And I’m just saying now – you’ll probably cry watching this.  So grab some tissues!

P.S. Thanks to Mikela for throwing this my way.

“life in general”

But that all changed on Saturday when we decided to just bite the bullet and get a camera! After much research, husband settled on one model that seemed to be better than the rest in the point-and-shoot category – the Sony CyberShot DSC-TX5. It’s touchscreen, has a sweet (and wide) lense, is drop proof (awesome) and even WATERPROOF up to 10 ft. We’ll be putting that to the test next time we are on vacation, for sure. It was kind of a splurge, but everyone needs a camera, and this is one that we’ll have for years to come.

Here are some of the shots from my first day with the camera. As I’ve said before, I kind of suck at taking photographs, so if you see something good on here, chances are Julian took it, not me.

Let’s end on a very positive note – lasagna cupcakes.

On another note, I’ve decided it should be illegal for me to work on Mondays. It is not only hazardous to my own health, but detrimental to the sanity of others. Thank you & goodnight.

Three-Word Phrases, can be tools to help develop every relationship.

There are many things that you can do to strengthen your relationships. Often the most effective thing you can do involves saying just three words. When spoken sincerely, these statements often have the power to develop new friendships, deepen old ones and even bring healing to relationships that have soured.

The following three-word phrases can be tools to help develop every relationship.

~ Let me help:
Good friends see a need and then try to fill it. When they see a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they jump in and help out.

~ I understand you:
People become closer and enjoy each other more when the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know – in so many little ways – that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. And this can apply to any relationship.

~ I respect you:
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect demonstrates that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become closer friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.

~ I miss you:
Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other “I miss you.” This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how important you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say “I miss you.”

~ Maybe you’re right:
This phrase is very effective in diffusing an argument. The implication when you say “maybe you’re right” is the humility of admitting, “maybe I’m wrong”. Let’s face it. When you have an argument with someone, all you normally do is solidify the other person’s point of view. They, or you, will not likely change their position and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying “maybe you’re right” can open the door to explore the subject more. You may then have the opportunity to express your view in a way that is understandable to the other person.

~ Please forgive me:
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

~ I thank you:
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don’t take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

~ Count on me:
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship. It is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating “you can count on me.”

~ I’ll be there:
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase “I’ll be there.” Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us.

We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

~ Go for it:
We are all unique individuals. Don’t try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how far out they seem to you. God has given everyone dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only.

Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to “go for it.”

~ I love you:
Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person’s deepest emotional needs. The need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words: “I love you.” Love is a choice. You can love even when the feeling is gone.

By Deena Munsamy
Macronamystic Coach
“I Choose Today to give Myself the Best Life Ever”
®Aneed4life ©
Coaching
Life -Sports – Business – Family
Personal & Corporate Programs

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10 reasons why being married is better

amazing jewelry display, so easy to DIY

more personalized stamp love. please and thank you

paul the octopus predicts other things, too

loooooove this princess & the pea photoshoot!

adorable chapel turned into a loft

a list of overused fashion words that have been banished from the up and coming Velour magazine. see ya later, LBD, celeb and fashionista!

so what IS the American dream exactly?

the truth about agave nectar – oh geez. i had no idea

helplessly in love with these personalized sherbet-colored notebooks

oh yes, we need one of these unique custom illustrated portraits

25 things I’d never trade for money
- and –
7 minimalist lessons I’ve learned from my kids

The net worth of US presidents, from from Washington to Obama, via my friend budgetsaresexy

oooh yes – lavender lemonade ala Sunday Suppers

gorgeous spring furniture collection from Cisco Brothers

Blueberry oatmeal bread recipe that looks delicious and is EASY! No yeast or kneading required.

10 tips to overcome negative thoughts

customizable chocolate bars! so creative and yum! via via simple song

One last thing. Please vote for 100 layer cake for best wedding blog… because they are indeed the best! And because i said please. Thank you & goodnightday.

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1. The sun is FINALLY shining!
2. The grilled cheese truck came.
3. It’s Friday.
4. Nike licensed Julian’s Techno Jeep song to use at the World Cup tonight.
5. I’m wearing a t-shirt that I drew myself.

Nothing classier than posing in a cubicle. Heyyy!

I’m sure people at work think I’m a total weirdo, but the shirt actually means something. It’s from one of J’s recent videos called Jellyfish. You see, he designs t-shirts for several of his popular videos. Because I am such a phenomenal artist, he asked me to draw a jelly jar and a fishie for this one. Before you rag on my illustration skills, I’d like to point out that he asked me to draw them “messy.” If you’ve known me long, you know I LOVE to draw. It’s what got me through grade school. This is the first day, however, that I’ve worn a shirt that had something I drew on it…. pretty sweeeet!

Side note, the fit of this t-shirt is amazing. I was kind of peeved that District Lines only sold the shirt in American Apparel men’s sizes, but I ordered an XS anyway. To my surprise, it fits GREAT. I think I am going to have to buy a few more of these, because they are that incredible! It’s long and narrow, the sleeves aren’t too big, and the V isn’t too deep. It’s comfortable and perfect.

Want to be twins with me? You can get your own jellyfish shirt here. It also comes in black, pink and yellow (I picked the colors).

Funny story for any of Julian’s fans who may be reading this: he filmed the ACTUAL jellyfish footage while we were being tourists at the East Berlin Zoo. He spent about half an hour trying to capture this beautiful image (I’m probably exaggerating, but not much), but at the time, it was not beautiful, it was annoying and I wanted to go look at the rest of the aquarium. So I left him and walked around the rest of the floor without him. HAHA!!! Ok, it’s not as funny as I thought it would be – but I still thought you might like to know the great lengths he goes to so these videos are perfect for you guys.

zip it!

This morning while driving to the office, I was listening to the radio (yes, the radio! Heaven forbid) and heard something that made me kind of sad and disappointed. This man called into Ryan Seacrest’s radio show for some relationship advice about his wife. First of all, I have my suspicions about unmarried Ryan Seacrest being the best choice for marriage counsel, but that’s beside the point. The caller described his plaguing issue with his wife quite simply: “She NEVER. STOPS. TALKING.” He described his wife’s chatty nature and went on and on about how he can’t find a spare 15 minutes of solace without having her commentary. Even while watching TV, this man’s wife sits beside him, weighing in on what people were wearing, what so and so just said, basically anything that entered her brain comes out of her mouth. Understandably, this man just couldn’t take it and needed some advice STAT. Hey, we all need a little peace and quiet, right? Right.

So what did Ryan suggest this man do about his talkative wife? He said, and I quote, “give her busy work. Send her to a baking class. Give her challenges.”

Really?! So when our spouse is a little too much for us to deal with at times we just send them away? This is his WIFE, not his curious two year old! I feel for this poor woman, who despite her talkative nature (which I share), at least deserves the respect of having her husband sit down and say “Honey, I have to talk to you about something that’s been bothering me.” No one wants to hear their husband tell them to “Shut up” but I think any woman would prefer to have an open line of communication about things that are bothersome rather than ignoring the situation and “putting her to work to quiet her down.”

Aside from having a genuine heart-to-heart, it sounds like this couple also might benefit from a little therapy together, but, oh – the husband is against that because it would “cost too much and she’ll just talk more.”

Healthy relationships at their best. Thanks Ryan!

I know I’m a newlywed and have a lot to learn about marriage, but something about this totally set off a red flag inside. Anyone else think this advice is completely ridiculous, or is it just me?

But, to hold you over, check out these adorbs engagement photos he shot for us just a couple days before the wedding in Hillsboro Village, Nashville. That’s right, you can totally wait until your wedding is hours away before taking engagement pics. They’re a little small on the blog, but you can click to enlarge.

Which one is your favorite?!

Okay, just one actual wedding photo for fun:

Jason is Houston-based, but travels often, so if you’re in the market for a fantabulous photog, definitely give him a holler. He’s talented and will make you laugh during those awkward photos. You won’t be disappointed!

I have to admit, guys have it rough these days. Proposals are getting more and more over the top, I pity the man who chooses to go with the tried-and-true “down on one knee during dinner “approach.

Body scans of two women, both different weights – pretty eye opening when you see it from the inside!

Cutest Twitter themes on Earth!

TIME posted a list of the 50 Worst Inventions – among them, FarmVille. Can’t argue with that! Crinoline, however… I quite like it.

What the BLEEP is on Sarah Jessica Parker’s head?

Who wants breakfast? O…. M… G…

Short slideshow of some of the oldest “jumping photos.” The photographer, Phillipe Halsman, was the first to use this popular method, and used it on people like Richard Nixon, Marilyn Monroe, Salvidor Dali, and Audrey Hepburn (shown below).

Cute collection of handwritten thank you notes about everyday stuff. Gets me in the mood to write all my own thank you notes!

How to make a 46,000 calorie Kit-Kat bar – Ohhh my. Is it wrong that it makes me want a Kit-Kat?

Interview with Molly Rogers, partner in crime of Patricia Field’s – the brilliant lady behind the fashion in Sex and the City – about the second movie (which I’m going to see tonight, despite terrible reviews! It’s gonna be great!)

Love Gives Me Hope – collection of short and touching tales of love and hope. Must-read for anyone who needs a pick-me-up. This one is by far my fave.

Really interesting piece on Hidden LA about the hidden, underground oil rigs in shopping malls and hollowed out office buildings in LA. Watch the video! It’s part of VBS.tv’s series “Uneven Terrain,” devoted to “urban exploration and uncovering the hidden, underground and forgotten corners of the world’s leading metropolises.” So hard to believe this is going on all around us.

Bicycle rush hour in the Netherlands. How cool is this?! Ooooh I really really need a bike! Driving 3 miles to work is a disgrace.

JULIAN: it’s kind of hard for me to do these dishes with this cut on my finger – it stings if i do it without a bandage, and with the bandage, it just falls apart. i already had to redo it once. i got a bunch of the dishes done earlier though – before i cut my finger.

ME: where did you get a bandage??

JULIAN: toilet paper and scotch tape

My very own MacGyver.