list three things every day that made me happy

1. I wrapped the Santa presents. We’re going to have a fun Christmas. I wrapped and watched the episodes of Top Chef I’d been behind on

2. My nephew Jack. He is patient and funny. The other day, I went into the living room and he and Will were sitting on the couch, using this laptop…with their shirts off. No easy explanation

3. We went to see Santa and just missed him before he went on his break so Todd waited in line while I did a little shopping and bought books and magazines for us to read while waiting…so we were the first people in line when Santa came back.
And he came down the escalator just ho-ho-hoing and Merry Christmasing and all the kids smiled and waved. Christmas is awesome

1. The Salvation Army guy outside the store was playing Christmas tunes on some sort of miniature lute-like guitar

2. I actually went and bought pipe cleaners to ream out the clouds of dust bunnies in the radiators so Todd could paint them. A surprisingly satisfying task

3. I made the decision to buy a bottle of Captain’s for cocktail hour since we’ve been stuck on wine for several months now. This made for a very happy evening!

1. A lot of loose ends finished up. When there’s a deadline on tasks (it’s called Christmas), it’s really satisfactory to complete them early

2. Sophie switched dance classes, moving up to an intermediate level. She struggled a little but I think being with and watching the older girls will really be good for her

3. Todd fixed Firefox!

1. Todd took the day off and we did some quick errands together that helped me feel caught up

2. Dusty came up and hung out all afternoon while I painted. He’s so funny

3. As we walked back from school, we saw Jessica, the little girl who used to be our neighbor. We said “hi” and she said “konnichiwa.” I always worried about her but I think she seems fine

1. My phone now rings and I can hear when people are talking to me on it. That was a problem there for awhile

2. Shopping is 95% complete. And I got my reward latte on the way out

3. A glass of wine and 43t and a little quiet

1. I like it when I don’t plan on really getting anything accomplished…but then I do

2. Patience

3. Watching tv in bed

1. Christmas celebration in our town and so we put on the Christmas play at church. We decided to participate in the parade afterward so my brother and Sarah and I did all the work, as was to be expected. At least it was fun joking about all the other people who deserted us to go sip hot chocolate and lattes and shop at the craft fair. So what. The float looked great and the kids had fun!

2. We made a list for our Lowe’s trip. What a difference that makes!

3. I turned out the light at the amazing hour of 9:30 and went right to sleep. That felt great. And it was especially helpful when I was awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night!

1. Bacon cheeseburger

2. The new restaurant in our town is called “A Better Place” and it really is. Not only does it lend itself to jokes about leaving my mom’s at dinner to go to “A Better Place” but it is surprisingly good food and atmosphere and service for our small town. And we always see so many people we know.
The owner called her business that because she and her father used to go out to eat and he would always find something at every restaurant that he would change to make it “a better place.” Her father died just less than a year ago and she opened up last month with that little story in her menu. Everything’s good about eating there!

3. Popcorn and movie on the couch

1. We have a couch and internet in the new house. What more does a person need in life?

2. Cheese

3. My husband listening and understanding and reaching out to me. Especially since I was angry with him earlier

1. Todd took the day off and we worked together, making jokes and getting the job done in half the time. And then Jodi hung out in the afternoon, telling stories, gossiping, griping, while I worked

2. I can see an end!

3. Mom made a good dinner and we all talked

4. I finished most of the Christmas cards (kanji!) and then relaxed to watch “Ghost Hunters”