Not Exactly New Year's

My husband and I had a very low-key new year's celebration this year.  Dinner, then home to watch some of the TV festivities, and a midnight toast... because... the following weekend, we had planned a get-away!

We drove to a hotel in Galveston.  The ocean view was beautiful.  This is a photo right outside of our hotel.

We had a delicious and filling dinner at Saltwater Grill: Tomato bisque soup, potstickers, filet mignon, shrimp, and grilled fish.

And last, we went to a Jerry Jeff Walker concert at the 1894 Grand Opera House, then went to Molly's for a drink.

What an awesome getaway!

Thursday Thirteen

I went to the Rachel's Challenge presentation at school today (third time I had seen/heard the story).  It never ceases to amaze and inspire me.  Like Rachel Scott, I do believe that kindness goes a long way and that kind acts can produce a chain reaction.  Not just random acts of kindness, which are good, but TARGETED acts of kindness which are even better.   (Rachel was the first student who was shot at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.)  Through the way she lived her life, her diaries, her essays, she embodied the Golden Rule and so much more!

What are some EASY ways to show kindness toward others?

1.  In traffic, allow someone to pull in front of you.
2.  Hold the elevator for someone.
3.  Smile and say hello to a stranger.
4.  Open the door for someone.
5.  Pick up something someone has dropped.
6.  Give a sincere, meaninful compliment.
7.  Keep bottled water in your car and give one to the guy on the street corner.
8.  Pay the toll for the car following you at the toll booth.
9.  Say, "I'm sorry," and mean it.
10. Send a random text or Facebook message just to say hi to someone.
11. Say, "Thank you," and mean it.
12. Write a note and put it in your child's/spouse's lunch.
13. Offer to load the groceries into the car if you see someone struggling.

Easy, right?  It really is easy to let someone know that they matter.
Kindness is a chain reaction.  Pay it forward!  And THANK YOU for stopping by today!
I'm linking up with Thursday 13 today.

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Aloha Friday

Aloha Friday is sponsored by Kailani at An Island Life.  Friday is a day when they take it easy, so I'm posting a simple question that doesn't require a lengthy response.  You can participate, too, by posting a question on your blog and linking it here.

Grocery shopping is the bane of my existence!

Next to that, it would be making lunches.

What about you?  What required task do you dislike most? 

Maybe we can trade!

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13 Movies

13 Movies I Have Watched Recently

(Some at the theater; some on DVD)

1. We Bought a Zoo – I wasn’t expecting this to be so good!
2. Arthur Christmas – This was a really cute movie.
3. New Year’s Eve – I thought it was better than Valentine’s Day, which I also liked. This one has more of a storyline.
4. Horrible Bosses – Inappropriate, yes, but definitely humorous!
5. Bridesmaids – Also inappropriate, but extremely hilarious!
6. Super 8 – Eh. Not great.

7.  White Christmas - One of my favorite Christmas movies.
8. Bad Teacher – Eh. Not very funny.
9. The Help – Probably the best movie I’ve seen in a long time (even though the book was even better.)
10. Salt – Not bad, but completely unbelievable. Almost “Kill-Bill-ish.”
11. Just Go with It – Predictable, but cute.
12. The Fighter – Eh. Not horrible, but not an especially likeable film.
13. Soul Surfer – A good family movie.

I'm linking up with Thursday 13.  Come join us!

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Thursday Thirteen

File these under WISHFUL THINKING!

I wish I could...

1. Bake cakes and pies like a friend of mine who used to provide desserts to a 5 star restaurant in our area (until Hurricane Ike hit).
2. Sew like my mother used to do for us when we were growing up. Oh, I can do buttons and minor alterations, and I learned to make a skirt and a shirt when I was in high school, but I would love to be able to take a piece of fabric and turn it into something beautiful.
3. Knit like my mother-in-law.
4. Crochet like a friend who made beautiful blankets for the twins when they were babies.
5. Sing like a woman at church who could definitely record if she had the desire to do so.
6. Speak two languages fluently like some of my students from other countries.
7. Decorate like a friend who lives down the street. She and I have the same floor plan, with a few minor alterations, but her house is so… stylish!
8. Run long distances like my daughter.
9. Volunteer my time like I did when I took a year off teaching. There just isn’t enough time while working a full-time job.
10. Play the piano like my daughters.
11. Write novels like my favorite authors.
12. Paint like a gentleman that goes to my church. He’s very talented.
13. Sleep… like a baby! I have the hardest time falling asleep and staying that way.

Join us at Thursday 13!

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