Nothing wrong.

I felt like someone needed to "hear" this today. Quite possibly could be me but I am sure it could be someone else too. Maybe you?

Thursday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for the nice long walk and talk with a dear friend AND the opportunity to teach an art class this afternoon!

This is what love looks like.

Yesterday, the "hallmark" day of love, I surprised The Kid with a cute card and a large chocolate bar early in the morning. (We get up before the sun so it was VERY early.) He wasn't expecting anything, in fact he had forgotten about Valentine's Day and was completely surprised. Instead of grabbing the goods out of my hand, he looked at me with a horrified look and said "What day is it? I am sorry but I don't have anything for you!"

Of course I didn't care, and I reassured him but it must have been on his mind because when I picked him up from school, he presented me with this colored drawing he made in art class. My heart just cracked in half, right then and there. One half was saddened that he felt as though he had nothing to give me, but the other half leaps with joy because he thought to create something from the heart, the best gift of all!

So then we go out to dinner tonight at one of our favorite burger places. We played hangman and his turn spelled out "I love you." (which coming from a ten year old is like gold) THEN even better, he gave me some hugs... in public! I'd have to say that this certainly, most definitely, absolutely, positively is what love looks like!

Wednesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for warm fuzzy love from The Kid.

For you my "Deerest."

Have a sweet and lovely day my deer!

Tuesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for dancing raindrops in the dark of the night.

Sweetness.

A face only a mother could love. Or a dog-crazy person... I would love a bulldog!

Random Musings:
This semester, I am taking two psych classes and one of them is called "intro to counseling." My thought in taking the class was to get a good idea about the world of psychology, on the other side of the chair so to speak. I am not new to psychology and it has been a love of mine for a few decades so this class seemed like a no brainer to me.

That is until I attended my first class. Then my second. Then my third. And today my fourth.

Each class gets more challenging, not only intellectually but psychologically. As a class, we often break off into groups and practice sharing vulnerable things about ourselves. It is so much more raw and exposing than I ever thought it would be. We break down the thought process of helping people by looking at our own strengths and weaknesses. Mostly weaknesses, they bubble at the surface quicker than the strengths ever do.

Through this class I have learned quite a few things about myself that I had no idea about. It's embarrassing. It's humbling. It's fascinating. I'm not sure how I gather the courage to keep going back but I do.

And I have to say I love that.

Monday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a daily ferly of life lessons.

Darling.

There is a holiday of love coming soon and I'm claiming this one for myself. Since I don't have a pug of my own to love, I had to create one.

Happy weekend!

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for really, really nice neighbors, finally finding the exact shade of gray for my walls and uber talented musicians.

Persnippity Perspective.

Just playin' around with some new textures. Oh, and the whole "you control the outcome of your life" thought.

Thursday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a night alone with The Kid. (And a few furry animals.)

Who's it all about?

Much like the other men in my life, the dog is no exception...

I loves me some doggie art! How about you?

Wednesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a delicious strawberry ice cream bar to soothe a sore throat! Yummy!

Joy was her name.

My bestie just had to put her lovely old german shepherd down this morning and this has touched my heart so sadly. Our delightful animal friends seem to bring the most joy to our hearts, just when we need it and then their short lives must come to an end. I read something the other day, that captured the essence of a dog's love and it goes something like this...

"We are created for this life to learn how to love unconditionally, but dogs come into their lives already knowing how!"

Joy, you will be greatly missed.

Tuesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for lots of furry love at my house.

You had me at hello!

Just couldn't resist a little puppy love! Although I don't think a Boxer is the dog for me, they sure can be cute. Our next door neighbor puppy is a boxer and he brings such delight for my old dog and The Beast!

Monday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for some really fun future projects!

Favorite things.

One of my favorite things really IS to go places I've never been. This entails the physical, the mental and also the emotional. The whole enchilada! Then, the next favorite thing to do is to go back to the really great spots that make me feel good.

How about you? Are you an adventurer at heart?

Sunday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for long and leisurely days of homework, computer, and picnics.