Karma - Pay It Forward.

Today, I went to Michael's with two $5 off a $5 purchase and one 40% off coupon. The small print said, "Only one coupon per customer per day".

I shopped around until I found what I wanted and used one of my $5 off coupons, I was going to throw the other away, but when I went to walk out of the store and I saw a pregnant lady next in line.

I turned around, walked up to her and said, "Are you spending more than $5?" She was, so I handed her the coupon. Then I handed the 40% off coupon to the Indian guy behind her. They both seemed very surprised and thankful.

I really like to do that when I have a bunch of coupons (that I got for free).  I go around and hand them out to people. I especially like to do it around Christmas time at some of the more expensive shops. I have handed $50 off a $125 purchase coupon to a mother taking her teen shopping at a name brand store. I don't know, I just like it. It doesn't cost me anything, but I think it makes an impression. Plus, maybe it helps out or at least makes someone happy.

I just hope they pay forward a small bit of kindness or a good deed to someone.

Later that day, not even an hour later, I was going to go play open gym volleyball. There is a $3 entrance fee. I arrived and walked in with my friend I saw in the parking lot. We walked up to the counter and he said, "This is for both of us." I went to hand him money and he declined. I was a bit surprised and jokingly asked him if this was a date... Honestly though, it meant a lot to me, and it just another example of how a small act makes a difference.

Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called saṃsāra) originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies. (Wikipedia)

New Car

After months and months of deliberation, I decided that 1) I am tooo cheap for a new car and 2) I am too cheap for a new car. So when I got back from Christmas break, I test drove 3 cars and decided on this one. Its a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid with 61,800 miles on it. The car is so quiet, it is a little eerie. When you stop at a stop light or go down the freeway, the engine shuts off. It's a little more boat like than I would have wanted, but it wasn't as expensive as a new car and I think I got a good deal on it. Besides, it is novel, so we will see how it goes. It will due until I find something I am in love it. Just a note, it is the first non-blue car I have ever owned.... well, I take that back, I had a green car I drove for a month or so before I went to Scotland, but I barely even broke that in.

Family Pictures

I was able to take Kelly's family pictures again this winter. We decided that we should try to take them in the summer when the weather is a bit warmer. Don't look too close, or you may see blue lips and goosebumps. :)

I had one major problem, I had my metering wrong and didn't realize it, so I had a ton of extremely washed out (super cute) pictures. Oh, and Haylee and Jaiden may have been a bit (ok, really) excited and didn't really like standing still very much. However, I love, love, love this picture of their family. All smiles. Just wait til that little one takes off too!