beautifully imperfect

i had a good cry today, at my desk, during my lunch break. this isn't the first time this has happened.
there are rare days in which i am the only one in the office during lunch. on these days i get the opportunity to explore the blog world while at work. often times tears appear as i read some of my favorite, most sentimental, writers.
today, kind over matter presented a beautiful video and quote.
it got to me. visit kind over matter to view the video, it will make you want to go hug someone you love.

"you come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly"

~Sam Keen

my weekend picture book

here is the story of my weekend, in pictures.
we stayed in on friday. the husband had to work all weekend. staying in meant we were able to enjoy a dinner of the freshest of vegetables straight from our garden.
these huge zucchinis were hiding beneath their large leaves, and were thoroughly enjoyed once found.


we also found that our watermelon vine is currently growing the cutest little melon!

i woke up bright and early saturday to get in an a.m. yoga class and followed it up by walking over to our neighborhood market. it was there that i found, and purchased, the most wonderfully scented lavender lotion.

my sister took her oldest on a date to the movies and left me and this precious guy to our own. we cuddled, talked, watched a world cup game and had a photo shoot.

oh, and "he" found the cutest outfit to wear.

we went to dinner with one of my besties at her & her husband's pizza joint where it just so happens that another of my besties works.

as usual we found ourselves enjoying the best bbq chicken pizza in town!

in these parts we are pretty excited about a neighborhood beer garden that is soon to open. on sunday we enjoyed an open-house at 'goodfriends beer garden' where we found free beer and neighborhood friends.



needless to say it was quite an enjoyable summer weekend!

published

exciting news:

D Home Magazine chose to spotlight my father and our company in their latest issue!
over the past month D Magazine has contacted us, asking my dad numerous intriguing questions and explaining their concept for a photo shoot.
my dad spoke expertly of his years of working, and proudly of his family for carrying on the business. i was again reminded of how important my job is and of the passion i have for it. we have seen plenty ups and downs over the years, but continuing and succeeding in carrying on a family's vision and upholding such standards is truly something to be proud of.

D Magazine challenged my father to paint a shirt to match a wall finish.

here is the before:

and after:

excerpts:
D Home: Martin Brothers Painting was the Rolls-Royce of painting companies in Dallas for a long time. When did it start?
Barry Martin: My father J.C. and his brother Lester started the company in 1949. I became a partner and purchased Barry A. Martin Painting Contractors in 1996.
D Home: Is Barry A. Martin Painting still a family affair?
Barry Martin: More than ever. My mother and father still come to the office every day, and both my daughters and son-in-laws are involved in the business. It's all hands on deck!

so proud!

laugh often, love much

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person." -Audrey Hepburn

i love to laugh.
one of my best friends, says she likes telling me her 'stories' because i always laugh. (to my credit, she is a pretty funny lady) And she is right, i laugh at her jokes, i laugh at lots of things.

laughing makes your insides feel good.




i think laughing is the audible expression of you soul's happiness.

and, the laughter of a child may be the best sound on earth.

http://youtu.be/cXXm696UbKY

kimbirdy over at fill you well shares my enthusium for laughing, check her out http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=">here

south-bound

this weekend we are headed south on i-35 and stopping in austin, tx! we have spent quite a few weekends in the eclectic city over the years, but for some reason haven't visited recently. so, when marli asked if we wanted to join them we for a little get-a-way we couldn't say no.

i am looking forward to spending a lot of time in the sun:

picture via

celebrating a night on the town

picture via

and strolling the street shops.

picture via

*there's no place quite like austin!*
~i hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

stealing from two of my favorites!

A) age: 27

B) bed size: king

C) chore you hate: folding laundry

D) dogs: yep, two; dirk & bella

E) essential start to your day: a cup or two of coffee

F) favorite color: i instinctively say green, which is true i suppose, but i sure do love all the wonderful shades of blue

G) gold or silver: i wear more silver, but love gold and wish i had an equal supply of both

H) height: 5'2

I) instruments you play: some would say i play a mean fiddle (or at least i did when i was 8)

J) job title: office manager

K) kids: yes, please

L) live: dallas, texas

M) mom's name: terri

N) nicknames: chels, choo

O) overnight hospital stays: luckily i've only had day surgeries

P) pet peeve: mouth noises!

Q) quote from a movie: "nobody puts baby in the corner" -dirty dancing. you know you love it too!

R) righty or lefty: lefty

S) siblings: one pretty sister

T) time you wake up: weekdays; 5:47 am, weekdays with morning workouts; 5:07, weekends; variable

U) underwear: a must

V) vegetables you dislike: brussel sprouts

W) what makes you run late: deciding what to wear

X) x-rays you've had: arm, ankle, knee, teeth

Y) yummy food you make: i can make a pretty good turkey meatloaf

Z) zoo animal favorite: monkeys

*questionnaire stolen from two of my besties, check them out here and here*

what are your a-z's?

personality

picture via

my trainer always says 'her personality lies in the bottom of a pint, or a coffee cup.'
i'm right there with her today.
it's overcast and cool (for may in texas) and i would like nothing more than to spend the day silently reading on my patio.

but, since i'm already at work, i suppose starbucks will have to do.