Life is that good; it really, really is.

Sometimes the sun shines the brightest just when you bought a new pair of sunglasses.

Sometimes the flavored coffee is Cinnamon Nut on Saturday morning.

Sometimes he wants to meet downtown for lunch and beer (and maybe even some shopping).

Sometimes you feel cheery and special and exactly right.

Yeah, life really is that good.

Daily Dose of Happiness.

I get mine from the sun. And the 72% dark chocolate Godiva bar hidden in my desk drawer. I get it from matching wardrobes and writing utensils. From piping hot coffee and liter-size bottles of Smartwater.
Little things that emit a glimmer of sunshine in an otherwise mundane workday.
Today I am reminded of the little things; a text from a friend, a story about a snow-loving puppy, that make my day exciting.

Hope everyone is ready for some serious snow!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

I must admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween.
I have nothing particularly against it, it just isn't one of those holidays I daydream about and anxiously await each year.
I do, however, enjoy holidays in general.
And so, therefore, I am compelled to wear my black and orange, write in black and orange ink, and, of course, indulgence in some (ok, more than "some") sweets.
Like this! Yum!

If something good is happening; let it happen.

I've been away, yes.

And summer is passing me by.

It never fails. There are so many thing to do,

place to go, people to visit.

And I absolutely LOVE it.

What's not to love about

warm weather

sunshine in the early morning

walking everywhere

running the lake shore

vacation

family

baseball

swimsuits

I could go on...

Happy Monday everyone! It's amazing what a good song, a good piece of advice, and the first day of Spring will do for your outlook.

You and I are made to worship.

You and I are called to love.

You and I choose to believe

that we were meant to be.

Chris Tomlin

***

I stumbled upon a great piece of wisdom the other day

while watching (don't laugh) the Bachelor:

It was on the "After the Rose" interview.

A former bachelorette couple was asked to give advice

to the newly engaged couple.

They responded, in regards to the trials and tribulations

that undoubtedly face a couple exposed

in such a public light. that

"Yes, you had to go through some stuff to get there-

but you got there."

Which makes me ask the question:

If you knew ahead of time that you were going

to find the very best person for you, the person of your dreams,

Would you willingly go through

the highest of highs

and the lowest of lows

to get there.

And the answer is: Yes, you would.

I love a good, lazy Sunday. Sleeping in, making breakfast, a refreshing workout, and hours of Bravo.

It's the perfect adieu to an action-packed weekend and hello to the week ahead.

When's it's cold outside and warm in my apartment, there's no place I'd rather be than here.

Here's to wishing you a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable Sunday!

Treat yourself.

Did you ever want to do something completely out of character?

I get the urge to out-do myself every now and then.

I indluge in little pleasures that make me feel-

that revive my spirit and make me powerful.

These little acts aren't harmful or damaging-

they're playful and unihibited.

For instance, yesterday I painted my nails blue.

And it blue me away.

Today is one of those days that makes you want to do everything and nothing all at once.

You don't want to waste a moment of sunshine- but waste and nothing are at odds today.

Because simply relaxing and blissfully relishing the sun, the warmth, the breeze is everything.

Artwork via Anna Heun

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Here's to a sunny day filled with dance and cheer and wonderfully complete happiness...

My mother is the most important role model I have-

and I think this is arguably true of all mothers.

They have a certain, distinct quality that no one else can emulate.

Although we may not always want to recognize it,

mothers are right and good and our very source of life and spirit-

and we would have it no other way.

Thank you Mom, for teaching me how to love in so many ways.

Happy May Day...

Not every day can be magical,

but I go into each day believing

in the real possibility that it will be,

and seeking out pieces of magic in little places.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

Here's to a day full of Green clovers, gold coins, brilliant rainbows, and lots of heel-clicks.

Oireachtas, n.


-Oireachtas, Oireactas. Irish Oireachtas assembly, gathering, convocation < oireacht meeting (Old Irish airecht; cognate with Welsh araith speech (13th cent.; in Old Welsh as hared with sense ‘song, verse’), of uncertain origin)