To blog or not to blog, that is the question… or at least it’s been the question around my house for a while now.  In the last ten years, my family has lived in six different cities and thankfully, we’ve made nice friends in all those places.  So, I felt like a blog would be an interesting way to update the friends and family that we have spread out all over the country.   My husband isn’t as convinced.  He’s not sure that the tidbits of our daily, chaotic life merit being put into print.  But, I’m a woman, so it’s my prerogative to disagree with him! 

To me, a blog gives the writer a place to say some of the things that they think are interesting; the reader can choose to read it or not.  I also think it will provide some good background for my son’s future therapist. 

Task 1:  name the blog.  This wasn’t as hard as I thought it might be.  I love quotes.  I’m frequently posting them as my Facebook status or sending cards to friends with only a quote jotted inside.  I really like that someone’s words carry on to lots of other people, to be used over and over again in different situations.  One of my favorites came off a Papyrus card, “It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-seven to frown.  Conserve energy.”   I bought this card for a friend a long time ago and bought one for myself at the same time.  It sits on a window ledge right above my computer where I can see it every day.      

See, I’m not a poker player.  My innermost feelings play out on my face for every Tom, Dick, and Harry to see.  My friend from long ago had asked me simply to “smile more” and I really took it to heart.  The words have never left me.  Life is busy and stressful and it is very easy to get caught up in the hustle-and-bustle of everyday nonsense.   When I really make an effort to smile more, I find myself thinking about things that make my inner light shine and let go of the fears, worries, and concerns that tend to creep into my thoughts and show on my face. 

That’s where the name of my blog came from:  seventeen muscles to smile and forty-seven to frown. 

I’m living a life where each day is full of new opportunities.    I’m a wine-and-chocolate-loving mom to one son and a rare-breed dog;  a woman who is a tad OCD and over-scheduled; a domestic-goddess-always-in-training;  a detail-loving event planner who secretly dreams of owning a floral studio;  a charitable fundraiser and school volunteer who doesn’t take “no” for an answer;  and overall life-loving woman who forgives aforementioned husband for being weary of my blogging.

Come along with me on this journey into the smiles that I find.  There will be frowns along the way to use those forty-seven other muscles.   You might read something interesting…or you might agree with my husband….either way, I’ll be glad to have you here.