There is a Christmas song that I was confused by as a child. The meaning of the “Little Drummer Boy” seemed to get lost in all of the ‘pa rum pum pum pums.’ It’s easy to gloss over its meaning and get annoyed by the repetition.

It seems that there are many people who either love or hate “Little Drummer Boy.”  This week, even my hairdresser exclaimed to me when the song came on the radio, how much she disliked it.  I smiled and thought about how I actually loved the song now - and not just because James often played it at Christmastime on guitar.

The song is a great reminder that there is nothing we can bring Jesus but the gifts He has already given us.  It’s a reminder that all of us are poor and truly have nothing to offer except ourselves – just like the shepherds on the first Christmas, that came just to worship.

It took a lot of begging and pleading but I was finally able to convince James to record a rough version of “Little Drummer Boy.”  So, if the song isn’t already a favorite of yours, I hope you will listen to it with new meaning this time – and maybe you will come to enjoy it as I have.

[Click here to download a version of “Little Drummer Boy” by James Chester]

Merry Christmas!

If you live in Lansdale, PA or the surrounding area, I hope you’ll head out to the Lansdale Public Library on Saturday, November 7, 2009 to bid on the great work of fabulous local artists.  A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Lansdale Boys and Girls Club.  You can find more details here.

Artists: The deadline to enter the auction is Friday, October 30, 2009.  Contact me if you are interested in exhibiting your work.

Last year I walked into a certain design store (that shall remain nameless since they were unwilling to discuss a better deal, despite huge profit margins) in Philly and bumped into Emeco Navy Chairs.  James and I were both instantly attracted to these chairs, which are equal parts urban, retro, and classic.

This week, after we donated our old table and chairs, I began to pursue the best deal I could find on these trendy designer chairs (they don’t come cheap but they do come with a 150 year warranty and therefore, a great resell value).  I eventually came across 21st Century Co, and Mike, a great sales rep.   

I believe that exceptional companies need to be recognized.  Mike was exceptionally speedy, professional, and offered the best deal out there.  The company profile on ebay stated they wanted to win my business and they certainly did that.  You should let them win your business too!

So lately, I’ve been attempting to get in shape after not exercising in about five years.  I’ve agreed to run a half-marathon with my friend, Megan, in September.  This is going to be a big challenge for me but thankfully I’ve met some really awesome people recently that have been a great encouragement.  

Not so long ago, I met Duane. Duane is passionate about running and has started a company called FREED.  Through FREED, Duane has started a running club, organized a 5K race that benefits Hope International’s micro loan program in other countries, and is currently developing running products.

I love that Duane is taking something he’s passionate about and using it to improve his community and the world.  Duane is a young entrepreneur who isn’t afraid to follow his dreams – and that is so refreshing.

*Check out www.runFREED.com to register for Riverfest 2009 – Saturday, September 12, 2009.

The Lansdale Farmers Market, supported by members of Renew Community is set to debut on Saturday, July 4^th.  The market will be situated in Lansdale’s Kugel Ball Park next to the train station. 

The market is striving to support local farmers and local organic products.  Under the LFM, a Lansdale Community Garden has also been established to serve the community.   I am extremely excited about what is taking place here and how it will impact the community.  I am extremely proud of my friends, Bill Stevens and Brooke Wasser, among others, who are people of action and are serving the community through the development of the Lansdale Farmers Market.  Congrats to my husband, James, who has designed a very cool logo for them!

 

Here’s to hoping the LFM will become a mainstay in the Lansdale community!

The other day I blogged about my friend Jen who taught me that you can receive a lot of things just by having the courage to ask.  Bill Lyle (and his entire family, for that matter) is very special to James and me.  Bill has been a constant support to James because of his knowledge and service as a sound engineer.

Recently, I stumbled upon Bill’s live journal and it made me smile.  A year or two ago, Bill started a LARGE garden just because he wanted to.  He was given the land just because he asked.  Bill has a lot
of the same attributes that Jen has – he’s always making friends.  Well, this year, Bill announced that his live journal is all about the happenings in his garden.

Bill’s unique blog is interesting to read, especially for the beginner – heck, I don’t even enjoy gardening but it makes me want to try!  Now I find myself checking up on Bill’s pepper plants on a regular basis!

My great friend and maid-of-honor, Jen Kalis, is a constant reminder that a positive attitude results in a positive outcome. The other day, Jen reminded me that thinking and talking positively about selling my house will help sell my house. I do believe in self-fulfilling prophecy, but hear me when I say that Jen and I are not talking about some sort of mystic practice. I’m simply saying that sometimes negativity and self doubt gets in the way of dreams.

I met Jen on my first day at college and spent two of my four years living with her. Jen’s confidence and positivity continues to have an impact on my life. If you know Jen, you know what I mean – she lives life to the fullest, makes the most of every opportunity, and goes after her dreams. If you think I’m a bold person, you probably have Jen to thank (or blame) for that. Jen’s a take-charge kind of girl – and I love it!

One bit of advice that I’ve taken from observing Jen is – “If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.” It’s not that Jen ever said this to me, but she lives it in big and small ways. She’s always boldly asking questions, asking for discounts, asking for advice. To some people it might not seem like such an important thing, but that boldness in asking questions translates into opportunities, bargains, knowledge, and the ability to network and get ahead. I admire Jen for being savvy, for being positive, and for teaching me so much as a result.

My friend, Darren LeBlanc, means the world to me.  He means the world to everyone that meets him.  I met Darren in college, during a very low time in my life when I needed hope and I needed to know that there still were sincere, loving, and selfless people in the world.  I have no doubt that Darren’s ability to make everyone feel like they’re significant is a God-given gift.

Ironically, today is a very significant day both for Darren and for many hurting people that don’t even know it yet.  Today is the website launch of Anthem of Hope, a line of audio resources to bring hope to the sick. Anthem of Hope was inspired and co-founded by Darren’s precious wife, Misty, who passed away on September 23, 2008.  You can read a spectacular tribute to Misty’s life here. 

Today I feel thrilled for those who are hurting and will hear about Anthem of Hope – knowing that this line of resources will point them to Jesus. I’m thrilled that God has appointed one of the most loving, selfless people to carry this torch for Him.  Darren works hard, strives for excellence, and exudes the love of Jesus.  I can’t think of someone better to lead this task.

I’m a rather sporadic blogger. I have trouble thinking of things to write about that I think are interesting to anyone else but myself. So I’ve done some soul searching and I’ve come to a conclusion that will help to focus the purpose of my blog. Inspired by my entry back on July 29, 2008, I’ve realized that what I love to do most is talk other people up. I love supporting a great cause, sharing advice about products or places, and just plain letting others know when I spy someone or something great. The world is full of mediocre things that choke out the really great things. So I’d like to dedicate this blog to all the great people I’ve encountered with great ideas and life philosophies that aren’t always heard about. These are the people I’m proud of. I hope you’ll follow along and learn something from them, like I have.

So James and I have decided to sell our townhome.  Yeah, it’s not exactly the best time to sell a house in this great economy – especially when we’ve made the decision to try and sell without a realtor.

First we tried posting our house only on Craigslist.  We got one response immediately, which was exciting.  But there has been no response since.

I am probably a little biased, but I happen to think our house is great – it’s spacious, well kept, and you don’t have to do the lawn.  Plus, we live in a great location and we love our neighborhood (Lindenfield in Chalfont, PA) for the amount of green space that it offers and the nice walking path around the development.

Since we love where we live so much and we can afford to live here just fine, people look at us cross-eyed when we tell them we’d like to sell – and sell at this current time.  Call us crazy, but that’s what we’d like to do.  And yes, we’re aware that selling it will take more than just posting our home on Craigslist.  I’ve found that for the most part, posting a house on Craigslist just results in a long list of emails from realtors vying for a chance to work with us.  Maybe it’s unlikely that we can sell our house in this market without a realtor but I’d really love to prove some people wrong.

I just hate how it costs a couple hundred dollars just to list a house in the MLS.  FSBO sites are really no better when they demand just as much.  So if you want to do it yourself in this market, you’ve got to think outside the box and that’s what I plan to do.  I’m a firm believer in viral marketing, so I’ve taken to facebook, twitter, and linkedin to post a link, spread the word, and ask our friends to do the same.  Word of mouth is how I like to do it – but I expect it will take more mouths than usual.  I’m up for the challenge.

*UPDATE: We sold our house in July and settled in August!  No regrets here, we love being renters again in Doylestown!