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!

Waves of Grief

Almost nine years on

And I am

Feeling the grief

All over again

 

I wish you were

Still here with me

I wish I could

Talk to you again

Hug you again

See you again

 

The first year without you

Was the hardest thing to do

 

And now it feels

Almost like that again

 

It is so hard

To express

What I am feeling

What I am going through

To others

 

The one I really

Want to talk to

Is the one that

I am grieving for

 

Some days

I wish someone

Would ask me

How I am really doing

 

And I wish

I could just

Open up

 

Let my grief out

And let loved ones in

 

I miss you so much

That it hurts

As much as when

You first left

 

This summer

Has made me realize

Just how much

I need you

How much I love you

How much I wish

That you were

Still here with us

 

How much you mean to me

 

Experiencing

Hearing about

What we

Get to do in life

 

The little things

As well as the big things

That you should have

Been here for

 

This grief

Has been coming

in waves

And I have

Been hurting

Crying

Missing you

 

It has been overwhelming

At times

 

But I know

You are fine

That you are

Not sick

Or suffering

Anymore

 

That you are

Finally at rest

And at peace

 

But it is hard

For me to let go

Of the grief

That I am experiencing

Because you

Are in Heaven

And not here

On earth

 

It is hard

For me

To know that

My confidant

My best friend

Is gone

Is not by my side anymore

 

I love you so much, Mom

And I can't wait

To see you again

One day

Things That Made Me Happy in September

Here is what made me happy this month:

• Going to ukulele nights
• A little girl asking me if she could check out a book from the library
• Going to Joni and Friends Walk 'n Roll
• One of the people at the Walk 'n Roll giving me multiple hugs throughout the event
• Seeing the Downton Abbey movie in theaters, with friends (I loved the movie!!)

September was pretty slow for me, for the most part, which is actually a good thing. I needed this slower pace, so I could relax and process everything that went on in the previous months.

50 Things About Me

It has been a long time since I have done an About Me list, so I figured I would do another one.

In no particular order, here are fifty things about me:

1. I am the youngest of five
2. I have a baking certificate, and hope to get my degree one day
3. I love to bake (hence the certificate)
4. I love photography, and taking pictures
5. I love to write
6. I love to read
7. I am very shy when I first meet people
8. I am a huge Harry Potter fan
9. I love to travel
10. I love things that glow in the dark
11. I love magnets/magnetic things
12. I love to swim
13. I can roll my tongue
14. I was/am a Girl Scout (once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout!!)
15. I have never been outside of the U.S., and would love to travel to other countries one day
16. I prefer text messages over phone calls
17. I played the violin when I was in elementary school, and wish to play again
18. I prefer long hair over short
19. My favorite color is purple
20. I love beads
21. My favorite TV shows are Downton Abbey, Lost, Call the Midwife, Bonanza (yes, Bonanza!!), Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, Once Upon a Time, Outlander, The Great British Baking Show, and Gilmore Girls
22. My favorite foods are pasta, tacos, tandoori chicken, spicy foods
23. My favorite class in elementary through high school was art, and my favorite classes in college were Chocolate and Cake Decorating
24. I broke my right arm when I was in first grade
25. I love cheesecake
26. I love bullet journaling (I found out about this, purely by coincidence, about 3 years ago)
27. I love rainy days
28. My favorite animals are dogs, horses and polar bears
29. My favorite/lucky number is 14
30. My favorite season is either spring or fall
31. I am very empathetic (I get upset/start crying when I see other people upset or hurt)
32. I love composition notebooks
33. I love country music
34. I love Christian rock music
35. My favorite musical artists are Andrea Bocelli, Francesca Battistelli, Garth Brooks, Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder, Imagine Dragons, Josh Groban and the Harp Twins
36. I love teddy bears
37. In my lifetime, I have had 4 cats (which includes the two I currently have), a hamster, and two hermit crabs
38. I am a major night owl (I don't get how some people can be so cheery/talkative in the morning)
39. I love water bottles (I probably have 6 or 7 reusable water bottles at the moment)
40. I finally got to go to a Joni and Friends retreat this year, as an STM
41. I never really liked school all that much until I got to college
42. I love making lists
43. I love thrift stores
44. I am trying to learn to love myself (I don't have very much confidence in/love for myself)
45. I prefer country living over city living
46. My biggest fears are heights, spiders and death
47. I love Sudoku
48. I am an introvert
49. I love jigsaw puzzles
50. I love to write down my dreams in a journal

I may do another About Me post, if I think of enough things to make a post about it, but this is pretty much me!

Dear Summer

Dear Summer,

 

Thank you for all of the wonderful memories

I was able to make.

From college graduation

My very first Joni and Friends Retreat (where I met

and made friends with some amazing people!!)

Going to a professional baseball game with friends

My very first Joni and Friends Walk and Roll

Seeing the Downton Abbey movie in theaters with friends

Ukulele nights with friends

 

It was a wirlwind of activities

That I am thankful to have been a part of

It took a great deal of courage for me

To take the steps

To be able to go to the Retreat

As I am a very shy and introverted person

And I tend to play it safe a lot

 

I didn't know anyone that was going

And wasn't able to drive myself there

So I had to take it upon myself

To find a way there

 

Meeting the people at Retreat

Made me so grateful

That I took the chance

To step out of my comfort zone

(WAY out of my comfort zone!!!)

To come to something

That is change my life for good

 

Thank you for giving me these amazing opportunities

That I may not have had otherwise

Thank you for allowing me to face my fears

Of meeting new people

Of traveling and staying somewhere

Completely on my own

Of overcoming my shyness enough

Of giving me time with friends

Both new and old

 

Thank you for new memories

That I will look back fondly on

And the people that I got to spend time with

 

Thank you for the places I got to go

Things I got to do and see and experience

Thank you for everything