Happiness

I am a big supporter of being happy in life and doing what you need to do to live a happy life. Life is FAR too short to spend it miserable. Whenever I see unhappy people, I wonder why they aren't doing anything to change their situation. I've seen it many times. It makes me sad. Maybe they can't change it...maybe they don't have the energy. Who knows. But I will not live my life being unhappy.

So.....in my life, I will not deprive myself of anything. We live within our means and do what we can, but I want to make the most of our time here. We know well from experience that life can be taken away in the blink of an eye. I want no regrets.

So no...we don't have tons of cash in a savings account. We spend our money on things that make us happy. But not so much in the way of belongings. Yeah, I do like to wear nice clothes, but I am a super bargain shopper.  We like to take trips, go to the movies, go out to eat. Unfortunately, there is little that is free in this world. You can't even go to the park for free, at least not the bigger state and national parks. Even those have an admission fee.I know other people find happiness in a big fat savings account...I'm just not one of them.

I love to eat. There is just something so satisfying about a fabulous meal. Comforting. And I won't deny myself that joy so I can be super skinny. (Honestly, even if I could be, I wouldn't want to be stick-like...I like looking like a woman.) Luckily I have always had a relatively easy time staying thin. But that doesn't mean I don't gain weight. I watch what I eat. I exercise. Exercise is very important to me and so is being healthy and doing what I can to stay that way. But I splurge too. I exercise so I can eat what I want and not feel guilty about it. I'm gonna enjoy my life and part of that is enjoying what I eat. I don't splurge all the time, but the rest of the time I'm not going to be miserable either. I would be miserable on a no carb diet, so I will never do it. I try to eat things that are healthy and good for me, but things I also enjoy. I've been pretty lucky finding lots of great recipes. And again, other people may find happiness in having only 5% body fat and eating cardboardly food all day every day, but not me.

Lastly is hobbies and music and movies and all other entertainment forms. I will not avoid what makes me happy because others think it is silly or weird or not worth the time. I like what I like and I won't let anyone else's opinion stop me from enjoying how I spend my free time. I like boy bands and have seen NKOTB several times over the last few years. I am in my mid-30's a take a dance class that performs on stage during recital. I enjoy crafting and scrapbooking. I ADORE Disney World!!!! It used to really bother me when people would say "You're going there again?" Yeah....I am. And I love every minute I spend there. I'd go far more often if we could afford it.

So, my advice for today is to do what makes you happy. As long as you aren't hurting anyone else, go nuts!! It's your life. Don't let anyone make you feel like less of a person for doing what makes you happy. Leave this earth without regrets. I'm sure no one dies and says "Damn, I really took way too many vacations when I was alive."

Guest Blogging! Come on Get Happy!

Blogging today over at Sondrae's Corner about being happy and how important it is!!

Sondrae's Corner

Job vs. Career

Do you have a job or a career?

There is a huge difference between the two, if you ask me. A job is just what you do to make money. It doesn't necessarily make you happy. It pays the bills. A career is also an occupation, but you find fulfillment with it.

I have been very blessed to have had two careers in my lifetime so far...and who knows...maybe there will be more! I started out with a career as a floral designer and when I was no longer happy doing it, I worked toward a career as an author.

And I think women choose careers more with fulfillment in mind than men. As archaic as it is, I think men feel the need to be the provider and choose jobs that make good money and have good benefits even if it doesn't necessarily make them happy. 

What do you think??

An Award! Thanks so much!

A HUGE thanks to Catherine Denton at Winged Writer for honoring me with this award!! Check her out!!!

Happiness is essential in life....you absolutely MUST fine somehting in life to make you happy...big things, little things, silly things, things that other people think are silly....something that puts a smile on your face. Without that....for me, life is worthless.

Here are 10 things that make me happy, some silly, some not:

1: My family
2: My writing and my book contract
3: Scrapbooking
4: NKOTB!!!!!
5: Disney World
6: Food...I just love to eat!
7: Dancing
8: Feeling/looking pretty
9: The ocean
10: Friends

What makes you happy??? Here is what makes me happy!

A HUGE thanks to Dawn Simon at Plotting and Scheming for honoring me with this award!!!!! Check her out!!!

So now, without further ado, my list of 10 things that make me truly, utterly, head over heels happy (in no particular order...just randomly as they pop into my head):


#1: My husband, who has been incredibly supportive in this literary journey I have embarked on...way more supportive than he was when I had my floral business...which to this day still puzzles me since the flower thing actually did bring in cash..... But anyway, he spoils me and gives me the freedom to create.



#2: My kids, who never cease to put a smile on my face. Well, no, that's a lie. I do not smile when my daughter gets in her little almost 7 attitude or when my son acts like the little devil he can be.



#3: My forthcoming novel, A Bitch Named Karma. I am doing a full read through after this second round of copy edits before I send it back to my editor...and let me tell you...I am still soooooooooooo in love with this story!!!

#4: Walt Disney World. I cannot help it. I LOVE that place. We feel so free and relaxed when we're there. We can have fun with the kids and leave all worries at home. I truly feel like I've been whisked away to some magical land! We love it so much, hubby and I are even sneaking away just us for a few days in April!



#5: Scrapbooking. Been so busy the past year that I have hardly had time for it, but I so love it! I have always been a crafty kind of gal, but I found craft perfection when I found scrapbooking. I am very much into pictures and photo albums and combining that with crafting is nirvana for me!!



#6: Dancing. I love to dance. This is my 11th year taking an adult jazz class...we even perform in the yearly recital! I've done ballet and competition classes too...can't do that anymore :( And I'd love to take ballroom lessons if I had the cash...even compete too. That would be so so fun!



#7: Shopping...I can't help it. If I'm sad, buying soemthing totally cheers me up. I love getting new things, especially when I get a bargain!!!!



#8: Food scented body wash and lotion. YUM!!!

#9: Having parents who don't criticize or tell me how I should live my life. (Though dad does get something in every once in a while.) They are such a breath of fresh air when I see how other people's parents are. They're not perfect, but I am very lucky!!

#10: Going out to eat! Though I love to cook...I love going out to different restaurants and trying new things! It's nice to sit back and relax and have someone else have to clean up!

Okay...Now to pick some bloggers to give this award to! You must pass it on to others and post 10 things that make you happy!!

Roni at Fiction Groupie: Love reading your posts and you don't have this award yet!!
Anne at Piedmont Writer: We are so so alike!!
Stephanie Damore: Always love your posts!!

Ever feel like this???

Really excited about something but you just keep it to yourself because you're sick and tired of hearing the thoughts that everyone else feels compelled to express about said topic.

This is happening to me right now.

We live within a budget. I do not work a regular job. We are not swimming in money. But come tax return time, we have some money and we like to splurge on ourselves. No one has issues with that fact....but everyone has a comment for what we actually do with our money.

We like to take trips and that time together is very precious to us. It's an escape from bills, work, school, responsibilities...everything. We treasure that time as a family and the rare chance that hubby and I can get away on our own.

So that's what we're doing. Hubby and I booked an extra long weekend away but we dread telling family and friends where we're going. I know we'll get the "AGAIN?" and "You were just there!" and "Don't you get sick of that place?"

At this point in our lives, no, we are not sick of it. It's what we like. I'm not siting here telling someone they can't eat steak more than once a week if that's what they like. Or what about people who buy season tickets to sporting events...I'm not asking them: "Aren't you sick of going to football games?" I would never do that. If people find joy and happiness from something...more power to them. Life is about being happy and finding it wherever you can.

Why can't people just be happy for others who are able to do the things they enjoy???

Have to share my piece of exciting news!

Thought it has absolutely nothing to do with writing...not even a tiny but.

Those that know me well, and even some that don't, know I have a couple obsessions. I'm not talking about the things I love with all my heart, like my family and kids, or my writing...these are silly things that just make me who I am, things most people think are completely stupid.

#1: New Kids on the Block. (Can't help it..loved them since I was 11.....and they've only gotten better with age)

#2: My ever growing pressed penny collection. (It's quite hard for me to walk past one and not dig in my purse for 2 quarters and a penny)

#3: Walt Disney World (Just like my writing and what I like to read, nothing brings me more joy than being immersed in a fairy tale)

And #3 is why I'm posting today. I booked our next trip and we're going almost 5 months earlier than planned. I poke around online from time to time...one of my friends recently booked a trip and another is looking to. They work fill time jobs and when I need a break from scanning my latest WIP, I pop online to check things like airfare. Well, today I came upon direct flights to and from Orlando, fabulous times (arriving in Orlando at 10:25 am and leaving at 6:35 pm) for $59 each way! Disney's Free Dining promotion has been in the back of my mind, but I had a bunch of reasons why it wouldn't work for us. Until today when I actually sat and priced it out and compared that with what it would cost to go in January when we originally planned. The deal was just too good to pass on.