One of the nice things about a flexible schedule is the ability to "do lunch." I just had a wonderful, 2 hour lunch with a dear, dear friend. We laughed. We talked. We teared up. We shared news of our families. And we promised to do lunch again, real soon. I so hope that happens because I find such joy in doing lunch!
My youngest had his first day of school today. Now all three kids are in school! Yay! I feel like breaking into song, like that guy in the Staples commercial singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" Joy, joy, joy in my neck of the words!
Today was an incredibly productive day. I was able to get so much done - and my body is feeling it right now, believe me! I love the exhaustion you feel after a productive day. And hopefully, I'll sleep all the better tonight, too. Lots done. Lots of joy!
Some good friends of ours invited us over for a mini-celebration for their daughter's birthday. It reminded me of how much I adore celebrating birthdays. And who wouldn't? Honoring the amazing day you were born. Just perfect. A little cake. A little ice cream. A few gifts to remind you that you are loved and appreciated. Happy Birthday, sweet girl! And joy to every other birthday girl and boy out there!
Field trip! I love chaperoning field trips for my kids' school. While I could never teach the elementary age, sharing a day with them is fascinating to me. I love to watch them interact. I love their energy and excitement. I love seeing my child with his friends, as if I'm a fly on the wall. So I love field trips. Joy!
I don't let my kids have soda very often. Especially Coke. I am well aware of it's addictive qualities, believe me. But every once in a while - you gotta have a treat, right? Coke float to the rescue! Today, after school, I took the kids to Sonic for a treat. My middle son asked if he could have a Coke float. Hmmmm, that sounds pretty tasty, I thought. OK, I said. His face lit up. Joy in getting a Coke float and seeing the joy in my son's face. Priceless!
I truly enjoy cooking. But sometimes, I get into a rut. Making the same thing over and over, just because it's easy. I checked out this cookbook from the library and tried a skillet casserole dish. And I, for one, loved it. My kids loved it, too. My husband? Not so much. But I don't care. It was fun breaking from our little rut. And there was joy (for me and the kids, anyway) in this new recipe.
We have dear friends with whom we socialize with quite often. One of our favorite things to do is go to a local restaurant for trivia night. We win often. And there are some nights when we lose. Like tonight. But there is always laughter, teasing, debate and good old fashioned catching up. We eat, laugh, drink and strategize. It's always fun. That we can count on. There is joy in trivia night, even when we lose.
My two oldest children are in school. My youngest doesn't start until next week. Secretly, I was dreading having to entertain and get chores done with a little shadow around. I love my kids. I truly, truly do. But I treasure the time I have to get things done alone. And I've been pleasantly surprised. So surprised and so enjoying the company, I'm going to miss the little guy next week. Today he was a little chatterbox in the back seat, entertaining me on our long drive to my husband's office. Then, at home, he was helpful and eager as I tackled my chores. Today, and for the past week, it's been a true joy having company.
Isn't it great? You put on a jacket that you haven't worn in awhile or you switch purses and lo and behold, you find a $20! Today, while straightening my closet I found not one $20 dollar bill but four! Eighty bucks I didn't know I had! Whoo-hoo! I hit the jackpot! There is joy, lots and lots of joy when you find a little extra money!
My daughter and I bond over many things. Music. Television shows. Walks in our neighborhood. One of the things she likes to share with me is the latest funny YouTube video she's just discovered. Tonight, when she got home from being out with friends she saw that I was on the computer and she said the familiar "Mom! You've got to see this!" And then she takes over, punches computer keys at a furious pace and up pops something that makes her giggle uncontrollably. Ok. I tend to laugh, too. But mostly, it's just so much fun seeing her delight. And the joy in YouTube.
It's Friday!!! Sometimes my weekends can be just as stressful as my weeks. And I have no indication how this weekend will go. But today is Friday! And I've had such a wild, emotional, crazy week. I am so glad it's over. A chance to start a new week in just 3 days. A do-over, if you will. Today is the end of a yucky week. So yay, Friday! Thank you for coming. And for bringing me a bit of joy!
Don't you just love TiVo? I enjoy television but I don't have the time to watch. I love it that Tivo will tape my favorite shows. I get to skip the commercials. I can save a bunch of yoga sessions and do them when I want to, not at 6am. I know I've sung the praises of TiVo before - but I just have to do it again. I find joy in TiVo.
I have this pasta recipe with sausage and tomatoes and cream - that my family just loves. Adores it. I think they'd eat it every week if they could. But I don't make it every week. Once or twice a month is tops for me. But when I do, I make a double batch so they can have plenty of leftovers. After that first meal they eat it for breakfast the next day or for a snack. Yes, they love it that much. Tonight, I got rave reviews. From everyone. So, tonight's joy is brought to you by my family's favorite pasta supper.
Remember when I said that some days it's not so easy to find joy? Today was one of those days. Struggles. Troubles. Four different moods to navigate around. Just a yucky day all around. So, when I look back over my day I remember the peace I felt with my quick walk this morning with the dog. It was quick because I left too late, messing around with the hustle and bustle that is an early school day morning. Time got away from me and I was crabbing about how little time I had left to walk. But once I got out there it was peaceful and our dog was so appreciative, licking my hand and bouncing in his step. My joy today was in that walk. A quick walk, but a joyful one.
The very first blog I created was Theycallmejane's Blog. Not a very original title. Certainly not an original concept. Just Jane. I could be any Jane. Wanting to share my views with the world. Maybe make a few friends. Test these blogging waters and see where I fit. It has changed my life in ways I never imagined. And today, my Theycallmejane friends now know about me here, at Every Day Joy. A little scary. Putting yourself out there. In posts. Or here, documenting joy. But being a blogger has been so amazing. So fun. Such an important part of me. I can't imagine every going back. I can't imagine ever giving up such joy.
Everyone has their sappy movie that they love to see over and over. Prelude to a Kiss is one of those for me. When I was young and newly married, I looked at the seasoned couples and wondered what their lives were like to bring them to where they were now. I marveled in the elderly couples, walking together, hand in hand. And now that I've been married a long time (by today's standards) I see a newly married couple and marvel in the wonder, excitement and anticipation of the things to come. Yep. Prelude to a Kiss ties all of those thoughts into a pretty, neat package of a movie. And it brings me joy!
I should be in bed. Sleep is at a premium here. But sometimes, the only time alone with my husband is late at night. Our daughter was out with friends. The boys were fast asleep. The house was quiet. So we stayed up later than usual, talking, laughing, catching up. It was nice. As much as I love my beauty sleep, there is joy is staying up late.
I don't play golf as often as my husband would like. It seems such a shame that this cute little thing just hangs in my closet. So this summer, I started wearing my golf skort out and about. And I feel very sporty, yet dressed up. Even though I'm wearing sandals. And it's so comfortable and keeps me cool on these hot summer days. Today, I felt dressed up and pretty in my golf skort. And that brought me joy!
It's been hot here. Really, really hot. And while I love to cook, I don't enjoy cooking on a hot, hot day. So tonight was a night for a salad supper. Cool. Crisp. Refreshing. And I didn't have to turn on one appliance. Tonight was the perfect night for a little bit of joy in a salad supper!
I read on Scary Mommy about a contest to win $1000. Now that would bring me joy! The catch? Write a new blog post about what brings you joy. Hey! I do that every day. Simple, right? SO my entry is this post and this entire blog. And then I began to smile. No, make that grin. From ear to ear. Sixty-one people had already entered. Sixty-two if you count Scary Mommy. That's sixty-two posts out there celebrating joy! Since the contest goes until August 20th we could triple that number. Or more! So my joy today is knowing that there are so many people out there helping to concentrate on and celebrating and sharing the joy! Thanks, Scary Mommy! And thank to all of you out there helping to spread the news. May your joy spilleth over and continue well past the contest deadline!
Weird. I know. But I love pencils. The real ones, classic #2 wooden pencils. Fun, unique pens and click erasers. A new calculator. Binders in all kinds of colors. Pocket folders. An expensive time of year but always filled with promise. I love the start of school and I find joy in school supplies, of all things!
Already! It's the first day of school! This summer has seemed to just fly by. When I used to teach I loved the first day of school. I love the newness. The fresh start. The clean erasers and sharpened pencils. Two of my three children start school today and the excitement (for me, anyway) is here! Happy first day of school, everyone! Hope you feel the joy!
It's our last day on our family getaway. We love the beach. We've vacationed with friends and the company has been great. We found new restaurants and shops. We've enjoyed the beach and the pool. But now, it's time to think about going home. No. Just one last look. Because there is great joy at the beach!
We love spending time with dear friends. It's rare when you find a couple where everyone gets along so well. Add that to the fact that our children all play great together and it's the perfect friendship combination. Thank you, dear friends. You are so much fun. You give so much joy!
Our boys have recently learned to ride a bike. A two wheeler, all on their own. And now we have fun going on bike rides together. The weather is warm. It's great to get outside together. It's the perfect time for a cruise on our bikes. So, tonight we went on a joy ride. On our bikes, that is!
We found a new restaurant today that is our new favorite. The fish is fresh-caught every day and this is a family of fish lovers! I love it when we stumble upon a gem like this one. We ate until we were stuffed and can't wait to go back. The familiar is great but a new favorite is joy!
I love long drives. I love looking at the scenery. Imagining living in a new place. Counting blue cars. Searching license plates. Stopping to eat at an out of the way cafe. Playing the alphabet game. Talking to my husband. Today was a day for a long drive. And yes, sometimes there is joy in driving.
I woke up to rain this morning. And with nowhere to go. It was perfect. The boys even slept in. (I can always count on my teenage daughter sleeping in - rain or shine!) So, I read a little. I played a game on my ipod. All the while, listening to the rain patter down. It was heavenly. Rain brought joy this morning!
It was a lazy day here at Chez Joy's and my daughter wanted to watch a movie with me. My teenage daughter. Wanting to spend time with her mother. Joy! So we watched The Breakfast Club together. She loved it. It brought back memories to me. And we had a blast laughing and talking together. Joy and The Breakfast Club. Who knew?
Everyone is busy doing their own thing. My husband is putzing around the house. My son is following him. My other son is busy playing legos. My daughter is out with a friend. And I am left in peace to mess around on the computer. This unexpected quiet is pure joy!
