Random Acts Rock

 

I know the "official" Random Acts of Kindness Day was last month, but after a special moment this afternoon I challenge us all to open our eyes wider and see the opportunity to perform these more often.

So I went to my usual hangout after work... OK, it's Kwik Trip and I needed gas and cash – surprisingly in that order. I saw an older couple from church walking into the store. I cannot call them "elderly" because of one of them has former (way former) Miss Wisconsin Rapids vibes.

When I went in and was doing my ATM thing I saw their bouquets of flowers right there. I thought, you know what? I'm going to buy one of these for Helen – which may or may not be her real name.

When my business was done I just waited by the exit for the two of them. She looked up in surprise when I said "Hey, these are for you!" Both of them had such shocked looks and her husband was like "You don't have to buy those" and I'm like "I already did."

I just told them I wanted them to feel a little bit of spring. They deserved that. And they couldn't stop thanking me and telling me how much that meant and how this doesn't happen to them.

That almost made me feel worse because we need to start paying some attention to lonely people!!

Anyway, when they assured me there's a special place in heaven for people like me, I thanked them and of course said, "Well, hopefully not too soon."

It just made me realize that all of us can perform random acts of kindness at any time to make someone's day. If you don't have the financial resources to buy a $15 flower bouquet, just tell someone you like their sweater or if they open a door for you, say you appreciate there are gentlemen still around. 

I forget how good it feels to get out of MYSELF and my issues and just appreciate others. I'm not bragging about my actions, I'm just reminding us all that even a small measure of kindness can go so far. 

Go for it!

And... Action!

So when you're a writer in a marketing department part of your job duties include writing video scripts. I mean for everything from safety advice type videos (it's an insurance company, after all) to more entertaining story lines for a fun video for a sales leaders' ceremony.

Spoiler alert: I like writing the funny and entertaining stuff the best!

So this week and last week we had several video shoots to piece together what we KNOW will be a highly entertaining and memorable video for such occasion. On Monday I was accidentally on camera as a hand model – not really, but I am glad my nails were done for the close-up of my "hand shaking" scene. 

Today we wrapped up our last segment and I cannot wait to see the final results.

I am so grateful to work with such a talented video team. I mean they can piece together magical results every single time. Yesterday they used a Go Pro camera in the pool and I was like, wait, I have Go Pro that I never use. Should I pick up a new hobby and do more video?

No, Robyn. The answer is no.

And yes, I know that would add a level to my photography skills, but dang, I should stick with what I know. Shouldn't I? 

Asking for a friend who happens to be middle-aged and has no excuse nor time to pick up another hobby. 😁

I promise to keep myself grounded. To accept my capabilities. And to dip a toe – just one toe – into the video capabilities pool. Keep me honest!

Second Time Around

Today was mama's second birthday in heaven! A couple things occurred to me. First, she looks amazing for a 94-year-old, doesn't she? Second, how can it be almost two years already since we lost her?

As much I loved Dad and dearly miss him, Mom is the one I keep thinking of calling up to tell her about a good pun I heard, brag about my win at BINGO, or suggest we watch Wheel of Fortune over the phone together. And this is every day. 

While talking to a coworker today who lost her mom within weeks of mine, we both commented how this was still our current reality. I said, "Lucky us! Look how blessed we are to have had these relationships!"

There was a time I would never say we're cut from the same cloth. But then I grew up and learned appreciation. And recognized similarities. We both love the clever humor, the correct use of the English language, creative writing, and definitely, as mentioned yesterday, the need to make putzy desserts. 

She'll be proud to see I came home with an empty trifle dish today! Me too if I ever want to look like her in this photo! That gene never hit me.

Cherish your loved ones while they're here! 💖

A Not-So Trifle Tuesday

How can it be only Tuesday when it's been a whirlwind week at work already? Monday was crazy because I worked from home in the morning, then had to be in the office in the early afternoon (I was accidentally a stunt double for myself plus a hand model, LOL), then back home before an end-of-day meeting.

With the caveat that I needed to log off in time for my VIP meeting with my hair artist!

I don't know how the timing all worked out to my favor, but it did! 

But in the midst of all this, Boy Wonder (aka Mr. Smooth) was going to call us at an appointed time for a "chat." This meant all kinds of scenarios in the brains of Papa and Mama Smooth – from general "catch-up" convo to marriage proposal. I mean, who knows?

We were thrilled to learn that the sentence that started with "We have news..." ended with his girlfriend securing a full-time job in the fashion industry with Maurices. Guess where their headquarters are? Way the heck up in Duluth of all places. Who knew?

So today while I was "working" I had to dedicate some time to reach out to any and all Duluth connections to guide these young professionals in their housing situation. Sketchy versus good neighborhoods, etc. Got lots of information and where to and where not to go, and a few rental bites. But we're working on it.

I say "we" though they didn't ask me and might not want my intervention. But there comes a point in life you know people in a lot of places, and if you did them good, they'll do you a solid too. So we'll see.

Tonight my one task was a birthday trifle for my supervisor, who shares a birthday with my mom. I can't ever let this NOT happen because I'm sure she's up in heaven saying, "Yes, for me, you must do a putzy, layered dessert to earn the adoration of your club / neighbors / friends / co-workers."

On it, Mom!

This one: Chocolate brownies, topped with... white chocolate pudding with peanut butter power mixed in, then... diced up Nutty Buddy bars, and the top... whipped cream with mini Reese's PB Cups on top.

I do have to call out it took me 5 stores to find the Reese's THINS these days.. Festival Foods for the win. Just needed to cut them half for one outside layer around the bowl.

I think my "be sure to make this a putzy, layered dessert" is accomplished.

Continue to guide me on these important quests, Mama! 💗

 

A Madness Most Discreet

Now that I've finished reading the Shakespeare-inspired fictional book and see the Oscar-nominated movie Hamnet, I feel I can throw Shakespeare words and phrases at will. "A madness most discreet" is from Romeo and Juliet. But I'm sure thou already knewest that!

So this was my moment of madness today. Bear with me. I'm over 50. We have earned the rights to daily rants of "madness." So I want to finish up this bridal shower gift and my silver wrapping paper at home falls short by a half inch. Any way I situate the box. 

So I go to Walmart since I needed ingredients for two upcoming trifles anyway to get either white or silver wrapping paper. Looking at this photo would you not see silver wrapping paper and two matching silver bows?

Turns out. No. It was just clear cellophane around a silver-colored rather than cardboard-colored tube. Grrr.

I'd already ripped the label off so that's how they getcha. And back to Walmart I went. 

Guess what? I just settled on red. A color I can count on seeing correctly. One that won't cause me madness. And matches the new family name I Cricuted onto the tub. Maybe that's how it was supposed to play out all along!

As for seeing red, though... Ugh. My bracket! We'll skip over that convo today. Definitely March madness.

But as for another episode of March gladness...

We had the most pleasant evening at the Sky Club supper club with our friends Jeff and Cathy. Jeff was Jim's college roommate and Cathy was Jim's high school classmate. You see how this story played out! They just moved to the Twin Cities so were back in Wisconsin and it worked out to connect. Just a great visit as always.

Make the time to make the connections so you don't regret it later!

Spring. For Real er No?

In my heart I know that our first full day of spring is fake. But it felt so good to embrace it anyway!

After an in promptu choir practice this morning, it was really just hoops and hoops and little outside exposure.

And I got to meet our new neighbor! She's so cute!

That was the highlight of the day other than remembering how to use my Cricut for an upcoming bridal shower. And visiting with my father-in-law. 

With the warm temps I did sit out on the deck steps for a bit. But dang, we really want this to continue! It won't of course. Despite the calendar. But please know, Mother Nature, that I truly liked you for one day!

Whoa, Black Betty

I've been watching my odometer this week because I knew at some point Black Betty – my Honda HRV – was about to reach 6 figures. Wish my paycheck would!

This morning when I got to work, she was officially at 99,999. I had to get gas on the way home and that was exactly one mile away apparently, so I could take a picture.

In my mind she's still a new car. Because when I hit a deer on the interstate and totaled my Honda Accord in June of 2020, the 2019 was still "new" since people were concentrating on surviving a pandemic, not going anywhere, and not buying cars.

It was the "newest" vehicle I ever had in my life. And the HRV is totally a Robyn-sized SUV.

A 2019 model but less than 3,000 off the lot. I remember hubby saying, "Well this should last you 'til retirement." Now I'm like, dang reliable Hondas. 100K miles is nothing. I'll have to work forever! Grr.

I treated her to a car wash on her special day. I mean we almost hit 50 degrees today. I know with the massive meltdown, she'll get all splashed up and dirty again, but it was the least I could do. She's got my back and keeps me going places!

Who's got your back today? Maybe give them a special nod of thanks!