Bring only the best

As the new year rapidly approaches, I want to leave you with a thought:

Bring only the best of who you have become into the new year.

Let's make 2011 the greatest year of our lives!

Recycle your tree

I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter, and time spent with loved ones.  If you bought a live tree, make sure to go green and recycle your Christmas tree.  "Treecycling is an easy way to return a renewable and natural source back to the environment instead of disposing it in a landfill, where decomposition rates are slowed due to lack of oxygen." (see below for source) 

For information on how to do so, go to: http://earth911.com/.  Happy recycling!

My Christmas Card

Instead of sending out Christmas cards this year, I decided to do a blog.  I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas spent with loved ones.  Regardless of where you are, enjoy every minute of this amazing Christmas season.  I hope all of you cherish the most amazing gift of all time-one that we get every day of every year.  "For unto us, a child is born..."

Merry Christmas!

Love in Christ,

Elle & Georgia

Looking for a last-minute gift idea?

Searching for a last minute gift this week? Instead of driving yourself mad while elbowing your way past other frantic shoppers, go green and make a donation in that person’s honor to a relevant charity/non-profit organization.

I have done this many times, and people seem to love it. Not only are you donating to a cause that person believes in, but you are also saving time, money (no wrapping, gas to get the gift, etc), and resources by simply donating money to an organization. You don’t have to look for a parking space, and you don’t have to wait in line to buy the gift. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

If you aren’t sure what organization to donate to, think about what that person likes. If they’re an animal lover, make a donation to their local SPCA. If they (like me) are passionate about the environment, consider donating to the Sierra Club (https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Donation2?idb=1609319439&df_id=1282&1282.donation=form1&s_src=N10ZSCZZ02&s_subsrc=PW) or another organization of that nature. If he or she served or currently serves in the military, make a donation to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/Donate.aspx).

Your donation will undoubtedly warm their heart and will help make a positive difference in our world. Sometimes the best gifts can't be seen or touched.  Aren't they the best kind?

Beware of the Black Swan

Even though I saw Black Swan three days ago, my mind keeps going back to this film. While some of the content was extremely disturbing and psychotic, overall, the movie was extremely well-made. The actors did an amazing job, and the entire team deserves much accolade.

Since I grew up dancing (and still dance to this day), I can sympathize with what these dancers go through. While I never danced professionally, I can attest to the intense pressure most dancers feel to be perfect and be the absolute best. The pressure to be perfect coupled with weight issues and aging can make even the sanest person feel hopeless, confused, and unsure of themselves.

The movie is certainly not for everyone (due to its’ quite shocking and extreme content), but I think it contains lessons that apply to all of us. In the movie, Natalie Portman is chosen to play the Swan Queen, a role which has two parts: the innocent White Swan and the evil Black Swan. She perfects the White Swan but struggles with playing her nemesis.

Unfortunately, I think we all have a Black Swan inside of us. When faced with life’s pressures and stresses, fear, loathing, and self-doubt can take over. We can become deeply entrenched in our own nightmare that we’ve created in our minds. We try to hide or run away but keep running into our worst enemy-ourselves. Trust me, I have been there, and it is a very dark and scary place. To me, the movie brings to light the idea that sometimes our biggest enemy is ourselves. Be careful; when the Black Swan takes over, it is very difficult to fly away.

That's a wrap!

As the weather gets colder and Christmas nears, make sure to go green every chance you get.  Reuse gift bags or wrap gifts using items such as pashminas, newspaper, or reusable grocery bags (http://www.baggu.com/).  How fun would it be if the wrapping was part of the gift!  If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, we would have enough wrapping paper to cover 45,000 football fields.  That's a wrap!

In LOVE with Mary Kay!

So, I recently fell in LOVE with Mary Kay...the makeup and skincare line that is. Having never used Mary Kay before, I attended a friend's party and was blown away by their amazing products. Everything from the eye shadows to their lipglosses is absoluetly phenomenal.

I highly recommend their Timewise Miracle Set. It is pricy, but I can already tell a difference in how my skin looks and feels. I truly love all Mary Kay products, but some other favorites are their eye shadows, lipglosses, mineral powder foundation, and their blush. Their eye shadows are actually made in the same factory in Italy as MAC but cost less than half the price. You really can't go wrong!

If you live in the Atlanta area, you should schedule a Mary Kay party with my rep Laurin. That way you can take advantage of the fabulous hostess benefits. If you don't live in Atlanta or don't want to host a party, visit her Web site at www.marykay.com/Laurin to check out all the wonderful products. Laurin is fabulous, and you will love working with her before, during, and after your party. She didn't ask me to write this by the way...I am just IN LOVE with all of these products and wanted to share them with you. Let me know what you think!

Pearl Harbor

In honor and memory of the brave people who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, we remember you and salute you today. You did not die in vain, and we honor your sacrifice.

Prayer

"While prayer may not change a situation, it may change the way you experience it."  (Unknown)

Need a light?

While you decorate your home and Christmas tree with lights this year, make sure you go green by choosing LED and/or Energy Star lights.  They use less electricty therefore they save you money.  You can also set your lights on a timer, so they come on when it gets dark and turn off when you go to bed.  No need to have them on late at night while most people will be sleeping.

Fore more information on these type of lights, go to http://www.greenyour.com/node/13887.  Happy decorating!

Utmost hope

Tonight's message at Buckhead Church was one of utmost hope.  Andy Stanley shared with us the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple who had hoped and prayed for a child but reminaed barren.  After many, many years, the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah and told him that God was going to bless them with a son.  "But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.'" (Luke 1: 13)  Their son John would go on to become John the Baptist, and the rest is history.
What an amazing reminder of how difficult and frustrating it can be when we pray for years, and it seems like God either isn't listening or doesn't hear us.  Sometimes, all we need is to know that He hears us.  And believe me, He surely does.  Not only does he hear our prayers, but He plans out every single detail of our lives according to His perfect plan for our lives.  Sometimes things take MUCH longer than we anticipate, and we start to grow restless, weary, and lose hope.  All I can say is to hang in there friends.  God is hard at work and will bless us according to His will and perfect timing.  Trust me, I have sat, hoped, prayed, and waited for years for certain things to happen.  And guess what, some of them finally have happened for me.  I know it's not because of anything I did, but it is because of God's faithfulness and promises to us.  "He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3: 11)
As we get busy and sometimes stressed out with countless holiday parties, work events, and presents to buy, let the Christmas season serve as a reminder that God always keeps His promises.  Even when we think God doesn't hear us and/or doesn't care about us, our faith and hope are not in vain.

Sharing

"Sharing what you have is more important than what you have."

(Albert M. Wells Jr.)

Fake it

Normally, I am not a fan of faking it...I want the real thing. However, when it comes to Christmas trees, I say fake it. While I totally get the appeal of a real tree (the scent alone brings back wonderful memories), I say go green and invest in an artificial tree.

You can use your tree year after year, and it will look just as lovely as a real tree. Plus, you will be saving time, money, and the resources necessary to grow the tree and get it to your house. If you do insist on buying a real tree, make sure you get one that has been grown locally and not shipped in from somewhere else.

This is a picture of my tree...it is artificial, and it is fabulous. Happy tree decorating!

Be thankful

Wow, the past few weeks have been beyond busy for me.  Lots of new, exciting changes are on the horizon for me, and I look forward to sharing them with all of you soon. 

For now, I just want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope your day tomorrow reminds you of how much there is to be thankful for.  Give your loved ones extra hugs and kisses and let them know how much you love them.  My parents are in Italy with my brother and sister-in-law for Thanksgiving, and I am thrilled for them.  While I miss them, I am so excited that they get to spend this holiday with Andrew and Katie.  I hope they have an amazing time, and I look forward to seeing their pictures when they return.

I am volunteering tomorrow morning and then going to my dear friend Leigh Anne's house for a Thanksgiving meal.  Even though I wish I could spend the holiday with my family, I am thrilled to have such a good friend to spend it with this year.  I have been absolutely blown away by how many of my friends invited me to join their family for Thanksgiving when they learned my parents would be out of the country.  I really do have the best friends in the entire world.

Enjoy your day tomorrow and don't forget to say a prayer for those who might not have any food to eat.  Check out this post from last year which reminds us about not wasting leftovers-http://cestlaviebyelle.blogspot.com/2009/11/leftover-dilemma.html.  Make sure not to cook too much food.  If you do, freeze leftovers or give them to your guests to take home.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with great company, laughter, and love.  Life is short, so always give it your all and give all you have to the world around you.

Dream BIG

This has been a very exciting week for me, and I look forward to sharing some big announcements with all of you soon.  As always, reach high, seek far, see deeply, and dream BIG.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It comes from within

"I was looking outside myself for strength and confidence,

but it comes from within; it is there all the time."

(Anna Freud)

New Baggu

As my loyal readers know, I am a huge fan of Baggu reusable bags.  Recently they came out with zippered bags that are simply fabulous.  Instead of using plastic bags, go green and use these bags instead.  There are many different colors and sizes, so get wild.  To order your Baggu bags, go to http://baggubag.com/#Shop.

Congratulations Jenn & Will!

Congratulations to Jenn and Will, my dear, sweet friends who are getting married today.  It has been awesome to watch you on your journey, and here we are on your wedding day.  I know that today will be an amazing symbol and celebration of not only your love, but also of God's perfect love for us.  I am honored to stand by you today as you make this lifelong commitment to each other.  I love you both and wish you all the best.

In honor of our veterans

Today is Veteran's Day, and I would like to issue a heartfelt thank you to all of the brave men and woman who have ever served and who currently serve in our country's military. We salute you and will cherish you and your sacrifice forever.

Coming from a family who has been very active in the military, today really means a lot to me.  The following people in my family have served in the military: both of my grandfathers, my grandmother, my cousin Tommy, both of my uncles, my father, and my brother currently serves as an officer in the Navy. I am incredibly proud and humbled by their service and dedication. 

I would also like to recognize the sacrifice that the families of service members make.  While we all ultimately wish for a safe return for our loved ones, it can be very hard on the family when they have to miss countless birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions while they serve our country.  It is somewhat bittersweet when someone willingly chooses to join the military.  We admire and respect their decision, but we know we will miss them and worry about them.  So, here is to the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, other family members and friends who stay at home and wait...for news from their service member and in anticipation for them to return home safely.

Most importantly, we honor you, brave veterans of the past, present, and future.  It is because of your sacrifice that I can sit here and freely type whatever I want.  Your courage, bravery, and honor should never go unnoticed.  If you see a service member, please thank them for their service.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

I recently read an absolutely amazing book, The Art of Racing in the Rain.  The narrator is a dog Enzo who belongs to a professional race car driver Denny in Seattle (hence the title).  Even if you don't have a dog or love dogs, this book is a must read for anyone.  It is funny, poignant, and heartbreaking. 

One quote in particular stuck out to me, and I want to share it with you.

"Could Denny have possibly appreciated the subjective nature of loneliness, which is something that exists only in the mind, not in the world, and, like a virus, is unable to survive without a willing host?"
(Garth Stein)

Unfortunately, I think we have all suffered from loneliness at some point.  Like many emotions, it can come like a thief in the night, stealing away our joy and liveliness in a quick moment.  The scary and very sad thing about loneliness is that you can feel it even when surrounded by a room full of your loved ones. 

While I definitely don't have all of the answers, I do know that we are never, ever truly alone with God.  He is alive within us and always wants to be with us, no matter what we do.  We can spend years pushing Him away, and He will always welcome us back with open arms. 

One more bit of food for thought:

"If you're not feeling close to God, guess who moved?"

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

As the holidays approach, keep in mind how much waste we create during this time of year.  Go green by reusing gift bags, bows, ribbons, tissue paper, etc.  This stuff can add up to $5/gift, so why not use something you already have?  Happy giving.

Monkey see, monkey do

Happy Thursday monkeys!

Go VOTE today!

Today is the first Tuesday in November which means...it is Election Day! Do your part as an engaged, responsible citizen and go vote.  I don't care what all you have going on today...get out there and VOTE people.  There isn't much that irks me more than people who complain about our government and/or laws, but who do not vote.  That is ignorance at its finest. 

The last time Georgia had a gubernatorial election in 2006, 48% of registered voters cast their vote for governor.  Let's rock the polls this year!  Don't know who to vote for?  Go online and do your research; the candidates make it easy for us to understand their basic stance on major issues. 

Think your vote doesn't count?  IT DOES.  Recent presidential elections have proven that every vote counts, so go vote today.  It is not only your right, but it is also your responsibility.  People in other countries have died or been badly hurt when trying to cast their vote in what was not even a fair election.  We have the privilege to cast our vote in a safe place where our vote WILL be counted, so please go vote today. 

Soles4Souls

Don't know what to do with the shoes in your closet that you never wear but don't want to throw away?  Go green by donating them to Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charity that collects and distributes shoes to those in need.

Their mission is simple yet profound.  Here is some information from their Web site about how you can donate your gently used, unwanted shoes:

"We offer a simple way to help reduce the strain on our environment: donate your "gently worn" footwear to people in need instead of throwing them away. Last year alone, Americans discarded more than 300 million pairs of shoes. When these shoes break down in our landfills, the toxic glue that holds the shoes together can leak into our water supply and atmosphere.


Soles4Souls can save your shoes from early death by cleaning them and shipping them to needy people around the world, who will treasure the gift for years to come. Since its inception following the Asian tsunami, Soles4Souls has distributed nearly 12 million pairs to people in 125 countries, and our efforts have been publicized in thousands of articles, including the Green Guide by National Geographic and Runner's World.

Most of our closets are filled with shoes we rarely wear. Instead of dropping the unwanted pairs in the trash, consider stopping by a local shoe retailer in exchange for a discount on a new pair of shoes. In addition to this program, Soles4Souls hosts thousands of collection events across North America, including marathons, schools, churches and more."

Clean out your closet and fill a basic need for someone else.  For more information on Soles4Souls, go to: http://www.soles4souls.org/.

Happy Halloween weekend!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween weekend!

Learn to receive

"Learn to receive what you cannot provide for yourself."

I think that we all have a hard time admitting when we need help; I know that I certainly do.  During a tough time, try to receive from others what you cannot provide for yourself.  Trust me, I know this can be quite difficult especially if you are accustomed to being the giver and not the recipient.  If you need help, accept it.  There will come a time when someone else needs help, and you can give it to them.  And that, my friends, is what makes this world such a beautiful place.

Lack of space

"An acre in Middlesex is better than a principality in Utopia."
(Baron Thomas B. Macaulay, 1837)

Today's go green tip is more conceptual: do the best you can with what you have.  For those of us who don't have a backyard and/or live in the middle of a city, it can be challenging to find ways to garden, compost, and other things of that sort.  Vertical gardens have become very popular, and I am incredibly fascinated with them.  For more information on how to build a vertical garden, go to http://www.livingwallart.com/do-it-yourself/cheap-do-it-yourself-vertical-gardens/.

A lack of space just means you need to get creative.  If you have any green living tips for people who have a lack of green space, please share them with us. 

Mission possible

Having gone on two short-term mission trips, I fully understand how tempting it can be to come home, quit your job, and try to be a full-time missionary. Mission trips change you and make you see things in a new light. You come home a different person, full of new priorities and hope for the future.

However, I truly don't think God intends for the majority of us to be full-time missionaries. Through countless talks with several God-loving friends, I've come to realize that our mission is to serve God in our daily lives no matter where God has placed us. For some people, that will mean leading a company and making big decisions while showing people through their actions how much they love God. For others, it will mean being a stay at home parent and guiding their kids to a loving relationship with God.

I know firsthand how difficult this concept is when you find yourself unemployed. It really helps me to view my life as an ongoing assignment/job from God. Sometimes when you are not working, all you can do in one day is just be friendly and polite to others-hold the door open for someone or give someone a smile who seems to be having a rough day. Just because you are not working a full-time job does not mean you can't still serve God in everything you do.

Trust me, I never imagined I would find myself unemployed for the second time at age 29, babysitting several times a week to make ends meet. I also envisioned myself working for CNN or managing a team of people at a company, so the past few years have been particularly frustrating for me. I've come to see that my dreams rarely line up with God's plans for my life, and that is okay. It has been an incredibly humbling experience, but I have learned so much during this journey. I try my best to view my babysitting jobs as opportunities to show love, kindness, and patience to the children I take care of.

Regardless of if you wait tables or sit at the head of the table in a board room, "...work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." (Colossians 3:23)

There is no Planet B

"There is no Planet B.

We can't trash this place and go somewhere else."

(Fabien Cousteau)

BOO

Instead of automatically buying a costume this year for Halloween, why not go green and rent one? Better yet, do a costume swap with your friends and see what they have. Or, just make one from stuff you have at home. I doubt you will ever wear the costume you buy again, so save your green this year.

If you are a parent and need a costume for your kids, hold a costume swap with your friends who also have kids. You just might find exactly what you are looking for.

Never, ever give up!

"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance,

all things are obtainable."

(Thomas Foxwell Buxton)

Deep faith in a dark hour

Since last night, I have been glued to CNN watching the courageous rescue of the 33 trapped miners in Chile.  I am blown away by their bravery, positive attitudes, and hope.  Each and every rescue has overflowed with emotion as the miners are reunited with their loved ones.  I can't imagine the joy these men feel when they get to see their loved ones after being trapped for 69 days, over 2,000 feet underground.  I also can't fathom the nerves and anxiety the family and friends of the trapped miners feel as they wait for the miners to ascend in the Phoenix capsule.  If my loved one was trapped 2,000 feet below the earth's surface, I would do whatever it took to bring them back safely. 

I am incredibly thankful that God has richly blessed so many people around the world with the knowledge and expertise necessary to make this rescue not only possible but safe and successful.  Experts keep talking about how the fact that the men worked as a team not only kept them alive, but it kept them relatively sane as well.  I hope that we all learn something from this men-God put us on this earth to work together as a team to do great things. 

In my opinion, the most remarkable part of this entire situation is how many of the miners have been quoted saying that there were 34, not 33 miners down there...they said that God was with them the entire time, and that their faith enabled them to survive such cramped, dark conditions. 

I won't pretend to understand what these men went through since the mine caved in on August 5th, 2010.  But, I do know that God will never, ever leave us even in our darkest hour.  When you feel lost, alone, and trapped, don't forget this:

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

he drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

from my foes, who were too strong for me.

They confronted me in the day of my disaster,

but the Lord was my support.

He brough me out into a spacious place;

he rescued me because he delighted in me."

(Psalm 18:16-19)

Don't dump it!

I was at dinner with a friend on Friday and saw something really cool.  Instead of just wasting a glass of water someone had left on a table, the server poured it on some plants.  What an easy and great way to go green!  I've started doing this if I have some water left in my glass but need to put the glass it my dishwasher.  Instead of just dumping it in the sink, I pour it over my plants.  These easy, small steps can really help our environment and your wallet. 

The ole DVR trick

I love it when I watch a show I am recording after it starts, and I am able to catch up to real time.  Is it just me, or do you also feel a major sense of accomplishment when this happens?!?  I mean, all I did was press play and successfully fast forward through the commercials, yet for some reason, I feel like I just ran a marathon.  I feel productive and refreshed.  Is this normal?  Do others feel the same way, or does the cheese stand alone?

Hair story

Is it just me, or does this woman have the most beautiful hair you have ever seen?  I can't get over how gorgeous it is.  I have been growing my hair out for two years now, and I hope I can style it like this in the next 5-6 months. Love her outfit as well.  Tres chic!

Out of the closet

As the seasons change, it's time to clean out your closet. The easiest way to do so is to divide it into three sections: keep, repair/dry clean, donate. My general rule of thumb is that if I haven't worn an item in the past year, then I get rid of it. There's just no point in keeping clothes/shoes/handbags that you are never going to wear...especially when you can go green and donate them to someone else. I promise you, someone who doesn't have much would gladly wear your disregarded items.

If you don't have time to take your items to the nearest Goodwill, many charities will come pick your items up for you. How cool is that? All you have to do if put them in a bag or box and leave them outside to be picked up. The organization will leave a tax receipt for you.

Elle go Braugh!

After watching Ondine last night (SO good!), I have an even bigger desire to go to Ireland.  Its' rolling hills, sparkling waters, and rocky cliffs enchant me to no end.  I did some research, and it seems like May is the best time of year to go.  Have you been?  What are the top places to visit?  Slainte!

Kickin it old school

Am I the only person out there who still uses a traditional planner?  Despite having an iPhone (I love you iPhone!), I still feel the need to write everything down in an old school planner.  Pictured above is the fabulous planner I bought last week at Swoozie's for 2011.  I can't get over the amazing animal print and love that there are inspiring quotes on each page.  The only thing I don't like is that it is much bigger than the planners I have been using the past few years (And to think, I got the smaller size!).  Seriously, I will definitely be able to use it as a weapon if needs be.  Regardless, I think it is to die for, and I can't wait to fill in my loved ones birthdays, upcoming events, and my appointments for 2011.

Even though I do use the calendar on my iPhone every day, I guess I just don't trust it for some reason.  Or, I know that I will either drop, break, or spill red wine on my phone any day now (thank you Georgia for doing so by knocking over a glass of red wine with your tail on my hot pink Motorola Razor Phone circa Fall 2007).  What if someone steals my phone, or if I lose it?  There goes my whole schedule!  I realize I could always lose my planner, but I highly doubt someone would steal it.  I also really like to look at my schedule when I am on a plane, and this is not always possible when your schedule is on your cell phone.  Who else out there also kicks it old school with an actual planner?  I guess I'm not the only person who still uses one because there are still tons of them in stores.  People always ask me how I stay so organized?  Perhaps the secret lies in my planner...

Happy October!

Happy October friends!

True power

"Mastering others is strength,

mastering yourself is true power."

(Lao-Tzu)

Baby bobbles!

Some of you might remember a post (http://cestlaviebyelle.blogspot.com/2010/04/theres-new-bottle-in-town.html) I did back in April about the bobble, a water bottle with a filter in it.  Much to my pleasure, bobble has come out with a smaller version for kids!  They come with brightly colored filters and fun stickers so your kids can personalize their own bobble.  What I like most about this concept is that you will encourage your kids to drink water instead of juice and soft drinks when they can drink water out of a fun, reusable bottle! 

To go green and order the kid-friendly bobble (and one for you), go to www.waterbobble.com.  Trust me, this is a fabulous product.  I was at the beach this weekend and loved being able to filter the water in our rental house.  Bobble away!

Hopeful for fall

There's something about the change of seasons that leaves me feeling hopeful and inspired.  It has been a LONG summer (literally and figuratively), and I am beyond ready for fall.  I dream of colorful leaves, pumpkins, and spiced cider.  This year I hope that we all fall into something lovely.  Happy fall!

Who do you dress for?

I think that most women either dress for men or other women/themselves. I would like to think that I dress for the latter. Neither is right, I just think it's great when women (or anyone for that matter) wear what they want to wear versus always dressing to attract the opposite sex. I truly think that the right person for you will love the way you dress, so why dress to please others?

I am well aware that the majority of men don't care for hats, headpieces/headbands, and/or other "loud" accessories. Do I care? Absolutely not! Of course, I think there is a time and a place to dress more conservatively (work, church, etc), but I love it when I see a woman who clearly wears what she wants to wear.

For me, fashion is a form of self-expression, and I love to express myself in fun, sometimes crazy ways. Have fun with fashion, don't be scared to try something new, and always dress for yourself.

Used but not abused

Looking to purchase a new appliance, gadget, or other item?  Why not go green and consider buying something used?  My friends and I move all the time, and I know a lot of them sell their gently used items on Craigslist.  If people that I know and trust are selling their quality items online, I'm sure others are as well.

While still working 1/2 mile from my condo earlier this year, I wanted to buy a bike, so I could bike to work each day.  I had not owned a bike since I was about 12, so I decided that I wanted to buy a used bike.  I looked on Craigslist and was thrilled by how many great looking bikes were listed for very reasonable prices.  Unfortunately, the company downsized before I was able to ever bike to work, but the idea made me think. 

If you are trying out a new item (or one from the past that you might not love anymore), why buy something brand new?  You can probably find the same type of item used for a MUCH cheaper price.  Especially with the economy in its current state, many people are selling brand new or gently used items such as treadmills, bikes, and cameras because they don't use them and need the extra money.  Before you rush to the store to buy something like this new, do some research online to see what you can find.  Let me know what you find!

Pizza pizza

I think Julia Roberts said it best in Eat, Pray, Love when she stated: "I'm having a relationship with my pizza."  Good thing I don't have to go to Italy to continue my love affair with pizza.  I think I could eat pizza at every meal, every day, for the rest of my life.  I sure hope there is all-you-can-eat pizza in heaven.  Everyone that knows me knows that I LOVE pizza and always want to eat it.  The best thing about pizza is that even bad pizza is still good...that certainly cannot be said about most things in life ;)

That has a nice ring to it!

I've geared this post more towards the fellas, but this can apply to ladies as well since we often plant these sort of ideas in our guy's head. When it comes time to purchase an engagement ring, consider browsing estate sales and antique jewelry stores instead of buying a brand new ring.

Go green and check out this site of fabulous antique rings:

http://www.antiquejewelryforsale.com/

There are countless sites similar to this one, but this one looked really neat.

I love the idea of having a ring that is 80-100 years old. Now that is some history! I also love it when a guy uses a ring that is already in the family. You can have it re-set, add stones to it, or present it as is. I can't think of anything more special.

If you do decide to buy a new ring, please make sure that it is a conflict-free diamond. The concept of a "blood diamond" is unfortunately a very real thing, not some scheme Hollywood devised to sell movie tickets. Having traveled to Africa twice, I can assure you it is a reality for many people who are forced to work in this industry under horrific conditions.

For more information on conflict-free diamonds, go to www.groomgroove.com/our_pick/conflict_free_engagement_rings.php.

We honor you today

In honor of those who lost their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001, we will never forget you.  Thank you to the brave men and women who protect our cities and borders both here and abroad.  God bless our fine country today and always.

Stand Up To Cancer

I encourage all of you to go to www.standup2cancer.org to make a donation to stand up to cancer.  I don't know of anyone who has not been affected by cancer in some way.  In the US, someone dies from cancer every minute. 

Stand Up To Cancer's efforts are quite unique in that they have formed Dream Teams composed of doctors and scientists who are working collaboratively instead of competitively to conduct research and develop new treatments to cure cancer. 

100% of your donation will go directly to collaborative cancer research, so please donate in memory or in honor of someone affected by cancer.  Cancer does not care about race, religion, gender, age, income level, or nationality.  Let's come together to fight this battle and win.  I truly believe that the doctors, scientists, and researchers who God has richly blessed with the highest intelligence imaginable can and will find a cure for this disease in my lifetime. 

I am standing up in honor of my grandmother who passed away from this horrible disease.  I miss you, love you, and honor you today, tomorrow, and always. 

Sleepless in Seattle

Sleepless in Seattle has some of the best lines ever :) There are so many great ones to choose from, but here are some of my favorites:

"You make a million decisions that mean nothing, and then one day, you order takeout, and it changes your life." (Meg Ryan as Annie Reed)

"She made everything beautiful." (Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin)

"Tell me what was so special about your wife. Well, how long is your program?" (Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin)