A Work in Progress

I'm not sure if you remember, but a little over a year ago, I wrote a post about Pennies. ◄ (not just) Penny Jar  Namely, finding the small -- very inconsequential -- things of life and not only making them an intentional part of your life, but making them a gift. To yourself. These gifts are everywhere -- if we're willing to look past our own negative expectations. Here's the jar today. After a year of doing this, of not passing up a penny when I just happened to walked by one, or picked one up at my feet as I got out of the car, I've changed. Here's how: 1. Expansion : It didn't just stop with pennies, it became dimes and nickels and quarters. And then it became dollars. And then jewelry and keys! There were more gifts around than I thought. I began to find dollars and five dollar bills in the vintage clothing I sold at my Etsy shop. It became comical. My oldest would walk to his car after school and pick up dollars on the ground in front of

When I go to sleep at night, my mind literally goes back over the events of the day, chronologically ... but backwards. I didn't realize I did this until I noticed within five minutes -- and nearing the point of falling asleep -- I was thinking about events that happened in the very beginning of the day. I'll think about my puppy, following me around when I'm home, and doing this. Then I'll think about how my husband was painting the entire trellis, and not complaining about it. And then  I'll think about my son driving me today, and how we both wore camo. (And how we didn't rear end anything.) It was weird. And enlightening. And a little bit like looking at snap shots, actual photos, of each major event of the day. Even if the major events were really not so major. And it made me think about how the little things really all add up to big things. You know how people say that every day goes by and change doesn't really seem an obvious thi