This is Me

Today dawned a chilly Saturday morning, but the sun came out and it was crisp and glorious.  Chip was at his Dad's so I got my day started early with a trip to the dog park with the Worst Dog in the World.   He needed it.

My friend, Lori makes a point of talking to someone new at the dog park every time she goes and when she isn't there to hang out with me, I try to follow her lead. Today, I chatted with Kona's mom.  Kona is the cutest 5 month old puppy in the world with ears for DAYS!  Then I chatted with Max's mom.  Max was a Lab/Great Dane mix and gave Coop a run for his money.  Finally, I met a sweet couple with two little Alaskan Klee Kais.  I had never heard of this breed but they were adorable and made so many different barking/howling noises it almost sounded like they were singing.  And bonus....their mom had some dried fish skin snacks that she shared with Coop.  The Worst Dog in the World was sitting, laying, speaking, rolling over, doing all his tricks for Luna's mom and those dried fish skins.  It was hilarious!  You meet the nicest people at the dog park!  Coop finally had all the fun and dried fish skins he could stand and was ready to head home for a nap!

While Cooper napped I did some yard work and raked up a big giant pile of leaves.  Perfect weather for raking! Then it was time for a Starbucks run and an oil change and car inspection. My regular car spot had a three hour wait for an oil change so I searched the interwebs for a different spot.  I found a place across town that had great reviews and they had me in and out in no time.  

While I waited on my car, I enjoyed my coffee and read my book. This book is so damn good!  I was crying in the waiting area.  Not sobbing, but tears were definitely running down my face.  I wasn't even embarrassed. Brene Brown "Braving the Wilderness"....so, so, so, so good.  

Speaking of so, so, so good.  Yesterday I met my friend Karen for lunch and had an epic power bowl at a place called Honest Mary's.  My bowl had quinoa, roasted beets, TOFU, apples, pecans, cheese, roasted chick peas tossed in an apple vinegarette.  It was outstanding!  TOFU!  Who knew?? And it was lovely catching up with Karen who I love hard. Good food, great company...can't beat that. 

Last night I went to see The Greatest Showman with my friend Sheri.  Our theatre now has recliners with heated lumbar seats.  The movie was so good we didn't even think about falling asleep!

Watch this YouTube clip "This is Me" when you have four minutes to be inspired. (I think you can click on "This is Me" and it will take you right to it!  Isn't technology grand?)  Keala Settle played the part of the bearded lady in the movie and this clip was the first time the cast sang this song together.  She was scared and insecure to sing and then she cut loose with this magnificent talent and voice. Incredible.  Makes me want to sing, dance, stomp and wave my arms in the air!   I have watched this video twenty times. 

This is me.   

Feeling pretty blessed these days.  A lot to smile about.  So much good in the world and the nicest people sharing my space.  I have heard some sad news over the last couple of days with people losing their loved ones and it makes me want to just keep leaning into all the joy I can find.  Our days are numbered and all that will matter when our time is up is the relationships we had and how well we loved and were loved.  It is pretty simple, isn't it? 

Hope you are happy where you are.