Good morning-Have a Nice Day

I have always smile at strangers. It may the only one they see all day.
Also, the more I smile the better I feel.

I went to the 99 cent store today and got to share my SparkPeople knowledge with a total stranger. I told her where she could go for encouragement and motivation. It always makes me feel good when I share. Also shared information about being a Diabetic and eating right.

This is something I plan on carrying out for the entire year. When people smile at me and say hello, it automatically puts a smile on my face. I hope when I say Hi and smile at them it puts a smile on their face as well.

Good job everyone on the challenge. I enjoyed reading all the posts. I wasn't as active as I wanted to be as I had computer issues. Let's rock 2013.

Update on salad greens.
I made a fritatta and it was marvelous.

I'm not sure what they even are. A cook I am not. If you can't open the package and nuke it, I don't buy it.

Off topic.

I have a huge amount of Earth Bound organic salad greens.
Way too much to just eat as salads.
Any suggestions about cooking them?

May this new year find you healthier and happier,peaceful, content, satisfied,looking forward to fresh, revitalizing interests a variety of pleasures, interesting new people,material and personal successes to make this new year the best one yet.Happy New Year!

Looking forward to 2013 with positivity- it will be a sparking good year!

Best wishes to all on the team

Nice

Life is Good! I have been so blessed. With both my Biological Family and my Spark People family.

I will not accept negativity just for today.
That means for myself and others.

It is early Saturday morning. There must be something wrong with me, I am never up this early. Yesterday I stayed home and just spent a quiet day by myself. I didn't even answer the phone. It was the anniversary of my Dad's passing, 19 years, and I just spent time remembering. Not a sad day, a day of remembering, I did call Directv and told them I was cancelling because I am sick and tired of always having to reset the receiver and I am not paying $49.95 for a technician to come out and fix THEIR equipment. This has been going on since October 4 and they wouldn't even give me any credit. They offered me 6 months of Showtime free. I had the premium channels free for 3 months when I got Directv and never watched 1 single movie. I said give me the cancellation department. They are sending out a technician, the fee is being waved and I am getting a credit on my bill. It pays to complain about service when you are not getting what you are paying for.

I wanna still believe in Santa!

I'm having a nice day. God bless You and Have a Wonderful Week. Take Care

I saw my niece Brianna on Christmas Eve. She is such a blessing in my life along with her brother Tyler. She is graduating HS this coming June and he is 15. Everyone received a wallet of her senior picture. How is it possible that she gets more beautiful every year. My mouth just hung open when I laid eyes on her. Tyler must have grown 3". He is so handsome.

I told my brother Chuck, their father that I would order him a 8x10 for his birthday in January. I think he should have a HS senior picture of his daughter. It is sad that they don't really have a relationship. Everything is his son. I know how that feels as a teenage daughter. Unfortunately it was in my head, my Dad loved me, Chuck is not a good father, never was. I had a Daddy, Chuck is their biological Dad. The kids live with their maternal aunt and her husband. That is their Mom and Dad.l That is what they call them. I wonder how that makes him feel. When you ask him, you get I don't want to talk about it. Nevertheless, he is their father and he does love them, just doesn't know what to do with a girl. He loves himself more and probably always will. Sad.

She wants to go to Boston University so bad, actually wants to go to Brown but that is a pipe dream like she said. $$$$$ big $$$$$$$. She has applied to UConn and a couple other schools. She is going to be a pediatrician. My SIL runs the ER and it was quite interesting to hear them discuss things after dinner Christmas Eve. She is so intelligent. Sorry, I am going on and on about how great she is. Proud aunt

For my kindness act, I didn't blow up at my BIL when he called the puppy I was going to get a runt dog and said if he saw it he would use it as a football. Basically I held my tongue and didn't respond to alot of stupid remarks out of respect for my Mom and the night. With some of the remarks it was quite difficult believe me.

I am still doing the happy dance!
Life is so good lately and I am enjoying every minute of it.

JENAE954 I am so happy for you. I know you are looking forward to that.

I have been so blessed lately.
I work part time at a wellness center.
I fill in when the full time therapists are out of the office.
Up until three weeks ago I was working very little at the center.
If that had kept up my plans to visit family in Germany in May would have been cancelled.
No money, no trip.
The past three weeks I have been working a lot and making good money.
Plus I got a nice bonus today.
My trip is now paid for in full and I am doing the happy dance.
May cannot come soon enough.

Wow I never thought of the dollar store for clothes. I went to the Everything is a buck store(that is the name) with Gary to buy gifts for the deaf people that he was taking on his last tour. He was going to NY City on a bus tour to see the lights, the tree in Rockfeller Plaza and Radio City Music Hall. We bought 34 candle jars for the ladies and 18 pen and pencil sets for the gentlemen. He said they liked them. Of course, it was my idea.

Dutch. That was a very thoughtful gesture.

I went to the 99 Cent Only Store tonight and found some clothes. I bought 5 jackets, a couple pairs of pants and a couple shirts for 99 cents each. I will be giving them to the local Homeless Shelter. It makes my heart smile to know 5 people may be a little warmer this year. Life is Good!!!

Bonnie: LOL, awaiting the laundry delivery!! Starch or no starch in the undies! BWAHAHAHA!

AS for the landlord, SHEESH! I'm all for water conservation, but Lordy, I will do laundry and shower! LOVe caller ID for sure.

Barb My laundry is overflowing to. What is your address. I can ship it, and I will even pay return postage. My landlord will love you too. Every time I do laundry she calls up and starts complaining about her water bill. This is getting ridiculous. I can't do laundry, I can't take a shower for more than 10 minutes, my phone is ringing all the time and it is her. Why am I running the water so much? Why is my heat on again? I look at the caller ID before I answer the phone now, and they don't climb the stairs anymore. I just had the rooms painted and the kitchen floor put in, I hate to move but this is getting ridiculous. Every time I leave the house she stops me before I get in the car and complain complain complain. It's getting so I time when I leave the house to when she is napping. Whenever I have company, they are looking out the window to see who it is. Gary left one night after midnight and they were looking out the window, so he waved. They ducked. So nosy.

JENAE Let us know how it turns out. I am no cook that is for sure. I am good at opening a frozen dinner and putting it in the oven or microwave though.

I haven't left the house today yet, but I have to go out later. I just wanted to see what was going on in the thread.

Picking up fresh vegetables today and making a creative vegetarian main dish.

Yesterday I saw that DD's laundry was overflowing. So, I did it for her. Nice Mom!!!! LOL

I had to make a quick trip to the grocery store this morning. A lady dropped a bag of groceries in the parking lot. I helped her picked up the groceries and put them in my Stop and Shop bag that I have while someone ran and got her another bag. She lost a dozen eggs and the store manager gave her another dozen. I thought that was very nice of them.

I spent the afternoon rolling out, cutting out, baking, and decorating Sugar Cookies with my 5 year-old Grand-daughter. Christmas songs were playing in the background and a good time was had by all.

Went downstairs to see my landlords. They started complaining about the price of oil again, I am tired of hearing it. I didn't tell them to have the heat included in the rent. When I came back upstairs I turned the thermostat down to 70. I don't think the thermostat is accurate because it is cold in here, but I will keep it at 70 and wear a housecoat and cover up with a throw.

Taking the day off from exercising today.
Catching up with to do list.

12-07-12

Finished up cards for hospitalized soldiers and mailed them off today. Clara had 1/2 day so she helped too. It was a nice thing to do together.

We both stayed up way late to wait up for Jason who returned from TX around midnight. TIRED day, but worth it.

No working out today but am going to the gym to walk on the treadmill.

Today is Friday. My brother is coming to fix my computer. My Mom is coming to see the painting that has been done in the apartment. I want her to see it so she can give me decorating ideas. She has the talent for decorating, she didn't pass it along to me that is for sure. I am going to take them out for pizza. When she was younger, she use to come every couple months just to go the Kitchen Pizza. Her and my brother can split a small pizza and Chuck will have a couple pieces left for tomorrow. I made Slow Cooker Chicken Stew. I gave my landlords some tangerines.

I have made up my mind that today will be a wonderful day.
Usually when that decision is made it becomes actuality.
Going to gym in an hour.

12-06

DH is off to TX for a business meeting. Up @ the crack-of-dark (3 am ) to make breakfast and get him off to the airport.

NOW in payback I am enjoying the peace and quiet, watching the sunrise with DD AND Mr. Spot the Wonder Dog snoozing. If I were in my right mind, I should probably be doing the same thing for awhile, but once up, I'm up!

HUGS and here's to a good Thursday.

I am having another beautiful day today.

Luis came today and finished the painting in the living room. Finally. I am starting with another cold and feel miserable. After he finished I told him I needed some groceries. You should have seen the look on his face, priceless. I know that if I am going to send him out, I need to do it before he does anything else. I was just being mean. He told me to make the homemaker do it tomorrow and went to do the dishes. He told me later that if there was anything she bought that was heavy to leave it in the car and he would stop by over the weekend and bring it upstairs. I told him I was only kidding. I was getting back at him for giving me this cold. He came last week sick. Of course, he caught the cold from me in the first place.

DD asked to borrow a sweater of mine . . . and I said ok. Actually made ME smile cuz I'm her size to smaller! She wanted to borrow a pair of jeans from me, too, but they were . . . TOO TIGHT for her! They fit me perfectly. HEE HEE Secret Mom victory. Of course, I am much shorter than her to be fair.

So that was the beginning of my day.

HGUS

Just for today I remained positive and on track with logging food and exercise.

I was out raking the leaves off the front lawn. The neighbor was taken by ambulance Thanksgiving Eve. We are new to the neighborhood and do not really know anyone yet so I did not want to know on their door asking if there was anything I could do and have them think we are just nosy (we are from SO CAL and now in Central CA, people in SO CA just not do that). So I just started raking their sidewalk so no one would slip and fall on the wet leaves. The neighbor came out and said I did not have to do that. I told her I did not mind doing it. I actually like yard work. We got to talking, so I ask about her husband and how he was. He is doing better. I told her I would finish her sidewalk and walk way. I also told her I would bring a card and give her both mine and my daughters phone number so if they needed anything they could just call. She smiled and said thank you. Made my day.

12-4As beautiful as it was yesterday, it is dismal today. Cloudy and just yuck. It makes you feel yuck. I had to get my presciption at the grocery store today. There was a woman in there that would not shut up, complaining about everything. You could tell she just wanted to hear herself talk. The cashier finally got the manager, but they lady still went on and on. The manager finally told her that there was nothing they could do, sorry. She was holding up the line. That got her even more fired up. I left the store with a smile on my face telling different people Have a nice day.

Tuesday 12-04-12

Today DH took a box of non-perishable food to work where they're having a food drive.

Bonnie:

For sure they can be ungrateful. At least she confirmed that she knows how to use those words THANK YOU! LOL

I used to live in a house with the mailbox on the house, so I got to know the mail deliverer well as it was the same one forever! On really cold days I'd give him hot chocolate, coffee (decaf) or tea.

I'll bet your mail deliverer was happy to get that hot cocoa!

Good job everyone. Barb I had to laugh when you said you DD might have been taken over by an alien. Teenagers can be ungrateful, can't they? Must be the Christmas spirit.

I made a cup of hot chocolate when I saw the mail man coming. It is foggy and yucky out there. He is a great mailman and he will be retiring at the end of the year. I am sad to see him go.

Sunday 12-02 & Monday 12-03

Walked yesterday to the pharmacy (about a 2 mile walk). Not a problem for me. ON the way I ran into several people that I haven't met before (I have gotten to know a lot of people who are fellow-walkers). So, stopped to chat with several and hope to get to know them better.

Today, Monday, is a very foggy, ugly, rainy, dreary day. Gave my DD and several of her friends a ride and they were so appreciative. (Ok, I questioned if an alien was inhabiting DD when she thanked me! LOL)

12-01 Saturday

Had to go to the post office . . . can you believe it was CROWDED! The person behind me was obviously having a difficult day (I could hear her sighing, LOUDLY). So, I smiled and asked her if I could help. She just said she was having a bad day, but felt better that SOMEONE asked her if they could help. She SMILED! Job done.

Just for today I lost count of how many hugs I received.

I don't go out everyday, that is another thing I would like to change. When I do go to the store, I say hello to people, or if waiting in line at the register I may even start a conversation. I have even asked people to help me chose a melon or a vegetable I was not sure how to tell was ripe or not. I wanted to find a volunteer job this summer but I didn't know it was as hard as finding a job. I couldn't find one.

when I was doing my walks on the bike path in our town I would say hi to everyone. I always had my headphones in but when I saw someone I would take one out just so I could say hi. And I go to the same dunkins everyday, usually twice, and I have a great friendship with all of them, they know our voices even at the drive through lol. They brighten my day every day so I always take the time to chat with them. every christmas I bring in a batch of my peanut butter cookies and fudge. they love it

I consider myself a warm and friendly person.
This is demonstrated daily and result in meeting lots of potential friends that way.
I have been known to give a hug to the clerk in the store who is having a bad day or a customer who is frustrated.
I always say hello to strangers on the street.
This is just who I am.
There are many things I am changing in life but reaching out to others is not one of them.
Ho Ho Ho.

Totally agree Bonnie, I walk every morning and smile at all coming in the opposite direction. There is one young Asian girl I see going to work and her smile literally lights up her face- such a wonderful thing to see at 8.30 LOL. So one day I said "sorry to be so personal but you have the most BEAUTIFUL smile!" Her smile got even broader and I swear she practically skipped on towards the bus stop.
Paying compliments brightens anyone's day.
Another thing I did last Crimbo was give way to others more in crowded shopping aisles and I delibrately slowed my pace and smiled at everyone. It made the stress of shopping that much more tolerable! Try it! You get your shopping done just as fast and feel more relaxed at the checkout!

Edited by: NEW-CAZ at: 11/30/2012 (14:55)

I try to make it a point to say hello to people when I am out and about. I am currently selling head warmers that I crochet. I sold a couple to a woman and her mother. Her mother ask if I did throws. She says she is always cold. I told her I did but they are pricey because of the time and money it takes to make them. For some reason I told her I would make her one that would keep her warm for $40.00. The cost to make it is at least $20.00 for the yarn and it takes at least 15-20 hours to make. But it put a smile on her face and that made me feel good. It is kind of like a paying it forward feeling.

Definitely!

That NY police officer whose act of generosity to the homeless man w/o shoes goes to show how much the action of just ONE person can change another person's world . . . or at least their day!

You go to work, the grocery store, the gym--how many people that you don't know do you greet? When I go for a walk, I say hello to everyone that walks by. Some say hello back, some don't. It use to irk me when they didn't, so I didn't anymore, now I just say that's their problem not mine.

Everyday greet people you meet with a Good morning, or How are you, whatever you feel like, you just might make their day, and you will make yours. Go out of your way to be pleasant and to be helpful when you can. Come to the thread every so often and tell what you have done and how you have greeted people you didn't know. The smile you give them just might turn a bad morning around for them. After all it's the holiday season.