Smile

I hate to admit how true this actually is:

On that note, have a great weekend!

Yesterday

Inky purple petunias.

On a more serious note

This blog has always been a lighthearted attempt to share our life with friends and family. As such, I have debated for a number of months whether or not to post this lecture on an international issue I think is very important- a need to globally eradicate child marriage. You can choose not to watch it if you wish, but I really hope that you do. If you've never heard of this issue, I think this is a good introduction.

Until earlier this year, Mabel van Oranje was CEO of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights  (a great video introduction to this group can be found here). Mabel now is a senior consultant in the Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage initiative. Both websites have great resources and more information on this issue.

So what? It's one thing to be aware about harmful things in our world, but it's another to change them. The one thing I do know about change is that it begins by talking about the issue that needs to change. It's not enough, but it's a start. So let's start talking. 

Build-a-Bathroom Week 2

In my last bathroom progress report, we had put up the hardie board and taken a much needed break from the whole project. Jeff and I were both back at work last week so there was considerably less progress than during week one, when Jeff was on vacation. Nevertheless, Jeff and I were able to get the Redguard waterproofing membrane on the hardi board (which was like painting with smelly magenta mayonnaise)

and Jeff tidied up the opening for our recessed cabinet

He then spent the entire weekend tiling with his dad. We went with large tiles in this bathroom, thinking they would be easy to clean and look great for years to come. What we didn't anticipate is how hard (and heavy) they would be to work with (to line up, to make look just right). Combined with a rented tile saw that chipped the edge it cut, it made for a slow and somewhat frustrating weekend. Thankfully, Jeff and his dad are both focused and very particular guys who patiently worked through all the challenges. I think they've done an absolutely amazing job.

Tea Light

For the tea loving member of my household.... it is interesting, isn't it?

This chandeliere is hanging in a boutique, Nice Things, in Valencia Spain. I'm not sure it translates well for residential use, although it would certainly be a conversation piece.

Anchored

Great choir.

Great piece.
Great performance.

'Nuff said. 

Leadership

This week seemed to be a work week where a considerable amount of my time was spent banging my head against a wall. I might have a graduate degree in leadership but it appears that a lot of the time, I don't know much about this stuff (or any stuff) at all.

Jeff sent me this cartoon that perfectly captured where I feel I'm at these days.

Thankfully, Monday provides another opportunity to try the Poke-with-Pool-Cue approach. In the meantime, I get to tile a bathroom. Have a good weekend! 

Today

Garden flowers on coffee table.