Weirdness

Have you ever really paid attention to the weirdness around you? Or the weirdness that you yourself cultivate? Here are some examples:

• My husband REFUSES to use less than two Kleenex at a time.
• More often than not, when I pick up TootToot from school her shoes are mysteriously on the wrong feet.
• I have a "sewing face"...I make the same face every time I sit and sew at the machine. It involves biting my upper lip.
• TootToot WILL NOT go to sleep without her blankets being placed in the exact same order.
• I prefer to put trash in a grocery bag having over the back door knob instead of in the actual trash can (Drives Tim NUTS).

More Inspiration....

Things I have found lately...
This reminds me of Alice in wonderland for some reason:
I love how these painting look like miniature windows:

Isn't this the cutest barrette? I think I might have to try making these:

A rug that is crocheted out of rope...so unique!

Using bowls inside of drawers...I want to try this in my craft room:

I am really into owls lately...

I LOVE this shower:

Despite my best efforts to convince Tim that we could do this, he remains positive it would not be possible for us to cut a cast iron tub. sigh....

this I am planning on doing in our bedroom, such a great idea instead of bedside lamps:

Roller Girl.

The other day TootToot donned all of her bike safety gear and ran around the garage.  I think someday she will be a Roller Girl.  Oh, did I mention she did this nekkid?  (please note the strategic placement of the star as a "privacy patch" I think she will appreciate that when she is a teenager.)

Sharpie.

Yesterday, TootToot took a Sharpie to our loveseat, chair and carpet. I was not amused.

Happy.

For anyone who has met me, you most likely know that I am a happy person. I have a more or less positive outlook on life. I have no idea why, it has just always been that way. I have been reading a lot of Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh lately and it has provided some insight.

Buddhism encourages you to put your focus on the present moment. Especially recognizing your happiness with simple everyday things. I think this is why I feel like I have a unlimited source of joy....because every moment in your life is filled with wonder, happiness and gratitude.

Just sitting here, I can look around and smile at the picture of my husband and me when we got engaged or the photo we had taken of the Toot Toot when she was 2 months old. I can see my voicemail log book and see that all my calls have been returned. I know that there is a comfortable bed waiting for me upstairs. I can think about my sister and her new son getting to know each other.

When you slow down and recognize these blessings, no matter how small, how can you not feel happy? When I really let myself think about all these things, that joy almost threatens to burst out of my chest.

I hope that I will always remember to slow down and be.

(here is one of my favorite sites...it helps me remember that it is sometimes the small things that can make your day http://itmademyday.com/)