Tag Archives: happy

Prom

It’s prom season again, and I’m loving the creativity used to ask for a date.  These boys got it right!


A high school senior from Kansas asked a girl with Down syndrome to go to the prom with him.  He said, “She is one of the best people I know.”  He said he wanted to make her happy because she has brought “nothing but joy” to his life since he met her.

He knew she loved Doritos, so he wore a shirt that said, “I know I’m nacho typical Dorito.  But I’m going to be cheesy, and ask:  Will you go to prom with me?”

She said yes…


In Ohio, a 17-year-old boy asked his 16-year-old girlfriend to prom by running 5-1/2 miles to spell it out on his GPS app.  They met on the high school cross-country team.  He knew she used the app as well and he asked her to check out the route he ran that morning.  The question mark alone took a mile.

She said yes…


So very sweet.  When we lose faith with all that’s going on in our country, just look at the upcoming generation.  They are our hope, they are our future, and they are being raised well.

Good News Stories

Rob over at My God, My Music, My Life, has put forth the challenge to find some stories that are different from the usual doom and gloom we’re too used to seeing in the daily news.  And I’m always up for a happy story.  It is my hope that people one day realize that hate does not change things… if you want things to be different, start from within.


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Joe Bartley, an 89-year-old widower in Paignton, Devon, placed an ad in a local newspaper looking for work to “save him from dying of boredom.”  The ad went global and landed him a new job at a local cafe.

Joe retired from his last job as a college cleaner 6 years ago.  He had previously served as a wireless operator with the 6th Airborne Divisional Signals in Palenstine after the war.  Once word got out about the ad, he was inundated with job offers.  He had never had a job interview before and was “over the moon” about acing his first one.

Joe hopes to work around 20 hours a week waiting, cleaning, and preparing veggies at the cafe near his home.  He is even keen on a bit of overtime.  One female customer, who is 75, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing him – I’ve just given him a kiss.  He is a dear old boy.”

So sweet!  Perhaps he will find love again too…

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(source and photos:  mirror.co.uk)


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Ben Ellis, a high school teacher who was battling cancer, was so loved by his students they turned up in droves to sing to him outside his home.  He was left fighting back tears at the window of his bedroom as 400 children serenaded him with song of worship, Holy Spirit You are Welcome Here.

The entire student body from the Nashville area high school where he taught, including parents and faculty, loaded up buses and cars to worship with him at his home.  Ellis lost his battle with cancer just 10 days later.

(source and photos:  mirror.co.uk)


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Second grade students at a school in Topeka, KS, had just finished reading a book about some kids who find a stranded sheepdog with a broken leg, when the teacher happened upon a Facebook post from the Helping Hands Humane Society that she knew the kids would love.  The post was about an Australian shepherd that had been taken to the shelter after a local vet found him on the side of the road with a broken leg.

The HHHS were asking for donations for $400 to pay for the surgery needed for Ryker.  The 2nd-grade students were compelled to help Ryker in any way possible, so the teacher sent a note home to their parents.

They came back the next day and the kids had raised over $450.  The shelter was thrilled and knew it had to do something to thank these sweet children.  So the shelter and Ryker headed off to the school with the intention of surprising the 2nd-grade class, and they didn’t disappoint.

“The kids’ faces were priceless,” said the teacher.  “They all got to get a picture with him… and the shelter was nice enough to make little prints of Ryker’s paws.”

The shelter says it has received over 100 applications from families hoping to adopt him.

Good begets good…

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(source and photos:  today.com)


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A woman celebrating her 80th anniversary in the same job says that retirement isn’t in the cards – as she still loves her work.

Elisabeth Davis may be 99 years old, but she’s not letting a little thing like age get in the way of keeping active and entertained as she heads to the offices of Culver Academies every day in her role as secretary and says that she has always been happy at the job.

After she left Culver High School as a student in 1935, Elisabeth took her first job as assistant to the dean in Culver Academies and has been there ever since.  She still uses a typewriter to get the job done, with the school ordering ribbon and parts specially.

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Elisabeth, 1931

In 1936 when Elisabeth started at Culver Academies:

  • The Munich Olympics were held and Jessie Owens made history with four gold medals — much to the anger of Adolf Hitler.
  • In the UK, King Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson.
  • The Spanish Civil War started.
  • Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Time was a cinema hit, and people were listening to A Fine Romance by Fred Astaire and Up The Wooden Hill To Bedfordshire by Vera Lynn.
  • FDR was president of the U.S.

Elisabeth says:  “I just live day by day.  If there comes a time when I feel like it, I will, but I don’t feel like retiring.”

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1983

(source and photos:  mirror.co.uk)

 

Happy Thanksgiving

We started the day off with a Turkey Trot 5K in the pouring rain (4 days post the Route 66 Marathon)… Grandpa Rick managed 1st place in age group and a PR:

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Hosted our first Boise-family Thanksgiving where almost everyone came up (thanks Gramma Sheila for all the wonderful food!):

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Then had a mini-Christmas celebration as we won’t see them during the holidays:

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It’s been a busy couple of weeks and I apologize for the absence, but normality is about to resume.  I look forward to catching up with all of you and I hope everyone who celebrated Thanksgiving has had a beautiful and blessed day!

 

Good News Stories

Okay.  Time to brighten the news doom and gloom once again.  Shootings, politics, racism… I get so tired of hearing about all of it.  I even had a friend post on Facebook, “If you’re a Trump supporter, then unfriend me.  I don’t want or need you in my life.”  This year’s election is bringing out the best in people.  It’s shameful.  I cannot believe all the hatred.  I understand people are passionate, but really?  To go to that extreme just because they have different beliefs?  What ever happened to the “agree to disagree” concept?  Is it all or nothing these days?

So I’m taking a “hatred break.”  Even if it is only for 5 minutes.  Here are some super happy stories that deserve some attention and just might make you smile.

Instructors Teach Hospice Kids to Dance

The younger patients of children’s hospitals might have a hard time keeping their spirits up during treatment, but this organization is showing that all it takes is a little dancing.

Dancin’ Power is a nonprofit organization that gives free dance lessons to children in hospice care. Since their debut in 2006, instructors have been inspiring sick kids to find joy and healing through dance.The teachers are trained to customize their lessons for whatever disabilities the children may have. Whether they’re wheelchair-bound, or need to stay in sterilized environments, Dancin’ Power volunteers are ready to accommodate any hindrance.

The dancing doesn’t just give the youth joy during their illness – it also gives them a chance to exercise and have fun.

“Every day we learn so much from our kids, they are so resilient and strong even when facing challenging times,” Dancin’ Power said on their Facebook. “We are grateful to be a positive part of their lives during those hard times. We hope that you too can find strength and resilience when facing hard times!”

 

Police Officer Sees Woman Swerve, So He Buys Her Dinner

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Officer Emanuel Dotch was driving towards Florida on the Interstate 10 when he noticed an erratically driving car ahead of him. Amidst their swerving, the mysterious driver almost side swiped a truck, so Emanuel decided to pull them over.

It was a little old lady driving from Texas to Florida. When she insisted that she was fine, Emanuel offered to buy her dinner since she had apparently not eaten since lunch time.

After paying for her meal at a nearby Waffle House, the officer waited in his car for her to finish.

“She walked out and tried to offer me some money,” Emanuel wrote on Facebook, “but I told her I couldn’t accept that because it’s apart of my job to protect and serve so she asked me would I accept a hug and I told her I would do that. The moral of the story is if we would just look out for each other, this would be a better country.

Meet The Woman Inspiring a Community of Kindness Warriers

cate-cook-submittedWe’ve seen examples of kind pedestrians paying good deeds forward, but Cate Cook is trying to inspire an entire community to follow in her footsteps.

Cate has been the secret orchestrator of hundreds of secret sweet gestures all over Adelaide, South Australia since January. Her Yours Kindly Facebook page documents all of her anonymous gifts – from leaving bubble wands on park benches, to leaving change taped to parking meters, to leaving flower bouquets in public spaces.

The page has over 2,800 self-identified ‘Kindness Warriors’ who have been inspired by Cook’s gestures and imitated the generosity in their own communities.

“We are a kindness community and people are often sharing kind deeds that they have done – leaving chocolates, opening doors, buying care packs for homeless people, writing inspirational notes, paying for someone’s coffee, etc.,” Cate told the Good News Network. “Recently after a TV interview, the cameraman and sound technician both said that what I am doing is inspiring and such a great thing that they were going to go and do acts of kindness too. It truly is a ripple effect.”

As further evidence of her compassionate nature, Cate celebrated her 62nd birthday in August with 62 different acts of kindness around the city.

Quick-Thinking Teen Thwarts Kidnapping in Progress

kidnapping-thwarted-malyk-bonnet-laval-police-facebookIt was none of his business, maybe, but Malyk Bonnet didn’t like the way the guy at the bus stop was treating the woman he was with. And she looked scared.

He thought maybe he should intervene, but how?  Bonnet decided to keep his eye on the couple and follow his instincts.

The 17-year-old cook had just completed a shift at work in Montreal, Canada, and saw his chance to help when the man asked him for money, saying he and the woman needed bus fare to get to the town of Laval, some 25 miles (40km) away.

Thinking on his feet, Bonnet not only got the money for them, but also announced that he, too, was headed to Laval. He hopped on the same bus as the couple, and when they stood up to get off, Bonnet stood up, too, and offered to buy them dinner.

Pretending to go to the restroom, Bonnet instead borrowed a stranger’s cell phone to call police. So good was the teen’s facade that when law enforcement arrived to arrest the man and escort the woman to safety, the kidnapper had no idea it was Bonnet who had tipped them off.

“(The woman) looked at me, and she was almost crying, and I said to myself, ‘I did good,’” Bonnet told CBC News.

He did more than good, according to Laval Police Lieutenant Daniel Guérin, who told CBC that in 24 years of policing, he’s never seen anything quite like what Bonnet did.

Bonnet didn’t even know the police were already searching for the couple. The 29-year-old woman had reportedly been kidnapped a few hours earlier, and authorities were pretty sure they knew by whom—a dangerous ex-boyfriend who was under a court order to stay away from her.

The Laval cops were so impressed with Bonnet’s decision-making, which they said probably saved the woman’s life, that they took up a collection to reimburse him for the money he spent. They raised $255 for the quick-witted young hero.

Bonnet was delighted to have his cash returned, and his proud mother bought up eight newspapers as keepsakes.

These people are setting positive examples in their community, examples we can all learn from. Have you performed a random act of kindness lately?  I know I haven’t, but I think it’s high time I do.

(all stories retrieved from goodnewsnetwork.org)

Good News Stories

Due to the overwhelming doom and gloom in the news these days, I decided to take on Rob’s challenge (My God, My Music, My Life) to share a couple of news stories I have read recently that actually made me smile.  There is still good in this world… it’s a shame we have to search so hard to actually find it.  That being said, no need to search for good news, I’ve done it for you! Hope you enjoy!!

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A CBS tower camera in Lincoln, Nebraska got an up-close-and-personal look at their neighborhood hawk.

(How cute is this!  This hawk’s best friend is the camera!!)

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Cop-with-Girl-Chelle-Cates-PhotographyShared from goodnewsnetwork.org: This tea-riffic police officer wasn’t just attending this adorable party to get free Oreos – it was a celebration of the day he saved one 2-year-old’s life in 2015.

Almost a year before the photo was taken, Corporal Patrick Ray was dispatched on a call to save 22-month-old Bexley Norvell from choking on a coin.  Thanks to his quick actions, the little girl was able to breath again, while the officer’s bodycam filmed the whole scene.

Bexley’s mother – eternally grateful for her daughter’s hero – invited the policeman back to their house a year later to celebrate with some tea at their home in Rowlett, Texas.

Chelle Cates, a professional children’s and newborn photographer, captured some snapshots of the adorable exchange to commemorate the anniversary.

(Awww… two strangers who will now share a lifetime bond!)

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o7rrk-firemen-stay-behind-for-man-cut-grass-1Shared from sunnyskyz.com:  A man in Lawrence, Kansas, suffered a medical emergency while working in his yard and was rushed to the hospital.  The members of Engine 1 stayed behind to finish his yard work for him in the hot August sun.

(Thank you, First Responders, for always going above and beyond!)

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578d43d82400002600b31c5eShared from huffingtonpost.com:  One man is helping kids find a little joy.

Jason Haney, a construction foreman, hides a life-size cutout he made of Where’s Waldo on site every day for kids who are staying at a hospital next door to find.

“It’s just for the kids to get their minds off of things,”Haney told The Huffington Post. “I just wanted them to have fun.”

Haney, who is working on a $50 million expansion at Memorial Children’s Hospital, got the idea after he and workers got word that a snowman they had built on the site last winter delighted patients and staff. Soon after that, Haney placed a blow-up snowman  and a blow-up Sponge Bob Square Pants for the kids to see. Then a co-worker gave him a brilliant idea.

“He came up to me, and was kind of joking around, and said, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if there was a Waldo up here?’” Haney told HuffPost. “And I thought, ‘Yeah, that’s kind of cool.’ Then the idea sat in my head for a little while and I was like, ‘I’m going to make him, I’m going to do it!’”

Haney  took a 4-by-8 sheet of plywood, drew the outline of the iconic children’s book character and cut it out. With the help of his teenage daughter, Taylor ­— who needed extended care at another children’s hospital when she was 3 years old due due to a stroke — they painted the plywood red and white until Waldo came to life.

In April, Haney debuted Waldo on the site, placing it within eye shot for pediatric patients on the sixth floor to see.

And just like the famous books, Waldo was a hit.

“He’s eight-feet tall and a pain in the butt to move around sometimes,” Haney admitted. “He’s 50, 60 pounds and he’s awkward to carry. But it’s worth it for the kids.”

(What a fabulous way to keep these children entertained!  It’s the little things that count and will always be remembered!)

(all stories and associated photos are credited to their respective websites)

 

 

Adele

I’m off a day on picking a song for Jamesy’s Motivational Music Monday, but I think I’m excused. I was kind of busy yesterday.  You see, Adele was playing at the Key Arena in Seattle, and we were fortunate enough to be there.  A fabulous performer to the very core, and such a down to earth girl to boot.  She interacted with the audience brilliantly, even pulling some fans on stage at different times, completely making their entire year I’m sure.  Following are scenes from the evening, a couple of videos I recorded, plus my choice for MMM.

Starting the evening off at a local restaurant, The Yard House. The food was 5-star delicious:

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Waiting for the show to start. The eyes open when she comes on:

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Her set was fabulous and the big screen was great, sometimes zooming in on her face, sometimes showing random stuff:

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Sold out concert, and she had everyone lighting the torches on their phones (this was way before the encore):

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Last song of the night after nearly 2-1/2 hours:

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The Space Needle at night:

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The first video I recorded was “Hello.”  It’s probably not as intense on the video, but Seattle put off a lot of energy for her last night:

The next one I recorded was “Skyfall.”  In this one, you can see just how cool her set really was.

As for my song for the week, I’m sticking with Adele and her latest, “Send My Love (To Your New Lover).”

If there was one performer/group that you wish could see live, who would that be?

 

 

Quote Challenge

Day 2

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In other words… change begins from within.

I have been challenged by Kristy at Palatable Adventures to the 3-day quote challenge.  Thank you Kristy!  Rules:  Post 1-3 quotes for 3 consecutive days, nominating 3 fellow bloggers to do the same.

For today, I’d like to nominate the following bloggers.  Please don’t feel obligated to participate… it’s just nice being able to give you a shout-out to let you know I appreciate you and your blog.

Stop & Focus

The Slow Sheep

The Happy Healthy Kiwi

Life is what you make it, so make it a great one.

The Power of Positive Thinking

I am a huge Norman Vincent Peale fan.  Back in the olden days… I guess when I was about 23 or so (ca. early-ish ’90s)… I was in the process of “finding” myself, doing a little soul searching as a lot of us do around that time in our life, and I ran across Norman Vincent Peale’s book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”  It changed my whole perspective on life.  I should say I changed my whole perspective on life after reading that book.

Dr. Peale states that if you practice positivity daily then it becomes a habit, second nature, a way of living.  And he was right.  I have become that annoying eternal optimist who refuses to acknowledge negatives or give them the power they so desire.  There’s always a bright side… there’s always a reason you are where you are… things happen for a reason, accept it and move on… it’s all in how you view things.  Some may consider this as being “naive,” “unrealistic,” “impractical,” “romantic,” whatever.  Call it what you like, but it’s how I choose to live my life, and I personally would much rather be around a person who looks at life as a good thing and a blessing as opposed to a person who wallows in self pity day in and day out.  Don’t get me wrong… we all have our downer days as that’s just life, but I’m pretty certain that 98% of my days are spent being happy and thankful for everything that I have and everything that I am.

That being said, I have been challenged by Kristy at Palatable Adventures to the 3-day quote challenge.  Thank you Kristy!  I get so much inspiration from quotes and sayings, even turning some into a run mantra when I’m out on the trail.

Day 1

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Rules:  Post 1-3 quotes for 3 consecutive days, nominating 3 fellow bloggers to do the same.

For today, I’d like to nominate the following bloggers.  Please don’t feel obligated to participate… it’s just nice being able to give you a shout-out to let you know I appreciate you and your blog.

 My God, My Music, My Life

Living Out Loud

The World’s Biggest Fridge Magnet

Life is what you make it, friends, so make it a good one.