Tuesday Talk: More Acts of Kindness

Welcome back for another week of Tuesday Talk!

Last week we talked about acts of kindness you can do for your spouse.

Many of those acts can be easily switched for family and friends, 
people you know well enough to know their likes and dislikes.

This week let's talk about kindness towards those that surround us every day and we do not always notice: 
people at work and complete strangers.

When making my list I thought about things others have done for me 
and what I would appreciate when going about my work day and errands.

Here's what I came up with: 

At Work

Bring someone coffee
Deliver the mail
Say thank you for tasks completed
Send a note of encouragement and support for someone working overtime
Offer to help
Clean up the break room area
Leave a note for the janitorial staff
Compliment your coworker on their work
Bring in a treat to share
Be the first at a meeting and have water out for everyone
Make sure to ask about their weekend/big event/ etc.
Offer to run and get lunch for someone
Re-organize/clean up the storage/supply area
Make an effort to talk to the person that annoys you
Share your snack
Pray for your co-workers by name

For Strangers

Hold the door open
Say hello to everyone you pass
Pay for the person behind you
Let someone go ahead of you
Compliment a stranger
Share your umbrella
Have information for local charities and shelters to share with the homeless
For a set period of time find one item per day to donate
Write thank you notes for the employees of a non-for-profit you admire
Send a care package to a service man or woman
Leave a large tip
Tell a mother out with her crew that her family is beautiful
Offer your seat to someone standing
Bring a snack to the staff at the doctor's office

I'm sure together we can come up with many more ideas.

What is an act of kindness that you have performed or received?

Now for the link up!

Please make sure you link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page for the opportunity to be selected for our feature posts or pinned to our board.

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Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here,  and check out the features from every week here!
  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

I cannot wait to read your post!

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

Tuesday Talk: Acts of Kindness for Your Spouse

It’s so easy in our day to day interactions to zero in on ourselves.

My schedule, my to do list, my convenience, my dreams, my feelings…

And in this state of me, me, me, someone else does something, a little tiny thing, that wakes us up and reminds us there are other people in the world and humbles us to know that they thought of us while we were thinking only of ourselves.

I strive to be this person, but it is a daily challenge and I fail just as much as the next girl.

Often kind acts for those I see day in day out are the hardest to do. The acts require more of myself, more mindfulness of others even though I'm at the one place I can completely let my hair down - they have to love me when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, had a bad day at work, have the tiniest signs of the sniffles, etc.

The resolution to do little acts of kindness seems defined enough, but if you are like me, 
it helps to take it a step further and to come up with specific acts to do either every day or a list to check off throughout the week/month/year. 

Here's my list of a month's worth of acts of kindness for your spouse to help me as I endeavor to follow these inspiring words:

“A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. She gives most who gives with joy.” 
- Mother Teresa

Make their favorite meal
Do one of their chores

Participate in their hobby

Foot massages
Bring home a treat from the grocery store
Set out their breakfast

Compliment them
Give them a hug and kiss goodbye, hello, and good night
Call them at work to say hello

Pack their lunch
Leave a love note in their lunch box
Pay the bills

Make the bed
Clean your bathroom
Donate the donations box

Clear their plate
Talk about a moment that made you fall more in love with them

Pray with them - and thank God for them out loud

Clear the calendar to spend time with them at home
Plan their favorite date night
Make cookies together
Do the ironing

Look up the meaning of different flowers and create a custom bouquet
Wear their favorite outfit/color
Set out their clothes for the day
Do that thing you've been putting off

Tell them they have the night off to relax and do what they please
Give them control of the remote
Play their favorite game

Warm their towel in the dryer

Wink at them/use a cheesy pick up line - nothing like re-capturing those memories of 

to remind you how grateful you are to be done with dating

What are the little things you do for your spouse?

Before you head on to our link-up make sure you stop by Sweet Little Ones 
for a special giveaway from Blessed Is She and Hatch Prints!

Please make sure you link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page for the opportunity to be selected for our feature posts or pinned to our board.

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

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 Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here,  and check out the features from every week here!
  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

I cannot wait to read your post!

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

Joy-gust Check In

We are almost to the half way mark of August! I can barely believe it. So I figure it was time for a quick check in on Joy-gust, my resolution of choosing and spreading joy this month.

1. Friends, it has been a challenge this month! Do you find that as soon as you make something a resolution it becomes twice as hard to do? Car problems, illness, set backs at work, everything taking thrice as long as you thought it would take...that has been my Joy-gust thus far. Part of this practice is to pick ourselves up each day and start anew without letting yesterday's failures drag us down. And that's what we aim to do today. Today...let's break it down even more...right now in this moment I choose joy.

2. Concrete goals (or something I can check off a list) are key in the success of resolutions for me. I took some time to sit down and write up some concrete things to do to choose and spread joy and it has helped immensely. I'll share some of them next week.

3. For this weekend I set some specific goals for each day that involve sharing my time and fostering some dear relationships. Since the wedding B and I have had a full plate which has left little room for community. We have some meals with friends planned and our parish picnic this weekend.

4. I set up a "Choose Joy" reminder on my phone to remind me halfway through my day to focus and get back on track if I've fallen off my path.

5. I also made a point when I realize that I have failed to apologize to those that were effected. It is very humbling, but a good reminder that my less than joyful attitude is putting myself before the good of others and it does take a toll on their day and their ability to be joyful as well. 

So dear fellow commuter from this morning, I apologize for grumbling about your driving abilities.

6. I have noticed that a good night's rest is a key piece to the joyfulness of the morning routine (where most transgressions occur); an earlier bedtime will be instituted.

7. This quote is inspiring me to choose joy today: “A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. She gives most who gives with joy.” ~ Mother Teresa

How has your Joy-gust been?

What are your tips for choosing joy each day?

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with This Ain't The Lyceum

Tuesday Talk: Football Fashion for Tailgate Tuesday

Welcome back for another week of Tuesday Talk!

This week we are thrilled to be joining forces with Erin of Love, Fun & Football

for her Tailgate Tuesday party to celebrate the beginning of football season!

I grew up in a house full mostly of women so there are many things about sports that I missed out on learning, but now that I'm grown I don't feel like I really missed out.

Even though sports were not a huge focus in our family, every fall there was nothing more special than packing up and heading to a football game with my dad at his Alma mater.

This was only beat by the extra special games when the whole family was able to attend or extended family came in, with a parking pass, and we hosted a tailgate.

The smell of burgers and brats floating in the air crisp with optimism of the outcome of the upcoming game. The fans milling around campus making sure to hit all their favorite spots. Racing from the Glee Club performance to meet the band on their march to the stadium.

Everything about the prep for the game is sprinkled with something akin to fairy dust.

It enchants me, draws me in, and my spirits are lifted up and fly.
These memories bring me such joy.

As I got older (and outgrew my cheerleader costume) preparation for the game went beyond tickets, food, and throwing on a sweatshirt. What to wear became a central question, as well as interpretation of the weather radar (I'm sure the weather was a factor before, 
but that was my mom's job until I was old enough to pick out my own clothes). 

Let's be honest ladies.

Sweatshirts can be cute, and some of us can look cute in them, 

but they would never make it to the list of attractive items to wear.
And another honest fact, branded clothing can get expensive and does not have the versatility of other items in your wardrobe. 

So what does one wear to a game?

Especially when the forecast of your destination can range from fabulous to miserable?

I have come up with some ideas for our entire football season!
A big key is to select items layers that follow your team's color scheme and mascot.

Seeing as everything I know about football I learned at the stadium of the University of Notre Dame and the Indiana weather offers a good deal of variety, we all get to be Irish fans today (or at least for the length of this post, but you really should consider it as a life decision)! For the Irish we can toy with shades of green, navy, and gold and pull in other Irish items such as shamrocks and plaid.
I hope you enjoy my efforts on combining football and fashion! 

August

In August the sun is most likely out and the temperature is somewhere between 65 and 90 degrees. Due to the optimum weather now is the perfect time to wear your team's tee (or a shirt in your team's colors). You could even wear a fun bracelet or headband. Sunscreen is a must and since you probably won't get a chance to reapply a longer pair of shorts and hat would be recommended to help protect you from the rays.

September 

Come September the weather can be trickier to predict.
Indian summers provide warmer days with brisk nights.
It is more than likely though that Autumn's crisp has set in and depending on the wind or the shade of your seats you may or may not need a jacket.
The art of layering comes in to play this month.
The good news is, there are a multitude of attractive options available to us.
This Fall standard outfit goes from everyday to game day with the addition of a pop of green and shamrock earrings both of which you could wear any day.

October

October can be another tricky month to predict, but precipitation and wind have more than likely come to join the mix. The rain can put a damper on spirits quickly. The key is to wear warm, breathable layers underneath so during the moments of dryness (or when you venture inside) you can remove your rain jacket and still feel put together. Some fun rainboots or a hint of jewelry can help brighten up your look.
A change of clothes (at least socks) is highly recommended

November

November is most undoubtedly going to be cold. Depending on how cold you may opt for long underwear and layers of socks (most long underwear is thin and breathable and works well with layering - they just might not go with your skinniest of skinny jeans). Wool sweaters, sock, mittens, and hats help keep the heat in (note the Irish cable to support my team - yes, I'm a nerd) and bonus points for finding a scarf in a plaid resembling that of the band. An insulated coat that covers your seat when seated is a great choice (especially if you find one that sports your team's colors). Even though the snow might not be falling, it's time to pull out your winter boots. Those bleachers get cold fast! 

Go Irish!

Now it's time for you to link up!
Thank you for letting us join you, Erin!

Please make sure you link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page for the opportunity to be selected for our feature posts or pinned to our board.

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

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 Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here,  and check out the features from every week here!
  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

I cannot wait to read your post!

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

Currently - August

Forgive me as I ease back into blogging with a few quick list/quick posts. It has been busy behind the computer screen. Here’s what we have been up to currently:

Creating…

a life together out of the half unpacked boxes, piles for storing and donating, lengthy to do lists and hours we decide to throw caution to the wind and just enjoy our little love nest.

 

Wishlisting…

pillows and paint colors. B already owned the world’s most comfortable couch. Despite being almost a decade old, it looks just fine. The pillows, however, scream bachelor pad. Likewise, the all ivory walls need some color to give our place a homier feel.

Hoping…

my little Joy-gust will bear much fruit.

Eating…

Garden veggies!
 

B planted a garden before the wedding and it has blossomed the past month. Any favorite zucchini, tomato, and/or green bean recipes would be appreciated! I adapted this one last night and was very pleased with the result.

Watching…

Castle re-runs. I turn it on while I make dinner and it takes all my will power to turn it off or we end up watching until something else comes on.

 

Linking up with Gold & Bloom.

 

Have a happy weekend friends!

Tuesday Talk: Love and Hate

Welcome to Tuesday Talk!

 

Michelle tagged all of us Tuesday Talk hosts to do our own Love and Hate posts.

I have not done a post like this in a long while and with all the new faces around here, I thought it was perfect timing to do a “getting to know you” post.

 

The gist is to make a list of ten things you love and ten things you hate (I try to avoid using the word hate because it is so strong, so let’s say dislike with a passion instead) and tag ten friends to write their own post. Since it’s Joy-gust, I’m going to start with my dislikes so we can end on a joyful note thinking about the things we love.

 

Here it goes!

 

I dislike…

 

Chewing with one’s mouth open

Being rushed

Being put on the spot

Crass humor

Being told to do something I am already doing

Snakes – especially large ones that can swallow humans whole

Objectifying people

Mosquito bites

Condescending attitudes

Horror films – I do not understand the fun in being terrified

 

 

I love…

 

Decorative pillows – it’s amazing how a pillow can pull all the colors in the room together or add a unique twist to a standard color palate.

Children’s literature – I could read Winnie the Pooh and Anne of Green Gables forever

Organizing closets, cabinets, dressers – the feeling of accomplishment is the best

Good business – an unique angle, stellar marketing, great customer service it makes me happy

Drinking tea outside – there’s something so peaceful about sitting in nature

A fresh snowfall – before anyone’s feet have touched the crisp white blanket

Pops of red – in an outfit, meal, or room it completes the picture

Baking cookies – oatmeal chocolate chip are my favorite

Perfume d’ bebe – how do babies smell so sweet?

Being an aunt – there are no words to describe the joy

 

I tag you!

 

Link back your Love and Hate post, and any other post, with Tuesday Talk!

 

 Next week we'll be getting ready for Football season, so prep your recipes and tips, to link up here and with Erin from Love, Fun and Football for her Tailgate Tuesday party.

 

Please make sure you link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page for the opportunity to be selected for our feature posts or pinned to our board.

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

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 Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here, 
and check out the features from every week here!
  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

I cannot wait to read your post!

Thanks for stopping by! 
 

An InLinkz Link-up