Appreciations 4.79

Writing a testimonial for someone I appreciate, like, and admire. What a lovely opportunity to reflect on the best qualities of that person!

Remember that thing about me wanting to find fun in as many situations as possible? Well, it turns out that the impound lot is one of those places it really does take some determination — especially when you’re there for the 2nd time in 3 days! 😛

Impound lot smileToday while we were waiting and hoping that the jump start would work so Cina could get her car out of the lot (yes, this is still from the street cleaning this week and no, the jump start didn’t do the trick), I was standing outside feeling cold and a looking for something fun and distracting, so I decided to use my feet to round up nearby rocks and make a smiley face in the parking lot.

Shortly, a security guy drove over and told me I needed to be over near my car, so I pointed to the ground and told him I was just making a smiley face. He laughed and looked a little confused, so I told him about my appreciation journal and looking for something fun at the impound lot. He sort of grinned at me and said yes, it was okay to take a photo before I went back over to the car. So that was fun! I wonder what effect it had on him!?! Hahaha!

Even though the day didn’t really go the way we’d planned, Katie and Cina and I did get to hang out a lot (mostly AT the lot – hahaha), but then we had dinner and watched a movie together, so it was a really nice day in the end.

Appreciations 4.76

IMG_3530The still radiant sparks of color. I especially love how they stand out in contrast to the already browning leaves. I’m continually amazed by how intensely pleasing I find my environment all year round. I seem to find something gorgeous is around every corner. 😀

Daily doodles! Okay, well, right now they are just occasional doodles, but I will work them in to daily doodles! Today was a double-duty doodle day because Pam and I did more doodles for Jenn during Pam’s Infusion of Radiant Elixir of Life! daily doodle #2

Spending time with Pamela at the Masonic Center. Wow, did that time fly by! We chatted and laughed and doodled, and talked and joked with the lovely staff there. Then Pam treated me to a delicious dinner at the Neighborhood Cafe. Oh, and how much do I love that Pam knows that it is a 40-second walk from her house!?! So much. We birds of a feather do flock together! OH! Birds! We got to see the rafter (or gang) of wild turkeys, too! What a fun drive along the river!!

When I spend time with Pam I come away feeling lighter, brighter, wiser, happier, and deeply satisfied. My life is such a rich tapestry of beautiful, inspiring, amazing people. I love that. ❤

Appreciations 4.75

My glasses. Being without them for half a day (since I forgot them in the choir practice room last night) made me realize how much I really, really appreciate being able to see most of the time! 😎

gorgeous leaves 11:3:15 day berries 11:3:15Unbelievably beautiful weather and time enough to take a walk today. What gorgeous colors!

Another amazing collaborative work day with Amy and Alison. I love our work days. ❤

Appreciations 4.72 – the Halloween Edition

The perfectly fitting surreal quality of the day after a night of insomnia…everything seems a little strange, a little off, a little spooky…

Getting done with work in time to carve pumpkins before it was no longer Halloween. 😛

halloween 2015Another wonderful Halloween with the Duncan girls! Delicious dinner and so much fun watching Ida do stuff. Everything is a game at that age! I keep trying to get a photo of her but she’s a blurry flurry of activity these days. I have lots of pics of blur. 😉 At least all our pumpkins stayed still long enough for a group photo. 😀

Appreciations 4.65

A lovely, Delaney-ful day, nicely bookended by a morning visit and an evening concert. 😀

Sitting under the table coloring with Ruby (well, my job was primarily to make sure Katie and Cina didn’t see the work in progress…). 😉

Presents from RubyPink polka dot presents from Ruby!

A little time with the kids today. I sure am one lucky mama. ❤

Appreciations 4.63

fall tree and sun 4Um, guys…have you seen this weather?! Love love love the colors, the warmth, the sunshine!

Amazing day for a walk up to the coffee shop with Alison. Thanks for the coffee and the super fun conversation, Alison. It was so great to reconnect! 😀

The wonderful people at the UMP Heart Clinic. Appointments are always so easy and fun. Amy always seems to remember my whole story (not just the medical stuff!) and is so supportive and accommodating, and does such a good job listening. I love having excellent care providers like her!

I appreciate the fact that I am running out of new adjectives to describe the beautiful parts of my life. How many times have I used these words this year: amazing, fun, beautiful, wonderful, delightful, fantastic, great, awesome, marvelous, magnificent, splendid, breathtaking, excellent, superb, stunning. It is a wonder to me how very bright and shiny my life is. ❤

Appreciations 4.62

utility box art 3Living in a city with art everywhere. Everywhere! I love it. 🙂

Encountering friendly service people and clerks at every turn. I love engaging with people who are open and like to play along with my silliness. So fun to have a day full of bright encounters like that. 😀

Bonus Duncan day! Thank you for the really delicious dinner and the delightful company, Sarah & Ida. Oh, what a wonderful evening! ❤

Appreciations 4.60

Amazingly mild weather. Is this really October? Wow!!

music oct 2015Singing with the Earthtones. The music is so interesting and rehearsals are so much fun!

Another lovely chat with David. I love my Mondays! 🙂

Appreciations 4.59

Ida and Luna 10:18:15Oh, how I love Duncan Sundays! Gorgeous weather for a walk up to the farmer’s market and then down to the lake. Plus play time with rocks, kitty, and books. 😉 What a perfect way to spend the morning. ❤ ❤ ❤

Getting some cooking done for the week!

Comfy couch for collapsing at the end of the day. 😀

Appreciations 4.56

Ohhh – more number fun! 4.56! 😛

Another fabulous meeting with John. What a delightful start to my day! ❤

Having so much fun with Pamela while she received her Elixir of Radiant Health at The Spa. Oh how we laughed and joked with the wonderful staff there. And we had such nice walkies – the three of us abreast – me, Pam, and Pam’s PatientPal (yes, that’s what the wheely-pole thingy that holds the bags of elixir is called!!) with Pam’s beautifully choreographed spins when we turned around at the end of the hall. What else? More enlightening, illuminating, inspiring conversation; watching the leaves dance upwards off the trees; and yes, of course, even singing. 😉 It was fun to meet more members of the Pam Fan Club, like Amy and Nancy and all the other folks there who remembered Pam and were clearly so enchanted by my darling friend. We all love Pam’s energy, intentionality, charm, and wit. ❤ Oooooh, and the valet parking! That is pretty nifty, I tell ya. A girl could get used to that kind of thing! What a precious afternoon. 🙂

parsley potatoesHaving just enough energy left over to cook when I got home – I made parsley potatoes with fresh parsley! For a gal who has barely cooked at all in the past 7 or 8 years, this is a big deal. Looks like this old dog CAN learn new tricks. 😀