5 Pennies - Day 13

1. Wrote a birthday card to church secretary
                She is a wonderful lady that keeps everything organized and ready to go for the day to day and week to week activities. There's something about getting a birthday card - like it is your special day - and it's nice to feel that kindness from others on your special day.

2. Called a friend wishing her good luck on her job interview
               So this was a teacher friend of mine that I recently gotten to know very well through working on particular committees. She is an amazing person with a life story that could be a best seller on the New York list. As much as it pained me to see her interview for a new position and move away from the school that I worked at - I knew that this bird couldn't be kept in a cage - she needed to sing and spread her wings a little more. The good thing is that yes she did get the job and is more happier because she feels like she is making a bigger difference in the student lives, her school, and in the surrounding community. I'm still so proud of her. Proud of her for taking a risk and proud of her for her accomplishments yet to come.

3. Bought extra school supplies for church's mission project
           So my goal was to create 15 bookbags full of different supplies needed by elementary school students. Each time that I bought something for my classroom, my son, or his classroom - I bought some extra things too. It amazes me that you find fantastic school supply deals well before August rolls around. Soon school supplies will go on sale on July 5. I always wonder why stores are like this. I can somewhat understand the commercialism of exploiting Christmas by starting sales right after Halloween. But why school supplies? In some ways it feels as if the stores are robbing our kids the wonderfulness of summer vacation. Whatever the reason is for the stores - I got some really fantastic deals for the church.

4. Bought a cartoon pen for a family member
               So I have a family member that collect Donald Duck stuff. Just basic knick-knack stuff. So I saw this pen and it was something that he didn't have yet - I just had to get it for him as a surprise. Basically for no reason, but just to make his day.

5. Wrote a thank you note and included an extra tip to waitress at lunch
                Waitresses, waiters, cooks, cashiers, etc.
                All of these service people deserve a lot of respect and kindness. I've noticed that the nicer you are to them, the better the service quality the supply to you. Or even if they are having a bad day and the service isn't good, at least you know that when you leave - you were nice to someone.