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hug_machine ([personal profile] hug_machine) wrote2009-11-03 12:19 am
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A little red tin box with a smiley face on it

This may look like an ordinary tin of chocolates (not that any tin of chocolates is particularly ordinary!) but really? It's the ultimate mood-lifter, the ancient secret of cheer Nirvana, and a super clever idea of one Mrs. Mays (no relation to Billy, except mebbe by sheer awesomeness), sixth grade home room teacher extraordinaire. Yes, this is a SMILE PILE.

You can bet it made a heck of a lot of 12 year old kidlets grumble and roll their eyes as she handed out a little white box and a sheet of paper to each of us.

"I want each you to write one nice thing about everybody else in this class. At least one sentence. That's twenty-eight sentences. You can write more if you want, but at least one sentence with at least seven words for each person. "

"Like Valentine's Day in elementary school," a boy added with as much disdain as he could muster for somebody who'd just started junior high a few weeks ago.

She smiled. You know those people who can quiet a room down with a look? Mrs. Mays could do that with a smile -- the warmest, sincerest, hot chocolaty-est grin ever. "Yes, like Valentine's Day in elementary school. Write your name on the box and decorate it however you want. I'll be collecting the box and your papers on Friday."

She called the boxes our Smile Pile, taped them to our homeroom desks and told us to not open them or take them from the classroom. Throughout the school year, she'd add little things to our boxes --bits of wrapped candy, stickers and those cool fruit shaped erasers all teachers seem to have in their desks. Every now and then, she'd have us write something nice about a classmate, and other classmates would do the same. We'd fold them up and slip them into the boxes, unread by their recipients.

On the last school day of the year, Mrs. Mays sent the boxes with us after making us promise we wouldn't open them up until we were at home. Of course, practically nobody listened and the afternoon school bus ended up littered with holograph stickers, Jolly Rancher candy wrappers and by bits of paper scrawled with half-compliments by boys who didn't really want to say anything nice about a dumb girl ('Dear Cat, your feet smell like tomatoes').

'Course, I don't have my original Smile Pile anymore --this is a not-so-faithful replica of the original, started years after I'd nearly forgotten Mrs. Mays's homeroom project:

The same red box from the other picture, opened to reveal the contents.  It contains several bits of paper, folded up letters, tiny toys, bits of candy and other odd things

Really, this Smile Pile is more like a junk drawer of happy things. Nice things that have been said to me, things that make my heart glad, things that make me giggle and taste good, old photos and little trinkets I really don't a good place for, but don't want to toss out. I even have a few jelly beans floating around in there that are at least two Easters old! XD

Homeless little bits and oddments that have captured my heart.

Whenever I'm having a not so fantastic day --or even a drab and mediocre day? I open this little box up and gosh does it ever bring me right back to gleedom.

:3

Now. Here's the important bit. My Not Very Secret Mission is to make everybody who reads this entry to smile. I wanna reach out and connect all of you with a smile, if only for this single entry. A big ol' gleaming toothy show-off.

THEREFORE. I wanna help you start your own Smile Pile.

Everybody who comments to this entry will get a drive-by sprinkle of cheer. It might be an awesome fact, a cute picture or a compliment (if we're friends -- and if not, we should totally get on that, y/y!?). Just something to brighten up your day. ♥


PS: For you visually impaired peoples, did I do the visual description on the pictures right? I put it in the alt tag...I hope I did okay! If not, just lemme know and I'll fix it. :3

This post was brought to you by the awesome [livejournal.com profile] therealljidol!

[identity profile] comedychick.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
Awww, I LOVE this post! It makes me want to start my own Smile Pile :D

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
Ffff, well. Here's something to start you out! XD

Dear, you are perhaps one of the most singularly passionate people I've met and I think that if you take this comedy thing and run with it? It'll lead you to dreams. You have the talent. ♥

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[identity profile] krysti-ryou.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
I love those boxes!! We did a similar thing in my awesome high school teacher Mr. Moe's class. He called them... why, I can't rememeber. But we had to write down something awesome about the people sitting beside us and one other person, and then we'd trade. Often I didn't know they very well, because of seating arrangements, so I wrote about their cute shoes/socks (girls) or their smart comments in class (boys). In return, they often spelled my name wrong (with an 'h' instead of just Cristina) and well. It was okay though. It made us all feel special. In high school, feeling special is important, so it was nice whenever he announced it was "warm fuzzies time".

Oh yeah, that's what he called them. "warm fuzzies". :D

[identity profile] comedychick.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 10:36 am (UTC)(link)
We called them warm fuzzies too, but we only had them in primary school.

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[identity profile] vaguelyclear.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
What a great idea! We did similar things in a few of my classes. We didn't have a box, but I remember once, we sat in a circle, wrote our name down on a piece of paper and then sent that piece of paper around the circle where everyone else wrote a compliment on it. I got some interesting ones, too. Like, "You're really good at soccer" even though I didn't play soccer at the time, LOL.

Nice entry :D

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:37 am (UTC)(link)
Aahahaha! XD

YOU ARE SO GOOD AT SOCCER, LISA!

J/k. You are super talented and one of the best graphic designers I personally have ever known. You're one of those people that is just bursting with talent that it's almost kinda intimidating at first! XD But really? You're way too friendly to be intimidating. ♥
ext_5285: (Default)

[identity profile] kiwiria.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
What a lovely idea! Perfect for a grey and rainy autumn day.

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:39 am (UTC)(link)
D'awwh, TY!

Here's something else sweet for a grey day, and a little kickstart to your smile pile!


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[identity profile] kiwiria.livejournal.com - 2009-11-04 08:44 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] tamaraland.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 12:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I want a smile pile!

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
Then you shall have one! XD

Some happy to start you:



(watch the whole thing if you can... XD )

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[identity profile] tamaraland.livejournal.com - 2009-11-04 09:29 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] pierhias.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 01:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I could use a drive-by sprinkle of cheer. And who knows, maybe I'll actually find the time to offer the same to my f-list :D

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
XD Yay for spreading the love!

You are such a kind and open-minded person --a real Ravenpuff, imo! Someday I will finally learn more German than the stuff my grampa taught me and send you postcards in the language (prolly with bad grammar...)! ♥

[identity profile] stormkitty.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
What an awesome idea! I tend to pin up things that make me smile on my bulletin board in my studio. I should make a little secret box, too. :)

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
Isn't it, though!? Mrs. Mays ♥ !

Aaaand, to start your Smile Pile, here's the Most Awesome Kitty Picture Of The Day (w/special guest rattie):

Photobucket

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[identity profile] cacophonesque.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I have an old heart-shaped chocolate box full of random oddments, too! Mine is full of little trinkets my friends have given me over the years--pebbles, seashells, beaded alligators, and even locks of hair. :)

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:49 am (UTC)(link)
So cool!

You know, from what I've learned about you since our friending mere weeks ago? You totally seem like the type that'd have a Smile Pile full of pebbles and seashells and locks of hair. You seem so cool, laid back and wise. ♥

[identity profile] supremegoddess1.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
you are like the most cheerful human on the planet. i love it.

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:51 am (UTC)(link)
Hehehe, d'awwh!

Well, copious amounts of baby animal pictures *do* help. XD

Observe:

Photobucket

[identity profile] fairytaleaddict.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
This post just made my day. You are adorable ♥.

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:52 am (UTC)(link)
D'awwh!

You know, you do the same? Every time you comment or post, I know it's full of something awesome and/or sweet and/or just plain insightful. I think you're wonderful. :3

[identity profile] darkphaedra.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I am definitely starting one of these.

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:55 am (UTC)(link)
:D It's a good idea!

And here's somethin' to start you out with, because it just made my day, and I bet a fellow HP fan would like it to:

Photobucket

[identity profile] silksieve.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Smile pile! That's the cutest thing ever.

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I dunno if it's the cutest thing everrr:



[identity profile] miss-merry-chan.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
That is an awesome idea! I should do that.... *goes off to do so*

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
It is, isn't it? The things we learn in junior high! XD This may have been the most useful.

And something to start you out:

You are one of the most kawaii people I've ever met, online or off. If we lived in the same town, I'd love to invite you over for a glittery paper doll 'n snacks night. Because you are just that awesome. ♥

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[identity profile] banyangirl1832.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, I have to say it. I am officially a hug_machine fangirl. This entry was so sweet and happy and awesome-- it made me smile! And wasn't that the entire point of the topic? Why, yes, by Jove, I think it was!

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
sdlkhjsdfkldf

D'awwh, this comment made me blush irl! SMILES AROUND THE GLOBE, BWAHAHA!

Here's a lil something to kick yr Smile Pile up:


[identity profile] munanna.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs you* ♥

This is so sweet I don't have the words. I think I'll make myself a Smile Pile. *hugs you even more* Thanks Cat, you really made my day!

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
D'awwh...! *GLOMPS*

Y'know, I think that's fair, considering how many times *you've* made my day. You're one of the sweetest, darling-est folks on my friends list and my gosh am I happy I got to know you. You've got cheer and depth, all which seems to be filled with terribly fantastic-ness.

[identity profile] brand0new0day.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw, I love the Smile Pile! I wish we'd done something like that in grade school.

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:10 am (UTC)(link)
Awwh, thankie!

Well, if you wanna start one anytime, here's something to start with!

You are one of the spunkiest Puffs ever. I bet Helga herself woulda sorted you into her house --a model student! You've got so much in your life to be proud of, and with your personality, I think your life will only get better. ♥

[identity profile] playmoby.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
What a great entry!!!! My husband always teases me, becuae i have numerous shoe boxes full of what he sees as useless stuff, but now I realize they are just my smile piles.... :)


Thank you! :)

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
Useless? Nonsense!

Here's (hopefully!) something more to make you smile:


[identity profile] viagra.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
All of your posts make me smile. You seem like a great person.

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-06 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
shkjhf

How did I miss this comment the first time? XD A little late then, sorry!

But TY! ♥

Something for your Smile Pile (and yes, I seem to be stuck on video game stop motion lately :P):


[identity profile] kittehkat.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
No need to the cheer, I'm content, save it for someone who really needs it. :)

But, I wanted to say that I have a couple boxes of these kinds of things, mostly notes from people saying they appreciate me, from friends, to people I've worked with, gone to camp with, and my former students. It's perfect when you're feeling down, down, down.

Thanks for sharing your Smile Pile with us. :)

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:14 am (UTC)(link)
X) They're great, ain't they?

And even if you don't need it, I shall force it upon you --bwahahaha!

Kat, you are so very rad. I squee at almost every one of your entries. Costumes and baking and smart girl bloggery? 'Course, I knew I'd like you from the very start, but you've proven that over and over since then. :3

[identity profile] libra-dragon.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
You have some of the most wonderful posts in idol.
This was awesome:)

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:16 am (UTC)(link)
^=^ Gosh, I dunno about that. But thank you! ♥

And here's a geeky lil contribution to your Smile Pile, if'n you want to start one!

Photobucket

[identity profile] beloved-tree.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
You have such a wonderfully cheerful outlook. I absolutely love reading your entries because -- that's right -- they make me smile. :3

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:19 am (UTC)(link)
Yesss, mission accomplished!

'Course, lizards eating watermelons never hurts:

Photobucket
shadowwolf13: (Default)

[personal profile] shadowwolf13 2009-11-03 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Your entries are always so awesome and adorable. I always look forward to seeing your name since I know it's going to be fantastic! :D

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:21 am (UTC)(link)
klansdklj

Gosh, thank you! That means a lot! ♥

Here's a lil something if you wanna start a Smile Pile, cause tiny things always rule, y?:

Photobucket

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[personal profile] shadowwolf13 - 2009-11-04 14:14 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] drjeff.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
So sweet. Thanks. :)

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:24 am (UTC)(link)
D'awwh, TY!

You know what's awesome for starting Smile Piles? Itty bitty horses, of course:

Photobucket

[identity profile] baxaphobia.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Very cute post! And yes, it made me smile. You did the alt text just fine! I remember the days of giving Valentines to everyone in the class. I still have the one from a girl who hated me with a passion stuffed away in my scrapbook! hahaha

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
Yay, I'm so glad i got it right! It's so cool to see how many people did this in school!

And here's a little something for your Smile Pile. I read this awesome story a while ago and have been waiting to share it:

http://wtfispantone.com/post/218398927/i-grew-up-in-a-college-town-and-one-halloween-our

[identity profile] alycewilson.livejournal.com 2009-11-03 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
That sounds like a really cute idea to do for a class. Thanks for sharing it!

[identity profile] hug-machine.livejournal.com 2009-11-04 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
It was so very awesome!

And since you're a Beatles fan? I got the perfect Smile Pile starter for you! I saw this the other day and couldn't stop giggling:

Photobucket

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