Christmas Gifts in the Tub

It was much easier to live with the bathtub in the living room for a few days than the refrigerator for a few months; and the bath rehab was a ton more fun.

 Why? Possibly the creative adventure of going potty (without a potty) or diving into my first tile job.  Honestly, I didn't think I had it in me to do all of this construction. But it was nothing compared to skydiving-or Melina, Scott and I kick starting Credit Union Strategic Planning. So why am I  timid about this construction business? I'm about to get over it. Ok, I'm over it. We are doing it. Heck, I'm doing it with a little help from my friends. I can't believe that I fooled myself into thinking this was too much for me to do as a single mom earlier this year. This year has been a blessing for affirming my faith. It's all God.


Status Check: The back house is nearing the home stretch. It now has walls, windows, doors AND the electricity was powered up this week.The countdown to 2010 is on. Dylan recieved his first A on his report card last week (and he earned several). And we added another staffer at Credit Union Strategic Planning- my old colleague and dear friend, Marilyn De Lucia.

Christmas is coming and the gifts disguised as challenges are rockin' my world. Throw some more my way, God. (I'm smiling, grateful and enjoying an occasional bathtub in the living room for a day or four.)

Merry Anything You Celebrate. Merry Christmas!

Happiness is Love

Dylan was happy to see me today. His little kid kisses were full of thanks to have mom back.  With no grant deadline or travel in sight, it's good to be back to normal life, being a mom and folding laundry.

I confess that I am guilty of  being a road warrior and grant junkie. For the past month we  traveled cross country from  Sonoma, CA to Columbus, Oh and NYC. This past week we submitted all of the poverty reduction U.S. Treasury Grants we labored over during 18 hour work days-  and held our final meeting in Louisiana, literally the beautiful bayou. The people, they were warm like an apple pie right out the oven. An old minister and college professor schooled this white girl on how to play dominoes. Scott (one of my business partners and a dear friend) and I left after eating the best gumbo, being embraced by a group hug and farewells from our new friends.

After sleeping for 14 hours, I woke this morning absolutely delighted to run errands to replenish the basics like TP and garbage bags, do the dishes and enjoy the connection of laughter, hugs and random conversation with the kids, my brother and the people round home that I love. It's amazing what being MIA from your own life will do to your TP supply. (Ponder that for a moment. It is meant to be odd.)

During the travel, I picked up a magazine, The Atlantic, founded by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who I admire for his logic, poetry and science based spiritual philosophies. Tonight, online I was steered to a video by the Atlantic about a Harvard research team that followed 269 Harvard students, 10 men through their entire lives starting in 1930 to document the keys to happiness and how to live well. The men are now in their 80s. The video is short and well worth the watch up to the final seconds.

I found the video while searching for the folloing quote:

“I am the happiest man alive. I have that in me that can convert poverty to riches, adversity to prosperity, and I am more invulnerable than Archilles; Fortune hath not one place to hit me.” 

Sir Thomas Browne

Life reflects back to us our own attitude. We experience what we expect to experience, because it is what we create. When we face adversity and view it as opportunity. The attitude shapes our sight. The adversity passes and we are left with: The Opportunity.

The Harvard Study's concluded that happiness is love. I believe our happiness comes from our way of being. When our way of being is loving, that is what the world reflects back.

As I center on this with faith in a loving God, I am the happiest woman alive.

Ever Feel Just Incredibly Blessed?

After a month of traveling from Sonoma, CA to NYC for work, I came home to see this sign. The porch was decorated with ten beautifully carved, lit pumpkins. The whole house was clean, including the boys room, the dishes, fresh sheets. This is all the work of the amazing, magnificent (drum roll please) Jenny Arde.

Jenny (pictured with beau Todd) is a single mom, like me. She owns her own business, again ditto. She is renting the spare room in my home and her son and Dylan are sharing a room while construction finishes on my investment house, the mother-in-law home on my property. She will move into that home at the end of the month. And what's brilliant is: we lift each other up! We help one another with the kids, cooking, laundry and she is bringing so much to the table on the construction projects from drywall hanging to painting. The business she owns is a painting company. So while she builds equity in my properties, I am giving her slashed rent so she can save her money away to buy a home for her and her son.

Here's a photo of our boys with their best bud Travis before last week's soccer game. This week Ashton cleaned Dylan's room and left a note for him that said, "Thanks for being a really good friend. Love, Ashton." Dylan and I are so blessed to have such great friends in our lives.



Speaking of, for her birthday, one of my dearest friends, Robbi Firestone took me to see Teatro Zinnzani. It was amazing. She won the tickets at a philanthropic event she attended this summer. We had the best time. Robbi does so much good in the world, it doesn't surprise me that the universe gave something remarkable back to her. Last year alone Robbi donated over $30,000 to local non-profits from her art. She is a world class oil portrait artist. My favorite story is her donation to Camp Korey, which is a retreat for children with life threatening illnesses.

With all of this gratitude, how could I not instigate something to give back to the world. When I got sick from my trip to Ohio and stayed home with my mom, I was spoiled by her homemade chicken noodle soup. As soon as I got back to Tacoma, I made a quadruple batch of soup and delivered it to sick friends. Everyone is sick right now and so many people don't have insurance- or even moms close by to make soup. So I threw the idea onto Facebook as the Chicken Soup Movement to encourage others to do the same and 134 people from across the country have accepted or passed it onto others to join to make soup for sick people in their neighborhood. Crazy, awesome! Check it out.

$500,000, Einstein, NYC and a Long Lost Friend

It's my favorite work of art, because it comes to life in person. I haven't visited it in over ten years. It took $500,000 to get there and I arrived at the MET with the man who stole my heart as a boy seventeen years ago in high school.

The art is Autumn Landscape by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The $500,000 is a US Treasury grant Melina, Scott and I (Credit Union Strategic Planning) landed to help immigrants in Harlem to lift themselves out of poverty. Did you know that immigrants are the poorest of the poor in the U.S. for three generations? And my renewed friendship is with one of the finest people I've ever had the pleasure of calling a best friend. Back in high school he bagged groceries at the store and I worked at the restaurant across the street. Back then he was my first crush. Now he is a remarkable father, brother, son, veteran, and more remarkable friend than I could have imagined. We hadn't seen each other for over 15 years- so of course we met up in
NYC (smile). Like me, he works to help people. And our friendship is a gift, like all things in life- even hardships. His sister remarked that the timing of our friendship was good for him. She had no idea of the good timing in my life for a positive male influence to reaffirm my faith in men treating women with respect. We both lifted each other up and that is where happiness comes from: Our way of being.

Everyday my faith (in a loving God) is affirmed by life. It's occurring to me that the spirit of God in us, the way we are made in the likeness of God means that when we create anything in life it is divine. We see this in the inspiring works of art that are created by Tiffany or the feeling of awe from inventing an opportunity to be a positive change agent in the world. I'm also astounded by the story of Jesus having faith to die on the cross for our sins, and it's profound beauty in reflecting the good that can happen in our own lives and the world when we embrace fear and take a leap of faith to turn adversity (Any hardship. See the 911 memorial cross in the picture) into an opportunity for humanity, kindness and love. As I look at the challenges I've faced this last year, and how the circumstances were altered by surrendering to God and choosing faith instead of fear, I see the gift of a graceful and powerful life.

And that is what's going on in life right now. To that end Melina and I offered Scott Butterfield ownership in Credit Union Strategic Planning and the position of CEO. He accepted our offer and we immediately picked up clients in Alaska, California and Louisiana. The word is out that we are saving small credit unions and helping consumers.

And the H1N1 I picked up in Ohio (yup mom and I got really sick) laid me up at my mother's house, just long enough to let her make me homemade chicken noodle soup, for us to love one another and appreciate all the health and happiness we take for granted.

So I'm jumping on a plane from Ohio back to Tacoma tomorrow. Dylan's sock hop is this weekend and I'm certain to have a great time with the kids and my friends Jenny, Karl and Ayana. Life really couldn't be any better- with the exception of maybe getting to spend a week or a month with my Grandma Jeanne. Guess I'll have to come back to Ohio next month. That I will work on until then, Thank you God for all of the blessings in my life..

Good Times

Dylan and I have hit our work hard, play hard stride. Dylan's grades have skyrocketed. He is taking caring for the pups seriously. And soccer is in full gear. My dear friend Karl Kilga (Claire and Travis' dad) is D-man's soccer coach.



Karl works the boys out so hard they come home EXHAUSTED.












The Kilga kids, Karl, Dylan and I have been close for years; I even taught Claire how to ride her bike. While the boys work the soccer field, Claire and I relax with the puppies, swing on the playground and taunt each other with double dutch jump rope challenges. With work in full gear (The US Treasury CDFI Fund opened a new $113 million round) and my promise not to work at all after picking Dylan up from school, Tuesdays and Thursdays have officially become my favorite days of the week.



Melina and I are embracing a tremendous work milestone this week. We are celebrating the one year anniversary of our business with gratitude for the amazing people we work with and good that we are doing. As I've said before, the world is reflecting our good intentions back at us. It is amazing. I never dreamed our business would be so healthy after one year. I cried tears of joy this week. The sustainability is awe inspiring as we add new clients from across the country every week including credit unions in Sonoma and Louisiana this last week. Thank God. Thank God. Good times.

Little Girl Games

I still like to play games, little kid games. I am talking about the kind of nonsense I played with Trista. Tuesday I attempted an old game silently in my mind as I drove D-man to school in a neighborhood filled with beautiful houses. It was a game of little girl imagination along the lines of how many kids do you want to have? What do you want to be when you grow up? It was which house do you want to live in?

I always chose the little white one beside Dr. McDonalds' (both of them) office in downtown Bolivar. The one with the Bolivar sign in the front yard. It was the way they manicured the lawn with kris-cross perfection, and kept the home freshly painted. These people LOVED their home. It wasn't decadent. Ironically, my parents' home was four, maybe six times as big- with a HUGE swimming pool.

On the drive to Dylan's school, I thought what a great life visualization exercise. What is my favorite home in this incredible neighborhood near Dylan's school; Only to be frustrated by my inability to choose. None of the houses were my favorite house. I felt slightly defeated. Why couldn't I choose? It's an easy game.

Lets bring this ship into port. I sat on my porch swing this morning watching the pups do their bidness. Two middle school girls walked by. One paused in the sidewalk and turned to me, "Your house is beautiful. It's my favorite house. I look at it everyday.” And blough like a steam roller- it hit me.

My home is my favorite house. I love this house. I even told the girl, "Thank you. Thank you for telling me that you love my home. I love my home. I work on it all the time. This summer I climbed up onto the roof myself to paint the trim."

Just like the people in the little house in Bolivar, I love my home. Apparently that love is something that little girl's dreams are made of. I'm living my own dream. Bliss.

Now off to make money to pay for that paint (wink). Special thanks to my Grandma Jeanne for the love that she put into my life and home. I am grateful.

Yo Quiero- We got a puppy dog!

Dylan has been asking for a Chihuahua for over a year. Not just any dog- a Chihuahua. As we've been living in peace and harmony with new rules and respect in the house I was actually thinking about it. During the past year, I've always said, "No way." I haven't really liked a dog since my dachshund when I was a little girl. And ooooh the responsibility (wrinkled brow and sigh.)

Well the lesson at Genesis this week was about feeling joy. I almost felt like Rev. Charles was speaking right to me about letting go of the need to work too hard and taking life too seriously. Separately we had a great conversation about the lightness he's seen return in my spirit during the last month. Of course I busted out a famous machine gun laugh to celebrate the call for free, joyous expression.



Along those lines, I had a joyous weekend and on Sunday night God sent more joy to our house. My friend showed up with not one, but two Chihuahua puppies in need of a good home. The big fat begging lip showed up on Dyan's adorable face. I thought to myself, "Ok, God, I hear ya."

We played, laughed, rolled around with the disgustingly adorable spotted, blue eyed pup.

After much deliberation (I am still very serious.) and agreements with Dylan about responsibilities and chores- we decided to keep her. We didn't keep both pups, but we are now a family complete with one disgustingly adorable salt and pepper spotted, blue eyed chihuahua puppy.

Now for a name...Suggestions. I was thinking Faith? or Joy?

Saling Under the Harvest Moon

September in Seattle (and Tacoma) is marked by cool air that chills the nape and the last of the zucchini blossoms. In the Garden of Goodness, a beautiful bounty of squash, cucumbers, peppers, leeks, tomatoes, and lima beans was lit by the harvest moon this weekend. It also sparkled across the water of Elliott Bay (read on).

The seeds we’ve sown and nurtured have blossomed and bore fruit when we reap our harvest. These past few months I planted seeds of my own to:

1. Regain my self-love.

2. Establish boundaries to improve my parenting and protect my home and finances.

3. Step faithfully beyond the fear of the unknown with my business and construction projects.

4. Be the integrity that my word represents my intentions to the world.

5. Forgive and release energy focused on the past.

The (symbolic) garden of my life is overflowing with freshness..


Dylan started the fifth grade last Wednesday. We made an agreement on the house rules. After setting the rules, I asked, “Is there anything that would keep you from living with these rules? Now is the time for us to change anything you can’t live with.” He asked if we could have a rule that I take him to school 20 minutes early everyday. I said, “No problem,” and kept my promise all week, as I will for the remainder of the year. He also kept his word about living with the rules.

For the first time ever, on Thursday he asked, “Is there any other chores I can do for you, mom?” AMAZING! The rules and expectations are building his motivation and confidence. He wants to exceed my expectations.

I too want to exceed my own expectations (and his). In business, we closed two more U.S. Treasury grant writing contracts last week- and picked up a strategic planning client in Sonoma, CA.

What about personal joy? I mentioned, “the moon sparkled on Elliot Bay.” I’ve been so heartbroken these last few months, that I forgot that spending time with an attractive, charismatic man could be enjoyable and romantic. I went on a date on Friday- let my hair down, laughed, smiled and was swept off my feet for an evening. It’s been so long since I’ve felt remotely interested in a man. And really it has been about me loving myself enough to let go of something that didn't work to create an opening in my heart for something that could.



I’m letting go of the sadness. It’s not hard when the option is to sit in mourning or to graciously accept roses during a sunset cruise from someone that just wants to get to know me.

The message at my spiritual center today was simply be light and feel joy. That seams like a way to be grateful for the things we’ve nurtured and grown in our lives.

Last week before school

It's the last week before school starts and what does that mean for kids? It's the last week to help mom out! (hehe) Actually, Dylan's been at his grandparents in Portland for most of the Summer. It has been a joy to have him back.

I've grown as a parent during these few short months. I realized we needed a few rules, boundaries and for me to clearly communicate my expectations- so he could exceed them. And boy was this the best idea I've ever had. He loves that I am letting him know what to expect up front. So much so, that he looked forward to his chore of washing the car, told me that it was his bed time and offered to make me coffee in the morning.

I can't imagine the coffee making is a permanent thing, but I believe the respect is sustainable. I realized that being consistent with bed time, home work time and expressed rules and consequences is actually showing him respect. We reap what we sow.

It's going to be a great year.

Leap of Faith

I jumped out of a plane yesterday and it was spiritual. In fact I'm jumping into a whole new life. At first I was terrified by all of the life changes. That fear was debilitating. Can I manage the huge home construction project as a single mom? Can I make my business soar without a loving partner to back me up? Then I decided to take control and turn that fear into faith. I tackled the challenges one at a time- and with faith each step I took turned into a giant successful leap. Yesterday I went skydiving to change my entire mindset. It was AMAZING! Remember this is your life and fear can only paralyze you, if you let it. Im choosing to live an empowered life. I am letting go of my fear to make my dreams come true. See my bliss. ( My smile is nearly blinding in this video.) It is in you too.





Separately, I recieved amazing news today. This blog was named #29 on the list of 100 Incredible Philanthropy Blogs by Bible College Reviews.

The review said, "With many people out of work and struggling to make ends meet, charitable giving and philanthropy is more important than ever to help people domestically and around the world get on their feet and lead better lives. If you’re interested in learning how to give back or want to find out more about people and organizations dedicated to philanthropy, the web is a great place to start. These blogs will help you get a clearer picture of philanthropic projects large and small, and ways that you can get the greatest result from dedicating your time or money."

And goes on in the list to describe my blog, "This mom uses this blog as a forum to talk about the community projects they work with in their hometown."

I've been writing much more about spirituality and God's connection to my decision to create an enjoyable life and actively contribute to community. My wonderful church Genesis Global Spiritual Center has guided me to a much more graceful life. I am grateful for the beautiful place of unconditional love it is in my life and community.

Can't beat the heat- join it!

We are experiencing a record breaking heat wave in Tacoma- AND loving it. Dylan is embracing the opportunity to swim with his friends everyday. My best friend Robbi lived in LA for many years and like Dylan is enthralled with the heat. How could I do anything but join in the fun? While Robbi stained furniture in the 102 degree heat, I layed a brick patio. This photo shows the pristine nature of her artistic staining and the filthy, back breaking truth of my brick paving.

We ended the evening with Uncle Jon and Jess. I made dinner and the whole gang enjoyed homeade ice cream. We busted out the ice cream maker that dad and mom used when we were kids.

Transition to the Present and Future

I am filled with joy that Dylan comes home this weekend. Plans are for a night of volunteering with friends on Saturday, Genesis and meditation on Sunday morning and old-fashioned ice cream making Sunday in the heat of the day.

In the mean time, Dylan’s trip to Portland (and its divine timing) created a graceful transition of Luke out of our lives without causing Dylan more sadness. Little guy was as shocked and torn up as I was. The truck came and went this weekend and God opened a new door for a dependable, honest, caring man to walk into our lives to love us and let us love him - WHEN we are ready.

Counter balancing the move, my dear friend Robbi provided inspiring entertainment to ensure my focus remained on the present and future- not fantasies of a false past. I can see now that I was wrong about Luke being my life partner and that many good things came from it. As a single mom, I would never have started my business if I didn’t think I had the stable backing of a caring, dependable partner. And I love my business. Melina, Scott and I are doing phenomenal work. We've written $10 million in US Treasury grants with clients from New York to Hawaii. The world can only continue to reward our hard work, vision and talent. Thank God Luke was in my life at the time, so I would have that false sense of security to take the leap of faith to start this business. It really is a miracle. My friend Stacy had tears of pride in her eyes when we talked about the impact our work is having to make the world a better place.

Speaking of miracles, everything my mom, brother and I planted from seed has sprouted. Every single plant is in full bloom in the "garden of goodness." I cooked the first meal from the garden this weekend. It was a fun Sunday, getting filthy dirty and the perfect juxtaposition after attending a Gala event with Robbi on Friday.


On the home front: The shingles are on the house. This was a top priority to protect the exposed insulation. I felt very overwhelmed about all that needed to be done when Luke first left. I’m so grateful that this is off the list. And a generous electrician volunteered to bring the electrical wiring up to code. This also scared the hell out of me. We couldn’t even pass inspection and I didn’t know a darn thing about electricity. Now to figure out how to finish the tiling that has part of the floor exposed. I’m tackling one thing at a time.


For now it’s a good mix of accepting best friend love, reflection and centering, a whole gob of welcome home Dylan hugs and a focus on small tasks to make this house a home again. Ok work and personal development are in the mix too. Robbi and I both registered for the August Landmark Forum Class.

In the end God’s plans are more beautiful and natural than my ideas. There were and continue to be many gifts through this life experience. So I am surrendering .

Doing Good

Back in the day (elementary school), I had a tormenting friendship with the boy who went to my church and lived at the end of the street. He was a stinker and I was a prissy little girl. In middle school, he fell (or I pushed him) off of his trampoline. In high school, he had a visible hump on his back. I always felt guilty (because he teased) that I gave him that hump during the famed "trampoline incident." We were good buddies through the tormenting, teasing and life's accidents. Our first jobs were at the strawberry farm together. We were in drivers ed. together and even confirmed and left our church at the same time when they fired our beloved minister. We graduated high school and haven't seen each other since.

He called today and it's been over 15 years. He heard of Dylan's and my heart break, my facing life's challenges head on and like so many other friends was just extending his friendship (over miles and years). He called to offer to come out and help me with my home construction woes and to give pearls of wisdom about life, kids and common sense. One of the many things he said that touched me,

"If you do nice things and you're a good person, people will help you."

(even after you push them off a trampoline, apparently)

His wife and kids are lucky to have him, as am I to have such a wise friend.

Writing of friends and doing good, Melina and I had a great trip to Loon Lake to support our friend Demaris. We shared our gifts: Melina sang at her wedding and I took the photos.

Demaris was a beautiful bride.

Storm before the Peace

As my dear friend, Melina and I drove across Washington to Loon Lake, we passed seven or more dust devils (mini tornadoes). It was thrilling. We joked, hoping the largest would dissipate as the road and the tornado's path became one. Of course it did. It reminded me of the sand storm that Patrick Hogan, Linda Danforth and I were caught in beside the Niger River in the port city of Mopti, Mali, West Africa, the chaos and the peace that followed.

We arrived at Loon Lake in time for dinner, a peaceful lull in the hammock and to catch the serene last rays of the setting sun.



Storms are natural in life. Humidity and fluctuating temperatures, the calm that follows is a moment of wondrous, easy peace. The perfect moment to simply be.






This is my life right now. Thank God, my family and good decision making.

New Roommate

My new roommate, Amanda, moved in last night-divine timing. She needed a safe place to escape domestic violence. She is taking all the right steps. She filed charges, filed for divorce and our living arrangement is based on her keeping our address confidential for our safety.

She is a sweet young girl, twenty-years-old, finishing her last two months of her school program. Remarkable timing that I have a room for her and was recently open to having a roommate.

A friend of mine shared a quote today, "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am thankful for the creative altruism that makes this living situation mutually beneficial.

Self Defense

One of my dear friends, Shayne Jasper, made this hilarious YouTube video about self defense. Tips include an open-handed slap and stomping on the perp's feet.

A little story relating to the good we put out into the world returning to us- I helped Shayne to start his business last year: Train with Shayne. During that time he has been one of the driving forces behind my regaining my health and moving from a size 12 to a size 6. As I've gone through life's challenges this past month, he's been there holding me high- like a brother. Thanks for helping me to tap back into my authentic strength Shayne. I hope the world spreads the entertainment of your funny video.

Thanks

A genuine and vulnerable message to friends and family:

I am grateful for your love and support. It's been a hard time. To remain authentic, I have not posted any vibrantly happy pictures during the last month. This post is just to let you know that the ground is solid and I am landing on my feet. Dylan is visiting his grandparents in Portland as I mange our life transition. We will soon be back in Ohio for an extended visit to heal and feel the warmth and security that embraces children when they visit mom. Mom, I can imagine your hug now.

As for this traumatic experience, it has been an unexpected gift. Friends have placed supportive hands under my arms, as I pull myself back to my feet. Furniture, construction help and prayers have come in endless supply from local business friends and our spiritual center. An electrician even volunteered to finish the half-done project of our kitchen that won't pass inspection. Friends will teach me how to place the shingles that leave our home vulnerable to the weather. By surrendering to grace, a contract came in that will ensure that Dylan and I can keep our home. When we received the call, I shared tears of joy with Melina (my biz partner). Our clients saw the results of our work and asked for more- at what was really the moment of truth. With God's perfect timing, after two month's of panic attacks related to finances and a fear of abandonment that actually came true, the contract came in the day after the negativity and dishonesty walked out the front door. (Said with compassion that it is not meant to shame someone I care for so deeply.) When it appeared all was lost, all there was to do was pray. The results are affirming, reminders to choose faith over fear.

The state of shock is passing. Life is getting better every day. The heartbreak and empathy is still raw. It's hard to decisively let go of someone you love when they are making destructive choices, but necessary. And what appears as destructive or selfish from my perspective is different from another's shoes. It is a healthy choice for the people we love to be real, even when the person they choose to be harms us. We can't be what someone else wants us to be, even when it is humane or loyal- if it is not who we are. I'm just glad to see the truth now. Thank God it was just during financial crisis not while facing illness or tragedy. My love for myself and the man I've loved so well- remains steadfast even with the need to maintain the separation. That love lives in the belief in our separate, personal growth.

As Einstein lived so profoundly, "In adversity there is opportunity." Yes, I am saddened by the disappointment. Concurrently, I am joyous about the opportunity for personal growth and to surrender to God's grace. Beyond those profound gifts, like never before I am able to see and receive the love-of friends, family and community. As the truth unfolds more and more beautiful opportunities are emerging. We must be on the right path. The good I am putting out into the world is coming back to me magnified by ten.

I have remarkable work to do in the world. Thank so many of you for sharing these words. I am listening and ready again to instigate goodness.

Be well. As will I.

Deep gratitude to you: Marilyn, Melina, Robbi, Scott, Shayne,Lois, Ed, Jenn, Joshua, Mom, Jon, Jess, my neighbors, David, Vic, Stacy, Mary and Jim, Reider, Brian, Dad, Grandma, Jake, Linda and Sue. Your love is a treasured gift.

Garden of Goodness

My mom surprised me by flying out to Tacoma from Ohio last weekend. Random? Yes, but I needed her. I'd worked myself to exhaustion on those CDFI U.S. Treasury grants. I don't think Luke knew what to make of it. Given that he leaves at 6 AM and gets home from work at 7:30 PM, we both need to keep ourselves as balanced as possible in our work/home life. There's not a lot left to give to each other at the end of an exhausting day. Personal responsibility is an important strategy for maintaining happiness. Working 18 hours a day for the month, honestly caused me to be a little down in addition to the physical exhaustion.



Mom gave love so freely that it was contagious. I couldn't believe it when she texted me that she would fly out the next day. She arrived at noon with her "joy spreading" ready to jump off the plane. She brought my brother Jon over and we went to work planting the most energizing cottage garden. My bro even buried bricks to create an adorable border. We planted squash, leeks, tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, kale with sunflowers lining the back. There will be a feast this summer. Come our way in August. All the while Luke sawed, stained and hung the accent beam in our kitchen. I am so grateful for a weekend dedicated to family and loving our home. It was needed.

Mom wants regular garden updates, so this blog may transition to a few veggie pictures for the summer.

Hey mom the lima beans and sunflower seeds sprouted yesterday!

Love you.

Thank you Mrs. Butterfield

My friend Scott Butterfield is a master with numbers in a way that I may never know in this lifetime. So it is that Scott and I are connected at the computer-hip this month as our team writes US Treasury Grant Applications.

His wife Lora is his mental match, the Executive Director of the Bonney Lake Chamber of Commerce and a domestic goddess. To break the monotony of the hard work and impact on our families, Lora and Scott invited Dylan, Luke and I over for an after work BBQ on Sunday



After hours of toiling over numbers, I joined Luke and Dylan for a jump on the Butterfield's trampoline.


























Lora's strawberry shortcake was the sweetest part of the evening.

2 National Emmy Nominations

Three years ago I did something scary- and thankfully was supported by one beautifully persistent woman, Roxanne Kruger, a genius, Stacy, Augustine, and the greatest diplomat ever known to the cooperative movement, John Annaloro. So it is today, I am incredibly proud to receive a text message with huge news.

The PBS kids financial literacy program we introduced to be underwritten by the largest grant in the history of the National Credit Union Foundation and America's Credit Unions-- was nominated for TWO national Emmy Awards.

I cried tears of joy thinking about the good intentions we had, the promises we kept and the impact credit unions are having on young people across America and internationally.

It's days like these that the sleepless nights of work put into projects like BizKid$ all make sense. I can only hope that a few children out of the millions of viewers learn enough to stay away from high interest credit cards. (smile and coy reference to the American Debt Relief Challenge.)

Get involved:

1. Share Bizkid$ with your kids.
2. If you work at a credit union, underwrite BizKid$. It still needs your support. Conact RoxAnne Kruger or learn more.
3. Talk to your kids about money, don't just charge trips to Disney Land.

Much Love,

Jamo

Happy Birthday and Big Homework

We celebrated Dylan's first double-digit birthday. He's officially a "big boy." Although, he'd be mortified by my saying that. It was a great party with lots of goofing around. Grandma Mary, Papa Jim, my brother and Luke were all there.

Homework
Then we went back to school and work. Oh yes, the real world does exist after the party. Dylan and I have been doing our homework together. His new teacher is great. She sends spelling lists to both of Dylan's homes.

It's also a big month for Melina and I. We are so excited about how well things are going at Credit Union Strategic Planning. A team of us are writing $12 million in US Treasury grant applications for Community Development Financial Institutions this month. To say the least, it's nose to the grindstone and pencils behind the ear.

Helping Old Friends Make News As Fastest Growing Small CU in US

Melina and I were no sooner off the plane from unveiling the American Debt Relief Challenge in DC and settled into hugs with Jason (her hubby), Luke and Dylan, than we were back on the trail instigating goodness.

We put on a press conference for an old friend yesterday. The credit union is simply remarkable, one of the fastest growing small credit unions in the nation- because it is focused on really helping hard working families. The video is only one minute long if you can suffer through the 10 second nursing home commercial that leads into it. The press conference was a big hit: ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates showed up, two newspapers and three radio stations. It was great to depart for home knowing that we helped people and that we'd finally get to stay home with the boys after far too many nights away.


(Deleted for noise annoyance. :)

Time to go home- but not before we leave the world a little better than how we found it.

Today was one of the ten BEST days of my life. It doesn't come close to comparing to the day Dylan was born or the day I realized that I deeply love and admire my mother, but it was amazing. Now my feet hurt, I miss my son and I'm ready to come home from DC.

On the eve of leaving DC, I'm both inspired and filled with inner peace knowing that my dearest friends and collaborators on the American Debt Relief Challenge are truly leaving the world just a little better than we found it earlier this week. I am grateful for the grace that brought four of the most brilliant and talented people I've ever met together to save American families over $300 million.
Just when we nominated former NASA employee and credit union technology guru Jason Green as our supremo team genius, Bob Manning PhD, author of Credit Card Nation and inventor of the Responsible Debt Relief Algorithm joined our co-operative group. This photo was taken at our contract signing with Dr. Manning at the esteemed Aspen Institute.


The joy I feel is even more pronounced in sharing it with my dearest friend and business partner, Melina Young. If ever, I made even the slightest of intelligent decisions it was in discussing full partnership with Melina. To see her in action, pulling national partnerships together was a sight of confidence, truth and beauty. The success of the collective is so equally contributed to, that the lines of credit blur at the edges of each collaborators profound skills and contributions. This includes the contributions of her amazing husband Jason Young.

To think the American Debt Relief Challenge started over a 4 hour philosophical coffee with Scott Butterfield, ADR co-founder. He simply shared how he saved the average family $200 a month by transferring their high interest credit card debt out of a mega bank credit card (28% APR) into a not-for profit credit union (9% APR). He is my hero.

And our extended team and friends at Currency Marketing, the leading credit union advertising agency in North America and first agency to submit marketing campaigns to ADR have been in our hearts and minds all week. Thousands of people saw and loved your work. The big hit "It's ok to ask for help."

Team accomplishments in DC:

*ADR praised in speech by presidential appointee to audience of 4,000+ people.

*ADR signs partnership contract with Bob Manning PhD, author of Credit Card Nation and regular guest on NPR and CNN.

*ADR gains official national trade press media sponsor, The Credit Union Journal.

*ADR invited to many states to speak at conventions.

*ADR loves and thanks Filene Research Institute for cultivating innovation in our most worthy movement.

*ADR off and running in the challenge to save consumers $300 million.

Happy Birthday Uncle Jon

Wishing you the happiest 29th birthday because you are the best uncle and brother in the entire universe! We love you Jon George! Jamie and Dylan

Something big is going down

Some people far more talented than myself and I are working on an inspiring project. More details to come soon.
Also, my new business website is up and live!

www.CreditUnionStrategicPlaning.com