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!!