1. Managed to get some writing done for the first time in a while.
2. Opening night for my daughter's musical.
3. We're really fortunate. And I try to remind myself of that every day. I can go to the store and buy groceries without pinching pennies. That's . . . incredible, really. And I want to stay in touch with that because I don't want to be the type of person who takes things for granted. I can be upset about little things, but in the big scheme? I've got it pretty damn good. I have clean water. I have food—yes, even when I complain there's "nothing in the house to eat." And we're healthy. My life is a good one. I'm very lucky.

1. The school had its annual breakfast to thank the volunteers (of which I am one). That's always nice.
2. Got through the school's annual hoe down as well. I'd been helping my son's class practice for the past month, so it was great to see them finally do their square dance—and nice to finally be done.
3. Went to my oldest son's open house, which is where we visit the classrooms and see everything they've done over the course of the year. He's done quite well, and I'm proud of all his hard work.

Productive day that included grocery shopping and much running around to fetch kids from places and take them to other places. Honestly, it wasn't very fun, but at least I did it. Also, I was able to listen to the final few chapters of the Brynnde audiobook and now it's all approved and ready to upload. So yay for that! Also, two young squirrels chattering in the Japanese maple in our yard. They were so cute.

1. The swimming pool on a hot day.
2. White noise machines in the face of noisy, partying neighbors.
3. A good chat with my mother.

Day at the ballpark. Kids behaved, we had good ice cream, were on the Jumbotron, and our team won. So . . . Yeah, a good day.

1. Saw Solo. I mean, I didn't think it was terrific or anything, but it was a nice time out with the family.
2. Sushi for dinner.
3. DuckTales. Which I enjoy way more than I probably should admit.

1. Listened to more of the Brynnde audiobook and mocked up a cover for it.
2. Helped out at the final track meet of the season.
3. A fairly relaxing evening after a busy week.

1. Listened to more Brynnde audiobook. I'm so excited!
2. Really good, fun writing group meeting. Feel like I hadn't been in years.
3. My second grader, examining artwork displayed at school: "First graders pulled this off? Pretty good." He's the best. (Don't tell the other two I said that.)

1. Productive! I helped out in the classroom, picked up my new glasses, and got the shopping done (with help from the hubby, who worked from home today).
2. Really good taco bar for lunch. My new favorite place for Mexican food.
3. Did manage to squeeze in a little writing. So now my hair looks a bit better.

Bonus: covered my "wisdom stripe."

1. An agent requested pages.
2. Got to listen to more of the audiobook for Brynnde, and it's sounding really good.
3. A productive day overall—at home at least. No errands or appointments.

1. Nails all tidied up with a fun new color.
2. Relaxing with a book.
3. My son finally finished his biography report on Thomas Edison. Seriously, I feel like this has been going on for ages. I'm probably more excited for him to be finished than he is.

1. Morning coffee klatch with two writer friends. We try to get together every so often but it had been a while.
2. Got about four pages written.

. . . ??? A pretty quiet day, really. I guess that in itself is worth being grateful for.

1. Picked up my car this morning. All shiny and running like a dream!
2. Survived a bat mitzvah. It was for someone I don't know very well, but our daughter had a role in the ceremony, so . . . At least we got to dance, and the food was pretty good.
3. Also picked up my new contact lenses. Still waiting for my glasses, though.

Bonus: afternoon nap!

1. On my morning walk I passed a man in a ballcap going the other direction. He nodded and touched his cap at me. That's something I haven't seen outside of my visits to the UK, and it just delighted me. I know I'm not supposed to like all those old-fashioned things, but deep down I really do.
2. Very good walks (two today!) in general.
3. Family dinner at one of our favorite local pizzerias.

1. Got in a really good walk this morning.
2. Got more writing done.
3. Oldest son's band concert went well.

1. A little boy in the class where I volunteer every week told me, "I'm glad you're here to help us."
2. The square dancing instructor for that class told me, "Thank you for your help. You really seem to know what you're doing!" (I grew up in Texas. Yes, we learned square dancing.)
3. A little girl was in tears over her overdue library book, and I was able to help her find it and turn it in.

It was a day of helping. That felt really good.

1. Finally got some writing done. I haven't had the chance to do that in a couple weeks.
2. Eye doctor says my eyes are healthy. New prescription, though, which means: new glasses!
3. Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream.

1. The first day in a long time that I didn't have an errand, appointment, or chore eating up my time.
2. Got to listen to more of the Brynnde audiobook. It's sounding great!
3. This picture made by someone on the Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Arc Facebook page:

Mother's Day + also our 17th wedding anniversary. We had brunch at Winchester Mystery House and took the tour. I'd been there twice before, but they'd made some changes, so there were some new things to see and do. Plus the weather was great.

I'd like to say that, it being Mother's Day, I had a day off from housework. No such luck. So I'm not 100% satisfied with my day, but I'm still trying to look on the bright side. Most of the day was nice at least.

Post-Guest Edition

Had a friend visiting from out of town and therefore am only now catching up on email and the like. Good things that have happened over the past couple days:

1. A publisher requested to read Hamlette
2. Perfect weather (which my friend particularly enjoyed because she came from Dallas, where it is very hot and humid)
3. Introducing my 9yo daughter to the wonders of Jareth in Labyrinth and David Bowie in particular
4. Walks
5. Mother's Day tea at the school
6. . . . Just a general sense of wellbeing

1. Best friend from college is here for a visit.
2. Gorgeous weather.
3. Revolving sushi restaurant. (The sushi revolves, not the restaurant.)

1. Survived being a classroom aide.
2. House is clean.
3. John Mulaney's standup.

1. Indulged in a McFlurry
2. Helped out again at the penultimate track meet. I really do relish feeling useful.
3. . . . Still reading that really good book . . .

1. Sunshine! (Perhaps too much of it...)
2. Reading a good book.
3. Busy, but not feeling overwhelmed like last week.

Survived social outing. Was rewarded with In-N-Out Burger. Got a walk in (though not as much of one as I'd like.) Dance party with the kids. Oh, and saved a bee.

1. Fell asleep in one of the new patio chairs.
2. Survived taking two of the kids to an overcrowded birthday party.
3. . . . It was an okay day, anyway . . .

1. Shorts weather again!
2. I'm now inside the 10 lbs range for where I want to be.
3. Fab lunch out.

Bonus: Fab dinner out with friends, followed by Train + Hall and Oates.

1. A quiet day in preparation for a busy evening.
2. Nice PTA meeting (at a winery, no less!) in which I was elected Secretary for next year.
3. My cat was feeling especially cuddly.

1. A relatively smooth time volunteering in my youngest son's classroom.
2. Also a relatively smooth time helping out at my oldest son's track meet.
3. Taking my oldest son to Wendy's after.

1. Toilet fixed.
2. Writing group.
3. Lost another pound.