I often think about how happy I am that I began blogging almost two years ago.  A friend's teenage daughter came over and taught me all I needed to know (or so I thought at the time) and a blogger was born.  Blogging has opened up a whole new world for me.  I have read so many stories that have inspired me.  I have learned about vision boards, taken classes, and met people that I would have never met had I not had a blog.  Some people have
 have tons of visitors each day who leave lots and lots of comments.  That would be wonderful and if it happens to me I think it will be very exciting but that is not why I blog.  I blog because it is a creative way to express myself and I have something to say that I hope will inspire others.  So this week I thought it was time to acknowledge how happy blogging makes me.  There are four bloggers whose sites I visit often and who have all been so kind to me.    I have learned so much about photography from Gina who's blog is called Here and Now.  I've traveled to many places with Gina through her beautiful pictures and it has been a pleasure to get to know Gina.  I've recently met Sara at A Sharing Connection.  Sara encourages me to write and asked me to be a guest blogger on her blog recently.  It was such a wonderful experience.  And this week I took my first painting class with Erin on Skype.  Erin is an incredible artist.   You can see her work at Erin's Art Journal.  I had no idea how an art class on Skype would work but I was so pleased with my first lesson.  Erin is not only a gifted artist but a very encouraging and patient teacher.  And last but definitely not least is Jamie Ridler at Jamie Ridler Studios.  Jamie is a creative life coach who is so inspirational.  I've worked with Jamie many times and I always learn so much from her.  In a coaching session she asks just the right question to help you find the answer to what you are looking for. 
Bloggers talk about the importance of building a community of people who understand and support you.  I am fortunate to have that in my "real" world but now I have expanded that community to people who live in all different places. It takes time and effort to do that in both worlds but it is so worth the effort.  So this week I want to thank all of the people who take time to read my blog.  You have truly helped me grow and have enriched my life.  "Thank You!!"
I truly believe that we become happier if we take the time to stop to acknowledge and share with others what brings a smile to our face and a flutter to our heart.  What made you happy this week?

I really like this question.  The answer did not come right away but it did come and when it did I knew it was something I needed to work on.  I am confident in speaking in a group about most things.  I am quiet and I do listen to others but I also make sure my voice is heard except in this one area that has just recently become important to me.  Politics.  I live in a very conservative area of the country and I am much more liberal than most of the people I meet.  My friends and I share a common philosophy so it is easy to talk to them about my views but it is the people I meet in other social situations that I may not agree with.  I don't feel the need to argue with them (that is pointless) but I do feel the need to voice my opinion a little louder and with more conviction than I have in the past.  I believe that knowledge is power so to make this particular wish come true I need to become more knowledgable about the facts so that I can speak not only from the heart but in this case from the head as well.
Thank you Jamie for another great question.

Sunday's quote was, "The journey is the reward."  I think that is so important to remember.  Our lives are made up of some very large special events that we all remember but it is the small moments that we experience that can really make the difference.  If we go through life always busy and overwhelmed, than it is very very easy to miss those small special moments that can really make the difference in whether we are happy or just moving through life on automatic pilot.  Everyday is filled with special things if we take care to notice them and not take them for granted.  My husband and I realized this when he began to develop trouble breathing.  Then the simplest thing became overwhelming and exhausting.  Yesterday when he could take out the garbage and walk back up the driveway without having to stop was a day to celebrate!  We are all at different stages and places in our lives and we are all on our own individual journey.  I hope that your journey is filled with many special moments that you will not only take time to celebrate but to share with others.  What did you do that was special today?

                                           The journey 
               
              is the reward.  Chinese Proverb

It is Friday and time to check in with myself about what happened this week that I am grateful for.  When life has changed and someone you love is fighting a chronic illness it can be easy to see only the struggles each day.  But I have found that throughout any journey there are always things to feel positive about.  I know that by writing these things down each week I am helping myself to stay focused on the prize - a happy content life enjoying the simple things that are all around me.  I hope that in some small way I am encouraging others to recognize the wonderful moments in their life as well.
This week has flown by.  I spent four days with my grandsons.  They never cease to amaze me and when they are not competing with each other they are laughing and having a great time.  They are really close brothers and I know that I am so lucky to be able to see them often.  We all took pictures of each other yesterday and it was amazing that the three year old took a better picture of me than any professional who ever tried.  Could it be just luck or is he amazingly talented?  Any grandmother would know the answer to that one - he is amazing talented as is his brother.
This week I learned how to skype.  I know it has been around for awhile but now is the first time I had a reason to learn how to use this incredible piece of technology.  On Monday I am going to take an art lesson with Erin who lives in England.  I love Erin's work and was so excited when I learned that I could take lessons with her.  I met Erin on Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday Blog.  Blogging has opened up so many doors for me.  I cannot wait for Monday to meet Erin in person and take my first lesson. 
Last but not least I have rediscovered shopping.  This could be a bad thing but I am a very conservative spender so I know it will not be a problem.  Lately, I have not enjoyed shopping but yesterday I found the cutest store and I loved everything in it.  It is nice to have a special place to go where it seems everything they bought was just for you.  I love bright colors and whimsical things and this store has both.  So now even if I don't buy a thing, I have a place to go to get my fill of creative things for my house.
I hope that your week was filled with special moments and that you will take the time to share them with me.  I have found that it is always good to share the things that make us happy with others so that they feel free to share their happy special moments as well!  Thus, the circle of happiness can continue to grow and grow for all of us.

It is amazing how fast the week goes by.  It is already Wednesday and time to answer Jamie's thought provoking question for Wishcasting Wednesday. "What do you wish to know?" At first this seemed to be a simple question since I love to learn and want to know about lots of things.  I definitely want to know more about my computer and how to fix it.  I want to know more about my camera and how to take better pictures.  I want to know more about cooking and gardening and painting and writing.  I want to know more about life and living simply.  I want to know...... And then the light bulb went on, accompanied by an AHA moment, along with the answer to Jamie's question - I want to know.  It's as simple and as complicated as that.  I want to continue to be curious and learn about all types of things. I want to ask questions and find the answers.  
 I also want to continue to know myself.  As we age, we change and grow.  So the person I knew five years ago or sometimes even yesterday is always changing and I want to keep on knowing who she is and what she enjoys so that life will continue to be challenging and exciting.  I will never know it all nor do I want to because then what would I have to look forward to learning?  So my answer is very very simple.  I just want to keep on asking questions and learning and growing so that I will know. 

Each week in my creative writing class we receive lots of prompts that we can use to create a short story.  The prompt that caught my attention this week was:  there once was little girl who couldn’t color in the lines.  I kept thinking of all the little girls and boys who enter school each year so anxious to learn but who for one reason or another can’t color in the lines, or sing a song on key, or gallop perfectly which happens to be the skill my three year old grandson keeps practicing because it is so important for him to be able to gallop just right for his teachers and friends.

We are all born with a certain skill set.  Some things come more naturally to us than others but we all have gifts and talents that we need to recognize, celebrate, and share with the world.  If coloring in the lines is not your thing than don’t.  Find a way to express yourself that makes you feel good.  Recognize your own talents and gifts and share them with others. 

I can color in the lines but I can’t draw a straight line.  There is something about the stigmatism in my eyes that makes drawing a straight line difficult.  I have taken many art classes with many wonderful people who all tell me to draw what I see.  When I do, they are always encouraging but walk away looking a little confused about what I just created.  So I keep searching for the person who sees what I see or at least appreciates what I see.  And I think I found him.  My five year old grandson saw my latest painting on my desk.  He looked at it and in his very precious voice said, “Oh Nana she is beautiful and she is very different than your last lady.”  I thanked him profusely and said that I was having trouble naming her.  She was holding a flower in her hand and without hesitation he said, “That’s easy Nana call her Flower Power.”  So Flower Power she is.  Flower Power is not finished but when she is I will proudly present her to the world, crooked lines and all. 

Our creations do not have to be perfect for others to see the beauty in them.  Share what you are creating with others.  Not only will you grow from the experience but so will they.  What are you creating (crooked lines and all) that you would you like to share with the world today?