Little Things That Make Me Smile (Maggie)

It's been a rough week, which means it's a bit more of a challenge to focus on the positive. One thing I've found that often works for me, is to take time to appreciate the things that do go well, even the little things, any and every little thing that gives me reason to smile.

So that's what today's post is--my list of little things I can focus on, rather than focusing on all the headaches.

Number one on my list is apple blossoms. The apple trees are exploding all around me. You can't step outside without being bathed in their scent, and I think they have the sweetest aroma of all. I cut a few and brought them inside to scent up my living space.

My home makes me happy, and if I focus on the outside, even happier. I mowed the entire lawn yesterday, and it looks great and smells even better. Nothing like the scent of fresh cut grass. My tulips and daffodils and hyacinth are in bloom, and if you didn't know anything had happened, and only looked from the back, you'd never know there had been a fire.

New friends make me happy and I made some great ones in Florida. Dru (center) is a true soulmate. Fate wanted us to meet, I'm sure of that!

Gorgeous new book covers make me positively giddy, and I got a great one for my October release, Angel's Pain. This is the first time it's been seen publicly. Don't you love it? And how can you do better than a gorgeous October vampire novel?

The warm weather and sunshine make me happy, too, and we've been having a lot of both lately. And last night, just as I was thinking my lawn could use a drink, it rained. A nice gentle rain, overnight and it's still misting and sprinkling this morning. Most needed. It'll be great for the grass and the flowers, especially those yet to bloom.

Progress on the house has been slow, but it's still happening. Bit by bit, work is getting done, and I'm finally at a point where I can start to envision what it will be like, a little at least. Sheet rock still hasn't gone up, but we're getting ever closer.

Dozer, my pup, is an ongoing source of joy, fun, laughter, and companionship. I'm so glad I have him. He's learned to sit and shake now, but hates being away from me even for a short time, and despises being tied onto a lead or led by a leash. We're working on those skills. He loves treats and snacks, but could care less for dog food unless I pour something tasty over it. A little gravy or broth does the trick. He doesn't get car sick anymore, a huge relief, but remembering it, still hates the car. I'm hoping he'll start to love it soon.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. The girls hosted a breakfast at Jessica's place, and all the kids came. They all went in together to buy me a beautiful cedar porch swing, something I'd been wanting for awhile. Perfect gift! Then that night, I enjoyed pizza and movies with the two youngest, and we laughed until i thought my sides would split. I took my camera to both events and had so much fun I forgot to take pictures.

The book I'm working on now, (BLOODLINE, May 2009) is going beautifully. There's not much better than when a story really flows for me. It makes my work more like fun, and you can't get better than that.

So I'm not going to list the things that have gone wrong this past week or two. I'm just going to focus on all the good things, and keep noticing more of them to add to my list. Because my attention to the good stuff will attract more good stuff, and the opposite is also true. So, bad stuff, back off. I'm going to ignore you until you go away!

Tell me about the good things in your life.

Maggie