This happened backstage at the Billboard Music Awards. I think I like Taylor Swift a little more after this!

Ellen is my favorite. Like, ever. Recently she added her two cents in the growing Abercrombie & Fitch debacle.

Two important things to take away from this:

A. “Beauty isn’t between a size 0 and 8. It’s not a number at all. It’s not physical.”

and

B. “What you look like on the outside is not what makes you cool at all. I mean, I had a mullet and wore parachute pants for a long, long time…. and I’m doing fine!”

I read this story today and it made me all warm and fuzzy inside!

When 8-year-old Labrador mix Terfel started losing his eyesight, he was diagnosed with cataracts and began confining himself to his bed to avoid bumping into things.

But then his owner, Judy Godfrey-Brown, let a stray cat into their North Wales home and something amazing happened.

The cat, named Pwditat, approached Terfel and seemed to sense that he couldn’t see. Using her paws, she coaxed him out of his basket and led him out into the garden.

I KNOW, RIGHT?!?!?!?!

Check out the video!

So I have to take a moment and brag on myself, because last night I had a moment of athletic awesomeness…playing Kickball! And for those that know me well know that my athletic awesome moments are very few and far between! (See my previous post about running).

First off, I gotta give a BIG shout out to Columbus Parks and Rec for offering such a huge variety of activities that the community can be a part of…including Kickball. Our community is so lucky to have all these fantastic opportunities to have fun, meet new people, and try something new! If you haven’t yet, check out their website or flip through the Fun Guide and sign up for something awesome. You won’t be disappointed!

OK- back to Kickball. Last night was one of our most exciting games of the season! The score was close the whole game, and we edged out a win 17-16! Wahoo! My team rocks by the way…I started playing with them last spring and I was SUPER nervous about letting them down, but they are so encouraging and way more athletic than I so I don’t feel like I am weighing them down . So yeah- GO TEAM ADVERTISE!

Last year’s team picture…note to self…need a new team pic!

My big accomplishment last night? Not only did I get a run (keep in mind my only goal every game is to make it to 1st base, and that is sometimes rare), but I play catcher and I was a part of a huge play and caught the ball at home stopping the other team from scoring another run! (excuse the lack of sportsball terminology)

Yes, to most that are able bodied this is no big deal, but most of the time I’m just praying that I can catch the ball. So needless to say I was on cloud 9 after that moment and didn’t really care if we won or lost the game because in my head I WAS A CHAMPION!!

But we did win, and it made the victory ice cream afterwards even sweeter.

PS- so sad tomorrow is the finale!

So that was my amazing Tuesday night. I doubt that I will have another night like that for the rest of my kickball career…but who knows? It could happen!

If you want an amazing Kickball story like mine, remember the FUN Guide and check out sign-ups for the fall season.

Click here for the most painful Buzzfeed List yet. 

I’M SO OOOOOOLD!!!

This could easily be the most moving celebrity shout-out of all time.

Zach Sobiech, 17, inspired millions with his cancer fight and the farewell song he penned, “Clouds.”

Now, a slew of celebrities are showing their support for the brave teenager (he’s been diagnosed with osteosarcoma) with a tribute video set to his song, in an effort to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for childhood cancer.

Among the stars featured in the new video, which airs on Rainn Wilson’s SoulPancake YouTube channel: Ashley Tisdale, Colbie Caillat, Anna Faris, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Jenna Fischer, The Lumineers, Rachel Bilson, Ed Helms, Phillip Phillips and more.

Sobiech was featured as one of PEOPLE’s Heroes Among Us earlier this year. His music video for “Clouds” is up to 2.6 million views and counting.

Last May, doctors gave the teenager a grim prognosis: he had up to a year to live. “We’re approaching that year mark,” Zach told PEOPLE in March. “It’s scary to think about, but the key is to not feel bad for yourself.”

The song “was for me and my family,” he said. “I needed to get that emotion out and they wanted something they could remember me by.”

He’s also been using his remaining time to help others, teaming with the Children’s Cancer Research Fund and hopes to raise awareness for kids suffering from his rare form of cancer.

“Our goal,” he said, “is to give other kids with osteosarcoma a chance.”

“There’s naught as nice as th’ smell o’ good clean earth, except th’ smell o’ fresh growin’ things when th’ rain falls on ‘em.” 

― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

On my constant trek to discover the greatness of Columbus, I found myself on the corner of 5th Street looking into the fence of an amazing house and gardens. I thought, well, that’s pretty. I walked along the side street and turned the corner. Upon inspection, I saw this door…

I immediately thought of “The Secret Garden,” and I wondered what treasures this wall held. I turned back to go see if I could inquire about this place, and I noticed that the side gate was open with a sign that said Irwin Gardens is open to the public 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Tuesdays. Just my luck! It was 2:05 pm on Tuesday!

This sight awaited me as I entered, and at that moment I was hooked! The Italianate gardens  begun in 1910 and finished in 1913 at the Irwin House. They are inspired by the ruins excavated at Pompeii.

On a hill above the sunken garden stands the tea house. The tea house is of Roman-Pompeian design and decoration and serves as a great vantage point of the property as well as to protect the marble fountainhead of the gardens largest water feature – the descending fountain.

I was in complete awe of this place. The old-world feel. The aromas of blooms. The serene, calming nature. It’s like I could feel the energies of times and lives passed, staying with these gardens for eons to come. Not because the energies cannot find a way to escape, but because they are meant to be there. To enjoy. To protect. To ensure its survival.

I urge you to take a visit to The Irwin Gardens on 5th Street in Columbus. It really is a sight to behold.

Also, by the way, I took these photos with my cell phone. I cannot believe how great they turned out!

For more information about the Irwin Gardens or the Inn at Irwin Gardens Bed and Breakfast, go to www.irwingardens.com.

So I have been toying with the idea of training for the half marathon race of the Mill Race Marathon since New Year’s…and though I’ve been back and forth and debating it since then, today I decided that I am going to do it and officially signed up.

I’d never been so nervous filling out an online form! (Thank you Google Chrome auto-fill!) For realsies. I was shaking the whole time and paused when I got to the submit form.

For those that don’t know my running background…it is small. I’ve done a few 5ks here and there, but it’s been a couple years since then and I’m not a natural athlete by any means. So really, this is kinda a big deal for me. (and I’m pretty sure the meme below was created JUST FOR ME!)

So I will gladly take any encouraging words, running tips, or stories of “I never ran but I do now and love it.”  Negative Nancys need to stay away!

And though I may be super nervous right now about it all, I am excited for these aspects…

An excuse for new shoes…you bet my new running shoes will be this colorful!

Carbo-loading… True Story- as I was signing up I was eating this dish of pasta. Carbo loading? Or eating my feelings? Probably the latter….

To be a part of Columbus History.

I’ve been super pumped about this event since it was announced last year! Such an awesome way to celebrate what an amazing community we live in, and to be in the inaugural race? That’s something to share with the grand-kiddos!

I’m sure I will update on my progress between now and September. The main goal- to not die. or get injured. I think these are pretty standard goals .

If you want to join me and sign up for the Mill Race Marathon (whatever level runner you are) check out www.millracemarathon.com

Wish me luck!

Sara Beth

I love everything about this story.… even if it makes me feel a little inadequate. nadequate

Two of my favorite links to click on in Social Media….

1.) Photo galleries of my favorite professional local photographers. If you have had photos taken by Lowry Dismore Photography, Eminence Photography, Marinda Fowler Photography or Angela Jackson Photography, I’m sorry. I’ve stalked your wedding/engagement/family portrait session. I can’t help it! These fine folks make beautiful people even more beautiful! Check out their stuff when you get a chance.

2) Buzzfeed charts. What is with these?!? I love them so much and there are so many! You open one and then 5 more are linked at the end of the one you just read…it’s a vicious cycle kids…don’t try it unless you have lots of time to kill!

So you can bet I was quite excited with a Facebook friend of mine posted this GLORIOUS link:

14 Engagement Photos That Will Make You Happy You’re Single…

Insert Hanna Montana Moment HERE! (it’s the BBBBEEEESSSSTTT OF BOTH WORLDS…..)

Sorry. I don’t know how I knew that reference….

Anyways- it doesn’t matter if you’re single, engaged or married, you will get a kick out of these shots. And if that isn’t enough for you, be sure you check out awkwardfamilyphotos.com too.

Happy Laughing!

-Sara Beth