The world looks brighter from behind a smile.

I called. I had questions and concerns. You picked up and apologized for the wait... you even seemed to mean it. You listened kindly and answered kindly. I got the information I needed, and  you were perfectly pleasant and helpful the whole time. I know you must be terribly busy right now.  In fact, you told me that you were... but not in an annoyed way or a frazzled way... just in a matter of fact "Yes, we've received over 2000 requests for processing, but give me a minute, and we'll figure out exactly what your status is," kind of way. It is quite satisfying to call somewhere with a goal in mind and to end the call with all of the information you need and a cherry on top.  A Cathy on top?  No, I think I like cherry better. Thank you, Cathy, you made my day.

I don't need to use too many of my words to describe Francesca because her song lyrics speak for her.  I love listening to her cd in my car because she sings my thoughts.  In her song "It's Your Life," she basically sums up my whole day to day philosophy and says all the things I have been trying to say for the past 192 days.  It's amazing how she is able to say so much in so few words. This is the moment It’s on the line Which way you gonna fall? In the middle between Wrong and right But you know after all (Chorus) It’s your life What you gonna do? The world is watching you Every day the choices you make Say what you are and who Your heart beats for It’s an open door It’s your life Are you who you always said you would be? With a sinking feeling in your chest Always waiting for someone else to fix you Tell me when did you forget (Chorus) To live the way that you believe This is your opportunity To let your life be one that l...

Today's math problem: Me + 2 shifts at work + early lot guy called in (extra loading for me) + light dinner before shift 2 + carb craving = late night mac 'n' cheese! I ate almost the entire box by myself before Tom decided that he wanted some after all.  I haven't done that in a long time!  Mac 'n' cheese has always been one of my favorite comfort foods. When I was learning to cook, I believe it was one of the first things I ever learned to make. When I was sick, I always rejoiced when I smelled the boiling pasta scent coming from the kitchen. When my dog Punkie died, my mom made it for me and let me lick the powdered cheese off the spoon. When Grandma Ginny told us all that she had an exciting surprise for Christmas Eve one year and everyone else was puzzled when that surprise turned out to be deep fried macaroni and cheese bites, I was over the moon. When I devoured my Krafty treat tonight, my stomach thanked me and sighed in contentment.  Thank you...

It's too hard today to choose just one.  The first Princess of the Day was Miss Lydia Christian.  She is the daughter of my CT and the cutest baby in the St. Charles area.  No, really, I believe this was voted on and agreed upon in 2009.  Anyway, I went to her first birthday party today, and she is such a doll.  She even ate her cake like a little princess... and then smeared it all over her face.  That's my kind of girl!  Even though he is not a princess, I think Jackson Christian deserves an honorable mention for being darling too, and Jessica (Mommy) Christian (the queen) most certainly deserves a special shoutout for putting on the delightful party.  The Christian children are the kind of kids that make you want to have kids.  Yes, you.  Me?  I need to make it through this first year of teaching... don't get all excited just yet.  After that, we'll talk. The next princess that rocked my world today was th...

I can't believe it took us until June (almost July-whoa) for our first Silky's trip this year!  I guess we really have been busy.  Our first ever trip to Silky's took place the first summer that we moved here.  We had driven past the place a few times, and it looked good, so we finally stopped one night.  After looking over the menu of frozen custard done a million different ways, I decided to go for my standard small chocolate cone.  Tom was more adventurous, however, and decided to expand his horizons.  I wonder what a concrete is, he said to me.  I told him that he should just ask, but that's just not how he does things.  Instead, he simply ordered a chocolate concrete. "With what...?" asked the girl at the counter. "Um, just chocolate," was his reply. "Plain?" "Yeah, chocolate." "Uhh... ok." At this point, I knew that something was up.  I'm sure deep down Tom did too, but dangit, he had ordered his chocolate ...

The moon was as bright as I've ever seen it, casting artsy shadows on the sidewalk. General trotted happily in front of us, our baby enjoying the undivided attention of his parents. The night air had actually cooled- a cold front?- only 75 degrees.  Ahhh. The neighborhood was mostly dark, quiet, everyone tucked away for the night. Just us and the lightning bugs. Suddenly, we stopped.  A kiss planted.  There's your romance,  his eyes said. Yeah... that will hold me over for another six months ;). Thank you, moonlit smooch, you made my day.

I was already enjoying my stroll around the Schnucks produce section today because it was so nice and cool.  Somewhere between the asparagus and the zucchini, one of my favorite things happened.  The little sprinkler things came on, and the old song started. "I'm singggggggging in the rain/ Just singing in the rain/ What a glorious feelin'/ I'm happy again." It makes me smile every time :).  I wish that there were more situations in life where happy music randomly played and/or people broke into song.  According to Glee , this is totally possible.  A girl can dream, right? Thank you, Shnucks produce section, you made my day.   

During our 7 1/2 hour drive home from Michigan today, we started to get nervous.  The temperature gauge on my rearview mirror told a story of a hot day that was turning hotter and hotter with each mile we drove.  By the time we got off the highway and made it home, we saw that it was 94 degrees... at 5 pm... with humidity that made the heat index 10 degrees hotter. I stumbled into the house with my suitcase and all my junk.  I was expecting to find relief from the heat and general grossness in the air.  Instead, I was smacked in the face with hot, humid air.  I went to the thermostat to see what in the world was going on.  It turns out that Tom turned off all systems while we were gone, and the house was a 91 degree sauna/sweat lodge.  Oh Missouri summer... home sweltering home.  I quickly cranked on the air conditioning and waited for it to work its magic.  After many lethargic, frizzy haired minutes on the couch, I began to feel so...

My parents took us out this morning for breakfast at Barb's Country Kitchen.  That was delightful in and of itself.  I love buttery restaurant toast, and it's something that I can never make quite the same at home... but that's neither here nor there. The real moment of the day came on the car ride home.  We were discussing Jack Johnson, and my dad said that he had never heard of him before.  My mom wasn't sure that she had either.  I was suprised (he was one of my favorites in college, after all) and started listing off all of the Jack Johnson songs I knew.  My parents were still puzzled, but I thought that surely they had heard something by JJ before.  I started singing "Bubble Toes," and within a few bars of the song, a lightbulb went on for my mom.  She told me she was all excited because having people sing something never helps her to recognize the song.  In this case, she got it right away.  I was equally...

I'm not sure how to do my dad justice. He can best be explained through bloopers reels, long phone conversations, and notes written in greeting cards. There's just no way to capture those "you had to be there" moments in words. However, since it is Father's Day, I'll do the best I can... through a list of the top five lessons I have learned from the larger-than-life-too-good-for-words man that I have the privilege of calling Dad. 1. No blood= no tears. My dad never had any sons, but he did have two daughters who were willing to put down Barbies for baseballs and to do many of the things my dad would have wanted to do with a son. In fact, Dad broke gender barriers by agreeing to coach a local t-ball team and therefore securing my sister as the first female to ever be allowed into the league. He later went on to create a team with an all-girls infield, including his two daughters (of course), that was laughed at by other teams but finished the season undefe...

Okay, you'll have to excuse me for being brief tonight.  My parents hosted my cousin Debby's wedding at their house today, and things have been a bit busy around here.  This was only compounded by the fact that we had no power for half of the day, and the generator was also out until this afternoon.  Luckily, everything turned out great, and good times were had by many. One guest in particular who had an especially awesome time was my cousin Janeen's son.  He is eight and his name is Brandon, but it might as well be MJ or Usher because let me tell you... this kid can dance.  When a song comes on, he doesn't just dance.  You can tell that he really feels it.  He has a natural rhythm and ease of movement that I can only wish I had.  It's absolutely delightful to watch. And watch we did!  At one point, the dance floor cleared, and he was out there on his own dancing to "Billy Jean" and pulling out all of the classic Michael moves....

aka Summer Scene part II Sunshine, warm and bright Mikearita in hand Goldilocks pool- not too warm, not too cold... just right Floating on a mat, Tom splashing around beside me, my parents sharing a laugh Country music blaring on the radio, Keith Urban singing "Who wouldn't wanna be me?" I have wanted this to be me all summer.  I really love living in Missouri for a number of reasons that have been or will be discussed.  However, there are times when I could do with a little less humidity and a little more of a pool in my backyard.  There are times when I wish I could get a tan but don't want to torture myself by sweatboxing in the yard while the neighbors splash around in their pool.  There are many times when I think about all those perfect summer days from my childhood at the pool or the lake in Michigan. But... today I had it all.  Before the thunderstorms and hail came in, I had my beautiful Michigan summer afternoon of dreams.  Sing it, Keit...

A summer night The smell of bug spray and bonfire in the air A group of little boys and one big boy (Tom) running all over the yard * ` * ` * ` * `* Sparklers Magic in their eyes Pure joy in each frolicking step Ok, ok, so the lawn was set on fire a few times... and a few people got a little burned... but it's all part of the experience, right? :) Thank you, sparklers, you made my day.

I was off to get a bite to eat when I saw a tail wagging at my feet. In order to please my little pup I opened the door and said "Load up!" I'm sure he was nervous to enter the car because usually we don't go very far. Off to the kennel or off to the vet? He just wasn't ready to settle down yet. But then the car took a mysterious right, and General ran to the window to take in this new sight. Bright colors and burgers and carhops galore! Puppy was happy right down to his core. To see him so joyful was such a nice treat (yes, he can smile... now isn't that neat?) My grin matched his, my smile so wide, for what fun we did have on our impromptu car ride. Thank you, afternoon car ride, you made my day.

I braved the torrential downpour today for a little retail therapy.  I successfully completed my Father's Day shopping.  Check!  I ate a pretzel with cream cheese while playing the "Are They Related?" game that my mom and I always used to play at Westwood Mall when I was little.  Check! The other object of my shopping trip desire was a decent pair of jean shorts.  No check.  Definitely no check.  I do not fall into the tween range, nor do I qualify for senior citizen discounts.  I like to be able to see the bottom of my shorts, even when I'm wearing a shirt (shocking, I know), but I don't like elastic waistbands.  ***Sidebar- Jessi's Fashion Tip #897- If you're not sure whether it's a top or a dress, then it's a top.  Adding a pair of tights will not make it a dress.*** It turns out that all shorts are either a little too Miley, a little too soccer mom, a little too acid washed, or a lot too hol...

As far as hymns go, this one has it all. 1. Spiritual tinglings 2. Singability (although, let's face it, I enjoy singing everything terribly) 3. Emotional memories 4. Occasional choruses en espanol 5. Wonderfully beautiful lyrics with a wonderfully beautiful story and message Lord, when you came to the seashore you weren't seeking the wise or the wealthy, but only asking that I might follow. REFRAIN (English): O Lord, in my eyes you were gazing, Kindly smiling, my name you were saying; All I treasured, I have left on the sand there; Close to you, I will find other seas. REFRAIN (Spanish): Señor me has mirado a los ojos, sonriendo has dicho mi nombre, en la rena he dejado mi barca, junto a ti buscaré otro mar. Lord, you knew what my boat carried: neither money nor weapons for fighting, but nets for fishing my daily labor. (REFRAIN) Lord, have you need of my labor, hands for service, a heart made for loving, my arms for lifting the poor and broken? ...

9 hours + 92 degrees + heat index of 103 + HD garden center= sweat city This baby kept me smelling as cool as a cucumber... literally... even when it was so hot that the hens were laying hard boiled eggs... literally... kind of... I shouldn't be the only one thanking my deoderant today! Thank you, deoderant, you made my day.

Jared the Subway Guy?  No. Jared the Jeweler?  No. Jared Leto?  No. Jared the Stranger?  Yes!  I had to take my second Praxis test today to add on my middle school certification.  I was well-prepared this morning.  I got up early, ate breakfast, grabbed my nicely sharpened #2 pencils and admission ticket, and headed out the door.  Great?  Almost.  I failed to remember that ETS suggested a blue or black pen for the two constructed response questions on the test.  It turns out that a pencil would have sufficed, and it wasn't a big deal.  However, it also turned out that Jared, the nice young chap sitting in front of me, offered up an extra pen for me to borrow.  It was a small but very much appreciated gesture made by a complete stranger.  Recognized. Thank you, Jared, you made my day.

Ok, sometimes I know I am really easily amused, but this is just too funny.            Huggies is making limited edition diapers that look like... JEANS!  Whaaaaat?  The first time I saw the commercial a week or so ago, I thought it was some kind of Saturday Night Live  spoof (remember thong diapers?) or a crazy marketing ploy.  However, it turns out that these are, in fact, legit.  Huggies gives this convincing explanation for their newest product, "Jeans have always been a Mommy fashion must-have, but now it's time for their little ones to steal the style. Huggies® gets fashion forward with new denim diaper design to help your baby stay trendy while keeping dry." Fashion forward diapers?  Oh, you're killing me!  Can't.  Stop.  Giggling.  Wait... there's more.  Did I mention the tagline? "The coolest you'll look pooping your pants." I have been trying to figure out a way...

9:00 Meet with Barnwell ladies at Julie's house.  9:15-12:00 Discuss English curriculum (and numerous other sidebars) with the ladies 12:15- 12:45 Lunch and chatter 12:45-2:00 Pool/outdoor time... yup, with the ladies 2:00-5:00 Puppy!  Nap!  Snacks! Text from Barnwell lady to hang out with other Barnwell ladies for another Barnwell lady's birthday.  Invitation accepted. 7:00-10:30 Buffalo Wild Wings... birthday celebration... team trivia domination... giggles... beverages 11:30 Home.  Puppy!  Write blog about fun day with Barnwell ladies. Thank you, Barnwell Ladies, you made my day.

Once upon a time, my family was hanging out at my Grandma Ginny's house, and she offered us some dessert.  We refused because she was supposed to be taking it to some sort of bowling league party or church potluck.  When we looked at the dessert, however, we all cracked up.  A big ol' piece was already missing.  Hence, a new family term was born. I baked my mom's raspberry cake recipe tonight to take to a potluck tomorrow.  While I usually pour this into a cake pan, I made them as cupcakes this time.  This way no one will know that I "Ginny'd" my dessert :).  They are delicious.  Breakfast tomorrow?  Tempting... Thank you, raspberry cake, you made my day.

Dear Maks, Welcome to the world, little guy! Everyone has been waiting to hear from you all day (and for the past week or so... ahem), and we are all extremely excited that you finally decided to come out and meet your parents. Speaking of your parents, boy are you lucky. To know them is to love them… I’m sure you’ll figure that out pretty quickly yourself. I’ve known them both since we were just little whippersnappers, and they have been such an important part of my life. We have been around for just about every major milestone in each other’s lives—proms, graduations, 21st birthdays, weddings (check out my Maid of Honor toast for some funny stories about your parents), jobs, spring breaks, apartments, houses, and now you… Knowing your parents, I just know that you will be extraordinary. From your mom, you will inherit a work ethic and determination that will lead you to accomplish anything you can dream of, just like she has. From your dad, you will learn how to be silly and sw...

I'm really into the idea of vow renewals and not just because they're trendy these days.  This may be due in small part, however, to the fact that I would like to have a million weddings (parties!) in my lifetime, but I want them all to be with the same person.  I watched the Tori and Dean  finale tonight, and their vow renewal was actually really sweet.  One of them mentioned one idea in particular that really struck a cord with me.  When you get married the first time, and you walk down the aisle, you can't possibly know for sure what you're getting into.  You can prepare in every way possible-- spiritually, financially, emotionally, mentally...  However, there is always an out.  If things get rough or if things are not going exactly as planned, you can cordially excuse yourself from the relationship.  Done. Once you take those vows, you're in it.  You agree that even though you can't predict what the two o...

Blogger is cramping my style!  The site was down all of last night and much of today, but it seems to be fixed now, so here's the little ditty I wrote for yesterday :). After a fun-filled weekend We made it home alive But only after completing A looooong eight hour drive This lengthy trek was certainly Not how my day was made. Instead, my bit of wonderful Was a glass of pink lemonade :). Thank you, pink lemonade, you made my day.

Just in case I don't get around to this later... I love love.  I love weddings.  I love when people find someone who makes them want to stick around through all the bad stuff in order to gain a lifetime of good stuff. Today we celebrated the wedding of Natalie Wolters and Nick Niemi.  Nick is one of Tom's college roommates, and I know that they will be lifelong friends.  Nick found his perfect sports-loving, crossword puzzle doing, witty, fun, and all around fabulous one and only special someone in Natalie.  He finally put a ring on it today, and we couldn't be happier for the two of them. The wedding this afternoon was lovely.  Tom was excited that Nick cried because it made him feel better about crying at his own wedding.  Silly boys.  I am excited that another female has decided to stick around this crazy group and that that female is someone as fantastic as Natalie. I'm off to the reception now, where I'm sure the food will be gre...

There's a lot I could say about Lisa, but since I am already way behind on writing this after a little Niemi-Wolters-Wedding-Rehearsal-Dinner-After-Party-Fun, I'll just say this. Lisa and I have been friends since we met.  Literally.  Friendship at first sight.  I was nervous to have some new roommates move into our apartment my junior year of college, but Lisa (and our darling Marisa too, of course) quickly put me at ease.  Within minutes of meeting, she was leaving me post-it note messages with plans for activities (Power Hour commences at 8!).  Her first night in the apartment she also organized a rousing game of Bop-it that lasted until the wee hours of the morning, and I knew she was a keeper.  The following year was filled with sing-a-longs and coloring and Tequila Tuesdays and paper chain making and marathon movie nights and... all the kinds of fun that some silly little girls could imagine. We share our de...

The eight hour drive back to Michigan is like a marathon.  I've never actually run a marathon (although this is one of my life goals... even though this would require me to actually start running again, but that's neither here nor there).  However, I can imagine that it is like a marathon.  Even as you near the finish, you're still thinking to yourself 25 down... yes!  Oh... man... I still have to run one more mile?  Crap.  And so it is with the drive... With about seven hours down and only one left to go... one LONG hour... I found something fabulous to help us reach the finish line.  From the depths of my car (which is not even messy, by the way), I found my long lost favorite Goo Goo Dolls cd, Dizzy Up the Girl.   I was so excited that I jumped up and down in my seat, and I may have even squealed.  Thankfully, it was Tom's turn to drive, so the car stayed on the road.  This is one of my favorite albums of all time....

While this has not been the best year ever for Tiger-- or the Tigers, for that matter-- tonight was an incredible night for one Tiger in particular. Armando Galarraga pitched a perfect game. It may not go down that way in the history books, but it happened.  All those fans in the stadium knew it instantly.  So did Cabrera.  So did everyone watching the game on t.v. and everyone who watched the replay afterwards.  The Cleveland Indians knew it.  Heck, even Jim Joyce knew it as soon as he saw the controversial play-heard-round-the-world a second time. What is just as amazing as this perfect game is the sportsmanship of its perfect pitcher.  Robbed of his greatest accomplishment, Galarraga reacted, according to all accounts, with the utmost integrity, grace, and class.  "He really feel bad. He probably feel more bad than me," Galarraga told Fox Sports Detroit. "Nobody's perfect, everybody's human. I understand. I give a lot of credi...

My mom recommended this book to me a while back and let me borrow it.  At the time, I wasn't doing a whole lot of reading for pleasure.  Lately, I have, in fact, been doing a lot of reading for pleasure.  I love the summertime :). I decided to start The Art of Racing in the Rain today in the hopes that I would be able to return it to my mom when I see her briefly this weekend.  I finished it.  Within a few hours.  All 318 pages of it. I enjoyed the book while I was outside soaking up some sun (with sunscreen on, of course). I enjoyed it while I did a few loads of laundry. I enjoyed it while I made dinner. I enjoyed it while my husband giggled at some silly something or other on tv. Then I cried.  Not since Bridge to Terabithia (one of my all time favorites) have I really cried while reading a book.  What a phenomenal story. I had put off reading the book because Mom told  me that it was told from the point-of-view of a dog.  I...