day four of challenge #6

Were you at school parades and parties all day yesterday?
With five kids, Halloween time can be very exhausting.
After costuming the children, baking pumpkin cookies, attending class parties, parades, and a trunk or treat (not to mention all the other daily duties that you all do as well) all I wanted to do last night was go straight to bed.
Capt. Butler suggested we go to the late show instead.
I wanted to say no.
We went and we had a really great time being together...
we saw Amelia Earhart
(not sure I would reccomend it, very slow moving BUT very inspirational).

OK, maybe that's not really a "gift" but lets face it, I was giving all day yesterday.

day three of challenge #6

Yesterday I hugged and kissed one of my girls and told her every little reason I love and adore her.

This gift giving is great. I've noticed how aware I am each day to give- whether it's big or small. And each day I'm excited to see what I can do.

How are you doing with your gifts?

day two of challenge #6

Capt. Butler and I delivered these to friends last night.
Don't forget to give today.

day one, challenge 6

In order to keep myself on task, for the 7 day gifts challenge, everyday this week I will journal what I did for someone... because at the end of this goal, I will NOT say, "eh, so so" like I did on the last challenge.

Yesterday my gift was a listening ear.

A friend who is typically kind of chatty (bless her heart) called while I was wildly hurrying to make dinner and help with homework. She wanted to talk about rescheduling something, but I knew what she really wanted to talk about was her new grandbaby. So instead of quickly congratulating her and bringing the phone conversation to a close, I asked every single question I could think of about the new baby. I let her tell it all- the birth story, the baby's stats, and the other grandchildren's reactions to the new baby. It felt good. Sometimes I get too rushed and I only allow time for conversations I think I want to have.

Don't forget to give a gift to someone today!

challenge #6: gift giving

Yesterday I saw a brief clip on the Today Show where a woman with MS was talking about how she was doing this program called "29 days of Gift Giving". She talked about how once she started doing small acts of kindness for others, her symptoms with MS started to fade and her health improved. She actually stopped using her cane to help her walk. You can read more about this here
http://givingchallenge.ning.com/
I too believe that if we can move the focus off of ourselves and onto others, in the process we can actually improve, nourish and enlighten our own soul.
I have seen this happen in my own life- and I want to see it again.
So, this week I will give SEVEN gifts.
The definition of "gift" is completely up to the giver.
It can be something made, baked, bought, spoken, written, gestured, and so forth. Nothing big, fancy or expensive starting today and ending next Tuesday.
Will you do this with me?

challenge #5: eh, so so. But I'll say completed.

I wasn't a saint by any means, and my kids will tell you that.

But I did find some humorous alternatives like:

jammit

wordy

numb skull

I was glad that I at least made an effort to use different words.

And I was conscious of my language the whole week,

whether it was good or bad.

How did you do?

Challenge #5: verbal clean up.

Damn it.

I'm late starting my weekly goal because I couldn't stop swearing-

which ironically, was my goal.

This week I will replace less than desirable vocab with cleaner, more thoughtful alternatives.

Please join me.

challenge #4: completed

The Capt. and I hugged and kissed quite a bit this week,

I made all the heavy and meaty meals he likes,
let him watch baseball when MY show was on,

and I'm planning a small and frugal date tonight.

I'd like to be a little more vigilant with my goals.

Afterall, that's the point in setting them by the week-

to have better focus, work harder, and accomplish more.

How did you do?

coming along

Well I promised I'd still work on last week's goal
and when I say I'll do something,
I usually mean it.
Get dressed: check.

Hair: check.
Makeup slathered: check.
accessories: check.

shoes not related to the flip flop: check check.
I've also been lovin' my man.
(this week's goal)
We exchanged love-emails today.
And went for our weekly Sunday drive without the kittens.

challenge #4: lovin' my man

Yes, he is a hunk.

My very real Capt. Butler and I have been married for a while now.

And I'd say it's time for me to start sparking things up again. He is really such a good guy. I need to set aside the little things that too often get me in a tizzy and just focus on all his greatness and wonderful qualities.

So, that's exactly what I will work on this week.

I will praise him, kiss him, hug him, and tell him I love him.

Want to take this challenge with me?

challenge #3: failed miserably

Glamour and I never found eachother this week.
I told you this one would be hard for me.
Can I use the excuse that I had a sick child for a couple of those days?
I will continue this challenge along with a new one this week.

uuuggghhh

I knew this challenge would prove difficult for me...
does yesterday's left over mascara on my face count?

ok, I'll keep trying.

challenge #3: get dressed everyday

This challenge may make you think ill of me.I am fortunate enough to stay home with my kids, but just unfortunate enough to find myself in my running clothes from the morning---all day--nearly everyday.
ahh, that felt good to confess.
Even though most days I bask in the luxury of being able to do so, it does affect my self esteem. I know I would feel better about myself if I took better care of me. And I'm sure Capt. Butler and the kids would like that too.
This week I will get dressed everyday complete with hair and makeup.
This is going to be a challenge.
Will you do it with me?
Oh ya, you probably already do.

Challenge #2 completed

Wow. I have to admit, I had a really nice time with this challenge. I think there were a couple days last week when I was either in a hurry or too ornery to talk, but for the most part... I really tried to connect with someone, at least once a day. I had conversations with strangers about dogs, kids, work, health issues, where they're from, boy scouts, etc. It was really refreshing.It made me think about the reasons I don't always talk with others, and I think my biggest excuse is time. I don't engage because I have it in my head that it will take too much of my time. But what I remembered is, I can really share a nice moment with people if I just take a few minutes. And the time is well worth it. I feel enriched and connected- and that was exactly what I was hoping for.
As with most my weekly goals, I will continue to work on this.
How did it go for you?