Sugarplums

Happiest of birthdays to my wonderful Mother! 

She thinks I'm a strange bird, but I think, I learned from the best. Side note: It is really a shame high energy cannot be learned.  

Thanks for a wonderful day of desserts and drinks - cheers to many, many more. Oh, and thanks for (almost) always answering the phone. 

Love you! xoxo

Tattoo Crazy.

Has this book been stalking anyone else? No seriously, I use the word stalking because I feel like everywhere I go - it's there. My friends are reading it. Strangers are reading it. People who read bestsellers are reading it. My co-workers want to read it. People are talking about the movie.

& I want to be part of this crowd.

Yesterday, I just had to stop a customer at the Deli and ask questions. She didn't have many answers other than, "If you start it - power through the beginning, it's rough. Oh, and sometimes - it's very, very bad. Like, cover your eyes and blush kind of bad." Then, today I read an article by my dear Nicholas D. Kristof congratulating the novel for  bringing awareness to issues of modern day slavery and human trafficking!

Needless to say my interest & curiosity are officially sparked (even though I still know little to nothing about the series).

It would be easy enough to Internet search characters and plot summaries, but instead I'll just add Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to my "READ THIS" list. If only I had some beach time...

Big Week, Small Motivation

It's safe to say - I'm freaking out. 

8 months since my return from Cairo & I'm ready for something new. This week revels if I have a plan for the next 365 days or if its time to start kicking butt. Rut. Rut. Rut. 

Heat Wave

I ran out of things to say. Then I ran to Iowa. & now, I'm running sandwiches. Oh me. Oh my. 

NEED THIS.

Try

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."

- Derek Bok

I've been less than impressed with the majority of people lately. Where did "Do Unto Others ... " go? 

It's Madly Fab

Not too long ago I raved about my first issue of MN Women's Press, and kids - my second is equally fabulous. I highly encourage you all to pick up a copy of the July issue (I got mine at Goodwill in Hastings) or visit www.womenspress.com. 

One my favorite articles this month was called Alice's Journey by Lyndall Johnson. Even though I had seen Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland I never took note of all the girl power! Johnson praises the movie for finally portraying a Heroine the right way -- a woman who defies cultural norms, stands up for the greater good, and follows her dreams - no matter what society says!

Emily and I watched the film tonight, her for the first time and I with a new perspective. Let me tell ya - it rocked my girl power socks right off. I've enjoyed the stories of Alice for a long time - so to now see my dear Alice as a positive female role model - warms my heart.

"From the moment I fell down this rabbit hole I've been told what I must do and who I must be! I've been shrunk, stretched, scratched and stuffed into a teapot! I've been accused of being Alice and not being Alice, but this is my dream. I will decide where is goes from here! ... I make the path."

Top Customers

At the Deli I serve a lot of different people, but my favorite - hands down - are customers over 60. Here are a few reasons why:

they call me cute names (doll, sweet, lovely, sugar, hunny, etc.),
their jokes are terrible,
they always dress to impress,
they are polite,
they laugh a lot,
they love chocolate,
trying something new off the menu is a huge deal,
they are comfortable eating alone,
they savor pastries and baked goods,
they order caffeine at night &
beer in the afternoon.

My favorite though, is when they order ice cream, because they always - and I mean always - get a double scoop.

Dang Mosquito

My legs are covered in mosquito bites and I'm pissed off about it! I want to go on a rant about red itchy splotchy legs and chemical filled repellents, but I can't. Because after every complaint a little voice in my head says, "Jeanna - at least Malaria isn't a worry." & the little voice is right, I'm lucky. 

Kinigi, Rwanda 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

Over half the world's population is at risk for Malaria.
There are over 250 million cases per year, 1 million resulting in death.
Every 45 seconds a child dies of Malaria.
Symptoms of Malaria include (are not limited to) fever, shaking, respiratory distress, and vomiting.
Malaria is both treatable and preventable.

For more information on transmission, symptoms, risks, treatment, elimination, prevention and more I suggest reading the WHO Malaria Fact Sheet.

OR better yet if you want to do something about Malaria prevention (& ultimate elimination) go to http://www.nothingbutnets.net/ & consider donating a 10 dollar mosquito net or organizing a fundraising team!

Map Mania

Ever since I saw these adorable World Map Collections by the Callaghan Art Gallery on etsy.com - I've been thinkin' - I need a map. A big map. Strolling through the aisles of Ikea with my Mama I was reminded of this dream, and let her know (she has got a good eye for flea market finds). Turns out, WE HAD SOME IN OUR BASEMENT. They were thisclose to being trash material, but thankfully were saved. 

Aren't they gorgeous? Swoooooon. How do I choose which beaut gets the honor of being hung behind my couch?