Reprogram my default: commit to securing a happiness habit

This is a ‘catch all’ sort of an update and it’s likely to be pretty jumbled!

• As I said in my last post, I got a new job, which is a pretty happy event in itself. The fact that I’m really enjoying it makes it an awesomely happy thing.

• Over the past 3 weeks, having done an immense amount of interviewing, I’ve been able to tell 11 people that they also have jobs…trust me, that is the most amazing feeling! I felt like some kind of early Santa, but better ;P

• Everything is set for going to Copenhagen…we fly out Monday (still got to pack but all the other important stuff is in place).

• Looking forward, in a massive way, to choosing and sending postcards to the wonderful people who helped make this possible when I couldn’t see how it could be done. Now I’m employed I eagerly anticipate opportunities to pay the kindness and generosity forward.

• Had a visit from my Big Bro’ who lives many miles away in Scotland; took a lovely trip with him, Joy, Mum, younger nephew & his fiancee to the German market in the city centre, drank Glühwein, sang Christmassy songs and came home with a face that ached from smiling so broadly.

• Went to the little, local switch on of Christmas lights…got slightly teary listening to the gorgeous children’s choir (school choirs always get me that way!), saw Santa arrive in a fire engine and ambled home by starlight, arm in arm with loved ones.

• Put up my Christmas tree and decorations which I planned to photograph and tell you all about…I make my own wreaths & garlands…but time does not permit. You’ll just have to trust me when I say my home looks fit for an upmarket magazine cover ;-)

• Made a bunch of Christmas presents, which I also intended to go into some detail about for this goal but again, time does not currently permit. Maybe at a later date. For now you will have to be content with knowing that this year I decided to make hampers with (all homemade) jars of hot chocolate mix, personalised coasters, mugs (ok, I didn’t make the mugs!), gingerbread men & women (the dough’s in the freezer waiting to be baked and decorated closer to the time), and I will be making chocolate teaspoons and chocolate dipped peppermint creams. I’m really pleased with how things have turned out so far.

• Also made a hollowed out book for Son’s birthday (thanks Ratty…you gave me the idea in one of your posts). Pictures of this are almost certain to follow! I’ll be filling it with rum, gold chocolate coins and other nonsense. His birthday is Monday, the day we leave for Copenhagen, so I’ll be leaving it as a surprise for him when he gets back from work. I feel a bit bad that I won’t be here for it but he’s been great about it; he’s a good lad!

• Got my older nephew some help that he desperately needed and am pleased and relieved to say he’s starting to stabilise mentally. It’s a long way to go yet before he could be deemed ‘better’ but when things have been as bad as they have for him, any improvement is fantastic; at least we’ve got him started on the right path.

I’m sure there’s lots more but I’m falling asleep on my keyboard and can’t think right now!

I’m going to be really busy for at least the next month but will drop in as and when I can. I’ll most certainly want to post about the Copenhagen trip :-) For the time being please know that I miss you all so very much and think of you most days.

Sending you love and good thoughts.
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Do you remember that I mentioned going for an interview last week? I GOT THE JOB!!

Being employed in a position that utilises my degree, becoming a dual income household again…I am really happy right now.

_{Now I have to get off before the half-cooked dinner gets spoiled, otherwise there will be some distinctly unhappy people around here ;p)}
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Some things that have helped to reinforce the happiness habit over recent days:

• An amazing, incredible, beyond wonderful friend who has donated two very large amounts to joyfulpromise thus ensuring that not only is the Copenhagen accommodation money now fully amassed but also putting some into the ‘spending fund’. Dear One, I cannot find the words to tell you how much this, and you, mean to me…I hope somehow you know.

• Husband chatting with his niece and asking what she’d like to be when she’s older; with a tut and a toss of her hair she replied, “Three!”

• A phone call that turned out to be an impromptu interview; this lead to an arrangement for a meeting tomorrow…which (fingers crossed) will lead to a job. I want to be in work again so very much.

• Conversation with my darling friend Sarah discussing what I should wear for said meeting; we decided on the item that she described as my ‘success dress’.

• Sarah’s baby waking up in his car seat, seeing me and immediately breaking out in grins and giggles, arms outstretched for cuddles.

• Joy urging me to “dance like no-one is watching” in the middle of a store, then following this up with: “Of course, it’s easier for me these days, ‘cos even if they are watching, I can’t see them!” Her humour and good nature is inspiring and humbling.

• Deciding on the menu for littlesoul’s impending visit (this Saturday she’s going to be in my house…are you envious? You should be ;p)

• Being headbutted by the very affectionate Duchess cat.

• Receiving a hug and a brief smile from my Asperger nephew; knowing how difficult he finds hugs makes it mean so much more. Knowing he can see at least the possibility of a light at the end of the tunnel (and isn’t afraid it’s an oncoming train) means even more.

• Coffee and catch-up with the inimitable LL.

• Thinking up ideas for personal and creative Christmas gifts for loved ones.

• Seeing a note stuck to the bus stop that read: “You are the perfect person to someone”

• Making things happen rather than letting life happen to me.

• Taking a peaceful, thoughtful walk on a cold, crisp but sunshiney day.

• Saving a spider from certain doom in the bath and freeing it into the garden.

• Lamb rogan josh and pilau rice washed down with an ice cold bottle of Crabbie’s alcoholic ginger beer (I say!)

• Getting a ‘70s groove on whilst cooking aforementioned curry…David Essex – Gonna Make You a Star

• Being fully alive.

Inner sunniness rating: 9/10
Long term happiness input: 9/10
Short term indulgence level: 3/10
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Well, since I last posted there has been some good stuff in my life…in no particular order…

• Apart from family orders (thanks Mum and Big Bro’ for getting on board…) the first Joyful Promise Zazzle order was received from Spatz ...thank you awesome lady…you are da bidness!!!

• The post I made about Joy’s eye condition was reblogged by a lady who runs the blog for Wayne County library for the blind and physically handicapped (what exactly is the blogger etiquette for such a happening?!)

• A comment was left on the same blog post by an amazingly inspirational man who was in the US armed forces and lost his sight in Afghanistan some three years ago…a privilege to have come to his attention and to have been given such a positive and encouraging comment. Incredible man.

• Been doing a lot of that ‘keepin’ the home fires burnin’ sort of stuff…perfect housewife and all that jazz…Husband’s happy…the pay off’s amazing ;P

• I’ve been paying a lot more attention to my appearance and got a brilliant compliment (I know there are people who think these things shouldn’t matter…but what the hell, it makes a lady feel good!): I was all dressed up in skin tight jeans, red velvet jacket and high (high) heels when a guy started beeeping his horn as I was crossing main road. I gave him that weak smile and continued my way. Some 5 minutes later I came out of a shop to find this same guy parked outside saying, “I hope you don’t mind, beautiful lady, I saw you back there and turned my car around to find you…please will you take my number…” Of course, I told him straight away that I was married but hey, 44 years old and I can still turn traffic around! (Call it sad if you will, but my confidence was boosted, and then some!)

• Sold some stuff on eBay and have more pending. All good contributions towards the Copenhagen goal. Huge thanks to the friends and family that have contributed the items for me to sell.

• On the brink of booking accommodation for Copenhagen. There have been a few issues with the airbnb site but by Sunday we should be booked and paid for (yay!!!)

• Receiving a messages from the one I love most on 43T…get pissed, enjoy ;P

• Romancing husband and making out on the sofa like a pair of teenagers (sore chin anyone?!) when supposedly watching a film.

• Seemingly fruitless job applications followed by a potentially fruitful lead (hopefully more to follow…)

• White wine and chilli olives…Semillion somethingorother….happy stuff ;D

• Getting together with a girly friend for a meal (cooked by her) and catching up chat

• Snuggling with baby Charlie who smiles every time I speak…bliss plus some

• Giggles and silliness with husband (quote: “the best bottle of wine I ever bought” – don’t be rude now!)

• The dog in the park that tried to run off with Joy’s white stick…the ball attached to the end of it to be precise…made the two of us laugh hysterically…the dog owner was mortified, which made us laugh even more!

• People from 43T caring enough to write to check if I’m ok…you know who you are; I;m grand but busy…thank you lovely, darling people (kiss kiss kiss)

• Making, and eating, the best risotto ever known to human kind

• Watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition and getting all teary. In a good way.

• Burping like a trollop and having Husband nod approvingly (even though I know it’s really quite disgusting)

• Getting back on the non-smoking wagon having fallen off it…no harm…all good.

• A music station that plays an awesomely eclectic mix…for example:

Behind Closed Doors – Charlie Rich

Thinking of Me Now – Olly Murs

First of the Gang to Die – The Smiths

Some Nights – Fun.

Hey There Delilah – Plain White Ts

Never Tear Us Apart – INXS

Live it Up – Mental as Anything

Arms of Mary – Sunderland Brothers

Golden Years – David Bowie

A Horse With No Name – America

Ruby Tuesday – Rolling Stones

Your Loving Arms – Karen Overton

Birdhouse in Your Soul – They Might Be Giants

Other things in Happiness Town and worthy of note…

• cheeeeeeese….Cambozola, Blacksticks Blue, Jalsberg, Brie…and olives. Always olives.

• littlesoul is coming for dinner on the 17th!

• Being believed in…no matter what.

• Ho’ made gluten free brownies

• Downton day with Mum and Joy (that’s Sunday to most of you!)

• Turning around and finding solid support at my back.

• Stoopid dancing in the perfume area of a department store with my big Sis!

• Living the life I love and loving the life I live (but still being ready and willing for more)

Inner sunniness rating: 9/10
Long term happiness input: 9/10
Short term indulgence level: 2/10
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Sight
More joyfulpromise card designs; four of them this time from an inspired and wonderfully artistic young man called Isak. Then of course there was the sight of the goal, created by Isak’s lovely Mum, our beloved Ru and joined by the wonderful Ratty. Then there was the sight of all the people who’d visited the joyfulpromise blog and ‘liked’ it. Then I saw Tazzy’s blush-makingly kind post on the push the button goal plus support and generosity from Spatz. On top of all this I got to see the huge, huge smile (accompanied by a couple of tears) on my sister’s face when I shared and showed all that is being done to make this wish happen. The combination went beyond happy and took me into total joy!

Smell
Peppermint foot lotion – zingy fresh and super soothing

Taste
Home made lentil and bacon soup

Touch
Getting soaked to the skin walking in the pouring rain, then peeling off the wet clothes and snuggling into radiator warmed slobby comfies

Hearing
Bill Withers – Lean on Me

Inner sunniness rating: 9/10
Long term happiness input: 8/10
Short term indulgence level: 3/10
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Sight
Receiving the first design for the Joyful Promise Christmas/Holiday cards…so cute and clever…this really made me very happy

Smell.
L’eau de Shalimar Parfum Initial by Guerlain – don’t you just love it when you blag those freebie samples from the posh make-up counters?!

Taste
Creamy black cherry yoghurt

Touch
Waking up with a Cat Hat…Duchess curled around my head purring loudly

Hearing
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Higher Ground

Inner sunniness rating: 9/10
Long term happiness input: 8/10
Short term indulgence level: 3/10
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Sight
A big, butch, hulk of a man, easily over 6 and a half feet tall and about half as wide, running through the rain carrying a ‘Little Miss Naughty’ umbrella…made me grin.

Smell
The ink of marker pens. Yeh, yeh, I know it’s probably not exactly good for me but they do smell fab (only while I’m using them for purpose…it’s not like I just sit around sniffing pens!)

Taste
Black olives with crumbly, salty feta cheese

Touch
Playing with fabric scraps…vintage velvet and lace make my fingertips smile

Hearing
Emeli Sande – Next to Me

Inner sunniness rating: 8.5/10
Long term happiness input: 7.5/10
Short term indulgence level: 2/10
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I’ve spent the last two days hauling my backside and hawking my CV all over town. This has been an extremely disheartening experience. By midway through today I was really starting to struggle; my feet were hurting, my smile felt false, my ‘intro’ felt over rehearsed and I was likely to poke the next patronising person in the eye.

I’d sat down to be glum and give my feet a break when I remembered this goal and the fact that happiness can be a choice.

I chose to be happy because:

• I actually have functioning legs that allow me to walk all over town

• I can talk, smile and at least give selling myself a damn good shot

• I have worthwhile experience to offer a potential employer

• I’m not stuck in a job I loathe

• Although I need to find a job, I have a roof over my head and at least one decent meal each day (unlike many I passed today)

Somewhat cheered up, I dug deep for the stamina to finish up the day’s job begging and continued on my way.

Song for the day? Helen Shapiro – Walking Back to Happiness ;D
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Friends have made happiness my easy default; people are wonderful, their goodness mind blowing.

Family have backed up and reinforced those ohsogood feelings and I’ve been smiling, smiling, smiling…

Sight
Watching Downton Abbey…it’s back and as brilliant as ever!

Smell
Jo Malone Grapefruit scented candle

Taste
Seriously strong, extra mature cheddar cheese

Touch
Wrapping up in a lambs’ wool and silk blanket crocheted as a gift for me…like a luxury cuddle

Hearing
Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World

Inner sunniness rating: 8.5/10
Long term happiness input: 8/10
Short term indulgence level: 3/10
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Sight
A message from a darling friend telling me he got the break he’s long deserved…seeing this news made me hop, skip and jump happy!

Smell
Freshly baked bread

Taste
Chicken tikka biryani, Son’s treat; bless his kind thoughtfulness…a massive relief from his mood during the earlier part of the week! I genuinely can’t remember the last time we had takeaway and this particular curry house is the best for miles…happy, happy tastebuds.

Touch
Husband cupping my face gently in his hands and kissing the tip of my nose

Hearing
Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally

Inner sunniness rating: 6.5/10
Long term happiness input: 8/10
Short term indulgence level: 3/10
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