Three Wise Women

Happiness is a Grin, not a Grinch

Marion Ryan says:

I don't do cheesy. There's a fine line between an image of a baby or kitten that makes me go "ahhhh" or one that makes me go "arghhh".  So I almost decided not to mention the International Day of Smiles because it's a pretty cheesy idea and the website is horribly, well, bright and cheerful.

I mean, do we really need another International Day of Anything?  And do we need a special day set aside to encourage people to do something so fundamental as smile at other people?  Or have we all become so miserable and weighed down by worry that smiling has become a luxury rather than a daily necessity that makes us feel so good?

Happiness is Feeling the Passion

Marion Ryan says:

I just couldn't help myself this morning.  I hung on and hung on but eventually at just 6am on a Saturday morning I couldn't wait any longer.  I had to jump out of bed and get to work.

Work isn't everything, tho' entrepreneurs and workaholics sometimes act as if it is.  But we all need money to live and for most of us that means doing something that someone somewhere will pay us to do.

So what do you do and why do you do it?

Happiness is Tackling Tolerations

Marion Ryan says:

I keep looking at my ceilings.  Not because the experts recommend this as an instant positivity boost (as opposed to gazing down sadly at your boots).

In fact it's not just the ceilings, I'm also checking out all my other nooks and crannies because I can't believe I've found a solution to my spider problem!

I was talking about spiders the other day over on WryVita.  Outside, hanging round the garden, even stuck on the trampoline, I regard them as relatively inoffensive.  That's where they should be and as long as they don't try running up my leg, I'm moderately well disposed towards them.

Can You Leave the House in Yours?

I bought a pair of Birkenstocks recently, pink natch.   And I've been practising wearing them at home, but today is my first day out of the house in them.   Friends swear by them for comfort and so on, and so I thought it was worth a go (after a few years umming and aahing) but walking in them is quite a challenge.   And so today is their first trip outside.

Driving?  Hmm, a bit dodgy, but we got through unscathed, but then it was before 6 a.m!   I dont think I would want to wear them in tense traffic conditions, and I'm inclined to think that bare feet would be better for driving.

Whistling Carrots

Happy April Fool's Day!

I'm not going to even attempt to hoax you lot because you're all far too bright and switched on to be taken in by me.  But in the peace of a Saturday morning in my house I've been taking a look at the Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes which you may want to browse through yourself but here are a few goodies that I hadn't come across before.

Happy Moth!

Happy Moth, that's what I am today.  Well it's what Jake wished for me anyway:

Happy Moth
Ers Day

It really is the thought that counts, isn't it?  For my birthday last month Jake almost bought me an MP3 player but I ended up with something far more special - a set of paintbrushes!  And as he keeps telling people, "there was an eraser included too".

I knew I couldn't let him spend his savings on the IPod I do want so it meant a lot to me that he went shopping and using his imagination, found something that I could use in my latest hobby, painting water colours.

So-Called Clever Food

Being a mother requires you to walk a fine line between wanting your child to 'fit in' and you not being taken for a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.

So I admit I feel some guilt in the supermarket when I walk past the chilled cabinets and see row upon row of gleaming Actimel yoghurt drinks begging to be picked up and put in Jake's lunchbox.

These days I avoid those aisles if Jake is with me.  Or leave him leafing through "Soap Today" or whatever those mags are called that tell him what's going to be happening this week in Eastenders while I walk round in peace.

Chilling Out With Cats

They drive me mad half the time but right now when all five of them (four cats and a dog) are snoozing and quiet, they really are a very good stress management tool.

The two sister cats are curled up with Waggy.  Their brother is draped across the top of the settee and their son/nephew is snuggled up on my lap basking in the heat and light of the fire.

Although none of them is older than around two, they don't feel any guilt at all about sleeping half the day away.

In fact, they only really wake up to eat, clean themselves and go and find me a mouse or two.

Of course, I never get a whole one...

So What Are You Giving Up For Lent?

Ash Wednesday yesterday signalled the start of Lent for Christians and traditionally, therefore, a time  of fasting and abstinence for the six weeks until Easter Sunday.

I happily disregarded Lent for many years and would probably still continue to do so were it not for  Jake; I guess the schools and the teachers have a duty to  help our children practise their faith so these days, we have to consider what exactly we are going to give up.

Younger Than I'll Ever Be Again

It was my birthday last week and I received some lovely cards and presents.

One card was from one of my sisters who has only recently started speaking to me again after a couple of years of silence.  A painful situation because she was annoyed about something outside of my direct control and I felt hurt that she chose to blame me for it.  Fortunately though, events have moved on and she sent me a good card:  "How old?  Never mind, you may be older than you've ever been before..." and inside,