For Nash

On June 3rd, my son Nash will be graduating from Carver Elementary and moving on to Huntington Middle School. While that's nearly 3 months away, the yearbook committee recently requested that each parent write a congratulatory note for their child to be included in the upcoming yearbook. 

That note is due today. 

Because I tend to be long-winded, only a portion of this note will make it into the yearbook. However, when Graduation Day arrives and my son walks across that stage, THIS is the note that I will tearfully place into his hands...


Nash,

Your mother and I are so proud of the man you are becoming... 

And it has nothing to do with your grades, how many trophies you bring home, or how popular you turn out to be. 

You have proven to be a man of integrity. You truly care about others, and have a heart for those who can’t help themselves.

Whatever you may achieve in this life, know that our love for you will not ever change, for we couldn't be any prouder of you than we already are. 

So as you go forth in whichever direction you choose, I give you permission to take chances. I give you permission to try new things and walk different paths. And most importantly, I offer you the unlimited opportunity to make mistakes, and the freedom to fail...  

While we’re excited for the things you’ll do and Oh, the places you’ll go, know that the only thing that matters, is the person you are and the character you show.

New Workout Space

Well, the first house project of 2015 is complete.


While it may not look like it at first, this is my new workout room. OK, workout/multi-media/man room. No doubt, the room ended up much more sophisticated than I had previously planned. I want to call it the "Smoking Room," but I don't smoke, or the "Whisky" room, but I very rarely drink anymore... 


Now that the room is complete, I find myself spending much more time in this room than I had originally thought. The room turned out to be the perfect retreat for me, packed with a lot of function.

Feel free to drop in and hang with me anytime, but you'll have to bring the whisky...





The Opening Shot...



Some might remember these chairs. These are the chairs I saved from Goodwill about 2 months ago. With some elbow grease and quick instructions from YouTube, these now look fantastic. Worn in just enough to tell stories, but nice enough to shine.









So yes... I do workout here. I probably workout here 3 times a week in the mornings.



My favorite routine... Especially #4 and #5.







I originally had artwork hanging here, but it didn't make sense, so I bought a picture ledge to display some of my vinyl collection as art. I love how this looks...



Madonna, Oingo Boingo, Tears For Fears



REM, U2, The Smiths








I actually was in a band in high school... OK, I was really only one of the backup singers. - A proud member of The Hello Kitty Korus.



Etch A Sketch



View from the other side... Here is *most* of my music and movie collection.






One of my prized possessions... An Eames molded plywood chair from the Mid Century Modern era.  Ain't it beautiful?



Overall, I'm very pleased the way this room turned out. It has become way more than a "Workout Room" to be sure. I now use it as music room, quiet room, reading room, and generally just an escape I can go to when life starts moving too fast...


On to the next project.