Sweet sappy stuff I love about my life...

It's raining today. It rained yesterday. The leaves are almost gone - but they sure were beautiful this year! I don't think I've seen colors like that since I lived in New England. I remember driving down the road - going home from work - one day a couple of weeks ago and thinking to myself I am so lucky to live here in this beautiful place! I love driving by the lake in the mornings, when the mist is rising off the glass-smooth surface and my elusive heron (there are several, but I always think of him as one being that materializes here and there) is sitting on a pylon or knee-deep in the shallows. I love driving parallel to the train that runs on the other side of the lake and wondering which of us (me or the train) will get to the bridge first. I usually win, even though I'm not racing. I love driving by the lake at night, on my way home, when all the health conscious folks are out walking or running or biking on the trail that follows the street side of the lake from the turnpike to the main road. I see beauty here every day and thank God every day that I can, and do, appreciate it. Taking the time to stop and smell the roses, so-to-speak. I love getting home and walking carefully into my house, being mindful that my children might be getting the last minutes of their afternoon naps in only to be surprised by Little Bit exclaiming happily, "Mommy's home!" and then running to me and throwing her arms in the air in an effort to be picked up and cuddled by me. I love seeing Kiddo's sleepy-eyed, sticky-uppy haired form come slowly around the corner into the living room and then see his eyes light up when he sees I'm home. I love when my husband comes up behind me and gives me a squeeze, telling me in his silent way that he loves me and he's glad I'm home, too. Even though it's now getting colder, and the leaves are nearly gone and it's wet and dreary outside, I love it. Yesterday, it almost smelled like snow, but I suppose it's too early to hope for that. It's really too early to hope for snow at all here...we rarely get more than a dusting. What I wouldn't give for one really good snow day...I'm talking several inches to a foot or more - that would be something! I would love to see how the kids react to seeing real snow for the first time. Even the dog likes snow; she's so funny to watch when she's racing around in the white stuff, sticking her nose in it and then tossing it in the air to snap at it with gleeful jaws. Well, I guess I'm done being sentimental and sappy for the day. To work, I say! TTFN JMS