Gratitude 1

Sometimes I find motivation to do a "thing" for a few minutes, a day, a few times a month or even just once.  A Facebook friend just posted that they have 100 things they're grateful for in the past 25 days along with the title "Gratitude365." I don't have details but thought I would give it a go.

No judging.

Tonight I feel gratitude for Carol Burnett and all the laughter she and Tim Conway have brought to me.

If I look back through my day (recognizing gratitude was not on my radar until about 10 minutes ago) I am relishing a nice long cuddle from Miss Indi, making Ella laugh when she really wanted to be ornery, and a couple of earned merit badges.

Recent books I've read

I am behind in recording my readings and pictures. I was returning a couple of books to the library yesterday and realized I need to do a better job of documenting. I started this blog as a way to keep track of what I'm reading. Over the years I had tried to keep track with lists on paper, paper in notebooks, documents on the computer and others that obviously didn't work because I can't remember. I even asked the library if they could keep track in their computer system and was told it's illegal. What? Apparently the government would know too much about us if the library kept track of the books we've read. I sense a conspiracy theory somewhere.

Well, I wrapped up two books the other day and was once again pleasantly surprised by non-fiction. One is called "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" by Rhoda Janzen. I was laughing out loud at her sense of humor and thoroughly enjoying her perspective on religion.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6365221-mennonite-in-a-little-black-dress


The other book is fiction and I believe translated. It is called "The Keeper of Lost Causes" by Jussi Adler Olsen. It's a thriller and reminded me of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series without the sex and violence. Interesting story, crotchety main character you can't help but like. Murder mystery really, without the cheesy one liners like Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie (y or ie here?)I should probably give them both a chance too!

I did read the three Stieg Larsson books a month two ago. The first one was SO hard to get into but I stuck it out and it was good.  Tough to put down. Yes, there is a lot of violence, but not as much as in some. Not for kids, that's for sure. That's enough for now.

Pictures of cute kids coming soon.

Feel free to share any books you're reading and what you think about them.

Toddler as a Teacher

Things I've learned this week from a toddler who is almost 3 years old.

1.  You shouldn't drink water from the bathtub.  That's silly.  Only camels drink water from a bathtub.

2.  Puppies don't wipe their bottom when they go potty because they don't have hands.  Only paws.  And people don't have paws.  (And...puppies go potty outside.)

3.  Chocolate is good.

4.  After singing for an audience you should bow and say "Thank you."

A funny thing said today

Indigo told me today "Hey!  Someone wrote on these pants!" as we were returning home after running some errands.  I asked Indi who wrote on her pants and she replied "Must have been Ella.  No.  It was me!"

 I had to laugh because that someone was her, a few weeks ago. A couple different attempts to remove dry erase marker did not work so I just let it slide.

Funny that it took so long for her to notice the marks.  Silly little girl.

Good and Interesting Reads

I didn't have time to hit the usual fiction shelves at the library a few weeks back due to kids and time restraints and found myself choosing books from the nonfiction section.  One book I had heard of before and wanted to read but had completely slipped my mind.  That happens a lot.

The sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey was a lovely book about a woman's long recovery from an odd virus and her "friendship" with a snail.  Very easy to read and touching.  I think it's nice to take some time and slow down.

The Bag Lady Papers by Alexandra Penney.  I enjoyed her overall message but found myself skimming through a fair amount.  Alexandra Penney has had a lifelong worry/obsession about losing everything and becoming a bag lady.  She's had a very successful career in magazines, writing and as an artist.  She is one of the many people who had their money stolen by Bernie Madolf.  I took "simplify" from this book.

Dog Days of summer?

Late morning.  Happy was busy getting the pool ready and all the kids hopped in as soon as the hose was running.  They were done playing in a full pool before lunchtime.  This was our second day of "feels like 107" so the cold water was refreshing.  We stayed inside after this as the kids were pretty wiped out. 

Indi asked to eat before supper time.  It's usually easier to feed her when she's willing to eat.  Little did I know she was going to fall asleep shortly thereafter.

Dandelion Earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60575811/dandelion-earrings-in-silver

Could these be any cuter?  I'd post a picture but I haven't gotten that tech savvy, yet.  Look out web world, here I come!