Five Smiles for Five Stories

I know I know…it’s been awhile. Sorry.  Lucky for you I have a combination of cute stories for this post!

1.    As some of you may know my family is going through a really crappy time right now, but the positive attitudes that I encounter just kind of make things easier! Several people that I have met or have already known bring up the fact that we are positive and that we just have a good attitude. I mean, I am most always crazy, happy, peppy, positive and I’m one of those people that think that laughter is the best medicine (although sometimes it hurts to laugh if you are the one hurt). Smiling I think helps, too! So being surrounded by a family with a great sense of humor and positive attitudes is just perfect.

haha. I googled "laughter is the best medicine". This was my favorite! I bet you laughed.

2.    I am also the type of person that loves every one and for the most part, sees the positive side of every situation. I don’t really know why, but I do. With that said, I also love food – therefore I love Chikfila! HA! Did you guys know where I was going with that?  I have gay friends. I love them. The end. I don’t need any comments telling me your opinion about Chikfila. Anywho…my sister and I have a tradition to go at least once whenever we are together. It’s just kinda what we do. The last time we were there, wonderful things happened that made my heart all mushy gushy again.

Deliciousness

a.     Of course we went at 1:00, which is prime Chikfila lunch time. It was packed. One mother with a newborn in a car seat, and two other children were sitting in the far corner booth. When it was time for her to leave, the aisles and tables next to her were just filled with people that she couldn’t get out. And she certainly couldn’t lift the car seat over people’s heads. One man sitting with his wife came over, took the car seat, and this sweet act allowed her and her children to wiggle through chairs to leave. So sweet.

b.     Across the way, a boy was walking to the table with his grandmother and she told him to pick a seat. Do you know what he said? This…maybe 6 year old kid? “No no…ladies first!” I mean…really? Adorable.

These pictures are just cracking me up. I googled "grandma grandson" How cute is this! I bet the chikfila grandma and grandson have a picture like this.

3. While my sister was visiting, we climbed the lighthouse. As we were up enjoying the view, a touristy family had just reached the top. There was a mom and a dad and I think three kids. One of the kids said “I’m so glad we didn’t go to Universal!” I looked over and the dad was hiding the biggest smile on his face. That is amazing.  

We.Are.Buddies.

4. My friend Halie is just so wonderful and has been inspiring me in little ways lately. Here's us.

Aren't we cute?

She has made a 25 before 25 list and she needs more views on her blog! Go to it and see her super cute nails, her pictures, her crafts,  her stories, and her goals before she turns 25! GO VISIT HER BLOG HERE!

That's all! I hope you enjoyed these sweet stories!!

Love in a Pizza Place

Jeannine and I went to go see The Vow yesterday. (Very good. I don't think I realized it was a true story till Jeannine said something when we got there. That fact made it even more amazing. And Channing Tatem...no need for more explanation...GO SEE IT!) We bought our tickets before heading over to the pizza place.

After realizing a slight time confusion, we were happy to see we had more time to enjoy the pizza and that we did not have to rush to make it to the movie on time. We walked over to De Leon Pizza. OH SO GOOD.

I've eaten at this restaurant before and it seriously is so delicious. Everyone has always been super friendly in there but last night was just amazing. In the middle of our meal, a homeless man walked in and sat himself at a table. One man sitting with his family immediately got up to bring him a slice of his pizza. That's not all. Another table bought him a soda. Still...not all. The workers there continued to make him the slices of pizza he was describing. Jeannine and I were there for about an hour and almost that entire time they were serving this man. Incredible. Heart warming. Inspiring. I'm not sure if they new him, if this was a routine or what, but I could not believe the beautiful things that were happening.

At another point in our dinner adventure, three policemen walk in and sit themselves at a table. They begin to enjoy their pizza when a little girl walks up to them and says "excuse me..." and proceeds to salute these brave men. Unbelievable. Was this seriously happening all in one night at the same place?

Now that I think about it, there were three other people at that restaurant affiliated with FSDB besides me and Jeannine, and that makes my heart so happy!

That's all.

I love when I get overwhelmed and mushy gushy when I see the love people share with others.

FISH!

Today at work we had FISH training, and wow was it inspiring! We watched a video of Pike's Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington to show how much fun they have at work and how they interact with customers. The group discussed four simple principles to making your day, or someone else's day better. This also included making your work environment enjoyable and a place you WANT to go everyday. I must say that I am a lucky girl because this lady was preaching to the choir. I am very blessed.

Now anyway... what are the four principles you ask?

1. Be There

2. Make Their Day

3. Play

4. Choose your Attitude

The End. That's all. Simple as that.

I'm not going to go in depth and discuss each principle because it is very self explanatory.

I am writing this post about my training because we shared stories to show how Principle 2 makes you feel all mushy gushy inside.

**I shared mine about my parents visit!

**Another coworker shared her story about how she went through a drive through and when she got to the window, her order was already paid for by the car in front of her. She soon realized it was another friend who paid for her meal.

**A friend of mine shared a story about how she was having company one weekend and she was working so much and stressing about the cleanliness of her house. One afternoon, she entered her house and realized it was spotless. Her neighbor, who has a key to her house, came in and made her day.

More inspiring and heartfelt stories were shared and although I do this occasionally, it made me want to do things for people right then and there! I wanted to go to Dunkin Donuts just so I could pay for the car behind me. SOMETHING!

So...do something to make someone's day. It honestly makes you feel great inside and you know you put a smile on someone else's face. If people see your act of kindness, it might inspire them! Pay it forward!

Happiness All Around

Photo Credit: Corey Sawchuk

I was involved in a dance show this past Friday and Saturday. Now, I'm 5 hours from everyone else in my family so I wasn't expecting anyone to show up but I was totally okay with that. I understand our home situation and the distance. To my surprise, my parents made the drive and surprised me on Friday! I cried because I was so happy! I also used to dance with a girl named Anmarie and I call her my Mia Michaels she's THAT special. She texted me and said she wouldn't be able to make the Friday show but she hoped to get there Saturday. Another surprise for me, she was there Friday night! I couldn't believe any of it. I'm glad she and her little one loved it! The baby was kicking her belly when she/he heard the drums from the African dances! Earlier that day on Friday we put on a performance for the staff and students at school. All of my babies and coworkers were allon the balcony waving at me. Then on Saturday I had a whole posse of friends (and my boss) come watch. It was beyond amazing. I realized how blessed I was. Seriously.

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In addition...I wanted to post these song lyrics to one of my favorites.

Imagine there'sno Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm adreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live asone

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Ohhh if everyone could think and act like this song. When I hear this song, I think of hope. I see the beauty of children working together despite their differences every single day. If only we all could have faith like a child.

Do something nice for someone today.

"Ducky Ducky Ducky"

My good friend Kathy told me this story that she experienced first hand. I loved it and now I'm sharing.

She was going through the drivethru for some food and she couldn't move very far forward after getting her food because there were a line of cars in front of her. (The exit back on to the road is straight out of the drivethru) so apparently no one was leaving. None of the cars were honking and everyone was being patient as they gawked out the window and got out of their cars to check to see what's going on. What Kathy saw made my heart so happy. An injured and hobbling duck was being escorted across the road by a college-aged man. Without touching the duck, the guy had his hands out and bent low to make sure it wouldn't get even more injured on the trek home, wherever that may be. That must have been the sweetest thing to watch!

Ducky...for visual affects.

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In other news, my friend Kaley bought some TOMS since I posted the blog on the organization. There's a picture on her own blog! (Check it out here: Kaley's Blog!) She is also the one I am quoting in my blog title. So anyway! That makes 7...SEVEN people who my friends and I have helped. YAY! Let me know if you have gotten TOMS shoes OR glasses and I'll share it here!

Do something nice for someone this week!

Well that's all folks!

TOMS

Blake Mycoskie is an amazing guy who traveled to Argentina in 2006. He saw that the children and people living there were sadly walking around barefoot. He had a genius idea to create the organization TOMS with one goal in mind. It clearly states on the website, "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One." Isn't that amazing?

Here's me in my adorable TOMS!

This is my good friend Jeannine's cute feet and her TOMS!

Here's my sweet friend Christina's TOMS!

My wonderful friend Halie and her TOMS flag and shoes!

Just in the pictures that I have provided we have helped six...SIX children in need. WOOHOO! I also know many other people that have them and I just found out that my friend Kaley's sister is wearing them on her wedding day! This makes me so so happy! What a great organization!!

AND NOW! For the NEW one for one! TA-DA!

See that? (No pun intended). One pair of TOMS glasses equals sight for one person. How is this possible? Through medical treatment, prescription glasses, OR sight-saving surgery. Wow Blake. You sure have a big heart.

So my suggestion for you is to go to www.toms.com and browse through the glasses and take a gander at the shoes. They are super cute and the shoe selection is in abundance, fit for every personality type and age. Blake is giving you an opportunity to help someone in need! What are you waiting for?!

And So It Begins...

I've finally done it! After many months of contemplation, I've done it! Welcome to my blog! The majority of my life is spent at a job where privacy issues are a big deal because I work at a school, so I won't be blogging about life in general. Trust me, I could spend countless hours writing about my adorable little kids, but sorry folks. That's just not going to happen. And let's face it, my life really isn't that exciting. So what's my purpose and aim for this blog? I'm glad you asked.

Purpose (for blog, and in life)

*to spread happiness and good things that are happening all over the world, and in my life

*Get it. Miles of smiles? Genius, I know.

So today's entry will only have two stories. Here goes...

1. I'm going to share something that makes me smile. My amazing family. I have a huge family and the love we have for each other is limitless. On Independence day, I saw one my nieces, the (second to youngest) go up to "GG" (the oldest), climb her wheelchair, just to give her a hug. I wish I took a picture. I can go on and on about my family. They made me who I am today and if you ask me, they did, and are doing, a great job. I can't explain how many stories I've heard and things I've seen about each of my family members going out of their way to help someone. I love it. Here's an adorable picture of my immediate family way back when. Now THIS makes me happy.

2. Now for my own sighting of a selfless act. One of my best friends, Cally and I were grocery shopping in Publix. When we were going down an aisle, we saw an older woman in a motorized scooter who was shopping by herself. She was trying to lean down to pick something off the shelf and after passing her, Cally turned and asked if she needed help. The woman gladly welcomed her offer with a big smile on her face. She may have been dreading this shopping trip or she may have had a horrible day that she was beyond thankful for this little bit of help. On the other hand, maybe not. But Cally did something selfless (which isn't uncommon if you know her), and she put a smile on someone else's face. That's pretty awesome. Here's Cally. Smiling's her favorite.

Okay. This is where I take a bow and congratulate myself on actually starting this thing. Woo! More great stories to come!

*Be The Change You Wish to See in the World* - Gandhi