Day #24

No need to say too much about this.

Day #23

I bought this jade plant when we moved here. It was only a few leaves tall, and only a couple stalks. It's been a hearty companion, especially since I don't have much of a green thumb.

Day #22

These two--they're good friends.

Day #21

I forgot to post this yesterday. Mugs and cups...not in boxes.

Day #20

Watching "Lucy" with Ethan tonight, listening to all of his ideas, and being surprised with the things he knows. When it was over he said it was "perplexing".

Day #19

Homemade chicken soup.

Day #18

 I went downstairs after a break from cleaning and sorting to have Doug hand me this photo and say "Put this in a safe place. It's a keeper." This is Ethan's first day, and our first day nursing together. We shared this bond for three and a half years, when, for whatever reason, he happily went on to life without nursing. It seemed he just forgot, and I didn't see a need to remind him. He mentioned it once after a few days not nursing. I told him we could try, but there might not be any milk. He said "No thanks" and we continued playing. I remember feeling a bit sad in that moment as I watched him bound away, but content at the same time. Happy to visit that stretch of memory upon seeing this photo again.

Day #17

This photo was taken after midnight last night, so I believe it technically qualifies for my post for today. I was lying on the end of our bed last night waiting for Doug and Ethan to finish their evening routines, when I looked into the darkened tv screen and saw this beautiful pattern of colours radiating from an LED bulb in our track lights. That made me happy enough, but I was excited to point it out to both Ethan and Doug, who came right away when I called to them. One by one each of them lay down on the bed right beside me and looked up at the reflection. It could be the connection of deteriorating oven mitts to the concept of entropy, a discovery or three in a new game, or the reflection of a light across a closed tv screen—what it is isn't what matters the most. The way we so easily share our experiences in the world with each other is what matters most to me, and that brings me a lot of joy.

Day #16

Playing a new game called "Robot Turtles". It's really for younger children, but we're still having a blast! (Pun intended, as there is a laser card in the game that turns ice walls to puddles of water...I crack myself up.)

Day #15

Sun setting a little later in the evenings, a beautiful view out our living room window. Two easy things to be happy about.

Day #14

Been going through closets, looking at things that I've stashed in the corners for the past seven years. Every thing I touch has a history. I'm happy to be warm, and not hungry, and steeped in happy memories.

Day #13

Found this treasure when I opened the blinds this morning.  

Day #12

Easy friends.

Day #11

Making brunch for Ethan and Doug this morning this song came on and warmth filled my heart. This was the song Doug and I danced to at our wedding. Every time I hear it, I fall in love with it and him just a little bit more.

Day #10

Crocheting a throw that has leftover yarn from many projects I've made over the years for many people, as well as leftover yarn from my mom's own stash, while talking with friends. Yup. That's some happy making.

Day #9

Thankful for the warmth of the fire and the man who makes it.  :-)

Day #8

Sorting and cleaning to put our house on the market. It's not easy work, but it's very satisfying.  

Day #7

Hanging out with the cat while playing Diablo 3 with Ethan. Ethan took this photo of us.

Day #6

So many items around the house hold memories of happy times for me.  This arrangement was just sitting on the table in front of me this morning.  The mug is from a local potter that sells his work at the Farmer's Market. We have bought several pieces from him over the years.  His work says Ithaca to me, as it was one of the first things I fell in love with when we moved here, and his booth is a place I look forward to visiting every spring when the market opens again.  I've had coffee from this mug many mornings with Doug.  Sleepy tea, on many evenings.

The die reminds me of the many games Doug, Ethan and I have enjoyed playing together.  Ethan was using it the other day to be a special character in Risk, while Doug and I battled each other in an attempt to conquer the world.  The comb came from a washroom in a hotel in Tokyo.  I remember Ethan jumping up and down with excitement over finding it with the soaps, opening the package it was housed in, and discovering what it was.  He thought the fold-up design was really cool.  He asked me to comb his hair the other evening, and this is what I found to use.  The table the items sit on is our first dining table as a family.  We bought that in Pittsburgh after we purchased and moved into our first house.  Our friends had the exact same dining set.  I changed the seat covers when we moved to Ithaca.  I'll change them again when we move out west.

There's hardly a day that goes by that something doesn't catch my eye and remind me of a happy moment in time.  That time could have been a few moments ago, or it could have been decades. Some people are eager to get rid of stuff -- to simplify.  I understand that desire.  I feel it too at times when the clutter seems like it has taken on a life of it's own.  But, so many of the items I live with are like old friends.  That might not seem healthy to some, to be attached to things, but for me it means daily reminders of a life well lived.  And, that makes me happy.  

Day #5

I think one of the biggest benefits for me in learning to more carefully choose the words I want to use to describe any situation, thought or feeling, is that I've consequently become more aware of how other people's words can have influence over my own thoughts and feelings. In understanding this better, I am learning that I can choose whether or not I want to allow the words I hear to have any leverage over my own position. I think about words now, whereas in the past I was more at the mercy of them, especially if they were loaded or spoken with an emotional (positive or negative) attachment. I'm very grateful for that.

One thing I notice about my son is that he chooses his own words pretty precisely and plainly, and with more ease than I do too. I'm not sure why that is, but I'm happy for him nonetheless.

(Special thank you to Sandra Dodd for helping me learn to choose my own words more thoughtfully by encouraging everyone to think about the words they use in the discussions she leads.)

Day #4

A nice Sunday breakfast while playing a D&D-like game that Ethan made up and directed as master.  His enjoyment and enthusiasm are so sweet to watch and be apart of.  

Day #3

When I was a young girl, I loved MAD comics.  I eagerly asked for them whenever we went to the grocery store and a new edition was out.  When my son got a bit older, I could see that he embraced the same wacky sense of humour I find fun, so I introduced him to MAD as well.  He loved it, especially the Spy Vs Spy.

Humour is an important in our family. Not in a belittling sense, but in a way that creates ease and openness in communication and connection.   It brings us together through laughter for fun, as well as to bring light to heavier issues.

These little guys sit in our humble cracked and splashed kitchen window, above the sinks that holds a perpetually steady stream of dirty dishes.  They make me smile and bring me joy every single day.

Day #2

Seeing my son smile, and hearing him say with enthusiasm: 

"I really love this keyboard!  Thank you!  Basically, I can change it to any colour to reflect any mood I'm in!"

And, me knowing in my heart it is (and always has been) well worth the time and energy to really get to know my son and fully support his interests, whatever they may be.

Day #1

My old cat Fluff, who greets me every morning, and any evening when I can't sleep, with his warmth and steady purr.  #100HappyDays