Till Then Smile Often

Coffee is King – Random Acts of Kindness

I know not everyone is a coffee drinker but if that is the case, switch out the word coffee for another caffeinated beverage of choice.

Now close your eyes and see that beverage in your mind. Can you smell it? Taste it? Does it brighten your day? What about 50 munchkins from Dunkin Donuts?

And we all know I have a sunny personality...this is what makes it possible...

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Well this past weekend I decided my next Act of Kindness for my Be The Change Series was going to be delivering a Box o’ Joe and 50 Munckin Donuts to the local emergency room nurses station. I was shaking like a leaf nervous that their policy or heightened security would lead them to turn me away.

Till Then Smile Often - Random Acts of Kindness - Delivery Coffee to Nurses Station - #BeTheChange2014

I mean you had to buzz the intercom to be let into the Emergency Wing. What was I going to say? I stood their for a minute trying to figure it out. Fortunately all I had to say was Coffee and I was buzzed right in. I may have fumbled the whole spiel about what I was doing and why I did it but the smiles on their faces when they knew I was leaving the coffee was so genuine and heartfelt that I almost cried. Yeah, I may be a little on the sensitive side. There were two nurses at the station and after talking to them for a bit a few came over joking about taking it all.

The thing is, I did want to be a Nurse at one point and I know how important their role is in helping save lives, making people feel less scared, and just plain explaining what is happening. I have landed myself in the Emergency room a time or two and I never really remember the doctors but I always remember the nurses.

So in thanks to all they do everyday to help others I figured they deserved someone to help make their day a little better. Even if it is just with a coffee jolt and a sugar rush!

Till Then Smile Often - Random Acts of Kindness - Delivery Coffee to Nurses Station - #BeTheChange2014
Grab a button if you would like as well to spread the word. The change that we seek in others has to first come from within. This year I hope you decide to Be the Change You Seek.

Till Then Smile Often

 

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Confessions Are Good for the Soul

Well Winter decided to play a trick on us again and drop down into the single digits and dump some more snow on us. I ended up going home early yesterday to deal with oil delivery. I really didn’t get anything done though other than warming up my house. I did finish one knit hat that was requested and then I need to start the second one.    So since I was unproductive I am just going to dump some random confessions on you, since I spent my nightly blogging time shoveling.

* Speaking of snow I hate it. Really the only time I love it is when you are in sweats, curled up on the couch with lots of blankets and hot cocoa. Having to walk in it, drive in it, shovel it just plain stinks.

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* Due to the above, if it wasn’t for my family I would have moved to Texas already. Besides being warmer almost all the time, the people are just so friendly which is like Disneyland to me! This is our forecast for the week. Really?!

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* In college I was cutting a frozen bagel with a butter knife (dishes were dirty) and I sliced my hand between my index and middle finger. I slapped a gauze pad on it and went to class but when it wouldn’t stop bleeding I went to the clinic. I ended up with 4 stitches! Lesson learned!

* I have gotten two emails recently from fellow bloggers that really just warmed my soul. Either asking for help or telling me they liked how positive I am. I really have no desire to be “blog famous” I just really want to add a little light to darker days, share my stories, and help others so it really meant a lot. I like helping people and when I get a change to do that it makes me happy!

* As happy go lucky as I can be, I still am really a grouch until I have had my coffee. Okay maybe not a grouch because i just mumble and won’t talk till it kicks in. Better for everyone involved!

How would you like to be coherent ALL the time. Try Javita "Mind and Energy" - without the caffeine jitters, upset stomach and caffeine crash. HotJavaMama.com Hotjavamama@yahoo.com

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Well that is all my brain can handle at this point. I am still a little frozen.

What are your confessions?

Linking up with Kathy at Vodka and Soda for Humpday Confessions and Liz from Fitness Blondie

The Hump Day Blog Hop

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Fiesta Chicken

You may have heard that Taste of Tuesday is on hiatus, but have no fear I will be still be posting recipes. I have a list a mile long of everything I want to make so consider yourself warned! Haha! In other news we are supposed to get – inches of snow today so I will be keeping this short so I can get some work done and hopefully only work a half day.

Ingredients: 1/2 Cup Chunky Taco Sauce ~ 1/4 Cup Dijon mustard ~ 1 TBSP Hot Sauce ~1 TSP crushed garlic ~ 2 TBSP ~ lime juice ~ 3 Chicken Breasts ~ 2 TBSP Butter or margarine ~ Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional)

Fiesta Chicken

Directions: Combine Taco sauce, hot sauce, mustard, garlic and lime juice in a large bowl. Add chicken, toss to coat. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Remove chicken; reserve marinade. Cook chicken in skillet approximately 10 minutes until brown on both sides.

Fiesta Chicken

Add marinade and cook until chicken is tender; approximately 5 minutes. Remove chicken and boil marinade for 1 minute and pour over chicken. Serve.

Fiesta Chicken

Adapted from Chicken Ole recipe found in Light Cooking Cookbook.

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I May Have a Problem

Is it really Monday? I feel like this weekend flew by. I got a lot done. A little bit of work, a little bit of fun, and a lit bit of housework. So let’s get to it…

Friday: I had 2 days to hurry up and read the Husband’s Secret in order to finish before it was due back at the library but instead I re-designed my blog, duh?! What do you think? I am loving it. It really helped fix some of the issues that I was having with my previous design. I did read a little bit before and after it was done.

book

Saturday: After a few chores in the morning. I got ready for a lunch date with my friend Debi who I used to work with at a past company. A little selfie was necessary. It also started to snow while I was driving to the restaurant. We went to P.F. Chang’s at Legacy Place.  It had been way too long since we saw each other and it was so good to catch up. I was such a bad blogger and didn’t really take many pictures. We split the Chicken lettuce wraps and Crispy Green beans. For our entree we split the Sweet and Sour Chicken with brown rice and for dessert we had the Banana Spring Rolls.

saturday

After talking for like 3 hours it was time to go. Since I was at the shopping plaza I just had to stop in to the Victoria’s Secret store. I mean I really need some new bras and underwear to go with my new clothes and I had a $20 off coupon and they were having a sale. The bra I got was only $14.00 which is unheard of for VS. It really is an addiction and I am putting myself on a freeze with them for at least 6 months. Pinky promise.

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After that I headed home and took Seamus for a walk, then spent the night reading a bit more and then taking a break to watch the movie Prisoners. The ending was not what I thought it would be but it was still a really good movie.

Sunday: I started the morning with some coffee and finished the book around 10 am. After some lunch and some cleaning I headed out to the library to return some books, then I completed my second Random Act of Kindness. It was so amazing and they were really appreciative. I was almost in tears when I got back to my car. I was so nervous too but it was amazing!

RAC

After I left there I went grocery shopping which was a zoo. I even let a guy go ahead of me in line since he only had 1 item so really I did 2 RAC’s in one day! 😉

I got home, put my groceries away and then took Seamus for a walk. I worked on a recipe that I will be sharing tomorrow and watched the Patriots suck wind. I spent the rest of the night vegging out on the couch, watching TV and wasting time on the internet, you know the usual.

What did you do this weekend?

Anyone else a Victoria’s Secret addict like me?

 Linking up with Leeann from Join the Gossip and Belle from Dateless in Dallas

Weekend Recap
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The Weekend is Near

Happy Friday!! This week seemed to fly by but also drag on. I am excited for this weekend since I am getting together with a friend for lunch on Saturday. We used to work together is she is a fellow knitter too. We have lots to catch up on! Well you know the drill, on with my 5 things that I have liked this week.

One. This Parody of Royals is Hilarious – What life is like “after 30”.

Two. I am near to bursting and overwhelmed by all the support for the Be The Change – Random Acts of Kindness project. I am so excited to do the next one. I really hope that it is inspiring some of you to do your own Acts of Kindness. If you do, link-up your story!

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Three. I am really wanting to add some counter space and storage in my kitchen and this just might have to be my next project once No Spend January is over.

Drink station in the kitchen

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Four. The Winner for the 1 Year Blogiversary was posted on the Giveaway but she also confirmed she received the gift card. Thank you to everyone participated. I look forward to what the new year will bring.

winner

Five. These cups are EVERYTHING!! Seriously if my handwriting wasn’t so hideous I would try and DIY this same mug.

Put A Bird On It: West Elm Inspired Sharpie Mugs

Well that is all i have for today. Let’s hope this day passes quickly so I can get back into my jammies! (Yes I said jammies!)

Also don’t forget to enter Helene’s Birthday Giveaway for $205 Paypal Cash here.

 What are you up to this weekend?

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG

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This Movie Is On Me

I am so excited to be getting my Acts of Kindness underway. All of your comments and encouragement last week was so appreciated and really touched my heart. Helping others is really something that I enjoy doing. You may have noticed I added a new page up top that talks a little bit of how this came to be and also the button will be there, in case you want to do a post as well.

So I promise to do better with the photos next time. I forgot tape so I had to get some from their customer service. It was also REALLY hard to take a discreet photo before anyone walked by. So it may not be pretty but the thought is what counts, right?!Work with me people! 😉

Be The Change - Random Acts of Kindness

I used a blank template from here and added my own text. I am still working on getting my template to work but I will provide a link to it once its ready.

Be The Change - Random Acts of Kindness

Be The Change - Random Acts of Kindness

I walked away like a thief in the night. I hope it goes to someone who really enjoyed it, but if not I still really feel good about doing it.

Grab a button if you would like as well to spread the word. The change that we seek in others has to first come from within. This year I hope you decide to Be the Change You Seek.

Till Then Smile Often

 

 

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These Are My Confessions

Is it really Wednesday?! It feels like this week is flying by quickly.  So let’s get right to the confessions…

* Ever since my concussion I have had trouble with balance and Focus T25 really tested it. I looked like I was stumbling out of a bar on New Years Eve. Not pretty! I burned over 500 calories between T25 and P90X3 but hoping to burn more once I get used to some of the moves.

* In High School I was voted Most Likely to Host a Talk Show! Surprising I know. Does a blog count? Gotta have goals! 😉

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I know this is a cringe worthy pic, but it was high school and i loved that skirt

* I still don’t know how to add my posts to Google+, anyone know how? Teach me your ways!! NOTE: I saw a tutorial on Pinterest and now I can’t find it. I think I got it but will wait to see if it works.

* I am a sucker for a good cause! I broke my No Spend January twice so far! Once with a donation to the Young and Brave Foundation and once to the Girl Scouts selling cookies (I left the cookies).

* I haven’t seen a spider in my house in like 2 months, I know it is winter and all but I am getting a little paranoid about the statistic on  how many spiders a person eats in a year! Weird I know, welcome to my brain!

* When I type the word together, I still say it out in my head TO.GET.HER. Thank you 2nd grade teacher for that trick.

* The desire to get another dog is so high I am finding it so hard to resist. I am afraid of how bent out of shape Seamus might get.  I also want to get a bigger yard and house first which might takes a few years but this face……

TRIXIE

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Well that is all I have for now. So excited to share with you tomorrow my first Random Act of Kindness of the year! Also don’t forget to enter Helene’s Birthday Giveaway for $205 Paypal Cash here.

Dateless in Dallas

Linking up with Liz from Fitness Blondie

The Hump Day Blog Hop

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Fruity Protein Smoothie

So who has get healthy on their resolution list? Well let me tell you this smoothie is going to pack a punch. It has some protein in the yogurt, some fruit, and even some fiber to get your body feeling full. This is clean eating at it’s best. With all the fruit you can’t even taste the fiber. Win-win!

Fruity Protein Smoothie

Ingredients: 1 cup Greek Yogurt ~ 1/2 cup frozen raspberries (or strawberries) ~ 1/2 cup Almond Milk or water ~ 1 ripe banana ~ 2 TBSP Honey ~ 1 Kiwi ~ 1 TBSP Coarse Bran (optional)

Fruity Protein Smoothie

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Adapted from the Banana Berry Blend Recipe from the Light Cooking Cookbook

What is your favorite Smoothie recipe?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

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Win $205 PayPal cash- spend it however you please! Plus, since it’s Helene’s birthday she’s also throwing in something extra special- a $20 iTunes Gift card. There will be two winners, one for the cash and one for her birthday gift!
Helene // Kate // Tia // Karly
Holly // Kate  // Melany // Zia
Kerry // Caitlyn // Amanda // Rachel

Plans in Motion

Happy Monday! Aside from not getting nearly enough sleep and no naps it was a really productive weekend. My plan for this weekend was to get a lot of stuff done that I have been putting off due to being really busy the last month and to plan out a few things for this ol’ blog of mine! With one year under my belt there is a lot I have learned and a lot I want to do differently this year. Planning more is on the top of the list.

So this weekend I put together even more recipes that I want to make this year. I worked on thinking up some more Random of Acts of Kindness that I want to do, creating a little note card to be given out while doing the act. Needless to say I was a busy bee and didn’t take a lot of pictures, but here is what I did document and what I was up to.

 weekend

Saturday: I woke up with some new coffee, the Hot Buttered Rum flavor was SO SO DELICIOUS!! I think it may be my new favorite. Then I did some laundry, cleaned both bathrooms, and vacuumed upstairs. With that done I sat down to do some blogging work including catching up on some blog reading and having a quick Google Hangout chat with Stephanie from Not Entirely Perfect, Stacia from The Homey Owl and Betsy from Musings of a Museum Fanatic. It was a lot of fun just getting to chat with them for a bit and Seamus got to see his girlfriend Hawkeye.

I also got T25 in the mail which I am so exciting to be starting today in conjunction with doing P90X3.

After I headed out to Lowe’s to pick up some filters for my humidifier, Brita, and oil furnace. Yes on a Saturday, in my Sweatpants in the middle of the rain.  I was also asked to knit a Mom and Daughter hat so I got started on knitting it up. I had to re-do it twice before noticing there was an error in the pattern and had to fix it. Fun time. Yes I am an old lady!

Sunday:  Seamus woke me up at 5:15 am and even though I tried to fall back asleep on the couch it wasn’t working so I just got up had some coffee and read my book for awhile, then switched to knitting. I made one of my recipes on my handy dandy new list and this smoothie was delish! Recipes is coming! I worked on some more chores around the house, went grocery shopping and more blogging stuff. Seamus also decided to show me just how hungry he was after finishing off his bowl of food. Seriously is he not just adorable!! Melts my heart.

It wasn’t the most thrilling weekends but it felt very productive. I have plans the next two weekends so it was good to feel accomplished!

 How was your weekend?

Linking up with Leeann from Join the Gossip

Weekend Recap

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A little light, a little deep

Happy Friday! We all survived the first full work week of 2014 and managed to live through it!! Woohoo!! I have a lot to get done this weekend and I am going to get a start on my Random Acts of Kindness. So while I finish my to-do list enjoy these 5 things that I am loving this week.

 One. I swear that I haven’t shopped at Victoria’s Secret for over 8 months but then I needed new yoga pants and they were having their Semi-Annual Sale and I caved. Everything was deeply discounted and free shipping. I bought it before No Spend January, and I already put $200.00 in savings this month. I know, I know I am totally justifying it but they are so cute! 🙂

Victorias_Secret

Two. I was originally going to use this slot for a video of a Pomeranian waking his owner by barking and pulling the covers off, because that is how Seamus wakes me up except he licks my face. I couldn’t get the link to work though since it was from Facebook. Then my fabulous friend and sister emailed me this article and I had to share since I started to cry while reading it.  It is Titled”When Happiness Feels Like a Struggle, No Matter What You Do”

My favorite except: “The more you can connect your actions to your values, the more happiness awaits you. Ultimately, you will be connecting with the beautiful being that is you and that connection is what happiness is all about.”

I think this really plays into my post from yesterday. Performing Random Acts of Kindness and helping others is a huge part of who I am at my core and fills my heart up. When I am feeling unhappy it is usually because I am not helping others enough or feeling purposeful. *Sorry for the cheese, but its true!

It is a quick read and totally worth it for a bit of insight. Did I tell you I love Philosophy?

Three. I was so excited to get this email on Wednesday! The first few months of blogging I never thought I would get to 10 followers let alone 500. It is a huge deal for me and I appreciate each and every one of you!

bloglovinFour. This will most likely be my next knitting project for pleasure! Since I will be making hats too for cancer patients and preemies as part of my Acts of Kindness project I am not sure when i will finish but it will be next. Seems much easier than the last one for sure!

Chunky Cable Cowl | Yarn | Free Knitting Patterns | Crochet Patterns | Yarnspirations

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Five. Are you reading The Daily Tay? If not get on it. Girl is fiercely funny, and the next Kristen Wiig. She introduced me to this company called The Doggy Loot on this post. You all know my total obsession love for Seamus and getting him plenty of toys and baking his treats at home. Well they have this for sale:

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I am seriously in love and may go broke on this site. Help me!!

That is all I have for you today! Gotta go tackle a to-do list a mile long!

What are you up to this weekend?

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG

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