I love a "top ten" list and have often asked my own guests for their own "top ten"... so... when it came to writing my own, I jumped at the chance and here's what I came up with.
Things That Make Me
Happy
1.
My family
My family makes me happy for so
many reasons… They are a constant pillar of support, we consider ourselves a
team, and we have fun together. When everyone is well-rested and fed and the
boys aren’t fighting – ah, sibling love. My oldest loves Lego and he goes to
sleep talking about it and he wakes up talking about it, he probably dreams
about it. We just saw The Lego Batman movie, which was awesome btw. He is also an
expert on all things dinosaurs and wants to be a paleontologist. My youngest
still likes to snuggle. We read together and play a lot of board games. At six,
he’s already a great strategist. My husband is my high school sweetheart and
I’ve known him for over twenty years. I truly believe I was fated to meet him,
a series of events – a school closure and a relocation – brought us together,
and he’s my soul mate. We’ve been through a lot together, devoted to each other
in sickness and in health. He’s an amazing father who puts his family first.
2.
Coffee
Anytime is the right time for a
coffee – a steaming dark roast, with a dash of cream and sugar. I enjoy my
morning coffee in my light blue Disney’s Cinderella mug which states “It’s hard
to wake up when you’ve been out past midnight.” The act of drinking coffee is
soothing. Each pleasurable sip gives me a semblance of peace. And it’s the
perfect beverage to share with a friend.
3.
Writing
I keep my cards close to my
chest. My husband is the first to comment that I don’t share my feelings. He’s
always available to listen – and dispense advice – but I don’t always have the
words. Writing gives me the words. I “think” better on paper (or on a computer
screen now). Writing is a way for me to process information and make decisions.
I have always enjoyed writing
creatively. I have a box full of scribblings, that I keep meaning to sort
through, from my younger years. My lifelong dream – ever since I was a little
kid – is to be a writer and I published my first book in 2014. The cliché
“dream come true” completely applies. Being a writer is more than just the act
of writing. Since publication of my first book, I have been actively involved
in constant promotion of my work and myself. I have a blog, an author website,
and a social media presence to maintain.
4.
Reading
I wouldn’t be a writer today if I
hadn’t been an avid reader all my life. Book were, and still are, my friends. I
experience books with all senses, literally absorbing the words. I have always
loved libraries and bookstores. My boys are budding readers. We encourage them
to read. A lot. We read to them, and with them, in the hopes of fostering a
lifelong love of reading.
5.
Music
A happy list would be incomplete
without music. So many things I enjoy – rock concerts, live musical theatre,
karaoke – involve music. The radio is always on in the background at my house,
set to a “new” rock station, but they play a lot of ‘90’s music which I love.
Music from the ‘90’s has a special place in my heart… it was my “coming-of-age”
and the songs I listened to then are still favorites. Bands like Live, Pearl
Jam, Offspring, Green Day, The Tragically Hip, and Our Lady Peace were on my
mixed tapes. Live’s album “Throwing Copper” (from 1994) is still my go-to CD to
sing-along with. I’ve added a few new favorites – like Rise Against and Toronto’s
Billy Talent – to my list too. And I recently completed my concert bucket list!
6.
Disney
I am a HUGE Disney fan. I love
the stories, the movies, the songs, the games, the store, the World (Walt
Disney World, that is), and pretty much everything about Disney… Winnie-the-Pooh
and Mickey Mouse decorate my house. I have two boys or there would be
Princesses everywhere too! Disney has the golden touch when it comes to
commercial success – they sell happiness and fantasy to children (and big kids
too). I went to Disney World twice as a child and loved it. When I got married,
I told my husband we had to go to Disney World before we had kids. We had an
awesome time… It’s a magical place. Three years ago, shortly after Frozen came
out, we took the boys. It’s different going with children. They don’t have the
stamina to traipse around the park all day and stay for fireworks each night.
We did park stuff in the mornings, hotel stuff in the afternoons and evenings.
We saw the fireworks one night from our hotel and my youngest fell asleep
during the show. We still had so much fun. With the acquisition of Marvel
superheroes and Star Wars… We can’t wait to go back!
My favorite princess is
Cinderella. My favorite Disney movie? That’s a more difficult question, but I
really loved Enchanted.
7.
The Internet
I remember a time without the
Internet. I grew up with computers, although nothing like we have today, but
the Internet wasn’t a “thing” until I was in high school. Now, I can’t imagine
life without it. Have a question? Google it. Who was that actor/actress in that
movie? IMDB. Need to talk to a friend? Facebook, email, iMessage… Then, there’s
online shopping, Netflix (more on that later), and social media. It’s
incredible. We even have “portable computers” like laptops, tablets, and smart
phones. Wi-Fi everywhere. You can always be connected. This is something my
kids just accept, they have grown up with it.
The Internet created a hospitable
environment for the publishing industry – increased access for authors and
publishers (both traditional and indie); editors; book promoters; beta readers;
book reviewers. It essentially made it easier than ever to publish a book.
Research potential publishing companies. Send query letters. Sign book
contracts. Review edits. Promote published works. Monitor book sales and sales
rankings. Before the Internet, I may not have had the opportunity to publish my
books. With the advent of eBooks – the ability to read on virtually every
device out there and online vendors like Amazon… books have become more
accessible – for authors and readers.
8.
Netflix
I was initially resistant to
getting Netflix. We had cable. We had a PVR. But we also had two kids and an
incredibly busy life. After a few months of a 97% full PVR and watching just
the right amount of shows so that there was enough room to record the next
lineup of scheduled shows – which was extremely stressful – I agreed to try
Netflix out. It’s an amazing system, we’ve been able to catch up on our
favorites shows (on our schedule) and we’ve discovered some Netflix originals
that have become new favorites. Binge watching – no more waiting a week for the
next installment – and the ability to continue on where you left off on any
device? Yes, please. I’ve even watched a couple of documentaries… something I
never would’ve done before. And it’s a great source of entertainment for the
big kids when the little kids have gone to bed.
9.
My family room
Summer 2015, our goal was reducing
stress, getting away without getting away, so we put in motion a plan for converting
our backyard into an oasis. We purchased a covered gazebo, wicker furniture
with big, comfy red cushions, a fire table, and a cedar table and chairs set.
We called it our family room. An outside living space to relax, read, watch
movies, and play board games. I do a lot of writing out there so the room is a
happy space for me for that reason as well.
10. Summer
Definitely my favorite season, I
love spending time outside in the sun – going to the beach and water parks –
storing up my vitamin D. When the sun shines, I’m just feel better. Winter sun
is good too and pretty when it makes the snow sparkle, but it can’t beat the
warm summer sun soaking into my skin (I enjoy in moderation and I wear sun
block every day).
These
things make me happy… what makes you happy?
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