i want to know more people like this guy!

Someone in my Facebook feed this morning shared this video of a fan at a Celtics game busting out into a fantastic dance. He exhibits the kind of enthusiasm I just LOVE! I wish I knew this guy in real life. This is brilliant. Brightened my whole day.

up

Well. Today's my birthday, and so far it's a good one: 

• Scott gave me a Jawbone UP that I hope will help me become more active and aware of my decisions that affect my health.
• We got our tax refund, just in time to pay a big bill.
• I got the barbell set I ordered, so I can get a great workout today.
• I decided to take the day off work, because I can.
• I plan to get a massage, and maybe even a pedicure.
• Every few minutes I get a friendly message from someone on Facebook.

So I feel happy and grateful. Off to do my workout!

joyful laughter

This photo was taken almost three years ago while the four of us were out for dinner. I have no recollection what made them laugh so hard, but I get a rush of joy each time I see this photo of my girls looking so happy.

beauty in boulder

We drove up to Boulder tonight to see my daughter's choir perform. I'm thankful for the beautiful sunset we caught on the way up there and for the beautiful sound of voices raised together in song.

berry grateful

Today I'm grateful for the yummy breakfast I have almost every morning: Fage 0% Greek yogurt with walnuts, fruit, and a drizzle of honey. The last few days I've tried sprinkling my yogurt with frozen organic blueberries. So delicious and antioxidant-y. I can eat them frozen (sort of like biting into a tiny popsicle) or let them thaw a little. Either way, yum. Just thought I would give those little berries a shout-out today.

Also, and unrelated...Hook 'em Horns!

memory of a beautiful moment

The other day I shared a photo someone posted of Hamilton Pool on Google+ and I had to go back and find the photos of the last time we were there. It's been 9 years! Too long. What a beautiful spot. I need to remember to go back and see it again next time we go to Austin.

what sparkles

My dear friend Lisa challenged me to post something today, since I haven't done anything here in a while. She gave me a prompt of "what is sparkling in your life this week?"

Well, there's been a lot of sparkling going on, since it IS the holiday season, but I decided on this: the giant wedge of cheese that they "drop" on New Year's Eve in my husband's little Wisconsin hometown.

Our family tradition, when we are in Wisconsin for the holidays every other year, is to go downtown at quarter to midnight on New Year's Eve and watch the cheese get lowered from the tall ladder of the town firetruck. Families gather beneath the lit-up "cheese" wedge with their mittens and hot chocolate and count down from 10 as the cheese, dangling on a cable, gets brought down. Lights flash and sirens blare as the crowd cheers when the cheese reaches the ground.

It's a short drop, but it's a lot of fun and everyone loves sending up "that ball drop they do in New York." Each year we've gone (and we were there for the first one), it's drawn more of a crowd and they've gotten more efficient with the hoisting and lowering.

While the cheese itself was festooned with lights, what really sparkled for me last night was the glow of the happy crowd, the smiles of my girls (giggling even though they are teenagers and so over it), and the warmth of a family tradition renewed.