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| Image from Minneapolis Star Tribune |
Click here to read the article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I hope you enjoy.
Not sure if I’ve told you this
2 years ago
8.22.2011
Inspiration
This article recently caught my eye. It's definitely worth your time to read it. You will be inspired by a daughter's love. You will be inspired by an artist's giving spirit. Inspiring!
Click here to read the article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I hope you enjoy.
Click here to read the article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I hope you enjoy.
7.12.2011
Minnesota Nice
Mr. M, the girls and I have had the pleasure of spending time at our lake place this summer. I bought a little plaque that now sits on a bookshelf there that reads, "Heaven is a little closer in a home on the water." I've come to believe that over this summer. There is something so peaceful about looking out over that water each morning and watching the moonlight dance across the gently rocking waves in the dark evenings of northern Minnesota.
A couple of weeks ago we finally had everything ready to put the boat in the water. So we loaded up and headed over to the nearest entry point. We pulled in and immediately saw 3 kayaks sitting on the landing. Mr. M got out of the pick-up and headed over to ask them to kindly move so we could get the boat put in. Conversation ensued and when the girls and I arrived on the scene he introduced us to Bowman, Max and Rob (David is also pictured at this link but I didn't see him).
Here they are!
Turns out these three were on Day 4 of their journey down the entire Mississippi River. I've heard of people doing this but never had I met any of them. These guys were from the South (Ole Miss and yes, ma'am) and very excited to hear that they may see some wolves on the next stretch of their journey. They gave us their card and the girls and I have been following their journey ever since.
They are challenging themselves in their "yaks" and raising funds for ICM in Oxford, Mississippi and The Gardere Community Christian School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The video on their homepage tells all about it.
Take a minute to check out their website here. You can also "like" their page on Facebook and get updates and GPS locations as they stop each day. They were planning on spending 60 days on this journey.
They are nearing the end of the "Minnesota" leg of their journey. Last week, while at the lake, I read this list on their blog and had to chuckle. It's always fun to read an outsiders view of my home state.
Top 10: Facts about Minnesota
10. “Minnesota Nice” is just as amazing, if not better than southern hospitality. On the reals.
9. Every, repeat EVERY Minnesotan who has a lawn facing the river keeps it manicured to perfection. Yes, everyone. It’s almost creepy.
8. Minnesota is the only state with portages. Thank the Lord.
7. If ever you are in a shortage of Christians, they all happen to reside in abundance in northern and central Minnesota. Take your pick.
6. Violent thunderstorms will appear out of a clear sky.
5. Ice fishing tournaments and snowmobile races do exist.
4. More marriages are ended here over fishing-related disputes than alcoholism.
3. It’s ‘you guys’ not ‘y’all’ and ‘soda’ not ‘coke’.
2. They actually care about the environment and really enjoy being outside thus their public parks are off the chain.
1. Indians, pow-wows, gatherings, totems, and talismans are all real and still exist today.
Perhaps you can even donate to help their causes. Or if you have friends in the areas they will be journeying through let them know. Spread the word!!!
A couple of weeks ago we finally had everything ready to put the boat in the water. So we loaded up and headed over to the nearest entry point. We pulled in and immediately saw 3 kayaks sitting on the landing. Mr. M got out of the pick-up and headed over to ask them to kindly move so we could get the boat put in. Conversation ensued and when the girls and I arrived on the scene he introduced us to Bowman, Max and Rob (David is also pictured at this link but I didn't see him).
Here they are!
Turns out these three were on Day 4 of their journey down the entire Mississippi River. I've heard of people doing this but never had I met any of them. These guys were from the South (Ole Miss and yes, ma'am) and very excited to hear that they may see some wolves on the next stretch of their journey. They gave us their card and the girls and I have been following their journey ever since.
They are challenging themselves in their "yaks" and raising funds for ICM in Oxford, Mississippi and The Gardere Community Christian School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The video on their homepage tells all about it.
Take a minute to check out their website here. You can also "like" their page on Facebook and get updates and GPS locations as they stop each day. They were planning on spending 60 days on this journey.
They are nearing the end of the "Minnesota" leg of their journey. Last week, while at the lake, I read this list on their blog and had to chuckle. It's always fun to read an outsiders view of my home state.
Top 10: Facts about Minnesota
10. “Minnesota Nice” is just as amazing, if not better than southern hospitality. On the reals.
9. Every, repeat EVERY Minnesotan who has a lawn facing the river keeps it manicured to perfection. Yes, everyone. It’s almost creepy.
8. Minnesota is the only state with portages. Thank the Lord.
7. If ever you are in a shortage of Christians, they all happen to reside in abundance in northern and central Minnesota. Take your pick.
6. Violent thunderstorms will appear out of a clear sky.
5. Ice fishing tournaments and snowmobile races do exist.
4. More marriages are ended here over fishing-related disputes than alcoholism.
3. It’s ‘you guys’ not ‘y’all’ and ‘soda’ not ‘coke’.
2. They actually care about the environment and really enjoy being outside thus their public parks are off the chain.
1. Indians, pow-wows, gatherings, totems, and talismans are all real and still exist today.
Perhaps you can even donate to help their causes. Or if you have friends in the areas they will be journeying through let them know. Spread the word!!!
6.22.2011
6.02.2011
Back seat conversation of the day
Today the girls and I were heading to a lunch playdate with good friends. On the way, while stopped at a red light, a dog was quietly leaning out a slightly open window to enjoy the sights and, I suppose, smells of summertime. I told the girls to look out Miss K's window and check him out. Here is the conversation that followed.
Miss A: Mom, when I grow up I'm going to have a little dog.
Me: Sure, Miss A. You sure can.
Miss K: I want to have a chicken.
Miss A and Me: What?!?!?!!??? (There were quickly a few chuckles too).
Miss K: A chicken. A little chick to cuddle.
In between chuckles, I did try to explain that while little chicks are cute and cuddly you would have a tough time trying to cuddle or even wrangle a grown-up chicken. Oh well, let her think what she wants. As with many three year-olds I'm sure her dreams will be completely different by tomorrow.
Miss A: Mom, when I grow up I'm going to have a little dog.
Me: Sure, Miss A. You sure can.
Miss K: I want to have a chicken.
Miss A and Me: What?!?!?!!??? (There were quickly a few chuckles too).
Miss K: A chicken. A little chick to cuddle.
In between chuckles, I did try to explain that while little chicks are cute and cuddly you would have a tough time trying to cuddle or even wrangle a grown-up chicken. Oh well, let her think what she wants. As with many three year-olds I'm sure her dreams will be completely different by tomorrow.
5.19.2011
New project
I've had this great camera for a few years now. There have been a few opportunities and classes that have helped me figure out settings and what to do. They help me for a few days and/or weeks and then the camera gets put away for awhile. When I pull it out again I'm lost. VERY frustrating and all my fault!
So I recently came across Big Picture Classes online (I'm sure it was through a blog somewhere but I can't remember, sorry). I started with a couple of the free classes which were kind of fun and at least got me to use my camera on a regular basis. Now I'm taking one on photo editing. I have ALOT to learn and may always need a little catch-up session when I try to get a great picture. It's still fun to play and try to figure it out.
Here are a few of my pictures to inspire you to try something new.
Happy Learning!
So I recently came across Big Picture Classes online (I'm sure it was through a blog somewhere but I can't remember, sorry). I started with a couple of the free classes which were kind of fun and at least got me to use my camera on a regular basis. Now I'm taking one on photo editing. I have ALOT to learn and may always need a little catch-up session when I try to get a great picture. It's still fun to play and try to figure it out.
Here are a few of my pictures to inspire you to try something new.
Happy Learning!
5.18.2011
The greatest show on earth
So perhaps it wasn't the greatest show on earth but what spring is complete without a circus. The entire family headed out in a mid-April snow shower a few weeks ago to see the Shrine Circus. Miss A had been talking about it all week. You see, local businesses donate money which allows local school children to see the circus free of charge. I remember the same happening when I was younger. After the circus we'd write a thank you note to the business. So, more than once, Miss K heard, "We're going to the circus because I got a free ticket. I'm sure you can get one too. So that means we only have to buy two tickets for Mom and Dad." How sweet!
Before you can find a seat at the circus you must first try on your clown nose...
...and get at least one big, fresh, pink vanilla-flavored cotton candy on a stick.
Miss K and I heard on the radio Friday morning that there would be dancing pigs. She was very excited by this. So as soon as we got there she was wondering where those dancing pigs were. Thankfully they showed up in the first act. All was well with the world. We also watched a hula-hooper, tightrope walkers, elephants, tigers, funny clowns, dogs and a woman shot out of a cannon across the room (which I later heard was the favorite act according to many kindergartners).
Intermission included a trip to the concession stand for snacks (in the interest of full discloser much...ok...most...of the first cotton candy was enjoyed by mom and dad.). Miss K choose a drumstick (no surprise to anyone who knows of her love of ice cream or her drumstick-habit at hockey games). Miss A wanted Nibs (which she recently called 'Niblets'...That made me chuckle).
The final stop before the 2nd intermission of the show had to be the 'toy stand'. This features several blow-up toys (an alien, a crayon, etc.), swords, wands and other light-up toys and a Dora themed paddle with attached ball for ping-pong practice I guess. We ended up with a wonderful light-up sword, the aforementioned Dora paddle toy and then another stop yielded 2 bubble guns which I think were more a choice of Mr. M than the kids.
A fun night all for a good cause. May you all find the circus when it comes to town. Enjoy!
Before you can find a seat at the circus you must first try on your clown nose...
...and get at least one big, fresh, pink vanilla-flavored cotton candy on a stick.
Miss K and I heard on the radio Friday morning that there would be dancing pigs. She was very excited by this. So as soon as we got there she was wondering where those dancing pigs were. Thankfully they showed up in the first act. All was well with the world. We also watched a hula-hooper, tightrope walkers, elephants, tigers, funny clowns, dogs and a woman shot out of a cannon across the room (which I later heard was the favorite act according to many kindergartners).
Intermission included a trip to the concession stand for snacks (in the interest of full discloser much...ok...most...of the first cotton candy was enjoyed by mom and dad.). Miss K choose a drumstick (no surprise to anyone who knows of her love of ice cream or her drumstick-habit at hockey games). Miss A wanted Nibs (which she recently called 'Niblets'...That made me chuckle).
The final stop before the 2nd intermission of the show had to be the 'toy stand'. This features several blow-up toys (an alien, a crayon, etc.), swords, wands and other light-up toys and a Dora themed paddle with attached ball for ping-pong practice I guess. We ended up with a wonderful light-up sword, the aforementioned Dora paddle toy and then another stop yielded 2 bubble guns which I think were more a choice of Mr. M than the kids.
A fun night all for a good cause. May you all find the circus when it comes to town. Enjoy!
4.14.2011
Missed opportunity
I should have a picture to make this more interesting but I'm just going to write before the memory leaves me.
To set the scene...you are looking at a bedroom wall. On the wall is a wedding portrait of a handsome young man and his beautiful younger bride. (this is all tongue-in-cheek readers!)
Last week I spent some time cleaning and organizing our master bedroom. Miss K (3 1/2 years) was hanging out with me. She stopped to look at a wedding picture of Mr. M and me hanging on the wall. She asked if she was at the wedding (both of our girls love a good wedding!). I tried to explain to her that she was not, in fact, at our wedding because she hadn't been born yet. I think the concept was lost on her.
After hearing my explanation she turned away from me, slumped her shoulders and slowly lumbered a few steps forward. Then a little voiced, saddened by a lost opportunity to party, said, "Ahhhhh, I missed it." I think she probably muttered a few things under her breath too. Her little sometimes gruff, authoritative voice was sad, and perhaps more mad (or frustrated or bewildered or...) that she hadn't been taken to this obviously wonderful event.
I had to keep myself from chuckling.
To set the scene...you are looking at a bedroom wall. On the wall is a wedding portrait of a handsome young man and his beautiful younger bride. (this is all tongue-in-cheek readers!)
Last week I spent some time cleaning and organizing our master bedroom. Miss K (3 1/2 years) was hanging out with me. She stopped to look at a wedding picture of Mr. M and me hanging on the wall. She asked if she was at the wedding (both of our girls love a good wedding!). I tried to explain to her that she was not, in fact, at our wedding because she hadn't been born yet. I think the concept was lost on her.
After hearing my explanation she turned away from me, slumped her shoulders and slowly lumbered a few steps forward. Then a little voiced, saddened by a lost opportunity to party, said, "Ahhhhh, I missed it." I think she probably muttered a few things under her breath too. Her little sometimes gruff, authoritative voice was sad, and perhaps more mad (or frustrated or bewildered or...) that she hadn't been taken to this obviously wonderful event.
I had to keep myself from chuckling.
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