Meineke

Just because I'm a horribly lazy blogger and haven't been online to post anything and several weeks, it doesn't mean that I haven't been focused on my goal of being a good person and paying it forward. Today I would like to pay it forward with a shout out to Meineke on Hillfield Road in Layton Utah. I went in today for a simple oil change and found the employees at this company were extremely nice and helpful and kind. When I went to my car to leave, I noticed that they even placed a bottle of water in my car which I thought was a nice touch. Way to go guys at Meineke, you did a great job and I appreciate you. I highly recommend that all of my friends and family use their service going forward.

Work Someone's Shift

Today I will be working for one of my coworkers. She is moving to Idaho and needed the day off. Because of how few people work on Sundays, there was no vacation time avail for her to take the day off. The only way she would br excused was to get someone to cover her shift. Normally it is a 10 shift,  which physically I probably couldn't do, but I agreed to work half of the shift and my friend Marti is working the other half. It will be weird. I will be working Sunday from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. to help her out.

This is bittersweet.  Half of me is kicking myself for giving up part of my weekend. The other half of me is glad that I was able to something kind for someone else.   I don't really even know the coworker that I am working for. I just got an email with her plea for help & answered the call.

(P.S. I should be cleaning my office instead of working. I wanted to take a picture of my work area,  but decided I don't want the mess out there for everyone to see.)

Take Note of Donation & Recycling Locations

Take note of Donation & Recycling locations.
I took pictures with my phone to help me remember what items I can donate & where it can be donated.  Phone books &  newspapers for recycling, and clothing for MS Charities can be dropped off at NLJH. Plastic bags can be returned for recycling the grocery store, etc. Less garbage is a good thing. Recycle when possible.

Yes, the pictures are rough. Ha. I obviously need to work on my photography skills.

The Gift of Books

I sorted through a bookshelf today. I gathered up two box full of books to pass on. Half of the books we're giving to my nieces Rebecca & Marie. The other half of the books will be donated to a local library.

Fill Er Upppp

Oh man! I hope someday Jonny appreciates all that I do for him. He he. It is currently 11:30pm and frickin freezing outside on a school night. What am I doing? Filling up my son's car so that he doesn't run out of gas. Tell me I am not a kind Mom... must love this kiddo of mine or something.

Free Babysitting

Babysitting is another way to be kind. This weekend I babysat my twin nieces so that my sister could get her hair done. I think I get just as much benefit from it as my sister does. I love playing with these babies.

Laurel was so cute playing in her toy box and cuddling with her dog.

Naomi was full of giggles and Koala cuddles.

(I took pictures of Naomi too, but they're too blurry to bother posting.)

H&M - Share Those Deals

Here's another little tip on something nice to do for your friends- If you see an great deal, share the details with your friends.

My friend Lupita is having an 80s themed birthday bash this weekend for her birthday. Many people are having a hard time deciding what to wear. While I was shopping at H&M I found colored tank tops for 50 cents that match the theme perfectly. I texted a few friends that I thought could benefit from this information.

H&M also has a bin next to the cashier where if you donate clothing they will give you 15 percent off your purchase. If for no other reason, donate for a discount!

Donate, Donate, Donate

I really wanted these bags of clothes to go to someone with a desperate need. Because the holidays had just passed many charities have very limited storage space to be able to accept donations. I made a few calls and those charities with the biggest needs are just really difficult to get to right now or don't have space right now. I cant drive in snow. Since the DI has a location close to me, they were the recipients of these 5 bag fulls of clothes and shoes. They also received mugs, water bottles, pans, plates, etc. and basically any other dish that I could clean out of my cupboards that we don't use.

After making the donation I was talking about it with some friends and I learned about some charities that have been calling and asking for donations and will will come and pick up my donations. Those charities will be first on my list when winter is over and I can do a good spring cleaning.

The Dollar Store

Alex and I went to the dollar store today. While we were there we noticed a little girl about 4 years old who was trying to get candy from one of those quarter candy dispenser machines. When she opened the little door to take out the candy, her candy fell all over the floor. She was obviously quite devastated and begin crying. Her mom was busy trying to get all of her items up to the counter for the cashier. Her mother gruffly told her not to pick up the candy off the floor. The mother also told her she didn't have another quarter. Her mother turned awsy from the little girl to pay and ignored her cries because she was obviously stressed and busy. While her mother was making her purchases I offered the little girl a quarter from my own wallet. The little girl ran to her mother's side to ask if it was okay to take my quarter. The mother turned to me and smiled and said it was fine. As I handed the girl the quarter I also complimented her and I told her, "Good job for not taking things from strangers without your mom's permission. You're obviously a smart & good little girl." You should have seen the little girl smile. She was glowing.

Hopefully my children learn from this little interaction how easy little acts of kindness can be.
1. Take time to soothe a crying child
2. Give a sincere smile- it literally changes people's attitudes immediately
3. Give a compliment that boosts a child's self esteem
4. Take some stress off a busy mom

Good goes around.  I believe it.