still true*

*(this is a re-post from something i wrote in july 2007)

I have a lot on my mind tonight. My purpose in doing this blog was primarily to write about my silly little life. Though not meaningless, my life is important in this world, although I am not famous nor have i done any acts of greatness or saved any one's life. I am just me, plain and simple, silly and all... So I've just been thinking about life in general. People, places, things... to everything there is a beginning and an end. And to everything there is a season. Good things happen in life, great things happen in life, but so do bad things and difficult things. There are immense joys and deep sorrows. People live, people even die, even though no one likes to think about that, let alone really talk about death, it still happens. So what is my purpose here? Is my life just one more life in the multitudes that have gone on before me, or will proceed me? I guess the question to ask myself is: Does my life matter? I really hope in some small way my life does matter, that i am here for a reason and a purpose. I may never do anything super great, and doubtfully will I ever be famous... but if I make a difference in even one person's life, is it worth it? I answer with a resounding, YES!

and all of that is still true. two and a half years later it's still true. but now i have this to add: you are important. you are loved. you are chosen. if you think you are capable of making a difference in the life of someone... you are. your smile, your laugh, your light, your presence. every little thing you do in love will not go unnoticed.

be the change you wish to see in the world. ~m. gandhi

happiness in the new year.

Dear Destiny...

i am so over resolutions. i am so for new beginnings. there are surprises around every corner.

"amazing things are going to happen this year." ~k.v.

i believe.

So God,

So Life,

So Destiny...

I Am Ready Now.

Be Better, Not Bitter!

Be Better, Not Bitter!, is a mantra I have used and continue to use in my life. I was reminded of this during an almost all day adventure of putting together a kitchen cart. I so badly wanted to give up and "finish it tomorrow" (cue whiny voice), but someone reminded me to Be Better, Not Bitter!
It worked! And we finished! Triumphantly!


Okay, you can now oooh and ahhh over my new Kitchen Cart!! Viola! More Counter Space!

A Year in Review...

Merry & Bright

I have been so very busy and I have completely neglected my blog...
So in the mean time, until I come back after Christmas, here is a my Merry & Bright Playlist for you to enjoy.
Merry Christmas!!

Completely UnChristmas

Hey! It's almost Christmas!!! (Happy Hanukkah!) and I'm going to post something that has nothing to do with either! Some of my favorite commercials!

Super Bowl 2035

I am making a little prediction about Super Bowl 2035:

Brady vs. Brady!

Tom Brady has now officially fathered another boy which can only mean that someday both Brady boys will go up against each other in a future Superbowl.

John Edward Thomas Brady Vs. Baby Bündchen Brady

Also, who is going to call the winner of the biggest girl fight in history?

Momma Bridgett vs. Momma Giselle

VS.

Spirit

I don't know what Magic was floating around this weekend, but my camera was taking really nice pictures, so I'm just going to bore you with random pictures of my Christmas Decorations.
I did however see 2 movies this weekend. Neither of them would I recommend.
The Road was depressing, dark and disturbing. Well made, but not something I would tell anyone to see.
Men Who Stare at Goats was awful. There was no point and it wasn't very funny.
I watched Elf last night just to put me back in the Christmas spirit. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loudly for all to hear." Amen, Buddy the Elf!

And I present you with more Christmas Spirit:

(i swapped out my regular papers and put holiday papers in the frames)

(um yeah, these are actual Shabby Chic stockings. puke)

(The best decoration of all!)

Sabro's Christmas House

I really am not happy with my new camera. My last camera was a little gem. It took nice pictures that I was happy to post. But first i dropped it at my friend's cabin and then I dropped it in the sand at Lake Michigan. Sand and lenses to do not mix.
Anyway, I took lots of lovely pictures of my barfy Christmas decor. But I don't think the pictures will do it justice. So sorry. I wish I still used my SLR Daddy Mack Mega Camera with REAL film! (hence, i am cheap and don't want to pay for processing)...

(this is my window box. the blue star is in honor of police officers, the white pine cones are a hybrid from a new pine tree, they light up too! amazing)

(this is my holiday "woodsy" chic display. my favorite part is the orange extension cord.)

(this is my little village, somewhere in there you will find an idiot)

(yes, i have a pink Christmas tree. yes, that is a real shabby chic angel on the top. grody to the maxx!)

(here are some ways to Keep Calm & Carry On)

(my table. with my FAVORITE Rosanna 12 days of Christmas dishes)

YELLOW!

I have a bad laptop at home so I didn't realize that my background color yellow was SCREAMING at people, so I've toned it down for you. Thank you Sabro... MY EYES! MY EYES!

I had 5 lovely days off of work!
The fun started Tuesday night when I invited all my crazy co-workers over for a little partay. We ate fried food, put on a fashion show and danced to the Jackson 5 on my record player. It was probably the most fun I've had at a party in a long time.
Dance, Sing, Go Crazy! Lather Rinse Repeat!

I also had two Thanksgivings dinners, did some power shopping, decorated both my parent's house and my house inside and out for Christmas. AND I got to see my long lost Michigan transplant Shannon! Thanks for dinner! I wish someone would pay me in Layers. Priceless.

I will post some pictures of my Christmas decor... it's so cute I could barf.

What a Woman!

Did you all see my HERO Stephanie Nielson on the Today Show this morning? If not, check it out here! That woman continues to Rock my socks off!!! Every time I read her blog, or see an interview I am reminded of all the things I am thankful for, and how precious life is. What an inspiration!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope all of you have lovely moments of Thanks & Giving!

This is my new favorite photographer from Etsy. You can find Honeytree's work here.

Yay Me!

On November 1st I went to the DMV to get new tabs for my licence plates. I took a number, waited in line and finally my number was called. I proceeded to purchase my tabs and once I collected my tabs I was on my merry way. I walked gingerly out to the parking lot, tabs in hand and walked towards my car. First I put the front tabs on, then I went around and put the back tabs on. From there I got my keys out and went to unlock my car door. I put the key in the lock and then much to my horror, I realized... THIS IS NOT MY CAR!!!!
In a moment of panic I went to the front plate and unsuccessfully tried pealing off the first tab. When that didn't work I went to the back and tried pealing off the other tab, no luck!!! I was mortified!!!! I had to go back in and get new tabs. They all laughed at me. They asked me, did it even look like your car? Um... sadly, not really.

Just a thought...

The Life Aquatic with Sabro

I was asked to participate in a Who's Who guessing game at work. Basically we filled out a worksheet asking personal questions about who we are, what we like, and our bra size. HA! Just seeing if you are paying attention. I wanted to share a few answers because sometimes I think I'm a clever girl...
Favorite Movie: It's a Wonderful Life
Favorite Beverage: Water
What do you like to do: Cook\Bake
What do you dislike doing: The dishes
Who do you admire: Stephanie Nielson
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be: Mermaid.

I'm sure my fellow co-workers will once again find me amusing. Although the mermaid is not my power animal. My power animal is the giraffe.
But I digress. I am addicted to two things right now...
Butternut Squash
and
Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook (257,000 baby!)

At least one of these addictions is healthy!
What is everyone else addicted to lately?

Halloween Highlights

Halloween is never lame.

Birthday lunch for the swell Ellen! We gathered at the Chatterbox Pup to celebrate another year of awesomeness for Ellen!

Birthday girl Ellen, Sabro & Sarah!

Later, I went to a Co-worker's wedding reception\costume party!

The best reception I have ever been too!!! Fun was lurking around every corner!

The calm



The Storm

A Shelf Story

I have this very large wall behind my couch. I have been experimenting with hanging mirrors, hanging pictures, hanging everything BUT something that worked. I needed something large, but not too large, something that used the space, but didn't overwhelm it and something that made it feel like home. Then I came across pictures of rooms that looked like this:

and this:

And then one day at Ikea I found 2 perfect shelves and a very sweet boy came and helped me hang them not once, but twice! (I'm very particular about how I like things)... and then Viola!

PERFECTION!

I and Love and You

It's just a nice day here, and I think I am going to share my new favorite song. That's all...

Sigh. Relief. Sigh. Relief

I haven't blogged in awhile. I've been spending many of my days at the Hospital with my dad. Last Tuesday he had Triple Bypass surgery and a valve replacement. The good news is that he is doing great. His heart is as good as gold.

There really is no bad news in this story. But many answered prayers and a heart full of gratitude.

In times of need it is amazing to see all the open arms that embrace you, rally around you and keep you sane.

My mom could not be at the surgery because she was sick with a bad cold. That left me to sit quietly waiting for (hoping, praying, begging) for good news. But I was not alone, my dear cousins Kelly and Kyle spent 7+ hours of their day with me in the waiting room. Kelly doing paint by number, Kyle laughing at LOL Cats. They brought me homemade muffins, and got me breakfast and late lunch. How I love them so.

Along with them were my parent's friends Connie and Skip, just waiting with me... letting their warm presence be known.

Many people outside of that hospital were praying and thinking happy thoughts for my dad... I loved the phone calls and the texts and the well wishes!

My crazy, yet so lovable co-workers surrounded me with so much love that I want to squeeze them all! Calls, Texts, Chipotle gift cards, Visits, flowers, cards, love love love. A sweet boy brought me Chipotle dinner and chatted with me, while I sat in the lobby waiting to see my dad one last time.

All of these acts of kindness are what I call generosity of spirit. People that rise to the occasion when you feel alone and scared and worried.

I am so thankful.

Here is to new hearts and beautiful hearts alike!

Highs and Lows of the Week

High: My cold is finally over.
Low: Now everyone else is sick.

High: Twins win the AL Central Division!!!
Low: Playing the Yankees the next day! BOOO!!!

High: Coming so close to winning against the Yankees.
Low: Losing 2x this week. Whaaaa!

High: Watching Nie Nie on Oprah! (she (Nie Nie) is soooo amazing!)
Low: The WHOLE show should've been about her!

High: My dad finally went to the doctor.
Low: He needs triple bypass surgery (this coming Tuesday!)

High: The trees are turning crimson, gold and orange!
Low: IT SNOWED!!!!

Have a great weekend! Hope you have lots of highs and very few lows!

Problem Solved

MN TWINS + KICKBUTT-DETROIT TIGERS = WINNERS!!!!

Basic Math

+Plus+

-Minus-

=Equals=

Pantry Sweep

I've decided to put my foot down. Every night that I come home and don't go out, I sit around hemming and hawing over what to make for dinner. And usually i end up eating crackers and cereal. Or sometimes I stop at Chipotle or Qdoba. I decided that I am wasting money and eating like crap... when I have a whole pantry full of goods that are begging to be consumed. Plus I have the fridge, full of half bags of shredded cheese and jars of almost empty, but not ready to be thrown, spaghetti sauce.
So my goal this week is to use up everything edible in my pantry\fridge and make yummy meals in the process!
Last night I made Baked Penne with Chicken Parmigiana.
In that process I used up a jar of marinara sauce, a shallot, penne pasta, mozzarella cheese and one lonely chicken tender in the freezer.
It was yum-a-licious!

Tomorrow I will post what I just made for dinner: Southwestern Spaghetti Skillet. Yee-Haw!

Happy Birthday Kelly!

To my favorite cousin in the whole wide world!

Happy Birthday!

Not the end, Just a new beginning...

Bittersweet. That is my mood right now. My dear bestie Shannon is on her way to a new life in Michigan tomorrow. She met a boy. She is packing up her stuff and moving to what I call, "Bermuda Triangle Michigan". Believe it or not this is not the first time a dear friend has been sucked into the vortex of the state of peninsulas. (Hi Rach!) There must be something about those Michigan boys. I am very happy for Shannon. She has found a good guy and I think she will be very happy on her journey. But holy crap I will miss that girl. I have known Shannon aka Tweaker since the 4th grade. They could write a book about all our adventures. We were crazy then, even crazier now!
I hate goodbyes, so Shannon this one is for you. I love you girl!

Please pay me to eat!

This weekend I went with my cousin Kelly on our second annual "Go to Willmar and Go to an Art Fair, And have dinner with Aunt Lori and then get together with Kelly's High School friends" weekend. (although this weekend we added on, Get tires changed and listen to Kyle teach us about music, but I don't know if that will be a tradition or not?)

It was fun and I bought another piece of pottery for my collection from the amazing and talented Emily Schollett.
But the question I had to ask on the road trip was:
If you were paid to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I had to think about it, but i think I decided that it would be Toaster Strudels. You know those pastries from Pillsbury with the gooey filling and the super sugary icing you drizzle over the top?
Those are amazing. I do not buy them. I never have. I know that if i had a box in the house I would eat them ALL in one sitting!!!
I'm sure there are other things i would love to get paid to eat, like Gummy Bears and Pad Thai. But I really want someone to pay me to eat Toaster Strudels. Then I wouldn't feel guilty because I could say, "It's my job, I HAVE to eat them!"

If you were paid to eat one thing what would it be?

nine nine O-nine birthday!

Big day! Happy birthday MOM!!! Love you!