joy finder

Being raised amongst "an unhappy people" makes for lots of things. Cyncism. A critical nature. Anger. Addiction. Looking for love in all the wrong places. Mistaking love for something that isn't. Seeking out happy people - because you aren't.

The reality is, happines is temperal. It doesn't last. I was happy (thrilled, even) when my friend/neighbor brought some freshly baked, piping hot pear bread to my door. While I was 'happy' to eat the bread, the memory of my friend's thoughtfulness and her relationship with me is what joy is made of. Joy lasts. Happiness is fleeting.

In the quest to be a joy-finder, comfortable boxes have to be stepped out of and the propensity toward finding satisfaction in a moment needs to be overcome. I want the kind of joy that lives and breathes on its own. That bubbles up, overflows and consumes everyone around me.

I'm still working on it. In the meantime, here's the monday morning edition of (and addition to) "1000 Gifts."

171. Christmas music - even before Thanksgiving.

171. a growing daughter - physically, emotionally and spiritually

172. God's love. it's huge.

173. stepping outside of the comfort zone.

174. husbands who grocery shop

175. electricity.

176. autum leaves.

177. vitamin d.

178. homemade stew

179. a husband that enjoys cooking.

180. lavender vanilla. in various forms.

181. piping hot coffee.

182. hysterical laughter

183. costco.

184. remembering birthdays

185. planning a holiday

186. recognizing joyful people

187. finding patience.

188. humility.

189. seeking joy instead of momentary satisfaction.

190. the feel of a new tablet without words.

191. holding fast to believes, albeit unpopular.

192. new responsibilities and a good attitude.

193. friendships that require work - but weather the years.

194. accepting the weaknesses of others.

195. recognizing strengths at the same time

196. knowing that no 'one person' will be perfect for us.

197. genuine kindness.

198. hope's Dsi

199. planning our 'black friday' tradition.

200. allowing joy to live and breathe. even when it hurts.

201. memories. like this one.

Happy Monday. Here's to finding joy as we journey.

November Monday Gratitude

Not sure if it's the weather or the season, but I find myself sorely in need of some gratitude. Meaning, the need to remind myself of what I have and the blessing of breath in my lungs.

151. the honor of praying for this family, whose little boy just went home to be with Jesus last night.

152. my own little girl, who lives and breathes, and challenges and loves out loud

153. cold weather

154. fleece pajamas and cozy socks

155. one stubborn husband

156. my sister-in-law, who left her life for a week to run ours

157. saying 'yes' when my selfishness wants to say 'no'

158. moms who said 'yes' to watching my kidlet when their selfishness wanted to say 'no'

159. a collection of old photos that capture days' passed

160. a week of meetings with some of public radio's smartest people around

161. "out of the box" experiences that make the story more interesting

162. green tea candles

163. pondering forgiveness.

164. pondering anger. and the need to forgive

165. dirty clothes that live everywhere but the hamper

166. unmade beds

167. a broken heart for a family i have never met

168. laughter in unexpected places.

169. the connection facebook provides

170. a full and gentle night's sleep

An easy blog

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging? I don’t really snack while blogging. I am usually drinking coffee. Or tea. Depending on the hour of the blog.

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without? My non-spiritual answer is: my CPAP machine. It’s made sleep possible in my life. My bible would be more impressive - just being honest.

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?Beach. Beach. Beach. Mountains if I had a cabin to drive to. Never a farm. Never. Never. Never.

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty? Unloading the dishwasher with putting away folded laundry a close second.

5. Who do people say you remind them of? When I was thinner (back in the day) – the mermaid from splash. I can’t even remember her name. She dated Joe Jackson in the 80s. Hannah something?

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam? I like to socialize – but I lean toward the life of a loner. Depends what form the socializing comes in!

7. What's your all time favorite movie? Beaches.

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night? Probably a hit/miss on this one. Depends. I know, I know.

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it? Deep, hidden talent? I can wiggle my ears and nose. Something I want to learn? I’d love to speak another language fluently. I always say Spanish, because I took 4 years in college. But really, I’d love to speak French.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at? Archery on the Wii.

11. What first attracted you to your spouse? He was very kind and cute.

12. What is something you love to smell? Vanilla/Lavender…downy. lotion. candle. And Light Blue by Dolce Gabanna. And the bamboo candles/spray from Pier 1.

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people. I am chronically early and can be annoying about it. Meaning, annoying about needing to be early. Obsessively so. And it makes me NUTS when people are chronically late. NUTS.

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?
Pick up a little something for Hope, buy some super cool stationary or a tasty smelling candle.

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?I wish I were more of a silent laughter. My laugh is loud at first –then moves to a silent shake, then wheeze. It’s not pretty y’all. What makes me laugh the hardest? Anyone who is truly funny, usually. My sister, Katie usually sends me to fits of laughter. And my friend Shannon is hands-down the funniest chick I know.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop? Nordstrom.

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time? Pick up scrapbooking again.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal? If I have the dough, I’m a bit of a spender with a sprinkle of frugality.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time? Nothing is popping to mind here. Mr. Darcy?

20. Would you want to be famous?Not really. It would be cool to be a published writer – but not so much famous.

Isn't your life better for having read this? Geez. :)