50 Things that Make Me Happy

     Life is a whirlwind. All too often we get swept up and lose focus. Not often enough do we take the time to sit back for a few minutes and appreciate everything we have- everything that brings us even the smallest joys in our lives. I think that this is a huge mistake.

     Something that is both on my life list and on 25 before 25 was being able to identify 50 things that make me happy. I actually completed this list a couple months ago, before Lela was born. Life has changed since then and there are now more things than ever that make me happy. I'll just have to make a longer list!

     So, here it is! They are in no particular order- except as you get toward the end, in which they are ordered only in which came to mind first:

50 Things that Make Me Happy

1.       My first car



2.       Chef Boyardee

3.       Moments of schadenfreude

4.       New episodes of my favorite TV Shows

 

   5.       My husband

          6.       And the silly lyrics he makes up to popular songs

          7.       And the silly sayings he comes up with (etc. etc.)

    8.     Macaroni and cheese

          9.       Dr. Pepper 10

          10.   When brussel sprouts are cooked correctly

          11.   Knowing my goal for getting an education is not to make money, but to help others


          12.   Contacts



# 13, Photo Courtesy Stephen Unger

       13.   My turtle Shelly

 

14.   Doggie

15.   Chocolate Milk

16.   Bras

17.   My family

18.   My friends (the few yet irreplaceable)

19.   My Cat Jack

     20.   Cooking (but not cleaning)

     21.   Knowing that there is hope

     22.   Sleep

     23.   Low blood pressure

     24.   Being warm

     25.   Cultural Acceptance

     26.   Getting an unexpected 'A'

 

27.   Lela

 

28.   A clean house

29.   Funny Movies

30.   Peace and uneventfulness

31.   Laughing

32.   Milk with ice
 

33.   Subliminal reminders that we are all human

34.   Freedom of religion

35.   Empathy

36.   Feeling healthy

     37.   Mr. Polar Bear

     38.   Dragonflies

     39.   A good sale

     40.   Not wasting money

     41.   Having clean ears

     42.   Doing thoughtful things for someone else

 

43.   My School

44.   Observing the simple/less obvious things
 

45.   Turtles in general

46.   Oldies

47.   90s nonsensical song lyrics

48.   Finding something I've lost

49.   Adding –ness to the end of a word




 

50.   Discovering a perfect snowflake has just fallen on me

What makes you happy?

Do you have a list? Link Up!

Project 365: Pattern

     I'm not a very good photographer. So, when I attempted my own "Project 365" a year ago, I failed miserably. I was pointing and clicking at pretty much anything for the sake of taking a picture. That project did not last long. And for good reason. It served no purpose.

     So instead I took on a different challenge: 365 Facts. A new fact each day for a year. That actually lasted a while. But it's been four months since I've recorded a single fact, so I've had to retire that as well. On the bright side if you want to learn some really quick and random facts you can check out that short-lived project here.

     A week or so ago I was blog hopping when I came across Life in Limbo. Stephanie had recently done a Photo Walk while focusing on the patterns that she came across. Having always been a fan of art, I remember what I had learned about patterns.

     Patterns are everywhere. They are aesthetically pleasing, and are often used to draw the viewer's attention to a piece of art. It's pattern that suggests order and harmony. Yes, pattern deserves it's moment in the spotlight.

I had my inspiration. 365 days, 365 patterns from the world around me.

Here are some examples:

Follow my attempt on Instagram @fmlb365. I could use some motivation!

Half-Birthday Reflections- The Past Six Months

     Six months from today, I will turn 25. Ouch! Old, I know! Feeling the wrinkles setting in, I decided it's time to review my progress so far on my 25 before 25. What better time to reflect on what I have done, and what I have yet to do?

25 Before 25- Midyear Review

Complete:

1. Wash my Shoes
 

      The first thing I accomplished- and annoyingly enough what most people on Google are searching for when they stumble upon my humble blog- was washing my shoes. The buggers were oxidized to all hell and, although my cleaning technique worked, it was temporary (I have since bought new shoes).

2. Buy a Random Person Something off their Baby Registry

     Surprising a stranger with a baby carrier off of her registry felt good. Although I sent the carrier her way, I don't know if she ever got it. I never heard anything from her. I hope it made it to her, and that she is finding it useful.