Positively Mom Street

So, this week I had to say a tough goodbye.  We'd been together for almost 20 years, and while it was a great time, I knew our relationship was going downhill.  For the past year or so I convinced myself we could still be together, that a change wasn't necessary, but finally, on Monday, I knew it was time to say goodbye. Diet Coke, I'm sorry.  It's not you - it's me. Well - actually - it's a lot about you.  Ya see, I had my first sip of your so sweet yet calorie free self just about 20 years ago. I was a high school senior convinced I needed you to keep the weight off and my eyes open.  I'll be honest - it wasn't love at first sight - you tasted pretty TERRIBLE. :-) But then you kinda grew on me and I couldn't stay away. And for years - you served your purpose well.  Not a day went by that I didn't turn to you - late night study sessions, early morning classes, mid day pick ups - you were always there for me.  Cold, refreshing, bub...

So, I went to see the new Fifty Shades movie . I'd read all the books during the great soft porn hype of 2013.  They were okay - I'd definitely read better...the author really wasn't a very good writer...but I enjoyed the story line.  I mean - come on - what girl doesn't secretly dream of a super rich, good looking guy swooping in to take her away from her life of drudgery?  So I read, I enjoyed, I discussed, and then I kinda forgot.  I probably read another 50 books between the time I finished the FSG trilogy and the movie premiere last night. I think that helped.  A lot. 'Cause even though the books weren't well written I definitely had an idea in my head about Ana and Christian.  And I think the movie producers did an awesome job casting Ana.  The actress (I don't know her name but she IS the offspring of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) did a great job being Ana.  And her clothes?  Score!  I loved EVERY OUTFIT she wore. ...

“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people.  A nation does not need to be cruel in order to be tough.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hello from the Big Apple! So, I’m actually writing this from the train – I feel so very urban!  As you may or may not know – I work from home in the beautiful state of Colorado.  My employer is located in Manhattan and I was lucky enough to fly out and spend a few days meeting everyone and seeing the sights.  Right before I left, I was telling  my boss I was a bit nervous about getting from Newark all the way to Times Square – and he laughed a bit and said “Just ask anyone on the street for help – New Yorkers LOVE that.  Ya know – being so nice and all.” Gulp. Now I don’t necessarily believe the hype that New Yorkers are mean.  I mostly believe they are busy people that don’t have the time for lost Coloradans wandering their streets asking for random directio...

“Life is grace. Sleep is forgiveness. The night absolves. Darkness wipes the slate clean, not spotless to be sure, but clean enough for another day’s chalking.”  ― Frederick Buechner,  The Alphabet of Grace Goodbye 2014 – Hello 2015. I wanted to write a really eloquent post about 2014 and how doing the Kind Year changed me.  I was ready to wax poetic about how great it’s been, the joy I found in helping others and how the past 6 months have brought so much good to my life. But the words didn’t come.  I don’t think I can end the year (or start a new one) talking about the good without discussing the bad. Yes – being part of this experience has been amazing.  It truly has.  It’s made me think outside the box, put others first, and try to BE the change I’d like to see in the world. It’s also been hard, challenging and somewhat depressing.  What I do is never enough.  The changes I make feel small and ineffective. ...

My job as Santa to my adopt-a-family is almost over.  The gifts are wrapped and set to be delivered today. Can I tell you that this has been – by far – one of the most amazing experiences of my life? To start an experiment in kindness as a lark and see it become a full fledged reality blows my mind. One person CAN make a difference!  And while my Kind Year is only half way through – I already know that kindness and caring really can bring people together. Continue to give of yourself and be the magic of Christmas.  Positively, Kim

“The influence of a mother upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. They know and absorb her example and attitudes when it comes to questions of honesty, temperance, kindness, and industry.” - Billy Graham It’s the season!  The season of  over indulgence.  Excessive food, excessive drink, excessive fun.  I am guilty.  I partied like a rock star this weekend and I am feeling the effects.  I’m tired, and cranky, a just a bit toxic.  Ugh  - there is truth in the old saying about too much of a good thing.  I also believe the concept applies to Christmas and gifts.  I am personally focused on doing  a “less is more” holiday this year. Since I’m a year round shopper I have a gift closet where I stash my “goodies”.  I took everything out last night and tallied it up.  I thought there would be a lot – but surprisingly, there really wasn’t.  While I love a “steal” and can’t resist a bargain, I actua...

“If you can live with less of what you have. You can be more of who you are.” – Celso Cukierkorn As many of you know, this year I’m running an Adopt A Family program – sponsored through my side business – and dedicated to my Kind Year journey. So far so good – we got people excited, raised the $200 goal – and I got to go out and shop! I am bound and determined to stretch this budget to it’s limit – I REALLY want to do a lot with the money. I started shopping – ticking items off the kids wish list (a little boy and girl) – and watching the stash grow. Then I hit a wall. I know these kids don’t have a lot – but do they really NEED a bunch of “stuff” to make it Christmas?  I spent roughly $80 of our goal money and received some very kind donations – and the kiddos gift pile was growing quite large. Lots of love and caring went into the collection of these gifts! Very proud of my peeps and all their generous donations! I’m taking a step back. Yes – I want the...