Kick Ass Small Towns

Hello Internets,

I would like to share a story my friend recently told me. One of my dearest friends who grew up in a relatively large city had to move to a very small town about just under a year ago for work and is discovering some of the wonderful things all us small town folks can sometimes just take for granted. An excellent example of this is recently she made an appointment to get her car fixed, on what should have been her day off, but she got called into work so she simply dropped her car off before the shop opened and intended to call and let them know what she had done. The universe however had other plans as she proceeded to be run off her feet at work and only remembered about her car as she realized she was going to have to walk home, by now it was much to late to call the shop so she just walked home. She was finally able to get in touch with the shop about 30 hours after she had dropped the car off and what did she discover when she got in touch with the shop? They had simply assumed that they were supposed to do the work previously discussed and that she would come back and get the car when she was ready. This blew my friend away, the shop didn't even have a number to call her on to let her know her car was fixed, but they just did the work and waited. I should mention at this point she has used this shop for parts and work before, but still it was pretty amazing. So I would like to take a moment to say thank you kick ass small towns for continuing to help people out and for the quiet faith you put in your community it is truly a wonderful thing to be a part of and absolutely the best thing I have heard this week.

Keep finding the joy,
B

Sleeping Pug

Hello Internets,

I took this video a while ago and found it again this morning so I thought I would share it with all of you. For his blog debut please welcome my pug Monster!!! Yay! Woohoo! Much clapping, etc etc etc.

Re-establishing Old Friendships

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Hello again Internets :D,

I know I have been away for a while and could spend a lot of time explaining where I have been, but that really isn't the point of the blog is it? So I shall just say sometimes life gets away from us and now I have returned. Now into this entry's joy re-establishing old friendships.

Recently I had the privilege of going on vacation and firmly believe I could not have used this time better if I tried as I used it to spend two wonderful weeks re-establishing friendships with many old friends from many different times in my life. I marvel every time I see these friends because even though we now live far apart and don't get to talk to each other as often as we would like (forget about even seeing each other as much as we like) once we do get together it is like no time has passed and we are able to step right back into our friendships. I have been back from this 2 week visiting blitz for about 10 days now and am still feeling the wonderful calming effects that only come from spending time with good friends. So while I am still feeling the effects I would like to take this time remind everyone of a few things that we all know we should do, but do not do often enough:

• when you find yourself thinking of someone let them know, this can be with something as small as a quick letter or e-mail or as big as a surprise party I will leave it to you to decide what is appropriate
• friendships are like hardy plants sometimes they can survive if you neglect them, but if you really want them to flourish you have to give them attention
• do not say we need to do this more often, if you find your self saying this stop yourself and pick a date a time, everyone agrees friends should get together more often, but if no one takes the initiative it will never happen
• finally sometimes friendships change do not be afraid of these changes face them head on if the friendship is meant to last everyone will adjust if it is not you will always have those many wonderful memories

(The cabin I spent half of my vacation squirreled away in, with about 10 other people)

Keep finding the joy,
B

Today's little joy is having a good relationship with your coworkers :D

Here are ten reasons why great coworkers spread the joy:

1. Having good coworkers can make the most unbearable jobs bearable
2. They are in a unique position to understand the challenges you face at work, and some times that's all you need
3. Work is never dull
4. When you're in over your head they are always willing to help
5. You have your very own set of inside jokes that can brighten up the worst days
6. Gives you a reason to smile on Monday morning
7. You will do better work (it has been proven that people do better work when the work environment is positive and having a good relationship with coworkers is crucial to the work environment)
8. They can provide honest and constructive feed back when you suggest something new
9. There's no party like an unofficial work party
10. Finally there is nothing like a good bitchfest to make you feel better when someone belittles you or your work

The joys of traveling :D

I spent the weekend in Niagara Falls and as result am feeling inspired to compose a list of the little joys that come with weekend getaways...

 1.Discovering funny sounding new places

• On our drive up my friend and I discovered the amusingly named Balls Falls, it is a conservation area just outside of Niagara Falls (I think about 20mins west). Unfortunately we were unable to go and see the falls, but have plans to check it out in the spring.

2. Free Parking

• as with most tourist areas parking is not generally free and even during the off season parking is over $10 at Cliffton Hill, however thanks to a little bit of savvy and a lot of luck we didn't have to pay for parking once! The only money we spent on parking was tipping the valet and parking attendants, because as someone who has had way to many service jobs I feel that I should tip as often as possible now that I'm not in the service industry.

3. No alarm clocks

• This might be my favourite thing about weekend getaways, I have a hate-hate relationship with my alarm clock when I have to get up in the morning, but on weekend getaways you don't even have to set one and I love it :D. Nothing can replace the feeling of letting your body waking up on it's own.

4. Forgetting about clocks in general

• Unless your checking out there isn't any need to pay attention to clocks at all, in my real life I am always aware of the time but this weekend I did things when I felt like doing them without a schedule and it was glorious. I highly recommend that when going away for a few days that people resist the urge to plan every moment they have and just let the days take you where ever they will, it is very liberating and relaxing. 

5. Hotel Toiletries

• I don't care how old you are who doesn't love those tiny shampoos and conditioners? I just can't explain it every time I see them I get the urge to pretend I'm a giant and then I do! I am a big believer in embracing the silly when ever possible and these adorable little buggers let me do that.

6. New Discoveries

• I have been to Niagara Falls many times, several when I was a child and several as an adult so I was really pleased to discover something I had never heard of before Niagara Falls Ghost Walk. I have been on ghost walks before, but this one has to be my favourite, it is lead by a woman named Linda who grew up in the area and she takes you through Niagara Falls while telling you all about different mysterious happenings. It made for a fun and low cost evening.

7. Coming Home

• This of course had to make the list, no matter what a good time I'm having it is always nice to come home, little getaways always serve as a reminder of how much I do love the home I have made for myself and hopefully you feel the same.

On that note I think I shall wrap up this post as I have an adorable pug that is vying for my attention, it's no related but that's another little joy watching a dog trying and get your attention to play has got to be one of the cutest things in the world.

Keep searching for the little moments,
B