Pretty Pattern

Not only has today been 85% unproductive from a work stand point (since that's where I'm at) but it has also been one of the coldest days of the winter. Weather Underground says that it's 6° F with a -14° F windchill.... brrrrrrr! And apparently our wine glasses recognize the chilliness and are forming their own snow flake patterns on them!



* This is not ice, just hot water.

I'll admit it, I'm a gear head!

Ever since I was little (and I found out that the little sister my mom was growing in her belly was really a little brother) (and before I was born) my family has had an infatuation with the automobile. My dad Steve was educated with automotive background and then when Andrew was old enough and began collecting Hotwheels, Matchbox & Micro Machines I became a groupie. I can remember a trail running from his bedroom, down the hallway, through our living room, into the family room, down the stairs to the fireplace and then around to the dining room of these tiny cars lined up end to end. We'd play cars and race them around homemade tracks, use Lego's to make garages and perfect the sound of gears shifting around corners.

Then when I began dating my husband Kyle I knew it was all over. Not only were Andrew and Dad gear heads but so was Kyle. Between the three of them they can fix dents, repair transmissions, replace brakes, paint, patch, re-attach almost anything that needs to be fixed on a car. Aside from their incredible knowledge of how to build and repair the automobile they are walking encyclopedias! When Andrew and I were little and traveling we used to play a game, "Guess The Car." How to play the game? Who could name the make and model of the car the soonest and furthest away. (Parents beware, this game does not involve seat belts- children need 360 degree rotation!) Most of the time Andrew would win but I learned how to tell a Ford from a Buick by the headlights alone!

Okay, so you're wondering where this is going? This week of January year after year some of the biggest and baddest cars for sale are auctioned off during the Barrett-Jackson auto auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Tonight and Saturday some of the most expensive cars for sale will trade hands and set records on the Speed Channel. Now I know what you're thinking. Why does she care? It's exciting! The emotion of an auction and the magnificence of a museum display rolled all into one.

Now if this car would to come up on the auction block (and I had millions of dollars) I'd definitely make a move...



This beauty is from Ralph Lauren's private collection and is a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. For some beautiful cars check out the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance... absolutely beautiful!

Nooma 17- Today Part 2

Nooma 17- Today Part 1

One of my favorite blogs to visit belongs to our wedding photographer Jen Kroll. I frequent the site at least once a week to drool over the beautiful weddings and images she takes and to see what's the latest topic of conversation. Jen's blog was one that inspired me to start A Day In May and her most recent blog posting is the perfect example of her inspiration and graceful heart.

Rob Bell is a pastor at Mars Hill in Grandville, Michigan and is popularly known for his Nooma videos featuring topics important to us, topics we want to talk about, portrayed in a way that "fits our world."

Check out the video Jen posted on her site... Nooma 17- Today. We need to live in the present, the right here, the right now. Each of us has a new day to live in and to be present in... it's called Today.

Play on words...

When Kyle and I were beginning our shopping for this past Christmas and checking out all the great stuff Target-boutique had to offer I stumbled upon this...




Do you think that Jay Leno would want this for his "Headlines" segment?!?! Here is a full picture of the shiny decorations!

What are we entitled to?

My goal for this blog is to bring something interesting (whether it is a picture, million-dollar idea, quote, weather pattern or new found bread slicer) to this blog each day. I was going to blog today about tattoos and the talent tattoo artists have after watching the show LA Ink for the first time last night but I couldn't really draw any thought-provoking words out of my fingers about tattooing tonight.

However, at the gym I had a nice conversation with someone about a very different topic. We were talking about how we assume or expect, as humans, to be entitled to some things. The definition of entitle itself is illusive, just as the idea of entitlement. What, if anything, are we entitled to? Fresh air, water, 80-years of life, happiness?

Some feel that we are entitled to our next breath and that they will wake to a new day each morning with the security of a tomorrow. In reality that's not how life works. I heard a great line from the movie The Kingdom, "life is finite." We are not entitled to our next breath and each moment is precious.

So really, what are we entitled to? One thing is for sure... the opportunity to pursue a personal relationship with God. Each day he invites us to come closer to Him. Through this love we are infinite and through this love we are entitled to His Kingdom.

Here goes nothin'

Happy New Year! As part of my Resolution for this year I've started a blog:

For whom am I blogging? Myself, family, friends and the anyone else who may be reading.
About what? I've yet to pin point A Day in May's context however I hope it's filled with everything that makes me happy and inspired, just like it's name!
Where am I blogging from? The 45th parallel.
Why blog? Because it sounded like a good idea and why not!

Since I missed the hurrah of the New Year and the joyous postings of Christmas here are some of my favorite pictures from this holiday season!

Family Photo at our house on Christmas Eve
From left to right: Aunt Shawn, Uncle Paul, Gabe, Dad (Steve), me (Alicia), Kyle (hubby), Mom (Gail), and Andrew (little brother); missing Cayman & Hudson our furry family members.



The greatest stocking stuffer ever... you CAN regift office party White Elephant gifts, this is the best one ever!



After unwrapping his new bone Cayman was so nervous that someone was going to try and steal it that he waiting by the sliding door for someone to let him out to devour his gift in peace!



Kyle (my wonderful husband) was very excited about all the tools he got for Christmas but was worried that he didn't have a tool box big enough for them until this arrived...



Our First Christmas Tree



It wouldn't be right if there wasn't a bunch of cherries on the tree!



My budget-saver mantel decorations: snowflake garland from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's, 1" wide satin ribbon from JoAnn Fabrics to attach Christmas cards too, gallery frames (we got as wedding gifts from Pottery Barn displaying vintage Christmas cards found on the web.



Dancing Christmas lights



The first sunset we could see in 2008... it was snowing the other days!



Happy New Year everyone and here's to a great 2008!