Remember

Can you remember the nice things that happened during the day?  Do you notice them?  So many moments come together to make a day. 

Here is some of what I enjoyed today.

For just a moment, before I walked in the door at work, I stopped in the cold wind and enjoyed the beautiful orange and purple coloring of the clouds as the sun's light was just breaking the horizon.  The cheerful good mornings from friends at work.  The freshly made coffee that warmed my hands and soothed my throat.  The completion of tasks and chores that close out the year now passed.  Helping people at work with skills that I have worked hard to learn.  A quick trip home for something to eat for lunch.  The WONDERFUL smell of freshly baked banana bread still warm from the oven.  The smile that reaches the eyes when someone that loves you sees you walk in a room.  Hugs and kisses from the littlest arms and lips.  Quitting time when the day at work is completed.  Inspiration to cook red beans and rice for dinner.  YUM!  *Why haven't I made that yet this winter?*   The warm place I have to rest on a very cold day.  The moment that somebody takes to reach out to you just to say hi and I love you.  Help from little hands to do laundry. Clothes all cleaned, dried and put away for another use.  A boy all clean and smelling sweet tucked in at bed time.  Kisses goodnight.  Good music to listen to and time to relax before the pillow calls me back to rest before it begins again. 

The day complete.  It wasn't an easy day but I have had many much harder.  It helps if I stop and take the time and try to remember what good things happened during the day.  This isn't all of them.  Just the ones that came to my mind quickly as I thought to put them down in words. 

I hope and wish all my friends and family can find a list as long, or longer than mine. 

I am wealthy beyond any dream I ever had as a child. 

XxOo 

2

He had a busy and fun day.  He also had way more sugar than he normally gets.  I dropped off a dozen cupcakes at daycare with him and from the pics that I was sent he wasn't the only one that enjoyed them.  I wish I could figure out how to forward pictures from my new phone to my email.  I tried and couldn't figure it out.  It is the new and improved version that doesn't do as much nor as easily.  Kinda reminds me of the updates I get on software at work.  They cost more, do less and quit working more often.  You know, the new and improved crap. 
Sorry, I got distracted there.  I seems to be happening more often.  The getting distracted thing. 
Back to the busy day......

We had dinner with lots of laughing.

 

The entertainment was free. I used the flash on the first few attempts to get this picture.  He gave me this look for my trouble.

  I just wanted a picture of his napkin that he put on his head.  He said he was pretty, when we laughed he said it a few more times.  He did finally use the napkin to wipe his face off.  He missed the spot on his top lip. 

 

He opened his Birthday presents.  And believe it or not, he was more excited about his toys than the clothes he got. 

 

Then we broke out the cake.  He knew just what to do.  His mommy had to light the candle several times cause he kept blowing it out before we even started signing to him.

 

His PaPa got some noise makers.  He really liked the horns!

He only ate a few bites of cake and he was ready to go back to playing with his toys.  His Aunt Mattie helped him while his Mommy cut cake up for everybody.

I think he had a good day and enjoyed his party.  He won't be 2 until tomorrow but most of his family has to work Saturday so we partied tonight.  I really wish I could have shared the pictures and video sent to me from his daycare.  It was too funny!  I wonder if one of my daughters could email me a copy of what I forwarded to them?  *I have figured out how to forward to contacts.*  Pretty sure this is another sign that I am getting old. 

*Update* 

Here is one of the pictures from daycare.  Yes!, one of my daughters came through. 

I can't help but smile when I see this one. 

Oh,

By the way

Blue icing on cupcakes

=

Blue poop the next day

 

 

Touchable and almost un-breakable tree

It took me awhile to get it set up.  Too many other things kept getting in the way.  But, finally I have the Christmas tree set up.  I have fond memories of the beautiful tree that my grandmother put up every year.  My Aunt sets up one now that looks so much like what she would have done.  There are some of the same ornaments from my childhood on her tree.  I see them and it helps me remember the magic that her and my Grams made possible.  I have a fond memory of peaking through the wall furnace and trying to see what gifts they were wrapping.  I never could see what the gifts were.  Part of the problem was that my BIG brother hogged the best view.  I believe I have written about that memory on here before.  The 3 of us lying on the COLD tile floor on our tummies trying to get a sneak peak at what we were getting for Christmas.  My little sister at the back with hardly a view, me trying to get past my big brother for the best view.  All of us freezing on that very cold floor.  So excited for what the next morning would bring. 
I hope I imparted a bit of that magic to my girls when they were little.  This year I hope to begin to create some of the Christmas magic for little Alex.  He will be 2 this weekend.  He will get to practice opening gifts for his birthday and should be a pro by the end of Christmas day. So it is up, late but not too late.  It is as childproof as a tree can be.  It was a gift from my daughter last year.  The bulbs are not glass and the ornaments are touchable.  I think Alex will like it. 

We have been busy getting our house on the market to sell and looking for somewhere to move.  I believe we have found that place.  Fingers crossed that things work out.  It is a beautiful home.  I am afraid to say more until it is final. 
 

Shaking it off

I struggle with Monday.  It is so busy at work.  AND it never fails there will be somebody that I talk to that cannot be made happy.  Their bad attitude leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  I don't like letting somebody else decide my attitude so I try to just let it go.  It may take a few head shakes, a little grumping, a few frowns but it does eventually let go of me.  Some of the uglier things can take a bit more shaking to get rid of.  Today was one of those days.  I think I have most of it shaken off. 

Last week a former co-worker passed away.  He was only about 40 years old.  Too young, way too young.  The job was hard on him.  He was a good man and he will be missed by many.  His children are mostly grown but they will not have him to lean on when life's heartaches find them.  He will not be there to hold and love on grandchildren.  They will all have to be strong without him.  He always had a kind word for me when my husband was ill with cancer.  Hold a place for us SD.

I think that they have finally hired the 2nd person for Records.  She passed the back ground and I don't see her having any problems with passing her drug test.  Hopefully she will start on Monday.  I am not looking forward to training again but once it is done things should, should, should calm down.  I am leaving it at should.  Not holding my breath.  Nope.  Red and puffy cheeks is not a good look on me. 

I am tired.  I didn't sleep well last night. (unusual for me).  I did make it through the hardest day of the week so things are looking up.  Plus my oldest baby is recovering well from her surgery.  It was not the outcome we hoped for but knowing is better than being clueless.  Gonna listen to a bit more of the Black Crowes cranked up before I crawl in bed. 

That is all I have to share tonight.  Except this little face. 

I can't help but smile when he looks at me like this and says "No wowwy, it ok". 

Gotta have something to smile about.

 

Saturday afternoon

It doesn't take this little guy long to figure things out.   This afternoon I watched him figure out how to use the railing on the playground stairs. 

This is how he went up the steps the 1st dozen times.

 

This is how he went up the other 20 dozen times he went up the stairs.   

 

There were lots of reasons to go up the stairs. 



I think he had fun at the park. 

 

He was upset when we left.  But his PaPa got him a vanilla shake to make it better.

And Grandma made him spaghetti for dinner. 

 

He was a little bit messy.  No shirt helped with the clean up afterwards. 

 

He ate all but one bite.  We played outside more after dinner.  He has about used up his green sidewalk chalk.  He got a kick out of marking my feet.  I would holler "Hey" each time he did it and he would just giggle and giggle.  After bath and teeth brushing he was ready for bed.  I think with his Aunt Mattie's help we wore him out.  IF I had remembered to deliver a wake up call, his mommy could have played at the park too.  Maybe tomorrow we can go back with her.  Pretty sure he won't mind going back.