We are all unique

Monday...  New student in our class today.   Every one is unique and special in our wonderful world.  The sparkle in the eyes, the grins, the laughs, and individuality of us all. We are all made in His care. I have my faults, my quirks, my health issues, but thankful every day for the positive events in my life.

Received a nice note for the dinner our group made for a coworker.

Tuesday:  Grateful for my coworkers.  Finished a great book tonight, 40 Autumns.  I love books that make me think.

Saturday:  I find it quite difficult to write every day.  My job keeps me in a fairly routine schedule.  I do have the weekends to perhaps learn something new.  I am always learning about the world and history with the books that I read.

I did open the door at a coffee shop for a lady that had her hands full.  She was very appreciative and said she had noticed my "beautiful hair".  I did send my hair stylist a note thanking her for the great job she does.

3/14

Took Buddy to groom.  He has some growths.  I am very upset. Blood work and other test done.  The vet called me this evening just to see how WE were doing.

3/15

Enjoyed having a sub in Leigh's class.  We love it when substitute teachers keep coming back to our classes.  They really get to know the children.

3/26

It is really quite difficult to write every day as so many of my days are mundane and status quo.  I have been quite upset recently with the effects of aging on my sweet dog of almost 15 years.

Last night, I went to see a play called The Foreigner.  It was quite good and funny.  Some parts were not what I expected, but it is the unexpected in life that makes it most interesting.  Two of my neighbors were in the play which made it just wonderful.  So neat to see a father, son, and mother all share the acting bug.

Also enjoyed a Cuban meal with Teresa and Sonja.  The new thing that I did try was friend yucca.  It was like fried coated mashed potato sticks.  Always nice to try a new food.

Flower store

I went with a friend to a garden center.  Not quite time to plant flowers, but I did see some that I had never seen before.  Over the years, with bunnies and deer eating my flower buffet, I have cut down on the amount I plant in my yard.  On the other hand, I will keep flowers on my deck and front entry.  I can't wait to plant some spring flowers.

Ponce City Market

Saturday:  Went to Ponce City Market today.  It is a refurbished old Sears building in Atlanta.  They have kept so much of the old building as well as part of the train tracks that used to bring items there. It was very interesting.  The rooftop was a fun place to look at the view of the city.  Since I love people watching, it was a great place to see people being tourist, riding bikes, playing games, etc... visited a few interesting shops nearby.  Took my friend to Bagel Palace for lunch.  It was near where I grew up in Atlanta.  She had never been there.  Great Reuben sandwiches.

A Random Gift for ME!

March 3, 2017

Today is the birthday of a friend of mine at work.  I wanted to get her a little something for her birthday.  As I love photography, I thought a small photo that reminded me of her would be nice.  She is a southern belle just like me.  I remembered that I had a photo of Lady and sons sign in Savannah, GA.  How appropriate for her.  She is a southern lady, and has a son, loves southern food and the south.  When I give a photo as a gift, it is truly a gift from my heart.  It doesn't matter to me if you keep it in a frame, put it in a scrapbook, post it in a journal, or put it in a special box of treasured photos.  Just know that this gift came from my heart as it reminded me somehow of the recipient.  Imagine my surprise when my coworker came with something for me in our mailbox.  An unexpected gift of a sweet book and chocolates.  What a sweet "thank you" from my friend!  My heart literally filled with joy as it's not a special day for me, but just a Friday.  The gift made the day a super special one that warmed my heart.  

2/25/17 to 3/2/2017 but I was a French major

Day 4:  I was a French major at the University, but I have always loved the study of languages.  I try and practice and learn a little Spanish for some of the children at school.  A coworker let me borrow one of her Spanish cookbooks.  I just spent about 30 minutes trying to read some of the recipes with my limited Spanish and words that were similar in French.  I did copy a recipe to try at a later time as tonight I'm not cooking dinner.


Day 5:  I returned the Spanish cookbook to my coworker from Mexico.  I also gave her a Mediterranean cookbook so that she can practice her English.

Day 6:  Today I went with a friend to look at beads for her bracelet.  I do not recall seeing Troll beads when I was younger.

Day 7:  Went to Gibbs Gardens and took photos with Teresa.  Took photos of other tourist at the area for them.  Also, something as simple as giving a few extra napkins to the table next to us in lieu of them having to go back to the little cafe area... which was very busy.

Day 8:  Friendly conversation with the cashier at my local grocery store.  Talked about my sweet Buddy to cashier.  People almost always ask me about my dog when they see a dog product on
conveyer belt

Day 9;  I took some ginger/lemon herbal tea to some coworkers.  It was the first time I had tried the tea.

Day 10:  This one is a few day out of order, but I was thinking about it on the way home today.  The little kindergarten girl that lives next door, and the little kindergarten boy across the street wait for the bus in my yard.  It has been a bus stop for over 20 years and I am always thrilled to see children waiting for the bus.  They were admiring my daffodils and I told them they could take one to their teacher.  Not sure if they took one, but I am hoping they did.

Day 11:  I have a book on hold at the library and was looking at their events.  There is a free class on the 26th of March of making a dried flower bookmark.  I am going to try and attend.

Today, had a conversation with a friend after work.  It's one of those friendships where you can joke about all kinds of things...and say the EXACT SAME THING AT THE SAME MOMENT!  I love when that happens.

Juicy Fruit Gum

A few days ago, the daughter of a friend of mine, did several acts of kindness for her birthday.  I was quite touched by the story.  Going on with my errands and everything that I had to do, I couldn't stop thinking about it.  First, I had to return several books to the library drop box as the library was closed.  I have to have a book in my car at all times.  I am that much of a reader.  I stopped by a discount store and found 4 books to read.  With  one book in hand, I settled in the waiting room of my local car dealership.  The story was about a woman that did something new every day.  Now, I don't really have the funds to do elaborate things every day, but I can learn, or do SOMETHING.  I decided to either do something new, or a random act of kindness.  Before I start my journey with DAY 1, I will explain "Throwing Juicy Fruit Gum".

When I was a little girl, I used to walk everywhere with my papa Jimmy.  He was a Greek immigrant, who did not speak English well, nor did he drive a car.  I am a very rapid walker thanks to him as my little legs had to keep pace with my papa.  We would walk to the "little store" on the corner of Glenwood Road and Columbia Drive in DeKalb county Georgia.  We would stop at the barber shop for a quick hello, or a haircut for papa, then go the the "little store" that was huge in my eyes.  Papa was a very giving man of his time, generosity and kind spirit.  Having a few treats, we would walk back to our house, hand in hand, me holding a small brown paper bag.  I know it had to be at least a few miles to our home.  I should check the distance one day.  On our walk back, we would always see children playing outside. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, knew papa!  Children, and adults alike, would run up and say their hellos, perhaps give us a few ripe figs from their tree, etc... To the children, much to their delight, a stick of the bright yellow, juicy delicious J U I C Y   F R U I T gum!  Children would sit, unfold the bright yellow wrapper and make some kind or original origami with the paper.  A simple stick of juicy fruit gum from a pack that probably cost $.05. would bring smiles to faces.  I've not had Juicy Fruit gum in years, but that was an act of kindness that was repeated every time we went to the store. So, with my friend's daughter, the sweet memory of gum, and the book, I started thinking....   That's it!  One act of kindness or learn a new thing EVERY DAY.  

So here begins my journey...

Day 1.  It was my first day and I purchased the books with loose change in the bottom of my purse. It was $4.00 mainly in quarters. It was a win-win situation as the cashier needed quarters, and I wanted to get rid of the change.   I did find some brand new pennies too.  Still to this day, who doesn't like a new penny.  I had to stop by the grocery store to see if they had something, and  I "accidentally" dropped a few pennies where I was sure their sunny copper might brighten someone's day.  "pennys from heaven" we used to say.

Day 2.  Today, I found a book that I had on my shelf. It is a journal about what you eat, exercise, etc...with places to draw what is in your fridge, and other fun things to keep you amused.  By the way, my fridge drawing "before" is quite healthy.  Writing what I eat, may be difficult, but I did put ice cream and doughnuts (It was a teacher work day, and I'm a "team player" so I ate doughnuts!!!). 

Day 3.  Today, I had a "reverse" kindness shown to me!  Our receptionist sent an email about a lost phone.  I responded, "if you ever find chocolates, don't send an email, they belong to us".  When I went to sign out for the day, guess what was in my mailbox?  Chocolates from the receptionist.  She made my day!  I thanked her and told her how awesome it was!  We shared a smile, grin, and giggle too.  Smiles are always free, so if you can't think of something, start with a smile for others.

I already have some ideas of new things I want to try and learn.