Monday, April 11, 2011
Reason, Season, Lifetime
Recently Ben and I have had visitors at our home from out of town. Friends from college, friends we've met along the way, family friends, and our family - who are our best friends. The "life lesson" below was shared with me 10 years ago by a dear friend of mine and after such wonderful visits, I thought it was appropriate to share. I have often refered back to this when thinking of great friends, when thinking of friends I have lost touch with, when helping friends who have realized that some people are not Lifetime friends but maybe a REASON friend. Just wanted to share - I hope you will enjoy this as much as I have and share with friends who are going through a hard time or when you just want to share with those people who are LIFETIMES. Not everyone can be a lifetime friend and coming to this realization is sometimes hard and sometimes hurtful. BUT realizing their season or reason is a blessing from God and will allow you to be thankful for what their purpose was for you - OR your purpose for them.
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
This Coleslaw is the Jam!
MJ.'s Coleslaw
- 1/2 head of chopped cabbage
- 1/2 carrot finely shredded
- 1/4 red onion chopped
- 1-2 cloves of chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup of snow peas (optional)
Dressing:
3 tbsp of olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tbsp of whole grain mustard
1 tbsp of lemon juice
Mix and let stand for 4 hours in refrigerator (the longer the better - great the next day too). Great served with ribs, on hot dogs, etc...
*You can use a bag of cabbage/carrot mix if you are running low on time.
ENJOY!
- 1/2 head of chopped cabbage
- 1/2 carrot finely shredded
- 1/4 red onion chopped
- 1-2 cloves of chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup of snow peas (optional)
Dressing:
3 tbsp of olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tbsp of whole grain mustard
1 tbsp of lemon juice
Mix and let stand for 4 hours in refrigerator (the longer the better - great the next day too). Great served with ribs, on hot dogs, etc...
*You can use a bag of cabbage/carrot mix if you are running low on time.
ENJOY!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Love me, love me not, LOVE ME!
I posted in January that I hoped they would loved me.
4 months later - our love has grown, flourished, & blossomed.
It's official -we are in love.
Dick Lane Velodrome Certified
After 2 days of 3 hour trainings. I am now certified to race at the Dick Lane Velodrome!! I am very excited about this upcoming season and training at the track with Ben this year. This will be my 3rd year watching Ben race and now I get a shot at it too.
This was a huge accomplishment that I have wanted to do for a while. Riding at the track is quite intimidating. You ride clipped in, brakeless, and on fixed gear bikes (no gear shifting or coasting here) - everything different than what most people are used to when they think of riding bicycles. I have been riding a fixed gear bike for a couple of years but never without brakes. As far as the track is concerned, the ends of the track are at 38 degree angles. Riding at such an angle is terrifying at first, but exhilirating once you learn to use the embankment for speed (I love riding fast!). Below are some pics of my Dick Lane Velodrome Certification.
This was a huge accomplishment that I have wanted to do for a while. Riding at the track is quite intimidating. You ride clipped in, brakeless, and on fixed gear bikes (no gear shifting or coasting here) - everything different than what most people are used to when they think of riding bicycles. I have been riding a fixed gear bike for a couple of years but never without brakes. As far as the track is concerned, the ends of the track are at 38 degree angles. Riding at such an angle is terrifying at first, but exhilirating once you learn to use the embankment for speed (I love riding fast!). Below are some pics of my Dick Lane Velodrome Certification.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Candle Making
Melting the wax
arranging the wicks in jars (we recycle used jars from our pantry/fridge)
shaving the dye - we went with lavendar
keep the heat as low as you can - will allow the wax to settle nicely and also neccesary when adding scents
the cooling phase
This is the beginning of many more to come. So far, a success, and a nice addition to our home in the city.
Our finnished product...
Porch Picking & Margs
After being in Cincinnati, with snow, for the week, it was time for some good ol' southern weather. Last Saturday Joe brought Maya over, I practiced my photography, the boys played their guitars (I often sang along), and made a pitcher of margaritas! Ahhh - life is good.
PAR-TAY in the HOUSE!
We had a celebration for sure for Ben's 30th! I was so surprised when Ben wanted to have a party - he is not the type that wants to be the center of attention (unlike you know who). I was so excited to see him be the center of attention and be surrounded by his closest friends and family.
The day started with his family coming over and we walked to Tin Lizzy's to have lunch outside on their rooftop. We had a wonderful time and so glad that his Aunt Laura and her family were able to come too!
The day started with his family coming over and we walked to Tin Lizzy's to have lunch outside on their rooftop. We had a wonderful time and so glad that his Aunt Laura and her family were able to come too!
Now for the PAR-TAY in the House
It was a blow-out1 Our neighbors, friends, and Ben's siblings all joined. Food was prepared by Joye and Tony (thank you soooo much), we hired a D.J., had a keg of Ben's favorite beer (Sweetwater IPA), wine, and of course - Jello Shots. I have never seen Ben so happy so I will say it was a success! Happy 30th Ben!
Ben - 29 & 11 mth present
Ben turned 30 on February 22. However, Ben's celebration started in January with his present from me. If you know me, I am not good at keeping a birthday surprise - but I tried REALLY REALLY hard this time, because it was the best present I have ever gotten anyone. Ben loves his bicycles so much - quite an obsession, actually. I knew he had been wanting this track bike, so I bite the bullet and bought it for him. I knew how much he wanted it and it was so sad when I realized how broken hearted he was when he realized our friend Chris had sold HIS bike (he owns Loose Nuts Cycles in our neighborhood). The bike was his, I purchased it that morning. It broke my heart that he thought it was gone, but I did not budge - I kept it a secret...... UNTIL, Ben found his 2nd favorite bike and "couldn't let it go because the favorite bike was gone." This time I had to do something. I couldn't bear the surprise anymore and was afraid I would come home to the new track bike (his 2nd favorite) and the surprise would be over. I coersed Ben into going on a walk when I got home from work on a Friday to take pictures of the snow in Grant Park - we walked in to Loose Nuts Cycles, and there it was - HIS FAVORITE TRACK BIKE AND IT WAS ALL HIS! I love him so much and I cannot wait to see him race at the Dick Lane Velodrome this season on his new track frame!
Ben with his 29 & 11 mth present!
Ben with his 29 & 11 mth present!
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