Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- E

We are to the letter E. What does it stand for that makes me smile?

EXERCISING

Yes, yes, you may be thinking I'm absolutely mad. What kind of a sane person smiles while exercising. Ok, I'll admit, I don't smile while exercising (except if something funny happens in the Netflix show I'm watching, or in the book I'm reading). I rather dislike exercising, but it is a necessary evil (just like editing a manuscript. Ugh!).

To be honest, I would rather be doing anything else other than cardio and sweating up a storm while my heart is beating faster than a pandas on a blazing hot day. There's a story behind that somewhat odd comparison. Humor me for a second...
 

I did a study abroad to China while I was in college. We went to the largest Panda exploratory in the world where I was able to hold a red panda. By golly, that little guy's heart was thumping so fast in his chest that I thought it might pop right out onto the ground and dash away into the brush. See picture... Yes, that is a panda.

Ok, I'm through with my tangent. Back to the topic at hand. The part of exercising that makes me smile is when I'm done and I'm proud of myself for going. It is satisfying to accomplish 45 minutes of running, stair climbing, or elliptical and lifting some weights. And all those endorphins sure make for a happier Julia.

Exercising is good. It makes me smile. I'm blessed to have a semi-well functioning body that allows me to exert my body to do so. But I pretty much would rather be hiking. Oh, how I love nature.

 

Do you like exercising? Starting with the letter E, what makes you smile?

 

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- D

And we are on our way into the Blogging From A-Z April Challenge. Letter D, here we go. The thing that starts with the letter D that makes me smile is:

DRIVING

I love the speed as I shift from gear to gear, zooming down the highway. Driving through huge puddles makes me giggle wildly, a massive grin from ear to ear painted across my face.

Driving offers me valuable time to listen to audio books. I do love me an audio book. They make me laugh, smile, and sometimes even cry. Sigh

My Toyota Corolla, red and sporty with a sunroof, is my baby; her name is Razlyn. Come September I will own her completely. Yay for soon not having to pay a car bill. That makes driving all the better. And oh, how I will smile once I get the title for my car! I may even frame it. :)

Miss Raz takes me places: work, home, to family and friends places, to church, to the store, and speeding down the road. Yes, I have a led foot; although, I never go more than 10 miles over the speed limit. Gotta be on the cautious side.

I don't quite fancy traffic, especially with having to shift gears so much in stop and go situations, but otherwise I love driving. :)

Do you enjoy driving? Starting with the letter D, what makes you smile?

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- C

Due to the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge, I will not be participating in the Insecure Writer's Support Group today. I hope that all my fellow IWSG'ers are doing well. Keep up the good work. Never give up!
 

What makes me smile that starts with the letter C? I shall tell you...

 

CHOCOLATE

 

Yes, nummy, gooey, soft, white, bitter, sweet, dark, milky, melting delicious chocolate. I'm a registered chocoholic. Well, if there was such a thing, I'd be registered and packing some dangerous goodies in my pocket--oh, never mind, they'd melt that way. But, I may have to attend some CA meetings (Chocolates Anonymous).

 

My favorite chocolate-coma-inducing treats are as follows (not necessarily in this order):

 

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

Moose Tracks Ice Cream

Kit Kats

Snickers

Cookies and Cream Hershey's Candy Bars

Andes Mints

Brownies

Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares 

 

Starting with the letter C, what makes you smile? Are you a chocoholic? And what are your favorite chocolaty or sweet treats? Or are you more of a fruit sweets fan?

 

Writing Jewels

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- B

Day two of the Blogging From A to Z Challenge brings me to something that makes me smile starting with the letter B; it stands for...

BABIES

What baby doesn't make someone smile (even if they sort of look like a troll for the first few days)? They coo, cuddle, purr, giggle, smell good (well, for the most part), and just make the world a happier place with their close-to-God innocence.

There's a new baby that is about to join the King Family Clan. He is due at the end of May to add another cute-a-licious child to my brother's family. He already has three rambunctious boys and a princess-super-cute little girl. This new boy will definitely give my little niece another manly presence in her life to protect her for life.

Here's the suspenseful part of this new baby coming into our lives: My brother and his family have decided to keep the name a secret until the baby is born. Talk about making Julia impatient. What makes this funny is the secretive nature of this babies name is all my five-year-old nephews idea. Yes, a five-year-old, but a cute one at that, is keeping me from knowing such an important detail about our new bundle of joy. I'll still love the all smiles little boy even though he is being a little stinker. haha

I can't wait to hold this little angel of a baby boy in my arms. He will definitely make me smile.

So, starting with the letter B, what makes you smile?

Writing Jewels

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- A

I'm participating in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. Here's the scoop: For the month of April, I am going to post something different from A-Z everyday, except for Sundays.

I thought long and hard about what I want my posts to focus on. My posts are going to be simple because 26 posts in one month is a lot, but a challenge I am willing to take. And I'm rather excited about joining forces with tons of great bloggers to make this challenge a huge success.

My posts are going to be about what makes me smile. I'd like you to comment about what makes you smile that coincides with the letter of the day, too. I figure writing is tough and if we can focus on the smiles, then this journey will be filled with letters full of happiness.

So today's letter, of course, is A.

It stands for ANIMALS.

Yes, simple but true. Whenever I take a look at an animal my face lights up with a grin. Animals are free from our mundane cares. They have simple lives--just eat, sleep, and poop. But what makes me smile the most about animals is how cute they can be. They can be fluffy, soft, rough, scraggly, among hundreds of other adjectives.

I like animals; although, some I wouldn't want to be alone in a room with. However, I have done a fair bit of back packing and have come across some really big bears on the trail. It's crazy to be so close to something so massive, wild and yet admire it for it's amazing cuteness.

Well, that's what makes me smile, letter A style.

What makes you smile that starts with the letter A?

Writing Jewels

Smitten. Enamored. In Love. Taken With... Blogging

Can I say I AM SO SO SO SO EVER SO HAPPY TO BE BLOGGING AGAIN? Oh, I just did, or rather typed it. Well, I'm going to say it out loud right now. I don't want you to think I'm lying and don't live up to my word. Seriously, I just said it out loud. I cracked a smile too, and I'm still grinning as I type. Man, I just giggled too. Oh, how I am easily entertained.

Lava Lamp

Blogging helps me to be a part of something big. I mean something HUMONGOUS, something truly special, that being the writing community. The group of people I am honored to associate with via blogging and social networking are truly magnificent. They, YOU, are such examples and powerhouses of pure energy that keep me going. I love it!

I took some time off from blogging and it was way hard to decide to get back into it. Once I dived back in, it took me some time to get back into the swing of things, really enjoying it. I'm pretty much smitten with my blog again. Now, that is an exhilarating feeling.

Being smitten is a good place to be and oh, what an amazing word. I looked up the word and there were some synonyms that caught my attention: enamored, in love, and taken with. I am definitely all of the above with my blog.

The only problem is I'm not quite back to that point with my writing. I struggle with having the courage to open up the file of my work in progress because I feel ever so inadequate. My confidence is lacking at the moment. But I am loving blogging again and this gives me the hope I need to fall head over heels in love with creating stories again. It will happen and it will!

I have written over half of my posts for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge. Can you say over achiever? haha When I signed up for the challenge, I freaked out about needing to write so many posts. However, I did it so I could fall back in love with blogging. And you know what? It worked! Writing so many posts so far has brought the spirited fire of blogging back into my bones. Yes!

Are you smitten with your blog? Have you ever struggled to feel fully devoted to your blog or writing? Are you participating in the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge?

Writing Jewels