Week 41: Sanitary Smiles

How many of you have a G-Man (garbage man) that knows you by name, waves when you see him out of context driving through town, oh, and has thrown out the first pitch at an MLB game and sang the National Anthem at an NBA game?? Because I do!!

When I moved from Milwaukee to Cedarburg 18 years ago Michael, our G-Man, was one of the first people I met, as I rushed my bin to the street as the truck drove down the street (I hadn't known the schedule yet). He gave me the brightest smile and warmest welcome!

As the years went by, we learned more about each other, both Packers fans (he liked the green and gold stickers I put on my bins) and faithful believers. 

I don't know my recycling guy as well since he only comes every other week and usually while I'm at the gym, but he's taken extra stuff, I've seen him get out of the truck to move bins stuck in the snow on other blocks, and always waves hello when I drive by. 

And so a few weeks ago, I put together some much-deserved appreciation baskets for them both. 

Included in each basket was some water, a bottle of iced green tea, pack of Red Vines, pretzel chips, stick of jerky, and package of popcorn crisps. Then I wrapped them in cellophane, tied them with ribbon, and wrote out a card saying thanks for all they do.

I wasn't there when my recycling was picked his up but hope he enjoyed the basket! I know Michael was excited about this. 

He was pulling up just as I came out of the house with a couple of boxes to add to my recycling bin that had been emptied earlier that day. He waved me over, hopped out of his truck and said, "Shannon, this is so nice of you! Do you think your friend (my boyfriend, Mark) will mind if I give you a hug?" I assured him Mark wouldn't mind. (: And then we got talking a bit about life. 

He asked what my kids' plans were for the Summer, if I had any real estate deals in the hopper, and said he's always praying for us, reminded me to keep my eyes and heart focused above. 

I know a lot of people who give their mail carriers and sanitary engineers gifts in December, but this is your friendly reminder that a cold drink on a hot Summer day is appreciated! A hot chocolate on the first crisp day in Fall is celebrated! And a just because basket of goodies for the hard-working people who keep this part of your world in order is always met with a smile! 

You'll be smiling too!!

Week 40: Flower Power 🤝 Mama Magic

I'm skipping ahead of a few writeups I'm behind on to keep things current: Last week Saturday I hit up Trader Joes and bought a whole lot of flowers and then asked an employee if I could have one of their flower buckets. She said yes! 

I bet you'd like to know what I did with them all. 😄 Well, here's the scoop!

I opened all the packages, arranged them in the bucket, filled it with water, and then wrote out a sign instructing people to take a flower or two if they were a mom, *for* their mom, if they missed their mom, were dealing with infertility, had a friend who lost a mother or child, etc. 

And then I set an alarm to get up early to set them out in the little touristy town I call home.

Downtown sleepy Cedarburg is one of my favorite things, such a juxtaposition from the image most people have, usually only seeing it after a festival or weekend visit. It was nice to walk the street and envision the best place to put the bucket of flowers for maximum visibility. 

After considering a few locations, I decided on a bench near the busiest corner. 

A few hours later I drove to pick up my son to spend the day together. I normally avoid Washington on weekends but purposely drove past to see if any flowers had been taken, and had they ever! 

I was so happy to see a small crowd around the bench, one father and his two sons (one with a cowboy hat and boots on made my heart melt) picking out flowers to give their mama. 

Around 1:00pm my kids and I headed out to my parent's house and took a detour to check on the flowers and there was only one left! Out of the 75 I had put out! 

We went back a few hours later and I emptied the water and disposed of the bucket and sign. Another activity a success...and planned to be a regular life routine for me long after this project is over. 

As a single mom of three, I have had Mother's Days when no one asked my kids what they were planning on making or giving me. I know firsthand how rough and lonely it feels to have the day treated like any other while the other moms in your life are being lifted up. 

If one of the flowers finds its way into the overlooked hands of someone in that experience, I'll feel like the years I plan on doing this going forward will be a success. 

And if they simply find their way into kids and partners excitedly handing them over to moms already in the middle of a day of showers of love, that's awesome too! 

It's the toughest, bestest job on the planet!! We deserve our flowers!

Week 39: KenDUCKY Derby to Help Kids With IDD

Yesterday was one of my favorite activities of the year: the Kentucky Derby! 

And in my town, the KenDUCKY Derby, where thousands of rubber duckies race down the creek that meanders through town!

My best friend and I attend the latter event each year, donning hats or fascinators, dresses and boots or heeled sandals while sipping mint juleps at Rebellion Brewing and taking in everyone else's derby attire. 

And then, it's time for the grand finale: the dumping of the ducks into Cedar Creek! And cheering ours on!

The duck race is run by All My Friends, a local nonprofit that builds sensory rooms, playgrounds, camp scholarships, and more for children with Autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

There were 2,456 ducks racing in this year's derby event; their efforts raised over $10,000 yesterday! And All My Friends provided a fun event for the community at the same time. It was a win/win! 

But sadly, not for any of the ducks I sponsored as last week's Kindness Countdown activity. 

But there's always next year! 

Hope to see you there!!

Week 38: Saving 1-3 Lives While Bettering Mine

I've been donating blood regularly for the past 10 years. It's become such a priority for me that I purposely purchase plant-based protein powder (vanilla Orgain Organics is my go-to since it's often on sale at Costco) because I've found that it helps keep the iron levels of this vegetarian high enough to donate safely. 

I made my first blood donation back in high school, did it a few times in my 20s, and then had some health issues, became a mother of three, and went through a few other big life things that kept me from keeping it front of mind. And then at the age of 39, when looking for ways to positively impact my community during my first Kindness Countdown to my 40th birthday, I made a donation. 

And I've never looked back. 

I am an introvert who, if I'm being honest, really prefers to never leave the house. Like, ever. 😅 But I am also a proponent of building a community because I believe it's important to a happy, balanced life. I do this purposely in places I frequent, finding them more enjoyable when connections are made. My every-other-month blood drive is one of those places.

I've gotten familiar with many of the Versiti staff and Cedarburg Lion's Club members that coordinate each of my blood drives. They work hard to make it efficient and energized and actually fun! And they reach out to the community to provide good food and drinks and prizes for those who participate in the trivia as they eat and regroup (and socialize) after their donations. 

During my last donation I ran into an old friend while waiting for my vitals to be taken, the phlebotomist who drew my blood said "I remember you" when she saw my tattoos and we caught up on our kids from my last donation, and I chatted with a retired co-worker who told me it was nice to be connected on Facebook and that she's enjoyed seeing me so happy the past few years after a rough time of life she knew I had made it through. (She also said her daughter had recently relocated to the Milwaukee area and is looking for a job in HR, so if anyone knows of anything, please let me know!) And then the coordinators of the drive reminded me that the next donation scheduled was in June, the annual cookout...and that they'd do their best to get black bean burgers, remembering I am a vegetarian.

All this to say that if you're looking to better your life, this is your reminder to find a community and commit to being a part of it. 

And if you can do it before, after, or while saving 1-3 lives every 8 weeks through a blood donation, that's even better!!

Contact your local Versiti or Red Cross offices for donation locations. 

Week 37: Mile High Meals

Anyone who knows me or follows me on Instagram knows I've done more than my fair share of flying the past three+ years while being in a long-distance relationship. 

After boarding dozens of flights a year, I have my routines and typically do my best to focus on catching up on work, checking in with my kids, and keeping my guy up-to-date on my travels prior to boarding. That is, unless I can't help but notice things. Like I did while waiting for my last flight out to Colorado. 

I was working on my laptop next to two kids who appeared to be meeting for the first time. I overheard them discussing where they were from and what their families were like. I found myself thinking about what kind young men they seemed to be as I caught tidbits of their conversation while answering emails and texts to clients. 

And then I saw them join a few more kids who had the same look about them. The look of new kids in the military. And I choked up as I always do when thinking of those who give so much for me to live my little life travelling back and forth, working freely, expressing myself so opening, enjoying all my time here on Earth to the fullest. 

And then my head and heart got to work.

As the flight attendants were making their final round prior to takeoff I flagged one down. I asked her if she could find out if the kids in the back were of legal drinking age, and if so, could she ask if I could buy them a round of drinks. 

She came back and said they were all of age and so excited someone wanted to get them a round, but they weren't allowed to drink as they were technically already active. 

I sent her back, as my "second" 😉 in this negotiation game, with the offer to buy a meal or snack, I told her to really push for it, not to let them be too polite. She came back and said they all took me up on the offer and sent back so many thank yous. 💗

For the rest of the flight, each time the attendant passed, she asked if she could get me anything, on United, because she thought what I did was so thoughtful. I told her I was all good but really appreciated the offer. 

I never spoke those young men but I've thought of them and their families often, praying for their safety and grateful for their service. 

Psst! Kindness is contagious! Pass it on!

Week 36: Serving a Stranger

My youngest daughter and I went to Kentucky for her spring break to take in all things horses. We stayed at an awesome ranch in Berea where it was proven once again what a small world it is. 

My daughter snapped a friend of hers a picture of the donkeys on the property to keep their streak alive. Her friend asked if she was in Kentucky. My daughter said yes. Her friend asked if she was staying at Nicura Ranch. Why yes we were! 

Wouldn't you know, they were the other family overlapping our visit. What an unexpected treat to meet up and talk horses and bourbon with other Wisconsinites on our trip!

While our trip was planned with only horses in mind, this whiskey-lover couldn't help but scope out the old fashioneds on the menus during our meals and google places known for smokey offerings. ;) 

After one meal, my daughter and I made our way to Sedona Taphouse for me to give their smoked hickory small batch bourbon old fashioned a try. It was delicious! While smoke-infused ice cubes is my favorite way for the flavor delivery, a smoked glass is pretty great too (I don't love the smoke things they put on top, the flavor dissipates too quickly), and that's what I found here, a lovely-coated earthy flavor. 

Anyway, I digress...

While I was taking the last few sips of my cocktail, I noticed a gentleman walk in, take a seat to our right, and ask what the cheapest beer was on tap. He said he was looking to spend $3 and was used to cheap beer being a US Navy veteran. 

I looked over at him and noticed he had done his best to look presentable to walk into a restaurant, most likely spending most of his time on the street. The bartender poured his beer and after setting it down in front of him made her way over to me with my check. 

I asked her to please add some food onto my bill for the gentleman sitting to my right and bring me a new check. While we waited for the new bill, we overheard the man ask the patrons on his other side if they were finished with their food. They said they were and handed him their plates; he ate the food they hadn't finished up fast. 

While we didn't stay to see his cooked-just-for-him food get delivered, I hope he enjoyed it hot and fresh. And I hope this serves as a reminder to waste less. Unfortunately, there are hungry bellies all around. 

Week 35: Wally the Whale

Hello! Long time, no posting. Again. 😅 Also again, I've kept up with activities but have been inconsistent with the writing of these posts. I'm not gonna go into why, but if you see me IRL, feel free to ask. Over a good cup of coffee or cocktail. 😉 

OK, onto week 35's activity...

You may recall a few months ago, my boyfriend's very talented sister crocheted 50 chickens we named Mabel and I wrote notes for them all. We placed them inside of plastic eggs and added some paper nesting materials to a bag and had The Ronald McDonald House hand them out to children staying with them while they received treatments in Milwaukee. 

Well, they were so well received, we thought we'd do it again. This time, the crochet queen created 50 adorable whales I named Wally. I again wrote out 50 notes and placed them inside of plastic shell cases before adding everything to individual bags for the kids. 

The notes read as follows: 

"Whale, hello there! My name is Wally and I'm here to help you navigate these rough waters.

Want to hear my sea-riously good idea? Give me a squeeze when you need it; I'm hooked on helping you!"

Each of the whales were different. 

There were large ones and small ones. Black, light blue, pink, and dark blue whales. Some had rattles inside. All had reinforced eyes thoughtfully (and I'd assume, painstakingly, not that the artist would ever complain) sewn on. 

I love that each child got to pick which whale spoke to them. 

As I assembled the whale bags, I said a prayer of hope they'd bring comfort while in the depths they were experiencing with their new friend, and that they'd celebrate when reaching the calm waters and sunshine ahead.