It's a Dogs Life (or a Cat's . . .)

And just for a little more fun today . . .

WHAT PETS WRITE IN THEIR DIARIES

A Dog's Diary........ 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing! 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing! 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing! 1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing! 3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing! 5:00 PM - Milk Bones! My favorite thing! 7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing! 8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing! 11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

From One Day at a Time - Alpine klein Bunch

From One Day at a Time - Alpine klein Bunch

A Cat's Diary... Day 983 of my captivity.... My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. B#&)%%$. There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.

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Laughing out Loud - for Heavens Sake

Hee hee hee!

I'm simply Laughing out Loud today . . .

I was hiking up in the hills above Alpine and having a little trouble with my cell phone while trying to make a call.  Yeah - right!

Making a PHONE CALL up in the MOUNTAINS!

It reminded me of this . . . enjoy!!

(Remember this?)






I'm gonna try to remember this when I'm in the airport next week traveling to see BABY CAKES.

Yes, just 5 more days to Grandbaby . . . then I'll be in heaven . . .

at least for a little while :D

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On Finding Happiness . . .

A friend pointed me in the direction of this article and I've spent some time contemplating it this month.

All 101 thoughts sound like great ideas . . .

101 Ways to be Happy

From Some of my Best

Here's a few that jump right out at me!

Either they are already an important part of my life 

or
 I plan to make them an important part of life . . .

(although not necessarily in this order :D)

Travel can have a profound effect on us by taking us out of our comfort zones and opening our eyes to some of the different places and lives that were unknown to us. It’s also just fun!  (I knew it!  Finally someone confirms that my travel addiction has a purpose!)

• Travel when you can - travel can open your eyes to the world and offer a fresh new perspective.
• Take a weekend trip - if you haven't the fund for a jaunt to Paris, no matter . . . even a weekend away  from home can make you happier
• Sit in front of a beautiful view - find a spot close by with a nice view you can visit when you need a break

Work is very fulfilling -  as nice as the beach is, if you do it too long it stops being satisfying.  By embracing hard work we gain the ability to achieve those things we desire in life.

• Make enough money to meet your basic needs - anything beyond that amount will not necessarily make you happier.
• Find satisfaction in the job you have - don't expect to find one job that will make you happy - instead focus on the positive atributes of your job (or your life - for heavens sake!) instead of blaming a job for your unhappiness.
• Bake cookies and bring them to work - my personal favorite!  You'll enjoy the baking and reaching out and making others happy.

Health - does health enhance your happiness or does happiness enhance your health?  That is the question . . .  people who are happy are less likely to become ill.

• Get enough sleep - ouch!  That's always a hard one for me! (and most moms!) Sleeping for 8 hours every night can elevate your mood and prepare you to better greet the day.
• Laugh out loud - Laughing releases endorphins and lowers levels of stress hormones
• Get more fresh air - fresh air is invigorating and alters the levels of seratonin in your brain - the stuff that makes you happy. (It's those morning walks . . . I'm tellin' ya!)
• Eat chocolate - besides releasing endorphins and triggering seratonin production in the brain, chocolate releases phenylethelymine, the chemical that causes feelings of love! (Totally not a problem . . . the darker the better!)
• Work out - exercise cannot only make you feel better about yourself, it also releases endorphins to give your body a natural high.

From One Day at a Time - Alpine klein Bunch

Attitude is all in your head - right now you have within you all you need to find fulfillment and lead a happy and satisfying life. Happiness is a mental not a physical state. 

• Smile - it takes fewer muscles to smile that it does to frown. 
• Keep a grateful list - focus on all the great things in your life to enhance feelings of joy and attract more good things. (I TREASURE my gratitude journals!  - and sometimes it's a necessity that I can pull them out to review during hard times!)
• Break outside your comfort zone - being comfortable doesn't make you happy - challenging yourself does.
• Accept that you can't be happy ALL the time - focus on being content, then true happiness wlll be that much more obvious.
• Daily Spirituality - have a spiritual experience daily! (for me it's the scriptures, the Ensign, a quiet time for pondering and meditating . . .) 

From One Day at a Time - Alpine klein Bunch

Relationships - continuous and committed relationships contribute to increased happiness and family happiness.

• Stay close to friends and family - moving away from your supportive relationships can take a toll on your happiness . . . (OooOoo - or TRAVEL to see your close friends and family!)
• Give more hugs; hugging releases the same chemical as a massage and is always free!
• Make time for your friends (and husbands!!) - personal connections are so important, spending even a little time with people you enjoy can make you laugh and smile.
• Get a dog . . . (I keep trying to convince the hubby that ALL the experts agree on this one . . .) The studies showing the positive effects of man's best friend are numerous; better emotional AND physical health.

Activities - Engaging in the right activities for you can lift your spirits daily, increase your self-esteem and make you feel more positive.

• Donate to Charity  - Focusing on those less fortunate can make you feel better about your situation and help you appreciate what you have.  (Can you say Tithing and Fast Offerings - I am grateful for the opportunity to participate . . .)
• Listen to upbeat music - Even just a few minutes of listening to a good hip shaking tune can make you feel more positive.
• Serve another - Selfless acts and helping another is a fast track route to genuine contentment.
• De-clutter - a clean home is a clean mind and you'll feel better in an orderly environement (ahhh . . . yes, cleaning those cupboards, drawers and closets and feel soOooOo good!)

I hope you'll take the time to create your 

VERY OWN 

"FEEL GOOD"

 list!

Now go find that Diet coke and dark chocolate . . .

Oh!  And I'm sure
Warm chocolate chip cookies - right out of the oven
is guaranteed to make anyone happy!

From One Day at a Time - Alpine klein Bunch

At least for a minute or two!

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So . . . . Cute Story . . .

Soooo . . .

I have a cute story . . .

I was supposed to work tonight - and as sometimes happens when you are a nurse (if you are very lucky, at least that's the way I look at it, some people share a different opinion . . .) you can get called off of your shift for the evening (I'm a night shift nurse) if the patient census is low and they have too many nurses scheduled for the current census.

Well the situation was amazing in itself, as it seldom happens to me! So my husband and I decided to celebrate and enjoy an unexpected date night!  We got a late start but arrived at the movie theatre just as the movie was starting.  To our dismay there was still a long line at the ticket window but we joined up at the end of the line.  Not long after our arrival, a man with a little boy on his shoulders came up to us in this long line of people and asked us if we were waiting to see a particular movie.  It did happen to be the one we were waiting for!  He offered us two free tickets that he had that were extra and not going to be used.  Hurray!  We got to skip out on the line and head into the movie just a few minutes after the beginning.  We followed him into the theater noticing that his family was already seated.  I couldn't help but be astonished at his thoughtfulness to leave his seat in the theater to offer his unused tickets to someone . . .

Once we arrived in the dark theater - a theatre usher whispered to us that there were no more seats, it was completely sold out, except for two remaining seats, close by each other but not together.   So we immediately slipped into the two seats.  Several families came into the theater after us looking for seats as they had oversold the show but had to be turned away.

What was the movie we were attending this evening?

Perhaps you can guess . . .

Yep!  You're right!

"17 Miracles"

We feel like we experienced several of our own this evening . . .   or perhaps . . .

it was just a coincidence?

I'm thinking 17 Miracles . . . plus one or two . . .    :)

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Awfully quiet around here . . .

Perhaps you noticed that it's been awfully quiet around here . . .

That's because for the last 8 days I've been hanging out over here!

At the new
Team Donovan Residence
in Ohio

Been having just the LOVLIEST of times
getting Karianne and Greg moved into their new home
and of course cuddling baby cakes every chance I get.

You'll see my guest post if you stop by . . .

(ooops - just remembered - I think their private now . . . I can get you in if you're interested, just let me know :)

Karianne & Greg have the MOST darling little home!  It suites them perfectly and will be so wonderful for them.  Just had to share a few photos while I'm at it . . .











Of course - I can't finish without sharing a few photos of Addison!She loves her toys - and talks and talks to themtelling them all sorts of stories . . .


Here she is in her Michigan colorsall excited for the big football game -she is going to be a Michigan fan, can't you tell!



Thanks Karianne and Greg and letting me come and stay - tons of love and hugs!!!

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