Jesus Loves You...

Well, ain't that the truth....

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours. ~Swedish Proverb

That feeling....

Sorry for another post about a YouTube video... but I desperately needed to share this amazing cover of a song. You know that feeling you get when a song speaks volumes to you?! Well, for me this is it. I like the original version of this song but the cover is unbelievable! Florence + The Machine is one of our favorite bands and the fact that she performed better than Rihanna and Drake is just icing on the cake. Amazing... enjoy!

Florence + The Machine ~ Take Care (Drake and Rihanna Cover)

He Went To Jared!!

I've found some pretty amazing things in YouTube. This one I had to share... There's so many videos that are labeled "BEST PROPOSAL EVER" but I think this one definitely gets my vote. What an amazing video, the emotion, the filmmaking, the colors. I just loved it. Enjoy....

The Proposal

Lemonade

I love lemonade, especially the homemade kind. Fresh-squeezed lemons and sugar (well, I prefer Truvia) in a big, glass pitcher. The taste reminds me of summer.... hot, humid Summer days, relaxing on the porch. So today, I'm taking the lemons that have come my way and I'm making a big, fresh batch of lemonade. How about that vague metaphor?! Oh well, I'm not going to dwell. Life is good. Aaaahhhhh....

Love, Hate & Enjoying The Ride!

I subscribe to a fantastic sales-oriented newsletter that comes out once a week. Every Tuesday I get a couple fun, tasty morsels about how to make yourself a better salesperson, learn from mistakes, and what's important to customers, etc. As I was peeking around at the different articles, something caught my eye, a question that really got me thinking: DO YOU LOVE TO WIN OR HATE TO LOSE?

Wow, think about that. Well, my first natural thought was "I freakin' love winning!!" but then I thought about a moment in the last week when I lost an opportunity and it really, really sucked. That got me thinking "Man, it is really horrible when you lose." I'm still trying to find a good balance of accepting the fact that it is inevitable that I will lose, that someone will say "no" and I have no control over it. And I'm still finding the balance of not taking these rejections so personally. I need to just go for the opportunities and not think about the gamble. {Insert Eminem's Lose Yourself Chorus Lyrics Here}

I'm still learning to not face life as a competition, that's no way to live. Life should be all about YOU and what makes you happy, NOT beating someone else. I think it's okay that I love to win, I think it's okay that I'm competitive, and I think it's okay that I can get my feelings hurt.... and you know what? Losing is a part of life, it teaches us to be humble, to grow and learn from the experience and become a better person (both professionally and personally). Either way, it's all about the gamble and going after every opportunity (again, both professionally and personally), you've got a 50/50 shot, it's either a YES or NO, give it your all, and....

No Elbow Grease Needed!

When is the last time you have cleaned your microwave? I go in spurts... and sometimes the microwave is clean for weeks. However, I opened the microwave this morning and apparently something very violent transpired without my knowledge. I don't know about you but cleaning the microwave is probably one of my most dreaded bits of housework. Especially when I realized I needed a powerwash for the mess I had in there today! Then I remembered.... Weeks ago I had 'pinned' a microwave cleaning tip on Pinterest. An effortless way of cleaning that only required 5 minutes. All you need is a bowl of water and a tiny splash of vinegar, set in the microwave and cook for 5 minutes. Take the first minute to wipe down the outside of the microwave and then move onto something else. The water turns to steam which loosens up the crusty, stuck-on food and the vinegar neutralizes any strange odors. It really sounded too good to be true. So after trying this, I'm a complete believer. I took a Norwex cloth and was easily able to wipe the inside down with little effort. The inside of the microwave looks like new!  Pinterest to the rescue!

Grateful Memories In The Making....

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melody Beattie

Galleria de Paco

Last night, Bill and I enjoyed another Valentine's Day meal. On Valentine's Day I surprised him with tickets to see Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan in concert at the University of Northern Iowa. Beforehand, I took him to a restaurant called Galleria de Paco. I've heard so many amazing comments about this place through people and on the Internet. The restaurant has been recognized worldwide and featured in multiple tourism and food magazines as a "must see." Galleria de Paco is known for it's unique dining area... it is located in downtown Waterloo and the owner has recreated the Sistine Chapel in spray paint on the walls and ceiling. It was amazing and breathtaking. The service was everything that you would want in a upscale restaurant, very attentive and they made us feel like we were the only 2 people there. The maitre'd even sat us in a special table at the window. The food... well, where do I start? Bill had a 4-course meal: shrimp puffs with lobster glaze, salad, halibut with spiced Brussels sprouts and finished with a chocolate creme brulee. I had the dilled Salmon with spaghetti potatoes and asparagus which started with an Apple, berry blue cheese salad (yum!) and a couple bites of the creme brulee. Everything was AMAZING, it was the type of meal that you took a bite and closed your eyes to savor the moment. We especially loved the chocolate creme brulee and neither Bill or I like chocolate. We do love creme brulee and thought it was an amazing combination. It was one of the best desserts I've ever had! As we were ending our meal, we were discussing how wonderful our experience was and comparing it to other restaurants we have been to that would be on the same level, Roy's, Oceania, The Dining Room, Linn Street Cafe, Miso on Meramac... We've had our share of amazing experiences. We've been so blessed to have made the memories and had the adventures we have. I don't want to ever take for granted this life that we lead. How incredible that this wonderful meal could lead us into a conversation about how fortuitous life has been to us. The part I'm most grateful for? Sharing these moments with my best friend.

Live & Learn

I realize that people are free to make their own decisions in life... whether or not I agree is none of my business. Of course, if someone asks my opinion I will give it freely. I'm not a judgmental person but I think it's the Taurus in me that will tell you how I feel and also proceed to tell you how I think you should go about the situation. I'm never so controlling as to say it's my way or the highway but I feel myself having those emotions. I can honestly say I come by these thoughts honestly, my Dad is known for saying to EVERYONE "Now, here's what I would do..." He's the boss and I think I've inherited a little chip of that gene. I can find the good and the bad in this, if you ask my opinion I'll tell you. I've learned a lot of lessons in life and I feel like I have wise opinions to give. And in all honesty, it bugs the crap out of me when people make stupid decisions.

When I say a stupid decision I don't mean:

"Darn, I should have ordered the cheesecake instead of this boring chocolate sundae."

or

"I should have taken a left on that street, that would have gotten me to my destination faster."

or even

"I spent the last of my money on a pair of designer jeans that I couldn't afford." (well, that is pretty stupid)

I'm talking serious life decisions that people don't think through. Everyone has a right to be spontaneous and that's fun and exciting. I'm guilty of doing things on a whim, some of them have been selfish and some have been great. But those really HUGE life decisions that will literally shape the person you are, well, they aren't to be taken lightly. I really don't want to tell anyone "I told you so" but considering the circumstances, I'd put my money on it. I've heard that bad decisions make good stories and I have a feeling that someday this is going to be a real knee-slapper. Until then.... I guess you live and you learn.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love this man and can't wait to spend the rest of my life waking up to his face.

Falling Slowly By, Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

I walked down the aisle to a beautiful rendition of this song. Just one man and his guitar... I'll never forget that moment. My eyes sting everytime I hear this song.... I thought today would be appropriate to share it with you.

Falling Slowly ~

I don't know you

But I want you

All the more for that

Words fall through me

And always fool me

And I can't react

And games that never amount

To more than they're meant

Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back

Moods that take me and erase me

And I'm painted black

You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself

It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home

We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice

You've made it now

Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing it loud

Joie de vivre

The French call it, joie de vivre. I call it, the love of life. There is so much to be found and thankful for in each day. There is an energy surrounding my life and while it waxes and wanes each day, I find myself realizing that so many pieces of my puzzle of life are fitting together. Each day I find myself wanting to give back in some way, shape, or form. Charity has been a big part of my life in the last couple years but I find myself also doing small things for those around me. People that I know, maybe not even that well but a kind gesture will go a long way. I'm grateful for what God has given me and at times I feel like my cup 'runneth over' and what better way to direct that joie de vivre than to fill someone else's cup that might not be so full. I never, ever expect anything in return... and every once in awhile someone goes out of their way for me, I remember that and savor the warm, fuzzy feeling that gives me. I hope that you find joy in these small things, too.

Oh, God, give me grace for this day.

Not for a lifetime, nor for next week, nor

for tomorrow, just for this day.

Direct my thoughts and bless them,

Direct my work and bless it.

Direct the things I say and give them blessing, too.

Direct and bless everything that I think and speak

and do. So that for this one day, just this one

day, I have the gift of grace that comes from your presence.

~ M. Holmes "Just for Today"



Dutch found joy in the few inches of snow we received today.... He was having so much fun outside that I skipped my yoga class and had to grab my camera for some fun!

Good Vibes

Today I am sending good vibes and prayers to some close friends.... if you read this, please think positive and uplifting thoughts!

I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal - and soon they'll forget my number. ~Edith Armstrong