Love Is...

What love is by 4 to 8 year olds....

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all even when his hands got arthritis, too. That's Love."
Rebecca - age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8

And my favorite:

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4

J

Gal at the Bank

I had the opportunity to go to the bank today.  I really like where we bank because the location is convenient and the people who work there are nice and very helpful.

There is one gal who is a teller there who just makes me smile!  She always greets me with a huge smile and is very patient as I work through all my transactions.  I will let other people pass me so I can go to her window.  I’m not sure what they think, because no one likes to wait in line, but I don’t mind a bit if I can go to her window.

I don’t think bank tellers make a lot of money.  I don’t think they are always blessed with pleasant, patient customers.  No matter how crazy it’s been for her, and she’s told me once or twice that she has had a rough day; she greets me with a smile and helps me as if I’m the only customer that matters.  That just makes my day!

J

Little Children

One of my favorite things about our local farmer’s market is the little children.  There is something so amazing about how they look at things around them.  They have such wide eyes and they are in awe of everything.

Every week there is some kind of live music.  It’s amazing to watch the little ones as they get closer to the music – they begin to move – they can’t help themselves.  They dance and spin and they aren’t inhibited at all by the many people watching.

One of my favorite things is seeing little children holding the hand of their parent.  It is a position of protection on one side and trust on the other and it makes me smile to see a child willingly and happily holding that protective adult hand.

There are a lot of lessons watching little children – and it takes a lifetime to learn them all.

J

Value of Time

Know the true value of time! 
Snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. 
No idleness, no procrastination. 
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

-- Philip Chesterfield

J

Nap on the Couch

This afternoon I stretched out on the couch in the office and took a nap.  I didn’t get a very good night’s sleep last night, so my eyes needed a bit of a break!

For some reason, stretching out on that couch is like a sleeping pill, the minute I got comfortable, I was out snoozing and dreaming and resting!  Ahhhh, it was wonderful!

When I woke up, I felt like a million bucks – rested, ready to do things and happy.  The afternoon nap is highly underrated – everyone should be able to take one now and then – I’m sure it would add many smiles to the world!

J

Iris After The Rain

This morning it rained a bit.  It was blustery and looked gray and foreboding.  We were getting ready to go out for coffee, so it was okay.

When we went out, we found a bunch of snails in the flower bed – yuck!  Those did not make me smile!  We took a few minutes and picked them off of the flowers.  When you get close enough to pick snails off flowers, you begin to see why those snails love them so.

The rain had stopped and the little droplets of water were forming on the iris blooms.  It was incredibly beautiful and we stopped snail-picking and decided it was time to pull out the camera-phones and capture their beauty, the blooms, not the snails!

Spring is so beautiful when you get close enough to really see it!

J

The Purpose of Life

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Ralph Waldo Emerson

J

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

 by Robert Frost

J

Attitude

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. 
-Winston Churchill

J

Farmer’s Market

Today our local (San Leandro) Farmer’s Market opens – YIPPEE!!!

We have one of the best markets around – lots of booths with fruits, veggies, artisan breads, fudge, biscotti, jewelry, flowers, and so much more!  Last year, we bought fresh, wonderful strawberries every week from May to October!

Every week they have some kind of music – it’s great to either walk around and listen or sit and throw out requests.  They have all kinds of food available to eat too – I just love the smell of garlic fries!

It’s supposed to rain this evening, but nothing will dampen my excitement about spring finally being here and our weekly “date” to the San Leandro Farmer’s Market!

J

It’s Time To Renew

One of the definitions of “renew” is, “to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.”

Thankfully, we have recently enjoyed some renewed relationships.  I guess it’s not easy to verbalize how good it feels when things between people are better.  How can I write words to describe how it feels when conversation comes easily or when a hug is as natural as a smile? 

Well, I guess all I can tell you is that it feels good.  It feels really good. 

So, if you have some relationships that are strained, or even just one, it’s worth the time, and the work, and the pain you have to endure to renew them. 

Life is too short to wait, it’s time to renew.

J

A Steady Purpose

Nothing contributes so much
to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose,
a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.

-Mary Shelley

J

Bike to Monterey

When we took our trip down the coast in February, we stayed in Pacific Grove.  One day we took our bikes and went along the coast into Monterey.

We saw harbor seals...

We saw sailboats anchored in the water - I love this picture - all those boats just hangin' out waiting for their owners to take them to the "big water."

We also saw this little guy - a sea otter.  He was busy washing something on his tummy and he kept rolling over and looking at us as if he was posing for our camera.  

Oh how they make me smile!

J

A Diamond

A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.

-unknown 

J

Cherry Blossoms

It’s that time of year….when the cherry blossoms appear in the trees.  They smell so sweet and look so light and beautiful.

Photo by Jennifer Glen

When my children were young, they would come in from playing outside all excited because they found the very first cherry blossoms for me.  They knew how much I loved the fragrance.  We would set them floating in a little dish, we could smell them all over the kitchen.

Photo by Jennifer Glen

Seeing the cherry blossoms reminds me of those days.  It always makes me smile when I think of how the kids remembered every year that cherry blossoms were special to me.

J

Tangled

I love a good movie – I am a stickler for happy endings.  I miss the days when my mom would sit and watch musicals with me.  I also miss the days of watching musicals with my kids….and Disney movies. 

When the kids were small, it was the age of the Disney movies such as, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, etc.  They were great movies with great music and we enjoyed them.

This evening we watched the latest Disney offering – Tangled.  I really like that movie, there were things that made me laugh and made me cry and I think I jumped about three times!

I love a good movie – especially one that has a good story and a happy ending.  It was a great way to end the day!

J

The List

Today I did something amazing – and it made me smile.  I did everything that I had on my list. 

That list has been around for about two weeks, but that is beside the point – the point is I crossed everything off and I’m done.  At least until I start a new list.

Lists can be very helpful – I personally use them all the time.  Sometimes, if I do something that needed to be done but it was left off the list, I’ll put it on the list just to have the satisfaction of crossing it off.

Today, I had to wrap a baby gift and get it in an envelope, finish another little gift and put that along with other things into an envelope, clean some things in the kitchen and bedroom and office.  Laundry, dinner, and some baking – check, check, check.

Making a list is half the battle – the real satisfaction comes when the chores are done and you can cross them off!

J

Spring Weather

In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.  
~Mark Twain

J

Nepenthe

While in Pacific Grove, we went to the Museum of Natural History.  One of the docents told us a great place to stop on our way down to San Simeon was Nepenthe.  The views were absolutely spectacular.  It was stunning to sit and just look out at the ocean and the coastline.We decided to stay for lunch - we'd been told the Abrosia Burger was one of the menu items to try.

Our waitress claimed that everyone hired there has to be a photographer - since the views are so amazing and everyone wants their picture taken...here's ours...she took a great pic!

Ken ordered the Ambrosia Burger, but I chose a turkey sandwich with cranberry and cheese with a green salad with blue cheese dressing.  Not only was it delish, but the colors and textures were picture worthy too!

Sometime, if you get the chance, take a drive down to Big Sur and stop in at Nepenthe...you won't be sorry.  Here's the link to their website.  http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/J

Potato Salad

I was asked to bring a potato salad.  Well, I don’t really do potato salad….well.  My mother’s potato salad spoiled me.  My mothers-in-law’s potato salad spoiled me.  So I have tried a few different recipes.  One had red potatoes and vinegar. Although my guests and family members “ate it up,” I really didn’t care for it much. 

Then I tried a new recipe on my family.  It had red potatoes and Miracle Whip and sour cream and fresh onions and garlic.  Initially, it tasted pretty good, but the after taste was a little strong from that fresh onion and garlic. 

I had to take a potato salad to a dinner and I had to get it done, so I went with the traditional russet potato and hard-boiled eggs, pickle relish, mustard, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Miracle Whip.  I mixed it carefully and put in the serving dish and then I took a taste of it before I wrapped it up. 

To my surprise, it tasted like it was supposed to – kinda like my Mom’s.  It was a great hit – the other guests liked it and what I brought home has been a big hit with my guys. 

I can make potato salad.  It’s taken me over four decades to be able to say that.  I can make potato salad….I have arrived.

J

Failure

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you.
You may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, 
but the staying down.

-Mary Pickford

J

Blowing Kisses

Yesterday, I was doing a little shopping at Safeway.  I heard a baby talking as I began down one aisle.  He was with his grandmother and they were talking back and forth.

As I went by, he caught my eye and locked in for a good long stare.  I smiled, waved and continued walking.  When I looked back, he was still watching me, and then he put his hand over his mouth.  His grandmother looked at him and then at me and said, “Oh, he’s blowing you kisses!”  At this point, he nearly knocked her in the face sending that kiss to me!

I sent one back to him and he continued to blow them back to me as long as I was within eye-shot.  That little cutie certainly made my day!

J

Skype

"Skype (pronounced /ˈskaɪp/, a word-play on type) is a software application that allows users to make voice calls and chats over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system. Skype has also become popular for its additional features which include instant, file transfer, and video conferencing. Skype has 663 million registered users as of 2010. The network is operated by Skype Limited, which has its headquarters in Luxembourg and is minority owned by eBay. Most of the development team of Skype is situated in Tallinn, Estonia.”

~Wikipedia

That’s the official Wikipedia definition of Skype…my definition is:  the coolest thing that let me see two family members last night – I haven’t seen them since the first of December and I was a bit overwhelmed with happiness!

This afternoon, I was in line at Costco and started chatting with a lady who was behind me.  We discussed our children; I think it started when I said aloud, “I should always bring one of my kids to stand in line when I shop here.”  She thought that was a great idea and then asked me about my kids and we got to discussing the fact that the nest does grow empty and that’s okay, but when they move far away, it’s a lot more difficult.

Inevitably, the conversation came to Skype – and how wonderful it is when your family lives far away.  So, here’s the shameless plug for technological wonders of our time, if you have family who live far away and you haven’t tried Skype yet, you really should sign up and give it a try…..I am positive it will make you smile!

J

Traveling

I like to travel.  Actually, to be more specific, I like to fly.  When the plane takes off, I still smile from ear to ear.  There is something so powerful, so amazing about taking off in an airplane.

I guess it has to do with the fact that I don’t really understand it.  It’s beyond my comprehension – and that’s okay.  In fact, it’s probably better.  I talk to people who just really hate flying and especially the take-offs and landings – which are my favorite parts and I have to smile.

This morning at around 3:30, I heard a jet taking off from the Oakland airport.  It was a thunderous sound and I realized I was smiling.  I was sleepy, but I was smiling.  I went back to sleep considering where that plane was headed and the people on board who had to get up really early to catch that plane and what they had planned at their destination – yep – that’s the stuff dreams are made of!

J

Supremely Satisfied

Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it. Margaret Thatcher J

End of the World

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.
-Richard Bach 

J

Pebble Beach Smile

Okay, This wasn't the sweetest smile I'd ever seen, but it was waiting for us as we rounded a corner on the beach at Pebble Beach.  

A big "Pebble Beach" smile for you!

J

My Secret

And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. 

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

J

A Day Off

Today, I took the day off.  Yesterday was so busy and I was pretty tired after it was all over.  We celebrated the end of our term in the afternoon and evening quilting classes.  Potluck, raffle prizes, sharing, quilts such great fun…and lots of hugs to get us through the break!  But, my feet were tired and I was looking forward to a day off.

So, promptly at 8:50 a.m. the phone rang and we sold our little Honda Civic.  Then it was taking care of bills and checks to the bank and delivering boards to a friend, a little grocery shopping at TJ’s, a book drop-off at the library, getting photos developed at the photo store, a new dress purchase, a peek into the bowling alley, then we went home for lunch.  After lunch we delivered things to Thrift Town, looked around a bit – enjoying their 30%-discount-on-clothing-day, then we went and found a pick-up to buy.  After that it was a haircut and a crossword puzzle, clean kitchen and preparation for BBQ steaks and a nice evening.

I accomplished so much today – I think I’ll take a day off more often!

J