GRUMPY MONKEY

My granddaughter gets story time!
Today’s story time was a book by Suzanne Lang
 “Grumpy Monkey”
Learning that emotions, grumpy ones too are all okay.
Proud mommy moment for me!
So proud of my granddaughters parents!
So in love with that darling baby!

GROCERY

Ran to get a few things from the store.

Chose to stop in at Meijers.

                            I have shopped there in the past.

Today I was delighted to find specialty items

and fun international things too.

It probably won’t ever be my go to grocery,

but it made shopping fun today!

AWARD WINNING

I was one of winners for a competition the company had in December.
I just did my job as usual... this arrived today!

Nice!

SUPER FUN!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2SXmzk8ve4

HOT CHOCOLATE

It’s 34 degrees

Feels like 27 degrees

And I wanted Frozen Hot Chocolate 

MOVIE THEATER ETIQUETTE

I went to the movies with my son and his lady. We went to see a family movie. It was a 7:30pm showing on a weekend. I think when you go to see a family movie, you factor in that there will be young families and small children. And thus you adjust your tolerance level.

We had seats on the top row. 10 minutes after the film had started a young dad in a hoodie with two young children came in and sat in the two seats next to me. Yes two seats for three movie goers. The theater was packed. 

I think we all understand and are okay with a bit of ruckus when a family first enters a theater, they need a minute or two to get situated and adjusted. But as the movie continued, this small family’s ruckus level did also. The talking, the crying, the running. Then dad gave the youngest his cell phone so he could watch something on that. Full volume! Did I mention that the theater was packed with people that did want to watch this movie and that this disruptive family was right next to me! 

10 minutes went by, 20 minutes, 40 minutes. 

This little family, dysfunctional as they were, continued to create havoc at full volume.

Finally dad had had enough, and away the weekend warrior went with his hellions in tow. 

I think the crowning moment was when the little boy filled the armrest cup holder with popcorn and then dumped the rest of the full popcorn tub in his chair. Dad didn’t say anything, just let the child toss it everywhere. 

When they left, I think the entire theater relaxed. The movie was cute. Lots of singing animation! 

After the film was over, the light were coming up and most of the movie goers were exiting the theater. At that point you could see the havoc left behind by the small family next to me. 

But the large group in the first few rows, who were sitting through the credits like we were, summed up the experience for us... 

There were 8-12 people in their group and one of the moms said ”HOORAY” , it was the first movie one of the little ones in their group had sat all the way through.
They all clapped for the child, and we did too!

PERSONALIZED

On one of my trips this year I saw this car.

I was impressed with how different this ordinary brand of car was.
I think, this owner, like so many vintage auto owners,
has a passion for his ride. Bravo

Painted half shiny green and half flat black.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

WHERE YOU ARE

Sometimes in life it’s nice to just know your

current longitude and latitude. ♥️

REGRET

Sometimes things just don’t add up

All the components may be present

But the achievement 

May never come to fruition

Is this a positive or a negative

The only thing to do is 

Measure the effort

If you gave it all you had

Every ounce of your soul

Then there is no regret

Regret:
 A feeling often accompanied by shame and guilt; 
regret is when you wish you had done things differently with your life

I HAVE NO REGRETS

BRING IT ON

Steven C Chapman

https://youtu.be/Mktjoryv_8Y

I didn't come lookin' for trouble
And I don't want to fight needlessly
But I'm not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something's coming down
But if it's gonna make me grow stronger then

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, maybe you're thinkin' I'm crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
'Cause I know I've got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender

Now, I don't want to sound like some hero
'Cause it's God alone that my hope is in
But I'm not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let it make me fall on the One who's strong
Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let me be made weak so I'll know the strength of the One who's strong
Bring it on
Bring it on

COURAGE

Courage is   :    Fear Walking

Courage is an action. 

An emotional, spiritual and physical action.

Courage is taking a risk for something new and better. 

IMAGINE

Imagine if schools actually helped kids identify their strengths by exploring their talents from a young age and growing their skills over the 12 years instead of letting them all follow the same routine like sheep and leaving them confused in life after graduation. 
Imagine

LOVE

JANUARY 21, 2014

Mark, Ava, Meg and Me

So long ago...a different life time. 

♥️Eek

LIFE CHALLENGE

THINK WITH COMPASSION

WINTERY MORNING

I’m sitting in my living room watching it start to snow!

There are four cardinals in my Crepe Martel. 

I love where I live! ♥️

SUNDAY

It’s very chilly today. Three pair of socks and slippers.Two tank tops, a tee shirt and a hoodie.

The heater is on, but I’m just not sure I will ever get used to the cold. 

I updated the 2020 calendar and put away the end of the Christmas decor.

I have worked on an art project that will keep me busy for some time to come. 

There are football games today, but I have been teary watching “Outlanders”

Got new pictures of my little Sweetpea. Made my day!

I saw a 2 Hour Grocery delivery commercial from Amazon. But I’m pretty sure that won’t be happening in the sleepy town of Owensboro. Sure made me laugh however! 

It’s Sunday, 6:00pm, just kicking back at home.

INCLUSION

To be part, to truly feel as though you belong
To not be just casually invited, but to be part of the structure
To know your presence is a necessary part
To feel that this is where you belong

Things I Have Read

DESTINY

People linked by destiny will always find each other.

THE FOOD SONG

There are things about each of my children do that I find delightful. 

One of my favorite things is when my daughter is eating she has a food song.  

Food makes her happy...when she is happy she hums. 

She has done it her entire life. 

Now that she is a mommy! (I'm A Happy Grammy)

As the baby eats...she hums! 

Just like her mommy!

I find this absolutely delightful!

IVY IS GIVING A PARTY

A co-worker stopped into my office to share the sweetest thing...

Ivy is 4, and she is having a birthday party for her baby doll Emma.
Emma is turning 5! Ivy has been putting all her toys in gift bags, 
and adding tissue paper!
She told her mommy that they needed cupcakes for the party.
When her mommy took her to the bakery to pick up 
little cupcakes, there were none!
Ivy had a meltdown. 
Mommy offered to make them, and Ivy said okay.
I’m not sure just how the Birthday Party turned out, 
but I bet it was WONDERFUL!
🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁♥️

THIS MAN CAME INTO MY OFFICE

He told me...
Someone broke into my garage.
They took my limbo stick....
HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?!!!

He then said....
I bought a pair of shoes from a drug dealer.
I don't know what they were laced with...
BUT I HAVE BEEN TRIPPING ALL DAY!!!

He then said...
Did you hear about the blond that was snorting sweetener packets?
SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DIET COKE!!!


I think I needed his humor today!
Silly Smiles

SUNDAY DRIVE

Three States in seven plus hours.

The drive was great, I always need to get out and see nature and beauty of this little corner of the world. 

My play list ran the whole time. Thankful for a good car with a great radio!

On Highway 136 there is a farmhouse with a pond. In the pond there is a multi colored Duck House. It was darling!!! I am sure the ducks there are loving it! 

There was an old barn off in a field. It looked old and abandoned. I love barns! I’m a City Girl, so most things country fascinate me! But this barn was unusual in that it was yellow!

And on it there was a big red heart painted on the side! ❤️

I have a love for Hawks. They are everywhere here in the Ohio Valley. If you watch carefully as you drive down the highway or backroads, you will see one about every mile. They are beautiful. I saw many hawks today, I also saw a bald eagle, many turkey and vultures. Then I saw the largest wild bird I have ever seen. This bird was brown and white and it was huge as it stood in the field, but when it took flight is was massive. It was glorious! I am pretty sure it was an eagle.

As the drive wove through Union County there was a tiny graveyard  on a hill. I loved how picturesque it was. 

Over the river and through the woods... was the path to Old Shawnee Town. Established in 1798. The sign said it has a population of 200... but I think it is wrong! 

By 12:11 pm the car was heading toward another bridge, this one on Illinois Highway 141, there the rain turned to snow as Indiana came into view. I loved it!

It was a wonderful Sunday Drive. 

I love where I live!

❤️

TODAY'S DRIVE

This is my drive into on my way to work!

THOUGHT

"You are never too old 

to set another goal 

or to dream a new dream."

C.S. Lewis

YELLOW BRICK ROAD

This morning as John was leaving for work he said
“I’m off to see the Wizard”
So I asked which character he is.
Well... he has a heart, he has a brain, and he has courage.
So I guess he must be Dorothy, because once he gets to work
He just wants to go Home!
🌪🏠

Make The Choice

Run of The Mill

or 
HEAD OF THE PACK

I know where I want to stand. 

Fit Bit

I lost my Fitbit.
It was the simplest model.
No bells or whistles.
I liked having that bit of reminder on my wrist
that silently reminded me that I had to keep going.
And happily celebrated my little victories each day.
I know I had it on when I was frying over Texas.
But I don’t know what happened to it once I landed in Tennessee.
I’m sad.
So I will keep peddling, not for sure how far I’m going.
And I will pout!

One Of My Favorite Places

The Last Day of 2019

Phoenix at Sunrise 12/31/2019

The planes shadow arriving into Nashville before me! ♥️

THIS COLOR

In all the many shades! ♥️

FIND

UNPACKING

I finished unpacking today.
Lovingly taking all the treasures from my trip
and putting them in their spots.

I did a lot of thinking and soul searching
during my trip.
I need to unpack the rest of that as well.
Time to put it all into action.

Thought

2050 is as far away as 1990

WoW! 😮

Tiny Fingers

2020

New Year 2020

Rose Bowl Parade 

Sea Salt Carmel Hot Chocolate 

Pepper Cookies

And a Carne Asada Burrito

Breakfast with love from Arizona to Kentucky

Happy New Year!