The power of hello

From the short amount of time that I've been here, there's one big difference from the city that has really stood out.  No matter where you go or who you see, people always say "hello."  From the neighbors, to the person passing you at the store or the gardener on the side of the road, you always get a wave, a hello or maybe just a nod.  Now in the city I find this to be a little less common.  I mean sure you get your nods here and there but I think that city life is so much more busy and fast paced that people don't really take the time to acknowledge one another, especially a stranger.  People are much more concerned with where they have to be or what they have to do which doesn't leave much room for concern of others unless absolutely necessary.  I myself am guilty of this and the occasional "hello" in the city usually threw me off guard and still does even in a place where it's common.  Our sweet neighbor waves every time he sees us and by the time I notice and have the chance to respond, he's not looking anymore and I think "I've got to get better at this."  I mean think about it, even if it's not something that you're used to, how do you feel when someone acknowledges you and says "hello?"  Go ahead, say it, you feel good.  A hello and a smile can really go a long way. You never know what someone is going through, or what their day has been like or is going to be like.  You also never know how your "hello" or short conversation affected some ones day or maybe even life. 

Never underestimate the power of "hello."

LC

Back to School

Last week was the first week back to school for the kids.  It was definitely a week of mixed emotions, nerves, excitement (excitement was only from the 6 year old of course) and the overwhelming desire to let out a big, fat "UGH."  Starting school in the city came with the same type of emotions but to start school in a completely different state, multiplied everything by a good 50 percent.  I remember as a child what it was like to start fresh at a new school and it's pretty much up there with having to walk into a room not knowing your dress is tucked into the back of your underwear or that you have a long trail of tissue stuck to your shoe.  It's a sort of nervousness that no matter how many times you have to do it, it never gets better so needless to say I felt for the kids, I really did.  There were a lot of things that made this start of school different from the rest.  There were negatives as well as positives.

Let me take you back to a first day of school in the city.  The night before I'd come home from work, finish up dinner and be frantically making sure everyone was ready for their first day and in bed at a reasonable time.  The morning of, I would wake up earlier than normal to get myself ready for work and then make sure everyone else was up on time to get ready for school.  Breakfast would be cereal.  I'd grab a quick cup of coffee to-go and then me and the two older kids would be out the door.  I'd drop them off and immediately be headed off to work to start my day.  As I drove to work I would be thinking about my little 6 year old I had left behind for dad to take and anxiously looked forward to receiving a picture of his first day.  So sad to have to experience his first day through a picture but unfortunately when you're a working mother you have to choose your time off wisely and you're forced to choose between which events are "important" and which events are "REALLY important" and these events must be divided between all of your children.

The first week of school in the country went a little different.  We spent a good five days before hand making sure everyone was prepared and ready for school.  Clothes shopping was a little different due to the fact that our list included, puffy jackets, beanies and gloves.  The night before went smoothly.  There was no rushing around from me or frantically trying to make sure everyone was ready.  The morning of (now this is where the positives really start to come in) I got up before everyone else, got myself ready and then went into the kitchen to prepare them a hot breakfast.  That's right, I said "hot."  I know that doesn't do anything for nerves really but to be able to actually have the time to do that for them, gave me great satisfaction and I know they were grateful as well.  Although cereal is far from being a thing of the past : )

All and all we survived our first week back to school and the best part of it all was being able to walk this little guy all the way to class and saying "have a good day."

Not sure what part the laser gun plays in all of this but that smile is priceless.

LC

Oh the buildings

One thing I've come to appreciate here is the awesome structural beauty.  So much history and character.  It's not something you see much of in the city.  I could really spend all day going around town just taking pictures of different buildings.  On one of my ventures out I was just memorized by the court house building.  It is said to be one of the oldest court houses.

As I drove a little further, on the corner was a a cute little place called "The Doves Nest."

They say women come from all over to lunch here.  I've yet to try it but for whatever reason I feel that when I do, I should do so wearing a fancy hat and gloves.  Until next time...

LC