Things That Made Me Happy in October

Here is what made me happy this month:

• Seeing Joker in theaters with one of my brothers
• Getting a pumpkin for Halloween
• Getting, and putting together, a Halloween gingerbread house kit
• A little girl (probably around 18 months or so) saying hi to me, while I was shelving items at work
• Buying baked goods from a local kid, for his gymnastics team
• Handing out candy on Halloween
• Hearing a little girl singing the If You're Happy and You Know It song, with the clapping motions to go along with it

Again, not much happened this month. I needed (and prefer) the slower pace that these last couple of months have brought (even though I enjoyed the summer months, and all that came with them).

I can't believe it's already the holiday season now!! Where has the time gone?!

YouTube Channel Favorite: Special Books by Special Kids (SBSK)

I have been following Special Books by Special Kids (SBSK) for at least a year, and I absolutely love what Chris is doing!

On his channel, he interviews people from around the country (and even other parts of the world), who have disabilities, or are going through something that makes them different.

Chris is very patient, caring, funny, and nice to all he interviews, and he even includes family members of the people he interviews, and talks to them as well.

He interects with those in each video, and talks to them, on their level, and he thanks them for their time with him.

I love how he is so compassionate with everyone he meets, and I wish other people were more like him!!

For several months now, YouTube has shut down the comments to his videos, saying that "people can use the comments section of his channel, to prey on minors."

I can understand that to a point, but there are so many more good, caring people than bad, who want to reach out to the people who Chris has on his channel. It makes things so much more difficult than it has to be.

So if you are able, please reach out to YouTube in some way, to ask them to reinstate the comments section of Chris's channel, as the comments are so beneficial to Chris, and the people he interviews.

The World Needs More Love Letters

A few years back, I stumbled across an organization called The World Needs More Love Letters, and instantly fell in love with it.

I wrote letters to several people who were having a hard time, thru this program, but forgot about it for quite some time now, until I was searching for ideas for random acts of kindness, and rediscovered More Love Letters.

Basically, someone can write in to them, saying that they, or someone they know, are going through a hard time, and would like letters of encouragement.

Their story and address is then posted on the website, and people can choose to write them a letter, to help them get thru whatever it is they are going thru.

I really like this idea, and plan on getting back into writing letters to people, to encourage and help them out.

If you are able, please try and write at least one letter to someone. It may make all the difference in that person's life.

My 30-Something Bucket List

• Become a better cake decorator
• Take better photographs
• Learn to sew
• Write and publish a book
• Read more often
• Go to a concert of one of my favorite artists
• Save more money
• Exercise more often
• Decorate a cake with fondant
• Make new friends
• Travel to at least one state I have never been to
• Become more fluent in Spanish
• Take a road trip with friends
• Relearn to play the violin
• Become fluent in Sign Language
• Become fluent in Italian
• Be in a loving, healthy relationship with a significant other
• Get married
• Start a family
• Visit another country
• Make bread from scratch
• Get my driver's license
• See Hamilton
• Grow out my hair really long
• Go indoor skydiving
• Get a tattoo in memory of my mom
• Spend the day in the city
• Get my passport
• Buy myself a laptop
• Buy myself a DSLR
• Take better care of my skin
• Take better care of my hair
• Step out of my comfort zone more often
• Float in a sensory deprivation tank
• Get a massage
• Knit or crochet one thing a month
• Create my own vision board/notebook
• Reconnect with my old friends
• Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Visit Disney Land
• Visit Disney World
• Swim with dolphins
• Go whale watching
• Go horseback riding again
• Go ziplining
• Learn to play the piano
• Go paintballing
• Dye my hair purple
• Learn to play the ukulele
• Get my nose pierced
• Take self defense classes
• Participate in a color run
• Wear jewelry more often
• Learn to apply my makeup
• Learn to French braid
• Learn to do fishtail braiding
• Learn to do milkmaid braiding
• Spend Christmas and/or New Year's in a different city
• Write a heartfelt letter to my dad
• Learn to love myself
• Go white water rafting
• Have a water balloon fight
• Visit at least 3 states I have never been to
• Make pasta from scratch
• Learn to tie a tie
• Try skateboarding
• Go tubing
• Go to Great America again
• Go to a drive-in movie
• Participate in an Escape Room
• Go to a water park with friends
• Be a tourist in my own city
• Host a game night
• Host a craft night
• Do a photoshoot with friends
• Learn to surf (or try to)
• Try snowboarding
• Learn to use chopsticks
• Write a song
• Have a water gun fun
• Have a silly string fight
• Write in a journal again
• Paint-doodle on a white pair of shoes
• Have my own YouTube channel
• Pack and send out as many shoebox gifts as I can for Operation Christmas Child
• Celebrate my birthday in a new location
• Go whale watching
• Take an archery lesson
• Write 5 letters to people who have impacted my life, and mail them
• Get a henna tattoo
• Play lazer tag

Yes, this is a long list.

No, I don't expect to accomplish everything.

But, I want to do as many of these as I can.

People I Would Love to Meet Someday

I have never met anyone famous, and would love to meet at least one well-known person in my life.

In no particular order, here are the people I would love to meet someday:

• Maggie Smith
• Robbie Coltrane
• Francesca Battistelli
• Andrea Bocelli
• Josh Groban
• Garth Brooks
• Barack Obama and his family
• Joni Eareckson Tada
• Buddy Valastro
• J.K. Rowling
• Julie Andrews
• Ralph Fiennes
• Gary Oldman
• Tom Hanks
• Dolly Parton
• Camille and Kennerly Kitt (The Harp Twins)
• Morgan Freeman
• Jorge Garcia
• Julie Walters
• Warwick Davis
• Kenneth Branagh
• Jason Isaacs
• David Thewlis
• Emma Thompson
• David Tennant
• Brendan Gleeson
• Imelda Staunton
• Jim Carter (Mr. Carson in Downton Abbey)
• Helena Bonham Carter
• Jim Broadbent
• Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
• Will Smith
• Johnny Depp
• Chrissy Metz
• Keala Settle
• Chris Hemsworth
• Liam Hemsworth
• Robert Downey Jr.
• Jim Carrey
• Emma Watson
• Daniel Radcliffe
• Rupert Grint
• Hugh Jackman
• Ian McKellen
• Samuel L. Jackson
• Denzel Washington
• Sigourney Weaver
• Rowan Atkinson
• Chrissy Metz
• Gaelynn Lea

Ideas for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts

Several years ago, I found out about Operation Christmas Child, which is organized by Samaritan's Purse.

I was only able to make two shoebox gifts, on for a boy and one for a girl, a few years ago, and have been wanting to make more ever since.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry that collects gifts for children in need, all over the world.

The boxes are divided into 3 age groups for boys, and 3 for girls: 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14. The group that gets the least amount of gifts are boys ages 10-14, so if you are able, please consider packing shoeboxes for that group.

You can either use a standard shoe box that you get from shoe stores, or there is an option on the Operation Christmas Child website where you can purchase boxes/containers to use.

You can also order free materials here, to learn more about what they do.

Each year, there is a collection week throughout the country (this year, it is November 18-25), but you can also mail your boxes to their offices (you can go here for more information).

Here are some ideas of what you can put in the shoebox presents:

Girls

• Skirts
• Embroidery floss
• Beads
• Compact non-breakable mirror
• Notebooks
• Pencils
• Pens
• Markers
• Crayons
• Colored pencils
• Reusable menstrual pads (for older girls)
• Solar calculators
• Hair ties
• Water bottles
• Dolls
• Stuffed animal toys
• Watches
• Puzzles
• Cups
• Bowls
• Utensils
• Purses
• Backpacks
• Non-liquid lip gloss/balm
• Bouncy balls
• Frisbees
• Sewing kits
• Toothbrushes
• Bar soap
• Washcloths
• Shirts
• Jackets/coats
• Brush or comb
• Pencil sharpeners
• Nail clippers/files
• Deodorant (for older girls)
• Jump ropes
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Flip flops
• Loofahs
• Underwear
• Play Dough
• Hats
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Scarves
• Picture books
• Coloring books
• Erasers
• Stickers
• Headbands
• Band aids
• Recorder (the musical instrument)
• Barrettes
• Bracelets
• Glue sticks (no liquid glue)
• Pencil cases/pouches
• Blocks
• Cards (go fish, etc.)
• Small kites
• Play jewelry
• Scissors
• Rulers
• Mini chalkboards and chalk
• Pajamas
• Sports bras (for older girls)
• Matching games
• Plastic reusable dishes

Boys

• Shirts
• Shorts
• Underwear
• Deodorant (for older boys)
• Notebooks
• Pens
• Pencils
• Colored pencils
• Markers
• Crayons
• Pencil sharpeners
• Erasers
• Stickers
• Binoculars
• Solar calculators
• Brush or comb
• Water bottles
• Toothbrushes
• Bouncy balls
• Sport balls
• Stuffed animal toys
• Toy cars
• Bar soap
• Washcloths
• Socks
• Play Dough
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Flip flops
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Gloves
• Scarves
• Jump ropes
• Jacket/coat
• Picture books
• Coloring books
• Band aids
• Hacky sacks
• Recorder
• Harmonica
• Glue sticks (no liquid glue)
• Pencil cases/pouches
• Blocks
• Cards (go fish, etc.)
• Small kites
• Scissors
• Rulers
• Mini chalkboards and chalk
• Pajamas
• Matching games
• Plastic reusable dishes

DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Toothpaste
• Liquids
• Things that melt (like chocolate, etc.)
• War related items
• Weapons or blades
• Drink mixes
• Vitamins
• Aerosol cans
• Breakable items
• Candy
• Anything camoflauge
• No seeds or plants
• No used or damaged items
• No medicine
• No matches or lighters
• No sharp items

Please consider making shoebox presents for kids in need, as this presents may be the only time they may ever get anything new all year. It is well worth the time, money, and effort spent putting these together!