Christmas greetings

Christmas Love
Christmas Love | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

After my boys shared some Christmas wishes with you yesterday — I had to be sure and share some of my own.

Thanks so much to each and everyone of you who take part in the community here on my blog and via the Insurgency of Love. Your comments, feedback and responses make it all worth while.

I hope that in some way you’ve been challenged, blessed or provoked in some way through my writing in 2010 and I’ve done more than just simply add to the noise.

Here’s to a very merry Christmas and a wonderful 2011.

Monday morning briefs

Time for an update on all things around Casa de Blundell. It’s been a while since I did one of these and there’s lots going on — so this might be a bit longer than a typical brief…

Needless to say, there’s lots of goodness going on and lots of…. well….. waiting.
Continue reading Monday morning briefs

Laundry Love 2009 re-cap

Laundry Love Red Oak

In 2009 we kicked off our Laundry Love effort in May.

It’s been an amazing eight months and every month we walk away with another great memory and story and several new friends.

If nothing else, I love how Laundry Love helps make friends out of strangers.

On average we help 15-20 individuals and families each month, spending anywhere from $60 – $120 a month.

We’ve stuffed over 2500 quarters into laundry machines, helping over 120 individuals and families.

I just want to say a huge thanks to everyone who’s supported our efforts along the way. Looking forward to even more fun in 2010.

And if you’d like to get involved, we’d love to have you come join us the last Saturday of every month, or you can donate online as well.

Thanks again!

What project did you start in 2009 that you’ll continue on with in 2010?

Idea Camp – recap video

Justin Snyder and Abandon Films have posted their Idea Camp video recap online.

Great stuff!

Some of the videos from the actual sessions are also starting to appear online. Be on the lookout for more at http://www.vimeo.com/channels/theideacamp

February happenings

And here’s a brief view of things that happened in February…

1. Spent some time in the gym, watched the Superbowl (ho-hum) and packed for our cruise till the wee hours of the morning.
2. Our cruise left dock from Galveston, Texas.
3. A full day at sea – including the Captain’s Reception before dinner.
4. Visited Mayan Ruins in Progresso, Mexico and enjoyed an “all inclusive” beach for a couple hours.
5. Visited Cozumel, Mexico and rode Segways along the ocean side.
6. Another full day at sea – and enjoyed hanging out and reading on the deck with Laurie.
7. Back to Galveston and Ikea on the way home.
8. Hung our new Ikea lamp in the kitchen.
9. Had a contest on my blog for folks to win a copy of “For Couples Only.”
10. Started listening to Peppermint Pinatas by Eric Bryant – good book.
11. Met with a trainer at the gym for a basic health analysis.
12. Took a random lunch trip to St Arbucks to get a Cinnamon Dulce Latte. Made my day.
13. Reflecting on God’s revolution :: “Get ready friends… God is preparing us for something really, really — small.”
14. Valentine’s Day. Enjoyed dinner with Laurie in Lakewood.
15. Spoke at encounter about God’s revolution.
16. Found out that leaving shaving cream on your face too long can really sting.
17. Was bummed that my podcast interview I had scheduled fell through due to technical issues on my end.
18. Facebook went back to their old TOS. Still not sold.
19. Got some more freelance work. Woot!
20. Listened to U2’s new album “No Line on the Horizon” for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and more times.
21. Bought some new roses for the front of the house.
22. Enjoyed dinner with family and friends at Kobe steaks for my birthday. Had a great time!
23. Last day as a twentysomething.
24. Turned 30. Enjoyed Red Robin Turkey Burger for dinner.
25. Reflected on all the birthday wishes I received – I’m really blessed.
26. Enjoyed a bachelor dinner of meatballs and a special sauce.
27. Purchased some new mulch and goodies for the lawn at Lowes. Even bought some tomato and strawberry kits to grow this spring.
28. Enjoyed dinner and After Hours Improv with the Kiefers.

January Happenings

I started off this year wanting to follow Brandi’s monthly list of great things that happen throughout the month. Well, January came and went and I didn’t get anything posted. February has not come and gone as well and now its March.

I’ll see if what I can recall from my Flickr 365 stream and hopefully keep better track of things in March.

So here’s a list of things I did/learned/thought about each day of the month.

Jan
1. New Years – we celebrated Dan and Bob’s birthday at our house
2. We watched Hancock tonight. Good fun Will Smith movie.
3. Trans Siberian Orchestra! And dinner with Jed and Jen and then gelato from Patrizios.
4. Sunday afternoon nap!
5. It was 30 degrees outside, but I was reminded I had a nice home to keep me warm.
6. Started Tubby Tuesday – need to be better keeping up.
7. Learned that I have what it takes to be the GOP National Convention Chair.
8. Published a new podcast interview with Steve Knight.
9. Ikea!
10. Took down the Christmas lights and took some “stuff” to the thrift store and dump.
11. encounter challenge to walk by faith – and face the giants in our lives :: fully surrender, intentional relationships, caring for others, personal responsibility, leadership
12. I am not for sale. You are not for sale. No one should be for sale.
13. Tubby Tuesday – down 3.8lbs since the last week.
14. Apparently the 14th was a pretty uneventful day.
15. I realized I’m no good at jumping rope.
16. We had Kara and Tim over for dinner for Cafe de Blundell.
17. God’s grace is beyond our imagination.
18. For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard… (Matt 20:1)
19. MLK Jr Day – U2’s Get On Your Boots was released today.
20. Barack Obama sworn in as our 44th President!
21. Swam 400 yards in the (heated) pool. Wore me out!
22. “a fairly uneventful day today. a meeting in the morning at work, an hour or so at the gym riding a bike, weights and a .5 mile around the track.”
23. Winter allergies – YUCK!
24. Reflecting on Ephesians 2:14-18, “may we overcome. may we tear down walls we’ve built in the past and build bridges towards a New Humanity instead.”
25. We celebrated my grandmother’s 90th birthday today! And found out my cousin Brian and his wife Amanda are having a baby! (I’m betting it will be a girl).
26. Laurie made her magical strawberry cake cookies!
27. Tubby Tuesday – I gained 2.8 lbs over the week! GRIPES!
28. Ice day! No work!
29. I was Mr Grumpy Pants on the 29th. Didn’t get my way and couldn’t figure out why it bothered me so much.
30. A fairly uneventful day – frost on the truck on my way to work.
31. African American Read-In at the Majestic Theatre.