Yard Sale DONE!!!

I can't believe it actually happened. After months, no-YEARS of procrastination about actually having a yard sale it is finally over. Remember this sad post back in February where I was so happy to have made "head-way" on the yard sale prep? Fast forward five months and we have successfully completed two full days of pure unadulterated purging bliss!!! It was so worth it. We made great money, we helped a lot of people who really needed it, we donated to some charities that we wouldn't have otherwise known about and we took the rest to Goodwill where each item will hopefully find a good home. It was as perfect as a yard sale could be.

It will go down in the Boatman history books as BIGGEST YARD SALE ever. That's because we will never be having one that massive again. Madness I tell you. I couldn't have done it without my mom, my hubby and a sweet friend Katie that rushed in to lend a hand on Friday morning. Thank You!!


I feel an unbelievable sense of relief having that literal load off my back. I can't wait to continue the progress and do some more household purging/organizing/cleansing. Life feels better when you simplify & organize. Goal: Stay that way!!

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers
This documentary is superb. Quite possibly the best I have ever seen, especially regarding religious documentaries. I found it as engaging as it was entertaining. I found myself laughing at ironic beliefs one minute and then feeling a sense of profound conviction in the next. I was hooked by the title first and then by the simple, yet poignantly true catchphrase for the movie ...

Why is the gospel of LOVE dividing America?

Dan Merchant takes this simple question and loads of curiosity on the subject of religion to the streets in a white jumpsuit covered in both Christian & secular bumper stickers. He uses this ridiculous get-up to acquire attention that makes people stop and then he can engage them in conversation. "Just pick out your favorite one," he says. Simple enough? Some popular choices from the suit-o-stickers:

Abortion: "Big People Killing Little People"

Evolution vs Creationism: "God spoke and BANG it happened!"

Hypocrisy: "Get the hell out of my way, I'm late for church."

The goal of this movie is to open the discussion between all sides of faith & culture. More often than not, religious rhetoric is divisive at best and catastrophic at worst. The staggering number of people that have been hurt in the name of religion has always been shocking to me. This documentary shows what I have always believed - that above ALL, we are called to simply LOVE one another. 

"There are some basic religious principles that could bind us together, but as a society we choose to let them tear us apart instead." Just imagine if we really tried to have conversations about things we disagreed on. We might find that our reasons behind our beliefs aren't all that different after all. I can say without hesitation that this film left an impression on my soul, not just my mind. No matter what side of the religious fence you find yourself on, I strongly encourage you to watch this film. It is guaranteed to make you think. It might not change your mind, but it could open it. 

One of the most powerful parts of the film for me was Merchants take on the Donald Miller & Tony Kriz's "Confession Booth" idea that took place at Reed College. He takes it to the Portland Pride Northwest festivities and the conversations that took place inside the "confessional" are deeply moving. Words (especially in the form of an apology) have real, tangible power. Don't ever forget that. 

{If you just want to see that portion of the film, it starts @ approx. 1 hour 12 min}

Some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

"Preach the gospel constantly. use words only when absolutely necessary."

"I honestly don't care what your motivation is for doing good, as long as you do it."

"You don't have to legitimize someones lifestyle or choices in order to love that person."

For me it all boils down to this - "Life & people are complicated. Compassion should be freely given, not earned. Everyone has a 'rest of the story' that you may never know. Love them anyway."

Watch it on Netflix or free on Hulu.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Galatians 5:14

1 John 4:20

Food Facts

{Robyn O’Brien shares her personal story and how it inspired her to become a Real Food evangelist.}

TED rarely disappoints. I want to know all of these people. Part of me think I will be smarter for just being in the vicinity of such immense intelligence. This particular TALK is from TEDxAustin.

I genuinely believe there is something to be said for exposing yourself to information. All types. Different points of view, a wide variety of topics, new & different tidbits all the time. It has been a goal of mine for as lone as I can remember to at least keep an open mind about information that I come across. I don't always follow the principles being expounded on or the guidelines being laid out, but at least I can honestly say that I have listened. I certainly am not the type of person that is easily swayed to just believe anything I hear.

I am currently in a quandary over something I LOVE. For me, the negative evidence is mounting against this love of mine. I am growing more and more disappointed by facts that are being uncovered. Food that is. The more I learn about the food we consume as Americans the more frightened I become. It is truly unbelievable what lengths the government, food industry and society as a whole will go to to keep the average person in the dark about the health (or lack there of) of the things we consume. Frightening I tell you. This particular TALK is from TEDxAustin and it is another piece of the puzzle that is coming into focus for me about food. Amazing. Stunning. Disappointing. Scary.

I have been cutting things out of my diet that clearly have no purpose being there other than to satisfy my cravings and things I eat out of shear habit. It is a challenge for me. One I am not proud of, but one that I have little to no will power for. I'm trying though.

I'm just continuing to expose myself to information like this.
I'm using the "Scared Straight" tactic on myself.
It's beginning to work, even if it a slow and arduous process.

Just some other bits of food information that have blown my mind:
Food Matters
Food Inc. 
Nourish
The Gerson Miracle
The Beautiful Truth
Homemade Grits
{Check out my girl Lesley ... putting things into perspective & giving simple tips for application}

The Wilderness Downtown

This is a Chrome Experiment.
It is an interactive film by Chris Milk featuring "We Used to Wait" by Arcade Fire.

It is pretty incredible.

You enter your childhood address (or any address will work). The amazing programming technology grabs images from the address you give and incorporates google earth photos with video animations in order to make each users video experience slightly different and unique to them.

I am in awe of the creative energy and marvelous talent that went in to creating this.

Check out THE WILDERNESS DOWNTOWN.

While you are at it, prepare to be amazed by the Johnny Cash Project too.
"A unique communal work, a living portrait of the man in black."

Hangover II

I have certainly never been privy to a hangover that was comical or entertaining.
Hangovers in real life = not funny.

Of the Boatmans, I am definitely the household movie fanatic. I enjoy all kinds and going to the theatre is one of my favorite pastimes. Mr. B however, not so much. He can pretty much take it or leave it for the most part. When it came to the Hangover II ... he was in for some opening day action. LOVE THAT!! I jumped on the excitement bandwagon and off we went. Kudos for the opening day being on a Thursday, no lines, no waiting and choice of any seat in the place. I must keep that in mind for future showing.

The Hangover is still one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I love it. I remember laughing so hard that my stomach hurt all night. I am convinced that most of that comes from the fact that I just didn't know what to expect next. Though it is also on the list of movies that are funny to me no matter how many times I've seen them. Even though I thought this second flick was a good run at a sequel ... it was fairly predictable in my opinion. I have to hand it to the casting director though, these guys make such a great cast that  I can easily forgive the plots predictability. It was definitely as funny as I thought it would be. It's refreshing when a sequel doesn't totally disappoint.

Plus, Bradley Cooper - I mean who are we kidding here people. I say go see it.

Crocs Are Cute? Could it be true?

I normally loathe the ever-so-popular Croc shoes. Gross. Almost every style I have seen has been hideous. However, these little cuties in their new translucent collection may have successfully won me over to the darkside. The look so light and airy, perfect for summer. Plus, they remind me of old school jellies I used to wear. If you are a true child of the 80s you can't help but LOVE that!!

I'm thinking the Adrina Flat has a future on my feet! This adorable color combo makes me really happy.

Feeling Challenged & Inspired

I heard rumblings about how incredible the latest series of messages going on at North Point Christian Church were and it made me remember how much I deeply enjoyed the effortless way that Andy Stanley delivers his messages. So clear, thought provoking & entertaining. I visited NPCC several times in high school and college and LOVED it every time. It is so far away from where I live now, it would be ridiculous to try and make it there every week for services. Bring on the power of the inter-webs!! Many of his message series are posted online for free. I have been absorbed in them lately. I just stop watching them. The range of topics covered all seem to be so completely relevant to the things I am struggling/dealing with in my life lately. Each one seems to bring another revaluation to mind about how I could deal with situations differently or at least shift my thought process about what is happening around me. I've been calling it my free online therapy sessions.

I find it ironic and deeply encouraging that when you feel your soul searching for "something", even though you may not be able to find the words to describe it ... if you are truly open ... and you are willing to accept it in any form it appears in ... it will find its way to you. Answers you didn't even know you needed. Peace that you thought was unattainable. Gentle reminders that you possessed the answers all along, you just had to uncover how to tangibly apply them to your life.

Maybe you won't find anything that you are looking for here, but keep looking. The answers you want are out there. When you find them ... act on them, don't turn a blind eye.

type rings - customize your own!!!

I love these!! I have always thought it was awesome to be able to engrave your own saying or personal mantra on jewelry. This takes it to the next level. I might have to make myself one of these. Hum ... what to choose?!

From Amsterdam based start-up Alphabeth, the same company who brought you Tweet Rings has launched TypeRings.

TypeRings lets you create your custom designs on the outside and inside of an engraved ring. You can choose typefaces from world-renowned font foundry Underware or upload your own custom design. Results appear directly on screen in 3D, made possible thanks to the breakthrough web technology, which sets a new standard in personalization. The rings are available in all common sizes in silver, white gold or yellow gold and are made to order in the Netherlands. Laser-engraved using the latest laser technology, every order is delivered within 10 days.

cool content form design-milk

DIY: Birthday Cake Pops

The norm in my family is that my wonderful mom makes our birthday cakes.

Reason 1: She loves us and thinks moms should make cakes for their kids.

Reason 2: Her cakes are simply UNBEATABLE. There's no dessert that comes close. It's just not a birthday without one of my mom's cakes. 

This year, I decided since there was a family tragedy happening, that I would attempt my own birthday dessert. Mom was making me one cake for the family celebration, but instead of her making two I choose to make cake pops for my "friend" celebration. I love the look of them, but I always felt a little intimidated by how perfect they always seemed. I am pleased to report that it was a delicious success!! They got rave reviews from the party go-ers and some even took a few for the road. 

I feel I must give two disclaimers for this DIY dessert. First, I needed HELP!! There is no way I could have managed this without a few extra helping hands. There was just too many things that needed to happen. Second, I needed TIME. This is a very easy dessert to make, but boy it takes some serious time. Between the baking and the cooling and the dipping, there is no rushing the process. Make sure you don't wait until the last minute to start this one (like me) because it really does take the joy out of making such a fun treat!

My Inspiration: the QUEEN of Cake Pops ... Bakerella. Check her out - she is amazing!! She also has a super cute how-to book out.

Here are the basic steps:

1: BAKE - I used Vanilla Duncan Hines boxed cake and it worked splendidly. Just pick out the flavor of cake you would like and cook as directed. Two boxes made two 9" x 13" cakes and that translated into about 48 cake pops. I even made them a little larger than normal so it would likely squeeze a few more out if you downsize a bit. 

2: COOL, CUT & CRUMBLE - Make sure the cakes are completely cooled. Cut the sheet cake into quarters. Break each quarter in half and rub the cake pieces together over a mixing bowl and let the cake crumbles fall in. (NOTE: I did one cake at a time and it seemed a bit more manageable.)

3: ICING - I bought a pound of buttercream icing from my local grocery. It was perfect and cut the prep time and cost for this dessert. Take approx. a handful of icing and plop it onto the cake crumbles. Knead the icing into the crumbles until you get an extremely moist constancy on all the crumbles. You should be able to pinch the cake with a fe fingers and it stick together. If its to dry, add more icing sparingly. A little goes a long way here. 

4: ROLL - Roll the icing and cake mixture into small balls. I have seen them done in bite size portions, but mine were more like 2 or 3 bite sized. I was shooting for meatballs size. Place the cake balls on a baking sheet or pan with a layer of wax paper. Place into the freezer for 15-30 minutes to chill. You don't want them to be fully frozen!

5: MELTING ROUND 1 - Now it's time to melt the chocolate - using bakers chips or bark in any color or flavor of your choosing. Hobby Lobby had a great selection of colors if you were trying to match a theme. I just went for your basic vanilla and milk chocolate. Melt chocolate in a double boiler if you have one. I don't so I used a glass pyrex bowl in a sauce pan filled with approx. 3 inches of water. You can also heat in the microwave but BEWARE that it is very easy to scorch the chocolate this way. 

For this step you only need a little chocolate melted. You are just going to be using a small amount on the tip of your lollipop stick. You are not coating the whole ball yet. 

6: DIP STICKS - Take out your lollipop sticks (also purchased at Hobby Lobby in packs of 50). Remove your cake balls from the freezer. Cake balls can remain on the same pan because they are going back into the freezer. Dip the sticks into the chocolate, only about a 1/2 inch of the stick, and then place in the dipped end into the center of the cake ball. Try to push the stick about half-way through the ball, not all the way through. Once all the sticks are in, put the pan back into the freezer for about 10 minutes to let the chocolate dry. This process will help keep your cake pops from sliding off the stick. 

7: MELTING ROUND 2 - Use the same process as Step 5 to melt the remainder of your chocolate. The bowl you choose to melt the chocolate in needs to be deep enough for you to submerge the entire cake ball into the chocolate. This gives you a more uniform coating. 

8: DIP BALLS - Remove the cake ball from the freezer and chocolate from the stove top. I kept my chocolate in the warm water so it wouldn't harden during the process. I just set the sauce pan on a trivet and it worked like a charm.  One at a time dip the cake balls into the chocolate. There will be excess that need to gently be removed. Very gently tap the stick on the edge of the pan while slowly turning the stick to let the excess drip off evenly. Whatever works for you here ... just be gentle. I flicked a cake ball right into my chocolate and had to fish it out. Ooopps. Don't worry, I ate him so he didn't go to waste. 

** sorry that i don't have pictures of this step, my hands were really busy!!**

9: DECORATING - The possibilities here are endless. I just used what I had on hand - milk chocolate chips, heath bar crumbles and sprinkles. I found it helps to have an extra set of hands during this process.  If you want your topping to stick firmly it needs to be sprinkled as quickly as you can after the dipping process. You can also do a drizzle of a contrasting color of chocolate (super cute!) or not decoration at all. I also got kind of crazy and rolled some of the chocolate chips and heath into the cake balls (step 4) prior to dipping. It was like an extra little surprise inside!

10: SERVE - I opted for tray service for my first attempt. It was easy to organize and easy for guest to pick which pop they wanted. I think they were adorable and tasty. Since it was my birthday treat ... I guess that's all that matters!

Here is the BEAUTIFUL 30th Birthday Cake that my mom made. It was a scrumptious, 8-layer chocolate cake with her famous buttercream icing. She choose the sweet cherry blossom decoration. I loved it. Thanks mom. 

Burn Bunsen Burn

HAPPY (200TH) BIRTHDAY MR. ROBERT BUNSEN!!

i mostly posted this because i love the google doodle gifs. they make me smile. this one is sort of a stretch for the word, but i love all the action!! you google geeks are the best. 

29 ... code for almost 30.

Today is the 29th of March.
I am 29 years old today.
In a few {very short} days I will be ... 30.
I'm having a difficult time processing that little tidbit of information.
Thirty.
Whoa.

I'm honestly not too sure what to make of it. I don't feel like I am approaching some huge milestone in my life. I haven't been dwelling on this number like some others do as a THE definitive marker in my life's journey. Though, as this birthday has drawn closer, I have realized that it is kind of a big deal. Whether I want to admit it or not, 30 changes things. No longer in your 20s, there are certain societal expectations of how you should act or things you should have accomplished by this stage of your life. I wonder if I will live up to the criteria of others. Let's get real, do I ever? No.

Many of my friends, acquaintances and even bloggers I follow seem to have embarked on a "30 Before 30" bucket list sometime in their late 20s. I thought about it last year at this time. I'm not great with deadlines, so I determined the whole process would feel more like an obligation then enjoyment to me. I opted out of this particular fad. It did however left me a bit curious about what I might have done differently if I had actually sat down and created a list of things to check-off before 30 ebbed closer. GULP. Guess I'll never know. I'm ok with that actually.

Instead, I decided to give myself some props. If you know me you are well aware that isn't really my style. On the whole I would classify myself as a more self-depricating personality. I don't throw a lot of compliments my own way.

So, HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY to me.
Here are 30 things I'm proud that I accomplished before turning 30.
{in no particular order}

1. i married the love of my life. <3
2. i know how to use power tools like a pro.
3. i rescued a pound dog named reese and made him family.
4. i learned to tell people that i love them ... and only when i really mean it.
5. i have read over 300 books.
6. i know how to bake delicious desserts.
7. i learned to like and eat tomatoes, granola, squash, spinach, avocado and yogurt.
8. i own a beautiful, comfortable home that i love living in.
9. i know how to sew.
10. i can throw a football in a tight spiral for at least 40 yards.
11. i know how to change a tire & check the oil in my car.
12. i still send hand-written, thoughtful thank you notes.
13. i have excellent penmanship.
14. i have vacationed outside the US more than once.
15. i can bait a hook & catch a fish.
16. i took my granny on an all expenses paid vacation to somewhere she had always wanted to go.
17. i have driven cross-country from Atlanta to LA with a dear friend.
18. i have hiked the grand canyon.
19. i gave away 10% of my last year's salary to charity.
20. i have a savings account and a ROTH IRA that i contribute $$ to regularly.
21. i consider my little brother & his wife two of my very dearest friends.
22. i found the courage to quit a job that no longer made my happy.
23. i have my own photography & graphic design business.
24. i wrote a book documenting my granny's life because i am in awe of her.
25. i carry my own shopping bags everywhere to avoid taking a plastic bag from stores.
26. i have had my writing published.
27. i have been snorkeling and wasn't afraid of being eaten by a shark the entire time!
28. i have seen 6 broadway plays - 1 actually on BROADWAY!!!
29. i have helped build homes and churches for those in need with my bare hands.
30. i was the first person in my family to graduate from college.

Way to go Ash. Hey, you're not so bad after all :)

DIY Feature

My DIY jewelry organizer was featured on Chic Technique!

Thanks for the shout out.

Cramming.

not the kind you do to say "prepare" for a final exam. it is just the only verb i could conjure up to describe my life right now. i feel as though i cannot physically cram the information & experiences flying around me into my brain & my heart any faster. i have been reading at a blinding pace (especially when i forget to wear my spectacles). my brain is actually aching at the amount of new information it is taking in on a daily basis. i'm doing that thing that i have a love/hate relationship with right now too. i am reading about 4 different books at once. i love this because it only happens when there is so many things i want to read at once that i couldn't possibly choose what to pick first. i hate this because it is hard for me to focus like i should on the content of what i am reading. inevitably, this psychotic behavior only last a few weeks. i dabble around in all the books for a while and then the "tell" happens. before i know it one book makes it into my purse. that's the WINNER. if i feel like i must have it with me everywhere i go just in case i should find one spare second to squeeze in some reading ... it will definitely be finished first. right now the front runner is cold tangerines by my new favorite writer shauna niequist.

i have also been slaving away at a back breaking pace on my home with the hubby during every available daylight hour. we race home after work, change into the yard clothes and get to gettin'. on the weekends - forget it. we are in the yard from sun up to sun down. everything in my body hurts from this endeavor, but we are seeing real progress. most of the projects were things that have been floating on the to-do list for years. we finally just rolled up the sleeves and started chipping away - literally in some cases - at them. i have really enjoyed spending time outside working, but now that my nemesis pollen is arriving on the scene i am ready for a little indoor work.
*hopefully picture updates to follow soon from some of the projects. 


i've also been compelled to cram in some quality time with friends. it has been largely uneventful, but meaningful nights out by the fire, a few dinners and some hanging outside until the sun is long gone. i am holding onto and cultivating friendships with people that seem to have made their way into my life at exactly the right time. just when my life needed a few extra hugs and people sending good vibes my way.

even though it's been a season of cramming, with a full mind and an achy body, i have no doubt that i will look back on this time and be glad. for the things i have learned, the work i have done and the people i have loved.

IT'S VEGAS BABY!!

A few months ago I compiled a six-page guide to Vegas for a friend who was going for the first time. Just trying to give her a wide-sweeping lay of the land out there. Keep in mind that my typical Vegas experience is a bit different from some who might be making their way out to sin city. That is to say ... I'm not really looking to do too much "sinning" when I'm out there. After all, I'm an old married gal and I have been to Vegas with the hubby every time. I'm more of the touristy, sightseeing, mild-mannered typeVegas visitor. I know, lame right?

Well, since I created the document I have actually sent it out to eight different people that were going to Vegas for various reasons. My friend Christy and her husband went recently for a conference. Since they were going to have some downtime everyday ... I sent the info her way. She sent me a message and suggested that I post it on my blog. Here it is.

Click HERE and it will take you straight to a printable Google Doc.
Enjoy & feel free to pass it along to anyone you think might like it.

GO R.O.W.E

i have been enamored by a seemingly endless list of topics in the first weeks of this new year. it seems as though every time i sit down in a book store, breeze by the checkout magazine racks or hop on the ole' interwebs i am bombarded by information that i didn't even know i wanted.

yesterday, while watching many a TED Talk (and multi-tasking of course) i came across dan pink's "talk" about the surprising science of motivation. as generation y-er myself, this didn't really seem like late breaking news to me. in fact, i can vividly recall many a lunch break at my previous job spent pontificating on this very topic with my co-workers. seriously, we could go on-and-on about all the reasons why what mr. pink is saying about this movement is right on target.

so what is R.O.W.E.? RESULTS-ONLY WORK ENVIRONMENT
in the most basic terms - R.O.W.E is getting paid for performing. seems pretty simple right? just 3 simple building blocks. 

AUTONOMY

MASTERY

PURPOSE

employees are evaluated on performance, not presence. in a R.O.W.E. people focus on results and only results – increasing the organization’s performance while creating the right climate for people to manage all the demands in their lives . . . including work. this is how you achieve what i have always believes is everyone's ultimate goal -- a positive work/life balance. it provides employees the opportunity to set their own priorities, yet still be held accountable for the work (output) they have agreed to do in order to earn that all in important paycheck. whether you power toward the deadline while burning the midnight oil because you are night-owl & procrastinator like me, or you wake up early, diligently devote an allotted amount of time to your work and then enjoy the rest of your day ... either way, the work is getting done, the results are the same and you feel empowered over your life. 


it's a revolution in the way society thinks about "work" in the traditional sense. everyone is always worried about how the newest generation of workers will integrate into the systems that already exist. well i say ... BUST OUT people. let your boundaries on this subject be budged just a little and consider the possibilities a work environment like this would make possible in your own life. 


i love it. it sounds like my perfect utopian work environment.
ps: have you ever heard of the candle problem? 

Bittersweet.

my deep, abiding love for reading is matched by little else in my life. i have devoted many a precious minute (ok, hours) of my life and welcomed many a dawn in the process of devouring delicious books of various kinds. some have been purely educations, some just for fun, some inspiring,  a couple of tear-jerkers, a love story thrown in here and there, a few ridiculously good-humored picks, several that inspired me and a few that have stirred the very core of my being. if you are not a book person then i don't think you can really grasp the feeling that comes from immersing yourself in the words of someone else and seeing the world through their eyes for a brief moment in time. it is even more powerful when the author somehow captures YOUR point of view or the essence of your beliefs. at the turn of every page you are left thinking that they must have been inside your head carefully excavating the thoughts that you were unable to articulate on your own.

i made it my mission long ago to make my reading list diverse. it keeps me on my toes. i pick new books based on a litany of things - recommendations from friends, book clubs, top-pick lists, the cover art, the first page, the author's bio, if its on sale ... honestly i have a hard time finding reasons NOT to buy books. that being said, sometimes a book just finds its way into my life at the exact right time. call it luck. call it destiny. call it divine intervention. whatever the term is to describe the good fortune i have had over the years for this phenomenon to continue to happen has been a blessing in my life. serendipity in deed. i cannot put into words the humbleness of my heart every time i realize it has happened again. so it is with the book i began reading a few days ago. so far, every word has pierced deep and with the accuracy of a skilled marksman has found exactly the place to land in order to fill the holes of my soul. 

Bittersweet by Shauna Neiquist 

thoughts on change, grace & learning the hard way

"Bittersweet is the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a moment of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak, and that rejoicing is no less rich even when it contains a splinter of sadness. 'It's the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet, and that a life of nothing but sweetness rots both your teeth and your soul. Bitter is what makes us strong, what forces us to push through, what helps us earn the lines on our faces and the calluses on our hands. Sweet is nice enough, but bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity. Bittersweet is courageous, gutsy, audacious, earthy. "

"This is what I've come to believe about change: it's good, in the way that childbirth is good, and heartbreak is good, and failure is good. By that I mean that it's incredibly painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliver you right into the palm of God's hand, which is where you wanted to be all long, except that you were too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should be. I've learned the hard way that change is one of God's greatest gifts, and most useful tools. Change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we've become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I've learned that it's not something to run away from, as though we could, and that in many cases, change is a function of God's graciousness, not life's cruelty."

Let there be light ...

Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931

Happy Birthday Mr. Edison!!
I am absolutely amazed when i think about people like this. People like edison who devote their life to learning & creating. Who continue to ask the most simple question "why" and then do anything it takes to find the answers they are seeking. His passion and persistence are to thank for so many of the modern things we take for granted. I am particularly grateful for his visionary success in providing light & power to the masses. I do so enjoy being able to plug things in and use a light switch!

Some little Edison tidbits for you:
- he was the last of seven children
- he didn't learn to talk until he was almost 4 years old
- he was extremely shy
- he only had 3 months of formal schooling
- he was only able to hear at about 20% out of his right ear and was completely deaf in his left
- at age 14 he published his own paper with a readership of over 300 people
- by 15 he had mastered the telegraph
- at 16 he came up with his 1st authentic invention called the "automatic repeater"
- he was fired from Western Union for "lack of concentration" on his duties
- he obtained 1,093 patents in his life
- he tested over 3,000 filaments before coming up with his version of the practical lightbulb
- he invented and patented the motion picture camera ... ok this one might be my favorite fact!

Some of my favorite Edison quotes:
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Accordingly, a 'genius' is often merely a talented person who has done all of his/her homework."
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
"If we all did the things that we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."
 "The 3 things that are most essential to achievement are common sense, hard work and stick-to-it-iv-ness."
"The thing I lose patience with the most is the clock. Its hands move far too fast."

yard sale d.r.a.m.a.

i'm about to make the understatement of the year so hold on to your undies ... our garage is a WORK IN PROGRESS. whew. we have recently decided to turn it into a full fledged movie/entertainment room since we don't really use is for parking anyhow. why you ask? well, no one in this house knows for sure so it's one of those unspoken things we just roll with around here. like i said, movie/entertainment room is in the works. we have made some pretty solid progress, good grief it feels as if this is the project that will never end. more on this later.

in the meantime we are in desperate, dire, critical, painful need of having a massive yard sale to get this project anywhere near completion. did i mention i HATE yard sales? hate with a passion i might add for just a bit more clarity. the yard sale we are in need of makes me want to cry. the fact that it is looming over my head makes me feel physically ill every time i let my mind drift to the dark corner it is crouched in. i am not intimidated by a long list of things in life, but you best believe yard sales make the cut.

so today i buckled down and made some serious headway in the "preparing-for-the-mega-yard-sale-event-of-the-year" department. brother it was painful. i'm hopeful that this day long adventure gets me that much closer to the project bliss that awaits me on the other side! so for now, i'm stacked, organized and waiting for a few straight days of beautiful weather so i can purge this heap-o-stuff out of my life. i'll keep you posted on our {i hope huge!} success.

wish me luck peeps ... i am really going to need it!

Thanks Phil!

According to our furry friend Punxsutawney Phil (and several other reputable groundhogs) we can expect Spring to come early this year! Thank goodness. I am ready for some warm weather on the regular. This time of year is such a tease. You get some great days here & there, but it is so inconsistent that you just never seem to be able to plan around the weather. Let's hope these little rodent forecasters got it right. 

Welcome back ...

... to the the blog-o-sphere. I really love blogging, but wow am I terrible at keeping up with it. I mean it is pretty pitiful when months go by and I literally forget to update. Eh. My cross to bear I guess. Well, in an effort not to let my little blog die on the internet vine I am back for more. I'll try not to judge myself too harshly if I let it wither again. It is just one of those things I guess.

We had a great weekend.  The weather was simply perfect and thank goodness because I have a bad case of cabin fever. I actually do like the winter. Just in very brief spurts :) I have been so looking forward to getting outside & feeling the warm sunshine again. Saturday was my day. We ate a late lunch and headed for the Silver Comet Trail. Took a brisk 5 mile walk with the pup and soaked up all the vitamin D we could. There were so many people on bikes I left the trail totally inspired! I have never been much of a biker, but they all made it seem like so much fun. I've been thinking that the cycle cruiser I bought from a yard sale last year for a cool $30 might see a little more action in 2011. We'll see.

My little cousin Chase got baptized last week! We were all super excited for him. His sweet mom set up a dinner so we could all celebrate as an extended family. I am always amazed at what a super funny bunch we are. My stomach hurts every time we are together. I was reminded again that what I have with my family is pretty rare. I am certainly lucky in that department. Despite all of our flaws & quirks, we crack each other up. Thank goodness for life's simple gifts.

The day of fun ended at my brother's house. More fun stories and many more laughs were shared with them & their neighbors ... another super fun group. They are so lucky to live next to such cool people. They provided the most insane smores I have ever experienced for our snacking pleasure. The marshmallows were JUMBO and could not be contained by a single graham square. So huge in fact that they were almost flame retardent! It was quite impressive.

Sunday was a much simpler day, but just as enjoyable. Our little family hung out together all day and took in more of the sun shiny goodness.