Thunder, Rain & Rainbows

One day late here - but yesterday was so cool. Woke up to a foggy day then as the morning went by started hearing thunder. Now understand that here in San Diego we don't experience the same weather through out the rest of the country. So when we hear thunder and see lightening it's really fun. It started raining I guess mid morning, not hard but just enough. After I got off work I went to the grocery store and when I came out there was an amazing double rainbow. It was so cool watching everyone standing in the parking lot just oohing and ahhing (sp) the show. The light was such a great color with the sun trying to come through the clouds - classic stormy light that we just don't get that often.

Driving home I was sitting at a light and a couple of people coming through the intersection had their phones out their windows trying to take pictures while driving. My camera was as home with a full memory card...dog gone it.  Oh well I was smiling anyway and absolutely loving it!!

Smiles!

Today is my daughter's birthday!

What's not to smile about when it's your daughter's birthday? Not sure there is anything better - except that she's here in town and we could wish her Happy Birthday this morning in person. It was the best day of my life 23 years ago when she came into this world and I can't wait to see where then next 23 years take her.

I love you so much - Zara too!

Big Smiles!!

The pumpkins are here!

It's that time of year....the pumpkins have shown up outside the grocery story. I just love fall and to see all the pumpkins out just makes me smile.

Time to light the candles at night for that warm up your home glow, start a fire in the fireplace and curl up under a warm throw and read a good book or watch a good show on tv.

Now for the leaves to really start turning colors - I can't wait!

Caption Contest Winners - National Wildlife Federation

Make sure you scroll down to see them.

Caption Contest Winners - National Wildlife Federation

A really fun way to start the day...Smiles!

Amazing restraint

Yesterday at work our hospital cat "Mylean" was sooo cute just kicking back on top of the credit card machine watching this little cockatiel we call "Boomerang". She was amazing to watch - you could just see on her face that she so wanted to just give the bird a little swat with her paw but she didn't. Just sat there watching as Boomerang was walking back and forth, going in circles, hitting Mylean with her tail, and she just sat there...eyes as big as saucers. She is such a cool cat and we just love her!


Mylean makes me smile everday at work - it is such a pleasure being able to have these great creatures to spend time with while working!

Smiles!!

The One Thing That's Missing!

Love this! Great way to start the day! I dare you not so smile....check out Andy Dooley's other videos & artwork at andydooley.com

5 Goldens

Today at work we had 5 different Golden Retrievers with appointments in a row. Now I just love them - our last dog was a Golden - actually my daughters puppy under the tree one year - he's been gone about 5 years now but anytime one comes into the hospital I just have to spend some time with them. Some were young and some were just as white faced as Buddy had been. So many memories & such love from all of them. So wish I had a photo of Buddy that I could post but unfortunately all my photos of Buddy are on negatives.

Anyway - big Golden Retriever smiles - you know they all do...

A moment

I am smiling because it was so nice to sit by the lagoon today after work. It was so quiet & peaceful. The sun was shining and warm on my face & there was a light cool sea breeze that was a little stronger than a whisper. Zara, my daughter's dog, was watching the ducks & the fish that were jumping out of the water every now & then. She was so cute - just watching all that was going on but not charging after the ducks at all. Just so curious & at attention. The ducks were watching her too from the other side of the lagoon but not scared & trying to leave.

Earlier today it sure did feel like the full moon that it is but now peaceful.

Smiles!

Relief

I am smiling because I finally made a phone call that I was so fearful of making & the outcome was favorable. The person that I spoke with was so kind & understanding...all my fear was so much bigger than it needed to have been.....big sigh of relief & smiles to know that all is ok....

Puppies...

What can I say - I just love puppies & this little cutie "Copper" is a 13 week old mini Austrialian Shepherd. He is so sweet & going to be so much fun for his owner Keith. They are just so cute together. Copper just loves Keith - and visa versa. I lost track of how many times this one little girl came over to play with Copper. I could certainly relate - was just glad I was there & could spend as much time with him as I wanted.

Big Smiles!

Been too long....

Came home a 2 weeks ago from my daughters graduation...what a great time & accomplishment for her!!! Such a nice event & lovely dinners with her Dad's family, it was so nice. Good breakfasts at Joel's Bistro, a fun trip to the Biosphere, and as always such a fun time spent with her & her dog Zara.

(fighting with Picassa & give up on pictures)

Memorial Day weekend.....
A really nice 3 day weekend - don't know the last time I had one...great food - amazing company...great weather, in spite of some of the wind - in a great city!! And most importantly a huge thank you to all the service men & women supporting the U.S. & those that have given their lives with & or without the admiration of the people of the United States & also those that have passed on that gave so much early on in their lives. I feel they all deserve our gratitude & love for the sacrifices they & their family members have made.

xoxo

Brings back memories...

So we were wandering around Old Town - checking out the buildings etc and we walked into this smoke shop. Wow even before I made it all the way in I could smell pipe tobacco. Oh my gosh it brought back so many memories of my Grandfather, Daddy George. I would go with him when he went to buy more pipe tobacco. I just loved the smell of the pipe shop - except the cigars. One shop had really strong cigar smells & I really didn't like that but pipe - any day.

 It smelled amazing & all the different pipes - some really old - it was just awesome.

The wall of tobacco was cool but the ones that smelled so good were in the jars at the bottom of the picture.

There was lots of smoke, they had a smoking/humidor area off in the back corner so at first it was a little strong but I could have stayed there for quite a while just looking at all the pipes and smelling all the different tobaccos.
I'll have to ask my Mom what ever happened to my Grandfather's pipes...great memories...= soft reminiscent smile.

Major cuteness!

Yesterday we went to the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Old Town in San Diego - tons of fun, great food, such amazing old buildings but I think what put the biggest smile on my face was this little muffin.

He is such a cutie! And yes he really is a he - his owner was a little girl - you know little girls and pink. His fur was sooo soft & he probably would have just crawled into my lap had I sat down with him. He tried but since I was kneeling he just kind of curled up next to my leg/foot. I think he had probably had quite the day & just wanted a nap. Thank goodness he had an owner or I just might have taken him home with me.

Smiles!

When was the last time

you had Rice Krispies? Can you not smile when you hear the Snap Crackle & Pop when the milk is poured over them? I bet not...at least I sure couldn't this morning. It had been a long time since I'd had them and since it's been a rather eventful day so far already it was fun to hear them spreading joy to all who have ever enjoyed them.

You know....it's the little things!

Smiles!

More sweet smiling/growling rides from last Sunday...

Happy 40th Earth Day!

Today celebrates the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. In honor of that I have added a link to the Plastiki. This adventure absolutely puts a smile on my face along with admiration for the crew and their undertaking. Such a vision to create this amazing structure and then sail it from San Francisco to Sydney. Love it!

Smiles to the crew!

I also have a link to Plant a Billion Trees with The Nature Conservancy at the bottom.

Smiles!

Sunday on Coronado

Sunday we went to Coronado and there was a car show along with a flower show. We chose the car show and I will be adding lots of smiles via the cars for your enjoyment. Some are the tough car smile others are the semi Who Framed Roger Rabbit or Cars movie feel to them. I just loved taking all these photos - tons of smiles that afternoon.

I saw this Japenese proverb this morning in a meditation video from Budda Bless on Facebook...

Fall down seven times...stand up eight.

I like that.. 

Here's another one...

"Your smile determines how you see and think about the world around you."

Smiles!

Fav Lunch

Board & Brew Chicken Club with special sauce split with a co-worker...Yum!! If you are in/from San Diego if you don't know about them they are in Del Mar and their sandwiches are soo good!

Smiles!

Cute Pit Bull Puppies - Best Friends Video

Ok so I'm sure some people have seen this but oh my gosh are they cute!!! If you like/love dogs you can't help but smile.

Cute Pit Bull Puppies - Best Friends Video

Smiles!

Nature so amazing...

The San Elijo lagoon here in Cardiff had been closed off to the ocean for quite some time until tonight when it finally breached and started flowing back to the ocean. It was so fun to see this. Of course I forgot the camera but the sea gulls were having such amazing luck finding worms & fish. It was a cool to see the sand collapse on the sides as the water was rushing by & the waves in the water flowing outward was ever changing. So glad we took the time to go down there and see mother nature doing her thing.

Smiles!!!

A Great Day

A day off...the sun shining bright...cool breezes...living in San Diego and it's spring...flowers abound! Love it!!

Smiles!

Helen Woodward Animal Center we are so blessed to have absolutely AMAZING donors, volunteers, supporters, and staff. Every dog and cat that went to their forever home today and everyday is because of heroes like you. On behalf of all the animals, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Saw this on facebook this morning...a double feel good with this - people helping animals and animals going to new homes...I love it. Smiles!

Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego

What makes you feel blessed?

Having my daughter home with me from Rady's Childrens Hospital, after a 30 day stay.

Saw this on my facebook page today. I'd say that is absolutely a very big smile maker. I am so happy for both of them.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.
~Thich Nhat Hanh

This was a posting on my facebook page from Buddha Bless this morning.

Smiles!

My daughter is coming home for spring break...can't wait to see her. Big Smiles!!

A man came into the hospital today for a shelter exam for a new cat that he adopted. I didn't check him in but saw him when he was leaving...he had such joy on his face - the proud new owner/friend to a beautiful white, tan & grey cutie. They are going to be long friends and I am so happy for the two of them. He was smiling so big & of course I was smiling too...

Seeing a sweet young chocolate lab that had gone through double elbow surgery - with a cast on both of his front legs - come into the clinic just as happy as ever and doing great - awesome!

Today is my day off - nice to be able to spend time with the cats, have lunch with my SO, do some laundry, breath, read a little & go for a walk - even though the wind was blowing like crazy - on a day off who needs a good hair day anyway... ; )

xoxo
Laurie