Amazing…isn’t it?
As I sat down to write my blog today I had a few different ideas come to mind. However, 
one kept reoccuring the longer I thought about it. I have been fortunate in my lifetime to have known 5 of my great grandparents. And even more fortunately, to this day, I am still very blessed to have 2 great grandparents in my life. This past week, on August 27th, my great grandpa Sherburne, turned 103. And coming up on September 7th my great grandma Edna, is turning 96 years young.
When I think about all of the events and moments they have experienced in their lives, it is truly amazing and mind boggling. Just think of it…the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Civil Right Movement, the Assassination of JFK, the invention of the computer, the explosion of the Challenger, Columbine, the first Republican female Vice Presidential candidate, and the first African American Presidential candidate, of course I could go on and on, but it is truly AMAZING!
With all of their life experiences, I have gained great wisdom and hope from their stories of struggle and success. I am thankful each day that they have enriched and helped mold my life, and the lives of others around them.
Happy Birthday Grandpa & Grandma!!
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Uncategorized on September 5th, 2008 by Angie | | 0 Comments
Stay Productive With To-Do Lists!
I don’t know about you, but I am one on those people that likes lists. They not only help me stay organized, but I just seem to get way more accomplished when I write things down. Right now, we are in the process of moving, and I don’t know what I’d do without my lists. The process of moving can feel overwhelming at times, but by writing tasks down to complete, I at least feel that I’m making progress and getting somewhere.
Like many others, I use to-do lists both at work and at home to help me keep track of projects and tasks that need to get completed. Some people however, feel trapped by lists because they always feel like there is something that has to be done. (e.g. When I get this done, I can do that.) According to When To-Do Lists Take Over, an article found in the April/May 2007 issue of Body + Soul magazine, “It’s a common but deadly trap in which we use to-do lists to put off the present and focus, instead, on the future — either waiting for it to begin or hurrying to get there. We instead need to think of lists as tools by which you learn to live each moment.” Often it is a better idea to write down just those things that can be accomplished in a day.
Following are a few links for some online To-Do Lists to help you stay organized:
http://www.solutionwatch.com/450/25-to-do-lists-to-stay-productive/
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on August 28th, 2008 by Barb | | 2 Comments
Pickle Juice Popsicles?…Only At The Minnesota State Fair!
Last Friday, I got a chance to visit this year’s Minnesota State Fair. It was a hot and humid day, so the majority of our time was spent outside people watching, as the indoor exhibits were much too stuffy! The whole day I was anticipating the Grandstand event of the evening…Brad Paisley with special guests, Jewel, and Chuck Wicks. 
Before the concert, we had a great day and saw some very interesting events, including a marriage proposal on the 5:00 p.m. Kare 11 newscast, polka dancing at the International Bazaar stage, and of course, all of the interesting food stands!
I don’t know about you, but every year, I look forward to hearing what the new food “on a stick,” will be at the fair. This year, I had heard a lot about chocolate covered bacon, and pickle juice popsicles. While both of these sounded interesting, I was not brave enough to try either. Maybe I am boring…or traditional, but I stuck to the old stand-by’s of french fries and corn dogs. Take a look at some of the photos below for other strange, but interesting items on a stick.
We finished the day off with the big finale, the Brad Paisley concert. He played all of my favorites, including Waitin’ on a Woman, Whiskey Lullaby, I’m Still a Guy, Letter to Me, Mud on the Tires, She’s Everything, and Celebrity. It was great!
I hope you get a chance to experience the fair this year!!
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Uncategorized on August 25th, 2008 by Angie | | 2 Comments
Now That’s Refreshing!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t watch much TV these days. I kind of boycotted it over the last several years because of all of those reality TV shows. Sure I catch some TV from time to time, but I much prefer the good old sit-coms, an interesting series, or a good movie.
Anyway—it has been refreshing the last week, or so watching the Olympics! I’ve always enjoyed the spirit of all of the various countries coming together, as well as the competition. My favorite event has always been gymnastics! There’s just something about the strength, endurance, and elegance that has always drawn me to it. Last night, I was able to catch the girls un-even parallel bars event. Although there were some fantastic performances, I’m not sure I agree with the out-come, and their new tie-breaking rule. If it were my decision, I would have given both the USA and China a gold. Life isn’t always fair…but that’s another whole blog.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on August 19th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
2008 Summer Olympics
I have been looking forward to the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games all summer. And now it is finally here, Friday (8/8/08), will kickoff the global tradition that has been around for thousands of years. This year the Olympics will take place in Beijing, China. 
With that said, I felt it appropriate to research some interesting facts and tidbits about the Olympics. Did you know:
- The five rings on the Olympic flag represent the five significant continents and are interconnected to symbolize the friendship to be gained from the international competitions.
- The Olympic motto is a borrowed Latin phrase: Citius, Altius, Fortius (”Swifter, Higher, Stronger”).
- 1912 was the last year that the Olympic Gold metals were produced out of entirely pure gold.
- Women first competed in the Games in 1900.
- The Olympic Games is the largest single broadcast event in the world, broadcast in 220 countries to more than 3.5 bilion people.
- Four Boeing 747 jumbo jets could have fit side by side in the Olympic Stadium in Australia.
For more interesting facts and information visit the following websites:
http://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts.htm
http://www.didyouknow.cd/sport/olympics.htm
http://www.firstscience.com/SITE/editor/067_ramblings_13082004.asp
Enjoy the Games and feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Uncategorized on August 6th, 2008 by Angie | | 4 Comments
Boycott Those Plastic Bags!
I don’t know about you, but I never have liked those plastic bags you get at various grocery, or department stores. They are flimsy, and your groceries never stay in them properly. When asked, “Do you want paper or plastic?,” my response was always, “Paper!” Several months ago, however, I purchased several re-useable cloth bags, which I like much better. They hold way more items, and are environmentally friendly.
I don’t know if you are a fan of the plastic bag, but I wanted to pass along a link regarding them that I received the other week. It is very interesting and has some astonishing information in it. Hopefully after reading it, you will change your mind about plastic bags and either bring your own, or use the paper bag (if they even offer it)!
(Use the bar on the right side of the slideshow to scroll through it.)
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MULTIMEDIA02/80505016
Thanks for reading and please pass it along!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on July 29th, 2008 by Barb | | 8 Comments
Won’t Back Down!
Summer is a always a great time to enjoy a concert, and last night, we enjoyed a good one…Tom Petty. As usual, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers put on great show, which was held this year, at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. The show included several of his classics including: “Free Falling,” “Running Down a Dream,” “Breakdown,” and of course an on-core ending with…”American Girl.”
The song however, that struck me was, “I Won’t Back Down!” It is funny how song lyrics make you think about certain things. While listening to the lyrics, I thought to myself, “This could be the theme for the stone industry.” With the rise in myths and false claims, the industry is fighting back, and “Won’t Back Down,” especially in regards to radon.
Anyway—enough about these thoughts about work. Back to the concert…The music was good and overall, the show was a hit for both fans young and old.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Following is the playlist from the concert:
- You Wreck Me
- Listen to Her Heart
- I Won’t Back Down
- Even the Losers
- Free Fallin
- Mary Jane
- End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys)
- Breakdown
- Saving Grace
- A Face in the Crowd
- Honey Bee
- Learning to Fly
- Don’t Come Around Here No more.
- Refugee ENCORE
- Runnin’ Down a Dream
- Gloria (Van Morrison)
- American Girl
Following are some photos from the concert:
Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Posted in Uncategorized, Granite on July 24th, 2008 by Barb | | 2 Comments
Surround Yourself With Positive Thoughts!
Positive thinking helps promote well being, happiness, and an overall good mood, but with today’s changing ecomomy, it is sometimes hard to stay positive. The news media is constantly bombarding us with bad news. They are notorious for it, and they do their best to pass along as many negative stories to the general public as they can. From television, newspapers, radio, and the internet, todays technology allows us to access information quickly, and with so much focus on bad news, it is easy to get caught up in it all.
Most people have enough conflict and problems in their own lives to sometimes bring them down. If you top that off with more negative news stories from the media, it is bound to eventually effect your mood. What most people don’t realize is that there is a lot of good news out in the world too. In fact, there are way more good things going on than bad. We just don’t always hear about them. Earlier this year, my husband and myself basically stopped watching the nightly news because we were tired of all of the negativity. Of course from time to time we tune in, but for the most part, we don’t subject ourselves to it. It is much easier to stay positive about work, family, etc., when you aren’t constantly hearing how bad everything is.
To help keep positive, I wanted to pass along a few links to some websites, that I enjoy. They provide positive, inspirational thoughts and stories—Something we can all use more of!
- Ode Magazine: Their print and online publications provide positive news, about people and ideas that are changing our world for the better.
- Think Arete.com: A great website that I came across when I was searching for inspiritational quotes that provides inspiration, wisdom, and philosophy.
- Guideposts: Their magazine and website provides inspiring, uplifting stories about everyday people.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on July 21st, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Learning Links: 07/10/08
Since we install quite a few granite bar tops every year, I thought it would be nice to share some information to help stock and accessorize them. You should be able to get some ideas for wine racks, lights, glassware, signs, etc., from the following websites. They have some pretty cool stuff.
Accessorize Your Granite Bar Top:
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized, Granite on July 10th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Unschedule Your Life!
Many peoples lives today are busy and over-scheduled. From the time we wake up, to the time we go to bed, our days are full with work, meetings, kids activities, chores, etc. Even our weekends have become over-planned. What many people don’t realize however, is that too much planning and scheduling has become routine and can have a negative effect.
According to the article, “Unplan Your Life,” found in the July/August 2008 issue of Body + Soul magazine, “Routines essentially allow the body to allocate resources elsewhere and conserve energy. But while patterned thought and behavior keep things running smoothly, routine also has a dark side: rigidity. Some research has found that people who don’t make room for enjoyable “noninstrumental” activity (reading for pleasure, chatting with a friend) may experience more stress—and that, in turn, can contribute to problems like depression, anxiety, weakened immunity, and heart disease,” states Christine Caldwell, PhD of Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.
While schedules and to-do lists help us to be organized, and are necessary for many of us, we all need to stray from them a bit and be open to some unscheduled time, where we can enjoy ourselves.
Following are a few ways to help unschedule your life from the article:
- Pencil It In—See your schedule as a sketch of what you might like to do instead of a rigid to-do list with things that have to get done. Be open to situations, circumstances, or things that come up. If you just allow yourself to partake in a situation, you might just end up having a good time. (i.e. Spending a day with family, friends, meeting an old acquaintance, or visiting a location that you’ve never seen before, etc.)
- Tweak a Habit–Instead of making some sort of drastic change in your life, just try and change a regular habit, or routine a bit. Subtle changes can make a big difference, and add a bit of variety, or opportunity to your life. (i.e. Try a different coffee shop, change your regular walking, or biking route, etc.)
- Rejigger Your To-Do List—”We get stuck in what should happen, whether it’s this moment, or our whole lives, that we stop hearing what we authentically want to do.” It is common to confuse pre-made plans with priorities. While you may want to get some chores around the house done, there is nothing wrong with setting your to-do list aside to just enjoy a beautiful, sun-shining day. Why not go fishing, water skiing, boating, biking, etc.? The household chores, etc. can wait—maybe for the next rainy weekend.
- Say Yes—It is easy to say “No” when our schedules are full, but “we often say no out of habit and fear because it keeps us from having to take a risk,” according to Patricia Ryan Madson author of Improv Wisdom: Don’t Prepare, Just Show Up. It can be fun however, to say “Yes!” Try and Say Yes to the next halfway descent invitation you get. Why not see a movie, go to someone’s lake cabin. etc. You might just end up having a good time!
- Wing It—Sometimes it is just nice to have a day that is totally unplanned. You could do this, or that, but why not just wing it and go with the flow? Vacations can also be an opportunity to just wing it. Sometimes vacations end up being too scheduled, where you have to be here, or there at a certain time and you end up feeling stressed. They don’t have to be though. Why not plan a vacation where you don’t have to be here, or there and have the opportunity to just make decisions, just as they come up?
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized, Business on July 8th, 2008 by Barb | | 2 Comments
