** IF IT'S TUESDAY, I MUST BE BETTER! **

The last couple of days, I've begun to feel a little better. It's been a slow process, and seems especially slow because I have such a low energy level in the first place. But, I am definitely on the mend! Last night, I even broke into song a couple of times, and my husband gave me that "look". The one where he pretends to appear as if he thinks I can't sing!! Then he smiled and said, "You're on your way back, aren't you!?" Yep, he's gotta take the bad with the good!

I've been rearranging the look of my blog a little bit. Just the right side part. I removed quite a few things, moved others, and shortened the list of blogs appearing in the main area of my Blog List. I chose to only show 10 on the first page, and they are listed in order of newest posts at the top. After you scroll down to the end of the 10th one, you can click on "show all", continue scrolling and see the rest. I used to list them alphbetically, but when I realized I could show them by newest updates, that seemed to make a lot more sense. So, the more you blog, the more you'll be seen!

Poor Tiger! Since her hearing isn't what it used to be, my coughing and using hundreds of Puffs Plus tissues, has interrupted a few of her naps! And I'm not even talking about loud old honking noises! The poor thing will raise up her tilted head, look over my way with one ear flopped, and have a look on her face like Hey! What the heck was that? Did you do that?! And I, always remembering my manners, even with my dog, will say out loud, "I'm sorry, Tiger! I didn't mean to scare you!" *Side Note: I am not being paid by Procter & Gamble to keep talking about Puffs tissues!! But, hey, if anyone from P&G is reading this.....have your people call my people!

“If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand.” -- Unknown

** Various Thoughts on a Sunday Night **

It's Oscar night. I've loved watching this gala on TV for as long as I can remember, even those years when I hadn't seen a single movie that had any nominations!....which is usually the case. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the results tonight. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were pretty funny. All in all a nice evening of entertainment, especially since I've been sick and haven't felt like doing much of anything for quite a few days.

It's hard to believe I didn't even feel like reading, writing or blogging: three of my favorite things! I've just layed around on the couch, watched TV, slept and ATE!

My wonderful husband, Ron, has been doing things around the house for me, as he does even when I'm not sick. Today he went to the grocery store and picked up a couple of items I said I desperately needed......more Puffs Plus with lotion, and granola cereal! AND, he bought me the cutest, sweetest, Get Well musical card. He said he listened to quite a few before he opened this one and knew this was it!

(He knows I love Mary Poppins and the song, a spoonful of sugar. That is what this card plays when it is opened....and by none other than Mary Poppins herself, Julie Andrews!!) Awww! Isn't he a sweetie? The top picture is the front of the card. The bottom one is a cropped version of the inside, because I didn't want the whole world to see what he wrote! And I must say, that shortly after opening it, listening to the fabulous song and reading his lovely words, I really did begin to feel a lot better!  ♥

♪ Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.... ♫ ♪

** Think I Need Another Therapeutic Thursday **

I don't catch normal colds like normal people do. I usually start getting that itchy throat feeling and in about a day or two, Boom! I have a sinus infection, or sometimes a little later: bronchitis. Fortunately, this usually only happens about once or twice a year. Anyway, I'm into day 3 and feeling quite droopy. The worst thing about this kind of "illness" is that even though I'm not what I would describe as sick, I don't feel like doing a darn thing....not even writing, or making my cards, or reading! I just want to lay around and try to stay snuggly and warm. BUT, I had to at least open up the old laptop and read a few blogs. I also decided to post a little something today, or people would wonder where I am....Hopefully, you would!

Until next time, I've got my box of Puffs Plus Lotion ( a MUST), my heating pad for my cold little tootsies, bottled water, a cup of (temporarily) hot tea, chapstick, Afrin nasal spray.....and I think I may have to order in pizza for an early dinner! No fever here, so I better start feeding this bug with lots of calories and carbs! That's what Linda O. did and she felt better fast. Sounds like a great experiement to me! :)

If you're going to catch a bug, there's only one I recommend .........

"Happiness is contagious...when you reflect happiness, then all others around you catch the happy bug and are happy, too." -- Jennifer Leese

** Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! **

Today is the anniversary of Dr. Seuss' birthday. He was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts.  How many of us have read his books?....either to ourselves, our children, and maybe our grandchildren. What a remarkable man.

Here is the official Dr. Seuss website.

*When I first posted this, I forgot to mention that it was my niece, Tammy, who alerted me to the fact that today is Dr. Seuss' birthday. She lives in Georgia and is a kindergarten teacher, so she knows all about these things! She e-mailed yesterday and said today was going to be a "Cat in the Hat" kind of day in her class room! Thanks, Tammy for keeping me informed!
(photo courtesy: http://www.wtps.org/)

** This 'n That on a Monday Morning **

*  Happy March 1st everyone! I feel quite "springy" this morning. The weekend weather was lovely, the birds are chirping, the coffee is finished brewing and all is well in my little corner of the world.
 *  My terrific writer friend, Tammy, has a fabulous contest on her blog! She is giving away some "Chicken Soup for the Soul; What I Learned from the Dog" books!! Go to her site, read all about it, and leave a comment!!

* Don't forget about my upcoming interview with Judith Ryan Hendricks. I should be posting that in the next week or so. It's going to be really interesting and informative!

* I have 2 more contests in mind, too, that I'll be posting soon.

* Random thought: Have you ever stood close to a large mirror, looked into it to observe the room you're in, and feel like you're looking at a totally different room? Like Alice in Wonderland? I remember doing that as a young girl, and it still happens today! The room might look larger or prettier. I might notice the little things in a different light. Just wondered if I'm really weird (although, I already know the answer to that!) or if any of you have experienced the same feelings. It's looking at it in a totally different perspective. Maybe that's why I'm happy most of the time. Maybe I notice all the little things and appreciate them so.

* Speaking of beautiful rooms, 2 of my blogger buddies have exquisite homes. One is Susan of Between Naps on the Porch and the other is Michael Lee West of Designs by Gollum. They both are fabulous ladies!In addition to being a superb designer, Michael is also a fantastic writer! I bought her first book, "Crazy Ladies; A Novel", when it came out and just loved it.
     * In honor of decorating, I'm posting a photo of a wall grouping I did in my dining room. A couple of the plates were my maternal grandmother's and some were just fun finds at various gift shops or flea markets. The tea pot clock is a Royal Albert, Old Country Roses design I bought at Dillards years ago. The "half" tea cup is a real favorite of mine! It's so pretty and unique. I bought it at a gift shop in old St. Charles on Main Street, also a few years ago, and I've never found another one like it.

* Well, that's all my thoughts for the moment. I've got a zillion things to do today, and I've already used up quite a few zillion minutes. Have a fabulous day, everyone!

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it." -- Edith Wharton

** HAPPINESS 101 **

My blogger friend, Daisy, recently posted this meme and invited anyone who was interested to accept the tag and name 10 things that make them happy. This is the first time I've done one of these, and I even had to look up the definition of "meme". Sounds way too scientific to me! But I get the idea. Just "keep it going"!

So, I'll do this the way Daisy did. I'm not going to "tag" any particular people. If you'd like to join along, just grab this photo and post it on your blog. Then write the 10 Things That Make You Happy. Daisy wrote hers in a poem. She's so talented! She's on my Blog List, so check out her lovely blog, "Dancing With Daisy".

I have one thing to add and this is not a "rule", it's just a thought I had. Since most of us would say our family and/or friends, and name specific people, I'm not going to use such generaliztions. Since I have hundreds of things that make me happy, I shouldn't have a problem with this!

1. Writing
2. Laughing
3. Dancing
4. Singing
5. Reading
6. Candles burning
7. Learning
8. Chirping birds
9. Walking on my trail
10. My dog, Tiger (especially watching her let out a heavy sigh, while laying on her quilt)

Okay, there's my Happines 101 List! If you'd like to write about the things that make you happy and continue this meme, please consider yourself tagged and take the logo back with you to post on your blog.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama

** Part 2 of Yesterday's "To Be Continued" **

My apologies for not continuing this last night!

Well, I did sing and dance my way around the house yesterday for awhile, and that helped my mood considerably. But, what really got me back into my Writing Zone, was a documentary on HBO Family last night. It was almost half over when I happened upon the station, but those few moments were rejuvenating. It was "Hard Times for An American Girl: The Great Depression".  The following is the description on the website:

"The very young and the very old teach and inspire each other in this documentary focusing on what it was like to grow up during the Great Depression. Children interview folksinger Pete Seeger, artist Faith Ringgold, poet Philip Levine, and others, and learn about how the 1930s changed their lives. Mixing archival films, photos and kids discovering history, this half-hour film is a meditation on happiness and survival during very hard times. Directed and produced by Amy Schatz."

As soon as it was over, I marched upstairs to my office and got down to bidness on my book! I settled down, settled in,  and accomplished quite a bit. I'm feeling great today and I pledge to continue....feeling great and writing my book, that is!

Thanks so much to all of you who left such encouraging comments yesterday! They meant so much to me!

"A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." -- Anonymous

** Thursday's Thimble of Therapy **

Okay. I'm feeling a little bit rowdy today and I'm not really sure why. I was up until 2:00 am last night (er...this morning) writing and submitting something that meant quite a lot to me. I woke up "bright eyed and bushy tailed" about 6:30 am and I've been doing various tasks around the house ever since. Knowing my medical history, my temporarily energetic self will be hitting the wall soon and I'm sure to need a nap. But right now, I'm quite the opposite and feeling a bit hyper.

I have no idea why the word "rowdy" came to mind. I've never described myself by that word, ever! But it's the perfect word for how I'm feeling. I'm having some writing issues. I'm agitated. I'm discombobulated!

In fact, I probably need to get away from my laptop and go do some physical work. Not a problem! I have laundry to do. I have an entire room that needs decluttering...but do I really feel like doing those chores? Heck, no! Okay, I know what to do. Turn on some music and turn up the volume, and dance, dance, dance!

To Be Continued...........

"I know Kung Fu, Karate & 47 other dangerous words." - Unknown