The title of this post is a quote that has recently become near and dear to my heart. As I mentioned in my profile, I'm on a journey to figure out who and what I want to be. One of the facets of this journey is discovering things that you are passionate about and that light a fire in you.
Some call these things crafts. Some call them hobbies. Some call them "things that fill downtime." I call them "things you really love."
I have been on the hunt for things that I can do that I really love...what am I passionate about? I gave scrapbooking a whirl for a little while. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't something that I was dying to do when 5:30 rolled around. I've been known to attempt crafts...I would love to become a big DIY'er (a Do-It-Yourself'er) someday, so that will be a "passion-in-progress."
Someone who has helped me on this journey to discover my passions is a man named Tom Gerdy. As you know, I don't typically drop real life names in this blog for security/anonymity purposes, but I think the world should know about this man - because he gets it..he gets what life is all about.
Tom is a general contractor by trade, but an inspiration after hours. Now, he wouldn't tell you that, but it's true. He gives of his time, his skill, and even monetarily to people and organizations that need him. He was even honored with a 'Man of the Year' award from the Children's Miracle Network. Yeah, like I said, he's awesome! :)
Anyways, I met Tom through a work project, in which we had him lead in a home-improvement project. It was a major project on a major time-crunch deadline, and you know how this guy inspired me? He taught me how to help in a field completely and utterly out of my comfort zone and never made me feel like I was a waste of his time, or in the way of his progress.
Along with Tom were his band of brothers, including Chuck and Larry...two others who had the same philosophy - teach them what to do and put them to work. The three of them, as well as many others from so many states in the USA, are part of a group called the Habitat Roadtrip Crazies, and they go all over the country helping Habitat For Humanity chapters that really need the help finishing homes. Many times, they help in what are known as "blitz builds," which are home constructions that happen over a weekend. Sometimes, they have enough volunteers to complete multiple homes in ONE WEEKEND. It really is a beautiful thing, and if you ever get the chance to check one out, or better yet HELP, do it. It'll change your life.
When Tom invited me to take part in a blitz build that they were doing in a town near my hometown, I said, "why not, let's do it!"
Sure, I was signing up to work my "real" job all week long (40 hours), and then report for duty Saturday morning at 8:30am, work until after 6pm, go to dinner, go home, go to sleep, wake up and report for duty Sunday morning at 8:30am and work until it was done - okay, in a nutshell, this would be my first 7-day work week in a long while. Crazy, right?
If you think that's crazy, stay tuned for Part Two.
Chicken Wing
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
It's Always Something...
Grr....okay, this is the official first "rant" post that I've written. I have had struggle after struggle with my washing machine, which I bought from a man who "fixes" them and resells them. I know, it wasn't my most intelligent move, but it has worked for several months now.
That is, until today. Just now actually....you know, when I started to see and smell smoke and had to turn it off and unplug it. "Just great," I said aloud.
Oh, I was just washing A WHOLE LOAD OF TOWELS, which are now soaking wet...much too wet to put into the dryer. So, it looks like this is the end of our makeshift washing machine.
It's times like these that make it seem like there is always something else that is going to go wrong. Mr. Chicken Wing and I are still fairly young, and so that naturally means we're not wealthy.
I would like to take this time to thank my followers for following my rant, and thank you for tolerating it. I hope that there will not be many posts like these...only when I have to spend several hundred dollars to buy something that I already bought and was told would work. You know, in times like those, I might have to rant a bit. But it will be shortlived and I won't let it get me down.
I'd like to invite any followers or readers to comment on this question:
When you were in the early years of being in the "real world," what struggles did you face and how did you get through them?
And, I'd like to also leave on a good note, because leaving on a bad one would be...well, bad! :)
"In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry, you make it double,
Don't worry, be happy."
-The Great Bobby McFerrin
Until next time,
The Trying-Not-To-Be-Angry Chicken Wing
That is, until today. Just now actually....you know, when I started to see and smell smoke and had to turn it off and unplug it. "Just great," I said aloud.
Oh, I was just washing A WHOLE LOAD OF TOWELS, which are now soaking wet...much too wet to put into the dryer. So, it looks like this is the end of our makeshift washing machine.
It's times like these that make it seem like there is always something else that is going to go wrong. Mr. Chicken Wing and I are still fairly young, and so that naturally means we're not wealthy.
I would like to take this time to thank my followers for following my rant, and thank you for tolerating it. I hope that there will not be many posts like these...only when I have to spend several hundred dollars to buy something that I already bought and was told would work. You know, in times like those, I might have to rant a bit. But it will be shortlived and I won't let it get me down.
I'd like to invite any followers or readers to comment on this question:
When you were in the early years of being in the "real world," what struggles did you face and how did you get through them?
And, I'd like to also leave on a good note, because leaving on a bad one would be...well, bad! :)
"In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry, you make it double,
Don't worry, be happy."
-The Great Bobby McFerrin
Until next time,
The Trying-Not-To-Be-Angry Chicken Wing
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sooo Excited!!!!
Everyone always says that you should make time for yourself or you should do something just for you. Some people take bubble baths. Some get manicures, pedicures, or massages (or if they're extremely lucky, ALL THREE). As for me, I've just made the decision of what to do for myself that's just for Chicken Wing.
Chicken Wing decided that in addition to talking in third person, she also wanted a yearly subscription to Real Simple magazine. So guess what?!?!
Chicken Wing did it!
I can't wait for my first issue to arrive! I even am supposed to receive a free gift for signing up. This magazine is one of the most practical and helpful reads imaginable. From their "daily inspiration" articles to their "New Uses for Old Things" column, there is something for everyone between the covers of that magazine. I think my favorite thing about this mag is that, for some reason, when I read it, I really feel connected to the content....like they knew I had a question about a better way to do something, and they felt compelled to answer it to help me out.
So, if you would like to check it out, go to their website. It's pretty awesome, and it's divided into sections across the top, so just click on the category that speaks to you, whether it's 'Home & Organizing,' 'Work & Life,' or 'Beauty & Fashion.'
Click the logo below to visit RealSimple.com.
Enjoy this new way to better yourself and your life!
Chicken Wing
Chicken Wing decided that in addition to talking in third person, she also wanted a yearly subscription to Real Simple magazine. So guess what?!?!
Chicken Wing did it!
I can't wait for my first issue to arrive! I even am supposed to receive a free gift for signing up. This magazine is one of the most practical and helpful reads imaginable. From their "daily inspiration" articles to their "New Uses for Old Things" column, there is something for everyone between the covers of that magazine. I think my favorite thing about this mag is that, for some reason, when I read it, I really feel connected to the content....like they knew I had a question about a better way to do something, and they felt compelled to answer it to help me out.
So, if you would like to check it out, go to their website. It's pretty awesome, and it's divided into sections across the top, so just click on the category that speaks to you, whether it's 'Home & Organizing,' 'Work & Life,' or 'Beauty & Fashion.'
Click the logo below to visit RealSimple.com.
Enjoy this new way to better yourself and your life!
Chicken Wing
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Site I'm Loving Right Now!!!
For those of you who know me, you know that I consider myself to be multifaceted. On one hand, I love to dress with the trends...on the other hand, I love to stay with the classics. The same is true for basically everything that deals with this Chicken Wing - from favorite colors, to music, to movies, to books, etc.
I think it may have something to do with that whole "attention-span-of-fruit-fly" thing. :) Either way, when I find something that I really like, I love sharing it with all of my friends, so that is what this entry is about.
If there is one thing that you can always count on to be in style, it is the "sickening-to-some but adorable-to-most" classic preppy style!!! I, for one, LOVE anything monogrammed. I also love containers - you know...pretty things that are meant to contain other things. That might just be considered an obsession of mine, but we should probably just save that for another post.
Back to preppy...no matter what you're looking for, Preppy Monogrammed Gifts is the place for you! They have the most adorable items, and they are all ready to dazzle you with their preppy goodness!
Follow this link to go straight to the store:
www.preppymonogrammedgifts.com
Some items of theirs that I adore are the mousepads, beach towels, drink koozies, and their bags! They also have a fairly new jewelry line that is really cute, too! My favorite thing about this site is how customizable their products are - you really have a lot of options, which ultimately means you get what you want, and that is what I look for when I shop!
Hope this satisfies your preppy craving for the day!
Yours truly,
Chicken Wing
I think it may have something to do with that whole "attention-span-of-fruit-fly" thing. :) Either way, when I find something that I really like, I love sharing it with all of my friends, so that is what this entry is about.
If there is one thing that you can always count on to be in style, it is the "sickening-to-some but adorable-to-most" classic preppy style!!! I, for one, LOVE anything monogrammed. I also love containers - you know...pretty things that are meant to contain other things. That might just be considered an obsession of mine, but we should probably just save that for another post.
Back to preppy...no matter what you're looking for, Preppy Monogrammed Gifts is the place for you! They have the most adorable items, and they are all ready to dazzle you with their preppy goodness!
Follow this link to go straight to the store:
www.preppymonogrammedgifts.com
Some items of theirs that I adore are the mousepads, beach towels, drink koozies, and their bags! They also have a fairly new jewelry line that is really cute, too! My favorite thing about this site is how customizable their products are - you really have a lot of options, which ultimately means you get what you want, and that is what I look for when I shop!
Hope this satisfies your preppy craving for the day!
Yours truly,
Chicken Wing
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Daily Inspiration!
On rainy days, when the week is dragging on and on and on and on, it is extremely easy for your mind to become filled with negative thoughts. I believe I read somewhere that this is actually a scientific thing (chemicals being released in your brain or something like that).
Either way, whenever you're faced with situations like that, where all you can think about are the things you can't change or things that didn't work out as you would have liked them to, I always find it helpful to read the words of someone who really seems to know what they're talking about.
This brings me to the following quote, and it is from an anonymous source. (I figure they must not want to be subjected to the 'celebrity' status of being a genius, because their words are phenomenal).
"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have." - Anonymous
Tell me that doesn't put things in perspective! I think it's all about attitude adjustment...even though sometimes I have a hard time getting into the right frame of mind, it is nice to have words like that to remind me to get on the right track!
Hope this helps someone out there!
Chicken Wing
Either way, whenever you're faced with situations like that, where all you can think about are the things you can't change or things that didn't work out as you would have liked them to, I always find it helpful to read the words of someone who really seems to know what they're talking about.
This brings me to the following quote, and it is from an anonymous source. (I figure they must not want to be subjected to the 'celebrity' status of being a genius, because their words are phenomenal).
"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have." - Anonymous
Tell me that doesn't put things in perspective! I think it's all about attitude adjustment...even though sometimes I have a hard time getting into the right frame of mind, it is nice to have words like that to remind me to get on the right track!
Hope this helps someone out there!
Chicken Wing
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
It's raining, it's pouring....
Holy cow, it's raining cats and dogs right now! I'm not sure why I felt the need to share that (since most of my readers already know that), but we are having quite the thunderstorm. I guess it's okay since apparently we need the rain.
Hopefully it will clear up before this weekend, when my baby sister is set to graduate from college! I can't believe that! I am officially getting old! Haha!
Either way, old or not, I am super excited to see my family! They are the best about attending every single important family event they possibly can. Like I said in my profile, I have the BEST family in the entire world!
My words of wisdom to my faithful followers: make sure you thank the Lord for your family. They make the journey we call life worthwhile, and at the end of the day, they are the ones who will always be there for you. If you're even half as blessed as I am in the family department, you should give God an extra special round of thanks.
Until next time,
Chicken Wing
Hopefully it will clear up before this weekend, when my baby sister is set to graduate from college! I can't believe that! I am officially getting old! Haha!
Either way, old or not, I am super excited to see my family! They are the best about attending every single important family event they possibly can. Like I said in my profile, I have the BEST family in the entire world!
My words of wisdom to my faithful followers: make sure you thank the Lord for your family. They make the journey we call life worthwhile, and at the end of the day, they are the ones who will always be there for you. If you're even half as blessed as I am in the family department, you should give God an extra special round of thanks.
Until next time,
Chicken Wing
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The cutest babies in the world!
Haven't introduced the most adorable babies in the world to my blog yet, so here they are!
CiCi
MuChi (pronouned Mooo-chee)
It's just crazy how happy pets can make you. Coming home to a pet that's always happy to see you and has absolutely no sense of time is the difference between a good day and a bad day sometimes....if I've had the worst day, and I come home to see them - so excited that they can hardly stand it - my day completely turns around. It's a small gift that can't be matched by anything else!
Love those babies!
Chicken Wing
CiCi
MuChi (pronouned Mooo-chee)
It's just crazy how happy pets can make you. Coming home to a pet that's always happy to see you and has absolutely no sense of time is the difference between a good day and a bad day sometimes....if I've had the worst day, and I come home to see them - so excited that they can hardly stand it - my day completely turns around. It's a small gift that can't be matched by anything else!
Love those babies!
Chicken Wing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
