A. It was Saturday. Even if there was nothing else good about my day, Saturdays, in and of themselves, are usually enough to bring me joy. There is something so wonderful about a Saturday, like being handed a whole day of freedom and opportunity (that we usually spend lounging around the house in pajama pants, but still).
B. Jackets and flip flops. The weather suddenly dropped down into the 60s, which was exciting because it was cool enough that I needed a hoodie but still warm enough to wear my beloved flip flops. Something about the combination of a lightweight jacket and flip flops makes me almost giddy, like I'm in that perfect little spot between summer and fall. Those couple of weeks every year that I actually enjoy being outside. It doesn't last long.
C. Shopping alone. The happiness reached unusual proportions when, on a Saturday, in my jacket and flip flops, I was able to do some shopping, all by myself. I know, amazing huh? It's like a mini vacation every time I'm able to go to the store, any store, all alone. And I even made it back before nap time (my other mini vacation) was over.
D. Carving pumpkins. Later that day, we all spent some time outside carving pumpkins. Well, actually, I carved pumpkins while the husband kept the children from running into the road or tripping over the carving knives. At one point, I was literally sitting in the middle of our driveway, all by myself, digging out pumpkin innards while the guys were on a walk around the neighborhood. Not quite what I had envisioned when we brought the pumpkins home, but eh, whatever works. Also, am I the only person left in the world who can only carve the generic jack-o-lantern face? (According to my Facebook newsfeed, I think I am.)
Me: "What would Brock eat? I mean, all he ever wants are Nutri-grain bars or applesauce!"
Blaine: "Well, he'll just have to learn to like other things if he wants to stay alive."
So, strange as that may all seem, those are five things that made me happy today. I'm not really sure what that says about me, but clearly it doesn't take much. And I think I'm okay with that.