Not in Order

1. I am so grateful for my family.
2. And Scrubbing Bubbles, but not in the same way.
   
3. And since Rachel just yesterday did a dryer-works dance via FB, I feel that it is only appropriate that I mention that my favorite household appliance is the washing machine.
4. Snake and Butterfly
5. Drive-through chai latte.
   

Leader of the Pack

1. The way my dogs run to opposite ends of the house when I let them in.
2. Then it occurs to them simultaneously that the other one is now missing, so they dash back, this time towards each other.
3. Usually overshooting and needing to repeat steps one and two.
4. And knocking me over in the process.
5. Both times.
   

Salsa

1. Springing forward.
   
2. Waking before sunrise.
3. Crisp, sunny day.
4. Silky dog ears.
   
5. Perfectly ripe avocado.

Introspection

1. Being one of the old people who is ruining Facebook.
2. Laptop still kickin' after being dropped three times in one day.
3. The feeling of superiority that overtakes me when I watch Dr. Phil.
   
4. I'm going to be the best counselor ever with such an evolved sense of self.
5. Having a sense of humor to mask my insecurities.
   

Peanut Gallery

1. Early morning phone call from a friend wanting to play matchmaker.
2. An easy conversation with the guy she set me up with; plans for sushi on Monday.
3. Overnight party with the kids; popcorn, apples, cheese and salami for dinner.
4. Watching "Andre" and "Benji" with them. Miss P. saying at one point quite earnestly, "Grammie, thank you so much for getting these movies for us--I love animal movies!
5. Cuddled in bed, Renzo moaning that he misses his mommy and his daddy and his friends! Parker responding with, "Renzo you don't have any friends." Ahhh, big sisters!
   

Love, Japan

1. Rain coming down slantwise and tropical against my face.
2. Lion-like winds blowing the palm trees against the window.
3. Dog trainer on his way home from work taking the time to compliment me on Delilah's excellent light-rail etiquette.
4. Salami and cheese sandwich finally!
5. Talking to Kerry today just to touch in: I am so grateful to have her presence in my life; it's been 40 years this year. Our relationship was built on the idea of transience (our dads' jobs in a foreign country) and seeming whim of the universe (that one overlapping year, never to be repeated) , and yet year after year she is the person I can most count on to feel at home with. I love you, Kerry.
   

The Piano

1. Hearing my ex-husband trying to woo his current wife into this century by extolling the breadth of internet porn.
   
2. Translating my dad's story of serving as an altar boy into something my heathen daughter and her boyfriend could understand.
3. Inability to carry a tune thoughtfully provided by paternal DNA.
4. Gregorian chants sung by non-paternal humans.
5. Memories of my mom singing, and all the music she brought to us.