Favorite Day

Wednesday, May 4th 2011

Today marks one year since I started my year's adventure in blogging. I thought about my favorite day of the year, what I enjoyed doing the most and decided to do it again today.

On my way home from work I stopped at the grocery store to buy the items needed to make sack dinners. I hurried home and started making cheese sandwiches with extra-soft bread, then put together 6 meals consisting of- a cheese sandwich, bag of potato chips, box of apple juice and a chocolate-covered granola bar. I added a pretty, flowered napkin along with a note that said the same as before- "Made With Love~For You".

I packed them all up and headed out the door.

I saw a man looking into a garbage can so I crossed the street just as he crossed to the opposite side. I turned around and went back to other side I was just on and tried to catch up with him. I probably looked suspicious to anyone who was watching me, but I didn't want to give up. When I got close enough, I tried to get his attention by saying "Sir" in a volume louder than I'm used to speaking.

He turned around and I asked him if he'd like a cheese sandwich and chips. He replied, "No." Then quietly followed up with "No, thank you."

My confidence instantly decreased, but that's ok. I wasn't going to give up because I knew there were others who would want some food. I just hope I don't offend anyone or make them upset.

The 2nd man I approach accepted and I heard a girl shout across the street, "Are you handing out food?!!" I turned around and thought am I going to get in trouble? Is it ok that I'm doing this even though I don't have a health-inspected kitchen? Might be silly questions, but you never know.

I answered her with a "yes" and started walking toward her as she and her friend came toward me. She asked again, "Can we have some?"

I gave both her a sack and the guy she was with one too. They said, "That is so nice of you to be doing this. Thank you very much." I heard them continue the same words after I walked away and I almost cried. This is what I'm here for, I thought.

I had 3 more to hand out and it took another 30 minutes or so to find those 3 people. I had 2 more decline my offer, which was fine and expected. They don't know who I am and what I might be trying to give them. And 3 who accepted my offer.

In the end, I think 3 of the 6 were pleased to receive a dinner made with love. I passed the same man I gave the first one too about 10 blocks from where we first met. I said, "Hi again." and smiled as I noticed he had the sack on top of his grocery cart.

From there, I walked 18 blocks home with an empty bag and a full heart.

Peace :)

Last Day of SMART and Dinner With D's Grandma

Tuesday, May 3rd 2011

I was expecting next week to be my last day volunteering for SMART, but it ended up that the students will be on a field trip so today was my last day! It worked out well because I didn't find this out until after the hour was up so I got to avoid the goodbyes with the boys I've been reading with since December. I get sad when I say goodbye to people, no matter how long it will be until I see them again, so this was a relief.

Mr J.C. was being quite the jokester today and I asked him if he made up one of the jokes himself. He answered, "I was born in funnyland." Oh boy did that comment make me laugh! I asked if someone told him that and he said no. Then I asked if he wanted to be a comedian one day and after hearing my explanation of what that was, he said "Yes! That would be awesome!"

So the year ended on a good note and I'm very glad for the opportunity to help develop the young readers' skills.

Then tonight, D picked me up from work and we went to his grandma's new home to take her out for dinner. She decided she wanted to take us to the restaurant downstairs instead which was easy to get to and they have good food too! We spent quite a bit of time in her place and she told us all about the new living quarters. I know she'd rather be at her old house, but it seems like she's adjusting alright.

After dinner, we took her back upstairs and watched some Jeopardy (D answered 4 questions right in a row so we were impressed). Then we said goodbye with plans to come back and do the same thing again soon.

Peace :)

4 Gifts in One Day

Monday, May 2nd 2011

Today was the day of buying gifts! We bought 4 gifts for people- one for D's brother and his fiance for their upcoming wedding, one for a long time friend since elementary school's wedding, one for a family friend's wedding and another gift for my dear friend's baby shower coming up this weekend!!

I think I'm going to go broke if I keep this up! Next is Mother's Day, my dad's birthday, my mom's birthday and then Father's Day. What a busy time of year, yet all such exciting times and happy moments ahead.

I'm really excited for all of our friends to receive the gifts we bought for them. I'm pretty sure they'll enjoy them.

Peace :)

Letter to Auntie

Sunday, May 1st 2011

My great aunt, who we've always called "Auntie" has been on my mind today. I haven't seen her in over a year and I am feeling like I wish I had gone to visit her yesterday while I was in town for the engagement party.

Until there's another opportunity, I decided to write a little note and mail to her instead. I told her what's been going on lately and asked how she's doing. I also talked about the weather and what a nice sunny day it is today. Older people like to talk about the weather, don't they?

I hope she finds my letter entertaining and knows she's in my thoughts.

Peace :)

Champagne

Saturday, April 30th 2011

A very dear family friend of ours is getting married this summer, just 2 weeks before my wedding. Mr. J (the soon-to-be-groom) is my brother's best friend and tonight they had an engagement party to celebrate just that...their engagement!

We picked up a bottle of Champagne (I call sparkling wine Champagne even if it wasn't made in the Champagne region of France- both out of habit and because I like how it sounds) and put some cash in a card signed by my whole family to go along with the wine as a gift to Mr. J and Miss C.

The party was fun and there were a couple toasts given in honor of the couple. I saw some old friends I hadn't seen in a while and I think the engaged couple was delighted with the turnout. Congratulations!

Peace :)

Roses for Miss J

Friday, April 29th 2011

There are a couple reasons why I wanted to buy a treat for Miss J. One, to congratulate her on her promotion. And, two, to thank her for being a true inspiration for me throughout the entire year and helping me keep this blog going. She's been a supporter day in and day out and I want to thank her.

I thought about getting her a bottle of wine, a gift card and some other ideas, but in the end, I decided flowers would be most appropriate. I found some pretty orangey-pink roses in a pot that she could keep on her desk or plant at home. The most fun part was setting them on her desk with a card before she arrived so when she got to work, there they'd be!

Thank you Miss J for being an inspiration and a great friend.

Peace :)

Miss J's Promotion

Thursday, April 28th 2011

We have a new company intranet site and as I was navigating around, I noticed Miss J's job title had changed, obviously giving her a promotion I hadn't heard she received! I was instantly very excited for her and sent her an email to congratulate her.

She came walking right over to my desk instead of replying by email and had a huge smile on her face. She didn't know anything about it! She asked me where I found the information, so I showed her where it was on the website.

That made it even more exciting to show her and we both laughed with joy. She was in disbelief at first because she hadn't been told anything, but I assured her it's got to be true and she deserves it!

Peace :)

March of Dimes

Wednesday, April 27th 2011

At the office, they're taking $5 donations and allowing anyone who contributes to wear denim jeans today. This is all to benefit the March of Dimes- "Working together for stronger, healthier babies" - is their motto.

I gave the fundraiser rep $5 and in return, she gave me a sticker to wear showing I had donated and allowing me to wear jeans.

I think it's a great idea since most everyone enjoys dressing casual once in a while and I'd like to suggest we do this more often and for other charities as well!

Peace :)

SMART- Lightening Up Mr. J's Mood

Tuesday, April 26th 2011

We are nearing the end of the school year and there are only 3 SMART readings left, including today's. I regrettably showed up 2 minutes late (no exaggeration) and the first student, Mr J was already waiting at the table.

"Hi Mr. J!" I said, excited to see him.

He replied in an almost silent tone, barely opening his mouth, "Hi."

"Is everything ok, what's the matter?" I asked him.

"I don't want to be here." He answered. "I'm missing my class project and when I get back everyone will be done with theirs and it will be too late for me to finish mine."

I tried to answer positively and make the best of it, because I'm sure his teacher has a plan for him.

We started reading and I could sense his mood lightening up more and more. I encouraged him as he read and complimented his progress.

By the time we finished, he skipped out of the room, turned around at the door and shouted back to me, "Oh yeah, thank you!" with a smile on his face :)

Peace :)

Who Goes First?

Monday, April 25th 2011

Happy birthday Z! Today is my brother Z's birthday so I sent him a message wishing him a great day. He's quite busy with school and work these days and lives about 120 miles away, so hopefully we'll get together soon!

This morning I had just enough time to stop for coffee on my way to work (I've been stopping only once or twice a week lately which is saving lots of $$$!). I didn't want to be late for work, but if the line moves smoothly it won't be an issue.

Naturally, there was a lady walking toward the door right about the same time I was. The questions pop up- Do I go first because I can easily speed up and beat her? Do I risk letting her go first and place a big order for her entire office which will then make me late?

I chose the latter and opened the door, letting her go first. And, no, she didn't order a bunch of drinks and we were both out of there within about 4 minutes!

Peace :)

Easter Flowers

Sunday, April 24th 2011

Today is Easter. Typically I like to give a flower pot to most of the women in my family and this year was no exception. On our way to my Aunt's house for a big family dinner, D and I stopped at the store where a couple weeks ago, I had seen the flowers I wanted to get.

Usually I don't do well when I'm in a hurry to shop because that requires quick decision making, but it was simple. I found a cute little pot of yellow roses for my grandma (yellow is her favorite color), a hot pink something I'm not sure of the name but they were pretty, and a pot of orange flowers for my mom (orange is her favorite color).

We delivered the roses to my grandma on our way into town, the orange flowers to my mom, then presented the hot pink flowers to my Aunt when we arrived for Easter dinner. They all seemed delighted :)

Peace :)