A few happy things!
I'm going to go with four because since I did so many five posts last week, I'm tired of five.
1. I got to meet Stacy in real life!
I've known Stacy (from Humorous Homemaking) online for years now, but we've never seen each other in real life.
However, this weekend she was in DC, which is drivable for me, so we got to see each other in person on Sunday night. Yay!
I've met numerous friends from the internet in real life over the years, and it always strikes me how easily relationships flow from the internet to in-person. You really can get to know someone pretty well through your computer/phone.
Blurry selfie, taken by me. Whoops.
Stacy is funny and genuine, and she is such an encouraging friend to me. Love you, Stacy!
2. Lisey's bronchitis is getting better.
Poor girl got a double ear infection and bronchitis. The ear infection was pretty quick to respond to meds, but bronchitis is slower to leave.
3. We got to celebrate Joshua's birthday last night.
He had to work on Sunday, his actual birthday, so I made him a birthday meal last night instead.
He requested a carrot cake, which I've made lots of times before, but this time, I noticed that the recipe included directions to make the frosting in the food processor.
So I tried it.
But I highly do not recommend this because apparently it's very easy to overmix it and then you end up with rather runny frosting.
Stick with the stand mixer, friends. 😉
4. My girls are having fun with their cousins.
My three girls have been hanging out with the cousins more for this summer, which has been great.
And now the older cousins have made a group chat on Google Hangouts (along with one honorary cousin from church!), so even though school is starting and we'll have less time at the pool together, they'll still get to talk to each other.
_______
Ok, that feels weird to stop at four, but I'm going to do it anyway.
If you need a little cheering on this Tuesday-that-feels-like-a-Monday (it was Labor Day here in the U.S. yesterday) make your own list in the comments!
It is interesting how internet friendships can endure and translate so well to IRL friendships. Years ago (I think around 15 maybe) I met a girl online and neither of us really remember where. This past weekend I was a bridesman in her wedding.
So I guess that's my number one happy thing there.
For the rest it would be:
2.) I came back to a bunch of work today and people have needed me after being out two days (they need me!)
3.) I'm having a backyard BBQ this weekend and while it's supposed to rain, I'm sure a good time will be had by all.
4.) I got woken up by the smoke alarm at 4:30 this morning. This is a good thing because a) there was no fire and b) if there was a fire I would've been woken up by the alarm clear across the house. So I call that a good thing, I guess.
And I know it goes without saying but it's amazing how your kids are all getting older and bigger and yet you look pretty much the same as when you started this blog (at least as far as I can tell from pictures.)
Some of my online friendships go back to 2002! So I totally understand what you're saying.
And thanks for the compliment! I definitely do have more wrinkles than I did 10 years ago...and more gray hair for sure. But I think my oily skin is helping me out a little in the aging department. Upside to all those zits!
My oldest online friendship dates back to November 1996. I met this friend, and through her, a very large group of friends and buddies, via Epicurious' sadly-now-defunct online food blog.
Online relationships do translate well! My husband and I met 13 years ago on eHarmony, before the days of smartphones, tinder, and the like. We emailed 3 months before meeting in person and we definitely felt like we knew each other!
Fun and happy things all around! I talk to my cousins sometimes on Facebook Chat. Our extended family also has a FB group where I post pictures of us and our kids to update them on our lives thousands of miles away. It's the little things that count 🙂
I love it when people have happy pictures to go with their instances of happy. I got 2 things right now - cheat (diet) day was yesterday and boy did I cheat *laughs* aaaaaand I'm happy it's Tuesday because it's a shorter week until Friday haha. Oh, oh, last thing....the feeling of cracking into a good new book that you will enjoy is alive and kicking today =)
Ooh, what are you reading?
Aw, sorry about the bronchitis! Hubs is also coming down with something. I guess it's that time of year again, isn't it? :/
I'm happy this week because:
1. To be honest, I'm trying very hard to be happy in the face of a bad week at work (and it's only Tuesday!). I'm happy that it's at least a four day work week.
2. It's been rainy and overcast lately, which I love. 🙂
3. I was craving coffee cake for breakfast. I had time, so I made one! Super tasty. 🙂
4. It's silly to be this excited, but I LOVE this new coffee scented candle I found. I love the smell of coffee and it's like heaven. 🙂
5. I'm counting down the days until I can quit my job. So close!
1. I found some reduced bakery items that had a red-white-blue theme. Packages of frosted brownies, cupcakes and rice crispy treats for 50 cents for my family of seven...yes, please. While I know we won't eat all of that, I have put some in the freezer for a rainy day. The rice crispy treats won't freeze well so we will eat those first! Also, I found a loaf of french bread for 30 cents.
2. I had a spot of excema that has been really big and ugly on my knee for a few months now. I got some prescription cream from my mom that she wasn't using(the same kind I had been prescribed in the past for this condition) and it is now healing well. No more ugly knee! I'm so happy because this has costs me a lot in dermatologist visits in the past.
3. I enjoyed some pool time last evening with my kids. Our pool is one of the bigger above ground pools. This will probably be its last year due to several age-related problems. We have had it for many years and got more than our moneys worth... although I still hate to see it go. I sooo enjoy the last bits of summer before the Fall...and then I enjoy the Fall because it is my favorite time of year...so all is good.
4. I'm secretly glad my older daughter and her family moved in with me temporarily. I like getting to see them more often. Don't tell my husband....he is ready for them to go, lol!
Aww, enjoy your time with your daughter and your grandkids!
1. Our oldest son is getting engaged to a WONDERFUL girl in two weeks. We will travel to be there for the big event and then have brunch with her family also! Exciting times ahead!
2. Now that we are empty-nesters, I needed a project to work on. So yesterday I started scanning and storing/organizing all our photos. Gah! I may be dead before I finish but it feels good to have started. As I worked, I had lots of questions for my mom, and I was reminded again to TALK to your elderly relatives while you still can--get the facts and details and family stories. And then document them for others! It's so important!
3. Fall is coming! It's my favorite season. And even though it will still be HOT here in the deep south for a few more months, the promise of cooler weather makes me happy!
4. I have been dieting and recently discovered the Jimmy John's "Unwich". It's sooo good and so low carb! Hubby and I enjoyed them again yesterday after a walk at a local garden.
5. We are members of a christian health sharing program but recently found out that we can have an HSA through my husband's employer. We will now be able to save some pre-tax money to put toward health care costs. Yay!
Happy birthday to Joshua! That's some amazing hair he has!!
4 Happy Things:
1. Sermon on Prayerology !
2. Bento Box for lunch!
3. Beach house on Labor Day!
4. Decorated for Fallâ¤ï¸
I am happy because:
1. First day of kindergarten for my son. He was so EXCITED this morning to start school today.
2. Can't wait to get home to hear all about his day.
3. Eating healthy / well-balanced foods today after a few weeks of crazy eating.
4. Having a good day at work.
OK... I could seriously use some cheering today so here goes. I think this is the "slow progress is still progress" version.
1) My cat Jasper, while he's not back to normal, is much better, out of immediate danger, and home from his 10-day stay in the kitty hospital. Whew.
2) My other cat Smoky is no longer convinced that his brother has been replaced with an evil zombified replica, and has ended his hunger strike. Whew again.
3) My new bike saddle, while not pain-free, is much better than the others I've tried, and life has calmed down to the point where I might actually get to go for a meaningful ride today. Woo Hoo!
4) I've lost 20 pounds of my 30 pound goal. Apparently being consumed with worry over sick kitties has some fringe benefits! Finally out of my fat jeans! 🙂
It will get better. This too shall pass. (rinse and repeat.)
Hah! I have heard 'breathe in, breathe out, repeat"
Glad your kitty's better 🙂
My happy things:
1. Schools started here today, but not for any of my kids. My oldest is 4 1/2 and ALL of her friends are doing some sort of pre-K, but we are not. This will be my only year of having all 3 kids at home and I'm happy that I have it.
2. I'm finding a system of canning that is working since doing it all at once isn't feasible. For example, yesterday I pureed tomatoes, this morning before we went to the gym I chopped onions, at lunchtime I added seasoning, now I just let my pizza sauce cook down. No stress. (As opposed to my staying up until midnight Saturday to get it all done in one day. Whoops.)
3. We went to my parents' house for dinner last night and their best friends were there. I miss seeing them often like I did when I was younger. They got to meet my new baby, which was very special for me.
4. My husband was off work yesterday. He had a long week last week and was gone 4 out of the 5 evenings, so it was great to have the extra family time.
Happy Tuesday!
1. We had a relaxing but productive weekend. I think having an extra day off was good for everyone.
2. Next week I restart my school volunteer gig. I get to be around little people one morning a week. A perfect amount of time for me.
3. There was a positive article in the news about the husband of a friend of mine. He was written up for an accomplishment.
4. I'll be 60 soon but I don't feel that old and (thanks to diminishing eyesight) I don't look that old. I stay active and eat a lot of good food and feel blessed every day to be able to do so.
No. 4 is hilarious. The same thing happened to me. I got some new glasses and I thought who the heck is that broad with the lines on her face. ?
I enjoyed time with all my kids/grandkids this weekend, so that was really good.
I got some more painting work done, and some of it is all but finished.
The center of the tropical storm is predicted to miss us, although we'll still be in the bands, but that's much better than catching the brunt of it.
We've found someone to look at our generator that mysteriously quit on us, here in hurricane season (September is a big month for hurricanes).
I'm trying to keep my mind on happy things, so this helps. We've had so much go wrong lately, I need to remind myself that it won't stay this way.
1. My two oldest kiddos start first grade and preschool tomorrow morning. *Sob* I’m sad they’re growing up so fast but I’m happy it’s only two days a week (homeschool study Center), and happy that they’re excited. 🙂 Plus it will give me some uninterrupted sweet quiet hours with my six months old baby.
2). My husband went back to work today after a four week sabbatical. It was hard for us both but I’m happy he had a job that gives sabbaticals every five years.
3). I had a fun day with my kiddos today. We spent time at our favourite library and got a lot of books. Then we went to a new-to-us park and they tired themselves out playing. Also it was empty because kids are in school; yay!
4). It makes me happy, when I look back at my six year old poring over a book in her car seat, knowing she’s actually reading it now, not just looking at pictures. I was extremely impressed with her phonics curriculum last year.
I could absolutely use some cheering today...
1. First day of school down and no one cried!
2. We have working central air-conditioning. It is 95 today and just unbearable.
3. The weather is supposed to be in the 70's later this week. I am hoping for low humidity too so I can open my house up!
4. I have eaten healthy all day today. HUGE goal for me this fall.
5. Bought myself a 2nd set of sheets for my bed today. I think I have had one set for two years. Looking forward to being able to strip & remake the bed all at once before washing the sheets.
It's awful here too! SO HOT.
Oh, I've made some amazing friends online! And you're right- it's amazing how you can just walk up to someone you've only known online and BAM, it's like you've hung out with them every day for twenty years. I've been lucky enough to have done that several times in my life, and I'm grateful for each friend. 🙂
Yep, that's exactly how it is!
Wow! Joshua looks so much like his father...they are definitely twins through time!
Yay for online friends meeting IRL!
I've had a few over the years and even met my hubby online. (Not even on a dating site!)
As for happy things...
1. I made popcorn with extra butter and I'm eating it.
2. I have two huge baskets of laundry to fold (which isn't happy) BUT that means I get to stay up and watch Netflix while I fold. (Happy!)
3. It was sunny today and supposed to be sunny and hot tomorrow! Yay!
4. We finger painted today. I got to get messy and create too, which is way more fun than hovering over everyone and stressing about cleaning up the mess.
1. I'm getting discharged from the hospital on Thursday! I made a trip to the e.r. last Wednesday & they found my heart in A-fib. Spent the rest of the week & weekend trying to get my rythum back and/or my blood to thin!
2. It only took 1 shock to shock my heart back into a normal rythum!
3. My kids cleaned my home! It will be nice to be home again, but even better that it's clean & I don't have to exert myself so soon.
4. I'm ready for FALL! Bring on the colors, smells, cool air, crunchy leaves!!!
5. I get to see my dad this weekend! I miss him so much and he's been worried about me. It will be good for us both!
ENJOY the last few moments of summer we have left & here's to a tiny bit of FREE ME time now that school's back in session!
So glad your heart is behaving again.
All your kids are mini-me's for you & your husband
1. Went with an old friend to a new cafe & had lovely time - & a delicious vanilla puff pastry; so good
2 Same day cousin from far far away came to visit & she took me for lunch & I took her to my favourite hot chocolate place; I had chilli hot chocolate & she had orange chocolate & we had chocolates as well; so good
3. Two big nasty plants in my new very overgrown garden were much easier to destruct than I expected - green bin went out very full & have started on next fortnight's takings; felt so good out in the finally sunny outside
4. Laughs with work friends today
Being a carer is difficult and mum and I have not had a good night. So this has helped my mood brighten before going to bed.
1. My internet friend of too many years is coming up for three days starting tomorrow.
2. My granddaughter is one on Friday. Where did the time go? In the last few days she has started to look like a toddler. I love her smiles and happy ways.
3. I have a cousin who is a very overweight, mentally ill person and her mother has been caring for her for years. She is younger than me but her life is so bad. Today she agreed to enter a nursing home. As sad as this is her mother has had cancer and is not well herself. She deserves the break.
4. Rain, not a huge amount, has fallen. Our part of Australia is in drought. Any rain is a blessing.
Caregiving is SUCH a hard job. I'm so glad that you will have a cheering visit with a friend!