What Makes Me Smile

It's been a week since my last post.  I really haven't had much to say.   The week hasn't been the best for me...  I went through some unemployment blues and am frustrated about the continued poor job market.  Additionally, I am battling a bad knee and I can't get in to see my doc until Monday.  The knee has forced me to hobble around a bit, and I hate it when my mobility is limited.  I'm just used to being active and going and doing.  Still, I do have so much for which to be thankful and grateful, and I still think I'm one of the luckiest people around.  Yes, I remain really happy.  (Big sigh and deep breath....)  And today I had one thing that really made me smile.  Here it is:


Google Image Search found at thetoyreview.com


Yes, Play-Doh makes me smile.  Why?  Because playing with Play-Doh is one of Ella's favorite activities.  Yesterday, Ella and I broke out 12 new containers of Play-Doh, and because Uncle (aka, CT) was off from work yesterday, he joined us.  Here are my two Play-Doh colleagues:

There is nothing like new Play-Doh to brighten one's day.  Fresh, new, bright colors, and that new Play-Doh scent.  (We tossed out all the old "gray" Play-Doh that Ella has mixed together over the last six months.)  Together, Ella and I make all kinds of amazing things with our Play-Doh, but more importantly, we TALK.  Yesterday, we talked about about mommy, about Katie being in school, about Santa Claus, about daddy, about why Uncle should NOT put too much Play-Doh cheese on his Play-Doh pizza (because we all know what too much cheese does to Uncle), about Ellie's new friend Allison, about my knee hurting.  We talked about our trip to Disney and Ella asked CT, "Uncle, what was your favorite part?"  We sang all the latest songs Ella has learned in pre-school (the "Days Of The Week" song, "When You're Happy and You Know It", and of course, the macaroni song, a cute little song that my mom composed.

What started out to be a not-so-good week actually turned out pretty good, because it ended with a smile -- all because of a little Play-Doh.  Something so simple as Play-Doh... and Ella, of course.  Anyway, I hope you find smiles in some of the simplest things too.