1. Wrote a "Sympathy" card to a church member
There is a nice man from church that I have mention about a few pennies previous to this day whose wife has terminal cancer. Well last night at church I found out that she passed on. The most amazing part of this news was that he was there at church to talk about it, to thank those that have supported him through this tragedy, to give thanks for good memories of his wife, and to be with his church family. Me, I would have been a mess. But at that moment I realized how amazingly strong person he is - he captured all of my respect. So out of respect I wrote him a Sympathy card, just to tell him that I was thinking only good thoughts.
2. Bought flowers for another teacher
So there is a teacher at school that mainly deals with behavior problems throughout the entire day. She has been wearing down recently and I just wanted to do something nice for her. So after I went to the dentist this morning, I stopped off at the grocery store and pick out some flowers for her. Food may bring happiness to the tummy, but flowers often bring happiness to the heart.
3. Cleaned up coffee area at the supermarket
Just tidy things up some for others. I love coffee & so do others. Just wanted to keep things clean & presentable. Another plus of having OCD.
4. Bought flavored coffee for another staff member to use
Sometimes I like regular coffee, but then there are all those flavors. My favorite is either the chocolate/mocha or the french vanilla. However, this other staff member likes a particular brand of Starbucks & the grocery store had it on sale. So Starbucks it is to share with them.
5. Let another person go ahead of me in line
I was standing there in line at the grocery store ready to approach the U-Scan, but I had a few spare moments. The guy behind me seemed like he was in a hurry so I turned and let him go ahead. At first he didn't know what to do - as if I was joking. I must admit - I have an awkward sense of humor - but I told him no I wasn't joking and wanted him to go ahead. The entire time he was checking out he kept looking at me and then shaking his head. What has happened to society in when someone does something nice for another person that we automatically think that they are joking or being malicious? This penny made me a little sad. However, I'm still glad that I did it - it helped him save a few minutes.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 180
1. Collected trash from my classroom to help the custodians
I had an after school rehearsal today and the custodian that normally comes into my room to gather the trash & tidy everything up didn't want to bother us. So instead of trying to search for him after we were done, I just simple cleaned up my room for him. It was easy & it saved him some time from his other work.
2. Wrote a 'thank you' note to another teacher for putting together a special student activity
The one teacher put together a special attendance activity for those students that were here prior to the Winter Break. It was a small informal pizza party for about 9 students that won the drawing for this special lunch activity. The kids enjoyed themselves, which was really nice to see. She did such a fabulous job in organizing & managing everything.
3. Wrote another 'thank you' note to a teacher for spending extra time in helping a student
We have this after school study help group that meets Mondays & Wednesdays throughout the school year. Although it runs till 4:30, today I noticed that the one teacher was still working with the student well after the 4:30 mark. He kept on saying that he wasn't going to get the one math concept - but the teacher kept saying that she believed that he would because he was so close. I watched this scene from a distance for a little while. Soon the kid lit up because yes, he did finally get the concept & figured out how to do the problem. I don't know who was more happier for his success - the kid or the teacher. Anyway, the teacher really did deserve a special thank you for having the tenacity with this student.
4. Helped several children get a special snack at church
Who wants a Freeze Pop? Well about 5 children did - but they couldn't get the Popsicle open. They are wonderful things, but almost completely impossible to open. And when you have 5 5 year olds screaming for one - wow, the noise!!! Anyway, it was easy to help them get the Popsicle open with the assistance of scissors.
5. Held the door open for other people
Various teachers coming into school this morning, various parents/families leaving the school this afternoon, & various parishioners attending church tonight. I think that maybe I was a door monitor in my past life. One hidden talent that I have and have recently perfected with ease.
I had an after school rehearsal today and the custodian that normally comes into my room to gather the trash & tidy everything up didn't want to bother us. So instead of trying to search for him after we were done, I just simple cleaned up my room for him. It was easy & it saved him some time from his other work.
2. Wrote a 'thank you' note to another teacher for putting together a special student activity
The one teacher put together a special attendance activity for those students that were here prior to the Winter Break. It was a small informal pizza party for about 9 students that won the drawing for this special lunch activity. The kids enjoyed themselves, which was really nice to see. She did such a fabulous job in organizing & managing everything.
3. Wrote another 'thank you' note to a teacher for spending extra time in helping a student
We have this after school study help group that meets Mondays & Wednesdays throughout the school year. Although it runs till 4:30, today I noticed that the one teacher was still working with the student well after the 4:30 mark. He kept on saying that he wasn't going to get the one math concept - but the teacher kept saying that she believed that he would because he was so close. I watched this scene from a distance for a little while. Soon the kid lit up because yes, he did finally get the concept & figured out how to do the problem. I don't know who was more happier for his success - the kid or the teacher. Anyway, the teacher really did deserve a special thank you for having the tenacity with this student.
4. Helped several children get a special snack at church
Who wants a Freeze Pop? Well about 5 children did - but they couldn't get the Popsicle open. They are wonderful things, but almost completely impossible to open. And when you have 5 5 year olds screaming for one - wow, the noise!!! Anyway, it was easy to help them get the Popsicle open with the assistance of scissors.
5. Held the door open for other people
Various teachers coming into school this morning, various parents/families leaving the school this afternoon, & various parishioners attending church tonight. I think that maybe I was a door monitor in my past life. One hidden talent that I have and have recently perfected with ease.
5 Pennies - Day 179
1. Helped wash the table in the cafeteria
The nice elderly woman was not at school today and it seemed like the custodians were being a little overworked. So I grabbed a washcloth & some soapy water & started to scrub away. No big deal and happy to help when it comes to cleaning.
2. Wrote a sympathy card for another teacher due to a death in the family
Sometimes these little mementos just shows other people that you care & that you are thinking about them. This particular staff member recently lost her grandmother. She took the news rather well, but said that she new this was coming because the grandmother was going down hill over the Winter Break. Still, a little card that says that I'm thinking good thoughts for her & her family is still something nice to do for someone else.
3. Wrote a thank you note to a staff member for returning my personal belongings
So I was in a rush this morning after working out, that I didn't realize that some money, my debit card, & my diver's license fell out of my workout jacket. They were just laying there on the wide open gym floor for any staff member or any student to pick up & carry off. However this administrator found it and placed everything in an envelope and put it in my teacher's mailbox. I would have had such a massive anxiety attack if he wouldn't have been so nice in doing this. The very, very, very least that I could do was to write him a thank you note & included a piece of candy.
4. Held the door open for other teachers
So after school today I was rushing around to try to get to my monthly meeting for my Board of Education class. However, this doesn't excuse me from holding the door open for other teachers that are a few steps behind me but are still leaving. It's just common courtesy to be nice and do simple/easy things like this for other people - even if you are rushing. Take the time to be nice.
5. Wrote a note of encouragement to another class member
So in my class after school today, we had to present our portfolios of our school work thus far this school year. It was really interesting because we all had a different take on the assignment and all presented something very unique. There was another teacher in particular that had a recent family crisis and was disappointed with herself that her portfolio wasn't as fully developed or organized as much as she wanted it to be. So I quickly wrote her a post-it note saying three things that I really liked about her work - just to encourage her spirits. It was easy to do.
The nice elderly woman was not at school today and it seemed like the custodians were being a little overworked. So I grabbed a washcloth & some soapy water & started to scrub away. No big deal and happy to help when it comes to cleaning.
2. Wrote a sympathy card for another teacher due to a death in the family
Sometimes these little mementos just shows other people that you care & that you are thinking about them. This particular staff member recently lost her grandmother. She took the news rather well, but said that she new this was coming because the grandmother was going down hill over the Winter Break. Still, a little card that says that I'm thinking good thoughts for her & her family is still something nice to do for someone else.
3. Wrote a thank you note to a staff member for returning my personal belongings
So I was in a rush this morning after working out, that I didn't realize that some money, my debit card, & my diver's license fell out of my workout jacket. They were just laying there on the wide open gym floor for any staff member or any student to pick up & carry off. However this administrator found it and placed everything in an envelope and put it in my teacher's mailbox. I would have had such a massive anxiety attack if he wouldn't have been so nice in doing this. The very, very, very least that I could do was to write him a thank you note & included a piece of candy.
4. Held the door open for other teachers
So after school today I was rushing around to try to get to my monthly meeting for my Board of Education class. However, this doesn't excuse me from holding the door open for other teachers that are a few steps behind me but are still leaving. It's just common courtesy to be nice and do simple/easy things like this for other people - even if you are rushing. Take the time to be nice.
5. Wrote a note of encouragement to another class member
So in my class after school today, we had to present our portfolios of our school work thus far this school year. It was really interesting because we all had a different take on the assignment and all presented something very unique. There was another teacher in particular that had a recent family crisis and was disappointed with herself that her portfolio wasn't as fully developed or organized as much as she wanted it to be. So I quickly wrote her a post-it note saying three things that I really liked about her work - just to encourage her spirits. It was easy to do.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 178
1. Picked up trash in the gym
So today was our first day back to school after the Winter Break. The school feels so weird right now. The majority of the holiday decorations were taken down moments before the winter break occurred. Now it seems to so bare & vacant. The coldness of January is a visual interpretation of how sparse the classroom & hallways look. January has always felt like the saddest month to me - the excitement is over & the cold, harsh winds settles in a drastic way. Anyway, there were bits & pieces of various holiday decorations that were left in the gym area. So prior to working out, I went around and picked up the strands - just to make things clean & tidy for the gym teachers.
2. Wrote a thank you note to a co-worker for a delayed present
So I do this fitness program called P90x. It is as tough as nails & really have never been through something so rigorous before - I've classically danced for 15 years of my life. Its a killer program, but so far I have lost around 12 lbs. I am thinner now than what I was in high school :-) So at workout this morning, one of the other people bought all of us special workout shirts that had the P90x label on it. It was really nice of them. The least that I could do was to write a thank you note.
3. Passed along an art article to the art teacher
I'm addicted to the CNN.com website. I check it often to see what is going on in the world and love the different topics that the home page offers. The health & entertainment sections are my favorite. Anyway, the one article that was posted during the Winter Break discussed the iconic picture of the "Rosie the Riveter" and focused on the woman that the picture was stylized after. Since this was classified as "Pop Art", I thought that the one art teacher could really use this information in her classroom. Or it was at least really interesting information to read about.
4. Complimented a student based on her new hair cut
It so cute to see the kids after the break. They are wearing their new clothes, shoes, coats, and such. The only problem is that they also bring with them their new electronics too - but this problem will die down by mid February. Anyway, this particular student had really long straight hair prior to the break, but today it is much shorter & stylized. The new haircut really frames her face in such a nice & flattering way.
5. Gave another teacher a VCR tape that featured her favorite actor
So this other teacher is in love with Leonardo DiCaprio - I don't see why. I mean, yes he has one of the most coolest actor names right now - but his look doesn't impress me much. Sorry - I wasn't a fan of "Titanic". Did enjoy him in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" - but then I am a Johnny Depp fan. Anyway, prior to the break I was given a whole bunch of VCR tapes from a student who decided to clean out their entertainment area. The movie, "The Aviator" was in the pile and knew that this particular teacher would enjoy this special treat immensely.
So today was our first day back to school after the Winter Break. The school feels so weird right now. The majority of the holiday decorations were taken down moments before the winter break occurred. Now it seems to so bare & vacant. The coldness of January is a visual interpretation of how sparse the classroom & hallways look. January has always felt like the saddest month to me - the excitement is over & the cold, harsh winds settles in a drastic way. Anyway, there were bits & pieces of various holiday decorations that were left in the gym area. So prior to working out, I went around and picked up the strands - just to make things clean & tidy for the gym teachers.
2. Wrote a thank you note to a co-worker for a delayed present
So I do this fitness program called P90x. It is as tough as nails & really have never been through something so rigorous before - I've classically danced for 15 years of my life. Its a killer program, but so far I have lost around 12 lbs. I am thinner now than what I was in high school :-) So at workout this morning, one of the other people bought all of us special workout shirts that had the P90x label on it. It was really nice of them. The least that I could do was to write a thank you note.
3. Passed along an art article to the art teacher
I'm addicted to the CNN.com website. I check it often to see what is going on in the world and love the different topics that the home page offers. The health & entertainment sections are my favorite. Anyway, the one article that was posted during the Winter Break discussed the iconic picture of the "Rosie the Riveter" and focused on the woman that the picture was stylized after. Since this was classified as "Pop Art", I thought that the one art teacher could really use this information in her classroom. Or it was at least really interesting information to read about.
4. Complimented a student based on her new hair cut
It so cute to see the kids after the break. They are wearing their new clothes, shoes, coats, and such. The only problem is that they also bring with them their new electronics too - but this problem will die down by mid February. Anyway, this particular student had really long straight hair prior to the break, but today it is much shorter & stylized. The new haircut really frames her face in such a nice & flattering way.
5. Gave another teacher a VCR tape that featured her favorite actor
So this other teacher is in love with Leonardo DiCaprio - I don't see why. I mean, yes he has one of the most coolest actor names right now - but his look doesn't impress me much. Sorry - I wasn't a fan of "Titanic". Did enjoy him in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" - but then I am a Johnny Depp fan. Anyway, prior to the break I was given a whole bunch of VCR tapes from a student who decided to clean out their entertainment area. The movie, "The Aviator" was in the pile and knew that this particular teacher would enjoy this special treat immensely.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 177
1. Bought food for the local soup kitchen
So it is a brand new year & extremely cold outside. I feel really bad for those that don't have a family or a home to go to at night. A warm meal means more during this time than anything else. It is more than just nourishment & fuel. It is comfort - even it is breaking bread with strangers. Sometimes food is more about the company than the taste. So if I can provide the opportunity for a little more comfort in the world during this cold time of winter - then I will continue to buy & bring food tot he local soup kitchen.
2. Cleaned up the Sanctuary
All of the beautiful poinsettias that were used for the Christmas celebration are starting to wither and fade. That is the horrible thing about January. The Pomp & Circumstance is over, the decorations are put away, and the coldness settles in. So today after church that is what I did - started to s clean up everything. The poinsettias flower petals are shedding. This was a sad OCD project for me - but the bright spot is the Sanctuary is now clean.
3.Helped prepare refreshments for another person after Church
It was the usual stuff. Making coffee, placing cookies & cakes, pouring juice, etc. Just the normal stuff that people like to munch on while socializing. I'm horrible at socializing, but I am good at hosting. So I stepped in to help another person so that she could have some time to socialize too.
4. Tidy up children's area at Church
Gathering up crayons, putting away stuff dolls, re-stacking the puzzles, etc. Just the normal stuff that the kids get into while their parents are socializing. Like I said, I'm horrible at socializing - but I'm good at cleaning. So I just stepped in so that the kids had an organized toy area to entertain themselves with - giving their parents time to socialize with one another.
5. Took out trash for neighbor
It is trash night and I wanted to help the elderly neighbor. It is bitterly cold in January now and it is only the beginning of this month. Oh how I miss the warm days of spring and summer. Anyway, I haven't seen them moving around a whole lot out side. I just wanted to do something nice for them. It was easy to move the trash cans.
So it is a brand new year & extremely cold outside. I feel really bad for those that don't have a family or a home to go to at night. A warm meal means more during this time than anything else. It is more than just nourishment & fuel. It is comfort - even it is breaking bread with strangers. Sometimes food is more about the company than the taste. So if I can provide the opportunity for a little more comfort in the world during this cold time of winter - then I will continue to buy & bring food tot he local soup kitchen.
2. Cleaned up the Sanctuary
All of the beautiful poinsettias that were used for the Christmas celebration are starting to wither and fade. That is the horrible thing about January. The Pomp & Circumstance is over, the decorations are put away, and the coldness settles in. So today after church that is what I did - started to s clean up everything. The poinsettias flower petals are shedding. This was a sad OCD project for me - but the bright spot is the Sanctuary is now clean.
3.Helped prepare refreshments for another person after Church
It was the usual stuff. Making coffee, placing cookies & cakes, pouring juice, etc. Just the normal stuff that people like to munch on while socializing. I'm horrible at socializing, but I am good at hosting. So I stepped in to help another person so that she could have some time to socialize too.
4. Tidy up children's area at Church
Gathering up crayons, putting away stuff dolls, re-stacking the puzzles, etc. Just the normal stuff that the kids get into while their parents are socializing. Like I said, I'm horrible at socializing - but I'm good at cleaning. So I just stepped in so that the kids had an organized toy area to entertain themselves with - giving their parents time to socialize with one another.
5. Took out trash for neighbor
It is trash night and I wanted to help the elderly neighbor. It is bitterly cold in January now and it is only the beginning of this month. Oh how I miss the warm days of spring and summer. Anyway, I haven't seen them moving around a whole lot out side. I just wanted to do something nice for them. It was easy to move the trash cans.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 176
Happy New Year!!!
1. Picked up trash while walking with dog
New year, new day, cleaner neighborhood :-)
2. Text co-workers in wishing them a Happy New Year
Just wanted to spread the cheer around - also to the people that I work with. They are like my second family. I've missed them very much during this winter break. Yes, even the kids. I miss them too.
3. Text a woman from church in wishing her safe travels
This is a very nice woman that often takes care of my son because she just loves him so much. Anyway, she rarely leaves town or takes any type of vacation. So when she told me that she was going to go to New York during the winter break to visit some extended family members, I was very surprised. I texted her that I hope that she is having a nice time & to be safe in traveling home tomorrow.
4. Swept elderly neighbor's side walk
She's a nice woman that lives next door, but lately she hasn't been feeling all that well. I just wanted to do something nice for her. I know how much she likes to have her yard cleaned up & her sidewalks clear of any snow or dirt. So that is what I did. I grabbed a broom and spent about 20 min. sweeping her sidewalks in the very cold. The warm cup of coffee never tasted so better this morning.
5. Washed my mother's jeep
My jeep desperately needed a good scrub today. So this afternoon I took it out and gave it a good wash. When I returned home, I noticed that my mother's jeep needed a scrub just as much as my own jeep did. So I then took her keys & jeep and did just that. This is the problem with OCD people, when we start really cleaning something - we just can't stop - everything needs to just as clean then.
1. Picked up trash while walking with dog
New year, new day, cleaner neighborhood :-)
2. Text co-workers in wishing them a Happy New Year
Just wanted to spread the cheer around - also to the people that I work with. They are like my second family. I've missed them very much during this winter break. Yes, even the kids. I miss them too.
3. Text a woman from church in wishing her safe travels
This is a very nice woman that often takes care of my son because she just loves him so much. Anyway, she rarely leaves town or takes any type of vacation. So when she told me that she was going to go to New York during the winter break to visit some extended family members, I was very surprised. I texted her that I hope that she is having a nice time & to be safe in traveling home tomorrow.
4. Swept elderly neighbor's side walk
She's a nice woman that lives next door, but lately she hasn't been feeling all that well. I just wanted to do something nice for her. I know how much she likes to have her yard cleaned up & her sidewalks clear of any snow or dirt. So that is what I did. I grabbed a broom and spent about 20 min. sweeping her sidewalks in the very cold. The warm cup of coffee never tasted so better this morning.
5. Washed my mother's jeep
My jeep desperately needed a good scrub today. So this afternoon I took it out and gave it a good wash. When I returned home, I noticed that my mother's jeep needed a scrub just as much as my own jeep did. So I then took her keys & jeep and did just that. This is the problem with OCD people, when we start really cleaning something - we just can't stop - everything needs to just as clean then.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 175
Happy New Year's Eve Day!
(I hope that this makes sense.)
1. Sent ecards to various friends & coworkers withing them a Happy New Year
This date always makes me a little sad. Saying good bye to things & people have always been hard for me. Yes, I know that it is just a date & a year is just a year - but there are all of the memories that the ending of the year makes you think about. Like all of the things that were left undone or left unsaid. But then this date is always nice too - like thinking about all of the things that did go well & got accomplished. Tomorrow is a fresh start - literally. I also worry about my friends & family being out and about on this night - some people just don't think before they drink/drive.
2. Moved the newspaper to the porch for a neighbor
So I was walking my dog and noticed that my neighbor's newspaper was dropped off at their fence than at the regular spot on their porch. It was an easy thing to do to reach over and toss the paper closer. That would save the neighbor a shorter walk in the cold to retrieve the news.
3. Re-hung up a fallen bird house
Again on my dog walking trip I noticed that another neighbor had a bird house hanging from their tree branch in their front yard. But last night's wind must have blown it down. Even though there are no birds around right now to brave the winter chill, it was still easy enough to pick up the item and rehung it.
4. Gave neighborhood dogs an extra New Year treat
So my dog will get the extra New Year's eve scraps. I also bought him some special 'party flavored' dog biscuits. I thought it was only fair for the other dogs in the neighborhood to get something special too.
5. Let people cross the street who were carrying heavy items
So the New Year's Eve dinner consist of some really good Chinese food. I rarely get a chance to eat the stuff because my son doesn't like it, so I always look forward to this special meal. Anyway, on my way driving back from picking up the food - I noticed that there were two people trying to cross the road. They must have been planning on going somewhere for a party because they were carrying various casseroles, drinks, & other party items. Needless to say that their hands were full. So I simply stopped in front of them and motioned them to pass. It was no big deal for me. I was returning home - they were getting ready to go. I hope that they got to their destination ok.
(I hope that this makes sense.)
1. Sent ecards to various friends & coworkers withing them a Happy New Year
This date always makes me a little sad. Saying good bye to things & people have always been hard for me. Yes, I know that it is just a date & a year is just a year - but there are all of the memories that the ending of the year makes you think about. Like all of the things that were left undone or left unsaid. But then this date is always nice too - like thinking about all of the things that did go well & got accomplished. Tomorrow is a fresh start - literally. I also worry about my friends & family being out and about on this night - some people just don't think before they drink/drive.
2. Moved the newspaper to the porch for a neighbor
So I was walking my dog and noticed that my neighbor's newspaper was dropped off at their fence than at the regular spot on their porch. It was an easy thing to do to reach over and toss the paper closer. That would save the neighbor a shorter walk in the cold to retrieve the news.
3. Re-hung up a fallen bird house
Again on my dog walking trip I noticed that another neighbor had a bird house hanging from their tree branch in their front yard. But last night's wind must have blown it down. Even though there are no birds around right now to brave the winter chill, it was still easy enough to pick up the item and rehung it.
4. Gave neighborhood dogs an extra New Year treat
So my dog will get the extra New Year's eve scraps. I also bought him some special 'party flavored' dog biscuits. I thought it was only fair for the other dogs in the neighborhood to get something special too.
5. Let people cross the street who were carrying heavy items
So the New Year's Eve dinner consist of some really good Chinese food. I rarely get a chance to eat the stuff because my son doesn't like it, so I always look forward to this special meal. Anyway, on my way driving back from picking up the food - I noticed that there were two people trying to cross the road. They must have been planning on going somewhere for a party because they were carrying various casseroles, drinks, & other party items. Needless to say that their hands were full. So I simply stopped in front of them and motioned them to pass. It was no big deal for me. I was returning home - they were getting ready to go. I hope that they got to their destination ok.
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