HAPPINESS IS AS EASY AS 1-2-3.

Oh.....we had a taste of the wonderful warm weather today......it got up to 79 degrees today....30 degrees above average for the time of year and no guarantee it will last.....but I will take it, even one day at a time.  Couldn't stand it any longer so pulled out the summer furniture and watered my new grass.  Leslie called, makes your day when your only sister left is still there for you......AND my Scottie had to go back to the doctors ......still watching his concussion but has a virus now to go with it.  Pam and I went down town to the "SOUP AND ART SHOW".....I really enjoyed it and fun tasting soup and desert from many of our famous restaurants .....and really gives me the urge to paint!

HAPPINESS is as easy as 1-2-3 so they say.  The first step?  Letting go of the idea that you have to work for it or wait for it.......You do not.  The second step?  Letting yourself dream----a wish list is like a happiness magnet!  The third step? Letting happiness happen! Each day brings so many joys to cherish.  The world holds millions of things you can play with AND a person's feeling is definitely not one of them!

FIRST STEP.....

Reading this little quote......while listening to the last session of the Mormon Conference today......really started me thinking about EVERY THING WE DO STARTS WITH ONE STEP IN SOME DIRECTION!   Even our lives began with our first breath and our lives continued with many "firsts" those first few years. No matter how many books you write or how many pictures you paint......each is an individual and has a first step to begin it........  At 82 (almost).....I am still witnessing many firsts.......and I am enjoying every single one.  I had never stopped to think....yes, every novel starts with a first line, every painting with a first brush stroke and many of our lives adventures with the word "YES"......good and bad. Think about some of your "Firsts".

I think most people will agree life is just more fun when you are treated to happy surprises.......Like a bouquet of flowers, a call from a long lost friend or an afternoon off on the first beautiful day of Spring. I think our homes need some joyful surprises too.......little touches here and there that make us pause and smile.  Pick a bright  new color and do something to give your home and life some verve.  I bought a new rug, got some new pillows, painted a wall and added some fresh flowers in the bright yellow color I decided to add......to brighten things up.    Every home and person will enjoy something different.....a new picture, a new piece of furniture or light fixture.  I am always adding and subtracting something new and it is what keeps you from getting in a rut.

Sherrie and Ken coming to stay all night, Pam and Rob will be home and pick up Bree and I have volunteered to sit with Scottie a few hours every day while Karrie does chores all next week..  He is to be very quiet for two weeks and let his brain heal from the concussion.......doing nothing is not a Scottie thing!   THIS TOO WILL PASS.........

CONFERENCE WEEKEND IN SLC......

 I doubt this fun crew (Tiffany, Scott, Rob, Pam and Alex)...... will be listening to Conference today.......but I feel God is everywhere and if they are having fun in God's wonderful outdoors and being good and kind to each other .......he will be happy and understand.  "Would you rather be in church......thinking about being outside having fun.....or outside having fun thinking of God?"  Everyone's personal choice.

News from Karrie, A long sleepless night at the hospital, but Scottie better and would probably be home this afternoon.  So relieved.....now if that happy crew driving their razors over hill and dale will just get home safe I can enjoy my weekend..

I think there are simply joys to be found in he most ordinary things-----twinkling stars, answered prayers, sharing a cup of coffee with a good friend, a call from my kids..  Each day I try to celebrate all the small wonders of life with "positivness.".......so I can be inspired and notice the little blessings God places in my life each day.  When I think back over my days I realize some of the simple joys of a day or relationship turn out to be the biggest miracles of all in my life.

"EVERY MAN'S LIFE IS A FAIRY TALE WRITTEN BY GOD'S FINGERS."

CATERPILLAR OR BUTTERFLY?

I Love Friday........and Saturday and Sunday.....weekends have never been my favorites as they are usually quite lonesome.....but I have found many interesting things to occupy me now days!......and have seen more of my kids.   We all know the story of the caterpillar becoming a butterfly........it is magical.  Caterpillars are not alone.  People struggle to experience their true potential in becoming fully character ed human beings as well......can we lift ourselves from this muddled existence?  We wonder.......

Yes, "Recreate yourself...Discover your passions.  Complete your purpose in life." At every turn in life we face ourselves.  Caterpillars who learn to fly, listen to their instincts and voice of truth.  Each individual must decide to accept or reject his or her personal flight.  Some prefer to continue crawling, like the caterpillar, in established, ruttish patterns of despondent comfort zones.......Some find pleasure enough in merely observing others in flight, satisfied to experience life through the eyes of another.  Some fly for a brief time, but ill prepared, fall victim to unrealistic expectations and ignored danger in their unfamiliar and, perhaps, somewhat heady role of being a butterfly. Still some embrace the challenge to fly and humbly experience new and rewarding horizons throughout their lifetime!  Whatever you are in life.....listen to your inner core and fly.  You do have a choice!

"A CHANGE OF FEELING IS A CHANGE OF DESTINY".......

Today my Scottie took a day off from school to help a friend celebrate his birthday skiing....his mother called from the Primary Children's Hospital to report she and Scottie were there.....He has a bad concussion and will be spending the night there.......No more skiing this year for Scottie. or LaCross for six weeks........ and I am praying it isn't too serious.  I am also praying the Panniers, Hortons and my sweet Alex doing rock running in Moab in their "razors".....will stay safe.

I had a good day ....".Doing my Secret Service"!

HOW TO LIVE RICHER.....and happier.

 Hey Happy Thursday, Friday, Saturday.....I say every day can be a happy day.....if that is what you choose.

Coco Chanel once proclaimed......there are people who have money and people who are rich.  She was right;  The things we usually prize most ---family, friends, experiences---don't come with a price tag.  But even though we may say money can't buy happiness, many of us secretly believe we'd be happier if we had a little more money.  And in fact there is a connection between happiness and money---you just need to know how to spend your cash. Money is "currency"; that word comes from the Latin root for "to run "or "to flow".   What can we do to make it flow more freely and joyfully in our lives.

Studies say how you feel about money has a powerful effect on your ability to get more of it.  People whose hands are clenched tightly around their cash, they're expressing the fear of not having enough.  When they relax their grip, they tend to act in ways that encourage more money to come into their lives. I love this suggestion and intend to try it soon........Next time you feel up-tight about your cash flow, give away 10 singles....or 5 singles or whatever.....you know slip one in between the pages of some library books......stick a dollar in a pocket or two of a jacket at a used clothing store or a magazine on the rack of your favorite store....come up with your own ideas.  This may seem as if it's about giving away money, but really it's about giving yourself something!  Notice how much creativity you bring to the process, how good it feels to think of others. You can imagine the delight the lucky recipients will feel.  That's a lot of bang for those bucks.....chances are you will feel happier and more relaxed----richer---no matter what your bank statement says! So when money worries arise, make it rain with those singles.  Then relax your body, breath deeply, and count the blessings beyond your wallet. 

THE LAW OF THE UNIVERSE.....Generosity like money, is a currency that tends to get repaid in kind!  There are so many ways even some that do not cost money......a favorite of mine is to write an encouraging few words or  phrases on a "sticky note" and stick them on a back of a cereal box, inside a book, under an item or whatever.....just giving someone a smile or a positive thought is also giving of yourself in another way!.....and feels so good......BUT don't let anyone see or know what you are doing.....it's for you!

Very cold, they got the new Pickle Ball down today and it looks so nice.  Karrie came by and got the things I bought for Richie's box she was mailing.  Tending Bree for the weekend.

THANK HEAVENS FOR LITTLE BOYS......

This is just half of my 6 grandsons......that I have had the privilege to help with and watch grow up.....Kennedy 16, Alex 21 and Brayden 19 (almost)..... Christenson. Never having any boys I have learned a lot about boys, thanks to all of them. Asking any of my three daughters they could fill in a lot of interesting goings on.

THE MOTHER OF BOYS

Handprints on cupboards and shoes in the hall.

Toilet seats up and there is mud on the wall.

Every sports channel to them will appeals

And the front room doubles as a football field.

The selves in the kitchen are continually bare.

There's boys on the couch and jeans on the chairs

Wrestling and mud and cars and noise.......

I am sure you can guess....

I am the Mother of Boys!

 

I am so happy the girls have been good, patient and understanding Moms and have raised wonderful boys that I am very proud of.  2nd of April and I am watching the biggest snow flakes ever falling out my back window......Thought about doing some chores but may not even get out of my jamies today!

APRIL FOOLS DAY......AND MUCH MORE......

Today might be "APRIL FOOLS DAY",......but the hug I got at the airport from my first missionary Alex when he got home......was real!  April has always been a special month for my family......no foolin'.......I was born in April, my only brother Jim and my favorite cousin ,Lucille were born on the same day in April.  I got married in April......58 years ago on the 28th......then I had a set of twins Sherrie and Karrie ,in April........And my fifth grandson Kennedy was born in April........ VERY SPECIAL MONTH!

Having cold rainy, snowy weather.....it must be spring.....almost.  Karries really hurting today and so tired.  She just won't stop and take care of herself with that fibermyalga......Think of this.....take a moment for yourself.....but how many young MOMS feel they can?  It is easier than you think to say goodbye to the blahs and hello to more energy, fresh confidence, and a brand-new outlook;  Just be good to yourself!  Do something that nurtures your mind, body and spirit.  The result: a better-than-ever-you!  I know.....easier said than done.......HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY....

I  SAY..."A HUG IS STILL ONE OF HE BEST THINGS IN LIFE".........