April 2...Vaycay!!!

All right. First vacation of 2010. I would just like to say that I am not sure of my connectivity over the next week - so if I miss a day - it's not because I want to.

I love the feeling of vacation. I love the click I hear in my head as soon as the last client leaves the office. And the universe is joining in - it's an astounding +26 out there today. It's hot! And today's bird, out side my office window, was a Red Cardinal. Beauty!

How lucky I am! I get to see my buddies the Mooka people tomorrow! Smell the ocean! Good times!

Much gratitude!!!

March 5 ... Lots of stuff

Hi there. My day started kind of funky. Honey and I are still trying to navigate difficult issues .. about money, those dialogues never, ever being easy. So I wasn't happy when I left the house. I wasn't happy after my client. Then I went to get my hair taken care of, and ahhhh .. there itwas, that lovely breath of fresh air that is Spiro, one of the most beautiful and lovely 25 year old souls I know. 25 people! When I saw her she said "Hey, it's not Wednesday" - Princess Day remember?. I'm thrilled that little rituals I have started in my blog are being carried on by others, remembered, honoured.... it's amazing.

Spiro and I always laugh a lot together. I wonder what my hair would look like if we didn't. Anyway, we always share stories and today was no exception. So I tell her about some of the happenings at Honey's party. I tell her about my not being happy today. She tells me about her stuff, in particular about her Honey. Her husband received underwear as a gift from his mom on his birthday. Eeek I said, we laughed. How old is he?? 30!!! We're roaring... Honestly, I have to check my hair tomorrow - how can you laugh so hard and cut hair at the same time. I am grateful for the real honest to goodness fun I have with her. I always feel better after seeing her. I want her to know I am grateful for what it is she brings to me when I see her. Thank you Dear Girl. You are one beautiful soul.

I had a lovely chat with young pregnant daughter. She is doing really well, the pregnancy having eased up on her. She asked what I was doing today, I told her going to the hair salon, she replied "It's not Wednesday Ma", I said "It's ok, I'm expanding" .... there is that pebble in the pond again if you ask me. Makes me happy, makes me feel grateful. Lately, young pregnant daughter has been paying attention, acknowledging my presence, showing interest, ... it's nice. It's nice for things to be reciprocal. I need her to know I am appreciative and grateful for her stepping up to the plate in our relationship. I love it. I am very grateful.

And finally, we had dinner with the lovely Mooka folks. I cooked a spectacular dinner. Everything came out perfect, perfectly delicious, perfectly beautiful. I am proud of myself. I am very grateful for the company I had. These lovely people have invited us down south for a week, that's coming up soon, and yes, I am grateful!

So there you have it, despite a rough start, a lovely day and evening all in all. Niceness.

I'm full of gratitude.

February 13 ... life lessons...

Good day to you. Are you feeling grateful? What about? Do you think it's possible to just be grateful period? I do.. but I like the act of paying attention to stuff and considering my gratitude for it anyway... it's becoming a kind of meditation I think.

Last night was lovely. Sort of... seems having a Bloody Caesar and then a pint of beer on an empty stomach might not be the best thing in the world for staying sane. It got worse. I think. So I'm told. Sigh.... sorry Honey. So on that note, I'm grateful as can be that I didn't have too much to do today! I went to clay, am building the "feet" to my "lampions". Nice, easy, relaxing, with my dearest of friends. Ahhh... gratitude.

I then got a call from my best buddy. She is going through hard, hard times with one of her boys. Heartbreaking, gut wrenching, watching your children stumble and fall, make choices with dire consequences. It sucks the life out of you. I know, I've been there. Oh my am I grateful for how my story turned out. I can only pray she is as lucky as me and her son as lucky and strong and determined as my daughter. I am grateful my friend is waking up to her role as enabler. Grateful she is taking responsibility for it. It's the only way things will change. I am grateful for her friendship. I am grateful I can be there for her.

Life sure teaches us some big ass lessons sometimes doesn't it? And to persevere, grow and find your gratitude I think my friends, is what it's all about.

Peace to you.

Holy Cow it's February!!!

Well look at that.. a new month! And here I am, still grateful, still writing. Let's see, what a month January was eh!? Honey's big 50, perfect coffee, beautiful weather, meaningful family exchanges, exercise (although surely never enough of that!), and an awesome niece. Not bad, not bad.

What do we look forward to in February? Days getting longer, Valentine's Day (we're going to go to a B & B, little does Honey know :)), more exercise for sure, good work, youngest daughter's pregnancy moving along, older daughter's quitting smoking continuing, golf practice with my long, lost son. Doesn't sound to shabby either.

I really like being grateful. I really like what this has brought to my life, this daily reflection. I feel stronger, happier, far more aware and conscious of my days, my self.

Nice and simple - I'm grateful.

Have a lovely day.