1. my screensaver. all Sox. makes me happy.
2. finally scored some Girl Scout Cookies! i was starting to worry i wouldn't find any Girl Scouts selling them this year.
3. a Publix sub for dinner. not only effortless, on my part, but their subs are fantastic!
4. perfect weather for an evening walk.
5. downloading some new iTunes.
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1. the five or six days of a haircut that are the exact perfect length, leading to a succession of great hair days. today is the second day of that run.
2. jeans and a white t-shirt.
3. just a hint of shimmery, sparkly silver eye makeup.
4. walking outside in a morning reminiscent of Spring in Connecticut. the sky is bright. the sun is shining. the birds are singing at the top of their little birdie lungs. the squirrels are chasing each other. the air is cool still but the promise of a comfortably warm afternoon is present. it's feels so good to start the day invigorated, with a spring in your step!
5. driving with my window down.
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1. ice cream for an evening snack. because i can.
2. good-natured teasing.
3. butterflies.
4. a new bottle of shower gel. i used up my bottle of Bath & Body Works Gardenia. the new scent: Sweet Pea.
5. finding the "sweet spot" right away when you get into bed. no tossing or turning or flipping pillows required!
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1. there was baseball being played today. meaningless exhibition baseball, yes. but *baseball*. the sounds are back. baseballs smacking into catchers' mitts. the crack of a bat connecting with a ball for a hit. fans cheering. it's like a long slow gulp of cool water on an August afternoon. refreshing for my soul.
2. finally getting all the stacks of paperwork cluttering up my desk tamed.
3. the new credit card machine at work. the old one was yen years old, outdated, impossible to read, not very intuitive to use. the new one rocks! job much easier!
4. a clean kitchen. complete with new drip pans for my stove top.
5. my favorite cross necklace that my Dad got for me two Christmases ago.
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1. gas prices have gone down ten cents in the last four days.
2. and we're *still* under two dollars a gallon!
3. knowing a make great meatloaf.
4. and realizing i am finally regaining my self-confidence in my kitchen again.
5. being able to find the amusement in a realization about my past that would have been crushing before but now that i'm recovered from it, i can find laughter in the fact that i am sometimes *extremely* slow on the uptake. almost a decade-long blonde moment! that's *got* to be some kind of record. and the best part? the fact that this proves to me how strong i am. finally.
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1. conversations that make me laugh.
2. despite the fact that i fought it for quite some time, the show, Big Bang Theory, is pretty funny sometimes. it doesn't make my Must See TV list, but it will help pass the time until baseball season. ;-)
3. cheese.
4. the original key to my grandparents' house which i still have.
5. waking up to a good song on the radio.
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Exhibit A: Something Old
some things just never ever change...
(from the Boston Globe)
Exhibit B: Something New
and some things do...and they leave me speechless.
(from Yahoo! Sports)
1. homemade chocolate chip cookies, warm from the oven.
2. i didn't burn a candle in here tonight because it smelled so good from baking the cookies.
3. i was accused of being too obsessed with the Red Sox. i think that was intended as an insult. it really just made me laugh. i wasn't aware there was such a thing! ;-)
4. a package of fun new PostIt Notes. i ♥ PostIt Notes!
5. "Hallelujah Song," by Julianne Hough.
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1. freshly trimmed hair.
2. the deep blue of the sky reflected in a lake on a sunny morning.
3. even though i drive a pretty good distance to get my hair done every six weeks, i actually love the drive there. most of the roads are lightly travelled and the scenery is beautiful. it's a totally peaceful drive, especially early in the morning.
4. He never tells me I'm not good enough
Just give me unconditional love
He loves me tender and he loves me mad
He loves me silly and he loves me sad
He thinks I'm pretty, he thinks I'm smart
He likes my nerve and he loves my heart
He's always sayin' he's my biggest fan
My baby loves me just the way that I am
("My Baby Loves Me," Martina McBride)
5. my laptop.
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1. "Why Don't You and I" coming up twice on shuffle on my iPod today. one of my top five happy songs!
2. happy Friday!
3. pizza for lunch.
4. PostIt notes in fun colors.
5. catnaps on the couch.
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1. two new little fish for our fishtank at work! they replaced the casulaties we've had over the last 18 months. they are so funny. they zoom all over the place in a little school.
2. the sky in a shade of blue so bright, it almost doesn't look real.
3. i think it's so funny when i step out of my apartment & there's a squirrel outside so he freezes in place, thinking that if he doesn't move, i won't see him. it always makes me laugh as i inform that "i can still see you, ya know."
4. a See's raspberry truffle.
5. my tealight holders that look like giant icecubes.
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1. getting to see a co-worker's 5-week-old baby girl. babies make me happy. (bad for the ovaries to see though. LOL)
2. catching up with Alison on the phone, hearing about all her wedding details (less than five months! eek!), and laughing hysterically like we always do. makes me miss her a ton but it's always great to touch base with her.
3. Spider Solitaire. the only way i managed to cling to my sanity with our server and internet down for the day.
4. my friend Daniel's birthday.
5. my baseball boyfriend has officially made his appearance in Fort Myers for Spring Training!
(from the Boston Herald)
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1. chatting with my brother over Gmail IM. somewhere in that Great Somewhere, i know our Gram is smiling.
2. a letter in the mail from my doctor's office saying my test results from my annual all came back & i get a clean bill of health!
3. wearing a favorite pair of pants. amazing what a boost wearing a favorite article of clothing can be.
4. this feel-good photo:
(from the Boston Herald)
5. trying out a new recipe that is definitely a keeper!
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1. a holiday for most everyone else means a light morning commute for me!
2. our fishtank at work. i realized today how many times i zone out for a moment or two during the day, just staring at it or listening to it gurgle, to clear my mind & refocus.
3. a work project that makes the morning fly by.
4. reports that Mike Lowell is in camp for Spring Training! which means new photographic evidence to enjoy soon... ;-)
5. when my mashed potatoes come out *perfectly*.
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1. my Red Sox reusable grocery bags. i got them just before Christmas and i love them!
2. this scene from Grey's Anatomy ("Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," Season 2 Episode 1), especially Mer's closing line, which always makes me want to stand up & cheer for some reason. the writing & acting in this scene are amazing, even if the subject matter isn't terribly uplifting.
Dr. Derek Shepherd: [chasing after her, after she finds out he's married] Meredith!
Dr. Meredith Grey: Go away.
Dr. Derek Shepherd: Just wait. We should discuss this.
Dr. Meredith Grey: Here's a thought: no. Quit following me.
Dr. Derek Shepherd: At least let me explain.
Dr. Meredith Grey: Explain? You know when you should have explained? The night we met in the bar, before any of the rest of it. Yeah, that would have been a good time to discuss this.
Dr. Derek Shepherd: I know how you feel.
Dr. Meredith Grey: Do you? Somehow I doubt that. Because if you did, you would shut up, and turn around and go back inside. Because you would realize that I am this close to getting in my car and running you down in the parking lot!
(source: imdb)
3. a fully-stocked kitchen after grocery shopping.
4. a menu plan for the week. it's *so* nice not to have to think about what you want after working all day! you know what you're having & you know you have all the ingredients on hand. all you have to do is make it.
5. my dishwasher. i dread the task of washing dishes. i still have to wash some but at least i don't have to wash *all* of them!
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1. What’s something in your life that’s pretty much been used up and needs replacing?
dishwasher soap. i need more dishwasher soap.
2. What is older than you?
Disney World. the company i work for. the icicle ornament that once belonged to my grandparents that i hang on my Christmas tree every year.
3. Where do you belong?
excatly where i am. =)
4. Who is no longer a stranger to you?
my friend, Michelle.
5. What's your favorite accent?
Boston, baby!
6. Do you like apples?
i do--as long as they are crisp and not too sweet. i also like apple jelly, apple cider, apple pie, applesauce, apple-filled donuts...
7. Do you play baseball?
yes--as a fan & an armchair manager. ;-)
8. Do you enjoy starting drama?
no. Dawn is a drama-free zone thankyouverymuch.
9. Can you run fast?
that depends on what's chasing me.
10. Do you believe in magic?
hocus-pocus, abra-ca-dabra? no. the Disney variety, the Christmas variety, and the kind you feel in your heart? absolutely.
11. What was the first conscious thought you had this morning?
semi-conscious: what time is it? fully conscious: oh good! the (literal) pain in my ass is gone! (i woke up Saturday morning with a sore muscle in my left butt cheek. no clue how i accomplished such a thing.)
12. When you get online, what do you do first?
my email.
13. What is the slowest realization you've ever come to?
that i *am* worth it.
14. What name would you want have if you were the opposite sex?
something strong & classic & masculine, but not overly common. Jack. David. William.
15. What is a song that you love to hate?
"You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye, My Lover" by James Blunt. i couldn't pick just one. or they might actually be the same song.
16. What's in your pockets?
i don't have any pockets in my pajama pants.
17. Who can you talk with for hours?
Alison. probably because we usually go for so long between phone calls that we have a *lot* to catch up on.
18. What sounds great today?
another day in my weekend.
19. What is the best example of "perfection" that you can think of?
an early June evening at Fenway park with the Sox winning the game but not by so much that it isn't an exciting game any longer. a 1-0 no-hitter, for example. yeah, it's not heaven but it's close.
20. Do good things come to those who wait?
they do. yep, they definitely do.
1. a freshly cleaned apartment.
2. leftovers. yummy food for lunch with no effort needed!
3. inside jokes.
4. "A good heart is better than all the heads in the world."
(Edward Bulwer-Lytton)
5. We all live with the scars we choose
They might hurt like hell
But they all make us stronger
If you want it, come and get it
If you want it, come and get it
But understand
You take me as I am.
I'm slow to trust but I'm quick to love
I push too hard and I give too much
I ain't saying I'm perfect
But I promise I'm worth it
("Take Me As I Am," Sugarland)
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1. fresh asparagus.
2. a happy Tek in Ft Myers.
(photo from the Boston Globe)
3. a surprise box of See's arriving in the mail from Nichole and Daniel.
4. sweeping an entire category on Jeopardy! makes me feel smart. especially when the contestant panel doesn't get all of them correct.
5. payday!
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in case you hadn't heard (heh): Boston's pitchers & catchers officially reported to Spring Training yesterday. roughly three hours south of me, there are familiar Red Sox faces, young hopefuls, newly signed players and non-roster invitees ready to compete for a spot, gathered together, in Red Sox team gear. they are stretching out. playing catch. waking up after their Long Winter's Nap.
former blogger friend (the former describing the "blogger" part, not the friend part) Dan Mega proposed the following question to me (and Brian) this morning via our frequent three-way email conversation.
What are you excited for about Boston? Not excited for?
i replied. and then i thought... hmmm... blog fodder!
Looking forward to:
Seeing how the bullpen shapes up.
A more svelte Josh Beckett.
Seeing if Youk & Pedroia can shut up the nay-sayers.
A full season of Jason Bay to see what he's *really* got.
Jon Lester.
Remy & Don.
Seeing the Sox play the Braves at WDW's Wide World of Sports on March 30.
Curious about:
John Smoltz.
Brad Penny.
Michael Bowden.
Papi's wrist/swing.
Mike Lowell's recovery.
Which Matsuzaka is the *real* one.
Who the Number Four starter will be.
Not looking forward to:
Manny. In every freaking interview. Still.
The Josh Bard Experiment 2.0
The Walking Wounded in Right (aka Drew, Baldelli, Kotsay).
Papelbon mouth.
Ellsbury being "it" in center.
The Lugo-Lowrie faceoff for SS.
Any additional Tek drama.
and now i ask you (well, those of you that watch baseball, anyway)...
What are you excited about for your favorite team? Not excited for?
1. non-stick pots & pans.
2. Pyrex storage containers.
3. the fact that Tito looks as thrilled to be getting ready for the new baseball season as i am!
(photo from the Boston Globe)
4. discovering that Target still carries the granola bars i prefer...
5. and the replacement heads for my toothbrush. i can't seem to find either anywhere else lately.
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1. my Yankee Candle Fragrance Fan. my bathroom always smells like i have a candle burning...even though i don't!
2. falling asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow & waking up refreshed.
3. income tax refund. direct desposit. 'nuff said.
4. cheering up a friend.
5. Picnik.
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1. the almost complete silence of early morning.
2. people who take the time to write neatly on paperwork others will need to read.
3. GoodReads.
4. strawberry Starburst.
5. BLT sandwiches.
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1. Google Reader.
2. a glass of ice cold water close at hand.
3. March issues of Real Simple *and* Good Housekeeping!
4. having a soft heart, even if it gets trampled on a little from time to time. i'm just glad i still have one after all is said & done.
5. the comfort of daily routines.
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1. favorite tv shows on DVD. especially in that span of time between the end of football and the beginning of baseball.
2. was able to keep my windows wide open all day. i believe 68-72 degrees is my ideal temperature range.
3. the sense of accomplishment that comes from the most minor of projects. in this case, i labelled all the plugs around my desk/entertainment center. all thirteen (!!) of them. ok well, actually only twelve. i forgot to make a label for the router but i will get thay done at work tomorrow and the best part? i know which plug it is since it's the only one without a tag!
4. breaking out two new votives to burn tonight since the last ones burned down. Winterberries in the living room; Christmas Wish in my bedroom.
5. ice cream for dinner. there *are* some perks to being a grown up!
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1. If you saw your favorite celebrity in the street, what would be your first reaction?
define celebrity, because if that includes favorite athletes, that would be Mike Lowell. and i would probably drool.
2. Are you usually the heart breaker or the heart broken?
i suppose there might be one or two that would beg to differ, but i think i am usually the heart broken. although sometimes i wonder if i didn't hang on so long that it was really my own expectations breaking my heart in the end.
3. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
yes. but i've also felt the inner strength that is born of pulling yourself back up from that place. i think sometimes you have to hit the very bottom before things can begin their slow ascent. i think hitting the bottom can teach more about ourselves than smooth sailing ever could. and i think hitting the bottom humbles us and makes us much more in tune to the blessings we have for which we should be grateful and often are not.
4. Do you give out second chances too easily?
more like the exact opposite. i probably should give second chances a little more than i do. thanks to personal history though, i just don't. hurt too many times.
5. Ever felt that no one relates to you?
maybe not *no one* but very few people.
6. Are you a vegetarian?
heck no. i can eat an occasional meal without meat but i couldn't give it up completely. ok, i suppose i *could* but i don't want to!
7. What were you doing 4 hours ago?
4 hours ago was...3:10pm. i was relaxing on the couch. i had Season One of Grey's Anatomy playing. i was half watching while scanning some blogs online. i like my Sundays to be low-key if at all possible.
8. Are you good at keeping secrets?
yep. i take trust very seriously.
9. Do you have any superstitions?
not really, except for when it comes to the Red Sox. i never ever laugh at the Yankees. i never talk about a no-hitter in progress. and then there's the Shrine...
10. On which blog did you last leave a comment?
it was actually on a blog i had not visited before: On Common Ground.
11. Do you open up to people easily?
absolutely not. and if i finally let my guard down far enough to confide in you, you'd best not betray that trust or it will never happen again.
12. Who was the last person that left you a comment?
that would be Ted.
13. Baked potato. You can put on any toppings you want.
a little butter and some sour cream for mine, please!
14. For what would you sell your soul?
my soul is not mine to sell.
15. If you spoke English with an accent other than the one you currently have, how would you chose to sound?
Boston of course! ;-)
16. What hour of the day goes the slowest for you?
2pm. that's about the time of day i start to drag. motivation is low. energy level is low. all i want to do is take a nap.
17. Name three things to be happy about today.
beautiful weather. ice cream. having a relaxing Sunday afternoon and evening.
18. What item in your house has seen too much use lately?
garbage bags. good Lord, where did all this trash come from all of a sudden?!
19. What is heaven?
i have no clue. i don't think it's something we are capable of imagining. we've never known perfection and joy in that way.
20. In what way have you been overused lately?
i actually haven't felt overused at all. i've gotten much better at politely but firmly setting my limits to prevent becoming resentful from being taken advantage of.
1. perfect weather for being at Disney World. even in the evening. i was warm enough in just my Old Navy fleece pullover, a t-shirt & jeans.
2. light crowds made navigating the park easier.
3. walked right onto Haunted Mansion.
4. and Pirates of the Caribbean.
5. slowed down a bit, riding the train & the river boat.
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Friday Fill-in #110
1. Please don't tell me what i mean, what i think or how i feel--i've been there, done that and i'm not going down that road ever again.
2. Can you believe i actually don't mind waking up early in the morning?
3. The color red makes me want to redecorate!
4. I have a craving for baseball--real live never-before-seen baseball. and a Dole Whip.
5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it on a Saturday afternoon in early April when the weather is perfect & there's a Red Sox baseball game to be played.
6. Eyes are the inspiration for a post that is sitting in my draft folder.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight last night I'm I was looking forward to watching a movie, tomorrow today my plans include going to Disney for a while and Sunday, I want to have my usual relaxing day before the work week starts again!
1. singing in the car to music you love. whenever i am driving, you can bet the odds are that i'm singing. (and it's good thing no one can hear.)
2. truck day!!
3. the March issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray in my mailbox.
4. friends who are willing to share books. in this case, Confessions of a Shopaholic--thank you, Stacy!
5. a new Yankee Candle car gel. in this case, the scent is Mistletoe. have to get in those Winter scents while the season lasts!
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1. the building i work is in essentially a giant metal box with minimal insulation. when we get a cold snap with temperatures in the low 20s, like this morning, when i get in, the office is about 45 degrees. one of the shop managers, who gets in an hour before i do, turns on the space heater under my desk so that when i get in, my area is warmed for me.
2. fantasy baseball opened up today! silly as it is, this makes me happy, because it feels like we're one step closer to baseball season.
3. having the song stuck in your head be one you actually like!
4. my screen savers. yes, both of them. the one on my desktop is a computer-generated image of a babbling brook with a view that pans around as Autumn leaves drop onto the surface of the water. the one on my laptop is a compilation of all the favorite Red Sox photos i have collected over the last few years. they both make me happy when they pop up.
5. SoftLips.
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for those of you who scoff when i say it does so get cold in Florida, i present you with this evidence, taken outside the building i work in this morning.
*for accuracy purposes, this should be read like "ch-ch-ch-chia!"
1. an easy commute into work.
2. that there are still people who will give a wave of appreciation when you let them out into traffic.
3. remembering my Gram on what would have been her 92nd birthday. i was always my Gram's girl & i miss her more, not less, as time goes by.
Gram and Baby Dawn, February 1977
4. it's good to know the people i work with have a sense of humor--like when one of them places a screw on my desk, trying to bite back a smile, then runs off, laughing, as i (jokingly) call after him "yeah, screw you too!"
5. knowing one of my favorite Red Sox pitchers, Jon Lester, is as hungry for the baseball season to start as i am. pitchers & catchers aren't scheduled to report until February 12, but Lester is already in Ft Myers, ready & waiting!
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not talking politics, faithful readers.
i'm talking about... my blog.
my trusty template has been with me for the last three and a half years. i've been ready for a change but was unable to...
...find a new template i liked.
...feel satisfied with what "new Blogger" had to offer.
...summon up the courage to undertake the challenge.
...convince myself that change was necessary.
having overcome all those obstacles, i am about the begin implementation of a Major Blog Overhaul. i have been playing and testing and customizing and tweaking the template i found for days now in my secret underground lab trusty test blog.
things may look odd here while the transition is in progress. fear not (i have that covered for all of us), one way or another we will be up & running shortly. either with a brand new look for my thoughts over here at Broken Road...or with my old template (safely copied, pasted and tucked away) restored to its familiar form.
see you on the other side.
::gulp::
edit to add: and i've pulled it off! without a hitch! ::happy dance::
1. the contrast of rain clouds and sunshine with blue sky peeking through.
2. Like red on a rose
When your lips first smiled at me
I was captured instantly
To each his own
Like blue in the sky
The gaze of your willing eyes
Touched something deep inside
The truth be known
That I love you like all little children love pennies
And I love you ‘cause I know that I can’t do anything wrong
You’re where I belong
Like red on a rose
And I love you like all little children love pennies
And I love you like good times of which I’ve known many
And I love you ‘cause I know you give me a heart of my own
You make my blood flow
Like red on a rose
("Like Red on a Rose," Alan Jackson)
3. the positive effect of making the effort to relax my face into more of a "small smile" expression throughout the day. i'm not talking about a big goofy grin. have you ever watched how many people drive or go about their way with the corners of their mouths turned down and their foreheads pinched? when i let my face relax, i feel like all of me is less stressed.
4. a brand new shower puff!
5. dinner without any effort on my part whatsoever.
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1. steamed zucchini squash with just a little butter & salt.
2. the Cadillac of doctor's offices. not that anyone wants to go, but if you have to, this is where you want it to be!
3. getting the rest of my tax paperwork in the mail & getting them done!
4. good friends.
5. this project, for making me stop & take notice of the little things. some days i *really* need the reminder.
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1. Super Bowl Sunday! (best commercials: the Diet Pepsi commercial, the Budweiser commercials with the horses, the e-trade baby who always makes me laugh & the Pedigree adopt-a-dog commercial.)
2. that if i'm going to spill my drink all over my living room that i drink so much water. it doesn't get sticky or stain.
3. the work that Joe Boway in doing in Liberia and the message he shared with us at church this morning.
4. a new month on the calendar.
5. cupcakes made in memory of my Gramp's birthday.
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1. Peanut butter and jelly or a grilled cheese sandwich?
i like both but grilled cheese gets the slight edge as total comfort food.
2. Do you like pickles?
i *love* pickles. dill. bread-and-butter. garlic. none of those pickles that don't need to be refrigerated though! i like a pickle with CRUNCH!!
3. Why do you think red symbolizes passion? What do you think of when you see the color red? Do you own very many red articles of clothing?
i think it's because passion brings heat to mind & red is associated with heat as well as the heart. when i think of red, i think of Christmas & the Red Sox & warmth. i actually own quite a few pieces of red clothing. it's one of my very favorite colors & it looks good on me as well!
4. What color is your underwear?
pink, white, black & grey striped.
5. What's on your mind right now?
hoping the Cardinals can win the Super Bowl. annoyed about the water i spilled.
6. Do you bite your nails?
i wish i could say i didn't but if i have a rough edge & no file, it drives me crazy unless i get rid of it.
7. You're stranded on a desert island with one fictional character. Who is it?
Alan Shore from Boston Legal. at least i wouldn't be bored because the conversation would be guaranteed entertaining!
8. Do you daydream?
i sure do. about all kinds of things that are between me, myself & i. i think daydreaming is important--it's one of the few ways you can still exercise your imagination as an adult!
9. How do you like your eggs?
scrambled. hard-boiled (just the white please!). egg salad sandwich. Cadbury Mini Eggs. ;-)
10. Where did you go for kindergarten?
Immanuel Lutheran. my teacher was Mrs Koschmann.
11. Do you like snow?
i like to look at it. i like to go out & play in it for a bit. i like it during the Advent & Christmas season. i do not like to drive in it, clean it off my car or watch it turn into sad brown piles along the edge of the road.
12. Do you like blue cheese?
i don't mind it but it's not my first choice.
13. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
depends why i have the appointment. if it's just an annual, no. if i am going because i have a concern, then, yeah.
14. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
a glass of cranberry juice.
15. Can you do push ups?
the girly ones. and i generally curse their existence the entire time.
16. Do you own slippers?
nope! no need for 'em here in Florida. for the six weeks of "Winter," i just keep my socks on.
17. Favorite color?
red followed closely by navy blue.
18. Would you be a pirate?
would it gain me entry to the Red Sox bullpen? ;-) (this answer is going to be lost on some people, i realize that, but that begs the question: why aren't *you* a Red Sox fan, because then you would know.)
19. What's in your pocket right now?
absolutely nothing. not even lint. (i checked.)
20. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
i was sound asleep. i got really sleepy around 11 last night.
photo of me
i didn't exist this month, i guess. oops!
1) current candle scents: Silver Bells. Christmas Wreath.
2) what i am currently reading: "Faithful" (Stewart O'Nan and Stephen King). "America Alone" (Mark Steyn).
3) newest music i added my playlist: "Broken," by Lifehouse. "Love Song," by Sara Bareilles. "Next Contestant," by Nickelback.
4) movies i saw: Til There Was You. The Patriot. The Wedding Date. Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Gran Torino. Sex and the City: the Movie. The Outlaw Josey Wales. Waitress. 27 Dresses. Righteous Kill.
5) something yummy i made this month: golden crusted pork chops.
6) the last place i ate out: Golden Corral.
7) something that made me cry: 27 Dresses, the Sex & the City movie, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, January 22nd's Private Practice...in a nutshell: hormones.
8) something that made me laugh: being silly. i made myself laugh by being just plain silly. and a good laugh does wonders for the soul.
9) something i looked forward to this month: cooler weather. Winter usually arrives in mid-January here and stays til the end of February.
10) something i am thankful for: that i have so many old family photos.
11) something i want to remember about this month: i read three very good short essays from September's Good Housekeeping magazine: "My Mother's Cure-All," "The Best of the Worst" and "Open Your Heart" -- all very healthy, positive, hopeful mental approaches to dealing with the stresses of our current economic situation: "Comparing her then to my now helps me to appreciate how relative a sense of economic security is, how our monetary mental health is all based on expectations. And how dramatically ours have changed: Although consumption has soared a whopping 45 percent in the past 20 years, the proportion of American citizens reporting they are "very happy" has remained the same--about one-third--since 1957." (My Mother's Cure-All) ... "And here's the happy thing: It just may be that some of the changes and adjustments and paring down demanded by a reversal in fortunes will be more satisfying and fulfilling than what came before." (The Best of the Worst) ... "If the economy is contracting, a human heart can nonetheless continue to expand, finding new opportunities for gratitude, compassion and generosity." (Open Your Heart)
12) a photo i took this month:
i was a little shocked to realize i didn't use my camera at *all* in January. but then i remembered that i was very busy scanning in & organizing old photos to keep them safe.
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