Weekly Words To Inspire

Wholly Cow. Can you believe this is the last day in February. 2 months of 2011 are already gone. Hopefully that means the snow and cold are almost gone. I'm ready for flowers, to see the sun, and to get outside!

I believe this might be my most favorite set of words to inspire to date.
I wish everyone an amazing week. Hopefully the weather comes 'in like a lamb.' ( I think that's March... I can't remember, sucks getting old!)

" Enjoy yourself. These are the good old days you're going to miss in the years ahead."
-Unknown

"Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you. "
-Unknown

"Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over."
Gloria Naylor

"One day at a time-- this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present. and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.
-Unknown

"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now."
-Unknown

This will be a daily read for me...
"I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries."
Theodore Isaac Rubin


Take it easy.

A Great Man

Happy Birthday Johnny Cash.

I totally recommend going to YouTube and search for Johnny Cash. Just listen, listen to the various type of songs he created. His singer-songwriting ability is absolutely incredible. I will say, my all time favorite music video is his cover of 'Hurt.' Originally done by Nine In Nails, written by Trent Reznor. There is such a power in Johnny Cash's version, it's almost chilling.  I watched an interview with his daughter. She explained that when the final version of the video was done, the family gathered together to watch it. At the conclusion, she looked at her Dad and said "It looked like you were saying good-bye." His response, 'I am.'  I believe that song was the perfect way to end his career.  Ending it with such power, such emotion. The Johnny Cash way.

In my opinion, he has been severely under appreciated by my generation.  He did it all. He did it his way. Even if you don't enjoy the music, appreciate the fact that he was true to what he wanted to do and stuck to ideas. Thank the Lord for that.

The rest of the day will be spent listening to my hundreds of Johnny tracks... and tonight, when I go out, I will be the girl dressed in black.

Nothing makes me....

smile more than when I receive pictures from friends showing me how they use my 'creations.'

Back story....
As an avid facebook reader stalker, I noticed one of my friends was contemplating painting a cabinet door with chalkboard paint. I immediately went nuts on her status and informed her that she better not even think about it again, and that I would take care of it... I might have posted 4 responses.. give or take 2.  I was pumped. Finally, I would be able to use some of the great deals I had picked up at my favorite-place-to-shop-ever store aka get rid of some of my 'crap.'

So the ideas started to swarm... I went into my inventory of 20ish cabinet fronts to find the perfect one.. and then I heard the bells on high ring and I saw it... in all it's beauty. This would be the piece I would use. The excitement grew.. I jumped around for a moment... Then it hit me.. 'Now what?' I can't just use the chalkboard paint... I mean... what fun is that? What type of personalization is that? None. I don't roll that way... So as I stared in sadness, it hit me like a ton of bricks... One of the things I love about this girl is that she started her own blog and about her and her now husband's life.  Ding! Her tag line was 'Celebrating the Great*ness of Life.' I know. I love it. I thought it would be perfect for a newlywed & new homeowner couple!

Unfortunately I did not take a before picture... but I have a picture of it for when I finished it...

However, this picture makes me totally happy. Knowing that it gets used, to me, is priceless. It means so much to me that I was able to provide a gift for a friends and at the same time fill a void. It just makes me all giddy inside.  ( I know it's blurry aaannnnd I know she's a really good photographer... but I'll take it ;) ).
Simple things make my day.

Take it easy.



pssst: I'm participating in another 'Paint Party.'

Weekly Words To Inspire

I cannot believe that this is the last full week before March! Where has the year gone?!

Here's the Weekly Words for you...

‘There are two ways to live, you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.’
Albert Einstein

“Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.”
Voltaire

It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything.
Chuck Palahniuk

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
Erma Bombeck

I saw this a few weeks back... I haven't been able to get it out of my head....
“Attitude is everything: I Choose To Thrive. “
-choosetothrive.blogspot.com

Have a good week.
Take it easy.

1000...

minutes...
The amount of time I've spent watching Roseanne. I have successfully completed seasons 1 and 2... working on the start of 3!

Oh how I love Netflix when I'm sick!

Weekly Words To Inspire

Hey All -

Sorry it's a little late tonight.. I've been rather under the weather this weekend...
So here they are.. drum roll please....

“You have to ‘Be’ before you can ‘Do’ and ‘Do’ before you can ‘Have’.
-Zig Ziglar

“More often in life, we end up regretting the chances in life that we had, but didn’t take them, than those chances that we took and wished we hadn’t.”
Anonymous

“Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better. Don’t wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom.”
Earl Shoaf

Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.  
Garrison Keillor

Isn’t this the truth?

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change.  If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change.  
John A. Simone, Sr.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Take it easy.

So Proud

So I've been seeing a lot of people do some cool stuff for keeping jewelery. So I figured I'd jump on it.
I was at one of my favorite places and bought this frame, for lets say... $1.50. I paid 5 bucks for everything I bough.. which was totally under-valued. But I wasn't complaining.

Anyways.. So here's what it started as...

Then I painted it black.. because black goes with everything, right?

After using some of my favorite things..

(Thanks Daddy for teaching me how to use a drill :) )

*hint I used the paint can opener thingy to twist some of the hooks.

Then I used hooks in the back.. strung some wire... and BLAM this is what I got.

I was really excited.. So I even tried to be 'artsy' with the photography. 

I'm so pumped. It seriously cost me only $1.50. I had everything on hand but the frame.

Who said cheap can't be beautiful?

Now... if I only wore my jewelery... hmm.

I'm going to go oogle this some more.

Take it easy.

Update: Check out Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After party!

or you can check out Domestically Speaking's Paint Party!

Weekly Words To Inspire

Well - it was a bittersweet weekend... My Stillers lost, but they put up a great fright. I believe the adversity that they overcame is underrated, but that's how we are in this great city. Additionally, the Pens lost Geno for the season.. that makes me feel horrible. They are truly going to miss him. High point for the week? Bon Jovi on Saturday! Whoop Whoop!

“It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life. The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated...it is finished when it surrenders.”
Ben Stein

“Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.”
Unknown

“You must never be satisfied with losing. You must get angry, terribly angry, about losing. But the mark of the good loser is that he takes his anger out on himself and not his victorious opponents or on his teammates.”
Richard M. Nixon

My favorite of the week

“Never stand begging for what you have the power to earn.”
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Take it Easy.

Oh Mama I'm in Fear

of winning the 7th Super Bowl...I mean, we have won MORE Super Bowls than anyone else. Whoop Whoop!

So today is the day. Today is the day we've been waiting for over a year. It's super bowl Sunday in the City of Steel. It's a day this city shows it heart and soul... It's a day where we should the nation, the world, who this city is. I've been up since 8. Ready for the game. I'm pumped. I'm ready. It's going to be a great game. It's going to be a hard fought game. But Black and Gold will come home with their 7th. Yes, their 7th Super Bowl victory. Need I say more?
If I needed another reason to love my team... It's because the night before, Tomlin didn't give a fiery speech. They didn't get all rowdy. Nope. They turned the lights down and listened to this song:

Yeah. My team is that awesome. AHHH. That's how we roll.

So before I go, I wanted to give the non-Pittsburghers a little taste of the classic 'Burgh songs.
As most people know - we are very into our Polka's. This is a classic. It is also played at any wedding reception worth going to.

"We're from the City with the great football team.."

Then we have this song.. Which was started in the 90's and has been updated ever since...
Again - this is played at weddings... A lot of times it's the entrance song.. however, you can bet, the terrible towels are waved.. even at a reception.

And finally. One of the most adrenalin filled songs. This video is showed at Heinz field, when the defense needs a lift. It has even been said that the PLAYERS call for it. It's the only time during the game that the screen actually goes black. To experience the energy when this video starts, it's unbelievable. As the story goes, STYX didn't even know that it was such a cult hit, such a game day favorite, until they were invited to play the song during a Steeler game. If those doesn't get your heart beating, your legs shaking.. I don't know what will. Please pay close attention to the fans as they realize the screen went black.. Additionally, I would like you to note the terrible towels swinging. I heard Ben say this morning that when the fans wave the towel, it's like they are sending their soul to the players. Accurate Ben. Very Accurate.

Woot Woot!

Go Steelers.

Bring home the 7th.

Yinz Christen's N'at

Okay. So... I'm in love with my city. My office mate has been making comments all day today about how much I love this city and how it makes him love the city. There are great reasons for my love affair.

This morning. At 6:30 AM (or close to it) I saw this video.

I need to start everyday with this video. For the rest of my life.
I love it.
Makes me smile.

Sunday is almost here!

One of the best thing about being in the Super Bowl is we are getting some amazing youtube videos. I just have to share.

I'm on cloud nine.

Let's hope for a win!

Enjoy!

Go Steelers.
Get it done.

Take it easy.

I Don't Want To Get Old!

So one of my favorite bands, ever, is Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers.. Affectionately known as 'SK6ers.'
I've been addicted to these guys for the past 6 years or so.  I have seen them every time they've been in da 'Burgh for the past couple years... They are absolutely great guys.. The music is amazing. They are just one of my top artists. With every album I never think I would love them more... but I am wrong.. I will say, download the WHOLE album.. as every song is awesome. is real. I love Stephen's voice. The Goose is an amazing musician. Boots, dude can play drums... voice... real good. and the new guy... I'm really starting to dig him.

Today - I can't stop listening to this song.

'It's summer in the city

We were hanging on the lawn

Talking all the time about

Where the time had gone

It's not the way I thought it be

It's not what I was told

I got a young heart and I don't

wanna get..

old, I never wanna get old

You get old, I never wanna get old"

Maybe it's all this football talk... Ya know.. The superbowl.. The Steelers... Maybe it's I'm lovin' life right now.. Whatever it is... makes me not want to get old.

BTW - I would totally suggest these guys. 'Diamond,' "See You Later, See you Soon.' 'Father's Day, and "Such A Way.' are a few of my favorites... I have one more that'll I'll share at a later date and time.. Perfect for those drama filled days!

Take it easy.

'Almost Heaven... with Seven!'

ppsst: Edit.. if that song doesn't make you want to get up and dance, then go back to bed. Because you should be shaking it!



Before I forget...

I had a temporary roommate last summer.... Before she left she took some pictures of this great city...
I had my brother do a little photoshop (Thanks D!) and now I have this... a project is surely coming.. but I had to share this picture...

Man I love this city....

"Jets Fans Get A Lesson In Humility Inside The 'Steel City'''

This is an absolute must read for all Pittsburgh fans. Additionally, I would like anyone who is unfamiliar with the City of Steel to read it. It's Pittsburgh. We are blue collar. We are tough. We are loyal. and man o' man are we proud of *our* boys.

Chewed Up and Spit Out in Pittsburgh

A fabulous quote from Mr. Howard Cosell (not part of the article!):

'"This is still the City of Champions. The cheering has stopped for now, but here, in Pittsburgh, the Renaissance City, the cheering will never stop," Mr. Cosell said. "When you play Pittsburgh, you play the whole city. Yes, it's still the City of Champions. It has nothing to do with victories. Pittsburgh has a winning character."


Have a great Tuesday!

Here we Go!