Random Acts

Sorry friends, I have been MIA for the past few days. It's difficult when family issues, and job issues, and school issues all start to pile up at this time. Sometimes I wonder how people handle it all. But then I remember that someone once told me that God never gives us anything we can't handle...then I just proceed on. Or I am attempting to!

image via pinterest

I have to say, that I have found in 2012, random acts of kindness have definitely come my way. It's little things. One of my favorite baristas yesterday told me today that someone left their punch card all punched for a free drink, but the girl was rude to him. She never came back for it. He said that he wanted to save it for someone who deserved a free drink. Guess who was so lucky?

I also received over the weekend, all simultaneously, over twenty five text messages of from a group of friends telling me that they care about that me and everything is going to be alright. Just because!

Between people offering to walk me home, offering me rides to places or allowing me to just vent, I've realized that these people are offering random acts of kindness.

No one is required to help, but when it is randomly offered, the action means that much more. 


I am so moved when people randomly offer to help, whether it is the biggest or smallest act. I am striving to pay it forward as well.

Whether it is a note just to say hi, bringing a plate of cookies, helping carry a heavy load, loading your bags at the grocery store, a long phone call for no reason at all...

or my personal favorite, just a big smile and a positive attitude. Who doesn't ever need that!

To me, those random acts are the things that I always remember about a person.

How about you? Have you had many random acts of kindness lately? Or have you acted randomly? (It's ok to say that you have!)

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're all getting through the week well!

~Susan

Thursday Thoughts

image via pinterest

I think that this is one of the best reminders that I could have for this week. I have to remind myself not to be afraid of standing up for myself, not to be afraid of what the future holds, not to be afraid or feel like I am not good enough and not be afraid that I will fail.

We just cannot be afraid. 

When I found this on pinterest, I was really struck by it, and everyday since I have urged myself to be not afraid. I hope you all will not be afraid either. Being fearless takes time, faith, and guts, but I think all of us need a little fearlessness in our lives. Just a tad, for good measure. I urge you all, be not afraid, and put your faith in someone or something that you can fall back on. It will really change your life if you do.

I have to say that I'm still learning to this day to not be afraid to say no, or be more assertive with my beliefs. It's the hardest thing for me, and it hurts a little, but I know that I am better off.

How are you fearless?

Happy Thursday? Any thoughts to share? I hope you're all having wonderful weeks!

~Susan

Beat the Winter Blues!

A lot of us feel kind of down after the holidays. We've enjoyed spending so much time with family and friends, eating delicious big meals, and having celebrations quite often for about a month and then all the sudden it's gone. We're back to reality: working, taking classes, stress piles up and often times, we get a little bit depressed. Here's what I do to beat the winter blues:

Source: thealternativebride.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

I like to go to bed early (I know, Grandma move right here!). Partially why I do this is because I've had such a big day and I'm tired, but also going to bed early means that I am able to get more rest and feel more energized for these days that sometimes seem to drag, and I feel great when I do it!

Source: purlbee.com via Susan on Pinterest

I knit (when my free time allows me!). Having an activity like knitting not only passes the time but it also goes with the theme of the season. I feel like bad winter days (those days that are too cold, or maybe even too warm) don't exist when I'm knitting and that only the happy kind are on their way (and hopefully they will be!)

Source: thepastryaffair.com via Susan on Pinterest

I indulge in little pleasures. I make myself a hot chocolate for dessert, eat a little bit of cookie dough, play outside on a good winter day, make a warm meal or take a long walk. Those little things get me through and enjoy the season the way it's supposed to be.

Source: curvecreation.tumblr.com via Tara on Pinterest

I also exercise frequently! Not only is it a good way to be energized, healthy and pumped up, but I'll be ready for spring and summer when I use my body way more. I prepare myself for the warm months ahead when I know I do lots of physical activities all in one day, something that usually does not happen this time of year.

These little things just work for me. Making myself feel good in whatever way I can helps sometimes when it feels like winter is just a bit too long.

How do you beat the winter blues?


~Susan

Cold December Nights!

Happy December 1st! I've been looking out for December for awhile, and I'm actually glad to see it, I hope you all are as well. Here's just a few things that I love about December:

• Hot cocoa is acceptable any time!
• Homemade marshmallows
• Ice skating season
• Scarves, scarves and more knit scarves!
• Wishlists
• Helping Others
• Baking. 
• lots and LOTS of baking
• Gift exchanges
• Christmas Music
• Ugly Christmas sweaters (and cute ones too)
• First snows (we still really haven't had one yet!)
• Big dinners
• Holiday cards
• The fight for the picture of the holiday card!
• Warm blankets
• Holiday concerts
• Watching the Holiday and It's a Wonderful Life
• Decorating the tree
• Ringing in a new year
• Cold December Nights

My list could probably go on and on about how much I love December. It's such a beautiful time, and Michael Bublé's new song Cold December Nights is my new favorite song. I don't usually attach videos, but if you haven't heard this yet, you need to. You'll keep it on repeat!

Happy December ladies!

~Susan

Happy November!

Happy November! Seriously I can't believe that it has come, it's ridiculous that it's finally here. Also, in addition to one of my favorite holidays being seriously right around the corner, Thanksgiving, it is also birthday month for me! I've got awhile (it's on November 30th, so trust me we have some time and you'll be hearing about it! I love birthdays, not just for me but being able to celebrate with people I love is probably my favorite part about them.

But really, Thanksgiving!! How quickly has this fall gone? I feel like we've barely had fall (maybe because I've been too busy to notice!). But here's some things I've been enjoying as of late:

Visits with family. Like I said Ellen and Cody came down last weekend and we had a blast. I wish we had more than just one weekend.

Source: ebm.cheetahmail.com via Erin on Pinterest

Still getting Halloween gifts from my aunt. Mmmmm Starbucks! Who's excited for those holiday cups and soon to come peppermint mochas? McDonald's has already started making theirs, I noticed the other day when I popped in there. Seems a little early McDonald's, but I can't wait to get in the holiday spirit.

Josh Groban's pandora station. Yes, call me a sap. But honestly, that voice makes me melt. On it also you will find Michael Buble and instrumental piano music. Again, like I said I'm a sap but I don't care. Oh also, side note but Michael Buble's new Christmas CD is out. Guess what is on this girl's birthday wish list?

Source: jcrew.com via Claire on Pinterest

Bringing out the puffy vest. It's been my perfect outer layer over my merino wool sweaters.

75% off candy at the grocery store. Bring on Junior Mints and M&Ms that I will be enjoying for a long while. (I freeze my chocolate so it lasts longer! It's a good trick for all you chocoholics out there like myself!)

Fall bandy bark! Maybe I should take my candy and put it to good use with this!

Source: annies-eats.net via Nicole on Pinterest

And here's what I've really been wanting to enjoy:

Actually having time to watch TV. Man it's been so long I don't even know what's happening in anything anymore. I can't wait for Thanksgiving break. Serious catch up time for this girl. I am wanting some serious TLC tv time, as well as Pan Am, X Factor, Glee, and I even have yet to watch the finale of Project Runway! Don't tell me who won please!

Source: bloomingdales.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Knitting. I haven't picked up the needles in about a month. Ahhhhhh I'm dying here! Maybe this weekend this will have to be mandatory. I need to keep going with all of those Christmas gifts I'm planning on making! Aren't those scarves gorgeous??

Source: katespade.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: katespade.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 I have a few thank you notes to write and I absolutely love stationary and writing letters. I better get on these before I fall into "bad manners" territory!

Long phone calls with my girlfriends. Seriously, I can't go this long without those amazing phone calls. If any of you are reading this, I promise I'll call you!!

So there's a little catch up on what I've been up to lately. What have you been up to? I'm so out of touch and miss commenting on everybody's beautiful blogs!

Happy Thursday!

~Susan

Always Remember..

Here's a quick thought to jumpstart your Mondays! Keep your strength and believe in your best qualities. We are all beautiful in so many different ways. Weekend Highlight is coming later today and you don't want to miss it! I'll be sharing my favorite recipes from my big brunch this weekend!

~Susan

Take your own best advice

I really want to believe in myself every single day.

and I try to.

Really, I do.

But sometimes (this weekend for example) it's just been difficult and sometimes the advice that I give others is hard to give myself. I called my best friend on the phone last night because I was a tad bit sad, and no one can make you feel better like your good pal. She was telling me things that I usually would tell myself. For some reason, last night it sounded better coming from someone else than hearing it in my end from me. I told her that I know she wouldn't use this same advice that was applicable to her life. I told her that she should take her own best advice.

I should take mine too.

In fact, we all should really.

Because in our hearts, we all really know what is best for ourselves. We sometimes just don't want to hear it all the time. So here's my own best advice (that I really need to take right now):

1. Stay organized! Don't let "stuff" get the better of you. It just makes you feel better everyday if you are neat. 
2. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN! Somewhere. Anywhere. Or virtually write it. (I'm partial to actually writing it, but still). If you write it down, and look at the places that you write things, you won't forget anything.
3. Stay on top of your work. When I mean work, I mean anything from your day job commitments to your church commitments, or even if you're a student like me and working. Stay on top of it and don't let procrastination get the better of you!
4. Have a good cry. Seriously, I think I've had my fair share this weekend and though I've felt a little down, it has made me feel a little better. Don't let your feelings bottle up inside you, because that makes you feel even worse. 
5. Vent on the phone to someone for even five minutes, even if it's just to a person's answering machine. You're getting your frustrations out vocally and that's the most important thing (you could also just do this on a sheet of paper too, or just talk out loud when no one's in the room).
6. Unwind and relax. Seriously, does this need to even be said? Take a walk, enjoy the fall colors, and know that this bit of relaxation is good for you. Don't make yourself feel guilty about it.
7. Have a pumpkin latte. Or two. 

Again, I'm no professional, but I know my faults and what has not been working for me lately, and I thought I would share that with all of you. That being said, here's something else I would say: 

Source: forthedream.tumblr.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: designblossom.tumblr.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: getfitgetskinny.tumblr.com via Susan on Pinterest

So there's my advice to take your own best advice. We all need to do that every once and awhile!

Happy Tuesday (and a four day work week!)

~Susan

"Pass it on..."

So remember how yesterday I said that I read a book over the weekend? The book is called Heaven is for Real and fate must have had some weird place in this somewhere. Some teachers and I were talking about this book and how they all loved it and how I really should read it in my free time. Free time? Yes, well mine's pretty much non-existent right now, so I was like ok I will when I have time. So I kept the title in mind.

Friday night came along and my train was an hour and a half late. Yep. I was sitting at the train station for what seemed like forever, in the dry Central Illinois heat. Turns out that train tracks retain heat and when they get too hot, they move outwards. Trains can only go at about 45 mph when it's that hot because if they go any faster, they won't stay on the tracks. Anyway, when I finally boarded my train to Chicago, I found a seat next to an older gentleman. Once I sat down, he started talking about how long he'd been on the train and we exchanged pleasantries and he asked me a little bit about myself.

Granted, I'd never met this man before. He was a complete stranger. We were both excited though since we were both headed to see family. But I needed something to pass the time before getting there, so I took out a book to read trying to plan lessons for the next week. All of the sudden, the man says, "Do you read religious books?" I said that I like reading lots of different books and that I like the bible. He says, quite sincerely, "I got this book today from a friend and you look like you need it right now. I'd like you to have it." I have to say that I was shocked. A complete stranger was giving me this NY Times Best Selling Book that he hadn't even read yet. I was overwhelmed, and tired, but of course said yes. He was pretty happy to see me accept it, so I started reading it.

If you haven't read this book yet, I recommend it. It's such a quick read about a family whose son has to be hospitalized for a terrible illness. While the boy is in surgery, his father, who just happens to be a very religious pastor, is asking God why He has done this to his son. The father finds out that while his son was in surgery, he had taken a trip to heaven and back again, telling his dad that he had met Jesus while he was there. I don't want to give it away, but it is such a sweet, true story about his ordinary little boy who has had quite an extraordinary journey. So pick it up if it sounds interesting to you!

When the man's stop approached, I asked him if he wanted the book back, he said no. He instead said that I should pass it on to someone who feels like they needed it.

Ok, so I know to some this sounds like a creepy story. I assure you it's not! It was actually quite sweet. So I'm waiting with the book, seeing who I think will need it next. I mean this encounter was something straight out of a movie (which stuff like that never happens to me! trust me). Has anyone ever experienced kindness from a stranger like that? It's something I know I'll never forget.

Happy Thursday!
~Susan

Knitting Update

I was a knitting fiend on my trip! Seriously I thought this afghan was going to knit itself I was going so fast. However, I've kind of hit a lull right now. I've been so busy with reading, practicing and preparing for other things that I've put it on the back burner. But I'm ready to get back on it and keep going! I'm getting pretty close. Well kind of. Here's what it looks like right now:

It's going to be 3 squares by 3 squares, so I'm just about halfway there. It's part acrylic part wool so that I'll be able to wash it easily and it's in a basket weave stitching, which I've always liked and it's rather easy to do. So far I'm loving it and can't wait to keep going. Hopefully I'll be done by Christmas (though I always say that!). It'll be a nice gift to myself that I know I'll enjoy for a long time.

Do you ever start something and then say you're going to finish it right away but it takes you forever and a day? (This may be me on some projects, not going to lie!)

The room is finally coming together, and I have to say for a small space, it's looking pretty good! I have to say, Kate Spade ads in magazines have really helped out my wall! I'm loving it.  Thankfully, my early wake up call was made easier by all of this construction right outside my window. What a joy!

Have terrific Tuesdays everyone!

~Susan