December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas Eve!
Just a quick blog today to remind you to leave your RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) comments from last week. Remember, we’re all trying to make December our month to go out of our way to pass on kindnesses (or “Pass the Cheer” as Starbucks advises.) I’ll announce the contest winner (drawn from all of today’s comments) on next Monday’s blog if I don’t blog again before then. I’ll have lots to tell you about when I get back!
I want to wish every one of you a blessed holiday season, with lots of special times with your families. (And a Merry Christmas!) We’ll have a whopping Sneak Up for you when things get back to normal after the holidays. (Probably the first full week of January.) The new Dream in Color colors arrived in Classy, as well as all of the Dream in Color Baby Lace. 
Plus, the Cherry Tree Hill DK weight one-of-a-kind colorways that we’ll have on sale for you, Romi’s gorgeous earrings and pins, Mountain Colors Bearfoot, and all of the things I listed in the last blog. Ohhh, it’s gonna be fun!
Sheri finishingordersfromtodaythengoinghometomakecookies!
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Angela said,
December 24, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Sheri, Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season! I am so thrilled to be included in the Loopy weekend. I can’t wait to see Loopy Central. And I can’t wait for the January sneakup. Just wanted to let you know that you and your shop has made such a difference in my “knitting life”. I have learned and grown so much as a knitter in the past year. I think I first ordered from you in March of this year, and now it seems I can’t let a sneakup go by without ordering something. On another note, I don’t have a specific RAK to report, but I have been trying to incorporate kindness into my every interaction with others (much easier said than done), but I’ve noticed that it is becoming more of a habit for me. Thanks for all you do.
Amy said,
December 24, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Merry Christmas!! I made it safely to Kansas last night and later this afternoon I’ll be going over to one of my mom’s brothers to celebrate with her side of the family. We are having a fun grab bag gift exchange. We all bought 10 $1 items at the the Dollar Store (or equivalent) and we’ll see what fun stuff there is to be had! And, lots of eating. I can’t wait for my grandma’s cheeseball – sooo good!
As for RAK, I had to take a taxi ride the other evening and I decided to leave a little extra tip in the spirit of giving!
Enjoy this time with your family and as Angela said, thanks for all you do – The Loopy Ewe is truly a special gift to us all… : )
Beth said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
Merry Christmas, and may the Joy that was born this season be in your hearts every day of the year!
Deranda Granade said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
A young African-American girl, around the age of 12, came into our local yarn store about two months ago wanting to learn how to knit. She can not afford to buy yarn so this past week, I took a check to the store and set up an account for her to purchase yarn. I feel we need to encourage young girls in knitting and I think I can help one to become a knitter.
Mickie Taylor said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Merry Christmas to you Sheri and to all of your wonderful family. The same for your elves too. Hope you have much continued happiness and joy through out the New Year. Hugs
Deb B (knitiot) said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
THere’s been lots of snow here in the past week or so. I have spent the week letting people go in front of my on the highway (which nobody does here) and overall just being a “friendly” driver on my commute to and from work. I wouldlike to see the ripple effect eventually!
I also brought and shared several WW friendly recipes at my meeting this week.
Merry Christmas!!
Bonnie said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Here is a kind of funny RAK story. Today, my daughter pulls into a Starbucks drive-thru where she orders a Frappuccino. I remembered your daughter’s idea about paying-it-forward at a Starbucks by paying for the car behind you and told my daughter to tell the cashier that I would pay for the car behind us, too. But no one pulled in behind us. We arrived at the window to pay and the guy says, “The lady ahead of you paid for your Frappuccino and said to tell you Merry Christmas.” Tables turned! WHAT A HOOT!!
Merry Christmas to you!
Susan L ("knitsnknishes") said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
The other day I totally confused the cashier at Safeway when I told her to include the items for the woman behind me. She totaled the purchase at the end of my items, anyway, so I stayed there & had her ring up the woman’s purchase – just 2 32-ounce containers of yogurt, but it sure caught them offguard!
Merry Christmas to Sheri & family and all the Loopy Elves (and Happy New Year, too, if we don’t get a chance to say it before then)! I’m so glad I found you & TLE, & I’m really looking forward to getting (more) Loopified at the Spring Fling!
carolyn said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri and all…
Bought another bunch of $5.00 GCs from our local Starbucks and have given them out to the sales clerks in the stores I’ve shopped at. The stunned look they give me is priceless.
Nicole said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
I picked up groceries for a neighbour the last time we went to town so that she wouldn’t have to drive, and I added in a few extra treats.
I hope your holidays are wonderful!
Susan L ("knitsnknishes") said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
The other day at Safeway, I totally confused the cashier when I told her to ring up the items for the woman behind me together with mine (but to bag them separately for her). When she got to the end of my order, she totaled it anyway, so I paid for mine, then stood there while she rang up the next order & I paid for that – just 2 32-ounce containers of yogurt – no biggie, but it totally caught them off-guard!
Merry Christmas to Sheri & family & the Loopy Elves – and Happy New Year, too, if we don’t get a chance to tell you before then! I’m so glad that I found you & TLE this year, & I’m really looking forward to getting (more) Loopified at the Spring Fling!
Elise said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri! Hope you have a wonderful time with your family. Now that I’m back at my parents for the week I’m trying to help them out a little. I did the grocery run and an extra errand for my dad this morning.
Have a great christmas!
Liz said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Merry Christmas to you and your family Sheri!
I have a fun RAK, for me anyhow. I had some last minute shopping to do this morning, with the rest of the world it seems. Traffic was a nightmare! Since we don’t travel for Christmas, I really wasn’t in a rush to get home. At our mall, it is near impossible to make a left turn anywhere. When they built this place, it’s clear they didn’t expect the growth this area has seen. Honestly, I can remember waiting 20 minutes to turn left before. So I decided to hold up traffic and let people turn. I just kept circling around the mall, letting people turn! it was pretty fun, especially with the christmas music blaring on the radio
I got a lot of horn honking but I just smiled in the mirror and kept on. I got plenty of waves of thanks and I know I made someone’s day
Christine said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
Joyeux Noël ! Merry Christmas Sheri !
Ksigman said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Merry Christmas, Sheri, to you and your family.
My RAK for the week was to write letters of appreciation to all the loved ones in my life. I gave a gift to a coworker I didn’t like very much but she is going through a difficult time in her life right now. I love that you have encouraged us all to do this and I plan to continue it nto the new year.
Keri said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Merry Christmas, Sheri, to you and all the elves (and everyone else, of course)! My RAK this week is cat sitting for a friend who is on vacation with her husband til after the first of the year. This is quite an act of kindness for me as I just randomly said I would do it (I was turning a heel at the time and not paying attention to the details), forgetting that in addition to 5 cats, they also have 2 snakes. Once I remembered that little tidbit, I just sucked it up and planned to do it – but UGH! I hate snakes!!!!! And I have to confront their presence in a very quiet, isolated country house every single day for the next week and a half. UGH UGH UGH.
Katie said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Merry Christmas! Fabulous, tasty cookies to all the Loopy Elves!
Suellen said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Merry Christmas. I love reading your blog. You have certainly made me think about the needs of others this Christmas season.
Last Thursday, my last day of work until January 3rd (yahoo!), our boss told us all we would receive a $1000 bonus in our paychecks. I felt so blessed and thankful for a great job and a great boss. When I got home, in my mail was an appeal from our local Bread Basket, indicating that supplies were low and people would go hungry for Christmas. It was like a message sent directly to me! I sat down, wrote out a check for $100, the biblical tithe from my bonus, and took it to the mailbox.
So a kindness was given to me, and I was able to pass it along. The next day I was telling my daughter the story as we were going into the grocery store. She saw an older woman struggling to load her groceries into her trunk, and she ran over and helped her. Then she took the cart to return it for her.
Another pass!!!
Although the gift is passed to someone else, we are gifted ourselves in the giving!
Joannah said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
This week I’ve managed a RAK that feels big enough for the season to me. I sent a shawl made out of various shades of red yarn (mohair, alpaca, merino, etc) to my dear friend’s mother to snuggle in while she undergoes chemo treatments this year. I’ve also managed more typical types of RAKs: making sure sales people know I appreciate their help; letting people with just a few things go ahead of me in the check out line; in general, looking for opportunities to treat people like they are people in the midst of all the rushing around that folks do this time of year.
Thanks Sheri, for this reminder that we can all practice being kind in all kinds of ways. I hope you, your family and the Loopy elves have a wonderful Christmas.
Nancy said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Merry Christmas to you, your family and everyone who reads the notes here. I have been lucky enough to be able to pay for the next guy twice this week. What fun! Even the drive thru staff were surprised and smiled. Looking forward to whatever the new year brings, I hope the new year finds you all in good company and good health.
Lisa Boyer said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
My RAK: An ex co-worker of mine was having a rough time financially this year; he had gotten a traffic ticket and couldn’t manage the payment plus his groceries for the month! Before I left, I slipped twenty dollars in an unmarked envelope and left it in his message box. I did it two more times–anonymously–until the next month, when things got better for him. He never suspected me because he didn’t see me two of the times…and still wonders who his “Santa” was.
Debi B said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
I’m still doing the let people in line ahead of you and giving out coupons thing, but I have a story for you all. My daughter and son-in-law have been having car problems every time they come to visit us. They live about two hours away and have had battery, alternator and tire problems the last three visits. After waiting, today, to get towed yet again, someone came up to their car and handed my son-in-law $200.00 and said “I hope this makes your day a little better!”. They were dumbfounded and tried to give the money back, but the man had already walked away! The RAK’s are everywhere and, Sheri, you are a big part of all the kindness going on this Christmas season! Thanks for all you and your crew do and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Melissa Featherly said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri! I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday season. All of our money for the month may be gone but I am trying to teach my kids that all Rak do not involve money. We have been trying to make sure we talk to everyone, wish them Merry Christmas, let people go in front of us in line and anything else we can think of.
Katrina said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Merry Christmas! My RAK was a big tip to the bagger at the grocery store. He was thrilled!
Valerie said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
This week a single mother I know had to go away for a few days and I offered to have her young daughter stay at our house for three days. I know the mother really appreciated it and the daughter had a great time, especially when my daughters planned a Christmas party at our house for her. On a more random note, we also donated food to the local food drive this morning.
Wishing you and your family a truly blessed and joyful Christmas, Sheri. Thank you for all the joy and friendship you have given us this past year!
Nancy said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri and all of the Loopy Elves! My RAKs last week both happened at the grocery store – I noticed the man in front of me in line had left his credit card by the card reader and caught up with him just as he was leaving the store. Yesterday I noticed the clerk had not seen a $5 off coupon the man in front of me had left by the card reader, just as the man was about to pay. These are certainly small ways to help people that I would do anyway, but your discussion of RAKs has really made me more aware of all the small ways a person can help others every day. Thanks Sheri!
Tigger's Mom said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Merry Christmas to you, Sheri, and to your family and to the Elves! May your holiday be warm and bright.
My RAKs for the week included letting people in, in traffic and at the stores; taking farther away parking spots; putting carts away; complimenting people; giving unexpected gifts; giving my cart to a woman who was trying to carry too many items; holding doors and making donations.
Marianne said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
a friend from our camera club admired my fingerless mittens, she put them on and stroked them and said how sad she was since she couldn’t knit anymore. She has awful arthritis in her hands. How sensible she thought the mitts were and as she loves to use her camera. I made her some mitts and finished them today. Barry delivered them this morning. Now that was a gift I never knew I ws giving…does that count as a random act of Kindness?
Melissa B. said,
December 24, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri to you and your elves and families! May the peace of this night help you reflect on all of lifes blessings!
My RAK was on Friday when a dear friends 5 year old daughter has been sent to a Childrens Hospital for a softball size mass on her kidney. I made several meals to take to their house to be put in the freezer for their other 4 kiddos and family taking care of them. The least I can do!
meg said,
December 24, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
I picked up a huge super packed, overflowing gift basket from our favorite local gourmet food shop. I had fun giving it to an unsuspecting “victim” in our lives whom always is willing to go the extra mile for others but never wants to take things in return. She was thrilled with the basket!
We also secretly gave diapers to a family who just got the surprising news of an adoption of a new baby!
Chan Moore said,
December 24, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
RAK – I entertained a very young man while his father was trying to wait and then check out at the pharmacy. It was mutually beneficial, as I imagine a lot of RAKs are. He was a bright, darling little fellow, and I hope they’re having a great Christmas.
Barb said,
December 24, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
I didn’t do an original RAK this week. I paid for the orders of the next two people in the drive thru at Dunkin Donuts. I know it’s the competition, Sheri, but there are more Dunkin Donuts than Starbucks here.
Merry Christmas.
Loretta said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
Merry Christmas everyone!
Ias for RAK’s I did a few in the past few days. I was in a store at the mall and saw a lady drop her gloves and keep walking I picked those up and had to kind of chase her down to give them back to her but she was so thankful apparently that was her 3rd pair this year. She had already lost 2 pair. Then while waiting in traffic to get out of the mall I let 3 cars get out of a side parking lot in front of me. I was in the line for a long time and no one was letting them in so I just stopped and let them in. I would have hoped someone would have done the same for me
tina said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri!
My RAK was to pay for a venti at Starbucks for whoever came after me—– it was a lot of fun to do!!!!
Melissa said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri, the Loopy Family and the Loopy Elves!
Laurie said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
Merry Christmas to all at Loopy Central! My RAK for the past week has been a lot of fun. I bought a bag of individually wrapped mini candy canes and have handed them out randomly through the week to various people I have run across…on the elevator, standing in lines, to salespeople, the bag boy at the grocery store, SA bell ringers…you name it! It is nice to put a smile on peoples’ faces during this hectic time of year!
Kathryn in Minnesota said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
Poop patrol reporting in from Minnesota here on Christmas Eve — we are continuing to keep the elementary school grounds clear despite the blowing and drifting snow. We will be taking larger bags with us for tomorrow’s daily RAK in case there’s reindeer poop to pick up in addition to the usual stuff. Merry Christmas!
Marcy Leavitt said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Off the wall RAK – my daughter’s birthday was last Saturday and I ordered a package shipped by UPS to be delivered Friday. By Saturday afternoon, UPS finally figured out that they LOST THE PACKAGE. No birthday present was to be delivered! The UPS representative was preparing herself for a huge rant from me (and I was ready to deliver), but then stopped. I told the woman that I realized how many packages were being sent and that the lost package wasn’t lost on purpose. Nobody did this to intentionally ruin my daughter’s birthday and it was just an unfortunate accident. I told her that I really appreciated all her hard work and concern and that I would like to praise her good intentions rather than harass her for the outcome. I hung up the phone feeling better (as I am sure she did as well). Kindness does work!!!
Sarah in Ohio said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri!! The best to your family and continued success for The Loopy Ewe!
Astra said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
RAK Details: Dec 23rd, 2007. On my way home to visit the folks, I saw a man on my flight (Seattle to Toronto) that was trying to get an exit row, because he is very tall and not all that narrow. I had just finished upgrading myself and my brother to business class, and decided to upgrade this man and his wife to business class using some of my excess upgrade certificates. He was extremely shocked and happy that that happened him. Put a smile on my face for the rest of the day too.
Happy holidays to all of you out there!
Terry said,
December 24, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
(Never thought I’d have a “worthy” RAK to write of.)
We attended a funeral last week of a dear senior, someone who knew alot of people. I was reading his obit in the paper and a woman had written (in the online guestbook) how she missed the service and felt really bad. Luckily, you are able to contact them if they had checked that option – that’s what I did. I ended sending her a copy of the wondeful, four page memorial paper that was handed out at the service. She wrote back to say she cried reading it – that made me know how much she was glad to have that memory of that person.
Katy said,
December 24, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
I’m not sure if this counts as a RAK or not, but, there’s a co-worker of mine that’s been struggling with everything that we’re learning–it’s overwhelming even to me at times. So, one night last week, we headed to a local restaurant and “studied”.for about 4 hours. This was after spending 8 hours learning all about medical policies and other fun things. It must have helped a little bit, because my coworker passed his assessment on Friday with the rest of the class. We’re calling it the Christmas miracle!
Barbara said,
December 24, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. Some of my family
is out of town and so we will have our Christmas on January 5th. I went to Walgreens
today and let two people go in front of me although I was having a hard time
standing up. However, I had two people try to help me in the grocery store. It’s
not just about RAK’s, it’s also about trying to give back; like pay it forward. I’ve done a lot of RAK’s
since 1990 something and now I am the receipient of RAK’s. I can tell you, it’s
much better to be on the other end, but I am eternally grateful if I can help
someone else in just a small way anymore. People are really surprised and
appreciative. It may remind them to do the same for others. I don’t like that I have to have help sometimes, but I am grateful all the same. Look how successful
your blog has been. Many people may be doing RAK’s that would have otherwise
given it no thought. Not because they weren’t nice people, but just because they
didn’t think. You did a good service for many of the givers and many
of the receivers.
Sara said,
December 24, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Last month, a student at one of the high schools I work in was placed in foster care as a result of sustained, heart-breaking abuse. Because the situation was so serious, the girl wasn’t allowed to return to her home and she now has very few clothes and no warm ones. I told a friend whose birthday was coming up. She asked her friends to make a donation to the child instead of giving her a Christmas present and last week I was fortunate enough to be able to give the girl enough money to buy a warm winter coat and some warm shirts and pants. I’ve never been hugged so hard or so long.
I’ve come to realize that doing RAKs is also a RAK for myself because it takes me away from my problems – even if momentarily – and makes me see something from someone else’s point of view. So thank you, Sheri, for this. Many, many wishes for a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.
Loribird said,
December 24, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
Merry Christmas to you!
I made a real effort to be “that happy customer” in every store I was in this past week: after years of working retail during the holidays, I know what a relief a relaxed, smiling face can be during the rush…
I let people ahead of me in line as often as possible – at the grocery store, at the post office. I figured they were probably in more of a hurry than I was.
Here’s hoping Santa brings you some gifts with good yardage
Have a good one, we’ll see you next week!
Beth said,
December 24, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Merry Christmas to you! I hope you get lots of relaxation and knitting in.
My RAK was to put together several gifts for a single mom and her daughter. They are in the very low income bracket and often run out of grocery money (I know this because I drove her to the grocery store a few weeks ago). I don’t have a ton of money, but I was able to find some nice gifts from among the things I already owned – a raincoat (that I never use), a flashlight, a nice pair of pajamas. I also bought a big bag of frozen burritos (her daughter’s favorite) and a bag of mandarin oranges to give them.
I also have another little RAK; I wrote a real (on paper!) letter to a woman who moved across the country a couple of months ago. Because it’s just nice to get real mail sometimes.
Heather said,
December 24, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
I came across a woman on crutches, struggling to carry her mail back to her car (we live in an apartment complex, so it’s kind of a walk to the mailboxes). I helped her take her mail back & wished her a Merry Christmas. A small thing, certainly, but it made me feel good.
Merry Christmas, Sheri!!!
debbie said,
December 24, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
mele kalikimaka to you and your family and crew! just received my order with the romney ridge farm calendar – i love it!
Michelle said,
December 24, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
My RAK’s this week have involved holiday treats to those who I normally (to be quite honest) never thought of….
The nice kid who’s out there pumping as in this frigid weather… trying to earn a buck…. I slipped him $5 and his face lit up.
I’ve also been slipping lots of $1 scratch off lottery tickets to those who least expect it…. it’s not very costly…. and it’s fun!
Jan said,
December 24, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
Merry Christmas Sheri, WH, College Web Guy, and KD! And to the Loopy Elves!
I found a wallet and turned it in, and because I stopped to try to find the person who’d left it, I found the item I was shopping for (last one, apparently).
My husband helped an elderly lady who was too short to reach the top shelf at the grocery store.
And I contributed to the ONLY Salvation Army bellringer I’ve seen all season!
Thanks for everything!
Marianne Y said,
December 24, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
I have always let people with only a handful of items in their shopping cart go ahead of me, even when I was in a hurry, so that is standard operating procedure for me, I guess.
I have been very careful of late, to try my best to smooth things over with people, even when I think they are out of line, trying to “keep the peace”, even when I am not necessarily involved. And, I have been providing some emotional support to several friends who have lost a parent in the last couple of weeks.
A reverse RAK: my College son hit a deer on the way home from his college, when he was 300 miles into his 450 miles journey home, on Thursday night. Thank heavens he was not hurt. His car was driveable, but not at night, because the deer knocked out the left front headlight and turn signal (plus a bunch of other stuff). In a RAK, the state police disregarded that provision, and allowed him to continue his drive home, in spite of the headlight problem. We are very thankful for that, too, because it was getting late, and it would have been really late, if we had to drive up there to get him, etc. We have since been told by some that we are really lucky that my son just hit a deer, and not an elk, because there have been a number of car-elk accidents in that same area of late. Watch out for wildlife, you all, where ever you are!
Sheri, I wish you and your whole family, including your parents, plus the Loopy Elves, the very merriest of Christmases!
Kim Bradley said,
December 24, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
My Rak today was to put 50 cents in the expired meter of the car next to mine in the airport parking lot, so they didn’t get a ticket…happy Christmas, Sherri!
Kristi said,
December 24, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
My RAK was delivering the last of my kitty litter at home to the people at the endof my street who got their car stuck in the slush at the bottom of their driveway. They weren’t there in the morning so hopefully I helped!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Gina said,
December 24, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
Gave away another shawl that a co-worker admired. It was one of those done in super bulky knitted from tip to tip with self fringing edge that you unravel after you’re done….ever do one? The first time you unravel one you have to lie down to recover! But just the few edge stitches come out and make a very pretty self fringe all down the edge……but anyway, she was thrilled and I can make another!
Karen said,
December 24, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Whoops. I left this on the wrong day. Trying again.
It isn’t much, but when I’m in the checkout line, I look to see if there is someone behind me with only a couple items, and I let them go first. They act like it is a big surprise, but I have been in long lines when I only needed a couple items. It is hardly any wait at all.
LaLa said,
December 24, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
I bought a little girl who goes to my mom’s school a Christmas present. Her mom was laid off a couple of weeks ago and I knew she wouldn’t be getting much for Christmas.
Elizabeth said,
December 24, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
My RAK: I was doing last minute shopping out here in the cold when I saw a family ahead of me in the line–they were obviously buying winter coats for the children who were all in sweatshirts (in this cold weather!). I gave them the 25% off coupon that I had been planning to use for my own purchase. They obviously needed the savings.
Merry Christmas to all.
Danielle from SW Missouri said,
December 24, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
I hope this counts. My Ex husband and I have never really got along, but because we are trying to gain custody if my Son back from him, long story no abuse involved except ex’s of the MO Legal system
, anyways, I have been trying to be nicer in my dealings with him and aparently its paying off because he has actually been nice to us (Hubby and me) and is willing now to let us have My Son more often and without a fight. Also the other day Hubby and I took my MIL’s cc payment into Wal-Mart for her and while there picked up several carts from the parking lot and returned them to the cart corrals so no one would end up with cart damage from the carts.
Danielle from SW Missouri said,
December 24, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
Oh Hey sorry I forgot, Merrt Christmas to Sheri and all the Elves at the Loopy Ewe!!!
Cathy said,
December 24, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
Sent some knitting yarn to a friend on one of my groups… I know the lady is on a fixed income and that is the least I can do, is send a friend some yarn!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Topaz said,
December 24, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
I had a cart full of groceries and the guy behind me had two items. I let him go first. The next people who came up had two items, and the guy after them had one…I let about ten people go ahead of me. A few started to laugh when they realized what happened and offered to let me jump back in line.
Karen said,
December 24, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
Merry Christmas!!
My daughter and I were in Wally World in the chip/soda aisle getting chips and soda…there was a woman there also in one of the motorized wheelchair carts. I saw her struggling to get up to get a bag of chips that was out of her reach. I asked her if I could help her…which bag it was she wanted, and got it down for her.
Barbara-Kay said,
December 25, 2007 @ 12:04 am
My RAK was knitting related this week. You see, our Parish Administrator is moving to Texas, where her husband’s “temporary” job has become permanent. The parish decided to surprise them with a reception at coffee hour after church. So, Saturday night I was inspired to dig through my WIP’s, searching for something I could give as a memento. I came across my diagonal scarf kit, with a variety of Crystal Palace yarns. It was about 3/4 knit, and had been put aside…for just this occasion, I decided.
Sunday morning found me a little yawny, but with a gift bag in hand. I have knit scarves through so many school board meetings, and November Fest planning meetings, etc. Always our Parish Administrator wanted to know what I was knitting. Well, “this one’s for you, kid!”
Kelley said,
December 25, 2007 @ 12:13 am
I’m still paying for the person behind me nearly every time I go to Starbucks…which of course is daily because I can’t risk the drop in caffeine levels in my blood.
Today, my friend and I had a foiled RAK. We saw a homeless man and stopped to get him some food. The first place we stopped was already closed for the day and so we went to Subway, which was getting ready to close. We bought him a sandwich and a gift card so that he could go back another day. When we went back to give it to him he was gone. We drove around the local parking lots looking for where he might have gone but didn’t see him anywhere. The sad part — we didn’t even get a sandwich that either of us would eat, so here we were stuck with this sandwich for a homeless man that neither of us would consider eating! (neither of us likes ham – she doesn’t like mayo and I don’t like mustard or pickles and the sandwich had all of that!!)
Bev in SC said,
December 25, 2007 @ 12:23 am
Last week my daughter flew into Charleston for Christmas and while we were out grocery shopping there (which is about 100 miles from home, which is a very small town), I picked up extra goodies in the natural foods market for several of my friends who are diabetic and played Early Santa.
Betty H said,
December 25, 2007 @ 12:30 am
Merry Christmas to everyone – we are still waiting for four and a half more hours until its officially 25 Dec. RAK this week – Paid for everyone in Starbucks who was in line behind me today at a Borders store (12 people) and luckily I’d heard the clerk asking for the orders so there weren’t many multiple ones (have to save $$$s for next year’s Loopy purchases). The better RAK was giving $250 to local taxi company to pick up soldiers from 25th Infantry Division (bars around the post) and drive them safely home during the holidays. THey are just advertising it as a Random Act of Kindness from a local lady. The act even made the local news but I insisted that they not reveal who paid. Luckily I know the owner so it was no problem.
KarenJoSeattle said,
December 25, 2007 @ 3:51 am
I tried to round up excess carts for people when I went grocery shopping on Saturday with minimal sucess, partly because others were all doing what they thought was nice. The woman next to me insisted on ‘Just putting it here, thanks’ with here being in front of her car where I couldn’t get it without interferring with her departure. The tottery old gentleman whose cart I offered to take across the lot was too much of a gentleman and insisted on helping me with both carts, but I think that may still have brightened his day.
But, my sister-in-law from Morgan Hill was reciptient of a RAK when a woman pulled into a drivethrough in front of her solely to pay for the person behind her.
Michelle from the south said,
December 25, 2007 @ 6:27 am
Merry Christmas! My nephews, whose father went on a cruise to the South Pole instead of spend Christmas with them, will be visiting our house for the holidays. I guess that isn’t very random, but it was when I suggested it to them!
I just started reading the blog. What is the contest about?
Diane said,
December 25, 2007 @ 6:44 am
Merry Christmas to You and Your Family…..and thanks for all you do to make us happy…My RAK for the week……my SIL always admires my hand knit socks and eventhougth we don’t exchange gifts anymore….I wrapped up my Dream In Color that came from the Loopy Ewe and told her I would knit her a pair of socks for all of her kindness she shows to my mom all year long (they live next door to my mom) and every day except for Saturday she sends over dinner to my mom who lives alone…..
Merry Christmas Sherri………Blogless Diane
Sharon said,
December 25, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Merry Christmas to you Sheri and all the Loopy family & elves. I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog this year- the interesting stories, the recipes, oh yeah, and the YARN!!!
Lee Cockrum said,
December 25, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Merry Christmas.
My RAK this week was to take on the task of a co-worker before my vacation. She is covering this Christmas (as planned in advance.) She was ready to do an evaluation that needed to be completed, and I did it for her.
Tiffany said,
December 25, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Merry Christmas! My RAK this last week was that I helped a lady at the post office who had a baby carry her package. Then as I left another women was trying to get in with about five huge packages so I helped her carry some. I was appalled by the number of people standing around just watching these people suffer. They were very grateful though and it sure didn’t take much on my part.
Karen in Toledo said,
December 25, 2007 @ 10:41 am
With my kids in the car, I stopped at Starbucks for a coffee. I decided to pay for the car behind me and the kids had the best time with that! We had so much fun, that twice more during the week the kids asked, “Mom, don’t you want to go to Starbucks?”
And my 8 year old entertained a cranky baby while we were in line at the store on Saturday after I let the frazzled mother go ahead of us. Dear Mayhem played peek-a-boo with the baby to stop the crying tot.
phoebe said,
December 25, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Sheri…hope that you and your family as well as the whole Loopy Ewe clan are enjoying the holiday season! My RAK is actually about the kindness of others for a change. All week long we had various organizations bring in toys, teddy bears, beads and sing carols to the kids that were unfortunately sick enough to be hospitalized during this time of year. The smiles that these people brought to the children as well as their families was worth more than words could describe. Happy and healthy to all!
tracey in mi said,
December 25, 2007 @ 10:59 am
donations donations donations… and I had to ship something- and forgot tape….Had to buy as roll at the post office… so I left tape at the post office.. for the next person who also forgot it;)
Merry Christmas;) ts
Dr. Jackie said,
December 25, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Merry Christmas to all the Loopies and their families!
I will be going to work today in a couple of hours to continue my RAK of working in the ER during the Christmas holidays for my colleagues are at home celebrating with their families.
And I will be knitting…
Kristin said,
December 25, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Merry Christmas, Sheri – to you and your family! Our RAK – paying for a friend’s dinner at a restaurant, when he was seated alone by himself. We also asked him to join us, and we took care of his bill.
Thanks again for the RAK’s…..they make Christmas time seem more special. It takes the focus off the stress of the season…. the “What to get that particular person, what do I want, etc.” Sometimes, it’s just hard to put into words how blessed I am this Christmas. What better way to say it than to give, either anonymously, or to give with special attention to those that have none, or to give to those that have plenty, and let them see that even though they have much, it’s better to give than receive!
Karen said,
December 25, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
We recieved two unexpected blessings this past week and it is our joy to pass on the unexpected. Vince got a $50 gift card from work and that night we had two granite installers at our house late at night due to a company error, not the installers. While talking to them we found out one young man had a 2 yr. old and 2 month old triplets. He was at our house until late and didn’t get home until after midnight. When he came back the next morning to finish, we passed the gift card on to him in a thank you note.
A couple of days later someone paid us back some money we had loaned them and forgot about. We met a friend for dinner and started talking to our waitress. She was carrying a picture of her beautiful 6 month old daughter. She was working a second job to pay for daycare. We passed on the repaid money and a little more for a $200 tip that night.
Blessed to be a blessing.
Monica said,
December 25, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
Merry Christmas to you an the elves.
RAK: I have been driving fellow drivers behind me nuts buy letting everyone out into the crazy, busy traffic. I have brought shopping carts into several of the stores I have visited. Those things are not so easy to wrangle when you get a line of them. Esp when it is cold out and raining, gives you much more appreciation for the people who do the little things that make life easier for us.
Merry Christmas and safe travel!!
Susan L said,
December 25, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
The other day I confused the cashier at Safeway when I told her not to total the bill at the end of my items, but to add on the 2 items for the woman behind me. Apparently she didn’t understand, because she totaled after my items, so I paid for mine, then waited while she rang up the items for the next woman, & I paid for them. Just 2 32-ounce containers of yogurt, but it left her smiling (& wondering, too)! (Tried to post yesterday – twice, but it seems that neither one of them “took”. So hopefully I won’t have 3 similar postings!)
Chrissy said,
December 25, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
During my last minute errands on the day of Christmas eve, I let people cut in line ahead of me in 2 stores and let the people behind me in the Best Buy parking lot have the choice spot close to the door and I drove to the back of the lot and walked through the slush myself.
Miranda said,
December 25, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
I was in Borders doing some Christmas shopping, and came across a knitting book that I knew a blogger who I read all the time really wanted, but couldn’t afford. I picked it up and sent it to her out of the blue.
Sara said,
December 26, 2007 @ 12:04 am
Happy Holidays to everyone!!
Sherri, I gotta let you know that my family found the wish list very useful. Yummy yarn!
I borrowed some RAK’s that I read here. I let people with fewer items go in front of me at the checkout and I continued to donate to all the SA bell ringers I came across. And tried to not be in such a hurry on the road.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year
Gina said,
December 26, 2007 @ 12:10 am
The RAK for this week is just too good to miss. It’s not my act of kindness but I’m sure it will bless you. As you know, Oklahoma was “in the dark” for quite a few days. PSO has been working around the clock restoring electricity all over the state. Well my friend Eileen had been without electricity for 10 days when finally her turn came and PSO people came to restore electricity in her area. As they were finishing their job, she mentioned to them about her daughter’s situation. The box had pulled off the house when a tree fell and before electricity could be restored, they would have to get an electrician to come and fix the problem. Well considering all the people in the same situation, she couldn’t find an electrician until January! The PSO workers asked for the daughter’s address and my friend’s phone. They said they’d see what they could do. Well, later that day she received a call. It was the PSO workers! They’d gone during their lunch break to check the situation and went ahead and fixed the problem, called the electric company and the electricity had been restored! My friend was speechless. She asked what she could do to repay this huge favor. They told her to just have a wonderful Christmas. Wasn’t that just awesome? Blessed us all. These folks came from all over the nation to help us in our time of need. We are all so thankful!
Angie said,
December 26, 2007 @ 8:38 am
Merry Belated Christmas!! I hope Santa was good to you, and to your family!
I’ve been away from the computer since Saturday…I’m suffering a little withdrawal. Last week, I made Dried Cherry Scones for a coworker. One of my coworkers always arrives before the rest of us, and has coffee ready when I come in. She adores scones so I made a batch for her and family to enjoy over the holiday weekend. She loved them!! I must admit that I had one (for testing purposses only, of course) and they were might tasty.
Joanne Edwards said,
December 26, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Merry Christmas to everyone. I have had a terrible sinus infection..can’t seem to get rid of it. We had company, too, and hubby cooked..and was a complete bear..sheesh, I don’t act like that and I cook everyday. Anyway, I have not even knitted..and THAT is BAD. I did get to give a pair of mittens to one of my poorer kids at school who did not have any, so I did get in one RAK. It made my whole week, too. He was so thrilled, and said, “For me”? Then he hugged me. Hey, that’s what it’s really all about. Ipromised myself that these RAK’s will go on throught the year, and I thank Sheri for starting this. See what word of mouth (and a few prizes will do)? Love to all of you. Jo
TMTTYRR said,
December 26, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Mine was!
My RAKs for last week were plenty, and as usual, I can’t remember most of them, though I do remember two.
I dropped Mama off at a doctor’s appointment, and on my way to work afterwards, went through a drive-through Starbucks. When I got up to the window, I paid for mine, and told the kid to pay for the lady behind me, whatever it was she’d ordered. “Do you know her?” he asked me. “No, I don’t.” I’ve never seen such a big smile on the clerk’s face at Christmastime. “Oh, wow! That’s so cool!” I know it made his day, I hope it had similar affect on the lady in the car behind me.
The second one was when my mom and I went to our normal Thursday evening dinner at the local Diner. I have choir practice most Thursday nights, and it’s easier to go there than try and prepare something. Well, we were sitting right by the counter, and an older lady, who was paying her bill, dropped her cane. I got up to pick it up for her as I could see disaster happening if she insisted on bending down to get it herself. (My mom walks with a cane, and can’t bend, and I’ve noticed the propensity of such persons to insist that they will stoop down and get whatever they’ve dropped themselves. I just don’t get it.)
So, that is all. Hope you all had great Christmases!
Lacey said,
December 26, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
I remember doing lots of things this past week. Now I can’t remember what they are..oh!
I donated $5 to troops to purchase books with WaldenBooks for Christmas.
I gave our poor little waitress a $15 tip because she had a big table come in after we got our food and they were mean and picky and looked like the kind of folks that wouldn’t leave a tip for her. We eat there every Sunday night and she’s sweet. We hope that it made her night and helped her towards a happier Christmas.
And I know there were a few more things, but for the life of me, I can’t remember. It’s hard to keep up with the things you do throughout a week. Or maybe I just have a goldfish memory!
MaryEllen said,
December 26, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Christmas with the in-laws… if that doesn’t require a monster act of kindness I don’t know what does! I hope that you and your family had a relaxing holiday – Cheers!
Tory said,
December 26, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I had a wonderful time unwrapping all of the sock yarn my parents ordered for me from The Loopy Ewe
My RAK: On Monday at church I was waiting in the longest line ever in the ladies room. An exhausted looking woman came in right after me with twins in carseats and a toddler. When I got to the front of the line, the first stall that opened up was the handicapped stall, so I let her take it–I figured she needed the extra room more than I did.
Doris said,
December 26, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
I couldn’t tell you about my RAK for last week sooner, cause it left me overly busy! My mother turned 75 last Wednesday, and she lives in Florida. We live in Maryland, and a short time before her birthday my husband told me he thought we should go there for her birthday. We had just lost our largest client because they are shutting their doors, and in my mind things are tight right now…just the way I operate. My husband said that he’d take the trip as his birthday (the day before my mom’s) and his Christmas present so we could be there. I did the same, as mine is in early January. The trip did make the last few days before Christmas very hectic, as I bake the extended family’s Christmas bread (our strongest tradition) and had not been shopping yet. But, my mom was very appreciative and had a great birthday. So, it was very worth the lack of sleep! Hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. And that you will have a Happy New Year.
Cathy said,
December 26, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
Merry Christmas!!!!
My sort-of random act of kindness: A group of friends and I go out a couple of times a month to a local restaurant, where we usually get the same waitress. Last week after the checks were split up (which she always does without complaint!) I paid in cash and paid double my meal price so that she could have a nice christmas tip. I know that waiters and waitresses are often underappreciated so I hope that made her night a little better!
Samantha said,
December 26, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
I held the double doors at my local Joann’s open for a lady who had just bought a VERY large mirror.
(and no, I don’t buy anything yarn there- I like loopy! Or at least Browsing and drooling at loopy!)
Trish said,
December 26, 2007 @ 7:04 pm
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.
We have been adding extra change to the parking meters so that anyone parking after us wouldn’t have to pay. It doesn’t take much but I’d love to imagine that it helped bright someones day.
tracey in mi said,
December 26, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Squee! My hubby let me fulfill a RAK dream… we have a local charity- (Charity Motors) that takes donated cars and fixes them up and sell them (below 1,000 regardless of value) to low income people. Hubby bought a (new to us) car to replace his…. and instead of trading in or selling the car… he said we could donate it!
The best part- 70% of the proceeds of the cars sale can be designated to the charity of our choice… so someone who needs a car gets a reliable one, a favorite charity of ours gets the cash donation, and we get to write off the blue book value of the car!
Before droppiong off the car- we prayed together that it would bless the new owner— honestly- Sheri, I’m not 100% sure we would have donated it had we not been so intently looking for RAK opportunities!
We’ll be carrying out the heart of this project in our family- we were gifted with a great book- “Every Monday Matters” you have to check out the site- it’s a great way to keep kindness and giving central all year long;) http://everymondaymatters.com/
tracey in mi said,
December 26, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
apparently- I was so excited- I forgot how to type- sorry for the typo’s;)
Marianne Y said,
December 26, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
In my earlier post, I forgot to mention how cute your people, whatever you call them, are! I love them, every time you show a picture of one.
Have a great trip to Iowa, and I hope you all enjoy the big wedding and dance!
Laura said,
December 27, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
My RAK was on Boxing Day. A lady who seemed to be very frustrated in the fact that she was redirected to another point of sale (cashier) in the store due to the fact that the one she had been at couldn’t process her stuff…different department. I was in no hurry, as my husband was taking FOREVER to pick a new suit out…I let her in front of me so that she could get the heck out of dodge faster.
Dixie said,
December 28, 2007 @ 10:52 am
I hope you and yours had a lovely Christmas.
On a whim, I picked up a box of chocolates from the duty free shop on the way to the gate for my flight home (after Christmas, as plans ended up working out) and gave it to the flight crew on my plane. The flight attendant was amazed. “We don’t get that very often,” he said.
Performing the RAK made the screaming kiddies on the flight marginally more bearable…
Shari said,
December 28, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
I hope everyone had a very merry christmas.
This week with all the busynes I just tried to be very patient and pleasant with everyone around me. Letting people and cars in front of me in lineups, taking the time to let cashiers and salespeople know how much I appreciated their help etc. I found that people were very quick to calm down and relax when you took the time to talk to them while waiting in lineups. I also randomly gave away knitted items to people as I finished them and I found that it really made their day. People just love handknit socks and mitts. Good thing I got some new yarn from the loopy ewe on christmas eve! It was the best gift ever!
Purple Sparkler said,
December 28, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
On the last shopping trip out before Christmas I managed two RAKs. First, I helped a woman in front of me in the queue at the supermarket with her shopping- she then helped the woman in front of HER (talk about paying it forward!). Then on my way out, there was a homeless guy who often sits on the route from the supermarket to the bus stop. I went back into the shopping mall- heavy bags and all- and got him a burger, a couple of apple pies, and a cup of tea from MacDonalds. I’d always rather give food than money- following in my Mum’s footsteps. I wouldn’t usually buy as much food as I did, but it was very very cold, and it was nearly Christmas.
Elisa said,
December 28, 2007 @ 11:56 pm
OMG Sheri! Congrats on the Vogue Knitting mention. I received my copy today and just started to study it here at work. When what do I see but your name on the first page I read! Of course, I have a bad, bad feeling this will make it even harder to score the Wollmeise.
shadkitty said,
December 29, 2007 @ 2:13 am
Merry Christmas! Belatedly.
And Happy New Year!
My RAK is in the form of my time/talent this week. I started knitting a scarf for a friend of mine on MSG duty (those guys who stand around at the embassies). He told me that he’d be more than willing to pay for it, and I said nonsense! Doesn’t everyone deserve something warm and handknit when they are away from home? Maybe I should do Socks for Soldiers this year.