Rejoice in the present!

"Rejoice in things that are present; all else is beyond thee."-Michel De Montaigne

I find that as long as I can take things day by day then I am more able to find joy because I'm able to notice things more and not think so much about the past or the future. There's so much joy to be had in life, it's just a matter of noticing it. So I rejoice in joy!

Even if rain or snow has to fall.....

"Into each life some rain must fall." Henry Wandsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born today in 1807 and I rather like the quote above by him. I think that even if the rain does have to fall, rain gives nourishment and growth. After all, we grow from struggling. Plus, every time it rains there's usually a rainbow at the end of it. It's the hope for something better that helps me get through the struggle. That's why I chase the rainbows and dance in the rain sometimes too.

Sunshine courtesy of Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash was born today in 1932 and I managed to find this lovely clip of him singing with his wife, June Carter Cash the song "You are My Sunshine." I hope everyone has someone or something that brings some sunshine to their lives. Never let anyone take it away!

A story about a toaster on wheels

"If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster."-Clint Eastwood

I don't know how much I agree with this quote in that my toaster either undercooks or overcooks my toast in the morning but I saw this quote it reminded me of a fun time. I was riding in a car on the highway with a friend and we saw an Airstream camper that overtook us. I turned to my friend and I said "Every time I see one of those campers it looks like a toaster to me. I keep half expecting a giant piece of toast to randomly pop out of it!" We both burst out laughing and ever since then every time I see a toaster (or an airstream camper, for that matter) I think of that and I smile because it represents a good time and good friends. I hope everyone has something like that, something that reminds you of a good time and laughter, even if it is an inanimate object like a toaster!

It's true! There is happiness in snow!

I saw this in the snow on the way home today and had to share it! Clearly even snow can smile!

Things that make me shout Hallelujah!

George Friedrich Handel was born today in 1685. He's a man famous for writing the Hallelujah chorus which is a piece of music that every time I hear it, I think of people jumping up and down and it kind of makes me laugh. I could go on about all the serious blessings I have but I thought I'd write about the more fun things I'd sing Hallelujah for!

*Dark chocolate- hey it's healthy for you and best of all it's yummy!

*iPods- I realize it's consumeristic and all that but I like being able to carry music with me wherever I go.

*Books! I really like Harry Potter and the Hunger games as well as nonfiction books like Unbroken - the story of Louis Zamparini.

*Dancing and singing (either together or separately) just because dancing and singing is fun!

*Blogs- I love writing this one and reading others. It's given me a way to express myself.

If I could host the Oscars

The Oscars are tonight! Sometimes I think it would be really fun if they allowed random (some of us "normal") people to host the show. I think there are loads of funny people out there and it would be fun if they had some contest or other open to everyone  and the most funny person who won would host the Oscars. Here are some things that I think would make the Oscar's  even more fun.

• It would be fun if a cute dog was somehow involved. I love dogs (especially cute ones) and when some person's thank you speech went over too long the dog could bark and bark until the poor person stopped talking!
• I like Ellen DeGeneres' idea of bringing pizza and giving it out to people. People must get awfully hungry at the Oscars and pizza is fun.
• I think having fireworks at the end would be fun. I think a good fireworks display makes things just that much better!
• I wish they had a "Best Humanitarian" award or something. I'd like it if someone who did a lot of really awesome things for people was able to stand up there and give a damn good speech and be recognized.
• I'd limit the show to 2 hours.  A good speech/show is a good show!