Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

When I think of the word "happy" (today's topic for "Five for Ten Again"), there are a few things that come to mind. Yes, one's happiness can depend on The Big Stuff: your relationships, your job, your health. One's happiness, however, can also depend on The Little Things: the perfect cup of coffee, an afternoon nap, an outing with a friend. I thought long and hard about what I would write on this topic, but in the end, I decided to "cheat" a bit and recycle an old post.

There are many things that bring me joy. Some of that joy is deep and life-long and dependent upon The Big Stuff. Some of that joy is light and immediate and makes me want to skip a bit...The Little Things. Here are a few of the things--both Big and Little--that make me feel pure joy:


Cupcakes: I'm not sure what's up with my obsession with cupcakes, but they make me smile. They're just cute and girlie and yummy. And if they happen to be the red velvet cake kind, all the better.


Disney World: Yes, it's overpriced. Yes, it's exhausting. Yes, it's over the top. But I love it. Every bit of it. I'm a sucker for the magic.


Getting my hair colored: I know, I'm shallow, but nothing puts a spring in my step like a fresh set of golden highlights. And if there happens to be a pink streak in there, all the better.


Words: I'm a word nerd. I love words. Words are tangible, alive, powerful. Finding just the right one makes me happy.


Make-up: I'm not one of those women who refuses to leave her house without make up. I wear my naked face often and with pride. But make-up makes me happy. There's something fun and creative and whimsical about palettes of eye shadow and tubes of lipstick. And if there happens to be a hint of glitter in it, all the better.


Vacations: Planning them, going on them, remembering them...nothing better on which to spend my money.


The beach: There is no place on earth I'd rather be. There's something about the sand and the ocean...it soothes my soul. And yes, even at 90+ degrees and the infamous South Florida humidity, I'm happy. Give me an umbrella, a cooler, and plenty of SPF...and I am a happy, happy girl.


Shoes: It doesn't matter if they hurt. If they are fabulous, they make me happy.


My kids: The irony of this one? If the "Five for Ten Again" topic was Stress, they'd be in that post, too!


And then of course, there's Hubby...the one who gives me the icing off his cupcakes, makes vacations and beach days all the more fun, understands my fascination with the Dumbo ride at Disney, and helps me get through the most stressful days with those 2 cute kids.
What things...big or little...make you happy?

15 comments:

  1. Aw -- what a great pictorial of your happy. If that Disneyland photo wasn't at the top, I would say that each of these things add up to the stuff you do to make those last kid pictures. ;)

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  2. I swear, every time I see a picture of you and your hubs, I think: Faith Hill is dating Keith Urban?

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  3. The little personal things make us happy. Well said.

    (I like that last comment, too.) =)

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  4. I'm a word nerd too! (And the fact that you made this label rhyme makes me even happier.)

    And now I'm singing the theme song to Rhen and Stimpy. And sadly, that kinda makes me happy too.

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  5. Can you believe I've never been to Disney World. And I've only been to a real, true beach once when I was 17. I know, I've been deprived.

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  6. Your happy things are wonderful! I love vacations too, but I rarely get to go on them. I also love pizza and Symphony chocolate bars!

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  7. Smiling faces, adorable children, wonderful husband AND shoes...

    Girl, you got my number!

    Aren't we lucky ladies?

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  8. I love this list (as much as the first time I read it!) So smiley you guys are. It's, like, sickening! :)

    I love shoes and makeup too. I just wish i had more chances to wear something other than my converse low tops and remembered to put on lipstick more often!

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  9. Pink hair! Oh, I used to dye my hair so many shades and I LOVED it. Too bad I work for "the man" now. ;)

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  10. Yes on words and shoes, and of course the family. I'm not an amusement park person but I have a toddler - I suppose it won't be long before I have to do some time there. :P

    Happiness truly is about the little things...Thanks for sharing yours!

    Here via Momalom and just having a wonderful time reading about everyone's Happiness.

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  11. Ditto on all of that. The little moments - that is what is all about! Love the pictorial.

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  12. I love this list as much now as when you first posted it. I love the juxtaposition between the simple things (cupcakes and pink streaks) and the big things (Hubby and kiddos) and the abstract ones (words). Seeing your Happy makes me happy today. Thanks, lady.

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  13. As I prepare to make about, um, five dozen cupcakes tomorrow I will be thinking of you, dear Liz. Lovely post. I love love love this. Like Kristen, I love it the second time around.

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  14. Loved this post! I share so many of the your happy things..especially the shoes, cupcakes and make up! And thank you for your comment on my birthday post Lovely Lady! Its wonderful finding fantastic bloggy friends like you! xx

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  15. Aw fab post Liz x

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