Things that cheer me up when it rains

It's been raining most of today and it's supposed to rain for a couple more days. This got me thinking about things I can do when it rains to cheer me up.

• Drinking a nice cup of tea with friends (not that I can't do that any other time, it's just it's nice to have something hot in your stomach when it rains.)
• Watching a good movie
• Writing my blog (I know I do it every day regardless of the weather but still, I especially like writing it when it rains for some reason.
• Going to bed early-somehow I sleep better when it rains.
• Going out with a fun umbrella in tow-I think they're stylish!

It's Broadway Musicals Day

I love Broadway musicals and my favorite is West Side Story. Although it's actually  a rather sad musical I still like it. I particularly like a song called Somewhere just because  to me it's all about everyone having a place to belong.  To me it's about being in a place where people love you and I really believe everyone deserves to have a place like that.

Finding peace economically!

Even economics can bring peace!

A wise old gentleman retired and purchased a modest home near a junior high school. 
He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace and contentment. Then a new school year began. The very next afternoon three young boys, full of youthful, after-school enthusiasm, came down his street, beating merrily on every trashcan they encountered. The crashing percussion continued day after day, until finally the wise old man decided it was time to take some action.

The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young percussionists as they banged their way down the street. Stopping them, he said, "You kids are a lot of fun. I like to see you express your exuberance like that. In fact, I used to do the same thing when I was your age. Will you do me a favor? I'll give you each a dollar if you'll promise to come around every day and do your thing." The kids were elated and continued to do a bang-up job on the trashcans.

After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this time he had a sad smile on his face. 

"This recession's really putting a big dent in my income," he told them. "From now on, I'll only be able to pay you 50 cents to beat on the cans."

The noisemakers were obviously displeased, but they did accept his offer and continued their afternoon ruckus. A few days later, the wily retiree approached them again as they drummed their way down the street.

"Look," he said, "I haven't received my Social Security check yet, so I'm not going to be able to give you more than 25 cents. Will that be okay?" 

"A lousy quarter?" the drum leader exclaimed. "If you think we're going to waste our time, beating these cans around for a quarter, you're nuts! No way, mister. We quit!" 

And the old man enjoyed peace.

Read more: http://www.ajokeaday.com/ChisteAlAzar.asp?#ixzz3n4cTICzC

Keep holding on

It's the singer Avril Lavigne's birthday and it got me thinking about this song called "Keep Holding On."  That song did actually at times help me to feel stronger in certain times when I felt in need. I always felt it was kind of funny how a song can give me strength but it did and I am grateful. I like the lyrics because it made me think about how life is too sweet to give up on and there are so many things worth fighting to achieve. As long as I have people I love around me, I know I can get through things-after all, no one should ever have to struggle alone. (After all, when people help you in times of struggle, it means you have better stories to share after you come out of the struggle. I for one have always been up for a good story or two!) Wherever you are and whatever might be going on that's hard for you in your life, I hope you do keep holding on and that you hold on to the people who love you most. Keep fighting the good fight! I have faith in you!

A wish for everyone

This is just a quick note to say that I hope everyone had a lovely Saturday and I wish everyone the happiest of Sundays!

All that jazz

For some reason I always associated jazz and big shows with weekends. So today I was thinking about this performance I saw Catherine Zeta Jones give in the movie Chicago. Here's to jazzy Fridays!

Waking up happy!

Someone asked me today
If I woke up smiling every day
I said I tried to always wake up happy
Just because things seem better that way

If my presence is noteworthy for anything
I'd like to be known as someone who is happy
Because to me happy is the way to be
It makes life brighter and worthwhile

And even if I might not always be happy
At least I can start out the day smiling
In the  hope that it can help get me through
Anything life might throw at me

And when I go to bed at night
I know that there's the promise of tomorrow
And hat tomorrow might be better than today
And that idea helps me smile each day

Take the pressure off :)

I heard this song today by Duran Duran and it does take the pressure off!

Beauty can be found even in dark skies

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."-Rabindranath Tagore

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/rabindrana153824.html#Rirkuvv08fbUTTqh.99

I've found that even if or when things are hard in my life at the end of the day something good can be found in each day. It may only be the sunset but sunsets still have beautiful colors in them. So, here's to good days and lovely sunsets!

If you have only one smile

"If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love."-Maya Angelou

Hopefully today I'll have many reasons to smile. For now, I send a smile out to the world with much love in it!

I rather like walking in the woods

I went for another walk today with the Lake  Quannapowitt Walking group at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, MA and the people walking with me were really fun people and it's always nice to be in good company. I liked this walk particularly because I grew up on a farm so I've always rather liked nature and open spaces. So going out there today felt a lot like home which is one of the places where I feel happiest. So all in all, it really was a lovely walk and I had fun!

If I could say anything to a movie character....

I love movies and so it got me thinking about what I'd tell certain movie characters just for the heck of it.  So here goes:

• To Bilbo Baggins-Never wake up a dragon again...ever.
• To E.T.-Come back!
• To James Bond- I wanna be a Bond girl too (one that is smart of course though!)
• To the Minions-Please, please, please let me be your leader!
• To George Bailey-Never give up, so many people love you and life is better with you in it!

Stars

I was thinking today of the song "A Sky Full of Stars" by Coldplay just because to me everyone is a bright spot in my life and so because my life is better because of the people in it, everyone is a star to me! Plus, the song's music video makes me feel happy!

Things to do when stuck in an elevator

First, let me say that I've never been stuck in an elevator before but if I were, here are some more amusing things I'd do while waiting to be let out of the elevator.

• Jump up and down (just because I've always wanted to jump up and down in an elevator.)
• Start singing "Help" by the Beatles to the elevator operator (hoping it'll get me out faster!)
• Find a zen-type position and start pretending to meditate by saying "hummm" "hummm" "humm"!
• Press all the buttons on the elevator to see what happens. (Oh wait, that's how I got stuck in the elevator in the first place.)
• Think about all the life improving things I'll do when I get out of the elevator.

Sassy music!

the musician B.B. King was born today in 1925. I do like Blues music and I particularly like a song he sang called "You Upsets Me Baby." For the most part, I like it because it makes me feel sassy and I think that's something everyone should feel sometimes, just because it feels good!

Brighter Than The Sun!

I heard this song by Colbie Caillat  and it really made me feel good inside- like I wanted to get up and dance. I hope your day was brighter than the son too!

Things to do at Wal-Mart (Besides shop)

If you're ever bored at Wal-Mart, here are some entertaining things one can do there!

Things to do at Wal-Mart while the significant other is taking his/her sweet time:

1. Get cans of cat food and randomly put them in people's carts when they don't realize it.
2. Set all the alarm clocks to go off at ten minute intervals throughout the day.
3. Make a trail of orange juice on the floor leading to the rest rooms.
4. Walk up to an employee and tell him in an official tone, "I think we've got a Code 3 in house wares," and see what happens.
5. Tune all the radios to a polka station; then turn them all off and turn the volumes to "10."
6. Challenge other customers to duels with tubes of gift wrap.
7. Put M&M's on layaway.
8. Move "Caution: Wet Floor" signs to carpeted areas.
9. Set up a tent in the camping department; tell others you'll only invite them in if they bring pillows from Bed and Bath.
10. When someone asks if you need help, begin to cry and ask, "Why won't you people just leave me alone?"

Source: http://www.ajokeaday.com/ChisteAlAzar.asp?

Shakespeare quote of the day-Just because I love Shakespeare

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep."- The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1.

I really like this quote from Shakespeare mostly because I believe every life has so many dreams. At least for me, those dreams keep me going, keep me motivated to do better. Plus, dreams make life sweet!

National Day of encouragement!

The Encouragement Foundation (and yes there is an Encouragement Foundation-thankfully!) at Harding University in Arkansas and in that spirit here are some words of encouragement: Things always get better!

Today is the day :)

I heard a song called "Today is the Day" and I felt somehow it was fitting to listen to it today. To me the song is all about possibilities and how people can make each day their day and make it something great. Even if bad things happen, I find it rather comforting that tomorrow can bring something new and things can get better. Anyway, for now, "Today is the Day" that things get better! Plus, the song is happy, and I'm all about the happy!

He sings too!

It's the actor Colin Firth's birthday and because I saw this clip of him singing and found it highly amusing I had to share it!

Hugs not guns!

I saw this story about an elderly lady who decided she would hug a police officer because she felt policeman didn't get enough credit for the good things they do. She just went to her local police station and hugged the policeman who came out to see her. Apparently her mantra is "Hugs Not Guns" so naturally I had to share her story. If you'd like to read more click here.

Photo from: http://tinyurl.com/plu5caa

Mood booster

I saw this clip of the Ellen DeGeneres Show of  "Ellen's 7-Second Mood Booster. It actually really did make me laugh. Hope it lifts your mood!

Love Song to the Earth

I want to stand for all that love is and so naturally, I was happy to find that a song was just released and it's appropriately called Love Song to the Earth (Keep it Safe) it's sung by a group of singers including Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi and Sheryl Crow among others. The song is meant to get more nations to support the UN's effort to get a universal climate agreement to combat climate change. Proceeds from the sale of the song will be given to Friends of the Earth U.S. and the United Nations Foundation and yes, I did download the song just now. I'm officially a tree hugger!

Yet another funny fortune from a fortune cookie!

I went out for Thai food the other day and received the following fortune from a fortune cookie. I thought it was good (and funny) advice that I must share!

Everyone needs somebody to love

It's Freddy Mercury of the band Queen's birthday and I can't help but play the song "Somebody To Love" because everybody needs somebody to love. Plus, the song is great to rock out/dance to in the best and wackiest ways! Anyway, hope you enjoy! Rock on!

And the world listened (or at least everyone who watched the X Factor listened)

As it's the singer Beyonce's birthday, it got me thinking about a song she sang called "Listen." I like the song because it helped someone live their dream. I saw a woman singing it on the show The X Factor and it lifted my spirits! See the clip below.  I think she did go on to win the competition that year. In any case she was/is really good!

Obama dances!

President Obama went to Alaska and while he talked about many important things there I particularly liked the fact that he decided to dance with a bunch of school children. I figure a day is better with a little dancing in it!

Things that never discouraged me

"What is important is to believe in something so strongly that you're never discouraged." Salma Hayek

I believe in many things and have found that those things ultimately have continuously encouraged me and have helped me to grow and/or simply made me smile. Here are a few:

• My family: They never let me down and I love them ever so much.
• God: I like believing there's a higher power.  It's a constant source of comfort to me.
• My friends-Likewise with my family, I love them all very much.  They're so supportive and I'm grateful for that. I'm glad I can be there for them as well.
• Minions!-They're just shamelessly and constantly fun!
• The power of laughter, it's never failed to lift my spirit1

Conga!

The singer Gloria Estefan was born today in 1957.  In celebration of her birthday I couldn't resist playing Conga! It's just fun!