when our hearts are conscious

I've been in Toronto since Wednesday, training for my new job. I've experienced cultural differences on several levels - Canadian vs. American, and non-profit vs. corporate for-profit.  Everyone here has been really friendly, helpful, accommodating, and it's actually been a lot of fun!

We wrapped up yesterday, and last night I went to dinner with one of the VPs,  who, even though he was doing his corporate "duty" by taking the new Director out to dinner, was also a genuinely nice guy whose company I really enjoyed. It wasn't "just" dinner in Toronto, though...No, we drove to Niagara Falls, about an hour south of the city, and had dinner at a restaurant on the 33rd floor of the Hilton, overlooking the Falls, complete with a fireworks display.

Have I mentioned that I'm the luckiest person I know?

You can lean right over the guard rail, and the water is literally just a few feet below

When night falls, the lights come up...

 And then, FIREWORKS!

From the restaurant

Next up, Chicago for more training. I have to run - my limo will be here in 1/2 hour to take me to the airport. (TRUST ME, I'm totally awed by this, and any attempts to be casual about it are purely an act!!)

Have I mentioned that I'm the luckiest person I know? :)

We can only be said to be alive in those moments 

when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  

~Thornton Wilder

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that feelin'

This makes me happy. It reminds me that we humans are amazing, beautiful, complex creatures with the capacity for great joy for joy's sake.

My favorite bits? The dog at 2:03, and the little girl at 2:52 (!!!).

Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'

- Journey

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sweetly sound

With the arrival of my sister yesterday morning, Wedding Palooza has begun.

First up: rehearsal and dinner, tonight.

Tomorrow evening, The Main Event...

Followed by hours of dancing and laughing and celebrating!

Saturday is a family brunch at the  home of the bride's parents.

Then, the best part of all...

Happily ever after!

Congratulations my darlings! Love you SO much!

Hark! The merry chimes are pealing,

Soft and glad the music swells,
Gaily in the night wind stealing,
Sweetly sound the wedding bells.
- Eliza Cook

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Happy 101!

So Boops of a very curious cookie bestowed upon me a Happy 101 award!  Thanks Boops, this is my first-ever blog award, and I'm so flattered! : )  

As a recipient of this award, I get to list 10 things that make me happy, AND pass the award on to 10 other bloggers who should do the same. You know, share the joy! 

So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are 10 (of the many) things that make me gloriously, insanely happy:

1. My Sweet Wife. Yes folks, I said wife...not that we can be legally married in this great country of ours, because of the very real threat of the universe imploding (thanks again, boops!) if we were afforded equal rights under the law, but nonetheless, we are wed, and happily so. She makes me smile and laugh and give thanks every. single. day. 

2. Dogs. Mine specifically, but the very existence of them in general. Here's one of my six, and if it's wrong to have a favorite, then I'm bad:

Baby Cooper

Cooper - My Canine Soulmate (*sigh*...)

3. My Work. I'm Shelter Manager of a large, open admissions, non-profit animal shelter. We just celebrated our 1 year anniversary of no euthanasia for over-crowding, and it was one of the best days ever. We did 6194 adoptions last year. Our live release rate is around 78%. Those are incredible numbers, and I'm so proud and HAPPY to be part of such amazing work. It's where I belong, what I'm meant to be doing.

4. Travel.  I love everything about traveling, from planning to packing to the actual journey. The unknown is so alluring, don't you think? Most recently I spent 2 weeks in Scotland last summer with my sister (who goes every year!) In all my travels, Scotland is the most beautiful place I've even been; I'm going again in July this year, and I can hardly wait!

(yes, this rainbow was real!)

5. The 2 People I Made. I would adore them even if they weren't mine.

6. Sushi. I could eat it every day. Really, I could.

7. Music. 

8. Thrifting. Oh yeah, the thrill of the hunt.

9. Moss Hill (our new house!) It took nearly a year to find it, but we're here now, and it's marvelous. Freaking brilliant.

10. Autumn. My favorite season. Maybe it's because I'm autumn-born. 

all photos mine except sushi (from sushi.com)

11. I know, I said 10, but these bloggers all make me happy, too, so here are my nominees: 

• Already Pretty
• Artdecadence 
• Life at Willow Manor
• Little Byrd
• Living the Frugal Life
• mackin ink
• Slices of Beauty
• Stil og Genbrug
• Sweet Sweet Life
• Thrift Candy

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Happy April, Fools!

mouse over images for source

We're fools whether we dance or not, 

so we might as well dance. 

~ Japanese Proverb

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