2019 Things that make me smile

Today is my sister's birthday - my first and forever friend.  Happy birthday Margrette!  Love you lots!  Today this makes me smile.

Tonight was the culmination of 12 sessions of technology learning.  The buzz in the room was awesome and it was fun to see all of the things that the people in the course created - made me smile today.

Long day at work - > Snuggling on the couch -> lots of smiles

Some days you don't want to leave the house and the snow just affirms that this is what you should do. Getting "snowed in" today made me smile.

Tonight was the 15th annual Panther Foundation Gala, raising money for our Spring Lake Park students. Games, bidding on items, food and fun resulting in a lot of money raised made me smile tonight.

Musical Theater is an absolute favorite of mine! Tonight I got to see one of my favorite performers, Anna in Aladdin. So fun watching her on stage doing something she likes to do. Her smiles made me smile tonight.

This year I got season tickets for the Hennepin Theatre Trust Broadway series. Tonight was a Bronx Tale. Not going to be in my top 5 favorite musicals, but it was good and just being at the Orpheum makes me smile.

Today my baby turned 11 years old.  I love this dog - she makes me smile everyday.  Best decision was to add her to my life.  Happy birthday to my Cinderella!

From the learning to conversations to scenery, it was a beautiful day ---made me smile.

President's Day weekend sale I bought a new lettering book. Lots of new fonts, excited to try them out! Making me smile today!

A little early birthday treat for my baby - a pupcup.  Watching her devour it tonight made me smile.

Two guys + seven Harry Potter books = seventy minutes of fun! Made me smile today.

Over the years I have read a lot of Heidi Hayes Jacobs work.  The past two days I have had the opportunity to learn from her through work with our elementary staff and our Ed Services team. This is the third time we have had this opportunity and each time I learn so much .  I appreciate the knowledge and coaching she has given us, pushing us to be better - made me smile tonight..

For Christmas I got Ella socks from Tom, Jen and the kids.  When I shared a pic with my nephew Jerome, he told me I needed to wear them on special occasions - that’s what he does with his Easton socks.  Valentine’s day seemed like a special occasion - smiled when I put them on today.

Since my Disney class, I have been practicing my hand lettering. Went to Joann’s last night and got a great deal on lined lettering paper on clearance- it made me smile.

Working on some things tonight on the couch. Looked up and saw this helper, made me smile tonight.

I am positive that my dad was smiling down on this guy today- Tommy is a legal driver. You see Tommy has been driving since he was about 5/6 years old, many of the early years under the supervision of my dad.  While his parents are smiling tonight about having another driver in the house,  I am smiling thinking about how proud my dad would be of his partner becoming a legal driver.

As a huge Brady Bunch fan, it is always a treat when one of my two favorite episodes shows up when flipping through the channels.  Today the episode with the Brady kids appearing on the talent show as the Silver Platters was on - featuring the songs It's a Sunshine Day and Keep on Moving.  With the snow coming down outside, it made me smile today.

Sixteen years ago I was in Ely for a baby shower for my friend Tami.  As I got ready to leave to go back to the cities - Tom and Jen were heading to the hospital in Virginia.  I stuck around for awhile with the hope that the baby would arrive and I could meet him/her on my way home.  Soon I left, as I pulled into my parking lot in the cities, I got the call that Tommy was born.  Love this kid - hardworking, smart, kind, I could go on.  Celebrating Tommy makes me smile tonight.

Ella likes to snuggle an get petted.  If I stop and she is not ready for it to stop, she will put her paw on my chest as if to say don't stop - made me smile tonight when she did it.

When the snow in the grass is up to your head, the perfect place to go to the bathroom is a few feet out the door - made me smile. (I did shovel an area in the grass for her after this pic)

The roster  for the U.S. Men’s National University Team that will compete in the 2019 Winter World University Games in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, was announced today by USA Hockey. Ben is one of the defensemen on the team.  Excited for this opportunity for him- made me smile today. https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/992574

I hate making my bed, Ella on the other hand really enjoys it.  She chases her tail, rolls around, and lounges while I try to make the bed around her. So while it isn’t my favorite thing watching and playing with her makes me smile.

Icy roads and sidewalks have taken over today.  With my driveway, I was worried about getting up the hill. But to my surprise, someone had spread ice melt over the sidewalk and driveway sometime during the day and I had no problem getting up the driveway - and that made me smile tonight.

I am not a cook - today I made chicken noodle soup in the crockpot. Maybe had more noodle than it needed, but it was really good and made me smile tonight.

Ella has been on vacation at grandma’s house for the past two weeks. Today I went to pick her up.  At grandma’s she lived the life of luxury, but when she got home she went to find her hidden snacks and then snuggled in happy to be home.  I am grateful that my mom took her so I didn’t need to board her, but I am so glad she is home tonight snuggled in on my lap - it makes me smile.

Eight and a half years ago, I had a heart attack.  I wasn’t feeling well - more like flu type symptoms.  Today I proudly wear red as a survivor to bring awareness to heart health in women.  Thank you to everyone who wore red today in support!  I loved all of the messages saying you were wearing red.- it made me smile.