A "Southern Lady" Thank You

Thank you cards. The act of writing a thank you card is such a lost art in today's society. Why? Thank you cards are something that need to remain a part of life. Although they seem trivial, there time it takes to write out a sweet sentiment and the paid postage makes the thank you so much more meaningful. I can not tell you how many people have told me lately that they have not received a thank you card for this or that. People still desire to receive a thank you note. No matter how "high tech" our society has become, nothing can replace a handwritten thank you note. 

Step 1: FIND FABULOUS THANK YOU CARDS

Every fabulous and Southern lady should invest in stationery. Especially personalized stationary. There are several great websites where you can find unique stationary that can be personalized to meet your needs. If you aren't quite ready for the commitment of stationary, I suggest that you stock up on thank you cards whenever they are on sale! Target almost always has some adorable boxes of thank you cards on sale!

Step 2: KNOW THE TIMELINE

It is best to get these little letters of thanks out no later than 7-10 days after the receipt of the gift/random act of kindness. If you want to earn a gold star, 3-5 days is ideal! It is important that the recipient of the card knows that their actions made you feel special. After 10 days, it is apparent that they probably didn't make you feel "THAT" special....HOWEVER, a card sent is ALWAYS better than no card!

Step 3: WRITE SOMETHING HEARTFELT

There are many different backbones for a thank you note. Normally, my draft consists of something like this....We will assume for the sake of the draft that I'm thanking Santa for the $25.00 Ann Taylor Loft gift card he left in my stocking.

Dear Santa,
Thank you so much for the gift card to Ann Taylor Loft. I always enjoy shopping at my favorite store. I hope to use this money to help buy an outfit for my upcoming PA clinical year. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
My sincerest thanks,
Olivia 

You want to make sure that you 1)  State why you are writing the letter, 2) Make the note a bit more personal, and 2) Give an example of another reason you are thankful for the recipient other than the gift!

Step 4: MAIL THE NOTE

I am not always 100% on time with my thank you notes, but I try my best. I am certain that the recipients appreciate them AND I always enjoy sending the cards out.  The thank you card should be a tradition every Southern lady embraces.

Few Words to Say

GOOD EVENING FRIENDS!

I've been missing from the Blog world for quite some time now. I'm afraid that Term 6 of PA school took over my life in the most brilliant way. I can not wait to share the adventures of my 5 week break! Please be prepared to read about WEDDING DETAILS, workouts, and all of the literature I will be reading. (Hopefully you all don't mind reading reviews of surgical textbooks and journals!)

I look forward to being back conversing with friends and sharing a small piece of my world with you all! 

All You Need Is Love

Do you ever feel like you do all you can for someone you truly love and yet it somehow doesn’t seem like they are getting what they need? I know that this is something I struggle with. Have you ever felt like you aren't getting what you need from someone you KNOW loves you? How do you make the people you care for most FEEL that they are cared for and loved? How do you ensure that you are satisfied emotionally in your relationships as well?

Communication. The answer is communication. My momma has always told me that in life you need to tell people what you want and how you are feeling. {No problem. I normally wear my emotions on my sleeve!} However, when it comes to telling people what you need in order to feel loved, it just becomes so much more complicated for me. How do you say “you’re not loving me like I need to be loved” or “I need you to do this more so that I feel emotionally cared for” in a way that isn't “YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING WRONG?”

Last year I read the “The 5 Love Languages” and was enthralled by how accurately something so basic could describe how I love and want to be loved. I would recommend this book whole heatedly. Regardless of the stage you are in in life, I’m sure that this book will be an interesting and enlightening experience. Even if you don’t read the book, I recommend that you determine your love language.

What are The 5 Love Languages?

Adapted from The Five Love Languages: Love Language Profile. Accessed May 18, 2014. Click Here

My Love Language Personal Profile

Words of Affirmation	“Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten. You thrive on hearing kind and encouraging words that build you up.”	6
Quality Time	”In Quality Time, nothing says “I love you” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes you feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed activities, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful. Whether itʼs spending uninterrupted time talking with someone else or doing activities together, you deepen your connection with others through sharing time.”	8
Receiving Gifts	“Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures. Gifts are heartfelt symbols to you of someone else’s love and affection for you.”	1
Acts of Service	“Can helping with homework really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most wants to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter. When others serve you out of love (and not obligation), you feel truly valued and loved.”	5
Physical Touch	“A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, and thoughtful touches on the arm—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive. Appropriate and timely touches communicate warmth, safety, and love to you.”	10

Adapted from The Five Love Languages: Love Language Profile. Accessed May 18, 2014. Click Here

Reading this book and taking the quiz helped me determine that my primary love language is physical touch. There is nothing in this world I love more than a hug after an absence {no matter how long or how brief}, holding hands in public, and being playfully nudged while standing in line. I also felt that this experience helped me EXPRESS WHAT I NEEDED IN A LOVING MANNER. Instead of “I don’t feel loved,” I was able to say “I feel really loved when you hug me like that.” IT HAS DONE WONDERS. The most important thing I gleaned from this was that when an argument occurs with someone I love {inevitable}, I don’t feel that the issue has been resolved until we have “hugged it out.” 

Now, a quick brag on my sweet man. Long before I read this book and determined that physical touch is my ultimate language, my man had already figured this out. It wasn't 2 weeks into our relationship that he announced “Wow. You really like to linger during your hugs…” I WAS SO THANKFUL FOR THAT OBSERVATION. Weeks before we said the fateful words “ICH LEIB DI” has been officially exchanged, I had never felt more loved or understood in that moment. Walking with my man through our dating time has been so sweet and I could not ask for a better man to walk through life with. I have never felt MORE LOVED in my life. 

I know that if my sweet man would complete the quiz, he would find it helpful too... {Even though I suspect his love language is Words of Affirmation}

Great New Blog: Left Brain DIY

Creative Inspiration for the Left Brained World!

My sweet sister has been bitten by the “Blogging Bug” and has started a new Blog titled Left Brained DIY. Follow her Blog for fun projects {along with DIY instructions} for re-purposing previously loved items and making them FABULOUS. I feel like you faithful readers need a preview, so please find a sneak peak below!

About the Author: 

My beautiful, athletic, and left brained sister (Carling Catherine) is an amazing woman who excels in almost all capacities. Whether it is on the Sam Houston State University volleyball court, in the classroom, or creating a new work of art, she is a force to be RECKONED with. I am thankful every day that The Lord allowed me to be her big sister. She is a precious daughter, sister, friend, and proud-puppy aunt! 

ENJOY BEING A MEMBER OF THE LEFT BRAINED WORLD! 

Relaxation: Front Porch Style

2 Labradors + 1 Shot Gin + 1 Cup Tonic + Bundle of Mint + 1 Heirloom Rocker = Relaxation

What a blessing it has been to be home with my family on the farm. A generous dose of home is always a good idea and sometimes just what the PA ordered! I hope you all have been able to enjoy family, friends, and Labradors this weekend!

Front Porch Gin and Tonic (Seriously Refreshing)

Ingredients: 

• Mint or Basil 

• Cucumber

• Lime

• Tonic Water

• Gin 

To Begin Relaxing: 

Squeeze a lime wedge over ice into a glass. Add four slices of cucumber and a couple of crushed mint-basil leaves.  Then fill the glass with a 1:2 ratio of Gin and tonic water. Garnish with a slice of lime, cucumber, and a sprig of mint. 

"A Time for Everything"

Timing.

Does anyone else ever feel like they are lagging behind or pulling ahead too quickly? Do you ever feel like your timeline just isn't right?

I always feel that my timeline isn't matching up with those of my friends and family. I am CONSTANTLY aware that I am not yet engaged, a member of the work force, and that I have not lost the last 10 pesky pounds residing in my hips. It is too bad that I’m not CONFIDENT in the fact that God has placed me in a wonderful relationship with a Godly man, has allowed me the opportunity to learn and participate in graduate school, and has granted me with a healthy and able body that can put in the work to achieve fitness goals. On a more SERIOUS note, I constantly worry about what the future will bring and how timing will play out.

Throughout my adult years, I have seen God’s timing work in beautiful ways (1811 Woodsman roommates *hint hint*). His timing is ALWAYS PERFECT and he has never once let me down. Even in the times I have felt completely abandoned and out of control, I have been saved and pulled back into his arms at just the perfect time.

When I need perspective, I wish I said that I always went to the Bible first. I often find myself searching for answers from my family, friends, and even the Internet. I am currently working on making the conscious effort to get back into the habit of flipping through the gold edged pages of my Bible for the answers.

Now. Back to Timing. Where can I find information about timing?

Ecclesiastes is always a solid place for me to gain perspective on how much The Lord values HIS TIMELINE, especially Ecclesiastes 3.

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. 16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there. 17 I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." 18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?" 22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
Ecclesiastes 3, New International Version

Top 3 Items Gleaned from Ecclesiastes 3:

1.    GOD HAS MY TIMELINE UNDER CONTROL. He has ensured a time and place for everything.

2.    GOD WANTS ME TO BE JOYFUL, not to worry about my timeline. He doesn't want me to worry about the “should” and the “wants.” My fretting will not make God’s timing anymore perfect or arrive any sooner or later than it should.

3.    GOD MAKES EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL. Even the things in my timeline that I wish had never occurred. They are woven intricately into my story and testimony to help others come to The Lord.

Thank you all for diving into Ecclesiastes 3 with me. I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about this beautiful passage!

Introducing "Stethoscopes, Labs, & Miles"

Why stethoscopes? 

I am currently a PA Student at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Pursuing a career in medicine has always been a passion of mine and I am lucky/blessed to one day be able to serve in the physician assistant role. Funny stories, PA school fashion (#whitecoatdays), and general information regarding the life of a PA student (#BCMPATweets) will be highlighted on the Blog. 

Why labs? 

I have a 2 year old Yellow Labrador Retriever names Samson. As I am without children, I consider him my "fur-baby." His favorite things involve going to the park, sniffing out rabbits, and watching TV with mom. Lets consider the "labs" part of this Blog a "Samson brag-book!" 

Why miles? 

I have recently picked back up long runs (and have about lost 20 pounds). I am not a exercise physiology expert, but I will be posting my favorite workouts (possible results?) and snacks on the Blog! 

Please know that I am SO APPRECIATIVE of EVERYBODY reading and following this Blog! My hope is that is brings joy to your life.