I'm Jonesin' For a Fix!

Yes, I admit.  I am jonesin' for a fix.  No, not of some drug that kids use.  Not the perscription kind of drug.  Not one that I could go to a drug dealer to get.  No, I am jonesin' for a fix of my laptop. 

Monday evening I had an issue with my Mac laptop.  Something with the sound, which I thought would be no big deal to fix.  So I scheduled my appointment at the Genius Bar which in itself can be a booster to your mood.  I mean come on.  A 'genius' is going to look at your computer, while you stand their.  Instant service.  

Well after a few clicks, poking something into the sound jack, spraying something into it in hope it would be fixed, alas the genius could not repair my laptop.  Apparently I have some warranty thing though, thank goodness.  So I agree that I will leave my laptop so they can fix it.  I am thinking I can get it in a few hours, or maybe in the morning right?  We are so used to instant service nowadays that I just assumed it would also apply to apple.

Instead the genius tells me that it will take 3 to 5 days.  Three to five DAYS!  What!? 'Okay.  No big deal.'  I tell myself.  So I can't take my laptop with me when I sub to use for music while students work and as entertainment during the prep block.  I can make it.  So I go home empty handed and feeling a little blue.  But it's only a few days. 

By Tuesday night I was going a little Koo Koo for Cocoa Puffs if you know what I mean.  I had the day off.  By 8 o'clock without having my laptop immediately accessible I gave up.  I went to bed at 8:30.  Was I tired?  No not really.  Was I sick?  Nope.  I was bored.  OUT OF MY MIND!  I was jonesin' for a fix of my laptop.  Yes my family has one I could use.  Yes I could go to the local library.  But you know how it is.  It's my laptop.  I couldn't believe how I missed the internet.  But really.  I thrive on music.  And typically I use my laptop to play it.  Now I must rely on the radio.  Sad I know. 

I am amazed at how much I rely on technology.  Yes the night that I went to bed early I read for awhile.  I love to read, sometimes I could read all day.  But I think because I COULDN'T have and use my laptop now it was like I COULDN'T do anything else.  I now have a much greater appreciation for my laptop and teh technology that I am able to use.

So I am rounding out day 2 without my laptop.  What do I do?  Well tonight I am hoping to convince my family to watch "The Princess and the Frog" with me.  Or there is a small neighborhood party that I might check out.  But you know what I really should be doing?  Taking advantage of the time I now have.  I shouldn't be moping, I know that.  I should be doing.  I mean the sunset won't wait for me to have a day or time to sit and watch it.  So I should take advantage, grab a glass of ice tea, sit on my back step and watch the sunset.  Because life is precious, many things can wait... but the sunset won't!

What would you do without your computer or laptop?  What would you miss most?

Inside the Actor's Studio Questionnaire

I have to admit I first started blogging because I came across a few blogs that I loved to read.  Then it seemed like blogging was being talked about everywhere.  I didn't know if I would like it.  I try to be careful about my online privacy as much as possible.  But... Woo Hoo!  I made it past 25 posts.  I would like to thank those of you who have been following along on my journey to "Remember the Sunset."  I hope that along the way you can take something away from this blog as I have taken away things from the blogs that I read.

I have lots on my mind today.  And because there is so many different ideas in there I am having trouble creating a cohesive blog post.  So today will be a questionnaire sort of day.  But this is not just any questionnaire.  It was first used by Bernard Pivot and now used by James Lipton on "Inside the Actor's Studio."  I always find actor's responses so interesting and the questions aren't half bad either.  So here are the questions (with a few tweaks I have to admit):

1.  What is your favorite word?    

          - "Plethora".

2.  What is your least favorite word? 

          - "Moist" is the worst sounding word, but my least favorite word is "retard."

3.  What turns you on creatively or spiritually?

          - Compassion

4.  What turns you off?

          - Lying

5.  What sound or noise do you love?

          - Children's laughter or leaves crackling.

6.  What sound or noise do you hate?

          - Sirens from an ambulance/fire truck, that can almost never be a good thing.

7.  What is your favorite curse word?

          - I often say "what the fuhs the matter with you?"  

            Or a couple low-german swear words my Oma used to say.

8.  What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

          - Bookstore

9.  What profession would you not like to attempt?

          - Executioner

10. If Heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

          - "You did your best and your best was good enough.  Come on in.  Welcome Home!"

The Blind Side

Last night I sat down to watch "The Blind Side".  Let me first remind you that I am not a huge sports fan.  But for some strange reason I LOVE sports movies.  The ones with a semi sappy story.  Like "Remember the Titans," "Glory Road," and "Miracle."  They are some of my favorite movies.  Ones that I can watch over and over again.

After Sandra Bullock won her award, and Quinton Aaron was on Law and Order this week I finally took time to watch the movie.  "The Blind Side" did not disappoint.  It was a fantastic film.  I laughed, I cried and everything in between.

I believe that Sandra Bullock might be one of the most under-appreciated actresses out there.  I love her in almost everything she is in.  I will forgive her for Miss Congeniality 2 and even for Speed 2.  But in this film she shines.  After awhile I forgot it was her and just saw her as Leigh Ann Tuohy.  She is such a wonderful actress and always seems so down to earth. The rest of the cast (including country artist Tim McGraw) also did a wonderful job.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for an inspirational feel-good movie.  For another review check out Confessions of a Philly Girl who also just blogged about "The Blind Side."  Happy Watching.

I'm German. We eat.

Yes indeed. I am German. I'm a lot of things but today it's all about the German. Specifically the Russian Mennonite portion of my German heritage.

As previously mentioned, almost every year I go to a "tasting festival." It is a fundraiser for a local academy that is filled with germany goodness that I am sure contains absolutely NO calories whatsoever. At least that is what I tell myself as I stuff my face. Typically I spend an entire weekend shopping in the cute stores in town, eating, spending time with family. This year I was in town for about 36 hours. (See my post on my road trip!) So this year due to scheduling conflicts I was in and out of there like a dress on prom night (not my prom dress of course, give a girl some credit). I was there and then I was off.

But what I did enjoy was giving in to my love of food and eating wonderful dishes crafted with love by some of the locals. The menu includes noodle soup, green bean soup, stewed beef, pork sausage, fried potatoes, cheese buttons, lettuce salad, relishes, zweibach buns, pluma moos and kuchen.

I cannot describe how delicious the food is. It's all homemade from scratch. Now granted there are certain things that I just do not eat. For instance, it takes a special German to eat Pluma Moos and I am just not special enough to enjoy a fruit sauce filled with dried fruits like prunes. No thank you. But I am however willing to eat stewed beef which takes like 24 hours to make. Or fried potatoes that melt in your mouth. Or delicious pork sausage with a little bit of sweet sauerkraut with it.

Kuchen just may top the list though. Its like a custardy type thing that sits in a sweet dough crust (kinda resembles a pie). And then you typically have a few slices of fruit on top. Peach is my absolute favorite. And if you are a good german you get a "Hutter High" from eating poppy-seed rolls or poppy-seed kuchen. You pick your poison.

Following dinner we typically check out the museum which houses some things from our family which were donated. There are also chair-weaving, quilting baking and other demonstrations that you can watch. And every evening there is a musical. This year it was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, which is my favorite musical. I LOVE the music and the production was amazing. I even had a cousin who was in the Pharaoh's harem and she was fantastic.

When I go to this festival it feels like going home. I get to see family that I only see once or twice a year. I get to eat food that I only eat once a year. I get to see a great musical. I get to relax and let go of the stress that so often follows me around. I get to have fun. I get to embrace my heritage. I get to be me.

So I had to share a little about my trip because it is one of my favorite parts of the year. Do you have anything like this that you participate in? I hope so.

Step Behind the Plate...

Let me start by saying that I am not the biggest sports fan. People laugh when I tell them I can sit and watch Golf and be more entertained, and enjoy it more than if I were to watch hockey, soccer, or basketball. I just don't always understand the excitement in certain sports. Let's run up and down a court a shoot a ball into a tiny hole. Let's run up and down a field and kick a ball into a big net. Let's run up and down a field, tackle each other, throw a strange shaped ball, run it into an endzone or kick a field goal for points. What the hell is up with all the running?

But baseball. That is one that I can tolerate more than most. Why? Because it's the all-American sport? No. Because I understand the rules better? No. Because I like the fact that teams cultivate great players only to typically have them traded to the Yankees or Red Sox? Absolutely not. Because there are a lot of good looking baseball players? Well that doesn't hurt. Because your hometown team is full of seemingly down-to-earth guys that seem to genuinely enjoy the game? Well yes.

Today though, today I am totally excited. If I were a shouter I would run down the halls shouting "Woo Hoo"! But students and staff might look at me funny and I would no longer be called to sub. I am a Minnesotan. And our hometown boy, Joe Mauer has signed an 8 year, $184 million dollar contract extension. This now keeps him with the Twins organization for 9 more seasons. He also is only the 2nd Twin in the club's history to get a Full non-trade clause. SaWeet!

Last night, watching the news coverage no joke this is the conversation that took place:

Crazy Mom: "He's cute. You can marry him. I could whore you out. We need to slut you up a bit. But you could marry him."

Quiet Dad: "What!?"

Me: "Well thanks mom. Glad to know you are willing to make me a whore."

CM: "No. Whore you out. Slut you up."

QD: "No we will not."

Me: "Thanks for your permission mom. Because, you know. Joe and I have been secretly dating. We just weren't telling anyone. He really wanted to marry me, but having me whored out, slutting me up, and getting my mom's permission were all standing in the way. I am so glad that we have gotten this cleared up. I will go give him a call."

Ten Minutes Later... after both parents have made jokes

Me: "I can't believe you would whore me out. I am telling Grandma."

QD: "She would just tell you to shut up."

So anyway. That's my crazy mom for you. The Twins have a new stadium which makes this season of baseball here all the more exciting. I cannot wait to sit at Target Field in the sunshine watching Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Kubel and Young play. It's going to be awesome.

Eventually I will get around to posting about the things I had planned, but since this was new and exciting news it had to get in. I mean. It's Joe Mauer. He's right up there with Jesus here in Minnesota :)

Driving to Nowhere

[Side note before I start writing. I wanted to thank those of you who take the time to read my blog. I know that in our crazy schedules every minute is valuable and that you would spend a few moments of your time here... thank you. For those of you who have decided to jump on board this crazy train and follow along while I find my way in the blogosphere, a special thank you to you as well. If you just stopped by for the first time from someone else's blog, or 20sb, or by some other random way, welcome. Thanks for taking the time to check this out. Remember in our crazy, over-scheduled, over-stimulated world that the little things in life can wait, The Sunset Won't. Remember the sunset. Enjoy every minute of the life you are living. Find the things that make you happy.]

It has been five days since my last blog. I went almost 3 full days without my computer. It's sad when after 48 hours you feel lost without internet. And now I am finding that the little wheels inside my head are running way to fast as I try to figure out what I want to write about in this blog. The original plan to write about my crazy weekend is still there. But I am realizing that to cover it all in one blog that isn't obnoxiously long would be impossible.

I can however start with the fact that on Saturday I was in three different states in a span of 6 hours. From Friday afternoon to Sunday night I drove (by myself which can get boring after awhile) just over 17 hours (including stops and driving around at destinations). In a 40 hour period. CRAZY! I typically enjoy driving. And I usually don't mind driving by myself because I love music and my iPod can usually last me awhile in a car ride.

But after a couple hours your legs start to hurt. And then another hour or so later your back starts to ache. And, have I mentioned that I have broken my tailbone 3 times. Sitting that long without being able to move is painful. But, on the positive side it was a beautiful weekend here weather wise. And my iPod, for the most part was entertaining. I am very thankful that I have an iPod and a car that run. And getting some alone time was nice.

Sometimes driving on an open highway can be nice. I have always found that I like driving through small towns downtown areas. They are full of charm and character in their old buildings. As a history person, sometimes its fun to think of all the people who have walked those very streets in the century or so that the buildings have been standing. Think of the things they have seen.

So back to my trip. Friday I started in the Twin Cities and drove to a small outlet mall about an hour south. Then I cut across the southeastern part of the state to Winona, MN which is where I went to college. It's fun to go back every once in awhile to reminisce about school and visit some of my old favorite places. Next I went to LaCrosse, WI. I was meeting my parents there. Saturday morning my brother's show choir was performing in a competition. Saturday morning we woke bright and early to head to the convention center to watch them perform. Following his performance I headed to Sioux Falls, SD. Then I picked up a relative and headed to Freeman, SD for Schmeckfest, a German tasting festival, that I go to almost every year. After dinner and the play there I headed back to Sioux Falls for the night. Sunday afternoon I left Sioux Falls and headed back to the Twin Cities.

I got home just in time to watch episode 2 of "The Pacific" on HBO. But that is for another post. As is Schmeckfest itself, my take on some recent sports happenings, the tv show "Who Do You Think You Are?," and a post on family. See, those crazy wheels in my head, still spinning. Lovely, isn't it?

My Trip:

St. Patrick's Day

First off, Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all my Irish friends and all those who wish they were. It's nice to be Irish so I don't feel so bad when I wear green and drink green beer. (Although it stinks that it lands on a Wednesday in Lent so I will be leading the HS Youth Group and then attending service).

Since it is Saint Patrick's Day I thought instead of a random quote I would share some Irish blessings and toasts instead.

May you live as long as you want,

And never want as long as you live.

May your neighbors respect you,

Trouble neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And heaven accept you.

May you always have work for your hands to do.

May your pockets hold always a coin or two.

May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.

May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you,

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

When we drink, we get drunk.

When we get drunk we fall asleep.

When we fall asleep, we commit no sin.

When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.

So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!

'Sláinte!'

I'm A Dork

I am a little bit of a dork. I know it. I admit it.

Yesterday the new HBO miniseries "The Pacific" premiered. (If your familiar with Band of Brothers its similar to that story except for this one takes place in the pacific theater not the european one) My family got HBO for 3 months so my dad and I can watch it. Yesterday I watched a 1/2 hour 'making of' show. And then I had to wait all freaking day! I was so excited. It was like I was a little girl at a birthday party, jumping up and down at the big box thinking that it HAS to be a pony. Because a pony could fit in a box that size and could hold it's breath. And holes would just have given the surprise away. But I digress.

So at 7:55 last night I headed into the living room and curled up on the couch. Waiting. Then it's 8pm and my mom starts making all this noise to which she gets a glare. And a major shhh (again reverting to my inner little girl) thinking this will make her stop. It doesn't. Thank god for DVR because I can pause my tv. So I pause the tv anxiously awaiting for her to shut the heck up. I mean really. Can a girl just get some quiet while watching a show? The show was awesome. I loved it. There were some great lines and the visual effects were bar none. And then the credits came on. I literally sat up in .1 seconds and went "what!? You have got to be kidding me!?" It was the fastest hour of my life. Okay thats maybe a little dramatic. But still.

If you still aren't convinced of my dork-ness, the last 4 days when I have subbed I have taken History channel dvds with me to watch during prep time. It's the history teacher in me. At some point I will have to write about why history. I get asked that a lot by friends who think history is dull. But it is full of the most amazing stories. That's all for now. I think I may have to go watch "The Pacific" again :)

Remember the sunset,

I am really loving this song so I thought I would share:

(Let me know what you think)

A Lovely Day

It is absolutely beautiful outside today. After a few days of rain and clouds the sun is shining and there is a slight breeze. I LOVE it. I opened up the windows in the house to let in some greatly needed fresh air.

I am going on a road trip next weekend by myself and decided that it was time that Harold got cleaned out. Yes, I named my car, and his name is Harold. So today I threw away the trash that was in my car, vacuumed it out, organized the glove box, wiped off the dashboard and filled the gas tank. And I did it all without a winter jacket. The snow is almost completely melted away. The sweet smell of spring is in the air. Working outside and getting so much done is such a good feeling.

Being able to open windows, work outside without a huge jacket, and cleaning out the car are all signs of spring. Awesome!

I am continuing to work on my 101 in 1001 list. #10 is 'Create a list of 101 things that make me happy.' Because its such a huge list I am breaking it down in pieces. Here are numbers 4-6:

4. Flipping to the cool side of the pillow. Who doesn't love, in the middle of the night when you're still half asleep flipping your pillow over and enjoying the cool feeling on your face. The cool side of the pillow makes me happy.

5. Reading a book in a comfy chair. I love curling up with a book on a big chair. Getting lost in a story makes me happy.

6. Hearing an old favorite song. Your iPod is on shuffle and all of the sudden you hear it. That song you used to love. At some point it was one you could listen to over and over. Hearing it makes you smile. Its like finding a lost friend. Being reminded of a old favorite song makes me happy.

I would love to hear what things signal spring for you! Also, I would love to hear what makes you happy either on my 'Happy List' page or on my previous post on being Happy.

101 in 1001

Progress Report Time. As a way to keep myself on target and accountable I wanted to share a progress report on my work. I am working on completing a list of 101 things in 1001 days. (Check out http://www.dayzeroproject.com/ for more information or to start your own list)

My list can be seen on a separate page in my blog, but here is what I have completed and things I am consciously working on:

Completed:

22. Find a ministry at church to plug into. (I am now a High School Youth Group Leader)

32. Make guacamole from scratch. (I tried the recipe for Chipotle's Guacamole. Delicious!)

70. Find a television show on DVD and watch every season of it. (Bones)

87. Post this list on my blog.

91. Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind." (Took awhile, but I learned a lot about myself)

In Progress:

6. Have a "me" day once a month. 1/33

8. List things I am thankful for each week. 1/143

10. Make a list of 101 things that make me happy. 3/101 (See previous blog post)

37. Try 6 new restaurants a year. 1/18 (Fuddruckers)

68. Read 50 new books per year. 0/50 in 2010

74. Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the alphabet.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Up!

75. Find a new musical artist every month. (Radney Foster, Jaron and the Long Road to Love)

82. Comment on 10 different blogs. 4/10

93. Blog at least twice a week.

So there is my progress thus far. There are other things on the list that I might be working on, but these are the ones I am make an effort to work on. If you are working on a 101 in 1001 list and are blogging about it please leave a link to your blog below. I would love to check it out. And if you aren't currently doing this but are doing a similar project, I would love to check that out as well.

A Rainy Day

Sometimes rain is irritating, right? It frizzes your hair, soaks your shoes, makes driving a little slower.

But rain can also be great. I love when your driving and the windshield wipers go to the beat of the music in the car. Or when you go under a bridge and you have that second of silence before the pelting of your windshield again. (See 1000 Awesome Things for great posts on this)

Rain is cleansing. It melts the snow a little faster revealing the long hidden earth below. It's one of the first signs of spring. It greens the grass. It helps plants, trees and flowers grow. I love the smell of the atmosphere just before a rain. And just after a fresh rainfall. I may be 22 years old but sometimes I revert to that 6 year old girl who loves to jump and splash in the puddles or dance in the rain. Sometimes I enjoy stopping and just letting the rain hit my face. Granted it has to be a day when I am not headed anywhere because frizzy hair and half washed off makeup would not be an attractive look at work or out with friends.

While rain can be physically cleansing it also can be a great reminder of metaphorical cleansing. When it rains things are washed away. So I often can't help but take a moment and think about letting all the 'dirt' in my life be washed away. It's freeing.

I have to admit the forecasted 5 straight days of rain might get a little long. And I will miss the sunshine. But it makes me appreciate the sunshine that much more. I often take for granted the good things in life. The simple things. And the sunshine after the rain is a good reminder of that.

So the next time it rains don't think of all the bad things that entails. Remember the sunshine that comes after the rain.

Inspirational Sayings

I am a quote addict. I love finding fun quotes and saving them. Often they come in extremely handy. I have used quotes from my collection in college papers. I have used them in speeches. I have used them for cd mix covers and in scrapbooks. I have used them for Facebook statuses and in blogs. I have used them in lesson plans and in conversation with friends.

I find them everywhere. Lots of times its watching tv or a movie. Reading books is always a great source for me. Recently, if you were unaware, Caribou Coffee redesigned their coffee cups. And low and behold there were AWESOME sayings all over the cup. Fan-FREAKIN-tastic I thought. But I was at a school substitute teaching and didn't have my laptop to add them to my word doc. So what is a poor girl to do? I took a couple minutes to write them all down on a sheet of paper while students were working on a worksheet :)

(If you are here from a search for phrases about the sunset, find some of my favorites by clicking here.)

These are the fun sayings I found on the Caribou Coffee cup (minus the last one):

*Update: Who knew that the plastic cups were different from the paper cups?  I didn't!  So there are new Caribou Coffee Cup quotes below.*

Be the first to enter and the last to leave the dance floor.

Indulge in chocolate therapy.

Dare to adventure.

Life is short. Stay awake for it.

Marshmallows have no nutritional value, and thats ok.

You'll only be your current age once.

Only look back if it makes you smile.

Sing out loud.

Lighten up.

Dance in the rain.

Be the first to apologize.

Be the ruler of your own life.

Spin the globe then pack your bags

Life's too short for grudges.


Love what you brew; brew what you love.


Make time for silly.


Smile first, ask questions later.


Laugh so hard you cry.


Dance to your own rhythm.


Listen 1st Talk 2nd.


Compliment a stranger.


Take all your vacation days.


Do it for life, not profit.


Follow your heart.


Start right now.


Be a hero minus the dorky cape.


Make today special.


Thank a teacher.

From the movie "Thoroughly Modern Millie"

"While I really do prefer emeralds we could have made it on green glass."

I really liked all of these. And some, to me had meanings that go deeper than just the words. But if I had to pick one it would be "Only look back if it makes you smile." This is something I do not do, but it is a good reminder.

Which is your favorite?

A Prison Experience

Crazy title, right? Don't worry. I don't have experience in an actual prison. But many times I find myself in a metaphorical prison. I have a "Women's Devotional Bible" which I really enjoy reading. One of the devotions was entitled "A Prison Experience". The first time I read it was just over a year ago. But it is still so relevant today.

The devotional discusses the story of Joseph. You may be familiar with his story and his many colored cloak a la Donny Osmond perhaps :)

Here is a part of the devotional:

"Joseph attains a place of prominence in Egypt by a difficult road of loneliness and injustice... his imprisonment was a training period for God's future plan for him."

"Today you may be in a prison. Perhaps you are misunderstood by family. Or you may be far away from home, and lonely. Whatever your prison experience, humanly speaking, there may be no way out, no immediate solution. What is your reaction? Are you rebellious? Are you questioning God? God knows the lessons we need to learn, lessons of patience, submission and self-denial. Our faith may need strengthening. We may be so concerned that God remove us from prison that we miss the lessons he has for us in prison. Our prison term may seem long, but the God who was with Joseph when he was taken into Egypt, and the God who was with him when he was put in prison, is the God who is with us today."

Wow! Joseph has always been my favorite bible story but I never before made the connections that this devotion points out. How often have I been in a "prison" and wondered why? Growing up with a brother who has autism, HS drama, my brother getting a life threatening infection, the hurtful actions of a close friend, nannying for a young mother with a brain tumor in her final months...

So now I look back and ask myself: What lessons did I learn? God was with me, he knew what he was doing... even though I may not see it, he has a plan. And in time. In His time. I will learn the plan.

Remember the Sunset,

Happy

Being happy. Those two little words can often be so hard. But sometimes they can be so easy. A fellow blogger posted earlier about some things that happened to her to make her happy. Isn't that what it's all about? Finding the happy in the sad. The good in the bad. Sometimes life can get overwhelming and it feels like you are stuck. But then you look out your window and you see a kid playing ball, or a beautiful bird land on a branch right in front of you, or you hear a song that you used to love. And you stop. And you smile. And in that moment you find your little piece of happy.

The internet can be an amazing tool. There are so many websites, blogs, videos to see that can make us smile. 1000 Awesome Things, It Made My Day, Gives Me Hope are sites that I visit often to get a quick laugh. "Ow! Charlie" is a video on youtube that I have easily seen 50 times and I still smile every time.

Making a list of 101 things that make me happy is on my list of 101 in 1001. So I am going to try to not tackle it all at once, that might be a wee bit overwhelming. Here are my happy things:

1. Coloring with kids. I love how they can see an elaborate house or animal in oftentimes illegible scribbles to adults. Their excitement makes me happy.

2. Making my family laugh. Even if it means making an idiot out of myself or saying something crazy its worth it. Their laughs make me happy.

3. Making playlists/cds for friends. When I can put together new songs for friends, or a playlist for someone going through a breakup, or a study cd, or a birthday cd I have fun. Sharing my love of music with others makes me happy.

As I continue to dive into blogging and finding my voice on my blog I welcome any comments from anyone who may read this. We can only improve if we know what to work on :)

My question to you: How do you find happiness? What makes you happy?

As always 'Remember the Sunset'

Wordy Wednesday

Wednesdays are busy. Especially my evenings. So, I have decided to start a "Wordy Wednesday." Due to it being Wednesday night, the evening I help lead my church's HS Youth Group, and its Lent I would like to include a scripture. Don't like it? Don't read it. Or just scroll down to find a non-scripture quote. Peace!

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

When you reach the end of your rope,

tie a know in it and hang on.

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

March!

I friggin' love March! And sometimes I think it gets lost in the shuffle. Here's what I mean:

January has the new year. Woo Hoo!

February has Valentine's Day or Singles Awareness Day (depending on how you look at it)

March has... I'll get back to this

April has April Fools Day and April showers bring...

May flowers. And May day. And Mother's Day.

June is the first month of freedom from school. And Fathers day.

July has the 4th of July (duh!)

August is the last month of summer and thus freedom.

September is the start of a new school year.

October has Halloween.

November has Thanksgiving.

December has Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa etc.

But March! March has Shamrock Shakes. I forget every year how delicious they are. Quite honestly I could stop right there and that is enough reason why March is under-appreciated and totally awesome. But just because I could doesn't mean I will :)

March also has Dr. Seuss' Birthday which coincides with National Read Across America Day. As a teacher I love this day. As an avid reader I love this day (even though its geared to school aged children I can use it as an excuse to read a ton that day, right?). And there is Pi Day (3.14). Who doesn't love pi(e)?! And, being that I'm part Irish, who can forget that March has St. Patrick's Day. A wonderful excuse to wear green and drink too much. And it's Irish Heritage month or so I've been told.

For me, March also brings Schmeckfest. Which is pure awesomeness. I have gone almost every year since I was a little girl. I used to go with my Oma, then I went with my mom. And this year I head there myself to meet up with other relatives. Schmeckfest, for the 99.9% of you who probably don't know what it is, a 'festival of tasting.' Schmeckfest celebrates the heritage and culture of Russian Mennonites who came to America in the late 1800's. An ethnic meal is prepared (fantastic!) and the entire community puts on a musical. This year it's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which may be my favorite musical of all time. The proceeds from the event benefit the local Academy. I will definitely have to post to share about the weekend.

March is when spring officially begins. The snow (hopefully) begins to melt. March is a gateway between winter and spring. The days get longer. The sun seems to shine a little brighter. Animals and birds re-emerge. And we come out of our dreary winter days. School is almost done. Which means summer is on its way. Wonderful, isn't it?

Remember the sunset!