Gratitude

Sometimes gratitude for the expected or small things is the most pleasant to receive.  Today I arrived to teach school.  Bean asked that I wait a few minutes before coming upstairs.  He came down with a thank you card behind his back, just for doing my job.  This is the inside of the card.  It made me smile:-)

Parsley

Today was a favorite because we got to spend time with the grandkids doing nothing in particular. We went to Safari Sams, a HUGE Habitrail for kids and adults to exercise and lose track of their children, all in an enclosed space.  Before we went however, we had to go to the store and pick up a few items for dinner later.  Diz volunteered to accompany me in the store.  He carried a few items and later told Grandpa that he got lemons (lemon juice) and grass a.k.a. parsley:-)

 

My favorite part of painting is being done!

I take on these projects, knowing they are not going to be as easy as I fantasize, yet I find myself surprised all the same, when they take twice as long as I alloted for.  This time I decided to lighted up the dark blue room to match our Heavenly Bed piping as it is light with a chocolate accent.  I have to say, I am liking the looks of it and I am trying to appreciate the overall picture rather than obsess over the little imperfections here and there. The picture is taken at a bit of an angle so it looks a bit off center, but I assure you it is not! It looks so simple, yet is was so much work including, but not limited to moving that hog of a dresser alone LOADED with videos!  I took out the rest of the drawers, save the bottom drawer which was the heaviest.  Hmmm, my muscles suggest to me that perhaps I should have rethought that.

Girls Night In!

Had a blast last night with Rissy.  I texted her to ask if she was busy or up for a girls night in. Neil obliged by watching the kids, and Rissy arrived looking like a shiny new penny, though I told her to come as she was.  I answered the door covered in paint. I decided to paint our bedroom wall and lighten things up a bit in there.

We watched Mamma Mia with the sing-along on.  We ate dinner on the sofa, snacked on humus and bagel chips, along with veggies and guacamole.  Then near the end of the movie I brought out the chocolate!  We each had a piece of the chocolate she bought me for Christmas.  It was so rich and so yummy.  

I was so happy to have shared that time with her doing nothing in particular, free of kids, whom I love dearly, but, no agenda, no rush.  Rissy is a great person, and sometimes that is easy to overlook when faced with day to day hassles. 

I tend toward the critical when I see her not expressing the wonderful person I know she is capable of being.  Last night, I just enjoyed the person that she is!  She is funny, thoughtful, polite, and she gave me more attention than her text messages.  It was nice for a short time to be more important than whomever is texting her at the moment.  Perhaps it is because I was expressing the kind of person she'd like to be around?

I got to spend time with my own kid, granted she is not a kid anymore but a grown woman, but she will always be my kid:-)  

Date night

I decided I wanted to do something today with Jeff as while I see him every day, it seems kind of rare that we spend time doing anything different, fun and just for us.  This evening he acquiesced to my ideas.  He was reluctant at first but willing to give my idea a try.  I decided we ought to go to the Ceramicafe and glaze a coffee mug for the other keeping the other person in mind.  We grabbed a Carmel Apple Cider at Starbucks and Jeff a tea, then headed next door to the cafe.  We each got to choose the style of mug we'd like to drink from, but had no further say.  We had so much fun just thinking about he design, listening to music, singing along, talking to each other. Laughing at our obvious lack of experience.  Mine looks like a three year old decorated it, but it was made with love.  We are going back tomorrow evening to finish them up and prepare them for firing.  GREAT time! I highly recommend it as an alternative to movies or videos once in a while.  Then we went over to the restaurant near by had a drink, dinner and shared a triple chocolate cake.  YUM!

Ghost Town

So I rarely recommend a movie or book as peoples ideas of humor or drama are different according to their own background, past, etc. BUT I was pleasantly surprised when we rented Ghost Town.  It is billed as a comedy, romance, fantasy but not constant slapstick comedy, rather sneaks up and gets you dry humor.  Jeff and I were laughing so hard during one part, we had to pause the movie.  Again, for the second time in a very short time I was laughing so hard my side, back and stomach hurt.  It was all I could do to draw in enough air to hee-haw even more.  I hope that this will inspire one of you to watch it, and I would love to hear your thoughts!

Moi a blessing?

A funny thing happened on the way to the service deli...I went through the service deli to grab a fork and knife for Jeff's pizza at Costco, we had dinner after a shopping trip, okay Jeff had dinner there.  Anyway I was standing in line to get  a knife and a fork for Jeff as I said and behind me stood a woman talking on her cell phone to someone and it went something like this "...and they said I could look around but I couldn't buy anything, so I'm sorry...okay I'll see you later."  She seemed distressed so I told her I couldn't help but overhear as she was sort of loud and was there something specific she was seeking to purchase.  She replied that she was there to get diapers for her 15 month old Grandson.  I told her I was a member and would take her back and wait through the line with her so she could get them and be on her merry way.  We were together walking a fair bit as neither she nor I knew where the diapers were located.  We talked about grandchildren and how nice they were etc. The she says "This is my third, and so special, and what's really nice..." We were interrupted by our search, so once back on the path I asked her to finish her previous statement. She replied that it was really nice that she was able to be there to see her grandson born as she had a liver transplant shortly before his birth. As I carried the box of diapers from the back of the store to the check out counter I listened to her story.  She went on to explain that she had an extra chromosome or something that deteriorated the liver etc. etc. etc. Then she tells me about the year she was on the transplant list, though not at the top and how she was fortunate that the recipient ahead of her rejected the liver and they needed someone close and she fit the bill.  Then, she was told, she really should have been at the top of the list as she would not have survived even a month longer. She then told me a bit about her grandson and showed me his photo.  I exclaimed that grandchildren were a blessing, and someone's "bad luck" was a blessing to her allowing her time to get to know her grandson.  THEN she tells me that she was just on her way home from taking her HUSBAND to chemo-therapy.  He'd been diagnosed with cancer some 5/6 years earlier and in full remission, but he had just recently been diagnosed with metastatic cancer.  I told her that I hoped he would again go in to remission.  She told me that she did as well and said to me, "You are such a blessing!"  Me!?!  With all the hardship she has endured in the recent past and present she was able to find the good in others.  I was humbled by her gratitude and positive spirit.  It was very nice to be called a blessing by a complete stranger.  I know not her name but wish her and her family well, she knows not mine and thinks of me as a blessing. My new Years resolution thus far has proved beneficial for me while trying to be kind to others. No surprise there, yet still a mystery when it is unexpected.

BIRTHDAY!

Yeah it;'s my birthday and what a lovely day I had!  We started out celebrating my birthday watching Despereax.  They we did a brunch at Marie Callendars, moseyed around a book store while Diz took his nap, perfectly pleasant way to spend the afternoon.  I got a call from Dad with well wishes from both he and Stephanie.  Then we met again with Neil, Riss and Diz at LaserPort.  I was trying to find a venue we could all enjoy.  I found it!  Lastly we went to TGI Fridays.  I opened presents while awaiting my meal.  A very nice waiter took care of us.  I got a Coldstone gift-card from Amy, so much for losing weight this year eh?!? A leopard print compact from Pauline and Chris, A shirt, a necklace with pink pearl from Florida from Neil and Charissa it is a dolphin, so cute, a box of chocolates with different flavors...me thinks people are trying to fatten me up considerably.  Did I mention I LOVE IT!  A beautiful shirt from the boys that is all cotton and has butterflies on it and it is turquoise.  Very nice! Rissy found a very cool watch that I can insert a photo inside on the face.  Too cool.  Speaking of cool, Jeff found two intricately carved wooden fans, one for various places to help minimize the hot flashes, and a camera lens of my choice!  Woo hoo!  Bean commented on the snow that fell today that it was the sky celebrating!  I wish it wouldn't celebrate so hard on the streets.  Never the less we all made it home safe and sound.  The are no pictures to share as no one remembered their camera, but I will post photos of the goodies I have so generously received!  Thank you all for helping to make my birthday special!  I feel very spoiled!

What the hell-th?

My favorite thing last yesterday was laughing until my sides hurt, my stomach hurt, my back hurt and I could barely breath.  Now that is laughter; all at Jeff's expense!  I sat alongside Jeff at the dinner table who swore he was going to try and eat a little healthier, more fiber etc.  Now, when Jeff is eating a hamburger, a donut, pizza etc. he never gets these odd looks across his face like someone who stepped in a pile of poo and can't figure just where the smell is coming from.  THAT is the look Jeff gets when he is eating something remotely healthy.  The more I pointed it out the harder I laughed causing him to laugh and try and hide the creases that are tell signs of dislike.

To healthy eating!

2009

I did a little thinking today and here is what I came up with.  For 2009 I decided to do 2009 nice things, kind acts, etc.  That leaves me with 5.5 a day, so I figure I will aim for 6.  Should there be short days, or days when I am feeling less than kind, I will have made up those acts before hand:-) I have every intention of being kinder and doing nice things for others in the New Year and believe that will make me a kinder and happier person as an added benefit.

I also came up with my own personal ABC's for 2009.  I encourage you do to the same and share them if you like, if you don't and decide to find your own meaningful ABC's then great, I have inspired someone.  Here they are:

Accept my good. Become someone I would want to know. Challenge the generally accepted. Discover. Examine my principles to make certain they are my own. Facilitate . Giggle. Honor myself as well as others. Inspire greatness. Joke. Kiss. Laugh. Make a difference. Need for nothing. Open myself to new experiences. Praise more. Question more. React less, act more. Smile. Teach by example. Unwind before bed. Vary my responses. Watch for miracles. X-out undesirable behaviors. Yield to my true desires. Zealously live life!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR to those of you who read my blog, and to those who do not:-)  My favorite thing so far was receiving an Edible Arrangement from Stephanie.  THANK YOU!  I have sent many of these, but have never seen one up close and in person.  What a thoughtful surprise for Jeff and I.  

We spent the evening out with Neil and Charissa.  They boys were home with the sitter, so we actually go the chance to talk, have a laugh and wish each other Happy New Year.

For New Year's I am going to live, laugh and love abundantly, welcome adventure, and be a kinder more considerate person.  

May all of you capture that which brings your heart happiness!