;)
Blog Design Eclectic Whimsy
Illustration Nicholas Wilton
Cool Signpost David Robinson
Sky paper Weeds & Wildflowers
Background paper Sande Krieger
OK. I have an advance copy. I cheated. All I can say is, "I heart Katherine Center." Just click here and pre-purchase your copy so you don't have to stand in line with all of the other people who will want to get their hands on this wise and funny book! Honesty, humor and great writing is an amazing combination.
I love Joan Chittister. I'm always searching for spiritual guidence on living a balanced life. I recently met and was inspired by a Benedictine monk. So, there you have it!
Three brothers raised singing tent revival songs hook up with their first cousin and make some serious old-school music with a very fresh sound. I'm totally addicted. iTunes shows their "influencers" as Tom Petty, Neil Young and The Allman Bros. I also hear The Call (my fav). Careful in the car with the kids (the tent rivival days are long gone). Thanks to Ash & Lauren for the recommendation.
I can't stop listening to this! Soulful and bluesy - absolutely awesome.
Random updates:
1. Remember the "Bird Killed with Axe as Ostrich Watches" post? (If you're a new visitor, I think it's worth reading and watching the videos). After reading all of the thought-provoking comments, I decided to pull my head completely out of the sand and email Unilever. They actually emailed back and I just updated the post with their response and my thoughts on burying the bird.
2. Lent officially ended today and I can tell you that giving up my fear of photography for 40 days changed my life. I'm not sure if my photography has improved, but I've fallen in love with my camera. The whole world looks different. There's beauty everywhere I look. I'm still not experienced enough to capture it the way I see it, but I see it so much more clearly now. It's truly been a spiritual experience.
3. Also, I stuck to my Lent card commitment and I think I'm almost back in the habit (which was the point). I've had so much fun buying and sending cards. Right now, I'm loving the cards from Curly Girl Design (love her ultra-cool website too)! In May, Kelly Rae Roberts will also start offering cards based on her incredible art - can't wait!
4. Speaking of little notes . . . I've been leaving my hope notes all over town, but I just can't get any good pictures. I'm such a first-born-rule-follwer that I get nervous leaving the notes and by the time I pull out my camera, my palms are sweating. I've dropped my little point and shoot camera twice. I know that anonymously spreading hope is a worthy cause, but I'm not very good at undercover work. I'm the kid who almost had a nervous breakdown trying to make it back to base during hide-and-go-seek.
5. Last, and probably least due to frustration, the email notification for my blog isn't working. I know a lot of you aren't RSS feed people and I've received emails asking for a new email notification option. I'm working on it!
Happy Things:
1. Last weekend, my mom, Ellen and I went to a gourd painting class at Casa Ramírez - one of the best stores in Houston. The class was taught by nationally renown folk artist, Laura López Cano. It was a powerful experience for me. I've never painted anything in my life and I found it to be both terrifying and liberating. Laura and I had a wonderful conversation about courage and creativity (more to come on that topic).
2. My blog made the Squarespace Example page! I'm full of hee-hee-hee's and ya-hoos! I love Squarespace and highly recommend it if you're thinking about starting a blog. (btw - I still think "blockheads" is the perfect name for Squarespace junkies - their logo is a little green square).
3. I was able to pull myself out of crazy-mother-vacation mode pretty quick and, after issuing several rounds of apologies, our trip to "Port A" was wonderful. We've been spending spring breaks and summers in Port Aransas for 20 years. We stop at the same little store on HWY59 to get kolaches and jerky. We eat at the same restaurants, fish and feed the seagulls from the same pier, and play on the same stretch of beach. New places are fun, but there is something special about tradition.
Yes, my sisters and I have the same feet.
Have a great Monday! If you have any random thoughts on the random updates or happy things to share, I'd love to hear from you!
03.23.2008 | by Brené Brown | in random updates Share Article Email Article Print Article 8 Comments 
Reader Comments (8)
Hi Brené. I simply love everything about your blog. There -- I've saved myself writing and you reading several paragraphs of "yes, that resonates with me", "i have similar feelings" "thank you for leading the way and giving me more courage to be work on being more compassionate and connected","thank you for giving me an "A-ha" moment."
Overall, thank you for taking some of your precious time to share your life's lessons with us. Blessings to you and your family as you enjoy the rest of your Spring Break time together.
your pictures from Port A are super... really great... i can feel the fun!
how hip are those gourds! i want to try that! :)
yeah... on making the example page! your blog IS pretty dad gum fantastic! way to go! :)
My dad grew up on a farm right down the highway from Prasek's, so those kolaches are a road-trip staple for my family, too!
Happy Spring! :)
Beverly