Friendliness is Kindness

Passing by someone on the sidewalk, simply say "good morning" or "good afternoon."

I know this sounds easy, but it's not.  Now I consider myself a naturally friendly person, and as I pass by people I typically smile at them.  BUT for some reason I couldn't find a good 'moment' to say a greeting to people as they passed by.  Either they weren't making eye contact or there were large groups of people (while walking on campus); it was tricky! 

Soooooo then I went out for ice cream.  As I was leaving I said "have a good night" to someone and I held the door for them.  My dear friend pointed out that I was on a sidewalk.  I wasn't meaning for it to be my moment, but I suppose sometimes moments are supposed to find you.

Thanks for finding me, moment.

Nourish your whole self

your good heart deserves to be a healthy heart.

Running to the store?

While in the parking lot, look for someone who is emptying their shopping cart, and offer to take it back for them.

I pulled into my spot, discretely positioning myself two spots from my prey.  An older, yet capable woman certainly willing to accept a helping hand I concluded.  The plan was simple...time it right, have patience while unloading Kaylee.  Make it seem natural.  Act like you don't see her at first, I cautioned myself.  I glanced over as she began unloading her groceries from the cart...at that moment my heart grew two sizes.  Taking the cart was not enough, no no, I would help her unload it as well I determined.  I walked over with my sweet lovely daughter beside me, "Can I help you unload your cart?"  I sweetly asked.  "No." she simply said.  I was speechless.  I walked away shamed. 

I spotted an abandoned cart on my way in.  I grabbed a hold of it, and decided it would have to do.

Brothers * Sisters

What are you grateful for in your siblings?

Dear Brother, have I told you how much I appreciate you?  I see everything you do for me.  You are always here...quietly fixing things around my house, building and crafting things for Kaylee, cleaning up my messes, fixing my computer, it goes on and on.  You lend a hand with things even when I don't ask.  You just do it because you care.  It means a lot to me, and I know I don't alwys tell you how much it does.  But it does.  I love you!

Dear Sister, I am grateful I get to share my genetic code with you.  I do still think we would have been one big giant if our embryo hadn't split, so I thank you for not letting that happen.  I also feel blessed to have my best friend who is also my sister.  The fact that you have such a remarkable fashion sense and that we are the same size is a huge bonus.  You are my soul-sister.  Love you!

High Five

What are you proud of today?

Hmmmm.  Well, as I stop and think about it....I'm proud of myself for a lot of things today.  I'm proud of myself for courageously being a full-time mom to a sassy preschooler, a full-time employee, AND a part-time graduate student all at one time. (Whoaaaa, check that out!...I squeeze "two and a half times" into "one time"!)
Today I found myself juggling the responsibilities of all three not-so-easy and oh-so-important areas of my life.

.........generally speaking, this is not unusual. 

The tricky part was the excessive and unexpected curve balls that got thrown into my circus-side-show-loop, which I endearingly call "my life."

In any case, I'm most proud of myself for not dropping the ball on any of these...you know, like forgetting to pick up my child at preschool or something. 

So big high five to me ...as I peek into child's room to make sure I actually did pick her up!

the silver lining

Raining?  Look for the silver lining...pull on your galoshes & splash in the puddles.

Okay, so that's not me, but then again...she's kind of half-me.  Yes, my sweet baby-girl kindly sported her rainboots in the tub tonight for LWYA.  Isn't she adorable?!  .......Unfortunately I didn't have any galoshes of my own, BUT if I had a pair, I totally would have joined in!

What I did do was run around in the light rain tonight, as I was picking up my lil sweetie!  See!

kindness is GREEN

Try growing veggies, flowers, or herbs at home in recycled cans or jars.  True it's a small step, but you can still feel good about decreasing your carbon footprint.  (& kids love it!)

I'm growing herbs.  Gourmet herbs, in fact, via the renowned Chia Garden system.  I'm sure you are all thinking to yourselves that this does not appear to fit the "recycled" distinction outlined above. 
     -But let me explain.-
You see, I received this Gourmet Chia Herb Garden kit a year ago as a gift from my amazing grandparents.  However, being as intimidated as I am by gardening, I put it aside. 

Now...what was once a lovely boxed conversation piece,

LWYA has officially recycled to become my lovely herb garden!

Before

After

Culinary delight, for sharing

Dear Dom,

Thank you for being brave.  Not only did you find the courage to try my "chicken fajita 'n stuffing casserole" for which I completely made up the recipe.  You dug down deeper to find the strength to eat it after learning it was a week old.  I hope it was everything you expected and more!  I cannot wait to hear your rave review.

Sincerely,
LWYA

p.s. I cannot believe you ate half of it!  I almost feel like you were committing a suicide attempt.

Are you part of a club?

How can your club help another group in need?

A mom from a playgroup I am in recently informed our group of this:

A family friend has a son in Afghanistan who is serving this third tour. They are in a rural area where they have a lot of contact with the locals. As an active mom of three children I have been known to run my kids to McDonald's in the past and the little toys they get with their happy meals never seem to leave my car. So, for years I have been collecting these types of toys along with the toys they get at the dentist; the doctor; Chuck E. Cheese.....you get the idea.

I would like for our group to compile any toys we are willing to donate. We can then mail them to our friend serving in Afghanistan, so that he and his fellow soldiers can hand them out to the Afghani children.

...I am definitely on board with this idea!!

my "Zen Den"

create a cozy corner for you in your home.

Well I'm in the middle of renovating my kitchen and dining room...so everything is strewn about! 
I have dusty corners, cluttered corners and demolished corners, but I don't really have an available corner to make cozy...soooooooooooo, we're headed outside.

I've been meaning to create a nice area to eat breakfast outside...so this weekend I made it happen!  =) 
Look how cozy it is!!

Gift of Kindness, pass it on.

Kindness is a gift you can give over & over & over...

And now............The "insider's view"

...keep in mind, the contents will continuosuly change as people take-and-add to it!  Who knows what treasures may be discovered as this lovely water bottle changes hands.  Yes, it truly is the gift of kindness that keeps on giving!

Give to those in need

If you have books, craft projects, or puzzles that haven't been used in years, why not take them to a center or home that could really use them?

I couldn't agree more.  I actually try to do this often, especially with my daughter's toys, books, clothes and furniture she outgrows through the years. I never consign things like I plan because I always find specific people who can use these things and end up just giving it away.

I recently gave away a stash of toilet paper rolls I had accumulated thinking I would some day use them with Kay for a craft project.  Well that has yet to happen....So imagine my surprise when her daycare posted a request to parents for empty toilet paper rolls!  I couldn't make this stuff up. 

Next up:  A biggie I will be giving away soon is Kay's outdoor Climb-and-Slide! I also have a bunch of size 7-9 shoes (several brand new) that I will be giving away soon too  =)

Are you lucky?

How can you make it someone else's lucky day?

I'm sure noooooo one else would have come up with this idea, LOL. 

I cleverly went and bought EIGHT scratch-off tickets.  Four went to specific people I know, and four I handed out to complete strangers.  All I asked in return was for anyone who wins something to post a comment here on my blog.  Even if no one wins, I hope people appreciated the thought  =)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 
LWYA...even if it's at a bar drinking irish whiskey.

Lonely? Be Kind.

When you feel alone, do something kind for someone else.

Reb went home, Dom was in meeting with boss, el jefe was behind a closed door. I was officially alone.

Then I got an e-mail, and my lonely world suddenly didn't feel so lonely.  It went something like this:
============================
From: C-Tho
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:50 PM
To: Lisa
Cc: Mel (ME)
Subject: report

Hi Lisa,
I think the report is good to go except for the following: page numbering and updating of table of content page numbers. I can’t figure it out again…I know Mel was able to help out last time, so I’m cc-ing her on this email in case she would be willing to help (would you be able to, Mel?).

Thank you!
C-Tho
============================
From: Mel
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:54 PM
To: C-Tho; Lisa
Subject: RE: report

Happy to help if you need me :)
-Mel
============================
From: Lisa
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:56 PM
To: Mel
Subject: RE: report

Yes, yes, yes, PLEASE!!??? :) You ARE the expert after all!!
============================

Well how could I say no?? haha.  Of course I really did go up and helped them.  In fact, I knocked their socks off with my ultimate pagination skills, creating what some may consider a visual masterpiece!...others may just call it page numbers.

life is dog-gone good!

Mailman Appreciation Day

Note left Saturday on my mailbox expressing my appreciation for such consistent service, rain or shine.  The mailman never showed.

That or I didn't have any mail, hehe.

p.s. I'm leaving it up for Monday.

Share said the hare.

Locks of Love makes wigs for kids suffering from medical hair loss.  Visit http://www.locksoflove.org/ for details on donating your 'do.

This is something that I really would do if I could.  Unfortunately my hair is too short. 

So I will make a commitment instead.  When my hair is long enough to donate without leaving me bald or boyish looking, I will cut it and donate to Locks of Love.

Kindness frightens...er, brightens...any day

It really does.

Both.

Kids.....

......they keep saying the kindest things!

So I needed to listen for the kind things kids say. 

This one is debatable, but I will give half-credit. 
As I dropped off my daughter to preschool, her and her best friend were complimenting eachother's shoes.  It was very sweet...very kind indeed...except for one major flaw.  They neglected to compliment my lovely boots.  As my daughter would say...."you lose!"  haha.  kidding kidding.  Truly they are beautiful girls inside and out.

my strength for others who aren't as strong

"you can use your health for those who are ill by donating blood or signing up for a charity walk/run."

Ummm...not that I'm a wuss or anything, but I'll choose the charity walk/run! 
Seriously, I never realized how hard it is to search for a charity walk!  Usually the opportunity to presents itself, rather than having to find one.  So my search started on facebook, where there was an Autism Walk that I considered participating in.  I had decided not to since the timing was a little tricky, but maybe this means I should make it happen.  Result:  I am "tentatively registered."

Another one I have labored over trying to register for is the USF Relay for Life next month.  You'd think it would be easy but I had the hardest time trying to figure out how to join a team!!!  Several consultations later it happened...I finally figured out how to search for pre-formed teams when you do not know of any specific team you want to join. Awaiting me are several potentials, but I must be patient. yes. I must wait for my walking-mates to help me pick our winning team.

Show off Talents at a Nursing Home

....darn! I already had plans tonight with family.  I'll have to revisit this one  =)

Revisiting Last Weekend

Thursday, February 25th:  Friendship is an affordable luxury, splurge on taking time to connect with a distant girlfriend.
Us girls (and kiddos) took a train trip to North Carolina.  I think that totally counts!!  We went the distance together and had plenty of connecting time  =)  Love ya's!

Friday, February 26th:  You don't need to be a great cook to get rave reviews; just drop off home-cooked food to someone in need.
Well in case I wasn't clear before, we were out of town for this one.  So I relied on the "home-cooking" of Mellow Mushroom to get me through this one!  A slice of Gourmet White pizza, waiting for a lucky recipient.  In case you were wondering, that pizza is soooo yummy!!!!!!!!!!!  As we walked to the Museum of Natural History, I spotted a gentleman who looked like he could use a delicious slice of pizza.  I approached him.  Kelly and Pam watched on via glass door reflection.  I explained that the pizza had his name written all over it if he wanted it.  He was surprised, grateful, and sincere.  He accepted. 
It was a good thing...strangely I was glad he got it.

Sat/Sunday February 27-28th:  Compliment the acts of kindness & compassion that you see in children.
This one is all Damian's!  He was such a gentleman on our trip, I think he held every door for us girls.  Compliments to you Damian, your momma raised you well  ;-)

Sometimes friends just listen

I heard everything you said.  *hugs*

hidden messages

For Kaylee

This was waiting on her seat as I picked her up from school. 

We were on our way to her first day of dance class.

She loved it.

"This is so cute" she said. "I loooove this note" ::pause:: 

"I love you mommy"

somebunny

Be Kind to Preggies

Do I know someone who's pregnant?
   -----> Why yes, I do! 

One gal in particular popped into my mind right away in fact.

Saw her a couple weeks ago, in fact.  But I would say it's about time I touched base again  =) 

Reminisce

Steal a few minutes for yourself & sit down with a family photo album.

Wow.  Time flies!  I decided to take a moment to scroll through Kaylee's blog to reminisce on all our special moments together. 

I can't believe I've been doing her blog since August 2007! 

But more importantly, I cannot believe how much she has grown. 
It's easy to forget how many transitions and stages kids go through...living in the moment, the changes are so gradual, they don't really hit you.  But then you look back at the past few years and it takes your breath away.  I feel like I've been sucker punched, it stings a little because I know I won't get those moments back.  You have to love those things when you have them, because once a baby outgrows each stage, they don't go back (well....besides potty training). 

...Then suddenly you blink and your baby is running, skipping and doing cartwheels in the grass.  They no longer have those chubby baby cheeks and the folds of baby fat at their knees and elbows.  They're talking to you, and sometimes even "talking back" to you.  They're coming up with their own plans on what they want to do, and they no longer even need your assistance putting on a bandaid.  But they still cuddle, they still need your comfort, and they still make your heart flutter with happiness every time they smile, giggle, and gaze into your eyes.

Kids say the Kindest things

"you're making me fall in love with you!"

...said 4yr old Kaylee as I "swung her to dry" following her late late 10pm bath tonight.  She was giggling up a storm, loving every minute of it. That smile was lifting and her giggles made me soar.  =)