Gratitude | BulgingButtons

December 16, 2013
by BulgingButtons 17 Comments

Simple Things – Kitchen Edition

This could be my kitchen’s clean twin.

Life is made happier by noticing the simple pleasures and appreciating them. Here are some things that make me happy in the kitchen.

1. An empty sink and dishwasher. I don’t enjoy the chore of putting away dishes, so if I use a dish it’s nice to know that I can easily rinse it and put it in the dishwasher. A pile of dirty dishes in the sink isn’t so nice to look at, and a dishwasher full of clean dishes is a chore waiting to be done.

2. A well stocked pantry. I can pull a meal together, make lunches for myself and my family, and know that I can do a little baking if I want to when the pantry is well stocked. Currently it is not. Bummer.

2a. A well stocked fridge and freezer. Again, options abound and we can make healthy choices when I’ve taken the time to make a list and actually follow it.

3. Cleared off counter tops. I grew up in a home with a lot of clutter. Not dirty, just a lot of stuff. I prefer to have more space and less stuff, especially in my kitchen. I want to see those expanses of builder grade pinkish formica! Something about having less on the counter is calming to me.

4. The smell of something good cooking. I love food. This should come as no surprise. So when there’s something delicious cooking I enjoy the aroma. Of course at that point the counters are usually covered, there’s a lot of dirty dishes in the sink, and the supplies from the fridge and pantry have dwindled, but that’s what it’s all about in the first place, isn’t it?

5. The knowledge that we have more than enough and never have to face the day hungry. My mother used to tell us about starving kids in China. I thought it was a lame attempt at guilting us into eating something unpleasant, but as an adult I do appreciate that we have more than enough. That alone, is something to be thankful for each and every day.

November 15, 2013
by BulgingButtons 3 Comments

My Poor Aching Hamster Paws

I feel like that proverbial hamster on a wheel, the faster I go, the faster I have to keep going so I don’t get flung off into oblivion. I’m afraid I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew, here at the midway point of November. Yes, I have blogged every day for NaBloPoMo and yes, I have added to my word count every day for NaNoWriMo, and yes, I have showed up on time for work each and every day of this month (and all the months before, thank goodness), but how am I really doing at each of these things? Fair to middling, I’d say. But I won’t give up. I can do this!

Lucky me, I have a great support team at work and at home. These people pick up the slack without as much as a grumble (to my face, anyway). They know I will step up my game soon, and they will hold me to it, but in the meanwhile they’re cutting me a little slack. I love these people. Instead of making me feel like an incompetent jerk they grease the skids of my life. How fortunate am I?

So now I will take a deep breath, clear off another pile of paper from my table, and dig back into my work. Thanks, guys. You know who you are, and you know I am the luckiest person on earth because of you.

November 14, 2013
by BulgingButtons 11 Comments

Some More Small Things

Since originally posting about the small things in life that make me happy, I have been noticing them all over the place. This is a very good thing, as being mindful and finding the positives in life have a way of making life more pleasant and emotionally fuller.

In fact I’ve been mulling over these small things so much that I’m toying with the idea of making the small things a regular feature of the blog. While I wrestle with that momentous decision, I would like to offer you five more from the depths of my heart.

1. Blowing the fluff off a dandelion. Yes, I know these are weeds, and yes, I know that this is how you spread their seeds, but something about that whoosh of air releasing those soft white puffs into a million delicate paratroopers is just magical.

2. Pitching a penny into a fountain and making a wish. Growing up we NEVER did this. A penny saved is a penny earned, after all. However, taking the time to stop for a moment and give some thought to my wishes is worth more than the cost of the penny to me, and sharing that moment with my son is far more valuable than that.

3. The scent of lemons. It takes me right back to junior high school and Love’s Fresh Lemon fragrance. I never did like the Baby Soft scent, though.

4. Pop-up books. They are so clever and engaging and beg to be enjoyed again and again.

5. The text I get from my sweetheart each day telling me to have a good day and reminding me that he loves me. Each day it’s slightly different and he’s made up a million cute little names for me that are only used in those messages. They are silly and sweet and fun, and they just make me happy.

What small things make you happy? Surround yourself with happiness and maybe it will catch on.