Things that make me happy

Hey! Here's a list of things that make me happy!

-Hiking... something that I NEVER do because I like to do it with people and no one that I'm friends with here likes it.  I started hiking a bit on a trail that I knew had a lot of foot traffic before I found out I was pregnant with Frankie, but it's way nicer to go with someone.

-Going for long walks or runs on the Los Gatos trail. (Also something that I almost never get a chance to do!) After I gave birth to Frankie, I would go to this trail once a week and run for a good hour and a half. It was the best feeling in the world and something I would look forward to all week. I'm hoping that I can do this once a week solitude thang again when the new baby comes because it helped me feel great and keep my sanity.

-My kids. Duh. Joey and Frankie are the sweetest, funniest kids in the world and they light up my life all day erry day.

-Stuart. I was gonna say, 'duh' but, I guess saying your spouse makes you happy isn't a given. But, Stuart makes me happy. We have so much fun hanging out and still have plenty to talk, laugh, and reminisce about after seven and a half years of marriage.  We have even more to laugh about with Joey and Frankie around :)

-Talking on the phone. Whenever I'm feeling bored or in a funk, talking on the phone always makes me feel great.  I love hearing about my friends and families lives from back home and I'm always reminded that I'm not all alone in times of... well, being alone.

-Shooting hoops. I had forgotten about this one for yearrrs and yearrrs. I don't know why it never dawned on me that this was something that I enjoy because I used to do it all the time growing up and it's so fun and makes me feel so happy! I've started doing this again a lot, and I hope to continue because it's been energizing me in a way that I didn't expect (physically and mentally) so, I'm stoked!

-The beach. Oh my gosh, sitting at a table by the beach and having breakfast with Stuart when it's still a little cold out????? If I could do that every morning I would die of happiness.  That sounds like my wildest dream.

-(along the same lines) Going out for breakfast and sitting outside!

- Playing piano. Which I never get to do and is something so seared into my identity, I feel a hole inside me without it.  Even thinking about it makes me feel anxious and kind of sick. I miss it really bad. And it's not like I can just go do it. And now I feel like crying.  We can't fit a piano into this apartment, and it would probably be too noisy for neighbors, but if Costco gets awesome keyboards again this Christmas season, I'm buying one. (and then I can plug headphones in so only I can hear it. It would be perfect for when the kids are napping).  I want to play again so bad and what I really want to do is go to nursing homes and play Christmas carols and talk to the old people after and omg that sounds so great.  BUT, if I have no where to practice (and no sheet music for that matter) I can't fricken do it.

-Listening to music. Let me tell you something. Growing up, listening to music is like all I did with my alone time. I'd listen to music and practice performing (singing and moving around a 'stage' in the mirror). This was literally my favorite hobby of all time from ages 5-17. Why do you think I did so well in the lip sync competitions? I was obsessed with music and performing.  Let me tell you something else. I almost never listen to music anymore. I don't even know what music I like anymore. It's been so long since I've listened to music or sang anything. The thought of that makes me feel sad, too.

- Being with my old friends.

- Christmas time

- Christmas eve at my parents house

- Camping

- When Joey's caring and compassionate

- When Frankie climbs on top of me and rests her head on my chest

- Weddings

- Watching TV while eating

- Ordering pizza and having it delivered right when starvation has me on the brink of insanity

- Giving presents to people

- Cooking


I'm gonna stop now, but I want to keep adding to this list because it's fun and a good reminder for when I'm feelin' blueeeee