Freebies

While driving past a downtown park today, I glanced up and noticed this woman on the street corner. I was early for my meeting and I was curious, so I parked my car and got out to ask her about her story. 

She said she was inspire by this man and that she does this about once a week. I asked her how many people actually stop. "Quite a few." 

For a person offering free hugs to strangers, she was surprisingly reserved and...well...a little grumpy. She allowed me to take her picture only after I accepted my free hug. 

Ironically, I had to pay the parking meter 35 cents in order to cash in on my free hug. 

While I was standing there, this man came up and offered both of us hugs. She said, "See that's how it works. It gets passed on."  
I won't go overboard and say that she totally inspired me, but I will probably think twice about how much time I devote to kindness each day. 

Impacted

I did something this month that I haven't done since I the fourth grade.

I read the same book - from cover to cover - twice. 

Typically, I read a book as fast as I can. I love to read. I have a "reading list" that is one mile long. No time to reread books, no matter how great they are. 

But not this one. 

This book drilled into my heart, blowing it it wide open. 

It was straightforward. Simple. Beautiful. Terrifying. 

A continent, covered in graves, mourning a generation of lost adults. Millions of babies growing up without mothers. Without fathers. 

The book begged the question, "Who will raise our children?" 

And, like a schoolchild bouncing out of her chair with the right answer, my heart responded, "I will! I will! I will!" 

I had to read it twice. To be sure that I will take action. To get the facts straight. To know what I really want. 

Go now. Buy it. Read it. Think about it. 

Back to College

I'm working on a project with Colorado College this week. I am photographing the students who have received scholarships and the pictures will be included in a "thank you" presentation to the donors who made those scholarships possible. Here are a few of my favorites from today. Check the photo blog sometime next week for the completed project. 

Go Wildcats!

I took my niece to see High School Musical, The Ice Tour on Friday night. 

Clearly, she was very excited to see the show. To shorten the wait, we bought some mint-chocolate-chip ice cream. After she took her first bite, she exclaimed loudly, "OOHHH, this is exactly how it is supposed to taste." It was everything she had dreamed of! 
For two hours, the wildcats of East High entertained with flips, twirls, and cool ice-dance moves. Our seats were a little high...but this was ok because Arlee was convinced that it was actually Zach Efron and Vanessa Hudgens down there on the ice. I didn't have the heart to tell her otherwise. I'll tell her when she's older. 

And what show is complete without $10 cotton candy and a sparkly plastic hat?! 
At one point in the show, Troy Bolton took off his shirt, eliciting screams from some of the older audience members, but completely shocking the preschoolers that made up 75% of those in attendance. As soon as the shirt came off, a wide-eyed Arlee looked at me and said, "OH -- MMYYY -- GOSH. He should have done that behind the curtain." Totally inappropriate Troy, totally inappropriate. 
In the end, a good time was had by all and Troy and Gabriella continue to live happily-ever-after. 

Marketing Mishap

A conversation with my 5-year-old niece: 

ARLEE: "You know what? I don't like Hannah Montana anymore. Because, you know why? She took pictures in only her panties." 

ME: "I heard about that. What do you think about her taking pictures that way?" 

ARLEE: "It worried me."

Seriously. What was Miley Cyrus thinking? Doesn't she know her audience at all? 

My kitchen...

...has never seen so much action. 

I provided the ingredients

and then had nine girls over to cook me dinner. 

I could get used to this! 
Pikes Peak Volleyball 15-Regional 08/09. 
Here's to a great season!