Sharing our website's monthly ritual always feels extra special in August.  Today is my mother's birthday and traces of her are undeniably laced throughout our House of Shine.  It is, in fact, because of my mother (and father, whose birthday is July 18) that we picked the eighteenth of each month to host our high, low,aha activity.

Also, my mother's favorite color is yellow and, as you might have noticed, we're pretty fond of the color too.

Shineworks and our 5Ray are the kinds of things my mother might have orchestrated for me and my sisters as a summer project or weekend activity.  Even our annual celebration of Peanut and the Shell is a throwback to memories of my mother's generous spirit and creativity.

But above all, my mother is master of turning the mundane into the most memorable of occasions.  The first day of school was memorable because of our annual trip to get school supplies and first-day-of-school shoes.  Breakfast might be made more fun with an unexpected treat in your cereal bowl.  Friday nights were coveted, because we could count on spaghetti dinners and permission to watch t.v.  Having a babysitter went from being fun to magical with a simple container of Jiffy Pop and the chance to watch the tin foil expand over the stove's heat.   I like to think my mother's keen sense of occasion is, in part, what inspires activities like our monthly Cookie Cutter Challenges.

Even this monthly ritual is reminiscent of something we would have done in our house growing up.  We ate as a family each night and it was expected that each of us would contribute to dinner table conversation.  It was the only way the five of us could keep up with one another's busy schedules.

So today our high, low, aha ritual will be dedicated to my creative, thoughtful, generous, and devoted mother.  She is the epitome of what this website is about - sharing her talents in such a way that the world becomes a better, brighter place.

I'll start and, if you're new to the game, you'll quickly catch on:

High:  The high-points of my month were lots of time with friends in the pool; seeing Matthew in his new school uniform; Saturday night dates with my husband; sunshine; a trip to the Key Largo; and seeing the circus.

Low:  Going to sleep later than I like; paperwork and jumping through hoops; feeling like I am on borrowed time more often than I would like.  

Aha:  Compliments of my six year old... Birds legs are attached to their necks which is why their heads bob when they walk.  Anyone want to verify, fact or fiction?

Now join us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and share your highs, your lows, and something learned this month.  Do it for Nancie Kamhi - mother, wife, and friend extraordinaire.

Shining off until tomorrow...