Is "would you like" better than "do you need"?

This past week I encountered something that made me realize that I need to learn how to rephrase my comments and/or questions. Let me set the scene for you....

It had been cold and rainy all week. Our morning started off the same...breakfast, ironing of clothes, lunches and hurrying to get out the door. We have a good 30-40 minute commute every morning and even longer on bad weather days.

1st out the car is my son....kisses and reminders as he is grabbing his bags and rushing to get to class on time.

Next Ava and and I get off together. I love walking my kindergartner to class every morning...and giving her hugs and kisses before she walks into her classroom....I realize that this is mainly for my comfort so let's leave it at that. This particular morning my youngest stayed home with her daddy so after leaving Ava off in class I was ready for my commute back north but 1st I make a stop at the ladies room.

The ladies room is right around the corner from where the doors are that lead to the parking lot. The school has been trying to fix these doors the last few days. There are 2 handicap buttons that open the doors, one from the inside and one from the outside. Now, it's an unspoken understanding that whenever kids are around the adults don't open the doors because it is the highlight of almost all the kids to push these buttons for all to walk through. Well, these buttons were out of service and only 1 door would open manually for almost a week. So, as I turn the corner I notice a silver haired lady bending over putting several things down on the ground and I rushed over to open the door for her and I, a well brought up southern girl, proceed to ask "Do you need any help?" in which she RUDELY snapped "NO! I don't NEED any help!". Well, of course I was taken aback and somewhat startled by not just her words but mainly by her tone. After realizing what she had said I began walking to my car. I will admit though that her words did hurt me in the feelings a little bit.

Now I didn't give it much thought that day but I did start thinking about it a few times these last couple of days and it finally hit me last night. Maybe I should have worded it differently. Maybe I should have asked "WOULD you like any help?" or "Can I help you?" not "do you NEED any help". It didn't matter to me that she was an older/elderly woman, I would have asked to help if it was a teenage kid. I didn't by any means think she was incapable of completing her task I was just offering to help. I know I really shouldn't care about this and just chalk it up to her having a bad morning, the lack of sun putting her in a bad mood, maybe SHE didn't want to go to school that day or maybe she thought I was being sarcastic, who knows? It could have been any number of things.

The point is I NEED to change my approach. I NEED to be more mindful of who I am speaking to and what I am saying and/or asking. They may be simple words to me but the receiving party may take them a differently. So, the next time I see someone, ANYONE, that looks like they could use a hand...I will commence with "Would you like some help?"

Can You Say "B-U-S-Y"?

Wow! So, 2009 is over and we are almost through the 1st quarter of 2010 and I haven't posted anything since last November! All I can say is I've been BUSY nothing else just....busy.


I have been looking for some really cute ideas for Valentine's Day. Trying to find something unique and fun for my girls to give to their classmates. Here's what I did last year and had a blast doing it.

I know my girls couldn't wait to pass them out. I've found some really cute and cheap ideas out in the blog world I plan on giving a try. I spend so much time clicking and reading all the blogs out there that I end up not "doing" anything....hence the "well-traveled mind" (smile)

Until the next time...Happy Traveling!

Gotta Have A 'Girl's Night Out'!

Okay, I have to say that I truly enjoyed my 'GNO' on Friday. About 9 of us ladies headed out to see New Moon then to dinner. The movie was GREAT but the company was AWESOME! Some of the ladies that went I work with 5 days a week and even serve together on Sundays or other church events. The other ladies I work with but I don't "work" with them daily. It was really nice to spend time together enjoying a common "addiction".

But speaking of GNO, I hadn't been out with friends in a really long time. My husband and I go out every now and then and usually hang out with one of 3 different couples. I LOVE going out with my hubby but there is something about going out with a bunch of ladies that gives you a different kind of excitement. I'm sure the anticipation of the movie was one thing but I really do feel that knowing that we all had a "date" together was part of all the fun too.

I know I schedule play dates for my kiddos and I'm realizing that scheduling "play dates" for myself are all well and good. Sometimes you just need some "girl" time whether it's watching a movie together or just hanging out with a cup of coffee and catching up. It's good to get together and just be girls.

I Love Reconnecting

This has been an amazing year so far. Of course it has gone by in a FLASH but it has been awesome none the less. What makes it even better or more amazing is that I am reconnecting with friends after years and years all thanks to Facebook!

I have to admit that I was very hesitant about doing it in the beginning and after I opened an account I didn't post anything or even put a picture up. But then out of nowhere I started getting requests for friends that I had lost touch with and now I'm all over FB. I have reconnected with friends that I lost touch with but never forgot. People that popped in my head from time to time, just wondering how they were doing, how their kids were doing etc. Now I know everyone is super busy these days and with kids it's not going to lighten up it's only gonna get busier and busier and that's okay because that's the way life is. With that said it is hard to keep in touch with everyone, unless you are superwoman and just has everything under control and has the time to call and write notes and cards on people's birthdays, has the time to call and just say "what's up" on top of being a mom, a wife, and for some a co-worker.

For those of us who aren't superwoman there is Facebook. It reminds you when it's a friend's birthday, you get to see pictures of your friend's families, you get a small glimpse into their lives (via their posts), you get to "chat" online and you can send "notes" to each other.

I know people either hate it (my hubby being one) or love it. Whatever the case may be I have to admit that I'm one of those that love it and I love that I'm back in my friend's lives and they in mine.

A Couple of My Favorite Sites

The sites below have easily become my favorite sites to visit. I have to put myself on restrictions because I can totally get carried away and spend hours in front of my computer just "looking". Some of the projects I have done have all come from these sites.



If ever you're at a loss for ideas or your "creative" well has run dry you must check out this site, www.oneprettything.com They have TONS of ideas. It's a site that goes around looking for ideas to post. If they like what they see on your blog/website they will link it to their website. It's kind of a "one stop" shop. Most of my favorite blogs have been found through this site and as a result, I am now a follower of those blogs.



If you are looking for thing to buy handmade then www.etsy.com is the site for you. Well, actually it's a site for anyone and everyone who crafts. They sell supplies for all types of craft genres to actual items you can buy from people who make their living by way of their craft. I can spend hours...days just scrolling through all the neat treasures listed.

Glass Tile Pendants

LSU Glass Pendant Necklaces
Originally uploaded by Txgal325

Take a look see....here are some glass tile pendants I finished up a couple of weeks ago. I'm currently working on some UT and A&M ones now.

I'm actually gonna be teaching how to make these at our Craft Small Group this Sunday. Now that I think about I think I'm supposed to teach the Scrabble Tile process....not too fond of the Scrabble tiles now that I've started working on the glass ones :)

I have a ton of sheets with little images that need to be cut. It shouldn't take long but I need to get it done before Sunday. This is gonna be a busy week. We will be hosting the Halloween Outreach at our house this Saturday and I have about 500 bags to fill with candy and rave cards....not to mention the 100 bags of cotton candy I need to pick up on Friday. I guess I should stop blogging and get to work, huh?

HA!

Thought I forgot about you, huh? Well, I'm still here and I'm getting the fire lit under me! I have a couple of friends and a cousin who are considering starting a blog and I started to get excited then I realized I ALREADY have a blog :)

I have a ton to post and can't wait to get started. We finally got a new camera that is super easy to export so, as soon as I get home I'm gonna get started.

In my defense I have been really busy...the hubby and I are leading a small group for our church and I'm also co-leading in two other groups AND we are a house host for our Halloween Outreach this year. Plus I will be playing volleyball again starting in Nov. I've also started making some really cool Scrabble and glass tile pendants to wear.

However busy my life seems right now I must say that I am happy. I've reconnected with a friend after almost 10 years. I wish the circumstances were different but I am grateful none-the-less. She has been diagnosed with Leukemia and is in search for a bone marrow match. She is like a sister to me and I plan on going to get tested to see if I am a match for her because even after all this time...I would still do anything for her.

I've also been talking with my younger brother more. He is such a talented photographer and I want to start using some of his images for my pendants. We actually have more in common than we thought even with the 6 year difference :)

All is well in my life...