We want a pitcher...not a belly itcher!

Today was the first official softball game for Dustin. His team is made up mostly of Young Life leaders or kids, with some other friends mixed in. They started the season out big with a double header which was filled with action. I went as a cheerleader and unofficial team photographer. But I won't report the scores of the games for two reasons:

1: Between the bumble bees, the numerous stray children and dogs and the pile of magazines I brought, it was difficult to keep track.

2: It's not whether you win or lose; it's how you play the game! (that may give you a hint as to the outcome....)

I'm sure Dustin will have his 2 cents to add, but his current shoulder injury may keep him off the keyboard for a bit! Regardless, it was a fun day and I got some great pictures (and a bit of a sunburn!) Summer is on its way!

Rick pitched a good 17 innings before his arm gave out. And that was only the first game!

Dustin is totally rocking the Michael Jackson glove.

The ladies enjoying the sunshine...I mean...serious game time action!

The guy standing on base is the 1st base judge. Otherwise he'd totally be safe.

I'm pretty sure this run ended in a hardcore slide, a collision and some major cleat marks. Worth it!

Our local Marmaduke totally wanted to get in on the fun.

Is it easy being green?

As I'm sure you have noticed, "green" fever has swept the nation. And while I'm a big fan of the enviornment (the ice caps! They're melting! Save the baby polar bears!) I am a little skeptical of the line between companies genuine concern, and their swift motions to capatilize on the public's fear du jour. I've got a lot of thoughts on this, that I can hopefully articulate at some point, but for now let's focus on a teeny-tiny piece of the puzzle that is (surprise!) fashion related.

Recently a new item came out that people have been dubbing "the new 'it' bag" (for those of you how don't usually concern yourself with that sort of thing: "it" refers to anything that is super hot, typically among celebrities, and then by default, the sheep-like masses). It's super cute, fits in with the eco-trend, costs $15, and impossible to obtain (thus securing "it" bag status).

Stopping global warming is so hot right now.

Now, making political statements via my cliché consumer purchases isn't exactly my thing ('Hot for Hillary" t shirts anyone?) but I have been searching for canvas grocery bags for a while. I haven't settled on anything yet though, as even the most basic items I've found are expensive (well, compared to the free -if earth killing-options from the store). And even if I found an affordable option, it seems a little silly to support the production of new products (cotton- even organic!- is apparently the newest eco-devil), not to mention the fuel required to ship them to me. So my little do-gooder act started to seemto less than helpful after all.

Thankfully, Martha comes to the rescue (again...), with "greenteebags"- shopping bags made out of old t-shirts.

I heart sustainability

Goodness knows Dustin and I have some extra t-shirts lying around, so maybe I will give this a try. (In true American *cough*lazy*cough* style, bags are available for purchase, but instructions to make your own are here.) The patrons at the neighborhood Giant Eagle are sure to be impressed by my eco-savvy/fashionista ways. Now that's hot

Found via: aesthetic outburst

The Summer of Awesome

I love summer!

LOVE it!!

Three best reasons for becoming a teacher... June, July, and August.

For 5 years of being a teacher, I wasted every summer. Yeah... I took a vacation here and there. I played some golf. I got tan and went to the pool a couple of times, but I never really took advantage of the summer months. I never got a summer job (said I would...never did), I watched too much TV and spent too much time feeling lousy about wasting the beautifil weather.

However, I'm not a teacher anymore. I'm in the corporate world now baby. So what am I doing this summer? Taking advantage! Here's a list of activities:

1.) Biking to work - I actually got a bike today and will start making the trek to work here soon.
2.) Joined the company rowing team. - That's right. Once a week I will row on the company crew team. At the end of practice we get "beverages" donated to us by Penn Brewery. Awesome!
3.) Young Life Softball Team - Througout the summer I will be playing softball. We'll play either one or two games on Sunday afternoons.
4.) Half Day Fridays - These are not guaranteed, but I'm pretty sure that from Memorial day to Lador day I'll get out on Fridays at noon. I plan on playing as much golf as I can.

So with all that, I think this will be the first summer in a while where I won't feel like I wasted it completely. I'll have a job, have outside activities, and have a vacation or two. What more could I ask for?

So I ask you... What are your summer plans? I know some people who already have every weekend booked, some who are getting married... the list goes on. So share some of your plans! Connect with the blog community. Don't assume I know your plans already. (because I probably don't!)

Late(r) Day Bride

As you all know...I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Gmail. Well, rather than question the snooping tendencies, or even the relevancy of the suggested links, I’ve decided to go with the flow, and open myself up to the wise teachings gmail has for me. So when it suggested I visit Latter Day Bride website (your source for “stylish, Modest Wedding Dresses, Modest Bridesmaid Dresses and Modest Prom Dresses.”) I didn’t ask questions. I surrendered to the clicking and explored the possibilities. And as it turns out- Gmail is not confused about my religion, or my marital status. No, it understands my sense of humor and wanted to make sure I didn’t miss out on this gem:

For the young bride who has found herself in a bit of a pickle...but wants to keep her modest image. After all...you show your shoulders...who knows what could happen?!! (maybe they don’t realize that ship already sailed?) My favorite part is that this same website has a separate category for Reception Gowns (which have “colorful accents such as off white, cream, and beige”) because no LDS bride would dare wear anything but Blindingly Pure White at her ceremony.

Even if she is knocked up.

Oh, this old thing?

Well, I'm sick again. Yep, again. Between the mystery cold of near death proportions, and the harrowing case of maybe scabies (ok, I exaggerate!) and now my newest ailment, I have been to the doctor 3 times in a month and a half. This is especially strange, considering the fact that before this streak of calamaties I hadn't been to the doctor in as long as I can remember. I didn't even have a doctor in Cincinnati if that tells you anything. I stayed home a couple days this week, but eventually had to drag myself back to work. Don’t worry: I brought supplies...

Ready to attack the day. And by attack, I mean survive. Barely.

But, lest our blog become a mundane rerun (already? That’s like doing a clip show in your first season! See: “creative laziness, possibly even a sign that the show [ahem, blog] has jumped the shark”), let me reassure you. I have an update! Remember my recent artistic aspirations? Well my nesting dolls have arrived! And the packaging alone was worth the purchase price. Check out the parcel I received (which required a signature upon delivery no less). I was pretty sure it contained a live chicken. Or a bomb.

And the address label...is this a real place?

I know they’re called Matryoshka, but I didn’t realize Amazon would ship them directly from behind the Iron Curtain (what? Does that not exist anymore? No history lessons today...my head already hurts!) But inside the old-world packaging were my tiny wooden dolls; blank canvases, ready for a fresh dose of creativity.
Too bad I’m fresh out of inspiration this week. 'Pretty nesting fun time' will have to wait until the hazy clouds of sickness have parted. Soon, I hope.

Congratulazioni!

Wanted to give a quick "holla" to our friend and former roommate Sarah. She and her fiancé Matt are getting married in June. They may look like identical twins at first glance, but they are actually best friends, and a very loving couple. They've been doing the long distance thing for a while (which you know Dustin and I can sympathize with!) and now their wedding is just around the corner! They just got her engagement pictures taken and Sarah shared the link to her photographer Neysa Ruhl. The photos are absolutely beautiful! Makes me want to get married all over again!

Congratulations you two!
Everyone else: check out the happy couple all the lovey-dovey glory.



Photos copywrite Neysa Ruhl Photography