Based on a post I did about Harper's passing sprung a story for my digital storytelling blog, and this little video...
hug a helper.
Any one of the millions, if a hug's not your thing...shake their hand, look into their eyes and say Thank You
I think this is one of the most important things we can do regularly, but especially during weeks like these.
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And just for good measure, I thought I'd put this out there...
Watercolor and graphite. --> Something I haven't done before.
This my friend's (and old, er- former boss's) pup. Hansome Jim.
This picture was so hard to resist painting. So. I gave in and painted him.
I was so happy to hear how much these pups parents were with the finished painting.
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"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
- Gilda Radner
"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.Make your mistakes, next year and forever."
~Neil Gaiman
Sending love, light, contentment, and new mistakes your way, today and every day! Happy New Year!
XOXOXO -Me
What's up you say?
M- took me on a date this weekend. I love that!
We went to the Smithsonian National Air and Space musem in Chantilly, Virginia. This is an extention of the Smithsonian A&S in D.C.
It is H-U-G-E! It is a giant hangar, full of airplanes and other flying machines...
There are no words that can describe the feeling of standing next to this plane. None.
Fun!!
Yes, Please.
So simple!
A tire
Some Paint
Drill holes for water drainage
rocks
soil
plant
I want to paint and attach like a hundred of these to my shed out back!
Time...I guess it just flies by doesn't it? How did this thirty-something happen? I mean really, just the other day I was nineteen. NINE-TEEN. I knew everything, I could do anything, I could be anything.
I guess the only thing that has changed is I finally realize I don't know everything, BUT I can do, and be anything. The thing I want to be most is ME.
The exciting thing is, I am constantly a work in progress, constantly building a better me, constantly winning the battle.
My birthday was 5 days ago, and I am 31. (Well, I'll be 31 until I'm 41 at least. Just a minor detail really. We won't get into actual numbers..I hate math.)
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NOTE: If you are over 15 don't let your doctor talk you into having a tonsillectomy (if you still have them). That's what I did just before my birthday. It left me with amazing pain, not so amazing pain killers, and what feels like swallowing barbed wire anytime I swallow. Not pretty. It has taken me out of work for three weeks, and I only feel about 60% back to normal. Hopefully one day soon I will be able to eat more than mashed potatoes, overcooked nooodles, and pudding.
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I will be a college graduate in MAY!
My classes this semester are pretty interesting, a web design class, psychology-theories of personality (the last pre-req I need before I apply for the graduate program I want to enter!!), a combination art history and ceramics making course, and an art history class.
Two more classes and I am done! Last night it really hit me. I am going to graduate COLLEGE. I know, I know, a day late and a dollar short, but at least I'm FINALLY making it happen!!
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What are you making happen these days?
My new niece arrived this morning!!
She is so perfect, just ike her sisters and Brother!
I'm so excited for my sister and her family. She has what MUST BE the cutest little people, and now there is one more! I'm proud of my sister and her husband who are awesome parents who love and nurture even the quirkiest parts of each of their children. Theirs is a no holds barred love, big hugs, sweet kisses, whispered words, and loud joyful laughter. Sometimes life gets messy, but what kind of life would it be without that?
I love my sister and her family more than I can ever express, now there is MORE to LOVE!
So, have I mentioned this?
The PB&J challenge.
It goes something like this:
me: What are you making for dinner tonight honey?
him: Do you want pizza or peanut butter and jelly?
me: AAUUGGHH, I hate pizza, PB&J please.
him: Okay, PB&J it is.
After a few minutes in the kitchen M- came out with two PB&J sandwiches and a big glass of milk for me.
While I was taking my 2nd or 3rd bite I said: This is sooo good, I forgot how much I loved PB&J! Like you could eat pizza every night, I could eat this (cue sounds of doom).
him: No, you couldn't.
me: Yes, I could.
him: I know you, you like all different things, you could not eat PB&J EVERY night!
me: Yes, I could.
him: Okay then, PB&J every night this month.
(This was june 2nd)
me: you got it, PB&J every night we eat at home, because I know we have some dinner plans coming up.
him: okay. good luck.
We have had Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches EVERY NIGHT THIS MONTH except 3, one a wedding ( awesome), one a date night, and one a night with friends.
Please! Someone SAVE ME!!!! Invite us out to dinner, I'll even pay!
(But I won't give up!)
Do you know what I love more than puppies, glitter, and unicorns?
LOVE.
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
I am lucky to have found My Love, in a way that is real,true, honest, raw, inconvenient, genuine, ridiculous, passionate, consuming, incredible, and more than I could have ever imagined.
This weekend was filled with even more of that love! One of the greatest friends of my life married his perfect match Saturday.
The happiness I feel for him can barely be put into words. These are two people who are so quick to extend a hand of friendship, generous with their love, welcoming to everyone around them, and generally make you feel better about yourself, and help you look at things in a different light. Not kidding. This is exactly the kind of people they are.
I hope A- and K- relish the joy of marriage, marriage on their own terms, in their own way, each and every day.
I feel very lucky to have been able to celebrate this day with A- and K-. Weddings are special and getting to share the joy of marriage--well that is a real treat!
And like K- said to us "Thank you for coming to my wedding!!" I say "Thank you for sharing your wedding!!"
Thank you A- and K-! xoxo All my love!
We spent last week at a beautiful home on the sandy shores of Cape Hatteras, NC.
Ahhhh.
Can I say that again?
Ahhhh.
We had such a wonderful time. Filled with great friends, good food, relaxing evenings, and pockets of seashells.
We were lucky to take one of our dogs with us. Xavy baby had an awesome week at the beach! Really, it is too bad we couldn't bring both dogs, but Mocha can be a little fearful of new folks, and is riddled with anxiety on a good day, so we asked the folks SHE LOVES the most if they would watch her while we were gone. My in-laws gladly said yes, and took great care of her!
Xav was made for the beach. Absolutely. Just 6 months shy of his 11th birthday, he scamped, bounced, and ran around the beach like an 8 month old pup!
Xav also made a little girlfriend while we were out there. Lexi.
The first day we were on the beach there were lots of folks, but none really close to us, Xavy is a good boy and he was off leash the whole time. He would run in and out of the surf, dig in the sand, stomped a few sandcastles, and the kids tried to bury him more than once. He's patient, but not that patient.
Patient, see?
Mid-day Xav noticed a lovely puppy accross the beach playing with her owner. He kept looking at me, looking at the other dog, me, dog, me, dog. He looked at me once more and then started to dash off. A quick STOP! and he did, begrudgingly walking back to me, pouting.
They continued to stare at each other across the sand.
We went home and Xav settled in with the kids all snuggling with him on his dog bed at one point or another.
The next morning we headed out to the sand again, ran right for the surf and did some fishing along the shore. After about an hour the adorable pup showed up. Again, Xavy longingly looked across the beach. I finally gave in. I asked M- to keep Xav on our side while I went to meet the pups parents.
Me: HI. I was wondering if my dog can come meet your dog, I wanted to che... some people ar...
Dog Dad: YES! We were wondering the same thing!
Me: He is dying to come over here! (to XAV) Alright Good boy, come on!
Dog Dad: She is dying to get over THERE!
Me: Oh, My name is Jenn, nice to meet you. That's Xav.
Dog Dad: My name is Pete, nice to meet you, I think we are gonna need to keep an eye on these two! (deep belly laugh followed by pointing toward the dogs) She's Lexi.
Me: Oh Boy, I think you are right!
When I turned around the sniffing pleasantries had ended, and they were barreling at each other, full steam ahead, and rolling around in the surf and sand.
Each day we were out there Lexi and Xavy stared across the beach and froliced in the surf.
Ahhh. Puppy love.
Comfort Collection for Survivors of Sexual Assault
An opportunity to help RCASA!
Okay, so you know I’m a volunteer for the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault (RCASA), and remember I told you I work at a coffee shop. My store likes to do things that give back to the community, so we decided as a store to put together and opportunity to help RCASA! We are all donating items for RCASA’s hospital bags!
It’s easy. It’s helpful. It’s AWESOME! We need YOUR help!
T-shirtsLounge, Sweat or, PJ Pants
Socks
Underwear
These items can be for a female or male of any age from 3-103.
The site of the collection is:
The SOUTHPOINT Starbuck’s store, located at– 9907 Southpoint Parkway. Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (This is the only store collecting at this time. Stay posted for updates.) Here is a map!
Here is a link to Starbucks Community Service Website, I posted a listing there too.
*********** I can’t wait to see and meet LOTS of you! Ask for Jenn when you come in, I’d LOVE to personally Thank you!*********************