Reasons to Smile

Midway through another week and there are lots of reasons to smile. First off, a package came in the mail yesterday from TB containing a CD of her Soul Gardening music mix, a package of bath salts—and many, many packets of ketchup (fancy, grade A ketchup I might add ). Thanks Teebs! I love the way the blogosphere creates a virtual neighborhood of people scattered all over the world.  (Hey Ash, we should get together for lunch in the Neverlands. I’ll bring the ketchup!)

And while we’re talking ketchup, let’s talk catch-up, as in the dreaded utility catch-up bill that’s the norm here in Belgium. When an American friend in a house identical to mine got a 3,000 euro ($4,000)  catch-up bill,  I cringed, not knowing what to expect when I received my own. Happily when our catch-bill arrived, it was only about 700 euros for the 9 months we’ve been in this house. Big sigh of relief. I’m glad I left my energy-glugging American appliances at home and that my husband, the resident “turn out the lights!” taskmaster, has never let up in his efforts to get us to conserve energy, despite my desire to illuminate our house like a Thomas Kinkade painting.

I finally went to have my eyes checked and discovered my prescription had kicked up several notches. I now have new glasses and a new outlook on life. (“I once was lost/but now am found/was blind/but now I see.”)

February. Day 22. I’m feeling so much better.

Comments

[Gradual Gardener]

You got a Soul Gardening CD?
(Turns green with envy)

[V-Grrrl]

Ah yes, let me clarify that I WON the CD in the Soul Gardening magnetic-poetry-on-the-refrigerator contest. You know, the one where Teebs flips letters like Vanna White. ; )

[TB]

Yay! I'm so glad my package made you smile. I figure that's at least $10 worth (Belgian) of ketchup and you should have seen me walking into McDonalds to get it, without purchasing anything I might add. I felt so naughty until I realized ketchup packets aren't really worth anything in the US.

And GG, don't worry, there will be Soul Gardening mix CDs to be had at Blog Chicks '06.

[Arabella]

Mmmmm....ketchup packets! Such a neat invention (literally).

I'm due for an eye exam, too. I've been putting it off, but the thought of new frames is exciting.

[Ash]

Ooh, ketchup! Now I have to come to Belgium LOL I also need an eye test, maybe I'll go when the kids are back in school. I realised today sitting with Sebastian waiting at the hospital that he could read the tv screen and I certainly couldn't!

Glad your 'ketchup' bill wasn't as much as you thought. We use those energy efficient lightbulbs which seem to help. I also have the Thomas-Kinkade-illumination-problem and my DH is also the switcher-off-of-lights. I say it makes our home look welcoming. He says unrepeatable things in response ;)

[Debbie]

So what is on a Soul Gardening CD?

[Brooke]

Oh ok...you WON it. I won't begrudge you any of the Teebs love.

[V-Grrrl]

So you want to know what's on Teeb's CD? All her favorite music: Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Hillary Duff, Madonna---the best of the bottled blondes.

Just kidding, Teebs. Just kidding. Please don't smack me with that wet noodle. ; )

[Denice]

The CD is fabulous. I am pretty certain that my boys would cease to exist if we took their ketchup away.