Day 212 Things that make me smile - iPadPalooza

After several days working on getting data imported into our new Learning Management System, today I had the opportunity to attend iPadPalooza today.  I will admit, with all of the work I have on my desk, I wasn't looking forward to going.  But good learning, networking and seeing colleagues from other districts in a fun learning environment made it a good day.  A good learning day made me smile today.

Day 211 Things that make me smile - Sing Along Grease with My Sister

This spring I went to Sing Along Sound of Music, tonight my sister and I went to Sing Along Grease.  

Started with a costume contest 

Went through our "party bag" of what we needed to during the performance

Then we sat back, watched and sang - tonight it made me smile. Thanks for going with me Margrette!

Day 210 Things that make me smile - Turtle Cozy

Yes. I said turtle cozy.  Today I went on Etsy to look for something, on my front page of featured/things I might like was a turtle cozy - a crocheted sweater for a turtle that looks like a hamburger.

My first reaction was what made this a feature item.  My second was who might buy this, and finally does a turtle really need a sweater?

So, I did a search - apparently there is a market for turtle sweaters as they come in a variety of styles. Not a craft I will take up, but today it made me smile.

Day 209 Things that make me smile - Who is in Charge

A little over six years ago, I lost all control in my house.   I would like to say I have Ella trained, but the truth is that she has me well trained.  From jumping up to see what she needs when she beckons from another room, to choosing the right treat at the right time, to getting fresh water when she needs a drink, to settling in the couch the "right" way so she is comfortable, etc. - she has me trained well.  But she is loved, and she makes me smile.

Day 208 Things that make me smile - My Theatre Friend

I have seen five musicals in the past eleven days - my good friend Marsha went to three of them with me.  I love musicals, not all people do, I am so fortunate to have a friend that I can call/email who is game to go see these musicals with me all over the metro area.

I am thankful to have such a great friend and tonight she makes me smile.

Day 207 Things that make me smile - Ben and Jerome Playing Hockey Together

I have been watching Ben play hockey now for about 14 years - this will be his final year of HS hockey.  During this time, I have never watched Ben and his brother Jerome play together.  Today that changed as the two of them played together in a tourney in Duluth.  It was fun to see them on the ice together - today that made me smile.

Day 206 Things that make me smile - My Mom and Dad

Today is the 50th Anniversay of my mom and dad's wedding day.  We all are missing my dad, but continue to know that because of this day many wonderful things have happened in the past 50 years.  Today they make me smile.

Day 205 Things that make me smile - Traffic Jam

For the past 2 days, the geese have caused a traffic jam by the DSC as I was trying to leave.  While a pain, it made me smile watching them make their way across the street.

Day 204 Things that make me smile - A Friendly Reminder

Got this text today:

And it made me smile.

Day 203 Things that make me smile - Nice Night for a Lacrosse Game

I don't like hot.  When Margrette asked me if I could go to Jerome's lacrosse game tonight, I worried about it being really hot.  But it is a beautiful night with a nice breeze and that makes me smile tonight.

Day 202 Things that make me smile - Air Conditioning

Anyone who knows me well, knows I don't do well in heat.  Grateful that I have air conditioning and don't have anywhere to go tonight.

Meat locker temps at my house make me smile tonight!

Day 201 - Things that make me smile - Dairy Queen Queen's Choice Ice Cream

On National Ice Cream Day, thoughts go back in time to my days at the Dairy Queen.  While we were told to call the soft serve Dairy Queen, never ice cream, I worked at the DQ in the age of Queen's Choice which was ice cream.  Scooping the QC ice cream was not fun, and I don't know about the others I worked with, but I loathed orders that included Queens Choice.  But it was good and we did sneak tastes every now and then:)  Thinking about those days on National Ice Cream Day makes me smile tonight.

Day 200 Things that make me smile - Lyric Arts Main Street Theatre

Over the years I have been to several performances at the Lyric Art Theatre.  I love this theater as there not a bad seat in the house (and they sell popcorn). 

Today I went to see Rent - it was a really good show.  It seems the caliber of the performances goes up with each performance - looking forward to my next show there - that makes me smile.

Day 199 - Things that make me smile - Mounds View Community Theater

Marsha and I have been going to the Mounds View Community Theatre productions for the past few years.  

Tonight we went to their production of Cinderella.  It was very good - so much talent.  Cinderella made me smile tonight!

Day 198 Things that make me smile - Dinner and a Show with a Good Friend

So fortunate to a great friend, Tami, that knows me all the way back to grade school/ jr. high days.  While we chat on the phone often, when I am up in Ely we don't always have the chance to get together.

Tonight we met up in Duluth for dinner and to see Les Miserables at the DECC.

It was great to spend time with her night!  Catching up and seeing a great show made me smile tonight!

Day 197 Things that make me smile - Paint Pub

So, I wanted to try the Paint Pub in Maple Grove.  Katie was game and it was my birthday present from her family. We chose Starry Night over the Stone Arch Bridge.  Was fun, but a little stressful - had a great time with Katie. Our paintings made me smile tonight!

Day 196 Things that make me smile - New Glasses

New glasses came in today - that made me smile tonight.

Day 195 Things that make me smile - My Cousin Katie

Today is my cousin Katie's birthday.  Katie moved to the cities with her family this winter and I couldn't be happier!  I love spending time with Katie and her family - she is an awesome person and a great friend!  Love you Katie - today you make me smile. (Stole the pic from your Facebook page)

Day 194 Things that make me smile - Hanging With Her Cousin

 I had a great time with Josie, Ella enjoyed hanging with her cousin too!  Not only did she enjoy playing with her, she even slept with her. 

Tonight Ella has gone downstairs several times looking for Josie - she enjoyed the time with her the past few days and is missing her now.  Knowing she had a great time with her cousin makes me smile tonight! 

Day 193 Things that make me smile - Last Full Day With Josie

Fun day today!

Shopping at Mall of America, pedicures, playing games and a movie.  Going to miss having her around, she has made me smile a lot the last few days!

Fun shopping, but was slightly disappointed when one of the stores she wanted to was closed.

Pedicures!

Someone else is going to miss Josie:)

Day 192 Things that make me smile - Four Performances

Today was a day if fun performances. Started the morning with Anna's performance in Snow White and the Fourteen Dwarfs.  She was awesome as the White Dwarf.

After the performance we went to Jerome and Kris' for lunch.  After lunch I was treated to dance performances by Josie and Anna. They performed a unique Tango and interpretive dance.

After watching them, I ran upstairs to catch Emma's reading "performance " keeping Erin entertained.

Finally, got to to the Drum Corp International Competition with Josie tonight-such talented performers!

Was a great day and I smiled a lot!

Day 191 Things that make me smile - A Full Day

Such a full day today!  Josie and I started the day at work - my office is clean again thanks to Josie! 

Quick stop at Westwood on the way home, hair color, dinner and a movie.  This full day made me smile today!  Thanks Josie for all your help today!

Day 190 Things that make me smile - Josie is here

Josie is here and we have a full few days coming up.  Tonight laying low after she had a full day at Valleyfair.  Having her here makes me smile!

Day 189 Things that make me smile - Car Wash

I love going through car washes - Ella does not.  Tonight we was the first time through a car wash in the new vehicle - that made me smile.

Day 188 Things that make me smile- Josie is Coming to Visit

Confirmed tonight - Josie will be coming to spend a few days with me this week and that makes me smile:)

Day 187 Things that make me smile - Lazy Day, Busy Night

It is the end of my mini vacation.  After a busy few days north, just needed time to decompress.  Spent the day reading and snuggling with Ella; tonight spent cleaning and getting ready for meetings starting in the morning.  All in all a good day and that makes me smile.

Day 186 Things that make me smile - Road Trip in My New Vehicle

While I loved my Equinox, things started going wrong and I had to put money into it and was looking at having to put in more.  So, I decided to start looking at a getting a different vehicle.  

Went in Monday with the intent to by a used vehicle, walked out with a new Ford Escape.  Wednesday I packed it up and headed north for the 4th.  I love it- comfortable, fun to drive and I felt safe.

Today was Ella's first time in the Escape.  I can't say she loved it as much as I do.  It was fun to watch her find her new spots to sit - by the end of the trip I think she was getting comfortable and that made me smile.

Day 185 Things the make me smile - 4th of July

One of my favorite holidays to come home for is the 4th of July - Small town parades and time with family make the day special - today it made me smile.

Tony, Tommy, Anna and Emma at the Tower parade.

Emma and Erin

Tony playing his dad's drum in the Tower parade.

Erin and Tommy at the Tower parade

Josie playing in the Tower parade

Tom in the Clown band in the Ely parade

Tony swimming 

Josie and Grandma

Tommy(and Jo)

Jo on the her ski

Tubing

Day 184 Things that make me smile - Water Fun

Cousin fun today - water balloons and sponge water balls. It was a pain filling up all the balloons, but smiles and laughs were worth it and that made me smile today.