*in no particular order
Finding 101 things to be happy for, when you're suffering from depression, is no easy feat! Sometimes you have to look at the little things...they all add up to major happiness. Happiness that you might not recognise at the time. I have decided that life needs to be happy, and I need to remember it more often. Over the course of the year, I'll be completing the challenges set by Home Life Simplified's "52 weeks to simplify your life", in an effort to seek happiness and to well...simplify life. The first challenge was to document the things that made you happy throughout 2011. Here's just a few...not bad, huh!
- holidaying with the family at Merry Beach
- hand feeding rainbow lorikeets
- sleeping on my really comfortable pillow
- spending my life with my bff Andrew
- wearing sandals with pretty painted toenails
- hanging a vinyl forest decal in my loungeroom
- experiencing my first animated 3D movie at the cinemas...amazing
- flying in a flight simulator and not crashing the plane
- spending time with my friends scrapbooking
- watching Seth shuffling to LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem"
- discovering new challenges at work, and finding out I actually enjoy them
- Emeline finally being night time toilet trained
- laughing so hard watching The Inbetweeners
- going on a date with my husband
- learning how to decorate cakes in fondant
- being fitted for a properly fitting bra
- hosting a scary Scooby Doo party for Seth's 8th birthday
- enjoying family meals at our dining table
- laughing so hard with Wendy and Susan...my roomies at Camp Mojo
- witnessing my brother-in-law marry the lovely Racheal
- discovering Pinterest and being inspired
- winning loads of goodies through online competitions
- getting my desk buddy back at work
- travelling to Melbourne for Blogopolis
- meeting so many online friends in real life
- taking time to rest and recuperate
- hosting a tea party for Emeline's 6th birthday
- wearing my yellow necklace by Lovisa
- having my hair washed by the hairdresser
- receiving handmade tissue paper flowers from Seth for my birthday
- enjoying back massages from the kids
- having my layout published on the cover of Scrapbook Creations
- fluffy bunnies (okay, I was just phoning that one in)
- working part time so that I'm home when the kids come home from school
- blogging what I want, when I want...no rules
- trying new recipes
- enjoying a nanna nap on the lounge while the kids play nicely
- making Eme's hair look super cute
- playing with my iPhone4
- watching the kids perform in their school assemblies
- reading Grazia magazine every week...love a bit of glamour and trash
- working out at water aerobics
- having cuddles with my kids
- eating really good chocolate
- creating gorgeous fascinators to wear
- watching Seth play rugby league, jumping up and down all excitedly, cheering him on
- swimming and floating in the pool
- decorating our buffet with glittery, pastel eggs and flowers for Easter
- watching the kids run down the hill from the bus stop, excited to see me
- sitting/lying on our new leather lounge
- getting up to mischief with Muggins the Elf
- trying to take responsibility of our finances, instead of ignoring them
- patting our freshly washed and groomed dog Marley
- chatting with Jodie (must do more often)
- sending out a family photo Christmas card and hearing people's responses
- making friends with wonderful bloggers who are so supportive
- finding boots that fit my wide calves
- watching copious amounts of Lifestyle Home television
- listening to Eme reading books, and hearing her improve over the year
- being presented with wonderful PR opportunities
- reorganising the linen cupboard, and keeping it that tidy
- welcoming my hubby home after he'd been working away for weeks
- celebrating my mum's birthday with high tea at the Camellia Gardens
- watching the Royal Wedding and sharing the experience online with friends
- dancing the first dance with my hubby at N&R's wedding
- learning more about html coding
- cuddling my newborn cousins born this year
- talking to my hubby every night before falling asleep
- turning on the airconditioner on a super hot day
- singing along to my favourite tunes while driving along in the car
- lying in bed on a lazy Sunday morning, and the kids climbing in
- eating perfectly poached eggs, cooked by my hubby
- finding my keys after they'd been missing for months
- having a tidy house (albeit momentarily)
- knowing that Andrew's grandfather is no longer suffering (happy but sad)
- taking lots of photos and scrapbooking those memories
- discovering how colourful and delicious macarons are
- decluttering all of our dvd's and getting rid of the dvd tower
- seeing my blog stats double over the last six months
- reading and discovering new (to me) blogs
- making a tough decision and feeling at peace with it
- avoiding any hospital stays with Eme this year
- hearing the kids laughing
- having floor picnics in the loungeroom and watching movies
- talking and laughing with my friends
- retreating with my scrapbook friends and getting creative
- hosting giveaways on my blog and brightening my readers days
- simplifying meal time by using menu planning
- celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary
- reading the kids school reports and being completely proud of their progress
- painting our living space the perfect shade of pale grey/blue (Antarctica Lake 1/4 strength)
- finding funny photos the kids have taken on my iPhone
- rediscovering the joy and spirit of Christmas
- watching the school Christmas concert
- making and giving personalised gifts to the kids' teachers
- hosting a get together with all of my female cousins
- walking around my local markets and supporting the local traders
- beaming with pride as Eme and Seth were flowergirl and page boy
- actually staying awake until midnight on New Year's Eve
- seeing in the new year with my wonderful neighbours
- finally saying goodbye to 2011!
I did not enjoy 2011. I couldn't wait to see the back of it, but upon compiling this list, I realise, it wasn't as bad as I thought...
Accepting the challenge of completing
Home Life Simplified's
52 weeks to simplify your life
