I know that this is the REAL kind of candy that you all love…..good old fashion…useful….unique – BLOG CANDY…and what is it going to be?
I am in Atlanta and yesterday was Pam Morris and Brian Kings simply A M A Z I N G event and there were close to 200 stampers there! Over the TOP fun with AMAZING speakers! It just amazes me the creativity out there!
I will be taking lots of pictures for you over this weekend and then later I will do my best to try to edit them to share. (just saying in advance….sometimes it is hard to get a good picture when they are in a clear envelope) but please know that I am trying!
I participated in a Card Swap and the Blog Candy Winner for today’s post will win a DOZEN OF CARDS from the swap! (You bet before I mail them to you that I will take lots of pictures and jot down measurements) as each of the 50 that I have received already are AMAZING!
Here you go….please leave me a comment about….
KINDNESS…please share a simple act of kindness that you gave or received over the past week! 🙂Â
You know that this topic is one that I hold close to my heart and guess what? I have each of you close to my heart as I deeply appreciate and cherish each time you come to my blog.
My blog is truly an extension of my life, my family, my adorable critters and naturally my love and passion for paper~crafting! I thank you for popping in and please leave me a comment (by midnight tonight, the 5th) to make my heart pitter~patter with an act of kindness!
Because of traveling, I will not announce the winner until Monday but have no fear….I will have more blog candy for you tomorrow! I am sure that you all are going to love the chance of winning (2) different Blog Candy giveaways over the weekend!
Until tomorrow…new Blog Candy Topic but the same FUN! Trust me, I am being a sponge and taking it all in!
Today I complimented the cook at a small diner in Shirleysburg PA. She was so happy that she came out of the kitchen with a big smile on her face and took my hand in hers and said “thank you.” That made me very happy.
Sometimes we take a good meal for granted because we are paying for it. You could tell she had her heart in it.
A fellow teacher at my school was out most of the week when her son took ill and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. There is weekly testing we are required to do with our students, so I tested her students for her. She was so thrilled when she received my text saying it was finished…it was one less thing she had to think about when she returned to school.
Also, each year at our school the 8th grade class does a big project….this year their project is “Random Acts of Kindness.” I’m excited to see how this touches the lives of the people in our school and our community.san
I sat with a friend at the doctors office while she waited for the results from a second mammogram. Her family has a long history of breast cancer and she received great news! Everything was fine! I had so much to do yesterday but when she called, I made her my top priority.
Our middle son who owns his home has always had a roommate until last month. We know things are tight for him living alone, so my husband and I gave him $400.00 to help out. It’s tough trying to find somebody you feel comfortable enough with and trust. Hopefully, he will be able to find that person soon.
I helped my friend by distracting her toddler so she could tend to her distraught older daughter. The little one kept running circles around her sister and exacerbating the situation. I know how important one on one time is with kids so I took the little girl by the hand, led her across the room and got her interested in a book. Thank you for this generous offer of sharing the swap cards!
Well I have to acts of kindness I have done. I pulled up to the McDonald’s window and I paid for the person behind me order. The other one was a co-worker came over to see my SU products but could t afford to buy anything I gave her two paper pumpkins and some extra designer series paper! She said I made her day!!
We recently had to sell my mother’s home after my father’s passing last October. My mother has arthritis very badly and cannot live there alone. It had been their home since 1963. The family has been so sad about it, but felt we had no choice. A neighbor bought it and much of the furniture. There have been many blessings along the way. Yesterday he called and told me he had found an old crock bowl that we missed. He thought maybe it had been my grandmother’s and he wanted me to know so we could come by and get it if we wanted. He could have just kept it and not said anything, but I was touched by his kindness.
My husband offered to fix my dinner last night. I know that might not sound like much but they way he offered wa so sweet. He knew I was having trouble with my mouth after some dental work and he knew I was having trouble chewing. He offered to fix something soft I could handle, ?
Reading these stories makes my heart sing! Thanks for choosing such an uplifting topic, Susan! There is a fellow that is homeless that I sometimes see around my workplace. I treat him to a warm dinner whenever I see him.
In advance of Halloween I found a number of math activities for our school’s first grade teacher and printed them out for her students learning centers. On another occasion, a fellow teacher helped carry in a case of water that I was bringing into school. Since I am still waiting for a knee replacement carrying heavy objects is sometimes painful.
I am blessed to be part of a school community that cares for each other!
I’m attending classes in a program designed for seniors at a college about an hour’s drive from my home. I usually share driving with a woman I’m just getting to know, and when I went to pick her up on Wednesday morning, she offered to drive even though it was my turn. Sounds like a little thing, but after a hectic few days at work and at home, getting to be “Miss Daisy” – especially for the drive home at the end of the day – was just about the best “kindness” anyone could offer me right then!
Just found out that our elderly neighbors are having some issues; the gentleman has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and they have a 10-acre farm with horses and a lot to take care of. Sooooo, many of us who live on our rural road are meeting at 10 am this morning to help them with outside yard and barn work. I feel blessed to be able to contribute to the greater good and am anxious to dig in and assist. Enjoy your time in Atlanta and safe travels sweet girl!
I love hearing about other people’s lives makes me want to do more kindness . I noticed an elderly man in the restaurant cleaning tables. He looked dejected. I asked him why? He talked about recent illnesses and his wife’s health. He had a little bit of a smile on his face when we left
A friend of Caleb’s had a birthday on Oct 30th. Their family has had a tough time financially this year and his mom told me they weren’t going to be able to have a birthday party for him this year. We’ve invited a few (3) boys over later today and are having a little impromptu party. I was worried I would hurt the mom’s feelings so I talked to her about it in advance. She was so happy and blown away that we would do something like this for a child that wasn’t our own. Thanks for such a unique and inspiring topic!! More than anything, we want to teach Caleb to be empathetic towards anyone who might be having a tough time in their life. Glad to know you’re still having a wonderful time!!!
I have been taking my sister to Dr. appointments since she was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago. Sometimes I have to cancel my plans to do so and this week she had 2 appointments with a new Dr.
I am at a Dollhouse Miniature show. I invited a gal who was on her own to join us. She was very grateful!
Soak in all that wonderful creativity in Atlanta!
I lost my job Tuesday and was feeling really bad so I stopped by my parents house. My parents r rebuilding a barn and have an Amish crew doing the work. I offered to take them home for the evening.
So glad to hear you are enjoying yourself in Atlanta. Can’t wait to see what you “sponged up” for us! Yesterday on our way to work, my daughter and I saw this little dog cowering on the side of the road. He was friendly but scared and had a collar with a license but no other info. We stopped several passing vehicles asking if he was theirs but nothing. We took him to the animal shelter and the owner of the pup was just ready to leave when we walked in. Happy tears flowed!
My e-cutter died yesterday…right here at holiday crafting time. I posted on Facebook that I was bummed about my cutter. 2 hours later, my niece and her husband showed up on my door step with a new cutter! Talk about random acts of kindness.
A friend of mine sold her house and is moving. She is working two jobs, so two other friends and I went and packed up her craft room for her. Enjoy your weekend.
My husb (who is a disabled Vietnam Vet) & I were eating at an Applebee’s. When it was time to get the check & pay, the waitress told us someone had already paid for us & thanked him for his service!! I cry at such generosity!!
A fellow stamper is dealing with “end-of-life” issues with her mom. I rallied our group to bombard her with cards of support and encouragement. We will all face these issues at some point. Let’s lift each other up when we are able.
After a week of helping a sick new mommy with baby, I need to clean and organize my craft room and my girl friend is coming over today to help me. She has no idea what she is getting into (she does actually, as she is my stampin’ partner in crime as well). I will be donating the extra paper and such to my daughter’s daycare. One does not realize the “stuff” we accumulate as we continue on this journey of creatveness. Once my room is complete I can get back to being creative. And share the real love by getting more cards created.
A dear friend is having many family issues. She manages a flower shop and when I heard of the family troubles, I asked what I could do to help. She offered me a “part-time” job helping out. This came at a good time for us since my husband was laid off from his job. This is something I have never done and I am learning so much. I am also helping my friend as sometimes we all need someone to just listen.
My dear friend suddenly lost her husband a few weeks ago. Besides dealing with the grief and multitude of details, she injured her back tackling heavy outdoor projects getting ready for winter. So my husband and I have stepping in with helping hands and I will be sharing the driving after T-giving during her annual trip to AZ. It’s a crazy time to be gone, but that’s what you gratefully do for a friend in need.
My youngest sister lost her brief but hard fought battle with cancer this week and I’ve been overwhelmed with the kindnesses of others–from cards, texts, calls and food to hugs, visits and loving stories of her generosity to others. It sure hurts to lose a best friend and sister but the kindnesses have helped ease the pain.
Last night 6 of our friends met us for dinner to celebrate one of the birthdays. Our waitress was a young lady who told us it was her last night at the restaurant because she was going into the police academy. We talked through the evening and she said she was getting off after we left to go visit a friend who was leaving for Afghanistan today. Of course we all left a hefty tip and wished her well. And thanked her for her service.
I was able to get in for a massage that I desperately needed. Sheri really worked on me for 1 1/2 hours and then didn’t charge me a thing!
One of my customers lost her husband this past year and on one of her most difficult days after everyone had gone home and the house was too quiet she came to my salon. She knew the coffee would be on so she talked…I listened, I didn’t need to say a word but just let her talk. When she was ready to leave she said “it was going to be a much better day now”, and she will always know the coffee is on and the door always open. To think she thanked me for something so simple as being there to listen.
This is really a RAK that my husband did but, I was with him!! On leaving our local store after shopping, in the parking lot, there was an elderly man trying to load 2 HUGE bags of dog food into the back of his truck. My husband helped load those 2 bags & then had a little conversation with the fella. He told us that he was a veteran of WW II & how he didn’t have many friends left & that he was 91 yrs of age. He had a little bit of a smile on his face (and so did we) as we walked on to our car. Now, I am wondering how he is going to unload those huge bags of dog food when he gets home!!
I had ovarian cancer. There is no evidence of disease at this moment but my type of cancer is going to return….some time…..some where…..a very good friend of mine encourages me almost every day letting me know that he is praying for me. It always makes me smile!
I was having a “poor me” yesterday and was in the driveup line of my favorite S and decided to treat myself to a special drink. I was so surprised when I got to the window to pay and the car before me had paid for my drink. I then paid for the car behind me so hope they did a happy dance also.
I am so grateful for all the doctors, nurses and staff at my local hospital for their loving care of me and my husband during his recent bout with prostate cancer. He is doing well which makes us BOTH thankful.
I try each and every day to do some act of kindness, Woking in SF I see many homeless every day. Often I will pack an extra lunch w a sandwich and juice and fruit and a sweet treat. If each of just take a moment, the kindest is so appreciated even with the smallest act. i try to acknowledge those n the street (with caution at times) since you really don’t know how or why they are n the position they are in. This week some of us at our company are putting together hygiene kits to distribute as well. Those include, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, soap, socks etc) Today I am participating in another Sew Fest for Dress A Girl Around the World To date since 2011 I have made 350 + dresses. These dresses are sent on missions all over the world so that every girl can have at least one dress
Random Acts of Kindness…they help not only the person you have selected, but you too. I always take the time to thank someone for services, regardless of where I am. It makes their day, as so few people do it. I love to pay for a senior’s meal, drive through or groceries in the fast lane. I smile at strangers and speak. So few do. Whatever kindness you would enjoy, pay it forward every day you can. Love to take meals to friends for no particular reason AND when they need it. Makes me feel great!
My dog had a rough night and was so sick. She was beside herself because she made a mess in the house. I’ve been babying her all day. She is finally asleep on the couch. Poor baby. Thanks for the opportunity to win some blog candy and for sharing your talent bi love the simple Saturday and the kicked up Sunday you do.
I try to greet anyone I pass during the day. A ‘good morning’ or ‘thank you’ or ‘can I help you’ can make a person’s day.
What a lovely idea, Susan. Almost daily I make cards for two organizations: Operation Gratitude sends cards to deployed troops, wounded warriors and veterans. I enjoy designing cards with a patriotic theme and especially like the way Watermelon Wonder and Dapper Denim compliment each other. The other organization is Card Care Connection, which sends cards to adult and children dealing with cancer. It humbles me to think a card I create might be comforting to someone I don’t know. Thanks to Stampin Up! and the inspiration I find from other stampers, I send 25-30 cards a week. – Ellie in Illinois
Thank you for providing the names of the two organizations. I dont have time to make 25-30 cards a week, but do have some extras that I would love to share…and create more and more cards I look forward to sending what I have to the two organizations…PS Operation Gratitude will take my extra Halloween candy as long as I get it to them before the 15th….another win for them and a few less pounds on me..:) Colleen
I have a friend who has been in and out of the hospital and rehab over the last several months. I am going to see her this afternoon and take her the cute, cherry card I made for her to set her mood for this weekend.
What a great way to do a blog candy! I always try and smile at everyone I pass, you never know when that will help someones day. I just spent the last week in CA taking care of my 94 year old grandmother, she still lives alone, but needs a driver (although she will tell you proudly that she still has her license, but that we’ve asked her not to use it!), and my aunt who normally takes care of her had to go to London to see her father in law who is not doing well. We did all her usual errands, and I took her out to lunch, and a long ramble through Home Depot, which she enjoyed immensely. I was very glad to be able to put a big smile on her face!
Wow, such comments. Mine sure seem pretty lame compared to most of you. I had made all those crackers/poppers for Halloween. Well, I had a couple left so on Monday I left one for our mail person with a Happy Halloween card. The next day he put a thank you card in my mailbox! Plus, I saw a friend’s car in the next block as she works for Central College. Her jeep thing is orange and I put a popper in a plastic bag and a happy Halloween card in there with a sticky note saying the jeep needed a little Halloween cheer. I then tied the bag to the door handle. I am sure that made her smile. Oh, and Ted and I went and visited some older people who love to pet him. The one had been in the hospital almost all of the month so he was really happy to see Ted.
A friend invited me to a talk given by Ralph Martin. It was such a good talk and it was so kind of her to think of me.
We received the sweetest handmade thank you note from our son and daughter-in-law. Such a dying art!
My husband and I paid a funeral home call to share with and comfort some new church friends on the loss of their son-in-law to a genetic heart problem at age 43. In fact, today (Nov. 5) would have been his 44th birthday. And I made a special sympathy card and put it in the mail yesterday. So sad!
Dear Susan, What a great thing to do to see how many wonderful kind acts of kindness are out there. My very good friend has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Chris has a cancer tumor in both breasts. I listened to her. We both cried and prayed together. Chris is having surgery on November 23, 2016. I told her I will be with her and her husband at the hospital. Please keep her in your prayers. She will also have 6 weeks of radiation. Love to you Susan. Ellen Hinds
What wonderful things everyone has to share. I hope you, Susan, will share some photos of your lovely swap cards. My act of kindness is anonymous but I think I’m okay to mention it here. I found a packet of word poetry stickers that spell out the cheesiest pick up lines like: do you come here often? has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes, do you believe in love in first sight or should I walk by again? Every couple of days I stick another one up in a different coworker’s cubicle. Everyone is talking about them and wondering who is doing it. I stuck the one up while I was standing around talking to a group of folks and they didn’t even notice. I put one up in my cube the other day too to throw them off. It’s been fun.
Please don’t put me in the drawing for the swap cards though. I recently won your gift of all the markers and it is time for someone else to win big and be thrilled.
I have a fellow co-worker who has fallen on hard times and she can’t drive for a year…. I take her to work even though I have a different shift and I take her where ever she needs to go. It does my heart good to help someone in need…..
My husband and I paid for dinner secretly for an elderly couple who could barely get around the other afternoon. My husband had just gotten an excellent report six weeks after his prostate cancer surgery and we wanted to thank God and pay His goodness forward!
I try every day to give one of the little SU gifts I make to someone I meet. It could be a clerk at a store or a waitress, or even my Dr.,but some way every day I need to make someone happy.
I’ve been helping a friend who was recovering from cancer and then had a stroke. Actually, all of us who craft at the “Cat’s Meow” in Oakhurst, Ca. have been helping her get her crafting room put back together so she can work at home. At the store we have started meeting on Thursday to help her and some other ladies get caught up on card making, techniques and fun. Crafting is excellent therapy!
I just love you!! Hope you are having fun!!
Learned that my granddaughter’s boyfriend’s mother has a birthday today and she didn’t have time to make a card. So i went through my “stash” and offered her 4 cards to choose from. She was very excited to see the options I gave her and now has a card to give.
Compared to so many of these posters doing wonderful things, my small act of kindness would be at the bottom of the chart. My friend had cataract surgery this week and I was her driver. When the surgery was over, she treated me to breakfast. So it was the best of both giving and receiving. I smile at every one I see and say “Hello”, whether I’m walking for exercise, shopping or at the senior center. I feel that I may be the only person to speak to some of them and a smile makes me feel good, too. Thanks, Susan, for the blog candy. I know you’re having a blast in Atlanta.
I was so surprised to answer the door and find a friend of mine standing there with a hummingbird cake for me just because and totally out of the blue. She said she knew they were my favorite and she had it made for me because she loves me and was thinking of me. I love to do RAK’s and for someone to do this for me was incredibly kind and thoughtful.
My husband was out in our woods cutting down some dead oak trees for firewood when our neighbor who owns the adjoining land saw him and went over to visit with him. Said did you know there is a cemetery close by. Well, yes, there is a cemetery between our house and the woods. No, he says, there is a small plot, unmarked in these woods. They didn’t go much further in and found what was left of four fence posts with some pieces barbed wire. He told Mitch that a family of four had died and they were buried there. He could not tell him the name of the family, but told him one of the old timers of the area had told him years ago. Paul (the neighbor)is 85 and his informant has been gone for probably 40 or 50 years ago. Fortunately, I have his daughter’s address and have written to her for more information. She’s got to be close to 90 or more, but still has a sharp mind. My husband I and want to find out who is buried there and put up a marker. Sad to think they have laid there unnoticed all these years and what did they die from? I’m think an epidemic of some kind. We’ve lived here 40 years and this is the first we heard of this burial spot. We are thankful Paul told Mitch about it. Now – to investigate!
I volunteer with Special Olympics in my area. This weekend was bowling for them. For the past week I registered athletes for the competition and then during the two days of the event I work the scores table to award the medals. My family has volunteered for many years with this program and it is such a blessing! I know that I receive much more than I give with this program. The athletes are so wonderful and inspiring.
Hi Christal, do you accept scarves for the Special Olympic athletes? Let me know. Zerhan13@gmail.com ?
I showed someone how to read a crochet pattern. ? This translates to her making a Prayer Shawl to pass on to another person.
I did clean-up on the village owned flower beds that I take care of all summer.
HI Susab! I am relatively new to stamping and try to get better with each card that I make. My problem is that I make way more cards than I actually have friends to send them to! Recently a beautiful friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer and has begun chemotherapy. When she goes for her treatment, she brings a banner, hung on a dowel, and hangs it near her. She attaches cards that have been sent to her and admires them during treatment. When I found this out, I thought….I now have a purpose for making cards. I have been sending her a card every week and will continue until she is better. It is a win/win for both of us!
Sounds like you are having so much fun! Unfortunately, I don’t think I have anything from this wk, but when I was on vacation in Sanibel, I met an older couple on the beach. They have been going there for something like 20 yrs. That is one place where ppl are very cordial and I don’t remember how many times I found myself in a conversation with a stranger and walking away with a smile in my heart. Well the lady’s name was Barabara and she shared some of her sunset photos because my phone died. She let me take a couple of really big cockle shells they found earlier on the beach because they have so many shells from previous yrs. The following day her husband asked if I’d like a whelk shell and he pulled 2 really nice shells out of his pocket and said go ahead, I am just going to give them away. I graciously took one. I am so grateful for the time on the beach with them. Those are he little things that make vacations extra special.
My husband is in rehab now after being in the hospital for two months! I helped out his room mate today by giving him some extra supplies that we had that he needed. He was very grateful. It is the little things that mean the most to people. Kindness does matter.
I posted this comment last evening before the deadline and it never showed in your comments…..
I participate in a ‘Caring Hearts Card Drive’. This is the second year in doing so. Cards are donated from all over the country and distributed to nursing homes everywhere. It warms my heart to know that someone else’s heart is warmed by such a simple gesture.
Sue C Thanks for sharing about the Caring Hearts Card Drive. I have way too many cards too so appreciate your comment and great way to continue what we love to do and make someone else very happy!! Ellie Peckler aslo does the same with Card Care Connect and Operation Gratitude..just in case you have an over abuindence of cards 🙂 Colleen
I know this is well past the deadline but I just have to share as it makes my heart so happy. My sister and I went to visit our 93 year old Uncle Bob who lives on Cape Cod. It’s hard to coordinate a time to visit as he is still very, very active – as a retired minister he is in demand for speaking engagements, and often travels to visit friends around the country – had just gotten back from a 10 day trip to Washington DC the day before our visit. We wanted to treat him to lunch and he chose his favorite restaurant Wimpy’s (don’t you love that name!) and it literally took us 10 minutes to get to our table because every single wait staff member stopped what they were doing to greet Uncle Bob and ask how he was doing. And it was the same when we left – they all made a point of saying good-bye. It makes me so happy to know his community thinks so much of him.