Countdown -- 10 Days!

Mark and I met up with Sara and Zach today at Gordon Biersch's for lunch at the Flatirons Mall.  Yummy hummus and goat cheese salad!  Afterwards, Sara stayed with us as we walked around the Flatirons Mall while Zach got new tires for his car.  Stopped off at HomeGoods and Target on the way back to their house.


Took more pictures of Sara and she is still quite radiant -- a beautiful pregnant lady!  (Check out her week 39 photo on the right!)  Only 10 more days until her due date!

She Marries Her Prince

I must admit, I was excited about the Royal wedding today and set my alarm to get up at 2:30 a.m. MDT.  Amazingly, I had no problem popping out of bed!  I turned on the gas fireplace and settled onto the couch for the next three hours and really enjoyed the pomp and circumstance of it all.


I absolutely loved Kate's dress and veil; beautifully sophisticated and not overdone.  I hope dress designers take note and introduce more lace sleeves and graceful necklines instead of simply strapless wedding gowns.


The British certainly know how to throw a wedding!  It was impressive how civil the crowd was particularly as they moved on the street to Buckingham Palace.  


Prince William and Princess Catherine make a beautiful couple!  They are the epitome of a fairytale dream!  Check out some of my favorite wedding pics on the right.

Pleasant Day

 We enjoyed having Sara and Zach join us for Easter Brunch at the club yesterday!  We sat with our friends, Karen and Bob, their daughter, Lisa, her husband, Tom and their two daughters, Lilah and Rorey.  De-li-cious meal and certainly enjoyed the conversation!


Of course, I had to pull out the camera again and shoot some pictures; our photos were taken at our house. I try to document all the special moments...that's pretty much everything!  


Two weeks to go now until Sara's due date!  Her pregnancy has sped by.  It's hard to believe that in just two weeks or so we'll have a new granddaughter!  This really is exciting!  It's surreal to me to think that MY baby is having a baby of her own!  

Last Swing Band Gig for the Season Tonight

I went to Mark's last New Horizon's Swing Band gig of the season tonight.  They played for a senior center's "prom".  The band did a really good job!  I thought it was their best performance that I've seen!  Mark has really improved his trumpet playing skills these past few months...I'm impressed!


I'm hoping there is an opportunity for me to get in that band in the fall when they start up again.  I'll keep practicing over the summer and maybe my chance will come!  We'll see...

First Drum Circle Last Night

Well, we finally did it!  Mark and I attended our first drum circle last night at the coffee shop above the Boomers music store in Fort Collins!  There were three newcomers so I was a little surprised that the leader didn't show some of the basic "hits".  Luckily, we had already gotten a DVD which explained these, so we were familiar with it and were good to go.


I was surprised how it started...no introductions, the leader just started drumming and then everyone joined it with their own drumming.  We must have played for 10 or 15 minutes before we stopped the first time.  It was good!   I think there were about 15 people taking part in the circle.  We had several different kinds of drums, a digeridoo, and various other percussion noise makers.  The guy playing the digeridoo was great!  I couldn't believe how he continued the sound for at least 10 minutes, maybe longer!  Once you figure out how to make a sound, the trick is mastering circular breathing and he was definitely a master at that!


We left after two hours as my hands were getting a bit sore and tired.  Also, my left knee was aching a little bit because I wasn't used to holding the djembe between my knees with my ankles crossed.  


After we got home, I noticed I had a few little bruises on my fingers by the palm of my hand.  Guess I was getting into the drumming a little too much!  :)  I soaked my hands for a little bit in cold water and also in warm water.  It felt much better afterwards and today the bruises are almost gone!


We definitely had fun!  The only thing we weren't quite ready for were the vocals that sometimes accompanied the drumming...sort of like chanting.  I think we'll do it again, though.


And, speaking of "again", I don't know if my hands will be ready for it but I just found out there is another drum circle at the Earth Day celebration in Old Town Fort Collins on Saturday which we've been invited to join in!  We'll see!

Seder Dinner

 I was raised Protestant and until our youngest daughter (Sara) married our son-in-law (Zach), I was not really familiar with any of the Jewish traditions and celebrations.  With open arms, Sara's in-laws have welcomed Mark and me at their Hanukkah and now Seder celebrations.


It was inspiring to watch how the whole family including the children participated in the Seder event last night.  They read passages, sang, and answered questions about the purpose of eating various foods and discussed actions such as opening the front door which symbolized allowing strangers in to partake of the meal.


We were introduced to gefilte (which I can do without) and a matzo ball soup that I thought was great!  The chicken and beef brisket were very tasty, too!  Mark liked the Manischewitz wine but I preferred the cabernet sauvignon.  All in all, it was a fabulous tasting meal and there sure was plenty of it!


Click on the link to the right to see pictures of the family gathering.  There is something to say about traditions and carrying on the togetherness that we experienced last night from generation to generation.



  

Great Days

I've had a busy birthday week and partook in several fun activities!  On Wednesday, I went to my first Fort Collins Newcomers Club coffees hosted by one of my friends, Karen.  Met several interesting ladies and hope to take swimming lessons from one of them this summer.


Thursday evening, Mark and I went down to Denver for my birthday...ate dinner and took in a play. We saw Shakespeare's "As You Like It".  Good production!


On Friday, we went to the club for dinner with Barbara and Dick and Carolee and Joe, two of our neighbors.  Barbara set it up since we hadn't seen each other all winter and wanted to catch up on everyone's "news".  Had a nice time!


Then, this morning, there was a formal dedication ceremony and opening of the River Bluffs Trailhead.  We road our bikes down to the trail and took part in the event. It was a little chilly when we started but within an hour or so, it was sunny and in the 60s!  Beautiful!


This afternoon, Sara and Zach drove up and we celebrated my birthday with them, too!  Sara looks great!  Only about 3 weeks left until our new granddaughter arrives!


Had a nice call from Holly this evening!  She had a booth at a fair in Ventura and she did really well on her sales!  I'm so happy for her and Erich because I know they worked really hard on all their wares.  

Gas and Food Prices Continue to Rise...Take Small Steps to Make a Change

Is it just me or is anyone else sick and tired of gas prices going up?  I recently heard that $5 a gallon gas is quite likely going to touch us all in the near future!  I'm tired of corporations and big businesses sticking it to the average American just so they can maximize their profits!  We should make it clear to these companies and to our government representatives that this is simply unacceptable!  Besides writing to our Congressman or Congresswoman, I think it would be great if everyone could try to make small changes in their daily lives.  

I plan on driving less by combining my trips for errands to the bare minimum per week.  I'll use our best gas mileage car for all trips.  I would suggest for others to try to carpool to work; get a few parents together and make a schedule taking turns to drop off and pick-up kids at school, to sports practices, to music lessons, etc.  If you can walk to a grocery store, invest in a small wire pull cart to put your groceries in.  Here is a typical one you can find on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Jumbo-Folding-Shopping-Cart-Black/dp/B0000UZ57S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302567200&sr=8-1 And, don't worry, you won't look like a little grandma bringing home your groceries.  You'll be the wiser one!  Just make sure where you walk is in a safe area.

Food prices continue to rise, too.  On average, a gallon of milk costs about $3.50 to $3.99.  Organic milk costs about $4.00 to $5.50!  To help reduce the weekly grocery bill, I try to be more creative in planning our meals and maximize coupons whenever possible!  (Okay, it's my husband who is the creative chef and I look for the cost-cutting coupons.)  I don't see prices coming down any time soon.  It gets old when the so-called financial experts tell us that there is no inflation hence no need for cost of living raises!  Try telling anyone on a fixed income that the cost of living hasn't gone up! 

So, we need to help ourselves as best we can.  There are so many sites on the internet that offer coupons for groceries.  It just takes a little time and planning each week but you can save a lot by using them.  Check out:  http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13306&zid=iq37&nid=10&bid=alk0411180439bf7aa9bb313013 and http://www.couponmom.com/.  Pick up a Sunday newspaper and get the food coupon circulars for each week.  Also, check out the vendor Web site for coupons as well as the in-store flyers.

Another great idea is to have a coupon exchange with your friends and family!  Once every few weeks (or more frequently), get together with friends and family and pool unused coupons for other's to check out.  

There are a lot of ways to save in other areas, too.  Instead of keeping every shirt or pant that you own, why not host a  Dust Catcher's party and swap gently used items with others.   (I know I haven't worn half of the clothes in my closet this past year!)  My daughter, Holly introduced me to this concept and it's actually fun!  Invite family or friends to bring items they no longer need or want (e.g., jewelery, children's or adult clothes, lotion, perfume, books, the possibilities are endless.)  Have a few snacks available and let the "free" shopping begin!  Any remaining items are donated to Goodwill, ARC, or another similar organization.  

The little steps we take can make a difference!  I would bet the minute Americans change their driving habits, you'll see the gas prices retreat!  And, don't forget about repurposing...don't throw out that old packet of lemonade--you can use it in the dishwasher as a cleanser!  Do a search on "repurposing" and see many, many ideas that can help you save money (and in many cases, help save the environment)!

Nice Visit with Stephanie!

We had a very nice visit (albeit short) with Stephanie this weekend!  We stopped off at Sara and Zach's house for about an hour on the way back from the airport to Fort Collins.  (See Sara's latest pregnancy pictures on the right.)  She's in her last month of pregnancy now and according to her, she's ready to deliver now!


We took Stephanie to one of our favorite restaurants, Cafe Vino, which specializes in tapas.  Yum!  Afterwards, we went to the local Moose Lodge to watch Mark's swing band gig.  Not really a hoppin' night there, but the band did okay.  I'm sure that's something Stephanie has never experienced!. :)


Hope all goes well for Stephanie's big client meeting in Colorado Springs tomorrow!

Where Did the Week Go?

Yes, where did this past week go?  Between band rehearsal and music lessons which (gladly) take up a lot of my time, throw in a couple of social events and poof!


It started with Sunday where I went to an Opera and Tea fundraiser at the Fort Collins Country Club.  A friend from our "Washington Group" (Paulette) told me about this event which transformed an opera singer into a Madame Butterfly "diva".  Since I had never been to an opera and the "diva" would perform several arias, I thought I would try it out.  It was very entertaining and makes me want to try a full blown opera (preferably a Puccini opera) at least once!


Thursday night was another fundraiser sponsored by the Foothills Service League.  It was a wine tasting and food event at the Embassy Suites in Loveland.  We went with Karen and Bob, friends we met through the Fort Collins Newcomers Club and had a really enjoyable time!


Tonight Mark's Swing Band has a gig at the Moose Lodge in downtown Fort Collins so we'll be going there later.  And tomorrow, our concert band director, Glenn Shull, is playing in the John Mills Orchestra in Greeley so we'll be meeting some band friends there for that performance and dinner at one of the couple's house afterwards.


With the rehearsals, lessons, and practice sandwiched in between it's no wonder time flew by this week!  


We are really excited about seeing our sister-in-law, Stephanie today as we'll be leaving for the airport in about 30 minutes to pick her up!  We'll drop by Sara and Zach's house on the way back to Fort Collins to visit for a bit.  Stephanie has a business trip in Colorado Springs for a couple of days and it was awesome she was able to come out a day earlier to stay with us!

Reflections on a Rainy Day

Ever notice how gray skies and raindrops make a great backdrop for deep thoughts?  I've got my cup of coffee, my laptop and my feet propped up on the ottoman...let the images in my mind develop into words...


  - When I look outside at our koi pond, I am relaxed as I watch the circular waves that each tiny raindrop makes.  The full red-breasted robins seem excited as the rain makes it easier for them to find their next meal.


  - I am thrilled that my oldest daughter and two grandchildren will be here to visit for three weeks in just a little over a month!  And I'm full of anticipation at the thought that my youngest daughter will give us another grandchild in about the same time!


  - So, that brings me to thoughts of being a grandmother.  What kind of grandmother am I?  How would I like my grandchildren to remember me?  


  - I'm not your typical grandmother in the sense that I don't wear Alfred Dunner clothing or "grandma" stretch pants.  And I haven't been able to let my hair go gray yet or cut my hair short.  My hobbies and interests are certainly atypical of most grandmas...I play drums and guitar, I'm often behind a camera and I like to write.  


  - I hope my grandchildren will feel the love that I have for them at all times.  I want to be in each and every moment with them when we are together and I want them to feel secure and happy.  


  - I hope they think of their Grandma as a fun and caring person who enjoys listening to their stories and questions; who likes reading books to them, and enjoys doing other fun things with them...camping, skating, biking, fishing, baking, coloring, singing and dancing, shopping, visiting museums, parks, and so many other things.


 - I hope they remember that their Grandma wouldn't hesitate to walk in the rain with them or play with toy cars or Polly Pockets with them.


  - And, as they get older, they will see one proud Grandma at their school, music, or sporting events whenever possible.


  - I want my grandchildren to know that I'm never too old to listen to their troubles and that I have all the time in the world for them!  Most importantly, I hope they will always know that they are special in so many ways and are totally loved!

What I Found When I Used "Stumble!"

I found an interesting article, "50 Life Secrets and Tips"  while using "Stumble!" and wanted to share it with you, too.  It's a bit long but I thought there were a lot of good ideas/actions that could enhance the quality of our lives.  The only tip I'm not so sure about is #17...I think our bodies tell us what we need.

1. Memorize something everyday.Not only will this leave your brain sharp and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best options.
2. Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions.Those who are heavy set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be much more content.
3. Develop an endless curiosity about this world.Become an explorer and view the world as your jungle. Stop and observe all of the little things as completely unique events. Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone and try to experience as many different environments and sensations as possible. This world has so much to offer, so why not take advantage of it?
4. Remember people’s namesso that they feel appreciated and for your own future benefit when you want something from that person. To do this, say their name back to them when they introduce themselves. Then repeat the name in your head a number of times until you are sure you have it. Continue to use their name in conversation as much as possible to remove any chance of forgetting it. If you’re still having trouble, make up a rhyme about their name: “Dan the Man” or “Natalie flatters me.”
5. Get fit!It’s ridiculous to think that we have one body, one sole means of functioning, and people are too lazy to take care of themselves. Fit bodies lead to better health, confidence and more success with romantic endeavors. I’d say those are 3 very good reasons to get in shape.
6. Learn to focus only on the present.The past is unchangeable so it is futile to reflect on it unless you are making sure you do not repeat past mistakes. The future is but a result of your actions today. So learn from the past to do better in the present so that you can succeed in the future.
7. Even more specifically, live in THIS moment.Even 10 minutes ago is the past. If you live purely in this moment you will always be happy because there is nothing wrong in this split-second.
8. Smile more often.Whenever you get a grin on your face, your brain is releasing serotonin, the happy hormone. Smiling is the natural way to force yourself to be happy. Many people even smile for five minutes straight in the morning to get themselves in a great mood for the day. It is a very powerful tool that is utilized less and less as we grow older and need happiness more than ever. Just remember that while happiness leads to smiles, smiles also lead to happiness.
9. Drink water.Hydration is tremendously important for overall health. Soda has absolutely ZERO nutritional content; it’s like pouring a punch of sugar and syrup into your cup. Instead, fill it with life-replenishing water. It may taste plain at first if you’re coming off of a heavy soda-drinking streak, but you’ll soon find yourself addicted to it. 10 glasses per day is optimal, how many have you been getting lately?
10. Don’t take life so seriously!Learn to laugh at the little things and this whole “existence” thing will be a whole lot easier. Be amused by your mistakes and failures and be thankful that you learned your lesson and won’t mess up like that again. And most importantly do things that you enjoy! Life is not strictly business, it can be mixed with pleasure.
11. Think positive thoughts.When you find yourself thinking a negative thought, stop it immediately by any means necessary. Slap yourself in the face, yell something positive at the top of your lungs or jump up and down. Do whatever it takes to get back to a positive mindset as such is essential for continual happiness and success.
12. Read books.No explanation needed.
13. Get in the sun.Superman was completely re-energized when he flew out to space and soaked in some rays and you can do the same right outside your front door (if you live in a constantly dreary place, my apologies). The sun feels amazing: your entire body will be coursing with warmth and life.
14. Help others.I’ll just give you a plethora of reasons why this is a MUST
    • Helping people has a ripple effect. If you help someone they will feel more obliged to help someone else, and so on. Pay it forward
    • You grow by giving and helping others. It can change you in ways you never expected
    • Your relationship with that person will become stronger
    • It’s the most fulfilling thing you can do on this planet. It not only feels amazing physically, you also feel like a good person
    • You might be able to call in a favor later when you need some help
    • Karma (if you believe in it)
    • Because there are more people in this world than just you
15. Set aside a specific time to worry each day.Ponder all of your problems and anxieties during that time so that they will not distract you during work or moments of pleasure. This way you can be extremely efficient with your time and avoid focusing on negative things as much as possible. If you get all of your worry out of the way and have the mental fortitude to keep from reverting back to them, you will be much happier on the daily.
16. Be honest at all times.Lies lead to nothing but trouble. Being known as trustworthy is an excellent trait to maintain and essential to having integrity.
17. Sleep less.Fully adjusting to a new sleep cycle can take up to 21 days so don’t give up if you feel tired after switching to 5-hour nights. The “required” 8 hour/night is for normal people. If you’re reading THIS article on THIS site, you are not normal. So figure out how much sleep YOU really need and adjust accordingly. As enjoyable as sleep is, waking existence is much more fulfilling and efficient. 
18. Read “Bringers of Light” and “Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch.These books will help you decide what you want to do in this life and how to get to that point. They will also profoundly change the way you look at the purpose of existence. Read them!
19. Figure out what your goals and dreams are.So many people wander aimlessly through life simply go for whatever small thing they want moment by moment. Instead, decide what your perfect life consists of and begin to put the steps in motion to reach that place. The most satisfying thing in the world (yes, better than sex, much better) is overcoming a challenge and reaching a goal. We are the happiest when we are growing and working towards something better.
20. Start your day off right.Wake up and set aside an hour for personal development activities (meditation, self-introspection, observing nature, etc.) Do the things that make you feel blissful, optimistic and empowered so that you can set a positive tone for your day. I guarantee that once you start doing this, your days will be more enjoyable and fulfilling. Today is going to be the best day of your life. Duh.
21. Utilize ‘The Burning Method.’Whenever a fear or worry or complaint comes to mind, close your eyes and imagine writing down the thought on a piece of paper. Then proceed to light the paper and fire and watch it disintegrate. Even better, actually write it down and burn it. You won’t have any problem ridding your mind of the thought after doing this.
22. Travel.
    Anyone who has ever gone anywhere will tell you that traveling is one of the most exciting and life-changing activities that you can do. Observing a different culture will expand your mind while making you further appreciate the life you already live. This goes back to becoming an explorer: this world is your jungle so go explore! Who knows, maybe you’ll find a place you love so much that you decide to move. Imagine the positive repercussions a new environment could have on your life.
23. The Rubber Band MethodThis is the third and final way to rid yourself of negative thoughts (hopefully by now you have figured out that this is very important!). Place a rubber band around your wrist and snap it against your skin anytime a negative thought finds its way into your head. This classical conditioning technique associates a slight pain with negative thoughts like Pavlov associated food/salivation with the sound of a bell. Sounds a bit cruel at first but it only stings for a second, I promise. Plus the outcome, having only positive thoughts, far outweighs a little slap on the wrist here and there.
24. Learn to be unaffected by the words of others.Most people get very upset when they are called negative names by others, but there is a simple trick to overcoming this. Here it is: If I went up to you and called you a fire hydrant, would you be upset? Of course not. Obviously you are not a fire hydrant, you are a human being. The same concept applies to when someone calls you something that you know you are not. They are foolish for saying such things, so why would you react with such anger? The only exception is when someone calls you something that is true! In this case, you should thank them for alerting you to a weakness, one that you can now work on changing.
25. Read “Zen and the Art of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss.This book will give you the knowledge and instruction to be happy at all times regardless of the circumstances. Yes, this sounds like an oversimplification of happiness, but I assure you that this book will change you in an amazing way.
26. Develop the ability to forgive.Forgiveness is something that most people fail miserably at even thought it’s so simple. Grudges only bring more misery to those who hold them and prevent good relations with the target. YOU makes mistakes all of the time so why not have mercy when other do? Remaining angry feels horrible while forgiving someone brings a refreshing sensation to the mind and healing to the relationship.
27. Be the person that makes others feel special.Be known for your kindness and sympathy.
28. Learn to lucid dreamor to realize when you are dreaming so that you can control your dreams. Sleep feels good, but its rather boring and unproductive. With lucid dreaming under your belt, night time can be even more exciting than when you are awake. You can do anything: fly, travel to other planets, party with a celebrity, get intimate with your dream boy/girl, etc. Many lucid dreams have also reported being able to speak directly with the subconscious during dreams by demanding to be taken to it after becoming lucid. For those that know a thing or two about your subconscious, that is a BIG deal.
29. Visualize daily.It has been said and proven time and time again that what you focus on is what you get. If you complain all of the time, you will run into more of the things you complain about. The same goes for good things like health, wealth and happiness. So spend some time in the morning imagining yourself achieving whatever it is that you currently desire. Focus is key in this exercise, so choose a quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed. If you’re having trouble focusing and continually find that your mind has wandered to something else, read about meditation in the following life tip. 
30. Meditate everyday for at least 20 minutes.In this modern world where everyone is so connected to everything else via cell phones, TV and internet, most people rarely enjoy the beauty of silence. The ability to quiet your mind and relax your body is an art and skill that everyone should develop. Simply sit somewhere, preferably in nature, and focus on your breathing or try to think about nothing. This is going to be extremely hard at first! You might find it boring or just plain impossible to think of nothing, but you will get better and you will learn to love it. Post-meditation, you will feel extremely clear headed and.. well, just plain wonderful. The only way to really understand this sensation is to try it.
31. Learn to control your mind.What kind of skilled human are you if you cannot even control your own thoughts? While the human mind is described as being a stream of consciousness, that does not mean you can’t decide where your stream flows. Techniques like meditation and the 3 ways to flush out negative thoughts will aid you immensely in learning to control your mind.
32. Learn to control your emotions.The only person that can make you unhappy is you! You are the one that decides to be affected by the words and actions of others. Realize this so that the next time you experience a negative emotion, you can find the strength within yourself to overcome it.
33. Take a class in speed reading.Books are full of information that can enhance your knowledge-base, vocabulary and yourself as a person. Speed reading is an easy way to get at this info faster so that you can have more time for other endeavors.
34. Relax!This one is for you work-o-holics out there (myself included). Yes, work is very important and productive but you need to take some time to chill out everyday or you are going to burn out faster than a candle with no oxygen. Additionally, you need to reward yourself for a job well done. What’s the use of doing all of that work if you can’t have a little fun from time to time anyways?
35. Work on making good first impressions.Practice a strong, firm handshake and the small talk that generally goes along with meeting someone for the first time. People won’t know what to think of you if you have nothing more to say beyond “My name is _______, nice to meet you.” Also make sure you remember names, as mentioned previously. Who knows, you may be going into business with or marrying this person you’re meeting for the first time if you make a good impression. Be sure and make an excellent one.
36. Learn to use your eyes to their full potential:
    • Make constant eye contact when in conversation. Looking away (especially down) is a sign of inferiority and unsureness. Instead, look at your conversation partner dead in the eyes and keep them locked on
    • Master the piercing stare. You know when someone looks at you and it feels like they can see into your soul? Well that’s not a hereditary characteristic, it just takes practice. Work on sharpening your gaze in the mirror. You’ll know you have it when it’s intimidating to continue looking at yourself
    • Master the one-eyebrow raise. This one isn’t necessary by any means, but hey, why not? Pick a brow to learn with and go look in a mirror. Raise both of your eyebrows but use your hand to hold down the brow that you want to stay down. This will probably feel very stupid at first but if you keep trying, you will eventually pin down the muscle you need to flex to get that one brow up
37. Be mysterious.Don’t let off everything about you and definitely leave out some major details. There is something both alluring and mesmerizing about someone that no one knows fully about. I’m not saying to confide in no one or to alienate yourself. Just think James Bond.
38. Come up with a life mantra.You know, like “Carpe Diem” or “Live life to the fullest,” but not as cliché. Make it something that really hits home with you so that you will actually stick to it. Make sure it’ not so specific that it rarely applies but also not so general that it’s not personal.
39. Get good at something.Call it a hobby or a passion, whatever it is, just get damn good at it. Your occupation does not count! Make it something that you can practice often enough to excel at. Examples: Magic tricks, surfing, ping pong, creating short films, and unicycling. It can be anything but I would recommend choosing something that: 1) You are passionate about 2) You can bust out at any moment to display your skills for any discerning crowd. My mind goes immediately to aerobatics and break dancing, but that’s just me.
40. Work out those abs.Above any other muscle group in the entire body, the abs are the most important. They constitute your core, the center point of your body. Your ability to balance comes almost completely from the strength of your abdominal muscles and balance is vital to performance in any physical activity. Summary: they’re very important. 
41. Keep your brain sharp.The majority of people are stuck in ruts. They go to the same job everyday, hang out with the same friends and eat at the same places. While that may feel safe, it’s not the most stimulating lifestyle for your brain. Those synapses have been built up enough, so try something that you do NOT know how to do! Buy a model car kit, master the art of sudoku or crosswords, or go pick up another major at your nearest college. The point is you need to be learning new things to keep your brain honest. Form new synapses by forcing your mind to work in ways it has not worked before. Just like physical workouts, doing too much of the same exercise will eventually give no results. Switch it up!
42. Read something inspirational right before bed and after waking.This will set get you in a great mood for sleep and for the day. Read anything from a famous speech to your favorite self-improvement book. Try to read something that get’s you really excited in the morning especially so that you’ll leave your house beaming with energy and wonder.
43. Do what you love.
    There is a huge difference between making a life and making a living; which one are you making right now? So many spend their entire lives trying to make as much money as possible so that they can afford to do what they really want later. It makes no sense to settle in life until you’re 65 so that you can retire and do what you want when you’re already WAY past your prime. We only live life once so why wouldn’t you want to spend it pursuing your bliss? To do anything else would be a tragic waste of the freedom you are allowed if you are reading this right now. Follow your bliss and you will be a thousand times more happy than your retirement date and 40+ years younger.
44. Choose your friends wisely.You are affected far more than you think by the people you spend your time with. Do your friends share your values? Do they encourage you when you speak of your goals and dreams or do they scoff? Make sure the people around you are conducive to the lifestyle you want to lead or you will find yourself being dragged again and again into behavior that distances you from your desires. Friends with a habit of producing negative thoughts will especially hinder you. This can be a hard task to follow through with if you realize you good friend is one of these saboteurs, but you must be firm! Don’t let anyone get in the way of you being all that you can be.
45. Don’t burn bridges.By that I mean maintain your relationships with people even if you think you are never going to see them again. For example, if you are quitting your job, don’t chew out your boss before leaving! You might run into him/her again later and life and wish you had never severed ties so harshly. You never know when you might need the help of someone you knew in the past. Plus there is already too much hatred in this world, why add more towards the people you interact with?
46. Keep a journal/diary.It sounds like a very monotonous habit at first, but when you get into it, that little book will become a great way to organize your thoughts and track your growth over the years. Most of us already stay awake in bed at night pondering the events of the day anyways so why not document those thoughts in an organized fashion? That will allow you to look back and observe how your way of thinking has changed over time.
47. Read “New Pyscho-Cybernetics” by Dr. Maxwell Maltz.This book will explain why the content of your thoughts has such a profound effect on your life through religious, philosophical and scientific arguments. A must read for completely understand who this life thing works.
48. Learn to use and trust your subconscious/intuition.When you spend time in silence everyday, listen not for words but for a feeling that tells you to do something. Do not mistake your own reasoning and thoughts for those of your subconscious. If you can track where the thought came from, (this thought led to that thought which led to this thought, etc.) then it was not from your subconscious. Learning to accurately discern between the two will allow you to tap into knowledge that you don’t consciously have.
49. Develop a charismatic personality.You know, the kind of personality that is surrounded by people constantly and is the life of the party. Start visualizing yourself as THAT person. Maybe take a short course on dynamic speaking and learn some jokes. Take the time to learn some party tricks and sleight of hand. Most importantly, believe that you already are charismatic even if you fail at beign the center point of the next party. Lie to yourself constantly and tell yourself that you are more warm and gregarious than Ronald Regan. Belief is the first step! Reality will come soon after.
50. Love is all there is.If you truly want to be a master of life, let love be in your every action. Love your friends, family and enemies alike. This is the most difficult thing to do out of this entire list, which is why it is listed at #50. But if you accomplish this, you will be seen as a leader among everyone that allows hate, envy, disgust and all other negative emotions into their lives. Think Gandhi. Love is so rare in this world when compared to the massive presence of hate that by exuding love, you will immediately see yourself and the people around you change. Love. Love. Love.

A Picture Perfect Day

Today couldn't be any more beautiful...snow capped mountains, crystal clear sunny skies and 80 degrees!  Wow, just gorgeous and such a comfortable temperature!  Springtime in Colorado is like a grab bag...reach in and get a surprise!  Some days are like today and then the next will be snowy (our prediction for tomorrow night).  That's okay because if we do get any snow, it will most likely be gone the next day at the latest!


Mark and I drove down to Sara and Zach's to drop off a few large items that wouldn't fit in either of their cars.  They gave us a parent's version of their wedding album...absolutely gorgeous!  It brings back such wonderful memories of that special day!


After spending a couple of hours there we headed back north.  Ate at a Mexican restaurant on the way home (very good and one we'll need to bring Holly and the kids to next month) and am now watching the second half of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) vs Butler game in the semi-final.  With 9 minutes to go, VCU seems to be choking...hope they get it together soon!


Sara is still looking as beautiful as ever as she now starts week 35!  Can't believe she barely has a month more left of her pregnancy.  She and Zach now have most of the essential things they'll need for the baby early on.  It's strange to see their house transforming to make room for a baby!