If I could have a do-over today...

There was a knock at my door while I was talking to my friend on the phone. I rush downstairs thinking it is probably my landlord dropping off a new push lawn mower. Instead is was a disheveled man, homeless with slurred speech. I understand 1/2 the sentences, but put it together he wants money. It is the middle of the day and I'm home alone with a large man standing at my door. I immediately feel uncomfortable. My guard goes up. After he gives me his story I say
"I'm sorry no thank you" and try to get him off my front porch as soon as possible. He begins to beg and yell at me, telling me how hungry he is. I close the door and lock it.

I walk upstairs to finish my phone conversation. And then I think about what just happened to me. What would it be like to be so hungry that I'm willing to eat my pride and walk door to door asking for money? What would it be like to set aside my self-preservation to help someone else in need? I could have offered him food since I don't feel comfortable giving money. I could have told him I would be right back and shut the door momentarily while I went and got something from the kitchen. Instead I shut the door...

outer banks

So I'm having issues with formatting my blog right now. these are random pictures from our vacation last week. the G clan stayed at a huge beach house with a private pool and tons of bedrooms. the beach was about 200 yards from our front door and the evenings were spent on a huge covered deck.

kitchen herbs

the beginning...

Homemade apron

my first apron that i sewed. i took a class at Joann Fabric which got me started in the right direction and i finished it, but actually this isn't the first apon. i followed the pattern exactly and it was huge. so this is actually the second apron.

Outdoor Films!

It's time for summer evenings in the park, picnicking and watching movies. Here's the links:

Cherry Creek North does Thursdays July and August. No schedule posted yet.

Confluence Park (across from Denver REI) Thursdays August.

Denver Parks has 10 movies at various Parks around Denver.

City of Golden shows films Fridays in August with the picturesque Table Mountain in the back ground.

And Jazz in the Park at City Park on Sunday evenings.

warm milk

i've heard the old wives tale about drinking warm milk before going to bed helps you sleep. well i'm pretty sure it works to soothe my soul as it is now my nightly ritual. it quiets my brain from racing and a little bit of syrup helps it go down.

the next thing on the list

we read this book for book club and it was definitely a beach read book, but it got us thinking about lists. you know the bucket list, things you got to get done before you kick the bucket. and it could be thought of narcissistic, all the things i have to do in my life to be satisfied and really felt like i LIVED. but it could also teach us to live intentionally which i do about 5% of the time.

i like lists, my husband makes fun of me because i really would like a list for each day so i feel focused and motivated. without a list i'm aimless with my day, i fritter away hours on the computer or in front of the tv or just napping. if a have a physical, written out list, things will get done, but if it's ambiguous list in my head, forget about it.

so i've started to think about what i need to do intentionally with motivation and focus, the life goals. here's the beginning of my list, a work in progress!

• run a marathon and finish
• knit my husband a sweater that's cool enough for him to wear
• be a good gardener so that i can make a salad completely from my bounty
• go to alaska
• love until it hurts (cannot quantify this, but pretty sure i'll know when it happens)
• master forgiveness
• really know my neighbors
• show each member of my family how much i love them
• learn to sew well enough to make an apron
  
• learn photography

what's on your list? anything i need to add?