A Happy List

• 3 delicious flavors of hot chocolate and cider in the cabinet

• A sound sleep, in the present time zone

• Coming back to my closet. I always miss my clothes. Is that weird?

• The way M got into the habit of putting dishes in the dishwasher while I was away

• My giant purple purse

• Dr. Seuss' holiday appearance every night (practically) on TV during the holiday season

• A picture text message of the gallery cat with the scarf I gave my co-worker for her birthday wrapped around said-cat's neck.

• Twinkle lights on our window

• The girl I sat near on the plane ride home had the COOLEST backpack with an embroidered tree and button leaves on the back flap. 

• She also had pretty hands

• Listening to my niece's ipod on the plane trip home and how I almost lost it when the "shuffle songs" mode led me to Weird Al's "White and Nerdy." Such a funny song.

• Catching up with D before he left for a quick trip home, then off to South America!

• The Salcido painting he left us to babysit while he's away

• The fact that he trusts us with his condo key and the passing of our phone numbers to his emergency contact

• Setting a deadline for myself to help get a friend's project complete that I have let slide to the back burner for a bit longer than I intended. 

• Thinking about how much of a dork I was in junior high and high school. I know I'm still pretty dorky now, but at least I can laugh at myself about it! 

• Eating cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli

• Listening to my body tell me to relax. Being able to relax and feel able to focus and handle my day with grace and ease.

• Acting like a kid with my nieces and nephews on my holiday venture home

• The way we hid Christmas ornaments at my mom's house when we were decorating the tree. We decided there were far too many ornaments for such a tiny tree (but the gaudy, crowded trees are the best kind!) and we wanted to see how long it takes for her to notice the ornaments, in all the different hiding spots!

• Catching up with both of my sisters, all three of us enjoying each other's company, talking, and being a family together. It felt so good, even if I was sick.

• Wonder Woman on the folder where I hold my student loan bill I must pay every month. Wonder Woman somehow makes it easier to dish out the dollars each month, and I thank her for that.

• The lessons I have learned, and continue to learn each and every day of my life.