Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Day 31- January 31st 2012

I took my neighbour a mini Apple Toffee loaf today as a 'thank you' for watching Mr. Man on the weekend while I Zumba'd. It was just recently brought to my attention how sometimes lines can be blurred between friends when it comes to watching/babysitting each others kids and expected payment. I always will offer to pay, and usually it is always declined...so instead, I bring something over (like dinner or a loaf or cookies) or I make a nice card...I always want to make sure the people in my life know how much I love having them there and that their acts of generosity and kindness towards me do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Because- they are ALWAYS noticed and ALWAYS appreciated.

Thanks A for helping out with Mr. Man, and Miss C...I'm not looking forward to you moving... :(

Today's RAoK- thanks!

~E

Monday, January 30, 2012

Day 30- January 30th 2012

I got into my car tonight to go tutor, and I realized that I hadn't done my RAoK yet. I was kind of kicking myself when this HUGE dog jumped up into my van...SERIOUSLY! This happened. A lady came running up behind this dog, apologizing profusely. I told her it was no problem and I helped her get the dogs collar back on. She thanked me and continued on her walk.

Totally random.

Today's RAoK- getting a dog out of my car and back in a collar.

Woof!

~E

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Day 29- January 29th 2012

My friend is sick. She has a cold. I know (from personal experience) how much that sucks, especially when you have little humans to take care of. Her husband stopped by on Sunday for a bit, and I sent home a jar of my homemade chicken noodle soup and a 'feel better' card.

Feel better friend!

RAoK- food, again...it's just how I am...


~E

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Day 28- January 28th 2012

I let someone with ONE item go in front of me at Costco today. He appreciated it, and since my kids were behaving...I thought, 'what the heck!'...and to boot, because I let him cut in front of me, he unloaded all of my stuff for me.

RAoK- letting someone with ONE item budge...

The photo quality is poor as I took it on my iPhone, but you see...one item...Costco was SO busy!

~E

Friday, January 27, 2012

Day 27- January 27th 2012

Today's RAoK is personal.

I made my kids laugh today...over and over and over again...

Giggles galore!

~E

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Day 26- January 26th 2012

I'm a member of a private chat forum/message boards that I made for my Mommy friends. Someone started a thread today about Facebook and how a lot of times there seems to be an abundance of negative things said and not a whole lot of happy and positive things. I've noticed this too! In an attempt to "make love, not war" she posted her status as "is wanting to spread some love on facebook...Share something that you are thankful for!" and has since received 19 positive and thankful comments! Inspiring! I posted a comment about something that I am thankful for.

Today's RAoK- making love, not war...but positively commenting on a friends Facebook status!


~E

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Day 25- January 25th 2012

It was a good friends birthday yesterday. She turned 40. I got this text from her at 11am yesterday....
"Hey this 40 thing....sucks ass in case you had any doubt :-)"


Today, I sent her a card...Happy Birthday T!


RAoK- happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!


~E

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Day 24- January 24th 2012

I made L's lunch today. And by made, I really mean I just packed up leftovers from dinner last night, put them in a bag so that it would just have to grab it in the morning and not worry about making something last minute.

Yup- I'm a good wife!

RAoK- making my hubby's lunch...which is something I'm going to try to do more of...maybe... *wink*


~E

Monday, January 23, 2012

Day 23- January 23rd 2012

I got a call about my student loans repayment plan today. I dread these calls.

"No I do not want to increase the amount I pay"

"No, I cannot afford to do that"

"Yes, my marital status is the same"

....

Today's call was regarding a form that I'd sent back *late* and they just wanted some additional information that they need faxed before February 23rd. Yup, I can do that! No problem.

The guy told me to have a nice day, and like most people (or so I thought) I said, "I hope you have a great day too sir!". His response was epic, "that is not the usual reply I get, but thank you, you've made my day!"...WIN!

RAoK- a simple "have a great day" can go a long way to making someone elses day...!

~E

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Day 22- January 22nd 2012

Mr. Man woke up early, and was a super cranky pants today. I decided to stay home from chuch (lol) so that he could have an early nap and hopefully wake up on the right side of the bed.

RAoK- keeping a screaming crying baby home so that everyone at Church could actually hear the speakers...your welcome people!

~E

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Day 21- January 21st 2012

I shop at Superstore. They have an excellent 'organics' section, it's close....and well, I just like the store.


It costs $1 to use their shopping carts. You put it in, the cart comes loose from the one infront of it, you shop, then you get your loonie back at the end. On MANY occasions I've been that Mom with the screaming children TRYING to find a loonie..and someone has just given me their cart.


I was that person today. I gave my cart to someone who arrived at the cart caddy at the same time I did. He offered to give me the $1 he had ready, I declined. He smiled at me. I had a good rest of the day.


RAoK- sharing the shopping cart love!


~E

Friday, January 20, 2012

Day 20- January 20th 2012

Advice.

I offered a friend some of the heartfelt variety today.

It was graciously welcomed.

RAoK- done like dinner!

~E

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Day 19- January 19th 2012

ZUMBA!
I love going to Zumba! The classes that I take are the highlight of my week. I look forward to Wednesday/Thursday/Friday nights and Sunday mornings, so I can dance my worries and cares away.

I've been bugging some of my 'vampire diaries' friends to come to class AND they finally agreed.

My act of kindness (because it wasn't really random) was picking them all up and driving them to class tonight! We totally rocked it...!!

~E

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Day 18- January 18th 2012

I made this for dinner tonight. It was amazing.

My friend M and I frequently text during the day. She runs a dayhome like mine, and we send each other jokes, complaints, questions about what we are eating, if we are going to Zumba etc...all day long, every day. I sent her a text around 2:00pm, asking what they were having for dinner. She replied with, "cereal". I'd already made a HUGE pot of this thai chili, so I invited her and her family over. Initally, she declined saying that she was just joking, but I insisted, and they came.

RAoK- cereal totally rocks and all, but my Thai Chili was AMAZING and I'm glad I was able to share it with my friend!

~E

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Day 17- January 17th 2012

In September, my bestfriend and I packed our kids up and drove to Salt Lake City, Utah! It was a painful 15 hour drive there and then back...but we had a great time! I'm a great travel companion...and I'm a total 'USA Border Crossing' Pro...just sayin'...

While we were there, L and I were able to take our kids and my nephew around Temple Square to see some of the sights. I'd never been you see...so I wanted to get the whole experience. We walked around the Temple and we stopped at a little bench to take some pictures. A couple came up and asked if I'd be willing to take a picture on their phone for them. I, of course, agreed and snapped a few on their non-smart phone. I then offered to take a few on my DSLR and email them once we got home. They liked that idea, posed once again and I snapped a few more pictures.

I didn't send those pictures...in fact I'd completely forgot about them until I was doing on cleaning up in my photo file...

I emailed them today!

RAoK- sending a memory...


~E

Monday, January 16, 2012

Day 16- January 16th 2012

My good friend is doing The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
She needs to raise $2000.
I donated today!

RAoK- supporting a friend because she's awesome and totally helped me out on Friday night...and this is how I chose to pay her!

~E

Click HERE to donate to Ms. M.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Day 15- January 15th 2012

It snowed last night!



A huge dump.

I've been itching to shovel everyone's sidewalks but with the wonderful weather (seriously!) we've been having, there hasn't been an opportunity. But today...I got it done.

Initally our plan (Miss C came outside with me) was to shovel the sidewalk of everyone in our cul-de-sac. That's like 14 houses or something, and it was COLD. So, we morphed that plan, and just did the sidewalks of the people we knew. I shovelled 8 sidewalks while we were outside...then we got to cold and had to come inside for hot chocolate.

I definitely got an upper body/arms work out (which were already sore from doing Zumba (2 songs include weights) 4 times this week. I was happy that I  got to work off a few of the calories from the amazing dinner I had last night too (Lobster Ravioli with shrimp in a rose sauce...hell yes!)...so I'm glad I was able to get outside and do something nice for the people in our cul-de-sac.


Today's RAoK- shovelling snow!

~E

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Day 14- January 14th 2012

Today was my son's birthday party. It was crazy around here...seriously crazy. I was thinking about my RAoK all day wondering what I could do and how I could 'fit' it into my schedule. I didn't have any good ideas and was slighty frustrated with myself for waiting so long to actually do something....

We had plans to go out for dinner and then games/hot tubing with a few couples from our church. I was tired, but really looking forward to going. We were going to a new resturant that we hadn't tried and I like hanging out with this particular group of friends. On the way to the resturant I decided that tonight I would be a listener rather than a talker. If anyone knows me in real like, you'll know that I always have something to say...even when I shouldn't say something...I'll say something...! That's just how I am, it's how Miss C is...it's in our genes I guess. So for me to not talk as much as I normally would,was...well...challenging the say the least. I still chatted with everyone but definitely not as much as I normally would have. It was really nice, and I was surprised at how much more I learned about my friends. I'm not sure anyone would have really noticed that I wasn't as chatty as normal...but I was proud of myself for doing it.

Today's RAoK- listening instead of talking. Because we all know, sometimes we just want someone to hear....

~E

Friday, January 13, 2012

Day 13- January 13th 2012

Today I smiled at everyone.

RAoK- check!

~E


And check back because I'm going to be making "take a smile" signs and putting them up ALL OVER in the future!! :)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Day 11- January 11th 2012

Every Wednesday I go to a Zumba class at the YMCA. The parking lots is crazy as there are swimming lessons, hockey, people working out (especially now since it is January and all that...lol) so parking can sometimes be a hassle.



I left our house early so that I could hopefully get a good spot. Usually there are many cars driving around the parking lot in search of a spot and tonight it was the same thing. But instead of being my normally agressive driver self, I let other people take the prime spots and I parked further away and walked.

Today's RAoK- CHECK!


~E

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Day 10- January 10th 2012

I accidently won some tickets to a concert at the UofC tonight...but couldn't use them as I had previous plans. I gave them to the hubs and asked him to PLEASE take a friend of give the other ticket away. Seeing as how I got them for free, I figured if he was only going to use one then the other shouldn't be wasted. He ended up meeting with a friend of his and giving him the ticket. I was happy that they got to enjoy the concert...!! For free...!!

I also did another SNEAKY act of kindness today. But...it hasn't been found yet...or at least, if it has, I haven't been told about it... If you saw me today, you should probably check your stuff....


~E

Monday, January 9, 2012

Day 9- January 9th 2012

A good friend of mine asked me to come up with a few meal ideas for her. She's been feeling tired lately...and I wanted to do something nice for her. While talking on the phone today, I asked her if there was anything that I could do for her...she replied with, "come up with some meals!"...SO that is what I have done. Below are the recipes and meal ideas for her. Click on the title and it will take you to the recipe. Thank you Pinterest...you've inspired me yet again!

Enjoy!

Tortellini and Garden Vegetable Bake with spinach salad and garlic toast.

Black Bean smothered Sweet Potatos with fresh salsa, guacmole and tortilla chips.

Crock Pot Orange Chicken with brown rice and steamed broccoli.

Hope that helps!

~E

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Day 8- January 8th 2012

A 'Get Well' card that I made has been mailed...



RAoK- a nice card to someone who deserves it...

~E

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Day 7- January 7th 2012

My bestfriend has been away since December 23rd, 2011. Before that, she was away for 4 weeks....and I've literally seen her ONCE since November 18th, 2011. Aside from a few FaceTime conversations, we really haven't seen much of each other- which SUCKS. We were able to send text messages and stay in touch that way, but really...it blows not having your BFF around.

Today, today is a good day. She is coming home. And I'm picking her family up at the airport in about an hour. She invited her family over to our house for dinner (I would have invited her, but she beat me to the punch *lol*)...and I'm very much looking forward to seeing her and visiting. Miss C is very excited to see her cousin too- she's been missing him something crazy!

Today's RAoK- helping out my BFF with transportation and a meal. I may even send them home with breakfast food for tomorrow morning... !!

~E

Friday, January 6, 2012

Day 6- January 6th 2012

Today we had the Missionaries from our ward over. They came to do some service (read: organize my basement) and I wanted to feed them as a thank you. We had homemade Japanese food (potstickers and rice with vegetables) and overall, it was a very enjoyable evening. I was happy because they helped L clean our basement, and they were happy because I cooked for them. They love my cooking....

Today's RAoK- feed people!!

~E

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Day 5- January 5th 2012

So I bought a little package of chocolates for $0.74 at Superstore this week. Ok, if I'm being honest, I bought more than one package...at $0.74 how can you say no?? I wrapped one up, wrote a little note and took it to our mailbox. It's a gift for our mail carrier. Christmas is always a busy time for Canada Post...and I think it's a pretty thankless job...so I decided to do something nice for ours. We get our mail by 3:30pm every day, packages have been delivered to our door...and we usually have very few problems. 



Today's RAoK, a little box of chocolates that will hopefully brighten the day of someone who I've never met, yet am very thankful for. Remember last year when we had no mail...because of a strike? Yea...that sucked.

~E

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Day 4- January 4th 2012

I read about this story the other day and I haven't been able to get it off my mind. I can't even begin to imagine what this Mom is going through. As a Mom of two young children my heart just goes out to her. When I first heard about the fire (through another friend who happens to know this Mom) I wished that there was something that I could do. I'm the kind of person who brings meals to people, I bake things, and make cards...in times like this- I'm often rendered speechless and awkward...so the only way I know how to show my love and support is through food. I also feel like it's one less thing the parents/family/friends have to worry about. A meal/snack/food they don't have to think about. It's just there. However, due to the fact that this happened in Sicamous BC, sending food isn't a possibility. A Facebook group has been set up to help support this Mom (Kara Wagner) and they are acception donations to help her through this very difficult and dark time. Today, I donated some money. It may not have been much- but it's what I would have spent on a meal...

I encourage you ALL to donate to this woman who is currently living every parents nightmare. You don't have to give much- every little bit counts. It's set up through PayPal and even people like me, who don't have a PayPal account, can donate.

Today's RAoK is helping out a Mother in need, a fellow woman who has lost the absolutely loves of her life.

~E

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Day 3- January 3rd 2012

Today's RAoK was simple, but special nevertheless. I read in our community newsletter about a program called, "Adopt a Grandparent". I read the little article and my heart felt so sad for all of the seniors out there who have no family left and who are forgotten about...especially around Christmas. While, it wasn't in our budget to "adaop a Grandparent" this year (and trust me I tried to figure out a way), the whole concept got me thinking. While I would have loved to have been able to do it, I have some Grandparents of my own who I love...so I kept it closer to home. I LOVE my Grandma's (two of my own and two through marriage) and today's RAoK revolves around these lovely ladies.

I called 3/4 Grandma's (the 4th is German, and currently sleeping so unfortunately that wasn't an option) to thank them for their wonderful Christmas gifts, to ask if they'd received Charlotte's thank you cards, and just to tell them that I loved them. Short and sweet.

Today's RAoK = complete.

~E

Monday, January 2, 2012

Day 2- January 2nd 2012

So, I'm prefacing this post with an explanation so you don't think I'm some crazy stalker chick who spends her days creeping...
I'm a stay at home Mom. I open my windows during the day. I go outside with my kids and play. I also watch the coming and goings of the people in our cul-de-sac. My good friend and neighbour calls me the "neighbourhood watcher"...as I frequently send her texts when strange cars show up, or random people are at her door (they are moving...so they have people coming to look at their house). I'm also a closet control freak...who needs to know everything about what's going on. While it's not always a flattering trait, it has proven to be useful a few times...like today...as my need to know what's going on helped me accomplish today's RAoK.

Our 'across-the-alley' neighbours moved out mid-December, and the house has been vacant until just recently. I've been glancing that way every time I'm in the kitchen (usually when I'm doing dishes) and decided that since new people had moved in, I needed to go over and introduce myself.

On Sunday morning at Church, I met a new lady, as both of us were out in the hall with our kids. She was nice and we chatted for a bit while our boys played. Turns out she has a daughter the same age as Miss C...it was exciting! Fast forward to Sunday afternoon when I happen to glance out the back window while doing dishes...guess who I see getting out of a van? This lady who I'd just met at Church! Fast forward again, to tonight, when I popped by her house with some cookies and a 'welcome to the neighbourhood' card. We chatted for a bit and made plans to get together.



I'd say today's RAoK was a total win!

~E

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Day 1- January 1st 2012

Today I have two random acts of kindness (RAoK) to report...but only one is technically from today.

Yesterday (Dec20/11) my friend Mary and I went downtown and gave blood. It was her 10th time, and my 7th. I seriously feel SO good when I give blood. One pint of blood can save up to three lives...AMAZING! I've known people who have needed blood transfusions- and while it may not be a lot for me to give sporadically, I still feel good about doing it. We went in the morning before it got busy- we had appointments, but you can do walk in as well. My favourite part about giving blood (aside from the life saving aspect) is the goodies they give you afterwards. We had soup and cookies by George...can you say YUM! Really gives your blood sugar a boost. I thought giving blood was a perfect way to kick off the New Year. For more information on donating, click HERE.

We go to Church every Sunday, and there are a lot of young couples with young kids in our church. I often end up in the halls with one or both of my kids because sitting still and being quiet for an hour is hard- especially when you are three and one. Today I found myself out in the hall with Miss C and Mr Man. Another Mom was out as well, trying to keep her daughter from going outside. We exchanged hellos, and laughed when our kids did something funny...but other than that, we didn't say a whole lot. From where I was standing I could see the other womans daughter heading for the door. She pressed the handicap door opener and took off outside. I started running after her, hoping that I would be fast enough to catch her before she made it out onto the streets as she had a decent head start. Her Mom was wearing a pair of fancy heels so I knew I had a better shot at getting her as I was wearing my comfy flats. I caught up to her before she made it to the parking lot and handed her off to Mom who was pretty close behind me. While I didn't plan this in advance, I'm still going to classify it as a RAoK. I could have just stood there and told the Mom...but I didn't. I'd like to think that if the roles were switched, she would have done the same for me.

~E

365 Days

365 Days.
365 Random Acts of Kindness.
And....

Go!!

~E