5 Things That Are Making Me Happy
Because heaven knows we could all use this exercise on a Monday morning, right?
I'll list mine, and then you can do yours in the comments!
1. This dogwood tree. In the sunshine.
In the fall, these leaves turn color before the rest of the trees around here do. And at the same time, the sun moves over just enough so that it sets behind the tree.
And I love the combo of the changing leaves and the warm autumn sun.
(I was doing laundry, glanced out my laundry room window, and saw the sun coming through the leaves. So, obviously, I needed to drop the laundry and go take photos. Priorities.)
2. Lisey's sweet heart.
One of her classmates is feeling quite overwhelmed, and Lisey has taken it upon herself to help by tutoring her. I love to see that compassion in my girl.
3. We did not spend more than we earned this month.
This was a bit of a rough summer with a bunch of unexpected bills, including all our plumbing/septic issues.
It was ultimately ok, but we had to dip into our savings accounts to cover the expenses.
(Which is what they're for, I know, but I always hate having to use them!)
Happily, when I did this month's money email, we were pretty much past all the extra bills, and that is making me very happy.
PHEW.
Plus next month looks to be even better.
4. Sonia and Zoe are happy in their dance class this year.
Last year, they both moved up to the middle school class, and it was a little rough. They were the new kids in a rather established, large class, and as you know, middle school girls are not always the friendliest bunch to new people.
There were some tears after the first few classes, but they hung in there, and by the end of the year, they'd formed friendships.
This year, they were a little nervous about going back, but it's going SO SO much better this time around. Some of the girls they knew from last year are there, and one of their very good younger friends has moved up to their class.
So, my heart is happy for them.
5. It was temporarily cool enough for a fire in the fire pit.
We've been having kind of ridiculous September/October weather (like, in the 80s. And humid.), but we did get a small spell of weather that was fire-pit-friendly.
We have 7 oak trees in our yard, which means that we've got a steady stream of dropped branches, and they've been piling up over the summer.
So, I was happy to make a little dent in the pile!
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1. It snowed in my area today!!! I'm currently cozied up at work with my hot cup of coffee and Christmas music wafting through my speakers 🙂
2. My first trimester is almost over. If it goes anything like my last pregnancy, I'll be enjoying regular food again soon!
3. Hubby is in charge of dinner tonight. We'll probably eat pizza from a local place, but I'm just happy I don't have to plan it/cook it.
4. Hubby's schedule changes next month, and though it'll be rough in the evenings now, we're going to be able to spend weekend mornings with him!
5. Enjoyed the nice weather this weekend (it was in the 70s). We went to a park and the toddler played his little heart out (which means he was mellow the rest of the evening and slept great).
1. I'm happy for photos of loved ones that are no longer physically with us. Even though it's sometimes hard to look at the photos, I'm so thankful we have them. (wish I could post a picture here)
2. I'm happy for fall colors that are starting to show.
3. Happy that my busy season with work is coming to an end next week and I can slowly move into the holiday season!
4. Happy for my 3 children and their spouses. They really make this new phase of life joyful
5. Happy for my first grandchild that is due in January!
<3
1) this heavenly weather 2) Diet Coke before noon 3) a morning jog to drop off my kiddo at school 4) reading scriptures 5) the smell of my vanilla cupcake candle — love this idea for a list to start out the week! We’re paying off $600k of student loan debt and sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the negative. Thanks for the reminder to look for the good stuff!
I'm jealous that you have lovely weather! I'm anxious for a break in the humidity here.
1. I made it to my mom's group today only 5 minutes late, with my 2.5 year old and 8 month old.
2. I found jeans I love at the thrift store, and I've been wearing them a lot lately because it's finally cool enough outside.
3. My kids are starting to play together so I can get things done, like unloading the dishwasher, or making dinner.
4. The colds that everyone had last week that were making naps and bedtime hard seem to be mostly gone.
5. I have a stack of books from the library that I can't wait to read, and maybe I'll get the chance since naps seem to be getting better now that everyone is healthy...
1. My 15-month old slept in until 7:20 a.m. yesterday morning so we were all able to get some sleep! (he's usually up around 5:45 - 6 a.m., every single day)
2. My 4.5-year-old is finally getting into soccer and having fun at the games and practices.
3. We went over to my BIL and SIL's house yesterday and hung out for the football game. I hadn't seen them in a few weeks so it was nice to just chill and catch up while all the kids played.
4. I'm happy that the weather is supposed to start cooling down to the 70's starting tomorrow. The high today is 94 F and it's making it difficult to get in the mood for fall.
5. I'm so glad I was able to cook two huge meals and make pumpkin muffins this weekend so now we are set with food for the week. 🙂
I really needed this morning - thank you for the reminder!
1. Thankful my "baby" boy is finally starting to take steps and crawl up and down steps. We've been waiting for this for a while, despite the the chaos we knew it would bring. 😉
2. Thankful that I have friends who we can childcare-swap with. Having 5 kids 5 and under makes today chaotic, but I'm also thankful I'll get to be in my office on Friday with 0 kids.
3. Thankful for a friend's "hot chocolate chai" recipe and that I had the ingredients to make it. Cheaper than Starbucks and I don't have to drag five kids out in a double stroller in the sleet to get it.
4. Thankful for people who want partner in our ministry and for the many electronic tools that I have to communicate with them.
5. Thankful the 10 old is sleeping at the moment, so I actually have time to type this. 🙂
I love that all of the things you mentioned above are either about family or just really simple. It's a great reminder that we don't need to spend a ton of money to be happy in life. 🙂
I've also been enjoying the changing color of the leaves in the fall. It's so pretty yet a bit nostalgic. I feel like it was February last month. Now half of October is almost gone!
Interestingly enough, that almost always happens when we all make these kinds of lists. I think there's a message there...
1. I am thankful the best eggnog in the world (Homestead Creamery) has hit the store shelves in our area.
2. I am thankful I got a haircut on sale today.
3. I am thankful DH and I have seemed to escaped the respiratory virus that's been going around.
4. I am thankful our electric bill came in under budget.
5. I am thankful my dear dog's limp suddenly disappeared. I was on the verge of taking him to the vet.
Glad your daughters' dance class is going well this year!
1) I finished staining my deck! It took me one week inbetween schooling my youngest, volunteering and running my boys to activities, but it’s done. Booyah!
2) I was asked to coach a strings group at a local school and the students are some of the most delightful I have ever met!
3) The front porch was decorated for the harvest at the beginning of October this year, instead of the end like usual ;)!
4) My eldest daughter and her husband, who were married last September, successfully purchased their first home.
5) My youngest daughter is engaged and will be married next fall!
Oh how the falls keep rolling along...and I am so grateful for each and every one!!
Woohooo about the deck! That project always takes so long on my deck because of all the railing spindles. SO MANY SIDES to cover.
It's Thanksgiving in Canada today 🙂 What a great day to make such a list!
1- In-person hugs from my best friend, visiting from the West coast. I live in Montreal, so they don't happen nearly often enough.
2- Much needed alone time while my daughter is visiting her grandpa.
3- Soup. It's finally cool enough to start making it again. Didn't need to buy anything as I already had all the ingredients to make my favourite recipe. Win!
4- Rain. Because it means all land-mowers, leaf-blowers and other backyard tools are silent today.
5- Heather O'Neill's last novel. She's a favourite author, and her last book is amazing.
Happy Thanksgiving, Northern neighbor!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
1. My fig trees are producing and I'm able to make delicious fig preserves.
2. Pumpkins, gourds, and mums are showing up everywhere, along with Halloween decorations.
3. It finally rained today after a month of dry, hot weather. We needed it so badly!
4. My dog, Daisy, was diagnosed with severe diabetes, but after starting on insulin she is back to being her social, happy self again.
5. Today I feel like sewing. It's been a long time since I've felt like that, and I'm grateful.
1. I finished my canning for the year. Good thing, I'm almost out of jars! Happy pantry all winter!
2. Two turkey dinners for my Canadian Thanksgiving: yesterday with my son and his wife, today with some close friends.
3. The leaf colours are starting to come on in our southern Ontario forests.
4. I still have black-eyed Susans and calendula blooming in my flower patches.
5. My cherry tomato plants are still producing blossoms and tomatoes!
1) It's Thanksgiving in Canada, so I get an extra day of weekend and one less work day this week.
2) I have used some of my time to replenish my freezer stock with slow cooked meats and soups, which means I will be eating very well for the foreseeable future.
3) This broccoli cheddar soup (https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/09/broccoli-cheddar-soup/), which I am eating as I type this. So tasty!
4) After months of trying to learn to speak French, it is finally starting to click.
5) In less than two weeks, I will get to practice my French in Quebec City!
I love reading all the other lists and decided to add my own! Because it's a rainy day and with 3 little children underfoot....
I an thankful for
1. the 8 packs of huggies diapers I bought at rite aid this morning for only $1.49 a pack after coupons and Plenti points!
2. A dryer to dry the laundry since it's raining and I can't hang it outside!
3. my aunt & uncle who have a cow and are letting us buy milk from them for $1.00 a gallon! (cheap yogurt!!!)
4. the privilege to spend time with family last evening.
5. that my 2 oldest are taking naps and the youngest is just about ready for her nap too!
Whoa. That milk price is INSANE.
I'm in southern Michigan and we've been having milk for $1 and eggs for 50 cents for a long time now. It certainly changes things and makes certain foods much more budget-friendly!
That diaper price is a huge WIN!!
1. First and foremost -- I was finally offered a new job. I'll have more travel time with the new job and won't make any more money at the start, but I will be out of this stress-filled, job-instability, no raises in three years, place. I am SO thankful for that.
2. I'm thankful that I got to spend time with extended family last week, even though it was at a funeral.
3. I'm thankful that the dogwood berries are bright red -- that means fall is on the way, even if the current "real feel" is 97 degrees.
4. I am thankful for friends and family -- with the holidays coming up, they seem ever more precious to me. I get this way every fall. I just want to hug 'em!
5. I'm thankful I found some good sales at the grocery stores this week. It helped me squeak in under my budget, even though I had a lot to buy this time. And bonus, every place we shopped ( three grocery stores and a garden supply), the cashiers and store help were amazingly friendly and helpful this time.
That new job sounds so, so, so much better. Wonderful!
Love this!!
1. Hubby is home from a week long trip. It was a consulting trip, which is extra money, but I miss him when he is gone.
2. My 22 month old daughter is talking up a storm, so much fun to communicate with her and hear the funny/cute things she says.
3. My 10 week old is smiling so much and he is sleeping through the night!!!!
4. My dad brought us about 6 large pumpkins and a bunch of funny gourds, so fun to decorate with. We are planning to invite some international students over to carve them, much, much fun.
5. Our trees in central Iowa are starting to turn too. So beautiful, I love the colors and the fall weather.
1) I just got a really good review of my teaching. I needed the confidence boost as this is the first college course I have taught. I have been wondering if I am making any sense.
2) My brother and his wife closed on a house back home this weekend. Even after my husband and I permanently moved away from our little home town, we maintained a house and kept part of our lives there. I am beyond thrilled that my brother will now be there on weekends too. And his new house is on the river. So I am dreaming of countless weekends that our kids will get to spend in this beautiful place with family. They will grow up with memories of swimming in the river, kayaking, fishing, and boating. It is like a dream come true for me. (And I don't have to pay for the house!)
3) Our church treasurer is retiring from her position next year, and she asked me if I would consider taking over for her. It seems like an awesome opportunity to serve my church and God. I think I have strengths to bring to the position, and there is so much I can learn.
4) I just met with my new "mentee." Our graduate program matches new students with folks who have been in the program for a while. I was blown away with this new student. Most of the students in our program are fresh out of undergrad and know a lot of history but next to nothing about themselves or the real world. It was a breath of fresh air to meet a young buck who seems to have a clear view of life and the world.
5) I finished a major first draft of my first dissertation chapter a week ago. It was a whole week ago, but I am still kind of high on life because I have this milestone behind me. I have loads and loads of work to do, but I have put so much work into where I am right now. It feels good to stand on the side of the mountain for a moment and savor the view of the path I have already walked.
A good review is such a huge mental boost. Yay!
5 things that have made me happy this week are:
1. Our last fundraiser for the baton group was held yesterday. Our performance in Disney is getting closer.
2. Our last payment for our Disney trip was due this past week. When I went to pay it I had over calculated so I had $500 extra saved. Yeah!
3. I was able to purchase a dedicated portrait lens for my camera. This has been on my wish list for quite some time.
4. My sister and her husband are in for a visit.
5. I received a $60 refund in the mail from my doctor's office.
It's been a great week!
Wow, that DOES seem like a great week!
1. DH being able to help with grocery shopping today. Now I won't be scrambling for food all week because I was too cheap to buy healthy options for a very busy week or because I severely underestimated appetites (both of which I'm frequently guilty!)
2. The kids are "napping" quietly enough for me to work on organizing some areas of our home. It seems that it takes 6 months after a life change (new house, or new child etc.) for me to finally figure out how to optimize space and resources.
3. Cool mornings. The days are still 85°+, but the mornings are 50s-60s, and it's an indication that we might have a few weeks of cool season before spring/summer resume.
4. Curly hair. My hair was cut shorter than I prefer, but my curls bounce with so much life, I'm not really sad about it!
5. Health. 2/3 of our kids (and both me and my husband) have had a brutal cold and handled it like champs (adults just handled it). Our middle child is health-compromised and has not caught the bug so far! Even if he does catch it this week, the rest of us are well enough that we can deal with the long nights and hospital stay without much of an issue.
Yay for curly hair! I have them too and I love it!
1. Our daughter turns 4 this weekend! Although I am sad about her growing older, we have some fun, frugal things planned this weekend.
2. It is starting to cool to the wonderful fall temperatures in our area. I love this time of year, and wish it lasted longer than a few weeks.
3. The side business that my husband and I started is booming! We are overwhelmed, but so grateful.
4. Even though we are only 9 days into the month, we have been successful with our No Spend Month. Here's to hoping we can last the next 22 days.
5. Our Cleveland Indians are in the playoffs! Go Tribe!
One big one that encompasses so many smaller ones . . . my mom arrived yesterday to stay for a couple of weeks and help out while we wait for/have/and bring home baby #4 (anytime now, kid). She's pretty much the best mother's helper ever, and having someone to distract the three older boys is such a relief. Plus, now I know my husband can actually be there while I have the baby, instead of home watching the other three. Nice to know I won't be (literally) laboring alone. 🙂
1. I'm happy that in googling for a recipe to use up the rest of my heavy cream today, I found a new-to-me recipe that will now go into our regular rotation. Also used up the end of the milk yesterday!
2. I'm happy watching the fall scenery in the woods out our big back windows. The birds have been really active lately too.
3. I'm happy we're both retired and love spending time at home.
4. I'm happy with my Instant Pot, and I love looking up recipes for it.
5. I'm happy that I'm happy!!!
1. Monday is over and it was fine! -- on to the next.
2. Friday is a teacher training day so no class time with students which is like a tiny 1/2 day vacation from adorable, lovable, tiny tyrants. I'll be happy to see them the following Monday
3. Planning to go see my mom and brother in the east for a quick 4 day weekend next week -- thankful I have many personal days saved up and that my family is healthy and hanging in there. So happy to see them, especially my 91 year old mom who is the nicest, loveliest person I know.
4. It did cool off here and the wind kicked up, which I like as long we can avoid forest fires.
5. Going to the outside pool at the gym after work -- it will be cool and refreshing.
6. Reading everyone else's lists -- they are so full of good cheer and reminders of all the happy stuff!
I have one thing I am thankful for is that it has been four years since I was diagnosed with a serious illness that ended up requiring over a dozen surgeries. I was in the process of being enrolled in hospice when a surgery was developed that fixed me (sort of. I have been left with permanent physical disabilities, such as only one kidney and one lung) and I was released from hospice. As of this week, I am now consider cured. And I am thankful for a husband who nursed me, at times literally hand and foot because I could not even shower without him getting in there with me and holding me up, always with a smile and kindness. On bad days, I remind myself that I am lucky to be alive to experience a bad day.
Wow! That puts everything in perspective!
Wow, Lindsey! I'm so happy for your good news. And what a wonderful thing to have a spouse who helped you through such a rough time.
I am so happy for you. Thank you so much for sharing your story and offering the rest of us a bit of well needed perspective.
1.) I watched my friend's kids tonight, giving me kids ages 1, 2, 3, and 4 for dinner and play time and it went really well!!!
2.) We're going to visit my in-laws in Hong Kong and our ticket prices just dropped over $600 from what they were last week. (Thank you, God, for delaying our ticket purchase!)
3.) My kids snuggled together in the grocery cart at Aldi today and it was one of the cutest things I've ever seen.
4.) We bought a lot of produce today! Thankful for how God has provided for our family.
5.) My best friend and I are having a mommy/daughter sleepover this weekend so we can have some girl time. I have no idea if the two 3-year-olds will sleep much, but I'm really looking forward to it.
OK.... I'll bite.
1) Muddled my way through some serious geeking - lots of help, but no disasters and my server hasn't crashed since!
2) I'm still alive. 50 mile bike ride (at a blistering pace) yesterday with CatMan, who has a new 16 pound bike (6-7 pounds lighter than his old bike). He doesn't think the new bike is making much difference. The person trying to keep up with him disagrees, but I'm very glad to have survived it.
3) It snowed. Not wild about the cold, but it's always a bit of a relief when I can finally say that I'm done with the garden for the year.
4) I have a house again. After spending 6 weeks working on my bathroom the rest of the house was sorely neglected. I finally took some time today and uncovered horizontal surfaces. Woo Hoo!
5) Netflix. Need I say more?
1. My husband - it’s our anniversary today!
2. The new co-op my son’s recently new joined - we are learning a lot about nature and enjoying time with other families
3. My fall capsule wardrobe
4. The beautiful weather
5. Good news on recent medical tests!!
Sticking with a plan.
I ~so~ hear you about unexpected expenses. In the past couple of months I've had to deal with major AC repair, replacing washing machine[1], replacing furnace[2], and major surgery for my new-to-me dog.
What does this have to do with sticking with a plan?, you may ask. These costs haven't killed me because I've been saving for Life Happens and House Ownership, even though I haven't had a major cost for either in almost 15 years - so I have 15 years of savings to draw on. The dog is harder (emotionally as well as financially) but I did have some Dog savings before I rescued the dog so all is not lost there, either.
[1] This is the least expensive of the items but the one that pisses me off the most. The washing machine is only 8.5 years old and I did my research on longevity as well as features and efficiency. But even CR can't predict future performance of new models and Frigidare, which they recommended 8.5 years ago, is now on the "don't buy" list because of high repair costs in the past 10 years. Dammit.
[2] In contrast, the furnace was 31 years old.
I replaced a washing machine about 10 years ago. I did a pile of research and went with one highly recommended by Consumer Reports - an LG HE top loader. But somewhere along the line I read that the average life expectancy of a modern washing machine is only 10 years! Mine's still working fine and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The one that died was a Kenmore. I still don't know how old it was, but there was a sticker from a used appliance store on the back with a delivery date... in 1968! If it was used then, who knows how old it really was. Guess they don't make 'em like they used to!
Ugh, I'm sorry you've had a rough summer bill-wise too.
I'm not super surprised about the washing machine...it seems like the newer ones are just not built to last. Which is why I still have my rather dinosaur-ish machine. I hope your new one lasts longer!
There is an availability heuristic going on: we only see the old appliances that last, not the ones that don't. So I have no idea how frequently the previous owners replaced their fridge, or dishwasher, or... I only know what they didn't replace because I still have them.
1. Healthy kids.
2. A piano teacher willing to move lessons around so DS can attend lego robotics after school. He is so excited.
3. That fall is in the air. Time to break out the jeans and sweaters and boots!
4. Tea. It's existence and it's presence in my pantry. Also Amazon carrying my favorite pricey teas in bulk with free shipping.
5. Ebooks. I should probably get over my wonder, but it blows my mind every time. We live in an age when we can get almost any book almost instantly.
6. (Bonus) That I'm not that into the latest styles so I'm happily wearing the clothes I already have.
Making me happy:
* Funny questions from my 5 yo : "Mommy, when you were little was your name Isabelle?". "Mommy, how much did my room cost?" (like, just the room, not the stuff in it... I don't have an answer to this!)
* My house. Still in love with it 2.5 years after buying it.
* My health and the health of my loves ones
* Starting a new position at work for a full year (maternity leave replacement). Monday to friday, 9h-3h30, lot less physical tasks, the dream!
* My relationship with food slowly (but surely) healing since the summer
Rain, my clever husband doing house renos , my lovely house nearly finished and my dogs 🙂