7 Things That Bring Me Joy #MamaKatWritingPrompts

There are many things that will bring me joy on a daily basis. Sometimes it is as simple as finding a penny on the ground or something large like winning the Publisher's Clearing House. Okay, so I haven't really won the PCH but I can dream.

This week I was asked what 7 things bring me joy. I thought I would list the 7 most consistent things. These are in no particular order.

1. A baby's smile  just gives me unspeakable joy. I cannot help but to smile myself when I see a baby smile. Sometimes I wonder what they are thinking when I see them smiling in their sleep. I imagine it dreaming of clouds and puppy dogs. Most likely, it is because they just stunk their pants.

free to use image-credit to photographer

2. A bottle of Pepsi. I know, Pepsi has been on other lists of mine. I simply cannot help myself but I like the stuff. Since I am not a coffee drinker per se, Pepsi will be my go-to pick me up every time. I am a better joy to be around when I have had my joy.

3. Books! Hands down, I love to read! A real book in my hand gives me joy. I love the smell of them, the look of them, the feel of the pages in my hands. I love them so much that I...(Shameless plug coming)...created this blog. Reading Authors

Another Shameless Plug-This book I Co-Wrote

4. Unexpected presents.  My birthday is this Saturday and I hope I receive a present or two. I may or may not but that is no matter. What I really love is one someone gives me something unexpected. I love the surprise of it and the fact that someone took their time out to think of me. For example, I recently was given a painting from a friend that I mentioned I loved that she did. She left it on my porch for me while I was gone to work. Unexpected!

5.Old black and white photographs. Today was can choose a filter to make photos black and white but not too long ago we had actual film. I used that kind of film a lot in my years of taking photos. My Dad did too. I especially love looking at photos of people. I often will look at them and wonder what they were thinking. Who were they? I have found joy in trying to find out who they were. I also have found joy in looking at some of my Dad's old photos.

6. Making people laugh.  I think I get a ton of joy out of watching people laugh with my antics. Sometime it is as simple as some stupid hat I have put on. Just the other day, I started a plastic ball fight with my co-workers. Their fun and laughter made it a great day.

Case In Point

7. Getting to know people. I am not exactly an extrovert but not a complete introvert either. So, I do like to sit down with people and get to know them. I especially like to talk to old people and find out about them. If I take the time to listen, I can find out the most fantastic things. Not too long ago, I was sitting on a bench when an older man sat down to rest. He began telling me about himself. It turns out he was a WWII vet and had some fascinating tales.

What brings you joy? Tell me in a comment.
Michelle

PS> Want to join the Mama Kat Writer's Workshop every Thursday? Find out details here.

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Thankful Thursday...Waiting! 3/6/14

Yesterday began the Lenten season for many people around the world.  I do follow in this traditional partaking.

Like Advent it is a time of waiting and preparing. This time we are preparing for yet another promise, the promise of the afterlife...the resurrection!

This waiting is sometimes difficult but wasn't advent too? Some of us prepare with self-sacrifice, others with prayer, some of us nothing at all, but we still wait. 

The waiting and waiting and waiting...it is nerve wracking almost. Right?

However, I am grateful for it! By waiting, I am taught patience in other things that flow in and out of my life. I am taught that by waiting often the good will be at the end even if I have to wade through the bad to get there.

Wow, what a revelation!

Thankful Thursday...spreading the love by awareness

I am going to warn you right off that bat what you read from me today may be a little alarming but one I must write. We often go through our daily lives and not think about the people that help us make our lives easier. We do not think about how our gadgets or our food or our clothes have been made. We just have them and glad we do.

I want to make you aware of something that is happening in the world today, right now, right at this minute. That is modern day slavery. You heard me right, modern day slavery!

I read a couple of articles today that made me sick to my stomach. HERE is one to read right now. The one that really got me was the children on Lake Volta. Go ahead read it. I will wait.

If you really did read it, then now YOU are aware.
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So, having said all that, I am sure you are wondering what that has to do with being thankful. Well, let me tell you. First of all, I am grateful I was born into a family that is loving and kind. A family that sees the value of the human being. A family that did not sell me into slavery because a debt needed to be paid.

Secondly, I am grateful that these articles have been written and that I read them in spite of  the sheer disgust I feel. It has allowed my awareness to be raised and hopefully now with me sharing, yours to be raised too.
Secrecy is often a killer!

This is the week of spreading the love. I challenge you to share these articles or at very least, my blog post. The idea of any kind of slavery should be stopped.
I am grateful to you if at least one of you raises that awareness.

Thankful Thursday & A Song 1/30/14

Sometimes you do not want to be thankful. Sometimes you would just rather rage at the world. Sometimes things just do not seem to be going your way and gratefulness is the last thing on your mind. Sometimes...

Right now as I am blogging, I am not feeling so thankful. I guess it is because I am a bit angry at the moment for stupid stuff that will pass in a bit. Who wants to be thankful when you feel like that?

I suppose though, I should be thankful just for the right to have feelings and to be able to express them. Some people in this world, in particular women, have to squelch what they are feeling. If they stand up and scream or say that their feelings are hurt, they are abused or sometimes even killed.

I suppose being grateful for being angry seems odd but truth is, I can be if I want or need to be. I do not have to worry about the aforementioned. For that, I am grateful too.

Coming back into a balance of peace is always good and even right now, I am and will be grateful for that as well.

What are you thankful for today? Tell me.

Achoo Grateful!

I seriously think I lose days somehow. One day it is the first and the next day the ninth. To think when I was younger I wanted things to hurry up some. Now, I think like others, I want it to slow down.

Anyway, Tamirisc and I continue to be sick. It seems we have had what so many others have had. I have been sick worse than the hubby. My Grandma would have called this the creepin' crud.

So, by now, I am sure you are thinking, "How can she be thankful?"

Well, truth is I am glad that I received a flu and pneumonia shot early on so I have not come down with that too. I am grateful to the makers of Kleenex and over the counter medicine companies. Really, I am!

I am glad that my hubby did not have it worse than me because I have been in no condition to take care of him and me too. It was also nice to have him home to pamper a little especially when I felt like my brains were coming out of my head.

How could you not be grateful for all of that?

Let me know what you are thankful for this week.
~Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday 11/21/13

Welcome back to another Thankful Thursday. This is the day I post what I am most grateful for or have been for the week.  Please join me if you wish. I love new friends and old too.

This week my hubby and I went out shopping a couple of times. He took me to a place we had never been too. He enjoys taking me on little excursions now and again.

In addition this week, he brought home a brand new Christmas tree and a little Snoopy window cling for me. I know these are things but the joy it brought me is unmeasurable.

So, this week, I am just so grateful for my hubby being in my life and for the little things that bring me joy.

What about you? Tell me in comments and I will come visit.

#Thankful Thursday...11.7.13

Usually this time of year I do a daily thankfulness day. This year, I decided not to do.

Why?

Well, I could say something clever like I am thankful every day and do not need to do so just in November.
Which is kind of true but it would also make me look like a complete schmuck.

Truth is, I just plain did not want to. I really have no reason why or why not.

However, as today is my usual post for Thankful Thursday, I do have something to say about that.

You see this guy here?

This is my beloved Tamirisc from Chronicles from the Man Cave. We have almost completed 5 years of marriage this year come December.

I am grateful for his music loving, sci-fi, Doctor Who, Star Trek, cat loving, TV junky, crazy self. He makes me happy.

He does laundry. He cleans.
He loves me sometimes even when he is not sure how.

I am lucky. I know. Most importantly, I love him and he loves me.

I am so, so grateful for that.

Thankful Thursday...10/17/13...Halloween recipe

Can you believe it is Thursday? It seems like time is just flying by at a break neck speed. I cannot even seem to get caught up with things.

Today as I do every Thursday, I am taking time out to be grateful for those people, place and things I need on a daily basis to be grateful for. If you wish to join me, leave me a comment and I will come visit.

If you will indulge me a moment...

My blog friend, Mama Kat posted a writing prompt today ( A pumpkin inspired craft or recipe) and it got me to thinking.

As the holidays do continue to fast approach, my thoughts always turn to family. I miss them so much. I was thinking about something I used to do with them around this time but also with daycare children I worked with for many years.

I would allow the kids to make a simple pumpkin pudding. It gave the kids freedom to "cook" but also to smell something wonderful and also, get to do something they normally would not get to do.
Of course the best part for them and me, was eating it!

This time was always special as I got to see smiling faces and the satisfaction they had when they got to taste their done product. How can I not be grateful for such a warm memory?
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I am including the simple recipe here just in case you would like to try this out too. Kids can do all of this themselves with a little guidance. It is so, so worth it!
~Naila Moon

Pumpkin  Pudding Recipe
Need: 1 can of pureed pumpkin
           1 lg pkg of instant vanilla pudding
           1 can of evaporated milk (optional)
           1 container of Cool Whip
           1 sm. handful of vanilla wafers (optional)

Time: 5 minutes
1.  Mix in a bowl the vanilla pudding as directed. You can use the evaporated milk or regular milk.
2. Fold in the pumpkin. (Note: I usually do not use the whole can but about 1/2. Either way is ok)  Make sure the pumpkin is well mixed in with the pudding.
3. Refrigerate or let stand for 5 minutes.
4.  Fold in about a 1/2 cup of Cool Whip. (Note: this is optional as you can just put the Cool Whip right on top)
5.  Add a few vanilla wafers on top
EAT! 

          

Thankful Thursday/Halloween Day 10

Hello everyone. I am sorry I am a bit late but I have been under the weather. My throat feels like it is on fire and I am achy and downright cold.

However, this is Thursday and the day I take time out to be thankful.
What is that you say? How can I feel thankful when I feel so yucky?

Well, the truth is, there is always something to be grateful for.
Today, I am most grateful for my husband who has bundled me up on the couch in a nice warm blanket, put socks on my feet, and made me some hot tea with honey. That is love right there!

I went several years of having to take care of myself when I was sick and it is nice to have someone around to pamper me a bit.  Truly, grateful!

As always, leave me a comment and I will come visit.
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Day 10 of Halloween Countdown:


I am just going to share an interview with you that I recently did with author Michael Phillip Cash.
He is a thriller writer and is getting ready to come out with a new book shortly.
Check out the interview HERE.

See you tomorrow.
Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday...10/3/2013...Halloween Countdown day 3

I am so glad that I decided to bring back Thankful Thursday. For me it is a good reminder to be thankful every day, not just in November. At least having a designated day in the week, it forces me to reflect a moment and that is a good thing too.

This week I have been thinking a lot about my family. They have really been on my mind. As you know, we are spread out all over the place and I am two states away from my children and grandchildren. It is not easy just to hop on a plane and go see them and then come home. 

My kids when they were little at Halloween. I think he is 4 and she is 6 but don't quote me.

As you know, I have also begun my month long homage to Halloween. This too has reminded me of my family. We had so much fun decorating the house on Halloween night. No, we did not before then. We decorated that night, scared the pants off of a few hundred kids, handed out tons of candy and then took it all down.

As crazy as that sounds, we loved doing it. Kids came from miles around to come to our "spooky house on the corner". They told their friends and their friend's friends. It was an enjoyable time for me and my family.

If you saw my Dad's photo earlier this week, it was one of those times. He loved getting involved in the process. Nothing we did was elaborate or took us any time to do. If you noticed, my Dad was wearing a simple wig...he was bald.

Another time, he simple walked around the yard. This may seem odd but he had this uncanny way of twisting his fingers inward and shuffling one foot. You would have thought he was a zombie minus the gore. Kids screamed and Dad laughed. We did too.

So, what does all of this have to do with Thankful Thursday?

Well, I am grateful for the time I had to just have some fun with my whole family. It made a memory in my mind that was enjoyable. I miss that time but I am so, so thankful I had it too.

~Naila Moon

Want to share with me? Just comment and I will come visit.

Thankful Thursday and A Song...8/1/13

Hello everyone and welcome back to Thankful Thursday and a song.
I am sorry that I missed you all last week. It was the weekend before I realized I even forgot to post.

This Friday I am finally getting to fly back to Missouri to see my kids and grand-kids. I am getting more excited by the minute. I have not even met my new grandson so that even makes it more special.

Around here in our apartment complex it has simply been loud! I mean really loud with construction going on. Do not get me wrong, I am grateful for our apartment and just the sheer fact I can hear anything.

However, I am so looking forward to the sounds of toddler giggles, babbling babies and adult conversations with my kids. It has been over a year since I have seen them and I cannot be more grateful than be able to go see them.

What are you grateful for this week? Tell me in comments and I will come visit you.

Peace,
Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday and A Song...7/18/13

Today is going to be a short post partly because I am cruising in here so late but also because it is a beautiful day and gazing outside at the beautiful day seems to be in order. Maybe that is why I am late?

Nah.

So, I have mentioned before that sometimes it is the little things we forget to be grateful for. Those things could be the morning kiss of  a significant other, a child doing the dishes without being told to do or maybe the sweet little song of a bird out the window.

I feel like we take so much of those things for granite and we shouldn't because they too can be some of the most precious thing in life.

For me today it is the clear blue sky and having my wonderful hubby home today. Ah, life is grand!
                                                            ------------------------

I am not going to have a link up just leave me a comment and I will come visit. Have a great afternoon!
~Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday and A Song

I was wondering today about the differences in people. Some people seem so happy all the time and full of life and wonderment. Others on the other hand seem in a constant loop of depression, anger or disgust of their fellow human beings.

It is not to say that I do not have down days because I do. I just do not get being upset at everything all the time. We have so much time on this Earth, after that, we are gone. Shouldn't are life be of fulfillment even if life seem sucky? We can find happiness even in the midst of a storm.

Today I am just simply thankful for being able to wake up in the morning (or sometimes afternoon hee hee) and look forward to what the day may bring. It is the surprise in life.

I am sharing a video today with you that I discovered. This woman certainly could be down considering her situation but she isn't. She is just living life with what it is right now.

Be happy, be thankful.
~Naila Moon

PS>Link up after the video.

Thankful Thursday and A Song

Hello everyone and Happy July 4th to those of us in the states.
As today happens to also fall on my thankful Thursday post, I bet you can guess what I am most thankful for today.

Even with all the problems our country has faced over the past few years and some that continue today, I prefer to live in this country more than anywhere in the world. There are many things that make this country great.

I love its parks, its beauty, the monuments, the history and many other things in between. Most of all, I love that we are a free society. We may argue and fuss but we have that right to do so. We have the right to say what we think and feel but at the same time, with that given right we need to show respect to those others of us that do not agree with us. Even still, we all live in the same country and out freedoms is what makes us great. We need to remember that.

So, today, I am grateful for being born and living in the USA, to be free and to those who served and are serving to keep us that way.

Link up below and I will come visit. Happy 4th!

Peace, Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday and A Song June 13, 2013

Good afternoon all. I have been out and about and enjoying spending time with my Mom who is visiting me for another week. Good to hang out with her. It is warm here and rain is badly needed.

As it is Thankful Thursday and A Song today, I am just grateful for all that I have and all that I am.  I am grateful for my family and the friends I do have. Life is good even when sometimes it just seems mucky.

I wanted to give a hearty shout out to my blog pal and cyber sis, Marie Moody aka Xmas Dolly. It is her birthday today. She has been a great online friend by being kind to me and teaching me a few things I did not know. I appreciate her very much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE. The song today is for you!

Don't forget to link up so that I can come visit you.
~Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday and A Song...June 6, 2013

Hello my lovely friends.
Today is Thursday, the day I give thanks to all that is. Although, in truth, I am thankful everyday, I just blog it today! ;-)

Anyway, I have been laid up in bed for two days with terrible back spasms. Ok, terrible is not even the right word. Let's go with horrible shall we? However, this is not what I wanted to talk about.

What I do want to talk about is tears...crying and the grace from it.

We cry for many different reason, hurt, joy, and pain.
In all of it, we find a release that is sometimes so over whelming that we do not know what to do. Yet. it is a release.

I have cried many times in my life for all of the reasons I mentioned above. Yesterday, being in pain, was no exception. My Tamirisc held me as I cried because really what else could he do?

Today, I am thankful for those times I have cried. Those times when I just needed to let go to be released from what every those tears were brought on by.

I am also thankful for the ones who held me as I cried: my parents, my friends, my husband, my children and The Creator. Their comfort in pain or their happiness in joy are so much appreciated.

I found this song today that I want to share with you.

I hope for you peace in your house today. Don't forget to link up so I can share thankfulness with you.

Hugs and peace,
Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday and A Song...May 30,2013

It is a beautiful Thursday here in Colorado. How is it in your neck of the woods?
Yesterday we had a bit of rain and even though many parts of the country are getting way too much, it was perfect for us.

I love it when it rains because things feel fresh and of course stuff grows. I love all the flowers and green grass and...well, you get my point.

So today, I am happy and most thankful for the rain and for the sunshine that comes after it too.

Hope you are having a great week and enjoy the upcoming weekend.
Don't forget to link up so I can come visit.

Peace,
Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday and A Song...May 16, 2013

Hi everyone, it is 6PM on Thursday evening and I am just getting around to blogging for the day. We had a friend over today and being over meant a lot to her. 

Does that mean it is too late for Thankful Thursday? The answer is no because we should be thankful for every moment of every day.

I cannot say enough how thankful I am to have the friends I do, on and off line. Having my friend over today was all about relationships and how we should build on them. Sometimes we take our friends and our families for granted. Sometimes we forget to stop and be thankful for the little things that they are granting us, even if they are not aware.

So today, I am thankful for my friend Stormie who came by today and just simply hung out with me and Tamirisc. It was fun and relaxing.

Don't forget to link up.

Do me a favor and go tell my blog pal, Xmas Dolly hello too. She could use some bloggy/friend love.

~Naila Moon

Thankful Thursday and A Song...May 9, 2012

This week I have been enduring much noise from on-going construction that has been happening here in my apartment complex. It certainly has been enough to drive anyone batty.

However, as crazy as it may sound I am somewhat grateful for the noise too for a couple of reasons.

First of all, just to be able to hear any sound at all for me is a miracle in itself. As I only have 5%  of  my hearing, to hear anything is a blessing even if it is racket. I am ever so grateful that the Creator gives me that 5% because if it is construction noise or the cry of a baby, I want to still hear.

The second thing is, all this construction is a process that is pushing Tamirisc and I into something greater. Soon they will be wanting to reconstruct our apartment and when they do, we have to move. Moving in the past has meant saying goodbye in many ways for us but this time, that is not the case.

This time we get to move into a brand-spanking new apartment that has totally be renovated and we are upgrading too!  After issues with unemployment for a year and a half and not knowing if we were even going to be homeless, this is quite welcome.

So, so grateful.

For my song today, how about some beautiful noise.

Make sure you link up with me and my blog pal Xmas Dolly.
Peace...Naila Moon

P is for... and Thankful Thursday and A Song

P is for...

"Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."
 ~Mahatma Gandhi

photo source

Prayer is an integral part of my life. I rely on it as much as I do other things.
I don't just pray when something tragic happens. I pray in thanksgiving too.

I think it is interesting that Mahatma Gandhi says that, ..."daily admission of one's weakness."
I truly never thought of it that way. I rely on prayer because my human weakness does not trust enough. 

Thought provoking!

I also believe that when people pray together things happen. It does not matter what religion the individual are, it is a collective thought process and coming together in agreement.

Today I want to just say how grateful I am to have prayer in my life and the need I have for it.
~Naila Moon

If you would like to join me and my blog pal Xmas Dolly in Thankful Thursday, link up below.