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.

Week 44--"Nurture Your Friendships"

Nurture Your Friendships:  "  Spending time with good friends is one of the best ways to spend a life.  Think of some ways you can be a better friend to the friends you have.  If you already have great friendships, let your friends know in some creative way how much you appreciate them.  Don't take your friends for granted.  If there are any sore spots you haven't resolved within a relationship, think about what it might take to heal them."

Week 43--Grow Green

Grow Green:  "Where in your life can you plant something?  Bond with your neighbors at a nearby community garden, or join in on a city beautification day that would allow you to get dirt under your nails.  Of course, if you have your own garden, plant the most beautiful flowers and plants that you can manage to take care of (sunflowers are really easy)--a garden is a gift both to yourself and the insects, birds, and neighbors around you.  If you feel really ambitious, try planting some edibles, such as lettuce, tomatoes, or strawberries."

Hmmm...my home gardens are in need of some fall-time cleanup and preparation for winter.  I should do that this week before the freeze sets in.  I've noticed I haven't been as adamant about gardening since I had elbow surgery...I think it's the loss of grip strength.  I'm now thinking about what I can plant and do that allows me to "do" less throughout the year.  I've always been a perennial gardener...but that requires some hefty and all-out maintenance at peak times of the year.  However, I don't want to buy repeated annuals and re-plant.  I'll have to ponder my direction and get back with you on this one...

Weeks 41 & 42

Week 41:  "Flowers for All:  Buy a big bouquet of flowers and give a flower to each person who looks like they could use it throughout the day.  Even if this is a bit flower-childish for your non-nonsense image, try it anyway.  This inexplicable departure from your regular image can only endear you to those around you.  You'll probably make a few people smile, even if they are suspicious."

I didn't purchase flowers last week, but I did take chocolate-covered peanut butter filled pretzel bites to work.  I passed these out on Friday morning; who can resist chocolaty goodness (that is, of course, unless you are allergic to peanuts)?  I believe I assisted Trader Joe's by creating repeat customers.

Week 42:  " All About Paper:  Most landfill is paper.  Notice how much paper you consume in a day.  There the morning newspaper, the Kleenex in the car, the 20 extra copies of the memo you accidentally made, the good mail and the junk mail, the four extra napkins that came with your sandwich, the paper bad the groceries came in, and the paper towel you mopped up the spilled coffee with.  How many of these paper products were necessary, and how many of them could you have recycled?  How can you cut down on the paper products you use?"

I use more paper than necessary probably because I like to write on real paper, not "computer screen" paper, and I like to drink multiple coffees, hence more paper cones used in the drip machine.  I hoard fast-food napkins in case I have a spill in my car, and I print the chapters of books that are now electronic because I like to make notes on them.  But, I do recycle...I even walk to the other side of the building to put papers in the shredding bin. 

Oh my, the last post was on September 19th!

I'm heartily ashamed that I've missed two weeks in a row, and no, I cannot use the excuse of being "too busy" since we have have demands on our time.  I chalk it up to sheer laziness--I have had the last two week's cards sitting next to the laptop each day.  And each day I look at them and think, "I'll get to that after I do this or that first."  And you know what, I don't "get to it."  So, I've finally "gotten to it" and here are these past two week's tasks:

Week 39:  Homeless People are People:  "It is depressing to walk by homeless people every day on the same corner and avert your eyes or just five them some change.  When you feel up to it, find out their names, and next time you pass them, say "Hi."  Although it doesn't solve the larger problem of homelessness, showing respect by recognizing individuals as people who have names is better than just thinking of them as a faceless group--the homeless.  Taking this small step may lead you to see something else you can do to help."

Week 40:  Support the Corner Store:  "If you like that idiosyncratic shop on the corner of your block, then support it by shopping there and telling others about it.  Chains and discount warehouses are taking a toll on the smaller merchants.  If you want the store to survive, then take your business there as much as possible, and let the show owner know what you would buy if the shop carried it.  After all, if the neighborhood doesn't support the local shops, who will?

I did buy my coffee at this little place around the corner this morning.  They have eccentric flavors and the best brownies.  The nice thing?  I realized I earned my final "stamp" so I could earn a free coffee for my next visit.  A pleasant surprise...I guess it pays to keep your punch cards and visit your local coffeehouse every now and then.  I know where I'm getting my coffee tomorrow :)