Long Time, No See

Pinterest. The all-powerful, time-wasting, brilliant idea, new phenomenon. This is why I haven't posted in over a year and a half. This site consumes a ridiculous amount of my free (and not so free) time. And so, I would like to do something new, in addition to re-starting the "kind deed" blogs that I started in 2011, in keeping with my new-found Pinterest obsession. I would like to feature one pin each week that I have tried.

Here's the catch, though. There are many blogs and sites dedicated to pins gone wrong. I would like to show that many of the diy pins found on the site can, in fact, be copied to perfection. I have already started a board called "I did this!" filled with recipes and diy projects I have completed to some degree of success. I wanted to take it one step further and demonstrate the process.

That said, the first pin I tried was for a coffee sugar scrub (link to source of the pin: Coffee Sugar Scrub). I liked the idea, but tweaked it to be more...scrubby. My recipe makes 6 small jars (bulk, for gifts) and is as follows:

Vanilla Mocha Sugar Scrub

1 cup dry rolled oats
1 cup raw sugar

1/2 cup ground coffee                                            

1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup almond oil (found at most drugstores)

Combine dry ingredients in a coffee grinder and grind until coarsely gound (fine enough to go down shower drain, coarse enough to scrub skin). Mix dry scrub with wet ingredients and seperate into 6 small lidded containers.

I dressed mine up with a ribbon and tag and gave them to co-workers for Christmas. You can also add or eliminate ingredients for allergies/preferences. You can find my pin here: Vanilla Mocha Sugar Scrub.

Next week, Window Frame Picture Display.

Diary of Kindness

I would like all those that are pledging to complete one random act of kindness each day for one week to write down their acts for the whole week of February 14-20. I will then turn them into a blog at the end of that week. I am very excited to hear what everyone did for those in need or those who we just want to make smile. Be it for a stranger, co-worker, loved one, or neighbor, one kind gesture goes a long way towards making the world we live in a much happier one. (*sappy, I know!)

Just one example:
On my way home yesterday from work, I stopped at the gas station to fill up the old grocery-getter and while I was inside paying for my milk, I decided to pay for 10 cups of coffee. That way, 10 people who were in the station buying a cup got theirs for free. Simple, cheap, and good towards 10 smiles. The cashier thought it was such a nice gesture that he charged me for refills instead of regular cups; he returned the kindness. As I was walking out of the gas station, a rather sad looking young man ambled in through the door I held for him and as he was walking by, I told him that the cashier had 10 cups of hot coffee to give out and that he should cash in on one of them. His eyes lit up and he asked "What?!" I told him somebody bought 10 cups for the next 10 customers. He replied, "Wow! That's awesome! Who?" I said I didn't know and "Who cares! Just smile!".

And he did.

Take the Pledge With Me!

Random Acts of Kindness- Extreme Challange
Click the link above to read about the pledge.
I am taking the pledge to do one random act of kindness each day for the week of February 14-20. I try to do one a week as it is, but I would like to brighten 6 more people's days for that week...and who knows? Maybe one week will lead to every week.

It's amazing how may lives you brighten by doing one act of kindness. I know that doing an act while my children are present not only brightens the recepient's, but it brightens mine and my children's! My children have taken this lesson to school/daycare with them and it's amazing how many acts they share with me!

No matter how big or small the effort, if you are making the effort to help someone else out, it is worth it! Spread the word!!

Work work work, all day long.

My job has become increasingly harder to deal with. I took on the Social Security files only two months ago and I think I'm already burnt out. There are easy cases and there are really hard cases. There is definitely not an equal amount of the two; hard cases out number the easy ones 5 to 1. It has taught me that whenever I am feeling a little run down or sick, there are many people worse off. It has also taught me how to have instant compassion for strangers. Usually it takes a few meetings to get to know a person's trials and tribulations, but not in this position. It is layed out, bare, within five minutes. For most, it takes an enormous amount of courage to tell a stranger all that is wrong with them; mentally and physically.

I'm glad for the interesting people this job allows me to meet on a daily basis. I am also glad for the wonderful boss I have! I may complain about it sometimes, but I really do love my job. :)

Happy Holidays to All!

A wonderful man passed away a three days ago leaving the world a much sadder place. Jason's grandfather, Home Hange passed away on Wednesday due to complications of pneumonia. I am very blessed to have known him for the past year and a half. He was always smiling and always cheerful. My thoughts and prayers have been with Jason and his whole family for the past two-weeks, but I feel helpless and unable to do much else. I do not grieve well (not that anyone does), so I feel even more helpless.

This Christmas is going to be a sad one because of this, but I still want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Holiday season. Please hug your loved ones and tell your friends you love them. Drink eggnog and hot cocoa until you burst. Swing your significant other around a dance floor to "Jingle Bells" by the Stray Cats. Eat until you think you can't eat another bite. Be well and be merry!

Christmas Card

Elegant Greetings Christmas 5x7 folded card

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