Now what...

I am finished coaching softball for the year and it has freed up my afternoon and evenings a lot! You'd think I would be bloggin more? But instead I have been cooking more. We are shopping a little smarter and trying a few new dishes out that have so far been delicious. I have had more eggplant and mushrooms the past two weeks then I have my entire life. That will sound gross if you hate those two things, but if you don't, you know that it is actually really good. Our weekends are still filling up with plans, which is always fun but sometimes makes the days just fly by even faster then they normally do.

I sometimes think of all the funny things I could type on here, but then I think they won't turn out as funny as I'd hoped.

I do know that it has been raining all day long, and after being out all day long I definitely look forward to being cozily at home, and watching our favorite shows that all happen to be on the same night (30 rock -our most favorite, the office, community and parks and rec. just greatness). There have been some sad events that have happened to people I know recently and of course just more tragic stuff you see on the news, but after all that it makes a peaceful night of laughter even more appreciated.
It is worth it to try and be present, and kinder to yourself and the people around you.

Pizza pizza pizza!

Okay so, through an unpleasant allergy season and a visit or two to the doctor we both realized that it might be best if we avoid dairy for a while and just because we want to; change our diet to become more fresh and organic. Yes it is a little bit more expensive, but if you are smart about your purchases, it is totally worth it. I haven't missed dairy at all but Matt has and he has been craving pizza for about a week. We decided to run to our local Hy-Vee and buy honey wheat crust, pesto sauce mixed with a little tomato sauce, artichoke hearts, and goat's cheese... yes it may sound weird, but trust me, not only is it rich and delicious, but it is good for anyone who has had issues with dairy.




It turned out great!! We have another crust waiting to be baked in the fridge and I think next time we will add some sun dried tomatoes... and whatever else sounds yummy at the time. Just thought we would share.... thanks!

The time is now

We went to Iowa this weekend for my Grandma's funeral. It was a beautiful ceremony and service and I know she would have been happy with out everything turned out. It was nice seeing cousins we had not seen in a while too. My husband, brother and I enjoyed driving up together and had perfect weather the entire time. It reaffirmed the things I keep telling myself every day "stay present, live peacefully, and joyfully". Life is too short, even 91 years is too short to not live how you genuinely want to live. To be kind to yourself and those around you. To be true to yourself and make the decision to live well. Take advantage of the time you have with your loved ones. Say what you feel. Your life is worth living happily.




The night we got into town we went out to dinner and walked around downtown Des Moines. It was a great time being with her family and catching up on sweet Grandma stories.




The sun was shining all day long.



The bagpipe played 'Amazing Grace' in the sunshine.




The pink boa my Grandma wore for special occassions was laid to rest with her that day.

On second thought...

I think it would be an honor to have the President of the United States give the commencement speech at my high school graduation, and even cooler if it was Barack Obama giving the speech. The school that I coach at is one of six top schools that could get chosen to have President Obama give the commencement speech this May. I talked to a few people that are in that district and or work at that school and they made their opinions known that they did not want Obama to come to their school. Their only reason was they don't agree with him politically and "I don't like him". I quickly said, "well, I do.." and wanted to make sure everyone didn't appear to be sheeps agreeing with only those who spoke the loudest. I didn't want to keep my mouth quiet like I might in some other cases because I don't want to make people feel uncomfortable. But when they were being so over the top on their disagreeing with the possibility I had to say my opinion too.
Here's my problem, these were the same people (mixed with a lot of other people) saying if you don't support George W. Bush then you are unpatriotic, but if you don't support Obama, then you're a Republican. It seems to be very hypocritical and somewhat ignorant. Not only that, the school district is a very wealthy one, and about 95% of the kids in this area have had a very privileged life thus far. Also, 93% of the kids graduating will be going to college. Perhaps President Obama should be speaking to 1,700 kids that might appreciate the value of his message much more. The ones that truly need that inspiration and hope for tomorrow. To hear about first hand, the realistic work that it takes to achieve almost anything, the ability to have compassion for others and then do something positive about it, and the power to not rule by fear and bullying behavior no matter how much someone else wants you to.
Although, it might be nice to have him come here and let those irrational jerks shut up for a few minutes, and let him see that he does have support through this very red state. However I know some people are already wasting their time planning pickets, and boycotts and forcing their kids to swallow the same garbage they continue to believe despite reality.

At the end of the day you can believe what you want, and I will do the same. The easiest thing we can do is agree to disagree with respect and hope that those choosing to be ignorant will still gain some insight at some point in their lives. Regardless of any political party, the desire to see our communities and this country go in a positive direction should be the goal. Showing that it's important to be a good person and educate yourself rather then cling to a title that you don't quite understand. I do know one thing, it will all work out, and we've all got much more important things to worry about. Like, here's hoping the rain helps my newly planted garden grow...

Lemon out.

Garden time....

Our garden space started like this...


After a fun trip to the store with my dad, we picked out some wonderful flower plants and vegetables. A few hours later our garden is starting to look very lovely. I have been wanting to do this for a while now, and I am very excited to see what will thrive. I love the idea of being able to step outside our front door, pick a few veggies and get to eat them for dinner.











We have two new colorful flowers, basil, two types of tomatoes, squash, green peppers, and organic lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, radish and a third set of tomatoes. Love it !

Food Inc.

Have you seen it yet? If not, do yourself a favor and see it! It lowers the veil from the food corporations of America and their intent of bigger, faster, and more money. Scientifically changing the genetics of chickens so they will grow bigger white meat areas in order to gain a larger profit, never mind the fact that these chickens are kept in the worst possible conditions, most never seeing sunlight, and all only able to take two steps before the collapse back to the ground because they can not handle the weight. It is completely eye opening and charges this desire to become more educated on such an important issue, the stuff you CHOSE to put into your body. Where does it come from? How are the animals raised and treated? How does the system work that treats the factory workers almost as poorly as the animals? The biggest thing I got from this movie was that the companies produce the things the majority of customers want. If you don't buy it, it will eventually go away (this is how the tobacco industry lost a ton of money). Not only that, but if you show the demand for better quality food, the product will continue to show up at your grocery store. Buying local is HUGE, think about the journey each one of your items has to travel (typically 1500 miles to reach your plate) unless you truly buy locally. Think of it this way; every time you buy a product, you are adding a vote to keep that product going.
I rarely eat fast food but this movie makes me never want to eat any of it ever again. It takes a conscious effort to care, then to educate yourself, and yes sometimes the extra dollar to make the change. Personally, I think it is and will continue to be completely worth it. And even our very small attempt at a garden (about to include tomatoes, basil, lettuce, peppers) makes a difference. Make the change, one bite at a time.
:)
http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-issues.php

Concert

Hey! Last night my sister and I went to see Ani Difranco live in concert. This was our second time seeing her, and she is awesome. She is and always has been very brave with her open and honest lyrics, she is an activist and fights for women and gay rights and she puts on one heck of a show. Ani has some very sweet slow songs, some of which I have fun attempting to play on the guitar, while others shake the stage and I stand in awe as the beautiful sounds swing by. We started the evening with dinner out to a delicious restaurant and then made our way to the show. The opening act was a man named Buddy Wakefield. He is a poet and performs with a sweet intensity. He spoke about the difficulties of his childhood and he too, yearned for better treatment of all human beings.

As we fought our way to a decent spot in a standing room only floor, one tall person after the other, followed by someone with big hair, each would take their sweet time blocking our view. I tried to guard my pregnant sister as people pushed passed, not to mention the geniuses behind us that lifted their friend into the air when she wasn't ready. Not cool. I spent my time swaying opposite directions as the person in front of me who happened to be my same height. I managed to see 1/4 of Ani's body throughout the show, luckily it happened to be her face, or her guitar which is also amazing to watch as she frantically moves her tiny hands up and down the neck of the guitar while her other hand beats rhythmically against the guitar. As I sway to the right I get a perfect view of the stage, sway to the left I can still kind of see but then I get a wiff of the young man standing next to me, a mixture of sweat and smoke. A few minutes later we find ourselves in a slightly better location yet the girl in front of me is carrying a bag half her size and the bottom of the purse is pointed my direction. As the purse slid across my forearm my germaphobe side immediately imagines all the disgusting places the bottom of that purse has been laid (bathrooms, taxis, etc.) My mind jolts back into the music and I am present again.

There is a woman around my age standing about four people in front of us and she is the most physically into a show I have ever seen. She jumps and sways, shifts her body with every beat. She shot her hands up to the sky as if she was having some religious experience, and actually to her, I think she was. At first you might be annoyed to stand right behind her due to all the sporadic movements continuously blocking your view of the stage, but every time I looked at her, I couldn't help but smile. She was being so open around all these strangers. She was so touched by the music she didn't let any insecurities hold her back and I thought that was great. Usually I will sway, tap my feet, and occasionally do a little dance at a show, but nothing compared to what this woman was doing. After all that people watching it is so easy to get caught up in what other people look like, their clothes, their hair, accessories, but this woman made the experience completely about the music and I found it to be refreshing.

So then I wonder why do we even go to concerts? To fight the crowds, smells, germs, I could go on.... But then I get goosebumps during one of Ani's glorious tangents about the government and women's rights I remember I go to shows for inspiration. I want to see this artist perform live and support the brave work she continues to do. She speaks her mind, she cares about where the direction of our world is going and how people are treating one another, she wants equal rights for all, she cares about the Earth, plus she makes rockin' music. You definitely don't have to agree with her views and I am sure there are plenty of people who despise her because of her views, but isn't that what it's all about? Figuring out your own path, exploring what you believe to be true, and ultimately (hopefully) creating a journey where not only you are happy, but you care about the people next to you and you wish them a life free from suffering.

And now I wonder, what makes you inspired? Where do you find it?