Day 273 Things that make me smile - King Size Bed

When in travel, I am sometimes lucky enough to get a King sized bed - tonight is a night like that - it makes me a smile.

Day 272 Things that make me smile - Everyone Lending a Hand

Today we had a big mailing that needed to get out.  A quick all call and several people came and helped get things out throughout the day.   It took a bit of work, but I appreciated everyone stepping up and pitching in - it made me smile today.

Day 271 Things that make me smile - Going to Grandma's House

I need to go out of town for work this week.  Instead of boarding Ella, my mom is letting her come to Ely for the week.

We were forunate that grandma was in Sartell visiting my brother so I only had to bring her to Hinckley for drop off.

Knowing she will be living the life of luxury at grandma's instead of being boarded makes me smile today - thanks mom!

Day 270 Things that make me smile - New Union Sweatshirt

Tonight knowing that it is extra cold at the rink Ben played at I grabbed my Union College sweatshirt to wear for the first time.

Union is the college that Ben has committed go to study and play hockey - it was only fitting that I wore it to one of his games for the first time - I got a "nice sweatshirt" from him too - that made me smile.

Day 269 Things that make me smile - Homecoming

Oh to be in High School again!

Tonight was the homecoming parade - a little tailgating, parade, tour of field and learning more about the football program and part of the game with Bill, Ben and Johnny made me smile tonight.

School Board Members in the parade

Denise and John and the King and Queen

Scott had the kids enthralled during our VIP tour

Down on the field during warm ups

Nice night for a game

Boy/girl dance at halftime 

Day 268 Things that make me smile - Looking for Treats

When I got home tonight, I noticed that Ella threw up a couple of times and the treats I left she didn't eat.  She was moving slow and didn't seem like herself.

Move ahead a bit - while I was cooking dinner she was drinking and I thought this was a good sign.  Wrong, she threw up all over the couch.  Called the emergency clinic and they thought I should bring her in ( she is going to grandmas for a week so she needs to get better)

Long story short the vet thinks it is gastrointestinal- they gave her an anti nausea med and fluids under her skin.(?)

Since we have been home - she has had water and now is searching for all of the treats he has hidden in the house - that makes me smile.

Day 267 Things that make me smile - Changing colors

Fall is here...colors are changing...that makes me smile.

Day 266 Things that make me smile - A Voicemail

I am working on trying to help my brother save some old voicemails so he can transfer cell phones. While talking to him he played a few of the messages my dad left him he is trying to preserve- they weren't anything exciting, but it was my dad's voice... A voice I haven't heard in almost 2 years - it was bittersweet, teared up a bit hearing his voice, but smiled too.

Day 265 Things that make me smile - New Artwork for My Bathroom

Few months ago I got a new shower curtain, this meant I needed new paintings by two of my favorite artists - Anna and Emma.  I hung up the paintings tonight and that made me smile.

Emma's

Anna's

Shower curtain

Day 264 Things that make me smile - Few Minutes with Jerome

After Jerome's hockey game today, I got to drive him home.  As my nieces and nephews get older it is hard to get a time to spend with them, so each few minutes I get are golden.  I haven't talked to Jerome since before school started so I got to catch up on his life since school started - that short ride made me smile today.

Day 263 Things that make me smile - Crafts with Anna and Emma

Anna and Emma were here today and we did a little crafting - painting, drawing and knitting.  That made me smile today!

Day 262 Things that make me smile - New Phone

After a bit of drama this week, I was able to get the new iPhone 6 today.  It is bigger - getting used to it, but so far so good.  Today it made me smile.

Day 261 Things that make me smile - Fresh Air

Today at work they were working on the roof and the fumes in my office were unbearable and I started feeling ill.  I made it to about 3, but then needed to leave.  Fresh Air!!  As soon as I stepped outside I felt so much better!!  Something I take for granted like fresh air made me smile today.

Day 260 Things that make me smile - Outhouse

They are doing construction on the roof of the DSC.  They placed an outhouse on top of the building for workers.  I wonder if it would leak or fall through? That made me smile today.

Day 259 Things that make me smile - Leaving the computer in my bag

Yes I kept up with email on my phone, but tonight I left my computer in my bag. That made me smile tonight.

Day 258 Things that make me smile - Fan Van

My sister Margrette's vehicle has well over 200,000 miles on it.  Few weeks before school started Margrette called to share she got a new car.  When I asked her what she got, she said conversion van... long pause and me questioning why...  she explained the Fan Van.

Today this article showed up in my Facebook timeline - http://bsmknighterrant.org/news/2014/09/12/senior-takes-tailgates-to-new-level-with-fan-van/

Seeing Ben enjoy his senior year with this "new vehicle" made me smile tonight.

Day 257 Things that make me smile - Book of Mormon

Irreverent fun - made me smile tonight.

Day 256 Things that make me smile - Short Josie Trip

Thursday when I talked with Jen, she said they were going to come to the cities to deal with Josie's skates.  Well plans changed and they all couldn't come, but she arranged for Jo to come down and get it done.  She was here less than 24 hours, but we had a good time and that made me smile.

Played games 

Got skates fixed 

Had lunch

Played at Dave&Busters

Had cupcakes

And did a little shopping

Day 255 Things that make me smile - Sister in law Jen

Yesterday was my sister in law Jen's birthday.   While I didn't forget her birthday yesterday, I did forget when I wrote my thing that made me smile. 

Anyone that puts up with my baby brother has has to be a special person:)

Jen made me smile today by arranging for me to to have Josie overnight (and caring and worrying when she could get ahold of me during the day)

For being the special person you are - Jen you make me smile today.

Day 254 Things that make me smile - Sleeping with the window open

I don't like hot - the air conditioning is on all of the time.  Fall is here! Falling temps mean air conditioning can go off and windows can be open - this makes me smile.

Day 253 Things that make me smile - Slovenian Union of America

Did you know I am a proud member of the Slovenian Union of America?  I am proud of my Slovenian heritage - food, music, etc. are important parts of my growing up and who I am today.

Tonight I read the current issue of Zarja - The Dawn celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the organization.  Memories of growing up singing songs like  Češčena Si Marija  and eating some great food including potica and krofi make me smile tonight.

Day 252 Things that make me smile - Cooler weather

Enough said - I am smiling

Day 251 Things that make me smile - Real Simple

Took some time to just relax and read tonight with one of my favorite magazines Real Simple.  Love this magazine and it made me smile tonight.

Day 250 Things that make me smile - The Tesseract School

Twenty five years ago, I started my teaching career at the Tesseract School in Eagan.  I taught preschool in the red, orange and yellow groups - it was a great place for me to start my career - working with great people and setting a foundation for the educator I have become.  I have fond memories of the building, coworkers, the kids, field trips, Morning Meetings, DOS computers, etc.

Today I went down to the new outlet mall in Eagan.  It happens to be on the other side of 13 on Silver Lake Road from the Tesseract school.  Being so close, I felt the need to do a drive by. While the area and building has change (it is now the MAC School), there was a sense of home as a drove through.  Memories came rushing back and I couldn't help but smile (ok those who know me - few tears too). I drove out smiling and singing "Bless This House" - yes I still remembered all the words.

Bless this house, for we are all together. 
Bless us all. We may not meet again. 
Think of all the happiness we've found here. 
Take it home and share it with a friend.

Come along, sing a song
And we'll never say good-bye. 
And you'll see, and agree 
Friendships won will never die.

So familiar driving into 3800 Tesseract Place

Coming home

Walked through these doors everyday

Preschool playground - favorite memories here were water days:)

Day 249 Things that make me smile - Dinner and a Game

Got a text from Margrette that Ben had a game and would I like to meet her for dinner prior to the game.

I was nice catching up with her and getting to see Ben play.  While I have sensitize myself to the hits and checking with a new hockey season - this good night made me smile.

Day 248 Things that make me smile - Learning ForwardMN Fall Conference Planning

Learning Forward Board Meeting had us planning for the Fall Conference.  I am excited that Phil Schlechty will be speaking around the topic of Student Engagement and Teacher as Designer.  While I won't be there as I will be in Atlanta, I am excited for Minnesota educators to hear him speak - that makes me smile.

Day 247 Things that make me smile - Thinking

Ok this might seem like a silly one, but after dealing with insurance the past few weeks and iPad rollouts, being in a meeting where I was actually thinking, reflecting and designing made me smile today.

Day 246 Things that make me smile - Sassy one

Like everyone that is starting up a new school year, days are long for the first few weeks.  Tonight my sassy little one showed me that she was being ignored by laying down on top of all of the papers I was working on - tonight that made me smile.

Day 245 Things that make me smile - First Day of School Pics

I know today was not the first day of school for everyone, but my timeline was full of first day of school pics.  The excitement in all of the faces for a new school year made me smile today.

Day 244 Things that make me smile - Erin's Birthday

Erin is three today!!!  Happy birthday to my Goddaughter - a smart and funny little girl. Can't wait to celebrate with you!  Today you make me smile.