Baller of the Week 3/16/2012

Baller of the Week...

Today’s notable baller? John Hancock.

You’ve heard of him. His name gets tossed around daily, in unfortunate ways (i.e., the time that guy with the mustache sold you that thing and asked for your John Hancock on some Godforsaken contract). But who was he?

John Hancock was born in 1737 in Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard and eventually took over his uncle’s shipping company, House of Hancock.

Britain started taxing the colonies, and rioting occurred in the form of the 1700s Tea Party movement (the original ‘teabaggers’ <—Ew, media). John Hancock boycotted tea and other British imports until the Townshend Acts (basically Britain imposing crazy taxes) were repealed.

After a few more throwdowns with the British, John Hancock became President of the Continental Congress. He also married Dorothy “Dolly” Quincy in Fairfield, Connecticut. (Not too far from yours truly.) Dolly and John had two children, but sadly.. their daughter Lydia passed away at ten months old, and John George Washington Hancock (ballin’ name) died at nine years old.

John Hancock is best well-known for signing the Declaration of Independence. This event was so volatile – the men knew they were risking everything by signing it. But John Hancock, in a true depiction of being bold and daring… or whatever they said back then (John Hancock doth own steel appendages, maybe), he signed the Declaration of Independence in large letters and with flourish.

It was crazy. People were all OHHHHHH NO HE DIDN’T. And he was all.. HATERS TO THE LEFT! Jay-Z later wrote a song inspired by John Hancock.

And in his honor, we’ve named tons of things after him. Naval vessels, a World War II ship…

(“I got boats!”)

Towns, insurance companies, buildings.

Yeah, you are, John! Fist bump?

…

Fist bump?

good advice

From our Founding Dads (Yeah, they're ballers!)

1. GEORGE WASHINGTON

Honesty is the best policy

When he stepped down from the presidency in 1797, George Washington never actually delivered his Farewell Address. Instead, he published it as a letter to “The People of the United States.” The speech is remembered for introducing the tradition of two terms for the president, warning against party squabbling, and advising against entangling alliances. But it’s most quoted line refers to personal conduct. “I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.”

2. THOMAS JEFFERSON

Question with boldness

On August 10, 1787, while in Paris, Jefferson wrote a letter to his nephew Peter Carr. He advised in favor of studying Spanish (and against Italian). He advocated reading philosophy to improve conduct. And he wrote this about religion: “Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.”

3. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Avoid extremes

When he was 22 years old, Franklin wrote out thirteen virtues that he vowed to observe every day. He even typed up a chart and made a check besides each virtue he followed. The exercise lasted just under a month. Still, the virtues capture the essence of the American character he embodied. 1) TEMPERANCE – Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2) RESOLUTION – Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 3) MODERATION – Avoid extremes.

4. JOHN ADAMS

Dare to read, think, speak, and write

A decade before the Revolution, while a young lawyer in Boston, Adams wrote a series of articles about the beating heart of liberty in America. Later published as a book, the articles summoned Americans to let their minds lead them to freedom. “Let us become attentive to the grounds and principles of government … Let us study the law of nature … Let us tenderly and kindly cherish the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”

5. GEORGE WHITEFIELD

Fight the good fight of faith

In a sermon on Ecclesiastes called “The Folly and Danger of Not Being Righteous Enough,” George Whitefield, the great Revolutionary champion of the Great Awakening, echoed Joshua as he conquered the Promised Land. “Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you. Fight the good fight of faith, and God will give you spiritual mercies.”

Dreams...

Ya I got 'em

*sigh*

So... I want a new Kitchen Island...

i've been dreaming and saving for it,
and then I hit the web for ideas
which led me to even more ideas.

I like this guy above... and the one below

then I got distracted and saw more awesome pictures...

How fun is this ?

I want this to be my front room !

I really like the side panels here... like REALLY
HOLY ENVY ?
maybe
or just maybe the regular kind of envy.

with a few of these guys !

I digg the settee below.. but where would I put it ? Hmmm

pretty sure I'd find somewhere.

how fun would that be to have ?


LOVE LOVE LOVE COLOR!

kinda what gave me the guts to do this room

mmmmm delish

I just had to throw this in ... because it's eye candy.
can't wait for summer !

A few of my Fav. things!

I am so grateful for the awesome year we've had...
here are a few of my favorite pictures!

she looks like a doll above... they grow so fast !

SILLY MONKEY !

SO SMALL !

She looks like my grandpa Breinholt in this picture... for reals

work flowers are making progress too!

progress

THE BULBS I PLANTED
AT MY MOTHER IN LAWS HOUSE
ARE COMING UP...

WOOT WOOT... THATS RIGHT

THIS IS WHAT I SEE
WHEN I WALK OUT THE DOOR
OF MY OWN HOUSE
AND I'M LOVING IT!

TRACKING THE PROGRESS....

TIME TO BE EXCITED !

Jake

There are a lot of things my hubby is good at...
naming paint is not one of them.
we had a discussion the other day and i mentioned that
i think it would be fun to be able to name paint colors..
he on thought it would be fun too...


but he is not good at it. Really.

want proof?

here are a few that he came up with...
Log Brown
Fountain Green
Strawberry Reservoir
Yellow Stone
Sand Box
Ivory Soap


this kid is killing me.