Category Archives: Katie Austin

T.G.F.A.D.

Posted on by
2

By: Katie Austin

By the middle of every week (sometimes by the end of Monday), I find myself looking forward to Friday, knowing that the weekend is almost here.  Then, come Sunday evening, the Monday blues settle in as I prepare myself for another work week.  I wonder where the time has gone and notice the weeks are moving faster as I get older.  Even as I write this, I can’t believe we are almost to May! I begin to wonder how I can capture the Friday-feel-good feeling every day during the week. Wouldn’t it be great if every day were Friday?!  Of course. But how can I bottle up this feeling so that I can spritz it on at the start of each day?

Then, it hits me! The light bulb over my head is aglow and I realize that I can feel like it’s Friday every day!  How, you ask?  All we need to do is change the way we look at those “other” days during the week. Yes, even Monday :-)   Now, I look at every day as Thank God For Another Day.  Instead of being thankful for just Friday and being happy that I made it to the end of the work week, I try to remind myself that I am thankful each day that I wake up. I am thankful to have a job, a wonderful group of family and friends, and the opportunity to make each day one to remember.

T.G.F.A.D.

I know some of you are thinking, “Katie, take off those rose-colored glasses!”   But as I bring those rose-colored glasses to the end of my nose, I peek over the top of them to ask one simple question: if you knew today would be your last, would you feel the same way??  No matter what is going on in your life, you can find something positive when you look at life differently.  Believe that no matter what happens today, if you are given another day, things can change. We should look forward to tomorrow!  I am thankful even for the bad days, as I realize I am a strong person and that life events prepare us for future challenges.  I wouldn’t have made it through my breast cancer battle without first getting stronger from my past struggles.  You can and you will get through life hurdles, small and tall, when you believe that you can and when you are thankful for every day.

Life has a way of speeding up as we get older.  I think we should pause often, be thankful, and appreciate each day for what it’s worth.  Seize the day and make it one to remember!

Katie

Saint Valentine

Posted on by
1

By: Katie Austin

452631_97838694It’s that time of year when heart-shaped candy boxes and the color red are all over the place. Originally, I was going to write about Valentine’s Day gift options, since there are so many to choose from; whether it’s an object you can find in a store or a token that you make at home! However, I found myself wondering how and when this holiday began? I just had to know and I thought some of you might be interested too.

Before I started my research, I thought that there was only one saint associated with Valentine’s Day.  However, I was wrong! The Catholic Church recognizes at least THREE different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. He defied Emperor Caludius II by performing marriages for young lovers in secret. According to another legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him while he was in jail for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. Before his death, he is said to have written her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.

Candy heartsDo you know how the tradition of passing out valentines started? The first known written Valentine appeared sometime in the 15th Century. In Britain, by the middle of the 18th Century, it was common for friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes.  As technology advanced, printed cards began to replace written letters by the turn of the 20th Century. I had no idea that printed cards dated back to 1900! Fascinating!

For more Valentine’s Day information, visit Wikipedia (I love this site!) and history.com.

As always, I will leave you with a related quote.  Nothing like a little Shakespeare on Valentine’s Day! :-)

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” – William Shakespeare

Wishing my Every Woman Blog family a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

~ Katie

Paying it Forward

Posted on by
1

By: Katie Austin

Happy New Year to my Every Woman Blog family!  I hope 2013 is off to a great start for each of you!  Like most, my husband and I spent the better part of January 1st preparing for re-entry back into the real world   Yep, it was time to head back to work, and the plan was to spend a relaxing first day of the year at home watching the college bowl games.  Go Gamecocks! :-)

Pay it ForwardOur first decision for 2013 was that we were not going to cook on the first day of the year.  We had been cooking a ton over the holidays, so after a unanimous vote (there were only two of us… LOL!), the decision was made and off we drove to Lizards Thicket with images of breakfast dancing in our heads.  If you haven’t had breakfast at Lizards Thicket, they do a great job for a good price, whether you choose to eat in or carry out.  Just thought to mention that and no, this is not a paid advertisement :-)

Like you would expect, we pulled up to the drive-thru, placed our order (veggie omelette, potatoes, toast, and juice each – yum!) and then moved forward to the checkout window to pay for our scrumptious meal.  What happened next was completely unexpected and why I wanted to share this story with you!  (This is where I build suspense and you cry out “What happens next?!”)

When we pulled up to pay for our meal, a young woman at the register said to us “Your meal was just paid for in full by the man driving away.” We went into shock and sat there staring, with our mouths wide open, at the gray car pulling away to see if it was someone we knew. I asked her “Did he really just pay for our meal?”  She replied with a smile, “Yes. His meal was only $7 and he paid for yours in full.”   Our meal was double the price of his, and he paid for ours without hesitation. She told us that this had been happening all morning with each car pulling up to pay for the meal ordered behind them.  She then went on to tell us that her mom had someone pay her $63 grocery bill and told her “Happy Holidays” before walking out of the store with their own groceries.

I literally did not know what to say and for those that know me, that takes a lot!  Haha! As we waited for our food, we learned that this young woman was a single mother and she smiled as she told us that she felt blessed to be a part of something special.  People were paying it forward and she was a part of it!  We were so moved by what had just happened that we wanted to do the same so we offered to pay for the meal ordered behind us. We paid for their meal, giving about the same as a tip, and then drove off smiling knowing that the car behind us was going to learn that we had just paid for their meal! I wonder how many times the story was told that day to each car pulling up who offered to pay for the meal ordered behind them :-)

What a great way to start 2013 and it warmed our hearts to know that we were making a difference along with everyone else who was stepping up to pay it forward.  As we ate our breakfast, we realized that because we paid less than our original meal cost, giving more for a tip to make up the difference, that we were helping the young woman we just met at the drive-thru window. It’s amazing to think that one random act of kindness can spark many to do the same and the lives changed that day including ours!

Pay it Forward DayTo pay if forward doesn’t mean that it has to be something you pay for.  I found a website that sets an international Pay It Forward date each year and offers ideas for paying it forward.  What a great idea!  The date has been set for Thursday, April 25, 2013 so mark your calendars and be prepared to make a difference.  You never know if your act of kindness will be the biggest change in someone else’s life :-)

Have you done something to pay it forward?  Are you planning to participate in Pay It Forward Day?  Share your ideas with us and how we can each pay it forward for a better tomorrow.

Looking forward to another year with my Every Woman Blog family!

Our 2012 Blogging Year in Review!

Posted on by
1

As we move into 2013, we thought it only appropriate to take a look back at 2012 and share with you some of the data from our year in blogging.  (If you click on any of the images below, you will get an enlarged view.)  Thanks to all of our readers for helping to make the Every Woman Blog a success!  And a special thanks to our amazing bloggers who truly bring this blog to life and share their lives with us!

We hope you enjoy taking a look back at 2012 with us :)

Your 2012 year in bloggingYour 2012 year in blogging-1Your 2012 year in blogging-2Your 2012 year in blogging-3Your 2012 year in blogging-4

Savannah’s Soldiers

Posted on by
Reply

By: Katie Austin

Thanksgiving morning started off with me leafing through the many sale ads in the newspaper while sipping coffee with The Today Show playing in the background.  I would look up once in awhile to watch the segments that caught my ear, but for the most part, I was happily enjoying the peace and quiet while planning which stores to go to on Black Friday. I was planning my attack to get a chunk of our Christmas shopping finished, so it was going to take something special to lure me away from the sales.  Then, it happened.  I watched the story on Savannah’s Soldiers and I knew then that I wanted to tell my Every Woman blog family about it!

Savannah Maddison Ogden is an 11-year old girl with an inspirational story. When her friend’s father was deployed to Afghanistan, she was sad for her friend and wanted to do what she could to help her friend through it. She wrote a song for her friend to show her support, but she felt that wasn’t enough.  Savannah wanted to do more, not just for her friend’s dad but also for others who had been deployed for a long time.

I can’t imagine my parents going away for that long,” the 11-year-old told the Today Show. “That would crush me.”

She and her friend tried to think of ways to support the troops.  They quickly realized that the way they could comfort the soldiers who are so far away from home would be to send them heartfelt letters expressing their appreciation for the soldiers’ sacrifice.  The idea was to get kids of all ages to write letters.  Savannah and her family would gather the letters, then split them into groups to mail overseas.  That’s when “Savannah’s Soldiers” was born. Since then, the campaign has already encouraged kids to send more than 10,000 letters to troops in Afghanistan.

Savannah's Soldiers

What started out as a local effort is growing by the day!  In the beginning, Savannah and her friends collected approximately 30 letters each week.  Now, as reported on the Today Show, Savannah is speaking at schools and events to encourage kids to write to the soldiers who have been deployed overseas.

“Anything from home always makes you feel good,” Capt. Bryan Durham told the Today Show. “When you get a letter from a little kid saying, ‘Good job,’ ‘We’re thinking of you,’ ‘Thank you,’ you can’t explain it.”

Savannah's Soldiers2

One of the reasons why I wanted to pass this along to my Every Woman Blog family was to spread the word to others, get our kids to mail letters in, and support Savannah!  I am so inspired by this 11-year old girl from Florida and she makes me want to be a better person.  This was exactly the story I needed to hear on Thanksgiving, as this is the time of year to count our blessings and to thank those that sacrifice every day to fight for the freedom we take for granted.

Savannah, thank you for reminding us that there are many soldiers spending time away from home this holiday season and that we need to let them know thankful we are for all that they do every day for our country.  You are a true inspiration to so many, and I, for one, am thankful for all that you are doing!

Be sure to visit Savannah’s Soldiers Facebook page or website!

Katie Austin

10 Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Posted on by
3

By: Katie Austin

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and sadly, I think most of us are focused on Black Friday deals and the materialistic side of the holiday season.  Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, taking time out from our busy lives to show our gratitude and reflect on all that we have been blessed with.

Recently, I took a few minutes and jotted down ten things that I am thankful for.  It only took a few minutes and when I read what I wrote down, I had a different perspective.  My list is below and I think you will find a few that might be on your list, too.

  1. Be thankful you woke up to see a new day. Not everyone gets this opportunity.
  2. Be thankful for family and friends who love you.  My family and friends have been there with me through thick and thin. Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.
  3. When your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend is in a bad mood or giving you a hard time, be thankful for having love in your life.  There are many people who will spend this holiday season alone.
  4. Be thankful for the ability to pay your bills and have a roof over your head.  People will spend this holiday season sleeping in homeless shelters, not knowing where they will stay next.
  5. Parents who raised us, changed our diapers, and put up with us as we found our way through our teenage years.  If they are no longer with you, take a moment to be thankful for the time you had with them.
  6. When you’re stuck in traffic, be thankful you have a car to get where you need to go and money to buy gas.  When I think about this one, it reminds me of how I used to have take the bus. There is nothing like standing out in the rain, watching others drive by in the comfort of their car.
  7. Be thankful that you have children to love and who love you, and remember that at least some of the time, they do get along.  If you do not have children, be thankful for the children in your life and the positive role model you can be for them.
  8. The ability to see the beautiful world around us.  If you get a free day, drive up to the Asheville/Greenville area and you will see the most wonderful colors of the season!
  9. Be thankful that you can read these words.  So many are unable to read and we take literacy for granted.
  10. Be thankful we live in a country where we have opportunities and the freedom to make choices. It could be far worse and I feel that better days lie ahead.

When you sit down with your loved ones for your Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful for everyone and everything that has made it possible. Cherish the time spent together and soak up all the day has to offer.

What are you thankful for?  Please post it here in the comment section so that we can grow our list of things to be thankful for together.

Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving holiday filled with many wonderful memories!

Bald And Beautiful

Posted on by
2

October is here and it seems everywhere we look, there is something to remind us that it is breast cancer awareness month.   There are events, fundraisers, commercials and articles to get people thinking about their breast health.   I am a 2-year breast cancer survivor and I want to do all that I can to spread the word as knowledge is power!

One recent message really hit home with me and I wanted to share it with my Every Woman family.  If you haven’t heard already, country music star, Kellie Pickler, recently caused quite a buzz (literally). She shaved off all of her hair in support of her childhood friend, Summer Miller, who is currently battling breast cancer.  Summer received the devastating news in June 2012 and Kellie wanted to show her support.  Take a minute to watch the video and make sure you have a few tissues.

Wasn’t that amazing?! Watching them shave their heads reminded me of the time when I shaved my hair off.  I felt the same way and while watching their moment, I remembered mine like it was just yesterday.   When I first touched my head, I could feel that it was gone and then looked into the trash can to see my hair.  At first, I wanted to cry out and ask God to give me my hair back.   But instead, he gave me strength, which I really needed over those next few months I would need it!   Watching their story reminded me of my breast friend, Brandy, and how her friendship helped to lift my spirit on many days that I just didn’t want to fight anymore.

Katie with her best friend, Brandy

Life is a series of hurdles and as we get over each one, we become stronger, more ready to face the next challenge.    Our hair would just get in the way of our cancer battle so by shaving it off, we stand tall, ready to fight.

To all my pink sisters – I wish you good health, happiness and many, many birthdays!!

Do you know someone fighting breast cancer right now?  Post their story here so that we can lift them up, pray for them,and post a message to let them know that they are not alone. :)

For the second year in a row, Lexington Medical Center is entering the international Pink Glove Dance video contest sponsored by Medline Industries, Inc.  The project honors cancer survivors and raises awareness about breast cancer. To view and vote for Lexington Medical Center’s video, go to pinkglovedance.com. 

Back to School

Posted on by
1

By: Katie Austin

It’s that time of year when summer is coming to a close, when daily routines consist of packing lunches, participating in after-school activities, and completing homework assignments.  Wasn’t it just yesterday that summer began? Where did the time go? Time flies when you are having fun, and it goes even faster as you get older.

I bet that when I mentioned school you thought I was talking about my son, Brandon, who is starting his senior year in high school. I will definitely take the opportunity to talk about him because I am so proud of all that he is accomplishing as he gets ready for his next chapter.  Actually, the student I am talking about was me! Yep – I am back in college as a part-time student at the University of South Carolina.  I can’t believe that I am once again a student who has homework assignments and tests.  I thought it was time to tackle another bucket list item – finishing my Computer Information Systems (CIS) degree.

Why go back to school? I want to finish what I started so many years ago.  I figure that if I can beat cancer, I can certainly finish my degree!  However, you don’t need cancer to motivate yourself to accomplish what is on your bucket list.  Pick one thing, make it a priority, tell yourself that you are important and that you can reach any goal you set as long as you continue to believe in yourself. Since I have a job, I can’t go back to school full-time, so I plan to take 2 or 3 classes a semester. I’ll keep chipping away at my dream of one day walking down the isle with my degree in hand. I will get there one day, and I will take it one step at a time until I reach the finish line.

This semester, I am taking 3 classes. I start my day at 5:00am, go to work, attend classes in the evenings, and get home between 8 and 9pm. One of my classes is Business Writing, which is every other Saturday starting at 9:00am and ending at 1:30pm.  I am sure many of you are thinking “Why take a class on Saturday?” For one, it is only every other Saturday and, most importantly, there are only 9 class days needed to complete the course. Despite homework, projects and the occasional quiz/test, it has been the easiest of my classes.

Are any of you back in school or taking classes outside of work?  Or are you tackling a different item from your bucket list?  Please share your story and your tips to stay motivated!

Wishing everyone a blessed day and hope to hear from you soon :-)

Old World Wonderful

Posted on by
1

By: Katie Austin

I recently came across a unique gift idea and just had to pass it along to my Every Woman Blog family!  I was on the hunt to find a wedding gift for my niece. I wanted it to be special- something that no one else would give them. It was during my trip to the City Market in Charleston, SC that I found what I was looking for and it was perfect!

I just love walking through the City Market and try to visit at least twice a year. As I perused the variety of items before me, I came across a booth for Old World Glass Studio. Their display of bottle creations caught my attention.

I had to walk over to get a closer look at the flattened bottles, which were standing upright with a wedding invitation attached to the back and with a small, decorated knife in the opening. They even went as far to add beading to the knife to match the invitation colors. I turned to my husband and said “This is perfect!”. And perfect it was, as it was a great way to capture the wedding invitation that the happy couple could display to remind them of their special day. They could be used as a cheese platter or simply put on display. I was so impressed that I am planning to dig out my wedding invitation to have one created!

The next time you are in Charleston be sure to stop by to check out their wonder work!  Or, you can visit their website or Facebook page at the links below.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-World-Glass-Studio/127402493963820

Website: http://oldworldglassstudio.com/

Olympic Fever

Posted on by
Reply

By: Katie Austin

The 2012 London Olympics is finally here!  Did you watch the opening ceremony and if you did, what did you think?

I loved every minute of it!  I held off going to the bathroom or getting something to eat/drink as I didn’t want to miss anything.. (I know, I could have DVR it, but then I would have been up even later as my bed time is around 10pm :-) ). I especially liked the set transitions from the British meadows to the industrial revolution, which built the Olympic rings that were raised above the stadium.  Impressive!

Then, to see Mr. Bean as a member of the orchestra as they played, “Chariots of Fire,” which led into him racing in a scene from the movie – priceless!

The part that I struggled to stay up for was the United States team members make their walk into the stadium.  It’s one of the few times I wished our country’s name started at the beginning of the alphabet.  Haha.  Actually, I found it interesting to see the different countries participating and how some only had a few attending on behalf of their country.  Then we walked in with so many representing our country and it made me proud to be an American!

I have been glued to my television ever since, watching as many events as I can and catching up on sleep missed on the weekend :-)   Where else can you watch beach volleyball, swimming, soccer, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis and synchronized diving while spending quality time with the family?!  That’s what makes the Olympics great – there are so many events to choose from!  It makes for great discussions around the water cooler and predictions of event finals yet to come.

The Olympics is where memorable moments are created.  A time when we can forget about our troubles, focusing our attention on cheering our team to the finish line.  I wish the Olympics would come around more often as I think it would serve as a reminder that with a positive attitude, hard work and determination, you can reach anything you set your mind to.  Thank you to all those representing the United States in London as you have sacrificed a lot and are making a difference, inspiring many!

What events do you like to watch? What has been your most memorable moment of the 2012 London Olympics?