are you nice?

I just found another blog: Operation Nice It's such an inspiring place to visit. Lots of stories about people being just that, Nice! If you support this idea, you can get a nifty button for your blog like the new one I have over there on the left. Just click on it and it will take you to the site.

I thought I would share a little story about a random act of niceness of which I was the recipient.

It was the Christmas of 2004, my husband and I had gotten married the spring of that year and he had left for Iraq 3 months later. It was kind of a bummer (understatement) to be apart our first Christmas as married folk. I was doing some Christmas shopping and having lunch with a friend at a nearby outlet mall. We were driving around the parking looking for a parking space (did I mention it was Christmas time?). I came upon one that was right next to the sidewalk, but not anywhere near where I needed to be. A guy in a VW drove up from another side and I waved him in so he could have the spot.

Guy (waving at me): Hey, Thanks a lot!
Me (driving a VW too): No problem, we VW drivers have to look out for each other!

And on I went. I found a spot and went in to a little place to have lunch. When I came out to get in my car there was something on the windshield. I was worried it was a parking ticket. But when I took the paper off and looked at it, I saw is was a Starbuck's gift card with a note that said, "Thanks for the parking space. Merry Christmas!" Can you believe it!? How NICE was that guy? He must have walked around until he found my car just to put that card on it. He had no idea I was perpetually sad and missing my husband, but he really made my day.

I kept that card to remind me. I'd almost forgotten about that story until I happened upon this blog today. Do you have a NICE story? Let's hear it!

blog finds

I want to make THESE. (cute storage?! what a concept!)

And win these. (amy butler + baby + pj's = all my favorite things.)

From two new blogs I discovered today. If I would spend as much time creating as I do blogging/bloghopping maybe my project list wouldn't be so long.

At least I got the grocery shopping done and stowed away.

things that are making me smile today

1. My friend, Vanessa, of cupcake lore and fame, is doing her very first GIVEAWAY! She's seriously talented and you will love the little necklace she's made!

2. Alison calling to me in her sweet little 2 year old voice, "Momma, this is FUNNY!" while she watches Sesame Street.

3. This cover of Hallelujah. A great song, and you know you have a secret crush on him too! (especially since he cut his 80s hair!)


4. And this song, You Raise Me Up. It's one of the most covered songs in history. There's a reason why. I'll spare you my philosophical ramblings, but I think it appeals to people in so many ways. It can be about God, family, friends, loves, whoever you want. I chose this version because really, I didn't know Ireland had a 'boy band' and pardon those of you (click and scroll down to the concert pics) who love our boy bands, but I think the UK beats us every time they do something we do. (IE. soccer (becks), BBC Jane Austen movies, Actors - Christian Bale, Orlando Bloom, Colin Firth, etc.) I've become a brit-ophile, but that's a post for another day . . .

clarify, please

When your neighbor asks, a little hesitantly, if you want a yellow squash, be sure to see it before you say, "Yes!"

that's right!

I was at a wedding in California! It was the antithesis of the road trip I took with my kids. I went WITHOUT them. Woah! I kept thinking I'd forgotten something. I told my husband that on the phone while I was gone, and he said "yes, you did. And his name is Andrew."

That last top ten list was fun, so I thought I would do another one. This time:

The Top 10 Things I learned Going On a Trip Without My Kids

10. The preparation and anticipation of being away from the kids is MUCH worse than the actual being gone.

9. Getting up at 3 AM to catch an EARLY flight is worth it when you have a whole row to yourself.

8. Being gone is sufficient motivation for your 7 month old to start saying 'Momma'. But only in a complaining way. (It's still super-cute though!)

7. Not having to tell anyone what to do, or answer any repetitive questions for nearly 3 days is restful all on it's own.

6. Having GPS navigation in a rental car in an unfamiliar area is GENIUS.

5. Crocheting and reading are really fun when you aren't interrupted every ten seconds.

4. Being gone gives Daddy a great opportunity to bond with the kids without me overseeing every little thing.

3. Being gone gives Daddy a whole new appreciation for what my day-to-day is really like (he even said so himself - "They are really time-consuming!" and "These guys are a lot of work." As if I were sitting around all day doing nothing. Pshaw!)

2. I felt the need to let anyone know who would listen that I had two small children - I felt like a fraud running about without them. They are so much of who I am right now.

1. The three faces at home were the best thing to see after an exhausting, but fun, weekend away.


Congratulations and Best Wishes to my dear friend Carolee who was married on Saturday. She was radiant, he was beaming, all is right in the world. I am so happy for them, so happy they are so obviously in love and right for each other. Thanks for letting me be a part of such an incredible day!

Beautiful Bride

A Sparkling Send-off

The Giddy Couple

Great Friends
(p.s. yes that is my new haircut - but I wasn't really happy with it in the dry CA heat - it didn't work like it does here in humidity central.)


Airplane Activities

on the road again!

Can you guess where I am?

spreading the love (or another giveaway)

I love all the new friends I have made in my newfound blogging community! One such friend, Karen, of Lulufish makes me smile everyday. And she's having a giveaway! She makes homemade bath products and they sound delectable.

Go check her out - if you want to enter the giveaway, or just have a laugh, you won't be disappointed!

Thanks Karen, for brightening my day!