Dad, Barb and a mouthful

1. Nine years ago today my dad died. I remember him in so many ways. I remember some great conversations, and watching sports with him.

2. I met some lovely women this morning at my appointment. I really liked meeting Barb.

3. Thai chili meatballs.Sweet and surprisingly spicy in my mouth.

brunch, hot & steamy, and leftovers

1. Sunday morning brunch with the kids. Scrambled eggs with veggies and cheese, toast with jam, apple juice, and strong coffee.

2. A hot steamy shower with lots of girlie lotions, shampoos and soft towels.

3. Leftovers.

sister, smile and birds

1. I spent some time talking with my sister on the phone today. She and I have a telephone relationship, meaning we seem to communicate better this way. Somewhere along the way, with me mostly living away from where she lives we've created this place for ourselves.

2. Getting a smile from a stranger and giving one back.

3. We recently moved one of the bird feeders closer to the house so we can see the birds a little better and to make it more of a challenge for the cat to catch the birds. Lately, she's been getting too many and is developing a pooch of sorts. I like the little black and white birds. They flit from branch to branch, in and amongst the pine, cedar and arbutus trees. When the branches flutter I get wondering, is that a cat or bird in there?

sleeping over, high chair and rosebud lips

1. Having the kids sleeping over two nights in a row, but we really need a new mattress. I heard this one is very lumpy and you can feel the springs.

2. We are all at the dining table. Isabelle is sitting in her high chair eating her butter chicken with mashed potatoes and she's holding a big piece of lettuce in her little fingers.

3. Rosebud lips on baby Isabelle.

nurse, gossip girl, and a foot

Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway.  ~Mary Kay Ash


1. A pleasant conversation with the nurse at the clinic. i had my weekly bee venom injection.


2. Gossip Girl.I stumbled upon this tv series and I like it. A lot. Plus the added bonus of downloading and watching episodes at my leisure.


3. A foot that doesn't hurt when I walk.

Chris, peaceful day and baby toys

1. Watching tv isn't something I do very often. Today we went to visit our son and his family on Gabriola Island. The Canucks were playing a game tonight. Chris sat beside me and we watched the game while Isabelle played with her Tele-Tubbie chair from Gaile and Russ was on the other side of me napping. It felt so good to just be side by side.

2. Working co-operatively as a family. No drama, no chaos, just a peaceful day together.

3. Finding some baby toys for super cheap that Izzy can play with at our house.

pdf's, knitting and space

1. 5 job application forms scanned into multiple file pdfs and sent away in hopes of securing a job

2. Thinking about knitting projects I'd like to do and for whom

3. Appreciating the space I got today so I could regroup and balance myself out

sweater, anonymity and the honk

1. Finding a ecru coloured sweater at the Sally Ann. It needed a good wash and shaving but looks good as new and it's warm and loose fitting.

2. Anonymity. I was out and about shopping in this new city and realized I know barely a soul. I could walk for hours, days, months even and no one will know me.

3 What's better than hearing a honk and realizing your kids are here for a visit. Just to hang out for a bit. I love living closer to them.

chili, looking forward, and the perfect spot

1. A pot of chili is gently simmering. Whiffs of garlic, onions and chili powder. It is good with some diced green onions and red peppers sprinkled on top. Chris really likes it, so I'll freeze some for him later.

2. Thinking of how much better my arms/hands will feel after a good long soak in the hot tub.

3. I mentioned to Russ that the bird feeder I'd put out was either too far into the trees to see and appreciate or too low and accessible to the raccoons. He got a ladder straight away and rehung it in the perfect spot, just like that.

clean floors, sleep, and a magic white board

1. Clean floors smell fresh and feel wonderful under bare feet.

2. I had the best night's sleep last night. We switched sides of the bed and I was back to the space I'd been used to for many years. I never woke in the night, and I slept for 10 hours. There was something comforting and soothing about that sleep. I can't really put my finger on it, but it was a wonderful sleep.

3. A reorganized Magic White Board. Sections, lists, sub lists.

quiet, gaile, and kids

1. Quiet day. Home alone with the fire burning, slight drizzle outside.

2. Talking with Gaile.

3. Seeing the kids, even if it's only for a few minutes.

baby girl, son, and coffee

1. It warms my heart when my sweet baby granddaughter snuggles into my arms and gently strokes my hand and then falls asleep. Soft lips pursing into a baby pout and then a gentle sigh as she drifts deeper into a late afternoon slumber. I am her Grandma.

2. Seeing my sons face soften and become gentle when he looks at his wife.

3. Coffee smells like morning.

invitation, telephone call, and mangoes

1. Invitation. I got an invitation from Chris and Michie today to come to their home tomorrow and spend the day with baby Isabelle. Tomorrow is January 20, which means Izzy will be 10 months old. I love spending time with all three of them. ♥

2. I had a telephone call with a dear friend yesterday. We talked about all sorts of things and when I hung up the phone I didn't feel as sad. What I really appreciated was her encouragement and her willingness to to be in the moment with me. She even put off her dinner break just to talk.

3. Dried mangoes are perhaps the perfect snack. Soft and chewy, sweet and sugary.

vegetables, socks, and msn

1. Vegetables cooking together in a big pot. Smells divine. I wonder if I could be a vegetarian for a year?

2. I am wearing some socks that came in my Christmas stocking. They are grey with a small design and are soft and comfy. I will wear them more often.

3. Getting a goofy msn message from Nick.

green tea, colours, and dad's big chair

1. A hot cup of green tea served to me with generosity and kindness.

2. Russ is eating a melted sandwich rich in colours.  Red, green, orange, white.

3. Sitting comfy and cozy in Dad's big chair. He never had the chance to truly enjoy it because he died shortly after he bought it. I'd like to think he would have  savoured it like I do.

what's this about?

Life is full of amazing things to do and see each and every day. Is the glass half empty or half full? This is a record of 3 things each day that bring me pleasure.

1. Sunshine and blue skies in January

2. Christopher's smile that reaches to his eyes.

3. Russ having his own space to work and clutter, and just do whatever he wants with no interference.