The Notebook

on December 21, 2009

Good afternoon! 🙂 I have been running around like a wild child today â€“ Iâ€™m trying to wrap things up for our trip; do some actual work for the book; clean the apartment (weâ€™re going an apartment swap with a friend of a friend from London); and generally pull my life together. I feel like a whirling dervish!

I stopped for a light lunch:

I tossed some leftovers into a wrap: green beans, mashed sweet potato, and cream cheese. Plus, carrots on the side:

My glorious afternoon snack: Pumpkin Yogurt!

The Notebook

I donâ€™t usually post all the Operation Beautiful notes I write on the blogs (because I post a LOT), but hereâ€™s something neat that Iâ€™ve started to do: make an OB Notebook!

Last night, I wrote about 40 notes in a row (which made me INSANELY CHEERFUL!) and put them in a little notebook that I tossed into my purse.

Having pre-made notes made it soooo easy to spread the love when I was out running errands earlier:

I want to make at least 50 more pre-made notes before we leave for our vacation. Weâ€™ll be in so many restaurants, trains, subways, museums, etc. â€“ I want to be prepared!

Truthfully, I was feeling kind of grouchy before I did this, but now I feel really happy. :) Happiness is contagious, I guess!

What little things always improve your mood?

{ 61 comments }

megan December 21, 2009, 2:04 pm
what a good idea! it’s amazing how rethinking priorities and what’s important can cheer you up. and helping others 🙂
Amber December 21, 2009, 2:05 pm
I love notebooks! I have a bunch, some I write positive quotes in, others I write lists of goals. Notebooks make me happy =)
Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind December 21, 2009, 2:06 pm
The notebook idea? Love it. The coffee oatmeal idea? Love it. The pumpkin yogurt idea? Love it. Note to self: Implement these three ideas very soon! 🙂
Anne @thefitbridesmaid December 21, 2009, 2:06 pm
MUSIC!! I remember discussing how much listening to a good/fun song can lift your spirits much more than food. So I should go to that. I mean Friday I spent at least 20 minutes dancing around the house to “Single Ladies”.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) December 21, 2009, 2:06 pm
You’re gonna spread cheer to some many Brits 🙂
Meghan@traveleatlove December 21, 2009, 2:08 pm
I walk past a dog park full of adorable dogs after work that just makes me smile and forget the work day.
Brie (The Fit Bride) December 21, 2009, 2:09 pm
Puppy and kitty snuggles make me happy. Okay, that sounded lame, but so true. Well, except when they bite or scratch. But generally, yes, they make me much happier. 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite December 21, 2009, 2:09 pm
Love the notebook idea!

To life my mood I always think of all the things I’m grateful for.

Good music does the trick too!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is December 21, 2009, 2:15 pm
I can’t wait for you to post those all over England!!! 🙂 Yay!
Maura December 21, 2009, 2:18 pm
A talk with my mom always (okay-usually) puts me in a good mood. In fact, since my mom and I work in the same hospital, I just met up with her & I already feel like I kicked the slump I was in all morning to curb!

I am definitely going to make those pre-made notes. What a great idea!
Angela (Oh She Glows) December 21, 2009, 2:19 pm
Your lunch looks beautiful…great photos! Simple and clean. The carrots really pop.

Love the notebook idea.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) December 21, 2009, 2:19 pm
what a great idea! LOVE IT
Rose December 21, 2009, 2:20 pm
Great idea!

I try and smile any time I’m feeling down. Even if it’s forced or fake, it has a way of making me feel better.
brandi December 21, 2009, 2:20 pm
what a great idea! having them ready is so smart, especially on your trip!
Erin December 21, 2009, 2:20 pm
It’s so much easier to pre-make the cards — great idea!
Evan Thomas December 21, 2009, 2:21 pm
I think there’s nothing better than when someone says “let me take care of that for you”
Mrs. Myers @ Eat Move Write December 21, 2009, 2:23 pm
You are so positive. What a wonderful person you are. How can you be grouchy when you are so great? 😀
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) December 21, 2009, 2:23 pm
It is remarkable how prepared and organized you are- you should write a book on that!
Jess (What's Normal, Anyways?) December 21, 2009, 2:28 pm
What a great idea Caitlin! I’m totally copying you on this one, because I find myself getting stuck and writing sloppy dull notes! Genius!
Kara (@ Kara's Marathon) December 21, 2009, 2:32 pm
What an awesome idea!!!
VeggieGirl December 21, 2009, 2:35 pm
Simply looking down at Chooey makes me feel better 🙂
Paige (Running Around Normal) December 21, 2009, 2:38 pm
Great idea! By the way, I left an OB note in Belize last week. We were at a restaurant where you could use a marker and write on the tables/walls/chairs, so obviously I had to!
katherine December 21, 2009, 2:50 pm
Great idea! Glad you’re feeling more cheerful – hope your afternoon is fabulous!
Chloe (Naturally Frugal) December 21, 2009, 2:54 pm
That’s a wonderful idea, that way you won’t have to be hunting for post-its and pens in England and can just smack them wherever you want.
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) December 21, 2009, 2:57 pm
Your lunch, snack, and notebook look spectacular! I think every gal over in England will be so thrilled to see your notes.
Carolyn December 21, 2009, 3:00 pm
Awesome idea!
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen December 21, 2009, 3:18 pm
You’re so awesome! This world is definitely blessed to have such a happy and beautiful person in it 🙂
Stacey December 21, 2009, 3:20 pm
great idea! happy music always gets me in a happy mood 🙂
Chari December 21, 2009, 3:23 pm
“What little things always improve your mood?”

Reading your ever-so-up-beat blog posts! 🙂

I really like that last note you put up in the parking garage.
Grace December 21, 2009, 3:27 pm
Doing something I’m a little afraid of and succeeding always puts me in a good mood. It’s a great self esteem boost and it reminds me that I can overcome challenges that come my way.
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad December 21, 2009, 3:31 pm
Snuggling with my cat makes everything better. 🙂
Kristine December 21, 2009, 3:36 pm
I love all of your operation beautiful notes! 🙂
SP December 21, 2009, 3:44 pm
If anyone is wondering about a Christmas present for Caitlin, how about post-it notes with “www.operationbeautiful.com” pre-printed on the bottom.
- Caitlin December 21, 2009, 3:51 pm
  I wish my URL was shorter every time I have to write it!
Laura Georgina December 21, 2009, 3:54 pm
The apartment swap idea for London is brilliant! Accommodation is always such a huge expense, and it’s always fun to stay and live where the real people live…
Kelly December 21, 2009, 3:55 pm
A good run is what always puts me in a good mood! Never fails!
Mackenzie @ The College Authentic December 21, 2009, 3:56 pm
Dog kisses are hard to beat 🙂 That, and when random strangers smile back at you in public places for no reason! Makes my day 🙂
Karla December 21, 2009, 4:11 pm
What a clever idea to post them around on vacation!
Also your wrap looks particularly delicious today!
Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion December 21, 2009, 4:30 pm
That is a great idea! When are you leaving for London? That will be such a fun trip. I can’t wait to read you posts from England!

I get coffee and count my blessings, never feels to put me in a good mood!
- Caitlin December 21, 2009, 8:30 pm
  Christmas EVE yayyyyyyyyyyyy
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn December 21, 2009, 4:34 pm
You are not a wild child, you are a flower child 🙂
Peace, love & happiness
Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) December 21, 2009, 4:58 pm
what a wonderful idea. How do you think of these endless inspirational things to say? I would love to do an apartment swap–just like in The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett. Please tell me you’ve seen that movie.
- Caitlin December 21, 2009, 5:39 pm
  I wrote a whole section in the Operation Beautiful book of inspirational things to say! It took a lot of internet research. 🙂 Now I just use that list.
Babycakes December 21, 2009, 5:11 pm
Hot showers always improve my mood! I love that you’ll be posting OB notes in London! 🙂
skinnyrunner December 21, 2009, 5:28 pm
i like your portable notes idea!
candy always makes me happy…
Danielle (Coffee Run) December 21, 2009, 6:33 pm
That’s an interesting lunch- I would have never thought to put together green beans, sweet potatoes, and cream cheese. I like when people are nice on the roads (i.e letting you merge over, letting you go first). It seems to improve my mood
Staci December 21, 2009, 6:55 pm
I have been “stalking” your blog for a while and think that it’s an absolutely wonderful thing that you do with “Operation Beautiful.” I have yet to spread the love myself, but can’t wait for this holiday season to start!!

Thank You!
- Caitlin December 21, 2009, 8:30 pm
  YAY! spread the love!
kilax December 21, 2009, 7:06 pm
It’s cheesy, but reading blogs always cheers me up. Especially yours Caitlin! I don’t always comment, but I always read. And I love coming back and reading all of the comments. I find a log of new blogs through you! 🙂
- Caitlin December 21, 2009, 8:29 pm
  thank you 🙂
jenna December 21, 2009, 7:19 pm
great wrap!
That is such a good idea for operation beautiful notes:)
Jenna
Barbara (Blood, Sweat and Heels) December 21, 2009, 7:19 pm
Seeing a great Sunrise or sunset always makes me smile. A fav song being played on the radio does it too:)

and a good soul cleansing sweat!
Michelle@Eatingjourney December 21, 2009, 8:16 pm
When I did the OB notes from Australia to America it was awesome. I LOVED putting them all over the duty free section of the airports with all of the cosmetics. It’s fun. On the long flight I put them all over the bathrooms..even more fun.
Christy December 21, 2009, 9:04 pm
What an awesome idea, keeping all the post-its in a notebook! Working out or cheering others up always makes me feel better when I’m in a crummy mood!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 21, 2009, 11:34 pm
I love that idea – that is what I need to do because I ALWAYS forget to take my post its and markers with me … and that would just be way easier to have them ready made.
Lindsay @ lindsayruns December 22, 2009, 9:55 am
Obviously you’ve been doing this for months and see so many notes from so many people…but how are you able to be so creative with each one? I’m impressed!
Dee December 22, 2009, 1:29 pm
I love this! WOW – those notes are so profound! 🙂
Casey December 22, 2009, 1:52 pm
I need to write some operation beautiful notes! I’m sure it would post my mood too :). Love the body building pic!
Amanda December 22, 2009, 3:00 pm
This is such a wonderful idea and very motivational. Coming from someone who has experienced an ED simple things such as the Operation Beautiful notes is something that really helps a person mentally. I absolutely love this idea something I will pass on to my 8 month old daughter when she is olde enough. Thanks Catlin and thanks for the half marathon tips. Also thank you for simply replying. 🙂
Michele December 22, 2009, 5:57 pm
Have you thought about getting custom post-it notepads made with the OB website printed on them? I dunno, maybe it’s already a marketing plan with your book, but thought I’d mention it.
- caitlin December 22, 2009, 5:59 pm
  i have! but im not sure anyone would purchase them. i would like to send the profits to some sort of womens support group.

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