Good Times Jar

There are periods of every person's life where they realize a focus on the joys has taken a backseat to a focus on the frustrations. Things sneak up, build up, and eventually those little pleasures are forgotten.

But aren't those little things what really make life amazing?

Yesterday, Adam worked an overnight shift, got home around 6:30AM, and then had to be back up for court by 8:30AM. He was hoping for a short session, but four hours later, he still wasn't home. To be honest, I was expecting a bucket full of crabby husband when he made it back, but that wasn't the case.

In to our home bounded a jovial, light on his feet chap instead! He spun me around, hugged me close, and told me, "My life is wonderful! I have an amazing wife, a beautiful home, a career I have always wanted, and an annoying cat." (Poor PP, he didn't mean it!) His sentiments reminded me that I was not off track in the crafty creation I had been working on while he was gone...

Good Times Jar

I'm not sure where I saw this the first time, but I know Pinterest had a hand in it. The idea is to have a place to keep all your precious joys throughout the year, to be opened on the following New Year's Eve. It helps to refocus your family on how many good things really do happen in the span of a year.

With the help of a little Modge Podge and glitter, transforming a few leftover from the wedding mason jars into Good Times Jars was easy as pie. Plus, I now have glitter all over my living room...sorry honey!

Start by taping off the design you would like on your jar. I made a few half dipped and a few total glitter glories! Then it is a simple as painting on some Modge Podge and sprinkling fine glitter on top.  For a little something extra, I painted the lids with chalkboard paint and made a little label.

This project started as a way for Adam and I to make our own happy tradition, but it ended up being an inexpensive (yet totally cute!) gift for a few good friends. I'm even thinking about giving to a couple who's wedding we are celebrating this weekend (I'll include a little cash of course ;-)).

So what do you think? Is this a project that could help you remember those amazing little things? Those things that add up to great, big joys?

Happy New Year, everyone!

Little Things, Pretty Things

It is the little things in life. While we have all heard it a million times, lately I'm starting to really get it. The world is busy and daunting most days, but with a yummy cup of coffee, a kiss on the cheek from my husband, or snuggles from Peeps, those worries cease for a moment and good spirits replace the anxiety.

Take this morning for instance; regular Saturday morning with nothing on my radar until after the hubs woke up (he didn't get back from work until about 6:30AM). There is always cleaning, painting, and home repairs to work on, but...

I laid in bed contemplating my next move. Should I stay cuddled up in here for a while, or get up and start my day? The curtains in our bedroom were drawn, and without the light, the prospect of crawling out of bed seemed daunting. Sadly, Mother Nature had other plans that forced at least a small hiatus from my cocoon of warm blankets and soft pillows.

Which is when I saw the SUN! Streaming through the front window was the glorious, amazing, beautiful sun! Had I not emerged from the darkness that was our room, I would have missed out on the perfect morning.

Morning walk - Do I really live in the city limits?

See, it really is the little things. That moment of sunlight on my face energized me to the point cheek hurting smiles. After a long walk (with a rockin' book on "tape") and a mug of freshly brewed coffee, I gave myself an at home pedicure (pretty things!), went to the hardware store to pick up paint for the hallway trim, and basically rocked my solitary morning.

Peeps wanted to help with the pedi.

I wonder what the Mr. is going to think of my peppy mood when he wakes? Hopefully the sun is infectious!

ps. I finally rocked the handstand! It may never happen again, and it may not have been a very long handstand, but I was pretty pleased. #20MOVEment, baby!

Notes

In the last 24 hours, I have been on the receiving end of five handwritten notes. I'm not sure about you, but handwritten notes always fill my love bucket in this age of texts, tweets, and emails. Please do not misunderstand; I love how amazing modern technology is. I am, after all, writing this on a blog instead of a diary. Plus, without the previous mentioned technology, I would miss my best friends terribly! Daily emails and multiple texts are how I stay connected! However, there is something amazing about a physically written note in today's technology driven world.

The first note of the day came at 6:15 a.m and stretched about four foot by three foot, covering my bathroom mirror. Adam made sure I knew he was thinking about me even though we didn't get to see much of each other yesterday.

You do so much to keep this house looking great! 

More work than I have time to even give! 

You're awesome! 

Thank you! 

Have a great Friday!

 ps. Use my side of the mirror and I will clean this up :-)

What an amazing way to start my day! Mood booster! Plus, it meant so much more to me in huge print than it would have via text message or email.

The following three notes were from students. One young lady let me know that she thinks I am "the best teacher!"and she was very sorry for her attitude over the last couple of days. The next note came with a Hello Kitty drawing and a message to let me know she would keep drawing for me until she went to middle school because I was the best. Finally, I had an anonymous note...

You teach math so I can understand. Nobody had done that before. Thank you!

I think the last one struck my heart the most. Going into this school year, I was most concerned with how I was going to teach 5th grade math. It had been years since I had used an exponent or did long division with decimals, so I have focused hard on teaching to the ten year old brain. It is nice to know it is paying off.

The final note of the day might be my overall favorite. Adam came home for a late dinner, and just before he left, silliness ensued. Somehow we go into a mock case interview about and "incident" I had "encountered". He took out his notepad and started jotting down notes. I was laughing because he was being so serious in such a funny moment. When the interview was over (AKA, dispatch called him back out) he ripped out his notes and handed them to me. Here is what they said...

Life was good today.