"Not Your Ordinary Necklace" Contest
Yesterday I got quite the surprise in my mailbox. Wrapped inside an adorable cellophane bag was the cutest box with an "L" on it. Inside the box was an adorable "L" necklace from my favorite boutique--Dear Lizzie in Highland, Utah.
I didn't recognize the writing on the envelope. "Who could this be from?, " I thought as I opened the card. It read:
"Lisa, Sometimes it is nice to know that someone really likes you. I do! You make me happy! Have a good day. Love, Vicky Capua"
Wow--I was blown away! Vicky lives around the corner and I adore her. I've never done anything with her socially and usually only get to chat with her at church. Yet for years I've admired her from afar. She's honest, energetic, caring and one the funniest people I know (she can always make me laugh!). Her genuine, thoughtful ways are an example to all who come in contact with her.
I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to take this necklace off. I love it! I can wear it long or short. It matches anything--it has a dark side and a light side. More importantly it represents a wonderful person who went out of her way to make "little ol' me" feel really important. This pendant around my neck reminds me to pass this incredible blessing on. Thank you, Vicky Capua, for making my day (okay--year!) and for your great example.
I want to pass this blessing on. You have exactly three days (yep--that's 72 hours) to do a kind deed for someone not expecting it. Share what you did with all of us on my blog, then on Monday at 4:00 p.m. (MST) I will choose the one random act of kindness that I want to copy. I will copy your kind deed within 72 hours and will report what I did on my blog.The lucky winner will receive a necklace just like mine with "your" initial on it. (So please include your first name on your post. Your e-mail is always helpful too!)
I will also randomly choose 10 other names and send Becky's new Sketches book (which, by the way, is wonderful).
I'm excited to see what everyone does! Think what a better place this world will be this weekend with all these random acts of kindess.
Sincerely,
Lisa B.
202 Comments:
Hi Lisa
I just have to say - you know the absolute sweetest people! You are so blessed to have that!!
God Bless!
It definitely inspires me to do a kind deed!
Cindy
my boys are going to the football game tonight, they have TONS of jobs to do tomorrow- clean their room, wash kitchen cabinets, dust the stair railings and mow the lawn. I'm going to surprise them by doing their jobs tonight while they are at the game. they will be thrilled to wake up and get to go back to bed!!
Jodi
I was running errands today and was in a big hurry. I was impatiently waiting at the deli counter (literally tapping my foot) when I noticed an elderly woman in front of me. As she was handed her package she said ever so softly to the clerk "Did I tell you that my husband died? He died on September 14th. I am OK." She looked SO SAD. My heart just broke into a million pieces. By happenstance, she ended up behind me at the checkout counter. When I was done checking out, I handed the cashier some money and asked her to pay for the groceries of that lady and to give her the change to keep. My daughter looked at me like I had lost my mind. I ran out as quickly as I could because I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. Watching from the car, I saw her face break out into a huge smile. As happy as she seemed, it was really me who felt joy. I hope that one day my daughter will feel the same urge to brighten someone's day.
I was so inspired this morning as I read your blog. I was thinking about what I might do all afternoon. Then I remembered a house we drove by on our way home yesterday and how they had tons and tons of leaves to be cleaned up. Then it hit me...."we could rake up their leaves". So, I got the kids together (I wanted them to take part as well) went to the house, knocked on the door, but no one was home. I told the kids we were going to clean them up anyhow and it would be a surprise to whoever lived there when they got home. When we were finished we left all the bags of leaves(I don't have a truck, but I am sure they didn't mind) and went on our way. I was kind of glad they were not home. I really like the anonymous random acts of kindness. Now, maybe they will be inspired to pay it forward to someone else. This was a great thing for my family to do, especially with Thanksgiving approaching.
Thanks for inspiring me Lisa!
I forgot my initial and my email Lisa. My post was about raking the leaves.
Becky
scrappyb@gmail.com
With winter now upon us, I decided to give a winter coat to the child of a friend of a friend who can't afford a coat. I think I'm more blessed by giving the coat than she and her child will be by receiving it.
Today when volunteering at my son's classroom, the teacher was taking a bunch of pictures (love that about her!) and we've already discussed making each child a little scrapbook at the end of the year with all the pictures she has taken by a few of the mom's in the classroom She was so excited to have that.
When she was done with her camera, I took the memory card out, ran to Costco and had the photos printed up and gave it to her when school was over. She was so thankful and appreciated it so much. The developing does get costly for so many pictures through the year. It was one little thing that I could do when teachers do so much for our kids.
I am going to send out a bunch of cards to friends and family to say THANK YOU for just being you.
Thanks,
Jane
Corona CA
jane_fuehrer@sbcglobal.net
I've been doing this for years and it never fails to make me smile. My sister and I will make up 12 cute little tags that say something like "thanks for being you!" etc, and attach them to one of a dozen roses we buy. Then as people that day do something extra nice for us we hand them out anonymously. ie leave it on the counter of a store, or the windshield of someone with a parking ticket. Did it last night, and will do it again soon!
Wow, what a lovely gesture. With all of life's craziness and day to day business, it is nice to know that people out there are still truly genuine.
Jackie
My 19y/o DD will be breezing thru on her way back to college - I've been filling a sack full of things for her to take back w/her.
For a fun surprise, I went against my practicality & bought her the fancy, shaped macaroni & cheese that she likes. She swears it tastes better, but I think it's a waste of money - less wt. of macaroni, higher price.
I look forward to the "aaww, Mom!"
Today I was inspired....an organization I am involved with had a meeting downtown and we had three full sized pizzas left over. Instead of tossing it, I added some left over cookies and drove a few minutes out of my way to drop it off at my local homeless shelter.
Even if I don't win a prize, I hope I inspire you to do this after your next get together. Instead of putting copious left overs in the fridge where you know noone will really ever eat them, take the to a shelter. Alot of them will come right out to your car and get them from you, so you don't even have to get out!
Anyway, thanks for doing this post, I am inspired by the all the other wonderful ideas!!
Michelle B.
bazeleycei@bellsouth.net
What a wonderful way to start your day! Feeling the love that others send especially when unexpected leaves you with sunshine in your heart and the satisfaction that there are wonderful, kind and loving people out there dispite all the negative we hear on a daily basis.
One of our local scrapbook stores is holding an annual "garage sale" where you can sell off all the scrap stuff you no longer use in exchange for store credit equal to the value of your sales. I had a huge box of goodies to sell off but instead decided to donate the majority of it to one of my husband's clients who is a pastor of a local church who will get great use of it for the children.
Cheers to all .........Karen
kbg55@sbcglobal.net
I have several baby items that my daughter has recently outgrown. I was going to have a garage sale in the spring, but decided to place most of them on our local Freecycle listing. And take the rest to Goodwill. dncbonds@msn.com
Today I bought lunch for 3 friends. Nothing fancy, but I know they appreciated it and I felt good for doing that for them. They are special to me and I wanted them to feel special too!
Rita O.
Today I got to listen to 4 students at my kids' school read to me. They are a behind their grade level in reading, and they probably don't get one-on-one time for this kind of thing at home. I only spent 10-20 min. with each, but I can tell they really liked it. I get to do this twice a week, and some mornings I can think of 50 other things I need to do. But then I think of their sweet faces, and how much this means to them, and I know it is more important than anything I could be doing at home. I feel lucky to be a stay-at-home mom so I can go and do this kind of thing when I am needed. ~Tanya
This is a long story but it takes a little explaining.
About 2 years ago I decided to start teaching scrapbooking at our local mission in the drug and rehab unit. At first the gals would joke, trying to convert drug addicts to scrapbookers but week by week we would talk about our lives, not as different as one would think. Anyway, my first graduate from the program I was so exited. Scrapbooking had connected her to her long time best friend who had tried to get her interested for years but her drug addiction kept her distanced. Anyway, for graduation I got her a scrapbooking tote and filled it with items . She was having her first baby so I put a lot of baby items in there for her to use.
Fast forward to a week ago or so. She called me to tell me I had saved her life. I guess one day she got really down and didn't think life was worth living and she pulled out that tote , it gave her hope and inspiration and she made a wall mural with many of the items.
So after your inspirational message today I decided to send her a Target gift card. She is on a very limited income and with Christmas coming up I thought it would be helpful.
Who would ever think that scrapbooking could have created such a bond.
Thanks for always inspiring us to do more for others.
Valerie
White0221@aol.com
PS encourage all your readers to do scrapbooking in whatever ministry capacity they can. They never know when they may change a life. My next mission is with a local Foster care group. Ihope to get cameras donated but if not maybe fund the development of their pictures somehow and create a place and have product for them to make a scrapbook about their lives.
Hello Lisa!
What a wonderful gesture to be the recipient of!
I what to share with you a random act of kindness that my husband made. In the spring he was visiting missionary friends in Guatemala. While there he met a wonderful family. Eight family members living in a very small 2 bedroom home. They were very poor yet so kind and generous in their own way. My husband truly enjoyed his time with them and he thinks of them often. Yesterday, unbenonst to me, my husband tranfered $150.00 to our missionary friends and asked them to buy the family whatever they needed (rice, beans, clothes, etc.) Our friends said that this money would go along way for this family as they make less than this a month. I cannot tell you how proud of my husband I was when I found out! I think he is a great example!
Elizajane Leek
cjleek@shaw.ca
Hi Lisa! How cool is this? I like the shelter idea! i would like to do that one of these days! But for now, I started on a little chipboard 28 page mini album (my 1st ever!)for my best friend who is preg. with her last baby since she has to have a hysterectomy after she gives birth. She is a high risk pregnancy, and is in alot of pain with the baby sitting on a nerve in her back, but she doing well, and made it farther than she thought she would and is scheduled to have her son in Dec, just in time for xmas! :) P.s. Your hair looks sooo cute!!
Lacey :)
laceya712@yahoo.com
Hi Lisa! How cool is this? I like the shelter idea! i would like to do that one of these days! But for now, I started on a little chipboard 28 page mini album (my 1st ever!)for my best friend who is preg. with her last baby since she has to have a hysterectomy after she gives birth. She is a high risk pregnancy, and is in alot of pain with the baby sitting on a nerve in her back, but she doing well, and made it farther than she thought she would and is scheduled to have her son in Dec, just in time for xmas! :) P.s. Your hair looks sooo cute!!
Lacey :)
laceya712@yahoo.com
It's that time of year - preparing for the holidays. I've already ordered my KOTM from Becky and I can't wait to get started on my Christmas cards. I saw this idea recently and seeing your joy at getting surprise mail, I thought this random act of kindness was perfect. It's affordable and it will be greatly appreciated by the recipient. I'm going to send a few Christmas cards to our wounded soldiers to let them know how much our family appreciates the sacrifice they have made on our behalf. I recently was given this address - what a great idea!
A Recovering American Soldier/Marine
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving!!
Christine Z. in PA
jczimmerman@verizon.net
I just love stories like this. It warms my heart and makes me feel so good about people. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer
Today I had the privilege of helping a local family on Extreme Makeover Home Edition! The Hughes are an amazing family. I am truly blessed to be able to help such a deserving family. We tore down their home yesterday and are already building their new home today. Aside from volunteering at the site, my scrap friends and I are working on a scrapbook for them so they can see what happened while they were gone. Here is a link for more information www.eliteextremedream.com
Thanks,
Tracy
My oldest bestest girlfriend does my teenage girls hair for just about no cost at her salon. And you know teenage girls; this entails color, cuts, styles!
I just went online and sent her the picturemate photo printer. I love mine and know she will LOVE hers. She would never buy herself one and she will be SO surprised! Thanks for making me think of what she would like and DO IT! :)
M as in Mary :)
Your blog is so timely. A couple of weeks ago I was on my way to a crop at my church and decided to swing through Wendy's drive-thru for some chili and a soda. I pulled in one enterance and someone else pulled in another and we got to the line at the same time. They were very kind and waived me ahead. I thought about how nice that was and wanted to do something nice for them. When I got to the cashier and paid for my chili and soda I also paid for their meal and asked the cashier to tell them thank you for letting me in line first. I got to watch their reaction in my rear-view mirror and it was so much fun to see the smile light up their face. Truthfully, I got the most pleasure.
Kristy
cford9401@hotmail.com
What a beautiful necklace. That's way the world should be.. random act of kindness.. I believe in that..What a great unexpected gift.
Thanks for sharing...
denise
I lead an eighth-grade girls small group on Sunday nights. One of our girls' mothers is facing two brain surgeries right after the holiday season to stop seizures she's been having since she contracted meningitis a couple of years ago and had her first round of surgeries. On Sunday night in our small group time, I plan to have the girls create cards expressing care, concern and love for this girl and her family. I also plan to have the girls work together to completed a beaded bracelet to give to her. As each girl selects and places the beads on the bracelet, she will be encouraged to say a specific prayer for the girl and her family. I plan to ask any of the girls if they'd like to go with me to deliver the gifts -- perhaps we can plan it for next Sunday and make a meal or two for the family together. We just completed a series on the people Jesus cared for and I think this opportunity will be a lesson to teach these teenage girls how to love one another.
I don't know if this qualifies for the contest or not, and that's okay, I just wanted to say something someone did for me this week. My 14-year old childhood dog who will soon die from cancer decided to have one last run at freedom this week. I am dogsitting (while my parents who she lives with are in Utah) so being in a new place she ran away. I spent two days tearfully looking for her (and comforting my two year old who was helping) and finally found her at a shelter 45 minutes away. Some good Samaritan had found her running on I-15 10 miles away (she'd almost made it home to my parents house which is amazing) but they picked her up, took care of her, had her checked at a vet and took her to a shelter where her family could find her. We'll probably lose her soon anyway, but at least it will be with her family she's known from 3 weeks old, and not alone and lost. Thank you stranger, you made my week (and year!) as well as my family (5 kids & 4 grandkids) who all love Sophie!
My best friend of 11 years lives halfway across the country from me now. I am in South Carolina, where I moved to be with my boyfriend who is in the military. She is in Indiana. She's been having a really rough time lately, having troubles with her family, her job, and her relationship with her boyfriend. She has been feeling really alone and as though nothing is going right. SO, I decided to put a basket of "pick me ups" together to send to her. I added a package of her favorite coffee, a framed photo of she and I from my last visit, a quote book from Compendium, a big bag of chocolate, and a candle in her favorite scent. It is something simple just to let her know that I am thinking of her and that no matter how far away I am, she is never really alone.
Erika
Summerville, SC
I know this probably doesn't count but my husband does so much for me everyday and I wanted to let him know how much I appreciate that. So, I have tried to take some of the load off him by doing some of his household chores this week, as he has been working some overtime at work. It's really not that hard, it's just things he usually does around the house as the man, but when he comes home tired, it's nice to not have to do anything. And today, the kids will be gone to a Stake Youth Activity when he gets home from work so I am going to do a special lunch for him; just the two of us. I think we take our spouses for granted all too often and I hope to make this a bit of a habit to show him just how much I appreciate all that he does for me each day.
Mimi
(sorry I posted that before I put my name on it, so here it is again)
I am making Apple Crisp for my elderly neighbor. We got a huge box of apples this week.
With the fall breeze in the air, what way to welcome and say "hello
to the neighbors.
Linda Matthews
Today my youth group and I raked the lawns of 8 families in our neighborhoods. So much fun to see the excitement on the faces of the elderly people as they saw us.
JaLee
marknandjalee@msn.com
I offered to watch my girlfriends child while they went out.
Pam
Lisa, I just want to say you are amazing how you inspire others to do the things we should be doing everyday. I appreciate all you do to bring the good out of each of us by just reading your blog and seeing our potential to do better in our lives. Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us and for your family that allows you to. Have a very wonderful Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas. Eloise
Hi Lisa,
I actually did something a couple days ago, which I am not sure will count, but wanted to share with you. I was dropping my son off in the morning to preschool. There has been this construction area we have had to drive through for the last year. Well, it was FREEZING outside and I felt so bad for the flagger. She was all bundled up, but you could tell her hands were freezing, even with gloves on.
So, on my way back after dropping my son off, I picked up a hot latte for her and handed it to her on my way through. I did not realize how good it made me feel until I had handed it over to her and saw the appreciation in her eyes. I was just feeling so bad for her. In the end, she really made my day with the smile she gave me.
It seems like people get so busy and forget about others and helping out. One simple gesture like holding a door open for a mom struggling to get the stroller in the door, buying someone a cup of coffee, or just wishing someone you pass by on the street Happy Holidays can make their week, even their year.
I look forward to seeing what everyone else writes in your blog.
Thanks for letting me share!!!
Tina
Hi Lisa,
I always knew what I wanted to do and today you pushed me to go ahead. Sometimes I will see mother's walking with their young children that should be in strollers and you just know that a stroller is considered a priviledge. Well I had a beautiful double stroller that I really did not need to keep anymore. I decided to find someone that would need it alot more than me. I went on a drive towards downtown and on 38th Ave I saw a young mom that had a stroller however she had one baby in the sit and another one sitting in the storage area. She also had a child that was walking. I went up ahead of her and pulled into a parking lot. I had enough time to get my stroller out of the van and put it up. I then walked over to the sidewalk and wait for her. When she got closer I introduced myself and told her that I wanted her to have my stroller. She was so happy that she started to cry. The stroller that she was using was on it very last leg. I just feel so content right now knowing that I have made someone's day.
Thanks for the push!
Dee Barker
barkersbunch@comcast.net
Hi Lisa
Wow - love reading all of these posts! So many kind deeds!
My kids and I decided to drop a basket of flowers off at a very nice ladies house. She is someone very special and I don't know if what she does is always appreciated. She serves the lunches at my children's school, she was/is their Kindergarten Sunday School Teacher, she has a child she mentors through Kids Hope program and has done this for years. I have never seen her without a smile for these kids. Her kindness and loving spirit changes these young lives. She quietly goes about her everyday doing ordinary things - but these things are extraordinary to all these kids!
We just wanted to give her some joy that she wasn't expecting!
Thanks Lisa for helping all of us make a difference in someone's life!
Cindy
Wow! How neat!
I just wanted to share about my husband.
He is the guy who will help you when you are stuck in the snow, or broke down along side of the road. If you are carrying something heavy he's the one that will help you. He's the one who when the neighbors cat gets hit on the road will come and take care of it before the kids have to see it! He's the one who when a neighbor dog tears into the garbage, he'll pick it up or when your trash can blows away will pick it up! He's the one who does the extra mowing alongside our private drive. He's the one who finds the time to help family, friends and strangers!
Helping does make a difference - Even if nobody says thank you! Sometimes the satisfaction is just doing good!
Thanks!
This is a minor thing so maybe it doesn't even count, but as I have a new blessing who is only weeks old and we are still bleary-eyed - at least it is something. My oldest blessing is on a basketball team and each week a parent from the team brings snacks and drinks for the team! My heart broke last week as my little middle blessing stood in line to get "her snack" - comprehending as only a little one could, "If I wait my turn, I get a snack and drink too" - but of course she wasn't on the team - so she didn't get a snack! Well, you can only imagine the tears that might have ensued! THANKFULLY, I was prepared with a special snack just for her last week! So today, as I was getting things ready for the game - even though it wasn't our week for team snacks - I packed drinks and snacks for the team's siblings so that they wouldn't feel neglected or left out! You could see the look of surprise on parents faces as I offered snacks to siblings ( with permission of course)! Not only did it make me feel good, but I think the older and middle blessings caught on that we had done something kind of special!
Sweet blessings!
Renee
I would love to win Becky's new book! For the last few months everytime is see a good deal on some toys I've been using my extra money to buy them. I have a large pile in my dining room that I will donate to Toys for Tots this year.
Hi Lisa. What a great idea! I am going to have my family send a holiday card to a wounded soldier. So glad to see that!
Today all the guys in our family are helping my brother move rock in to his backyard. I made crockpot taco soup (from Becky Higgins) and took it over for them to have for lunch.
dhoswald@msn.com
Hi Lisa!
What a wonderful friend you have! My friend Karin did something like that for me several years ago. She surprised me with a beautiful gold bracelet.
I think this idea of "paying it forward" is a great one! I really appreciate the poster who put up the address for injured military personnel. I definitely want to do that. My late husband was military, and I have several friends who are deployed. I know family members appreciate it when their loved ones are remembered and thanked for their sacrifice.
A great way to start the holiday season!
God Bless,
Colleen
I am heading up a group of classes from my children's school to make and send Christmas cards to soldiers this year. I hope to get at least 100 - maybe more. They sacrifice for us everyday, such a small thing we can do for them as to send a little Holiday Cheer their way!
Blessings!
Darla
Wow, love the necklace and what a nice surprise. I am watching my niece and nephew tonight for my sister who needs a night all to herself!
Sarah Last
So many good ideas here. I love the one of surprising the kids by having done their chores. Sometimes it is hardest to give to those closest to us.
My RAK went to a someone who is expecting her first baby. I filled a CD with songs I loved listening to during my first pregnancy ("Beautiful Boy"; "Things We've Handed Down"; etc). It's a simple thing but I hope it will lift her up on those difficult days.
Deirdre in Moab
Dear Lisa-
I have a friend and her husband was killed serving in Iraq this past March. Today, a plaque was placed on Taylorsville City's "Freedon Wall" in her husband's honor a tree was also planted in his honor. I attended the ceremony - it was awesome! My own husband served 18 months in Iraq, so this hits home for me! She does not have any family here in Utah. I wanted to be there to show my support. I just happened to grab my camera on my way out the door.
I asked my friend when I arrived if she brought her camera. She said she forgot. I told her I would take pictures during the ceremony for her. I plan to put the photos into a slide show with music for her and her children along with a copy of all the photos on a CD. I would really like to put all of the photos into a mini book for her.
What a special day this was! I am so happy I was inspired to grab my camera to preserve these special memories for my friend and her family. It was a very touching day! What a was to celebrate the upcoming Veteran's Day Observance!
God Bless America-
Amy
Last week my father-in-law past away. As you can imagine we received more plants and flowers than any one family can use. Today we took several boquets of flowers to a local nursing home and also took a plant to our 87 year old neighbor lady who is a widow and doesn't get many visitors. She just recently called to say how much she is enjoying looking at the beautful plant and how thankful she was for good neighbors. That made my day!
Holly, Pekin IL
poohlover105@yahoo.com
Wow. what a day to read your blog. This weekend, my children cleaned out all their clothes and toys for a family who can't afford. My 9 year old daughter kept telling me this boy in her class doesn't have clothes and she is worried about his Christmas. So we passed along what we could to help them, and put them on the angel tree.
Lisa - I work as a para in an elementary school. The mom of one of our special-needs student did not have a coat for the winter. I went home and got one of our down jackets, had it cleaned, and gave it to her a few days later. She was so happy, but I know I was even happier to be able to give to someone else out of our own abundance. God is good!
I just love reading things like this on your blog. What an inspiration to be a better person. I sent a small bouquet of flowers to a friend who was having a hard time. It has been fun listening to her talk about how good it made her feel.
Lenea/ lenea86406@yahoo.com
What i am doing is actually also through a contest on my blog, I am collecting extra scrapbooking supplies for my son's school, this are around 70 autistic teens, girls and boys, I'm sure we'll make lots of kids happy.
Hi Lisa,
My father 81,who has been healthy all of his life,was just admitted to the hospital and told he needs bypass surgery. Of course we are all devestated and are praying for a successful surgery and comfortable recovery. While my mother,siblings and I were all visiting him at the hospital, I noticed a much younger man was in the bed next to him. My father told me that he had just had bypass surgery and was still not feeling so well. I felt bad that he was ill and did not have any visitors with him,especailly since my father was surrounded by loved ones. I left my siblings with my dad,and went over to speak to the man. We had a wonderful conversation and I think he was truly happy to share some time with me. I'm sure he has his own family,but then again,you never know. I was happy to spend some of my time with him and wish him well. It doesn't take much to touch someone else's life.
Say a prayer for my dad.
Barbara Parnell
mikebarbara@optonline.net
Hi Lisa,
After reading your post, I spend almost all day thinking in something to do without being selfish. Later that night I went scrapbooking with my regular group of friends. Toward the end around 11:00pm my friend Terri stared to cry. After asking a few times how can I help, she finally told me that she is gettin a divorce. It was a surprise for everyone in the group. She went on by saying that she needed to be away for a few days. I couldn't believe what I did next. I told her that I will take care of her son Joey this weekend. He is 4 yrs old and my son's best friend. So, I have Joey here with us until tomorrow. He is having a great time with Ray Ray and Terri is sorting out her problems. I know she will do the same for me. Until next time. Peace and Love.
There is a convalescent home near my neighborhood and a group of my college classmates and I needed some volunteer hours for our class. We decided to go there. One of the days we visited we decided to paint a bunch of the ladies fingernails. They were so thrilled and were so blessed that we were taking the time to do that for them. The room was lit up by how happy they got. It was such a blessing to me to see how simply painting these ladies' fingernails made them feel special.
Hi Lisa!
Imagine my surprise when we picked up a call at the shop from one of your admirers in Minnesota requesting an initial charm necklace just like your gift from Vicky! She directed me to your blog... It is always a treat to know that a treasure from Dear Lizzie has been a source of delight to our customers. To add to your challenge and reader response, I hope you will allow me a good deed moment... I would love to donate the necklace to your winner - just let me know the initial you need with our compliments and congratulations! What a perfect way to contemplate the season of thanksgiving by thinking of others - you are wonderful!
Laura, DEAR LIZZIE
www.mydearlizzie.com
Hi Lisa,
What a great lesson for all of us to remember!
My parents taught us that a "play it forward" is a way of life. That the golden rule of giving is better than to receive!
This could not have happened at a better time! I work in an Elementary school. I work with a awesome group of people. Fun to be with at work and after too! I have been for the last couple of years, making thank you cards, putting the us postage on them and placing them in random mailboxes at school. This way they have thank you cards ready to go when they need them. They (the staff) have no idea when I do this.....I usually go in on a Saturday (like today) or a Sunday and place them in the mailboxes so when they arrive at school Monday they have a surprise waiting for them in their mailbox. The staff have yet to figure out it's me!
I drooped 20 cards in 4 mailboxes today. I can't wait for monday!
Anne Marie
Mine is simple. My neighbor and dear friend is 10 weeks pregnant with her 4th child. Today I had her 3 boys (we're hoping #4 is her girl!) over all afternoon so she could have some downtime. She is so, so sick and may have to have a home-health nurse come in to I.V. her. I truly love this girl and am doing my best each day to ease her burdens and get her through the next few weeks. Anyone who's suffered with morning sickness knows how blessed those quiet hours are.
Katie
mckeafam@msn.com
**My Kind Deed.....**
Hi Lisa,
I did a kind deed. We just moved into our first house. The neighbors have been very welcoming as we are getting settled and are all older and most live alone. So I altered cans for fall, made cards and filled the cans with candy and candles and went and deliverd them all to the neighbors total of 6 visit's and 6 gifts......wow I made their month with some of them just to have someone care since most live alone. They were so happy just to have someone visit them let alone bring a gift!
I also donated a bag of my son's old clothes.
I also made a baby gift for another neighbor that is having a baby in Jan. I know they don't have alot of money and this would make them smile.
I guess I didn't realize I have been busy this month! Thanks for making me see that:)
your friend,
Amie
Amie Panzer
mickey0828@yahoo.com
Awww Thanks for sharing your RAK with us Lisa. It has been really great to hear all the stories and they have been really uplifting. I was inspired today to do a RAK of my own. I have a friend who lives across the country from me who is going through a very difficult divorce. She has been really stressed and not eating very well. So, today I baked her a batch of homemade choc chip cookies and then sat down with my papercrafting supplies to make her a handmade card to let her know that I love her and she is not alone even though I can't be there with her.
KT
My Good Deed,
Hi Lisa,
I am trying this for the 3rd time:)
I just recently moved to a new neighborhood...there are alot of older people that have been wonderful to us...so I altered 6 cans and filled them with candy and candles and cards and deliverd them.....they were so happy not just about the gift but to have someone take the time to visit.
I also donated clothes to a family
Amie
Mickey0828@yahoo.com
HI. My good deed this week was paying for one of my student's lost library books without him knowing. He came back to class with another library book looking so excited. He wasn't allowed to check out a book until his family paid for the lost one. It had been 3 months of not checking out books because his family couldn't afford to pay for it. The librarian told him an angel paid for it. It was such a small deed and it made such a huge difference in his life!
Susan
My deed....
Hi Lisa,
I moved into a new neighborhood and have had the best neighbors so I altered cans for all the older neighbors and filled them with candy, candles and cards and went with my son to deliver them. They were so excited since most live alone ...more excited that we took the tme to visit but loved all the stuff...
I also donated a bag of clothes and made a baby gift for a family that does not have much and I wanted to put a smile on their faces!
It has been a busy month:)
your friend
Amie
Mickey0828@yahoo.com
Such a great story Lisa!!! Thanks for sharing and encouraging us to not forget about RAK's!!! Sometimes we all get so busy, and consumed with our own lives, we just forget!! Thanks for the reminder!! Today I decided to surprise a good friend of mine that I haven't seen in awhile with a boquet of flowers and a card telling her how wonderful she is!! It gave us time to sit and catch up and it turns out today was a day she really needed a little cheering up!!
Lori
lrborntreger@verizon.net
I've waited 12 hours or so for this to post. If it is a duplicate, I apologize, please delete.
We attended the state high school volleyball tournament last weekend to watch the girls from our school play. We don't have a child on the team, we just wanted to attend. I took my 16-year-old son, his friend and my 12-year-old daugther on the 7 hour trek. I had a brand new digital camera I had been dying to try out. I took pictures all weekend. We ended up winning the state championship, and I got that moment on film, along with over 300 other photos!! I spent 3 days upon our return editing the photos, removing red eye, etc. to make each player and coach a DVD of all the pictures, which was not as easy as I had anticipated with computer problems, the guy at Walmart talking me into buying the wrong CDs, making a 25 mile trip one way to get the ones I really needed, etc. But it was so worth it when I gave them all their DVDs. They were all so surprised and very appreciative. Now everyone has their own DVD of the entire tournament and can print off whichever photos they want to keep and share with friends or family. It was a really great experience.
Thanks, Lisa for continuing to inspire.
kowen@cableone.net
I was going to comment yesterday but felt my "good deed" just might not "qualify". Friday after school all of my children had places to go and things to do, except one, my eight year old son. He was feeling so left out. I spoke with him and we decided to invite a friend over to play, which did help. Then we spent extra time together that evening. After considering this I believe that a mothers love is indeed a "good deed" Why wouldn't it "qualify"? I think we all have children who may be a little more tenderhearted than others and that we, as mothers, need to take the extra moments to show our love.
clgubler@juno.com initial "C"
A single mom whom I know through scrapbooking was looking to buy a product secondhand. I had what she wanted, but she was unable to pay right away. I sent her the package anyway and told her to pay when she could, if at all.
I am responding to this anonymously for her sake, not mine. :)
Well I started this thing a couple of weeks ago after talking to one on my best friends...she was saying that we should have "birthday weeks", not just birthdays...so everyday for a week I got my husband to drop something off to her. (I am in Canada right now and they are in Arizona so I needed some help) Some of the gifts were a Sonic drink, a Nothing Bundt cake, a bunch of ribbon, a gift card etc. She loved it! Then I posted an "ode to Sondra" on my blog about how wonderful I think she is.
This week I have been working on one of my very best friends "birthday weeks" ordering all kinds of stuff for her to make her birthday week extra special. I did the "ode to Amy" on my blog and what a nice surprise it was for her.
All in favor of the "Birthday Weeks"...
Nicole
gncope@yahoo.com
www.gncope.blogspot.com
Dear Lisa,
I have a wonderful story to share. My mom and I were at lunch when we took notice of this adorable elderly couple sitting off to the side of us. The woman was a stunning looking lady and the gentleman was so adorable. They were too cute for words!! We over heard them share the news to our waitress (we had the same waitress) that they were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary!! My mom and I gushed to one another at how cute and excited they were during this celebration outing!! They shared a meal and then indulged in a dessert, initiated by the gentleman who was going all out!! As they were coming to the end of their meal, we motioned for our waitress to come over and then explained we wanted to pay for their meal WITHOUT them having a clue who did it! She agreed not to blow our cover!! You could not believe the excitement my mom and I had as we watched our waitress go to their table, the couple expecting their bill, and say, "There has been a requested by another party in the resturant to cover your bill and tip for the meal!". As we watched the gentleman's mouth drop wide open and the lady's hand quickly move to her chest in surprise, my mom and I could not hold back the tears. We didn't want to blow our cover however, so we quickly pulled ourselves together and acted as if we were enjoying our meal together. Yet we kept the corner of our eyes on the situation. The couple tried all they could to get the waitress to spill the beans, however she wouldn't. I have never seen such complete and genuine appreciate for an act done. They were beyond grateful for such a simple act. Their "shared" meal and tip only came to $15. As they got up to leave, the gentleman took the waitress by the arm and once again pleaded to know who had paid. When she refused to tell, he told her, "Send them our sincerest thanks."
What a rush! What a high! If you ever want to get the biggest thrill, pay for someone's meal (someone you don't know) without them knowing it and then watch their reaction! It will get your blood pumping! Or leave your wait staff a tip they never would have expected (that's another story I have in itself)!!
Thank you so much Lisa!!
Have a great day!
Love,
Kate Hendricks
I decided that since Elsie Flannigan had been going through some tough times, that I'd send her a little something. I had some antique costume jewelry from my deceased great grandmother, and though I loved a lot of it, there was one piece that kinda spoke to me. It was a leaf garland choker in gold and green. My great grandmother Clara Clique was the most creative woman I had ever met and instilled in me a sense of creativity as well, and I thought I'd pass it on. - Erin Collins, Vancouver, WA
I decided that since Elsie Flannigan had been going through some tough times, that I'd send her a little something. I had some antique costume jewelry from my deceased great grandmother, and though I loved a lot of it, there was one piece that kinda spoke to me. It was a leaf garland choker in gold and green. My great grandmother Clara Clique was the most creative woman I had ever met and instilled in me a sense of creativity as well, and I thought I'd pass it on. - Erin Collins, Vancouver, WA
Hi Lisa;
Can you please send me the information on how to order a necklace like this from the store it was purchased at? Thank you so much...
Charlene
cengel495@comcast.net
I do tihs once every couple weeks so it's not a new RAK but I have so much fun doing it! Your post got me thinking about trying something new but my "stand by RAK" is so much fun I just did it again!
I ran thru the Starbuck drive thru on my way home from Saturday errands and paid for the drinks of the couple in the car behind me. It's so much fun to do because not only do I feel good,but the employee has fun doing it and the couple in the car behind me gets to be the recipent of the fun! :)
Hi Lisa,
My dear friend recently suffered from a miscarriage, she needed bedrest to recover so we had her hubby and kiddos (all 8) over for the evening.They played football with my 4 older kids, ate hotdogs and had a great evening. Her husband was so thankful at the end of the night, grateful for helping his wife.these are the times when friends are so important. Thankyou for always setting the notch high, always challenging me to be a better person.Luv Ya for that!
Babette
HI Lisa,
what a great contest. This is a beautiful necklace - very unique, yet vintage. Love it.
Interestingly enough I have a story. I had a coworker who was feeling stressed on Thursday. I brought her some flowers and a card and left it on her desk to surprise her that Friday morning. I then saw an email go out to the whole company saying that someone had left beautiful bouquet of flowers for on this persons desk, however, she had gone to NY (which I did not know) and would not be back until Tuesday. I quickly put the bouquet in a vase of water and hoped that the flowers survived the weekend still remaining anonymous. The interesting thing to me was, how happy it made the rest of the office to see someone get flowers, someone who was not even in the office. I heard lots of talk in the kitchen about it. I am glad that this act of kindness ricoccheted and touched other's lives. I hope they will be inspired to do something for someone else because they witnessed this one.
Sharon F., CA
HI Lisa,
what a great contest. Love the necklace. Unique and vintage all at once.
I have a story. I had a coworker who was quite stressed on Thursday. I brought her a bouquet of flowers and a card to surprise her early on Friday morning. I saw an email go out from her collegue that stated "someone left Sue a beautiful bouquet of flowers, but she is gone to NY and will not be back until Tuesday." I quickly put the flowers in a vase of water and hoped they would survived the weekend. What I found most wonderful though was how that act touched so many in the office. Many coworkers were talking about it in the kitchen, etc. I hope this will inspire them to touch someone or surprise them to action - to let someone else know hem know they are thought of.
Sharon F.
sharondf@sbcglobal.net
Lisa, Your timing could not have been better in giving me the little nudge to do a little something special for someone.
A friend of mine who is a widowed single mom works two jobs, one as a teacher for Autistic children and the other as a consultant for Creative Memories. She has not had much time lately to devote to her Creative Memory business. Saturday she held an Open House to try to sell her overstocked inventory. I went to her Open House and purchased these great photo storage boxes, they are called Power Sort boxes and they hold around 2,400 photos! You have to check them out! I purchased one for another friend that I have had since High School (37 years)! She has never done any scrapbooking and in fact she recently told me her photos are in shoe boxes and the photos she does have in albums are in the old sticky ones! I've wrapped up the Power Sort box and with that I've included some Dental Floss with some little coupons I made up that say "Good for One Hour of Labor From Nancy to use the Dental Floss to remove the photos from the old sticky albums." I am on my way today to drive to her home she lives in a town about 25 minutes away,so wish me luck! This is so Fun!
nancykfn@comcast.net
My kind deed is starting tonight. I have helped my husband with a guys only surprise birthday party for one of our elders at church where they will toast him and celebrate his 73 years of service. The guys are writing out notes to him and my husband is taking pictures that I will take and put into an album for him to remember this night with and also for his kids who won't be able to make it in for the dinner.
Sabrina
tiggergirl1979@austin.rr.com
Hi Lisa-
Thanks for the RAK! My friends son was recently medivac'd to Childrens Hospital due to a runaway strep infection...I called the gift shop and asked if they had anything Army or camoflague...the kid just loves it! They located two army plane kits and added to our balloon bouquet...when he got released, his mom called to say how happy she was that within a few hours of being checked in, there was a reminder of how much her son meant to others and how prayers were being said for him to get healthy.
I love this post!! I had a chance to bless my hairdresser this week. She is going threw a divorce and will soon be a single mom. As I was taking my daughter to her appointment, I stopped by a local drive through coffee spot. I picked her up her favorite drink, she was presently surprised. My DH also blessed her a few weeks before this in taking some pictures of her and her sister. It lifted her spirits and made her feel special. Juel~JUELMC1@aol.com
Lisa,
What a wonderful story!
If I may, I would like to share another story that inspired me recently.
This past week, I signed on to our company's intranet and read this story. I had known that Larry donated a kidney but I assumed it was to someone he knew. After reading this story, I sat at my desk and cried. I was so touched at the total unselfishness of this man. He has inspired me to decorate a box with Christmas paper and place it in my workplace to collect non-perishables for our local food bank or shelter. And now after reading your challenge, I am going to challenge the rest of the 32 stores in our franchisee to do the same. Thanks for the extra push!
Here's Larry's story as it was taken from my company's intranet:
Larry Smiley gives new meaning to the phrase “Every Guest Leaves Happy”
Larry Smiley, General Manager of the Friday’s restaurant in Charleston, West Virginia, recently donated one of his kidneys to Erik Roby who has genetic kidney disease, even though Smiley never met Roby before he agreed to be his donor.Roby’s father is a regular at Friday’s in Owensboro. While visiting the restaurant, Smiley overheard Larry Roby talking about his son’s disease and how he needed a donor with O-positive blood. Smiley‘s first response was to give him his kidney, though he first went home to pray and discuss it with his family. Before long, Smiley found himself going through a series of tests and soon learned that he would be able to give Roby one of his kidneys.Both Larry Smiley and Erik Roby are doing great after their respective surgeries. It addition to giving him his kidney, Smiley also changed Roby’s outlook on life. Before meeting Smiley, Roby did not believe that people who do good things for someone else without expecting anything in return exist in this world.
My neighbor had a stroke last month and it left him paralized on his left side.
He has a wife and 8 kids and they had no idea how they were going to get by. So I paid their mortgage, filled their oil tank and donated a $1000.00 gift certificate to Toys R Us so she could buy the kids something nice for Christmas to be given to the mom from the town office saying it's from a "neighbor"
I did it all anonymously. I don't ever want her thinking she owes me anything. What are neighbors and friends for if not to help each other out when we need it!
Jessica
jesskah16@yahoo.com
We went to the grocery store yesterday and saw a man standing outside on the street holding a sign asking for help. So, while we were shopping I gathered some groceries and had them put in a different bag. On the way out of the parking lot, we pulled over and gave him the bag of groceries and a little cash to help him out. He started to cry and I did too! Thanks for the challenge! I am going to try to do something like this every week from now until Christmas. It makes you feel so good inside and I think it is great for my kids to see us being kind to all of God's children!
Mary
sendallemailstome@yahoo.com
My kids are blessed to have Patty as their "bus stop" babysitter. She is loving, kind & patient with our kids. She struggles financially after the loss of her husband. Although he left her years ago, she still struggles without him and can't quite make ends meet. We try to do as much as we can for her and this weekend we are stacking her wood. Her wood was just delivered and my kids (9 & 4) are about to learn the cross pattern rules of wood stacking my husband and I grew up with. They love helping Patty and we love having her in our life.
I don't see my post, I posted yesterday morning, so I decide to share it again.
Yesterday morning when I was going out to soccer practice with my boys, I saw a young couple walking down the street with their baby. It was very cloudy and sprinkling. I pull over and give them a ride.
Another RAOK that I did today was to bake some cookies for my neighbor and her kids that her husband got deploy to Iraq a few month ago and today was their aniversary.
Bluett
karlett@msn.com
www.stampyheart.myctmh.com
Hi Lisa,
I have a friend who is going through chemo for the second time (after having surgery for the second time) and wanted to do something just for her. She's had many people do things for her and had many thank yous to write. I know chemo wears her out so I gave her a stack of thank-yous and the offer to write them for her.
Amy
kaerick2000@yahoo.com
I did something simple... my 4 year old