Reason to Smile #93

Having my birthday turn out to be the personal, laidback, fun weekend I wanted it to be. It was so low-key, but tons of fun; it was exactly what I needed!

Reason to Smile #92

Yo Mamma jokes.

Reason to Smile #91

It's Thanksgiving Day, and I am thankful for my husband, my family, my friends, my Zappos family and great food! 

Reason to Smile #90

You Tube.  Sometimes those videos crack me up.  Lately I've been into Simon's Cats - cartoons about how adorably annoying cats can be.  Ah, I can so relate.  I love my kitties - they make me smile also. 

Reason to Smile #89

Being recognized for something you did without expecting recognition.

Reason to Smile #88

Hanging out with mom. I love my mom and it always makes me smile to just hang out with her.

Reason to Smile #87

Daylight Savings Time!  I woke up early and enjoyed my morning before leaving for work!  I feel well rested. 

Reason to Smile #86

My new creation: Coffee Caramel Chocolate Milkshake! Don't think about the calories, it's just too good to care about that! :) :) :)

Reason to Smile #85

Clever students. Too often we, as teachers, let the misbehaving, rude kids overshadow the ones that really make teaching enjoyable. Clever and kind students give us a ray of hope for our future, and a good reason to smile.

That dolphin kiss made me smile! I met Dolly the dolphin at Sea World when I was prego with Zoey. Don't dolpins just make you smile? And squeal a little? (This is my very first blog!)

# 83

I'm with Sandy ... this weather is amazing!!!

Reason to Smile #82

This gorgeous October weather here in Vegas! That alone is a million reasons to smile.

Reason to Smile # 81

Reason to smile: the Zappos employee discount - I have been supplying my closet with new running shoes, new professional shoes, a sweater and new UGGs!  Fun week of shopping!  The weather is getting cooler, so it's time to stock up on warmer clothes!

Reason to Smile # 80

I have been having so much fun!  I am so thankful to live here in this great city of Sin City (Las Vegas)!  Friday night we went to see Carrot Top then Saturday night we went to see comedian Louis CK and both shows were sooo funny!  I love laughing - especially when I can do so with good friends. 

Reason to Smile #79

Being appreciated for things you do for others. It felt great to help out my students and school this weekend for homecoming, and even that they appreciated my help was the icing on the cake.

Reason to Smile #78

Ben comes home in less than an hour!  He's been away for a week and it feels like forever. 

Reason to Smile # 77

Even though we have lost a few members of our family this year, I am happy for the remaining family and the hard times remind me how close we all really are.  We are lucky to have each other to lean on. 

Reason to Smile #76

I love a good bargain. I found a $70 dress for $6.80! I am proud of my bargain hunting prowess.

# 75

My friend Becky is coming to town this week!  Very excited!

# 74

Oh my goodness! I went to a bar called Jackson's last night and there was a real, live MONKEY!!! That was exciting! I love animals, they are so fun and calming!

#73

I am crazy happy today! Gina, my Ambassador at work (like a "big sister"), gave me a backpack that I had wanted! Total unexpected WOW! Also, I passed my call reviews and tomorrow is my last day of training! I just met my new Lead on Facebook and I am excited to start my new shift!! I am enjoying a quiet evening with a book, my kitty cat and a glass of wine.

#72

I am working on a Power Point presentation!  I haven't used Power Point since college!  I am actually having fun and I'm proud of myself for being able to do it! 

# 71

Still loving my new job!  I'm thankful every day and I look forward to going to work every day!  I'm making new friends and actually feeling like we're providing great customer service!

# 70

We finally got good renters in our rental house!  Learned a valuable lesson from the last round.

#69

Been busy with my NEW JOB at ZAPPOS, so I haven't posted lately.  I'm LOVING every minute of it!  I have to take a test tomorrow, but our trainers have prepared us well, so I think I will pass.  Reason to smile:  fun, happy people and a fabulous place to work.  I have laughed every day since August 1st.

Reason to Smile #68

Coffee!

Reason to Smile #67

Happy new moms with their babies. It's heartwarming to see the genuine love and smiles from both parties.

Reason to Smile #66

Maybe more like a reason to laugh (which includes smiling). Genetics! Quirky little things you share with your siblings and relatives that can only be described as "genetics". Being paranoid about things most people don't think about, the same reactions to certain situations. Yes, we can be weird, but we are not alone!

Reason to Smile #65

Got bad news at the doctor today...Doesn't sound like a reason to smile does it? But here's the thing: It's good to finally find a doctor that will listen to you and diagnose you right! Here's a happy smile to feeling better (Finally!)

#64

I got new renters in my rental house!  (Well, as of August 13) - yay!  Renters who pay on time make me smile.  (They are friends of mine, so they will.)

#63

Guacamole.

#62

My Mom bought me an iPhone!  I love it!  Smartphones make me smile (again).

Reason to Smile #61

Planning to survive the zombie apocalypse with your best friend and having the same condition that the dogs won't be left behind.

Reason to Smile # 60

Sleeping in. Sounds lame? Maybe...but I love it! :)

#59

I gave my notice at the Credit Union today.  So sad to say goodbye to my Credit Union family but so happy to work at Zappos!  I start on August 1st!  Eeeeeek!!!  I am HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY! 

# 58 - I got my dream job!!!

I got the job at Zappos!  (Pending the background check and employment verification)  I am sooo happy!  I have been drooling over the possibility of working there since last DECEMBER!  Very happy and proud of myself and grateful to my supportive family and friends!

#56

I'm happy for you, Snady!  Glad you tied the knot!  I'm sure it was a celebration to remember!  You're probably still on your honeymoon - hope you're having fun!  Vacations make me smile.

Reason to Smile #55

Kudos to friends that can take a joke and laugh at/with each other without getting hurt or angry. Laughter is good medicine!

Reason to Smile #54

Wine....And lots of it!

Reason to Smile #53

My family and friends! They've all been so wonderful, helpful, and caring helping Matt and I get ready for our big day. Makes me glad we didn't elope like I originally wanted.

Reason to Smile #52

I'm getting married tomorrow....Feels awesome to know I really have the right guy for me. No doubt about it I love this man. :)

# 51

I love animals, they ALWAYS make me smile.  Especially puppies.  (Who doesn't love puppies?)  I miss my Mindy dog, but I am thankful she lived a good, long life (2 months and 3 days shy of 17 years!) and I cherish her pictures that I have all over my house.  Everytime I see this picture of me with the dolphin (see above), I smile ... I want a dolphin.  Do you think a dolphin would like living in my pool?  I could do the salt water conversion thing .... hmmm ... probably not enough room for a dolphin.  They like to play ... maybe I could dig a bunch of underground tunnels that connect all the pools in Las Vegas ... then the dolphin would have lots of room to swim and play and everyone can enjoy the dolphin's company.  Definately gives me something to think about.  (I must have too much time on my hands).

Reason to smile #50

I love to write ... I think words are so beautiful.  I had the opportunity to write a lot lately and it makes me kinda proud of myself.  I wrote a heartfelt thank-you letter to my friend Terri, who was key in getting me through a recent hardship.  I wrote another thank-you letter from our family to my mom's church, I wrote a poem for my friend, Jessica's, bridal shower gift and I like how it turned out.  Also, Jessica had asked all of her bridesmaids a few weeks ago for catchphrases for her wedding favors and she chose one of the ones I came up with!  I feel famous. 

Reason to smile #48

My dream is to work at Zappos ... I have an interview on Wednesday!  Very excited!

Reason to smile #47

I have a huge family and sometimes I forget how close we are even though we are separated by hundreds of miles.  Love seeing everyone love and support each other.

Reason to Smile #46

Baking from scratch. It just tastes better and gives you bragging rights. Getting to enjoy the fruits of your labor isn't bad either (Hello Banana muffins!).

Reason to Smile #45

Finding the perfect little black dress! Every woman needs one! :)

Reason to Smile #44

I grew my first successful tomato! It tasted good too. I felt so smart (even though it was mostly the sun, soil, and plant, but still!).

Reason to smile 43

I've been slacking! Reason to smile: Having the best students ever! Even though I am sad to leave them, they definitely wormed their way into my heart.

Reason to smile #42

Time flies!  It's been a month since I've posted on this - things are good, though.  Ben got a promotion at his new job.  Things at my job are getting better - less stressful.  I am hosting a Fashion Show this weekend - love having girl time!

Reason to smile #41

My friend Sandy sent me a text today.  She is having a rough time and asked if I had posted anything on "1k reasons to smile" website lately.  I was happy to have told her that I have posted recently.  This one is for you, Snady (typo is on purpose)!  Love your guts!  This to, shall pass.

Reason to smile #40

I'm optimistic and hopeful!  Love my friends and family and my pets and my house!  Loving this warm weather!  Happy we live in a sunny climate.

#39

I am blogging from my iPad in the airport. I love technology!

Reason to smile #38

I leave for Portland tomorrow!  Ben and I are going to visit friends and see the Tulip Festival!  Can't wait!

Reason to smile #37

I am feeling very blessed today.  Everything feels right ... I am happy I have such a terrific husband, and so happy he loves his new job!  I am so grateful for my mom - we're best friends and she's so awesome.  My job is less stressful and I am hopeful for a new job with Zappos.  Everything would be perfect right now ... if I only had a housekeeper.  LOL.  (I actually don't mind a cluttery house today)

Reason to smile #36

Good day at work today.   Walked with a friend for 40 minutes after work.  Talked to Mom.  Now I'm practicing for my test for Zappos in a couple of weeks!  Good times!  There are a lot of little reasons to smile today.

Reason to smile #35

I'm thankful for 3 day weekends!  I had today off for my birthday and I got my hair done, went shopping and met Ben for lunch!  Had a great day.

Reason to smile #30!

I'm about to be 30 and I got "reason to smile #30" -  how awesome is that?

#31 - Ben got a job!  His first day is today!  He's so excited and I'm so excited for him!

#32 - I found an elderly dog last night - obviously blind and confused.  We took her home and gave her food and water and we found the owners this morning!  They were grateful and I was so happy to have been able to keep their baby safe for them.

#33 - I really want to work at Zappos and I have an online testing scheduled for next month!  I hope I pass and get to have an interview and get the job!  Sending positive thoughts out to the universe!

#34 - I'm thankful to Sandy, who kept this blog alive and well over the last month or so that I was M.I.A.

Reason to smile #29

Gorgeous Vegas weather!

Reason to smile #28

The impossible find! A swimsuit that doesn't look terrible and for a decent price! That's enough for two smiles.

Reason to smile #27

Getting up and seeing there's still enough coffee in the coffee pot for you. Score!

Reason to smile #26

Sleeping in! Not having to rush to get anywhere and just being able to lay there in soft blankets pondering life is awesome.

Reason to smile #25

I am getting better at my job (everyone said I would, but it's hard to believe when you are in your first year of teaching). I just looked back on what I was doing last year at this time and my lessons are more detailed, better planned, and better executed. It's nice to see that I'm improving!

Reason #24

This week ... my sister asked me about my plans for my birthday ... Ben asked me what I wanted him to do for my birthday ... my Mom asked me what I was planning on doing for my birthday ... my birthday is April 2 and it's February 10th ... my family loves me.  <3  (Plus, it's a big one - 30!)  I feel loved and special that they remember me!

Reason to smile #23

Warm sunny days with cool breezes. One of my students had to get up and stand outside the door for a moment because "it was just so nice outside!" Can't fault him for that!

22

i agree with fresh and clean sheets...

21!

facebook

20!

smartphones

Reason to smile # 19

Homemade cookies! They taste so much better than store bought!

Reason to smile #18

Reminiscing about good times with old friends with those same friends. Here's to more fun reminiscing in the future!

Reason to Smile #17

Sometimes the simplest reasons to smile are the most satisfying! My reason to smile: falling into bed with fresh, clean sheets.

Reason to smile #16

My gym is open 24 hours!  If I have insomnia, I have something productive to do!

Reason #12-#15

#12:  I'm happy my friend Sandy has been contributing to this blog while I took a brief break ... I need to do this daily - I think it really helps to keep me focused on the better things in life!
#13:  I'm happy for two consecutive days off work!
#14:  I'm grateful for music - listening to iTunes right now!  Songs can do everything from make us dance or sing, to make us cry and often they bring us out of lonely places by poetically reminding us that we all have the same human emotions.
#15:  I LOVE PICTURES!  Seeing friends and family frozen in time with smiles on their faces ALWAYS makes me happy.  I have 34+ photo albums, several scrapbooks, and tons of pictures on my computer.  This is one of my favorite traits that my Mom passed down to me.  (She loves photographs too!)

Reason to smile #11

Seeing my friend (a new mom) with her much wanted and loved new baby so happy and content with life, made me think true and genuine happiness exists in the world..

Reason to smile # 10

Yay! We made it to 10!
Even after a rough day, there are always sites like "Damn You Auto Correct!" to make you laugh til you hurt!

Reason #9 of 1k reasons to smile

I'm in a great mood today!  January is coming to a close, which means work will be more manageable next week!

Reason to smile #8

A professor of mine once said to the class "There are two types of teachers; the ones that students will see at a grocery store and run up to, and the ones that students see and run away from." While I was shopping for groceries, a student of mine came up to me to say hi. I'm glad I'm "that" teacher.

Reason to smile #6 and #7

Yesterday I tried sushi again ... and have finally decided I DO like it!  Thanks to my husband Ben and my dear friend Becky for being patient and letting me try a little at a time until you've got me under your spell of sushi-ism.

Today I am thankful for my Mom and my girlfriends.  I love my husband and he is my best friend in the world, but no one understands a woman like other women.  Thanks girls - for listening to my dreams (literally ... nighttime dreams) and for listening to my ranting about what I thought I would order for dinner and then what I eventually decided to order for dinner and why I ordered it instead of the first item, and for listening to my new bad habits that stress created and how I feel like my body has a mind of it's own when it comes to clenching fists and grinding teeth and being fidgety.  Girls Rule.

Reason to Smile #5!

Had a successful scrapbooking day!  Finished 5 pages that I'm proud of!

Blog Post #3

Reason to smile #4: My friend Becky is in town and we're enjoying COCKTAILS!  YAAAAY!

Blog #2

I'm still learning about this blog thing.  Reason #3 of 1k reasons to smile:  I had a great evening with my Mom tonight!  We went to dinner, watched my new wedding video, played with pictures and laughed a lot.  I <3 my Mommy!

Entry #1

I've never blogged before.  (Is "blogged" a word?)  I created this blog on a whim, as suggested by a childhood friend, Nicole Savard.  I have a Facebook account and I'm trying to post only positive things in 2011; a few days ago I posted: "When life gives you 100 reasons to cry, show life you have 1,000 reasons to smile" (a quote I stole from 'the best life quotes' app on my Droid phone).  Well, the last couple of days, I have felt like I had a 100 reasons to cry - so yesterday I posted on my Facebook status update, "Julie is sitting in Grimaldis Pizzaria looking at the giant moon and enjoying the perfect weather:  reason #1 of 1,000 reasons to smile". Today, I had an equally (if not exceedingly) horrific workday, so I posted: "Reason#2 of 1,000 reasons to smile: it's not completely dark when I leave work :)  ".  I felt a little self-conscious ... thinking, "wow, this is going to get on people's nerves ... what if I really decide to post 1,000 of these little tidbits?".  My friend Nicole commented on my status update by saying, "I love 1,000 reasons to smile updates, you should start a blog!!".  "A blog.", I thought.  Ten minutes later I had my own blog started!