A trully Random Act of Kindness happened to me today.

It is 2 days till pay day.  Unexpected car repairs, a family GBS show last week and the usual bills/cost of living found me with only 8 bucks left; I needed gas, milk and bread at the very minimum.

I got the milk and bread and went to get my one gallon + of gas that my remaining 4 bucks would buy me.  The pump went over $4 before I knew it, entirely too quickly - I was screwed.  I had no other way to pay. 

Luckily the gal there sees me regularly and told me to pay the difference on payday - as we talked about it - through the glass window - a stranger offered to pay my small overage and then asked if I needed more gas.

I teared up right there. I thanked her, declined the extra gas (that I really did need) and gratefully accepted her kindness. 

I told her I am a firm believer in and practicer of Random Acts of Kindness and assured her I'd pay it forward when I could.  

I got in my car and thought of this thread.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness - they come back to you when you least expect, but need it most.

---

Helen




I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!

My mechanic is my SB* today. As I was driving to work this morning, all of a sudden my windshield got all these drops on it.  tried to wipe them off with my wipers, but I only succeeded in smearing whatever it was all over the windshield. I tried to use my washer to wipe it off but it only got worse and eventually I could not see out my side of the windshield. After pulling over and calling AAA, I accompanied my car to the mechanic's in the nice tow truck. The fluid turned out to be transmission fluid and the problem was the transmission fluid cooler, which had sprung a leak and needed to be replaced. If it hadn't spwed all over the windshield, I would have needed a new transmission. So I will be thenkful for that. And the fact that George was able to fix it on about 4 hours. He put other stuff aside so I could get on the road.

And I got an unexpected day off!

Anne

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And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

My gawd, my daughter is SB. No big, special reason. She just really, truly is. She can lift me out of a funk so easily. And if she can't, well, she's right there with a big hug. She has so much strength. It's such a tough time here right now and she's being the bravest little soul. I just don't know what I'd do without her. I've always said that this is her song:

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her

She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know why it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason
Anyway

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know what it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin'
Anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around

She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'

She's got a light around her
And everywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her
Everywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
Anyway

So here's to my Chelsea...the sweetest SB in my world. (And if she read this, she'd think I was the sappiest mom in the world!)

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Some people shine like a star in the first moment. Others keep their light hidden until they are ready to show us.

Trace, that is just beautiful.  I'll never hear Billy Joel sing that the same way, I'll always think of you and Chelsea fom now on.  You're lucky to have her.

---

Helen




I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!

My something beautiful has been working in my sister's garden the last couple of weeks. We fixed the fence and stained it. We also have been working on getting all the shrubs and trees planted that she bought at the end of season sale at the nursery. No matter how tired it makes me, I never get tired of the beauty in the garden. The roses are starting their last flush and we're hoping we hold off on a hard frost until they are done.

  

My SB* happened on Sunday and I've just now had time to write about it.  My uncle, at 71 years of age, got married again.  He had taken care of my aunt for years and years through very ill health (she was wheelchair-bound and suffered from dementia, arthritis, diabetes and a bad heart) and she passed away just over a year and half ago.  We worried that he was pretty lost without her, but he met a lovely lady last November and they're so cute and happy together.  The wedding was lovely and adorable, they looked like little kewpie dolls (my mom's family isn't very tall).  Made me decide that when I'm 71, maybe I'll try marriage again.

Cheers all,

Kati 

 

 

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"Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength." - John Wesley

"If you wanna touch the sky, better learn how to kneel" - U2

My husband and I had our first evening out since our daughter was born. My mum thoroughly enjoyed looking after her granddaughter, and we had a lovely meal and a really good chat. Smiles all round.

my SB* today is just the world.

While i was doing chores at the barn tonight I was outside feeding the moms and babies I just happened to look up at the sky just in time to see a shooting star...but thats when it hit me, its a beautiful, clear night here and you could see tons of stars ... just an unexpected burst of happiness.

The world IS wonderful.

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I refuse your reality and substitute my own - Adam Savage

When you give people chances and allow them to come back from their mistakes, great things happen and I'm a perfect example that you shouldn't give up on people. - Eric Lamaze

Anne and Bonnie.

 

Anne for letting me be useful. And for so much else.

 

Bonnie for all the help, advice and fun she gives me.

---

Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus
"Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." E. Wiesel
OKP's Resident B****
Imprudens est draconem vivum de consiliis tuis omittere.
Steet team Leader for NYS, OH and Southern Ontario.

My SB* is my son Alex and his best friend Andrew.  Two 15 y.o. boys who, instead of sitting on their rumps watching football yesterday afternoon, helped me load and unload a Uhaul van(yuck, never driving one of those again, I hope) with furniture that a friend of my mother's was giving away, for free - who would pass up free if it's nice stuff?  Things like Ethan Allen dressers and a massive wardrobe and a computer desk and all kinds of small antique pieces. They not only moved it, they did it with such high spirit and good humor, they had me laughing the entire time.  In a world where teenagers are often dismissed for going off to get high or getting pregnant or being criminals/slackers in general, these two took the prize.  What did they talk about?  I couldn't even tell you, just that they were hysterically funny.  They saved me, as they always do, when I need this stuff done - my arthritis is better these days, but still kind of iffy, so I needed serious help and my brother and his son had backed out one me.

Anyway, cheers goes out to them today!

Cheers to all,

Kati

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"Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength." - John Wesley

"If you wanna touch the sky, better learn how to kneel" - U2

Hats of to Alex and Andrew!!!!! There is hope for the future!!! I'm sure it has a lot to do with how parents like you have raised them. You've reached their souls if they can be so helpful with such high spirits and good humor. That kind of parenting is truly SB.

My SB was watching the stars last night. It was a crisp clear evening and just sat there and enjoyed the beauty before heading home where the lights block the view. Hoping to be moving to the country soon where I can enjoy it all the time. 

On a beautiful Fall morning I graduated and I brought my kids along to convocation.  They're two and five.  They've suffered as much as anyone else with all the work I've had to do over the last year.  The ceremony was full of all the usually trappings of institutions. It was great to wear the robes and get the piece of paper, to shake hands with the important looking people in the fancy chairs on the stage.  But the best feeling was hearing the two little voices at the back shout "My Mom!" in the midst of all that ceremony.  Then, for the rest of the weekend if someone congratulated me, my backup chorus of "congratulations Mom!" cheered.  That's worth more than anything I can think of.  Ever.

---

Sing an unwritten song or repent for the deeds you left undone.

Congratulations Carol!!!!!!! Way to go!!!!!! 

APPREHENDED!

This little fugitive had been hanging around under the porch, blundering into traffic and getting into fights, so I jumped through a veritable Slinky of hoops to get a trap from the local no-kill shelter and a phone number to call when I nabbed him/her.

It took lots of persistence, frustration, uncertainty, and patience (and money) that I frankly haven't got, but it all worked out in the end.  Critterling is now in the custodly of a genuine no-kill shelter, who charged me to pick hir up, will charge hir new humans to adopt hir, and will meanwhile do all the requisite medical tests, vaccinations, and spay/neuter.  They're volunteers, run ragged by their own jobs, and sick of being hollered at by people like me when they tell us at the last minute "We don't accept any cat without a surrender fee," but they have every reason in the world to be evasive, because otherwise most people wouldn't undertake to trap ferals with their help.

So, anyway, if you're feeling flush for any reason, or have just had a couple tasty beverages and you're saying "awwww" at that picture, please  consider visiting the donation page for Saint Meows no-kill shelter and pinging them a few clams.  They deserve it after the hissyfit I gave them just because I'm so damn broke and could have handled it if they'd been a bit more forthright; but I understand that most of the people they have to deal with are pretty different from me.  And doesn't that little beastie deserve it as well?

Love, Columbine 

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Andi's my SB* today, for making me feel better and helping me to sort stuff out!  Cheers to you!

 

Kati

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"Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength." - John Wesley

"If you wanna touch the sky, better learn how to kneel" - U2