Because I'm "Happy"

Mobile phones are a lot of fun -- and a lot of frustration at the same time.  Along comes the new Amazon Fire Phone and I decide to give it a try.  There are fantastic features like Firefly and auto-scroll.  Unfortunately, the opposite is true and there are some less-than-ideal issues to contend with.  Millions of apps are available, with more written everyday, but did you know that the majority (95%)are for Apple or Android?  Here's my plea...if you are a developer, please design some good apps for the Fire OS so I can get back to SnapChat-ing with my daughters!

Phone decided to act up and it was replaced with a new one.  Starting fresh is not always best!  I had downloaded the Pharrell Williams' song, Happy, and used it as my ringtone.  I also lost many contacts, all of my notes, and most of my calendar entries!  I tell my students' that losing an assignment - usually because it wasn't saved correctly - is a great chance to increase your skills by doing the work again!  So...I have continued my learning by setting up a second Fire phone.  I reset the contacts, notes, calendars, and items as before and the phone shut off.  Then it re-started -- over and over and over again!  Now phone number 3 arrives in the mail and I need to set it up again.  I am grateful to learn new technology (really well) and it also increased my patience levels and I can better cope with unexpected frustration!  There is always a bright side!  Keep Smiling!  Michelle :)

So, for fun, I am inserting the Happy video for you to enjoy!  Just click on the link to go to YouTube.

 Pharrell Williams - Happy Video

 

 

Photo courtesy:  dispicableme.wikia.com

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

Tomorrow is Friday and also casual day at work!  We wear library polo's and jeans to collect money for local organizations.  

To spread the love further, we are collecting food, treats, toys, shampoo, etc. for the puppies and kitties at the Humane Society too.  Our wonderful local shelter is no-kill and they care for these great animals until they find their forever homes.  

Next time you are shopping at the dollar store, think of our furry friends and help out.  It doesn't take much, and a little goes a long way.

I will be cheering on my baby girl as she runs her first Half Marathon on Sunday - 13.1 miles -- and yes, the .1 makes a difference!!!  I say that if you are running 13 miles, you may as well go for the .1 more :)    Keep smiling and have an awesome weekend!

Hello Everybody!  I'm back!  I started this blog in 2008 and have recently decided to jump back into it :)

My Philosophy is L-L-L-L-E-E-H  Live, Love, Laugh, Learn, Experience, Enjoy, and Help and that's what I have been doing: Living, and Loving, and Laughing, and Learning, and Experiencing, and Enjoying, and Helping for many years and now I have a chance to breathe!!!! (and blog)

My two amazing daughters are both attending college now and living their lives without me standing next to them giving excellent advice.  I hope they know they can call and visit me anytime to get my outstanding, always right, words of wisdom!!!  I guess I have to let them grow up and get married and have babies and live their own lives eventually, but I had a terrible case of Empty Nest Syndrome!  So what did I do?

New things like going to a local auction - didn't buy anything, but it was fun, and joining new clubs to meet new people.  Old things like going back to school to get some more computer skills.  Now I am on to Travel things where I plan to explore the world and fully appreciate God's gifts.

I still believe in keeping positive, looking on the bright side, and feeling gratitude even in the toughest situations so don't expect anything different here.  If you want to concentrate on the negative, kindly find another blog :)

Today I am grateful for 6 years as Library Director, my health, and the opportunity to go to our first Bridal Show - so excited for my oldest daughter for graduating college and getting married next year!

Today's Quote:

Sincerely,  Michelle :)

New Storytime Rug!

The Holidays Are Over!

As Martha Stewart would say, "It's A Good Thing!" I do LOVE the holidays, but they can be tough at times. We are experiencing some challenges right now, but the chance to spend time with family, friends, and good food really makes up for it.

The bright side is always there-you just have to look for it and appreciate it!

2009 will be the best year ever! Why? Because I want it to be. It's that simple. Didn't you know that life is easy? We keep making it harder than it has to be. I have always said that if life is hard, then you're not doing it right! God has a plan for all of us.

My dad has very simple advice for everyone: 'Do Good!' That sums it up. You can't go wrong if you follow it.

Short post today. Staying positive though. Today's quote is a French proverb: The only wasted day is one where you have not laughed. Enjoy! Michelle

Positive Gift Idea - Can't lose!!!!!

Hi! I'm back! I am creating a positive, healthy, inspirational blog, so I really didn't need to post during the last month. I am facing many challenges (keeping the good attitude, though!) and wasn't in the mindset to air it here. There are too many places to visit where you can get your fill of cynicism, depression, complaining, and overall negative-ness!!!!

I heard a great commercial this morning. Meijer is prompting folks to give their gift cards for Christmas. It had a woman saying "What I'd really like is a ... gerbil!" and a burley man saying "What I'd really like is a ... shiatsu massager!" It cracked me up. What an AWESOME idea. Everyone can give eachother gift cards and it solves the problem of WHAT to give, avoids buying wrong sizes and wrong colors, and stops re-gifting (of course, that is fun too - to see how far a certain gift can go!). If you have the perfect idea for someone, give it. If you don't, give a gift card. If you agree to give the same amount to someone, then you know you can afford it!!!

If you like to make gifts, you can fashion a hand-made card, box or similar holder for the gift card. Then it is made with love, AND practical! You get the joy of giving, wrapping, and feeling generous. It is the best of both worlds you receive the fun of giving (and getting) giftcards as well!

Times are tough. Give a generic gift card with love. It can be used for essentials like groceries, or a special gift to self like scrapbooking supplies!

Take care. Enjoy the holidays! (Remember, smile through the tears) Michelle :)

Always a Silver Lining

Okay, so I started this blog in hopes of bringing joy and inspiration to the world, and life goes to hell!!!!! Can't keep me down though. As I said, if I could write a newspaper column, it would continue to focus on the positive aspects of life, so... my financial difficulties are teaching budgeting, patience, and appreciation for what I do have AND my too-busy schedule is teaching organization skills, time management, and delegation. There we go - back on track!

I know life cannot always be easy so we have to learn from the challenges and enjoy the rest. One day in October I ran a school PTO function in the morning, went to work for 3 hours, took my daughter to a doctor appt for test results (she's fine), and finished the day with an awards ceremony for the other daughter! Funny thing is, a day filled with so much is NOT out of the ordinary! What is uncommon though is a day where I do not leave the house, in fact it would be great if I could not leave my pj's, and spend the whole day being lazy!!! Oh to dream!!!

I have pledged to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH, LEARN, EXPERIENCE, ENJOY, and HELP, and you can't do that by staying in pj's everyday! Why not? There has to be a way!!! :)

Though I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders right now, it expands my horizons and helps me realize that there are other people out there who need more than I do and I can accept my own situation a bit easier. I am blessed with so much - especially the wonderful family I was able to visit with this past weekend. Thanks Dad, Max, Laurie & Dennis for everything!

If you like books, check out the website Good Reads if you get a chance. www.goodreads.com I have just finished reading The City of Ember (new movie is out in theaters-and I LOVE movies) and I have started The Secret.
Bye for now! Keep Smiling!