rainbow in the storm

Last night I was driving home from an errand - in yet another rainstorm.  I will admit to having done more than my share of complaining about the weather.  For someone whose goal was gratitude that's not such a good thing.  BUT as I headed home, there in the midst of the gray skies and rain was a rainbow.  How any sunlight got to the water to make the rainbow, I don't know.  But there it was, reminding me that within the rain there can be moments of joy and reminders of God.

More on Happiness

A few more random quotations from THE HAPPINESS PROJECT by Gretchen Rubin.

1) To eke out the most happiness from an experience, we must anticipate it, savour it as it unfolds, express happiness, and recall a happy memory.  (page 108)

2) quotation from C.S. Lewis - When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so.  Now that I am fifty I read them openly.  When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."  (page 119)

3) Three different kinds of fun - challenging fun (most demanding, takes time and energy, but also most satisfying), accommodating fun (requires making accommodations, takes effort, organization, and it strengthens relationships), and relaxing fun (doesn't require honing skills or taking action)   (pages 134 and 135)

4) quotation from a reader - I can DO ANYTHING I want, but I can't DO EVERYTHING I want. (page 123)

Lessons - both large and small

I just started reading a book called THE HAPPINESS PROJECT by Gretchen Rubin.  I already like it.  Here's a sample of why I like it.  Her list of secrets of adulthood.

People don't notice your mistakes as much as you think.
It's okay to ask for help.
Most decisions don't require extensive research.
Do good, feel good.
It's important to be nice to everyone.
Bring a sweater.
By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.
Soap and water remove most stains.
Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.
If you can't find something, clean up.
You can choose what you do; you can't choose what you like to do.
Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.
What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.
You don't have to be good at everything.
If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.
Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.
Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
What's fun for other people may not be fun for you - and vice versa.
People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.
You can't profoundly change your children's natures by nagging them or signing them up for classes.
No deposit, no return.
Never start a sentence with the words "No offense."

glasses again

So, once again, it was off to try on glasses.  Quite a marathon event - including visits to 4 different places and pairs too numerous to count.  But - the choices were narrowed down.  I know which ones I like best.  What do you think?

Edit note:  I guess it was dangerous to put in the ones that I really didn't like, the ones that to me were a joke, since some people like those best.

Edit note #2 - So, I've decided.  Thanks for your input.  You'll have to see me when the glasses come in so you know which ones I picked.

Son gets in His eyes

"How can a righteous God look at me, a sinner, and see a precious child? Simple: The Son gets in his eyes."



This is an awesome quote I just found on Carolyn Arends' blog at www.angelwrestle.blogspot.com.  Perfect for any time, but especially apt for the season of Lent - for remembering what Christ did for us.

Nativity Scenes Revisited

So, here they are.  All three of the nativity sets my friends and I made.  Same pattern.  Same collection of material.  Yes, there are similarities, but we each know which one is ours.  Three different quilts because we are all different people.  Reflecting the unique tastes and creativity that God has blessed us all with. 

Decisions, decisions

So the time has come for the next step in life - buying prescription reading glasses. It seems that the drug store variety will no longer suffice. Or so says the optometrist. And I guess he should know. What to buy? Hmmm. Here are some different pairs that I tried on today. What do you think?

Edit note:  The pictures have been removed as I've made my choice.  The glasses are ordered.  And now I wait.  Patiently.