Be the Change...

I had no idea what to write about tonight and as I was looking around online, I came across this YouTube video and it just put a big smile on my face. Man, this kid has an amazing attitude and such a wonderful message.

Even more inspirational is Dr. Stephen Kelley's Story. I watched this video at church this weekend in Stuart and it really touched me. I seriously bawled my eyes out and it makes my "problems" seem really small. Sometimes I need to be reminded of how lucky I am to have all that I have been given. I tip my hat to those who are really making a difference in this world.

Hope you all had an awesome Monday!

Motivation

Move it or Lose it

Some days do not go as planned. I woke up thinking that it would be a gorgeous day and I would race home to go for that perfect sunset bridge run. Mother Nature had other plans and I contemplated whether or not to go to the gym tonight. Like me, most of you get into a rut and I am finally coming out of mine. I have been getting back into the workout routine and it feels great. The only way I stick to a healthy routine is to constantly motivate myself. I am learning again how to be my own cheerleader and sometimes I have to dig deep to find what pushes me to be the best I can be each day. I know sofas feel great after a long day at work, but add a tight tush and toned legs to what's sitting on that couch and we have victory. Here are some things that motivated me to take that spin class tonight. Hopefully this will inspire you to create your own list of what helps you make healthier choices.

If she can do it, then I can do it. I am talking about my favorite instructor at the gym. You think you have a lot going on...

1. She has four, as in the number 4, kids!

2.  She is a teacher as well as a workout instructor, so I know she is b-u-s-y just like the rest of us.

3.   Do I really need to list any other obligations or life altering situations here? I was done at her having FOUR kids.

A big part of what gets my blood pumping is motivating others. Sign up for a run or walk with a group of friends and let the cheerleading begin. It's great having others holding you accountable! These are some of my girls that completed the Honda Classic 5K with me last weekend. All of us exceeded our expectations!! Go us!

Eying these bikini "blues" and not the ones that come with the insecurities of putting one on. Keep the end in mind. Summer will be here soon.

Music is a big motivator for me.  Here are my top 10 jams that fill my iPod right now and keep me moving and grooving. I would love to hear your suggestions as well!

10. Gangam Style - PSY 

9. Ghosts N Stuff - Deadmau5

8. Memories - David Guetta

7. In My Arms - Mylo

6. Our God - Chris Tomlin (yes, Christian music)

5. Home - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

4. Save the World - Swedish House Mafia

3.  Feel So Close - Calvin Harris

2. Midnight City - M83

1. Levels - Avicii 

Do I expect the best from this group every day? Of course! I press them every minute of the day to give me their all... so who am I to not do the same for myself? I have to remind myself that I should not talk the talk when I am not walking my own walk. 

I hope this puts a little pep in your step. Have a great week! :)

Reno Realities

Many of you may know that Tim and I renovated an awesome little 2/2 back in the summer of 2011. We gutted the inside and made it our own but, if you have ever been to our house you may be wondering what's going on with the outside?

Since we focused all our efforts on the inside, the outside isn't quite up to par quite yet. Sometimes we wander through Home Depot's Garden department and pick out plants we like or take pictures of other exteriors for inspiration. The other day, when Tim and I were dreaming up our ideal exterior plan for our home, I pulled out my computer and started putting the pieces together.

Now... if only we had a big crew of landscapers and a boat-load of money :)

How our house looked when we bought it...

What we are thinking. (I created an Illustrator drawing over the original image in order to visualize)

Blue?

Green?

Gray?

We are accepting applications for anyone who wants to help - homemade beer by Tim and delicious smoked meat will most likely be provided.

p.s. homemade beer day post coming soon - just ran out of the last batch of winter ale...

Little Things

Home Edition

Hustle and Bustle. Stop and Go. Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. Sound familiar? There's something very  peaceful about HOME. Pulling up to that familiar address, day after day, knowing there is comfort waiting inside. A walk around the yard to find that new orchids have bloomed. A loving face waiting to talk to you about your day. Dinner time prayer. The distinct smell of your soap and lotion... coconut please. :) There are small moments that happen everyday that we tend to overlook. But, if you take a closer peek, they just may make you smile. Here are a few things I come home to that make me grin.

Good Morning and Good Night. A pop of color. "Surf on in"

 

My exquisite pieces of artwork. The left is from my Uncle Doug, an artist in Hawaii. He painted this for me specifically for my new house.  The right is from Adam’s nephew, a local fourth grade artist. This was his Christmas present to me two years ago. Take that Van Gogh!

My simple nightstand with a few of my favorite things:

- Fresh flowers from my yard

- Favorite reads (the Bible, Style A to Zoe, and Glamour's Book of Do’s and Don’ts)

- One of many sand dollars I found on Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas 

- Sweet smelling candle

 My favorite workout spot. This makes me love running. Treadmills have nothing on this view!

Post-workout “cocktail” and the pretty pitcher it was stored in. Cocktail courtesy of Adam. Pour into your favorite wine glass and it's 5:00 right here. Recipe below:

- Beets

-  Carrots

- Celery

- Cucumber

- Ginger

- Kale

Moral of my post: stop and smell the orchids, or the hibiscus, or whatever may greet you at home. I absolutely recommend it. :)

Gone Fishing!

Being from the East Coast of Florida, fishing is something we grew up doing. From fishing tournaments to yearly Keys trips we were always in the water or on the water. Now, it might not sound like the a past time you would normally find my sister and I getting in to but we definitely have these two sides to us: the outdoorsy, get down and dirty, Florida-girl side and then the prissy, how's my outfit, sorority-girl side.

So when my dear friend Cassandra and her husband Kevin invited Tim and I fishing, I couldn't have been more excited. Knowing our luck last year when we went on a similar trip (check out the pic below) - I couldn't wait to spend some time on the water.

Going out brings me back to such fond memories of never buying your dinner - and always reeling it in instead :) Here's a little snapshot of yesterday's trip!

not sure what I'm planning to catch with such a tiny net... probably bait from the live well - easiest catch of the day!

The girls cleaned house!  I've got to work on my fish holding abilities though.

After catching our limit - Cabbage Creepers from Cabbage Key are a must! 

Cabbage Creeper: Pina Colada Mix, Rum & Kahlua Float

And a Southwest Florida Sunset to end a perfect day. Fish Fry is tonight!

Hope you find yourself enjoying the outdoors too - especially during this unseasonably warm winter. And a warm winter in Florida, really just means summer.

180

My 180

In college, I was pretty sure I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to spend my weekends with friends, I wanted to make it to the gym every day, I wanted to find an original outfit for the next social, and I wanted to graduate with that perfect job that would make me oh-so-happy!  You know that glamorous dream job... anyone? hello? Okay, so I wasn't the only one without that lined up straight out of college.

I went from selling furniture and ad space to currently selling twenty-two 5th graders on the idea that they are the greatest little minds in the sunshine! And trust me, it isn't an easy sales pitch. With the craziness going on in the media and the pressures of testing, I feel that students' confidence needs a serious boost and I am trying very hard to find a way to relate endless worksheets and tests to the intriguing world around them. It's definitely not Glamour Magazine, but it is my dream job.

Welcome to our "think tank." 

 Class Mascots - Frankie the Fish and Renegade, naturally.

 Negativity = NOT allowed in our nucleus aka the classroom.

We don't accept anything less. Each student sets an academic and personal goal at the beginning of every semester.

We are always fishing for good news!

 Creating 'Nole fans one book at a time. 

Work. Hard. Always. 

 

This is not trash, I promise. Each student has a "confidence building" wall. At the end of each week, they stick a note on the wall beneath their name. They start at the very bottom of the wall. By the end of the year they should have sticky notes climbing up the wall to the top to reach their name. This way they can see how far they have come and what helped to build their confidence throughout the year. I can't wait to have to step on chairs to tape these up. GO KIDS GO!

You're Invited!

So many of you may not know but, I have a hobby... event invitations.

I'm pretty much obsessed with fonts, layouts, art, paper, letterpress and everything graphic design! I started dabbling in graphic design as Editor-in-Chief of my High School Yearbook and then again during my college days. In my adult life, I get extra pumped anytime a friend gets married, has a baby, or simply wants to have a party and wants my help. T-Man thinks I need to promote myself and start a little side business. I think he might have a point - now if only I could find the motivation to just do it!

Today I made my first baby shower invite for my best friend Jamey - can't wait to meet her little bundle of joy!!! Here's what I came up with:

My 1st project was my own wedding! 

 These photos were taken by out very talented photographer - Billy Jones:

www.snapjones.com

and then I started doing some for friends... and more friends...   

 

and more!

Do you have a hobby or a passion? Let's make a New Year's resolution to put our talents to work - maybe we'll make a little extra cash and gain some serious confidence.

Mirror Mirror

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

As I have aged, my new year's resolutions have become more practical and attainable. One goal I have made for this year is to tap into my creative side.  I reckon (yes, I just said reckon) my mom's crafty genes are finally starting to show up. Although I am not quick to pick up a needle and thread, I am one lean mean glue gunning machine. 

My old mirror up to no good in the back of my closet.

I had to save my wine and champagne corks for like 2 weeks to have enough to cover the entire frame.

Kidding.  

My first DIY project of the year. Ready for the A-man to hang. 

 And moms are the fairest of them all. :) 

Enjoy your weekend!