My Sketchbook

My sketchbook came today. I can hardly contain my excitement. I can't wait to fill it up and send it on it's way. Back to Brooklyn. My theme is "If you lived here". I think I know where I'm going to take it too.

Things I want to remember throughout this mini adventure:
1. It doesn't have to be perfect.
2. Make mistakes. Like right in the notebook.
3. Don't be a sissy. Try something new.

Tom's doing it too. We are going to be such a happy sketchy family.

All Things Thrifty

Or should I say...All Things Awesome! The All Things Thrifty blog is the best - there are so many great ideas for decorating your house...on a budget no less. I love that story. You should check it out here. Seriously, don't wait.

Happy Shark Week

It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's a gift to you for enduring the other 51 weeks.* Shark Week on the Discovery Channel! Today we've watched Air Jaws and SHARKBITE: How to survive a Great White Shark Attack.

Every year we learn a few things from Shark Week.

1. There really isn't that much footage of shark attacks or swimming sharks - so it's basically the same shows as last year with newer jazzier titles.

2. Sharks aren't the mindless killers we once thought they were. They are like puppies just taking exploratory bites. If they really wanted to eat us...there would be no survivors.

3. You can sharkify yourself. See the pictures below. Warning - they are not for the faint of heart.

4. Tom will tell you that you shouldn't go swimming in the ocean for at least 6 months after watching.

5. My favorite quote so far is this (in reference to the shark attack survivors that were merely given exploratory bites in the water, even though their leg is gone): "The fact that you have been randomly sampled and ultimately rejected is not a comfort for these shark attack victims".
That is so funny! Can you imagine saying that to someone. You have been randomly sampled and ultimately rejected (by a shark). Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. I'm dying.

6. No matter how many reruns there are during Shark Week, it's just plain fun.

So the moral of this post is: Don't swim in dark, murky water and do your best to not look like a seal.

Sweet & Sassy Natty

My darling friend (and former roommate - I was her favorite - right Kourt?) Kourtney has a darling sister-in-law named Natalie. She has been diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma - a rare juvenile bone cancer. I know just from talking to Kourtney that she has dealt with a lot during her life, along with her family and friends. I've never met her, but she seems like a great example of how we should all look at this life. I'm grateful for her example and Kourtney's for doing all they can do be loving and kind.

They are having a benefit concert for her on August 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Barker Park in North Ogden. Brooke White from American Idol will be there. Sounds like a fun time to me.

Check out Natalie's blog for more information.
http://www.sweetandsassyasnatty.blogspot.com/

Answered Prayers

The following two quotes were answers to my prayers yesterday. I'm posting them mostly for my remembering purposes, but also thought some of you might enjoy reading them too. 

• When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities. …  
• “May God bless us to put [him] first and, as a result, reap peace in this life and eternal life with a fulness of joy in the life to come."
  President Ezra Taft Benson
  
  
  Hymn #30 - Come, Come Ye Saints - This song was written by Tom's great, great, great, really great? grandfather and was just what I needed to hear yesterday. All is well, all is well.
  Listen here. 
  Come, come ye saints
  No toil nor labor fear
  But with joy, wend your way
  Though hard to you,
  This journey may appear,
  Grace shall be as your day,
  Tis better far for us to strive
  Our useless cares from us to drive
  Do this and joy, your hearts will swell
  All is well! All is well!
  
  Why should we mourn?
  Or think our lot is hard?
  Tis not so, all is bright
  Why we think to earn a great reward?
  If we now shun the fight
  Gird up your loins
  Fresh courage take
  Our god will never us forsake
  And soon we'll have this tale to tell
  All is well! All is well!
  
  We'll find the place
  Which God for us prepared
  Far away, in the West
  Where none shall come
  To hurt of make afraid
  There the saints, will be blessed
  We'll make the air, with music ring,
  Shout praises to, our god and king,
  Above the rest these words we'll tell
  All is well! All is well! 

Pocket Post

Dear Books,
Thanks for sitting on my shelf and trying to inspire me to read you. Sometimes I just go watch TV, but it's not because I don't like you.

Dear Things I Have To Do,
You're kind of a lot to handle. Maybe we can compromise? I'll pay attention to you sometimes...but mostly you should just take care of yourselves. Deal?

Dear Graceful Envelope Contest,
I am going to enter you, even though the deadline has passed.

Dear Pie Pops,
Hello, I don't think we've met! I'm excited to get to know you.

Dear Wardrobe Refashion,
Let's get going! I am in need of a little makeover and you will fit in quite well with my other friends, Mr. Budget and Miss Crafty-Pants.

Dear Food Co-op,
You're the bomb.

Teaser

We've been sketching daily (well mostly Tom has).
We've been getting new red shoes and taking pictures of them when we're bored (well I guess that's mostly me).
We've been sketch dining. Join us next time.
We've been making paper flowers.
We've been checking out the beach in San Francisco.
Our lives are pretty sweet.