now i just need a hat

I'm really having fun following the assignment from TravelinOma's School Days. The latest assignment is to make a list of ten little things that improved your happiness today. Since I always write in the wee small hours of the morning, I'll write ten little things that improved my happiness yesterday.

1. I slept great! Sleeping is my main hobby. Sometimes it is quite rewarding; other times it is not so great. When I wake ready to jump out of bed, I thank God for this awesome gift.

2. I went to the temple. Before I got sick a few years ago, we attended temple each Saturday. For a time, we didn't go; it was just too much for me to drive an hour and attend a long session. Now that I'm feeling a bit better, we hope to get back to our old routine. It is such a privilege to spend that time each week in deep meditation and prayer.

3. I walked to the library. My health has improved enough for me to attempt a bit of exercise again. My favorite walks are to the grocer to get greens for our smoothies and to the library for a new book or two. Neither is more than a few blocks away. This time of year the trees are so heavy with leaves.

4. The leaves are beginning to change. Populars have bright yellow patches here and there. Lilacs are turning red. I love fall colors and weather. Summer is my favorite followed by spring and fall. A fan of winter I'm not but plan to see it with open eyes this year.

5. My husband held my hand. It took us awhile to iron out our relationship. Newly married couples are at a great risk for divorce, but we were committed to family and marriage. So we stuck it out. Since we understand each other so well now, we enjoy each other much very much. Maybe we aren't as cut as we were at 18 and 26, but we are so happy.

6. I came up with a whole new outfit right out of my closet. I love Audry Hepburn's style. In the movie Funny Face she wore a jumper, while working in a bookstore. My new outfit is like that in shades of blue instead of brown and black. It is so comfy and cute. Now I just need a hat.

7. I came up with a new before bed routine that allows me more time during the day. Instead of washing my hair in the morning, which also requires using the blow drier and more, I do it at night. This allows it to air dry, saving me 30 minutes of primping time to apply to my writing. I'm almost done getting my new daily routines together to allow time to write my new novel.

8. I noticed that it has been ages, since we had any contention in our home. The calm peaceful atmosphere is a joy. Without contention stress is minimized; health and spirituality are increased.

9. I made a simple dinner--just braised chicken breasts in brown sauce, mashed potatoes, and peas. It was enjoyable, but the real treat was all the laughing and talking around the table. Did I tell you we're using only cloth napkins now--very elegant.

10. I had time to read a very interesting book, Sex, Lies, and Menopause. It deals with cyclical replacement of bioidentical hormones in women. I like to educate myself on health issues from every angle, before I see any doctor. This way I can speak knowledgeably instead of taking what they say as gospel truth. I can take my health into my own hands. Practicing medicine, a doctor participates in an educated guessing game. It is not an exact science, as many would leave us to believe.