A Poem from Poet Tyler Knott Gregson

Just really beautiful words that capture the feeling of being home. I really like Tyler Knott Gregson's work.  Everything I read just touches me and says "yes" to the feelings and thoughts that go through me. Here is one I shared with Michael tonight that he enjoyed just as much as I did - gave us both that feeling of knowing the words.

Source: tylerknott.com via Darby on Pinterest

Mashup by Pomplamoose

Gratitude Friday

I thankful for...
1. safe trip to Denver
2. getting to spend tomorrow with a great couple
3. spending time with Michael's parents
4. water on a hot summer day
5. having good friends who listen to things I need to vent about and just share
6. Michael getting really good compliments about work he did - I am very proud of him

You Found Me

What was said and What I hear

I know that people sometimes say things that we can take wrong. But I feel most of the time it is our own internal negative messages that start playing and interpreting what was said in a totally different meaning. I still hear things that weren't actually said, but I know I have gotten better with it and shutting down negative processing because of Byron Katie's The Work.


I ask myself the 4 questions of  The Work....
1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought? 
4. Who would you be without the thought?


I think when you first start doing the work, doing all the questions and the turnabout really help in rewiring those negative thoughts that come with what we hear verses what was actually said.  After doing this for a bit though, I can say to myself when the tapes start playing - Is it true?  And really with that I can shut them down. But before I always created loop holes and so those other questions and the turnabout were important to help me in processing.

Really people can mean something one way and say it another. So how we do take it can be accurate but really that is their problem - they have an issue then to work through so still by doing the work I ask if it is true and let it go.  

So either way The Work - works for me to help process my own negative tapes and acknowledge the present moment.

Strong

Source: tumblr.com via Darby on Pinterest

As someone that lives with pain everyday, it gets hard to hang on and be strong all the time. So yes I know that feeling.  I know what is like to just keep having to hang on even though I putting so much into something. It is hard to hang on when feeling so tired and hurting so much.  I know that some days it is hard to think rinse and repeat this again tomorrow and the day after but not get any further - so tears come.

I Will Go Anywhere With You

Geeky Soul Mates

The proof that we are soulmates from Emanuele Colombo on Vimeo.

Cute video and reminds me of Michael and I.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...for all the brave women and men fighting the fires in Colorado.  It is just horrible how much of this beautiful state is being lost but thankful for those who are fighting for it.

Fire

Fire started yesterday 10 miles northwest of us here in Grand Junction. The path is tracking mostly north and east away from town. They closed I-70 for a time last night and now it is down to just one lane open. But they are still concerned with the fire crossing the Colorado River. There is an evac order is mostly north and east of us - towards De Beque, CO. 


Last night I was dreaming I was cooking and I kept smelling smoke.  I kept looking in the pan in my dream and thinking it doesn't look like it is burning. Finally I woke realizing I was smelling actual smoke not dream smoke. We weren't on fire - just with the area fire the smell was carrying to us and being sucked into the house by our air. It did cause me to have to break out my inhaler but I have been lucky because I only had to use it once.  I also took some allergy meds and that seemed to help me with my sinus' and my eyes watering and stinging. 


Our beautiful state is in such trouble. Pray for rain without lightening please.

Living in the Present Moment

Source: flickr.com via Darby on Pinterest

I honestly do this too much...

“If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.” ~Unknown

I think worry about what-ifs and the past and end up not living in the moment and for today. I try to work harder to know and see what is now and enjoy it.  It is something I will continually work on and I know I am happier when I do it.

TinyBuddha posted a good article about living in the now when going through a lot of stress. They did 5 points and then talked about each point. I am going to post the points but please go and take a look at the whole article as it is so good.

1. Realize thoughts are not necessarily reality.

2. Use breathing to center you in the now.

3. Stop comparing now to then.

4. Focus on the happy moments.

I missed the giveaway for Living Happily Ever Now: A Guide + Workbook for Living in the Present Moment, but have been eyeing the workbook and might breakdown and buy it.

Turning Page

From Breaking Dawn Soundtrack

Gratitude Friday

photo by Tammy 

I am thankful...
1. a good week with Tammy here
2. a good trip to Durango
3. good time with stopping to see some friends on our way to and home from Durango
4. beautiful - awe inspiring - take your breath away scenery in Colorado
5. Michael being patient

Mad World

I have heard this song quite a bit this weekend in different places.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for..
1. getting to see our good friend Lala!
2. getting to go to Penzys and a new age store with all sorts of pretty things
3. finding the perfect birthday card for a good friend
4.  Tammy arriving
5. a good day even though very long

Inside

As always I love TinyBuddha from an entry titled: 9 POWERFUL LIFE LESSONS FROM STUDYING WITH A MONK


"The real world doesn’t give us all the answers. The greatest teacher is inside of us."


"By creating happiness inside, he was able to increase that emotional state by spreading it to others."

Brene Brown and Harry Potter

Source: pinterestdresses.com via Sarai on Pinterest

I am a big fan of Brene Brown. I try to read everything she writes, all the clips online I find, podcasts she does and so on.  I just value everything she says because it really hits me, makes me think and has helped me figure out things I have been struggling with for such a long time.  I just appreciate her words of wisdom.

So yesterday she did a post on her blog using Harry Potter to help with her teaching.  Made me adore here even more being a Harry Potter fan. :)

"Shame is the big daddy of dementors, but we're stronger. Expecto Patronum!" ~ Brene Brown

Paradise

I have been a Coldplay fan since their first cd.  I love that they care so much about the world. Just not one area but all people in the world. They are always inspiring to me.

Carlson's Cherry Lemonade

While Tammy was here in April we went to our favorite local winery - Carlson's Vineyards.  We sampled several wines and they shared this recipe that we all decided sounded amazing.  We didnt' get to enjoy it the last time Tammy was here, but Michael and I did make some recently and will make some more when Tammy visits in a week.  


Carlson's Cherry Lemonade
2 bottles Carlson Cherry Wine
12 oz. can of frozen lemonade


Combine lemonade and Cherry wine.  Add ice and orange slices or other fruit like a handful of blueberries or raspberries.  


NOTES:  You are not adding water to the lemonade. The cherry wine acts like water for this recipe. But it can be very tart so I do add ice to water it down some. 


I am sure you could use another Cherry Wine but we love Carlson's.  


When Michael and I tried it the first time we halved it.  I did one bottle of wine and a 6 oz. of frozen lemonade and it worked well. But if you are having more than 2 people you will want to do the full recipe as this goes down quickly and tastes so good it was easy for just the 2 of us to go through.  

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. having time to work on a personal website and hope to have a new Darby Art website up with some new art on it too in the 4 to 8 weeks.
2. Cherry Lemonade Wine which I will post the recipe for tomorrow
3. eye drops as my eyes have been driving me crazy - something is in the air.
4. supportive emails from friends
5. holding hands with Michael

Dry Skin

Ever since moving to Colorado, my skin has issues with being dry and irritated. I mean I always have had dry and sensitive skin, but it is worse in western Colorado where it is very dry.  Add in that I am getting older and my skin is changing so I am going a little crazy.  I am can't stand spending so much money on lotion when I go through it so fast. Even though Aveeno does make it feel better and lasts longer than any of the lotions I have tried.

But I am thinking of breaking down and trying to make my own...I found a few recipes via pinterest that I might want to try so putting them here to remember...

Source: gardentherapy.ca via Darby on Pinterest

Source: organic-beauty-recipes.com via Darby on Pinterest

Source: luckybeans.typepad.com via Darby on Pinterest

Source: littlehouseinthesuburbs.com via Darby on Pinterest

Skyscraper

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. sending out snail mail to friends and brightening their day
2. receiving unexpected snail mail that brightened my day
3. a chance meeting of someone I have known online for years - recognizing each other in the hall and stopping to stay hi
4. purple skirt and being barefoot
5. an entertaining bodice ripper type book by Karen Marie Moning

Box of Sunshine

A good friend of ours was going through a down time and so we sent her a box of sunshine. I got the idea off of Pinterest. It came from this website: KatherineMarie.com   I like how they did it with the little tags, candy and such, but we weren't wanting to send bunches of candy although I love the idea of taking candy and just pulling out the yellow to give in the box.

So I took that idea and we did a box full of yellow bright sunny cheerful things for our friend.  In the polka dot tin was some gum,  little stickers, and a half circle notepad that had a lemon on the front.  In the little yellow and white cosmetic bag was a little white and yellow brush, goldish-yellow nail files and that bottle of lotion in the photos.  We found a little poem book with a cup of cheer on the front of it in the form of a teacup. The little book was all done in yellows.  It is under the dragonfly journal that is yellow with hot pink dragonflies on it. Also included were notecards and notepad with a bee, yellow duck scrubbie, the Love stone, yellow and white candle that smelled of summer time and sunshine,  little yellow bucket had face and feet masks, and more manicure set. We added yellow tissue, shredded crinkly paper, fabric ribbon, curly ribbon and bows.

It was really fun looking for yellow items. Most things we found in the dollar section at Michael's Arts and Crafts, Target and the Dollar Tree.

The Box of Sunshine did exactly what we intended - cheer up our friend and remind her how much we care about her.

Foster the People

Birthday Wishes

Wishing my Mom a very Happy Birthday! I know she is spending the weekend with her grandkids so I am sure she is having a good weekend.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. migraine cycle is gone
2. Carlson's Cherry Wine Lemonade
3. Harry Potter marathon with Michael
4. inspiration all around me
5. having fun trying to see the Ring of Fire (solar eclipse) with Michael

Summer is Here....

Already tired of the 80's temps ... and we're no where close to June yet.

But the trees are in full bloom, the flowers, the bugs and other things.  It's nice to have this cycle in the universe and sometimes we forget to take a gander at it as we drive by.

So take a moment - in your next travels and look for something beautiful on your trek.  Flowers, trees, fruit stands, kids playing, butterflies, sun drenched skies.

Life is going by quick again ... gotta slow it down when you can.

Enjoy!

Inspiring Women - Gabrielle Bernstein

You know I was going to sit down here and say that I am into reading or watching/listening too all these amazing women on the web who inspire me.  I am trying to apply some of what I read/hear into my life so that I can achieve my goals.  But what stopped me for a moment is because they are often labeled as self-help or in the self-help field.  Many are in the marketing field, business and life coaches - helping women become who they want to be. They are business and life coaches.  But really the word self-help is what stopped me for a moment because it can be a turn off.  I wish it wasn't that way. But often it makes people wonder why you need help. These women though want you to be able to discover and go after all you dream about and will help you take find a path to achieving everything you want.  Going after dreams is very healing and hopeful.  So I guess  in those terms - they are in the self-help field but it isn't a bad word to me because these women inspire me even when I am having a hard time with my chronic migraines getting in the way.  The remind me to be hopeful and keep moving forward in my dreams.

I thought I would highlight a few of these wonderful women the next few weeks.

My first pick and these aren't in order of favorites or anything. I just happened to watch Gabby's Monday Vlog and thought I want to share this...and share all the inspiring things I read from these amazing women. 

So today I am sharing Gabrielle Bernstein - The Spirit Junkie.  I watch her vlogs (video-blogs). I love her attitude and well...spirit. She is a bright light.  In this video she talks about taking your passion to the next level. She quotes Dr. Wayne Dryer who is very inspiring also. She uses his quote about being inspired means you are inspirit. She also says when we are inspired we are inspirit and when we are inspirit we know that the universe has our back.  I really like that and feel it is true.

Ring of Fire

Sunday it was the Ring of Fire (annular solar eclipse) and we decided we would try to see it. Not exactly see it as you can't look at it. But Michael brought out the child within and made pinhole box.  It was a long cube box kind of like the one pictured here. I wish we would have gotten a picture of the one he made but we didn't.

I packed a picnic dinner and we drove out to this remote desert area that is a perfect place to watch the sun set. Which is what we ended up doing as the Ring of Fire was too bright in our location to really see it.  But it was cool to at least try and it was a wonderful evening spent with Michael. We sat and talked and eat dinner and just enjoyed the view and quality time with each other.

We live in such a beautiful state and enjoying the scenery together is one of my favorite times with Michael. We just have so much fun exploring Colorado and being in awe of its beauty.

Very thankful for the wonderful evening. Good memory created.

The Avengers

This is Live to Rise from Soundgarden.  It is from the soundtrack of The Avengers.  Michael and I have went to see it 2 times in the movie theater.  We don't even go see movies in the theater that often so to see something  two times in the theater means yes we really enjoyed it.  I am a huge Joss Whedon fan - he is the creator of several tv shows - Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dollhouse and Firefly. Last Monday I posted a song that is from Buffy the Vampire Slayer - the musical episode.

Joss Whedon's works have great lines in them and The Avengers was no exception.  It had some clearly Joss Whedon lines in them.  I would see it again and again in the movie theater and I am sure Michael will be in line when it is released on DVD because we just enjoyed it that much.

If you go to see it make sure you sit through ALL the credits. It has 2 little clips - one right after the main ending and then one after ALL that credits. And I mean ALL - as there were SO MANY special effect people in on this that the credits go on and on and on and on. You might be the last people in the theater.  We were the last people the 2nd time but were the 2 of about 8 people the first time watching it.  So not many people know about the clip on the very end.

Tomato Salad

We had a BBQ to go to a couple weeks ago.  It was a lot of fun socializing with this group of people.  We are so thankful that we were invited and made it back from Denver in time to go.

Of course about a week before the party, I started thinking about what to bring but was really not coming up with anything that was sounding very good to me. I wanted something easy to do as we would be just back from Denver so didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen.  I was flipping through an old Food & Wine magazine and came across a recipe that I adapted because it wasn't exactly what sounded good to me - as I don't like blue cheese and I didn't like the sound of dijon vinaigrette at that moment - but I am sure it would be good with it too.

Tomato Salad
3 lbs tomatoes at least 3 different kinds chopped- I did 4 kinds
1/2 lb cooked bacon - crumbled
1 small container feta cheese
balsamic vinaigrette - to taste - start with 1/2 cup and keep moving up

Toss all ingredients to mix.

Refrigerate any leftovers - if there are any.  We came home with less than 1/2 cup.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. my 5 day migraine cycle finally fading
2. homemade hoagie rolls
3. time with friends
4. emails from friends
5. ice packs

Daydreaming

We would love to move into a new house but it just isn't in the cards right now. But it doesn't stop me from daydreaming. Here are some things I would like in our next house....and some things that I might do here.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Darby on Pinterest

I would really like to have a new backsplash. Although I don't think chalkboard would be easy to clean as a backsplash. I think I want tin.

Source: bhg.com via Darby on Pinterest

I love the wide orange section on the wall. I also love the green and orange together.

Source: dreamgreendiy.com via Darby on Pinterest

Gray wall with letter on it. Just like the style of this room - the painted round table, the dark chairs, pendant lamp, letter and wall.  Even the ceiling showing....really like it.

Source: designsponge.com via Darby on Pinterest

I love all the wall art in a small space like a bathroom. I also love the charcoal gray painted walls.

Once More with Feeling

This is from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  It is from the episode Once More with Feeling from Season 6.  The whole episode is basically a musical.  It is one of my favorite episodes.  I have been watching Buffy again and just watched this episode recently so thought I would share a song from it.

Meditation

Don't from susan piver on Vimeo.


Susan Piver's has very helpful 10-minute meditation videos.  To see more of them go here.  I use meditation to help center myself when things seem out of control and just to help me keep focus day to day. Sometimes of course it doesn't go well or easily but most of the time is it a helpful practice.

Tonight Tonight

Good We Can Give

From Lori Deschene of Tiny Buddha: "If we want something from people, we come to them from a place of lack, unbalance, and maybe even neediness. If we want something for people, we come to them from a place of wholeness, presence, and maybe even love. And it’s not just about self-confidence or altruism. It’s also about taking responsibility for creating positive energy around us, which inevitably multiples.  When we give good thoughts, good vibes, and a smile, we generally get it back."

Brene Brown

Brene Brown on Listening to Shame.  I think she is the best - always amazing. 

Carry

Tori Amos - Carry

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. a good trip to Denver
2. a nice time with Michael's parents
3. Five Guys Burgers
4. possibilities of Tammy coming to visit again soon
5. Michael having work

The Happy Secret to Better Work

From TED - Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work

Basically he is talking about if we are happy we work better.  But just like the way he framed it and said it.  

AMAZING Week!

We had such an amazing week!  A friend of ours from Chicago, Tammy, visited and we just all have a great time and it didn't matter what we did - it could be hanging around the house or doing day trips - everything was so fun.  Michael schedule was kind of clear and free for her visit but of course when you own your own business - things happen. So we didn't get to do all the things we had planned but we still had a great time. She is such a pleasure to be around.  She just went with it and offered to pitch in and help when a big project came up.  So thankful for all she did while she was here. It really helped us out.

She is a shutterbug so she took over 1000 photos while here.  Michael and I took some photos too but I only took a handful as I was with 2 people who are the real photographers in our bunch. 

But here is a couple of my photos...this was on the Colorado National Monument which is about 10 mins away from us. 

Sarah Fimm

This video is odd - odd in a good way for me. 

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for..
1. Tammy being here
2.  a great week
3.  good laughs
4. day trips
5. sharing our beautiful state with Tammy

* a photo from the Colorado National Monument - one place we went this week

A Credo for Making It Happen

I adore Danielle LaPorte.  She really speaks to me in ways that have helped Michael with his business but also helped me with my art.  She now has a book The Fire Starter Sessions. Before she wrote the book - it was an ebook/eworkbook and I have it and it is excellent so I know the book will be great and plan on getting it. But this video she did as a little teaser for the book is excellent and inspiring.

ABBA

When cleaning, having music on is a MUST for me. Michael came into the bedroom while I was spring cleaning and I was being a Dancing Queen....as I was dancing and dusting to ABBA.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. Tammy arriving tomorrow
2. the house being clean - scrubbed and shiny
3. enjoying the feeling of cleaning and getting rid of stuff - it just always makes me feel lighter
4. photos of family and friends - I ordered some photos and changed out some old photos for the new photos
5. beautiful spring weather

In a Few Days...

In a few days, we will be having a very good friend visiting us.  I can't wait to see her and just sit and talk.  I have been crazy cleaning. It is spring cleaning with the frenzy on top of people coming to visit.  I do this when Michael's parents visit and when mine do too.

I have a menu planned and hope she feels like she is being spoiled when here.  I know she deserves to be spoiled.

I have tried a few cleaning techniques and homemade cleaners I have seen on Pinterest and they worked well. I will give a review of them later.

Cup of her Heart

From Danielle LaPorte's blog back in 2009 but just love it...

"A woman makes a cup of her heart. She carries your concerns and fears with you, for you. When your eyes fill up with teary news, so do hers. It happens with women you’ve known for years, with women you just met at the grocery store, in the ladies room, in a prayer circle. She carries your story with her. She mixes honey with it and re-tells it to you and helps you notice how great you’re doing, in spite of everything, because of everything."

Fast

I feel like life is moving a little too fast right now.  Since coming back from Christmas vacation - it just seems like it has been one thing after another.  We came home with colds from Christmas vacation and then got hit with colds/flu in March again. Really the March flu was the worst I have felt in probably over 10 years.  I don't know if it just me getting older so bones ache more and body breaking down so I feel the flu more-so then I did when I was young and could run around even when sick.  But this flu did me in. Really 2 weeks of really being down with it and then a 3rd week with just the cough left.  After that I started spring cleaning, which I normally do but this time I needed to get it done quickly as we are having a very good friend visit.  So from the end of the flu to when she visits isn't a lot of time.  But I will manage and get things done so that we can have a great time when she arrives. We can't wait to show off our beautiful state to her.

So as I stated life feels like it is moving fast and I really need it to slow down a bit - and I am hoping that while she is here I can relax a little and have some fun.  I am really looking forward to her visit.

Beautiful

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. getting rid of things not needed
2. laughing
3. hugs
4. spring flowers
5. renewed energy

Spring Cleaning

I have been on a whole house spring cleaning extravaganza. I have been cleaning every little thing but also organizing and purging stuff. Michael brought 3 large lawn trash bags to Goodwill yesterday.

I tried something for the hard water/soap scum and it worked really well. Although not completely natural, I think still good to use when things are really built up.  It was 2 cups vinegar that I microwaved for 3 minutes and then added to a spray bottle. Then added 1/2 cup of Dawn dish soap in and shook to mix.  I sprayed it on the shower door and walls, let sit for an hour and when I took a sponge to it - it wiped up without a lot of elbow grease.

Edge of the Ocean

There's a place I dream about
Where the sun never goes out.
And the sky is deep and blue.
Won't you take me there with you.

Ohhh, we can begin again.
Shed our skin, let the sun shine in.
At the edge of the ocean
We can start over again.

There's a world I've always known
Somewhere far away from home.
When I close my eyes I see
All the space and mystery.

Ohhh, we can begin again.
Shed our skin, let the sun shine in.
At the edge of the ocean
We can start over again.

Anniversary

Wishing my Mom and Dad a very Happy Anniversary! I 'd like to toast my parents as they celebrate 45 years together! Love you!

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. starting to feel more human after this nasty flu
2. being outside in this beautiful weather
3. lists to help keep organized
4. new found energy now that I am starting to feel better
5. long chats with good friends
6. Michael's Mom's birthday - Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mom :)

I just wanted to wish my mom a very happy birthday!

Keep Running

Meatless Meals

Something I would like to start doing is more meatless meals - even do a Meatless Monday so that dinner every Monday is meatless.

Here are a few recipes that I think would be perfect for it...

White Bean and Sage Patties with roasted tomato sauce

Source: wholeliving.com via Darby on Pinterest

Crustless Quiche with Spinach, Mushrooms & Feta Cheese

Source: budgetbytes.blogspot.com via Darby on Pinterest

Rice and Bean Burger 

Source: wholeliving.com via Darby on Pinterest

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...

1. soup

2. time chatting with friends

3. a friend visiting soon

4. kleenex 

5. Kevin Smith for making me laugh

Prank

We don't have regular tv. We use the Roku for watching movies and content that can be streamed through the Roku. So I don't watch Ellen but think she is a fabulous person!  Anyway I like Kristin Chenoweth too and this little prank is just funny that she doesn't get what is going on behind her. 

Hit ... hard......

It was bound to happen.

We left the safe confines of our bubble, we interacted with the general population - we got what we deserved.

Okay - actually that's not true, but what is true is that I'm nearing week #1 of having one of the worse colds I've had in recent memory. Poor Darby is a week behind me as we scatter around to try and figure out what the best way is going to be to rid our bodies with this gunk.

So far - the only that seems to make any difference is .... sleep.

Last week we were burning the candle and both ends - getting ramped up to what was supposed to be an extended trip back east. Thankfully that didn't happen because of these colds we got instead. It's your standard intense upper respiratory, body ache, fever on, fever off, fever back on, cough cough cough, physically and emotionally draining cold.

Darby was an angel taking care of me the first few days until she got it - now the tables are reversed as I'm starting to emerge from the cold-bug, while she's about 48 hours behind me. *ughs* I'm trying to take care of her while dealing with my own ebola-like cough that sends people to move in a 15 foot buffer away from me ... which is fine - I really don't want to pass this onto anyone.

On the plus side of things, at least we still got some projects done - completed and delivered. There's a blessing there - I just wish that this thing didn't hit us so hard.

Anyway - if you start getting symptoms, be very vigilant in getting rest, taking whatever voodoo medicine you take to ward off the germies, eat right, drink a lot of liquid and sleep sleep sleep.

Knowing What to Do

I love that I am exposed to beautiful art by so many talented artists via  Pinterest. This piece is by Jenny Wunderly

Source: pryorfineart.com via Darby on Pinterest

Where

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. making it Denver - even if it made for a long day
2. spending the night here - because we are so tired
3. jelly bean season!
4. Chinese food for dinner
5. allergy meds

Things I want to send out to the universe....I want the trip to be back on as it was cancelled. I want Michael to feel better and not give me his cold.  I would really appreciate it if those things would happen - Thank you!

The Look

I started a new board on Pinterest recently for things that I like The Look of it...such as graphic design, package design, logos, illustrations and such.

Here are a few I have pinned for package design....I would probably at least try all these things based on package design. Not knowing anything about them - just liking their package. I have done that with music and books before too - liked the cover art and picked it up to listen/read just because of that.

Source: ffffound.com via Darby on Pinterest

Source: lovelypackage.com via Darby on Pinterest

Source: valeriejar.blogspot.com via Darby on Pinterest

Source: funnel.tv via Darby on Pinterest

Astounding Fact

The Most Astounding Fact from Max Schlickenmeyer on Vimeo.

Astrophysicist Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson was asked in an interview with TIME magazine, "What is the most astounding fact you can share with us about the Universe?" This is his answer. 

Tripping to the East

Michael might need to be taking a road trip for his work and I am going to tag along.  It would give me a chance to see friends in Ohio, a friend in Illinois and then my sister and her family too.  We are all crossing fingers and toes it will work out.

I haven't seen my friends in Ohio since January 2004.  I miss Karen and Lisa so much. Everyday little things remind me of them.  I don't have friends here like I did there and miss that a lot. So hugging and talking with the girls would be absolutely marvelous! So crossing our fingers and toes that it works out - as it is kind of up in the air right now.

Date a Girl Who Reads

I love this - it is long but so good.

"Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve. Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag.She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow. She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book. Buy her another cup of coffee. Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice. It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does. She has to give it a shot somehow. Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world. Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two. Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series. If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype. You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots. Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads. Or better yet, date a girl who writes." – Rosemary Urquico

Story Cubes

Source: storycubes.com via Darby on Pinterest

I was reading this curated list of books for TED Bookstore....and on it was this game called Story Cubes. It looks like a lot of fun and would be great to help kids use their imagination.

100k

My vehicle is about ready to make that magical turn over 100k miles. While most of that has been in the flurry of trips between GJ and Denver, there's some other long drives that come to mind that I wanted to take a moment to recall. (In no particular order)

- Right out of the gate, brand new car to break in ... driving up to Minneapolis to help celebrate the birthday of Darby's grandmother. I remember the surprise and the joy she had with so many people that came to help celebrate with food, family and cake!

- The long trek to Shreveport, Louisiana post-Katrina. Hearing the stories of growing up in the south, witnessing the poverty, the racial divide that's still prevalent today. The tension of that divide and what it was like being in that part of the country in summer. ("hot" is not a describable word here....)

- The anniversary surprise. Seeing where Darby grew up in Omaha, watching her recall childhood memories and her favorite haunts. Trekking up to Minnesota - driving across the green fields and vast landscapes. The love, tears and happiness of celebrating Darby's parent's wedding anniversary. The video :)

- The roadtrips we took to Ouray after Thanksgiving ... to Durango twice ... to Santa Fe ... and the numerous treks up to Meeker, Rangely, Craig, Gateway, the Grand Mesa, McClure pass and the other favorite trips we take.

- The last minute trip to Storm Lake, Iowa to be part of Darby's sister and brother-in-law's wedding. Godfathers Pizza! The wedding, the photography, the feeling of family together. The incredible lush green fields of corn and the painted quilted barns of Sac County, Iowa.

- Montana ... the beauty of the lake ... meeting wonderful friends and enjoying their company ... the wildfires and the fact that Montana is one incredibly BIG state. Wyoming, Yellowstone, the buffalo, the Grand Tetons, Old Faithful ... the road construction from hell ...

- The return to Minnesota. Darby getting to see her niece for the first time. The first steps. Wonderful celebrating an unseasonably warm Christmas. Meeting someone very special to us and the outlook of things to come.

- The long trip to Austin, Texas. Meeting up with friends new and old along the journey - driving long distances, racing against the clock on the verge of bad news. I remember the small conglomerate of shops and health food restaurant in Austin - the incredibly tall trees and peacefulness in the middle of town.

- The numerous trips to Denver in great weather, the darkness of night, in blinding snowstorms, on ice-crested roads, witnessing accidents, car fires, wildfires and tire blow-outs an arm's length away. We've seen hot air balloons, ultra light aircraft, Christmas lights along I-70, roaring rivers, beautiful sunsets (and sunrises). We've ventured to Denver for parties & celebrations, my brother and sister-in-law's 25th anniversary, my Mom and Dad's 50th, Christmases, lunch, dinner and breakfast with family and friends.

All told - 100k miles since 2006 - each mile probably has a story. I love our Mercury Mariner and love the adventures it takes us to and how reliable it has been.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for... 

1. making it through the day without any sleep

2. being home the rest of the weekend

3. Sun Chips

4. Cookie Bars

5. the possibility of being able to see family and friends on a trip we might be taking soon

Heroes

Danielle LaPorte shared this quote on Facebook today. 

"My heroes are the ones who survived doing it wrong, who made mistakes, but recovered from them." – Bono