olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40

Unexpected Gifts & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #149

November 19, 2019 / 60 Comments
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40

There are so many ways to spread kindness in the world. It could be something as simple as offering an unsolicited compliment to a stranger, holding the door open for the person behind you, offering words of encouragement or a helping hand to a mom struggling with a screaming toddler in the grocery store. You can spread kindness by buying the coffee for the person behind you in the Dunkin’ Donuts line, bringing dinner to a sick friend, or sending a card to someone just to let them know that you have been thinking about them.

Kindness comes in a million different varieties. It can cost you lots of money or no money at all. For example, just before Christmas of 2012, our sewer line broke from tree roots and it turned out to be the biggest home owner disaster that I have ever experienced. I know there could be worse disasters, but for me this one was bad. I lived in Pennsylvania alone with Archie who was just a toddler, I was pregnant with Ralph, and Jeff was stationed at Fort Drum nearly 300 miles away. It was 5 days before Christmas and we were already so financially strapped that my sister bought the bulk of Archie’s Christmas presents that year.

As we were having the repairs completed, everything that could go wrong went wrong. My entire front yard was dug up, there was poo water flooding my basement, I had to send Archie to Gramma’s house and I slept at the next door neighbor’s because all the water was shut off in my house (and it smelled like poo water). Between the excavator and the plumber and the town permits required (we had to dig up the sidewalk and ended up breaking the water main in the street), the bill quickly crept up to $10,000 over the course of just a few days. And no work would be done until cash was paid at every step. I don’t know about you, but we did not have $10,000 sitting in reserves for this type of emergency. And homeowner’s insurance would cover nothing “outside of the home” including the sewer line that ran from the house to the street. They would only cover the water and poo damage in the basement which was nearly nothing in comparison. We certainly could have prevented much of the damage and cost had we known about basement waterproofing and special insurance riders that cover such things.

olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40

And then a few days after Christmas, there was a knock on the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone but we were feeling pretty good as my sister had also paid a photographer to come take family/maternity photos for us. So we were all festive doing our photo shoot in the living room as I bounded out to the front door. There was an unfamiliar elderly lady and her husband standing there. They inquired about what was going on in our front yard. I explained. The kind woman then told me that she delivered Meals-on-Wheels to some of my neighbors and had been informed that my husband was in the military and didn’t currently live with us. She went on to tell me that her father had just passed away and had left her a significant amount of money and she felt moved by the holiday spirit to help someone else with her unexpected windfall. She had a check in her hand made out for $5,000 and told me she was not going to accept refusal from me, she just needed a name to put on the check. Jeff and I accepted this unexpected gift with tears in our eyes and so much gratitude in our hearts. This kind couple left us with a check, good blessings, and a wish that we merely pay it forward.

I will never ever forget that gesture. And I will always continue to do my part to spread kindness all around me. While I am not in a position to gift anyone $5,000, I do have a platform where I can make sure to let my readers know that there are so many kind people in this world. They love for the sake of loving, they care for the sake of caring, they help for the sake of helping, and they give for the sake of giving.

olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40

Recently, I received another unexpected gift. Not $5,000. But still with the same amount of love and kindness and I still appreciate the gesture to the same extent. Because no matter how big or small a gift may be, it is the thought behind it that really does matter the most.

My friend Stephanie, a woman I know from high school, who follows my blog and has often reached out to me for styling tips, recently surprised me with an unexpected gift. While Stephanie and I were not the closest of friends in high school, we have become quite great friends in midlife mostly because of my blog. That is really my favorite part of blogging, the wonderful connections and friends that I have made along the way. I know we bloggers often discuss the great blogging friendships we form in this community. But I have also made quite a few really wonderful friends in people who are not bloggers, but loyal readers of my blog. I can’t imagine not having these friends in my life now, just as I cannot imagine a life without Shelbee on the Edge.

olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40

Anyway, Stephanie recently ordered this adorable olive jumpsuit from Amazon and it didn’t fit her. So she reordered the correct size for herself and rather than returning the incorrect size to Amazon, she sent it to me. With the cutest card, too. It is really the sweetest jumpsuit and it is incredibly comfortable! But I have to admit, I had some trouble styling it. It was giving me all kinds of wedgies…front and back! So I ended up layering a sweater over it and I think it looks pretty stinking cute for a cozy, casual Fall look. Thanks so much, Steph! You rock!

greeting card
The card from Stephanie. So perfect!
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40
olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40

On the topic of unexpected gifts of kindness, as I was drafting this post, I received an email from Mireille of Chez Mireille in response to yesterday’s post. In case you missed it, I introduced a new little series for my blog, The Boy Fashion Blogger: Introducing Radical Ralphie. Mireille has this adorable jacket hanging unworn in her son’s closet for the past few years and she thought Ralph might like to have it for a future style post. I can’t wait to style him up in this fun jacket! I am so appreciative for the gesture and quite literally feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the kindness that surrounds me. Thank you, Mireille! You also rock!

kid bomber jacket with patches
Ralph’s new jacket c/o Chez Mireille.

Have you been spreading kindness all around you lately? You really do get back what you put out into the world!

And now the featured favorites from last week’s party.

Reader Favorite (Most Clicked)

Pamela of Style Yourself Confident shared a fun and helpful post, 5 Common Style Mistakes. I have made every one of these mistakes, as I am sure most of us have, but Pamela has offered some great tips on how to retrain ourselves and stop cluttering up our closets with nonsense.

Style Yourself Confident

My Favorite Fashion Post

Rebecca of Rebecca Tries Trousers shared the most perfect floral Maxi Dress. I swear Rebecca is a thrifting goddess because she finds some of the most amazing second hand pieces. Seriously, how brilliantly unique and fun is this dress?

Rebecca of Rebecca Tries Trousers

My Favorite Non-Fashion Post

Lia of Southern Yankee DIY shared the cutest Christmas crafting idea in her post, Easy DIY Santa Cookie Tray. I am not the craftiest person, but my husband is pretty handy. I promptly forwarded this post to him to make this adorable cookie tray with the boys.

Southern Yankee DIY

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Shop my look…

olive overalls, combat boots, Shelbee on the Edge, fashion over 40

Outfit Details: Jumpsuit-Amazon (Gift from Stephanie) / Tee shirt-Target (Old) / Sweater-Old Navy (Thrifted) / Hat-Torrid (Old) / Boots-Gift from my husband (Old) / Earrings-c/o Anjolee / Necklace and Sock-Old

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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60 Comments

  • Pamela

    November 19, 2019 at 9:45 am Reply

    Hi Shelbee – Thank you for highlighting my ‘common mistakes’ post. Let me say how much I love to see the stunning backdrops you search out for your photos, always a delight.
    Pamela x

  • mireille

    November 19, 2019 at 12:11 pm Reply

    Your post had me crying and laughing.. poo and wedgies! It is amazing how a simple act of kindness can make our day! Staying at home with the kiddos has made me realize how important relationships are and this blogging community had been awesome! Yesterday, Jodie took the time to explain to me how to do a couple things with my stories and the gesture of taking time in her day to reply to my emails was so appreciated.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 19, 2019 at 12:49 pm Reply

      Mireille, thank you so much! I am glad that I could make you feel all the feels in one little post! I am so excited for Ralphie to receive his new jacket! You are so sweet to think of him and send it his way. Jodie is so amazing, as are many of our blogger friends. Always willing to give a helping hand. I just received some wonderful help from Sherry of Just Live Joy. I am always grateful for the gestures! And I always pay it forward. Have a wonderful day, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Chrissy

    November 19, 2019 at 12:29 pm Reply

    What an amazing story Shelbee. I’ve lost count of the unexpected blessings we’ve seen and/or received I hope that I’m adding to that pot for others as well.

    And how thoughtful of your sweet friend to send you something to play with, right? And I love that you were determined to make them work. Nicely done my cyber friend – the boots are fabulous!

  • Ellibelle

    November 19, 2019 at 2:27 pm Reply

    What a nice unexpected gesture from the elderly couple during your time in need!
    And how wonderful of your friend to send the jumpsuit to you rather than return! I think it looks great on you and I love how you layered it with the sweater for a fun fall look! The jacket for Ralphie looks so cute, I’m sure he’ll love wearing it!
    Thanks for hosting the linkup!
    Ellibelle’s Corner

  • Nancy

    November 19, 2019 at 2:57 pm Reply

    Wow, those people with the checque were extremely generous. And Stephanie and Mireille too. I live in a total different world. Here we are not that social. That’s the part I dislike the most about being Dutch.

  • Lizzie

    November 19, 2019 at 3:25 pm Reply

    What a beautiful gesture! I feel like those are the kinds of things that mean the most (especially when it’s much needed). I think that spreading kindness is important year round and when people do for us, it gives us the push to do for others as well. It’s keeps going 🙂

    Lizzie
    http://www.lizzieinlace.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 19, 2019 at 3:33 pm Reply

      Lizzie, thanks so much for your wonderful comment and for always doing your part to keep kindness alive and well in the world! Kindness definitely perpetuates kindness in a never-ending circle. Have the most wonderful day, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Patrick Weseman

    November 19, 2019 at 4:27 pm Reply

    So very cool. I always say it is better to be nice than right. As people we are much nicer than we give ourselves credit for. Looking very nice. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.

  • Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom

    November 19, 2019 at 5:12 pm Reply

    I always worry about this with our house, because we have a large sweet gum tree that the previous owners planted kind of close to the house. Now you’re making me want to cut it down more than ever! Ha!!! I prefer gifts that aren’t bought the most, I think because they are harder to think up and plan. But, I do love material gifts sometimes, too! Lol! I love these neutral suspenders on you, so cute!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 19, 2019 at 7:13 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Carrie! I agree that gifts not purchased with money are super special! As far as this crazy sewer problem we experienced, I believe that most home owner’s insurance policies offer specific riders for things like this. You could look into that and if the premium for such a rider is worth it, I recommend adding it. If I had known that then, we would have added the rider, for sure!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Michelle

    November 19, 2019 at 7:19 pm Reply

    I love these stories of kindness! I think they happen far more often than we are aware. But they don’t make the news, and people are more inclined to report the bad things that happen to them. It has to do with the way are brains are wired – the bad / unpleasant occurrences may kill us so are brains are hypersensitive to such. Looking for the good things and shrugging off the rest is a skill that can be learned. But it takes practice. I applaud that you make it a point to do so on your blog.

    Also? That cap is adorable!

    Michelle
    https://bijoubeadboutique.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 20, 2019 at 11:54 am Reply

      Michelle, thank you so very much! I was just talking to my therapist the other day about this exact topic…why do we focus so much on the negative and we let the positive just pass right by? It is the way our brains are wired and we need to unwire them! I guess that is part of the reason that I love to share all things positive in my blog space. There is so much goodness and kindness around us and we get caught too easily in the bad stuff. But if we focus on the good and put it out there, the universe brings it right back to us tenfold.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 20, 2019 at 11:48 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Jill! It is so important to be always be kind because we never do know what is stressing people out either. We all struggle so offering a kind word or a simple smile can change the course of a day for a person.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Deborah Stinedurf

    November 20, 2019 at 10:58 am Reply

    This post brought tears to my eyes…what a beautiful soul that woman was to gift you that amazing gift…and the jacket is absolutely adorable, I can’t wait to see your son style it. Just yesterday I held the door for an elderly woman at the store and as she was walking by me she stopped in her tracks and said, “You are absolutely beautiful…I mean it. I could pay people money to do me up and I would never be as beautiful as you are…” It seriously made my day and left me speechless. PS…You look amazing as always; I can’t even tell that you have a wedgie…lol! xo
    Debbie
    http://www.fashionfairydust.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 20, 2019 at 11:28 am Reply

      Debbie, thank you so much for this wonderful comment! What an amazing woman you encountered with such a beautiful compliment for you. She is right, you know, you are that beautiful and even more so because the beauty within your heart and soul shine straight out into the world!

      If I shared any photos of my back end, you would see the wedgie! My husband said I looked like Mario from The Mario Bros.! Hahaha

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Suzy Turner

    November 20, 2019 at 11:56 am Reply

    Your post literally made my eyes well up with tears…. and I’m wearing contact lenses for the very first time LOL! I just love to read things like this, Shelbee. That wonderful couple that helped you out when you needed it the most, is just incredible. It’s so lovely to hear of kind-hearted people like that, isn’t it? A bit like the movie, Pay it Forward (which also had me in tears lol).
    I love your new jumpsuit and could also see it worn in the warm weather with a little tank top and flip flops / sandals. I think you look fabulous in it! LOVE the boots, by the way.
    And how adorable is Ralphie’s new coat?!!!
    Hugs hugs
    Suzy xxx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 20, 2019 at 1:29 pm Reply

      Suzy, thank you so much, my friend! If you are welling up just reading my story, imagine how Jeff and I were crying when it happened. Like I couldn’t even get words to come out of my mouth, I was crying so hard. And to see my big tough soldier husband break down in such a humble and grateful way moved me beyond words.

      The jumpsuit is lighter weight so it would be so cute in the Spring or Summer with a tank top and some sneakers! I can’t wait for Ralph’s new coat to arrive. He is going to look so stinking adorable in it!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      November 20, 2019 at 11:58 pm Reply

      Nora, thank you so much! This is definitely the time of year to be more aware about sharing kindness and love as people get more stressed and can feel very lonely and sad at the holidays, too. Keep spreading kindness, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • lorena

    December 3, 2019 at 3:32 pm Reply

    Oh wow Michelle, this post certainly made me smile and regain some faith in humanity. What a lovely gesture, do you still keep in touch with the family who knocked on your door?
    I had a friend who’s grandfather needed heart surgery and it was about 30k, the family was trying to get the money for it and one day they received an envelope under the door for 20k, the person asked for his name not to be revealed..
    The smallest gestures make all the difference, its wonderful to read these.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      December 3, 2019 at 4:35 pm Reply

      Lorena, thank you so much! Stories like this also revive my faith in humanity. We never really kept in touch with the couple who gave us that gift, but I did send them a card every Thanksgiving for a few years after. But then that just kind of faded away. They didn’t seem all that interested in maintaining any type of contact. I think they really just wanted to give a gift and move on. We will never forget the gesture though.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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