Ticking things off my To Do list
I love a good list and normally have several on the go, sometimes they even refer to each other. It really floats my boat to be able to tick a project off, and put a line through it as well for good measure. Yes, I might be a bit crazy - I sometimes write things on the list just so I can tick them off. Ta-Da/To-Do? Which do you prefer? Or are you like me and like ALL of the lists ALL of the time?
The Ocean
Specifically, I love it on a hot day, when the water is deliciously icy, when I am in a wide, rip free beach with a sandy bottom and a rolling swell, when I swim far out the back beyond the breakers and let the water carry me to the top of the wave and down again. This is what I crave every summer. Such conditions only exist in two beaches that I know of - Freshwater in Sydney and Kings Beach at Caloundra in the Sunshine Coast. To be honest, I love the ocean anytime - it's a spiritual thing. I love it when it's sunshiny and sparkly, or when the surf thunders all night long and you can hear it from your bed blocks away, or when it is moody and gray, or when the water is so clear you can see the wondrous world beneath.
A Happy Household
I am happiest when my smiling children are enthusiastic, engaged, relaxed, and cooperating with each other; and I specifically love it when there is zero fighting and absolutely no whinging. A happy husband makes me very happy, because a grumpy, moody husband is just a shit. A happy household is clean, mostly tidy, not flooding, and fun to be in. It doesn't need to be calm or peaceful, but it does need to be cheerful.
Having Enough Time
Time feels like a luxury these days and I guess that's because it is! There is always somewhere to rush off to or something to do. Happiness is settling in for a few hours to read a great book, or take my time at the farmer's market, or spend the entire day trawling Op Shops, or even just having enough time to watch a movie on TV. It's having enough sleep without having to get up, or spending as much time as you want at the beach or the park or with friends. It's not feeling rushed.
A Well Stocked Kitchen
Having a pantry and fridge that are bursting with fresh delicious ingredients really is my happy place. It gives me freedom to create whatever dish I feel like, and allows me to feed my family some love and nourishment. Having an empty fridge and pantry (especially the week before payday) makes me panicky and throws me straight into a WINTER IS COMING!!! mentality. Even if it is Summer. Ugh.
Sanity Sushi
One of my favourite self indulgent/mental health necessities is to take myself out for some decent sushi and a diet coke, bury my head in a brand new glossy shelter magazine, and not look up for at least an hour. I'm very picky about the sushi (fresh salmon and avocado, I carry spare Wasabi in my bag) a bit flexible about the magazine (Vogue Living, or Belle from Australia, American InStyle, Martha Stewart Living or Elle Decor) I am not at all militant about Pepsi vs Coke, as long as it is diet.
Dinner Date with Mr BC
This does not happen enough, but now that the boys are older and Teenage Daughter is happy to babysit it might happen more often. Fingers crossed! I really enjoy going out to try things I wouldn't normally eat at home, and although I love cooking I certainly enjoy the occasions when I don't. I try not to drink wine in front of the kids, so it is a pleasure to have a glass with dinner for a change. Get me out of the washing up and I am yours.
Scoring a Bargain.
I would rather go without something than compromise on quality or spend full price so buying a much needed item on sale is a very happy experience for me! I am an absolute bargain shopper, I hate paying full price for anything. I cannot shop retail unless I am getting a big discount or mark off, and will always check the seconds or marked down areas in any store. Some might call me a tight arse and they would be right, but the truth of the matter is I have to be; I'm just not financial enough to not worry about money. Also, it's kind of a game, I like the hunt. I love op shopping or even better, curb shopping; and if I do have to go to a store, my favourite boutique is K Mart.
Gardening
It makes me very happy to be able to grow food and serve it to my family, knowing that it is healthy, fresh and free from pesticides. Watching the kids eat corn that they themselves have helped to grow is extremely fulfilling, in a pat-yourself-on-the-back-great-job-parenting kind of way. It's not just growing food that makes me happy, growing anything is very rewarding. Watching the Magnolia finally flower after coddling it along, finding some tiny lemons growing on the lemon tree, planting some bean seeds and watching them rush up out of the ground; all of this is very gratifying.
Finding my Tribe
Finally - blogging makes me very happy. When I started blogging 3 years ago I had no idea I would become so passionate about it! I love writing, and this is a continually growing love affair. I hope I'm getting better at it! I love the community that weaves through the blogosphere, I love sharing things with my readers and I am continually delighted and surprised that I even have any. I love that I am learning new things every day, through other blogs and forums; and also trial and error, especially the technical side. Who ever thought I would be able to format photos or code html? (Well I only can a little bit, but lots of generous bloggers have written tutorials. Shut up! It's all part of the sharing nature of blogging!) I love being inspired everyday by the smart, intelligent, funny, talented people who live on the internet. It's my tribe, and I am happy to be a part of it.
I love a good list and normally have several on the go, sometimes they even refer to each other. It really floats my boat to be able to tick a project off, and put a line through it as well for good measure. Yes, I might be a bit crazy - I sometimes write things on the list just so I can tick them off. Ta-Da/To-Do? Which do you prefer? Or are you like me and like ALL of the lists ALL of the time?
The Ocean
Specifically, I love it on a hot day, when the water is deliciously icy, when I am in a wide, rip free beach with a sandy bottom and a rolling swell, when I swim far out the back beyond the breakers and let the water carry me to the top of the wave and down again. This is what I crave every summer. Such conditions only exist in two beaches that I know of - Freshwater in Sydney and Kings Beach at Caloundra in the Sunshine Coast. To be honest, I love the ocean anytime - it's a spiritual thing. I love it when it's sunshiny and sparkly, or when the surf thunders all night long and you can hear it from your bed blocks away, or when it is moody and gray, or when the water is so clear you can see the wondrous world beneath.
A Happy Household
I am happiest when my smiling children are enthusiastic, engaged, relaxed, and cooperating with each other; and I specifically love it when there is zero fighting and absolutely no whinging. A happy husband makes me very happy, because a grumpy, moody husband is just a shit. A happy household is clean, mostly tidy, not flooding, and fun to be in. It doesn't need to be calm or peaceful, but it does need to be cheerful.
Having Enough Time
Time feels like a luxury these days and I guess that's because it is! There is always somewhere to rush off to or something to do. Happiness is settling in for a few hours to read a great book, or take my time at the farmer's market, or spend the entire day trawling Op Shops, or even just having enough time to watch a movie on TV. It's having enough sleep without having to get up, or spending as much time as you want at the beach or the park or with friends. It's not feeling rushed.
A Well Stocked Kitchen
Having a pantry and fridge that are bursting with fresh delicious ingredients really is my happy place. It gives me freedom to create whatever dish I feel like, and allows me to feed my family some love and nourishment. Having an empty fridge and pantry (especially the week before payday) makes me panicky and throws me straight into a WINTER IS COMING!!! mentality. Even if it is Summer. Ugh.
Sanity Sushi
One of my favourite self indulgent/mental health necessities is to take myself out for some decent sushi and a diet coke, bury my head in a brand new glossy shelter magazine, and not look up for at least an hour. I'm very picky about the sushi (fresh salmon and avocado, I carry spare Wasabi in my bag) a bit flexible about the magazine (Vogue Living, or Belle from Australia, American InStyle, Martha Stewart Living or Elle Decor) I am not at all militant about Pepsi vs Coke, as long as it is diet.
Dinner Date with Mr BC
This does not happen enough, but now that the boys are older and Teenage Daughter is happy to babysit it might happen more often. Fingers crossed! I really enjoy going out to try things I wouldn't normally eat at home, and although I love cooking I certainly enjoy the occasions when I don't. I try not to drink wine in front of the kids, so it is a pleasure to have a glass with dinner for a change. Get me out of the washing up and I am yours.
Scoring a Bargain.
I would rather go without something than compromise on quality or spend full price so buying a much needed item on sale is a very happy experience for me! I am an absolute bargain shopper, I hate paying full price for anything. I cannot shop retail unless I am getting a big discount or mark off, and will always check the seconds or marked down areas in any store. Some might call me a tight arse and they would be right, but the truth of the matter is I have to be; I'm just not financial enough to not worry about money. Also, it's kind of a game, I like the hunt. I love op shopping or even better, curb shopping; and if I do have to go to a store, my favourite boutique is K Mart.
Gardening
It makes me very happy to be able to grow food and serve it to my family, knowing that it is healthy, fresh and free from pesticides. Watching the kids eat corn that they themselves have helped to grow is extremely fulfilling, in a pat-yourself-on-the-back-great-job-parenting kind of way. It's not just growing food that makes me happy, growing anything is very rewarding. Watching the Magnolia finally flower after coddling it along, finding some tiny lemons growing on the lemon tree, planting some bean seeds and watching them rush up out of the ground; all of this is very gratifying.
Finding my Tribe
Finally - blogging makes me very happy. When I started blogging 3 years ago I had no idea I would become so passionate about it! I love writing, and this is a continually growing love affair. I hope I'm getting better at it! I love the community that weaves through the blogosphere, I love sharing things with my readers and I am continually delighted and surprised that I even have any. I love that I am learning new things every day, through other blogs and forums; and also trial and error, especially the technical side. Who ever thought I would be able to format photos or code html? (Well I only can a little bit, but lots of generous bloggers have written tutorials. Shut up! It's all part of the sharing nature of blogging!) I love being inspired everyday by the smart, intelligent, funny, talented people who live on the internet. It's my tribe, and I am happy to be a part of it.
