Week 48--Monday

A simple e-mail can go a long way to make a person's day a smidge brighter.  I sent a "Thank you, I appreciate your work" e-mail today to a colleague I don't know really well, but someone who is making an effort at our office to improve employee morale.  This employee replied and said, "Thank you, it's good to know someone appreciates my work."  Twenty seconds to type a few sentences and hit "SEND" and a day is brightened.  I need to do this more often...it really is the little things that count. 

Week 48--Show Your Appreciation

Show Your Appreciation:  " Show appreciation to someone who has helped you personally or professionally.  From a verbal acknowledgement to sending a card or even flowers, the ability to acknowledge someone else's generosity or kindness is a real gift and will, hopefully, encourage others to continue to be generous in spirit as well."

In this season, and specifically this past weekend, I was able to show my appreciation of my husband.  I told him today that I am thankful for his patience, consistency, and perspective.  Just today he told me (because he could tell I was feeling down) that if he could, he would take away from me the negative feelings that were on my mind so that I did not have to feel afflicted.  He said he could tell there was a tug-of-war within me and he wished he could make it stop...but knew that he could only be there to support me.  I teared up and hugged him even tighter; for this genuine expression of love, I am thankful and appreciative. 

Week 47--Hurry, Hurry Away

Hurry, Hurry Away:  "  If you can wait a moment longer, let a rushed and obviously stressed-out person go ahead of you in the check-out line at the grocery store, the post office, or the bank.  Your kindness might just be what it takes to allow that harried person to take a much-needed deep breath."

Let's hope I'm the one helping today and not the harried one.  Grocery store and errands on the list today...before the in-laws show up for the holiday.  Cheers!

Week 46--Baby Sit--Saturday Morning

I'm amazed at being awake so early on a Saturday...no less a Saturday morning after watching three energetic "tweens" the night before.  Emma, Cassie and Maggie were my guests last night for a few hours while their parents are off for a romantic weekend on the town.  I've never seen my brother-in-law so excited--he loads the girls "stuff" in the back of my car and shouts, "OK, we're off!  Have fun!" and literally jogs back to the car as my sister says, "Take care of my loves."  Then they speed off in search of friends, food, beer and a rock concert to start off their weekend.  It's amazing the number of items kids bring with them:  luggage (roller luggage), sleeping bag, pillow, stuffed animal, coat, hat, purse...multiple that by three...WOW.  I know this to be true from experience and family--kids require a lot of energy...That's why I don't have any yet...I remember now :)

We had a fun time; the girls said they had a fun time.  How could you not?  We shopped a bit at their favorite store --Half Price Books (intellectuals, my nieces--love it) and then picked up a pizza, baked it at home, watched a movie, and ate freshly baked cookies.  I made sure to load them up on caffeine and sugar before handing them over to my sister for the rest of the weekend. Ha :)

Next babysitting date: TBD :)

Week 46--Baby Sit

Baby Sit:  "Offer to baby-sit for your friend's new baby.  Not for the extra pocket money, but for the pleasure of spending time with a screaming baby and giving a new parent a reprieve.  Even the best-tempered and patient parent can occasionally feel on the edge of insanity after too many nights of interrupted sleep.  Give your friend a break and volunteer  to watch the baby for a couple of hours.  If changing diapers just isn't your thing, offer to run some errands, or arrange for a masseuse to make a house call instead."

My friend does have a new baby, but I don't know yet if I will be assisting in the sitting department since her new little girl is already sleeping 6 hours straight.  We will, however, be watching my three nieces this coming Friday night.  It's a sleepover at Aunt Livi's and we are preparing.  Cookies, pizza, playtime somewhere and crafts.  I'm ready, ready as we'll ever be for two DINKs :)

Week 45--Quality of Life

Quality of Life: "What can you do that would improve the quality of your life right now?  Think of the things you keep postponing because you are waiting for more money, a different apartment, a new job, or because of some other excuse.  Are these the real obstacles?  What are you waiting for?  Focus on one thing that would make you happy and write out a plan that includes a budget and time frame to help you realize it."

P.S. (11/13/11)  For immediate gratification on Quality of Life, I purchased a new pair of brown boots.  After two re-sole-ings, I had finally worn holes in "old reliable" that could not be repaired.  I also purchased this fabulous cloche :)  As for a long-term quality of life, we are saving for a new floor upstairs and perhaps a remodeling in a few years.