"Keep Looking Up " A Poem for my son

The gift that I am metaphorically illustrating with this digital art is confidence in your own abilities, belief in self and faith to persevere and keep trying. This is the gift I would like to give my son, the brightest star in my sky.

Jamison, if at first you don't succeed... Tye, Tye Again!!!!! (Shoes, that is) I love you more than all the fish in the sea, all the people on land and all the stars in the Sky and all the way to the moon and back too!

This original digital art was created on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1" Tablet (2013 Edition) using Photoshop Touch, Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and PicsArt!

This is an original poem and artwork. Do not reproduce without permission.

We're In! Go Hawks!

My Superbowl Tribute to the 12th men all over the world.   This is my original digital art made using Photoshop Touch on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.  The Hawk head logo is owned by Seattle Seahawks and is not original obviously.

My son didn't believe me when I told him that he was born a 12th man.  I finally dug out the proof:

My little man's first Hawks Jersey.   Christmas 2007

My step son Josh,  my son Jamison and me (with RED hair)

Marshawn Lynch & Rob Gronkowsi Hang with Conan and play Mortal Combat X... Priceless!

This is hilarious.  I love my Seahawks and I like Marshawn for the power he brings to the field every game but this video makes me like him even more...  The Patriots suck but this Grong guy ain't all bad.   I hope you enjoy this as much as I did...

My Awesome Nephew Deven on Haiti & Happiness

NewLifeforHaiti.org

Keeping Up with the Hattabaughs

Thoughts from Deven Hattabaugh Deven is 13 years old and an 8th grader. Deven was kind enough to share with us his experiences from the summer spent in Haiti. Here it is and we are coming up on Christmas time. It makes me think back to my trip over the summer to Haiti. While I was in Haiti, I met all these beautiful happy people who had next to nothing. Driving by their houses, I noticed that their entire house was smaller than my bedroom! All these people were so happy about life. It's so weird because I look around here at home and all I see are people who are angry, mad, or unhappy. Why are we all so unhappy when we have everything we could want at our finger tips? My family spent 3 weeks in Haiti this past summer. The first week, the youth group from our church was there. We had a VBS with the local children and teens. The day of the teen VBS, after some singing and learning, it was play time. A bunch of girls from our group and Haitians were dancing in a circle and one person was in the center at a time. I was standing on the edge of the group watching them when one of the girls pointed at me to go in the center. Of course I jumped right in and started dancing my crazy dance. I don't think I have ever heard so many girls laugh so hard. It was one of those moments that was just so funny and a great time just being a teen. On that day, I also met a little boy named Jinn. He was 5 years old and could speak a little bit of English. I originally thought he was about 2 years old because he was so small and adorable. We became good friends. I would see him at church and he would come sit with me. He lives right by our guest house in Haiti.  The last day before we came home was one of the best days I had in Haiti. Dis, one of the workers, and his family came to the house to get a water filtration system. We had a football and a couple Frisbees at the house. My sister, Katy Deenihan (another teen staying with us) and I started playing with the kids. A few of the neighborhood kids came in the yard and also started playing. I had so much fun running around with all the kids. It's pretty crazy that even though we couldn't communicate with language, we were able to play and just have a great time being kids. Later we were all sitting around and Velix [NLH field worker and very good friend] was helping us translate to the other kids. It was so crazy because I was younger than a few of the boys that I thought were about only eight. If you knew me, you would know I am a big kid. The Haitian kids couldn't believe that I was younger than them. They thought I was 16-18 years old, and I had just turned 13! I am so thankful for the time I got to spend in Haiti. It has really opened my eyes to the world outside my little bubble. And it has really made me appreciate what I have, and made me want to help more. From my family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And as we go through the stressful holiday season, just remember that happiness is a choice. If my friends, the ones you help support in Haiti with next to nothing can be happy, why can't we? We encourage you to become monthly partners with Chris and Rachel, which will allow them to make New Life for Haiti even more fruitful in changing lives among the poor. You can contact Chris at Chris.Hattabaugh @NewLifeforHaiti.org

Do you have old worn out jeans lying around taking up space? Repurpose the jeans your kids grow out of!

Little Ninja Jamison custom painted backpack

Jamison Custom Backpack by malibuninja on deviantART

8 Ways You Can Use Sweet Almond Oil to Better Your Health!

(Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

I love natural at home remedies and I love natural oils for skin care, Sweet almond oil also has the added benefit of smelling so nice.  Check out some of the info I have found about how Sweet Almond Oil can help you!

Almonds are mostly used salted, plain, in confectioneries and desserts and even consumed to extract massage oils, edible oil and even hair oils. Almond oils are widely used all over the world due to its amazing uses. Sweet almond oil is highly used for skin and health care purposes. Some of amazing benefits are described below.

(Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

• Rich Source for Vitamins and Minerals:

Almond oil is available in pale yellow color, amazing in flavor and a high source of important minerals and vitamins. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins D and E are found in sweet almond oil that is why it is a great source of nutrients which are essential for health.

• Sweet Almond Oil for Cardiac Health:

Sweet almond oil is rich in folic acids, mono saturated fats, protein and potassium sweet almond oil helpful to maintain your health of heart. You can lesser down the heart diseases if you add up almond oil in your diet.

Refuse to be a prisoner to meaningless opinions...

So True...  I refuse to be a prisoner...  

Think what you may but it won't change me.  Only I can change me and only if and when I feel the need to change...  

The only opinion of me that matters is my opinion of myself!  

Also, what others think of me is none of my business!  :)

If you love so much it hurts... Maybe you have too much compassion?

Here are some inspiring words by Mother Teresa...  and an inspiring Graphic By Me!

Blank Wall Transformed!

Post by Malibu Ninja Über Geek.

Fancy Antsy Tie Tying!

Post by Stacy M Price.

The Difference is Why...

"They laugh because I am different... I laugh because they're all the same! I'm proud to be a geek but I am no sheep!" -Malibu Ninja

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SoulPancake Activities - The Difference is Why- 1 month ago
Quiet people listen more. Shorter people are more grounded. Bookworms are more well-read.  Wallflowers smell better. OK, maybe not necessarily that last one.
Embrace your inner oddball. List all of the best things about being different.

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I am not capable of being ordinary, only extraordinary. I have always been a little different.  Like a mis-matched shoe that is obvious to anyone who cares to look. 

Have never followed the path those before me have beaten but instead set out on my own to blaze a new trail.  I can’t say that it was always the best option but it was always my decision, rarely influenced by anyone or anything outside of myself.  My route was not the path of least resistance but most of the time it was that of most resistance and often my own choices kicked me in the ass and punched me in the eye!

Jesse Ruben is a super star, the proof is in the e-Cards!

In the music industry, you know you have "made it" as an artist when some one creates an e-Card with your name across it and posts it on the various social networks to circulate! 
Usually the circulation follows some outlandish public debauchery; like being spotted having a romantic dinner with a married man (if you happen to be a female artist) or maybe a photographer is snapping photos after a drunken bar brawl and you “accidently” knock him out with a right hook (if you happen to be a bad ass male artist).  My point is, that in the music industry popularity is rarely based on your actual talent or the message your music is sending but almost completely on your party animal image. 

Seems a bit like high school doesn’t it?

Jesse Ruben on the other hand doesn’t do drunken debauchery or bar fights and still has gained a huge following in recent years.  See e-Card for proof!

Congratulations Jesse!!  You have reached the big time! People like you so much that there is a Jesse Ruben e-card!  If that isn’t fame, I don’t know what is.  The bonus news is that said e-Card isn't offensive and doesn't portray you in a negative light at all!

Ding! Ding! Ding! We Have A Winner!

Goofy GIFs Courtesy of Google+ Auto Awesome

This was the only “Almost” snow day so far this winter, meaning school was not cancelled but delayed by two hours!

Don't allow Expectations to Ruin You *Wiz-Dumb Pai*

So many people go through life attempting to control every aspect of their day to day lives.  They plan everything in their minds and expect their plans to become reality.  They expect what they consider to be perfection.  Even if they don't expect exact perfection, they do expect close to it.  Through their predictions they are sure that events will go smoothly for them.  Predicting every outcome so all will be right in their world! 

These people predict what will happen, how it will happen and how they will react to whatever it is.  Then they spend their day manipulating everything and everyone around them in an attempt to produce their desired outcome.  When whatever it is doesn't turn out exactly how they believed it would... well, they become enraged or depressed.

 

When you set expectations you are throwing a metaphorical wrench into the engine of your life.