Need to catch up!

I accomplished the challenges for Thursday through Sunday, but was out of town and haven't been able to blog 'em!!!  I'll post my adventures of trying to accomplish them soon - So stay tuned!

~HUG~

If your sweetie looks sad or stressed, a little TLC may help.

My sweet Kaylee, I know sometimes you get frustrated at those Monkey Tree Kids.  I took the time to give you advice this morning, like a mom should do....ways to deal with them, avoid them, and tips on how to find things to enjoy.  You hung in there, and your day was great. 

Secretly though, Kaylee, as much as I talked the mom-talk, my biggest hope was that my warm hugs and kisses would be enough to comfort and assure you.  I hope they did.  Because isn't that the power of being a mom? ...that unmatched tender-love-and-care that can calm your worries and touch your heart. 

I'd like to share with you the outline of my evening...

• Pick up Kay from preschool
• Race back to work
• Have dinner in a classroom
• Met with project team for 2 hours
• Drive home

Wanna know the best part of my day today?
As I shut down the computer after my team meeting, Kaylee cuddled up on my lap and whispered "I love you mommy."  Four words I will never tire of hearing. 

I love you Kaylee.

Ask questions

• Why is she asking so many questions?
• Will she ever stop?
• How does she walk in those boots?
• Should I jump out of a plane?
• Do I have fleas in my hair?
• How will my interview go?
• Is there any coffee left?
• Why is he beating that box of sugar?
• How many bowls of tortillas will we knock out?
• What is the meaning of life?

These were some of the many questions you may have asked yourself today.  I know I asked myself 4 of the 10 today.  But beyond that, I asked other people questions.  I wanted to learn about you, study you, appreciate you, and at some times...get weirded out by you.  But it's cool, because you are all you's.  Some are the "Kings of Small Talk" some are the "Balloons of Long Winded-ness" others are the "Queens of Questions" ...and some apparently just hate sugar.

If you're feeling unhappy...

...unkind or un-your-normal-self, find a mirror and make a crazy face at yourself.

Actually, today I felt normal.  I know, I know...a huge surprise to those who know me!

I will, however, share a random crazy face story from today...
Attentively I sat and listened as a speaker shared information during an ITE seminar.  Several co-workers and friends attended as well, and I considered myself in good company.  The presentation concluded.  My boss and I, finding one another in the mass, spoke jovially of how I agreed to teach transportation to my daughter's preschool.  I mentioned my intent to ask the presenter for handouts, insider tips, and of course goodies for the kids.  Still discussing this lovely idea, my boss and I drew closer to the speaker.
      Then I tripped.
I didn't fall.  Clearly that would have just been embarrassing.
...all I did was gasp, make a crazy face, stumble awkwardly, and throw my coffee (somehow missing the many onlookers).

The end.

Send a letter

to a former teacher or mentor, acknowledging the impact they made on your life.

You may not remember, but in your class I had encountered a tough group-member dilemma.  By nature, I am a non-confrontational girl.  You taught me a valuable life lesson....on being strong and taking a stand for what I knew was right (even if it meant I could be negatively affected as a result).  I discovered that the greater good is still worth fighting for; and that good people will respect you for this.  To this day, I sometimes think back to your class and how much I learned...both by the books and off the beaten path.  You were a great teacher and mentor.

If you chew gum....

...when you're flying, offer the person next to you a piece.

Welcome aboard U.S. MelWay flight 613.  I will take this moment to point out the two emergency exits available, as there is likely to be a lot of turbulence on this flight.  Upon the ridiculously high-speed take-off, the cabin pressure will change creating an intense discomfort that can only be relieved by the chewing of gum.  I hope you brought some because.....

Unfortunately, I have none. 

You see, although I was kindly given two pieces of gum last night by my LWYA supporter, I failed to catch that it was to be reserved for today's challenge.  Strange because I don't even like gum.  For some reason, as those two chewy, undigestable pieces of goodness sat on my desk I decided I wanted one. 

One down. One left.

So I still have a chance....right?  To complete the challenge I just need to offer a piece of gum to someone else on this flight called my life - so I only need one piece!  Welllll that's when my boss came in and as we chatted she noticed the gum on my desk and asked if she could have it.  Of course I said yes.  ::Reminding all that I don't even like gum::

So here I am today, gumless.  Therefore, I declare yesterday my gum-sharing day.

just be

I am me.
I just be.

Yes. It is true.  Your beloved Mel is back...brilliant and winsome as ever, I assure.

be brilliant

fail.

be quirky

"Quirky....?  Well that shouldn't be hard for you!" I was told

There have been recent discussions at work related to having commonsense on "scents" in the workplace.  This scentsitive issue deals with people smelling up the place...which is giving certain someones a big stinkin' headache.  Scent-sensitivity is now being considered a disability, giving affected persons protection from foul odors under ADA.

I decided to begin a new crusade. 
I am initiating efforts to prevent the wearing of gold shiny apparel and accessories in the workplace. 

- It hurts my eyes -

Like the sun...you know you should not look directly upon it, but you do.  And when you do, it pains your eyes.  Take for example Reb's golden shoes today.  They were all I could see.  Their sheer radiance blinded my left eye to numbness yet solar-pained my right eye.  They have disabled me. 
...This is why I will be requesting ADA accommodations to be made for my visual aversion to the golden beauty of apparel and accessories.

be remarkable

Have you ever had so much work to do that although you fiercely needed to use the restroom, you simply could not break to do so...? 

That was me this afternoon at work. 

How things got weird.
After I kindly lent a pen to a co-worker, they tossed it to me as I sat with my boss, both of us working feverishly........Lunging forward in a desperate attempt to catch the pen, I managed to find the inner strength to not pee myself.
THAT is something I consider nothing less than remarkable!

be connected

I was going to make a "plugged in" joke, but oddly they all just seemed inappropriate!

So I will be serious now.  Here's how I came to be connected today:

I connected with other mommas at a Valentines Playdate!  Always good times with those gals  =)
....I also made a new connection on POF, so I'll give myself extra credit.

Of course the best connection today was celebrating with my family for my mom's birthday!  Family connection tops it all!!

It was a great day!

be charming

I accomplished this on so many levels, it's not even funny!
I even "all-naturally" charmed my way to an extra $150 in my pockets.
Yes, I am just that charming.  ;-)

be gracious

gra·cious (grā'shəs)    adj.

1. Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy.
I was expressly gracious to my professor tonight for a great lecture.
2. Characterized by tact and propriety: responded to the insult with gracious humor.
Being gracious, I discretely kept my ex in check this morning.
3. Of a merciful or compassionate nature.
I was gracious as I tended to my daughter's boo-boo tonight.  Bandaids and kisses graciously make boo-boos better.
4. Condescendingly courteous; indulgent.
Graciously, I let my ex's obvious lie slide while in mediation.  I'm certain the mediator caught the lie too.  p.s. he's a terrible liar.
5. Characterized by charm or beauty; graceful.
Phong, I thank you for your gracious compliment; it was beautiful and it made my day!
6. Characterized by elegance and good taste: gracious living.
My gracious living will be even more gracious once I finish renovations!
7. Archaic Enjoying favor or grace; acceptable or pleasing.
The gracious boys appreciated my help on their brochure.
interj. Used to express surprise or mild emotion.
Goodness gracious!  How did I manage to fill in all those blanks???

be marvelous

i am.

People marvel at me...

...every day.
                                      kind of.

be winsome

I'm gonna be honest, I had no idea what the word "winsome" meant.  So Reb looked it up....

Easy enough, right?  Wrong.  Today was just not my "winsome day" ...sorry calendar. 

As someone cleverly told me today...

                      ya winsome, ya losesome

In any case, I will share this story with you:

Luckily I was so full of winsomeness yesterday that it carried over to today.  Jeff was welcomed back to his office with tons of mini and redundant 'task completed' notes hidden throughout his office.  Yes, it was my charming and childlike response to his efforts the day prior to remind me to complete a task..using every means available. 

Handwritten note, e-mails...and alas, the phone call. 

I heard he also spray-painted the message on the side of our building and then hired a pilot to air-write the task reminder in the sky....but I missed those two.

Special Agent of Kindness

This morning, while running late, I decided that a donut run was a good idea.  My daughter, Kay, agreed. While ordering our donuts-to-go, I noticed Krispy Kreme's $5 Monday Dozen special.  Without even realizing that today I was to be a Special Agent of Kindness, my natural reserve of kindness sprung a leak.  I bought a dozen donuts to share.

I also made some delicious yirgacheffe coffee for my girl Pam (and whoever else grabbed a cup)! 

To wrap the day's kindness up, I would like to share a kind act someone did for me...Special Deputy Agent C.J. paid one penny in order to save me $2 on lunch today.  Don't ask how it worked, it just did!  And it was VERY kind!  =)

Mel
~LWYA~
Special Agent, Kindness Division

Notes on Windshield (N.o.W.)

N.o.W. #1:
"Thank you Dad"...for changing my oil, building me a utility shed (co-built with Doug-THANKS!) and most importantly being the greatest dad!

I also want to point out that my dad deserves a Thank You N.o.W. from his neighbor.  As my dad worked on my car he heard a neighbor frantic on the phone asking desperately for someone to hurry over to shut off his water because their house was flooding. 

My dad, being the greatest, grabbed his tools-ran right over-and shut off their water.

N.o.W. #2:
"Thank you Pam"...for cleaning up at Evos after I lost track of time, and had to rush off to pick up Kaylee!

A pick "you" up

Offer to pick up a friend's child after such-and-such practice or meeting.

Kolpy, finally - your time to shine! 
.....So I hear baby Dmitri's in daycare, awaiting pick-up this afternoon.  Well, I'd like to offer my "mom's taxi" service to you, and at no charge. 

Oh......wait, you said "yes"?
Um, you know you don't have to accept, I just have to offer.  Don't look at me like that Kolpy.  We both know logistically it would be a nightmare.  Car seat installation, child handling, timeliness, coordinated drop off scheduling...bleh.  You don't want to deal with all that. 
Good. I'm glad you agree.

One child pick-up successfully "offered"

Kindness pops up everywhere...

...be on the look-out! Where will you spot kindness today?

   Spotting 1:  
Kelly, for short, is kind.  In fact, so kind that she helped fill an empty seat in our transportation planning Jeopardy game today!  She also kindly whooped our a$$es.

   Spotting 2:  
Achilleas, Hot Greek God (HGG) as I call him, held the door for me as I left work. -That's Kind
As if that wasn't nice enough, I mentioned to HGG that I wanted to repay a stranger who helped me on Tuesday.  Being so busy tonight, though, I just didn't have time to do it...and that made me sad :(  He asked if they were nearby, but they weren't.  He was actually willing to go on my behalf! -That's Super Kind

   Spotting 3:  
Dom and Reb rearranged the office today.  It looks so inviting now!
 
   Spotting 4:  
Special thanks to my lovely parents for watching Kaylee tonight  =)

Create Laughter

Composite conversation from today:

"So what's your task today" she asked
"It says I have to make people laugh" I responded
"Oh! You should trip down the hall.....people laugh at that sort of stuff" Reb interjects
"Just don't hurt yourself, because people won't laugh then" Jan warns
"I don't want to trip in the hall" I whine
"Hmmm...I probably shouldn't tell people I have to create laughter.  You all might give me a hard time and resist laughing!!" I joke
::Kristine chuckles::
"Oh wait, darn, I laughed" Kristine realizes

Task accomplished.

Sunshine

Keep your face to the sunshine & you cannot see the shadow. 

-Helen Keller

I am grateful.