The Power of a Kind Word

Kindness in words creates confidence ... (Photo credit: symphony of love)

Today was craptastic to say the least. I lost another tooth at the gum line, the second this week. My little charge at work has pink eye, so I'm bracing for getting it myself. I ran out of gas when trying to get home tonight. I was just generally blah and not having a good night until everything turned around.

It's amazing how kind words from old friends can flip your mood. I went from being pretty down to laughing and smiling, a definite turn around. One friend I've known for twenty years, but haven't seen in ages reached out and was just an absolute doll. The other, a crazy friend of the past seven or eight years I guess, appeared at just the right time tonight too. Both of them said things that absolutely turned my night from gloomy to grand. Thank you both.

I think we don't realize sometimes how powerful a few kind words or just genuinely caring for others can do for them. Sure, we may not be able to solve all their problems, but you never know how one smile can completely brighten a day. It doesn't take much; a sincere smile, a how are you, or a thinking of you can do it. Words have great power, why not use it to reach out to someone you've not connected with in awhile or someone you know is struggling. You just might touch the life of one who really needs it.

Back in the Day

As I was hanging up laundry just now, my mind started strolling down memory lane. It occurred to me that I was around my son's age when I met my best friend and had what I considered the best school year of my life. I am amazed at how clearly I can remember most of the events of that year and how differently you see things once you reach adulthood.

It was sixth grade. This was a big deal in the town I grew up in because you went from several different elementary schools to one school that was nothing but sixth graders. It was the first time we got to mix with kids from all over town rather than just our neighborhoods. I remember being scared to death. The school was three stories high and you only really associated with kids from your floor. My first week was so hellish that I was physically ill every morning. The girl in my home room were horrible to me and I knew none of them. By Thursday my mother had gone to the principal and demanded they move me. I went from the second floor to the first and it changed my life forever.

I met my best friend Melly when I was sent to check on he in the bathroom. She was throwing up and I ended up catching her bug. We've been friends ever since. Strange meeting, but we've stayed strong through three husbands and six kids between us. I love that girl. Soon, it wasn't just me and Melly in our little group. Heather, the Jennifers, and Katie joined us and we were pretty much the "it" girls. I had never been popular in my life, so this was a change. Were we the most popular girls in school? No. But we were a fierce little clique, although I never would've admitted that at the time. We were a tight group and there was never a shortage of good times to be had. It was the one year of my school career that I felt completely accepted socially and had an excellent year academically. Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Smith made an impression on me that has lasted through the years. Sixth grade rocked!

I think back on myself then and shudder. I had a ruffly denim skirt I loved to wear, was obsessed with neck ties, pinch rolled pants, blue eye shadow, Love's Soft Jasmine perfume, and was pretty sure I would one day marry Danny from New Kids on the Block. Thinking back on it, we were a clique and I fear we were cruel at times, as girls tend to be. I can't tell you one other girl who was in our class outside of our group. I didn't notice them. Maybe I did at the time, but I remember it as nothing mattering but us. I hope we didn't hurt anyone with our exclusive group, but fear we probably did. I vaguely remember others being on the edges wanting to get in, but they were never accepted. This was also the year I figured out that the chubby girl would always be the boys' best friend or little sister, nothing more. That was a bitter pill to swallow. It was a year of learning, growing, and lots of life lessons.

After reading Queen Bees and Wanna Bees, I realize we were probably exactly the type of friends you don't want your daughter to have. We weren't the "bad girls" but we weren't the best either. Still, I can't change the past and remember those days fondly. Most of the girls are my friends on Facebook, along with the guys who made us swoon back in the day. Melly and I talk about those days and laugh, recalling funny nicknames and our crazy antics that seemed completely rational at the time. These are fond memories that make me smile and make me realize what I want to teach my kids. Treat others with kindness, you don't want to grow up and look back on your life with regrets. Experiences shape who we are, so I'm grateful for that wonderful year, for what it did for me then, and what it's teaching me now.

Perfection and Isolation

Image by ashley rose, via Flickr

I have several close friends, but most of them live far away. We talk, text, or email every day, managing to keep in touch despite the distance. I love these ladies and my life would not be complete without them. Especially Melly, my oldest and dearest friend. Lately, I've been missing her very badly. It's hard to go years without seeing your best friend and know it will be years until you feasibly see them again. Kids, jobs, money, and being half way across the country are pretty big obstacles.

I have friends locally, but lately I find myself not wanting to socialize much at all. As my long time readers know, I struggle with depression, so maybe this is part of it. I just know that being alone is rather appealing these days. When I am craving conversation and someone to hang and have fun with, things generally don't work out. Everyone in my life is so busy, I guess everyone has more of a life than me. Maybe I'm just giving up and saying alone is better than begging for companionship and being rejected. I don't know.

I realize this is turning into a ramble post, but as they name of the site indicates, I'm pretty prone to rambling. It just seems that lately I need a friend more and more and they are hard to tie down. I'm feeling overwhelmed, because I'm failing miserably at being all the things I need to be to everyone. And for the last hour I've been treated to text message after text message from my husband literally cussing me because he left his can of snuff at home. This is exactly what I mean, I am expected to be perfect and I can't be.

So, I do the things I'm supposed to do. And yes, I fail. I'm beginning to realize my family wants a Stepford wife rather than me. But, I keep trying. I am trying, and trying to smile and pretend everything is just fine. But, it's not. And it hurts.

Sorry for this post being so personal and disjointed, but sometimes you just need to vent. Thanks to my readers for understanding.

My Day ~ It's Been A Hot One!

It has been one of those days when you are really busy, yet feel you have accomplished very little. I did manage to make a great batch of fudge and get it down to the little shop I sell it in. At least that was a positive thing.

Image by dannysullivan via Flickr

Then I had a lovely lunch with my dear friend Marge, she's 75 and one of my best friends. I could spend hours just talking to her. Our friend Kathy met us, and we had a great time. Kathy is in her 60s I believe, and is a great ppol player. They get together at the local pizza joint, drink tea, and shoot stick. My friends are so cool!

Then I came home to chores, ugh! I washed up the dishes, did some laundry, and just general straightening. I also started a pot of beans early this

Image by Felix63 via Flickr

morning, so we'll have a good dinner. Now, I have sweat pouring off my back and want to take a nap. I think the heat just makes me lethargic.

What have you done today?

Fun With Family & Friends

We had a wonderful holiday weekend! It's pretty much over for us, as it was back to work for Dan today. But, we had a great time Saturday & Sunday. You just can't beat good times with family and friends!

Saturday and Sunday, Dan helped our buddy Tom build a dog pen and do some other stuff out at his folks' house. The kiddos went along and helped out as best they could. It sounds like they got quite a bit accomplished. I stayed home and worked here at the house.

Tom had promised them a dip in the lake in return for their help, but Saturday it was just too packed and yesterday we had storms roll in. He felt bad about not letting them hit the water, so he bought them a kiddie pool. Yes, they are a bit big for a kiddie pool, but they had a blast! They got to splash around in there until the storms hit here in town, then they were done for the day.


The rest of the evening was spent enjoying great food and good conversation. Thomas joined us from across the street and we all just hung out and had fun. The evening ended with the kids in bed, while Dan and I cuddled on the couch and watched an Eagles concert. It was a great way to end a really nice weekend!

What did y'all do this holiday weekend?

Neighbor Helping Neighbor

This week we are trying something different. We are combining the resources of our household with those of our dear neighbors at dinner time. I am loving it because we have no stove, so all my cooking has been done via crock pot, electric griddle, and fry daddy. Plus, I really love cooking, which Lenore does not, and have missed it. So, we combine our resources to make a really good meal, rather than two so-so meals. If we don't want to eat together, we divide the food and I bring our part home. We are two low income families, so this arrangement really helps us both stretch our grocery budgets.

I believe that with the current economic crisis, we will see more of this type of thing. I was reading an article about the great depression last night and they had interviewed a man who had lived through the great depression. He talked about how you made your friends your family and neighbors pulled together to help each other survive. It was pretty interesting, especially considering what Lenore had posted yesterday morning. She wasn't necessarily talking about economics, but I found it to be an amusing coincidence. Maybe some of the only good to come out of the current state of things will be to bring friends and family closer together.

I am curious as to what your families are doing to survive these tough times. Have you cut back your spending, given up your morning Starbucks, started clipping coupons? Please leave me some comments! I think we can all use all the frugal ideas we can get!

Beautiful Saturday

Today has been just beautiful. Dan invited friends out, so there has been fishing and visiting around here all day. The kids have had a blast!

My fever spiked again around noon, so I'm not sure how good of company I've been. But, it's been nice to have visitors. My mom has been here all day, helping me and taking care of me. She has been great!

I wrote up a post about all I accomplished yesterday, but can't seem to get my pics to upload. I'll keep working on it.

Again, thanks for your patience during these somewhat mindless postings. I will be back to my old self soon, I hope.

Have a blessed weekend!