Even Mondays Can Bring Some Smiles

Like most, I'm not a big fan of Mondays. That whole getting back to "real life" after a couple days of fun and relaxation is always a challenge.  Even when the weekend consists largely of working around the house and/or running errands, it still seems like a mini-vacation, and Monday, the bucket of cold water in the face.  Still, there are reasons to smile.  You just have to remember to look for them:

• I asked Riley to pick out one recipe from my new cookbook for me to fix when she's with me next -- she went straight for the Bacon Wrapped Barbecued Meatloaf. Kid has good taste!
• It was sunny and warm today.  It may seem like I'm stating the obvious, but given the climatological roller coaster ride we've been on of late, I'll take it.  And smile about it!
• When my trusty high-tech recording device failed to work properly during my recorded interview of a witness this morning, I pulled out my old on-its-last-legs iPhone and it did the trick.
• David got a turkey on his first time turkey hunting/first day out:

• My big sis was honored by Parkway tonight as the Teacher of the Year for her school.  So proud of her!!

• Oh! And Lizzie got her braces off!  :) 

The Weekend's Smiles

It shouldn't come as a surprise, but the weekend brought with it quite a few reasons to smile. Given the week that preceded it, they were more than welcome:

• The clouds finally gave way to sunshine.
• Had a great time Friday night out with the girls and very much appreciate the fact that several of those friendships go back 30+ years. 
• Watching my Twitter timeline as news that Boston Bomber number two had been cornered and eventually apprehended rolled in. 
• Enjoying a yummy brunch at FirstWatch with David. 
• Followed by a nice long walk on a beautiful day.
• The trees were in bloom:

• We found a nice place to sit and enjoy the day:

• And we saw a tortoise...

 ...and a hare!

• Later, Riley and I got her room rearranged -- she removed and sorted through all of her books, toys and assorted odds and ends before putting them back, and I moved the furniture around. (Aside from the heavy lifting, I actually got the better end of that deal.)
• Overhearing Riley humming "Low Rider" this morning. 
• Surviving a trip to Walmart on Sunday. 
• Went for a run, even though I didn't really feel like it.
• Making an observable -- if small -- dent in the yard work, and my ToDo List.
• Knowing that next weekend is only 5 days away.

:)

Mother Nature's Making it Tough

My aim was to write one of these entries every day. Today started out with an angry thunder storm (which made me question the propriety of sending Riley out to the bus, though I eventually settled on running out to it with her -- like that would somehow ward off the evil storm spirits.)  And it remained dank, gross and decidedly gloomy. Mother Nature seems to be doing her level best to steal my sunshine. But I'm determined to stick with this.  At least for one more day.  

So....to the things that made me smile today:

• Tomorrow's Friday!
• I checked a few more To Do's off my list.
• At least today's precip was rain, not snow.
• Being part of a schmouple.
• Being Christopher Robinned - "Tut tut, it looks like rain."
• Gathered up a bag full of stuff to donate to VVA tomorrow, and made a corresponding dent in the junk heap residing in my "office".
• Watching Riley play in the backyard in her yellow rain coat and rain boots.
• These words were actually texted to me today: "fo shizzle poohzizzle."
• I think I may have been followed by Ross Perot tonight on Twitter. (If it's a fake account, it certainly tweets a lot.) 
• "Sid" the mouse reminded me today that happiness is not a destination, but a way of life. 

:)

Look for the Positive

I can't tell you how many times in the past week I've had to consciously turn away from the computer and make a concerted effort not to keep looking back at either Twitter or Facebook or various news feeds.  There's just been....so much. In fact, earlier tonight, as I was braiding Riley's hair, she remarked, "Why do we even watch the news?! It's five minutes of weather, and the rest is people killing each other!" (We don't actually watch it often here -- I get most of my news on-line these days -- but it happened to be on when we walked back out into the family room.)  I hugged her and reminded her that there are a lot of good stories and good people, too.  We just don't hear enough about them, it seems. 

Which brings me to this -- earlier today, I resolved to get back to my blogging in earnest.  I really would like to write something every day. Even if it's mostly just fluff. I re-read a number of my old posts today and was reminded how good it felt to be sharing my daily smiles (and interspersing those with more contemplative pieces.)  Then, too, I found a photo/message from one of my favorite Facebook pages "365 Days of Inspiration" that reminded me to look for the beauty in every day:

So I decided to do just that.  And I actually sat down and made a list of the things that have made me smile in the past day or two:

• I have a new shower. Not a completely new shower -- just a new surround and fixtures. But it works. For the first time in over two years, I have my own shower and am not borrowing Riley's. And it feels great! One nagging item off that far too long list of things to get done.
• The giggle fit Josh and I had Monday night as we opened our show with a tribute to the K-Mart "ship your pants" commercial, and Mark's bewilderment at us.
• Discovering that I have a way to copy files off of all my old floppies at work (some saved from 13+ years ago) and even convert the Word Perfect documents to Word. (Geek alert!)
• Receiving some of the sweetest texts and e-mails from my beau. (Schmoop alert!  And get used to it.)
• Valiantly slaying the giant spider Riley discovered in her shower this morning -- it's nice when Mom can still save the day.
• Getting David past the 100 Follower mark on Twitter. (This will mean nothing to non-Twitterers, but it's a pretty big deal in the Twitterverse.  I still remember how proud I was when I broke the 100 Follower barrier.) 
• Confirming plans for our upcoming "staycation," including taking in a Cardinals game, staying downtown and doing St. Louis touristy stuff.
• Having lunch with Sam, Hopey and Kevin today to celebrate Sam's birthday -- at Arcelia's, no less. Always loved that place and hated it when they closed. So glad they've reopened. Just as delicious as ever!
• Working with silly, perverse co-workers who regularly force me to plug my ears and "Lalalala - I'm not listening!" at them.
• It's warm out (for the time being) and it was sunny this afternoon.
• I found a pretty flower in my backyard.

There is beauty in the world. There is good in the world.  Remember that. :) 

Eleven

Today is Riley's 11th birthday.  Eleven.  ELEVEN?!! I'm not quite certain how that happened?  Because she was only just eight:  The Ides of March

Or, maybe nine: Nine

Well, I know ten was just yesterday: Double Digits

Yes, it's time once again for me to marvel at how quickly the time passes and how much my little girl is growing up.  She's arrived in full-on tweendom -- and we'll be shopping later today to mark the occasion accordingly.  Of course, the number one item on her list is an American Girl Doll, so I guess I cannot complain that she is too grown up just yet.  

One of my most favorite things about her is her kindness.  And watching her do the right thing, even when she doesn't know I'm watching.  Not long ago, we went to a movie and, after arriving home, realized that she had left her hat in the theater.  (This was the little brown bear hat with the pink rose on it which I'd gotten her for Christmas, and which makes me grin every time I watch her trot off to the bus stop sporting it, the little ears sort of flip flopping as she goes.)  In a panic, I called the theater and asked about the hat.  Sure enough, they had it.  And, conveniently enough, we were heading back that way for dinner.  So, we drove back by the theater, and I encouraged Riley to get out of the car and run in to retrieve the hat herself.  I wasn't certain she'd be okay with that, but I like to nudge her towards independence when I can.  She hopped out and trotted into the the theater.  (She trots a lot -- it's rather cute, actually.)  A few moments later, she emerged, hat in hand and then, as I watched with pride, stood there patiently holding the door for an older gentleman who was making his way slowly into the theater. I've seen her do the same thing at school on mornings when I drop her off.  I don't recall ever specifically teaching her about holding doors (perhaps others have), but it always makes me smile. It's nice to know I'm raising a child who does think of others and minds her manners even when she's not aware she's being observed. 

Again, while I'm happy to take a smidge of credit for that, mostly I know she is just as God made her. And I am so very blessed to be her mom. Happy Birthday, my sweet Riley Jayne!!

Of Happy Places

Good thing I didn't make my last blog a vow about posting daily (or weekly) blogs....But, hey, hi! I'm back again. Realizing I've been back from Florida over a week already -- not sure how that happened?! Regardless, I cannot let any more time pass without recounting what a wonderful, amazing time I had on my trip.  We went to celebrate the birthday of my dear friend Jacque, who happens to own a lovely home in Naples.  Thankfully, the stars aligned nicely enough to afford me the opportunity to accept her invitation.

So, off we flew, Jacque, Michele, Diane and I, for four blissful days in Florida.  I highly recommend such a thing -- especially in early February.  Nothing like a few days of sunny, 80 degree weather, to help banish the winter doldrums! The flight there was uneventful (my neverending nerves notwithstanding), and we were greeted at the airport by Jacque's parents, who were so warm and gracious -- though, frankly, I'm not surprised, knowing Jacque as I do.  They helped transport us (and our luggage) back to the house and get us settled, and we spent a nice, relaxing evening there.

In fact, it was so very relaxing and peaceful there, I found myself sleeping for 8 and 9 hours a night -- which is unheard of in my world!  And it was lovely to wake each morning and spend an hour or so lazing by the pool, enjoying the warm, morning air, listening to the birds chirping...

It took us a little while to get all packed up and beach-ready Friday morning. Diane was ready to go before the rest of us...

But we did finally make our way to Vanderbilt Beach, and enjoyed a nice afternoon there - the sudden attack of Red Tide and consequent nasal waterworks notwithstanding.  Thank goodness Jacque brought hankies (of a sort)!! We also had a delightful lunch at the Ritz, complete with crab meat nachos and a nummy margarita. Or two. 

After prettying-up for the evening, we ventured back out into downtown Naples and had a delicious dinner at Yabba's, a neat little restaurant/night club place, that had its own pet alligator out front.  At least...I think that was an alligator...

The drink of choice was a "Marga-Jito," I believe -- some combination of Margarita and Mojito. It was delightful! 

And I was feeling so in-the-Florida-moment that I (Ms. Non-Seafood-Eater) actually ordered Grouper.  And it was amazingly good!

After dinner, we went for a stroll through Naples, and I befriended some flora.

We returned to Yabba's after they'd converted from restaurant to nightclub and kicked off our heels to dance.  Until management advised that was frowned upon.  Shoes back on, we took our leave and headed home, where the celebrating continued...

The next morning, we took it easy, then eventually made our way to Naples Beach for another leisurely afternoon in the sun and sand, and a full and thorough celebration of Jacque's actual natal day!

Saturday night's dinner was at an Hibatchi place called "DaRuMa."  Their Manager's snotty attitude about honoring a promotional deal notwithstanding, the food was very good, and we made/adopted some new Swiss friends. Was happy my blogger friend Donlyn was able to join us for dinner and our evening out!

Sunday morning we were slated for brunch with Jacque's parents and her cousin Andrea's family.  We dined at Baleen, at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort, which afforded us an amazing view of the ocean during our meal.

For the rest of Sunday, we took it easy, lounging around the pool, picking up some pizza, and quietly enjoying our last evening in Florida. 

Alas, Monday dawned, and it was time for us to pack up and say goodbye to our happy place. Not entirely, mind you -- life's been very kind to me of late and given me some extra doses of happy back here at home, as well.  But there is a peace and serenity I find when I am truly able to "get away," and to spend time in or near the water, in the warmth of the sun, and in the embrace of dear friends.  I'm so very grateful for that!

I Haven't Forgotten the Smiles

Two years ago, in an effort to spur myself to regularly blog, I started posting quasi-daily blogs about things that made me smile.  Mostly little things.  Often silly things.  But always, reminders of the many blessings I've been granted in this life.  

As with most of my grand ideas and projects, however, I've allowed sloth and distraction to knock me out of that practice.  I'll freely confess: I'm not posting this to reaffirm my commitment to daily smiley blogs.  I know better than that. And I hate making promises I won't ultimately keep.  Honestly, I'm just posting it because I have had more cause to smile of late, and I don't want to just take that for granted. 

So, before the causes fade and I forget to acknowledge them and simply be thankful, here are a few of the more recent smile-inducers:

• Riley in her panda hat.
• Texts from Riley on the phone I bought her for Christmas. (She's still 10 and mostly sweet, and there's nothing like getting an, "I <3 you mommy!" from the light of your life.)
• The fact that I have friends who genuinely smile back when they see me sporting a grin.
• The nudge I gave myself to abandon my comfort zone and the fact that it hasn't been catastrophic.  So far. 
• Being a co-host on the radio with my friend Josh -- I absolutely love that this opportunity was offered to me, and I've had so very much fun being part of it.
• I'm going to Florida in a few weeks - whee!!
• I get to celebrate the birthdays of two very dear friends both this weekend and next.
• I may or may not have a rodent residing in my car, but I definitely have an imaginary gopher friend named Sid. I'm somewhat fond of him. And the one person who'll get that joke. 
• Lunches and dinners and drinks with good friends.
• I've actually run twice in one week.
• I recently learned what the "T" in "James T. Kirk" stands for. 
• I'm blogging again.  

:)