Happy Valentine’s Day! Did this minor holiday sneak up on anyone else or was that just me? John and I are going to a fundraising dinner tonight which sounds perfect – I don’t have to cook supper and I get to spend the evening with my handsome husband.
I felt disoriented all week. The kids were still home from school (sick) on Monday, which meant I had been home with at least one sick kiddo for six. straight. days. There were lots of disturbed nights of sleep in the mix, so I was relieved to see them both head back to school on Tuesday. And then yesterday was a “snow” day.
But if those are my main quibbles from the week, life is good.
Before I forget, I will be doing a FIG roundup on my blog this SUNDAY! If you have something you’d like included – a link to a post, a list of FIGs, relevant pictures – feel free to send them my way: optimisticmusings {at} gmail {dot} com
Without further ado, it’s time for Happy Things. I’m not quite sure where to draw the line between Happy Things and FIGs so I’m keeping my list a bit shorter than usual since some of the things I would normally classify as “Happy Things” I’m currently filing away under “FIGs”.
JOHN
Regardless of the date on the calendar I’m so in love with this guy. We were all ecstatic to have him come home and had a nice family weekend, complete with two at-home date nights!
*In my Valentine’s Post from last year, I compared my husband to cheese. That post also includes a few wedding photos and pictures from when the kids were itty bitty! My goodness the years fly.*
THE SUPERBOWL
To be fair, I didn’t have any “skin in the game” but for several reasons I was keen to see the Eagles win. Did they ever! I was also delighted the game ended up being a blowout. I find sporting events extremely stressful when the score is close. This year I was able to go to bed before the game was over with zero FOMO.
John had some friends over from church to watch the game, so they sequestered themselves in the family room with nachos and chili and dips and I happily puttered upstairs – alternating reading a book in the living room with popping in on the kids who were watching the game on John’s iPad (they were still too sick to be hanging around guests).
A SNOWY WALK
I already posted some pictures from our recent woods walk, but it was one of those positive winter moments when I was actually grateful for the snow and crisp air.
A GOOD DECLUTTER
Every single time I do a declutter I feel like a butterfly escaping a chrysalis. I can fly!
I took a giant bag of too-small clothes to the kids consignment store and two smaller bags to the adult consignment store. I reorganized our recycling/garbage setup in our furnace room. John took two perfectly functional but unneeded tabletop fans to a local thrift store as a donation, and I have two more small boxes ready to go. And we cleared a decent-sized box of donations/trash out of Indy’s room (he was surprisingly keen since it was a stipulation of having screen time on his snow day).
*Contented sigh*
SNAIL MAIL
I sent two letters…and I received two letters.
This week a “Galentines” + Valentine’s note arrived from Nicole, and a lovely homemade postcard came from Michelle! Thank you both – what a delight.
THRIFTING
I found a pair of thick, cozy Helly Hansen socks at a thrift store and they fit like a charm and are perfect in my (thrifted) Columbia winter boots. (They were $1!)
I also found the SOFTEST blue sweater. It has pockets which makes it look the tiniest bit wonky on my hips but I don’t care because it’s my new official working-from-home shirt. (I think it was $4.75!)
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- Fever reducers.
- The Cool Bloggers Book Club. Isn’t it beyond wonderful that people from around the world (bloggers and non-bloggers; all are welcome!) are reading the same book together (The Blue Castle)?! And the biggest Happy Thing is Engie’s excellent leadership – she posts such insightful questions and the comment section on the weekly chapter discussions are a delight.
- Our fuel delivery arrived BEFORE we ran out. Phew. It was close. I left my order until the last minute and then the fuel company had mechanical issues which meant they were delayed for three days. It has been bitterly cold lately, so our backup heat is kicking in a lot when the heat pump can’t keep up with the heating demand.
- Finding Indy a pair of skates in his size at a consignment store, having store credit so they only cost $18, and taking his old skates to the same consignment store. Maybe I’ll end up breaking even?
- Leftovers. It’s so nice to have food and not just ingredients.
- Sitting at the dining room table in the sunshine.
- The minty taste of a fresh piece of gum.
- Falling asleep quickly.
- Getting to start a new season of GBBO. It’s Nancy’s season, and I love Nancy!
- WordPress blogs that have e-mail notifications if someone responds to my comment.
- John made our best-to-date version of the
Cool BloggersNora Cooks Curry Chickpea Salad. You know my stance on baths (*shudder*), but I think I could happily bathe in a pool of this chickpea deliciousness. - This Caroline Girvan full body stretch video.
- Homemade (donair) pizzas and carrot cake for a relaxed birthday meal for my mom.
And that’s a wrap. I’ll be back on Sunday with a rundown of FIGs.
Your turn.
- What do you often leave until the last minute?
- What are the first two Happy Things that come to mind from this last week?
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Melissa
Your snowy walk certainly was pretty. I always think to myself when I have a virus how glad I am to have panadol and nurofen to help get through it. I would have hated to live when you just had to bear it.
The thing I leave to the last minute—getting up in the morning on the days when I can’t wake up naturally. I always allow a lot less time to get ready than G.
Two happy things this week: our cabinet was delivered for our bedroom, we’ve been waiting for it to come back in stock for months. 6 new families at our mainly music group.
Elisabeth
Things like a simple cut or fever (that we tend to be able to quickly and effectively treat these days) would have taken lives in the past. The wonders of modern medicine are something that are so easy to take for granted.
Love your happy things. I hope you blog about the cabinet. I really appreciate your decorating aesthetic and would love to see what you chose and how you’re using it.
mbmom11
I try not to leave things to the last minute; I like things done early or I fret. However, dinner is sometimes last minute, because I know I have enough food in the freezer/pantry. Sonething will come to me. ( I am not an exciting cook so it’s the same boring meals. Not a challenge to throw together!)
Happy things: the snowfall was light enough to not be a problem and it looks pretty outside.
Elisabeth
I used to HAVE to get things done early, had to show up to everything ahead of schedule (or I considered myself late), but I’ve really changed my approach as I’ve gotten older. I feel like some of the motivation to finish early is gone? When I was in academics, it felt like I could rise to the top faster/more effectively if I was always ahead and now I know that even if I rush to clean the bathroom ahead of schedule, that just means it will need to be cleaned sooner.
That is my favourite type of snow – enough to make the world look like a postcard, but not thick enough to muddle plans.
Coree
Sending you healthy vibes! T is with my parents in Portugal for spring break, which has been great for him (he’s living his best life, eating octopus, going to the beach, dino park, etc) and nice for us to have some time. It’s been really full on so not having to worry about bedtime, the school run, etc, has been a relief.
My bittersweet Friday moment is that I spent yesterday AM with my husband’s aunt’s husband who has been moved to hospice. We’ve known he was sick, he’s a beloved figure in our life, but they are quite private, and we couldn’t quite figure out if a visit would be welcome or not. We got a bit of a frantic text yesterday, and I decided I would just go as I had a quiet day at work. I was pretty anxious – would I be welcome? would he be embarassed for me to see him in a state? but got such a lovely greeting when I walked in the door, and spent a really nice 2 hours. He’s due to be sent home, and we’ve now got a plan to take advantage of my work flexibility and give his wife a bit of respite. I’ll go hang out and grade papers/do lecture prep for a few hours, and she can take a shower, a walk, have a nap, etc.
I think A and I were both feeling quite daunted, and uncertain, and I’m glad I ripped the bandaid off.
Elisabeth
Coree, I cannot tell you how much I wise I was in Portugal right now. It’s so cold and depressing in Canada. Beaches sound DIVINE right about now.
I’m so sorry for the difficult family medical situation, but I’m glad you have a clear plan of action and will be able to provide support. It’s so hard to watch someone you love going through a difficult season and I’m sure your presence means so much.
Birchie
The Blue Castle is high on my list of favorite things right now.
I don’t know what the difference between happy things and FIGs are either, but I do know that there is a lot of stuff on the list, so that’s another happy thing/FIG.
Elisabeth
I am loving the book! I feel like Valancy has become my “blue castle” this February. When – can I admit this as the ringleader of the F.I.G. Collective – I’m feeling pretty glum (as Ernie so perfectly summarized the overwhelming mood in blogland/the world at large). Her spunk makes me so happy and reading the book has been a wonderful little escape from reality.
Jenny
Ugh, I leave WAY too many things till the last minute! I’m not sure fuel would be one of them, if it involved having heat in the winter though. You had a lot of happy things this week, and you still have figs coming up! It sounds like things are going well, in spite of it being winter and having sick kids.
I forgot about our chickpea salad! (How is that even possible???) I’ll have to make some this week. And the CCBC is definitely a happy thing- I LOVE The Blue Castle!
Elisabeth
Things are good – I have no reason to complain, though reading Ernie’s comment (from yesterday, I think?) I agree that “glum” is a good blanket statement for how I feel right now. Too much time at home with sick kids or kids home off school because of the weather, but I also don’t want to leave the house at all because it is so cold (SO COLD, Jenny).
The chickpea salad was soooo delicious. I’ve been eating it with crunchy rice crackers and it is delicious.
Nicole MacPherson
Yay for snail mail! So many good things for you this week! I had the best Galentines yesterday, I had a morning book club with the Squad and it was Galentine themed, then a writing date in the afternoon, then I went for dinner and to the Kelowna Actors Studio with some girlfriends. So fun!
Elisabeth
That sounds like a day filled to the brim with Happy Things! I should have known I could count on you to boost my mood this morning (when I’m feeling a bit bitter about the weather and the fact the kids are home AGAIN!)
Colleen Martin
Gosh your wintery wood walks are magical – we don’t really have woods around us like that unless we drive to a hike. I mean, I can’t really complain when we walk by the ocean 🙂
I’m so glad you can have a Valentine’s date (aka fundraiser) with your hubby tonight and that your kids are on the mend. This winter has been awful with viruses.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Elisabeth
We’re so fortunate to have such lovely hiking trails nearby!!
It feels like everyone I know has sick kids right now. Ugh. Onward and upward!
Michelle G.
Yay for Happy Things Friday! You’ve listed so many wonderful things; even gum made the list! I’m happy to know that your Valentine has arrived! I can’t think of what I leave until the last minute. I’m sure there are things, but I’m blank! Two happy things this month are The Blue Castle and my new vacuum!
Elisabeth
I’m so glad you like your new vacuum! And The Blue Castle is probably my favourite book so far in 2025. I’m so happy it has been such a hit with the book club readers.
Sarah
I bought gifts and then at the last second FORGOT to wrap them or set them out. Luckily, I did it really fast before the kids came to breakfast, but what an airhead moment
Elisabeth
Well, you beat me. I think this is the first year since the kids were toddlers where I haven’t done ANYTHING for them. No chocolate, no dyed milk, no presents, no heart-shaped pancakes. Oops. I guess I decorated the mantle for them – ha.
Lindsay
“Sitting at the dining room table in the sunshine.” This. THIS! We have had such dreary days. Then, this morning, I was sitting with my coffee and my book and realized it was sunny and my entire mood just lifted – it was magic! I very much leave outfit choices to the last minute and pay the price (yet still do it). Same with refills of my skincare products.
Elisabeth
The sunshine makes such a difference. Right now the cold is REALLY getting to me. It has been windy and cold for weeks and I’m just so, so tired of it being frigid. But when the sun is out, it beats in to our dining room and it makes is SO warm and lovely. You’re so right – it instantly lifts my mood!
Jacquie
Just returned from a lovely day out with my husband – walk in the sunshine, lunch, a quick stop at Purdy’s to pick up a couple of chocolates to enjoy this evening. Now back home and ready to put my feet up and read some more of the delightful Blue Castle. Definitely feeling happy 🙂
Elisabeth
Awww, that’s lovely, Jacquie! That sounds like a wonderfully romantic day together. And capping it off with chocolate and a good book. Wow – what a Valentine’s Day.
coco
I love falling sleep quickly and leftovers too. It’s great to see how much in love you are with your husband. do you think having him away from home from time to time helps with novelty and appreciation?
happy thing this week: spontaneous lunch with a friend that led to resolve an important issue (selling our car).
Elisabeth
What a great question. I think when the kids were younger it was a strain on our relationship. The constant hellos and goodbyes (both transitionary periods) were SO hard for me. But now, it’s a much smoother process. The kids are more independent and I feel like that has made such a difference. If I had my druthers, I’d have him home all the time, but it’s our “normal” and I think it does add an unique element to our relationship since we make sure to prioritize time together when he’s home in a way we likely wouldn’t if he didn’t travel.
Allison McCaskill
It was a beautiful sunny day between two snow storms today. I did stand on the front step in the very cold crisp air on snowstorm night, and considered walking to the mailbox, but didn’t feel like putting on enough clothes.
When I borrow paper books from the library I inevitably leave it until the last minute to read them and then wonder why I am so dumb.
SO nice to have food and not just ingredients. Or sauces. Whenever the fridge is too full but there’s nothing to eat we always say ‘time for a sauce purge’.