happiness is love

Today I got to meet my uncle's fiance.  She is a delightful lady (I use that word a lot).  I enjoyed meeting her, and I must admit I already love her.  A lot of that probably has to do deal with the fact that I know that she loves my uncle.  I also saw my cousin and his girlfriend.  It definitely made me smile.  They definitely made me happy.  I love them all so much.  So happiness is being around those you love and that love you or those you love.  Happiness is love.


As much as that is happiness I also saw a sign that gave another great description of happiness today!!!

naps and cats

So as silly or maybe as typical as it is, I enjoy naps.  Today's smile is the fact that I actually got one, and not only a nap an almost 2 hour nap, with dreams!!!!!

The other smile was just sitting on the couch with both my sister's cats resting on my lap.  There is something comforting and delightful about pets.

TOP 10 smiles of the day

There are soooooooo many smiles today where shall I begin

1) A ferry ride:  I love the Northwest and the Puget Sound and what says the Puget Sound better than a ferry ride.  I enjoy the water, wind and the idea of the ferry.

2) OK silly I know but I still wish on stars, eyelashes and wishing rocks (don't ask me how seriously I do wish on them).  So today I found the perfect wishing rock.  I guess with wishing rocks you make a wish and toss it or something like that.  Maybe you are supposed to keep it.  All I remember is that a wishing rock is one with a ring that goes all the way around and you wish on it.  Do I believe that the rock will grant my wish, NO, but the bigger question is why not make a wish?

3) Whidbey Island - I spent most of my day on Whidbey Island.  It was so delightful and pretty.  I am not one to cry over pretty things, and so I really didn't cry but it was definitely an emotional moving beauty.  

4) Hiking/walking:  I LOVE to hike, especially in the Northwest.  We did not go far but it was beautiful.  I do enjoy the big scene and the little things.  I enjoy the beauty of the whole experience. I enjoy the exercise.  I enjoy the fresh air.  I enjoy the beauty of the BIG beauty around me and I enjoy the beauty of the small flower.  Here are some pictures of the BIG and little beauty around me.  

5) Unintentional beauty.  So I do enjoy photography.  I am not the best photographer and what you can do with a point and shoot is hardly photography, but while trying to take a picture of a rose I accidentally left my camera setting on panorama and got the pretty picture I wasn't expecting.  It actually may be my favorite picture from today and I really did not plan it this way.

6) CHEESE!!!!!  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE cheese.  I want to go to Europe one day and try different cheeses and bike.  Whidbey Island has a delightful little cheese store which definitely made me smile.  

7) Lighthouses - I love lighthouses.  I saw two today.  

8) Small improvements- I am terrified of heights.  The hike I went on today was along a bluff.  Most of the hike the drop was covered by tall plants so I couldn't see.  There were a few lookout places along the trail.  I went closer to the edge than normal because I am slowly facing parts of my fear (granted I was still chickened out on the ladder at one of the light houses).  So I am happy for small improvements on facing my fear.

9) Daisies and Lavender- Daisies are my favorite flowers and lavender is my favorite smell.  There was a delightful little place that had both.  It also had a little art garden as well.  This picture of the daisies reminds me of how I would like my gravestone to look.  

10) Loganberry Pie-  So I am not a pie person.  If someone offers me pie I generally say "no" because I don't like pie, specifically I don't like the crust.  I had the best fresh loganberry pie today.  I think it may have been one of the best 3 pies I have ever had.  ALL of it was good (the crust too)

clear running skies

Today's smile is the rain.  My friend and I went running this morning.  It was down pouring just before we left.  Stopped raining while we jogged.  And then just after we got back it started to rain again.  My friend made the comment "someone loves us"

Just a little bit more

One thought that goes through my head when I do some things is "I am not doing this to do the bare minimum."  This thought was a part of my PhD.  I wanted to make it something I can be proud of (though there are more focused efforts and less focused efforts at times).  Today's smile was the point that I pushed myself a little bit further with my running.  I came to a point in today's jog where I could have rested or pushed it a little bit and made it across the street in time.  I was tired at this point and did want to rest but I did not I chose to push it because I did not want to do the bare minimum.  Also when creating this route I could have chosen to turn right and make for a slightly shorter run, but again that defeated the purpose, I did not want to just do the bare minimum, I wanted to do a little bit more.  Yes it was a slow jog, no my body is not what it was 15 years ago, but yes I can still push myself a little bit more.

Old friends

Today I was able to see an old friend I haven't seen for a long time.  She is a delightful lady.  There is something about true friendships that lighten our souls and bring sunshine to our lives, a sense and force of strength and comfort.  Friendships can be one of God's richest blessings for us in this life.

A list of smiles

So today there were several smiles that I can't claim one but must claim several.  I hope you don't mind a list of today's delights.

1) Sister time: I got to spend several hours with my sisters today.  They are such wonderful women.  So my first smile is the smile of time with my wonderful sisters.
2) Waterfront/Pike Place market:  Today's weather was AMAZING and I got to enjoy several hours on the waterfront and Pike Place market today.  It was beautiful and delightful.  I was able to purchase a shawl, a pendant, a beautiful hand painted pie pan, honey and a delightful clock out of recycled bike parts.  I was so excited about my purchases.

(yes remember to keep clam and breath)

3) Doughnut:  I have been wanting a particular doughnut and since today was my personal allotted sweet tooth splurge day.  So today we stopped by the doughnut shop and guess what my favorite doughnut was all sold out and not on the shelf.  Upon hearing how I was hoping for my favorite doughnut the owner of the doughnut shop "found" me one last of my favorite doughnut.
4) My cousin:  It was nice to spend a little time with my cousin today.  She is a fun lady.
5) Jog:  I know, I think jogging is a love/hate relationship.  Sometimes I love it and hate it while I am jogging or just after.