Something to Smile About

I've been sick this week so I haven't had too much to say. Instead I thought I'd share a cute photo with you. I hope you each have something to smile about this week. Feel free to share what it is!

GLEEful news

Quick post. I never watch The Simpsons but I will on Sept. 26. Why? Well, Glee cast members lend their voices to the first episode (I heart Glee)....

As do my two favorite New Zealanders Bret and Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords. I'm in heaven. Check out the article here.

What fall premieres are YOU excited about?

I found these images on google. :)

Yay for Blog Awards!

Sarah from A Girl in the Sunshine gave me a blog award! Woo hoo! Thanks, Sarah! I love reading your blog and appreciate you thinking of me!

1. Thank the blogger who gave me the award...
Big thanks to the lovely Sarah (my LITTLE!) for the award. Love you!

2. Sum up your blogging philosophy, motivation, and experience using five words...

Life in thoughts & photos

3. Pass this on to 10 other bloggers that you feel have a substance in their blogs.

puzzle pieces

Southern-Belle-Simple

The Roaring Twenties (mine that is)

Mildly Melancholy

Photography by Varina

ponderific

Under the Sycamore

Goia Bogdan Ioan

and even though they were both already awarded one... I think they should get more acknowledgement:

A Girl in the Sunshine

Sunny Days & Starry Nights

Fun photos

It's photo sharin' time.

My friend Anna asked me if I'd shoot a few photos of her son, Jack. It's fun and perfect practice for my new camera (and me)!

Here's a small sampling. There's more at my brand-spankin' new flickr page.



Ignore the background. This smile had to be captured!

The Things We Do While Driving

So the other day a good friend of mine told me that she ate a Lean Cuisine. Not big news, right? Except that she was driving! She thought she was doing to be late to a meeting, so she ate the microwave meal on the drive. I adore this friend and we laughed about it, happy that she didn't spill food on herself.

The next day I was driving and I thought about her story. It made me think about what I've seen people do while driving.

There's the normal stuff: talking on the phone and texting (you can usually tell those two because they are either driving really slow and/or swerving.)

Then there's the crazier stuff like having one hand on the steering wheel while you're facing the backseat. Or putting makeup on while driving. I have to look twice when I see someone applying mascara. Mascara?! That's quite a feat. But maybe wait until the stoplight if you HAVE to do it? I don't want you to poke your eye out. :)

And then there's drinking and eating. What's that fall under? Normal or crazy?

Granted, I'm guilty, too. I talk and text when I drive. I'm really trying hard not to text anymore though. Like today. I told myself, "Those texts can wait. They are not an emergency. You're only 5 minutes from your destination." And I listened. Yay self! I also fumble with the radio, reach for things, look at a person when we're having a conversation (and I'm driving). I'm trying to be polite! But these things are all bad. I'm sure a friend or two (or five) can list other bad things I've done while driving. But I never said I was perfect.

I'm going to try to be a better driver though. My goal is to pay more attention and to FOCUS. Let's do it together.

I leave you with two questions:

• What is your worst habit when driving?
• What's the craziest thing you've seen someone do while driving?
  

Dallas visit

I hadn't been home to Dallas since June, so Labor Day weekend was the perfect time to go visit. I'll share with you some special moments.

On Friday night, I got to babysit this sweet girl.



Rebecca, my niece, turned 2 in June. She is becoming quite the ham, so these days you'll often find her doing something funny like this.



I also got to see these two little guys. Meet Dawson and Hudson.



Gramps (my dad) shared a sweet moment with Rebecca.



So did Mimi.



We also celebrated the birthdays of these lovely ladies.



All in all - a great weekend! How was yours?!

Good News!

There's nothing like receiving good news when you're having a day. One of those days where stress tempts you with snacks and soda... and the snacks and soda usually win. I was having one of those yesterday.

But toward the end of the work day, my boss informed that we were receiving money from a grant I submitted. Great news because it was my first successful grant!

On the drive home, I spotted a rainbow and it reminded me that it's the little things in life. I'm thankful for a job that does good for others.

And because I always want to post a photo, I will leave you with an image of my friend Ron's artwork. It reminds me of a rainbow, in a way.