Acts of Random Kindness to You

Well, I may not be getting a pedicure, but I sure made my nephew, his parents, and my mother very happy this week. I had set aside a bit of money for a very rare “Back to School” pedicure. However, while deciding when and where to schedule it, an opportunity came through that I simply had to do.

There is a “POLAR EXPRESS” train ride on Thanksgiving weekend that I just knew my 4 year old nephew would LOVE. His parents can’t afford it right now and kids are only that perfect age once where they still believe and are excited by everything Christmas. So, I booked the ride as well as a hotel stay for them near the ride.

To say they were thrilled might be an understatement. All 4 of them are so excited and the little guy, well, he simply can’t wait to ride the train with Santa. I will get a pedicure another time because for now, I am just thankful that my kindness paid off for some of my loved ones. Remember we can make the world a better place one act of kindness at a time! What have you done lately to be kind?

Anne LaBastille will always be remembered as The Woodswoman. I wrote an earlier post about how very much I enjoyed her books and many people have commented with similar feelings and memories about their reading of her books. Sadly, one of my most recent comments was in regards to Anne’s death. I have confirmed that Anne LaBastille died in July in a nursing home in Plattsburgh, NY.

Anne changed the way I looked at the environment and more particular because I am surrounded by it, how I look at the Adirondack Park and what decisions are made about it. Her books made me laugh, cringe, get angry, and cry, but most importantly they made me think. Although she has not written in quite some time, it is funny where I run into Anne LaBastille fans. My sister-in-law recently had one of her books sitting by her which started a great discussion about this amazing author. I was at a friend of my mothers and there on her bookcase were Anne’s Woodswoman books.  The best part of finding other fans is that it always brings about a great discussion that ends with the wistfulness of living ourselves at Black Bear Lake.

There will never be another Anne LaBastille, but her memories, teachings, and ideals will be preserved forever in her writings. She will be missed by many and it is my personal hope that her kindness for creatures of all species will be spread in generations to come because KINDNESS MATTERS!

I am fortunate for the most part. I have a great family, an amazing job, and some great friends. However, in the past 2 years, I have found friendships that truly have changed my life. I found friendship in people that weren’t my age; as a matter of fact, both of the ladies I am referring to could be my mothers.

These two ladies weren’t likely friends. I mean they were always kind and compassionate people, but I never imagined our paths would cross and our bonds would become so strong. One of the ladies was my boss and not just my immediate boss, but an upper level boss whom I respected and admired. I even turned to her for advice on things that were business related. Then, she retired and we spent a few dinners together which has turned into a great friendship. The other lady of our trio could not be more different than I am about things. She has coordinating everything, cooks like a television show host, and knows anyone that is anyone in our community.

Recently, I was talking about what on earth has made (3) so unlikely people become such good friends. The response from one of the ladies was simple, but so true. She stated, “We have the important things in common such as kindness, humor, and honesty.” You know what? I think she is right!
Remember not to rule out friendship in the most unlikely places. I am sure glad that I didn’t because it has been very rewarding.
Be KIND to others and to yourself!

IT has been a very, very long time since I have been here to post and there are many reasons for that, but I am back now and ready to get back to it. Since my last post, I have moved into a new home, totaled my car, and watched my father’s terrible disease progress into the final stages. For those that aren’t aware, he has Alzheimers.
I have had a great deal of interest in the article that I wrote about Anne Labastille and her books. Recently while meeting with my father’s doctor about some end of life decisions, he recommended a husband and wife that might just interest the Labastille fans. Helen and Scott Nearing are all about living the simple life. They have written many books together as well as books alone. Might I recommend checking these great authors out. For more information about the Nearings, check out the Good Life Center which has been founded in honor of their legacy. Their books are also available on Amazon. I guarantee you that although they are different from Anne Labastille and in my mind don’t take her place, they are still good reads.
So, I will try to be here more often with more great information and inspiration on being kind for absolutely no reason in all. Let’s do it together in 2011. Share with me and share with others.

As with most people, I am always looking to make a few extra bucks. Well, recently a friend introduced me to Sidetick. Sidetick is a site that is social in nature and yet allows you to earn ‘Tickbucks” which turn into Paypal payments. There are polls, posts, pictures, and other things to look at as well as to post which help you accumulate the bucks.

Along with all of the things you can do, you connect with friends that will add to your bucks total when they view and comment on your things. Sidetick even gives you an easy 1000 tickbucks each day for about 3 minutes of effort which is the equivalent of 50 cents. Sidetick is proven to pay and they are always adding neat new features.

Give Sidetick a try; you have nothing to lose and some money to gain!

Click here to get started…………..

I have been watching the new series called, The Food Revolution which is hosted by well known chef Jamie Oliver. He has gone into a city in West Virginia and is trying to change the way they think about and prepare foods.  He has been really smart about it by hitting the media as well as beginning with the school systems which will make lasting changes for years to come.

As some of you may or may not know, I have struggled with my weight for my entire life. It wasn’t fun, but as a child it could be absolutely horrendous and now I watch one of my nephews beginning the struggle with the same exact issues. He is a good boy and he is fun, but he is struggling. Maybe Jamie Oliver will come to his school and help out, but if not, it is up to the rest of us to show kids the right way.

The show is on ABC on Friday nights at 8pm EST and I would suggest you watch it with your entire family. I think it will start some great discussions and there is nowhere better to start than in your own home.

I think I would be remiss to not mention Haiti on this blog. Those poor people and what they must be going through after the earthquake as if they didn’t have it hard enough already. However, the last thing the Haitians probably need from me or anyone else is pity. They are a proud nation and although they want our help, I am sure they want it with the dignity that they deserve.

If at this time, you feel inclined to give something to help put Haiti back together again, then I would recommend visiting the site sponsored by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org/

This will at least give you a starting place to give where the funds are most needed. Make God bless you all and especially the Hatian people as they struggle through these challenges.

So, I am just over 2 weeks in on this incredibly long weightloss journey when it occurs to me that I never really gave my starting weight. So, here goes for the entire world to see…at 5’3″, I began January 1st 2010 weighing 262#. Ugh..there, I have said it or rather typed it for the world to see.

On the first weekly weigh in (January 8th), I was down to 256# which was impressive even though I know in my mind that much of it was probably water weight. A loss is a loss and I will take it. Then, on Monday, January 11th we started a BIggest Loser type contest at work with weigh-ins on Friday. I signed up and on the 15th was my 1st weigh-in for the contest. I was happy to see that I was down to 255# which isn’t a huge loss, but still a loss.

This weekend was nothing short of me going overboard. I got some good news and then hubby and I decided to take off for an overnight at the casino. I ate terribly. Oh well, we all have those moments and I am not going to dwell on it. Today, I am back on track with a nice 3 mile walk at the gym and tracking all my foods yet again.

We shall see what the scale is on Friday. Have you began your journey yet? I would love to know how you are doing. Let’s get there together!

Last night started the new season of The Biggest Loser on NBC. I love this show. It is so inspirational and it is also very informative if you pay attention and don’t play on the computer. Also, I absolutely adore everything about Bob Harper. My husband gets a bit tired of hearing what Bob Harper has to say. In reality though, I would have to train with Jillian. She is exactly what I would hate and would need in a trainer. Plus, who on earth wouldn’t mind looking like her??

So, I watched the Biggest Loser and it was actually an episode that made me tear up a few times. I mean the largest man to ever be on the show was there as well as a set of twins that weigh almost 1000 pounds combined. I think the saddest thing about the twins was that one of them got voted off. They REALLY need to be on the show.

On another note, my first weigh-in since New Year’s Day is on Friday morning. I will update you here with both the starting weight and the new number which I sure the heck hope is lower. How are things going for you in the New Year? I hope that whatever goals you set, you are well on your way to success.

In preparation for the New Year and my resolve to lose 100 pounds, I headed back to the gym today. I actually like the gym, but let me get away with not going for a week or so and it is like a distant memory. Our local YMCA is actually very welcoming. They have little televisions on ever treadmill so I have something to occupy my mind while do the daunting 60 minute walks.

One thing I have to say about the gym is that I would not be there at all if it weren’t for the constant encouragement and insistence of my husband. My father developed Alzheimer’s very young and all research shows that being active and healthy can help. Alas, my husband seems to want me around and in good health for awhile longer so he pays the membership and when I get off track for a bit, he drags me back!

Got a local YMCA in your area? I reccomend checking it out. It isn’t nearly as bad as I thought and I have 100 pounds to lose!