National Months - March

 Fun national months for March.  

And away we go...

National Sauce Month

I did a little digging on this one and found that sauces were used by the Romans to mask food that was starting to go bad.  This is definitely going to be something that I use at home with RT (just kidding, honey!).   What kind of sauces will you be using this month?  Pasta sauce, hot sauce, dressing, salsa, ketchup, mustard, sriracha...the list goes on and on.  Don't forget to use #NationalSauceMonth when posting your food pics to Instagram!

National Noodle Month

Well, you can't have National Sauce Month without having National Noodle Month.  They go hand in hand.  And, March 11 is National Meatball Day, so, you can put those on a bed of noodles with some sauce.  #NationalNoodleMonth

National Craft Month    

Something I have been celebrating for the last few months.  Learning a craft has many benefits like, lowering blood pressure.  It also is great at teaching fine motor skills.  Now is a great time to sign up for a class or make a trip to the craft store and pick up some supplies.  By the way, does anyone need a flower bracelet?

National Celery Month

I was confused about this one, too.  This is what I came up with for this day.  Eating a serving of celery (three stalks) is like drinking half a glass of water.  Celery adds a little crunch to your salads and make a great snack (add some peanut butter or hummus).  A single serving of celery has 16 calories and contains fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C.  It makes a great addition to your snack list this month.

National Umbrella Month

The umbrella, developed over 4000 years ago, used for sun and rain protection gets celebrated for an entire month.  They say the average household has 3.8 umbrellas.  I'm sure we have more, but we can never find one when the rain starts to fall.  How to celebrate #NationalUmbrellaMonth you ask?  How about trying to locate those 3.8 umbrellas that are hiding around your house?  Once you find them, put them in a spot where you can find them in a torrential downpour.  I personally like to hide one in my car.  Oh yea, don't forget to celebrate National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day on March 13!

And, it's also

Greek American Heritage Month

Also known as Hellenic Heritage month is set aside to celebrate Greek-American history.  It also coincides with Greece's National Independence Day on March 25.  In the late 1800's, a large number of Greeks immigrated to the United States.  That number increased after World War II, with Greeks leaving because of economic devastation.  It is believed that there are over 2.5 million Americans that are of Greek American heritage.    

Have a great month!

Earbuds

A very small headphone worn inside the ear.

I'm sure everyone knows about earbuds.  Either you own a pair (or six) or know someone who has a pair.  

Earbuds are great to use if you don't want everyone to know about the murder mystery podcast you are addicted to enjoy.  Some people use them on their work calls while others use them when exercising.  And then there are others who like to push the limit and use them for work calls (or podcast catch ups) while they are doing their shopping.

Hey, I'm all for multi-tasking.  If you are able to pay attention to all of the things that you are doing at the same time, like the car that is about to hit you as you cross the street.  The person in the aisle that is trying to get their box of cereal that you are blocking.  Or the cashier who is asking you a life or death question or telling you something important about your order.

Honestly, I don't mind when people are on the phone, as long as they answer any questions that I have, and they pay their bill when prompted.  But, if you have earbuds in both ears and you're staring off into space and I'm giving you the total of your order, then it gets a little irritating.  Especially when I have a long line of customers waiting their turn.

I'm also surprised at the number of people who wear earbuds all of the time (and not just teenagers).  Adults who go about their day with them on.  Watching how they don't pay attention to those around them frightens me when I think that they probably wear them while driving.

Do you own earbuds or headphones?

Do you wear them while out shopping?

Do you wear them while driving a car?

Background Check

 We are on month four of my background check.  I think it's safe to say that I am all clear and ready to party.  Thanks for standing by me all of these months and hiding all of my craziness.

Update

RT's hip surgery went well, the nurses had him up and walking when he woke up.  They even had him go up and down stairs (a good thing because we have a lot of stairs in our house).  He is at home, healing and doing his PT (physical therapy) exercises.  

Retail Problems

 I could probably dedicate an entire blog to retail problems.  I hope you are amused by these retail stories.   I know I certainly get a kick out of my customer interactions.

A guy came to my register.  When I gave him the total, he pulled out a plastic bag wallet (probably a follower of RT).  I asked him about it and his reply, "It's where I'm at in life."  

I rang up some items and the customer pointed at some items and said, "I don't need those."  I wasn't sure if that was a confession?  I don't need those, but I'm buying them anyway.  After stating this several times, she finally said, "I don't have enough money for those items."  (Thanks for the clarification)

Then there are the customers that know how to run the store.  A customer approached me and said, "You need to open more registers."  I replied, "We need to hire more people.  We have jobs posted.  It seems no one wants to work these days."

OK, and one of my favorite quotes from a customer at closing time, "They always lock the door at night?"

Random Acts of Kindness Day - Community 2023

  Today is Community Day for our Random Acts of Kindness.  Time to spread our kindness out into the community that we live in.  

Need a few ideas to get you started?

How about Making a Valentine for a local Senior in the community.  Or make several and drop them off at a local Senior Living Facility.  They will love it!

Write a Thank You card to your postal carrier, fire fighter, police officer, etc.

Bring in canned goods to a local food pantry.

Bring clothing, blankets or socks to a homeless shelter.

Donate some items (food, toys, old towels or bed sheets) to a local animal shelter

Pick up trash in your neighborhood

Leave a generous tip

Leave a surprise in a library book

Help a neighbor with yard work

Let someone go ahead of you in line today

Ask a senior what life was like when they were growing up

Feed a strangers parking meter

Bring reusable bags to stores

Tutor someone

Compliment people today

Pay for someone else's lunch/drink

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Have you been spreading kindness everywhere you go?

The week is almost over!

How many Random Acts of Kindness have you performed this week?

What good deeds have you done?

National Random Acts of Kindness Week - Work and School 2023

 We have been spreading all of this kindness everywhere this week!  How about showing a little kindness at our place of work or where are children are going to school?   Today is also National Random Acts of Kindness so, let's do an extra random act today to celebrate!

You spend quite a bit of time at work, why not do something nice for your co-workers?  What about the teachers at your child's school?  A quick little thank you note goes a long way.  Don't forget the office people, nurse and bus driver!  

What can you do today? 

How about: 

Send an encouraging email

Gift an inspirational book

Write a Thank You letter to your teacher

Find out something new about a co-worker (or friend at school)

Be a good listener

Bring a co-worker or friend a coffee

Tutor someone

Compliment people today

Bring flowers/coffee/tea/cookies or donuts to work/school

Need more ideas?  Check out Sunday's post for more fun!