Happy Thoughts

Mood swings

The current news cycle has me all over the place. 
I am fine one moment then I see another story that sends me straight to crestfallen. 
Hmmm, I wonder what I could do to solve that problem?
Besides avoiding the news, one thing that always helps me is to write down a few things that I am grateful for so I thought I would do that.
Then maybe you can share something that is making you happy and it will be a win-win for everyone.
What do you say? 
Here's my list: 

  • First day of of school: I must admit it is a little bittersweet sending them off to school again because that means they are getting older and closer to leaving the nest but I am happy for them as they are discovering new paths and their way in the world. The first photo is Kyle and his good friend in front of their junior high and the second is Miss Hayden as she heads off to 4th grade. 

  • HBD, MF! The lovely Ms. Frizzle turned 5. After being owned by basset hounds for most of my life, I never thought a yellow lab would be the dog for me but she has been the bestest and most wonderful dog for our family. I love her so much. She celebrated her big day with one of my favorite poses, the Inverted Frizzle.

  • My mother-in-law is getting hip replacement surgery this week. I wish her a speedy recovery and and hopefully it will be able to get her back on track to doing the stuff that she loves to do.
  • This quote: "There is a considerable overlap between the intelligence of the smartest bears and the dumbest tourists." - Yosemite Park Ranger on why it's hard to design a bear-proof garbage can. 
  • And a meme dump always helps my mood:




So what's making you happy?

Thanks for stopping by and I will talk to you soon.




I am better than I was. I will be better than I am.
 

I will persevere. I will keep moving forward. I will be the stream.

Comments

  1. We sort of wrote similar posts today although yours was much more hopeful. That dog's position is hilarious. Our last dog was a golden retriever although my birth family had a lab as our final dog. They're both great and wonderful for families.

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    1. She has been amazing for our family, Margaret. We are lucky to have her.

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  2. Abby also likes the labby on her back
    with tail wagging position.
    Best wishes for P and the surgery.
    Kids look adorable as always.
    It is 76 here today!!!

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  3. Oh my goodness, I love back to school pictures! They both look wonderful and ready to take on the world. And Happy Birthday to Ms. Frizzle. She looks like she knows how to handle life quite well. I wish your mother-in-law well with her surgery this week. I hear that surgery really makes a difference.

    Enjoy your wonderful family and stay away from the news!

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  4. Ms. Frizzle is looking good, haha. Sioux only did that pose once in awhile, but I have a great shot of it!
    Your kids look excited to go back to school!

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  5. Today I am happy because I'm almost done packing to move. And happy to see the loveliest young children I know off to school. Kyle's bookmark is in constant use. He has no idea how annoying it is to have a magazine article continued on p 123, and then I must find where it continued from when I'm done reading. Except! I have Kyle's bookmark to put there, and finish my article in peace. Happy school year, you two!

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    1. Thanks, Joanne. I will let him know that his bookmark is still of great service and congrats on being almost done packing.

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  6. Kids are probably thrilled to be back IN school again. Stay safe.

    Ms. Frizzle's pose screams Happy Dog!

    Sometimes a news break is just what's needed because the Crazies are at the door!!

    Stay safe and have a great week!

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  7. The kids look fantastic! Junior High, huh? Time does fly.
    That doggie is sooooo cute!
    And really, gardening is making me happy. My new therapy is go at the weeds with a passion at four in the afternoon while listening to House music.

    And the news cycle is INSANE. Ugh.

    XOXO

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    1. I am glad you have to something like gardening to make you happy, Sixpence.

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  8. At least your kids look happy to be going to school. The news has been just awful and has had me in tears the past few days. Getting outside for walks and listening to podcasts makes me happy.

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    1. Podcasts are helping me as well.

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  9. Getting them out of school doesn't end the involvement. They are continuously doing things that make you cringe.

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    1. Doing my best to make it as less cringeworthy as possible.

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  10. ... ... who buys a burrito at a gas station?

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    Replies
    1. Inebriated college students. I know from experience.

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  11. The gas station burrito is hilarious. I like to watch Robin Williams stand up comedy when I feel down. You can't not laugh at him, he was hilarious.

    Your dog is too funny. I woke up with my dog laying next to me in that same post this morning.

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    1. Robin Williams is a good go to for a pick me up.

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  12. Being a good parent means raising them to independence. Two thumbs up. (One for you, one for your partner).

    Mr Bean is my go to when I am in need of a giggle. Of course, I don't have Mrs. Frizzle keeping me entertained either.

    The news is gutting right now. I watched it for the first time this week. I know it is a cop out, but there is so much awfulness and it seems to be everywhere you look.

    It reminds me of a poem by Warsan Shire, in part:

    later that night
    i held an atlas in my lap
    ran my fingers across the whole world
    and whispered
    where does it hurt?

    it answered
    everywhere
    everywhere
    everywhere.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debby. The poem is quite spot-on... unfortunately.

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  13. The news is definitely intense the last while. What makes me happy? Believe it or not, working is taking my mind off a lot of stuff. It requires concentration, so it's a break for the sad part of my brain at the moment. Also, talking to my adult children and other supportive family members is helpful; we laugh a lot. Reading a good book is always a good distraction. Probably the best thing to actually get me smiling and/or laughing is YouTube videos and memes. Are you familiar with Dry Bar stand up comedy videos? And Charlie Berens has good stuff on YouTube as well. If you like British humour, there are a lot of videos of game shows like Would I Lie To You that I find entertaining. Your memes are excellent; thank you for those. The zoo keeper one is my favourite.

    Best of luck to your mother-in-law; I've heard good things about hip surgery. As an example, my boss had it last year and he is so much better getting around now, basically back to normal. Your kids are such bright lights - their smiles must make you smile! HB to Miss F :)

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    1. Thanks for sharing your happiness, jenny_o.

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  14. Hold onto memories (and photos) of your kids like this. That's all I'll say. As much as I should stay away I can't stop reading the daily headlines, and you're right- it's always shit. I don't think I've shaken my head so much over the course of the last 5 years as I have in my entire life. Coming home each day to our little cocoon of a life makes me the happiest. And staying away from most people. And a frosty microbrew makes me happy. And chocolate.

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    1. Glad you have your happy things.

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  15. I can't believe Ms Frizz is 5 already! I hope the kids have a great school year. The zoo meme is great :)

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    1. She is growing up way too fast as well.

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  16. I've been doom scrolling for MONTHS. I spend a lot of time being angry with the stupidity and the just plain deep down MEANNESS of people.

    And then I hug my family and remember to be grateful for my life. I am lucky and I know it.

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  17. Your kids look so happy to be heading to school. My parents never took pictures of us going to school on our first day. I think my mom was so glad to get us out of the house, she didn't want to hold up the bus any longer than necessary for us to jump aboard.

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    1. We are pretty spoiled with these fancy phones that capture everything.

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  18. Granddaughter s here, which makes me happy. Grandson will come for a sleepover soon as well. Oh, I got a new keyboard for my ipad, which is good because the old one wasn’t holding the ipad secure any more. We have AC and it’s on. This is very good in this very hot, humid weather.

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    1. Enjoy the time with your family.

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  19. Hi! I came by to thank you for your nice comment on my blog and return the visit.

    I agree with you about the news; it gets discouraging after awhile. Happy thoughts are much healthier!

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  20. that's how I sleep in my recliner..the kids are reallllllly growing..ask your mil how easy it is to recover from hip surgery..i think one is in my future..

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    1. She was up and moving that day. I was surprised at how quickly she was able to get around.

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