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365 Reasons to Smile – Day 116

For the past month, my daughter has been spending her weekend nights performing in our local community theater, which has been transformed into a haunted theater.

Kendall absolutely loves getting dressed up and playing a role. She also loves seeing the reactions of everyone who comes through. She particularly loves when people she knows report how scared they were.

Normally, I wouldn’t consider scaring people to be appropriate.

But the great thing about Halloween is that it allows all of us to push the boundaries of normal.

And that always makes me smile.

Day 116: The Haunting Season Day 115; Life Experience

Day 114: Changes Day 113: The Wooly Bear Caterpillar Day 112: The National Anthem Day 111: Parents Who Care Day 110: Good Friends Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Day 108: A.A. Milne Quotes Day 107: Spending Time Wisely Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

74 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, Halloween, haunted, musings, perspective, scary, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 115

Oct 29

Posted by Trina Bartlett

When I left my first professional job after college, my boss presented me with a plaque that read, “Experience Is What You Get When You Didn’t Get What You Wanted.”

That was 1990.

Randy Pausch is now credited for the quote in the Last Lecture. Of course, he added “And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.”

His addition to the quote puts all of my experiences in perspective.

Life isn’t about everything going our way. Life is about learning to make the most of every situation.

Realizing that always makes me smile.

Day 115; Life Experience

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, experience, life, life lessons, musings, perspective, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 114

Oct 28

Posted by Trina Bartlett

Years ago, someone said words that have always resonated with me: “There will always be people who resist change no matter what it is. At the other end of the continuum are people who want change just for the sake of change. To be successful, you just need to focus on the people in the middle.”

Sometimes, I am the person in the middle; I know change will be good, but I want to make sure the change is the right one.

Sometimes, it is, and sometimes it isn’t.

But no matter what, when change occurs, it is always an adventure.

And that always makes me smile.

Day 114: Changes

Day 113: The Wooly Bear Caterpillar Day 112: The National Anthem

Day 111: Parents Who Care Day 110: Good Friends Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Day 108: A.A. Milne Quotes Day 107: Spending Time Wisely Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

78 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, change, changes, David Bowie, life, musings, perspective, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 113

Oct 27

Posted by Trina Bartlett

Wooly Bear Caterpillars are supposed to predict how bad the coming winter will be. I’m not exactly sure how they are supposed to predict bad weather, but I it has something to do with what percentage of their bodies are brown and what percentage is black.

All I really know is that I’ve been seeing a significant number of Wooly Bear Caterpillars during the past few weeks, and the only thing their appearance has predicted to me is the seasons are changing.is the changing season.

But there is something incredibly comforting in that. No matter what the past year has brought, the caterpillars are a symbol that life goes on. They are also a reminder that even though life may not go on in the way that we hope or want, it will still go on.

And that always makes me smile.

Day 113: The Wooly Bear Caterpillar Day 112: The National Anthem

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

79 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, caterpillars, life, musings, nature, seasons, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 112

Oct 26

Posted by Trina Bartlett

The behavior of politicians in Washington D.C. and ongoing battles about the role of government, we sometimes forget about all that makes America great.

I was reminded last night at my son’s high school home football game.

Despite cold temperatures and our team’s dismal record, there were still plenty of teenagers and parents in attendance. From my spot in the concession stand, I could hear multiple conversations and laughter.

And then there was silence.

Children, adolescents and adults were all standing at attention as the band began to play the Star Spangled Banner. No one was talking or laughing, and no one was ignoring the flag. I expect to see adults do this, but I was moved by the unsupervised adolescents who were showing respect.

For just a moment, we were all truly united, and that always makes me smile.

Day 112: The National Anthem

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, adolscents, musings, patriotism, perspective, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 111

Oct 25

Posted by Trina Bartlett

When I was a child, I used to roll my eyes at my parents’ obsession with living a healthy lifestyle.

Now that I’m older, I don’t just appreciate what they taught me. I also appreciate what they did for themselves, and therefore, what they did for me.

I am 46 years old, and I still have both of my parents, who are both in their seventies.

That’s partially luck, partially genetics and partially due to their diligence.

But I am grateful.

Recently, my extremely active mother faced some health issues that landed her in the hospital, in surgery and in intensive care. She’s now back home recovering. She’s also already complaining that she can’t do as much as she’d like to do.

The fact that she is complaining actually makes me smile.

But then, still having my mom at the other end of the phone always makes me smile.

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

79 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, parents, relationships, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 110

Oct 24

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I am so incredibly fortunate.

I have a network of people who listen to me, support me and are my greatest cheerleaders. Even though I am constantly reminded of how selfish some people can be, I am also constantly reminded of how selfless others are.

Life is far from perfect, and all of us face tough times. But having good friends who can help us navigate the rocky terrain of life always makes me smile.

Day 110: Good Friends Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

Day 108: A.A. Milne Quotes Day 107: Spending Time Wisely Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

80 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, friends, relationships, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 109

Oct 23

Posted by Trina Bartlett

People always tell me I have a good memory, and generally, I do. But I don’t have a perfect memory, which is why I can’t remember who gave my son the book My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss.

But I clearly remember how much he loved the book. And I still have the text memorized.

But then, I should. I read it over and over and over again. My son never cared much about Good Night, Moon, but he loved My Many Colored Days.

Other than the rhyme and cadence, the book is nothing like any of other book by Dr. Seuss. But that’s because he didn’t illustrate it. He did, however, capture the essence of color and our moods.

And that always makes me smile.

Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

82 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, books, childhood, children's books, Dr. Seuss, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 108

Oct 22

Posted by Trina Bartlett

Before I was even old enough to understand memories or the importance of them, my father became a star.

My earliest memories of my father are about his involvement in community theater, and one of his first leading roles was Winnie the Pooh.

I have vague memories of my mother sewing yards and yards of a golden fabric into a Winnie the Pooh costume. I have even more vague memories of watching someone who looked absolutely nothing like piglet complain about taking a bath in a steel tub.

But I have very distinct memories of being proud that, even though I didn’t entirely understand why, my dad was pretending to be Winnie the Pooh.

From then on, I was never a big fan of the cartoon version of Winnie the Pooh, but I love the original version – the one created entirely by A.A. Milne’s imagination.

I’m still a huge fan.

His words of wisdom always make me smile

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

82 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, A.A. Milne, children, christopher robin, imagination, parenting, quotes, smiles, winnie the pooh

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 107

Oct 21

Posted by Trina Bartlett

Last week, I created a very long “to do” list for the weekend. I knew I’d have limited time as I’d also be performing the duties of my second and third jobs (Mom’s Taxi Service and Official Family Cheerleader). But I convinced myself that after church on Sunday, I’d finally find the time to start checking off the items on my list.

I only checked off two, because a beautiful autumn day seduced me.

I took my daughter and her best friend to the park.

I smiled as two 12-year-old girls enjoyed crunching their feet through fallen leaves, playing chase with the dog, swinging (my daughter in a dress and boots) and simply letting go of any attempt to act like a teenager.

Watching them made me smile.

Our children grow up so quickly, yet we parents often spend much of that time focused on doing our best to meet the demands of our role in their lives. Every once in a while, we need to just step back and enjoy them for who they are.

Appreciating and enjoying such moments always makes me smile.

Day 107: Spending Time Wisely

Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street