#9: the neighborhood shoveling war is on

Earlier I wrote about a neighbor who is relentless at being a "Good Samaritan," and this winter has provided many snow-shoveling opportunities to do just that.

Well, I have taken it upon myself to start being one-upping that good neighbor, in a good way of course.  In a sense, I am going to beat him at his own game...of kindness and service.  See this is a good little holy war.

My time has come--and this week, so did the snow.

Wahoo!

In an effort to show E just how much fun shoveling is and how good it can feel to help a neighbor, I bundled him up tight and took him out into the cold for some good, old-fashioned physical labor!

The two of us managed to finish up one woman's driveway and our own before the wind really kicked in and the next-door neighbor's miniature-and-really-mean dog came after E.  Oh, I got to comfort my baby with some cuddles and then show my alpha-female side to the dog.  The intimidation worked, but looking back, I wish I would have just petted (Is that the right word? Oh, yeah--I just looked it up.  It just didn't sound quite right!)  the little rascal to teach E that he wasn't so mean after all.

Well, here are a few pictures from the chilly lesson!

#8: tipping

Dane worked for local appliance store as a delivery man for about two weeks around the beginning of our marriage.  Those guys have to work H-A-R-D!

And Dane said that people don't really tip them...hardly ever.

That is S-A-D!

So, I made sure I tipped them.  It wasn't too much, but I wanted them to know that I appreciated their time and back-breaking labor.

Well, earlier this week we got a new sofa and love seat. (Our sectional is way, way, way too big for any room in the house--a downsizing seemed necessary.)
 
Anyway, I had to make sure I prepared a tip.

That can be difficult when you don't tend to carry cash.

So I gathered up cash and change to make sure they got a little something.

I felt silly--really silly, but I still handed them the envelope.

I could tell the two men were exhausted after hauling that stuff up our stairs.  I was grateful they did that, so I didn't have to.

I do hope more people tip them.

Don't we all feel good when we tip?!

#7: a note from a princess

Getting to volunteer with Make-A-Wish has been one of the greatest opportunities I could ever imagine!  It has been such a blessing to work with wonderful people and meet inspiring children and families from all over Idaho.  I could talk for days about how much this organization means to me (but I won't right now--I will spare you for today at least).

If you are looking for an organization that puts meaning into your life and gives you an opportunity to see blessings in action, oh, pick Make-A-Wish!  I just love it, if you can't tell!  It is a great cause worth your donations of money or time!

I will just stick a little link here to encourage you to learn more:  http://www.wish.org.  Yeah, just take a quick peek!  It will only take a second! Oh, and here is a logo too--I want to draw a little attention to this post!

Well, one of my little wish gals wanted to meet her favorite princess, and she was able to go to Disney World with her family recently.  It was a blast to be a part of this wish, and I had to write a little note to her from a princess before she left for Florida.  It was so much fun.

Arts and crafts time is much more...well...interesting with a little one helping out.  I had to keep a close eye on my partner, who was manning the buttons--didn't want a "missing" one to end up in his mouth.  Whew, the thought of that just stresses me right out!

Anyway, here are some pictures from our crafty afternoon.

*special note: I am not a crafty blogger, so please withhold all judgment of Cinderella's card!

#6: the day of a thousand kisses

I think showing affection is important, whether that is through gifts, time, words of affirmation, etc. (gotta love me some Love Languages).

My love language is most definitely words of affirmation--I think that will probably show through posts throughout the year.  A little note or card or compliment goes a long way for me.

But that isn't the same for everyone.  My husband, he is definitely a time person.  A past coworker was a total gift giver (and so thoughtful about it too).  It is a challenge for me to learn to serve others beyond my own lens of love.  See, I am going to learn so much this year.  I can just write 2013 notes to people (though that would be my favorite thing to do).

I am good about giving physical affection to my little baby man though.  Lots of words of affirmation, mind you, but lots and lots and lots of hugs and kisses.

One particular Sunday I really couldn't stop giving him kisses.  He tried to wiggle his way out of some, but I just couldn't help it.  It was probably a bit ridiculous and a little annoying, but I didn't care because I was loving my baby!

*Side note:I have heard other moms talk about loving their kids so much they could just eat them.  Yeah, I thought that was weird to say, until I saw my little one's cheeks.  Seriously....it all made perfect sense then.

Little E was like a perfect little dessert---ALL DAY LONG!

So, I dubbed that day "The Day of A Thousand Kisses."

It sounds cheesy, but it was perfect and beautiful and annoying and slobbery all at the same time.

filling in the blanks

I think it can be difficult to share important things with other people.  I have about 8,521 goals for 2013, and I haven't told a soul about any of my goals.

WHY?

I think I am SCARED!  Scared that someone might laugh, that someone might tell me that I can't do it.  Scared that maybe I won't do it, that I shot too high, that I wasn't capable of making it.

Ooh, just thinking about it makes me jump straight into fetal position emotionally.

Maybe that's why I haven't told anyone about this blog.

I only have 5 acts of service posted.  It doesn't yet look like I could come close to making it.  Even I can see that.  The idea is huge and could seem outlandish to some. And let's not forget about the appearance --the blog looks ugly--like a joke.

I just don't think people will respond well right now.

People will think that I am _________________.
A. Crazy
B. Lazy
C. Conceited
D. Sharing something way too personal online
E. Overly optimistic and unrealistic
F. Trying to fake perfect
G.  All of the above plus more

I think what scares me most is that I want this blog to impact me, my family, my friends--because it makes me a better person; however, I also want a few people to read this and to get inspired.  I want to help change the lives of people around me.

Maybe other people don't have to join in on this crazy little journey and doing a couple thousand good deeds, but maybe they will want to do something (a single thing after reading) for someone else.  That would be wonderful!

See, now that makes my heart start to flutter a little bit.

And right now, right now I have COURAGE.  And perhaps a little FIRE and HOPE and DESIRE and FAITH mixed in there too.

That is why I wrote today.  I quit letting the looks of this blog get me down--and I started filling it with a little SPIRIT and SPUNK.

Instead of letting the FEAR take a hold of me tonight, encouraging me to put everything off yet again, I chose to let in some LIGHT.

Oh, and it feels BRIGHT right now.

Maybe I won't tell anyone about the blog until I have at least 100 acts of service done.  Yeah, that's when I will share this with others.

100 acts.

But at least I wrote....and served....and will be back tomorrow.

Time to get the ball rolling--time for some SUNSHINE!

 beautiful image found here

#5: pedestrian crossing

This blog is simply a humble attempt at changing my perspective on life by choosing to serve more.  I have a lot of faith that this little process (well, it doesn't seem so little when I have 2008 acts of service yet to document) will work.

Oh, please, please let it work.

My little heart could use the help!

Anyway, even though this is a feeble, shy attempt at change, I am going to take a moment to brag.  I have been taught that I shouldn't brag, so this goes against my upbringing and values--

but

here

it

goes.

I consider myself one great pedestrian.  After having had close to 10 years of experience enrolled/working on a college campus, I have used my fair share of crosswalks.  And I am gooooooood!

I am quick.  I am friendly.  I wave. I wait until a car has slowed or is already stopped. I sometimes allow cars to cross if they have been waiting forever.  I am conscientious.

I was even complimented by a community member on how excellent my skills were.  It was such a proud moment.  I have a little perma-grin just thinking of that.

Anyway, now to the main post.

I generally love letting people cross, unless I have two minutes to get to class, and every student/student's mother/student's pet decides to use all of the crosswalks.  Then my parasympathetic responses kick in, and I feel like I am going to abandon my car and just run to class.  So much stress.

So, that is why it is nice to arrive to campus early (just what I did).  And to my pleasant surprise, I had ample time to let many students cross, and I happily waited for several who were almost-but-not-quite-to-the-curb.  You know the students I am talking about!

I know this may not seem like true service to some, but I really think that the small things count for me. This was one of those moments where I could slow down mentally and just let time--and people--pass.  It was wonderful!

#4: holding it

My heavens, I have been working on getting this little blog in some better shape.  It looks a little sad and shabby.  I could really use some design lessons right about now; however, instead of continued complaints, I am just going to start writing.  I have quite a few little acts of service that need to get written down, so I should just be grateful that I have somewhere to post.

I attend classes on the 6th floor of a building on campus.  I like to take the stairs, but because a counseling clinic is on the floor, the doors to the stairwell remain locked from the outside.  (Okay, so maybe I wouldn't always take the stairs--I was trying to sound so health-conscious that I am worried I was only partly truthful....and come to think of it, lately I have been taking the elevator down instead of the usual stairs---I see a health behavior to change).

AAAANNYYWAY...

So, I take the elevator.  Also, it is good to note that I typically get to the elevator with about 60 seconds to make it to class.  Sometimes the elevator obeys and comes quickly, and sometimes it refuses to come for a good 30-90 seconds.  So, when someone holds that stainless steel door for me as I rush into the building, I can't help but feel grateful.

So, that it just what I did.

I saw Jeff, one of the smartest guys around, on the stairs outside of the building.  Awkwardly, I stopped the door from closing and kept it open for a solid 20 seconds.  Don't mind me--just doing a good deed.  I am sure he probably thought that it was unnecessary (I held it for the same amount of time it would probably take for the other elevator door to open), but hey--this girl has her heart to change and her life to better.

And, you know what, we might/might not have had an awkward elevator conversation (why are almost all conversations so awkward here--maybe the small size--I don't know), but I know that I felt warm and fuzzy inside--and that is what counts!

#3: a Facebook call to action

For 2013 I am trying to be more of a doer, not just an offerer. 

I am a professional offerer--but I need to take a bit more action.

This year is all about ACTION!

Give me an A....Give me a C....Give me a T.... Give me an I....  Give me an O.... Give me an N....

{Cue Jock Jams right now--shout out to 1998}

Action, Action, we want Action!

{Insert toe touch here}

Maybe I should just make a video--ugh, maybe I will just type here in my sweats--yeah, I will just sit and type.

Anyway, I noticed a call for HELP on Facebook earlier this year.  Someone I knew a little bit needed a ride from the shuttle drop off at the gas station to her home.  Two minutes after her post, I put myself out there with a little offer.  Now, I didn't know this gal too well, but I took comfort knowing that one time she did offer to help me plan a Europe trip (she is a pro traveler, and I am a pro at driving around SE Idaho---time to get out).

So, I got a good taste of serving someone that I might only know a little bit!

It is easy to serve our family and close friends, but it can be a little scary to serve those we only know a little bit!

#2: keeping my cool

Being at home a lot with a super-busy working husband = chores.

Hmmm...I don't like the sound of that too much.  However, I have really started to take pride in my home because I guess that is what home ownership does to us.

You can't have nice things unless you take care of them.

I know, I know....

So, I have jumped on board with the organizing/clean stuff.  I used to keep a fairly clean home, but thanks to Martha Stewart, I am really going to have a clean home.

Well, part of cleaning each day is doing the dishes.

I think that doing the dishes is the one chore I really hate.  Truly--as soon as the sink is completely cleared, more dishes end up in there--magically, perhaps.  I just know I didn't put them there.

My first instinct is to be a little frustrated, but then I remember that this is 2013, my magical year, and I smile as I wipe off another plate and put it in the dishwasher (thank heaves for that appliance).

We are blessed here in 2013!

And I smile.

And I know that I am serving my family...and that ghost who keeps putting dirty dishes into the sink and leaving them there.

#1: leftovers

Every time I visit my parents (who only live 1 hour away), I make sure to go with an empty stomach.  They seriously have every treat known to man.  I become my sneakiest self when I am there, hoarding fruit snacks in my pocket, quietly opening the candy cabinet, searching the hidden "sweets" stashes for a loose chocolate bar.  It is ridiculous, I know--and I am 28 years old.

When I was in college, I would do the same thing, and my behaviors gave my parents great concern.  They honestly thought that I was starving myself while at school and openly bingeing when I came home some weekends.  Back then I was fairly skinny, so they watched me like a hawk when I was home.

Here was/is my problem:  I don't keep sweets in my home.  Dane knows that if we get a box of sugar cereal, it is usually gone within 24 hours.  A king-sized Symphony bar--only 2 hours max.  When we make cookies for the neighbors, we together (mostly me) will eat the batch in less than 24 hours generally. We (okay, I) have a problem. And that is why sweets cannot be found where I live.

So, that is why I go nuts at my parents' house--and every time I go I know that deep-down they are just cringing, knowing that every cheese stick, every potato chip, every snack cake is a temptation for me and will possibly get consumed!

Anyway, I love eating at their house--I think that was the point I was trying to make with the last 3 paragraphs--whew, sorry about that.  (My Honors English teacher in high school told me that I needed to be more concise with my writing.  Mrs. Bybee would die if she read this.  So sorry!)

A couple of weeks ago my parents came to our town in search of the perfect recliner.  Of course, I was happy to host--and I decided to make a delicious soup for our dinner (instead of eating out--I am on a spending fast right now--more about that some other time).  I had planned to have it ready to go before they arrived.  That never happened, but my mom and I really cooked together (and I can't recall the last time that happened). It was really fun!

Best part of the day--getting to send leftovers home with my parents.  We made a TON of soup because I couldn't help myself with the vegetables.

So, my first recorded service of 2013--send home leftovers.  I always come back from my parents' home with something.  It is about time that they head back home with something too!

you only get what you give

To quote one of my favorite songs growing up: "You only get what you give."  Thank you, New Radicals, for sharing that fabulous little one-liner with me (and the rest of the world, of course).

I am so ready for 2013--ready for change and growth and all of that good stuff. So, I decided to create a bliggety-blog to document these efforts.  Change is tough--right--and we all know that hardly any of us will stick to our resolutions for 2013, but dang it, I am going to be one of the finishers.  I made about 312,000 resolutions, which I know is not smart, but I am setting out to accomplish a few at least.  Even if I only completed 3 of my target items, I will be one happy lady (and will have done better than my last 26 tries).  

Here is my biggie--I want to learn to serve more--and to accept service better.  (Just like the song--I really want to be able to do both.)

Here is an example from the first 13 days of 2013:  Dane and I recently purchased a house.  With home ownership in Idaho there will inevitably be some snow-shoveling responsibilities.  Well, it took us a couple of solid snowfalls to break down and purchase a shovel.  Oh, but you had better believe that the man across the street had our sidewalks and driveway under control for both of those storms.  Bless his heart. 

Instead of feeling grateful as he took 3.7 seconds to knock it out with the snowblower, I crunched down low both times to remain unseen and tried to find out who was doing this for us.  I was embarrassed--convinced that he was doing this because we were the "bad" neighbors--oh, and he already thought we would be the one house on the block this upcoming summer with long, yellow grass too.  I should have just been grateful that someone would take the time to serve me, Dane, and our little man.

Another night came, and I heard the snowblower turn on as I was taking out some garbage.  As snow was falling, he worked to spruce up his perfectly maintained driveway and walkways.  I couldn't sneak away and knew that he saw me, so I waved and stumbled to the garage to grab our own shovel.  There was no way I was going to let this guy do it again.  No way!  I was in charge of my home, and I needed to show that I was capable of maintaining it too.  So, in spite of my personal commitment to only shovel when the snow has stopped, I worked away.  About half-way through, I looked and beheld him heading over to finish the rest of the task for me.  I smiled and gave an ashamed-but-kind-of-grateful thanks, barely audible over the sound of that snowblower. Then I hustled inside to tell Dane that we had to rally and do something!

So, I called upon another act of service from someone--the jar of cookie mix I had received from a friend's mother for Christmas.  Chocolate chip cookies.  The answer was simple.  Oh, but it was never meant to be, and those poor cookies became a gooey mess.  (Note: don't ever add milk if the dough is in need of a bit more liquid--I prefer to learn my cooking lessons the hard way.)

Oh, but Dane had the best plan of all!  We woke up early last Friday to a phone call from a fellow teacher telling Dane that school would be canceled.  A snow day--I felt like a child, so very excited!  Eek, just thinking about it right now gets my heart racing a bit!  Well, after the 6:15 phone call, we couldn't get back to sleep.  I decided to ride the exercise bike, and Dane went outside to shovel the driveway (even though it was snowing).  Remember, we had to beat our neighbor to it.  Dane spent 1.5 hours shoveling for us and two neighbors.  Super neighbor extraordinaire told Dane thanks, and we both felt pretty good.  (Dane did the hard work though.)

So, this battle of kindnesses has just begun.  Are you in with me?  I am going to now share the main purpose of this blog--I am going to do 2,013 acts of service in 2013.  Crazy?  I think I am.  However, I really wanted 2013 to be a year where my life was completely changed.  And this is a great way to do it!  

Please come along with me.  Let's all change our lives together.  It is going to be hard, oh, but when we taste those rewards along the way and at the end, it is going to be just splendid.