Reasons to be Cheerful

It's been a little while since I wrote a post about being cheerful. The last few weeks have been pretty stressful and there has been plenty of moments where I felt so drained and done with everything. Things still popped out at me though. Lots of small things like the children having good days at school and the leaves changing colour (I love Autumn) and discovering groups online I could follow to give me healthy eating ideas which weren't dull and boring! There have been some big moments to be cheerful though..

1) We have a house! A week today we move and we're all looking forward to it! The children will be in school which will be really handy and we have plenty of offers of help which is so nice. This place is small and cosy which I hope will be better for us. The children will be sharing a room again which A is really pleased about, Midge is okay with the arrangement too. We will have a bath and a shower so I no longer have to have fights with A who hates the feel of the shower on his skin. I really hope here we can make some real family changes and be a happier and stronger family again and that I can be a happier Hannah!

2) Although getting A to do his homework is still very much a bang your head on the wall event, I am really pleased we have stuck to our routine of home, get changed and do homework as tea cooks. We use Lego to help with counting, and he has surprised me with his determination to write the red words he has to learn. He doesn't know any of them but just copying them down without a meltdown is a big success! 

3) I treated myself last night to some new clothes. I don't have the funds outright so made a Very account and bought a selection of clothes in the sale which I can pay off with no trouble at all. I'm really strict with myself when it comes to budgets. I got myself some work out leggings which are awesome and will boost me to do some exercise, even if it is just some yoga and dog walking. I also bought myself some new jeans (size 16 boo!) but I've been squeezing into size 14's for too long, I may be trying to lose weight but I must accept my size for what it is currently while I continue my journey. I also bought myself a poncho which may or may not suit me but I've always wanted and if worse comes to worse I can just wear it around the house to be comfy and warm!

4) A surprise random act of kindness. It's always lovely to open happy mail but when you don't expect something it's really wonderful!

Those are some reasons I'm smiling today, do you have any reasons you'd like to share? Please comment below or drop me a comment on my Facebook or Twitter! 

Project Kindness: Register as an Organ Donor

One of the things on my list for this years Project Kindness was to register on line to become an organ donor! In my view, it will be like one of my final acts of kindness when I'm no longer here. The organs I have chosen to donate upon my passing away will help save someones life and give someone a better life, even another chance. Surly there isn't a greater gift?

I registered for this ages ago but now I have my card through I can share it with you all and cross it off my list!

If you are thinking of becoming an organ donor, or perhaps want to read up on it more, here is where I went to read up and register. For the record, I have not been asked to write about this subject, it's something I've wanted to do for a long time and after I put it on my list, I wanted to share it with you too.

Look out for my blog next week when I'll be blogging one of my most dreaded (but incredibly important) Acts of Kindness: Giving blood for the first time!

Cupcake Mumma

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A Year in Gifts: November

I struggled to send a gift in the actual month of November, a combination of time and what felt to me so many people I felt could do with cheering up made my decision even harder. I opted to leave it and wait for the beginning of December. I felt I'd just know who I was meant to cheer up. I was right!

The lovely Bex from Busy Bee Mummy Bex has had a tough year with little Hugo and his Talipes. Equally she's had a lot of highs because of his condition (her fantastic book for example) just as December came about, both Hugo and his big sister E came down with the dreaded virus that has been going around. With Hugo in particular getting quite poorly, I really felt for my sleep deprived blogging friend and decided a box of goodies for her and the children might just help in lifting her spirits.

I packed up a sleeping mask, cosy socks and chocolates for Bex herself and included some new socks, a book each and some Christmas chocolates for Hugo and Emilyn to enjoy when they're feeling better.

I hope everyone in the Busy Bee household is better for Christmas!

My Year in Gifts has come to an end and I'm so pleased to have done this. For December, I'll be contributing to my local food bank. Thank you for all your comments on my posts and page in the past year. 

Merry Christmas!

Cupcake Mumma

A Year in Gifts October

It came to me pretty early on in October who my recipient would be for my year in gifts project that month. After reading a few tweets and settling down to read to some very moving blog posts, I really wanted to extend a loving thought (okay perhaps a bit more than just a thought) to DragonflyPoppy who blogs here.

If you read Elizabeth's blog, you will know that recently her Mum was diagnosed with cancer and that even more recently she underwent an operation . It's not my story to tell so I won't. Instead, I'd love for you see her blog and read for yourselves.

This month, I wanted to send a gift to not only Elizabeth but also to her Mum. My Aunt has been through Breast Cancer and come out the other side a healthier and stronger woman. Armed with my limited knowledge and some research, I carefully picked out items I thought Elizabeth's Mum would appreciate if not now, then in the near future.

I then selected items for Elizabeth herself which was slightly easier given the blog reading and online conversations we've had. I stumbled upon this card (thanks to Elizabeth for the photos!) and knew it would complete my gift perfectly.

There is just two months left now of my Year in Gifts Project. I've noticed good things come to me and have felt I have made many people feel happy, cared for, real, possibly all three. Even if that only lasted a few moments it was worth it to me.

A lot of people don't understand why I chose this project. I get asked, "why do you spend money on strangers?" "What do you get out of it?"

 These people have come through hard times, are going through hard times or simply need reminding that there are people out there rooting for them-so please don't give up. I can remember each and every person I sent a gift to and the reason why I sent a gift to them.

I do this project because I care. Because I care about friends, family. I care about total strangers (although to me, these bloggers are friends not strangers) I don't want anything back but on several occasions I have and it's brightened my day. That's paying it forward, keeping the circle of kindness going. Bringing light to a sometimes dark world.

That's why I've done this project and is why I'm looking forward to my new project in 2014

Cupcake Mumma

A year in Gifts: August and September

Time just seems to fly away at the moment so once again I'm posting two gifts in one post. Unfortunately both items were posted this month as well but you know, can't leave a month out!

First up is my August gift (or what we'll label August's gift to make me feel better) a surprise gift to a pen pal who's a little down at the moment and having a difficult time. I hope she can have a few minutes to herself to relax, write and sneak a few chocolates without her little ones noticing. My gift won't take away the hurt but I hope to fill at least 5 minutes with some comfort.

Septembers gift is to fellow blogger Amy (well actually it was to her little boy who has just undergone an operation.) I have a little boy the same age so I went with play doh, a cuddly toy (brave as a lion came to mind!) some little robot themed extras and some lovely comfy socks. I've since heard that the operation went really well but he's still a little poorly so I keep my fingers crossed he gets better real soon and they all get back their lost sleep!

There's only 3 months left now of my project which seems crazy. I am looking forward to moving on next year with my Project Kindness because it's going to be very different.

CupcakeMumma

A Neighbour in Need

When I moved house a month ago I was worried about my neighbour whom both Jay and I had befriended. He was funny, he looked out for our house while we were out with his little camera on his door, he stood up to any youths that gave him trouble (and won- with handshakes to boot) he was nice to the children and said he couldn't hear Little A's early hour tantrums and head banging. If he could he never let on.

Sadly this neighbour has never been fit as a fiddle in all the time I've known him, but just before we moved he took a turn for the worse. When we moved he was quite upset and worried about his new neighbours. Before us there was a young couple who argued a lot and judging by the holes in the walls one or both of them were violent too. They must have been a nightmare to live next to sometimes! Before them were people selling drugs, so I could understand his concerns. Thankfully the people who are moving in are apparently very nice so I am pleased.

When we moved I knew my old neighbour would take in any post for us and he has done since we've been in our new home. I hadn't visited him for a while so thought I'd pop in to ask if he'd been bothered with our mail over the past couple of weeks. When he opened the door I could see he wasn't right. He looked shattered and unwell. I didn't even ask him about my mail, I looked at him 'Are you OK?' I asked. He then invited me in.

Nearly 2 hours I spent with my old neighbour today. He sees his daughters, one of them regularly so I'm not completely worried about him. I know his youngest daughter was visiting him tonight for example. In those 2 hours I let his dog out, I fed her, cleaned up some glass he had smashed in his sleep and we talked. We talked about all his wonderful ornaments: swords, skulls, history artifacts. We spoke about him completing his bucket list after he retired. We had a laugh, he told me how he's been on constant pain relief, had the ambulance out recently and is still not right. I tried to persuade him going away alone in October wasn't a good idea. So he called his doctor for a check up which went well today.

I didn't want to leave. It was just him and his dog, Daisy. I've been thinking about him all day but I know he's alright. I know he has people to call. Today I made sure he had one extra person to call: Me. To walk his dog. To feed her. To buy his shopping, clean his house or just spend some time with him.

I wasn't sure about knocking on his door this morning. I was worried about disturbing him, intruding. Turns out it was the best thing I could have done.

Project Kindness: Pay for a Stranger to have a Pampering Treat

When I was jotting down notes for which acts to include for my Project Kindness, paying for someone who deserves a pampering at my local therapy studio really jumped out at me. I scribbled it down, much like the rest of the acts and waited for inspiration to hit. It wasn't long before it did...

I made contact via e-mail with a therapy studio, Lasting Touch Therapies, who I've had fabulous treatments with before. I thought I'd wing it and ask for their help. Help they did. I asked the ladies if they could place a status on their Facebook page asking their followers to nominate someone they knew who deserved a good pampering for free. I offered to pay a value of £20 but in the end we decided that we would split the cost so we could both feel that we had been truly a part of the Random Act of Kindness.

The nominations flooded in to the studio and after a day or so a random nominee was selected. A very deserving, caring and hard working person was nominated by her friend for the treatment. I really hope that she enjoys the pampering, which ever treatment she chooses and has a nice, relaxing time at the Lasting Touch studio in Heartlands.

A big thank-you to all the therapists at Lasting Touch Therapies for being so very kind and giving.

CupcakeMumma

My New Project.

If you follow my blog you'll know I often like to do things to cheer people up. You'll know that every month I send gifts out to those I know, family and friends, who are going through a hard time or have done something really quite wonderful and deserved a little treat. It's by doing these things that I have decided to start my own project: Project Kindness.

I have a page here on my blog listing all the random acts of kindness that I would like to achieve. There is no set time, there is no limit to how many times I can do an act of kindness. The ones I've listed are acts that aren't so everyday. Everyday I like to smile at a stranger, look for someone who needs a hand, hold a door open or offer a place in front of me in the Que.
The acts on my page are just that little bit more from me.

I'll be continuing to send out monthly gifts and performing all sorts of acts of kindness that most of us do (sometimes without realising, sometimes just automatically because it's the 'right' thing to do) but this project will help me to give something back. To be less selfish. To grow as a human being. My children will also accompany me on many of these acts, so I believe I am paving the way for a future generation of kind, loving and giving people.

As always, feel free to mail me if there is someone you think needs a little cheering up.

My Random Acts of Kindness

• Leave a thank you gift for our postman
• Buy all the items on my local food bank list
• Make a box before Christmas for a child or a solider.
• Write a long letter to someone to express how much they mean to me/why are they are a wonderful person
• Leave some money for a toy in a local store
• Leave money on a coffee/food machine
• Place bubbles around a kids park
• Stick pound coins on trolleys
• Take colouring pens and pencils to a local hospital for children in the waiting area
• Do husbands chores by surprise
• Adopt an animal
• Sponsor something/someone
• Leave a tip
• Get a stranger a free spa/beauty treatment
• Host a giveaway on my blog
• Leave nappies and wipes in a baby room
• Send a gift to a post pals child
• Buy food for the local animal shelter
• Send flowers to someone.
• Bring doughnuts to the local fire station to thank them for their hard work
• Become an organ donor (I recently had a tattoo so unfortunately cannot give blood for quite a while :(
• Buy some local art work: it's tough being an artist and there is some fantastic local artwork so I just need to pick one!)
• Leave a book I really enjoyed behind in a local place with a note
• Cook my Husband a 3 course meal. All 3 courses will be his favourite foods.
• Have a 'Yes' day with the children. This leaves me at their every whim (almost) but in a good way! If its reasonable its a yes!

That should keep me busy! I'll be blogging all of these acts so do keep an eye out on the blog!

CupcakeMumma x

Heartfelt Acts March

This months Heartfelt Acts were:

1.  Thank your police or fire department
2.  Leave 5 random notes of love or affirmation in different public places.

First I set about doing the random notes. It was actually really hard to think of some words of encouragement or meaning but in the end I wrote a couple of those, 2 'love' notes to 2 members of my family and I wrote lots of little notes for my Husband.

1. I've been a sufferer of social anxiety for many years. It's now something that I can more often than not control. I saw an excellent therapist at my local doctors surgery but what really helped me was a book from my local library. It's not a book that gets checked out often, but I hope when it is checked out the reader will like their little note.

2. My husband and I went for a meal with Little A whilst Midge was in school. It occurred to me that while no one was around I could place a little sticky note somewhere but where? The menus caught my eye so I stuck the note on and placed another menu in front so it would be a surprise for the next person to come to our table.

3. I placed an 'I love you' note in Midge's lunchbox so she wouldn't miss me so much when I went away on my climbing trip for Comic Relief. I really missed them but then Husband sent me this photo to my phone and I felt so much better.

 4. I went to my parent's house on Sunday and went to see their cat who sleeps on my sisters bed. She's away at university at the moment so now and then I find I miss her and would love a face to face chat. I looked about her room and noticed a huge board she'd crafted to keep hold of her important notes and cards. I didn't have my notes on me so ripped a piece of envelope, wrote a 'love' note and placed it on her board. I hope she likes it.

5. My final note (or rather notes) are for my Husband. He's a bit of a joker, a bit of a lad and sometimes so lazy it drives me insane but he's supportive,loving and forgiving which far out weigh his more negative traits!

The next thing we did was to buy an Easter card for our local police station. Midge drew a lovely picture with 'Thank-you for keeping us safe!' written on. Although we've never needed them personally, we have called them to report crimes in our local community and when ever they have knocked on our door to ask if we've seen or heard anything about a situation they are always friendly. The other thing I really like about our local police is how often they wave and smile at the children as we walk about town.

Thank-you drawing for our police officers

Finally, the task I promised I would complete this month was to help a local charity. Midge and I went to our local store where we stocked up on food items for our local food bank. It feels good to help those with less than ourselves.

Midge really enjoyed this task and proudly posed for photos

Helping to unload the food into the Food Bank box

For April, the tasks are:
1.  Forgive Someone. 
2.  Send a care package (ex.  military, friend or family member in college, for any friend just because).

I'm going to take this task as forgiving someone that has hurt me before. Not just forgiving my daughter for spilling my milk on my coursework for example. Those little things are easy to forgive. I send packages out every month but for April I will think really hard. 
Linking up with Emmy Mom.

CupcakeMumma