10 Random Happies

I'm going through a bit of a bumpy time right now.  Rather than complain about all of the things that make me frown, I thought I'd help lift myself up by sharing some of the random happies that make me smile.

Yes, I know that "happies" is not a word.  It makes me smile.  I'm sticking with it.

Of course, the usual suspects top the list: family, my pets, sunny days, etc.  But let's face it, those are on EVERYONE's "happies" list.  So today, I'm reaching down deep and figuring out what would make my list that might not be on yours.

1.  Stainless Steel wipe cleaners.  Seriously.  Any house with stainless steel appliances and small fingers NEEDS to have these in the cabinet ready for battle.  I just bought some and honestly don't know how I've lived the last five months without them.  I literally smiled when I buffed my fridge.

2.  Which brings me to, MY FRIDGE!!!!!  My GE Profile was the amazingly selfless gift from one of the best friends I have ever had.  We got by with only a college sized refrigerator for the first several months in our new home.  While I was thankful to have something to keep milk in, quite frankly, it sucked.  I adore our new refrigerator.  I think I take better care of it than I do my own pets some days.

3.  Vacuuming.  Yes, I know this one is nuts.  And I also realize that two of the top three items on my list involve cleaning.  No, I am not THAT OCD (at least that's what I tell myself).  I love a clean carpet though.  Watching all the little yarn bits and fuzz bunnies get sucked up by my pretty purple Dyson makes me absolutely giddy.  Oh Dyson, how do I love thee...

4.  Venti Soy No-Water Chai tea from Starbucks.  Pretty much the ONLY thing I'll consume from Starbucks is this drink.  But man, does it make me smile.  There's just something about the sweet blend of spices and the nutty flavor of the soy milk that brings me a little bit of joy on an otherwise craptastic day.

5.  This Mailbox:  I just discovered it today, and every time it has passed through my mind, I smile.


6.  Ritz Crackers.  Move over, Cheerios, there's a new baby pleaser in town!  Ritz are my go-to snack for my little ones.  Sure, they make a colossal mess, but they also provide a much longer span of enjoyment for my 15 month old than O's do.

7.  Showering Alone.  This is one of those simple pleasures that goes TOTALLY unnoticed until you have kids.  Most days, my goal is to get showered with a minimal number of eyes staring at me as early in the day as possible.  So far, my record is two sets of eyes and 8:00 a.m.

8.  My oldest daughter's sassiness.  I know this shouldn't be smiled at,  but it is a constant reminder that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and she is absolutely a mini-me in every way imaginable.  The things that come out of this child's mouth are so funny I frequently have to leave the room so that I can more effectively react in a way that doesn't reinforce her bad behavior.  My newest love/hate relationship is with the way she pops her eyebrow and rolls her eyes in the opposite direction.  I'm not even sure where she learned it (lies, lies, lies!), but it absolutely kills me every time she does it.

9.  Thursdays.  LOVE THEM.  Just do.  Just because.

10.  A fresh yarn cake.  At least that's what I call it.  I love freshly wound yarn.  Yummy.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama