Thursday, July 22, 2010

Random Act of Kindness- A Magical Metal Message

(Please read the important UPDATE at the bottom of this post!)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember a while back when I wrote a post about Random Acts of Kindness, and the one that changed our lives a couple years ago?

Well, something like that happened again today,
and because your my BFF in the WWW

(That's "whole wide world", not "world wide web".
Although.
Wait a second.
That would kinda make sense too, huh?
Neat!)

Anywho, because you're my BFFITWWW- I just had to show you what I found in my mailbox today!

Let me start off by saying, a mere 5 months ago, a trip to our new mailbox meant bundling up and running out to it as fast as I could so that I could get back in the house, and out of the cold.

Photobucket

These days, on the other hand, a trip to the mailbox means figuring out how little clothing I can wear without getting arrested, and running out to it as fast as I can so I can get back in the house, and out of the heat.

Okay, so I'm exaggerating a little.

But dude- I'm serious...it's BLAZIN' in Bama right now!
It was 97 degrees before I even got out of bed this morning.

Holy Heatwave Batman!

The air was so heavy I probably could've swam to the mailbox if I knew how to do that kinda thing.

(Hi. I'm Layla, and I don't float.)

Anywhooooo....when I opened the mailbox (a.k.a. "scalding hot metal container") today, I found a little, yellow bubble envelope (a.k.a "bubble-ope") waiting for me inside.

It didn't have a return address on it...

Photobucket

...so I was dyin' to know who it was from and what was in it!

I ran/swam back to the house and ripped open my mysterious bubble-ope, and discovered this 4" x 6" metal greeting card inside of it...

Photobucket

There was a handwritten note on the flip side...

Photobucket

How sweet is that!?

And what a cool card, right?

Of course I HAD to know more about "tin can inspriations"...

Photobucket

...so I typed it into Google (and I even spelled "inSPRIations" the way they did), but nothing came up.

Photobucket

So I asked my trusty sidekick to see if he could find anything, and bless his heart, he somehow found their AMAZING site, and this AMAZING video...



So to YOU (my BFFITWWW)...

and to the kind, anonymous, soul who sent that darling metal card...

and to all the other lovelies that have reached out to me through the mail over the last couple of years...

Thank you for brightening my existence!




Photobucket





PS- I just spent an hour scouring the Live-Inspired site, and I just bought like SEVENTEEN items for just $28 bucks!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDITED 7/22/2010 at 7:00 pm CST:

I just got an email from the wonderful folks at Compendium (Live-Inspired.com), and they would like to extend a 10% Lettered Cottage reader discount to anyone who is interested in purchasing any of their products, starting right now, through December 31st, 2010!
So if you haven't already visited- I encourage you to check them out, or if you already placed an order, but didn't get everything you wanted (like me!)- here are the details about the discount:

When you're ready to check out online, there will be a place to enter the code...

letteredcottage

...at the same time you enter your mailing address.

The code should be entered exactly as I’ve typed it above.

Make sure to check and see that the 10% discount has been applied before you make a payment.
(The discount will appear in red lettering on the payment screen).

If you are concerned that it doesn’t seem to be working, please feel free to give the sweet folks at Compendium a call at (800) 914-3327.
They will be happy to make sure it’s correct.

(Note: This discount cannot be applied to orders placed before 7:00 pm CST on July 22. Also, they can’t apply the discount after payment has been made, so make sure you check that it's there before you pay!)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This post brought to you by...

Photobucket

and...

Photobucket

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Need help arranging your furniture?

Need design help?

Check out my e-book!

42 comments:

Miranda @ Pressing On said...

That video is so inspiring!!

And to the person who sent Layla the tin can board....you are awesome!

Layla, I get the swimming thing. We're in OK, and it's nasty here. Combine that with the mosquitos thriving in the air, and it is miserable. I leave the house as little as possible. My poor kids.

kerrie elaine said...

so amazing, sweet Layla <3

Cristi said...

Wow do I adore your blog. I love when i stumble upon an amazing blog!
You have one very sweet follower and I just love the card!! Going no to check them out but not before I follow you!
Hugs,
Cristi

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

That is really cool. Isnt it amazing...this thing called blogging? Who would have thought it would turn into something so inspirational.

Angela said...

It was great to wake up and see your blog this morning. Thanks for sharing, not only the "fun", but the inspirational! My day has started off on the right foot! (bare, of course, but not for long)

KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFanna said...

I love that Picasso quote! I'd never heard it before.

Layla, I just read your Christmas Eve story for the first time, and it was such a tear jerker! I (totally!) respect you and Kevin for sticking it out and figuring out a way to make things work, rather than bailing.

Way to take the high road, both financially and creatively. I agree with you anonymous sender; both brave and inspirational.

Kelly

Bonita Rose said...

such a great quote and what a thoughtful gift! COmpendium is one awesome company! What a beautiful gesture to whoever gave u that special gift... now I'm curious.. what did u order???

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Layla...I not only love looking at your blog but I love the way you write too! You have a real "knack"! ~Hugs, Patti

Anonymous said...

What an amazing gift you have received. Thank you for sharing your talents with us each day here on this blog!

Preppy Mama said...

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Jade @ Flip Flops + Pearls Design said...

That is really cool! It is always nice to get unexpected surprises like that! That feeling will last you a lifetime too!

michelle said...

That is so great! It is nice to see people and their random acts of kindness! We need that more and more these days!

{Emily} said...

This is amazing. I am at a point in my life where I needed this so, so badly. Thank you for continuing to inspire me Layla! ♥

http://www.regenthillphotography.com

Stacey said...

Thanks so much for posting this. I cried and then I cried some more. Sometimes I just feel so small in this big world and so this was great! Cheers. Stacey

Cyndi said...

Beautiful..
Thank you for Sharing this viedo.
I too love your blog and look forward to reading/watching it.

Bonnie said...

Layla,
Your recommendation today did some damage to my credit card! I loved the site and bought lots and lots of those tin post cards. I just wish they were not sold out of the "5" book. I am going to try and find it locally. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Wow. What an amazing video. Thank you for sharing YOUR gift with us. You inspire me every day :)
Kai

Simply LKJ said...

How awesome is that! You are an inspiration to many Layla. The card is so neat!! I will have to look into those. I can think of a few people who I'd like to send a "mailbox surprise". What a great idea!!

Duly Inspired said...

What a wonderful gesture one of your readers made! And because of that person and your sharing, I have spent the past 30 minutes at that website and bought two birthday gifts and some wonderful cards. Happiness!

Suzanne said...

Thank you for inspiring me. What a wonderful thing your BFF... did for you. Seriously, so kind, but what I love about this post is that you passed it on to all of us so that we could benefit from it as well. It's made me want to be better, and next time I'm in line at a drive-through I want to pay for the person/people behind me. A surprise in the mailbox sounds fun too. Thanks for sharing.

Teresa said...

I think it is just wonderful when people go out of there way to do nice things...thanks for sharing your "happy" surprise. I think I will be sharing this little video on my blog or fb
I bet it's nice to know that someone out there appreciates what you do....and when the gift is sent "anonymous" makes it more special... =}
Happy Day

Heather said...

I love this idea. It is so rare to get anything but bills or spam in the mailbox, so a nice little (random-act-of-kindness)surprise is always uplifting. It reminds me of the movie "Pay it Forward". I love your blog and I have followed it since I bought my own fixer-upper a few months back. Thank you for all of your inspiration!! inklingdesigner

Louise said...

I couldn't believe the story of how you were behind and considering a BK and felt you had no GOOD options! JUST LOOK AT YOU NOW! It is easy to look at someone doing well and assume they have always "had it made" to some degree. We are behind with the mortgage, banks will NOT help, facing foreclosure of the house I have poured my heart into over the years, looking seriously at a BK (don't know how to avoid it at this point) and feeling so, so, so negative. I need to find some positivity that is for sure!

Susan Clinkscales said...

Thank you so much for sharing that video, Layla! I really needed that today. :)

Kimberly@theunweddingblog said...

This company is going to be wondering the reason behind the sudden spike in sales - I just ordered a bunch also! Thank you for an inspiring post.

Kate Riley said...

Wonderful video ! I've seen those products here and there, and now I know where they come from, thanks so much for sharing.
xo
Kate

MsMica said...

Soooo, I clicked the live-inspired.com link you posted, only expecting to see more 'Tinspirations'.
Why was one of the first things I saw 'The 5 book' one of my closet friends just gave me last week!
((http://www.live-inspired.com/The-5-book-by-Dan-Zadra-P13))
Now I need to go home and actually read it!
Great post, again!
MsM.

Betsy said...

Ahhhh....so that's how you found the engagement video you posted on FB!! How fun!!

The blog world is one area of technology that I love, love, love!!

I don't have one of my own, but I sure enjoy reading other people's!

LacyHolly said...

This is awesome! Very sweet of someone to send that to you! That video is amazing :)

Unknown said...

So sweet. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time today I guess. That beautiful video is just what I needed today. :) Thanks for sharing.

Jami

Renae said...

Layla, I never knew. I just figured you were this always-has-it-together-gorgeous-hard-working-lucky-in-life-and-love girl! Congratulations for keeping your heart open...wonderful things are happening to you! And your readers reap the benefits. Thank you!!

Momma Rhyne said...

That video is truely inspring... is that a typo or am I just really slow? LOL. Either way, it's great!

Barbara said...

Just what I needed today after giving away something that had brightened my heart - but someone else needed more. Please come read my blog about the "rescue" and learn what is turning into a horrifying scam in most major cities. http://i-am-is-my-blog.blogspot.com/ And while you are there, please vote on my poll regarding my bathroom cabinet. Thank you for sharing that with us Layla.

Anonymous said...

Hoping they'll apply an after the fact discount. Fingers crossed. I should send you a card telling you how much you inspire me, too! To spend that is! LOL

Ann said...

I just emailed the video to my 3 sons. They are all just starting out in life, in their 20's. Told them my gift to the world was them. Thanks, Layla, for sharing with us and for sharing your story. You keep being who you are and more good things will come to you and Kevin.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Love it! Thanks for sharing that inspirational message!

Patinaware said...

That video was beautiful; and SO needed right now.

Thanks 4 sharing ♥

Unknown said...

Thanks for the awesome link. I already ordered some very inspiring birthday cards but without the 10 percent off and it was totally worth it!

CalleLillyCafe said...

My girls & I still love good old fashioned snail mail. It just means someone thought that much more of you & took the time to do so! Love that card! =)

Ashley said...

I loved reading the story on Lysa's website about a random act of kindness that you experienced on Christmas Eve... I've been feeling the same way lately. I've been unemployed for a year in the architecture field... and don't think I want to return for so many of the reasons that you talk about on Lysa's website. (Because true peace and happiness can be found in providing peace and happiness to others.) I'd love to figure out how I'm going to add value to others lives.

Fortunately, my husband does have a pretty good job... but even his money doesn't pay all of our bills with money left over for food. I keep hoping to figure out how to best make use of my skills and abilities while serving others and making them smile!! That's so important to me... I feel like my time is wasted if I can't add value to others lives!

Love love love your blog.... thanks for the continuous inspiration.

Holly @ Roller Coaster Life said...

This is so great! I have a couple people I would love to send a nice something to! But have no idea how to get their address! I wonder how they found yours?!

Renee said...

You guys are awesome...love the live inspired site!! Just what I needed for a kick in the butt:) Your site continues to inspire me, so thank you!!!

Renee