Here I am again with an update on my goal for the year. My monthly Random Acts of Kindness.
As I said in my January post, it's pretty easy to reach a goal of one random act of kindness a month. Especially if you look at all of the little things that you do. This is a summary of some of the kind things that I have done this month.
Donating needed items to the homeless shelter
Greeting people on the paths during my walks
Donated clothing to family (lost everything in tornado)
Running errands for sick neighbor
Donating items needed at the Humane Society
How did your list for Random Acts of Kindness look this month?
Looking for ideas for Random Acts of Kindness? Check out this post here.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Freezing Fruit
I just discovered freezing bananas. Yea, it's probably been around for a real long time and yet I'm just figuring all of this out. Scary, I know.
When the bananas start to turn brown, my family thinks that they can no longer be eaten. This, of course, makes the bananas turn darker brown and eventually to the point of no return. In the meantime, I am trying to cut the bananas up and force feed them to the kids. I end up trying to eat as many bananas as I can before they go bad and end up sick of bananas. And then I get asked, "When are you going to buy some bananas?"
So, enter the "big freeze." < Well, that's what I'm calling it.
When fruit has hit it's peak and it doesn't look like it will be eaten in time, I freeze it. I just take the fruit and put it on a cookie sheet and pop it into the freezer for 30-60 minutes, then transfer frozen fruit to a container (or plastic storage bag) and pop the container back into the freezer. This is great if you get fruit on sale (this is the season to stock up) and especially if you like to make smoothies. This works on all fruit, not just bananas.
It's good that I have inherited my mother's love of freezing everything. (yes....EVERYTHING!) We would see something that she just bought or made that day in the freezer that evening. Cookies were her favorite. Not only were they hard as rocks when they were freshly made, she would then pop them into the freezer. You would have to thaw them out before you ate them. You had to be careful not to chip a tooth because, even after they were thawed out, they were still hard as a rock. (love you, Mom!)
Do you have any fruit or freezer tips to share?
When the bananas start to turn brown, my family thinks that they can no longer be eaten. This, of course, makes the bananas turn darker brown and eventually to the point of no return. In the meantime, I am trying to cut the bananas up and force feed them to the kids. I end up trying to eat as many bananas as I can before they go bad and end up sick of bananas. And then I get asked, "When are you going to buy some bananas?"
So, enter the "big freeze." < Well, that's what I'm calling it.
When fruit has hit it's peak and it doesn't look like it will be eaten in time, I freeze it. I just take the fruit and put it on a cookie sheet and pop it into the freezer for 30-60 minutes, then transfer frozen fruit to a container (or plastic storage bag) and pop the container back into the freezer. This is great if you get fruit on sale (this is the season to stock up) and especially if you like to make smoothies. This works on all fruit, not just bananas.
It's good that I have inherited my mother's love of freezing everything. (yes....EVERYTHING!) We would see something that she just bought or made that day in the freezer that evening. Cookies were her favorite. Not only were they hard as rocks when they were freshly made, she would then pop them into the freezer. You would have to thaw them out before you ate them. You had to be careful not to chip a tooth because, even after they were thawed out, they were still hard as a rock. (love you, Mom!)
Do you have any fruit or freezer tips to share?
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
The Shorts
Many, many years ago, I believe it was Spring and our first year of marriage, RT decided to cut a pair of his sweatpants and make them into a pair of shorts. He didn't measure when he cut them or even try to make sure that both legs were even. So, one leg's side is longer than the other and they are not even (front to back of leg). Oh, and there usually are a few strings hanging. I figured "the shorts" would last the season and then be tossed in the garbage.
Twenty one years later and they are STILL around.........
You're probably wondering why I'm writing about my husband's fashion choices. Well, these shorts have become rather "famous."
A few years ago, my brother mentioned that RT was wearing some shorts while they were in Colorado. I said, "Were they the cut off sweat shorts?" He said, "Yea, how did you know?" I explained the history of "the shorts" and we both laughed that they are still around.
Recently we had a couple of "incidents" regarding "the shorts." I told Alex that RT would drive him to basketball practice.
Alex: Does he have to?
Me: What do you mean does he have to?
Alex: Well, he wears these shorts...
Me: The bad cut off sweat shorts?
Alex: Yea, those. It's kind of embarrassing.
Me: Well, at least he doesn't get out of the car.
One day, RT was supposed to take Bella somewhere. She said, " I hope he doesn't wear those shorts!" I joked that maybe "he can wear those and walk her down the aisle when she gets married." I got a dirty look and a "he better not!"
RT said he didn't realize there was so much controversy regarding his shorts. He even contemplated getting rid of them. I had to inform him that "the shorts" are now an historic landmark and that they can not be thrown away, especially now that I am telling everyone about them. I'm sure they will become a tourist attraction. People will be heading this way on spring break just to see "the shorts." They'll be a big hit. Tickets to see "the shorts" will be sold in advance. There will be scalpers trying to sell off extra tickets. Long lines. Maybe an amusement park. A theater. Hotels. Restaurants. A mall.
Of course, once the fame dies down...years and years from now, I'm thinking that when he dies, he should be buried wearing them.
Don't worry. There will be an exact replica in the museum.
Twenty one years later and they are STILL around.........
You're probably wondering why I'm writing about my husband's fashion choices. Well, these shorts have become rather "famous."
A few years ago, my brother mentioned that RT was wearing some shorts while they were in Colorado. I said, "Were they the cut off sweat shorts?" He said, "Yea, how did you know?" I explained the history of "the shorts" and we both laughed that they are still around.
Recently we had a couple of "incidents" regarding "the shorts." I told Alex that RT would drive him to basketball practice.
Alex: Does he have to?
Me: What do you mean does he have to?
Alex: Well, he wears these shorts...
Me: The bad cut off sweat shorts?
Alex: Yea, those. It's kind of embarrassing.
Me: Well, at least he doesn't get out of the car.
One day, RT was supposed to take Bella somewhere. She said, " I hope he doesn't wear those shorts!" I joked that maybe "he can wear those and walk her down the aisle when she gets married." I got a dirty look and a "he better not!"
RT said he didn't realize there was so much controversy regarding his shorts. He even contemplated getting rid of them. I had to inform him that "the shorts" are now an historic landmark and that they can not be thrown away, especially now that I am telling everyone about them. I'm sure they will become a tourist attraction. People will be heading this way on spring break just to see "the shorts." They'll be a big hit. Tickets to see "the shorts" will be sold in advance. There will be scalpers trying to sell off extra tickets. Long lines. Maybe an amusement park. A theater. Hotels. Restaurants. A mall.
Of course, once the fame dies down...years and years from now, I'm thinking that when he dies, he should be buried wearing them.
Don't worry. There will be an exact replica in the museum.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Happy Birthday, Newton!
Bridging to Juniors (Girl Scouts)
The following is what we did for our Fly Up to Juniors Ceremony. The ideas here have been taken from other sources online and from Girl Scouts. My co-leader and I put some of the ideas together and this is what we came up with for our ceremony.
We had an actual bridge that we used. It was at the park about a block from our meeting site. If you don't have a bridge, you can tape balloons (green and white for junior colors or a rainbow of colors) in two rows on the ground and create a path (or pretend bridge) that the girls can walk across. When we bridged to Brownies, it rained that day, so we taped ribbon (that had flowers attached to it) to the floor and used that as our pretend bridge.
We thanked the parents for coming. We also thanked them for all the help during the year (especially our cookie mom!).
We started off with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The girls read a poem titled: Take My Hand in Friendship*
Take my hand in friendship
I give to you this day
Remember all the good times
We had along the way.
Take my hand in helping
Other people that we know
The more we give to others,
The more we will grow.
Take my hand in learning
To play on nature's ground
Enjoying trails and campfires
With new friends that we have found.
Take my hand in giving
Our knowledge of true Girl Scouts
To girls we meet and talk to
Who might have some doubts.
Take my hand in thanking
Our parents and our guides
With sincere appreciation
For standing by our side.
Take my hand in eagerness
To be an older Girl Scout
We're proud to be a fly-up
It's what we're going to shout.
So, take my hand to follow
New Girl Scouting paths in sight.
We'll join hands with each other
And in friendship we'll unite.
We give our thanks in promise
To hold our country dear,
And follow the Girl Scout Law
Each day throughout the year.
And now we'll say the Girl Scout Promise
With so much love and cheer!
All Girls:
On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
*we divided the poem up so each girl was able to say two lines (we have 17 girls in our troop)
Each girl had a letter and when she was done reading her part (of the poem) she held up her letter. When all was done, the letters spelled up, "Flying up to Juniors." (again, it worked out because we had seventeen girls...you can also spell out, "Bridging to Juniors")
We brought the girls to one side of the bridge, and then, one by one, the girl walked to the center of the bridge and she said her name and what her favorite memory is from Brownies.
When the last girl finished, we walked them back on the bridge (for a photo op) and introduced our new Junior Girl Scout Troop # _____.
Our girls did it! We successfully finished two years of Brownies and have now bridged to Juniors!
We had an actual bridge that we used. It was at the park about a block from our meeting site. If you don't have a bridge, you can tape balloons (green and white for junior colors or a rainbow of colors) in two rows on the ground and create a path (or pretend bridge) that the girls can walk across. When we bridged to Brownies, it rained that day, so we taped ribbon (that had flowers attached to it) to the floor and used that as our pretend bridge.
Hard to see, but, they are each holding up a letter that spells, "Flying up to Juniors"
We thanked the parents for coming. We also thanked them for all the help during the year (especially our cookie mom!).
We started off with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The girls read a poem titled: Take My Hand in Friendship*
Take my hand in friendship
I give to you this day
Remember all the good times
We had along the way.
Take my hand in helping
Other people that we know
The more we give to others,
The more we will grow.
Take my hand in learning
To play on nature's ground
Enjoying trails and campfires
With new friends that we have found.
Take my hand in giving
Our knowledge of true Girl Scouts
To girls we meet and talk to
Who might have some doubts.
Take my hand in thanking
Our parents and our guides
With sincere appreciation
For standing by our side.
Take my hand in eagerness
To be an older Girl Scout
We're proud to be a fly-up
It's what we're going to shout.
So, take my hand to follow
New Girl Scouting paths in sight.
We'll join hands with each other
And in friendship we'll unite.
We give our thanks in promise
To hold our country dear,
And follow the Girl Scout Law
Each day throughout the year.
And now we'll say the Girl Scout Promise
With so much love and cheer!
All Girls:
On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
*we divided the poem up so each girl was able to say two lines (we have 17 girls in our troop)
Each girl had a letter and when she was done reading her part (of the poem) she held up her letter. When all was done, the letters spelled up, "Flying up to Juniors." (again, it worked out because we had seventeen girls...you can also spell out, "Bridging to Juniors")
We brought the girls to one side of the bridge, and then, one by one, the girl walked to the center of the bridge and she said her name and what her favorite memory is from Brownies.
I like the last line.....
She then came to the other side of the bridge and we handed her her wings and rainbow bridge patch.
Junior mints attached to wings and bridge patch
When the last girl finished, we walked them back on the bridge (for a photo op) and introduced our new Junior Girl Scout Troop # _____.
Our girls did it! We successfully finished two years of Brownies and have now bridged to Juniors!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Help Wanted: Dishwasher
I think I hand wash dishes at least five times a day.
The sink is always full of dirty dishes. I wash the dishes, leave the kitchen, return a half hour later to a sink that is full once again with dirty dishes.
I think my kids must be allergic to the water and dish soap that is needed to wash dishes. They also have a hard time with the "rinse your plate/cup and put it in the dishwasher." I know. It seems like an easy task, but, to them it's pure torture. Oh, yea, and it's too much to do and will ruin their summer vacation.
In the meantime, my summer (just like my fall, winter and spring) has been spent washing dishes.
The sink is always full of dirty dishes. I wash the dishes, leave the kitchen, return a half hour later to a sink that is full once again with dirty dishes.
I don't think RT believed me when I told him. When I returned from Girl Scout camp, he told me all he did while I was gone was wash dishes. (I was gone 24 hours)
I think my kids must be allergic to the water and dish soap that is needed to wash dishes. They also have a hard time with the "rinse your plate/cup and put it in the dishwasher." I know. It seems like an easy task, but, to them it's pure torture. Oh, yea, and it's too much to do and will ruin their summer vacation.
In the meantime, my summer (just like my fall, winter and spring) has been spent washing dishes.
I think something has to change. And soon.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Random Acts of Kindness - Returned
I talk a bit about doing Random Acts of Kindness every once in awhile.
"A cup of kindness goes a long way..."
I was standing in line with one or two items and the person in front of me told me to go ahead of them (this happened a couple of times in the last week). One lady said, as I accepted and thanked her, "You're supposed to do something nice for someone every day."
A Random Act of Kindness.
What kind act have you done today?
"A cup of kindness goes a long way..."
I was standing in line with one or two items and the person in front of me told me to go ahead of them (this happened a couple of times in the last week). One lady said, as I accepted and thanked her, "You're supposed to do something nice for someone every day."
A Random Act of Kindness.
What kind act have you done today?
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Toilet Paper Trees
Woke up to this
Lived here for how long and never realized we had toilet paper trees.
If you need any, I can pick some fresh off the tree for you.
Hula Hooping for 6 Hours
Yesterday at school, Bella was one of twenty four kids who qualified for the Hula Hoop Contest. How did they qualify? They were able to hula hoop for one hour. (That took place on Friday) Bella was the only third grader. The rest were fourth and fifth graders.
After 6 hours or hula hooping, with no bathroom breaks, Bella was one of the seven finalists.
She told me that the only recognition is your name on the announcements. I think she deserves more so I thought I would tell the world about it.
Six hours hula hooping? Not stopping or giving up? I think that's awesome!
She was a little sore and felt like she was still hula hooping (even when she went to bed)
I'm pretty proud of her. And Just think, 83 more hours and she can have a world record........
Monday, June 1, 2015
Making Lunches
I'm so happy there is one more day of school. I know. I'll have the kids at home all summer driving me crazy. But, one thing's for sure...I won't have to make any more school lunches. Well, until they go back in August.
It seems the school year starts off OK. Packing a fun lunch with a little note or a joke. As time goes by, making lunches turns into this dreaded chore. I actually look at lunch making time every night as the end of the world. In my mind, I have built it up as this long, boring, never ending chore, when in reality it (should) take about five minutes.
These last few days have been exams for Alex, so, I'm only making one lunch. It should be easy, right?
Tonight will be the last lunch I make for this school year. I'll try to make it fun, quick and easy.
Wish me luck!
It seems the school year starts off OK. Packing a fun lunch with a little note or a joke. As time goes by, making lunches turns into this dreaded chore. I actually look at lunch making time every night as the end of the world. In my mind, I have built it up as this long, boring, never ending chore, when in reality it (should) take about five minutes.
These last few days have been exams for Alex, so, I'm only making one lunch. It should be easy, right?
Tonight will be the last lunch I make for this school year. I'll try to make it fun, quick and easy.
Wish me luck!
Brownie Bug Patch
Here are some things our troop did to earn our Bug Badge (patch) for Brownies.
1. Went on a hike. This was a bug finding hike. Finding bugs on or under leaves, on bark of trees, crawling on ground, on plants or flying around us. We discussed bugs and their homes, where they find food, etc.
2. Observed ants. We did this outside of our meeting place. We watched ants on the move. We placed a leaf or stick in their path and watched what they did. We even drew a line of chalk ahead of them and observed their movements. It was quite interesting.
3. Went to a Nature Museum. We're lucky that the local University has a Nature Museum that we are able to visit. They love having Girl Scout Troops, too! They talked about various bugs and their life cycles. We watched a video on bugs. They had various bugs for us to look at. We even made an easy craft showing the life cycle of the butterfly.
Of course we drew pictures of some of the bugs we saw (on our hike or at the Nature Museum).
The girls had a great time learning about bugs.
1. Went on a hike. This was a bug finding hike. Finding bugs on or under leaves, on bark of trees, crawling on ground, on plants or flying around us. We discussed bugs and their homes, where they find food, etc.
2. Observed ants. We did this outside of our meeting place. We watched ants on the move. We placed a leaf or stick in their path and watched what they did. We even drew a line of chalk ahead of them and observed their movements. It was quite interesting.
3. Went to a Nature Museum. We're lucky that the local University has a Nature Museum that we are able to visit. They love having Girl Scout Troops, too! They talked about various bugs and their life cycles. We watched a video on bugs. They had various bugs for us to look at. We even made an easy craft showing the life cycle of the butterfly.
I took this before it was finished :)
Of course we drew pictures of some of the bugs we saw (on our hike or at the Nature Museum).
The girls had a great time learning about bugs.
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