Common Courtesy Day

Common Courtesy Day

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family, Holidays/National Days

When I was a pre-school teacher I observed another teacher (who was barely 21 years old) as she taught our students manners. She gave cues to the kids whenever manners were needed and she explained to me that she didn’t want the kids to perform manners. In other words, she didn’t want the kids growing up thinking they needed to act - she wanted them to know why they were using manners. It made sense to me. So before I had kids I promised myself that I wasn’t going to teach my kids common courtesies by saying, “Can you say, ‘Yes please.’ ?“ whenever the cashier at a store would ask if they wanted a sticker or a lollipop. Think about it, we are actually insulting their intelligence by asking that. Of course they can say those words! Sometimes I would physically cringe when I would hear, “What do we say when someone does something nice for us?”. I imagined a monkey on the shoulder of a street performer doing tricks.

5 Moving Pinches

5 Moving Pinches

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family, Politics & Religion, Travel & Leisure

I have been told several times since January 2021 that moving is a very stressful time. I must have “Moving Amnesia” because I can only remember little pieces of my move to Minneapolis from Hollywood, FL and I can’t remember how stressful it was. I have moved quite a bit in my life and although I do remember many of my moves, I do not remember the stressful parts.

The Journal Entry

The Journal Entry

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family

I thought about sharing my journal entry from January 11, 2021 because on that day, I wrote down 51 hurdles that were effecting my life at that time. Some hurdles are deep and personal while others are not a big deal at all. Nonetheless, they are all hurdles. The main reason why I wrote them down in my journal was because I knew that if I saw each hurdle on it’s own line, I would see that each and every one of them was something I could handle. On that particular day, it just so happened that I was experiencing them all at once. Even though I captured the moment in my journal with written words, it has taken me awhile to put those words into context, explaining the mental gymnastics that my brain performed at the beginning of 2021.

National Floral Design Day

National Floral Design Day

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Healthy Family, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Travel & Leisure, Seasons

Besides flowers being considered a gesture of love and care, they represent beauty and remind us of hope. Think of all the occasions that flowers are a part of - weddings, funerals, births, dinner parties, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Spring, tea parties, Thanksgiving etc. Not to mention the scents of flowers are so naturally intoxicating. As obvious as it may seem that flowers can set the tone for any event, to me, the mystery about flowers has always been in floral designs. I know nothing about which flowers go well together and which certain positions of the flowers look pleasing to the eye. People, professional or layman, who know how to arrange flowers in a way that can make us feel certain emotions should be celebrated.

Honestly

Honestly

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family

I wish we could be like dogs. When dogs communicate with other dogs, I’m pretty sure they don’t announce that they’re going to be honest with them. They just go for it and start sniffing around. When dogs get caught chewing on something that they’re not supposed to, we know from their eyes that they honestly didn’t mean to disappoint us. And even though dogs are not supposed to tell us who their favorite human is, they can’t help but honestly show us.

Umbrella

Umbrella

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Travel & Leisure

I cannot even say the word umbrella ella, ella, eh, eh, eh without singing it like Rihanna. What I love about an umbrella is that its function is both necessary and thoughtful. When we hold an umbrella over our head to shield off the rain or the sun, we are less bothered as Mother Nature does her thing. Thoughtfulness happens when we share an umbrella. Together we are safer and more comfortable than we are without one. My heart sings to see someone hold the umbrella over another’s head so that they can walk to/from the car in the rain without getting wet. So sweet!

World Nutella Day

World Nutella Day

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas

Do you know what Nutella is and if so, do you like it? The hazelnut and cocoa combo is spreadable, like peanut butter. Some don’t like it but most people really love it. I first learned of Nutella when my hub and I were dating. Before I met him, he lived in Milan, Italy, where Nutella was commonly found in baked goods. He said he would have a jar or two at his apartment so that he could spread it on fresh bread when he wanted a snack. When I tasted it for the first time, I remember thinking , “Where have you been all my life?”.

Hot Chocolate Day!

Hot Chocolate Day!

Barb Pellicer Paton
Holidays/National Days, Food & Beverages, Products & Gift Ideas

I miss hot chocolate. It’s not really the chocolate that I miss, although chocolate is a big part. I miss the feeling that I get from drinking it. I miss the snuggly, sweet feeling of having a beverage that warms my body and calms my mind. I am a tea drinker but there is something different about a cup of hot chocolate versus a nice cup of tea. I am tempted, especially during these uncertain times, to throw the “no chocolate” (a.k.a. caffeine) restriction out the window and just drink a cup of hot chocolate. This would mean risking a night of no sleep but it may be worth it.

The Passion Pinch

The Passion Pinch

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family, Products & Gift Ideas

I accidentally watched a video that I posted on Saturday, January 2, 2021 and I am so embarrassed!! I said two things that need explanations. First I thanked my stylist for doing such a wonderful job in picking out clothes that give me grace if I gained weight (which I did). Then, I actually said, “I still feel pretty.” UGH!

That's Obvi

That's Obvi

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family

I am often asked if we’re supposed to write a thank you card when we receive a thank you gift. In other words, do we say thank you for the thank you? It would seem like a continuous cycle of thanking each other if that was the case. But I think the question is valid. Let’s dive into it together.

Time To Get Spiritual

Time To Get Spiritual

Barb Pellicer Paton
Politics & Religion, Healthy Family

I waited until the last minute to decide which habit I would work on for the 365 days in 2021. I knew that I was already going to try to ride the Peloton bike once or twice a week and I knew that I was going to try to cook more meals. But I needed something that I could do every day; a habit for 365 days. It had to be something small, almost like a “no brainer” or hard to skip. In doing this habit daily, the year’s effort would add up to be significant. More importantly, the habit should have the potential to continue for years.

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