Peanut M&M's

I started a new job a couple weeks ago.  I'm working for a company called AkzoNobel, which is the parent company of Glidden Paint.  They're a Dutch company and everyone has been really nice to me since I've started.

My cubicle is in an odd location for my job function, which is communications.  I'm surrounded by three older salesmen that have been with the company for a combined time of over 100 years.  They are awesome and help me out whenever I have random AkzoNobel questions.

One thing that I have discovered by chit chatting with them, is that Ron, whom loves Glidden Paint with all his heart, is slightly obsessed with Peanut M&M's.  Apparently, if you want to get Ron working, all you have to do is give him some Peanut M&M's.

Upon entering work this morning, Ron was extremely chipper.  He explained to me how he had a wonderful sales meeting and he is pretty sure that he secured a sale for AkzoNobel.  His enthusiasm was great.  He also brought in some Peanut M&M's.  Not just for himself, but he brought me in a pack too.  :)  

We shared in his excitement about the sale and I enjoyed the sweet treat he had brought me.  Nothing big, but it brightened my day.  He said, "Of course I would bring you some.  Everyone loves you already Nicolle!"  :)  As everyone knows, it always feels great to feel a sense of belonging in your new workplace.  I would just like to say, thank you Ron, for sharing in your enjoyment. It made my Friday before a long weekend a lot better!!!

Simple Fix

This is a real minor act of kindness, but it does help someone.  My friend was explaining to me how she had a headache last night and this morning, so the mom in me asked, "Have you taken any aspirin?"  Unfortunately, she didn't have any so I offered her mine because I get headaches a lot.  Something minor, but hopefully her day isn't as painful.

Have you seen or done anything lately that has helped someone out? Have you gotten help from someone that you really needed?

Cost: Approximately 8 cents for the 2 aspirin? Maybe?
Time: 0 minutes

-Care Giver

Lesson learned...

So remember a few months back when I told you all about my co-worker hitting my car but telling me about it?  Well, I followed in his footsteps today.

I was waiting outside our schools recreation center when I started driving off and, I have no idea how I missed this, but I clipped someone's Jeep.  My mirror hit their tail light and cracked it.  A perfect addition to my day because just prior to this incident I found out it will cost me about $1350 to fix my car.  Irritated and annoyed, I thought about driving away.

But then, I remembered my post and how doing the right thing is sometimes hard, but...the right thing to do.  So, I wrote a note, scraped off their windshield (because of course it was covered in snow) and stuck put it under their wipers.

I haven't heard back from them, but I hope I can set things right for them.

Time: ~5 minutes to write the note
Cost: We shall see.

Honest Abe

Home is Where the ♥ Heart ♥ Is

So last year around this time I started my first internship at The Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland.  For those of you that are unaware of what the House does, it is a place for families to stay when children in their families are receiving serious medical treatments at local hospitals.  It is a "home away from home," that is close to their sick children.  The cost to stay is just $20 a day, but if any family is unable to pay, they are able to stay for free due to the generous donations of others.  It is such a great organization and I am so happy that I could be a part of it.

As a non-profit, they constantly have fundraising events going on.  The next one coming up is called, "Tackle the Tower" and I was able to help out with it last year.  (Also, if you would like to participate in the event, click on the link and join!)  This year they asked me to come back and help with the banners that I created last year, and I had no problem doing it!  I have volunteered for them throughout the year, but this is the first time I have been back to the House and acted like an intern for them again.  It was such a great time and I have missed them so much!

They are a great bunch of people that work so hard towards making the Ronald McDonald House a home for parents and families.  Raising money is their main concern in the development office, but with everything they do, they are concerned with the families and children at the house.  It's humbling to see people so driven to help others and I am glad I have been able to connect with them.

Cost: $0
Time: 8 hours for 2 banners

~Home-body

Break time...

Hey Readers,

I apologize for not posting as much as I was.  I got busy with the holidays and haven't been on my A-game with my posts.  After next week, I will try to get back on track and post!  Thanks for reading!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

-Nicolle

Angel Program

Since it is the Christmas Season, there are so many places to give presents to.  One place that my friend donated gifts to was the Salvation Army through their "Adopt an Angel" program.  Unfortunately, they stopped accepting donations but I was so happy to see her donating.  Check out their site and search for different places in your area of where you can donate gifts for people!  I know our college does a drive every year for children in the area.

Tis' The Season!

~Giver

Totes for a cause!

This semester I have been taking a jewelry making class, which I absolutely LOVE.  But, the point of this post is not to talk about how amazing my class is.  It's more about how amazing my professor has been.

She is a woman in her fifties or later I think and she has one of the kindest souls I have ever met.  She tells a lot of her stories through her jewelry and is just one of the nicest people I know.  Today during our final she told a story which made me love her even more...

Roberta, my professor, explained that this weekend she was in Cleveland and saw a woman struggling with several plastic bags in the cold weather.  Her husband and her discussed this situation and decided to help.  The plastic from the grocery bags had broken so Roberta and her husband offered to help. Turns out, the woman was homeless and all of her possessions she owned were in these plastic bags.  She asked the two of them to take her to the woman's shelter, which was several miles away.  Several miles in the cold wind and snow in Ohio is brutal, so Roberta and her husband really helped this woman out.

This also spurred Roberta to think about how precious a sturdy bag can be.  Roberta mentioned that she would like to start purchasing tote bags from Ikea and distribute them to those in need.  The details are a little fuzzy now, but the fact that she took the time to think about how to help speaks volumes.  The bags are inexpensive ($.59 to $.99) however they could make quite the difference in someone's life.

The bags Roberta plans to purchase from Ikea.

Since we were on the topic of homeless people, I felt like I should share this story with all of you.  Hope you are having a great week!

Time: 10 minutes

Cost: Dependent on the amount of bags purchased

~Bag Lady