What on earth is an engaged stranger, you ask? Someone you don’t know who is about to get married?
Nope.
This week I’m grateful for…
115. Engaged strangers – those lovely people here and there that acknowledge the world around them and make outings with children just that little bit easier. The tough guy at the supermarket who pulled funny faces to amuse The Badoo at the checkout. The kind people who wave and smile back when my extra-friendly son says “hello Big Person, do you like Harry Potter too?” (and, really, who are all those people who just keep on walking past him with a frown? Who are you?). The lovely lady who gave Cappers a little sweet* at the newsagency (it wasn’t that kind lady’s fault that World War Three instantly broke out because “she got something and I didn’t”). Yes, those kind of engaged strangers. I love ’em.
116. Homecomings – LOML comes home tonight. Woot!
117. Leggings – this time of year, I’m living in them. Actually, I’m kind of into them all year ’round. I don’t even care that they are sooooo yesterday; I’ve got a feeling they are always going to be my tomorrow staple. And don’t worry, I’m all about the skirt over the top!!
* You can tell me off for letting my daughter take a sweet from a stranger if you like… but we do have a rule that they are only allowed to talk to a person they don’t know if Mum or Dad are with them… it goes okay. I’ll write a post on the whys and hows soon.
So, what’s making you smile today? Add your I’m Grateful For post to the list below (and please, we love you, but it really does matter that your post is a Grateful one and not just a random), add the button (grab the code from my sidebar and paste it into your post) and pretty-please add a link back to me. Then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.
[Image via weheartit]
Jane says
Totally agree about leggings! So comfy and easy to wear in this cold weather. But yep, a super long top or skirt over the top is a must must must! Have a great weekend xxx
Kellie says
The one thing I love about living where we do is that people are so friendly. Especially good when you have a three-year-old daughter who loves telling everyone she meets “I’m Ella and I’m this many” (holds up three fingers). We’re heading to Melbourne next month and I think it’s going to be a rude shock for her when people don’t speak back!
Cate says
You gotta love a nice person who can smile and say ‘hi’ when a 22 month old says ‘hi’ to them. It’s not hard…and she really does cheer a lot of people up at the supermarket checkout 🙂
xxxCate
Jodie at Mummy Mayhem says
Those strangers are the best!
Enjoy your homecoming with Hubby. 😉 x
Shelley says
I love this. Working with kids it comes so naturally to me to speak to little ones when I’m out and about. I love knowing how a simple few words or a big smile can brighten their day (and that goes for big people too!) xx
amberlee says
i am so grateful for leggings! i live in them. When i moved to melbourne from the country i was so shocked that people didn’t say helloo in the street… or smile back! I love a smile from a stranger. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. x a
Hannah McNulty and Baby Moo says
I love that these people now have a title and fall into a category. I love these people and when I come across a rude checkout chick who frowns at my Moo….I feel like hissing at her and telling her to lighten up. LOVE this post. Thanks so much for sharing. X
yaga says
such a nice post. i like engaged strangers in general, people who hold open doors for you, or run after you if you lost something…
Tammi says
I love the term you have given to kind hearted strangers 🙂
I have been contemplating getting myself some leggings for under my dresses…I may be a convert yet!
Enjoy having your hubby home.
xx
Kellie says
My favourite thing about this chilly weather is wearing leggings and boots.
Comfortable times a billion!
Kymmie says
Oh, I love engaged strangers too. They do make life a heck of a lot easier… And tights, I’m about to make an expensive tight purchase for this winter. I suspect they will be a warm essential! Also, know that feeling when my husband goes away. When he comes home it’s bliss! Happy Grateful Day Bron. xx
Baby Buggy Boat says
You are so right about engaged strangers (I don’t know why I sound so shocked because generally I find you are right about most things). Those small acts of kindness make my day and I’m not grateful enough for them. I will appreciate, and notice them more from now on.
Happy weekend xx
mumsarcade says
I love that picture and I am linking up again in what has been a tough week but still have reasons to be grateful, cheerful etc.
Yes, nice to have friendly faces who recognise parneting is sometimes a challenge.
You reminded me to buy some leggings.
Have a lovely weekend
Kamika says
engaged strangers, too true! How do those other people walk by and frown???? How do you frown at a happy child? I mean really!!!
Rachael says
Engaged strangers are awesome!
I try to be that way, whenever a kid is around. Who can resist their cute faces?
Mrs Average says
There are some lovely people in the world still, what we Averages call “chatty chaps”. It was the name we gave a man who used to walk past my house every morning as we were leaving for nursery. He has watched my children grow and always stopped to chat but he must have moved or changed jobs as he doesnt come past anymore (oooo, I hope nothing morbid has happened to him).
It is great when people participate in life and are not just bystanders.
Leanne says
Yeah, three cheers for engaged strangers. And leggings (although I don’t often wear them … but that is only because I’m not often in a skirt or dress … but I must start)
bigwords is... says
Have a wonderful welcome home moment!!!! It is always nice when the LOML’s come home! And I’m with you, I could not function without leggings!
Posie Patchwork says
Oh the multipurpose of leggings which are yes, warm & practical but also hide the sins of unkept legs (in the hair & tan department). Love them – buy the quality ones, they last season after season & don’t pill either!!
Enjoy your husband, i will see mine too soon, so love our reunions. Building up to 8 months of nuffin.
Kind strangers, we seem to attract them, but lollies from them – my children have a full set of diabetic grandparents & say no thanks. I have to explain why they don’t like lollies, my weirdoes, especially when my all knowing eldest who was 3 at the time said to one poor kind stranger “lollies are fast track to diabetes, don’t you know??” Not my words i promise. Love Posie
Sandrine says
Yes I finally join in again 🙂
I appreciate strangers kindness as well,I was always surprised in Australia how people will just come and have a chat whithout knowing you…in the other part I grew up (in a big city) where strangers were to be careful of …Nice to find a balance I guess.
Enjoy having LOML back 🙂
Sandrine x
Lucy says
I have linked. Late. Like you, I have been without my lovely husband this week, but he is now home….
xx
Vic says
I like engaged strangers too – I don’t know who those peeps are that ignore cute kids but they are obviously robots or clones who were never children themselves!
Tas says
Engaged strangers make the world a better place. It restores my faith in human nature when people can smile, chat or help each other, just because.
Kate says
LOVE that picture, I do!
And thank goodness you added on the skirt over the top bit…Have a wonderful weekend. X
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
Ohh engaged strangers – bless!! I love em too. And when i can, i try to be one too – help out when kids are going riot (not my own i mean) and pull faces and make them laugh (or try too!). Yay about no.2 and leggings are just fabo awesome, totally not going out of fashion in my eyes either, although i take your leggings and raise you The Jeggings (yes, jean leggings!) I’m in heaven. pop past tomorrow and i may have a fancy pants post about them xx
Sarah says
This morning a neighbour popped over to give us their milk as they were going away and wanted someone to have it. I thought of what you’d written and saw the gesture in a new light. Hope you enjoy the time with the family x
Mammamusing says
I too love engaged strangers.
Miss Amelie is particularly social and it always disappoints me if her friendly hello is ignored.
Thankfully it doesn’t happen too often.
Absolute Novice says
Engaged strangers, perfect term for it!! When I was a kid I remember smiling at people all the time, and one time Mum caught a lady smiling back at me. Mum turned to me askd asked if I knew her from school. I said no, I’m just happy so I thought I’d let everyone know with a non stop smile. I’ve never forgotten how good it feels to recieve something as simple as a smile from a stranger. Expecially on a bad day!
Thanks for giving so many people an opportunity to sit back & think about what they’re grateful for every week! X
Alice Becomes says
the kindness from a stranger can change the whole mood of your day, i think. I am always amazed at how wonderful some people can be, it really is the simplest way of showing generosity…simple but so powerful
Gill xo
Naturally Carol says
I love people who are receptive to a little comment or interaction too..sometimes a tiny exchange of kindness or a single word of encouragement can change the tone of a day and put a smile on my dial!
Megan Blandford says
I love it when people are nice to each other when they’re out and about – I don’t expect big chats with strangers, but a smile or a “hi” when your child talks to them is lovely.
LionessLady says
I haven’t delved into my leggings yet, although I have pulled out my winter boots! Thanks for letting me play again!
Miss Kitty-Cat says
I’m an opaques fan – although I am almost at the stage of pulling out the leggings. They look great under dresses and are a staple of my wardrobe!
I always try and say hello to passers by when I am out on my walk – it’s a nice thing to do and it puts a smile on my face!
Quill and Ink Handmade says
Love engaged strangers! Recently, I had the loveliest woman ask me if I was ok in the supermarket, while my eldest had the tantrum of the century over cereal. She then went on to happily distracted son while I took a breather – I could have hugged her for being so sweet. Definitely makes me want to be more of an engaged stranger myself 🙂
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend! x
Paula says
Great post, Maxabella and love the engaged strangers plug. We were window-seated at a coffee shop yesterday when a little ole ‘es’ tapped on the window and gave our toddler a big wave and a smile – she beamed in response and yelled out HELLO NANNA 🙂
Silver Threads of Happiness says
I knew exactly what you meant when you said engaged strangers. Kind people make the world go round, even more so when they are kind strangers.
Enjoy having your man home 🙂
Mummy@Bod for tea says
These are such lovely reasons for feeling grateful. Thanks for hosting again!
Cat from Raspberry Rainbow says
Leggings and skirts are THE BEST. So comfy, and perfect at hiding all them squishy bits!
Lauren says
engaged strangers I like the way you explained that! very cool!
deux chiens et un garcon says
Good Sunday evening to you. Just back from a whirlwind trip to the big smoke.
Its amazing what a smile from strangers and that little connection can make.
Hope your weekend was bliss.
xo jill
Miss Pink says
Your rule about strangers? It’s our rule too. Afterall then your kids would never talk to anyone and would miss making new friends, right?
stink-bomb says
“hello Big Person, do you like Harry Potter too?”
ha ha classic, i love it! i’m learning to loosen up and become one of those people who acknowledges the world around them…
~x~