Acts of Random Kindness

You know, things happen for a reason. I strongly believe that. It is amazing to me how things happen and are reasoned, by some, as mere coincidence.... Today's topic over at Kelly's Korner for "Show us your life" is random acts of kindness. What an amazing concept, and yet how simple.


My first thought?


Wow.


The church I attend here in Nashville is Hermitage Church of Christ. I love it there. It is full of such good, kind, compassionate people. They decided a couple of months ago that they were going to set a "theme" for the summer. It will also be the theme for our upcoming VBS July 11-14.

What is the theme?


Acts of Random Kindness.


Our big "kick-off" event is this Sunday. We had talked amongst the members of ways to go out and do something to help the community. Then, after the recent flooding in the area, we all decided that the best way we could show kindness to others in our area was to help the flood victims. We have had people coming by to donate all sorts of things, which we will give away to those who need it this Sunday in the form of a "free" yard sale for flood victims. Others will be going out to clean up roadside litter, pass out water to walkers on the greenway, and other random stuff.

So, imagine my surprise to see Kelly's latest topic. God really does work in mysterious ways. Ever since this theme was announced we have had people calling in to report witnessing these acts of random kindness. It is very inspiring! Since we announced the "flood relief giveaway" I have had strangers showing up at the church office (where I work part time) to donate items because they didn't know how they could help but wanted to do something. This is not just junk, either! I have seen some really nice things come through. It really makes you sit and think of things that you could do for others. It doesn't have to take much effort, but sometimes it could.

The point is to get out and do something nice for someone else. When you can do it anonymously, that is even better! Here are a few things I would love to do or see done:

1. Send a package or letter to a soldier.
2. Cut your neighbor's grass when they aren't home
3. Anonymously leave the tip for someone eating near you in a restaurant.... maybe an elderly couple, fireman, or police officer. Better yet, offer to pick up their check!
4. Share coupons or money-saving tips in the grocery store
5. Just get back to basics and hold the door open for someone! Make sure your kids see you do it and maybe they will learn to do it for someone else
6. Use manners, even when it is hard.... Just saying a nice "thank you" or "have a nice day" can really brighten someones day!

Just get out there and do it. It can be contagious, so be the first and watch to see how quickly it can spread.

Then, if you are in the Nashville area, I welcome you to join us at HCC. Not just this weekend for the big event, but anytime in the future. You will love the warm and friendly atmosphere!

Show us your life! Things that make me happy...

Today's topic over at Kelly's Korner for "Show us your life" is the things that I LOVE, things that make me happy!

I can do that! I will try to keep the list manageable.

1. Obviously, my family is going to be at the top of this list! I have been truly blessed with an AMAZING family. They make me happy every single day! My husband and I have been married a little over 10 years, we have 2 great boys, and our extended family is wonderful too!

2. Ice Cream!!!
Who doesn't love ice cream!? Give me a big bowl, chocolate please!

3. Sleep!!
Any mom will tell you that sleep is a valuable thing, and let me just tell you I am NOT a morning person! I get a little grouchy when I don't get enough sleep and of course those rare occasions when I get to sleep in are just priceless!


4. My wonderful friends!
What would I do without them? They are so good to me, I can call them and talk about anything! We all have such a good time together, I am so lucky!

5. Dr Pepper!
Yum! I admit I have somewhat of an addiction to Dr.Pepper! I am doing better about limiting myself to no more than one a day. Sometimes that is really hard, but I am working on it. Could be worse things, right?


6. My Work! Seriously! Ever since I made the decision to go out on my own as a photographer I have never looked back! I love every minute of it. Even when I am tired and want a break I wouldn't give it up.

Friday Fives - 5 random questions....

Today's Friday Fives over at my friend Beth's blog is "Five random questions about me" so here goes!

1. Are you a MAC or a PC?
Well, I hate to disappoint you all, but I am a PC! I know the craze surrounding the MAC especially being a photographer, and I have used them some. However, I am happy and comfortable with my pc. I am a PC user and I am proud of it!


2. If you could go anywhere on vacation this summer, where would you go??
I would love to book myself in an all-inclusive somewhere.... Mexico, Bahamas... doesn't matter! If it is going to be blazing hot outside, I want to be in or beside the pool with a good book. I love the all-inclusive resorts because you don't have to worry about anything. You can eat what you want, when you want at your choice of dozens of different restaurants without ever having to carry a purse or money. They wait on you hand and foot and it is completely no stress, which is what I need right now!


3. Which is your most cherished childhood memory?
I have to say that I had a great childhood with so many wonderful memories. One thing that sticks out were the days my dad would take me to work with him. When I was little my dad, who was a full time officer in the Army National Guard as well as a pilot, worked as the director over the facilities in Smyrna. On the way there he would always stop at this little bakery to get me a doughnut! It didn't matter how much jelly or sugar, I got to pick out the one I wanted.


Once at work there were offices, but there were also airstrips and hangars full of helicopters and airplanes. I was fascinated by them! Dad would let me sit in them, talk on the loudspeaker, you name it. He also had a sweet secretary who was very patient with me, as I am sure she really didn't need all the help I tried to give!


4. What were you doing the last time you had a good laugh?
I was hanging with my wonderful girl friends on our recent girls' trip to New Orleans! We always have such a good time! Our trip was full of laughs, as always! Some of the best ones took place when we were just sitting in our room telling stories or talking over beignets and cafe au' lait at Cafe Du Monde.

5. What is your favorite book or magazine?
My favorite magazine is Real Simple. It has the best organizing tips and ideas! It also has great pointers for home improvement ideas on a budget! I am very frugal, so this is just my style.
My favorite book is going to be a tough one! I really love to read, usually thrillers, crime novels, etc. I don't care for the sappy love stories or the self-help stuff. I think the Dave Ramsey book was the only self-help book I have read (and it was great!)
However, the BEST book I have ever read was The Shack. It was heartbreaking at first, in fact I struggled to get past the first few chapters. I stuck with it, though. I was told that if you get past that part it is well worth it. Let me tell you that is absolutely the truth! This was the most inspiring, uplifting, and thought-provoking book I have ever come across! If you have not read it you need to hurry up and just do it! Without a doubt this book will change your life and change your perspective on living it!

Photo of the day - I want cake!!!

Wow, it's been a long, long day! I wanted to try and get a photo of the day posted, though before I head off to bed.

I wanted something that makes me laugh. Then, I remembered this picture of my friend Candy's little boy, Carter. They had hired me to photograph her grandmother's 80th Birthday party, the whole family was there. So naturally, they had a really big cake for the big day.


Carter likes cake!

Every now and then he would ask if he could have cake and they would politely say "not yet." Finally, I guess he decided that if he sat at the table right in front of the cake someone would come over and cut him a slice....... Nope, didn't happen.

He was actually very patient, and I am sure he had been lectured about being good for his great-grandmother's birthday party. So, he didn't make a scene as you might imagine a little boy would. He just sat there.

Eventually, when everyone was gathering around the cake he got so excited..... only to learn that he had to wait for a family group photo and a round of "Happy Birthday" before he could have it. It was then that he just laid his head down in frustration.

It was so adorable and so funny! I thought you might like it too!

Photo of the day! - Vegas, baby!

I know, I have been so behind on my blog posts lately. I have some good ones in mind, ready to type and get posted but honestly I have had so much work these last couple of weeks it just hasn't happened.

I am pretty tired tonight, but I figured I could at least get a photo of the day up!

I shot this a few years ago when my husband and I took a trip to Las Vegas. Actually, he went for work and I tagged along. It was a great trip! I was able to relax at the pool while he went to class and then we enjoyed the sights (and food) together at night.



I came across it tonight when I was working on some other things and was thinking how I would love to get away again, just the two of us.

I would love to go back to Vegas and see some of the elaborate shows. We were not able to see any when we went a few years ago, but I am told that the Cirque de Soliel is awesome!

Truly, if I could go back in time, I would really love to have seen the Sigfreid and Roy show with the white tigers before that man almost had his head bitten off! (You know, I don't feel sorry for him though! You play with fire and you will get burned!)
I am sure that show was just unbelievable, regardless of how strange.....

So, that's it for today! More to come in the days ahead!

I LOVE my Nashville!!

So, today's topic over at Kelly's Korner is "Show us your hometown". Well, mine just happens to have been in the news a lot lately! Anyone who has read my blog in the last month can tell you that I am a native of Nashville, TN. and I absolutely LOVE it here!


I have lived in several places in the U.S. but I could never wait to get back "home." This city is known to most as Music City USA. I can walk down the street in certain parts of town and pass by any number of well known celebrities. I met Martina McBride once..... she came into the clinic where I was working as a receptionist.

I booked Tracey Lawrence's children for swim lessons.

Hillary Scott, the lead vocal in Lady Antebellum graduated from DCA where my children go to school, she came to visit them last week. All of that is fun and cool, and the city's reputation is well known, but it is also the least important thing about my town. Nashville is well known and has everything you could ask for in a big town, with the small town feel. We have the city life downtown, but you can also come across a farm full of animals within a few minutes drive. We also have the kindest, most generous people I have ever met.

I know we have all heard plenty about the recent Nashville flooding so I will keep it brief, but the way our people gave of themselves after such an awful tragedy was inspiring.


We are also the home of President Andrew Jackson. You can still visit his plantation home, The Hermitage. I had my wedding reception there 10 years ago!


Basically, Nashville is a true southern hometown. It's my hometown....

Friday Fives - Get Healthy!

Wow, it has been a long time since I wrote last! I am sorry! I try really hard to keep up, but the last 2 weeks have been unbelievable. Work has been crazy, plus I had a girls' trip that was just so amazing! (I will post about it soon!)

Anyway, it is time for the Friday Fives again over at my friend, Beth's blog! Today's topic is 5 health tips. So, let me just put this out there before I begin! I am by no means an expert, nor do I always stick to my own advice. I do try, though and I guess that is what really counts!

1. Don't Smoke!!
Now folks, this should be pretty obvious! No offense to those of you who may still enjoy this habit, but come on!! How many warnings do they have to put out there to make it clear? Smoking WILL KILL YOU! Plus, the smoke can kill those around you who breathe it. That's no good. Not to mention the fact that when you smoke you walk around smelling like an ashtray.

2. Exercise
I know, this part is no fun. The good news is that you don't have to kill yourself or join an expensive gym just to stay healthy. All it takes is a few minutes a couple of times a week to improve your health. I like the walking track at our church gym. I try to go there and run or walk for 30 minutes when I can. We also have a nice greenway here in Nashville where I see lots of people out running, riding bikes, or walking their dog. You could even pick a set of stairs, maybe in your office building and run up and down them for 20-30 minutes. You will be surprised at how many calories you burn this way! Whatever you do, you just have to keep moving!

3. Drink Water
I had heard this one for years and never believed it. Then, a couple of years ago I tried drinking the amount of water that we are supposed to drink in a day. I was surprised at how full I felt. After a few days I began to crave it. Now I drink water all the time! It is wonderful for making you feel full, causing you to snack less.

4. Cut back your portions
A friend of mine told me about this one. She had joined one of those expensive diet centers. She said that 2 of the biggest tips they gave them was to drink lots of water and simply cut back the portions. It seems like we have all gotten accustomed to those "super size" portions we are served in most restaurants. The more we eat large amounts at a time, the more hungry we become. So, if you can begin cutting back on the amount you eat at each meal and supplementing with water you will eventually find yourself able to eat smaller portions. Not only will this make you more healthy, but you will probably lose weight too!

5. Fruits and Veggies
Everyone can find at least one fruit and vegetable that they like, or can tolerate. You don't have to make a whole meal out of it, but we should all try to incorporate fruits and veggies into our meals. At our house it's broccoli! Yes, we all LOVE broccoli, even my kids. I fill up one of those steamer bags with broccoli and put it in the microwave for a few minutes. Yum! It comes out perfect! Add a dash of salt and the kids gobble it right up. You can do this with so many different veggies, depending on which ones you like! My kids also love apples. I will slice an apple and apply a little peanut butter for a snack. They get so excited! It's healthy and it fills them up enough that they aren't snacking on junk before dinner.