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Happy Thoughts

It occurred to me as I rode around on the mower yesterday evening that I’m in a particularly “happy phase” of life right about now.

Granted, this could be because the sun finally broke out and the rain let up, and that spring finally seems to be here, which leads to summer. But I think it is more than that.

I mulled it over, while riding in circles cutting the grass, that most of this “happy phase” is due to simply making a few changes in the past few months. I have written before about being a bit stuck in a rut. Well, the things I’ve done since the first of this year have surely broken the pattern.

Then I got to thinking: what is it, specifically, that makes me really happy? Sort of making a mental list, I was. Of course at the top are family and friends. Relationship. I have a fantastic husband whom I love and adore, great kids who crack me up and a little sweet pea to hug. I have awesome “old” friends who have known me, some for 30+ years, some for 5-10 years. Then there is a “new” group that pretty recently started and that is exciting. But I’m not talking necessarily about that type of “happy” causing things, because really unless you have no soul, people you love, and being loved, makes everyone happy.

What I’m talking about are little things that make ME happy that might or might not make someone else feel the joy.

So here are a few things that I thought up, in no particular order. I reserve the right to add or subtract to my list at any given time. LOL

• PEDICURES (and other stuff like that). I guess some might consider them a luxury but when you aren’t eating out every day or drinking Big Gulps, you can put that money to something nice for yourself! I love the pampering feeling of soft feet, or seeing that my hands are pretty and groomed nicely. I must soon try a massage… I’ve never had one and I bet it is sheer heaven.
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• A GOOD BOOK. I love being drawn into a good story, whether it is a comedy, romance, non-fiction or suspenseful page-turner. Doesn’t matter as long as it holds my interest. It is like having a movie played in my head. I also love cookbooks and cooking magazines – I love to read the recipes and ideas (although I seldom follow one word by word).
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• MOVIE PREVIEWS. Yes I like the actual movie too, but I just love being in the dark theater and seeing that green “This preview has been rated….” Screen come on. It is like opening a present: what is it going to be? Scary? A love story? Action/adventure? I wonder sometimes if I’m the only person who cries at previews and not just at the movie?
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• THE PATIO (and related things). Years ago we had a swing hanging in the oak tree in our front yard. I loved that thing and would sit in it for hours. I painted a bunch of flower pots and planted them with all sorts of pretty things. Sort of made a little paradise in the front yard to hang out in – and we did and it was good. Somehow, for some reason, I just stopped doing that and I realize now that I miss it. This past fall, we built a rock patio in the backyard corner (OK Jimmy built it, I helped) and for a while I wondered if it was a mistake because it just sat there. Well duh, it was cold weather! Now it is warming up and the sun is shining (some days, at least) and YES it was a GREAT idea. I’m gearing up to plant some pots and really pretty it up. It will be a wonderful place for relaxing, visiting or just to read one of those good books or magazines I enjoy. ;)
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• A REALLY GOOD MEAL. I am a foodie, I admit it. I will never be one of those types who simply views food as “fuel for the body”. Nope. A really good quality meal involves all of the senses and should be enjoyed – savored, even. Now, my definition of “good quality” has changed over the years and that is a good thing for me, but I realize that too is an individual perception. For me, the best meals involve FRESH ingredients, lots of color, depth of tastes…. I am just as likely to go nuts over a big salad of organic baby greens with vinaigrette as I am an exquisitely created tiramisu. One thing is for sure: the $1 menu is NOT involved here. I dream of being a judge on Iron Chef America. *sigh*
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• A REALLY GREAT SONG. It might be a melody, or a harmony, but most times what makes me happiest are really well written lyrics. A great song should read like poetry. There are far too many to name them all. The one I have in heavy rotation for now is Eva Cassidy singing “Songbird”. Google it. You’ll love it.
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• MINI VACATIONS. Any vacation makes me happy but I love to spread my vacation days out across the calendar and take “mini-vacays” here and there. A sprinkling of 3 or 4 day weekends thru the course of the year is better than one week-long chunk spent in one place. At least that is what I think.
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That’s enough of mine for now. My question is: what are YOURS? Leave a comment and tell me. Who knows, you may come up with something I want to add to MY list ;)

posted by Tamfish @ 12:33 PM Comments: 1

Just thinkin.

posted by Tamfish @ 6:58 PM Comments: 0

The End is Near!

Quest 12 is nearly over and I’m excited!!

Well – don’t take that the wrong way. ;)

We have one more week of Quest 12 and then the Grand Finale! That is going to be a really special event. I can’t wait to see the transformations and hear the testimonials. I have seen so much heart and spirit this past 11 weeks. I have been inspired by everyone and I hope that I was able to pass that inspiration on, as well. I am blessed to be a part of it!

No matter what my final numbers are, I have gotten what I truly wanted out of it:

1. Relationship. I wanted more than anything to make lasting friendships, to give of myself, to be an encourager. I have been rewarded GREATLY in the relationship department!

2. Develop spiritually. I wanted to reinforce my faith and be reminded that it isn’t all about “me” – it is about Him, first and foremost. I knew this was the place and these were the folks that would steer me that direction. I have been rewarded GREATLY in the faith department!

3. To feel capable. I wanted, by the end, to feel that I was strong enough and capable enough to TRY any task set before me. I have done 7 hours at a Tae Bo A Thon. I have marched up Thrill Hill (several times). I have “run” a 5k and finished. Those were the big tasks – every day in class I was faced with a smaller, yet just as important task. To push through when my body was saying “stop”. To hold that power drill just 10 more seconds. To kick harder. To punch with power. To squat deeper. Sure it is hard, and sure it hurts – but I AM ABLE.

4. To get me back in the swing of things. I used to be active all the time! "Used to be" - what happened? I don't really know.... just got out of the habit, I guess. It feels good to be back in it now!

Those are the main things I wanted and I have them in my possession now. I have also been reminded that 12 weeks goes by FAST! It seems like a long road ahead, but the time really flies. My mind used to think, “A 12 week program, oh man this is going to take forever….” And now my mind says, “12 weeks will go by FAST - why not make it productive?”

NOW I am excited that the end of Quest is near because…..I KNOW my plan for the next 12 weeks. After careful consideration, this is it:

** Immediately after Quest, take a recovery week. This will include walking a lot and attending Yoga/Stretch class. My body needs this, it is telling me so now. I will push thru this final week of Quest and then give it the rest/recovery it needs.

** After that recovery week, I will start a schedule that follows the rotation guidelines of the Chalean Extreme program. This is a strength training program (by Beachbody) designed to build lean muscle and slim & tone the body. Not necessarily weight loss – although I believe that will come simply because I have some more pounds to lose. I feel the craving for strength training. It is vital to women over 40! On this schedule, I will be doing strength workouts 3x a week, using the Chalean Extreme workout dvd’s at home. I will do 2, sometimes 3 (depending on what is going on that week) Tae Bo/Yoga/Stretch workouts at the gym – this will sub for the cardio/endurance/stretch workouts in the plan.

This plan will take me right up to about July 4^th and I’ll see where I am then.

I’m looking forward to the plan. It will keep me connected to my friends at FBF and involved there – which I love! – and at the same time allow me more “home time”.

So there you have it. In black and white, in print, in INK baby! Now I have to do it huh? ;)

Have a very happy Easter Weekend, friends! We have my mom visiting, we’ll have all the kids over for dinner and visiting and I believe we get to keep Audrey for the weekend which makes me very very happy……………… I could just gobble up that little funky monkey…… she’s sweeter than a marshmallow Peep!

All my love!

Tam

posted by Tamfish @ 7:30 AM Comments: 0