A couple of years ago I was one of a few who were carting around reusable bags to the grocery store. I was good about remembering to bring them as I had a pretty good system set up. The minute they were emptied in the kitchen they went straight back into the car. Easy. Well, as time went on my little routine got messed up and it was definitely not more, but less times that I was actually getting them to the store.
Well, today I made a point of grabbing them from the laundry room (o.k. the previous system has totally broken down!) before I left for the store. With a cart full of groceries I realized I had left them in the car. Usually, I would have just left them there and sheepishly used the plastic bags but not today. I decided to be kind to the environment. I stashed my cart to the side of the produce section and ran (well, walked quickly) back to the van. Hey, that really wasn't that hard I mean the parking lot is right beside the store!
So, along the lines of what Martha might say, it's a little thing, but it's a good thing and I did it.
I have been meaning to sort through some clothes, pack them up and donate to a local charity for months now. Somehow and for whatever reason it just wasn't getting done. So today I put my thoughts into action. I sorted through all the clothes that no longer fit or we weren't wearing. I pulled out a few that were too worn out or damaged but for the most part all of these clothes were gently used. My girls are growing up and out of clothes before they even have a chance of wearing out. As I was folding the clothes into bags I was happy to be donating clothes of the current season. Warm long sleeve shirts, sweaters and even a warm ski jacket. Things that someone might really need right now. I hope some other girls can make use of them.
It was a couple of hours well spent. I loaded the 3 huge bags into the car (I could barely lift them actually) and delivered them right away. I left with a smile on my face. There was not a sigh of relief for me realizing that I had accomplished my goal for today but instead a bit of excitement as I wondered what my good deed might be tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.
In the last week I've been thinking of ways to encourage myself to write more blogs consistently. I came up with an idea of doing "Fourteen Days of February". Each day I would write something that I like about February building up to February 14th, Valentine's Day. I found coming up with the list was difficult. Most weren't really that positive. For instance, "I like February 1st because it means January is over". I found it rather appalling that I could not come up with 14 reasons why I liked February. I can't just wish winter away. I'm wasting all this time in my life wishing for a better tomorrow when I should be doing something today to make my day better.
So there I was struggling with what to do for my blog but coming up with a much bigger problem in my life. How can I be living this seemingly happy life but not be able to think of 14 positive things. Am I really that cynical and pessimistic? Maybe I was going at this all wrong. At this point, it's February 2nd and I had already missed the first entry that I could make. While I was sitting there at the table and drinking my morning coffee I looked down at my daughter's paperwork and notices that she had brought back from school. I noticed that they had a schedule for Fun in February in which they have special days and events plans. At the bottom I noticed a list of "Fun Stuff to do in February", the top one was 28 Acts of Random Kindness. All the sudden I realized that is what I need to do. Forget trying to think of good things but do good things.
So here, I am. Yes, I know I'm one day late, but I'm being kind to myself and not worrying about that fact. Hopefully over the month I can make that day up. I'm a bit daunted by the idea but yet excited, maybe even hopeful that I can do one small thing a day that makes the world a better place. So no, I don't think I'll be solving the financial crisis, or creating world peace but maybe within my own life and community I can spread some kindness and who knows maybe that kindness will spread and spread and spread....
Of course, I haven't done my random act yet for today. I'm not really planning them I'm hoping they just evolve daily. So you'll have to stay tuned to see what I did.
I'll leave you with this. It's a couple of years old now, but a friend of mine sent this to me, in her own random act of kindness.
Spring that is...I'm just naturally gravitating toward light, fresh colours right now. Nevermind about the impending snow storm tomorrow or the below freezing temperatures we're currently experiencing, in my mind it seems to be spring.
Sometimes I can get pretty silly when I'm naming my jewellery. These ones had to have 'swirl' in it and the next thing I knew they were named "Swirls Just Wanna Have Fun". Now of course, the whole day I've been singing a certain song and you know what I've realized? Well, it is true swirls and girls do just want to have fun! What more do you need to learn in a day?!
I just love the rosy pink and fuchsia in this necklace. This is one of my Ring of ColourNecklaces. I'm so proud of this design. Wouldn't this look great with a crisp white shirt or a summer tee. A modern, clean design. It's just sweet in it's simplicity.
Hey I know my last post, only 3 days ago, was about me enjoying winter but really I am 'normal' - I still do wish for spring! I'm just trying to live in the moment, you know, enjoy each day as it's presented. Well, I have noticed that, even as I sit here wrapped in my grey sweater and warm socks are covering my toes, my thoughts are turning to spring and warmer weather. Without even realizing, in my designs this week I've been choosing lighter and brighter beads. Pinks and purples that could easily be seen as Easter colours and blues that reflect the bright sky and ocean, no not the cold ocean of our Atlantic provinces but more like the Caribbean Sea as it wraps itself around the tropical islands.
These earrings are called "Fresh Breeze" and really aren't they refreshing - like a breath of fresh air. So pretty and delicate and I love the pale sky blue glass beads!
Ok, I know we still have a ways to go before we say goodbye to winter but did you know it's only 45 days until we turn the clocks forward and 58 days until the first day of spring! Now that's a refreshing thought!
I know, we all like to complain about winter. It's too cold, it's snowy, the roads are icy. I do it myself and there are some days in winter when all I can think about is seeing the first signs of spring. Winter weather can make it difficult to get around and it can make us late in our busy lives and hurt our backs when we have to shovel it. Sometimes the short days and the long winter's can really get to you.
Sometimes though, it's simply beautiful. Yesterday was one of those days. It snowed all day, it had warmed up from the deep freeze of last week and we had no where in particular to be. A perfect combination to enjoy a winter day and evening. It was already dark out but my youngest was still outside making snow angels in the snow.
Soft pinks, pale amethyst and champagne coloured beads have been my inspiration this new year. These beads are gorgeous. Subtle and shimmery as if you were enjoying a candlelight dinner. This necklace is soft and pretty and oh so feminine. {sigh}
A couple of years ago I was one of a few who were carting around reusable bags to the grocery store. I was good about remembering to bring them as I had a pretty good system set up. The minute they were emptied in the kitchen they went straight back into the car. Easy. Well, as time went on my little routine got messed up and it was definitely not more, but less times that I was actually getting them to the store.
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