Favorite:

Awesome other shots. Smaller this time…

Also this one was for Dad in the nicer outfit:

Enjoy Daniel & family – it was awesome working with you!!!

Hannah’s coming up soon.

Last weekend, the promoted opportunity was sorting clothes at the City Missio donation center. When I read it in the bulletin and saw on the ServErie board, I felt a very obvious “Go and do this,” from the Lord. Having some retail experience in sorting worn/used clothes and tagging (I worked atPlato’s Closet in college, w00t!), I knew this would be something I (and pretty much anyone who doesn’t mind laundry) could do. As I pulled up on Tuesday, I was a little nervous, but mainly because you don’t know the procedures of the organizations, if they’ll even need you, where to go, who you’ll work with, etc. The nervousness was totally unfounded, as I walked in they quickly ushered me in, kept asking if I was from Grace Fellowship Church (no) and introduced me to Tiffany, Nancy, Diane, Robert and Fred who usually hang out at the “sorting” table. I couldn’t believe the amount of clothes and donations – which was great. Bales full that were twice my height. But the need was also great – they definitely can use any volunteer to help with all of the merchandise. It is also the warehouse for furniture and all kinds of other items they get in to sell. So, in short – a simple behind-the-scenes job, but one that was really awesome. Fred told me… with a serious expression, “Your good.” Me “What? Why??” “Your good. We like you. You need to come back.” Me, red-faced “Ok. I’ll try.”

It’s also amazing to see the people that are there, and being there on Tuesday I joined them for their bible study and prayer time. I don’t know many of their histories, but I know they are all affected by and touched by the mission of the organization. I enjoyed the company of the people so much and was so glad to be serving outside of the church and helping the city, that I did go back today as well. Couldn’t stay as long, but everyone was glad to see me back. I’m hoping for one day a week, a few hours, but if my freelance picks back up I might not be able to swing it. I am doing my best though. Thanks, God and City Mission for the opportunity!

The ever-present forget-me-not:
 

Weigela bush with deep pink flowers:

Phlox (still kicking!):

White Star-of-Bethlehem buds. They make me crazy while growing (starting in March and looking like weeds until they bloom for about 2 weeks) The bulbs are highly invasive, I’ve probably pulled out about 4,000 since we moved in 3 years ago:

Mountain Snow Ground cover – has flowers right now:

My parents gave me one of these within another plant dug out of their garden. I am totally in love with the delicate pinky/white balls of blossoms. They are tall and slender and perfect. However, I do not know what they are called. We thought heliotrope, but upon further research I don’t think this is right. Help fellow gardeners:
 

sigh…

i.

love.

flowers.

and.

nature.

This is an old picture I took of cherry trees a few years ago (surprise, right?). It’s peaceful to me.

In June, I actually have some “profit” from freelancing, and I was deciding between a Wacom tablet or the new Microsoft Office 2008 for the Mac. After reading some not-very-good reviews on Office 08, I decided on the tablet. I ordered from Amazon one that had decent reviews, was medium sized, and not ridiculously costly – so I am excited to work with it. It’s supposed to be here today! I hope I can do some new types of illustration and it gives me some more freedom I’ve been looking for.

I went roller blading by myself last night, and it was ok. The only things I hate about blading/walking at the penninsula are the clouds of gnats. I had to have breathed some in because I would notice I was plowing into them way too late! I did 6 miles in 45 minutes, which meant I was going relatively fast. When I sat down in the car I wasn’t sure if I could get my blades off I was so exhausted . . . but somehow managed to. Then, I went home, had some veggies for dinner, and did “3T – Totally Tubular Turbo” . . . yeah, sounds cheesy but it’s a great workout using resistance tubing for weight/strength training. About 30 minutes after being done, I noticed I was having trouble lifting my limbs and walking up the stairs. I guess it can truly be said that I beat myself with working out yesterday! But I needed it so I am glad!!

This was mainly to make up for the fact I went to Olive Garden yesterday with my sis and my hubs and had the new Chicken Milanese. I did give about half to Bri and Amy, so that was good. But it was unbelievable. Worth every calorie, bite, and bloated feeling afterwards.

Also LOST last night? Wow. Some questions got answered, which was crazy, but somehow I have a really hard time putting it all together still. I depend on the short reviews for stupid people so I can sort of get a handle on what I saw!

Tonight we have small group which is always a pleasure, and I think some new folks will be joining, so I am excited about that! Brian and I also need to find an air conditioner this weekend, which needs to be a priority, and I am searching flyers for the best deals.

Oh and update: I have no accent, because Erie is awesome:

Have a happy Friday everyone!

I know, baby pink is similar to magenta. But, you have to admit, pinks and purples are sort of dominant right now, especially in spring in the NorthEastern part of the country!

I don’t have much else to say except, HOLY CRAP ON THE OFFICE LAST NIGHT, I screamed a lot (sorry friends), and YAY FOR SUNDAY!!!!

Not much else to say today except

1. Download this if you like photoshop and use it ever, mainly for web design (although i’m sure i’d be helpful for anyone)
2. I’m eating way too much chocolate chip banana bread! I also now have a huge box of cookies from a party last night and box of cheez it party mix. (which is amazing by the way) I’m taking that all today to work hoping my colleagues will help me diminish it.
3. Financial/vacation/family segment: We got a generous offer from my in-laws last night about a trip to Myrtle Beach this summer. We’ve been trying to say no to basically any vacation plans for this year, as money is very tight and we wanted to save that potential money for this crucial year on our student loan pay-off. But they called and said that if budget is what is keeping us from going to Myrtle Beach with them, we can drive down to Maryland (which we were going to do anyway), then they will take us the rest of the way and pay for our expenses. We are so overwhelmed by their generosity… and of course we had to accept and will try to set aside some expense money for ourselves – so that will be the first week of July, and I am so excited. One thing that’s hard about being on a strict budget and letting your family know about it, is that people offer to do a lot for you sometimes, which can be so amazing and I am so grateful, but also makes us feel very guilty – because that is not our intention (to be mooches). Family and friends reactions to debt/money decisions are the toughest sometimes to gauge, especially when people are in different places in their lives with how they spend money, etc., priorities they put on travel and vacations and the like. We are just trying to say no and make some sacrifices, but somehow people keep coming through so we don’t have to make quite so many. Dave Ramsey would probably not be happy with us.
4. Still most excite about Niagara on Sunday… EEEEEeeeeee!!!!

The next 3 photos were helped by Danielle both in inspiration and editing. Click on them to go to flickr for more details

• Last night I made this Rachael Ray 30 minute meal, except with chicken instead of pork chops. I am proud to say it really did only take me about 35 minutes. Well, in prep. That doesn’t count the 20 minutes I spent going to Quality Markets only to find they didn’t have any of the fresh green ingredients (rosemary, thyme, argula, etc) and then driving back up Peach Street and wandering Wegmans for another 38 minutes looking for said ingredients, FINALLY finding them! That is my biggest point of wanting to give up on cooking, is not having the fresh ingredients and just feeling overwhelmed and like it’s all a waste of time. I do have to say though, it was AMAZING! And I think worth it, especially when my husband says, wow, this is REALLY good.
• My appetite has been through the roof the last few days. It needs to stop.
• Still very excited about our Niagara Trip.
• Also you can see some pictures I took of Amy’s beautiful finished cupcakes here! I seriously think she has a secret talent and should open a little cupcake shop!

This could maybe be a desktop background, but I thought it might just be bordering on too much pink for any male readers (and maybe some female ones). About a week ago I stopped along West 29th street to take pictures of an absolutely gorgeous and perfect spring-time-blooming Kwanzan Cherry tree. The difference between this tree and other cherries is it’s double rose-like blossoms, and I absolutely adore it. I think I might be bordering on obsession with wanting to have one of these at full size one day in my home. I’ve actually purchased a baby one from Burgess, it died last summer, twice, and I’m nurturing it’s replacement right now. It looks like it’s got some buds so I’m hoping it’s a stronger tree, one that could either stay at our current house or be hardy enough to move with us in a year or two!

Anyway this particular tree was so spectacular and sumptuous, I couldn’t stop snapping and couldn’t choose which picture was best, hence my montage here. If people are interested in it for a desktop background, let me know and I could make it into the correct sizes.

I just love this tree.I can’t believe that God loves us enough to create such incredible beauty for us to enjoy! I just wish it was flowering all summer long – wouldn’t that be fantastic?

We’re all excited for another Meta Cafe! The last one was a a great time of just hanging out, gaming competitions, coffee, goodies and conversation.

I try to go about 4 mph while walking (which I have an idea about from using the treadmills at SnapFitness). Speaking of Snap, I’ve cancelled my membership there. It is a great facility, but I couldn’t get up the motivation to go more than 2x a week (most of the time only once), and I can’t justify $34.95 a month for only 1x a week, you know? I might join again in winter when I can’t walk, but right now in my mind, when I think of exercising, all I want to do is walk and run outside… the thought of going to the gym is very unappealing. Who knows if when it gets hotter I’ll share the same view, but we’ll see how it goes.

I can feel an affect healthwise and weight loss wise, although I’m trying hard to only weigh once a week (MAX). I just am starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin, and my own clothes aren’t straining quite so much. My weight loss goal is small, only about 8 lbs, but as some of you know, that 8 lbs can be so hard to shake. It has required some eating changes, although I’m still not fabulous at this, but still using the daily plate (going on about 2 full years now), is such a helpful tool. It’s not always exact, but can give you a great idea of where you are at calorie wise. I’m doing about 1800 on days I work out, and 1500 on days I don’t (if I can find the willpower!) Probably one place I still need to watch is sodium intake and carbs!

In other news, I’m still not sick of the Jesus Culture or Kim Walker CDs. The songs are still moving me deeper in my relationship with God, almost on a daily basis. To find music that can have such a longterm affect on your life is rare, and welcome. I swear, if anyone is struggling with depth in their relationship with God or spirituality, get a hold of these albums and combine it with prayer and quiet time with God, and you will move to a new level.

Also, I’ve really been getting a kick out of the Fail Blog recently.

Have a great day everyone!