Thanksgiving Spread, Those Darn Brownies, Anne's Wishes

TODAY I SMILED...
~ Enjoying the wonderful food bought into our work potluck. I always love the mystery of not knowing what everyone has bought in; there’s always such an interesting and delicious assortment of food. In the following hours afterward, we can hear “Oh I need the recipe for this” spoken from all areas of the room.

~ Joe stands by my desk savoring one of my homemade brownies. He jokingly tries to seem stern, “I heard YOU are the culprit who made these… (chew chew chew)…I just want you to know… (chew chew chew)…that it took me a year to lose eight pounds…(chew chew chew)…and you, You, had the audacity to put Reese cups…(chew chew chew)…on brownies?...on Brownies???” He stomps off after informing me of my sin.

~ Coming home to find a new edition of Anne’s Christmas list she wrote for me sitting on my kitchen counter –all WebKinz, of course!



MY CHOCOLATE CHUNK REESE CUP BROWNIES ...Yum!

Dancing Derek, Good Flick, Breaking Into Song

TODAY I SMILED…
~ Watching Derek Hough, finesse at its finest, a’movin and a’groovin’ on Dancing With The Stars

~ Finally watching “The Other Boleyn Girl”, a video that a co-worker lent me weeks ago, and liking it so much I almost popped it in twice.

~ The absolutely delicious first bite of just-from-the-oven D.I.B. pizza leads me into singing Irvin Berlin’s classic “Heaven… I’m in Heaven”

Here comes the snow, Creative cans, Wise words

TODAY I SMILED...
~ Watching droplets of snow fall from the sky, slowly covering front yard leaves waiting to be raked

~ While choosing a can of Arizona Ice Tea from the vending machine it dawns on me that they all look like pieces of art, so beautifully created and designed

~ Reading an inspirational quote, written by Howard Thurman, I find on the blog “On Simplicity”, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.”

Cozy Cupboards, Nature's Music, Tasty Trip

TODAY I SMILED...
~ Cleaning out the kitchen/dining room and finding the charm that has been hidden under clutter for awhile

~ Listening to it rain and rain and rain for hours and hours and hours

~ Enjoying a now rare night out, dinner at West Point Barbecue and apple pie dessert at Liz and Bob’s, with dad, AJ, Liz and Bob

Things We Remember, Honoring Veterans, Mail Mystery

TODAY I SMILED…
~ Treating dad to fish & chips, his favorite meal, at Mexican Fiesta, one of our all-time favorite restaurants. Even though his memory seems to be growing worse by the day, he remarks “I think I’ve been in here before” after we walk in.

~ A nurse, sitting behind the desk at dad’s eye doctor, stands and shakes his hand before we leave. With thoughtfulness she says “I won’t be seeing you tomorrow but thank you.” I find it a bit strange and wonder why she said it. It doesn’t dawn on me until we are back at his place, over an hour later, that tomorrow is Veterans Day and he was wearing his 51st Fighter Group hat.

~ Receiving November’s issue of “The Book of Alexia”, which used to be Alhambra’s mailing, in today’s mail. Once upon a time this 12-page pamphlet was free. Now it goes for $1.50 wherever it’s sold. I don’t subscribe to it but I enjoy it when I see it. I have no idea why this surprise was sent to me.




~~~ SMOKIE WAITING FOR HIS BEDTIME STORY

Common Sense Tells Me, Listening To Leaves, Kindness From A Gentleman

TODAY I SMILED…

~ Fearing I was going to search much longer than I hoped, I pat myself on the back for finding my camera battery charger in the first place I looked –it was right in my camera box

~ Listening to neighbors scrunch-scrunch-scrunch as they walk over the yet to be raked leaves on my front sidewalk

~ LarryG acknowledged my blog, stating it has "spectacular positivity", and gave it a Brillante Weblog Award! Such a sweetie!

Warm Muffins, Cool Sites, Not So Sick Days

TODAY I SMILED…
~ Carole and Sara visited, treating us with blueberry muffins. The enjoyment was doubled after Carole warmed them in the microwave.

~ Laughing at how long my bookmark list is growing as I find so many interesting websites from StumbleUpon

~ Sara, who was off from school due to (ahem) “illness”, had a twinkle in her eye and playfulness in her step, especially when next to Smokie

New Prez, Shed Happens, Save The worms

TODAY I SMILED…

~ Waking up to history, and hopefully a better change for the USA, after Barack Obama was voted in as president-elect.

~ Receiving a cute birthday card from Aunt Jeannie in the mail, showing a very pretty and fluffy cat with the caption “Shed Happens”

~ Shrieking when finding a worm under a wet plastic back on my backyard drive then finding a stick to carry it to the dirt and grass where it, in my naive mind, will find happiness once again

Dog Whistling, Trip To The Poll, Candy Sneaker

TODAY I SMILED…

~ A new family is seemingly moving in across the street, equipped with a dog. I find myself whistling over to it when the people step inside

~ At 2:00 I walk into the City Hall to cast my votes for election, expecting a long line. Surprisingly I didn’t even have to wait! At 2:20 I’m back in my car and heading home.

~ The lady who sits at Tina’s spot during the day left a bag of Halloween candy on their desk; Tina sneaks into the bag and takes some goodies out for herself. I soon find myself enjoying Reese cups after I jokingly ask if there are any.

Home Safe, Singing Carols To Carole's, Good Sale

TODAY I SMILED…
~ After waking up from a dream that led me to totally believe that I was late from work and in big trouble because of it, I soon realize that it’s only Monday and I have the day off

~ Enjoying the beautiful autumn colors throughout Hines Park, and singing along to the Christmas songs already playing on WNIC, as I drive to Carole’s house

~ As I pick up November’s Phenomenews at the new Wise Owl Bookstore I learn that they sell magazines 20% off on Mondays and Tuesdays

Gnocchi Dumplings, Dad's Tune, Wanted: One Gerbil

TODAY I SMILED…
~ Seeing my favorite, and very old, white pot on top of Carole’s stove, full of gnocchi’s popping to the top

~ Dad tenderly rubs Anne’s foot back and forth singing one of his songs, with his lyrics, in only the way he can sing them. This song being “I’m not mad at yoouuuu, you ain't mad at me”

~ Anne whispers in my ear her new #1 choice for a Christmas present –a gerbil

Beautiful Tree Trio, Way Up High, The Place Is Looking Good

TODAY I SMILED…
~ The tree in my front yard is now full of beautiful orange leaves. The tree to its left has yellow foliage and to the right there is a tree in splendid red.

~ Staring out the window at work I watch high sky white streaks left behind from airplanes. The planes are so high they look minuscule. Knowing there are people in them is another reason to be in awe of technology.

~ Liz and Bob, bringing me empty boxes from AJ, pay a quick visit after dinner; Liz absolutely adores what I’ve done with the place since dad and AJ’s moved on.