Loving Life - Little things

As I have mentioned, I put things toys, books, clothes that the kids have outgrown on the fence for people to take - some are brand new and never used, some are a little tatty. I just can't bear the idea of it going to landfill, and I love that it finds a new home. Strollers, baby monitors and other items also make the grade. Yesterday a woman was taking something as I was leaving and she said "Thank you, we have your Genie outfit from the other week, and we still have all your playdoh cutters from about four years ago". It made me so happy that these little kids were getting such joy out of them. Today, a woman at school stopped my youngest and said "Aren't you so very kind to give away your toys to other children? It's so lovely of you". My youngest blushed but was chuffed. The woman then said to me "I grew up in an orphanage, it would have made the world of difference to us if someone did that. We would would have cleared you out every day". A few years ago a man came and introduced himself to me in the street, stopping his bike as he rode past. He said he had kids at the school and they regularly took things from our fence, so he felt he needed to say hi. I have since bumped into him in the playground many times, heard the stories of his reno and moving house, where his wife works and about the kids. It's a really nice sense of community. So I am loving that people who take the things like to share their pleasure in the items. That is a gift in itself. Though I am still hoping the new little Flash makes an appearance soon.

We had a big 18th and the recycling flowed into two bins, so I had to trawl the neighbourhood putting glass bottles and cans in the streets bins. Shortly after, I came out to catch an uber and a woman was going through our bin taking out all the empties. I told her if I knew she was coming, I could have bagged them up for her, as I'd just had to fill up other people's bins (and pointed out which ones to go to next). She then informed me that she was giving money to the farmers. Apparently you can get cash back OR you can direct it to a charity, and she chose the drought relief. I LOVE this story. I LOVE that this woman is putting effort into help others, and that the bottles and cans would indeed be recycled.

We had our bookclub xmas party last night, and one of the traditions is a book swap. One friend, equally waste conscious, has been wrapping her presents in red (and green) boxes. I am a HUGE fan of this idea, and will be stealing once I've used up all the gift bags. We can all make a difference, with small and easy changes. For other environmental ideas, with the bonus cost savings thrown in for nothing, see here.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” 
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax









Lastly, it is advent calendar time. I got a T2 one, which I'm enjoying trying a new tea each day, and I got myself the L'Occitane one. I love that feeling of a few seconds excitement as I open it each day, and I love the luxury of the new smells in body wash and hand creams each day. I'm actually waking with anticipatory excitement, which is a lovely feeling - a long lost joy. That feeling is actually the gift, not the tea or the lotion. Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.


If you are after gift ideas next year for people that don't need anything, I thoroughly recommend an 'adult' advent calendar.

All these stories make me love life. As the wise Dr. Seuss said in The Lorax, “It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.” 

What are you loving this week?




Linking with #TrafficJamWeekend. And note this year's #XmasLinky is now live.