i'll be a good person.

“Anything is possible”

World peace? Can we make that possible?

OK, fine that’s a long stretch. Maybe just some resemblance of peace. How about eliminating violence? I could be happy with that peace. That would be a start.

I’ve had harsh words spewed at me before and I’m still standing. I got over them, as most people do. 

Violence, though. Any kind. I’m not going to minimize it down to one specific category... From young black men dying by the hands of a cop to a group of innocent people killed by a lunatic driving a van. I used to think it was absolutely crazy of me to think “it’ll get worse before it gets better” because there was a stigma attached to it that I was somehow hoping for the worst. But now I know that was naive. Crazy right? Naive of me to think that it’s going to get really, really bad and then it’ll get better. 

I didn’t think that there ever needed to be a movement to show, or even vocalize that you’re a good person. It should be assumed, right? I don't know... maybe we should. Maybe I have to actively pronounce that I am not unnecessarily rude or willing to incite violence. Maybe I need to announce to the world that I am not racist or homophobic. I was raised with good intentions. Love first. Get to know someone... don’t assume their story.

I've stayed quiet for so long. I stayed quiet because I didn't want to upset those who "didn't want to hear it" and I stayed quiet because, honestly, I didn't think people cared what my own personal, measly opinion would be... But maybe we, as a nation, need to collectively announce we're good people. Maybe that's where we need to go, for now.

I promise to always try to be the best person that I can. I promise to not judge you, or be prejudice. I promise to be the example of the people that I would like to see populate my generation, and the generations to come.

I'll be a good person.

Going places and then, staying right here.

You know those times when life is like, "HERE ARE ALL OF THE LEMONS! You've earned them!!" And then you run and tell everyone that you're making the lemonade that day for lunch, only to open the satchel and find out that they're all moldy? Isn't that life, sometimes? 

I think life is like a bungee cord, and if it goes up too high, it's inevitably going to go back down quick. Over-all though, it's pretty good at keeping you on the straight and narrow. 

Here is my edition of life going places, and then.... staying right here. Enjoy! 

Going places: Getting a promotion at work and feeling like a boss!
Staying right here: Getting home from work and re-sewing a pillow that your dog destroyed. 

Going places: Fill up my gas tank, got an oil change and washed my car.
Staying right here: Get rear ended and can't drive my car for two weeks.

Going places: Get a beautiful, big candle for Christmas that you can't wait to light!
Staying right here: dropping the candle on the floor and shattering the glass jar it's in.

Going places: Taking a shower, cleaning your sheets and getting ready for the perfect night sleep.
Staying right here: Dog gets sprayed by a skunk.

Going places: Buying all the ingredients to make a fancy, delicious dinner.
Staying right here: Burns everything within five minutes of prepping.

BUT ... then there's always the opposite.

Staying right here: Feeling stuck in a rut and not sure how to get out of it.
Going places: Getting a promotion at work, and praises! 

Staying right here: Getting rear ended right before a trip
Going places: Getting to drive a rental (FREE OF CHARGE, I might add) which has much more space and is much nicer to drive on your trip.

Staying right here: Breaking that candle you were really excited to use.
Going places: Sympathetic husband buys a new candle.

Staying right here: Dog gets sprayed by a skunk 
Going places: Leaving the next day to go on a week long, tropical vacation! (OK, this one is kind of mean because poor Cade still had to stay home and take care of stinky Frankie... Sorry Cade!)

Staying right here: Completely destroying a fancy dinner that you wanted to surprise your husband with.
Going places: Husband gives you all the love and  sympathy in the world and then offers to order carry-out.

So, you take what you can get. Just make sure to always end up going places afterwards. 

life lately.

I feel like there is so much to share that I don't even know where to begin. If I laid my planner out in front of you then I think the first question you'd ask is "...and when do you plan to relax?" (nervous laughter) ha!...ha! 

First and foremost; allow me to introduce you to my nephew, Leland!!! Born on April 10 clocking in at 7 lbs, 1oz. He and momma are healthy and oh so loved. 

I also can't not talk about his big sister, Lilah! She was the belle of the ball on Easter and gosh I love every single thing about her. She is everything.

Funny story... I play this "game" with her where I put her on my shoulders and I slowly lean back in increments while saying "DO... DO... DO..." and when I come forward I say a very high pitched "DOOOOOOOOO" which she LOVES. However, she now refers to me as "DO DO" when she sees me. Yeah, guys... doodoo. It's awesome! 

Cade and I went to Columbus for a quick day trip to see his momma and her husband this was on the trees in the German Village! I had to touch it to believe, and take a photo to prove it. Cleveland is still has gray and un-flowery as possible. Soon though... There is hope! 

Last Sunday, Cade and I went to the coldest baseball game in Cleveland history. We didn't know it at the time, but we did know that it was going to be cold! We made sure to wear extra, EXTRA layers and had our coozies in tow so that our fingers wouldn't freeze off. I'm happy to report that we stayed relatively warm and we even got to see a win by way of a walk-off! 

Here are some of my upcoming reads! I'm currently reading "How to Stop Time" and I've gotta say... a book hasn't made me feel this way in quite some time. The hours I spend not reading it come with a "what am I doing" type of feeling. It's incredibly good and I can't wait to share my thoughts in the April book recap. 

After a couple years of leaving my house plants alive and well, I decided to get a Fiddleleaf Fig. Trust me when I say these are an investment. I'm so very nervous about keeping her alive that I'm checking the soil twice a day and reading all the instructions available. I figure if I can keep her alive then I can keep anything alive! 

And finally... to close out this "life lately" post... I want to share this photo of my beaming, glowing and beautiful sister to say how incredibly proud I am of my her. Just a few hours ago I held her hand while adoring Leland and I'm still not over that high. She has given me two of the most precious and dear gifts that call me "aunt" (or doodoo) and she is such an incredible human... Truth be told, I never really thought that I would look up to her in such a grand way, but now, anything less wouldn't make sense. She is so much more to everyone who knows her than she needs to be and she is SO KIND. I have no doubt that she is going to be the best mom to Lilah and Leland and I already look forward to taking all of her advice when my times comes to have babies of my own. 

I love you so much. I love you so much. 

march book recap [100 words or less]

Does anyone else's life get noticeably busier at the start of Spring? I swear... from March until October I probably have plans every weekend. It doesn't leave a lot of time for those winter traditions that I love so much. More importantly, it doesn't leave a lot of time for reading. I still managed to finish three books, but I would've preferred more reading time! 

In March, I read: 

Crazy Rich Asians

The Power of Habit

You

Crazy Rich Asians

Nick lives in NYC and has to go home, to Singapore, for his best friends wedding. He decides that it would be the perfect opportunity to invite his girlfriend, Rachel, to tag along with him so she can meet his family and friends. What Rachel doesn't know is that Nick has a family full of ... crazy rich Asians.  

FAIR WARNING: This is a series. I guess I could've done a little more research before starting (not that it would've swayed my decision) but it did end on a little cliff hanger. This book though, all 500+ pages of it, were entertaining! I either loved or hated each individual character. Astrid is my girl, though. I found myself thinking of her like she was a friend when I wasn't reading it. I really connected with this book and can't wait to read more.

The Power of Habit

Can you ever go wrong with a self-help book? Also, you know those types of reads where you're constantly going "WHOA!"; that would be the case here. So much insight into how powerful having a habit is and also, some amazing things your brain can do when you keep a habit. 

This book floored me and it definitely made me re-evaluate some things that I could be doing better if I developed a habit of it (eating better, taking care of myself, keeping in touch with loved ones, etc.). Even weeks later I find myself subconsciously making mental notes of my everyday routines. I will say that this book is essentially a compilations of stories, or examples of habit so if you don't think you can commit to reading the entire book then at least keep it on your nightstand to read on and off when you want. It's worth the read!

YOU

Joe works and manages a bookshop in NYC. He's very much an introvert and keeps to himself at all times. Then, Beck walks in. She catches his eye and ... did she just flirt with him? Joe decides to figure out who Beck is by way of the name on her credit card. Plunging down a dark hole, he gets what he wants... Beck.

I no longer think that I can predict endings of books. Honestly, I don't even try at this point... However, if I were to try my absolute hardest to predict this ending, I would've been wrong. I just know it. This book somehow manages to be 100% thriller, 100% creepy and 100% comical. I couldn't get enough of this read and when it ended I wanted to do that thing where you shake the book upside down to see if anything else comes out... I wanted more! 

Fair warning though... this book deals with some not so settling subjects. Readers beware! 

I've already started The Woman in the Window for my first April book.. But need to make my list for the rest of the month. Let me know if you have any good suggestions. 

Happy readings! 

this kind of love.

I recently listened to the Wrongful Conviction Podcast and was so taken aback by part of the story that I felt like I needed to share it. Unfortunately, I only listen to this podcast once or twice a month so I am not much of a heavy follower, but it is a great podcast and I want to (and will) listen to it more. 

Malcolm Alexander was recently released from Angola prison in Louisiana after serving 38 years for a crime that he didn’t commit. His story is available now thanks to the Innocence project, as mentioned in the Wrongful Conviction podcast hosted by Jason Flom.

Here is Malcolm's closing words at the end of the podcast. I listened to them four times in a row. 

“Well, […] you know, you never lose thought of your family and it’s especially important that your family never loses thought of you, so you just like, set a goal for yourself… and your goal is to return back to your loved ones. But […] I never realized how much this had affected them. I guess I was just so caught up in getting back to them that I never took the time to think about how that affected them.. And since I’ve been out, it’s like … man, y’all really missed me. Y’all really kept love for me. It wasn’t just saying it, or even doing the little things or sending me money… nothing like that. It was just like we needed you. And… I just say it’s nice to know you are really loved.”

Malcolm has spent the majority of his life in one of America's worst prisons knowing that he was completely, and totally innocent... At the time, leaving behind a 2 year old son along with everything he's ever known. When he was released, he wasn't angry. He wasn't bitter. He didn't try to seek revenge... Instead, he was overwhelmed with love. And it's all thanks to the people who never gave up on him that he's able to smile and enjoy everything in life now. I just think that is incredible. Please, if you have the time, or if you are interest in this kind of thing, then I would strongly suggest listening to this episode. It's such a terribly beautiful story... I don't know how I would react if I were in his shoes, but I only hope I could be half the person he is.

Love is so powerful, right?