Vegan Chili

I know. I know. This doesn't sound like it should be good. It is. It is SO good. (Note: I left out the ground chipotle chile)


Enjoy!

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/sweet_potato_black_bean_chili.html

The Time You Have (In JellyBeans)

Man this makes you think....

Smart things to do...

I read this list the other day. It was an answer to the question, "What are the smartest things I can do NOW for my future while I'm still young?" I don't know who the author is, but they're pretty wise. I love this list. 

1. Exercise.
Boy, this changes your life. Making exercise an important part of my life has been instrumental in finding more inner peace, health and happiness. 

2. Save money.
I cannot tell people enough how much debt weighs you down. It is not worth it. Save. Save. Save.

3. Plan for your future. Invest in it.
Tomorrow is not promised but that doesn't mean you may not see it. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

4. Tell everyone how you feel about them because in your future they will all be dead.
So this one is worded a little differently than I would have liked, but it is true. The people who mold who you are often leave you with large holes in your life later on. Cherish them now. 

5. Relax.
Practicing yoga helps with this as does practicing Pilates on the reformer. Lovely. 

6. Be positive. Choose to be happy.
You really do select how you're feeling. You can let things bring you down or you can opt to keep moving. 

7. Surround yourself with positive, caring people that are better than you.
It is amazing how much better life is when you surround yourself with people who are caring and warm.

8. Practice forgiveness and understanding.
I think this goes back to the Golden Rule. We want others to figure us so we have to forgive them.

9. Set goals and put your entire being towards them, whatever they may be.
Whew. I think there is a real power to this method. I've not mastered it yet...

10. Give everything you do in life 100%, regardless of how you feel about it. Success is a choice you make every day; it is not dependent upon results.
You get out what you put in. It is as simple as that. 

11. You're not always right. Always assume you could be wrong. If you are, forgive yourself and move on. Don't dwell. Be thankful to those who corrected you. Ego and pride are roadblocks.

Boy. This one is tough. I'd like to think it is universally difficult, but it might just be me. I've very recently realized that perhaps I'm not always right. It has rocked my world to the core. I wish I could say that I am kidding. I'm not. My reasoning has always been, "if I thought I was wrong, I wouldn't think that way." Which I still say makes sense. I think of this more as being open to other people's opinions...

12. Your entire life is defined more by what you give to others than what you have or receive, whether you want to admit it or not. Every day practice a habit of giving, even if it's something small like a compliment. You always have something to offer others, even if you don't have time or money.I think this is a beautiful thought. I've also realized that there is no greater feeling than giving. Again, it took me some, OK a lot, of time to get to this point. I'm there now, though. Do I still like to get gifts? Sure. I also really, really enjoy giving them.

13. Remember that you, just like everyone else, have the power to change the world profoundly. You matter. You only have one life. Make it count.
This takes me back to my "World Changer" days at Indiana Wesleyan. I think we're all guilty of thinking, "what can I, one person, do to make an impact on the world?" We shouldn't think like that. We can make an impact because all it takes is one life changed to start a chain of loveliness. 

Catching up...

This is going to be a random post.

We so enjoy getting updates about how Ms. Heidi is doing in her new Floridian home. The other day we got a photo of her in her new nighttime walking vest. She'll never have to worry about not being seen on those now nightly strolls. Go ahead and insert jealousy here that they can still walk outside at night comfortably. It is simply too cold here for that anymore!

Ms. Heidi is ready for evening walks

My little nephew isn't so little anymore! Justin's school has Prom in the Fall- I know it is super weird. Doesn't he look so handsome? Ugh. Wasn't he just a toddler the other day?!

What a handsome young man! 

Jackson had been a little less than thoughtful recently so he sent flowers to my office when he was in Kansas City. They were some of the most beautifully fragrant flowers I'd ever smelled. I imagine that Heaven smells like this bouquet did. Note: the flowers did expedite his departure from the doghouse.

Gorgeous. 

My best friend, Heidi, made this sign for me to hang in my office. She found the quote online and I fell in love with it. I'd been wanting something substantial to hang on a large, blank wall and this is going to be perfect. Isn't she so talented?!

Preach.

Finally, Jackson and I were going through old photos the other day looking for a certain picture that I just knew existed. I still know it exists, I just no longer know where. Anyway, we found this photo of my 1st birthday and Jackson said, "Gosh! You didn't even like aging back then!!!!" I laughed so hard that it hurt. He was right. I guess some stuff will never change. ;)

Angry birthday girl

#BlackFish

This will never be the same for me again...

Run, don't walk, to your t.v. and record "BlackFish" on CNN. It is one of the most interesting documentaries I've ever seen. (I've seen quite a few, too. I like them.) I've certainly been to SeaWorld in the past, but that will not ever happen again. I was aghast at the conditions in which these beautiful animals are forced to live. It also made me rethink ever going to another zoo...

Anyway, watch it for yourself and make your own decisions. It is rather disturbing, though, so you've been warned.

Jackson got his "office" assignment (read: cubicle) in the Chase Tower this week. He was so excited to decorate it. He cracks me up. I was thankful to get most of the "man room" items out of the house and into a more appropriate location. ;) He gets a lot of flack from his co-workers for his IU fandom and the fact that his only client is IU health. Since they're all in Kansas City they did not know that IU was a big deal around here and that he'd been a fan of the school LONG before he worked with the hospital chain. :)

Yes, that is Milan's IU flag. It made me sad/happy.

Since Jackson likes to mock me he decided to "model" a purse that I was sending to my sister so she could see its approximate size. If you're going to mock me, be ready for the whole world to see it. OK, the whole blog reading world. Ok, so 2 or 3 people. Shoot. ;)

Cute bag, no?

Finally, we had an exciting Friday at school this week. We had a "shooter" on campus and my building got evacuated. It turned out to be nothing, but it was enough to get my attention. I promptly came home and snuggled up with my little MacKenzie. It is sad that it sometimes takes being scared out of your mind to remember what really matters the most to you. I made Jackson come home that night and just sit on the couch with me so that we could just be. I just wanted to be with my little family. It was a good reminder I guess. I'd rather not have anymore of that kind of excitement on campus, though.

What a sweet puppy! 

MacKenzie turns 7!!

Grammy threw a lovely dinner for MacKenzie's 7th birthday on November 2nd. Bob & Judy brought Boomer over, too. Jackson and I cooked turkey tenderloins, the now famous mandarin orange salad, mashed potatoes and cream cheese iced chocolate cupcakes. Today is MacKenzie's actual birthday but Jackson had to be in Kansas City for training and I had to work late so we celebrated early. She'll never know. ;) She is getting to spend her birthday with Macy and Madison in Upland which is probably way more fun than hanging with her parents anyway.

Birthday girl! 

She looks a little sad. She wasn't.

We cannot believe our little lady is SEVEN! She doesn't look a day over four. :) Happy birthday, MacKenzie. We love you!