Friday, December 4, 2009

Good News and More Good News


Don't you just love some good news? I have some to share with my friends in Bloggyland this evening! (And, yes, I have the hymn with that catchy title just playing my head!!) First of all, I received two items of interest in the mail this afternoon. It truly was hard not to do a happy dance standing out in the street! So, instead, I tore into the envelopes standing in my driveway just to end the waiting.

Envelope #1 was from Nice Lady that I posted about last week...the one who had my chairs and fabric that she was going to slipcover back in January, and they burned up in her warehouse fire. Y'all, bless her heart! She sent me the sweetest card and enclosed was a check to cover my losses!!!!!! YES!!! People still make and keep promises! Love it! "I desire to do Your will, o my God; Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8. Praying to do His will by encouraging her and praying for her and believing her became part of my heartfelt routine. I truly want to believe the best in people.

Envelope #2 was from the State Department of South Carolina. It was quite an official looking document from the Secretary of State! I kept looking for a stamp on the paper saying"denied." But, glory! It was approved! Y'all, I have an official, real-live business license for Susan Hood Photography!!! Whoohoo! I think I'll frame it and put it over our bed! Just kidding! I'll be working on the website over the weekend.

Third--not in an envelope this time--was a beautiful gift from a darlin' girl that I met in my favorite store (Hobby Lobby). Last week, I was wandering through the decorative picks to jazz up last year's wreaths. I was admiring the pretty ribbons while chatting with the other ladies on the aisle about Christmas projects. I love getting new ideas and meeting new people! Well, this girl started talking to me about the picks that I had in my hand. Long story short, she is a PROFESSIONAL tree decorator for our town's festival of trees! She has some on displayat the Hyatt and the Hampton Inn! Impressive. I plan on checking them out this weekend.
Anyhow, she talked me into putting down my cutesy little picks and letting her create 2 wreaths for me--for free! It's the "pay it forward" attitude! Wow! A complete stranger offering to make my boring wreaths all fru-fru! I dropped off the wreaths yesterday morning and picked them up today....she's fast! Take a look at what she did:
They lead into the study which is decorated in black, pink and green. Susan colors!!
They had to match my window mistreatments (thank you, Nester!!) in paisley and embellished with hot glued fringe! No sewing there, people!
She even used fringe from the fabric department instead of garland-y stuff (which I do love!) That's being creative--definitely thinking outside the box.
OK, reflection of it in the mirror in the hallway. I just love it! She truly has a gift and is so willing to share it with strangers. This is a huge lesson that I will share and pay forward to others. But I wanted to share it with you all first. :)
Enjoy the weekend! Think of ways to serve a stranger and pay it forward!
Next week, I want to try using MR. LINKY to do a post on favorite Christmas recipes. Pull out your recipe boxes for those tried and true ones to share. I want those recipes that your great aunt Doralyn (or whomever!) passed down to you or your mom or your dad--nothing brand new!! Promise??? I'll plan on seeing y'all back here on Tuesday--maybe I can figure out the linky thingie by then---if not, I'll be hollering at some of you savvy bloggers!
Sweet Blessings!

11 comments:

Andrea said...

WOW..what a wonderful day.
Blessings and prayers, andrea

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

A good day all around! What fun...

~elaine

Loved getting your call the other day.

Amy said...

That is some fabulous news all the way around. I love the wreaths and your curtains. I will try to remember to get my recipe in.
Blessings,
Amy

Laura said...

I'm looking at your window treatments thinking, wow...now that's Christmas!

Beautiful touches, what a great pay-it-forward gift! Dontcha just love Christmas?

Getting in the spirit...

Andrea said...

You have an award on arise 2 write.
andrea

Beth E. said...

You are a girl after my own heart! I don't sew, either. I also glue! Duct tape works, too. ;-)

Your wreaths are beautiful. I was in Hobby Lobby yesterday, but no one offered to make any wreaths for ME...timing is everything, I guess!

Congratulations on getting the check and your license!

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

You had a great day, my friend. That's awesome about the check! I wondered what ever became of that. :). And CONGRATS!!!!! On the new business. I adore your new wreaths-what a wonderful deed. Talk about a "perfect" stranger. ;). You deserve a day filled with so many wonderful things. Love ya!

Unknown said...

The wreaths are just beautiful. How wonderful for you! Don't you just love surprises like that? And congratulations on the check in the mail and the business license too!

Sometimes it seems like my life hinges on the mail. Since I'm a freelance writer, I can get checks and contracts in the mail or I can get rejection notices. Sometimes it's showers of blessings, other days not so much. But I'm so glad your mail (and a new surprise friend) brought you some good blessings!

Mary Singer Wick said...

How beautiful, Susan!

Just posted an entry on being more like Martha than my namesake, Mary. Hope you like the photo of me taking in living water from heaven near one of God's creations! Thinking of you as I decorate my house.

God bless you!

Mary

Unknown said...

Whoo-Hoo!!! You go girl! I can't wait to see your Photography website!

What a wonderful day of blessings for you, sweet one.

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca

Annette said...

Those wreaths are beautiful and go perfectly with those fun and fantastic drapes! What great blessings! Thanks for visiting my blog. And I ordered the vinyl letters from my scrapbook club: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/barbarascircle - but I have also seen similiar styles at Hobby Lobby and Kohl's.