feb. 26- well, i somewhat repeated what i did yesterday. *promise i wont count the i love you cards any more. but, i'm still super pumped by the cute pink things! so, i'm counting them again today because i spread the NICE onto my nice kids. they both were very excited by the cute little things also, so to be NICE i let my kiddos take one each to school with them. they both were thrilled and chattered about where they were going to leave theirs. hgg was opting for a friends desk (the same little girl that regularly gets a package of fruit snacks slipped into her desk from my daughter) and my kjg planned on leaving his in the boys bathroom. here is the NICEST part! my girl did just as she had planned however, decided to remain anonymous, she thinks that makes it more special to the girl that got it. my dear boy, (i'm literally smiling big right now thinking about it) he gave it to kira to put in hailey's cubby (not my daughter hailey, but a different girl in his class) i asked him what that was about and he said, "well, i think hailey needs one. she's always having bad days and is crabby at everyone. But, i didn't want anyone to see me put it in her cubby because then she'd think i want to be her boyfriend. and i don't." how sweet is that. the think with hailey is, she's a rough girl. she's not the most pleasant and i'm pretty sure she's not that well taken care of. i think she tends to be mean so others don't pick on her. sad to me, and apparently in his own little way sad to kjg too. he's a companionate little soul. :)
also, wanted to say i hung out with the always NICE sister, jen today and my sweet ethan. i told jen about my blog action (apparently i've not mentioned this to everyone. will do via facebook later) anyhow, she laughed and then counted a few things that she considered Nice that she said- add that to your blog. yay- i'm nice without even counting it most of the time. thanks to jenny for making my day that way!
ahhh- and that baby makes my day- every day i see him. that's the great thing about babies. i'm a gross sweaty mess every morn when i see him, he still smiles at me. i talk complete nonsense to him, it makes him laugh. i make him angry when i'm crammin' him into his car seat & it only takes him a second to be okay and start "talking" to me again. he laughs at all my jokes, he doesn't mind some serious public display of affection, and he's easy on the eye...he might be one of my newest best friends. life is good!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
AAHHH- a lot of NICE
Okay, so I'm officially the world's worst blogger. I'll admit it. It just takes time (which I usually don't have.) I don't want you thinkin' that I'm not out doing NICE…
I am. I've got a pile of post it notes to prove it...not to mention since it's been a while the kids will now officially point out NICE or say things like "that's your good deed today!" I'm happy that they are getting it! so- here is my post-it note list...
Feb. 10- I sent out 2 secret valentines (i'll never tell!)*i heard about 1 of them, didn't hear anything about the second but neither of them know it's me!
Feb.11-did one of the Operation NICE list: If you buy something from a vending machine, leave the change in the change thingy for the next person. It's funny how someone finding an unexpected quarter makes their day. i left a full 1.25 in quarters in the coke machine @ walmart. i love a coke once in a while and hey- someone else's will taste even better FREE
Feb.12- olive garden, My friend Tami and I went for some lunch. I was going to pull of my NICE here and pay for Tami's lunch. But, I've got good friends and she wouldn't allow it. So, I did my NICE later. I called and spoke to the manager at the Olive Garden and told her that but waiter was WONDERFUL! and that she should make note that he is doing a GREAT job. Deed done.
Feb.13- I stole this from a commercial! I sent MUSIC cards in my kids lunches! They loved them, but told me that it's NOT like in the commercial. They are not nearly as loud and the lunch room is way louder than on tv. so just their imitate table hear it. *also, made yummy treats for their classes.
Feb.14- dressed up as my daughter's twin along with a doll! it doesn't get any NICER than that. pic to follow. :)
Feb.15- was the cool mom! we bought Kevin a great dresser and cleaned out his room (not normal for me to clean his room) also, his dresser is a garage diamond plated cabinet.
Feb.16- didn't bitch mike out! (so, not exactly NICE, but the alternative would have been Mean, so I'm counting it) (I'm guessing he would count it as NICE if he knew the alternative also!)
Feb. 17- took the kids to taco johns just because, and i hate it. So, that's NICE.
Feb. 18- stopped by my sister-in-laws (actually i did two days now) but i think she likes it. adult interaction, i love holding the babe, then giving her a break, and i get her up and going some... at least i think i'm being nice. (and that counts right!)we went to target today just to pick up a couple random items and she got the CUTEST hat for Ethan Ever!
Feb.19- i signed up for this- www.iloveyoucards.org
you should too! it's free, you just have to post your pics back to her when you spread the LOVE. watch good ol' o-town for random acts of love via me! oh- the NICE in this, i originally found this site via another Nice person's site and was leaving NICE comments on both of them that i appreciate their random acts of Nice! after looking at this site and wanting to tell her thanks for spreadin' the love, i realized i could get in on it too. :)
Feb.20- I made my son a Santa Claus suit! that's pretty darn NICE. he needed to be dressed as santa on sunday for some church fun. i could have taken the simple route and slapped him into a red bath robe with his dad's black belt and a cotton ball beard, but not this mamma. my son got a full fun fleece santa suit. also, a little nice for her even though a Lot nice for me, i stopped in to visit my Jessica down at George’s while she was working and had a few beers. tami joined me...which was NICE of her since for sometime i was chillin' by myself @ the bar.
Feb. 21- SO,I don't have a post-it note for this day!?! but, after a quick reminder of what i was doing on this day, Jessica reminds me that i was at the boy scout pinewood derby. so, this one is an overflow of fri the 20th. but continued into this day too. my dear pal Pam has a boy scout that wasn't going to be able to participate in the pinewood derby because they didn't have any tools to cut a car shape out the block of wood that was provided to them just 5 days prior. so, i volunteered my husband's scroll saw skills to cut out some cars out (yes, one for the little fella and one for his sister)anyhow, Kevin and i ran over to school on fri to get their design & Kevin cut them out. we had them stop over after school to paint their cars and i did a second coat later that night. saturday morn i had Pam and fam stop over to finish up their cars prior to the race. okay, so that all being said my NICE was a small one. Charlie’s car somehow was a "dud" lets say. i think it was the wheels but who knows. anyhow, after watching him feel a little defeated i wanted to add him to my NICE. i gave him a little head pat and told him how great of a try his car was for a last second 1st time try at it. anyhow, somehow...believe me i don't know how it happened. but somehow Charlie’s car came in 2nd to last place in one single race. my NICE...when it did happen i acted like Charlie had just won an oscar, or a grand prize all expense paid tip to california. i hooped and hollered and smiled with joy at his smiling face! (not to mention my Gabriel clan, they heard their mom/wife's victory cry and joined in without a single thought.) so, over all I’m pretty sure his car came in last place...but for one second i don't think he noticed!
Feb. 22- helped out with the madi gras fun at church. i went just to watch my kids but volunteered to greet people, take pictures, and collect ballots. after it was all over i was NICE and made my kids be NICE by taking down all the folding chairs even though they planned on leaving them all for the janitor. i'm sure the janitor appreciated our act.
Feb. 23- a little one, but talked to a special lady at hobby lobby. i wouldn't normally count this one because i see it almost as an every day nice deal. but, this was a little extra NICE so i'm in. *when i say "special" i'm meaning someone with some form of mental disability. i don't venture to say retarded or anything else because without my PhD in medicine, i'm unaware of what someone's medical condition truly is and i want to make no offence. anyhow, i often see special people out shopping at random places with kind hearted people that chaperone them. these people often try to talk to people and share their happiness. i always give a warm smile and say hello if they say it to me. but, at hobby lobby there was a small group ahead of me in line clearly with disability. one of the ladies turns around and said hello to me. i smile and greet her back. she seemed thrilled that i acknowledged her. thinking NICE i decide to engage in a bit of chit chat with her. i ask her how she's doing, she full of glee says something fun like- GREAT! and continues to tell me how much she loves "LobbyLobby", and she loves shopping there and at Roymart (walmart her chaperone tells me)i joked with her a little bit about spending too much money and she was laughing and talking loud and excited on how she'll see me next week at LobbyLobby! after a good few minutes of chat she is done checking out and so am i. i smile and say good by. her chaperone person smiled and mouthed "thanks" to me. i did the same back to her. sometimes Nice goes both ways before you even know it.
Feb. 24- helped a stranger take her thrift store finds to her car. she was trying to caring a tv, a bag of stuff, and a sleeping bag. she couldn't do this... she took the tv, i carried the bag and sleeping bag, opened her mini van for her, put in the stuff i had. opened the side door for her, unclipped and moved her baby seat and she got the tv in.
and today Feb. 25- I got my "i love you" cards in the mail today!! YAY!! how nerdy am i. anyhow, i took 2 of them with me to church tonight. gave one to Michele. just handed it to her with a smile. the second one i slipped into my hymnal like a bookmark. the cards are hot pink with a white "i love you", it's sure to be found and make someone smile.
**on a side note, i would like to thank Pepsi for the billboard that is just down the street on 9th ave. it's been there for a while now and it makes me smile every time i see it. lame? yes. but there's something about it that makes me smile! simple LOL with the O being filled with the Pepsi symbol. Kevin laughs every time because he thinks I’m a nerd for smiling so hard Every time!
I am. I've got a pile of post it notes to prove it...not to mention since it's been a while the kids will now officially point out NICE or say things like "that's your good deed today!" I'm happy that they are getting it! so- here is my post-it note list...
Feb. 10- I sent out 2 secret valentines (i'll never tell!)*i heard about 1 of them, didn't hear anything about the second but neither of them know it's me!
Feb.11-did one of the Operation NICE list: If you buy something from a vending machine, leave the change in the change thingy for the next person. It's funny how someone finding an unexpected quarter makes their day. i left a full 1.25 in quarters in the coke machine @ walmart. i love a coke once in a while and hey- someone else's will taste even better FREE
Feb.12- olive garden, My friend Tami and I went for some lunch. I was going to pull of my NICE here and pay for Tami's lunch. But, I've got good friends and she wouldn't allow it. So, I did my NICE later. I called and spoke to the manager at the Olive Garden and told her that but waiter was WONDERFUL! and that she should make note that he is doing a GREAT job. Deed done.
Feb.13- I stole this from a commercial! I sent MUSIC cards in my kids lunches! They loved them, but told me that it's NOT like in the commercial. They are not nearly as loud and the lunch room is way louder than on tv. so just their imitate table hear it. *also, made yummy treats for their classes.
Feb.14- dressed up as my daughter's twin along with a doll! it doesn't get any NICER than that. pic to follow. :)
Feb.15- was the cool mom! we bought Kevin a great dresser and cleaned out his room (not normal for me to clean his room) also, his dresser is a garage diamond plated cabinet.
Feb.16- didn't bitch mike out! (so, not exactly NICE, but the alternative would have been Mean, so I'm counting it) (I'm guessing he would count it as NICE if he knew the alternative also!)
Feb. 17- took the kids to taco johns just because, and i hate it. So, that's NICE.
Feb. 18- stopped by my sister-in-laws (actually i did two days now) but i think she likes it. adult interaction, i love holding the babe, then giving her a break, and i get her up and going some... at least i think i'm being nice. (and that counts right!)we went to target today just to pick up a couple random items and she got the CUTEST hat for Ethan Ever!
Feb.19- i signed up for this- www.iloveyoucards.org
you should too! it's free, you just have to post your pics back to her when you spread the LOVE. watch good ol' o-town for random acts of love via me! oh- the NICE in this, i originally found this site via another Nice person's site and was leaving NICE comments on both of them that i appreciate their random acts of Nice! after looking at this site and wanting to tell her thanks for spreadin' the love, i realized i could get in on it too. :)
Feb.20- I made my son a Santa Claus suit! that's pretty darn NICE. he needed to be dressed as santa on sunday for some church fun. i could have taken the simple route and slapped him into a red bath robe with his dad's black belt and a cotton ball beard, but not this mamma. my son got a full fun fleece santa suit. also, a little nice for her even though a Lot nice for me, i stopped in to visit my Jessica down at George’s while she was working and had a few beers. tami joined me...which was NICE of her since for sometime i was chillin' by myself @ the bar.
Feb. 21- SO,I don't have a post-it note for this day!?! but, after a quick reminder of what i was doing on this day, Jessica reminds me that i was at the boy scout pinewood derby. so, this one is an overflow of fri the 20th. but continued into this day too. my dear pal Pam has a boy scout that wasn't going to be able to participate in the pinewood derby because they didn't have any tools to cut a car shape out the block of wood that was provided to them just 5 days prior. so, i volunteered my husband's scroll saw skills to cut out some cars out (yes, one for the little fella and one for his sister)anyhow, Kevin and i ran over to school on fri to get their design & Kevin cut them out. we had them stop over after school to paint their cars and i did a second coat later that night. saturday morn i had Pam and fam stop over to finish up their cars prior to the race. okay, so that all being said my NICE was a small one. Charlie’s car somehow was a "dud" lets say. i think it was the wheels but who knows. anyhow, after watching him feel a little defeated i wanted to add him to my NICE. i gave him a little head pat and told him how great of a try his car was for a last second 1st time try at it. anyhow, somehow...believe me i don't know how it happened. but somehow Charlie’s car came in 2nd to last place in one single race. my NICE...when it did happen i acted like Charlie had just won an oscar, or a grand prize all expense paid tip to california. i hooped and hollered and smiled with joy at his smiling face! (not to mention my Gabriel clan, they heard their mom/wife's victory cry and joined in without a single thought.) so, over all I’m pretty sure his car came in last place...but for one second i don't think he noticed!
Feb. 22- helped out with the madi gras fun at church. i went just to watch my kids but volunteered to greet people, take pictures, and collect ballots. after it was all over i was NICE and made my kids be NICE by taking down all the folding chairs even though they planned on leaving them all for the janitor. i'm sure the janitor appreciated our act.
Feb. 23- a little one, but talked to a special lady at hobby lobby. i wouldn't normally count this one because i see it almost as an every day nice deal. but, this was a little extra NICE so i'm in. *when i say "special" i'm meaning someone with some form of mental disability. i don't venture to say retarded or anything else because without my PhD in medicine, i'm unaware of what someone's medical condition truly is and i want to make no offence. anyhow, i often see special people out shopping at random places with kind hearted people that chaperone them. these people often try to talk to people and share their happiness. i always give a warm smile and say hello if they say it to me. but, at hobby lobby there was a small group ahead of me in line clearly with disability. one of the ladies turns around and said hello to me. i smile and greet her back. she seemed thrilled that i acknowledged her. thinking NICE i decide to engage in a bit of chit chat with her. i ask her how she's doing, she full of glee says something fun like- GREAT! and continues to tell me how much she loves "LobbyLobby", and she loves shopping there and at Roymart (walmart her chaperone tells me)i joked with her a little bit about spending too much money and she was laughing and talking loud and excited on how she'll see me next week at LobbyLobby! after a good few minutes of chat she is done checking out and so am i. i smile and say good by. her chaperone person smiled and mouthed "thanks" to me. i did the same back to her. sometimes Nice goes both ways before you even know it.
Feb. 24- helped a stranger take her thrift store finds to her car. she was trying to caring a tv, a bag of stuff, and a sleeping bag. she couldn't do this... she took the tv, i carried the bag and sleeping bag, opened her mini van for her, put in the stuff i had. opened the side door for her, unclipped and moved her baby seat and she got the tv in.
and today Feb. 25- I got my "i love you" cards in the mail today!! YAY!! how nerdy am i. anyhow, i took 2 of them with me to church tonight. gave one to Michele. just handed it to her with a smile. the second one i slipped into my hymnal like a bookmark. the cards are hot pink with a white "i love you", it's sure to be found and make someone smile.
**on a side note, i would like to thank Pepsi for the billboard that is just down the street on 9th ave. it's been there for a while now and it makes me smile every time i see it. lame? yes. but there's something about it that makes me smile! simple LOL with the O being filled with the Pepsi symbol. Kevin laughs every time because he thinks I’m a nerd for smiling so hard Every time!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
so, i haven't done my NICE yet...but...
my husband did. I don't even think he knows he did, but he did. not only was it a nice thing to do but it made my heart sing. I love that man. He did some calling around and web searching for me that i have been either putting off or scared to do for some time. I wrote a children’s book some years back. It's a cute little story and the kids love it. Well, to my surprise big Kev did too. He even asked me if I actually wrote it. (he's my biggest support but also my biggest critic) he thought it was so good that I ripped it off from someone and just claimed it as my own in our house. ha. After having heard the story for over a year he finally asked me why I don't try publishing it. haha-i thought. But now after another year he's really pressed it. Wanting me to do it for real. I for a mix of reasons haven't looked into it. 1. I’m a lazy dog and 2. I’m not sure that is publishable (not sure if that's a word) but, here he is still a fan of my work so much that while I was at the gym today he did some calling to publishers and found that I need an agent and found a book that we need to purchase to help with that. He also told me there is a chunk of change in my bank account to help me do it. He also handed me a lovely little yellow scrap paper full of his messy little handwriting with all the info I need to start plugging away at becoming an author. Just the faith that he has in me is enough! Truly it is. He is NICE without even trying. I married well!
Monday, February 9, 2009
#6 & #7
I’m gonna get right down to business here because as usual I’m filling out yesterdays AND today’s NICE acts and I’m sleepy!
Day 6’s NICE act is a good one, but not one that will make a huge impact until later down the line somewhere. As some of you know I am a huge fan of volunteer work. I’ve done a lot of it over the years and recently because, well- life happens haven’t been doing much. So, for my act I replied to the email that I got some almost 2 months ago asking me to be a Junior Achievement teacher again. I did this for 3 years for 3rd graders at a school here in town and somewhere along the line had too much on my plate to continue. It’s a great program and really it’s not too much work. So, this email had been sitting in my inbox for sometime now because I was “thinking” about doing it again. I finally responded and told them to get me back in the program. So, I’ll start doing that once again when she gets back to me. After doing that and feeling good about it I click away and find myself navigating through the Christine Ann Centers website. Found myself printing out the application…and filling it out. I use to do work there once a week and loved it. And once a week…I think I can do it! I’ve still got to fill out all the address and what not of my References but that too will make it back out there. Volunteering is good for the soul! And hey- it’s NICE! My volunteering will be back in full swing shortly.
*note to you that might be my reference(is there really that many E's in that word?) if you get a call from someone asking about me- remember, I’m NICE and play well with others. :)
Today’s NICE
I helped my kid for the past 6+ days mush around a gross gallon size ziplock bag of fermenting grossness. Otherwise known as Amish Friendship Bread. Yuck. This is something that I honestly am repulsed by. This bag of dough that has been passed from house to house that bubbles and stinks like old beer somehow is suppose to join friends?? Good gravy, I’m pretty sure the Amish are getting drunk from the small whiffs of stench that come from it and in turn it makes them feel more friendly. Anyhow, on top of this gross bag of slime stinkin’, the idea that I’m not allowed to put it in the refrigerator (which is where I believe it belongs) I also wonder, frequently actually, (if you have the answer please let me know) Why I can’t use a metal spoon to stir it or a metal bowl to put it in?? why?? Will this yeasty concoction bubble and brew in metal like some witch brew and blow up my house? Okay- Waaaay off track. Back to NICE! I hate this gross bread mix. Normally I would have waited for the first change to drop the mess into the trash and out of my house. But, I’m being NICE, not only have I helped with the glop, but I have made it all the way to the day of making more of the mess and spreading on the joy to 4 of my kid's friends.
So, as I write how NICE this is…I think that by trying to be kind and helping my beautiful offspring spread kindness we have actually just Forced 4 new families into tolerating with a sickening bag of bacteria or pressed 4 normally nice mom’s into becoming the unnice (I would normally be) moms that junk the growdy bag. Hmmm…I’m rethinking this NICE. Is it still nice to share if it’s sharing something that nobody else wants? Like a cold for example, or chicken pox. Sure, it’s nice to share but not all things should be shared. Oh no!?! I’ll have to get back to you on this one. After I make and taste the bread tomorrow…maybe I’ll know if it was worth it then. Otherwise, I’ll just be sitting on 2 loaves of nasty bread and a missed day of NICE. I’ll keep you posted.
Day 6’s NICE act is a good one, but not one that will make a huge impact until later down the line somewhere. As some of you know I am a huge fan of volunteer work. I’ve done a lot of it over the years and recently because, well- life happens haven’t been doing much. So, for my act I replied to the email that I got some almost 2 months ago asking me to be a Junior Achievement teacher again. I did this for 3 years for 3rd graders at a school here in town and somewhere along the line had too much on my plate to continue. It’s a great program and really it’s not too much work. So, this email had been sitting in my inbox for sometime now because I was “thinking” about doing it again. I finally responded and told them to get me back in the program. So, I’ll start doing that once again when she gets back to me. After doing that and feeling good about it I click away and find myself navigating through the Christine Ann Centers website. Found myself printing out the application…and filling it out. I use to do work there once a week and loved it. And once a week…I think I can do it! I’ve still got to fill out all the address and what not of my References but that too will make it back out there. Volunteering is good for the soul! And hey- it’s NICE! My volunteering will be back in full swing shortly.
*note to you that might be my reference(is there really that many E's in that word?) if you get a call from someone asking about me- remember, I’m NICE and play well with others. :)
Today’s NICE
I helped my kid for the past 6+ days mush around a gross gallon size ziplock bag of fermenting grossness. Otherwise known as Amish Friendship Bread. Yuck. This is something that I honestly am repulsed by. This bag of dough that has been passed from house to house that bubbles and stinks like old beer somehow is suppose to join friends?? Good gravy, I’m pretty sure the Amish are getting drunk from the small whiffs of stench that come from it and in turn it makes them feel more friendly. Anyhow, on top of this gross bag of slime stinkin’, the idea that I’m not allowed to put it in the refrigerator (which is where I believe it belongs) I also wonder, frequently actually, (if you have the answer please let me know) Why I can’t use a metal spoon to stir it or a metal bowl to put it in?? why?? Will this yeasty concoction bubble and brew in metal like some witch brew and blow up my house? Okay- Waaaay off track. Back to NICE! I hate this gross bread mix. Normally I would have waited for the first change to drop the mess into the trash and out of my house. But, I’m being NICE, not only have I helped with the glop, but I have made it all the way to the day of making more of the mess and spreading on the joy to 4 of my kid's friends.
So, as I write how NICE this is…I think that by trying to be kind and helping my beautiful offspring spread kindness we have actually just Forced 4 new families into tolerating with a sickening bag of bacteria or pressed 4 normally nice mom’s into becoming the unnice (I would normally be) moms that junk the growdy bag. Hmmm…I’m rethinking this NICE. Is it still nice to share if it’s sharing something that nobody else wants? Like a cold for example, or chicken pox. Sure, it’s nice to share but not all things should be shared. Oh no!?! I’ll have to get back to you on this one. After I make and taste the bread tomorrow…maybe I’ll know if it was worth it then. Otherwise, I’ll just be sitting on 2 loaves of nasty bread and a missed day of NICE. I’ll keep you posted.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
#4 and #5
Day #4
It was actually a tough one for me. ha. somehow, i ended up making the whole day about me. oops. but you know, you have to have those sort of days once in a while. i did manage to sneak my NICE into the day. the day started out good. i was on a mission to get my bottom (which is significantly bigger than i enjoy right now) back into the gym. i was cleared from my dr. on tue to go back to normal life. my c-section is healed nicely, i'm feeling less sore and am good to go. so, friday morning i get the kids up and ready for school and then i'm off to the gym. i'm working on dumping the left over baby pounds that i'm hanging onto and hopefully a few that i should have dumped off prior to getting pregnant with twins. anyhow, the gym went well. i was there for an hour and a half and gave my self a nice little workout. after that, i stopped by the always lovely sister-in-laws and had a mini-visit with her and Ethan. after that i got home folded 2 loads of laundry and sat in the hot tub for almost an hour. see- i told you the day was about me. anyhow, after that i showered up and straightened my hair. i had a date with friends of mine and a much missed friend mr. miller lite. kids got home, did the norm. later, i made dinner (what i wanted to eat) and squeezed myself into my pre-pregnancy jeans. i know i would have looked better in my "just pregnant" jeans but it was the principal. i was going out for the first time in almost a year and i was wearing regular ol' jeans darn it. kissed the hubby and kids good-bye and went to pam and dave’s before going to see machine gun joe in neenah. while up in neenah dancin' my ass off (hopefully- literally!)i realize i have yet to do my NICE act. so, sure, it wasn't a huge one... but i bought the next 2 pitchers of beer. i then decide to buy a t-shirt to support the band, which i normally don't purchase band shirts so that's nice too. i bought another pitcher to share with some other pals and make myself feel okay about being nice. so, nothing profoundly wonderful, but NICE none the less! And I feel good knowing I have nice friends that invited me and got me out the house. Thanks Pam!
Day #5
today’s NICE act was double wonderful. this is one of those things that being nice to someone makes you feel so good. i spent a day alone with my daughter. no dad, no brother, no boy interferance. just good mom/daughter time. on top of that i did what she wanted to do. (usually not what i pick to do) again, easy enough but not done often enough. just prior to the girl day. i dropped kjg off at his friends. (dad was at work) on the way home i thought to myself we could do another small act of NICe. imade an unexpected visit that i usually don't make to my mother-in-laws house. she doesn't visit us or call us too often and i thought, hmm- i'll be the one to do it this time. so, hgg and i sat at grandma's and chatted for about an hour. nothing big but i know she appreciated it and hgg like it. so, we leave there and head out to a big girl lunch. hgg picked applebee's for some huge chicken cesar salads and an appetizer. :) who knew this was such a great thing. she loves the idea of appetizers which we normally don't do. food was good. she figured out the tip. (just taught her a bit ago to find the tax and multiply it by 3)after that i took her shopping. now, this is what i call NICE! i don't like to shop in general and unless i have a specific item i'm going to get i don't want to just brows clothing. on top of this...IF i were to be interested in this the very last place i'd enjoy doing this at is fleet farm. ha. but, it's my girl's time to reap the benefits of me trying to be NICE. so, off to fleet farm. we spend what seems like hours browsing through racks of john deere shirts, sweatshirts and pants, and then another forever reading the funny slogans on all the farm girl brand tops. after finding 2 suitable shirts for her. (one is brown john deere that reads in pick camo lettering- "Farm Coutour" and a orange farm girl shirt that says over and under a beautiful sunsetty sort of picture full of corn stalks and a farm siloet- "No farmer's tan?...You ain't my man!" we head to the dog section. my farm lovin' daughter has an unquenchable thirst for dog clothes. poor lola owns more outfits than i do. now with the new pup, there is a need for mini-mini clothes. i finally talk her down to only 2 items in this area also. 1 extra tiny colar for nora (which is only a 5" baby blue super thin strap of leather)and a colman mini sleeping bag. i do think normal little girls purchase these to take a beautiful barbie camping with them, but my daughter is using it as a sleeping bag for a boston puppy. it's actually pretty cute! i'll admit it. anyhow, that was my NICE. oh, i even let her go coat free. it was 47degrees and i would normally say you still need a jacket, but it made her day, and no harm was done. i do need to relax sometimes.
So, yesterdays act of NICE helped my heart too. After lunch hgg decided that we should do a mom/daughter lunch once a month. we also want to invite other mom/daughter duos. hgg is helping me to make up an invite/schedule to send out to some friends. spread the fun onto others. *she naturally wants to pass the NICE to others. xoxox
It was actually a tough one for me. ha. somehow, i ended up making the whole day about me. oops. but you know, you have to have those sort of days once in a while. i did manage to sneak my NICE into the day. the day started out good. i was on a mission to get my bottom (which is significantly bigger than i enjoy right now) back into the gym. i was cleared from my dr. on tue to go back to normal life. my c-section is healed nicely, i'm feeling less sore and am good to go. so, friday morning i get the kids up and ready for school and then i'm off to the gym. i'm working on dumping the left over baby pounds that i'm hanging onto and hopefully a few that i should have dumped off prior to getting pregnant with twins. anyhow, the gym went well. i was there for an hour and a half and gave my self a nice little workout. after that, i stopped by the always lovely sister-in-laws and had a mini-visit with her and Ethan. after that i got home folded 2 loads of laundry and sat in the hot tub for almost an hour. see- i told you the day was about me. anyhow, after that i showered up and straightened my hair. i had a date with friends of mine and a much missed friend mr. miller lite. kids got home, did the norm. later, i made dinner (what i wanted to eat) and squeezed myself into my pre-pregnancy jeans. i know i would have looked better in my "just pregnant" jeans but it was the principal. i was going out for the first time in almost a year and i was wearing regular ol' jeans darn it. kissed the hubby and kids good-bye and went to pam and dave’s before going to see machine gun joe in neenah. while up in neenah dancin' my ass off (hopefully- literally!)i realize i have yet to do my NICE act. so, sure, it wasn't a huge one... but i bought the next 2 pitchers of beer. i then decide to buy a t-shirt to support the band, which i normally don't purchase band shirts so that's nice too. i bought another pitcher to share with some other pals and make myself feel okay about being nice. so, nothing profoundly wonderful, but NICE none the less! And I feel good knowing I have nice friends that invited me and got me out the house. Thanks Pam!
Day #5
today’s NICE act was double wonderful. this is one of those things that being nice to someone makes you feel so good. i spent a day alone with my daughter. no dad, no brother, no boy interferance. just good mom/daughter time. on top of that i did what she wanted to do. (usually not what i pick to do) again, easy enough but not done often enough. just prior to the girl day. i dropped kjg off at his friends. (dad was at work) on the way home i thought to myself we could do another small act of NICe. imade an unexpected visit that i usually don't make to my mother-in-laws house. she doesn't visit us or call us too often and i thought, hmm- i'll be the one to do it this time. so, hgg and i sat at grandma's and chatted for about an hour. nothing big but i know she appreciated it and hgg like it. so, we leave there and head out to a big girl lunch. hgg picked applebee's for some huge chicken cesar salads and an appetizer. :) who knew this was such a great thing. she loves the idea of appetizers which we normally don't do. food was good. she figured out the tip. (just taught her a bit ago to find the tax and multiply it by 3)after that i took her shopping. now, this is what i call NICE! i don't like to shop in general and unless i have a specific item i'm going to get i don't want to just brows clothing. on top of this...IF i were to be interested in this the very last place i'd enjoy doing this at is fleet farm. ha. but, it's my girl's time to reap the benefits of me trying to be NICE. so, off to fleet farm. we spend what seems like hours browsing through racks of john deere shirts, sweatshirts and pants, and then another forever reading the funny slogans on all the farm girl brand tops. after finding 2 suitable shirts for her. (one is brown john deere that reads in pick camo lettering- "Farm Coutour" and a orange farm girl shirt that says over and under a beautiful sunsetty sort of picture full of corn stalks and a farm siloet- "No farmer's tan?...You ain't my man!" we head to the dog section. my farm lovin' daughter has an unquenchable thirst for dog clothes. poor lola owns more outfits than i do. now with the new pup, there is a need for mini-mini clothes. i finally talk her down to only 2 items in this area also. 1 extra tiny colar for nora (which is only a 5" baby blue super thin strap of leather)and a colman mini sleeping bag. i do think normal little girls purchase these to take a beautiful barbie camping with them, but my daughter is using it as a sleeping bag for a boston puppy. it's actually pretty cute! i'll admit it. anyhow, that was my NICE. oh, i even let her go coat free. it was 47degrees and i would normally say you still need a jacket, but it made her day, and no harm was done. i do need to relax sometimes.
So, yesterdays act of NICE helped my heart too. After lunch hgg decided that we should do a mom/daughter lunch once a month. we also want to invite other mom/daughter duos. hgg is helping me to make up an invite/schedule to send out to some friends. spread the fun onto others. *she naturally wants to pass the NICE to others. xoxox
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Day #3 *my freebie day
I thought of this a few minutes ago while I was pumping. I’m NICE everyday I continue on with the insanity of pumping. Sure part of me feels obligated to pump for the preemie babes that I carried but, it is nice that I keep up with it. It’s been over a month and it’s much harder than I expected. Not that it’s overly hard, because I haven’t had any of the standard sore nipples or painful overly engorged boobies but planning life in 3-4hour increments is difficult. Sleeping in a bra sucks. Finding a place to pump in public sucks. Leaking when I can’t get to pumping on time sucks, and
(the next lines might not be suitable for all readers…discretion advised)
doing “wife-like” duties with my husband is not as pleasurable when your overly sensitive, might leak (eek) and apparently they move a ton more now that they are a cup and a half bigger. Which also brings me to the purchase of new bras (the new size isn't fun!) Not to mention nursing bras make me feel like I have multiple personalities. Normally it looks like I’m in a non-sexy granny bra (to match the granny panties that I’ve been sportin’ to go over the c-section cut) not feeling great about having no sex appeal. But- then the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde transformation happens and tada I’m more “sexy” than I’d care to be. The flaps come down and the gals come out and hello, I’m a daytime hooker! Who would have guessed.
Anyhow, I’m adding this Pumping in as a freebie for myself. I’m NICE daily. For the next month or so at least. I'll ONLY count it for 1 day though, wont cheat too badly.
I’d also like to say YOU RULE!!! To any of the woman out there that either pumped or nursed their children or someone else (as in my situation) for any time over 1 single day. Man, you mamas rule. Good job to all of you! It’s work. Congrats to you!
(the next lines might not be suitable for all readers…discretion advised)
doing “wife-like” duties with my husband is not as pleasurable when your overly sensitive, might leak (eek) and apparently they move a ton more now that they are a cup and a half bigger. Which also brings me to the purchase of new bras (the new size isn't fun!) Not to mention nursing bras make me feel like I have multiple personalities. Normally it looks like I’m in a non-sexy granny bra (to match the granny panties that I’ve been sportin’ to go over the c-section cut) not feeling great about having no sex appeal. But- then the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde transformation happens and tada I’m more “sexy” than I’d care to be. The flaps come down and the gals come out and hello, I’m a daytime hooker! Who would have guessed.
Anyhow, I’m adding this Pumping in as a freebie for myself. I’m NICE daily. For the next month or so at least. I'll ONLY count it for 1 day though, wont cheat too badly.
I’d also like to say YOU RULE!!! To any of the woman out there that either pumped or nursed their children or someone else (as in my situation) for any time over 1 single day. Man, you mamas rule. Good job to all of you! It’s work. Congrats to you!
Day #2 (written on day 3, hehe)
Day #2
I did something today that I'm counting. I believe it fits my rule for NICE and contrary to my husband’s belief I think it’s in.
*If you don’t count it, I have a back up. Ha. (thanks Tami for reminding me)
So, my NICE task today is not something that can be seen or heard or touched for that matter. I am always looking for inspiration from the world around me and sometimes those come in the smallest ways. Yesterdays nice came out of a tune that I have heard a zillion times but apparently I heard a lyric that helped me.
Billy Joel’s Only The Good Die Young
Originally the part - “Id rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints” made me start to listen closer. I don’t want my kids to think that part is good. Because lets be honest it sure it easy to relate to that. It is so much harder to be a good person than to fancy yourself and do what you feel whenever. Okay- so that’s another topic for another time.
Here’s the part that got me- “ Aww she never cared for me---But did she ever say a prayer for me? oh woah woah”
Alright, so, the woah woahs aren’t necessary but that’s how I sing it to write it. Anyhow, goodness this got me. How unfair of me. It is so easy for me to well wish people that I like, to add them to my thoughts because I enjoy them and well lets face it, it’s way easier to have empathy and emotion for someone you like rather than dislike. The problem is the person/people that we Don’t like probably needs our thoughts/prays the most. Think about it, picture the guy/gal you can’t stand the most. You don’t like them and it’s because of their actions or how they live their life and we try to keep ourselves distant from this person and not deal with them. Well, I guess the lyric hit me because if I care a little bit more about that person or even said a prayer for them maybe they could be different, could be helped. I think it’s unfair for me to not like someone and not ever feel for them.
So, my NICE yesterday was 2 parts. 1. I said a little prayer for 2 people that I can’t stand, that drive me nuts because they do everything so wrong (my opinion obviously) but I do wish they could get it together, be a better person, deal with shit in a better fashion, and overall better their lives. Maybe me putting my small prayer out there(and it was nothing fancy…just thinking about them and hoping for better for them in my own mind as I drove to walmart) could help in some small way. I also took this a step farther. Part 2. I thought good and hard and said something Good about both of these people. Right outloud. Ahh. Believe me this is not as simple as you might think, I’ve known these people for so long and have an accumulating pile of what I think is not good about them. So, I rummaged through my mental file cabinet and pulled out an old cocktail napkin with a gross soda ring on it that has a smudged out pencil note that says a nice thing about these 2 people. It was a reach, but I found it. I’ve got something decent to say about each of them and I’m hanging onto that and adding them to my thought list. *hmm- maybe I’ll send them a card? Ha. What will that say? I’m pretty sure halmark doesn’t make a card that reads- I NORMALLY THINK YOU’RE A LOSER…open it and see… BUT I FOUND ONE THING THAT’S GOOD ABOUT YOU! Added you to my thoughts. xoxo, Mary Gabriel. Hahaha. That’s nuts.
Okay- if you don’t count that (like Kevin doesn’t) I picked Megan up from school yesterday. Her mom couldn’t leave work and her grandma, who was going to pick her up had a flat tire. So, I ran over to the high school and took her and a friend of hers home so they didn’t have to walk in the cold or take the scary public bus. That’s gotta count.
I did something today that I'm counting. I believe it fits my rule for NICE and contrary to my husband’s belief I think it’s in.
*If you don’t count it, I have a back up. Ha. (thanks Tami for reminding me)
So, my NICE task today is not something that can be seen or heard or touched for that matter. I am always looking for inspiration from the world around me and sometimes those come in the smallest ways. Yesterdays nice came out of a tune that I have heard a zillion times but apparently I heard a lyric that helped me.
Billy Joel’s Only The Good Die Young
Originally the part - “Id rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints” made me start to listen closer. I don’t want my kids to think that part is good. Because lets be honest it sure it easy to relate to that. It is so much harder to be a good person than to fancy yourself and do what you feel whenever. Okay- so that’s another topic for another time.
Here’s the part that got me- “ Aww she never cared for me---But did she ever say a prayer for me? oh woah woah”
Alright, so, the woah woahs aren’t necessary but that’s how I sing it to write it. Anyhow, goodness this got me. How unfair of me. It is so easy for me to well wish people that I like, to add them to my thoughts because I enjoy them and well lets face it, it’s way easier to have empathy and emotion for someone you like rather than dislike. The problem is the person/people that we Don’t like probably needs our thoughts/prays the most. Think about it, picture the guy/gal you can’t stand the most. You don’t like them and it’s because of their actions or how they live their life and we try to keep ourselves distant from this person and not deal with them. Well, I guess the lyric hit me because if I care a little bit more about that person or even said a prayer for them maybe they could be different, could be helped. I think it’s unfair for me to not like someone and not ever feel for them.
So, my NICE yesterday was 2 parts. 1. I said a little prayer for 2 people that I can’t stand, that drive me nuts because they do everything so wrong (my opinion obviously) but I do wish they could get it together, be a better person, deal with shit in a better fashion, and overall better their lives. Maybe me putting my small prayer out there(and it was nothing fancy…just thinking about them and hoping for better for them in my own mind as I drove to walmart) could help in some small way. I also took this a step farther. Part 2. I thought good and hard and said something Good about both of these people. Right outloud. Ahh. Believe me this is not as simple as you might think, I’ve known these people for so long and have an accumulating pile of what I think is not good about them. So, I rummaged through my mental file cabinet and pulled out an old cocktail napkin with a gross soda ring on it that has a smudged out pencil note that says a nice thing about these 2 people. It was a reach, but I found it. I’ve got something decent to say about each of them and I’m hanging onto that and adding them to my thought list. *hmm- maybe I’ll send them a card? Ha. What will that say? I’m pretty sure halmark doesn’t make a card that reads- I NORMALLY THINK YOU’RE A LOSER…open it and see… BUT I FOUND ONE THING THAT’S GOOD ABOUT YOU! Added you to my thoughts. xoxo, Mary Gabriel. Hahaha. That’s nuts.
Okay- if you don’t count that (like Kevin doesn’t) I picked Megan up from school yesterday. Her mom couldn’t leave work and her grandma, who was going to pick her up had a flat tire. So, I ran over to the high school and took her and a friend of hers home so they didn’t have to walk in the cold or take the scary public bus. That’s gotta count.
#1
Apparently I’m far better at being Nice than I am at updating a blog. Sorry to those who are following. However, do not believe that do to my absents online that I’m not out there being wonderful to the world. I am!
I’ll post this true blog style, even though I’m typing this all in one sitting I’ll post it as if I did it next day fashion.
DAY #1
This first task was an easy one for me. I had already planned on this one prior to the operation NICE website finding me. I just now had more motivation to do it and no have it hit my list of “wish I would have/ should have” things. As I admitted earlier I’m a huge thank you card giver. But they have always been directed toward someone I personally know. This time I sent out a thank you card to a group of people that I only knew in shifts and for only 5 days anyhow. The thank you card was sent out to the Maternity ward at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. Where I delivered my sweet super premature surrogate twins. I was so scared about the situation to begin with let alone the side order of scare for not knowing any of the doctors, nurses or staff, and piled high with a topping of being in an unfamiliar place and the fear of c-section. To my grateful surprise the nurse were wonderful. Talked to me in pain English and help me feel relaxed in a tense filled situation. They joked around with me when they couldn’t get the monitors to work for me. They chatted with us while they did some tests and were brutally honest with telling me what was going to hurt and what not.
*note to readers NEVER take steroids, they hurt like no pain I’ve ever felt before! Honestly!
Ayhow, the doctors, I saw 5 of them (only 2 sort of 3 of which I truly remember) but the information that the doctors provided us with was Amazing. They didn’t keep anything, they didn’t sugar coat anything but they surly didn’t make us panic either. They were straight forward and helped us to make decisions with a clear mind. Also, when I felt the first 2 contractions they couldn’t see them on the monitor but took my word for it and checked me on the 3rd contraction and set me right into get those babies out. They didn’t over doctor the situation but listened to me!
So, the NICE thing- I sent them a thank you card. Along with that I filled out the hospital standard survey about your “visit“. Which I never fill out, but I figure that these were great people doing great work, I was in a clean room with decent food (actually some great breaded mushrooms-who would have guessed) I was checked on frequently, they babies were in wonderful hands, my meds were given to me as I needed them and well, I guess this is one of the times I felt that I should fill out the survey and praise them.
1 down 28 to go :)
I’ll post this true blog style, even though I’m typing this all in one sitting I’ll post it as if I did it next day fashion.
DAY #1
This first task was an easy one for me. I had already planned on this one prior to the operation NICE website finding me. I just now had more motivation to do it and no have it hit my list of “wish I would have/ should have” things. As I admitted earlier I’m a huge thank you card giver. But they have always been directed toward someone I personally know. This time I sent out a thank you card to a group of people that I only knew in shifts and for only 5 days anyhow. The thank you card was sent out to the Maternity ward at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. Where I delivered my sweet super premature surrogate twins. I was so scared about the situation to begin with let alone the side order of scare for not knowing any of the doctors, nurses or staff, and piled high with a topping of being in an unfamiliar place and the fear of c-section. To my grateful surprise the nurse were wonderful. Talked to me in pain English and help me feel relaxed in a tense filled situation. They joked around with me when they couldn’t get the monitors to work for me. They chatted with us while they did some tests and were brutally honest with telling me what was going to hurt and what not.
*note to readers NEVER take steroids, they hurt like no pain I’ve ever felt before! Honestly!
Ayhow, the doctors, I saw 5 of them (only 2 sort of 3 of which I truly remember) but the information that the doctors provided us with was Amazing. They didn’t keep anything, they didn’t sugar coat anything but they surly didn’t make us panic either. They were straight forward and helped us to make decisions with a clear mind. Also, when I felt the first 2 contractions they couldn’t see them on the monitor but took my word for it and checked me on the 3rd contraction and set me right into get those babies out. They didn’t over doctor the situation but listened to me!
So, the NICE thing- I sent them a thank you card. Along with that I filled out the hospital standard survey about your “visit“. Which I never fill out, but I figure that these were great people doing great work, I was in a clean room with decent food (actually some great breaded mushrooms-who would have guessed) I was checked on frequently, they babies were in wonderful hands, my meds were given to me as I needed them and well, I guess this is one of the times I felt that I should fill out the survey and praise them.
1 down 28 to go :)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Operation NICE
So, some of you have already gotten an email stating I found an inspiring website. (Actually Holly sent it to me-thanks!) Anyhow, you should check it out and join me. http://www.operationnice.com/
It’s right up my ally! First because I really do try to be a nice person. Sure, I’ve got my bitchy quirks and blatantly discus for some people out there but overall I try to be nice, so I think that counts. Think of a really good movie, it’s entitled to have a couple of scenes that are just crap but Overall it was a good flick right?
Anyhow, I love the idea of this for 2 reasons. 1 because it makes be responsible for being nice. I plan on keeping record of being nice (hello- this blog) and I feel like this will somehow make me more accountable for my niceness or lack there of. I think everyone should do this. I think keeping track of stuff makes you more aware of it and continue down a better path. Think of all the woman that lose a ton of weight because they keep a Food Journal. I’ve never done this but heard it works. Makes sense to me. Example:
8am: large bowl of cinnamon toast crunch
9am: huge piece of triple chocolate Pepperidge Farm cake
Noon: a handful of pretzel sticks
12:20pm: an over sized plate of left over baked ziti with a piece of garlic toast
Now the gal that ate this can look back at her day and understand why she’s not gaining any weight. Btw- this is 100% honestly what I’ve eaten today. Ouch. And now tomorrow when I hope on the dreaded bathroom scale and watch the needle point to a much more than I’d like to see number I wont be pondering how/why have I not lost any weight. Yikes! Instead I’ll sarcastically say something to myself about the 9am devilishly good cake. Ugg.
*note to self…start keeping food journal.
Anyhow, second reason this is for me. I’m a fierce competitor. I love a challenge and always believe I’ll be the winner. Thus, the betting problem I have with my husband, which by the way I’m in the hole $260 to him right now, but lets not talk about that. I’ll win a double or nothing soon! So, what better competition to have than one with myself (no losers to feel bad when I waste ’em) and it’s all about bettering myself.
Now, the only rules I’ve put on myself for this one is no “Everyday-normal-should-be-expected-nicenesses” will count. I’m setting the envelope a little higher than that. Because well, I do that normally and I think it should be expected. This things are the regular holding doors open when someone is coming/going at the same time as you, helping a lost kid find mom in walmart, saying bless you when someone sneezes, excuse me for bumping into someone and/or getting them out of your way, pleases, thank yous, simple gratuity for service (except I’m still on the fence about buffet tipping, we’ll talk more on this later) covering your mouth when you cough and leaving a penny in a take-on-give-one jar at gas stations.
The big reason for this is I don’t want my kids to grow up and feel like they should give themselves a big pat on the back for helping someone pick up the change they just dropped in the check out line at the grocery store. This should be instinct. I don’t want them to wonder why someone would do that. They should know that’s what people do. I’m making this challenge about effort. Putting forth Effort to be nice. Something that might not be the norm.
I know I do some of these things already and honestly it makes me feel good to do good by/for others.
Example: I’m a Huge thank you card giver. I think we should tell our friends thank you when they do something “extra nice” for you. There were a handful of you that really pulled through for me when I had the twins unexpectedly. Big stuff, not just sending me flowers (that is nice too though) but like taking the kids the minute I told you the situation and needed you (Jess!) without a second thought. I sent cards out. Hope you got and liked them. Last Example: I do it all the time and think it's pretty nice. When I have a small amount of money left on a gift card that I just paid with it (it’s amazing how many cards I use to have with 28, 77, 33 or 89cents left on them) I give it to the person behind me in line. I know I’m going to forget about the almost worthless plastic card in my coin purse but the person behind me is going to use it that very second and hey sometimes it covers the tax for them. It’s just nice.
Okay- I’ve got a couple of things that will count almost as freebies for me because I already like/do them so it should be easy. Right? We’ll see. Here’s to day #1. I’m off to do my first thing right now and I’ll post back later. xoxo-mary
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