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Gray

October 27, 2015 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

Gray Drive

Gray.
Rainy.
Cold.
Damp.

Walgreens
Bone chilling damp.

Gray Playground

And did I mention the gray?  Dark gray.  Like the sun suddenly lost half its intensity.  Brrrr!

And yet, as I drive through this gray, rainy, cold, damp, bone chilling day to retrieve my young pumpkins from school – I see the colors of fall, still boldly glowing, in spite of the relative darkness.

Red maple

And the golden, red, orange colors illuminate the world around me, in spite of the rain, like they only can this time of year.

Autumn Colors 1

And so I choose to see their beautiful light.

And I appreciate their softly glowing reminder on this gray and gloomy, October Tuesday, that we too can let our light shine – even on the darkest of days. Autumn Colors 3

And perhaps, help remind those around us to stay focused not on the world’s darkness, but on it’s radiant light – where we all really shine.

Autumn Colors 2

Live happy my friends!

Filed Under: Featured, Other

An Awe-Inspiring Privilege.

April 9, 2015 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

Hi There!  Did you think I forgot ya?  I beg your forgiveness as I’ve been a bit incognito the last few weeks – and I have absolutely no good reason other than…

It was Spring Break (glorious – hear the angels singing)?  And we were…at the beach.  And I had time to contemplate things like…

how much I LOVE SEAHORSES!

Let me introduce Spartacus.  My favorite seahorse lamp – ever (and no I don’t typically name furniture and other ‘things’). However, I didn’t know they made seahorse lamps until recently and when I saw him, I loved him and knew I had to have this guy and he just had to have a name.  I think he’s regal.

Spartacus
Spartacus

And this, is a picture of actual seahorses we saw at the Aquarium located in beautiful Pine Knoll Shores, NC, while spring breaking.

Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium Seahorses
Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium Seahorses

I just think they’re so dang cute.  And I mean come on – how can you not be amazed, befuddled, and impressed by a uniquely alien looking, yet graceful sea creature – where the boys have the babies!!!

Seahorse 2

Well actually, while that does amaze me – the truth is – I’m one of those weird, wacky, women who loved the “having” a healthy baby part.  The actual push ’til your eyeballs are popping out of your sockets and your handed a tiny, wrinkled, human creature ‘having’ is what I mean here.

And so now you know – I’m officially crazy.  Off my rocker.  Certifiable.  Or maybe not.  Hang on…let me qualify my statement…

My pregnancies?  Not a lot of love of that period of time for me (although I know many who LOVED being pregnant – GOD BLESS YOU).  No, for me, it was simply a means to an end ’cause I wanted that baby!  Why didn’t I like being pregnant you ask?  Oh,  that ‘hang over’ nausea feeling that leads to – well you know.  Then there’s the weight gain, the back pain, the reflux, the ankle swelling and water retention, a whole host of other issues women can face, and frankly….no wine (whimper), which made the whole nine months a less-than-happy-go-lucky memory for me…

But having the baby, my baby.  That was awesome.

I got that indescribable feeling many women report, a huge rush, like a feeling of overwhelming pride, of awe and amazement.  It was for me a true miracle….the miracle of having another human that was going to be at least a little bit like me (poor child), that no one has had before and no one ever will again.  That I loved.  And although I try always to share, I never would want to trade that experience for anything.

I happen to like the current role Daddy plays in all this – it’s an amazing thing if you really think about it.

To quote Alice von Hildebrand, a famous Catholic philosopher (who was introduced to me via FB by my dear childhood friend Jennifer Macintosh. Be sure to check out Jen’s awesome and thought provoking blog at wildflowersandmarbles.com)

“A man and woman collaborating with the Eternal God in creating a new human being is an awe-inspiring privilege not given to the angels – not even the highest of the seraphim!”  

Wow.  Now I’m not Catholic (full disclosure), but that’s how I felt.  It’s how I feel about it now.  An awe-inspiring privilege.   

Having said that, I’m still quite impressed by those darling little Daddy seahorses!  And how nice of them to call to mind this awesome privilege I was blessed with.  Thanks little guys (and girls) for reminding me of just how much family means to me, to us, to life.  

And how important and special all of us truly are.

So if you get the chance to visit an Aquarium – and if you live around NC and you haven’t been to the one at Pine Knoll Shores yet – it’s a great place to go.  We go nearly every time we’re at the beach.  And (despite the constant push toward the gift shop by my boys) we love to see the various fish, the otters, the alligators, the snakes, the sea turtles, the jellyfish, the sharks, and of course…the seahorses!

Seahorse 3

Giggle.  I just love ’em.  Toodles!

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Other

Live Your Passion!

March 20, 2015 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

John Mochnick:  Back, Brubeck & Beyond
John Mochnick: Back, Brubeck & Beyond

Many of you know – my father, John Mochnick, was practically born a professional musician.

It’s truly his life’s passion and only my mother, whom he’s been happily married to for 40 something years, and his children, my brother Jonathan and yours truly, supersede his love for music.  Music for him IS happiness and his dedication to his life’s passion has provided my brother and me with a strong, real life example of what living happy is all about.

Thank you Dad.

Born to my grandparents who owned a typewriter store (The Mochnick Typewriter Company) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, my Dad started playing the piano at age 7.   He’s been playing every day ever since.

John Mochnick - Age 8
John Mochnick – Age 8
John Mochnick Age 9
John Mochnick Age 9

Now retired from a 35 year career as a university choral and orchestral conductor, composer/arranger, administrator, and teacher, my Dad continues to pursue his musical passion by playing jazz.

I’m lucky enough to live in the same town as my dad and as you may guess, I too love jazz.  Especially my Dad’s.

I grew up listening to HOURS UPON HOURS UPON HOURS of practicing and watching his multiple musical performances from darkened concert halls, and I’ve been beaming with pride and amazement for my whole life as I’ve watched him time and time again impress, move, and amaze audiences with his unique talent and flair.

So, I just had to share with you, a sample of his latest accomplished performance, because it was downright AWESOME.

Once again my heart swelled with pride as I watched my gifted father perform March 4th in Wake Forest’s Brendle Recital Hall (where he used to work running the music department) with his long time friend and colleague Matt Kendrick.  The two of them have formed a local jazz duo (Mochnick and Kendrick) and play all over town in different venues (check out Nobles in Winston Salem, on Saturday nights from 7-9pm for live entertainment you’ll go back for again and again)!

The March 4th concert presented a truly unique and brand new jazz and classical program, where Dad and Matt conceived of and actually wove famous classical music pieces with uniquely arranged jazz improvisations.  They titled it Bach, Brubeck, and Beyond.  Fourteen pieces written, arranged, performed and improvised.

Totally blew me away.  I think it will you too.

And, if your thinking right now “WOW.  She sure is proud of her Dad” – you’re right.  I am.  I am every day.

Now I invite you to relax, turn up the volume, sit back, and take a look at this impressive, authentic, example of what can come of a life dedicated to pursuing its true passion. (For more, check out Mochnick and Kendrick on You Tube).

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy and live happy my friends!

Filed Under: Featured, Other, Uncategorized

Comet The Cog

March 6, 2015 by Laura Kubicki 2 Comments

Comet-Paws-Out

Ok.  I just gotta share this.

I know, I know.  There are hundreds of funny animal videos all over the internet and FB.  They pop up practically every day…

Sigh.

Well my friends, yes.  I. Have. One. Too.

Many of you know our cat Comet.  He’s nothing short of hysterical.  Everyone loves him – even cat haters like this cat.  Promise.  I tell you no lie!

Comet-in-a-Ball

Today he’s a big, fat, 14 year old, friendly, luv-ie, laaazzzy, lap baby.  Wouldn’t hurt a thing (or move a muscle) – unless you’re a lizard, mole, or bird on a beautiful spring day…

But I digress.  We now return to our regularly scheduled programming…

Jason shot this with our family cam nearly 14 YEARS ago.  But with all the other videos out there – we just had to share this one.  It’ll explain why we fondly refer to him as our “COG” (half cat/half dog).  Boy has he made us laugh over the years…and keep your eyes peeled ’cause you just may see him from time to time wander into our food videos!

Til then, (drumroll) “hhhhheeeerrrrrrreeeessssss” Comet!

Hope you enjoyed and please share if you feel like it!  Luv ya – really.

Comet-Irritated

Filed Under: Featured, Other

Spring Is On The Way!

February 16, 2015 by Laura Kubicki Leave a Comment

February Daffodil Surprise

So I was just minding my own business, pulling into our driveway, and stopped to get the mail out of the box and what did I see (besides the mail, I mean :o))??

Look friends!  It’s Daffodil sprouts! February Daffodil sprouts! Little green shoots bursting forth from the dreary, gray-brown, dried out, frigid soil as if to say –

“Hang on!  Spring is on the way!!”

…which is an enormously hopeful and welcoming message for us as temperatures dip into the single digits and the snow continues to mount up on all my friends up north!

Even here in NC they’re calling for a wintery mix of snow and ice tonight…which of course requires all children out of school two hours early before the predicted snowfall even begins.

Yep.  That’s right.  Before we even see a flake, the kids are out.

I know.

…but these daffodil sprouts, with their promise of Spring coming ’round the bend, somehow lessen the impact of a wintery weather projection for me and brings a little sunshiny-ness to the day  – in spite of the heavy, gray, snow laden clouds above – and I was hoping it might just do that for you too (smile)!

And for those of you who love snow, and all those kids out there who are just dying to play in it (like mine) – just think!  You get a twofer!

Welcome Spring!  I’m keeping my eyes peeled for ya!

Filed Under: Featured, Other

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"The future depends on what we do in the present" - Ghandi

Hi, I’m Laura

Hi! I’m Laura Kubicki. I’m a happy wife and mother of two boisterous boys. I'm also a licensed real estate broker, business owner, blogger, and photographer. Read More…

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