Happy Things in a gloomy January

 

 

 I always forget how gloomy January gets until it rolls around the next year.

 

One of these years.. I will be smart and remember to book a warm vacation spot in January.

 

I have kept busy by organizing.. and teaching organizing classes.. and I truly believe that is my salvation to get through these cold months on faster speed.

 

Yesterday... I decided to look for Happy things around my house.

 

You know.. things that warm my heart... or bring it excitement.

 

 

 

I am happy for days with clear blue skies.

 

Because Utah is surrounded with large mountains.. the freezing cold air becomes trapped in the valleys and creates a heavy smog.  It seems like we have had more "Smog" days than clean air days.

 

I never thought I would be grateful for snow or wind.. but after breathing in SMOG for weeks..

 I welcome anything that will remove it.

 

 

 I am happy for temperatures in the 20's and 30's.

 

After the below zero temperatures we have been experiencing.. the 20's make us feel warm.

 

My poor kitties. 

 

 Even though they have an electric blanket on in their  garage bed-- for the evening.. they are still freezing. If they are outside.. they are always in this window.. because it's closest to the chimney and heat.  I have taken pity in them...so.... I have been letting them in more often than usual.... and it's almost driving Chad and I mad!

 

Seriously...  It's so much work-- making sure they are not into Naughty things. 

Especially our Siamese. 

 It's almost like having 2 toddlers running through the house without diapers.

 

  I am always checking to see what they are into.. making sure they are not on the counter..unrolling the toilet paper or peeing on my carpets. 

 

 No accidents yet.  Thankfully!

 

 

This is usually where you can find Tuffy when he comes in.

Hanging out with his stuffy friends. 

 

 

 Happiness is an unexpected gift on your doorstep.

 

Emma surely knows me well. 

 

 These books are so beautiful.. and I am a huge fan of "Call the Midwife." 

 

 ~ I dare say I like it almost as much as Downton Abbey.

 

They are both so completely different... so it's hard to compare.. but I will say that I am fangirl for both.

 

I LOVE the books.

 

Thank you Emma!

 

 

Happy is an early birthday present.

 

My Mother in law found this darling treasure at the Shabby house in Boise.

 

She couldn't wait for my Birthday to gift it to me.. and I am thrilled.

 

Who doesn't like early birthday presents??

 

It is beautiful.  

 

 

 Happy to have my Valentines Decor all around.

 

A plethora of Red, Roses, Cupids, Love, Pink, and Kisses surround us.

 

 

 

 The bench is finally here!!

 

My Dad owned this old Mormon church bench.. and I have always wanted it.

Since my Mother has been selling many of my Fathers things.. I offered to buy it last year.

 

My Mom was generous and gifted it to me.. and we just haven't had the time to move it from her house. 

 

 It is HEAVY.

 

Now it is here in my home.. and every time I walk past it.. I think of my Dad.

 

That's why "things" are important to me.

I am sentimental.. and things remind me of many that I love.

 

Both the Living.. and the Dead.

 

 

 The back of the bench even has old sacrament cup holders from when the cups  were glass!

 

Awesomeness!

 

I adore this bench so very much.

 

 

 

 I have also been admiring this Russian piece I received of  " Peter The Great."

from my Mother right after Dad passed away.

 

( Please don't mind my lack of dusting )

 

After Dad died.. I expressed my desire to have one keepsake from all of his collections.

Little reminders of him.. without going overboard.

 

 

 

 I was putting away some keepsakes.. and found these rolled coins last night.

It made me smile.

 

Dad was always known for being generous.. and many times.. he would surprise us in some weird way.  More than once.. he would gather all of the grandchildren.. pull out all of his saved quarters.. and watch with excitement as he passed around free money to us all.

 

They were simple acts of kindness that will always have a lasting effect.

 

I showed all of the kids the quarters. 

 

Each of them could remember Dad doing this.. and it warmed my heart.

 

I worry alot -- and often that they will forget him.

Who he was.. and what an elect man he was and what a life he lived.

 

I do my best to talk of him often.. and I am grateful for his collections with trains, Mormon History, Russia and Steam Boat Willy.. that are little reminders of him.

 

They kinda keep him here with us.. in a small way.

 

 

 Speaking of Steam boat willy.. if this picture doesn't make you smile.. why are we friends??

 

Only kidding. 

 

But.. yes.... Mickey Mouse in any shape or form makes me happy.

 

Each one of us -- in our family received a Mickey for Christmas.

 

We all adore them.. and consider them one of the best gifts.

 

Counting down the days until we can visit Disneyland again in 2014!

 

 

 Happiness is pretties from good friends -- all over my house that remind me that I am loved when I feel low.

 

 

Happiness is seeing things like this on your children's special VIK ( Very important Kid ) days.

 

All of the children in Christian's class wrote him a letter.

 

This one made our whole family giggle.

 

In the letter it states:  " Brand in Flowers is a very nice song."

 

Oh.. we laughed and laughed.

 

I didn't realize that with Chad and I liking him so much.. the kids talked about him a lot too.

 

I admit.. it makes me happy.

 

And yes.. every one of my children have their own MP3 players.. and the only music they listen to is One Direction and Brandon Flowers /The Killers.

 

Kinda makes my heart happy.

Not the One Direction part.... well you know.

 

Happy January Day!!

 

There is a lot to be grateful for.  No matter how low life seems!

 

Today I am grateful for:

 

Waiting almost 2 hours for my kids to have a flu shot yesterday.

Why the gratitude?  my kids haven't been sick yet.

 

Texting Marianne in The Netherlands! 

I love WHATSAPP! 

It makes it possible to text other countries for free!

If you are out of the country.. and you get the app and want to chat.. e-mail me.. and I will give you my number.  It's sweet!

 

More free Firewood.  = Tender Mercy

 

Watching 3 movies this weekend that had things I really needed to hear.

Tender Mercy again!

 

My neighbor and new friend Jenny.. for sitting on my couch for 2 hours  yesterday.

Sometimes a listening ear is the greatest gift a friend can give.

I am richly blessed to know and have such elect women/friends.