighters working on the truck outside. They got treated to an LG Pie Co blueberry pie! They seemed anxious to eat it! And then let the girls climb around the truck and even into the drivers seat!
22- We stopped at the Animal Shelter where we dropped off Cat and Kitten food, Dog and Puppy food and treats for all. But, we, of course, couldn't leave without some visits, hellos, pets and pictures!
23- At Mercy Hospital, we left 3 coloring books and crayons in the ER waiting room and the family room for the ICU.
24- Also at Mercy, a nurse working on the ICU floor got a bouqet of spring flowers.
25- Still at Mercy, I taped $3 in quarters in a baggie to the vending machine!
26- A quick stop at our church. We left chalk at the playground.
27- The church office also recieved a LG Pie Co blueberry peach pie!
28- At Caribou in Lake Geneva, we added some much needed new toys to there kids play bin. It was a wooden block shapes and clock, a Doodle magnet, 5 coloring books and crayons, and large foam stickers.
29- I stopped at McDonald's for a coke. It was an off-hour. There was no one behind me. I quickly went to the window and asked to pay for the man in front of me. Did you know its "against {their} policy to pay for some one else's food"?!?! Stupiest thing Ive ever heard. Almost ruined my whole day. The man still heard me ask over the speaker and thanked me anyway. To make up for it, I handed the person next to me at the next stop light $5.
30- Next stop was at the local laundromat. We left a new bottle of detergent with $3 in quarters.
31- Lastly, was the LG Police Dept. They got a yummy cherry pie from the LG Pie Co!"
I think this is such a great idea that I'm going to do it this year on my birthday. I'm going to plan ahead and get everything I need and then go around town delivering my unrandom acts. What a great and giving way to give back and celebrate a birthday!
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