someday

Who knew a picture is worth a thousand words? Actually, I think a lot of people do...guess I'm a slow learner...

I found this picture today of a new Mustang updated to look like the vehicle in the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds." I just had to post it. In the movie, Memphis (Nick Cage) has one achilles heel - a Mustang he has named Eleanor. Seems like everytime he gets in to drive it, there is a problem...they have a lot of history together.

The vehicle in the movie is amazing, but this one also caught my eye - combines the best of the old with the best of the new...

Just one more thing to add to my 'wish list.'

gone in 60 seconds

Who knew you could learn anything from movies?

The movie, "Gone in 60 Seconds" was on the other night. LOVE that movie. I only caught the last few minutes of it (so was a little bummed), but there was a quote at the end I remembered, but never sank in.

They are talking about one of the guys in the group that was wounded during the operation. As they are talking about it, one of them throws out this quote.

"If his premature demise has, in some way, enlightened the rest of you as to the grim finish below the glossy veneer of criminal life, and inspired you to change your ways, then his death carries with it an inherent nobility. And a supreme glory. We should all be so fortunate. You can say 'Poor Toby." I say: "Poor us.."

Guess this time I heard the quote it reminded me of another whose death carried with it an inherent nobility. Some one else whose life and death inspired us to change our ways and be some one we didn't used to be. It also reminded me that we can all be so fortunate if we just get on board and follow His lead. The responsibility that goes along with knowing and understanding (even if only a small amount) makes me echo his quote..."Poor us."

minnie

Who knew we'd EVER get another dog? Certainly not us...but...

Meet Minnie.



We picked her up yesterday from Last Chance Rescue. She is a beagle and is about 2 years old and is full grown at about 20 pounds (half of Trinity). J is going to take her to the vet this week so we know if there is anything we need to do for her - she currently has a slight eye cold. She is extremely shy at this point and is very mello (which was one of the selling points). So far Trinity has been good and is just watching her walk around. They have been in the yard a few times and haven't really played together, but Minnie has started following Trinity around the house (very cute).

We are learning there is a difference having a smaller dog. Some of the things we never worry about, or thought about with Trinity have started to surface. We learned this right from the start...as soon as we brought her home, we let them both check out the back yard. Minnie was sniffing around, taking care of business, and doing well...until she got a little tired. She went under the Mountaineer (which at first we thought was kind of cute), but then she laid down and wouldn't come out. Never had to worry about that with Trin because she can't even fit under the truck. So, after a little coaxing, and a brilliant idea by Taylor (to use the leash), we got her out and started the inside adventure.

We stopped by PetCo while we were out last night picked up some food bowls, a bed and a few minor other things. Minnie was very tired when she got here and spent most of the night cuddled up next to one of us. I'm sure it wasn't easy sleeping at the shelter with all of the other dogs making so much noise all the time. After Taylor went to bed, we put Minnie in her new bed and she looked so cute. As soon as she got in there, J said, "I think we need to get a bigger bed." Of course, I said, "No way, she fits like a glove."


As always, J was right and Minnie showed us she was a little too big for that one.


We actually had both of the dogs sleeping in our room on the floor last night (big night since it was the first) and things went well. Minnie slept in her bed all night and Trinity was camped in her usual spot. All in all, it has been a good first day.

We've got a 2 week trial period with Minnie because it was very hard to see how she would be without being at home. We did bring Trinity with and introduced them to each other, interacted with her as much as possible, and felt good about her, but it was still tough with all of the other people and dogs around. So far, things are going really well so we will see what the next 13 days hold for us.

This is good because there are many days when we are gone all day and this will give Trin some one to talk to while we are gone.

For the record, I want to point out the J found Minnie, although I was totally on board to get another dog, J was the one that found her, and between her and Tay, they convinced me to take a look at her.

Another adventure has started...what are we thinking?

homeless

Who knew a book could have such an impact?

I just finished the book, Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski. Wow. In a nutshell, Mike and Sam choose to become homeless for 5 months. They decide to spend roughly a month in each of these six cities: Denver, Washington DC, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego.

The book describes their experiences living on the streets and the people they met along the way. I couldn't put the book down. Just reading about what they had to do to survive - to get their daily bread, to find safe places to sleep - all just really put things in perspective. Reading about the people they met along the way, how they treated them and loved them, was also eye opening. They also came in contact with some Christians, and some churches, along the way to mixed reactions. It seems some of us are a long way from doing what we are actually called to do. In some cases, we are willing to wish them well and send them off - when all they really need is to be treated like humans, to be talked to, and have their current needs met - whether food, water, shoes, etc. There were many times in the book when they left the meeting with another Christian feeling really frustrated with the lack of help and true love they were given. That was hard to read because I started to wonder what my reaction would have been in each situation. Would I have been a help, or a hinderance to their journey?

Of course I'd love to believe I'd be the helper, doing what I could to encourage and lift them up. I'm not sure there is anything in my life currently to validate that though. It's not like I'm turning people away, or not giving what I can, but I'm definitely not going out of my way to seek people out, or going out of my way to help people when they do cross my path. These are things I've decided I need to work on, and look forward to what changes it will bring about in my life, as well as the life of those I may have the opportunity to bless.

Below are some links to web-sites with more information on the subject, including the new shelter in Ann Arbor (in case I'm not the only one feeling the need to find out more). Also, Mike (the author) has a web-site that facilitates conversation on the subject. If you click on the link to the book above, it will take you there. They have a few pictures of their trip, bios, etc.

SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center
National Resource and Training Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County

jamaica

Who knew all you have to do to get a stamp in your passport is leave the country? What an incredible idea...they should really explain that better.

So Tay, J and I all got a stamp in our passports because we went to wonderful Jamaica. Who knew people that don't get along with the sun (at all) like us could still go and have a good time. It is one of those places I would have never gone to on my own, but since we were going for a wedding, it was a good excuse to be able to add that to the 'list of places I've been.' It was a good time and it was great to be able to see so many friends down there as well. It was like a Minnesota reunion, but with a lot more sun and much more use of the word 'mon.' It was an extremely beautiful place and I really enjoyed being able to sit on the porch in the morning and just look out into the ocean. It was so peaceful - made me completely forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a little while. That was one of the best parts about the vacation (other than witnessing two of our best friends get married). It was great to be able to spend the entire day with the fam and not have to worry about completing any tasks for the next day.

For those not familiar with Jamaica (as I was not until recently), you can see the map below.

We flew into Montego Bay and then took a shuttle (it was a bus that went pretty fast) out to the city of Negril, where our resort was. The shuttle ride took about 1hr and 45 minutes going out and about 1 hr and 10 minutes coming back. We stayed at Beaches Sandy Bay and some of the others stayed at Beaches Negril. It was fun to be able to go between the two resorts and sample what each had to offer. There was a shuttle that went between the resorts and the ride was only about 5-7 minutes.

There were many fun things we were able to do - many dinners together as a group, hanging on the beach, watching the NBA Finals and playing pool, swimming in the ocean, much time well spent. Below are a few pictures of the resort...as you can see, it's no Detroit, but then not much stacks up to this town...I don't know why I ever leave...

Picture of our resort - from the beach...

View from our room...

One of the restaurants at Sandy Bay...

Sunset...gotta love it...

Kathy Griffin - Need I say more?

Who knew...Kathy Griffin is even funnier in person? J and I went to see her last night (June 23) at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall. It was a great night and we had a lot of fun. It was our first time at the Hall and it was a beautiful place. We were close to the back, but it didn't matter, we could still see here quite well...didn't miss a facial expression.

She isn't necessarily the most "wholesome" comedian (and Tay was definitely not with us), but we really had a ton of fun none the less. Most of her jokes are at the expense of other Hollywood notables, and also at her own expense. She really has NO FEAR in saying what most people are thinking. We had first seen a few of her stand-up shows on TV and then have watched a few episodes of her new show on Bravo (I guess it's not that new - about to start the third season) called, "My Life on the D-List."

It was really enjoyable to be able to turn off my brain for a few hours and just laugh. I don't think we laugh as much, I mean really laugh so hard you can't stop, as we should. That is something I'm going to try to work on - getting more laughter in my life on a regular basis. Not sure how to pull that off, but since I've got nothing else to do with my time, I'll work on figuring that out.

It was great to go on a date alone with J and just get to enjoy talking and spending time with her. I had worked to surprise her with this - she knew we were going out and when, but had no idea what we were going to do. I had kept it a secret for about a week and a half, but as we were walking down the stairs at the parking structure, some one walking with us said, "So, you guys going to see Kathy Griffin tonight to?" J just looked at me and I had to say, "As a matter of fact, we are." It spoiled the surprise, but since she would have figured it out in about a half a block anyway, it was still perfectly fine. Just funny how that stuff works out.

All in all, I would say the night was a success and was really, really fun.

Epiphany...big word for me...

Who knew I'd actually start reading...for fun...and not just comics?

I'm currently reading Blue Like Jazz (by Donald Miller). I'd be interested in any comments that anyone has about the book. I've read the first 10 chapters so far, and there have been a few lines in the book that have really stuck.

"Passion about nothing is like pouring gasoline in a car without wheels. It isn't going to lead anyone anywhere."

"...what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do."

Both of these quotes are on page 110 in the book. It's always interesting to have the epiphany of realizing people in our lives actually teach us things, and show us things we never would have had exposure to without them crossing our path. Even though it is tough to have friends come and go, it's always fun for me to realize what they have shown me, or taught me, or even just allowed me to see in myself, that wouldn't have been learned or noted without them.

It's always tough for me to put into practice what I believe. In the book Miller gives a great example of a friend of his that believes we should feed the homeless. He believes this and confirms it by actually going out, and feeding the homeless at least once per week. I would agree with the statement that we should help feed the homeless, give them shelter and get them off the street. I can't remember the last time I actually did anything to help the situation. There are many more examples of this in my life.

Passion is also something I believe I have a lot of. Who knew you actually should be passionate about SOMETHING? I had no idea. It makes sense that passion without something to throw it at is worthless, I just never had it explained that way before. Wrapping my brain around what I am actually passionate for will help me do what I believe.


Good thing about this life is that we are not called to be perfect...if we were, I'd already be toast. This process may be long, but it's always nice to have the light bulb turn on once in a while along the way...

Who Knew?

Who knew I'd be sucked into the blogging empire. I've been fighting it for quite a while now and have finally jumped in to see what all of the hype is about. I'm sure it's going to be me writing to myself, commenting on my own ideas, and then laughing at my jokes. At least I'll be able to keep my thoughts in one place instead of all over. It's like this is my pensieve (from Harry Potter) to keep all the thoughts that are falling out of my head...