With a smile in my heart...

As I sit here and type,
my dog has settled on the floor beside me.

For so many years I did not understand the love between pets and their owners.

now I do...

Just a word from me and his tail wags.

One motion of invitation
and my pooch is in my lap begging for all the attention I'll share.

Such devotion is hard not to enjoy.

Yet, it goes beyond that.

Companionship that cannot comment,
only listen.

I have noticed that whenever I am feeling sad,
my puppy sticks to me like glue.

When I'm feeling playful,
he brings his ball
and chases his sister and I up and down the stairs.

Tonight,
I am counting my blessings again.

It is Monday and so lovely outside that,
I simply do not want to do everything I have to do.

So, I am counting my "must do's".

It's sappy...
but it is working...
a little...

Loading the dishwasher...
I am glad for food.

Doing school prep...
I am glad to have a job I love to provide for my family.

... sigh...
I'd tell you I was grateful for laundry...
but,
lightening would probably strike me dead!

Ha!
Oh, well...
Whoever said that we must be happy with everything in life in order to be at peace,
was certainly feeding us all a load of baloney
... and not the yummy kind fried into a sandwich!

May you be blessed this lovely evening...
...escape the work that isn't really necessary
and do what you must.

May the sights of the season warm your heart
and soul and may you have peace in your heart.

I'd wish your laundry pile would magically wash and fold itself too,
but...
I've misplaced my magic wand.
=-)

Happy Surprises!

After work,

when I was digging in my change about to satisfy my late afternoon desire for a cup of coffee,

I found something really neat!

A shiny penny caught my eye.

It was flipped to the back side

and I did a double take when I realized

that I didn't recognize the picture it bore.

Happily I picked it up and tucked it in my pocket. I couldn't resist showing it to the clerks in the store, my parents when I picked my youngest daughter up and my son's aide when I made it home. Of course my kids were impressed too and I can't wait to show my Kindergarten students tomorrow!

Apparently,

there will be four new designs this year in honor of President Lincoln's birth.

I love our Mint. It is so much fun to collect coins. I love the thrill of finding one in your change on gray days.

It really makes the day seem like more fun.

And... it's not just me... everyone seems to like them.

If you haven't seen one,

go to your bank and ask for one.

I am betting you'll smile.

Simple joys...

happiness for us all...

even when it's gray.

Thank you for sharing this day with me.
May you be filled with happiness that does not rely on the light from the unpredictable spring sun.

Now,

Tomorrow,

Forever,

May you be blessed with peace in your heart.

Blueberry muffins!

This morning I woke up and decided that I would like some muffins for breakfast and I thought my family would too. I absolutely love blueberry muffins and as I had a mix in my cupboard, I happily headed to the kitchen and preheated my oven.

Scooting back and forth, I did a few chores, falling into the morning routines that guide my actions and have a soothing comfort in their familiarity.

Packing lunches, ironing, even finding my favorite earrings..

It is the little things that take up so much of my time.

Do these minute actions hold meaning?

I say yes.

As our lives open before us, we spend most of our time on choosing cereal, doing laundry and sometimes, if you're a bit like me, a little too much complaining.

Sometimes in my daily life I become so focused on myself and what I am concerned about, that I forget to reach out to those around me.

Too many times I could start my own "Crybaby" club... the laundry that never ends, the dishes that really need a dishwasher that isn't me.... the teenagers that are moody at my house... all these things sometimes get to me.

I am almost positive that each of you can identify at least one time when you have felt this way.

What I wish for you today is not that you are "magically" thankful for the bumps in your road of life, but rather that you find a way to be happy despite them.

Enjoy the blessings that are obtainable...

...Play a quick game of cards, Call a chatty friend... and by all means, go ahead and mail that card you've been meaning to send...

Find your own "Blueberry muffin".