Service Project

Well, I didn't even make it a week with the daily blogging challenge. This weekend has been a whirlwind. In only 9 short very long hours, Ella & her girl scout partner transformed a city bench from this:

to this:

The girls created the Colorado design on their own & did 99% of the work themselves. I am very proud that they kept working even when we were all tired & just wanted to be done. Even supervising this project was exhausting! As of this morning, the girls completed all the hours for their Bronze Award.  Ella has two more meetings over the next week & she will have all her requirements done. She has worked hard over the last two years and we are very proud that her journey is complete.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Go Mighty Or Go Home

I spent the weekend in Palm Springs with my sister at Camp Mighty. We came armed with our charity: water donations (the group raised over $20,000), life lists, a bathing suit & a space costume.

We stayed at the swanky Ace Hotel. I have never seen so many mustaches, fedoras or dogs lounging poolside. Thankfully, the attendees were very tolerant of my unhipster self!

Most of our time was spent listening to speakers & mixing with the other women. I really loved meeting all the people who came to the event. Everyone was so open, accepting and interesting. 

This was a gathering of people who live daily life as an adventure, are open to changing their personal story and up for just about anything. You always wanted to perform a "pop-up" event at a conference? Just ask & an audience appears.

I spent a lot of time this weekend thinking and creating. What do I want my personal story to be in the coming year? I'm excited about the possibilities and ideas churning in my head.

I appreciated having some quiet time to just think about what I wanted to change in my life (Nick heads out for his guy's trip this weekend). In the past three years, we have lived in three different cities and with each move I felt I left a little bit of me behind. I am working on reconnecting and sharing more of those forgotten parts of myself.

This is my top 5 list for the next year and I'm excited about the challenge. The little tags hanging from my list are names of people who want to share or support some aspect of my list.  I am not a New Year's Resolution person but for some reason, this exercise works for me. 

And, I think it was the most fun I have had at a costume party. Jessica and I were perhaps too literal with our space costumes (she's the first monkey in space).
Everyone else understood that the invite meant to don a sparkly cocktail dress and fabulous wig! I have to say, my Leah wig photographed much better than it looked in person.  Now, I am off to figure out how to create a virtual book club so I don't have to read Jane Austen alone. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Red, Wine & Blues

New Mexico struggles with hunger. It is estimated that over 117 MILLION meals are missed each year by low income people in New Mexico. A large number of the hungry are children.  For a state that only has about 2 million people, that's a staggering number. 

There are a number of excellent non-profit organizations that serve the hungry. Ella's Brownie Troop did a community outreach project for one local organization and will donate a portion of their girl scout cookie sales to the organization as well.

 I joined the Junior League of Salt Lake City over 10 years ago & loved learning about the community needs and meeting some very interesting & accomplish women. I rejoined in Albuquerque this fall. I was placed on a fundraiser - Red, Wine & Blues. This year, they added a kids event. I was working the event, but Nick brought the kids to the indoor carnival. They loved it.

If you were curious, this is how far $75 can go with food purchases at a food bank.

Our committee was at the hotel all day converting the kids event into a swanky evening party for grown-ups.

 I was working ticket sales, so I'm loving seeing these photos of the finished event. I didn't get much time in the ballroom.

 Of course, there was a silent/live auction. Those boots were a hot wish list item! Nick put most of our tickets into the fat tire bike raffle. Of course, we didn't win (but we left with a kids birthday party package & a restaurant gift card).

 For food, we had 15 local restaurants serving samples of their food. It was fabulous! 

It was a LONG day weekend of prep work. My feet still hurt. But, I think both events were a success & I can't wait to hear how much money was raised.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Where I Run

I'm trying a new iphone blogging app. It's much easier to blog camera phone pictures while traveling.


It's hard to believe my running course is almost over. I'm happy I've been able to keep up the workouts while on vacation.  For two weeks, I traded this. . .



And this.



For this . . .




And this . . .



And this! I feel like a disney princess surrounded by animals here. It's been fun - but hot & sticky. I've really enjoyed the online running community.  The Up & Running program has a 5K program starting on September 8. If you've thought about starting to run (it's designed for beginners), check it out. They recommend before you start their 10K training program that you be able to run a 5K in under 35 minutes. I'm not quite there yet. They have a bridge training program that I am considering following over the winter. The next session doesn't start until March, but I think that would give me time to really work on my speed.

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What's On Your List?

My friend Shauna introduced me to the Gretchen Rubin &  The Happiness Project.  I signed up to receive daily inspirational quotes via email.  It's a nice first email to read in the morning while sipping your coffee.
Today's quote reminded me of a great presentation that I heard earlier this year. A big theme in photography this year is that to be a better photographer, be a better person. Mike Larson, an amazing California wedding photographer, shared that many of us have "to do" lists, but not enough of us have "to be" lists.  He showed us his favorite photo that he keeps near his desk. In the photo, he's playing guitar while looking lovingly at his wife & his wife is laughing.  His inspirational photo reminds him that he wants to be a thoughtful husband who makes his wife laugh every day.
I love the idea of having a 'to be' list. With three young kids sometimes our life feels like we are just running from place to place - school to homework to practice to bath to sleep. Finding a way to slow down & enjoy the few calm minutes we have in a day is important - and it's on my list this week.
  Being a more thoughtful & gracious person can start with the way you respond and interact with the people you see every day - from your barista to your family & friends. So, what's on your 'to be' list this weekend?

I Have A Dream

A woman from my former book club reads this book every year.  Since I haven't found a new club yet, I'm keeping up with the reading list from my Utah book club. This was such a great, inspirational book. There aren't many books I like to read a second time, but this one would be worthy. If you are looking for an inspiration boost, pick up The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. And, if this book is above your reading level, but still need a reminder to follow your dreams, watch Tangled. Not quite as poetic, but seems to have an energizing effect on the 10 & under crowd!
ETA: Blogger seems to be acting up lately. I had to republish posts from last week & today's post was truncated.  
I want to read Paul Coelho's biography.  He sounds like a fascinating man.  A summary of his work can be found HERE and you can listen to a few short comments about the Alchemist here:

Help Alabama Tornado Victims

I received an email about a woman in Alabama who is helping her church organize an online donation drive to assist families affected by the horrible tornadoes. In case you wanted to help, but weren't sure how to help Alabama tornado victims, I am reposting her entry.

 (credit The Birmingham News/Carol Robinson)

Here is the information from her posting on her blog:

* * *

Yesterday morning my town was hit by a tornado. We suffered loss of homes, businesses, vehicles, etc. Praise the Lord we did not suffer many losses of life. Unfortunately, it wasn’t over. Later in the day, more tornadoes touched the ground in Alabama killing at least 194 people. This line of storms spanning 7 states took a total of 298 lives and more than 163 tornadoes reportedly ransacked the south.

Southerners are in dire need of some of the most basic necessities and I am working with my local church to start an online donation drive to help the victims of these storms. If you have any items that you would love to mail to us, we will gladly take them. Here are a few things that we are in need of:

toothpaste
toothbrushes
shampoo
conditioner
soap
deodorant
dishwashing soap
laundry detergent
hand sanitizer
clothing in all sizes
shoes in all sizes
blankets
small toys for displaced children
ziploc bags
bandaids and other first aid products
feminine products
baby formula
diapers
baby food
toilet paper
Kleenex
food
individual juices
pet food and treats
etc

We will gladly take anything that you are willing to send.

You can mail your donations to my church. We will ensure they get into the right hands. You have my personal guarantee that all donations will be distributed:

Disaster Relief
c/o First Baptist Church of Moody
902 Church Street
Moody, AL 35004

If you would like to send a monetary donation, please memo your check as Disaster Relief.

Other places to donate:

You can send a monetary donation to:

Salvation Army Disaster Relief
PO Box 100339
Atlanta, GA 30384-0339

Red Cross is taking text donations. Just text text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10.

My friend Christie who works with the Birmingham News is maintaining a master list of all organizations here.

And above all, we request your prayers. God bless!

* * *

We are collecting boxes of clothes & toys to send.  I saw that many people are purchasing necessities via Amazon (free shipping!) & of course there are many charities that will accept cash donations.

Share Your Breakfast

I shared my breakfast today  - did you? Kellog's started a new campaign - for every photo (or description) of a breakfast it receives, it will donate money toward a school breakfast for a child in need. 1 in 4 children live in a household where food isn't always available. Grab your cell phone & start snapping away at the breakfast table!