list 100 things that make me happy

A year ago I took a job as webmaster of a small nonprofit I care about. I’m in no way your typical webmaster… and I would be lying if I said I never regretted taking the job. But, the amazing feeling of having gotten some weird tech-y thing to work is made all the more amazing by the blisters that have formed on my brain in the process. Of course this goes for other tough things too, just that this was a great example.

It’s so wonderfully decadent to treat myself to a great meal in silence, and then just relax with my book and some dessert or a mug of hot chocolate :o)

There’s nothing like a small child’s trust to make you feel like a million bucks :o)

Especially if I’ve just put on fresh sheets! To me this is like a mini-vacation and I feel so decadent when I go back to bed in the middle of the day. I love the smell of shampoo, and the way clean skin feels when you slip under the covers… it doesn’t have to take long but a little nap can’t hurt!

Well, what can I say… I love it when someone compliments me on a job well done, my jewelry, something I said or created, or whatever. A sincere compliment goes a long way in making me happy :o)

My husband and I have been fostering rabbits for half a year now. (And one kitten who only spent a few days with us.) I’ve always wanted to foster animals and I’m enjoying it tremendously. The way I look at it, I get to have a pet without having to pay for veterinary care (that’s paid for by the shelter/rescue). Plus, I get to “try out” different bunnies. Keeps it new and exciting ;o) And of course I get to actually save a life every now and then (some of those bunnies probably wouldn’t be alive any more if it weren’t for us).

I really enjoy getting to know all the different personalities (from feisty to lovebug and everything in between). And all the little quirks they develop. We are currently fostering our fourth rabbit and they’ve all been so different. One of them made a habit of jumping in and out of our pots and pans at night, making a ruckus and having tons of fun (the pots are stored on an open shelf so they’re easily accessible). These guys really come up with the weirdest ideas, and every day they come up with some funny thing to keep us laughing. It’s also pleasant to come home to a little bunny who wants to be pet and comes up to greet you. Very soothing, after a long difficult day.

The best reward, of course, is to send a bunny on to its new home once whatever “issue” it had has been cleared up. It’s a little sad to see them go, but there’s always another one waiting for a second chance.

My foster bunny needs surgery and expensive surgery at that. The vet has offered to do it for half the regular fee, which is still quite a bit of money. Since the shelter’s medical funds are limited I decided to make a donation, and ask the volunteers for a small donation as well. I figured if just a few people could give ten dollars each we’d be so much closer to our goal.

The response I got blows me away. Less than 24 hours after I sent out my email we have it all covered and we even have money left over. People have pledged ten times what I was hoping for. Along with the money I got good wishes and supportive messages that have brought tears to my eyes. Not only did the volunteers at “my shelter” donate, they also (successfully) asked their relatives and volunteers at other shelters to chip in. I am absolutely speechless.

I guess this is pretty self-explanatory. It’s an awesome feeling to have been working on something for a long time and to finally get it done. Or, to stay on top of something even if it’s hard and I’d rather take the easy way out.

I guess this is a fitting entry this time of year. I love to give to others, more than I like to receive really. The best thing about Christmas, for me, is to admire all the pretty gifts underneath the tree as they appear (we put them under the tree as they arrive so that the week before Christmas it gets a little prettier each day). I love to admire the wrapping papers and bows, and guess what might be hidden underneath, and imagine someone’s surprise when they unwrap them.

I also love to wrap gifts and make them look nice. And, I like to get little gifts to send to friends and family who live far away, and make the packages look nice with lots of different postage stamps and such (I used to love looking at stamps when I was a kid so I am hopeful that the recipients of my gifts might enjoy seeing the stamps, too; call me silly but I enjoy that part tremendously). But the best part about Christmas, for me, is to see others get their gifts (from me or from others) and see the excitement and joy on their faces.

I also like to give gifts during the rest of the year, of course. I’m not one to buy expensive stuff because oftentimes it’s little things that make the coolest gifts. I went on an outing with a friend a while back; we spent a day just walking through a park, chatting, and enjoying life. I took pictures of things she liked and then made her a calendar with the photos so she’ll have a reminder of that beautiful day. I enjoyed every bit of the process; the day spent together, taking the photos and editing them, putting the calendar together, and seeing my friend’s eyes light up when she saw it.

Well I guess this list wouldn’t be complete without the no. 1 thing I use to make myself happy: sugar. It is comforting, a mood elevator (in the short run anyway) and, well… just plain enjoyable.

I am trying very hard to get over my sugar addiction. I believe this may be the toughest addiction to overcome because we are surrounded by the stuff and it’s not really recognized as an addiction (but trust me, it is one). Sugar makes me happy while I consume it, but overall it doesn’t of course… I am overweight, not nearly as healthy as I’d like to be, and, well… dependent on carbs. There you have it. How’s this for an ambivalent entry?!