The Best Things in Life are Free

Some of the best things happen unintentionally. I credit some of my most supportive and fulfilling relationships to a series of unintentional events.

It all started with a knock on the door to our new house. As first time homeowners we were painting, cleaning, as well as other general activities that make our home, "our home". We answered the door and there was someone we recognized, but didn't know. She was from our Sunday school class and was now presenting us with cheese soup and tortilla chips. It was probably not Amy's favorite combo, but boy I loved it.

Of course we were inspired by the kind gesture and followed up with them. They nonchalantly invited us to be with some of their other friends. I think it was dinner or something, probably Tazikis since we did spend just about every Friday evening there for at least a year.

It's funny to look back just a relatively short period of time. You see those Friday nights at Tazikis looked a whole lot different than it would today. There was just six of us. Yep, six adults who could have uninterrupted conversation. Wow! Uninterrupted conversation? What a great opportunity to begin some of the most meaningful relationships that we've ever had.

Today looks a whole lot different. Some of us have bigger houses. Some have two houses (not a vacation house though). We all have larger families. And most importantly, we all have a ton of memories that are the bonds that keep us connected.

I am inspired by the simple messages of life. You see at some point we should all realize that a stock portfolio doesn't entitle happiness, position doesn't earn respect, and just looking nice in front of others isn't considered good character. But there are some things like genuine and true and simple friendship that carry us for a lifetime. You see, you just can't create the kind of relationships that I speak of. The kind of friendship that I speak of only results from the presence of good times and bad times just like easy times and tough times. Those diverse circumstances offer opportunities to be supportiave and supported, to be fun and made fun of, or to carry and be carried.

Thank you friends, you know who you are. You are an inspiration and a gift. Won't it be fun to see what we look like in another five, ten, or even twenty years. Yikes!

Super Hottt Wife

Hey ya'll!

Hot Wife and I are cultured. Like you didn't know already, right?

For those of you who are scratching your heads with the previous statement, don't let the southern drawl, burps, or the occasionally confused synonym trick you - the Duffey's are a cultured bunch. This weekend Hot Wife and I had the wonderful opportunity to have a date night with the Trolard's, but for identity protection, we'll call them Computer Guy and Lightroom Lady. "Lightroom" being a program she uses for postproduction in the portraiture business that she and Computer Guy own.

I digress... Anyway, Hot Wife, Lightroom Lady, Computer Guy, and myself went to Sip's N Strokes for our date night. For those not familliar, I recommend you visit the link herein, but Sip's N Strokes is a great concept where you drink wine, beer, Coke (whatever your poison) and paint a picture with the help of an instructor. We began the night with a nice cheese and fruit tray. Hot Wife did an awesome job picking out the cheeses! The spread was great and Computer Guy and I ate about a pound of grapes. Argh! Hot Wife, Lightroom Lady, and Computer Guy drank Menage a Trois (great wine, bad name) while thanks to hepatitis, I drank near beer. In summary, we had a blast. No, no, we had more than a blast! We had so much fun, it has no name.

Anyway, we painted, painted, and painted some more, and the final result was.

Drum Roll!



Yes, yes, you can comment and tell us that we should quit our day jobs and persue a carreer in art. Ha!!!

Furthermore, the Duffey's continued the weekend with more artful intentions. One of the perks of my latest photography class, is individual studio time in a "real" photographer's studio. Ooooo! We'll I picked the hottest subject I could find (Hot Wife) and asked her if she'd kindly join me. She did. She was a good trooper since no one that I know is truly confortable in front of a camera. And guess what, if you are just starting in portraiture, you, the photographer, are probably not comforatble behind the camera either. As you can imagine that could make for a train wreck.

Well my instructor, we'll call her Cool Curly Red Hair, helped a ton and the results are great so far. Here's a quick example of Hot Wife strutting her stuff.



One word... Awesome!

So, Duffey = Culture; no matter what we do or might do to negate it.

Order Yours Today

I just ordered my first custom t-shirt from Custom Ink. Inspired by our mayor here's the sneak preview.




For you Birmingham folks who want to join my cause, I can order you one too. They are white and about $22 plus shipping. Just let me know.

Super Idiot

I have heard it all. Birmingham's mayor, Larry Langford, says that local banks are discriminating based on credit scores. Credit scores! What the heck? If the banks were doing more "discriminating" based on credit scores, we wouldn't be in this mess. What a idiot! No... Super idiot!

Photography Class Portrait

You know, being the family photographer, I rarely get images of myself. Thanks to my recent photography class where we took pictures of each other, I've got one to share. Maybe I should put it on my business card.

Don't Drink the Duffey Water!!

If you want to stay well do not come to our house and drink our water. Who knows what you might be diagnosed with. You all know how brave my husband is and you read about his journey of "the juice" to treat his Hep C. Unfortunately as you know, "the juice" did not work but he is trying some natural things we are excited about and we will keep you posted.
Well today I received the news that I have rhumatoid arthritis. I have been battling horrific joint pain over the last year and I went back to the Dr. the other day because of our sleepless Monday night filled with knee pain that kept me from walking. After more test I was told this afternoon of our great news. Many of you might say but you are too young for that. Well that is what I think too. But that is not what my cards dealt to me believe. I mean Satan leave the Duffeys alone!!! God is only making us stronger to fight you.
I try to make light of the situation, our water is not contaminated, but we are going to get a new filter for the BRITA just in case. Never the less, we would still love and appreciate your prayers.

My Stimulus Package

Sorry for the stiff political post today, but I have been disturbed by what is going on in our government these days.

Let me set the stage with a quick economics primer... In our economy, a very consumer driven economy, when a dollar is injected it has a multiplier effect. It is spent time and time again and beause we have very skilled workers and servicers that dollar's value is multiplied time and time again.

Well, that is the premesis for the government's stimulus plan. If they inject capital into our marketplace then it will have a return greater than the base amount. Hmm... Confused yet? Well, I agree with the theory, but don't forget that this is yours and my money that they are playing with here.

However, think of this... If the decision makers in Washington are so confident in the multiplier effect of capital into the market place, why aren't they interested in cutting taxes for everyone in the first place?

Answer... Control.

If taxes are cut, then you and I have control of how the money is spent (and multiplied). But, if our government get its hands on our taxed money, then they get to choose its destination to be spent. Hence, the ultimate big government control scheme, and the repbulicans and democrats are all guilty.

Now, to clear up my position about the stimulus... There is a portion of the stimulus bill that offers tax breaks and cuts. For this I am pleased that our government decision makers are not completely oblivious to the power of the peoples abilit to stimulate our economy.