All Aboard!

Today's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. A Phone Call with Good News - Honestly, who wants to get a phone call with bad news? The phone call with good news may just make your day or if you're having a bad day it might make you feel better.

2. Soft Winter Sunlight - I don't think it's ever soft unless there are some clouds around too because it reflects off of the snow and may give you a headache therefore making you annoyed with the sunlight. I do like when the snow glitters though especially when it is snowing at night and you it looks like glitter falling around you.

3. Hearing Aids - This would make people who cannot hear well happy along with the people around them who get annoyed with the fact that the ones with hearing problems can't hear what they are saying half of the time.

4. The Jar of Cheese Dip - Mmmmmm...CHEESE!

5. Making the Train - This makes people happy because if you miss it well then you're screwed. If you're a commuter heading to work, getting the train on time is always a good thing because you don't want to look like a bad employee to your employers.

6. A Can-Do Attitude - Better to be optimistic then a Debby Downer on everyone else. If you have a can-do attitude whatever needs to get done will get done faster and you'll feel better about what you are doing.

7. Essential Kitchen Tools - One of the things my sorority house is missing! We have a kitchen but no measuring tools which annoys me so I went out and bought my own set so that I could actually make food for myself instead of eating school food all of the time.

8. Cleaning Your Car - Because it always looks so shiny after you wash it. Plus you can work on waxing it so when it rains the raindrops bead on top of your car which looks pretty cool.

9. Cult Movies - I haven't watched many of these because they scare me a little bit to know that things like this happen in the world. It's a little upsetting.

10. Making Your Own Luck - This is better than depending on something you believe in as lucky. Believe in yourself and you will succeed.

Alpine Air

Yesterday's 10 Things to Be Happy About :)

1. Invigorating Alpine Air - There really is a difference in the air when you go higher and taking a deep breath feels wonderful and you feel like a different person. I love going into the woods in the mountains because there is always a different feeling rather than just being in the middle of a field.

2. Displaying Old Books - I would display them but no one would ever be able to touch them because I would be so afraid someone breaking one (especially me because I'm a clutz beyond belief).

3. A Hint of Perfume - This is always nice because I really dislike it when women have too much perfume on because you feel like you're choking on it because it's so strong. I love going into perfume stores and trying new perfume and finding one that fits my personality. I try not to put on too much though because I don't want to be a hypocrite.

4. Waterproof Shoes - I love these when I go biking in the Poconos because my feet get so grimy and it's the worst when the roads are dirt and after it rains turn into mud. I like my sneakers so I use waterproof shoes that I know that I can wash all of the mud out of. I can also play capture the flag in the creek without worrying about ruining a pair of shoes. They have so many good uses.

5. Hosting a Dinner Party - Ok honestly do you realize how much work goes into a dinner party??? I don't know if this would make me happy or stressed out. Making all of the initial plans to get everyone together would suck but maybe the actual having of the party would be fun and make you happy to see all of your friends or family members together.

6. Butter-Grilled Vegetables - Almost like shishcabobs (not sure how to spell that) I love my when my dad makes these because I love vegetables that have been marinated then put on the grill. Also corn on the cob is wonderful as well.

7. Untangling a Knot - While getting the knot actually untangled sucks the after affect is always nice to know that you've accomplished something that may have taken you lot of work to get it out. The victory of actually finished is the happy part.

8. A Drumroll - When you are finding out the results of something the drumroll gives a wonderful affect that makes everyone around happy to know who the winner is or what is happening or maybe even a surprise.

9. Guiltless Pleasure - When something makes you happy and you don't feel guilty about doing it is always a great feeling. I hope that many people get this feeling often because feeling guilty about a pleasure is never a good thing.

10. The Last Piece of Pie - It's mine!!!! I don't know what you are eating! My dad's apple pies are amazing and they are often fought over including at thanksgiving when there wasn't enough for everyone.

Diner Stools

Today's 10 Things to Be Happy About (finally)

1. A Cultural Adventure - These are always really cool because when you immerse yourself in a new culture you learn a lot of different things about new people. I love going on vacations and learning about new places and the people that live in them. I still wish that I had had the chance to study abroad so that I could have been completely immersed in a new culture and experience the world in a different way.

2. The Paradise of a Snow-Dusted Winter - I wouldn't call what happened in Chester Springs a snow dusting. I came home from school last night where we have a few inches of snow and Chester Springs and the surrounding areas got WRECKED! We have so much snow and the dog can't even go pee in the yard because it's so high. It's kind of funny though and it's beautiful to look at.

3. Plain Cheesecake - I don't like cheesecake so this doesn't make me happy but for those of you who do enjoy!

4. BYOB Restaurants - I've actually only ever been to one near my house. It was Chinese and absolutely delicious. I actually had dinner with my grandparents there one summer. It was a really good dinner! Plus anyone who's under 21 can't get carded because they aren't serving the alcohol.

5. Grating Nutmeg - The smell of nutmeg is wonderful...nuff said!

6. Tapered-Leg Jeans - Are these comfortable because I've never heard of them!

7. A Spinning Diner Stool - We used to have these at our house before they broke but they were always fun to sit in because you could turn around and see the people who were behind you or whatever was going on behind you instead of having to swing your whole body around.

8. Artwork Completed at the Kitchen Table - I remember doing arts and crafts as a little kid and we would cover the kitchen table with newspaper and have an arts and crafts workshop. I always loved when I came up with new ideas.

9. Sampling New Music - What I love about CD stores and now iTunes is that you can listen to the music before you buy it so you know what you're paying for. It's really fun to find stuff that you've never heard before.

10. Standing Up for a Toast - I guess it's nerve wracking but it's also fun because maybe you get to make fun of the people who you are toasting or you are talking about what amazing people they are and you get to see them smile.

Foosball The Game of Champians

Friday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Fried Chicken in a Bucket - Jump in the car, drive to KFC, fried chicken...CHECK!

2. Rejoicing in Sloth - I'm guessing this has something to do with just relaxing which never happens in college so I'm all for this!

3. Multiple Rounds of Foosball - This is truly the game of champions and a lot of fun. I can never win but the fact that I laugh through the entire game may have something to do with it. I just think that the game is that funny because I'm that special. I found this great picture online and nearly peed my pants laughing...Bush playing foosball..what a concept!

4. Books that Offer Insight - Honestly, it depends on what it is offering insight for because in some cases I really could care less. I like to see what other people's opinion are so that I can compare them to my own but other than that if it isn't helping me in life, forget it!

5. Street Food - Fast food is a wonderful thing along with grabbing a hot dog off of a local stand. I may not like hot dogs but I've seen people do it many times in movies and in cities along with West Chester.

6. Lightly Scented Candles - My dad actually made fun of me earlier this afternoon for sitting doing my TA stuff next to a candle. He though it was a little weird but I told him that it smelled good so he just left it at that. I honestly love the smell of candles and I hate that we can't have them at school!

7. The Drama of Toddlerhood - When kids are little anything small is enough to make them cry especially if they fall and don't even hurt themselves. It's cute if you're not the one taking care of them but if you are and have to deal with it all the time then you might get a little tired of it.

8. Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting - I don't like caramel much but the cake sounds good to me. Mom made me one last night and while it wasn't spice it was still delicious!

9. Shadowing a Mentor - I shadowed my middle school math teacher last summer and had a blast because I learned a lot from how she runs her classroom. I hope that I can make a difference in someone's life like she made a difference in mine.

10. No Distractions - This is always hard but if I go to the library I can accomplish this because there is no one to bug me until my friend shows up and starts talking otherwise I love having no distractions while in the library. It is a lot easier at the beginning of the semester because no one has work but it gets harder and harder as the semester moves along.

Red Roses

Thursday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Melted Cheese on Fries - Sprinkle some bacon bits on top and then dip it in sour cream and ranch dressing and I'm happy!!! It is one of my favorite dishes to make at school when they have all of the necessary ingredients. I don't eat fried food very often so when I do it's a total treat!

2. New Phases of Life - When I started the new phase of going to a new school after middle school I was scared out of my mind and didn't know anyone. Luckily one of my still very close friends adopted me and made my first year at a new school a great one and I even met my boyfriend that way :) It only took us 7 years to get to actually dating.

3. The Friendliness of Anchorage - Friendliness anywhere should make people happy because people spend too much time thinking about themselves to be friendly to others so anywhere where people are friendly is a good place. New York City would be a good example of where there exists very little friendliness.

4. A Thank-You Wave - I always love these when you let someone pass you or go before you at an intersection when you're driving. I honestly think that it's rude when people don't wave back after you've let them do something before you, but hey that's my opinion. I think that people should be more polite then the world would be a better place but I know that's never going to happen.

5. Getting the Joke - Now the funny part about me getting jokes is sometimes it takes me a while to actually understand the joke. A lot of people think that's the funny part about telling me jokes is to watch me think about it and when I finally get it they think it's entertaining. My mom always tells me my blonde roots are showing me when I don't get it (I'm a natural brunette and am the only person in my family to never have blonde hair).

6. Red Roses - These are pretty but I can't say I'm a big fan. I'd rather get a dozen sunflowers because they match my happy personality. I'm glad that someone thinks that <3 Mike.

7. A Nook of Your Own - I love finding places where I can just for me time. I used to be able to hide in the closet under the third floor stairs but my parents started using it for storage of the family suitcases. Now when it's warm I find a place outside to just relax. I also love spending time in our family library.

8. Church Spires - ??? Anyone know what these are?

9. An Old Toboggan - I have memories of being in Vermont with the entirety of my dad's family and making a huge hill off of the back porch and having toboggan races down to the bottom. It is one of the many wonderful memories I have of my very competitive grandfather and playing in the snow with him in Vermont.

10. Warm Water on Cold Hands - I love doing this after being out in the cold but if you do it too warm it feels like you are burning your hands with water. I don't like that feeling very much at all.

What You Have

Wednesday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Hand Lotion that Really Works - This is always a wonderful thing because in the winter who really wants dry hands? My mom gave me this new stuff that is supposed to work really well so we'll see how that goes.

2. Follow-Through - When someone follows through on something whether it be you or someone doing it for you it always feels wonderful because then you don't have to worry about it anymore. If someone doesn't follow through then most people are just pissed and so it is a happy thing when people do follow through.

3. A New Cookbook - These are always fun to look for to see if there is something in your extensive cookbook that you don't already have. I love trying new recipes along with using the ones I've had for years because it adds some variety to your meals.

4. Supper at a Pub - Usually they have pretty decent food but if there's smoking in that specific pub I'm out of there. I think that it's disgusting that people want smoke around their food!

5. Bottles of Chamomile or Clove Shampoo - Any kind of shampoo that makes my hair soft is enough for me. I love soft hair and that always makes me happy.

6. Aromas from Baking - I love walking into my house after dad bakes an apple pie because it smells absolutely delicious! Althought the smell of chocolate chip cookies is also wonderful!

7. Exchanging Gossip - This can never lead to a good thing. Even though it's fun when it's not about you but when something goes wrong and someone hears what you've been doing you're pretty much screwed.

8. Having a Spirit Guide - I don't believe in this because I know that things happen for a reason and God is guiding me throughout life. If I did believe in it it would be pretty cool though.

9. The Thrill of Danger - I love an adrenaline rush which is why doing crazy dangerous things have always been fun for me. My sister actually told my best friend's mom once that I was a rebel child because I enjoyed doing dangerous things and the best part was trying to not get caught. While that's died down a little I do still enjoy the thrill of doing some things that are a little on the dangerous side.

10. Relishing What You Already Have - Most people don't realize that they have more than others. For example when I was in high school there was a girl on my tennis team who complained all the time about how her mom had to borrow her car. All I could think was at least you have a car. I was stuck using my parents car until sophomore year of college. Be happy with what you have and if you want something more work for it and you'll get there!

A "Boffo!" Idea

I realize that I am way behind...Sorry :(

Tuesday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. An Interesting Face on a Train - When you get off of a train there always seem to be people staring at you from the inside...or sleeping and they're always the best people to notice because they usually have drool coming out of their mouth which makes me laugh...I don't know about you.

2. A "Boffo!" Idea - ...not a clue, I guess it means something along the lines of an AWESOME! idea. Honestly couldn't tell you though. It's a funny word though so it make me smile.

3. Grab Bags - You never know what you'll get and usually the surprise of what's inside makes it fun.

4. Sitting in a Well-Designed Lecture Hall - Who wants to be sitting in a lecture hall at all especially when there is snow outside to go play in and through around! I don't know maybe it's good for the acoustics of the professor and that makes him happy but I'd rather be anywhere but a lecture hall.

5. Fish Tanks with Sculptures - It make the fish more interesting to look at? I don't think this really has anything good about it. I usually look into a fish tank to see the fish, not the other things inside of it!

6. Angus Beef Burgers - Since I don't eat red meat this doesn't really make me happy but upon seing this Megan jumped for joy saying that she absolutely loved burgers. Thank you for making my day Megan!

7. Cheese and Wine - Good cheese and a little buzz...How could you go wrong?

8. Cable-Knit Sweaters - I love my cable knit sweaters because not only are they cute but they also keep me moderately warm when it's a cold winter like this year. The amount of snow we have at my house is absolutely ridiculous!

9. Taking Mom to Breakfast - I'd rather just make it for her but I just enjoy spending time with my mom so it doesn't bother me where we are but spending time with her is always the best.

10. A Loved-Filled Home - If someone isn't happy with this, then something is seriously wrong with you!

Wanderlust

Today's 10 Awesome Things to Be Happy About :)

1. Horse Blankets - To keep the animals you love so much warm and snuggly. They are a wonderful thing so the horses can go outside until they try to roll in them or get poop on the fasteners. Kind of gross if you ask me but oh well...I love horses anyway.

2. Cats in the "Nap Position" - A cat in almost any position is enough to make a person happy (unless you're allergic...in which case I am terribly sorry that this horrible misfortune has fallen upon you). I love when my cat just spreads out on my bed as if it's hers when she doesn't want me to get into it. It's really cute.

3. Streets at Twilight - Streets at the right time of night (not in the city) are pretty to look at because they are quiet without tons of traffic moving up and down them.

4. Lingonberry and Sour Creme Crepes - This just sounds kind of gross to me but I've never tried it so I can't really judge whether or not it will make me happy.

5. The Vastness of Space - There's just so much out there it's truly amazing!

6. Satisfied Wanderlust - I guess that this is enough to make anyone happy because it's a satisfied person so what could be better?

7. Holding a Baby - Now this is something that makes me happy because I don't get to do it very often and when I do it's something that is enough to make me smile. When my cousin was born this summer they would put him in my arms and he would stop crying and then as soon as they took him away he would start wailing again. This is a personal experience that made me really happy about holding babies and reinforced the fact that I want kids some day.

8. The Natural Part in Your Hair - I'm just curious if you're a guy with short hair is there a part? I like mine because it doesn't make me look stupid.

9. Making the Long-Desired Purchase - If it's something that you've saved up for for a very long time then it makes it so much more worth it!

10. Simplifying Your Work - Honestly in my major there is no such thing as simple but in some of my classes there is a way to simplify my work, it's called sparknotes!

Woodpeckers

Today's 10 Wonderful Things to be Happy about

1. Your Fairy Godmother - If these existed in real life I would honestly be the happiest person alive. I don't have many complaints in my life but if I did I know that she could solve them all.

2. Ancient Pottery Shards - I guess if you're an archeologist this would make you happy because you would be learning something new about an ancient community.

3. What You Truly Believe In - Everyone believes in something and you should be happy to share that with the world.

4. The Theme from Sesame Street - Who doesn't remember being little and watching Sesame Street on a Saturday morning? I loved that them and still know it sadly. It will always bring back memories of my childhood with Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

5. Potato Pancakes and Applesauce - Can't say that I've ever had this meal but it sounds pretty interesting.

6. Sledding with Friends - Love doing this especially when everyone gets competitive and want to beat everyone else to the bottom of the hill. It also becomes a contact sport because people try to knock each other off.

7. Woodpecker "Morse Code" - Woodpeckers scared the crap out of me as a kid because they would knock on my parents' bedroom wall during nap time. My mom used to have to close the door just so I would sleep instead of freaking out. Ah the good ol' days. Dad had a bbgun and would shoot at them as well because they were ruining the siding of our house.

8. Fruit Preserves on Bread - Granmom makes the best jam ever. It is wonderful having it freshly made and then on a slice of toast...mmmmmm!

9. The Answers in the Back of the Book - Always good because then you know if you are doing something right or wrong!

10. Dioramas of Natural History - These are so cool to look at in museums. The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. has some amazing museums to look at!

Cherry Tomatoes

Saturday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. An Extra Roll of Paper Towels - If you have one laying around when you finish one then you don't have to go out to replace it, you just need to remember to put it on your list of things to get the next time you go out instead of making a special trip for it.

2. Google Gadgets - Some of these gadgets are pretty useful so it could make someone happy to be able to organize their life.

3. Choosing the Most Reward Path - It's always good to feel the rewarding things out of life.

4. A Paid-Off Loan - Makes you feel relieved that you don't owe money to someone anymore.

5. The Break You Needed - Everyone needs one of these from time to time and when you get and are able to relax you always feel so much better afterward.

6. Rushes of Emotion Triggered by a Song on the Radio - These happen for some people and maybe not others. I know that in my life there are songs that remind me of moments of my life or people in my life. If they are sad moments or people that have hurt me it usually is a bad thing when I hear the songs and the emotions all come running back.

7. Plaid Pajamas - If they're soft they are the most comfortable pajamas in the world! That is all!

8. Bronco Beans and Little Smokies - Not sure what this is but if you know fill me in!

9. An E-mail From a Friend - Don't get these very often but it's always nice to get an e-mail that isn't school or sorority related!

10. Explosively Juicy Cherry Tomatoes - These are so good especially because you can just pop them in your mouth!

Grays of Winter Days

Friday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. High School Dances - These I must say were much better than middles school dances because I always had a date. I also always had a lot of fun at these events. Homecoming and Proms were awesome in high school. And now that I'm at college there are no more special dances.

2. A Working Snowblower - When it snows a lot this is a remedy so that you don't have to shovel...because who wants to shovel?

3. The Weird World of Shopping Malls - Malls are truly weird especially when you look at the some of the people who hang out there. I never understood why it was fun to hang out at the shopping mall. Oh well...not my problem.

4. Pretzel Sticks - These are a yummy and healthy snack any day which is enough to make anyone happy.

5. All the Beautiful Varieties of Grays in Winter - The money different grays that happen in the winter are always beautiful to look at especially when it is snowing all around you and before they have plowed the roads to make it extremely ugly again with all of the black snow from the drivers.

6. Solar Lights - These made me happy because they were always along the pathway at camp so that I could find my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

7. Saving Money - Always something to make you happy because you can spend on something that you really want later!

8. White Teeth - Makes me happy because I know that my teeth are healthy and happy. Plus your smile looks better when it's white instead of yellow.

9. New Episodes of Your Favorite TV Shows - I am always so excited when my tv shows come back after a long break (during winter and in the summer). Some of them actually start back up on Monday which is very exciting!

10. Yoga Therapy - Yoga is a wonderful way of stretching you body and always makes me feel better afterward.

Wobbly Furniture

Today's 10 Things to be Happy About :)

1. Clear Sidewalks - These are a wonderful thing instead of having to walk through snow ice and whatever else might be there. Ice is the worst because you can fall on your ass if you're not careful. I almost did that the other day because the sidewalks were not clear when I went to the gym.

2. A Spinning Prism Wind Chime - These things are so fun to watch. I do not personally have one but I love to go to garden stores and watch them move in the wind. They also seem to be becoming very popular in malls which I think is very odd.

3. Owning Something Made of Red Silk - I don't really care what color it is the feel of silk makes me happy on it's own. The color of red is truly pretty though.

4. The Ability to Memorize - This is always a good thing to make anyone happy because then you can pass your tests with such ease. It also makes things easier when you get older because then you remember things that you learned years ago that will come in use later in life that you thought were completely useless in high school.

5. Shims to Straighten Wobbly Furniture - These are a carpenter's best friend, ask my father and my boyfriend. They will vouch for this and they can also help to straighten crooked furniture so it's always good to have some laying around.

6. The Scent of Orange Blossoms - MMMMM!!!! One of the best smells ever!

7. A Great Opening Line - Sets the tone for a movie or book!

8. A New Galley Exhibit - It's always fun to visit a museum that you've gone to many times and for it to have a new exhibit. It makes me happy always to see new pieces of artwork or historical artifacts.

9. Grandma's Meatloaf - Neither of my grandmother's make meatloaf nor do I eat red meat so this kind of thing does not make me happy. Some people may like this so kudos to them for being happy about Grandma's meatloaf :)

10. Cinnamon Tea - I guess this is good and enough to make to people happy. It does smell good I'll give it that. I love the smell of fresh tea!

Window Seats

Today's 10 Wonderful things to Be Happy About

1. Watching the Days Grow Longer - This makes people happy because then they know that warmness is coming there way. The days growing longer means summer is not far off.

2. The Ferry Whistle - I guess that this makes people happy because they are on their way somewhere and the ferry whistle signals that they are either coming in to the harbor and then later leaves.

3. A Handwritten Letter - I know that these make me extraordinarily happy because I correspond with my grandmother regularly through old fashioned letters because I love getting letters in my mailbox at school since I get emails way too often that aren't usually anything fun about people's lives because I'm the treasurer and there just about people's payments and stuff. Yay! So my grandmother's letters make me smile.

4. Root Vegetable Soup - I'm honestly not quite sure what this is but I'm sure it's delicious and could make someone who is sick feel better because it's worm.

5. A Powerful Speech - A great example is Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. This touched many people and still does touch those who listen to it today. A powerful speech is something that should make someone who stands for something very happy when it is trying to put what you believe in.

6. Sitting in a Window Seat - Sitting in one of these seats and looking out at the scenery passing by whether it be on a plane, in a car, or on a bus. Looking out the window is cool especially when you're passing new places.

7. Hot Coffee in Your Thermos - Wakes you up a little and always better than cold coffee, right?

8. Electrical Cords Tucked Away - Who wants to trip over cords? It makes anyone happy to know that they won't trip over their cords because they are tucked out of the way.

9. A Light Backpack - Always better than a heavy one because that's what I usually carry around campus because of the work load that I have at this school and the fact that I need most of my books when I go to do homework in the library.

10. Wood That's Ready for the Fireplace - This means I don't have to bring it down from our barn and I can just put it in the fireplace and light it and be warm. Thank goodness!

Childhood Memories

Today's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Unforgettable Childhood Memories - I love to think about some of the stupid things that I said or did during my childhood and also hearing some of them fromo my parents from when I was too young to remember because the are always entertaining to hear. For example I apparently turned an entire can of chex mix on the floor with my cousin and picked all of the pieces I liked out of it. Go small me!

2. Fleece-Lined Slippers - Sooooo warm in the winter plus IT'S SO FLUFFY!

3. Monklike Devotion - How anyone could be devoted like a monk is beyond me, but if you do have a devotion to something if it's monklike kudos to you!

4. A Beautiful View from Your Workstation - It makes you want to work more so that you can enjoy it later.

5. Muscles Worked Hard - The feeling of your muscles after you get back to the gym makes you feel satisfied that you've done something productive and healthy for your body or at least that's how it makes me feel anyway.

6. A Doggie Bag - As my roommate says "It's better than knowing that you will throw up on yourself." Also bringing back food is always a plus when you come home from a fancy restaurant.

7. Using Your Gift Cards - You don't have to spend your money, you get to spend someone else's instead because they bought you this wonderful gift card so that you can use it as you like. I love gift cards especially ones for Barnes and Noble and Aerie!

8. Collaborating on a Snowman - The more snow you get the more giant it gets! The picture of this snowman is amazing and I received it a couple of years ago. This snowwoman was made in Bethel, Maine and stood 37 meters tall. It is truly amazing that people collaborated to make this amazing creation!

9. Flights on Schedule - I know that I hate waiting for flights when they are late so I'm extraordinarily when they are on time.

10. Finding Streets with Interesting Names - "Wollups Road...Is that like fruit wollups?" -Chelsea Watson. This is why she is my awesome roommate :) They're always funny. I always like looking at them driving down the turnpike in different places especially when you can make stupid comments about them.

The da-Vinci Code

Today's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Visiting the White House - I've heard that it's a pain in the butt because of all of the security and then you don't get to see much of the building. I think that it would be cool if you could see more. I understand why there are so many security restrictions but they should still let you see more of the building that you go through so much security to see anything.

2. Your Grandparents in Florida - The last time I went to Florida with my grandparents I was about 13. I do realize that a lot of kids do have grandparents in Florida and that would make them happy to see their grandparents in a warm climate.

3. A Notebook Filled with da Vinci-Like, Grand Ideas - I think that they are really cool too look at because it is amazing what a man came up with so long ago and many of his ideas became a reality many years later.

4. Protecting Civil Liberties - Everyone should have a right!

5. Home Cooking - So much better than school food. I love going home and getting a home cooked meal, either from me making it or my parents.

6. Conversation Pieces - Always good to have one if conversation goes downhill and then it doesn't get too awkward.

7. Free Delivery - Better than having to pay for it. It's so much better when you get it free because you feel better about yourself that your not wasting the money on it when you're buy something from the place anyway.

8. A Clear Road Ahead - Makes your life easier when your driving especially when it's snowing and your behind the plow truck.

9. The Smell of Snow Coming - I love that smell and it's wonderful because the snow is beautiful and after it falls the world around you is just quiet. You feel at peace as the snow falls around you.

10. The Details in a Sunlit Rock - You can always see details better when the sun hits them right and they are beautiful enough to make you happy.

Come Rain Come Down

Yesterday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Armchair Anthropology - Honestly I don't know what this means and I'm a little confused. I like armchairs thought. They're comfy to hunker down and be lazy in front of the TV in.

2. The Yellow-Brick Road - This makes me happy for two reasons. I love the Wizard of Oz (grew up with it is a kid and even have the trivia board game, yea I'm that cool!). I also love Elton John and his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is one of my favorite songs from growing up.

3. The Froth of a Bath - What person doesn't love watching a bathtub filling up that they are about to get into? Anyone who doesn't is truly insane because soaking in a bathtub is enough to make anyone feel better.

4. Your Favorite Reading Glasses - I don't wear reading glasses and don't know many people who do but I mean hey if you have a favorite pair then that's all on you.

5. Rooms with High Ceilings - People who are tall are a huge fan of rooms with high ceilings so that they don't hit their heads on the ceilings. No one wants that plus they make the room so much more open.

6. Visiting Wyoming - Beautiful mountain landscape, no more to say about it.

7. Eating Hot Oatmeal with Brown Sugar - Oatmeal is delicious and brown sugar is my favorite thing to put on it. Although I like the instant stuff with maple syrup mixed in with, it's my favorite!!!

8. Tired Kids in Bed - They are better than kids jumping all over you! I love kids but when they are tuckered out it's good after they've been jumping all over you for hours.

9. The Metronome of the Rain - I love falling asleep to the rain unless I'm in the mountains and under the tin roof and it's really annoying and keeps you awake. I also love the sound of rain in the afternoon when I'm curled up on the couch reading a book.

10. Ancient Alphabets - I just think that they're really cool to look at but I wouldn't want to learn how to use them. I have learned most of the Greek alphabet for my sorority so it's pretty cool. How to actually use it to write I will probably never know.

Sneezing

Saturday's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Backroading - When you're running late for work or just don't want to be stuck in traffic than this is definitely a good way to be happy and avoid traffic and getting mad about being late.

2. Old Whaling Ships - These are amazing pieces of equipment and the fact that people used to catch whales off of them with harpoons seriously amazes me and makes me happy to know that some were salvaged.

3. The Word "Poppycock" - When I read this it made me giggle. I know I've heard it in many movies because it's funny when different characters. The word is just a funny word and probably enough to make anyone who is having a bad day feel better.

4. The Sudden Tickle of a Forthcoming Sneeze - I like to sneeze because I know that it cleans out my sinuses. I really do not like how people try to get you to stop sneezing because then it just doesn't happen and you're waiting forever for it to actually come out.

5. Accepting Every Inch of Your Body - Everyone should be happy about who they are and what their bodies look like. If you really aren't only you can do something about it by eating healthy and exercising daily because then and only then will you be happy with every inch of your body.

6. The Sounds of the Forest - I love living in the forest because it is a great place to live because nature is all around you. I love walking through the forest without any sound other than my footfalls and what is around me. I am not a big city person so this truly is enough to make me happy.

7. A Clatter of Dishes - Why would this make anyone happy unless it meant dinner time? This could mean that dishes were falling and breaking or something along those lines or it could mean that there were dishes in the sink to clean and almost no one I know likes to clean dishes. Although as a kid I used to love playing in the sink with the soap and bubbles so that was enough to keep me happy.

8. Free Coffee Refills - Coffee addicts love this! If more places had free coffee refills then a lot more people would probably become coffee addicts.

9. Feeling Flush from Exercise - You feel like you've done something for your body and healthiness. I love feeling like I've done something productive after exercising so this makes me truly happy.

10. Steam Outside from the Clothes Dryer - Not only is it warm on a cool day but it smells good!

Vintage Port

10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Food Stylists - Honestly I like my food whether it's fancy or not. I think that it is cool when the food is any kind of stylistic design but I'll eat it even if it's not. I really like when the food is good so whether or not it looks good is fine by me.

2. Snowflakes Pirouetting - All I can think of when I see this is the Fantasia version of the Nutcracker Suite where there are snowflakes dancing around. It is amazing to watch how they made this cartoon make the music truly come alive. I do love watching the snow fall as well.

3. Fireworks in January - Fireworks in the cold, who thought of this crazy idea? Oh wait maybe it was my uncles Pete and George!! Those crazy boys just love their fireworks. We did set some off in November at Thanksgiving but it was totally worth it in the cold!

4. A 21-Day Plan to Set a New Habit or Routine - If you actually end up doing the habit or routine then this should make you happy!

5. Time for Reevaluating - Honestly I try not to reevaluate unless it is something to do with school. I'm pretty happy with how my life is going right now so I don't like to reevaluate what should/should not or could/could not have happened. Ifs are bad if you're happy with your life.

6. The Profound Complexity of White Light - It is truly amazing that white light is made out of all of the colors in the spectrum. For example in Meg Cabot's All American Girl the art teacher, Susan Bones, tells her that she has to draw a white egg with all of the colors but white and she ends up doing it by mixing the colors and seeing how they work together. It is a mesmerizing concept.

7. A Place to Play Your Music Loudly - There aren't many places that you can do this, especially if you go to college and live with someone who doesn't allow any fun because she's above it all!

8. Vintage Port - Good alcohol is hard to come by so vintage stuff is even better. This should make many old people happy.

9. Onion Rings - Soooo crunchy is enough to make anyone happy. The crunchiness as you take a bight and the taste is like an orgasm in your mouth! When you add a little sauce it makes it even better!

10. Flying an Ultralight Aircraft - I honestly don't know what they mean by this. If it was like something that the Wright brothers flew I think that those are awesome. If it was like one of those model air crafts that everyone flies for fun those are pretty cool too especially when they do it as a hobby forever it should definitely make them happy.

Unshrinkable Flannel Shirts

10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Fuzzy Slippers - Slipping these on your feet is enough to make anyone happy. The fabric along your toes is like a happiness too hard to describe.

2. Pork and Beans - Honestly this just has always sounded disgusting to me. The song however does make me happy.

3. Unshrinkable Flannel Shirts - I love my flannel shirts because they are so soft. Plus mine didn't shrink in the wash but it got even more soft which is good enough for me!

4. Stovetop Popcorn - I don't like popcorn very much because of the smell but I do have to say making it on the stove rather than in the microwave is definitely a plus. Our microwave at school burns the popcorn because it's on roids!

5. No Line at a Store's Return Counter - Who actually enjoys standing in a line behind someone who has 10 things to return before you. Most people would think that it is so not worth it which is why they leave and come back to no line and are very happy that they didn't wait. No lines means very happy people including the cashiers that have to actually have to do the returns.

6. Finishing a Crossword on Your Own - This is very rare for me but it was always amazing to watch my grandparents finish their puzzles by themselves, along with watching my coworker work on them during lunch when I was younger. I do enjoy working on crosswords whether by myself or with help of my parents because we do the ones that are for the famous people.

7. Steaming Hot Chocolate - I had a cup earlier today. YUMMY! When I was little after playing in the snow I would always come in and expect a cup of hot chocolate because I would be freezing and want something to warm me up.

8. Sharpened Ice Skates - Makes skating so much easier because it makes it easier to cut into the ice. I love getting my ice skates sharpened every once in a while because it helps you to learn to skate better because it's a little harder to control your skates. It makes anyone who plays hockey or figure skates happy because it helps them to skate better.

9. Sun Warming the Rooms of a House - I know that this makes my cat happy because she walks into rooms of the house and just sits in the sunny spots and rolls around. My dog also does the same. I live in an older house so it makes me happy because there always seems to be a draft in part of the house so when there is sun shinning in it makes every room warmer that it hits.

10. Mystery - A good mystery is always nice and it's always fun to attempt to solve them. Mystery novels always make me happy because I like the challenge of figuring out the person that did a crime or whatever the mystery is.

Beautiful Pressed Dried Flowers

Today's 10 Things to be Happy About :)

1. A Good Example - Setting a good example is always something that should make you happy because they you get to see the others following your example. Just don't be a Sue Selvester!

2. The Parthenon - It is a gorgeous piece of ancient architecture and to see it in person is enough to make anyone happy. The pictures do not do the actual structure justice because it is even better when you see it in person.

3. Tapenade on Crostini - Honestly I'm not exactly sure what this is, but I looked up pictures and it looks decently good so I guess eating this food would make people happy but I haven't tried it so I cannot vouch for it myself.

4. Singing on Key - Singing on key is enough to make anyone happy, especially those who are truly tone deaf. You really shouldn't be in a choir if you can't keep a pitch. You can work very hard to get into the right key and then when you get there the results make you very happy.

5. A Book Full of Pressed, Dried Flowers - These are always really cool especially when you go to the nature centers and different museums that have many varieties from many different parts of the world.

6. Postcards - Who doesn't love to receive a postcard in the mail? I know that it has always made me happy to receive postcards from friends and family when they go away to exotic places.

7. Soft Flames Hissing in the Fireplace - First of all it's pretty to watch, also it smells good, and on a cold day it feels wonderfully warm. When you come in from being outside it's really nice because you start to warm up.

8. Beautiful Pictures in Magazine Ads - I guess this could make people happy. It makes the people who made the advertisements happy when people like their ads and proceed to buy the product helping them to make more money.

9. Great Shelves of Pink Granite on Mount Desert Island, Maine - After googling this the places is truly beautiful and anyone should be happy to see a beautiful getaway place like this to relax as you look at the view.

10. Red-Berried Twigs - These are usually used for decoration around Christmas time and they usually look good on a wreath.

Who Doesn't Love Cats Watching Birds?

Today's 10 Things to be Happy About :)

1. Snow Globe Collections - There are seriously people who collect snow globes from the places in the world that they have been. They seem to have them at every single gift shop that you go into especially at theme parks or museums.

2. Finishing Your Quota for the Day - Honestly, who doesn't love finishing their quote even more so when it's finished early. This would make anyone who is not insane would be happy to finish their quota on time or even early.

3. Dismissal Bell - You know that when you were a kid in elementary, middle and especially high school, that you watched the clock waiting for the dismissal bell to strike. Some people in my school even watched the second hand of the clocks in certain room so that they had it to the exact seconds that the bell would ring. People hate school that much that they are so bored so they watch the clocks. I hope that when I actually get my job that kids aren't dying to leave the room every time I teach.

4. Watching Cats Watching Birds - This is always entertaining because the cats watch the birds every move and wait for the best pounce time, if they can get to them anyway. My cat likes mice more than birds because there aren't many windows in my house that are near trees. My grandparents cat however sits underneath the trees where the bird feeders are. He's always a treat to watch until he pounces and gets one. YUCK!

5. Plants Freshly Watered - Makes you feel like you accomplished something important today. Or you could be like Kate Hudson in how to lose a guy in ten days and it could be the plant that represents your love, letting something like that day would be a very bad thing.

6. Lower Decibels - The quieter the better in my grandfather's opinion. He has very "sensitive" hearing and hates when people get loud, me being the worst.

7. Planning a Minitrip - Who doesn't get excited about going a way for a short weekend of relaxing? The planning on where you are going is half of the fun.

8. The Intensity of Poets - Poets are just easy to smile at because of how they are so into their work and enjoy what they do so much. I have a friend who's a writer and he really enjoys what he does and it's always a pleasure to read his work. Seeing someone happy with what they do makes me happy.

9. Wisdom that Comes from Age - The things you can learn from experiences and from those who have experienced before you. It makes me happy to know that my experiences in my life will give my wisdom to pass on to people that I teach and the kids I will someday call my own.

10. Getting a Bonus Game - In any video game who doesn't love unlocking a new bonus game? It makes the game even better.

Lounging

Today's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Post-Holiday Relief - No more trying to come up with gifts for your family friends and now your money is safe until someone's birthday. Time to start saving up for next year.

2. On-Time Taxis - Who wants to wait for a taxi, especially when it's really cold outside. So this should make anyone happy so they aren't late to wherever they are headed.

3. Grilled Pork Chops - I don't really like pork chops to begin with but some people may be happy about this. Almost anything grilled is delicious so it's enough to make anyone happy.

4. Paw Prints on the Trail - And now to figure out what kind of paw prints they are? It's cool to try and figure out what animal they come from. It is like trying to figure out some sort of puzzle.

5. A Pile of Soft Sheets and Blankets - They're so comfy you can just curl up with them and take a nap. Soft blankets are always the best because they make you fall asleep faster even more so if they smell good as well.

6. Rechecking the Forecast - Just gotta make sure the forecast is 100% right because otherwise I may not dress right. It makes me happy to dress appropriately to the weather and checking the weather over and over makes my happiness possible.

7. A Favorite Outfit for Lounging - Who doesn't enjoy lounging in a pair of sweats and an oversized tshirt?

8. The Miracle of Spontaneous Eloquence - To understand any language is truly amazing and when you truly understand something it's nice, above all, when you don't expect someone else to be able to understand something you are saying.

9. A Bright-Red Room - I don't know how this would make someone help...I would probably go blind but that's just my opinion.

10. Gauzy Streaks of Clouds - Clouds are beautiful unless they take up the whole sky making it gray. These kinds of clouds are pretty especially when you see them during a sunset.

Songs in Your Head

1. An Afternoon of Quiet - Who doesn't love quiet afternoons where you can just relax and think and actually hear yourself. I love being able to read in the quiet otherwise I like a little noise in the background. Although when it's quiet you can get a lot of work done without distraction and that makes most people happy when they've accomplished something.

2. Cooking Dinner with Family - I love working in the kitchen with my family (not my extended family because then there would wayyyy too many people in the kitchen). I do really love cooking with my dad and my sister and mom. Baking with mom is the best.

3. Prints Bought at a Local Art Fair - Not only are you happy but you're also making local artists happy by helping the local economy.

4. Winter Fruits - Any kind of fruit makes me happy but the clementines you get in the winter are beyond delicious. I don't like regular oranges so clementines are a treat.

5. Sharing Family History - Whether it's funny, sad, or bad it's always fun to learn where your family came from and how you managed to get here.

6. A Chicken and Biscuit Casserole - Never had it but it sounds pretty good.

7. Museum Steps - This would make the girls of gossip girl happy and maybe pigeons because they like to hang out with the people who feed them they're scraps and then they poop all over the place like it's their job.

8. Funky Dance Music - Play that funky music white boy! Who doesn't love to dance to this kind of music?

9. Bundling Up for a Snowball Fight - Why would you bundle up? It's better when they're spur of the moment. Although bundling up might make you stay a little warmer instead of freezing your ass off.

10. A Pleasant Song in Your Head - Always good to have one of these in your head until it gets stuck there. Mom says the best way to get them out of your head is to sing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. One of the many reasons I love my mother!

Leftover Cookies!

1. Snow revealed by the Port Light - You know that feeling when you see snow for the first time...it's always that feeling like yay school might be cancelled tomorrow, let alone the fact that it's a beautiful when it starts to fall.

2. Movie-Star Smiles - They are just beautiful people so when they smile it truly makes it beautiful.

3. Landmark Birthdays - Who didn't think that they were awesome when they hit 13 because now you're a teenager. Or maybe when you turned 16 and you were able to start driving. What about when you turn 21 and you can finally drink alcohol (legally anyway). A landmark birthday is enough to make someone happy especially if it's yours but it's fun to celebrate it with others as well.

4. Attempting to Beat a Guinness World Record - I've seen people attempt these and it's really funny to watch especially when people get frustrated with their attempts.

5. Grandfather Clocks Ticking - This sitting in the corner of a living room or a living space is always a relaxing sound. When I was a kid they freaked me out especially the ones that never were on. The one in my house hasn't run in years but I remember the clock striking every hour before we moved into our new house.

6. Five-Onion Soup - Onion soup is just delicious. Yummy!!!

7. Newspapers in Coffee Shops - If it's free it's enough to make anyone happy especially if there's good news because today in the newspapers it's always the bad stuff. It's getting a little ridiculous if you ask me. I want to here something happy going on in the world...maybe the world is just depressed in general.

8. Highlights in Your Hair - A new look is enough to make anyone happy unless they're natural like mine which I now have because I just got back from a tropical trip. The highlights always make people look happier.

9. Used-Book Scavenging - This is useful especially for those who need school books and they are way too overpriced in the school stores. Finding used books for school is always a plus to make anyone happy.

10. A Generous Supply of Leftover Christmas Cookies - Who doesn't love leftover Christmas Cookies, especially the ones with icing! We still have some leftover but they're starting to go bad so we have to eat them quickly before they all go bad :(

Today's 10 Things to Be Happy About

1. Michigan Rummy - This is a really fun game where you play with chips. Now if you're like my family the chips are worth something like a penny each and you start with 20. It's a really competitive game and whether you win or lose your happy to know that you got to do something with your family.

2. A Big Mac and French Fries - Ok...I hate red meat but this makes most people happy because after they eat one of these big macs they're usually not hungry any longer. I do however looooove french fries and I think that most people would agree that they are delicious and if they're made right they give you that perfect satisfaction after adding a little ketchup or whatever condiment you prefer.

3. Good Clean Jokes - These can be funny but the dirty jokes are even better!

4. Praise - This can make people happy because they know that they have something to believe in and can praise this thing in order to be happy. I have seen a praise group recently in the Bahamas and it is truly fascinating!

5. A Dictionary by the Bed - This makes me happy because when I'm reading in bed and I don't understand a word in the book then I can just look it up in the dictionary sitting right next to me. This wouldn't be something that I would read on a daily basis however.

6. A Dollhouse with Electricity - These are soo cool because you have the little lamps that light up when you plug it in. What kid in their right mind would not be happy to see one of these and to play in it. I do however know that many of these kind are for show only which stinks for the little kids who are dying to play with them.

7. De-Icing the Car - I guess the end result would make you happy because then you have a car to drive that does not have ice all over it. Makes your life a lot easier as you're driving down the road if you ask me.

8. Buttered Graham Crackers - All I have to say to this one is YUM!!!!

9. A Sharpened Chef's Knife - Makes the person who is cooking happy because when they go to cut things it's easier than having to saw through it (especially raw meet).

10. Waiting Patiently - I don't know a lot of people with skill but to the people who do have it KUDOS! This should make you very happy to have that skill and to be able to wait in a line, say for a roller coaster, patiently. Most people would be grumbling about how many people there are and how dumb it is to wait in a line. In the long run being patient about it is definitely worth it though. Patience is a virtue!

Kill Them With Kindness

10 Things to Be Happy About - January 6, 2011

1. Chubby Candles - These are not only a decoration but they also usually smell good depending on where you purchase them from. As I write this I actually have one going on the other side of my room so my room smells like pumpkins :)

2. An Afternoon Made for Writing - Apparently this afternoon is one as I have to catch up with the days that I missed for my blog. I also enjoy those afternoons where I can curl up on the couch with a clipboard and some paper and write whatever I want, whether it be poems or actually working on school work.

3. Perpetuating Kindness - Any type of kindness should be enough to make anyone happy. If you are kind to someone it is usually in the hopes that they will repay the favor and in most cases today I feel like it never happens these days. There are few people that will pass along the kindness because they are too self centered into what is going on in their own lives to look and see when others need a touch of kindness.

4. Flavorful Spices - Spices make any food come alive in your mouth. The key to a man's heart is his stomach and the food you choose to serve to him as the saying goes. Spices can only help. Experimenting with them can truly make anyone happy.

5. Watching a Woodturner - This is actually fascinating especially if you go to an old historical town where they use these for demonstrations and make handmade wooden goods. Today you do not see many of these because machines have taken over many of the goods that we use in our lives.

6. A Ladies' Lunch - Since I'm not a big fan of woman (and yes I am one but they drive me crazy with the way that they gossip about others) this is not something that would make me happy. While other woman enjoy the company of women this could make them happy to sit and talk to each other about whatever it is women talk about over lunch.

7. Asking a Bunch of Questions - While this may make the questioner happy it might drive the people who are being peppered with questions nuts. I do like asking questions so that I can actually understand what is going on or maybe learn something new.

8. The Ski Patrol - This could make people who are hurt very happy and the thought that they are always looking out for you as you speed down a hill on two strips of wood.

9. Chicken Kiev - This is a dish I'm sure any person who liked chicken would be very happy to have this dish put in front of them because it's delicious. For those who don't like chicken... I feel badly for you.

10. Blushing Golden Delicious Apples - What would you do to have that crunch in your lunch? The crunch of a fresh apple is enough to make anyone happy because not only do they taste good, they are good for you!

Enjoy

Things to be happy about from January 5, 2011

1. Sacred Space - Space that is yours is what you might consider sacred. It is really up to your opinion on what the definition of sacred is. It may also be a sacred spot like a church or synagogue (depending on your religion).

2. Making Faces at Monkeys - Ok now who doesn't love making faces at monkeys and watching their reaction of dumbfoundedness. Then again you probably look dumber than the monkeys do looking at you making the faces which is actually pretty funny and makes me smile just thinking about it.

3. Believing - Believing in almost anything that you do should make anyone happy especially if it brings something to happen that is truly amazing. Believing in a religion is enough to make some people happy.

4. Peppermint Ice Cream - Personally I don't like peppermint ice cream but I do like the smell of peppermint so I do agree that this would make people happy. Plus it's ice cream and who doesn't like ice cream (except those that are lactose intolerant and I'm very sorry to those people, I know that I would go nuts if I were lactose intolerant since I truly love almost everything with milk in it).

5. Bookshelves Lining a Room - Anyone who loves books should be happy by this picture. Some people love books that they have a library in their house. Also going to the library where bookshelves are around each wall of the house makes many people happy.

6. Snow Sculptures - It truly is the most beautiful time of the year when everything is dead to be covered with a beautiful layer of snow. Many people do not like snow but it is truly amazing to see what people can do with it artistically after there is enough. A snow sculpture includes little kids building snowmen. Who doesn't smile when they see the hard work that a kid has put into a simple snowman along the road.

7. The Art of Reading Faces - Doesn't it make someone happy to see that someone is happy. The ability of reading faces can be both happy and sad because the skill can make someone happy but what they see when they read the faces cannot always be a happy thing.

8. The "Buttoning-On" of Winter - Get out your gloves and scarves...winter is coming and it's going to be another cold one. I love putting on cute sweaters and scarves in the winter plus the snow falling softly throughout the season is always enough to make me happy.

9. Imaginative Egg Dishes - I'm not very imaginative when it comes to eggs but I love seeing what other people can do with eggs. Scrambled eggs with shredded cheese is about as imaginative as I get but it is truly delicious!

10. An Electric Typewriter in the Attic - The humming of the typewriter and the way the keys make a punch at the paper as you type out a paper. Maybe you just went to use it to remember what it was like to use it and to just feel the way it used to feel. Many people of our generation don't really know what it is like to feel the hum of an electric typewriter because they are so used to computers and the keyboard where they can go back and delete things instead of having to go back and manually white out mistakes. It makes me smile whenever I use the typewriter at home.

Running Behind Sorry

10 Things to Be Happy About - January 4, 2011

1. New Ideas - you should always be happy when you come up with a new and original idea. Whether it be for an assignment or something fun. New ideas are always something that everyone should be happy about.

2. idiosyncratic Sedona, Arizona - Honestly I googled this and still have no idea what it is or why i should be happy about it...any updates shoot me a comment!

3. A warmed-up engine - Who wants to get in a cold car on a freezing winters morning? Nuff said!

4. verisimilitude - So I also had to look this one up. Dictionary.com defines it as the appearance or semblance of the truth; likelihood; probability. I guess we all want to know the truth about things going on around us or in our lives but this is definitely something that she make you happy when you see it in your life and around you.

5. a roadblock removed - this should make your life so much easier on the way to any place really. Imagine being blocked off for weeks and all of the sudden the old way to get to work shaves 5 minutes off of your work route meaning that you can get those extra five minutes of sleep which makes you a happy person.

6. Preparing a meal - Now I know this makes me happy because I like the look on people's faces when I see them eat my cooked food. I also feel like it helps me to relax after a stressful day. Maybe not all people are capable but if you can cook then it can truly make you happy.

7. Rolling a lucky number - Now this should make anyone a happy person because most of the time that you're rolling numbers is during something competitive and when you roll a lucky number it makes you happy to know that you have a lucky number. A lucky number is also good in betting games that use dice.

8. Ham Sandwiches - Well I do know that hot ham and cheese sandwiches are delicious. I'm not a huge fan of ham though but a lot of people love ham sandwiches especially for lunch.

9. an out-of-the-way meeting place - This is always fun for when you are going to meet someone that you hardly ever see or that you enjoy seeing and maybe other people don't approve of. Seeing these people and going out of the way to do it makes some people happy. To see the people I want to see I definitely would go out of the way to see them.

10. sleeping in a football jersey - These are definitely comfortable especially if it's someone else's and it smells like them. I know that this really makes me happy and almost any girl I'm sure would get excited about something like this. Sleeping in something that's too big is always comfortable.

Something Comfy

Today's 10 things to be happy about :)

1. Your Inner Resources - If you are smart you can use your inner resources anytime and you can get more inner resources by reading books and searching new information.

2. Bargain Hunting - Ok, now who doesn't love getting a good bargain when you go buy anything (i.e. furniture, food, clothing, etc.) It makes me happy to know that there are still places where you can still bargain to get better prices as long as the price you want is well within reason or else you may be kicked out of the store for pissing the owners off but who knows.

3. A Comfortable Old Chair - I know that I love falling asleep in an old comfortable chair or reading and getting all snuggled up in the chair. Just thinking about sitting in our chairs at home and reading my book makes me smile. There's a serious lack of comfortable chairs when you go to college and it's a problem!

4. The Freshest Milk - I love milk, and my closest friends definitely know that. A nice glass of cold milk with some oreos on the side (or any cookie for that matter) is delicious, especially when the milk has just been opened. Also milk fresh from the cow is actually pretty good. I've had it a couple times and can totally vouch for a family friend, that their cows milk is delicious fresh from the cow.

5. Zen Art - I guess people who collect art may really like this but honestly I don't know how happy it would make me. I think I would get confused and forget about it in a couple of minutes and maybe go back later and remain confused or think about it some more and get even more confused.

6. A Cat Licking You - Now I know that this sounds a little weird to be happy about but it actually feels really cool. It feels like cool piece of sandpaper running over your skin. I have a cat and every once in a while she'll sniff you and then take a lick and it makes me giggle.

7. Unexplored Freedom - For most kids it's the first time they get to go off and live on their own and it's a disaster at first but they learn to accept the new freedom that they have been given and try not to go too nuts. For some it comes before college for others it comes in high school. Some people even before if they really want to annoy their parents.

8. A Collection of Cacti - Now I'm not so sure why this would make anyone happy but in Juno I remember her not being so happy about it when her mother would send her a cactus year after year on her birthday. Maybe people who actually enjoy living plants that can prick you and make you bleed will enjoy the presence of these lovely plants but I really don't want to have a plant that I can run into and cut myself on.

9. Regaling an Honored Guest - I guess this would make the guest happy and maybe if it was an honored guest that people actually liked then I guess it would make me happy. Sometimes I just feel like it makes people to full of themselves.

10. Riverside Drives - These are always gorgeous, especially if you hit the right time of day when the sun is beginning to sink because there are some gorgeous shadows and some very good photo opportunities.

Well that's all I've got for today. 10 More things tomorrow :)

Don't Worry Be Happy

Here are today's wonderful things to be happy about :)

1. Worn Oriental Rugs - Who doesn't love to lie down in the middle of an old oriental rug. My grandmother has them all over her house and the more worn they are the better they look and feel. They also massage your feet if you walk around barefeet the way that I do.

2. Overnight Success - Who doesn't want to make a shit ton of money over night for the next big feat in technology or toys? A good example of an over night success would definitely be those silly bands that everyone likes or maybe the brand new pillow pets. Whoever came up with those things are awesome even though some of the things that become popular are completely useless just fun to collect.

3. Finding Your Sea Legs - When you're out on a boat no one wants to fall overboard so when you find your sea legs most people are very proud of themselves. I, myself, am a very good example of this because it takes me a while to become acclimated to the tossing and turning. The worst is when you've been on a boat for a while and get off and have trouble standing up straight because you've now adjusted to being a boat that is constantly moving underneath you.

4. The Fossil Record - So I had to look this one up and it's pretty much a record of all of the fossils ever found and the study of the evolution of earth. To those people at SU there is actually something about ginko trees in the website I found and it made me laugh. Now I guess these amazing findings would make scientists happy but I don't know how happy it makes me other than to get to see them in museums, which I honestly think is pretty cool.

5. Beach Shacks in Hawaii - I've never been to Hawaii but I much rather prefer the beach shacks here on the lovely island of Eleuthra in the Bahamas or the Half Way House on the way down the beach. Besides that, being on any beautiful beach should make anyone happy. I've heard weddings on the beach are beautiful but I've never been or seen one.

6. Slalom Racing - I always love the Winter Olympics and I enjoy watching people ski. I don't know about the rest of you but I'd rather be doing the skiing instead of watching others do it for their country, no offense to those of you who do ski professionally but I'd rather be out on the slopes with you.

7. Fish Balls and Corn Bread - Fresh fish and corn bread from the oven are a wonderful mix. I've always loved corn bread especially when it's still warm, even if you just warm it up in an oven I may love you for that very moment, even if I normally hate you :P

8. A Clean Slate - This is one thing that everyone should take advantage of if there is something that you want to change about yourself that you maybe don't like. I know when I went off to college I changed a few things about myself (especially how loud I was in high school changed a lot). I know that I will probably try to change a few things when I graduate and move into the real world. There is almost always something that people can improve about themselves and maybe it's not really bad but it's something that you know that you can do better.

9. Outlet Store Shopping - The best part of outlet shopping...THE PRICES!!! Why buy things at full price when you can get them when they are marked down at an outlet store. I always love getting new clothes for cheaper prices which means that I can afford more.

10. Starting a Brand-New Book - Honestly if you don't like to read I can understand why you don't like new books, but that's besides the point. I love starting a new book because if it's an actual brand-new book the smell of it is wonderful and the thrill of never knowing what is going to happen in the book and trying to guess what is coming next. Reading books always takes me to a different world and using my imagination is always fun to picture what these people are actually like.

More things to be happy about tomorrow :)

10 Things to Be happy about

So I've decided to be a cool person when I got this calender that has 10 things every day to be cool. Here's todays:

1. renting movie classics - now who doesn't love classic movies? My favorite classic from when I was a kid would definitely have to be the Wizard of Oz. My mother says I've seen it too many times but it is truly an amazing movie and these days they don't come out with anything original. It's all stuff that has been either a book or a previously made movie. A good example of this would have to be the original Star Wars, sure the special effects aren't the greatest but guess what they are still better than the new ones!

2. The Yule log - This doesn't really make me happy because I don't really like the taste but a lot of people have made this family traditions and that's good for them because as long as you are with family during the Holidays that makes most people happy :)

3. A Red Barn - I actually have a red barn on my property so I know that this makes me happy. Plus while I was growing up one of my favorite books was the Big Red Barn. And guess what, not all barns are red. My grandparents barn is stone and green.

4. Comet Particles - Why wouldn't this make you happy because you get to wish upon a star every time you see a comet come around which isn't very often so when it comes many people (including myself) will stay up late to watch the comet pass and make wishes on its particles.

5. A Warm Greenhouse - This makes me happy because it reminds me of my grandfather but it's also a nice place to hide out in the cold of winter and still be able to see lovely flowers growing when everything else appears to be dead in the cold of winter.

6. Resolutions You Keep to Yourself - Maybe you want to lose weight this year, probably something you might keep to yourself if you don't want people to comment. Or maybe you're an addict of some sort and want to stop being an addict, that could be your New Years Resolution. It's all up to you. I know I don't tell everyone all of my resolutions.

7. Getting New Calenders - I know this makes me happy because I got this awesome new calender this year that tells me ten things to happy about each day. Also my aunt makes this epic calender every year that has pictures of all of my relatives on that side of the family and it's fun to look at it as the months pass. She's so creative with it and it's a joy to watch everyone's face when they receive their yearly calender.

8. A Fresh Fruit Cup - Ok if you're not a fruit fan, fine that's your problem, but I love getting a cup of fresh fruit especially when the fruit is at the perfectly right stage. Plus it tastes so good and it's actually good for you.

9. Champagne Cocktails - A nice mix of orange juice and champagne is always good. Or the midnight toast on New Years. Or even watching your boyfriend try to open a champagne bottle over a bath tub in a cute little inn on your anniversary. Always a good time.

10. Being Awakened by a Kiss - If you haven't a significant other why wouldn't you want to be awakened by a soft kiss. I know I love it. It's something simple saying that I love you and I want you to know it.

More Happy things to come...enjoy :)