It is Friday and as part of Jamie Ridler's Happy Book Mail Around time to reflect on the happy moments I experienced this week.  I did take my sparkly butterfly to walk beside the river with me and that was fun.  But I don't want to totally give up using this time to reflect on the past week.  It has been such a special thing for me to do each week and has really helped me to see and be grateful for all of the people I love and the things I have been able to do and experience.  This week when I was thinking of what made me happy I realized I was happy just because... I am happy just because I volunteered to work with a group that is developing a cultural arts center in our town.  I am happy because it is fall and fall is my favorite season.  I am happy because my four year old grandson is going to play soccer again and his first game is tomorrow.  I am happy because I am going to visit my sister soon and we will have so much fun together.  I am happy because my husband sold his first bracelet in the art gallery and although I always knew they would sell the first one is special. I am happy just because I choose to be happy.  I think that last one is the most important.  We all have choices to make each day and it is important to choose the things to do and the people to be with that make us happy.  Have a wonderful week filled with happy moments.

It is Wednesday one of my favorite days to post.  On Wednesday Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler Studios always asks a question that makes me reflect and think.  Today Jamie asked, "What do you want to begin?" Sometimes the answer comes to me immediately but today I had to think.  In the past four years I have gone through a lot of changes.  I retired four years ago from a job I loved. Four months later my husband was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease which has changed alot of things for him and subsequently for me.  We met a lot of new doctors and learned alot about how he could have the best quality of life possible and we continue to put into practice what we learned each day.  I also tried to remember to take care of myself and took writing and painting classes while consulting enough to make me still feel a part of the school system.  I want to continue to do many of the things I have been doing the past four years but what I want to add to the mix is a feeling of peace and acceptance.  I want to slow down and embrace this part of my life.  Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year.  So this fall I want to begin my retirement over and accept all that it offers with peace and gratitude.