How many times have you seen an Oscar "For Your Consideration" DVD (the DVD was actually in there too)? I was pretty excited when this came in. I knew they had Oscar viewing screens, but didn't know they did DVDs too! I forget what the big bat was from, but that sucker was heavy and completely random to come through.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...? For that matter, RRR for both pictures? Both are kind of clever, but definitely make you go, "Why...?"
However, every once in a while you get something that's touching. A handmade baby blanket (can't tell you how many of those we get) or, in this story's case, handwritten notes from your mom.
We get a lot of boxes in and we've learned to always open them in case there's something valuable in them (always check the wallets and purses too!). The other day, I was putting this flower shaped box out and shook it. It rattled. I opened it and saw all these little notes in it. I took them out and put them aside to look at later. I put the box on the sales shelf. Several hours later, I refound the notes (forgot about them) and started looking at them. Turns out they're notes from this girl's mom. There were 29 of them and then 1 from her dad. Based on the notes, she was in either the 2nd or 3rd grade. They were mostly decorated notes just saying she's pretty, nice, her mom loved her, or some other small thing (little stories, songs, talking about the day, etc). They were touching to see that this girl's mom (and dad) took the time to make those little notes for her to find while at school. Obviously, the girl liked them enough to keep them, but, for whatever reason, they were donated. You can't keep everything, I know that, but I was glad I got to read them.
Photo of all the notes. Look how cute some of them are! She clearly was an only child, but they had two cats who she must have adored as the mom mentions them several times.
Seeing things like that or 26 Moments that Restored Our Faith in Humanity This Year are things that we all need to see to remember the good that exists in this world. After last Fridays horrific shooting and all the other violence and horrors we hear on the news and see in person, things like those notes help remind us of the good we can have too.
The notes also got me thinking about my own childhood. I remember when my parents would go to back-to-school nights (when I had an assigned desk) and they would sit at it that night. The next day I would always sit down and immediately try to find the business card my dad would leave me to find somewhere. It was always a fun little hunt to do, but also reminded me that my parents loved me and took the time to leave a reminder that they had gone and had seen my desk and work. I remember watching John Wayne movies and Columbo episodes with my dad. I remember my mom and I driving around town talking about our days and discussing various things like Harry Potter.
Those were definitely times when I had less to worry about and was more carefree. Not to say I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders or live a harsh life, but, man, life just isn't as easy as it used to be when food somehow stayed stocked in your cupboards and refrigerator and you didn't have to worry about loans and bills. Sometimes I get caught up in the "bad" and the lack of humanity in the world (let's not discuss the seemingly idiotic people too...) and it brings me down. The small things is what keeps you going and random acts of kindness (RAOKs) are important.
In fact, I had a small funny moment today with an older lady at the post office. I was there to pick up a package, which takes maybe 3 minutes to do. There was a long line of people waiting to ship things. The lady in front of me had about a half dozen packages and told me I could go ahead of her. I said, "Oh. Really? Thanks!" Her response, which was rather loud as she glared at the people in front of us, was, "Of course. Why wouldn't I? You just have a pick-up and I'm mailing several packages. It's simple logic." The people in front either shifted uncomfortably on their feet or turned to look at her. It was amusing. Sure, it wasn't in the same vein as the notes or the 26 moments, but it still was an act of kindness that went beyond her thinking of herself and her waiting in line. Plus, it made me smile and brightened my somewhat-not-fun day (never a good day when a customer wants a phone number to talk to your superior...).
So, yes, in the past few days, my faith in humanity has been somewhat restored. Then again, I'm a general sap, but you get the point. ;)
I also seemingly got into the spirit of the season this past Sunday. All with the thanks to my co-workers. We were playing Christmas music (we didn't do Christmas music this year, except when I've wanted it) and I decided we needed a tree in our break room for our Secret Santa gifts. My fellow co-worker decorated the tree and table and I got the idea to print out paper stockings for us all to decorate however we wanted. We hung them on the wall behind the tree. It looks festive and it was a fun bonding moment with my co-workers. That night was also our "work party" so it was a really festive day.
I am getting socialized out, though. Friday afternoon was seeing The Hobbit with some former Borders co-workers and then Friday night was going out to have drinks (or, well, they drank) and some snacks with other former Borders co-workers. Sunday was my work Christmas party (right after work) and we did ours with another store (also did a White Elephant). Then today we had a LP (loss prevention) county-wide meeting and then went to work. Friday is my birthday (not doing anything really special - just seeing Hobbit in HFR 3D and maybe Silver Linings Playbook) and then Saturday is my store's potluck (making meatballs!) that is also an auction day and inventory has to be conducted (that is going to be a CRAZY day). Course, Monday is Christmas Eve and Tuesday is Christmas day. Phew. I am NOT doing ANYTHING for New Year's! I will enjoy my day off and that is all! Then again, maybe I'm so tired because I've felt understaffed 4/5 days I worked...At any rate, I'm hitting my people quota soon. :P
With that...Nail photos and movies updated tomorrow or later this week. I am definitely doing shimmers for a good long while once December is over...I'm not over the Christmas stuff, but I am definitely over GLITTER in general. It's such a pain to remove and a lot of these glitters are mega-chunky so they're hard to remove even WITH the foil-method. Cremes and shimmers for a few times after the New Year...Or at least a less rigorous schedule...
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