Taste it.

“B” by Sarah Kay

As promised...

You guys.

Wait till you see this!

Before I got out of bed yesterday I went around the internet and I ran across this link and the photos blew me away...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2011471/Pictures-sand-Close-photographs-reveal-incredible-beauty.html

That is SAND.

The seemingly ugly, ordinary stuff we WALK on.

I'll spare you the deep thoughts on this, as I know you are already amazed at how God thinks of us more often than the total number all these crazy tiny gorgeous grains of sands that he made simply to be the ground beneath our feet.

But i will draw your attention to the the scientists comments on how sand is made.

(Personally, I think churches should ditch the purified silver/pruned branches analogies and use this next time!)

"Contrary to popular belief, sand is made as rocks crash and break in rivers and streams on their way to the sea, rather than the ebb and flow of the tides.
Deposits left by breaking rocks in the sea turns to silt and is much lighter so is dispersed over a much wider area out to sea, rather than on the shore line.
Some of the rock is soluble, but other bits remain and as they are slowly rubbed down over time they get smaller and smaller until they become what we know as sand."

In closing, this really spoke to me about how more often than not, our culture makes people feel ordinary or ugly. If sand, which to our eyes really is ordinary and ugly, can be that beautiful we just can't see it, then how gorgeous must we, who are made in His image, really be?

So in short... next time you feel ordinary or ugly... think of SAND.

See you on the other side. (take two)

Several years back I posted this, and it has been on my mind a lot lately.

Then last night at church we went over this very passage.

(It always creeps me out when that happens.)

One of my goals for 2012, was to really work on my prayer life. Lately it seems like God is giving me lots of opportunity to do this, and sometimes I get discouraged. As a kid when we had bad storms that drove us into the hall closet, we'd bring in apples and flashlights and books (and sometimes the laptop) to sustain us until the storm passed. Now, as an adult when I am dealing with life's storms, I'm having to learn what things I need to sustain me until the storms blow over.

This week it's the reminder of Jesus' words "Let's go over to the other side..." Luke 8:22

"Prayer can transport us to a safe room, a place of refuge, a storm shelter. The storm may be raging all around, but in the prayer room we gain confidence that God is going to get us where He wants us to be. It is a place of security, not freedom from pain. It is a place of certainty in the midst of questionable or confusing circumstances. It is a place of assurance in spite of the inability to see the other side. The storm room is not a place to live, but rather a place to which one retreats. The storm may last for a while, but there are lessons that can only be learned by sailing through the storm. Unlike a concrete reinforced storm room, our spiritual one is mobile. We step back into the winds, having partnered with God in creating an inward space that is tethered to Him. We're going to get to the other side." -D. Kelly

'Sup?

• I've scheduled a meeting with a legit accountant. One I'll actually have to pay. Blah.
• I've finished Keller's "Counterfeit God's" (so good. the epilogue = terrifyingly beautiful) I highly recommend this book!
• I've spent $30+ on antique Ball Mason Jars
• I also read "The Rainmaker" and "The Testament" and "Are My Friends Hanging out Without me?"
• I've booked all sorts of flights for weddings and work and trips for the boo.
• I'm slowly going through my unplayed iTunes music and listening to it all. There are some deletions happening...
• I went to the Louisville Palace Theatre to see Ryan Adams play a 3 hour acoustic show. (sans mandy moore) It was beyond lovely.
• I'm making plans to enjoy more of the arts that TPAC has to offer.
• and finally, I'll be greeting 28 on Monday.

To celebrate I think I'm gonna buy one of these.

Religion says, "Do."

Jesus says, "Done."

Sabbath thoughts.

Preach it.

Birthday Wishes

-Photos from the past 6 months.

-Opportunities to complete any remaining 101 tasks!
-Have my car washed, vacuumed and gorgeously clean. (it's been WAY too long)

-A day at the spa: mani-pedi, massage.
-Peonies
-Old School Board Games: LIFE, Trouble, Sorry, Connect 4, Guess Who, Battleship, Twister, Jenga, (Not Monopoly!)
-New School Board Games: "The Game of Things"
-This Blu-Ray Player

-cello lessons

-Have my t-shirt quilt finished!

-world peace

50 Days left!

My 101 has only 50 days left! Can you believe it? Seems like only yesterday I was on vacation in Nashville (living in Austin) coming up with tasks.

Below are some tasks I have completed recently:

13. Get a Y Membership.

For the record, I got mine in mid-December, not as a new years resolution thing. I could do a whole post on how great and humiliating this has been so far. Maybe one day...

19. Send Christmas cards.

26. Start a wine book/journal

29. Get a new Mac

I'm counting this as completed, because even though I don't have a new mac, i DO have a new computer (via work) and it would be dumb for me to buy a second computer. (yes hipsters, I could get an ipad, but I already have a kindle.. so I'm holding off on that for now)

30. Buy a new iPod

I received my third hand me down this December. So I don't really need to buy one now! (It's still new to me, folks.)

38. Take a dance class.

Does Zumba count? It's my list. Zumba counts.

40. Have a water fight.

I won.

48. Get an external hard drive and store music and pics on it.

Finally, I know.

54. Play a benefit show.

Does planning and hosting a benefit show count? It's my list. It counts.

58. Participate in an artisan fair.

If participation includes purchases (it's my list: it does.) then I have done this repeatedly. BUT, I also made cookies for one last year.

66. Shoot a deer. Tear.

and tears there were...

Progress report:

Tasks Completed: 57

Tasks remaining: 44

Days Left: 50 and counting....

Remember Folks:

Day 9

Today is January 9th.

I'm up in DC (in the snow!) awaiting my first day of my new project. Tomorrow I'll meet the team, meet the client and begin the madness.

We're already 9 days into 2012. It's official: Christmas vacation is over.

Aside from this I don't have many resolutions. A few goals here and there... working on the 101 (progress post to come), working harder/smarter at work and in life, worrying less, rejoicing more, all in all asking myself regularly: 'Have you prayed about it?"

I do agree with the things these smarties had to say though:

Resolutions for 20-somethings.

That link from Hairpin that Morgan has posted a lot.

Happy New Year folks!

Resolve.

RIP 2011

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

2011 was definitely full of adventure, and I am kinda sad to see it go.

• I started my first project at my new job.
• I took a road trip alone to stand in 17 feet of snow on the edge of crater lake.
• I walked the Golden Gate Bridge, rode the trolley and went to H&M far too many times in San Fransisco with Heather.
• I rocked out mardi gras like a champ with team MoMiDa.
• My high school gal pals and I took a trip to Charleston where we rented a house, picked up 30 sand dollars and ate southern food to our hearts content while almost melting to death in the humidity.
• I introduced Luke to the Pacific Ocean on a cold rainy day in Oregon.
• The roomies and I ventured out to Virginia to hike, wine and dine with our old honorary roomies.
• Matt and I went to the Texas State Fair, gorged ourselves on fried food, rode the Texas Star, mocked Big Tex, saw the largest cows I have ever seen and cheered the Sooners on to Victory at the OU/TX game in Dallas.
• Mom flew up to Vancouver and we did a mother-daughter weekend in Portland before we road tripped up to Seattle to visit old friends.
• Matt and I spent a weekend in OBX for a friends wedding celebration
• I enjoyed two different trips to Choudrant. By the time the second trip rolled around I was practically a local. I even shot a deer. "When in Rome..."
• I took a week off and went to visit Luke in Germany
• I spent more time back home with my family this past year than I have in a long time!
• I karaoke'd far more than what is reasonably acceptable.
• I played tour guide for my parents and various co-workers who stumbled through Nashville at one point or another.
• I watched the Cubs win in person. Twice!
• My grandad survived a stroke and has been recovering exceptionally well!
• I learned I'd be a getting a sister-in-law in 2012.
• I finally ate at Hooters.
• I joined the Y.
• I learned how to use a PC and a blackberry (against my will).
• There were causal days spent watching football, roller blading in Shelby, hiking in Percy Warner, and eating Jeni's ice cream.
• There were celebrations with friends over graduations, weddings, engagements, babies and pregnancies.
• And of course there was a good night at the Melting Pot.

All in all, it was a very good year.

2012 has some big shoes to fill, but I've got a feeling it will rise to the occasion.

Rest in Peace, 2011.

Merry and Bright.

Educate.

Calling all Givers...

Spotted via @morganlevy

wish I could be there to take part! I'll have to find some programs out in Tucson or OKC... but for those of you in Nashvegas... time to empty those pockets and pantries!

Angel Tree Program Sees Record Need This Season

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/16070947/angel-tree-program-sees-record-need-this-holiday-season

17,000 kids have registered with Angel Tree in Nashville this year, and right now only 950 of the requests have been filled. You can adopt a kid at any of the area malls and return the gifts you purchase to the same location by December 3.

Also: Second Harvest Food Bank donations are down 30% and they have only collected enough to provide 400,000 meals so far (they projected to be at 2,000,000 meals by this time).

Time to share, Nashville!

1 Year!

Happy One Year Anniversary to me!

Today marks my 1 year Anniversary with my job.

As I sit here in the hotel lounge, eating breakfast, jet-lagged and without my luggage since United lost it somewhere... I can't believe that not only has a year gone by, but I've survived it too!

Amid the multiple 60+ hour work weeks and the numerous excel documents that brought tears of frustration to my eyes, I've somehow made it! Woohoo!

While this is hands down the most challenging and time-consuming job I have ever had, I can't help but feel extremely blessed. I haven't forgotten where I was before this job and how far God has brought me... and I hope I never do.

140,000+ air miles and counting...

Make a wish.

Happy 11.11.11 from Deutchland!

Yes, technically it is already tomorrow over here, but who's really counting? For my fellow Americans it is still 11.11.11. Veteran's Day. Julie's Birthday. Georgia's Birthday. Hopefully for all of you, a good day.

Tomorrow's forecast (is it a forecast if I am already there?) is looking good, so get excited.

As for me I am about to hit the hay after a long day of walking, coffee, pretzels, marzipan, museums, relics and frat parties.

Yes, I am far too old for frat parties, but apparently Freiburg, Germany is a black hole of time where Mambo #5 never goes out of style and frat parties are for everyone, even if you have been out of college for almost 6 years.

What can I say? Last night I went to a club that was the equivalent of a 90's grunge disco in a crowded chimney. Tonight I wound up at some Germany frat house with people in masks.

Never a dull moment.

Happy Halloween!

I ordered my Christmas Cards today folks.

Get excited.

3 Top 3's

Trips I want to take

1. Fly to Jackson Hole, stay at a lodge and explore the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. Hike through the parks, go fly fishing, take a whitewater rafting trip and go horseback riding through the country. Eat bison burgers and soak in a hot tub under the stars at night. Yes, please.

2. Visit Costa Rica and go zip lining through the rainforest. Stay in a treehouse. Not get sick...

3. Take a weekend get-away up to DC. Sit on the steps of the Lincoln memorial and have lunch. Visit all the free museums.

Top 3 things I need to do

1. work, rather than blog.

2. thoroughly clean my car (yes, still!)

3. Take care of my dry-cleaning (thanks Groupon for giving me a head start on this!)

Top 3 things I am looking forward to right now:

1. Camping this weekend

2. Sending Christmas Cards

3. Having a girls night with Jules.

Time to work now.

No words.

Best. Weekend. EVER.

Dream Come True.

Happy October!

Wow, is it just me, or did September FLY by?

I. love. fall.

The colors, the smells, the FOOTBALL, the bonfires, the sweatshirts, the leaves. Love it.

I was strolling through Publix last night when I saw a Yahrzeit candle, and I was briefly reminded of a time when my autumns were covered in darkness... and I had to smile.

Because as Robert Frost says: "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

Case in point: yesterday I came home to flowers and a homemade healthy dinner (with apple pie to boot!), and I had one of those evenings where I was fully aware of my own happiness... and it was awesome.

Today I'll be hiking in Percy Warner, visiting the farmers market for some pumpkins, and watching some football.

Perfection for this first day of October, in my opinion.

Happy Fall, ya'll.

It goes on.

I said hey! What's goin on?

Monday morning finds me sitting in an airport waiting out a delay and wishing I was still in bed on this rainy day!

The news just did a report over student loans and how the US student loan debt now exceeds credit card debt in this country. Maybe I'd be shocked if I wasn't still indentured to my debt. However, I am officially under $40k now. Holla! Those lenders are going down! You hear me uncle sam? You hear me Sallie? Down!

Seriously though, I wonder how many economists have spent time looking at these student loan numbers and how they affect the economy. They've shown that student loans have increased 400% in the last 20 years; (dang) and they attribute rising student loan numbers to individuals' delay in getting married, delay in beginning new business ventures and of course, decreased spending ...and we all know how important spending is to the US economy.

Oh well. What can you do? The irony that my bank got a bail-out is not lost on me... but such is the way of things.

Going forward (<--- consultant speech alert!) I plan to do everything I can to teach my 18 year old college bound kids (should I have them) about the reality of debt, and work to help them fully consider the ROI of the degree and the school they are considering.

In other news, I've completed a few more 101 tasks!!

#47 Volunteer with the USO: I suppose it wasn't technically legit volunteering. But I did have time in the Atlanta airport and I stood at the gate with the volunteers and I clapped and cheered for the men in uniform who were coming in. It was a little strange, since I'm not really a "war fan" or anything. (is anyone?) But I do feel a sense of gratitude to those poor young boys who live that life.

#61 Take a Cooking Class: I've been working as a volunteer sou chef with the Whole Foods Salud! Cooking School. It's AWESOME and it's FREE (i love free) since I volunteer. So far I've worked the following classes:

• Romance in Roma (yummy italian)
• New Orleans Style Brunch (a-mazing)
• A Salute to Julia! (yes, it was awesome!!)

I've made coq-au-vain, fried green tomatoes, and all sorts of yummy elitist food. LOVE IT.

And finally, I made the mistake of reading the USA today article on Politicians Pensions. gross gross gross. That's all I have to say about that!

Happy Monday!

-Danica

This years Halloween Costume?

Fall desires

For the fires to stop and for my tejas peeps to be safe!

For people to send me these!

(1127 McChesney Nashville, TN 37216)

To go apple picking!

To go camping!

To go see football games!

Bonfires, bonfires, bonfires!

To live out this quote:

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, champagne in one hand ... strawberries in the other and screaming: 'Woo Hoo! What a ride!'"

(courtesy of Linda)

side note: this blog is sweet. Yay for badass successful moms!

Short and Sweet

This post, shared by Amy, made me smile today. Thanks Amy!

Today I made a point to go by Whole Foods to pick some over-priced (yet awesome) pre-made salads along with a bottle of wine to celebrate my new digs at the hotel here in Tucson.

After leaving the hands-down most ghetto Whole Foods I have EVER been in, GPS took me on a scenic drive back home. Thanks to gyps I finally got a taste of Tucson's beauty. I drove along the foothills at sunset and looked across the dessert and realized for the first time why people would choose to settle in such a hot and barren place. Then, as if on cue REM came on the radio to tell me that it's the end of the world (as we know it). Who else thinks of Arizona when that song comes on, o Can I get a show of hands? I blame Independence Day.

Anyhow I am home here at the hotel now, in a room where it looks as though a murder took place last week (a whole other story!). I just gone done having a convo with le boy over guns and nagging. And now I am watching Kate Plus 8.

And all I can think is... "wow, there's one nagging woman who does not need a gun."

slash

"I bet millions of people watching this woman right now wish they had a gun."

Time for bed now.

Goodnight moon.