the world according to jimmy john's

Mark and I were having lunch awhile ago and I saw this sign on the Jimmy John's wall. (I know, I know...who gets sentimental and thoughtful about JJ's wisdom??  Me I guess.)

 The three parts of proper apologies. 1. What I did was wrong. 2. I feel badly that I hurt you. 3. How can I make this better.

I'm sure JJ's is referring to their customer service goals, but I took out my phone to take a picture of this because I think it's a nice rule for life. Apologies take self-reflection. It takes looking inside yourself and admitting that YOU caused a problem or hurt feelings and that YOU made someone else feel badly. That you were in the wrong. Of course, I feel the first two parts are the easiest. The last part is what I struggle with and I'm sure others do too. The third part is the when we need to fess up to the wrong sincerely. Just saying "I'm sorry." and going about your day doesn't seem sincere. Words only, not a vision that you really WERE wrong. Saying "I'm sorry." with sincerity seems to require remorse, problem solving, love, internalization of some kind.

Unless it's just a sandwich apology. Then it's only lunch.

pinning with purpose

Like many millions of others, I've gotten on the Pinterest bandwagon. I admit, it's the biggest danger to losing time. I can sit down in my kitchen in front of my computer and "just check for one thing" on Pinterest. Two hours later I've realized I've lost the morning "pinning" great ideas. Many of you know that I have a leave of absence from school this year when my Dad came to live with us. Dad passed in November and I have some free time now. It's a GIFT! --and another blog topic---

    I've decided to use part of my time to actually "pin with purpose".  When I'm on Pinterest I am choosing to actually (gasp) use the pins and try them out. I started with Christmas. Before the holiday, I invited the local ladies in my family to bring a Pinterest Christmas ornament idea and supplies. I had cocktails and snacks and we each created about 5 different ornaments for our family trees, all inspired from an idea we found on Pinterest. Here's some of mine....

   I'm a bit sick of the "quick and easy" meals I've had to prepare during the week while working and getting kids to after school activities on time. So Pinterest to the rescue! So far I've tried:  mashed cauliflower, Olive Garden Toscana soup, honey roasted carrots, Philly Cheesteak sloppy joes, cranberry BBQ meatballs, peanut butter and apple crescents, Paula Dean potato soup and tonight I am trying Pizza Casserole.   I've linked to all of these sources so if you want to try them you can find 'em! Now I have the luxury of time to actually plan, shop, and prepare new meals for my family. Most of them have actually been successful!! 

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe, I skipped the sauce and just used a thin slice of Provolone cheese...YUM!

   I've also started planning our summer travel plans using Pinterest, as well as projects in my garden and home reno. With purpose, not random "oooh I like this" feelings. I ask myself if I could actually do this in my own home...if the answer is "yes" or "possibly" then I Pin it. 

    My son recently turned 9  and begged for a science party. Pinterest and STEM of NIU to the rescue! What a fun party for these guys!!!

    So I've enjoyed using Pinterest lately but it's also proved to me that I really was just ready to try new things with my new time. This is just one area that I've had fun with lately. This time that I have right now is definitely a luxury, a gift and something I never thought I would have. Earlier in the week, I was volunteering in my daughter's kindergarten class with her amazing teacher (yet another blog) and she said it to me just perfectly..."You know you're are finally getting to be one of the moms you've been jealous of all the years you were teaaching. All that time you watched someone else take care of your kids after school, and now you get to have those glimpses into their school day, and be there for them when they get home.  Now I AM jealous of YOU!"  Wow. I think I'll "pin" that quote!!!

Spring Break

It's finally here! Spring Break for my school district has officially begun! It's been a very rough school year, and having this long week off with my family will be just what I've needed. I am looking forward to doing doing and everything. Reading, napping, visiting with friends for play dates,baking, preparing for Easter invasion (aka Family Dinner), more reading, taking walks, a movie? a date? the possibilities are endless. A co-worker of mine said this week " I always plan to do too much over school breaks, then I'm disappointed that I don't get anything done. This week, I've chosen 3 things to accomplish, I can manage 3 things." I think that is a great plan! So...to accomplish this week: 1. Take all baby gear that I've packed up already to the Salvation Army 2. Take my kids to somewhere THEY pick 3. Clean out the hall closet which is full of pictures, sort them into new albums. (hmmm...that seems like 2 projects....) Good to have a goal, but good that 1 of those goals is something THEY want to do. Spring Break....break from doing what everyone else wants us to do, to doing something WE want to do.