ZooTZmomma

Happiness Is.....

Waking up to a brand new day ahead. Having a family to share it with and friends to laugh out loud with. Hitting the snooze on the alarm clock just that one time. Seeing your children smile. Holding someone's hand that you care about. Listening to someone tell about the old days. Just feeling the sunshine on your face.

Someone asked the question, "Are you Happy?" on a forum that I belong to, just the other day. It made be stop and think for a minute about what happiness truly is. Do we make our own happiness? Or are we born with a certain personality, certain traits that determine whether you will be happy or not?

I have come to the conclusion, at least for me, that I am responsible for my own happiness. Sure, there will be sad days ahead, life as we know it couldn't exist without rough times. But, I have decided that with the exception of those few days, I will be happy.

Today would have been my grandmother's 81st Birthday. Sadly Grandma passed away in January of '98, but it really does feel just like yesterday. I can still hear her laugh, it was infectious and funny. I can remember watching Steel Magnolias with her one day, and the laughs were plentiful. She was an amazing woman and her heart so big. I miss her, but I am thankful that I had the time with her that I did. She was always around; every birthday, every special moment, everytime that you needed an ear to listen. So instead of being sad, I can be happy today that I had her in my life for those 23 years. It was a priviledge!

So what will make me happy today?

My kids. Above is a picture taken when we were on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC, years ago. We had the best time and when I think back I remember this picture of all 3 kids in the biggest chair they had ever seen. Pure happiness.

This morning my 6 yr old son begged me to tickle the bottom of his feet. I think this was merely a ploy to stay in bed a few more minutes before getting dressed for school. Well, it worked!

My 13 yr old daughter managed to get out of bed on the first wake up call, get dressed and make breakfast for herself. Giving me just another few minutes to hit the snooze.

My 15 yr old son woke himself up(this part is miraculous!) and gave me the nicest smile when I dropped him off at the bus stop!

My husband, whom has been out of work for the last month, just left for an interview. He is waiting to hear back today on an offer from an interview this past Monday.

My mug. Yes, I know it is silly. My mom bought 2 of these for me a few weeks ago, no occasion, just because, I think she paid $1 each. They are apple green with painted white dots and were made in Spain. I'm not sure why it makes me happy to drink my hot tea from this cup, but it does! A few pictures here, because well my camera makes me happy too!

My curtains. As I sat drinking my hot tea and eating my cinnamon peanut butter toast(yummy!) this morning, I was reminded of how happy my cafe style curtains make me! I made them from a Michael Miller 50's Kitchen print. I haven't gotten around to the top curtain or the matching placemats, but these rather plain curtains make me happy just the same.

My scraps. I have the biggest tote full of scraps. I went through it the other day to give Noah's teacher a big bag full for her Kindergarten class to use. I put everything away, except for these scraps that remained on my cutting table. They just make me happy, not sure why.
My selvedges. I have to be honest and say that I have sadly been throwing these away for years! Oh, the horror! Not until I read all the great things that can be done with them here, http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2008/10/big-selvedge-project.html ,

did I realize their true potential. I have yet, to sew any up. But one day, oh one day, what fun they will be.So many things to be thankful for and it's only 9:30 in the morning!

I think my happiness should be spread around! I am going to do my first blog give away in honor of my Grandma, Clara Nell.

I have thought about it, for just a few minutes and decided my Scalloped Fancy Flea Market tote would be the appropriate gift. I had it for sale in my etsy shop, but it would make me happiest to just give it away. My first love of sewing was tote bags. My favorite line of fabric ever, Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt. And it even has a vintage button for the center of the flower, and vintage makes me smile too! I will even throw some things into the bag that make me smile and hopefully you too.

So just leave me a comment on my blog about who or what makes you happy. It can be the smallest thing. It can be silly or sweet. Just whatever puts a smile on your face. I will let you know in 2 weeks who the winner is.