Grace in small things - edition seven

1. a starbucks gift card - yes, i am an addict. i love what they say in the movie, You've got mail -

The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino

sometimes I wish my order was a bit cooler, but it is simple and always the same, even in one hundred and hell degrees:

decaf, grande, mocha with whip

2. this particular post - Grace in small things - taking a moment each week to search through my life and pick out the things that make me happy. Things that have touched my heart of made my life just a schosh better this past 7 days. On those tough days, I can spend time thinking about this post. (or maybe the day after all the stress and anger is gone)

3. Knowing other forms of de-stressing. I recently picked up a pair of these. I miss swimming and I will do anything better and longer with music. Gotta love electronics and inventions. There are days all I can think about is getting in the pool to swim off laps of stress and anxiety. When a shower, a nice glass of wine or other such modes will simply not do.

4. Water bottles. One of the things I have become a bit obsessed about. I drink at least four to five times the amount of water when I carry one. A couple of months ago, someone so effortlessly threw out my smartwater bottle that I kept at work. (the nerve, i know) I have been on the endless quest for one that doesn't appear to need to be pitched when cleaning. I found it!! Waiting was so worth it. It has the most incredible drink top. A flip top. No need to twist, slide or other stupid water bottle top thingys. And I LOVE the designs. It is BPA free - whatever that really means. This is my exact design here!

5. alas, love has made the top 5 again. Saint - this week, it is knowing that I am officially in a stable, healthy relationship and what it feels like to have it be normal and quiet. It can be eerie at times, but mostly, once I get over the non-drama of it all. I love it. And I can picture my life in 10 years. Also peaceful. Tuesday, my oldest cat, has currently found her voice again. Usually a mute cat with not much to say, ever. Even when I am calling her frantically because I can't find her. I should have called her squeaker because that is how her voice comes out. Like she can't contain it anymore and it PEEPS! out in a quick, loud MEOW. Even that is too long. It's more of a MW! But oh so incredibly cute. And Izabel with her lion cut reminds me of the days when she was 5 weeks old and so adorable I with her baby fur. She is a maine coon, so she has three sets of fur; one wiry and hard, followed by full and thick, and lastly soft and down-like. Her lion cut has been growing in and it looks and feels just like that kitten I remember from so long ago. Love it!