I've decided to drop the 365-ish. It's just not in my nature to follow the "rules" and do this like I'm really supposed to. :-) It's not going to be daily, I may not get to 365 -- and if I do it may take me three years! I'm just going to roll with it and press on.
1. The scent of fresh doughnuts wafting out of the bag on the front seat of the car in the morning.
2. Catching glimpses, in between the trees and shrubs, of the elegant birds lounging in the little strip of waterway along the side of the road.
3. Getting an unexpected email from a friend that makes me smile.
4. Seeing the first blooms on a plant you've never noticed before.
5. The sigh that comes with taking my bra off at the end of the day.
February 24, 2009
February 12, 2009
Year of Living Generously Update
It has been more than a month since I last checked in here on my Year of Living Generously endeavor and I thought it was time to talk about where I'm at with it.
I haven't been able to settle on a method or theme or selection process as I had hoped to do. So I've just been following a pretty basic idea of "Give when so moved." I'm online a lot. There are a lot of causes out there and there's no lack of requests that I come across. When I read one that is reasonable and moves me to act, I do it swiftly.
One of the more memorable ones was a simple request for baby supplies for a woman who had given birth to multiples here in the U.S. but is a refugee from war-torn Sudan. She simply needed diapers (five newborns go through a total of 40 a day!) and The One Dollar Give made it possible to buy a box of diapers for them via an Amazon registry and have it delivered directly to the family. Technology can be a beautiful thing.
Well, come to think of it, maybe I do have a theme for this month after all. Because what I want to tell you about now is because of a sweet, beautiful baby girl named Maddie.
Maddie is the daughter of proud parents Heather and Michael, who can be found over at The Spohrs Are Multiplying, where Maddie is the star. Heck the girl even has her own Facebook fan page! I think Heather has more or less a part-time job taking pictures of her little miracle and we're lucky enough to get to see them often. Those eyes of Maddie's are the most expressive things ever.
I've become friends with Heather online and I like her in spite of the fact that she is both a Dodger fan and a USC fan. And that is saying something. But anyway, Maddie was born three months prematurely and has had a lot of medical stuff to deal with in her short life. But she's here and beautiful, and that's thanks in part to the work that is done by the March of Dimes.
To celebrate Maddie and thank the March of Dimes for their part in her life, the Spohrs are committed to helping raise funds for them. They are gearing up for the annual March of Dimes walk in their area and they're asking us for help in reaching their fundraising goal, which includes spreading the word if you're not able to give right now when money is tight. I think most of us who have an online life know the power of social media, and using your voice that way can be just as important as opening your wallet.
The good people at Kodak have upped the ante a bit and have provided two great prizes that will be given away by a virtual raffle next month. If you need any more reason than that, take a peek over at the purple box to the right and see if you can resist that smile. Join me in help keeping that smile bright, for Maddie and other babies like her.
I haven't been able to settle on a method or theme or selection process as I had hoped to do. So I've just been following a pretty basic idea of "Give when so moved." I'm online a lot. There are a lot of causes out there and there's no lack of requests that I come across. When I read one that is reasonable and moves me to act, I do it swiftly.
One of the more memorable ones was a simple request for baby supplies for a woman who had given birth to multiples here in the U.S. but is a refugee from war-torn Sudan. She simply needed diapers (five newborns go through a total of 40 a day!) and The One Dollar Give made it possible to buy a box of diapers for them via an Amazon registry and have it delivered directly to the family. Technology can be a beautiful thing.
Well, come to think of it, maybe I do have a theme for this month after all. Because what I want to tell you about now is because of a sweet, beautiful baby girl named Maddie.
Maddie is the daughter of proud parents Heather and Michael, who can be found over at The Spohrs Are Multiplying, where Maddie is the star. Heck the girl even has her own Facebook fan page! I think Heather has more or less a part-time job taking pictures of her little miracle and we're lucky enough to get to see them often. Those eyes of Maddie's are the most expressive things ever.
I've become friends with Heather online and I like her in spite of the fact that she is both a Dodger fan and a USC fan. And that is saying something. But anyway, Maddie was born three months prematurely and has had a lot of medical stuff to deal with in her short life. But she's here and beautiful, and that's thanks in part to the work that is done by the March of Dimes.
To celebrate Maddie and thank the March of Dimes for their part in her life, the Spohrs are committed to helping raise funds for them. They are gearing up for the annual March of Dimes walk in their area and they're asking us for help in reaching their fundraising goal, which includes spreading the word if you're not able to give right now when money is tight. I think most of us who have an online life know the power of social media, and using your voice that way can be just as important as opening your wallet.
The good people at Kodak have upped the ante a bit and have provided two great prizes that will be given away by a virtual raffle next month. If you need any more reason than that, take a peek over at the purple box to the right and see if you can resist that smile. Join me in help keeping that smile bright, for Maddie and other babies like her.
February 10, 2009
Grace in Small Things, 13/365-ish
Ooh, just squeaked this one in under the wire. I had a moment of inspiration and decided to run with it.
1. Unexpectedly seeing the full moon, low over the horizon on a clear night.
2. Being given a surprise gift that melts your heart.
3. Making a friend feel a little bit better.
4. Watching the big dog show and falling in love with dozens of the dogs. (Yes, I have cats, but I love dogs, too. If I could, I'd have both.)
5. Two-bite cupcakes for dessert.
1. Unexpectedly seeing the full moon, low over the horizon on a clear night.
2. Being given a surprise gift that melts your heart.
3. Making a friend feel a little bit better.
4. Watching the big dog show and falling in love with dozens of the dogs. (Yes, I have cats, but I love dogs, too. If I could, I'd have both.)
5. Two-bite cupcakes for dessert.
February 09, 2009
Skating By
I have to admit, I've got nothing in the tank today. I'm not even able to dredge up five things for a GIST list. Nothing's wrong, nothing's bad, I just keep drawing a blank. And when I don't draw a blank, it just kind of peters off into babble.
So, in the tried and true tradition of fine blogging, when you've got nothing, post a picture! And when you've really got nothing, go with catblogging!!
Here's my beautiful Finn in what I call his "demi-loaf" position. I love it when cats sit with their paws folded under them like this and they look like a loaf of bread. When he isn't leaning over like that, it's perfect. He wasn't interested in humoring me by straightening up, so I got a demi-loaf.
I told you I have nothing.
So, in the tried and true tradition of fine blogging, when you've got nothing, post a picture! And when you've really got nothing, go with catblogging!!
Here's my beautiful Finn in what I call his "demi-loaf" position. I love it when cats sit with their paws folded under them like this and they look like a loaf of bread. When he isn't leaning over like that, it's perfect. He wasn't interested in humoring me by straightening up, so I got a demi-loaf.
I told you I have nothing.
February 05, 2009
Grace in Small Things, 12/365-ish
1. Bringing cake in to work for no reason and watching people's delighted reaction.
2. Related: Cream cheese frosting.
3. Making someone genuinely laugh with surprise.
4. A birthday balloon that just refuses to deflate.
5. Kitty eyes squinting up at you when you turn the light on in the dark room where they were sleeping.
And, with that, I'm off to bed. I'm tired tonight so I'm going to go to bed early. For me.
2. Related: Cream cheese frosting.
3. Making someone genuinely laugh with surprise.
4. A birthday balloon that just refuses to deflate.
5. Kitty eyes squinting up at you when you turn the light on in the dark room where they were sleeping.
And, with that, I'm off to bed. I'm tired tonight so I'm going to go to bed early. For me.
February 04, 2009
Grace in Small Things, 11/365-ish
1. Lobster.
2. Lobster with butter.
3. Lobster on a roll with butter.
4. A fun night with friends.
5. Did I mention the lobster?
2. Lobster with butter.
3. Lobster on a roll with butter.
4. A fun night with friends.
5. Did I mention the lobster?
February 03, 2009
Grace in Small Things, 10/365-ish
1. Finding out that a friend has arrived home safe and sound after a very long trip.
2. A kitty paw curved over kitty eyes during a catnap.
3. The word "mellifluous." When it's said right, it's such a lovely sounding word.
4. Walking in the door just as your favorite new show starts.
5. A video that makes you laugh so hard, the specter of your crappy day instantly vanishes.
Yeah, it was a pretty crappy day and seeing that video (twice) really helped, but I have to admit that, as I was walking in from the car, I started thinking about getting this list together and I really felt the benefit of having a reason to think positively. Yes, I know it sounds corny, but it happened.
If I keep it up, I may find a reason to blog about something else other than these lists! For the time being, however, this is where it's at for me so I hope you are not minding the ride if you're not actually enjoying them.
2. A kitty paw curved over kitty eyes during a catnap.
3. The word "mellifluous." When it's said right, it's such a lovely sounding word.
4. Walking in the door just as your favorite new show starts.
5. A video that makes you laugh so hard, the specter of your crappy day instantly vanishes.
Yeah, it was a pretty crappy day and seeing that video (twice) really helped, but I have to admit that, as I was walking in from the car, I started thinking about getting this list together and I really felt the benefit of having a reason to think positively. Yes, I know it sounds corny, but it happened.
If I keep it up, I may find a reason to blog about something else other than these lists! For the time being, however, this is where it's at for me so I hope you are not minding the ride if you're not actually enjoying them.
February 02, 2009
Grace in Small Things, 9/365-ish
1. Having a built-in post format when you're lacking any ideas.
2. The gossamer wings of a dragonfly
3. A perfectly toasted grilled cheese sandwich.
4. Finding a really neat blog when checking out someone else's GIST list.
5. The mute button on the remote.
2. The gossamer wings of a dragonfly
3. A perfectly toasted grilled cheese sandwich.
4. Finding a really neat blog when checking out someone else's GIST list.
5. The mute button on the remote.
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