Some things that are making me happy
I did a post like this a few weeks ago, and a lot of you commented/emailed saying you hoped this would become a regular feature.
Apparently it's not just me that could use a little meditation on happy things every now and then!
So, let's have a round of happy things today.
Lots of tea bags!
A friend from church brought me a variety of tea bags on Sunday, which is super fun.
I love trying different flavors of tea, and this way I can sample a bunch without having to buy whole boxes.
Whee!
Warm weather
After a cold March, April is looking to be a lovely improvement. I see no freezing temps in my 15-day forecast, and I do see lots of days in the 60s. Yay!
Longer days and a higher sun
I love, love, love that it stays light later in the evening now.
And I'm also very pleased that the sun is getting higher in the sky. Since we live in a pretty tree-filled area, the winter sun doesn't shine a lot of light into my house (it doesn't get much above the trees!).
But now that the sun is getting higher in the sky each day, there are so many more hours of bright, cheerful light coming in my windows.
Daffodils
You all know I'm not a gardener, but even a non-gardener can successfully plant daffodils.
(That's why they're on my list of plants for black thumbs.)
Sonia and Zoe cut a bunch of daffodil blooms, and they're perking up our dining room table in a little vase now.
An organized fridge
Between being gone last week and then down with the stomach bug after that, I was pretty out of touch with what was in my fridge.
I totally did NOT feel like doing it, but yesterday I took inventory and organized things.
And now I know what I've got, which means I'm way more likely to use up my food.
Lisey got a job!
She's been patiently waiting for her 16th birthday, as that milestone opens up a lot more employment opportunities.
She filled out a bunch of applications pretty much the moment she turned 16, and not one week later, she's got a grocery store job lined up. Yay, Lisey!
(She worked at an ice cream shop this past summer and they'd have welcomed her back, but she was ready for a change of pace.)
What's making you happy today?
Make your own list in the comments, and be amazed at the way it perks up your day.
1. My 2.5-year-old is now able to put on pants by herself. Minor but pretty cool (and cute).
2. My mom's 63rd birthday is today and we're having a small party at our house this evening to celebrate. Parties stress me out (I'm an introvert with social anxiety), but I'm happy knowing that we can do this for my mom and that everyone will have a nice time.
3. This is finally the year we are putting new siding on our house. The siding is in terrible shape (we bought a foreclosure that needed tons of work) and we've waited six years for this! I'm ecstatic about this actually.
4. We made a decision about kindergarten for my daughter. Classical study center two days a week, lessons at home 2-3 days a week. Perfect compromise.
5. I only have two more Harry Potter books to read, then I'm gonna watch the movies for the first time! Can't wait! And I really hope I haven't built my expectations too high which always leads to disappointment (like with Beauty and the Beast) :-((
It IS a great thing when kids learn to dress themselves. Being able to put shoes on is a great step as well (I remember the days when I had to put so many shoes and socks on small feet in order to get out the door!)
And then sometimes for extra fun they take them back off while you're getting the other kid's shoes on. There have been times I just said forget it, and packed the shoes in my bag to put on when we arrived. Since half the time, one of them will take them off in the van anyway :-/ Lol
Oh yes! My kids would take shoes and socks off in the car, year round!
Things that are making me happy today:
Hot cocoa this morning
Crossing off to do list items
Noticeable positive effects of a new medication
Nice people at work
The picture of your daffodils is very cheerful
Yea for the washing machine today!
Sold some of the items from my frugal post yesterday.
It's not raining today!!
Okay all of sudden your kids are seeming REALLY grown up!!
I had the EXACT same thought. So grownup.
1. The sun is shining today for the first time in over a week. We've been having a lot of wintry weather here in (extreme) eastern Canada.
2. Although my house is surrounded mostly by forest (and also ocean), there are no trees directly around our house. We have a lot of windows to take advantage of the ocean view, so when the sun shines in the winter it can get quite warm in the house. Many times we've had to open the windows in the winter time to cool things down. I will take any reprieve from the winter I can get!
3. Am looking forward to a quick getaway with my other half at the end of the month.
4. I have been trying to get myself into a good exercise routine and have found a good combination that works for me.
5. Today is the first day I've been out of the house since the middle of last week, so no money spent in quite a while which is great!
The sun makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it? I feel so much more cheerful when it's bright out, even if it's cold.
Yay, I love these posts!
- We are 3 months and counting into potty training with only 1 major accident (knock on wood!) No more diapers or pullups!
- Due to the nice weather, my husband is getting some overtime that will be put directly onto debt.
- We are starting to plan our garden, which is exciting! It's still too cold to plant, but exciting nonetheless.
- My 3 month old blog hit 2000 page views! Eeek!
-We noticed that our front door knob had been manhandled, leading us to believe that someone tried to force their way in while we were at work. It was practically falling off. However, I'm grateful for the padlock that stayed put and my large cuddly, yet very protective Boxer who'd barking (which is much worse than his nonexistent bite) scared them away.
1. I was productive yesterday, and that feels good. Hopefully the trend will continue today 🙂
2. The warm weather coming this weekend-I was going to get some home improvement stuff done, but I might go hiking instead.
3. Added a second coat of joint compound to a patch on my wall...and I didn't even need my whiskers 😉
4. Home with my LO one extra day per week now...I'm not exactly a stay-at-home mom, but I'm kinda there.
Oh my gosh, I'd love to have weather in the 60s again. Most of our Texas winter was in the 60s, so now that it's "spring", we're already hitting the 90s. Sigh. Oooh, I should up my tea game! I've been meaning to drink more tea in the afternoon.
Some things that are making me happy:
-My job search is going great and I got some good feedback this week. 🙂
- We got radishes and strawberries from our garden and they're tasty!
-The blog is doing well!
-I'm almost done sewing an actual wearable dress for the first time.
Whoa. That would be so weird to be in the 90s in April already. Although I WOULD love to have a winter in the 60s!
Lisey has grown into such a beautiful young woman!
1. The weather is my #1 too. I went for a bike ride this morning, and it was heavenly. Yesterday evening my oldest and I cut the grass and put up a string of yard lights. The back yard now looks magical.
2. It is making me very happy that our youngest and I haven't come down with the stomach bug that took out my husband and our two sons on Monday. I'm not sure we're out of the woods yet, so I'm not uncrossing my fingers, but I sure am happy to be well right now. Luckily my guys were all basically back to normal yesterday.
3. My husband and I are going to an event tonight in which the speaker is a designer who my husband admires. I've wanted to meet this guy for a while, so it is super cool that he is in town.
4. I am emerging from comprehensive exams this week. I passed oral comps last Monday and then spent the rest of the week at a conference. I actually enjoyed the comps process, but I have been anxious to get into my dissertation research for a while. Finally this week I get to knock a bunch of stuff off my to do list that has been backing up for some time, get organized, and get ready to dive into the archives!
5. My husband took me out to a birthday lunch yesterday of Indian food. He knows how much I love Indian even though he is not into the spice. Well $25 buys a ton of food--I am on my third meal of the leftovers and still haven't finished them!
Congrats on the job! And I love the daffodils.
My granddaughter is with her dad instead of my daughter this week (50-50 shared custody, sigh) and she called me last night to ask me to attend her awards day at school. Naturally, I went! I don't know how much longer this pre-teen is going to want Nana to show up at school for her, so I take all the invitations I get. She got two awards, for academics and behavior, so that added to my happiness.
We didn't really need a bad storm to bring it, but we finally got rain after weeks of dry weather and low-for-Florida humidity. I can see things perking up already in the yard. Watering just isn't as effective as rain.
My blackberry plants I bought last year are starting to bud flowers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I placed an order for a gift from a new-to-me candy company, online, and they had a question about shipping. They both emailed and called me today just to get my permission to speed it up due to weather issues, and they were quite pleasant to talk to. I bet I'll be using them again.
My herbs I planted are, so far, looking good!
Aww, that's great that she wanted you to be there. I think that means you must be a good grandma. 🙂
My lovely son just got his first job. I am so proud of him. I spent the night with my daughter who is two hours away at college . We had a wonderful lunch at an Indian restaurant. On a less frugal note, our buffet was twice as much as expected. One of the main interstates in Atlanta is shut down and traffic is a nightmare. Going to our regular location was just not an option. I love seeing my yard bloom and hope to learn more about what we might be ale to plant. The yard has many pine reed so I guess that will make a difference.
Cool list!
Making me happy :
* taking time off tomorrow to spend the day with my 5yo. We will go out for breakfast and to the pool.
* My cat. She's old, she pukes and she shed like crazy but I looooove her.
* Big Bang Therory, my favorite show
* Many visits from my in-laws coming up. We don't get to see them very much so it's a happy time
* The salary that I make. I have a college degree and make as much, if not more, than most of my friends who went to university.
Have a great day!
I think this is a great exercise, and I should do it way more often!
I'm feeling happy that my house right now is clean, groceries are bought, and laundry is DONE. I love that it's quiet and smells good and is so peaceful. {feelin' house happy}
I'm super happy to be meeting a friend for tea this afternoon. I haven't seen her in years! She just happens to be in town, I happen to be off, and the weather happens to be perfect, so I feel like a nice afternoon is in store...(:
This is probably a vain thing to be happy about, but I went to the dermatologist a couple of months ago and got some nail solution for my peeling and tearing nails. I'm super happy to report that they are longer, healed, and looking very spring-y pretty. A shot in the arm I needed!
Yes! Warmer weather and more sunlight make me VERY happy as well! Watching all of the flowers and trees blooming is so good! Congrats to Lisey on the new job. She is looking so grown up... I guess 16 can do that to you :o)
Omy, your children have grown so much in the years I've been reading your blog. Good job!
Things that make me happy:
I'm grateful to see the beautiful sunrises out of my living room windows.
I'm happy to have the grandcat during the week, while my son works out of town. He makes me laugh.
I'm happy that I have good friends, and that I can be there for them when they need me.
I'm happy to see the little wood violets blooming in my lawn - white, yellow, and purple. No weed & feed for MY yard!
I'm happy that it's asparagus season! Yay! 🙂
Oh yes! Asparagus season. I second that nomination for happy things.
I love this weather, warmer, sunnier, more daylight. There is daylight for an after dinner walk. I am happy to be in the yard, working.
The ability to attend yoga and Pilates classes at a locally owned studio. The teachers are wonderful, it's affordable with a monthly membership, and I am quite fit for pushing 60.
I had lunch with 3 long-time friends yesterday. We try to do it every month. It's nothing fancy but wonderful to be together.
My daughter will finish college next month. She has worked very hard and done very well.
This blog. I have learned so much about food waste and many other things.
Lisey must radiates happiness; must be the dimples?!
She really resembles Mr FG!
The older I get (50 this year), I am so very, very thankful for for my health. I don't it for granted, EVER! I work with chronically ill kids, so it really puts things in perspective.
I'm thankful that my husband has come out the other end of serious depression. This Fall and Winter were so rough for him (this was a new diagnosis) and, inadvertently, challenging for me at times, too.
He's so much better, thanks to counseling and medications. He told me yesterday his experience has made him aware of how many people suffer with this and how hard it can be to get to a better place!
I really like this topic too!
- the weather for me too! We've had so much rain (good for the farmers tho) My 15 month old LOVES to be outside and we have enjoyed watching the birds, wandering around the house looking at what is coming up and more. Yesterday we went outside three times She is also obsessed with dogs, the neighbors are getting out more with their dogs and we get to see them and pet them.
- flowers are coming up and blooming, including some bulbs that I planted last fall. And the rhubarb is looking good! And the trees are budding. Spring is great!!
- my 15 mo. Old is in a word avalanche, so fun to hear her attempts at talking. Plus, she says yes and not no, tho it will come.
- my mother in law won a free bagel a day for April from Panera, she is out of town for two weeks so we get to have her bagels.
- many cardinals, two kinds of woodpeckers, and other interesting birds are coming to our feeders. It is fun to watch them with my little girl. (And husband, he has gotten me into watching the birds!) somehow it is calming.
That is SUCH a fun thing about that age...the talking! So cute.
You always take great pictures, Kristen!!!
Things that are making me happy today:
After 14 long years I am finally down to having only one student loan payment left!
I am so grateful for having health insurance. Even though it is oh-so-expensive, I am so happy I have it now that I need it.
I am happy for sunny days with the nights still cool so I can still wear my favorite snuggly pajamas.
I am happy there are so many books out there in the world to read. I love that I will never run out.
I am happy that I know myself so much better now than when I was young. I like myself a great deal more now.
Your darling girl is looking so grown up.
Ah I am waiting for pretty flowers but loving the cooler weather autumn brings. Our summers are long, hot and humid.
Today I held my son's cat while he was put to sleep. I was terrified of Wills reaction but he did so well.
I managed to complete my first quilt block today.
I am thankful for books and handwork which help me stay on top of chronic depression.
I am so thankful for my freedom and that I live in a first world country. My recent travels have reinforced this belief.
I'm not sure if I can think of five, but let's see...
- For two years now, a friend has been driving to my house three times a week and walking with me, because my neighborhood is hilly and hers is flat. I am so grateful to her for this gift.
- DH went with me to Costco yesterday. We needed dog food and shopping with a man to do the heavy lifting is a treat! We did not buy any prepared food, only ingredients. I did splurge on a bottled water because I was super thirsty. It was twenty five cents and ice cold!
- I am staring down the finish line of a large community project. So happy to be almost done with a commitment that benefits my library.
...and I keep falling asleep over the keyboard, so I'll settle for three.
Take a nap! 🙂
That's funny, because I wrote that late at night. Not sure why it didn't post until the next day.
I have always loved a good nap, lol!
Love this idea Kristen!
1, We've just returned from a wonderful family holiday with my little ones and my inlaws. I'm so happy that we all like each other enough to holiday together!
2, My husband had some Great news at work this week. He's won funding for a project he's working on.
3, My five year old has started writing stories! He's been a very reluctant writer so far so this has really pleased me.
4, My step father has been poorly but now he's out of hospital.
5, The weather is getting warmer!!!
--the warmer weather definitely tops the list. My daffodils haven't bloomed yet but they're almost ready.
--my department is finally replacing the equipment tech (she retired in November) so I will be able to go back to my other two jobs after he gets trained. It's not possible to do three jobs well in a 40 hour work week.
-- I'm sad that my youngest is moving out because I'll miss her. In the other hand I am so proud of her. ..... and my laundry pile will be reduced!!!
--my friend who moved out of town is here for a visit. I miss him!!