a Montana blogging project
We just bought our dream home in Peoria. It’s much bigger than our last home and we sold most of our furniture when we moved from St. Louis. Now we know where we’re living, it’s time to pick out some furniture. Check out the pictures from the listing!
Let me know if you have any ideas how to arrange the rooms. I am open to suggestions!
Kobe Bryant was one of the best basketball players the sport has ever seen, and there are a number of lessons we can learn from his Mamba Mentality. For Kobe, life was always bigger than basketball. Here are the lessons I’ve learned that every person should follow day in and day out.
But first to set the stage, let’s take a look back at my favorite Kobe game of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyjrgG9MSto
The first thing that always stood out to me when I was watching Kobe was his confidence in himself. He always wanted the ball in his hands, and he always wanted to be the one shooting the most important shots. He once famously said, “I would rather go 0-30 before I go 0-9.” If you’re not confident in yourself, then who can be? Be willing to take chances and believe in yourself.
You can’t start a conversation about Kobe without talking about his relentless work ethic. This man would spend hours and hours in the gym. Early in the morning when everyone else was sleeping, he was working on his craft. Talent will only get you so far. Hard work and dedication can lead you down the path of success.
Remember a strong foundation is never built in a day. It takes time, but it also takes a person who is passionate about what they do. Kobe genuinely loved the grind because he always thought there was room to improve. The day to day grind can take a toll on some people, but the ones who embrace the process usually reach their goals.
As Bryant started aging, he knew that he couldn’t rely on his athleticism as much like when he was younger. So, he started focusing more on his footwork and the X’s and O’s. Never underestimate what the small details can do for you. They can begin to add up quick. It can be the difference between being a great player and a legend.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for yourself. This sets the path, so you know where you want to go and what it will take. Kobe knew what his expectations were for himself and this helped him block out all the noise. The opinion of others shouldn’t impact you when your standards are already high. Keep your head down and keep working!
Kobe always wanted to go out there and be the best. His thought process was if someone else could do it, so could he. The special part about Bryant’s mindset was how obsessive he would become about a certain thing. He tended to model his game after the greats that came before him. Modeling yourself after someone that you idealize can be a great idea. You may learn a new habit or skill that takes your “game” to the next level.
As Kobe grew older, he became known more as being a family man. It was so heartbreaking to hear that Bryant passed away with his daughter during the accident. He described her as being a daddy’s girl. They shared the bond of loving basketball and were even seen at an NBA game sitting courtside a week before the accident. Never take family for granted. They are the people that love you the most and will always be there for you through it all.
For Kobe, this was writing children’s books and making a short film that won an Oscar. Even though Kobe was done with his basketball career, he still had so much planned, and that was why his death was so sad. Find something that you love to do outside your job. Having a hobby you enjoy can keep some fun in your life and help avoid burnouts.
I know, I know. Pitbulls are the best. What? Did you think I was going to tell you they’re the worst? See below: so vicious, so mean. Meanest nap time you ever saw!
But here’s the thing: being a pit bull owner comes with the responsibility of being a good breed ambassador. There is too much breed-specific legislation, prohibitive insurance policies, and negative press out there. Every dog is a good dog, and deserves a loving, stable home where they can thrive.
Turns out, they might like their kitty siblings!
They also might really like their elders, especially for cuddle puddle snuggles.
Community nap is best nap. Guaranteed. Especially on the heated floor. Land hippos unite!
So, ARE pit bulls family dogs? YOU BETCHA.
Let’s get some positive pittie videos!
Baby shark do-do-do-do…
Need more positive pitbull videos? Follow The Dodo Pittie Nation Series!
What can you do to help pitbull type dogs? Look to the Stand Up For Pits Foundation!
I’m writing this blog for a marketing class I’m currently taking and I honestly could not come up with anything I wanted to write about, even after asking multiple people over the past week or so, the writer’s block prevailed. As it came down to the wire, I thought “I should call my Dad, he always knows what to say.” And then it hit me, why not write about that? Why not talk about my parents? Weird way of getting there? Yes, maybe! But I realized that a shout out to my parents couldn’t possibly be a bad idea.
I’m not generally the most emotional person, or even the most sentimental, but I understand the importance of telling someone how much I love and appreciate them. With that being said, I realized that I really have never said thank you to my parents for shaping me into the woman I am today. So with that, here it goes!
Where to begin? My parents have never been the pushy or overbearing type. They’ve never forced sports or student council or even straight A’s, they simply planted the seeds and watched me do with them what I wanted. I still remember having discussions with my dad in elementary school about becoming class president in high school and how cool it would be to experience something like that. From that moment forward it wasn’t a question of if I wanted to become class president, it was an assumption and a goal. These little seeds were planted over the course of my childhood through casual conversations on the drives home from soccer practices, or nights sitting in my dad’s art studio chatting about politics and the art world. My parents were the best at just letting me be independent and make the decisions I felt were necessary to learn and grow.
Now that I’m away at college, these conversations aren’t quite as common and are definitely more adult in their nature, but they still have the same impact. I call my dad for literally anything school or professionally related. If I’m stressed, or overwhelmed, he always knows what to say to talk me down. He always knows what advice to give me when it comes to that job interview or when I have a breakdown about what I’m doing or where I’m going with my life. How he handles it? I’m not entirely sure! Especially considering I have 3 little sisters he also has to deal with at home. Regardless of how he manages, I can’t express enough how thankful I am to constantly have him there to guide me through life’s challenges.
As for my mom, she’s definitely a cool mom, more of a friend one might say! She’s always there like a mom should be, constantly the first one to ask how my day was and question me about the experiences I’m having at college. She encourages me to take time for myself and to make sure I’m sleeping and eating and all that jazz. She never tells me I’m being a child, even when I throw the occasional tantrum or have an attitude fit for a spoiled teenage girl. I call her when I need advice or guidance in my personal life, whether that’s boy drama or I’m feeling unappreciated and need someone to remind me that everything will be okay. She never fails to tell me how proud she is or to say she misses me and wants to know when I’m coming home. She always knows how to comfort me through my emotional ups and downs and lift me up when I’m feeling depressed from the heaviness of my responsibilities.
So Dad, thank you for always taking the time to advise me, to encourage me and to remind me that the chaos is only temporary. Thank you for constantly showing your support and never ending a conversation without an “I love you.” Thank you for talking with me like an adult and also for occasionally forgetting I’m actually a grown up. I know that’s just a dad thing to do, but it reminds me that even though I’m away at school and living on my own, you’ll always be there to protect me from the monsters in life. Thank you for showing me that sometimes it’s worth it to take risks in order to get the things you want in life. And ultimately, thank you for inspiring me through your hard work and dedication to your career and the obvious passion you have for what you do. And through everything, thank you for never failing to put Mom, me and the girls first.
And Mom, thank you for never doubting me and laughing at my relentless sarcastic comments, even when they’re really not that funny. Thanks for listening to my drama and pushing me to make the best decision and do right by the people around me. Thank you for showing me what it means to truly give your life to your family and your time to your children. Thanks for offering to drive to Missoula when I’m having a rough day and thank you for being positive through the difficult times in life. Thanks for never being afraid to express your feelings and reminding me that sometimes showing compassion and empathy are the best things anyone can do.
These are only a few of the aspects of my relationship with my parents that I’m happy to brag about. But really, thank you Mom and Dad. Thank you for creating balance and stability in my life. Thank you for never pushing, but always nudging me to succeed. Thank you for showing me that I’m really my own worst critic and to lighten up sometimes. Thank you for encouraging me to set my goals high and and my standards higher. Thank you for supporting me and inspiring me every day. I am so appreciative of every ride to practice, every long day spent at tournaments, the academic assemblies, late night phone calls, shopping trips, serious life discussions, gossip sessions, book suggestions, dinner dates, and a whole lot of patience.
I know I used the word “thank you” approximately 212 times and this really only pertains to my parents, but I think it’s important to take a moment every once in awhile to actually express your appreciation for the people who love and care most about you. I’m beyond grateful for the relationship I have with my parents and I’m blessed to have such wonderful role models in my life. Take the time to tell someone you love them, send them a text or leave a simple note, and never forget to say thank you because it’s important! I love you Mom and Dad, thanks for raising me to stand strong and be confident in who I am. I’m forever appreciative of everything you do for me.
Love,
Your Favorite Daughter
Jordyn Kronenberg
I will begin this memoir by introducing my grandmother, Nancy Peck, who has shared with me the many extraordinary stories of her life. From growing up in Glacier National Park to shooting coyotes out of a plane at age sixteen to owning a business to serving in the Peace Corp at age sixty, my Nana has had some extraordinary experiences. Some of my favorite stories are the ones of her growing up in Glacier National Park in the 1930’s. The following are a collection of glimpses into her life in Glacier that she shared with me throughout the years of cozying up on the davenport.
I recall how peaceful and interesting growing up in Glacier was. While the park was always lively in the summer with interesting people from all over visiting, we were always ready for the quiet the winters brought.
It wasn’t like living in “small town USA”. People from all backgrounds came through the park, some stayed and some would move on after the summer months. The place was full of artists and authors, each adding to the unique culture of the park.
I remember all the girls saying how boring it must be living in such a rural place. Joanne would always answer by saying, “Are you kidding?! The summers brought in all the college boys!” Glacier was always real lively. All sorts of interesting people visited the park, from all over and we would learn so much from them. Friends of ours would come and stay throughout the year. There never was a dull moment around our home with the nine of us kids and then our visitors.
I still remember the day President Roosevelt came through the park for the dedication of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, in 1933. We were all out on the road waving as he drove by. We had quite a few celebrities come through the park when I was growing up, like Piper Laurie and Rory Calhoun.
My little sister Joanne and I would make the walk to the one room schoolhouse in Apgar together. I remember every day we’d stop at the corner before the schoolhouse and I would fix her up, straighten her coat and push her hair back over to the right side. I was always jealous of Joanne’s haircut growing up. Mine was a blunt cut, while she had a longer cut on one side that would sweep across her face.
Our first schoolteacher was horrid. She had this horsewhip that hung on the wall behind her desk and would always threaten to use it. The only time I can recall her using it was when a little girl couldn’t work out the athematic on the board. I went home that day absolutely shocked and told my parents.
We would put on these fantastic Christmas plays. Dad would make the stage every year. Everyone had to play two parts because there were so few of us. Oh, and the singing…my god, we were horrible! The community was very supportive though and we always had an audience.
We never ran out of things to do, no matter the season. In the summer I was a young entrepreneur. I had a stand set up with cans of worms to sell to the fishermen, as they’d walk by our house on the way to the river. I was going out of town one time and asked my neighbor to watch my worms for me. When I came back he had stolen all my worms and was running his own business. What a crook. In the winters we would continue to play outside. McDonald Lake would freeze over in some of the bays just enough for us to put on our ice skates, which just strapped onto our boots. We did a lot of cross-country skiing around the area on skinny wooden skis. Oh and the ice cream parlors we’d make out of the snow and then pretend to sell ice cream to each other.
I had once asked my Nana if she felt Glacier was still her home when she would return to visit. Her reply—“If you’ve lived somewhere and have felt a strong sense of happiness while there, when you return that well of happiness is filled once more. I loved growing up in Glacier and it will always be a place I call home.”
Written by— Ivy Duncan
Told by—Nancy Peck