Playing catch-up

March 6th. Tuesday. Super Tuesday for some of you. Sick kid at home all day. Not too sick, though, as he is currently crying about how mean I am for making him lay down in bed and try and take a nap.

I'm a little off on posting lately, so I need to catch you up.

My February "pay it forward" moment was taking my parents out for lunch. Technically, my dad slipped me a $20 under the table, so I suppose one could argue I didn't really take them out. (The bill was for more than $20, so I did pay for some of it.) But, in my family, dads letting their kids pay for any amount of the meal is a big deal. Arguments usually ensue, and it all is quite comical. This time, notsomuch. What did you get to do for February "pay it forward?"

Last week I was in the Starbucks drive thru, ordering a coffee and planning to use a gift card my husband received. As I drive up to the window, the SB gal says, "The woman ahead of you paid for your coffee today." She will never know how much that small gesture meant to me that day. I had received some bad news about a family member, and was so touched that someone else was spreading good cheer through small gestures, just like I had. So, this "pay it forward" idea isn't a new one, but it is becoming more popular, for sure.

Life has been hectic. Both kids in basketball, volunteering at school and for the school levy campaign, and various family issues that have come up recently. I'm sure I'm no different than most of you. Crazy times, for sure.

Right now, I'm listening to a gaggle of girls from our street playing in my backyard. They are loud, wild, and having such a good time. Who knew our swingset would still be getting so much use??

Crazy windy here. Snow overnight, sunny this afternoon, and 60's yesterday and tomorrow. Welcome to Idaho in the Spring. Since my husband has a dinner meeting, I was planning to take the kids out. We'll see what dinner-time brings as far as the sick kid goes. Maybe cereal or pancakes for dinner?

Off to a great start!

Remember when I told you I was going to do something nice every month in 2012? (It was so long ago... like 2 posts ago or something. :-)) Well, yesterday was the first time I had the opportunity to do something.

I was in Starbucks drive-thru, getting a coffee much later than I needed one. (Hello, 11am!) The young lady behind me was driving a bright yellow mustang, or something like that. She looked really young! Anyhoo, the Sbux gal and I were chatting while my coffee was being made, and she told me the girl behind me ordered a 16 oz peppermint mocha with 1/2 a shot of espresso. 1/2 a shot?! What kind of person orders a 1/2 shot? In that moment, I pulled out my wallet and paid for her drink.

I'm not sure if she cared at all that she just got a free drink, but that's not why I did it. She didn't wave. She didn't have a funny look on her face. She just drove off with her free drink and was on her way. And ya know what? I didn't care. Maybe someday she'll pay it forward, but that's not important.

It just feels good to do nice things. That's all. Try it, and see how you feel. Knowing you're a good person doing nice things changes you. You worry less about what other people think of you, and concentrate more on what you think of you. That's what's really important. You, being proud of who you are.

So, have you ever done this before? What other things have you done to pay it forward and make someone's day? I'd love to hear more ideas! Besides, I have a whole 12 months to fill. I need your help!

Something I'm thankful for

Today I thought I'd write about something I'm thankful for. There are really so many things, too many to list here in one day. So, it might turn out that I write something I'm thankful for fairly often. I hope that's ok with you. In fact, I hope it inspires you to write down something you're thankful for, too. :-)

Today, I'm thankful for coffee maker.



I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "What? Her coffee maker? What in the world would make you be thankful for that so much that you'd write it in a blog?!" And maybe you're right.

But I know every morning when I get up, I can make myself the best latte ever, without spending money or driving in my car to get it. It was a Christmas gift from my husband. (For background, he and I decided a loooong time ago to forgo giving each other gifts at Christmas.) He was dubious that I would use it. Boy was he wrong!! I think I've used it every single morning since I got it. Well, except for the 2 weeks I didn't have the filter and had to wait for it to come in the mail. (My husband made coffee while I was gone, and threw away the filter!)

I feel good knowing that I used to spend a pretty penny on Starbucks or Moxie Java or Tulley's (my all-time favorite!) I feel even better knowing I don't have to feel guilty about drinking coffee every day, when I'm still looking for work. (My husband doesn't say anything, but I know some days he's sensitive about money being spent. I would be.) I feel good giving my compost something it loves. (Coffee grounds, people!)

So, for today, I'm so thankful to have such a useful appliance taking up valuable space on my counter.

What are you thankful for?