So most of you who know me know about one of my passions in life - Ben's Bells. While living in Tucson, I met a remarkable woman with a remarkable story. Jeannette, a former teacher/boss and now friend, dealt with great tragedy several years ago. In March of 2002, her little boys, Matt (almost 6) and Ben (almost 3) were playing together when Ben's airway suddenly closed off. He had the croup virus and it took his life on March 29, 2002. Needless to day, Jeannette's world completely crumbled around her and the grief she experienced was unfathomable. For months, she walked around as an empty shell and she was stunned that people couldn't see the agony radiating off of her. She wanted to die - she prayed that she and her family would just all die together instead of facing another day without Ben. When she would be at her lowest, feeling as though to take one more step would finish her off, some random stranger would do something kind. People didn't do these things because they knew what she was dealing with; instead, they did them because that's what they did - random acts of kindness - treating your community members gently - caring for one another. These small acts of kindness gave Jeannette her hope back...she hoped that she could be healed.

During the year following Ben's death, the family worked in their backyard studio making Ben's Bells - ceramic wind chimes that symbolize kindness. The process for making just one Ben's Bell requires several people and once finished, they have a special purpose. On March 29, 2003, just one year after Ben's death, friends and family who helped create Ben's Bells hung 400 at random through the city of Tucson. They did this to honor Ben and to encourage the lucky people who would find the Bells to spread kindness, for kindness is what helped sustain this family through their tragedy.

Their plan worked. The Finders fell in love with the simple idea that Ben's death brought about, and the community starved for involvement. Now, Ben's Bells is an established non-profit organization in Tucson and we produce Bells in mass, hanging 2,000 every year. I've spent the last 2 years of my life working for the Ben's Bells project and I never thought I would leave it. Then, we moved to Oregon and I gave up my existence in that charming studio. I see it as a blessing, though, because my dream is to set Ben's Bells up here to encourage the community to simply "be kind."

I need help! I just got a space donated through the end of October in Wilsonville and I want to get to work. Having a studio is much easier and cheaper than traveling all over the city, but it requires equipment. I'm looking for tables and chairs - fancy or plain - I'm not picky (well...kinda picky...it does have to work with the space we have). I'm looking for storage of some kind...perhaps shelves. We need funding to buy supplies, and hands to work on pieces. It's such a fun and simple project - the perfect thing to do with friends. I know lots of you are ready and have just been waiting on me! I so wish I didn't have to work full-time for benefits, but that time will come one day.

If anyone has any supplies, lemme know and I'll see if it is something I need. I'll keep you posted on when the doors will be open for you to come on down :-D

I'll admit it...I slept in today. The chirping birds (my phone alert) woke me up at 9:15 and I blearily looked at the screen through reluctant eyes. It was from Chad and he sent me an email with directions to the DMV. I guess he thought it was time for me to get my Oregon license. Marvelous. Marv.e.lous.

I got out of bed and dragged myself into the shower, got dressed, and took J3 outside to use the facilities. Let me tell you what is humiliating. It's yard work day at the apartment complex, and a nice man was mowing the lawn near the puppy potty. Of course, Jeffrey makes a substantial deposit, and then the man watches as I pick it up. He's grinning. How nice, right?

So anyway, the whole point of this is that I went to DMV in Lake Oswego. This totally beats Tucson DMV where you might wait 4 hours before they call your number. I got called in 5 minutes, and the lady behind the desk went absolutely NUTS over my bag. I have a bag with pictures of my family in it and she thought that was the coolest thing since...I dunno...since puppy doodie bags. She was squealing, "OH HOW CUTE! LOOK AT THAT WEDDING PICTURE!" She called all of the workers over and they're having a high pitched admiration party and everyone is just staring at me like, "What have you done, lady?! I gotta get back to work!" Oh well - not my fault these ladies found the highlight of their day in my purse.

I only missed one question on the test and it's because I got excited and didn't read all the multiple choice options first. I know. Number one mistake for taking tests, right? But at least I now have my Oregon DL. WOOOHOOO!

What an anti-climactic end to the story! Maybe I shouldn't have called this a story. Oh well...I'm just a trixy hobbit...

I got a haircut today! Thanks, Carrie! I love change :-D We had a fun time chatting and eating and talking about starting families. I love how much wisdom is out there from people who have experienced what I haven't. I really think that insight is priceless. I can learn so much from you all and your experiences! I'm kinda full of questions, too. Sigh. Deal with it :-P

I might have to cover somebody's shift tomorrow at work and I'm bummed because that means I can't go to Symphony rehearsal. Nuts. I was going to start going when we first moved here, but I jumped into it too fast and was having to miss too many rehearsals, so I decided to wait awhile. Now, I was invited back again and I thought, "Perfect! It's summer time! I've only got the one job to go to....this will be so nice!" Unfortunately, my Starbucks schedule isn't set so there's never a guarantee that I'll have Thursday nights off. I can request a day off here and there, but if I get too picky (I've already said Sunday service and Wednesday service times are off limits), I won't be much of an asset! I always feel bad when I have to miss out on something - maybe I'll grow out of that when I grow up.

I'm looking around the living room and I've decided and I need to tidy. And play the piano. Yes, definitely play the piano. I think some Disney tunes are in order...

The last bell rang for the school year and I nearly did a happy dance! I did restrain myself - interpreters have to play it cool - if kids like us too much, we get in major trouble. Sheesh.

ANYWAY, I have 2 glorious months off. What will I do, you ask? SAVE GAS MONEY! No more spending several hundred dollars a month driving to Europe and back everyday! I'll keep my Starbucks job during the summer for some income - now that's a fun job. I'm allowed to speak to people and bond - imagine that! And I'll actually get Ben's Bells progress made. Maybe I'll figure out a way to slow Earth's rotation down so days last longer, too. If anyone wants to help me do that, sign up. I doubt I have enough muscles to do that job solo.

This is my second day off. Yesterday, I got to see Chad more that I've seen him in awhile - we spent an entire hour together for lunch. I took Jeffrey on a walk/jog (more walk than jog). Today, a nice lady came and took away tubes of my blood, I took J3 on another walk, read a few chapters of my current book, and now I'm contemplating what to make Chad for lunch. I vote PB&J. Mostly because that's all we have besides cheese. I love cheese. I really really do.

I made my Daddy a DVD for Father's Day! I'm sure there's a way to post it on here...hmmm...I wonder if I can figure it out. I'll try :-D

Thanks for all the comments. Just as a warning, I won't be on Pleo everyday and it'll take me ages to reply to everyone, but I'll be social soooooon...I promise. (The definition of "soon" may be relative) :-D Looks like a fun world here!!!!