It was the hottest day of the year. And it was about to get hotter.
Showing posts with label daily happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily happy. Show all posts
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
My Daily Happy #14
Front porch sitting on a beautiful morning...
Adding a pup to the mix makes it even better.
Adding a pup to the mix makes it even better.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
My Daily Happy #10
The little things...
Almost four years ago I was searching for the perfect accessory for a Halloween costume and I stumbled upon an adorable pair of white convertible mittens at...wait for it...Target (cue angel choir).
I wasn't really in the market for new mittens - I just needed "paws" - but these puppies had opposable fingers AND thumbs and from that point on, I pretty much never wore anything else in cold-weather months.
This love affair came to an abrupt end about a month ago when left mitten went rogue and left me behind on the 51L. I was devastated. The hunt for replacements began immediately and, to my surprise, to no avail. There were plenty of adorable fingerless, hand-knit gloves on Etsy and a plethora of semi-convertible mittens, well, all over the internet. But none had the stinkin' convertible thumb! I gave up.
Until last Friday morning when I found myself scraping off my windshield, fingers-a-freezin'. I re-instituted my search that day and finally found a pair of hideously colored completely convertible mitts from Eastern Mountain Sports. But did I seriously want to incorporate "deep grass green" into my winter wardrobe? I certainly did not. After some digging I found they DID sell a white color, but had none in stock online. So I called the manufacturer and asked if they had any idea when they might have a pair in, say, a size small. Ten minutes later I got a return phone call telling me a store in Vermont just happened to have ONE last pair in their inventory...and it was mine!
Tonight I came home to find my fabulous new mittens waiting for me on my doorstep!
HOORAY! Now I can text, pick things up, open up plastic packaging on DVDs and anything else imaginable, all while my hands are comfy-cozy and warm! PID poked some fun at my over-reaction to their arrival, but I say it's the little things (like an opposable thumb) that can make for happy little moments. They don't have to be material things. In fact, they rarely are. There's a pair of "perfect mittens" out there for everyone. You just have to let yourself find them.
Almost four years ago I was searching for the perfect accessory for a Halloween costume and I stumbled upon an adorable pair of white convertible mittens at...wait for it...Target (cue angel choir).
I wasn't really in the market for new mittens - I just needed "paws" - but these puppies had opposable fingers AND thumbs and from that point on, I pretty much never wore anything else in cold-weather months.
This love affair came to an abrupt end about a month ago when left mitten went rogue and left me behind on the 51L. I was devastated. The hunt for replacements began immediately and, to my surprise, to no avail. There were plenty of adorable fingerless, hand-knit gloves on Etsy and a plethora of semi-convertible mittens, well, all over the internet. But none had the stinkin' convertible thumb! I gave up.
Until last Friday morning when I found myself scraping off my windshield, fingers-a-freezin'. I re-instituted my search that day and finally found a pair of hideously colored completely convertible mitts from Eastern Mountain Sports. But did I seriously want to incorporate "deep grass green" into my winter wardrobe? I certainly did not. After some digging I found they DID sell a white color, but had none in stock online. So I called the manufacturer and asked if they had any idea when they might have a pair in, say, a size small. Ten minutes later I got a return phone call telling me a store in Vermont just happened to have ONE last pair in their inventory...and it was mine!
Tonight I came home to find my fabulous new mittens waiting for me on my doorstep!
 |
| (big props to Jasper for providing an adorably furry backdrop) |
HOORAY! Now I can text, pick things up, open up plastic packaging on DVDs and anything else imaginable, all while my hands are comfy-cozy and warm! PID poked some fun at my over-reaction to their arrival, but I say it's the little things (like an opposable thumb) that can make for happy little moments. They don't have to be material things. In fact, they rarely are. There's a pair of "perfect mittens" out there for everyone. You just have to let yourself find them.
Monday, January 23, 2012
My Daily Happy #9
The unwavering love of a canine...
There are few things more uplifting than the enthusiasm which emanates from deep within my dog's bones the moment he realizes I'm finally home from work. Rarely do I feel more wanted, more needed or more loved than I do when he greets me (and all of my imperfections) with abounding excitement and his Pleepleus.
He is such a significant part of the reason I live and breathe. He is my light. My heart. My furry little son.
Am I being over dramatic? A little weird? I don't think so. Not one bit.
Thank you, Scout, for reminding me every single day that I am loved. And remember, it's reciprocated. Ten fold.
There are few things more uplifting than the enthusiasm which emanates from deep within my dog's bones the moment he realizes I'm finally home from work. Rarely do I feel more wanted, more needed or more loved than I do when he greets me (and all of my imperfections) with abounding excitement and his Pleepleus.
He is such a significant part of the reason I live and breathe. He is my light. My heart. My furry little son.
Am I being over dramatic? A little weird? I don't think so. Not one bit.
Thank you, Scout, for reminding me every single day that I am loved. And remember, it's reciprocated. Ten fold.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
My Daily Happy #7
Milestones...
Five years ago I graduated from college and gained 28 pounds. I had never been "small," even back in high school -- so 29 pounds was an unwelcomed addition to my person. I wasn't very good at self control or discipline and found it really difficult to lose the weight... that is, until my life changed drastically.
The boy I had dated all through college and I went separate ways and I found myself with a lot more free time and a lot more reasons to discover who I really was as a person and find a way to love her. So I began to run. It was a slow process (and I was a slow runner), but after a few months of training I moved on to run 4 half marathons in 2 years.
Just by running, I lost 45 pounds. In the best shape, physically and mentally, I'd ever been in my life. I was feeling amazing. But I was single, working an 8:30-5 job and had a lot of free time on my hands.
It was during this time that I met PID and my life, once again, started to change for the better.
But a few months after we started dating, I developed a cyst in my knee which stopped me from running. Then I started working at a job that demanded a lot more of my time. Pair that with my recently discovered love of baking, and I got myself back to my original post-college weight plus a few pounds. I had a last-straw moment a little over a month ago when I saw a photo of myself that brought tears to my eyes.
We're all happy and having a wonderful time, but I had never seen myself so heavy in a photograph, and it was time to do something about it.
Step 1: try to start running again.
It was a rough start, just like it had been before -- only this time it wasn't just a lack of experience. It was knee surgery and a sprained ankle on top of an incredibly overwhelming schedule. Not that I'm making excuses, it just added to my already lazy demeanor.
My milestone and daily happy FINALLY took place yesterday morning when I ran my first race (it was a 5K, but it was SOMETHING!) in two years. I had a hard time with it, but I did it it and only walked twice. It was the best time I'd put out since I started training again -- under a 12 minute mile. And I got to do it with my friends (and my dog).
I used to run a long-distance 9.5 minute mile and I know I've got a long way to go, but the fact that I crossed the finish line means I'm doing it. I'm making an effort and that's all it took to get me started a few years ago...and I can't wait to keep going.
Five years ago I graduated from college and gained 28 pounds. I had never been "small," even back in high school -- so 29 pounds was an unwelcomed addition to my person. I wasn't very good at self control or discipline and found it really difficult to lose the weight... that is, until my life changed drastically.
The boy I had dated all through college and I went separate ways and I found myself with a lot more free time and a lot more reasons to discover who I really was as a person and find a way to love her. So I began to run. It was a slow process (and I was a slow runner), but after a few months of training I moved on to run 4 half marathons in 2 years.
Just by running, I lost 45 pounds. In the best shape, physically and mentally, I'd ever been in my life. I was feeling amazing. But I was single, working an 8:30-5 job and had a lot of free time on my hands.
It was during this time that I met PID and my life, once again, started to change for the better.
But a few months after we started dating, I developed a cyst in my knee which stopped me from running. Then I started working at a job that demanded a lot more of my time. Pair that with my recently discovered love of baking, and I got myself back to my original post-college weight plus a few pounds. I had a last-straw moment a little over a month ago when I saw a photo of myself that brought tears to my eyes.
We're all happy and having a wonderful time, but I had never seen myself so heavy in a photograph, and it was time to do something about it.
Step 1: try to start running again.
It was a rough start, just like it had been before -- only this time it wasn't just a lack of experience. It was knee surgery and a sprained ankle on top of an incredibly overwhelming schedule. Not that I'm making excuses, it just added to my already lazy demeanor.
My milestone and daily happy FINALLY took place yesterday morning when I ran my first race (it was a 5K, but it was SOMETHING!) in two years. I had a hard time with it, but I did it it and only walked twice. It was the best time I'd put out since I started training again -- under a 12 minute mile. And I got to do it with my friends (and my dog).
I used to run a long-distance 9.5 minute mile and I know I've got a long way to go, but the fact that I crossed the finish line means I'm doing it. I'm making an effort and that's all it took to get me started a few years ago...and I can't wait to keep going.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
My Daily Happy #6
Finding spare change...
Today, I spotted $15 in tightly washed bills in my dryer (nestled between a soccer sock and a shrunken button down sweater) and welcomed them, all cleansed and warm, back into my life.
But then I had an idea...
I took $10 of those dollars and tucked them safely away in my wallet in preparation for a possible new pair of shoes (don't worry little dollars, I won't let you near the government...). The other $5, however, I placed neatly in the pocket of one of PID's heavy winter coats.
Though I know there is a chance he'll read this, I'm hoping that he'll forget all about it when it finally comes time to put on that coat in December and gets to experience his very own happy.
I encourage you to try it some time. Find your daily happy, whatever it may be, and pay it forward to someone else. A friend, a stranger, a son or daughter... The feeling of passing along that happy creates a whole brand new happy for you to enjoy.
Give it a try. Let me know how it goes :)
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
My Daily Happy #5
A new book...
Let's talk about seven years ago. I was a college junior majoring English Writing and that meant reading books. A lot of books. Moving on to 12 years ago I was a high school senior in AP English which meant reading books. Also, a lot of books. From the 5th grade until about 2008 I saw reading as a chore and the intense desire to crack open a crisp new book had feigned from what it once had been back in the days of Nancy Drew and The Boxcar Children. For 13 years I despised reading. It was something I "had" to do rather than something I wanted to do.
But...
Flash forward to the present and days like today when I can hardly wait until I have downtime to read the next chapter of whatever book I'm reading. I guess I have to put on my shame face and admit that I have this beat up, ragged, over read book to thank for my new found love (/obsession):
Childish? Maybe. But in early 2008 I succumbed to the mass hysteria and invested in this book (which took me approximately 6.5 hours to complete) and my life was forever changed. Since that day I have renewed my love of reading and for that, I am forever indebted to Ms. Stephenie Meyer and her very odd dream.
This afternoon I finished a book called Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. I found this book because of my affection for David Wroblewski's The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Wroblewski strongly suggested Crooked Letter and immediately I knew I had to check it out.
In an attempt to avoid novel talk, I'll get back to the point. When you get to the point in a book that you can't stop reading - it's such an amazing feeling. But one that is immediately followed by the exciting feeling of pacing the aisles of a book store, breathing in the espresso and fresh paperback scents, and choosing your next adventure.
Tomorrow I start a new book: Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern (who wrote P.S. I Love You). It's a nod to my chick flick mentality, but I'm excited none the less.
I love the feel of a new book and the way I get lost in it during my 45 minute bus ride that seems to only last a moment when I'm reading.
For those of you who have lost the love of reading, I pray you'll find the book that helps you discover it. The one that makes you find the time to escape from reality and invent your own characters and scenes and voices. I hope you'll rediscover it and share with me the books that took you to that wonderful place.
Happy reading....
Let's talk about seven years ago. I was a college junior majoring English Writing and that meant reading books. A lot of books. Moving on to 12 years ago I was a high school senior in AP English which meant reading books. Also, a lot of books. From the 5th grade until about 2008 I saw reading as a chore and the intense desire to crack open a crisp new book had feigned from what it once had been back in the days of Nancy Drew and The Boxcar Children. For 13 years I despised reading. It was something I "had" to do rather than something I wanted to do.
But...
Flash forward to the present and days like today when I can hardly wait until I have downtime to read the next chapter of whatever book I'm reading. I guess I have to put on my shame face and admit that I have this beat up, ragged, over read book to thank for my new found love (/obsession):
Childish? Maybe. But in early 2008 I succumbed to the mass hysteria and invested in this book (which took me approximately 6.5 hours to complete) and my life was forever changed. Since that day I have renewed my love of reading and for that, I am forever indebted to Ms. Stephenie Meyer and her very odd dream.
This afternoon I finished a book called Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. I found this book because of my affection for David Wroblewski's The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Wroblewski strongly suggested Crooked Letter and immediately I knew I had to check it out.
In an attempt to avoid novel talk, I'll get back to the point. When you get to the point in a book that you can't stop reading - it's such an amazing feeling. But one that is immediately followed by the exciting feeling of pacing the aisles of a book store, breathing in the espresso and fresh paperback scents, and choosing your next adventure.
Tomorrow I start a new book: Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern (who wrote P.S. I Love You). It's a nod to my chick flick mentality, but I'm excited none the less.
I love the feel of a new book and the way I get lost in it during my 45 minute bus ride that seems to only last a moment when I'm reading.
For those of you who have lost the love of reading, I pray you'll find the book that helps you discover it. The one that makes you find the time to escape from reality and invent your own characters and scenes and voices. I hope you'll rediscover it and share with me the books that took you to that wonderful place.
Happy reading....
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
My Daily Happy #4
Small town events...
Whether it's a fair, a block party, or (in this week's case) a regatta, small town events pack a lot of punch without giving your wallet a black eye.
This weekend PID and I traveled with our friends to their hometown of Marietta, Ohio to enjoy the Marietta Riverfront Roar. This event cost us absolutely nothing to attend save the few dollars we spend on deliciously greasy fair food.
I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to spend a weekend of simplicity with good friends and very little spending money... not to mention hilariously enticing food truck signs like these...
So next time you're looking to enjoy yourself, consider a trip to the "country" (wherever that may be for you) to check out a low cost weekend to enjoy a local fair (and the corndogs that are sure to be waiting for you).
What's your favorite fair food?
Whether it's a fair, a block party, or (in this week's case) a regatta, small town events pack a lot of punch without giving your wallet a black eye.
This weekend PID and I traveled with our friends to their hometown of Marietta, Ohio to enjoy the Marietta Riverfront Roar. This event cost us absolutely nothing to attend save the few dollars we spend on deliciously greasy fair food.
I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to spend a weekend of simplicity with good friends and very little spending money... not to mention hilariously enticing food truck signs like these...
So next time you're looking to enjoy yourself, consider a trip to the "country" (wherever that may be for you) to check out a low cost weekend to enjoy a local fair (and the corndogs that are sure to be waiting for you).
What's your favorite fair food?
Friday, June 24, 2011
My Daily Happy #3
When things finally go your way...
When I moved in to my house in June of 2008, I noticed it came with a beautiful Hydrangea bush that had yet to bloom at the time. I watered it well and crossed my fingers that it would produce pink blossoms (in case you haven't noticed, I'm a fan of all things pink).
Now I know full well that Hydrangeas are fickle. Their color can change year after year dependent upon pH levels of the soil. So when it bloomed a mysterious blue/gray color my first year on Stewart Avenue, I knew I'd have to try something different the following spring. I've heard many times that it's far easier to go from pink to blue than it is from blue to pink. So when winter came, I snipped off the dead flowers and started to strategize.
For three years I switched up my plant feed, both brand and frequency, crossing my fingers every spring. In 2009 my blue was much deeper. Very beautiful, but still not pink. In 2010 I finally got purple blossoms -- it was a step in the right direction! Today, I came home from work and spotted my very first bloom of the season....low and behold it was PINK!
When I moved in to my house in June of 2008, I noticed it came with a beautiful Hydrangea bush that had yet to bloom at the time. I watered it well and crossed my fingers that it would produce pink blossoms (in case you haven't noticed, I'm a fan of all things pink).
Now I know full well that Hydrangeas are fickle. Their color can change year after year dependent upon pH levels of the soil. So when it bloomed a mysterious blue/gray color my first year on Stewart Avenue, I knew I'd have to try something different the following spring. I've heard many times that it's far easier to go from pink to blue than it is from blue to pink. So when winter came, I snipped off the dead flowers and started to strategize.
For three years I switched up my plant feed, both brand and frequency, crossing my fingers every spring. In 2009 my blue was much deeper. Very beautiful, but still not pink. In 2010 I finally got purple blossoms -- it was a step in the right direction! Today, I came home from work and spotted my very first bloom of the season....low and behold it was PINK!
I know it might seem trivial, but it was such a lovely thing to come home to! I can't wait for it to fully bloom.
Happy summer!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
My Daily Happy #2
When you realize you know someone who knows someone...
Today I was diligently working hard (still am.............sorta) when I got a Facebook notification that a friend of mine had posted this video on my wall
It made me happy no matter what because I happen to have loved The Script since their album dropped in early 2008 in the UK and a friend of mine forwarded me an underground video of them performing "We Cry" After listening to the beauty of their lyrics and melodies, I was immediately hooked. I believe there was a time that I did nothing but listen to their LP over and over again for consecutive hours.
Then suddenly, they hit the mainstream. I don't recall when or how it happened exactly, but Breakeven broke out and I'm sad to say I'm no longer the cool girl who is obsessed with the foreign indy band.... but just like everyone else.
It's been said they're "The Next U2." I'm not sure anyone should ever be given that title. U2 is U2. There is no "next U2" -- instead I believe The Script should be called the biggest sound to successfully jump the puddle since U2 and simply continue to rock it.
But I digress....
When I read a bit closer, I noticed that the same friend who posted the Breakeven Live performance on my Facebook wall had also announced (as she works with a local concert venue) that the band was coming to Pittsburgh on September 4th and she was offering me her comp tickets since she knew how much I loved them.
AH-MAZE-ZING! It's very infrequent that I have the money to splurge on big concerts (though I do admit to over-investing in a floor seat ticket to the upcoming NKOTBSB concert) so this was an OUTSTANDING surprise. It made My Daily Happy of the day and I can no longer wait until September....which is a phrase I never though I'd hear myself say....
Today I was diligently working hard (still am.............sorta) when I got a Facebook notification that a friend of mine had posted this video on my wall
It made me happy no matter what because I happen to have loved The Script since their album dropped in early 2008 in the UK and a friend of mine forwarded me an underground video of them performing "We Cry" After listening to the beauty of their lyrics and melodies, I was immediately hooked. I believe there was a time that I did nothing but listen to their LP over and over again for consecutive hours.
Then suddenly, they hit the mainstream. I don't recall when or how it happened exactly, but Breakeven broke out and I'm sad to say I'm no longer the cool girl who is obsessed with the foreign indy band.... but just like everyone else.
It's been said they're "The Next U2." I'm not sure anyone should ever be given that title. U2 is U2. There is no "next U2" -- instead I believe The Script should be called the biggest sound to successfully jump the puddle since U2 and simply continue to rock it.
But I digress....
When I read a bit closer, I noticed that the same friend who posted the Breakeven Live performance on my Facebook wall had also announced (as she works with a local concert venue) that the band was coming to Pittsburgh on September 4th and she was offering me her comp tickets since she knew how much I loved them.
AH-MAZE-ZING! It's very infrequent that I have the money to splurge on big concerts (though I do admit to over-investing in a floor seat ticket to the upcoming NKOTBSB concert) so this was an OUTSTANDING surprise. It made My Daily Happy of the day and I can no longer wait until September....which is a phrase I never though I'd hear myself say....
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
My Daily Happy #1
When the song that's stuck in your head reminds you of a particularly fond memory and you can't help but tap your toes and smile as you mind-sing along.
Today's example: Love is a Battlefield.
Back in college, my sorority sisters and I (likeitloveitADPi!) teamed up with the Pi Kappa Alpha boys to sing and dance our little hearts out at Greek Sing. We worked tirelessly (blood, sweat and tears), sometimes in to the wee hours of the morning to choreograph and mix all of the songs together in to 11 minutes of pure awesomeness... and we have never had more fun.
One of my favorite numbers was "Love is a Battlefield" where the boys and girls went head to head in their dancing skills.
Sisters, I miss every single one of you and PiKA boys -- you'll always have a special place in my heart after that year. And that song, being lodged in my head for hours upon hours, is today's daily happy. No matter how many times I hear it, it will never get old.
There. Now it's stuck in your head. Do you have "that song?" The one that can bring a smile to your face no matter the circumstances of your day? What is it?
Today's example: Love is a Battlefield.
Back in college, my sorority sisters and I (likeitloveitADPi!) teamed up with the Pi Kappa Alpha boys to sing and dance our little hearts out at Greek Sing. We worked tirelessly (blood, sweat and tears), sometimes in to the wee hours of the morning to choreograph and mix all of the songs together in to 11 minutes of pure awesomeness... and we have never had more fun.
Sisters, I miss every single one of you and PiKA boys -- you'll always have a special place in my heart after that year. And that song, being lodged in my head for hours upon hours, is today's daily happy. No matter how many times I hear it, it will never get old.
There. Now it's stuck in your head. Do you have "that song?" The one that can bring a smile to your face no matter the circumstances of your day? What is it?
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