Freebie Friday

Let’s stop and chat for a bit here, have a little heart-to-heart.

I don't know about you, but I've had a helluva week. I did not lose my job, unlike nearly 500 others in our community this week with the closing of a manufacturing plant. I got flipped off by some rude guy in a Suburban the other day as I tried to navigate our under-road-construction streets to get home and pump over my lunch break. Our neighbors are building a fence because they don't like our dandelions. I have nothing to wear. There's no food in the house.

Note to self: do not blog when cranky and tired.

But there are still rays of sunshine out there. Like you all. My tiny blog world is always so positive and energizing. I can always read my friends posts and be reminded of being part of a small, caring community. I've never met most of you, but you all are really, really cool people, doing amazing things each and everyday - and then finding the energy to share it with the rest of us.

And then there are these guys.

My joy, my world. Yes, as long as I have these two in my life, I'll be ok.

With all the negativity floating around right now, I want to start the weekend off right and counteract all that in my own tiny little way. Let’s take a moment to count our blessings and remind ourselves that there is so much to be thankful for. Let’s remember that life is beautiful, that the world is filled with abundance, that people at their core are nice and decent beings, that this one moment is fleeting and we must appreciate it.

And hey, let's add to the positive karma. I just happen to have a $10 Target gift card. And I want to give it to you.

I know, Ben! Super exciting! (Actually, he's just trying to eat his shirt here, but I thought it was a cute look of shock and awe.)

I realize $10 isn’t much, and retail therapy can be dangerous, but sometimes a new t-shirt and a Ritter Sport bar can make everything better. Or a new spatula. Or a 128-pack of crayons with built-in sharpener. Whatever that little thing is, I want you to have it. No gimmick, no strings attached, just a little note to say “hey, you’re great - hope this makes your day”.

Sound good? Want in? Then just leave a comment with something happy, something positive, something you are thankful for today. I’ll pull a Pioneer Woman by drawing a random number and bingo, that person gets the gift card (commenting ends Saturday evening - let's say 5 pm Central - I’ll do my best to get in contact with the winner). And hopefully all of us can take a moment to think about the good things in life, carrying that feeling into the long weekend ahead.

Happy Labor Day!