Day 181 - Silly Bandz

The latest craze - Silly Bandz! Why couldn't I have been the mother that invented these silly things? My kids love them and today I found them to be quite the motivator. A packet of Silly Bandz for a bunch of extra chores around the house. Above and beyond the call of duty extra chores. Instead of grumbling and doing the job half-way we had happy little workers, doing an extra good job. Just because I dangled a bag of Silly Bandz as a prize. Joy to Silly Bandz!

Day 180 - Church

I'm a spiritual person. I'm not an overtly religious person. And I don't go to church as often as I'd like. But there are times, like today, when I need to go. I have to go. It's the only way I'll find peace in my heart. Thank goodness for church. It brings me peace. It brings me comfort. It brings me joy.

Day 179 - Alice In Wonderland

My boys love to be read a story before bedtime. And I'm finding that they don't care what it is, as long as Mommy reads to them. Because I couldn't find my daughter's copy of "Harry Potter", we started Alice in Wonderland, instead. I'm enjoying it. I'd forgotten how fun, silly and wise it was. My boys? I can't really tell. But they love to be read to, so as long as I'm reading I'm not sure they care what it is. At least I'm finding joy in Alice in Wonderland.

Day 178 - Leftovers

I know I've sung the praises of leftovers before but tonight they were a lifesaver. Ok. That might be a bit melodramatic but I found joy in them, all the same. We were going to order pizza and take it to our neighborhood pool for a fun evening dinner. The kids would swim and my husband and I would enjoy each other's company, nibbling on the left over pizza crust. But just as I was going to tell the kids to put their suits on and order, the sky opened up. Lightning. Thunder. The works. I took a peek at the radar and we were stuck for a while. I didn't want to go out in that mess and I certainly didn't want to have a pizza driver have to deliver in it. So I went to the freezer, pulled out a frozen soup from a month ago and Voila! Dinner is served thanks to joyful leftovers!

Day 177 - Coffee

I was never a coffee drinker. In fact, I didn't really enjoy my first cup until I was in my mid 30's. And then? You couldn't stop me. I don't drink a ton - just about 5 cups a week. But when I do, I sip. I cradle the cup in my hands. I savor. I enjoy a slow, hot cup of coffee - lightly sweetened and a dash or two of cream. And this morning, the kids were all occupied upstairs leaving me in peace to savor a delicious cup. There is joy in a cup of coffee.

Day 176 - Season Finales

I enjoy television. I enjoy it a little too much. I get wrapped up in more than my fair share of series, TiVo-ing them to watch later. To the point that my TiVo hovers at full most of the year. Thank goodness for season finales. I have vowed not to get involved in any new series until the fall - at least. And I'm slowly watching and deleting the final episodes (of the season, anyway) of my favorite shows: House, 30 Rock, Big Bang Theory, Flashforward, Law & Order (bye-bye L&O - you'll be missed!) I'll miss you all until the fall - but there's a part of my that is glad we're taking a break from each other. Ah, the joy of season finales!

Day 175 - Someone To Talk To

I have a strained relationship with my parents. As a result, I keep a therapist on retainer. I used to see one regularly. As I've grown, I just check in with her on a sporadic basis. But I have a trip, an unavoidable family obligation, coming up. So I'm a bit extra stressed. A bit extra anxious. Talking to someone, thinking and musing out loud about how to handle the unforeseen is such a healthy, helpful thing for me. And today it was pure joy having someone to talk to about my fears!