Mama Love

I had a not so great week.  We won't get into it, but let's just say coming back after vacay (sucky #1), and doing nothing after work but bundling up in blankets and not feeling great.  Oh, and I'm PMSing.  Joy.  BUT, I think I'm over my week-of-crap slump, so don't worry, I won't bite you.

I looked forward all week to Saturday.  My mom was coming and bringing our precious Lola back (my parents watched her while we were on vacay).  We really miss Lola when she's not around to talk to, pet, and take care of.  I've also been missing my parents a lot lately.  I don't know why, exactly, I am just craving some time at home.

My mom brought some goodies from my grandma.  By goodies, I mean:  house decor! If you didn't know, my grandma has a secret calling as an interior decorator.  She LOVES to decorate her house, make flower arrangements, and shop!  I spent a lot of time with her growing up (both of my sets of grandparents lived within 10 miles of me growing up, so lucky!) and she definitely taught me how to shop :)  Sometimes things are hideous, I'll be honest....but lots of times she gets really cute stuff!  And she passes it on to my mom and I when she's tired of it.  I actually have a TON of stuff from my grandma in our house.

I scored these decorative floral balls, which are in our living room...and this sort-of-gaudy candelabra that I put in our bathroom.  

Now, for the not-so-fabulous:  she gave my mom a stuffed mouse that she "thought I should have".  I, of course, told my mom that she would be taking that back home with her.  I even put it in her reusable bag that I packed for her with her stuff to go back home. 

 WELLLL...This morning I was putting the dishes away...

The little SNEAK stuffed it in one of our cupboards!!  Mom wins.  

 

It was so good to see my mom.  We were never really close, but now that I'm older, we always get along.  We caught up on family drama, Litchfield gossip, and what we've all been up to.  I asked her to bring some books, as I've gotten back in to reading lately.  She is a HUGE reader and delivered me a nice variety to choose from.  I'm currently finishing up Heart Sick, and I think I will probably delve into Into the Wild when I'm done.  Into the Wild is a great movie as well, makes you think.

 

 

Fun fact time!  I am actually a published author.  In 5th grade, I had a poem published in two books.  It was about birds...random.  My mom found the books and brought them along for us to have.  

 

We all chatted for a while and ended up going to Applebees for a late late lunch.  Mike wanted to go to a class thing on Saturday, and I told him he could go.  He answered "I would rather be here with you guys."  It warmed my heart a bit.  My mom truly thinks of Mike as another son.  Which happens to work out for Mike since he lost his mom.  Mike is definitely close to my family, which makes me VERY happy and makes me love him even more.  My mom also realized it was our 8 month anniversary!  Sooo happy!!  She headed home just a bit after 5 to try to beat the weather.  I enjoyed the quick visit and hope to go back home some time soon.

Photo Stream

I'm going to make this a photo post by going through my photo stream from my phone and sharing my last week with you.

I totally copied a friend and re-purposed an old candle jar.  I used {hot-hot} water to remove the wax, then I mixed a color, painted the inside, and sealed it with Mod Podge.  I am using it for cotton balls.  Thanks for the idea!

Friday, Mike left for his TKE Alumni ice fishing trip...what's a girl to do?  Have a party!  I had a bunch of girls over and we nerdily had a potluck.  Which was AWESOME!  We also painted our nails, enjoyed some wine and drinks and had a fabulous time chatting, gossiping, and story telling.  It was such a great time and I hope we can do it again soon.  THANK YOU to all the lovely ladies that joined me on Saturday! The only picture I got (naughty me, I know) is of the girls giving Lola her dinner.

Sunday morning I got the most fantastic surprise EVER as I was watching The Lorax (super cute movie) in bed.  I got to FaceTime with my "niece" for the first time and she is amazing!  Just two months of perfect cuteness!

I had Monday off (bank holiday) and got to have a Skype date with my friend from high school.  I got to meet her son and husband for the first time!  We had a nice chat and it was fantastic to catch up.  So glad that she is back in my life after all of these years.  

Needless to say, I've got my baby fix for a while! 

 

I am so lucky to have such great people in my life and I hope I do a good job of letting them all know that.  I am really trying to keep my friends close and family closer.  I appreciate everything you all do for me and know that I am ALWAYS, always, always here for you.

 

Happiness in Norway

According to the Legatum Institute in London, Norway is the happiest country in the world.  In their annual Properity study, they consider a massive amount of factors and group them into categories such as safety, education, opportunity, etc.  Scandinavia is kicking ass, with Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland all in the top 10.  Sweet!  Sadly, the United States fell out of ranking and ended up in 12th place this year.  How depressing is that?  It's depressing that we're depressed. 

Here is the quickie Yahoo! article about the study.  This is totally a "grass is greener" moment, but why is Europe so COOL?!  I think of my time spent in Europe constantly and I am often jealous of all the stuff my friends over there get to accomplish.  They are much more free-spirited and can hop on a $20 flight to any country they want to in Europe.  Ugh...for us we have to save forever to get the $1200 flight across the pond.  Boooooo!  BUT...if there is something you want to do that will make you happy, do it. 

Relaxing on Grosholmen Island, Norway.  Happiness.

Happiness is what you make it.  If you're not happy with your life, then change it.  It's human nature to think other people have things better, but you can only be happy if you make yourself.
There's that saying that goes something like :  You won't regret the things you did but the things you didn't do.  I totally agree with that.  I truly live my life with no regrets (even the really shitty things that I have done to myself or others).  I learn from everything I do and to me, that is worth the experience.  Try new things, dig yourself out of your rut, and make yourself HAPPY.

 

I am happy.  Because I want to be.  What makes me happy?  My bunny.  My family.  Mike.  Friends.  Those are given, but I make sure to let all of them know I love them, spoil them, and spend time with them. The not so obvious... Fuzzy socks.  Chocolate.  Shiny jewelry.  Taking risks.  Clearance buys.  Travelling.  Trying new foods.  Feathers.  The zoo.  Sunshine.  Nifty lampshades.  Color crayons.  Music.  Hoodies.  Watching movies in bed.  Babies.  Photography.  Kindness.  The unexpected.  And lots of other stuff.  

Find happiness in the small things and make sure the big things realize they make you happy.