A PERFECT DAY

 

ZEN

 https://paint.toys/zen-garden/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4bf685d78644b3aa504c9

STICKS OF JOY

 My senior year of high school, I went to the Student Store every morning and bought a 

Jolly Rancher Stick

Back then, each stick was about 5 inches long. My favorite flavors were lemon, green apple and watermelon.

Now, I am not a big fan of hard candy. I just don't love that much straight sugar. 

But….

Today, a coworker left a small Green Apple Jolly Rancher on my desk. 

And what great memories it brought back! 

HAPPY ICE

I make it a habit to bring water from home when ever I go anywhere. I am sure it is an instilled desert dweller thing (it is too hot in Phoenix to not always have hydration with you at all times). 

So every day I prep my beverages and take them with me to work. I own several cute bottles. 

Here at work we have an ice machine. I have never used it. (I worked in a kitchen in another life time, and the things I saw when cleaning that ice maker were not pretty)

But the one here was just professionally cleaned. 

So...

To my hearts delight, the ice maker has pebble size ice. I never knew! The kind you get at Sonic. Oh what a happy thing! I even love the way the water sloshes in all that ice. 

Ice makes me happy! 

TOOLBOX

 Sometimes we step outside our comfort zone and surprise ourselves by our accomplishments. 

I’m a big believer in the fact that you can learn new things at any age, and that you are capable of achieving what you didn’t think you could. 

Today my son Chris, one of the most knowledgeable sports statistics gurus I have ever met, did something outside his wheelhouse. 

He took charge of a situation, took care of the issues at hand, got the job done and followed up to ensure that any future issues are resolved as well. 

His dad and I are proud of him. But more important than that is the pride Chris took in his own work, the knowledge that he was bigger than the problem and he alone could conquer the obstacles. 

Self confidence is often the most powerful tool in your toolbox. 🧰 

DEVILED EGGS

Our Easter Luncheon included deviled eggs.

And little did I know that my grandson Derek loves deviled eggs. 

He ate nearly all the deviled eggs. And when he had eaten the last of them, and asked for more, I had him follow me to the kitchen. Where we made more deviled eggs. 

Derek helped with every step. And as he was filling the new batch of eggs, I asked him to teach me how to make deviled eggs. 

So he told me every step. And I told him how proud I was of him. I hope that this simple skill, will help Derek feel successful and help him with future pot-lucks!

Deviled Eggs

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

 We had shrimp cocktail for dinner tonight. It’s simple, yet always a bit on the elegant side. 

I was about three the first time I had shrimp cocktail. My Great Grandfather flew in from Pittsburgh to Phoenix to visit. It was the only time I ever saw him. But that night he made Shrimp Cocktail for dinner. I can still remember what he looked like, but those are my only memories of him. 

But each time I enjoy Shrimp Cocktail I remember my Great Grandfather.

HAPPY EASTER

 

TRUST IN

You have to trust in something-

Your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.

This approach has never let me down, and it makes all the difference in my life. 

SJ

I trust my gut, in my destiny, in life, I’m a true believer in karma too, but I think my faith in God is always going to be my guiding light.

am

SPRING

 

The weather is warm, 

the flowers are out. 

All the colors of spring are here. 

I Love Spring!

APRIL 2026