Where amazing happens….

Sure— might be the NBA slogan… but honestly, life, family and friends is where amazing truly happens.

I use that to describe my brother-in-law and of course all of my wonderful friends that we have.

Our Kitchen--- as we last remember it...

So here’s the picture that I choose to give you as an outline for what the kitchen used to look like.  Yeah, we used to have cabinets there, and quite frankly, I can’t jump enough for joy that they are in fact gone.

Catherine and I moved into our house in Cedar Hills in September of 2005.  It was an awesome experience because it was in the neighborhood that I grew up in as a kid.  I love the area because of how close we are to Hwy 26— Hwy 217 and close to a slew of things to do in Beaverton or Hillsboro.  Then there is the kitchen.  We have had a “V for Vendetta” against that damn kitchen for 4+ years now.  The story behind the remodel is one that I can’t help but share with everyone.

Some of you know that we’re in the process of getting ready to move to Lebanon here in the next couple of years…. with that… comes prepping the house for sale.  Having been laid off from my job back in November of which the company I won’t name…. we’re a little low of money.  Enter a season of change and a overwhelming desire to help us… Paul enters the scene.

So I get this call… no joke, about 6:32pm on the night before we fly over to Beirut…. It’s Paul.  So Paul says…. “Ummm yeah… so… I’m doing your kitchen….”  Me: “Huh?” Paul: “Yeah– don’t worry about it okay?”  Me: “…”

Seriously— what do say to that?  How do you take that in the night before you leave the country for a couple of weeks?

Our Hero and fearless project leader.

So fast forward now almost 6 weeks and we are at the cusp of getting a brand new kitchen.  I am literally in awe on the under taking.  Paul and our community group literally threw down the task by blood, sweat and… tears of joy?  Honestly, these are the stories that need to be told… of people being a blessing to others… it’s what life is supposed to be about.  Friendships have been formed that are beyond life long… beyond just the mundane, beyond ordinary.

What’s even more crazy is that once the kitchen is done— our good friends Ben and Amber are going to be moving in with us for a couple of months to ditch some debt and get a fresh start.

People ask us… “You guys crazy?” and our response is… “Debt sucks… so anything we can do to help those who have it.. we’ll do it.”  In this day and age… it might not be the norm… but being weird is actually kinda cool.

So what happens with the Hockett’s from here?  Well with the kitchen almost done…. pictures of course will ensue…. but I’d like to invite people over to experience the kitchen themselves.  Kitchen remodels are a funny thing…. I watch HGTV and sure you can spend $20k-$100k on a kitchen, but there is something that always seems to be missing from those kitchens;  Love.

Strange to say, but it’s what makes the kitchen feel like just another extension of how we can help or bless other people.

I love that we are running up to the edge and continuing to look over the life’s challenges and taking the jump.  I also love that blogging allows me (and us) to keep in touch with everyone.

So look for more on the kitchen… and more later.

-A

New updates to the blog coming….

So— I know there’s some of you that read (or may not read) the blog and I need to get in the habit of updating things better. Well, you’re in luck. I’m going to be making a habit of posting 3 times a week now; Monday-Wednesday and Friday will be a “Week in Review” of which is a throw back to my HS days. Interesting tidbits around the web that you might have missed.

I will actually enjoy getting to write more which I just haven’t had time but I’m going to make time. First update on Wednesday will be the kitchen project that everyone wants to know about.

More later.
-A

Health Care reform… why this defines the US for the next 100 years

What might be the last line in the sand when it comes to us giving over our rights and freedoms to the United States government— The people have spoken.  The media doesn’t get it…. CNN somehow is constantly reporting that ‘We the people’ are somehow misinformed about all of the bills or policies which are being talked about on Capitol Hill.  Is that really what the conversation is about?  Is it that we somehow are too stupid to understand that the people put in place by us, are somehow going to shove socialized health care or if you prefer the word “Health Care Reform” to us without any sort of fight?

I have family in the health industry and private insurance.  What I see unfolding is the single most direct attack at crushing the private health insurance industry.  I read the other day that 85% of people like the health care they have.  85% of Americans… that’s pretty amazing.  So why the push for reform in the “form” of a government option?

Just doesn’t make sense.  With all the town halls— with young and old… people care about this country and the anger towards these so called “representatives” is because their track record over the past 9 months has been— spend money, ask questions later.  That idea is no getting rejected and we’re seeing Americans stand on that line in the sand.

Here’s my challenge to myself and to others… read what’s in these bills.  I’ve started looking at some of them and my head is spinning.  However, with reading what’s in them, we figure out what it is that may be coming to a doctors office near you.

I love my Doctor, I love my health care I’ve got right now and what we need is some leverage on getting those costs down, not adding another option.  Should be interesting to see what happens.

-A

Anyone else noticed… $99* w/ 2 year contract

Maybe it’s a jaded view of a traveling wander like myself…. but I am looking at getting an iPhone.  Yes I know…. joining the hundreds of millions of posers already with an iPhone… but wait there’s more!*

*not really.  But what is more amazing is anyone else notice that everything comes with strings attached?  Sure you can have a credit card, but here’s 36% interest on your borrowed money.  Want some cash for your clunker? Sure, but you gotta fiance a $30,000 car for 72 months; and the list goes on and on.

My point to this is— is this what we have come to?  Have we so thrown ourselves to our wants that we’ll take it whatever the cost?

I am included on this as I am questioning the “needing” of an iPhone.  I want an iPhone… but do I need one?

MicroReview: GI Joe Rise of Cobra

As many of you know, I went to see “G.I. Joe – The Rise of Cobra” last night and while I won’t give a full review till next week, here’s a quick review on whether it’s worth your hard earned money.

If you’ve been out of the loop, GI Joe is about an elite special forces unit that is a collection of countries working as one giant unit.  Think like a ultra twisted UN military that has near unlimited funding but somehow manages to get things done and with the latest in technology.

Anyways— Enter “Cobra” which is explained in this movie as this is really an “origins” movie of where the characters are from.  Some get more screen time than others but it all ends up pulling together the story quite nicely.

The movie is direct by Stephen Sommers (aka ‘The Mummy’ director) and in that vein, throws a lot of action and non-stop explosions at you.  Character development at times can be pretty crude as there isn’t much down time in this movie.

The plot is nothing terribly special and is within the range of a normal GI Joe cartoon.  Good guys get attacked, they fight back, then they go attack the bad guys etc.

Overall the movie doesn’t ruin my childhood which as with Transformers, I was worried a bit about this movie especially given the negative press about it.  If you’re looking for a summer film that is high on action and reconnects you with your childhood memories of GI Joe, give this one a see.  Otherwise, you may want to wait to rent it.

G.I. Joe – The Rise of Cobra gets a

** 1/2 out of ****