And that was a happy thought on Monday morning. And yes, this post is a bit day late and dollar short. But these pictures just made me post it.

We stayed up late Sunday night watching the snow. It was hard to go to bed because it’s just so beautiful and peaceful. But we finally did and Monday morning was absolutely stunning. While I waited fifteen minutes for my windshield wipers to thaw (yes, they caused me to be fifteen minutes late to work), I snapped a few pictures.

Breathtaking people. Funny enough, this was my first substantial snow storm to go through and see the aftermath. I was basking in Hawaii when the first crazy one hit in December 2009 and hopped on a plane to California in February 2010 as the second doozer came through. Of course, there’s been a few in between, but I don’t think this much or this beautiful.

As I drove along through the fairy tale world on my way to work, I kept feeling like, ‘Is this real life?’ And if you don’t know where that’s from, here you go. I was jolted to reality when someone threw a snowball smack dab at my face on the windshield.

Later determined it was just a clump falling from a tree. Rather startling though.

It was gorgeous. Very excited for my seventy degree day tomorrow and for the next snow storm. Kinda wish it would happen when my parents are here. They need to experience Virginia at some point.

And hopefully next blog will be about something other than snow.

Until then!

So I know that I pretty much do a snow post every time it snows but every time it snows it’s just so beautiful. And I have to show my family in Cali what they’re missing out on. heh. Truly magical. Especially when it was 60* yesterday and its supposed to be 67* on Thursday. This is my kind of winter.

Because I do love the snow.

And yes, I was trying to get the trees in the left in focus and everything else blurry. Actually it was more like dog in one hand, camera on the other.

Speaking of dog, Glad loves the snow.

And I love taking pictures of the snow.

And I love watching Gladys spinning brodies.

Great way to end the day.

And to all you drivers, be safe. Drive slow.

Hugs.

Well not really. Only Allstate days. And only after I have a nice relaxed morning at home. (ha).

Paul and I are buddies. We go way back. I kinda feel towards him how I feel towards P-dub. I’d love to get together and chat.

That I love my mornings with Paul shows how truly remarkable Mr. PC really is. Because while I enjoy mornings once I’m up, I generally enjoy them quietly. Not with some person yakking in my ear.

Paul is this southern gentleman with a great voice and quite the grin. We spend time together so that I can become a better salesperson (since I spend so much time selling), but it’s the little life lessons that he’s learned from his mom, grandfather and others that are delivered with that grin of his that make me just love him. (He truly does deliver amazing thought processes on how to be the best salesperson you can be).

Chuckle. Great guy. Here’s why I love him and a few things I’ve learned.

From his mom. ‘Empathy is the ability to make other people feel better about themselves because they’ve interacted with you.’

Love that.

‘Ego to me means Edging God Out, and since He’s got the big stick, I try not to do that. I just believe that that’s not a real smart decision for me to make.’

Said with that big grin on his face. On a video being watched by who knows how many Allstate employees. So great.

‘The more miserable you are, the happier your ghost is. You need to tell your ghost to shut up.’

‘If I am spiritually sound, I am mentally strong.’ ‘I’m not here to tell you what to believe but the best place to look is up.’

On his list of daily objectives-’I greeted others with love.’

‘Angels fly because they take themselves lightly.’

‘Today I’m going to be their bright light, not their dim light.’

From his grandfather. ‘A beautiful sunrise is most beautiful when you’re awake to see it.’ Yeah. That one was in the context of getting up 30 minutes earlier so you can think of something positive, read something positive, and watch something positive. Might need to work on that a bit.

And there’s more. And I know I didn’t convey his persona very well so you should just hop over here to see him chat for a brief minute.

And now please excuse me while I enjoy a cup of coffee with Mr. Cummings.

The other main reason? I have a lot of joy and happiness in my life. I’ve been given a lot. And I truly want to share my joy and happiness with you, be it in this forum or in person, letters, emails.

But in case some of you occasionally grow weary of reading about too many happy stories, I thought I’d share a story where I battled for happiness. It makes me laugh.

Tra la la.

Once upon a time, it was a gorgeous morning, and I was out walking Gladys. We traversed hills and dales, said hello to a few swans, and continued our journey home.

Upon arriving home I decided to let her sniff around in the yard. I figured after walking 1.8 miles she should be content enough to just meander around. She sniffed here and there while I followed her around taking pictures of different plants.

When she was about twenty feet away, I decided that was a bit too far and began walking in her direction, calling her. She flipped over on her back which is usually a sign of submission but then began rolling around. I was probably 8 feet away from her when she rolled to her feet and bolted, straight towards the road.

I bolted too. And as I made it to the road, I saw one of those transit buses bearing our way. I hopped to the middle of the road, waving my arms like a lunatic to warn of my crazy, loose dog. The driver stopped and so did Gladys. I pounced, but off she went. So off I went leaving, I’m sure, the whole bus in mirth.

A few houses down, she finally did the whole submit thing and I carried her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes inwardly fuming, ‘I saved you you crazy dog! And this is what you do to thank me you knuckle head! To where did you think you were going. And why aren’t you content to stay in the wonderful haven I’ve provided for you?’ (I’m sure I could come up with some great spiritual connections here but for the sake of time, I’ll just let you meditate on those ).

The day was too beautiful to let a thing like that get me down so I purposed and purposed to not let it get to me. But for all my purposing, I was still quite annoyed.

Then Wes called me and said he’d left a key to a car at home and he needed it and could I bring it and maybe have lunch.

So about an hour later I strapped in Gladys (heh) and journeyed up there with some chips and dip and a nice plate of dudes to add to his sandwich. I arrived and was happily greeted and then told he was going to play a bit of basketball before coming and finishing his lunch with me. And perhaps, here is where we had a miscommunication. I was planning on turning right back around after eating lunch with him and going home.

I was determined to sit outside in the sun because of the balmy temperature but it was quite breezy. So I sat and shivered and ate my chips and dip and cookies while I watched him play basketball forever. I called him thinking that would distract him but he just looked my way, waved and gave me a grin. So I texted him. Something like, ‘fcol (for crying out loud). I come up here to give you a dumb key and bring you goods and you just play basketball. I’m trying to go back home but I thought a minute or two with you would be nice before I go. fcol.’

That didn’t work either (his phone was in the shop). So I packed everything up and then decided to take Gladys on a brief walk before shoving her back in her kennel. Of course the moment I disappear from sight, Wesley comes bounding down the hill calling, ‘hi love!’. And I’m like. ‘Hi.’ (you nut).

So I put away mostly, my disgruntledness because I thought him receiving my text would be much funnier. We had a nice half hour eating cookies and him telling Gladys not to run away. And as I drove away, I received a text that said, ‘hehehe.’

It was pretty funny.

Moving on.

We were out and about in the evening with a bunch of folks and someone was talking to me. And I was listening. (I just had to answer ‘no’ to Time magazines question, ‘has anyone ever told you you’re a good listener?’ Alas. I don’t think so. Something to work on). So I was listening. And my brain was going 100 miles per hour. And they were talking to me at 10 miles per hour. And what they were saying to me was good. But I was using every ounce of patience to keep myself in that calm, listening mode. But by the time the conversation was over, I had used up all my patience. And as I conversed around later, I pretty much popped off to anyone who slightly said or did the wrong thing. Ask my friends. They’ll agree with me.

And then. We were home. Sitting by the fire. And I was breathing deeply, bringing body, soul, and spirit back together in joyful harmony. And Gladys got off her bed to come say hi. So I said, in a rather flat voice. ‘Hi. You’re supposed to be in your bed.’ And Wesley said, ‘I think I’d go crazy if you were my mom.’

…

I was like. Wow. Really?

And after lots of him back pedaling and me giving out lectures, we just looked at each other and burst out laughing. Like. Wow. Really?

And that concludes my story that confirms what you probably all know. That I don’t always merrily tiptoe through the tulips.

*Laugh.

And I bought a bunch of paperwhite bulbs to bring me the endless joy that comes with having fresh flowers . And left them in the closet for months. I’d see them, feel guilty, and shut the door. Why? Oh didn’t really have a gorgeous bowl for them to rest in. Or beautiful rocks for them to abide in.

Then I saw this blog showing her freshly planted paperwhites and was like. What in the world are those doing in the closet.

Out they came.

I grabbed the bowl from on top of the microwave and some rocks from the driveway.

One of the better decisions I’ve made.

I planted the bulbs on a Tuesday, January 17th, and one week later, they looked like this.

It is incredibly fun to watch something grow before your very eyes.

Five days later I got my first bloom.

And started to become intoxicated by the smell.

Three days later…

A glorious bundle of intoxicating, fresh flowers. Happiness lives on the dining room table.

And as I was studying her blooms four days later, I discovered that she even sparkles.

I love this photo. Taken my dear white iphone with no filters or editing. Flowers just speaking for themselves.

They just celebrated their third anniversary today and are continuing to thrive.

I’d highly recommend getting yourself aquainted with a bunch.

They’ll make you smile.

I have just the thing for you.

I work at this cool place called Allstate in the Hollymead Towncenter and together with an even cooler place, Sweet Frog, we are hosting a little blood drive.

This little party is taking place this coming Monday, February 13 from 9:00 am to 1:00.

Get excited about it. We are.

Some of us maybe a bit more than others. heh.

And how cool is this. If you sign up before February 9th, you’ll receive a $3 gift card to Sweet Frog (most amazing frozen yogurt ever) and a cool little Allstate tote bag (you know you need one for groceries).That’s me giving you a thumbs up.

So. Let me know. Or email amberclem@allstate.com. Or follow the instructions on this here sign.

You might even get to see me and Allstate’s new mascot! Which would, I’m sure, totally make your day.

Ok. These are hilarious.

‘Excuse me. What’s going on over there? Do I need to come check it out? Do I need to call back up? I will stay focused on the commotion and completely ignore the paparazzi. It’s what I do.’

Now…what were we talking about?

Oh yes. Giving blood. Let me know! And I’d be delighted to have a nice bowl of Sweet Frog with you!

Toodles!

If you recall, exactly one year ago to today I posted this discussing how on January 31, 2011, the winter doldrums tackled me to the ground, then sat on my stomach and leered into my face. It was uncomfortable.

That hasn’t happened this year, largely due to the fact that weather has been absolutely amazing (a high of 70 today) and that even when it’s been snowing or raining, dogs come and take me on walks and force me to be outside where I soak up as much vitamin D as possible.

And now that it’s February, isn’t it ok that these are coming up?

I cannot wait to see my 190 bulbs. So far only five of those have peaked through.

And hopefully it’s okay that whatever this is is blooming?

I mean, if flowers are blooming and the geese are all back, then surely they all know that it’ll be okay, right? No more freezing. Hurray!

So yay for February. And judging by Instagram, (oh how I love Instragram), there are many of you out there rejoicing with me in its beauty.

Happy Day!

Day.

Life.

Friend.

Food.

You name it. It’s just been a pretty spectacular day. How can it not be when a bunch of your mom friends go to the park and a bunch of your regular (:)) friends walk dogs with you at said park and then everyone comes over for lunch. And it’s 66 degrees outside.

Thanks friends for all the help.

And thank you children for providing entertainment.

Ahh.

What a wonderful day.

And its amazing how ending yesterday by banging on the piano and shouting to the heavens with Wes ‘I am not skilled to understand (bom bom che, bom bom che, bom) what God has willed, what God has planned (bom bom che, bom bom che,  bom). I only know at his right hand (bom bom che, bom bom che, bom) stands one who is my Savior.’ You can listen to the rest right here. It’s amazing what praising Him does for the soul. And if you’re wondering what all those bom bom’s are, I was getting real into the beat. In fact, I pounded it out on any surface I could find until I finally fell asleep.  Wes was thrilled.

Speaking of Wes, while I cuddled with Glad,

he did the dishes.

What a guy, what a guy.

By the way, have any of you noticed by my large use of instagram photos that I succumbed to the materialistic and consumerism of this present day? Yes, I am the owner of a beautiful white iphone.

We’re rather fond of each other but try to keep our time together minimal. She sure is pretty though.

Here’s the new kid on the block.

I watched her get dropped off on Monday. It was really sad. She’s a Husky Shepard mix and actually one of the best walkers I’ve met. One blue eye and one amber eye.

Great day for walking. My car said it was 66 degrees. So glorious.

Alright. I’m going to go check on my pooch and make some melody. You should too.

Hugs and love.

So as I sat at work today I wondered what on earth I could blog about besides Gladys. She’s kinda consuming all my creative juices. I can’t think about anything else too interesting to talk about.

And then I thought about how I hadn’t even seen her today. And I wondered how she was doing with Wesley. (She goes to work with him when I go to work). And wondered if she was ok. And what if a car ran over her. And what if I had to tell you she died.

That all made me a bit edgy. So I texted Wes.

In the meantime, it was still the early morning hours of work. And I have this little system in the morning. I watch my educational videos, then scan papers. This takes a minimum of an hour and a half and allows me to wake up and then be friendly to everyone else.

Well, we had a busy day planned so I kept getting interrupted by various tasks. Which is fine. And good. I just like to finish one thing before I start another. And I was already edgy.

And the boss was vacuuming everywhere. And it was loud.

And then he parked it in my office. The office I share with another fellow. As a not so subtle hint.

Right about then my feminist side overtook me and I began a silent war with my fellow office partner as to who would vacuum. I filled the room with silent reasons as to why I was not going to vacuum the dumb office.

A half hour into this war, I wondered if I was the only one fighting. You know how you get so focused on your battles only to realize that you may not have any opposition? Well I wondered. But wasn’t ready to give in.

And then I looked at my blog. And saw that happy dog. And remembered her wagging tail. And heard back from Wesley that she was having a great day. And I smiled for the rest of my day. (I need a therapy dog).

And then I came home and went on a walk with a happy husband and a wagging dog.

Isn’t she cute? And he?

Smells like a piña colada.

Great way to end the day.

(I did win the war. And felt a little bad when he kindly offered to vacuum under my desk. I said thank you real prettily though).

snort.