Big Splash - Little Cash

What's not to love about high, positive visual impact with very low investment!  We love fresh cut flowers strategically arranged in favorite vases in the entry, living room, family room, my home office, powder room and kitchen.  Nine days ago, Edgar brought home 2 beautiful bunches of cheery yellow daisies that allowed me to fill all the normal vases and add bouquets in his home office and the master bath.  The flowers are still perky, with only a few stems removed.  He frequently surprises me with fresh blossoms of various kinds, which is awesome.

My inspiration to mention it now is the longevity of these blooms, the number of arrangements and the very modest investment, less than $10 including tax.  We all owe it to ourselves to bring inexpensive cheer into our lives, whatever forms the cheer may take.

Dressing from the Dryer

Infrequently, I have the double pleasure of dressing from the dryer.  Regardless of the outdoor temperature, our home is comfortable for my polar bear family members and nippy for some guests.  When I'm drying a load of clothes before my morning run, that includes running attire, it's fun to grab and wear dryer warm clothes. (Those who know me well will be relieved to know that I don't dress from the dryer for my work and community responsibilities.)  The second part of the pleasure includes the elimination of the folding and stowing process for these clean items.

This is a reminder to myself and others that we have many seemingly insignificant chances to bring good cheer to our days.

Yellow Toothbrush

This week, I opened a new package of toothbrushes and chose my favorite color, yellow.  Instantly, I was so impressed that I asked my husband and son if they, too, needed a new toothbrush.  Toothbrushes, like most other things have become high tech.  This particular purchase incorporated pleasing design features with soft bristles, but was a drugstore brand, not a widely recognized, broadly marketed product.  Of the hundreds of toothbrushes I've had, this one is the first I've ever thought much about and actually tried to share a similar one with family members.  My fascination is multi-faceted:

• I've consciously chosen my favorite color for something that I use twice per day.
• Though most toothbrushes accomplish the task, this one is gentle and effective.
• I love bargains that are actually, in my perception, the best available product.
• It's a daily, happy reminder that simple pleasures have high, positive impact.
• It makes me smile each time a brush my teeth.

2013 is my year of yellow toothbrushes and their cousins.

Swing

My collegiate daughter and I went to a nearby favorite park to hit tennis balls during her Christmas break.  Not only were we the only tennis players, we were the only ones in the whole park.  Another couple entered the tennis courts just as we prepared to leave.  As I turned toward the car, Julia spontaneously said, "Let's go swing".

What an exhilarating rush of childhood memories - from her childhood and mine!  There's pure joy in this simple activity. 

As our children are maturing, they often hear, "you're not old enough".  As adults age, they often think, "I'm too old".  Though the height varies through the age cycle, swinging can bring joy at any age.  I highly recommend it for the young and the young at heart.