Happy Easter everyone!
Today, as no different from any other day, I am thankful. Thankful for everything, for being alive, for walking, for family etc. As I sat in church this morning, I could only think about all the good things in my life. And when I say good, I mean everything is operational, no major flaws. So I was thinking that there really isnt any part of my life that has a major problem. Everything is good. Therefore, I am thankful.
I spent the day with the family. Started off at church, we took photos, ate breakfast, fell asleep on the couch, some did homework, others the crossword and then we ate dinner. 
*sister laura + family
*sister laura was going to town about not standing up straight...i had to divert the attn.
*i always get shoved to the front. just wishing i didnt have mushroom head-hair.
I have owned an iPod now for 7 years, roughly. And for 7 years, every day I browse thru my iTunes account looking for a tune or two to add to my iPod that will capture my mood, keep me motivated as I listen to it. I rarely go anywhere without my iPod. Its like a staple in my purse, almost as important as my wallet.
Today I took my niece Megan out shopping for her birthday. We sat outside for a bit to enjoy the nice weather, and she plugged in her iPod. Good for her, I thought to myself. And as I browsed thru her playlists, I can see how we differ in music tastes. She is new school punk (who think they can be old school punk, but old school punk only happened once. 1980's once.), and I am (as of late) texas country. I found a couple of iMixes on iTunes that are matching my current music flavor. Here's a sampling:
Somebody's Trying to Steal My Heart by Kyle Park
Feels Like Rain by No Justice
You Had Me At My Best by Wade Bowen
More Than Local by The Benjy Davis Project
Chokin' On Air by The Britt Lloyd Band
Country Girl by The Scott Wiggins Band
Jumping Bean by nelo
3AM by Texas Renegade
Peace Love and Hard Liquor by Jamie Richards
Yesterday Road by The Great Divide
Last Last Time by Bleu Edmondson
Walkin' On The Moon by Mike McClure
Feel Alright by The Bois d'Arcs
Into You by Spur 503
Fastest Way to Texas by Roger Creager
Texas Moon by Stoney LaRue
Long Way to Mexico by Cory Morrow
Donnelly Drive by Kyle Bennett Band
Dixie Boy Special by The Lost Trailers
Home to Texas by Ryan James
I dont do this enough. Buy fresh flowers. Something about freshly cut flowers in a vase sitting somewhere in my house makes me happy. Maybe its the beauty they bring. I am constantly staring at them, admiring their beauty. I'll never get tired of that.
Each Easter, I buy a bunch of pink tulips. This year I went for the multi-colored tulips. Still pink, and white. They are really pretty. They are really Spring.
Usually I am at Starbucks one or two times a week. Sometimes three, depending on what is happening, where I am going, etc. Over the last few weeks, I've been collecting the iTunes Pick of the Week cards.
Last night I logged into iTunes and listened to the sampling of music I will get for free if I choose to download them. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised with the selection. I thought these picks would be crazy alternative thrashing music, but they werent. So I went ahead and downloaded them. I will have them playing tonight while I bake.
I love turquoise. Turquoise earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces. All of it. Love it. I could own 16 pairs of turquoise earrings and they would all be so different.
This necklace my cousin made for me. She has her own Etsy shop, Wrens Den. 
I found these lovelies at We Dream in Colour, had to have them to go with this purple shirt I own that never wear because I have no jewelry to wear with it! 
And I couldnt resist these little numbers from Etsy shop, mayaruhi. Again, I have a different purple shirt these would be perfect with. 
I look forward to the day these items arrive in the mail and I tear open the package and immediate try them on. I will admire them walking from mirror to mirror in my house, saying 'how awesome are these?'
One of my personal goals for the year is to venture out of my activity box. I seem to do the same things over and over. Earlier this year I created a list of things I'd like to do, and they had to be free. On this list was to take walks or hikes in the numerous forest preserves in the Chicagoland/Naperville area. There are quite a few benefits from this idea.
1. Exercise (which is good for the heart + hips)
2. Sunshine (which is good for the mind + skin)
3. Human Interaction (smiling at others on the path + they smile back)
4. Free (which is good for the bank account)
Add all these benefits up and you have yourself a productive afternoon. Especially when you follow it up with an hour of relaxation at the nearest Starbucks. A little frappucino and good book are like icing on the cupcake.
Today, I went to Springbrook Prairie in Naperville. It has several different walking/running/biking paths in varying lengths. As I reviewed the map, I said to myself, do the 5.5 mile walk. It shouldnt be a problem at all, I mean you crank out 3.5 miles on the treadmill three days a week, what's another two? We'll see what the legs have to say about the 5.5-er tomorrow.
*at the starting point.
*about a mile into it.
*a little creature seen in its natural habitat. I thanked it for sharing its home for me to walk today.
*at last.