My Hero.

My dad just got back from Haiti and listening to him talk about his experiences made me look down deep inside my own soul, realizing that I have been craving and needing to reach out to the world and give something back. In my own way.

My dad is my hero, and this photo does a good job of explaining why all on it's own.

P.S. - I can't believe how quickly I got feedback from my 200th blog post! You will all be hearing from me shortly!

<3

Patio Bars & Gardens

{my backyard, aka the James}

You can't always sit in your corner of the forest and wait for people to come to you... you have to go to them sometimes. {Winnie the Pooh}

This weekend passed by too quickly. I tend to wake up on Monday mornings and think back to work already? It's too easy to hit the snooze button over and over again, roll over and snuggle with your pillows. Every morning I wake up and rush to get ready.... so that I have an extra hour to go back to sleep. It may seem impracticle to some, but that's when my best dreams come.

This weekend was full of patio bars, warm weather and lots and lots of laughter. I spent most of my Saturday at Arts in the Park, eating more food and drinking more lemonaid than anyone should be allowed. It was so nice seeing my parents and laughing with them. All day I searched for glass beads to put into my dreads, but the only ones I found were $12. each. no thank you. But I love spending time with my community and sharing stories with the vendors was my absolute favorite part. We have a lot of talent in Richmond :)

This was the first time I have seen my dad since he returned from Haiti, and there is one story that I have to share with you. No joke, I instantly started crying when he told it.

He said that he was standing outside when school let out and there were tables and tables of food. All of the children ran up to him and the rest of their team and pointed to their mouths. They were hungry. My dad asked the pastor why the children were not able to eat, and he responded by saying that all of that food was for sale. So even though they were starving and there was food surrounding them, they could not eat because they didn't have any money. And those selling the food couldn't give it away, because they also had to earn a living and feed their families.

So my dad asked if he could buy the children some food. All of them {there were around 30}. He purchased a whole table of food for $10. Are you serious... that's roughly two beers here. That wasn't all he did. He then went around to all of the women selling the food and handed them each a dollar bill. That dollar was able to feel them and their families for an entire week. Doesn't that make you want to just empty your pockets for these people?

Unbelievable. After that we went out to eat and I ate so much food that I wanted to explode. It doesn't really seem fair that we are able to over eat while children and families are starving around the world... and even in our own neighborhoods.

So ever since that story I have been thinking about how to help people who are less fortunate. Maybe volunteering at a food kitchen or something. I don't know. More on that to come.

A huge highlight of this weekend was finally picking up my Sub Irrigation Planter and lots and lots and lots of potting mix. I planted wildflowers, tomatoes, peas, lettuce, red peppers, cilantro and basil. The farmer's market down the street is finally open, and I am excited to buy local and also try my luck at planting my own food from home.

Being in the community helps me to remember that I am a part of something bigger. I like meeting new people and learning from them. So many of my friends are ultra conservative, so it's nice to venture out and find some fellow libs! Trust me, Arts in the Park was jam packed with tattoos and dreads... not to mention many artists used recycled materials. I love the idea of taking something old and turning it into something new and beautiful.

Most of my nights were spent outside on either our roof top deck or on a patio at one of our favorite bars. I love that it is getting warm enough to wear sundresses and skirts and the simple fact that warm weather makes everyone seem happier.

Here are some pictures of my indoor garden... I am just learning so I have my fingers and toes crossed that it all works out. My dog Samson likes eating the dirt... so that needs to stop. Now.

Here is a {very poor quality} picture of my indoor garden so far. It's in front of an old elevator shaft in our loft and directly underneath several sky lights.

My monkey man growing some basil:

Peas...

I really really really hope this works. I sort of feel like I'm over my head with this... especially wandering around Lowe's this weekend debating over and over on potting mix and what veggies I wanted/would be able to grow. But I think I can do this.

I can't wait to see more little sprouts poking their heads through!

{photo credit}

my dad is my hero.

Last night my dad returned from Haiti -- brining with him lots of pictures and a refreshed perspective on life and humanity. He is my hero. Last week he emailed me and said that if I were with him, I wouldn't want to leave the people. He's probably right. He loves children and is so amazing with them. My dad brought his old softball glove and some softballs, and taught a few boys how to play ball. He is blind to color or status or sex. He get's it.

When I see my fathers passion for others, I am at my proudest. I want to mirror him and long to one day humble myself in ways that he does so often. He is such an inspiration; one of the few people who understands me and has the courage to do things I can only dream of. He left us and went to Haiti on his own, with a group of others he didn't necessarily know. He's brave and strong and happy and the best example of love. The best example of peace and innocence.

I don't want to babble or put my perspective on a trip that I was not able to attend. Instead, I want to share with you some photos that he took. I hope they inspire you in the way that they did me.

We have grown literally afraid to be poor. We despise anyone who elects to be poor in order to simplify and save his inner life. If he does not join the general scramble and pant with the money-making street, we deem him spiritless and lacking in ambition.

{William James}

Sunny Days

This weekend could not have been more beautiful. We spent Saturday & Sunday with my in-laws -- Sean helped his dad clean up the shed {it looks awesome!} & I spent the days gossiping and watching TV with his mom. I am so incredibly lucky to have in-laws that I get along with. Seriously. They are so amazing and so much fun to spend time with.

This is my last week off work, so I intend to enjoy it. Especially since my sick leave and vacation time is totally used up at this point. My mom is coming back into town Tuesday and having a little sleepover until Wednesday so that she can give me rides to all of my appointments this week. I see a lot of daydreaming on our rooftop deck happening in the next several days. And nights at patio bars. Delish.

Also, my dad left for Haiti yesterday. He is probably on a plane right now and will be there at some point today. I was able to talk to him yesterday and he said that he was excited, but also a little nervous. He just doesn't know what to expcet. I am so sure once he gets there he will be in total bliss. He is helping to re-build a school and will get to spend some time with the children there, which I am sure will bring him lasting memories of joy. I am so very proud of my father, he loves to help out in any way that he can and has such a sincere heart. He's my hero.

As if I couldn't be lucky enough with everything I just shared, my friends Dan & Ellen are coming to visit this weekend. I just continue to feel so blessed. I always love it when people come to visit, because I love my city so much that I want to share every little detail with people I love. I want them to love it, too.

I am counting my blessings every single day and continue to remember how lucky I am. My family is so special and unique and complicated and I just love them all so much. People always say that you can't choose your family, but I think that if I could, I would choose every member of mine in a heartbeat. Please keep my father and the children whose lives he will surely touch in your thoughts this week. The positive energy that surrounds him is so evident and I can't wait to see pictures and hear his stories once he returns home.

Enjoy the sunshine and warmth of today :)

xoxo

What Makes You Happy?

One joy scatters a hundred griefs. {Chinese Proverb}

Goodmorning! I hope that you are feeling happy and refreshed today!

Yesterday was a day that completely lifted my spirits

and reminded me of what's really important in life.

Hint: It's not money!

I was lucky enough to have President's Day off, and so

I was able to sleep in for a bit before meeing

two of my best friends for a calming lunch and some

much needed girl time.

{BFF's: Me, Al & Britt}

It's nice to sit with them and catch up on life, especially

since these are two very special people who

get me. Words cannot describe my love for them!

After lunch I dropped off some donations at the group home I used to

work at. Before I knew it, 3 hours had passed and it felt as

if I was only there for half an hour....

It was so nice to see the girls happy and talkative

{it's always hit or miss - sometimes they aren't as excited}

and it was nice to catch up with them and where

they are at their lives since graduating from high school.

I also had so much fun talking with my boss, Marie

and laughing with her about old memories from when I was

working at the Home full time.

I confessed how much I missed it. I truly love those

girls and the atmosphere. We are like

a family - through thick and

thin I will always love them... even when they're crabby

and hard to be around. And I'm sure they

will say the same for me.

I am so proud of Marie.

She is from Haiti and just got news that she will be

adopting her neice who was effected by the earthquakes a few weeks ago.

She will be a great mother and having a child is

something that she has always wanted. I cannot wait for her to

hold her neice in her arms for the very first time. I know

she will feel complete.

It was good to laugh and forget about responsibilities for a while.

In general, it was the absolute perfect day!

{image credit}