Friend Week : Day 4

Day 4

Volunteer together!

How good does it feel to give back?  Now add a friend to this mix and it'll make your day awesome!  Nowadays non-profits have made giving so easy and fun.  Here are a few options coming up on the calendar:

This Saturday, March 31st at 10:00 am, Deep Ellum Urban Gardens is having their first work day!  Here is a FREE way to give back, they just need your muscle to help build planters.  Click here for all the details.

The One Society is having their annual event on Friday, April 27th at 8:00 pm.  I'm a member with several of my friends and it's always a good time.  The money raised goes to Children's Medical Center's At-Risk Children's Center.  There will be raffle, food, and cocktails held at The Cirque.  Click here for details.

BVB is starting their enrollment process.  Girls you can play on a team and guys you can coach to a victory!  They hold practices during the summer ending with a flag football game to battle it off at the end.  All the money raised goes to the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.


I have to admit those are some great options to choose from, but go with your heart.  What are you wanting to do to give back to your community?  Follow you or your friends interests and it will seem less like work and more like a necessity in your lives.


Love, Sarah  

Friend Week : Day 3

Day 3

...shhh  tell your secrets.

Through life you start to have friendships that have different basis.  I have a friend that we love to go vintage hunting and go on fun little road trips.  Another is make-up and relationship talk, a few that we meet for lunch and one that we love to see girly movies at the theater, and a couple to go outdoors and explore.

But recently I have received one where we started sharing our deepest secrets.  Things that neither of us ever thought we would share or even imagine one day coming off our lips.  ...and it's fantastic!  Most of the topics are nothing fun and usually something deep down troubling us, but once you take the skeleton out of the closet you become free.  You become accountable and able to finally let it go.  You can talk out loud and hear an outsiders perspective.

My trusting friendship came naturally and I believe was meant to be.  If you don't have a friend that you believe is right for this challenge, then wait.  Naturally choose someone that doesn't tend to gossip and one that you believe in their choices.  All of us sin but we have to be careful who we rely on for trust.

Love, Sarah

Friend Week : Day 2

Day 2

Exercise together.

I've been doing P90X with my friend Emili after work and it's been so much fun.  There's a special bond you grow when you're pushing and encouraging each other.  The feeling of accomplishing a bike ride, yoga class or even a peaceful walk with a friend is unique.  Get a flag football game going in a park with guys and girls.  Doing something physical doesn't mean you have to hit a gym.   

So call a friend up and get to sweating and watch your friendship grow!

Love, Sarah 

Day 1 : handwritten card

Friend Week : Day 1

I'm sure you are like me in the fact that I'm so caught up in "adult" life that I rarely have time for full on friend life.  I'm talking hanging out all day and partying all night!  Well lately I've been putting friends closer to the top of my to-do's and I'm having a blast!!  It's making the more mundane part of my day more fun knowing that I'm about to see a friend or just got done girl talkin.

If you've gotten into a friend rut ...then I'm here to challenge you!!  Each day this week will be a new challenge.  Do all 5 or pick and choose whatever tickles your fancy.  The most important part is to remind yourself how rewarding and fun it is to be a good friend.

DAY 1 

Send a handwritten card to a friend.

My friend Stephanie sent me a card once and I felt so loved.  Nowadays with the easiness of just sending a text or posting a sweet message on your Facebook wall, the thought of actually dropping a note in the mail seems extremely special.  Don't think you have to write a novel, sometimes the most simplest of words can mean the most.  

I don't care if it's someone you just got done seeing or a friend you haven't talked to in a really long time.  Pull out a stamp and pen and share your thoughts.  

...now start writing!

Love, Sarah  

The Corner Market

We went to The Corner Market today for lunch.  Benton told me about it and I had been itching to try it.  Flowers, desserts, and sandwiches all in one corner? ... I can't think of a better combination!

 They have several sandwiches to choose from, but I went with a custom order of turkey, swiss, avocado, tomatoes, with a little lettuce and mayo on 12 grain bread.

Brandon got pimento, which I'm not sure what that means but he really liked it.

 Jun got The Mockingbird which has turkey and apples with sweet mustard.

 

I picked my boss up a double chocolate truffle.  He's feeling under the weather and if I know one thing, it's that chocolate makes everything better.

On my next trip back I plan on sitting outside and taking more time to pick out some flowers and desserts.  Who's coming with me?!

Love, Sarah

Pet Hair Battle Zone

I've almost fallen to my knees in tears over the amount of fur our floors collect.  With two large dogs and two cats the shedding in our home has gotten completely out of control and I'm taking this war head on!

Here are my two new favorite weapons:

In my left harness I have FurGOpet's Large Dog Deshedder.  You can't even call this thing a brush, more like a miracle worker.  So much hair came off of Shadow that I could have made 5 Scooters.  Promise.  

The second I started brushing him, I knew that it will all be ok.  I honestly didn't even know where all the hair was coming from.  It was fluffy and thick and Shadow really enjoyed the brushing.  Seeing the balls of fur covering the grass around us made me so grateful that I bought the brush even though it was more than $20.

In my right harness I have Scotch's Fur Fighter Sweeper.  I have a Dyson, Swiffer, and old school mop and I would choose this over all of them for everyday purposes.  And by everyday, I mean everyday I use this sweeper!  It's so fast and easy.  It fits under anything and the hair doesn't fly around when you sweep.  I haven't even put this guy away, it's in my kitchen right now waiting for some fur to fall of an animal.  

Things that didn't work:  A thousand other deshedder brushes, Scotch's Fur Fighter Auto Interior Brush, and ignoring it to see if it would disappear.  

Hope these new discoveries help others that are loosing this battle.

Love, Sarah

Me Now

Isn't it crazy how fast time goes by?

This is me over 20 years ago and the me today.  

There's still so much of that little girl inside of me and so much I have learned since that day. 

I still...

get an ice cream sandwich whenever I hear the ice cream man  

try to make others feel comfortable and included

hate secrets and wear my favorite shirt too many times in a week

dance like a ballerina when I'm happy and can't lie to save my life!

I've learned... 

it's actually easier to do the wrong thing then the right

that I'm grateful my parents didn't give me everything I wanted

friends may come and go, but they'll always be there in the end

love is really all you need!

Here's to finding the little you in the now.

Love, Sarah

My Facebook

I go through phases with Facebook, but I keep going back to it.  It took me a minute to realize what it was and here it is...

BEST FRIENDS

These girls have been the best friends in my life.  The one that I call and share everything to, the one that I snuck out of the house with in Jr High, the one that taught me how to drive, and they have all opened their lives and families to me.  

MORE THAN CO-WORKERS

I have met each one of these beautiful people through work.  I believe you meet people in your life for a purpose and it's obvious that God has placed me in the hands of some outstanding people.

SCHOOL MATES

I think we can all agree that one of the best features in Facebook is being able to stay in touch with friends from school.  Some I have even gotten closer because of Facebook and others I just like knowing what they're up to and seeing their updates.  One things for sure is that they are each positive gorgeous women.

PAULS WORLD

I consider myself extremely lucky that Paul has such great taste in friends.  Each one of his friends welcomed me into their circle with open arms.  I immediately grew in friends that I can count on.  

UNIQUE ENCOUNTERS

Sometimes you meet people one time and they stay with you.  Facebook makes it possible and I'm grateful for that.

FAMILY

We all know how the world just whips you up in busyness.  I love that Facebook let's you quickly get an update and sneak peak into what everyones been up to.  

FELLAS

I've always said there is something extremely special between a friendship with a guy and girl.  It's an insight into the others mind that can help with advice, confidence, and can teach you lessons that you don't get from the same sex.  Each of these men hold a special place in my heart.

ONE-OF-A-KIND

The friendship I have with these three are so special.  We don't get together often and haven't known each other for that long, but I know deep down that we'll always be there for each other.  

All of these people are on Facebook.  What other reason do I need to like it?

Love, Sarah

KONY 2012

Waking up this morning I finally realized I had time to watch the 30 minute prodigy video that is KONY 2012.   I've been taken by the war that involves children, it started with reading A Long Way Gone and getting to know Falling Whistles a few years back.  It opened my eyes to truth that you can't deny.  

This video also captured me.  

My husband has a huge heart especially to help others, but he also can be skeptical.  He immediately questioned this group and got upset that millions of people will probably not research what Invisible Children plan on doing with the money, if the facts are correct, and if it's the right thing to do for the war.  

Knowing there is always pros and cons with anything you do I did a little digging.  First, I checked to see what UNICEF's opinion was on the video.  Then, checked Invisible Children's 2011 Annual Report.  I read some articles from established publishers, CNN and The Guardian.

I then came across Invisible Children's replies to most critiques and looked at their LRA Crisis Tracker.

My mind started going all over the place and then it became still. 

Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, my Alpha and Omega is listening.  He's waiting for our cries for not only the children, but to bring Joseph Kony to his knees for forgiveness.  For Kony to realize he can no longer keep up the hate, the cruel and evil acts, and to run into open arms of unending love.  

There's not one person on this earth that does not deserve Gods forgiveness.  

My prayer is stronger than any war.

"I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible."

Matthew 17:20

Instead of hate in your heart for this man.  Ask for his forgiveness.  Ask Jesus to make moves in his heart that he thought he was incapable of.  Ask God to bring his son home. 

Love, Sarah

The Simple Life

I love the hustle and bustle of Dallas, but I treasure my time alone on my porch in Costa Rica.

...I'm usually never alone though.  It's so easy to not see these little geckos running about.  That's my favorite part.  It takes awareness to notice them and having that peacefulness opens your eyes to your surroundings. 

Here's to being aware.

Love, Sarah

Cleaniness is next to Godliness

I truly believe the more organized you are, the cleaner your life is.  

...I know this is true because I am a self-diagnosed OCD person, living a messy life.  

Every once in awhile I'll get fed up enough to organize and clean my junk.  I have been keeping this area of my desk pretty clean since I use it daily and it is wonderful.

I rarely wear bracelets so it's helpful to have them out there to see to inspire me to throw one on.

I love stationary.  The grey box holds these adorable Connor write-agains.

I cannot paint my own nails for the life of me, but I'll usually take my own nail polish to get them done.  Essie's Mademoiselle, is the most beautiful pink polish.

 

My current favorite glosses are Bobbi Brown's Brightening lip gloss in Pink Lilac and MAC's Moth to a Flame.

The glass vases and this wood bowl are all from Target.  

The glass makes it so easy to see what's in the containers.

Having my moisturizers all together makes the routine so easy. 

I found the shelves, jewelry and bamboo containers at The Container Store.  These boxes are actually DVD holders.  They hold my hair and misc items perfectly. 

...now if I can only wake up on time to peacefully get ready!!

Love, Sarah

Longing

I'm longing to be here... 

...but only if he's with me.

Love, Sarah