Surprises!

It's almost like a big wrapped box with a brightly tied bow on top. You want to shake it, listen to it, see how heavy it is, turn it around and upside down, poke at it and sniff it. What is it? Hm... so I ask for a hint:

• We are going on a tour
• About an hour away
• Do you like boats?
• We may get dirty
• But I can still wear my flip flops

I'm not really sure these are good hints because I have no idea where we are heading this morning. It's been driving me crazy, really!  I had to lay down some quick no-nos: I don't like zoos - they make me sad, I don't do heights, and I'm not a "lets-go-on-a-hike" kinda girl.

So I've been told to bring a camera and not to worry about the rest. Instead of sitting here telling you about it, I better be hitting the shower and getting ready! :)   Hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll let you know where I end up!

So Thankful. So So Thankful.

I can't begin to grasp the full scale of what all has happened in the past 48 hours.  So many lives have been impacted.  The losses continue to rise as communities begin to dig out from underneath the rubble. 

To hear from my friend outside of Tuscaloosa who is safe, her home is fine - it was such a relief. Knowing I'll be visiting her in less than a month, I just can't wait to give her the biggest of hugs.

It so sad that I need something like to serve as a reminder of what is important in life. These everyday little dramas are completely immaterial. They are nothing. And they do not deserve the energy and attention that they often receive.

While I say thank you, Lord, for keeping my loved one safe, I ask for you to comfort so many who have lost so much - please help these communities rebuild on all levels.  They need Your strength.

Covered in Cheese.

I believe if we could somehow cover the world in cheese we would all get along so much better. Not agreeing? Easy enough - here have some cheese. Would you like that in cubes, sticks or in sauce form? Sauce form, please. 

Forget Coke. Cheese could bring harmony to the world! 

(guess what I had for lunch...)

Yum.

I've been writing in my Thankful Journal - part of my "appreciation" word for this year.  I also put my prayer requests in there as a way to remember all those things I wanted to focus on at the end of the day.  One that has been frequently popping into my head is Forgiveness.  Not one of those topics I'm really good at - forgiving people. Well, that's not true. It's forgiving people I just don't like. So I'm hoping to overcome this major flaw in my personality with some help.  :)  Maybe I need to offer them some cheese and we'll see harmony as a result! 

I haven't been as appreciative as I believe I need to be for the blessings in my life. So I'll try to refocus on telling people Thank You and acknowledging the small and large blessings that are given to me on a daily basis. :)  It's a good thing. I'm lovin' positivity! 

(Reminds me of Pete the Cat when he stepped in strawberries while wearing his new white shoes.  And did Pete cry? Goodness no! He just kept walking along, singing his song - I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes! )

Happy Monday - from Muffin

Ahhh... daydreams of running through the soft green grass and chasing after those birds that taunt me. My generous owner opened the window a crack for me so I could enjoy the Spring air. She even left it open while she was gone, so I really got a nose full of the pollen and spores floating around out there! When she came back tonight, there I was, still pressing my nose to the window crack! AAhhh... so nice to enjoy the smell of Spring air!

Hope your week is wonderful - filled with fresh Spring air and tasty treats... (I really like treats! Speaking of which, my owner needs to loosen up on the treat giving!) Happy week!

*heart*

Muffin



Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all my friends! I had a wonderful holiday, beginning with a great sermon at church, focusing on the Easter story (of course) but from a bit different perspective. Greatly enjoyed it.  Followed by a delicious lunch with family.  A nap may have messed up my sleep schedule tonight but I believe it was worth it - the nap and the reason I needed it. Received many Easter wishes from family and friends today and that always makes you feel special!

More importantly, it was just a blessing to have a reason to celebrate Easter - to be someone who feels the true meaning of this holiday and to appreciate the gravity of these events.  Up from the grave He arose! And with His triumph, He gives us the opportunity to have eternal life in the presence of the Lord.

Many blessings to you and your family! :)

Doggy Smiles!

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. 
For me they are the role model for being alive."  ~Gilda Radner

It is a nasty day here, dark clouds and periodic rain.  Grey skies.  Ew.  I'm not a fan of rain and grey skies and dark clouds (oh my!)  So I'm using Shelby, my furry niece, to brighten my day.  How can you look at this crazy bug-eyed face and not just want to scoop her up and HUG HER CROSS-EYED?! I'm so glad I'm an animal person (granted, I'm more of a cat person, but Shelby is still really cute) because animals can bring much joy to our lives.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend filled with family and friends.  I don't care how old you are, go boil some eggs and pull out the dye! And please remember the real reason we are "celebrating," - because God gave His ONLY Son, sent Him to this earth to live among us, only to be crucified for us.  I can't being to imagine the loneliness, sadness, the anguish Jesus felt on the cross. Being betrayed and murdered after paying for every single sin each and every Christian has ever commited.  Beyond our understanding. Far beyond mine.

So take a moment to be thankful! :)

Leap of Faith.

Isn't this adorable?  It came straight to my inbox to inspire me and make my day a bit brighter. I suppose I signed up for it - don't really remember, but I'm very happy to be included! Click on the picture and it will take you to Blissfull Elements, which is super crafty and also connected to an Etsy Store filled with fun things!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Happy Hump Day, my friends! :)