39 Acts of Kindness – 39 + a Pinch

21 Thursday Mar 2013

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Today is the day that I achieved my goal of 39 Acts of Kindness birthday celebration!  Four days ahead of schedule.  I’m excited to share with you so let’s get going.

#39 – Make A Wish.  I know from experience and my focus group of 1 that kids love throwing pennies into fountains and making a wish.  I also know as a fact from my focus group of 1 (me) that adults love doing it too.  If it is good enough for Snow White it’s good enough for me!

Years ago while babysitting Gavin I had decided to take him to Build-a-Bear.  I was trying to make the company a client and really needed a better perspective on what all the hubbub was about.  Gavin seemed like a good enough guinea pig!  Due to a colossal parking fail on my part we ended up in the mall parking garage but walking out onto the wrong street.  I have very strict rules on where to park in all the malls in the Los Angeles area.  I’m not a big fan of the mall experience so I always have to know the best parking space for easy access.  This time I was coming to the mall from a different angle and threw cation to the wind parking in a non-Wendy approved designated spot.  Due to this fail we had to walk through the Americana on Brand (a fancy outdoor mall) to go across the street to the Glendale Gallaria (the less fancy indoor mall).  Yes … they build two malls right next to each other.  Don’t ask me why.  It’s Glendale.  I doubt they know why.

image (6)The Americana on Brand has a huge water fountain in the middle of its main courtyard complete with dancing waters.  It’s pretty fantastic.  Gavin was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.  I spent the next 20 minutes or so digging for change out of my purse so Gavin could make wish after wish.  He is my kid focus group of 1.

I figured if Gavin and I enjoyed it so much others would as well.  I printed up some “Make a Wish” signs and stopped at the bank to get 2 dollars worth of pennies before heading to the Americana.  My goal was to get there as early as possible, before the shops opened, so I could limit the people who would see me.  For some reason I was ridiculously fearful that the mall cop would catch me and scold me for screwing up their pristine fountain!  Wouldn’t you know it, as I got of thephoto (9) elevator and looked toward the fountain I was walking side by side with a mall cop!  I made a beeline in the opposite direction of him, around the mom’s with strollers going for their morning walk (Just as an FYI mom w/ stroller always has the right of way … don’t forget it.), past the odd couple sitting at the fountain and got in, what will be, the queue to see the Easter Bunny.  There I put down my first sign and 100 pennies.  Next I walked around to the opposite side to place my second sign and final 100 pennies.  I then made a dash for the escalator.  I hope the fancy Americana mall cops take the act of kindness as a positive thing and let the signs and pennies hang out there long enough for people to enjoy them.

image (9)Pinch to grow an inch – Free Happiness.  After the Make a Wish Wendy Bomb of Kindness I made my way home to take Riggins for his morning walk.  I had decided that my neighborhood could use a little happiness and compassion.  I’m not saying it is a bad neighborhood but it did take me YEARS to get my neighbor to smile back at me when I waved as I passed him in my car.  And there was that one time when I was running with Riggins and misjudged the height of the curb causing me to fall flat on the ground.  We are talking straight down, pants torn, knees bloody, hands scrapped fall.  Their were plenty of people around, there usually are.  They all stopped and stared at me.  Not ONE came to see if I was okay.  The only person at my side was Riggins.  Now it is possible they are afraid of Riggins.  Scratch that, they are afraid of Riggins.  If you want to scare the crap out of someone in my neighborhood tell them you are friends with the big black dog that blonde girl walks.  It will have them shaking in their boots.  Still, no one even called from a distance, “Are you okay?  I’d come help you but your dog scares the crap out of me.”  Sigh.

On our walk today Riggins and I put up free happiness flyers.  Each had tabs that a person could take for him/herself or pass on to a friend including “happiness,” “love,” “a hug,” “confidence,” “patience,” “humor,” “strength,” and “peace.”  I hope they bring a smile to someone’s face.

BTW while looking for Scatter Kindness pictures I came upon a few that are part of really great Etsy stores so I wanted to share them with you:

I’ve made a word document for you to use if you would like to post a few in your neighborhood.  Download from here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6ofpzkj1286dhki/Scatter%20Kindness.doc

Done!  Finished!  Terminado!  Finito!  I’ll write-up a final roll call on my birthday Monday so we can review the 39 acts and the fun I have had.

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

Not a Lab

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

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I feel like I’ve written about this before but a quick search proved me wrong.  So here we go …

image (4)Yesterday I was looking at Riggins vet bill, from his accident, and realized they labeled him a Retriever, Labrador Mix.  To be fair Riggins has been to this emergency vet before so it is possible this was the label they original gave him on our first visit when I was sobbing and unable to speak.  You have no idea how much it chaps my hide when people demand Riggins is part lab.  He isn’t.  If you look at him he doesn’t even look like a lab.  It’s his color that throws people.  Big black dog = lab, to people.  That’s just not correct.

Riggins mommy was a German Shorthair Pointer while his dad was a Samoyed.  This blows

people’s minds to the point that they don’t believe me and argue that fact.  Which leads me to the statement, “I saw his mom and dad in person.  Did you?”  Grrrrrrrrrr.  Riggins body type is straight from his mommy while his hair (including the fact that both are big sheeders) and personality is a mix of both breeds.  You can watch videos of what is typical for each breed at the Animal Channel link that is found on the breed pictures here.  If you watch the video you will learn that German Shorthair Pointers are a hybrid of many dogs including dalmatians which means black, instead of brown, is one of their colors.  In fact, there is a black dog in the German Shorthair Pointer video that looks a lot like Riggins.

So there you go.  That’s the answer of what Riggins is.  Now if you were someone I met on the street and/orsomeone I was on a first date with you would now tell me I was wrong and fight with me about it.  Don’t fight with me about him not being part Lab.  First of all you are wrong and secondly it’s like you have never seen a lab before.  Of the two of us I’m the dog expert here so back off!

Speaking of the vet and Riggins accident I wanted to give a shout out to the people thaimage (8)t helped us.  First of all the Eagle Rock Emergency Pet Clinic was amazing (minus the whole lab thing).  I imagine it’s a horrible job.  The graveyard shift at a place where only really sick and hurt animals go?  No thanks!  The 4 people I came in contact with including the front desk woman, two vet assistants and the vet herself, which were all not only professional but super kind.  The vet in particular put me at ease due to her knowledge and her wiliness to give me as much information as I wanted and needed.

Secondly, I need to give a shout out to Dogvacay.com.  This is the site where my dog sitting profile is located.  When I informed them of the problem I had on a meet and great they were appropriately horrified.  I had actually written the CEO and he answered personally and quickly.  Their insurance woman was incredibly nice and all seemed to be very worried about Riggins.  If you need a doggie daycare and/or somewhere to keep your puppers overnight check them out.  If you use the promo code IHEARTRIGGINS the first time you book an appointment you will get $10 off.

image (5)Since I didn’t want Riggins off leash with other dogs while he is still healing we skipped Runyon and the dog park today and instead went for a walk around the Rose Bowl.  It was torture for Riggins as he kept trying to stop every human and make him/her pet him.  He was also tortured by the gang of mom’s and their strollers since many children were riding along eating snacks.  Snacks at nose height for Riggins.  No snacks and everyone was too busy exercising to pet him??????  Horrible!

(Still haven’t forgotten about number 39 Act of Kindness.  It’s coming.)

MAN DOWN!

19 Tuesday Mar 2013

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I know I’m leaving you hanging on the 39 Acts of Kindness with only one left.  I had planned on finishing up today but, unfortunately, my day has taken a bit of a turn.  It’s a no hike day as Riggins spent the night at the emergency vet.  He is fine but we are all tired from the long night.

Yesterday I had a dog and his mommy over for a meet and greet.  She was nervous to have her dog, a border collie mix, be left at a person’s house while she was away so had requested the pre meeting.  I can’t blame her one bit.  I’d be hard pressed to leave Riggins with anyone besides my family.  Her dog, let’s call her Sam to protect her identity, was very nice with a ton of energy.  A young one, she hadn’t spent much time socializing off leash and was aggressive to other dogs on leash which meant most of her play time was between her and her Momma.

I had Sam and her mom come into my backyard and hang out first.  Then I brought Riggins and Shug out.  Everyone got along great either ignoring each other or forcing Sam’s mom to pet them.  We then went inside where everyone just wandered around.  Finally we went for a walk.  I took Riggins and Sam while Sam’s mom took Shug.  We walked around the block and, again, all was fine.  Sam did some barking and pulling around other dogs and both him and Riggins tried their darndest to scare the crap out of two cats.  Two cats, who unflinching, stared at the animals on leash and the woman yanking them down the sidewalk as if we were the dumbest thing on the planet.

Back at my house we sat down in the living room.  Riggins jumped up and sat on one side ofimage (5) me and Shug jumped up and sat at another.  All was well until Sam got a little too close for Riggins liking which caused him to give a warning growl.  Unfortunately Sam didn’t get the hint and then all hell broke loose.  As you know Riggins is a lover not a fighter.  So despite his tough bark he is truly a horrible wrestler.  Once things get real his main goal is to get under or behind the closest human.  When the rumble started I pulled the dogs apart and Sam’s mom and I got them laying down to scold them.  At that point we noticed Riggins was bleeding.

A few years ago Riggins had a small mass on his ear and had a notch taken out.  The notch was now much bigger.  I grabbed a rag to hold on his ear and noticed a piece of his ear on the ground.  Gross right?  Sam’s poor mom nearly had a heart attack.  She is a sweet young woman and the poor girl sat on my living room floor near tears.  It happens.  Two dogs sometimes equals a dog fight.  Riggins ear was at the wrong place at the wrong time! (I have a feeling Sangita’s girls are going to be far more upset about this whole thing than I was.)

image (2)Sam and his mom left and I packed up Riggins and Shug into the car to make a run to the emergency vet clinic.  We had to wait 2 hours before Riggins was seen.  During this time he managed to splatter blood ALL OVER everything in the vet waiting room.  Then he decided he was starving and had to lick some of it up.  Gross again right?  Normally I would be upset with a wait but this was a triage center which means anyone who skipped in line ahead of me was far worse off than poor Riggins.  Riggins was acting fine, as if blood wasn’t streaming from his ear.  His only unhappiness came from the fact that I wouldn’t let him stroll around the room to get pets from the humans.  I told him no one wanted his blood on them.  I didn’t ask the other humans I just assumed this was true.

When Riggins was taken away to be looked at Shug and I sat in an exam room.  Shug wasphoto (8) NOT happy about being separated from Riggins.  She could hear him barking and kept pacing and looking at me as if to say, “Do you hear that???? He needs help!!!!  Let’s go get him!  Why are you just sitting there????  He needs us!”  When we left the vet Shug sat down in protest and I had to pick her up and carry her to the car.  When we got home she protested again sitting down in my driveway refusing to go further without her new friend.

Riggins spent the next few hours at the vet where they put him under, cut off a small photo (6)part of his ear so it could be stitched up better, stitched him up, and pumped him full of antibiotics.  I picked him up just after 3 AM.  He is still loopy, as you can see from his glossy eyed picture, but seems a-okay.  The vet did a great job and was even able to bandage the ear so it isn’t bothering him much at all.

Riggins had a hard time getting comfortable when we got home.  He started in my bed but then moved to his bed in the office.  I felt like I should be with him and he wasn’t budging so I grabbed a pillow and an afghan and laid down on the floor next to him.  That’s what Mommy’s do right?  It didn’t take him long to figure out the bed was more comfy and we both returned.  Somehow 10 pound Shug had figured out how to take up the ENTIRE bed for herself so I had to lift her up and let Riggins get comfy before allowing her to curl up next to him.

We are all living on lack of sleep today.  In 5 days the bandage comes off and in 10 the stitches.  Then Riggins will be good as new.  Even if there is a bit less of him!

 

 

39 Acts of Kindness – 36, 37 and 38

18 Monday Mar 2013

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Ooooooohhhhhh …… after this weekend’s kindness acts I’m soooooooo close to my goal! image (2) I’ve had one blow out of a St. Patrick’s Day weekend, that’s for sure. I’m writing this post Sunday night to publish Monday morning. After writing this I plan to chug some pepto bismo and pass out! I think I’ve managed to survive the 10 million different alcohols. Although I have to admit the thought of Creme de Minthe makes me nauseous right now. It’s the horrible diet that has been my undoing! I essentially consumed pizza from Friday night to Saturday night then moved on to a taste of this and a taste of that, ending today with a giant platter of liquid cheese nachos. I didn’t even order the nachos I ate other people’s nachos and couldn’t stop! It was so yummy until my stomach told me it was really not at all happy with my decisions! So I have to type fast and move on to the remainder of my evening on the sofa.

image#36 – Darlin’ Children. It didn’t take long for my friend to jump on the kindness bandwagon and suggest I babysit for her to help fulfill my quota of niceness. Of course I said yes! I spent midday Saturday with two adorable little boys Gavin and Griffin. Our few hours together were spent making St. Patrick’s Day cards, green tissue flowers, and chasing Mushugana, the 8-year-old dog that I’m currently babysitting (them chasing, me sheltering her from the chasing). I’ve known both these boys since their birth and it’s amazing at how big they are getting. I know that is a generic thing that everyone says but everyone says it because it’s true! Soon I expect that Gavin will be able to drive me around town to do errands. (BTW based on these pictures I assume Gavin’s mom and dad have spent the last 24 hours listening to how great it would be if they owned a dog!)

Shug (Mushugana’s name with more street cred) and I returned later that evening tophoto (6) partake in my friend’s bi-annual drink competition. This one was, obviously, St. Patrick’s Day themed. I made a shot I named the Fresh Little Leprechaun. It was an equal part mix of chocolate vodka, white chocolate liquor, and a dash of Creme de Menthe (shocking). I topped it with crumbled Girl Scout Thin Mints (part of my two ingredient minimum requirement from a long list of possible edible/drinkable items) and added a custom-made (by me) toothpick stabbed through thin mints. Delicious! I didn’t win but I didn’t lose and that was my goal!

#37 – Expert Packs. My friends, Dee Dee and Krissy and I have been planning to go all out for St. Patrick’s Day for a few weeks now. We just couldn’t pass up the holiday falling on a Sunday and although I consider us a pretty fun crew none of us had done St. Patrick’s day “right” before. That needed to be fixed! Knowing that it is a drinking holiday and therefore drinking would be happening I decided the gang needed some first aid kits. I packed up some aspirin, added a sports drink and threw in some green beads for good measure. Since we were getting an early start I put these together the night before. Let me tell you the gals where sure happy to get them and no one got through today without downing a package of Advil!

photo (5)#38 – I said NO PINCHING. Ions ago I had purchased a packet of shamrock stickers from Michael’s at an oddly low price. So low I have to assume the were mis-marked. My goal was to leave them on a park bench near the pool I swim at but there was no way I was getting up even earlier to make that happen. Instead I decided to leave them at the subway station. More foot traffic there anyway! Although my goal wasn’t to drink too much, I’m a responsible adult and had decided I needed to find a non self-driven way to downtown LA and our celebration. Unfortunately, some brilliant planner decided to schedule the LA Marathon on St. Patrick’s Day. This may mean nothing to you but if you live in LA you know that the race road closures essentially isolate the North and South sides of the city. There was no way for a car to get me into downtown at the agreed upon meeting time of 8AM. So I jumped in a taxi and headed off to the Metro (subway) station. Once there I grabbed a ticket and headed downstairs. I found a centrally located bench and tied my bowl of stickers and it’s coordinated sign to it. Then I walked the platform handing out stickers to those in need. It was so much fun. Everyone was so happy. One little girl asked if I was a fairy (probably due to the green wig I had on). One woman asked if I was a city ambassador. Ummm … no to both but I should definitely be a fairy ambassador. That would be an excellent title on a business card.
image (2)

Luck was on my side and my subway car stopped RIGHT IN FRONT OF DEE DEE AND KRISSY who were picking it up a few stops down. Amazed we joined forces and kept on the sticker give away plan for the rest of the day. We had a blast spreading joy, happiness and green!

We did St. Patrick’s Day right! I’ll leave you with just a few pics as proof:

photo (11)photo (7)

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

To be continued …

39 Acts of Kindness – 35

15 Friday Mar 2013

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St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and since my weekend is full up of green alcohol fun I dropped of one of my themed Wendy Bombs of Kindness today.

photo (7)#35 – No pinching.  When I first got Riggins I had grand plans of getting him certified as a helper dog who I could take to hospitals and senior living homes.  His job, which he is a natural at, would be to make people happy.  In return he would be the recipient of endless attention and snuggles.  Seemed like the perfect fit until I came to realize Riggins is crazy.  He does not like anything that he sees as “abnormal.”  This includes anything with wheels, high-pitched voices, signs of nervousness (or just shaking in general), starring directly in his face, odd smells, etc.  In general he would hate everything about a retirement home and/or hospital (no offense).  He seems to be calming down in his old age but I still wouldn’t trust him around a wheelchair as far as I could throw him!

Riggins went to an assisted living home once, to visit my Grandma.  He was a puppy and did well.  Sometimes I think he would probably be fine and I should look into the certification again and then he goes ape shit over a little person walking at Runyon (Is little person the politically correct term?  I’m going to go look it up …. well that was unhelpful but if you want a giggle go to Ask Jeeves and look at some of those answers.) or nearly has a stroke when a skateboarder comes by, and I come to my senses.

Both my grandma’s lived in different degrees of assisted living near the end of their lives.  I feel like when people look for places to donate their time, energy and or love our elders get overlooked.  I didn’t want to leave them out of my 39 Acts of Kindness!

Riggins and I walk by Windsor often.  It is an assisted living community in Glendale, CA.  I’ve always been impressed at how pretty they keep their lawn, flowers, outside of the buildings, etc.  I had never been inside but based on the flow of family members and visitors in and out I figured it had to be a nice place.  I decided to make them green tissue flowers that they could wear on St. Patrick’s Day.

A quick trip to the dollar store left me with two different color green tissue paper.  Weirdphoto (4) fluorescent green and gross dirty green.  Who knew that when you put those together they are beautiful!  I’m so happy with the results.  Here is my “how to make tissue flowers tutorial” for those who can’t remember this same lesson from kindergarten:

  • Grab something circular that you can use as a pattern.  I choose the lid to a lovely smelling candle a friend gave me.  I’m sure a crappy smelling candle lid would work just as well! 
  • Cut out tissue in the circle shape.  I folded the tissue over a number of times so I could cut as many circles as possible all at once.  Some would call that sloppy.  I consider it efficient.
  • Fold the circles in 8ths (that’s 3 folds in half) and round off the corners with scissors (again I did as many at once as I could manage to push my scissors through).  I didn’t worry about uniformity.  Once unfolded you have a scalloped circle.
  • Gather 6 (or so) of these fancy circles and stack on top of each other.
  • Insert a brad clip in the middle and secure it on the back.
  • Starting at the top (middle of the flower) pinch up each layer to make your flower.
  • I added a piece of curly ribbon to the back with a safety-pin.

I dropped of my bouquet today.  Let me tell you the Windsor lobby is as impressive as the outside.  Definitely a place to look into if you require such services.  Now the men and women of Windsor can enjoy a pinch free holiday!

(Once again I forced boy dogs to model flowers.  I told Morgan and Riggins they were boutonnieres and very fashionable for the hip gentleman.)

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

(BTW no one alerted me to the fact that I had two 31s.  Fixed that, making me even closer to my goal!)

To be continued …

Tata Talk

14 Thursday Mar 2013

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If you are worried about this break from the 39 Acts of Kindness, don’t be. I’m working on putting together some great St. Patrick themed fun! I’m excited to tell you about them but this isn’t the time. Right now I am preoccupied with my boobs.

You heard me.

photo (3)6 months ago I had an irregular mammogram which lead to another mammogram and then a sonogram and then a biopsy. I still have the scar from where they stuck a needle to take out a chunk of me to investigate further and put a metal marker in its place. They put the marker in so during future exams if there is a question about that same area, it shows that it was already examined. My mom was treated for breast cancer just a couple of years (or maybe it was one) early so I was shocked (and thrilled) that the test came back negative. Like any other lady part test if you fail once you have to go back every 6 months for a while and today is my lucky six month boob check anniversary. I’m glad I’m going since I’ve had some pain (not double over and die pain but, “hey that kinda hurts” pain) and a very odd skin infection (at least that is what the dr thought) in/on my boob(s). I’m sure it’s nothing but it is always better to know and, if needed, get treatment, then sitting around twiddling your thumbs as your body rebels against you. Luckily, I’m getting a sonogram not a mammogram. Although I don’t think mammograms are nearly as horrible as people say. Some would say it hurts less because I have big boobs while others would say it should hurt more because I have big boobs. Whatever. They only get squished for a second and then it’s on with your life. Lesson — go get a mammogram.

While we are on the topic of my boobs, let me tell you about my movie theater trips. They involve my tatas. My movie theatre uniform is work out pants, tennis shoes, sports bra, tank top and hoodie. Each clothing item has a purpose. Work out pants are just comfy and allow for wiggles and leg shifting without any difficulty. Tennis shoes are nice since they cover your entire foot protecting it from the goopy gross floor. Sports bra and tank top are the comfy equals to the pants and the hoodie allows for me to cover my head and lean my head back without touching the back of a gross chair (gross in so much as a zillion other grimy and greasy haired owners have leaned against it in the past). Plus the hoodie up gives the world my international sign of “I’m invisible. Don’t talk to me.” I started this at a job so I could maintain the HR suggested open door policy while still giving my employees the understanding that now wasn’t the best time … as I was invisible to them. I’ve since adopted it for plane rides and, if necessary, dog park outings. Of course none of these items covers my cleavage. In fact they allow for a clean popcorn runway right down my blouse. You’d be amazed at how often I miss my mouth and the popcorn makes a run for it right down my shirt. Constantly. Then I sit there in the dark theatre and dig it out hoping no one sees me. It adds to the entertainment of the show. Probably does so for others as well.

In general I have a sports bra coverage, cost, and support issue. First of all why are they so expensive? Someone needs to fix that. I have a zillion of the Target flimsy sports bras that really do nothing. I wear them at Bar Method. Since they do nothing I’m constantly giving someone a cleavage show when I bend over. The biggest problem with this is I really don’t care. Target sports bras are cheap and comfy so I’m wearing them. I’m not bouncing around all over the place in Bar Method I’m moving inches and breathing heavily concentrating on not throwing up. I’m too busy to care if someone is looking down my blouse. Most of the class is almost always women anyway so no one cares (I assume). Every once in a while a straight guy manages to find his way in and then he gets an extra show. Good for him. Welcome to Bar Method!

Today I’m going with my friend to her gym to do some sort of dance class. It’s a huge sacrifice for me not to go to Bar but she says it’s ridiculously fun so I’m trying it out. I had to dig through a giant pile of clean clothes to get one of my sports bras that actually have some holding power. I figured dancing equaled bouncing and the Target non-sports bra wasn’t going to cut it. Then I proceeded to put it on inside out 3 times. Not once, not twice, three times. Seems impossible right? Wrong. Totally possible. Each time I’d start laughing again as I tried to wiggle my way out and then wiggle, tug and pull my way back in. Sports bra (non clasp kind) are an X rated comedy sketch waiting to happen. It is NOT EASY to get those suckers on and off. You know where it is nearly impossible? The pool. It is actually almost impossible to put anything on in the pool locker room. Everything, including you, is moist and there is no way to get dry. So there you are standing in a moist room, with moist skin, trying to yank down a sports bra that has decided to go no further than your armpits. Once, at the pool, I failed so miserably at putting on a sports bra post swim and was laughing so hard at myself, I had to take a time out to go pee. Sports bra 1/2 on. One boob hanging out the bottom refusing to corporate and the other mashed at the wrong angle, mocking the other one. Thank goodness I was alone! That pool is frequented by JPL employees. Can you imagine? I could have failed at the simple task of getting dressed in front of an actual rocket scientist!

Well — I have to go get my boobs checked. Enjoy the boob-o-licious pics of Riggins and me. Due to the position of my chest and the angle of any self taken iPhone picture 90% of my Riggins/Wendy photos have my cleavage front and center.

 

39 Acts of Kindness – 32, 33, and 34

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

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It could be record-breaking heat today in the valley of Los Angeles.  It feels like just yesterday I was complaining about it being freezing … no more!  The sun is out, the smog is thick and low, and it’s glorious!  Today on the hill I heard a man tell his wife, “look out there isn’t that a great picture?  The smog makes it look so pretty!”  We may all have asthma but we don’t have any vitamin D deficiencies.

I have one more Wendy Bomb of Kindness that hit this weekend to tell you about so let’s get down to business.

photo (9)#31 and 32 – I was working hard kindness bombing all the sweet children in my life that I almost forgot about those doggie mom’s sans human kids.  Almost but not quite!  Two of my lovely friends are single (Only in LA I tell you.  Both are bombshells that would have guys in line to be with them in any other town.) doggie mommies and I thought they deserved a splash of fun.  I got them each a scratcher lottery ticket and mailed them off with a little note.  Scratchers are so exciting!  There is always the chance of such happiness and surprise right on the other side of that silver scratcher stuff.  I hope they both win zillions of dollars.

#33 – Remember my tea party?  It was kindness act number 22.  On the tea invite I asked my guests to, if they wanted, bring a donation for the dog shelter and I’d go drop everything off.  My friends, the animal lovers, came through in spades!  Today, after going up Runyon, Riggins and I swung by the Pasadena Humane Society and dropped off the bounty.  Towels, cash, peanut butter, food, snacks, paper towels, and pedialyte filled up two giant bags.  The shelter was very happy to see all the goods!

I often make fun of the Pasadena Humane Society since it is BY FAR the nicest looking shelter I’ve ever seen.   It’s not part of a national chapter and is locally funded so all donations to this shelter stay local.  Sometimes I feel like I should be giving to a less pretty, and therefore seemingly well off, location.  But even with its spa like atmosphere I shouldn’t make fun as the Pasadena Humane Society as it does great work and does wonderful things with all its donations.  It is a no kill shelter that will not turn away an animal.  I heard the cock a doodle doo of a rooster when I got out of my car today.  They really do take in all animals.  I remember during the fires a few years back it allowed those that were evacuated from their homes to bring their animals there for temporary shelter.  They were beyond packed but still managed to make it work.  On top of all that they offer a number of programs from shelter to cruelty investigations to wildlife relocation.  They are an amazing group.

Speaking of animals … here was Riggins response to me this morning when I said, “Let’s get up and go up the hill.”  image (3)He wasn’t very enthusiastic.  He may have been on to something as it was very warm (even, dare I say hot) at Runyon and we had to tip toe around a VERY BIG RATTLESNAKE on the main path.  The ranger had blocked off  the area to help keep everyone safe but it was still pretty scary.  That is only the second time I’ve seen a snake on that trail and it was by far the biggest rattlesnake I’ve seen live.  March 1st marks the start of rattlesnake season in So Cal.  I sure hope it isn’t as bad as last year!  Keep your eyes and ears open and stay safe on your hikes!

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

To be continued …

39 Acts of Kindness – 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31

12 Tuesday Mar 2013

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image (2)It’s already March 12th, which means I only have 13 more days to finish up my 39 Acts of Kindness.  I’m much more confident that I will make it now than I was at the beginning of this adventure!  A few more packages hit their targets this weekend and I wanted to tell you about them.  These were less of a bomb and more of a Wendy Firework of Kindness!

27 – Boys like Star Wars.  It’s true.  At least I think it is true.  One of my good friends has two very sweet boys.  One has a ton of allergies so I didn’t want to chance cooking for him.  His mom is a saint and always has snacks, allergy-free treats and such on hand at parties.  That way while the other children are gorging themselves on birthday cake her son isn’t left out of the sugar high fun.  I was afraid if I cooked for him I’d accidentally include something he was allergic to and be the reason for an attack.  At the beginning of the year when I had that horrible allergic reaction to some medication I was taking the first thing I thought was, “Poor Josh!  Is this what that poor child has to live through?  The fear of feeling this horrific just by eating a cheeseburger?”  Honestly Josh doesn’t seem to care.  He is the brightest most well-adjusted boy I know.  Just the kind of guy who deserves an act of kindness.

Of course if I sent something to Josh I couldn’t leave out his adorable younger brother, Benji.  Benjiimage (1) has only been to my house once.  He was an infant and sat (blob baby style) on one of my lawn chairs as Riggins growled and barked at him.  Riggins was letting him know that he did not appreciate being overshadowed by such ridiculous cuteness.  Benji is now big enough he could probably wrestle Riggins into a headlock.  In a man vs. beast match my money would be on Benji!

After much deliberation I finally settled on sending the boys school supplies.  To make them a wee bit fun I got Star Wars themed pencils and erasers.  That should help cheer up homework time! (I sealed them up in their envelope before taking a picture.  You will just have to take my word that those items are in that big white envelope!)

#28 – 31 – The mustache makes the man.  I’m slightly obsessed with the mustache craze that is happening right now.  Obsessed in so much that every time I see a mustache product I laugh and laugh but don’t actually buy it.  While cruising Amazon I came across a ridiculously good deal on temporary tattoo finger mustaches.  SOLD! (Btw if you shop photo (6)Amazon and gain access through this link – http://giveawaytrain.com/Amazon – you will be supporting my sister’s mommy blog.  So you should do that.)  I clicked “add to basket” and eagerly waited for its arrival.  Once I had it in my hot little hands I cut it down to packages of two and tucked them, along with instructions, into colorful packages that could be easily mailed.  In all I was able to make the package work for 9 children.  7 adorable boys and 2 lucky girls for a total of 4 happy families!  4 families equals 4 acts of kindness!

I hope they had as much fun as Riggins and I had with our tattoo.  Wendy and Riggins, the next Bonnie and Clyde!

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

To be continued …

39 Acts of Kindness – 26

11 Monday Mar 2013

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384841_2992371408273_1893829326_nMy mailed Wendy Bombs of Kindness hit their targets this weekend. It’s so exciting! There were a number of them so I’ll bring you up to speed throughout this week. The first one I want to tell you about went to the loving house of Gabby and Sunny.
WendyRiggins001 (2)#26 – Spring Flowers. Gabby and Sunny are the lucky pups that can call Lori Fusaro their mom. I meant Lori a few years ago when I had done a google search for Dog Photographers and came upon her website. Since our first meeting she has photographed Riggins and me twice and Riggins a third time for a calendar. He was Mr. December, and a very handsome one if I do say so myself. (Read more about my first session with Lori.)

I can’t think of anyone who selflessly gives more love, time, and money to animals than 409683_2943863035594_1573809484_nLori and her husband. They are both amazing. Lori lends her talents to help dogs up for adoption by taking professional pictures of them. Every picture Lori takes, the star dog is so adorable you want to, almost have to, take him/her home. It’s amazing how much we rely on the visual when doing things like adopting a dog (or going on Match.com for a date) but we do (Did you know that dogs that have the hardest time being adopted, everything photoelse equal, are black ones? For one they are considered mean just by color …. ask the poor woman Riggins cornered off the trail today doing Tai Chi. Riggins apparently isn’t a fan of Chinese stress release. Secondly, it is difficult to photograph black dogs and see their eyes. Without being able to look in their eyes adopters have a harder time connecting emotionally.). We are, after all, only human. Lori gives dogs who need a home, a fighting shot by putting their best face forward! She is constantly doing a photo shoot to support an animal cause of some sort, and seems to be bottomless in her wiliness to donate time, energy and money. Currently she is working on a project to highlight the adoption and love needed by and given to senior dogs. This project, no doubt, was sparked by her newest doggie love, Sunny.

Sunny, originally named Shady, was left by her family at the Carson shelter due to old age. WendyRiggins013 (2) It will come as no surprise that Lori went to the shelter to help and came out haunted by the sweet senior dog and knew she had to help. In her own words:

“Some days I’m filled with hope and purpose when I walk into the shelter. Others I go through the motions, trudging along as if I’m wading through quicksand.

As I walked in the shelter I could physically feel my heart close. It slammed shut without warning. I’m not sure why, but the noise, the smells, the dogs were just too much for me today. …

… As I walked the rows and rows of kennels, the walls felt like they were closing in on me, the air getting thinner. I imagine it’s what the animals might feel at times. Maybe all the time. The feeling is horrible. I just wanted to run out of there and never look back.

But I didn’t. I stayed. I photographed. I gave treats. I scratched ears.

The dogs cried. Whined. Barked. Some wagged. Others licked. Some turned and fled. Others cowered. Some never even lifted their heads.

… It’s bleak. It’s dark. It’s overwhelming. No living creature should ever have to endure such things. For me I know it will pass. For the animals…I can’t even think about it.” – Lori’s Blog

Heart wrenching right! There’s more. The next day …

“It’s amazing the difference a day makes. Yesterday I left the shelter depressed and overwhelmed. Today I feel invigorated and filled with purpose.

This face hasn’t left my mind since I walked out of the shelter yesterday.

CarsonJune9 17 Shady {16 year old dog abandoned}

Her name is Shady. She is 16 years old. She has been at the shelter since May 29th. She is despondent, dejected and lost. Her face has invaded every moment I’ve lived today. Driving to the Riverside shelter…she popped into my head. Photographing the dogs there…she made her presence known. Eating lunch…there she was again.

…… I am going to pull her from the shelter and find her a home. I’m going to treat her eye and make sure she isn’t in any pain. We’ll see what happens. I have no idea how her health is…at 16 years old there could be so many things wrong. But I’m throwing caution to the wind. I think she deserves to spend the last days (or months) feeling loved.” – Lori’s Blog
riggins-loriIt will come as no shock that Lori and her husband adopted Sunny (the renamed Shady) and brought her in as a permanent, and loved, member of their family. Sunny has flourished in her new home with her new family, and is a whole different dog. Isn’t that amazing!?!

If anyone deserved a Wendy Bomb of Kindness it was the Fusaro family! Since
photo (4)Sunny and Gabby are adorable girls I decided they needed a hint of spring to wear out on their daily walks. I took pieces of velcro, cut slightly bigger than the width of a dog collar, then hot glued a piece of green ribbon down on top. Finally I glued on a pretty spring flower (fake of course). I had to see what they looked like so I forced poor Riggins and Bud to model the pretty pretty flowers. Being boys they weren’t amused. I found it hilarious.

I hope Gabby and Sunny enjoy their piece of spring and wear them proudly.

WendyRiggins021 (2)(P.S. All the pictures featured on this blog – minus the pouting Riggins/Bud pic – are taken
by Lori. I HIGHLY recommend her for any family portraits especially those that include children and/or animals. Her site – http://www.fusarophotography.com/. Her Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1620117902793.82578.1231779034&type=3#!/LoriFusaro)

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

To be continued …

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Deed Fail + 25

08 Friday Mar 2013

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Sigh …. you guys …. I’m so depressed over my good deed fail.  I can’t even think of anything witty or fun to say so let’s get right to it.  First the non-failure.

#25 – Sack lunch.  Remember when I told you about cat man?  No?  I first introduced you to him in this post – https://wendyandriggins.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/psst-come-here-for-real-this-time/.  Then I suggested the Pasadena mob got to him in this post – https://wendyandriggins.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/psst-come-here-yes-again/.  By image (1)the way they didn’t.  He was back at his spot on Colorado Blvd the same day I wrote that.  It was like my blog had magic powers.  Anyway, since cat man is always asking for people’s leftovers from The Cheesecake Factory I figured he would enjoy a sandwich.  I put together a snack for him and his cat.  I have to admit I bought this particular cat food (not only because it was cheapest) because of the cute Arstocats theme.  Last night after handing cat man the paper bag full of goodies I practically marched back to my car singing the song Rescue Aid Society in my head.

It wasn’t until a moment ago when I googled the song that I realized Rescue Aid Society is from The Rescuers (adorable movie) not Aristocats (an equally adorable movie).  I blame Eva Gabor.  You can’t voice a cat AND a mouse in different films and expect people to keep that all straight!  The Rescue Aid Society song is below from YouTube if you would like to enjoy.

FAIL – Thicker than water … especially mine.  My good friend Martha had suggested I donate platelets as one of my good deeds.  Martha is a very nice person and has been donating platelets since I’ve known her.  This seemed like a good idea but I didn’t think I could manage platelets.  To tell you the truth I don’t really know what that means.  I just know it takes longer than blood donation.  Martha explained it to me once and I immediately forgot.  I picked up a pamphlet about it thinking I’d do some research and educate all of us.  Alas I don’t have it in me know … perhaps Martha will explain it again.

A week and 1/2 ago I made an appointment to visit the Pasadena Red Cross blood donation center to donate blood.  Today was the big day.  I have never donated before so was a bit nervous.  It isn’t that I necessarily have a problem around blood.  It is the IDEA of taking my blood that makes me queasy.  I have a very active imagination.  I once fainted (or nearly fainted … I made it to the ground but only to my knees) while getting my head x-rayed.  I think they were looking at my sinuses.  I don’t really remember.  I just know the tech warned me to stand VERY STILL which was enough for me to imagine my brain going to goo because I breathed too heavily and down I went.  Slid right down the vertical table.

I was pumped (no pun intended) to donate.  It seemed like such a terrific good deed!  In my mind it would be so easy I’d make it a regular thing.  I was a bit nervous as I went through the pre-questions and iron test.  I don’t know why I thought I would fail but I couldn’t imagine the shame of being marched out of there deemed unworthy.  Luckily, or so I thought, I passed and was escorted to a blood sucking chair by a very nice lady.  I popped in ear buds and turned on an Adam Carolla podcast.  I knew if things got bad in my head I could count on him to make me giggle.  That part worked fine.  In fact I caused people to stare at me a couple of times when I laughed out loud.

The poor woman in charge of taking my life source had to dig around a lot to try to make photo (8)it work.  Then she called over the boss who said it looked right and couldn’t figure out why the blood wasn’t oozing from me faster.  Then after a few minutes she announced, “okay you are done.”  Apparently my blood was clotting and there was no way they could take anymore.  FAILURE.  I was so upset I almost started to cry.  She suggested maybe I was dehydrated and didn’t drink enough water.  My answer was, “are you kidding I’ve spent the last 24 hours in the bathroom.”  Being a good student I had done what I was told and increased my liquid consumption before the big day and had indeed spent quality time in the restroom to prove it.  She shrugged and said I shouldn’t get discouraged and should try again.  Sigh …. I’ve always said I live in a constant state of dehydration.  I guess I really do!

They did get almost a full bag so I hope they can do something with it beside just throw it out in the reject pile.  I was sweaty and queasy and my arm was already becoming bruised from the poking around with a needle so, head down, I went to the snack table to sit down and eat some Kibbler products.

I signed up for another try in 8 weeks.  We will see how that goes — if it goes.  Sniff.  Total fail!  I gotta shake it off.  It is all so depressing.  I think I deserve a treat.  Maybe I’ll go get something yummy to eat for dinner.  I want a margarita but now I can’t drink alcohol for 48 hours and still have to drink more water than usual.  More bathroom trips in my future!

Cutie song as promised:  

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

To be continued …