30 Day Challenges Day 3 - 10 Things That Make Me Happy and White Wolves Update

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to check out Kate's lists at The Suddenly Kate Show. Today she's sharing some of her most popular writing and yesterday was 10 super powers people wish they had. Both posts are thought provoking and I look forward to reading tomorrow's post. 

I came up with the "happy" topic last night because I'm still having some issues with my back/neck, but I'm determined to work through it. One way is to try and think of things that make me happy instead of letting myself go down the "everything is horrible" path. Been there, done that. 

1. White Wolves 

I'm so close to a finish with this one. And yes, it's possible I'm aggravating my back by stitching, but I did take 2 nights off this week and it didn't make a difference, so I'm going back to stitching and I'm going to finish! I might get the cross stitching done by Saturday and then have just the back stitch to finish which shouldn't be more than one or two nights. 

Here's the last full photo I've taken:

And a close-up of the wolf's face from last night:

2. My car

I drive a 2012 VW Beetle and I love it. It's comfortable on long drives, it has a great sound system and it's fairly full efficient. It is black and that makes it a little warm in the summer, but it also makes it warmer in the winter. We had winter for about 6 months this past season, so I'm still happy about the colour as well. 

3. Good friends

Both online and around home I have people that I can talk to about practically anything and can pick up where we left off even if it's a year later. It feels good to keep in touch with people that can pick you up when you're feeling down, commiserate on issues, be righteously angry on your behalf and celebrate with you when things are great.

4. My sight

I work in the eye business and have seen many people that have lost vision for a variety of reasons. My grandmother is mostly blind in one eye from macular degeneration and that has a hereditary aspect, so there's a chance that is in my future. I was strongly nearsighted for most of my life until I had LASIK 2 years ago. That went well and although I need reading glasses I don't regret having it done. 

Considering how much I love stitching and enjoy online activities, like visiting other blogs, I will hope to retain my sight for the rest of my life. 

5. Audible

I would love to have said "local library" but Audible has really been progressive in allowing me to listen to audio books anywhere. Now that I can use the app on my phone it makes it very easy to pick up the story at any time. I don't have to fiddle with CDs or tapes or install software that blocks use after a couple of weeks. I realize why libraries do that, and I am paying Audible for this service, but it is worthwhile to me. I barely have time to read paper books anymore and when I stitch I really enjoy having an audio book to listen to. 

6. Chocolate

How could it not? Apparently eating chocolate makes women react very differently as far as brain activity than men. So there is a scientific basis on why chocolate makes me happy and satisfied. That makes sense to me. :) And if you've never tried the Chocolove company I linked to, you're missing out. 

7. Trader Joe's

TJ's opened here last year and it is awesome. They have so many different foods that I can eat and they're reasonably priced as well. Their goat cheese is fantastic and they have 2 goat cheddars, goat gouda and goat brie as well as the normal soft goat cheese. And goat cream cheese! 

It's a little dangerous going shopping there because there is always something new and interesting to buy. They also have a great chocolate section with so many different kinds of chocolates. There are dairy free mint cremes, dairy free! Those are very hard to resist. Enough of that before I lose my will to not have refined sugar. :)

8. Green Tea

I went through a stomach issue a few years back that means I can't have coffee anymore unless I want to risk damaging my insides. That left tea, and green tea is a little better for me than black tea, although I will drink it occasionally. My favourite tea used to be Earl Grey, but since that is difficult to find in green tea I will usually choose Green Tea Chai. It has a great taste to it and I really enjoy it when I can find it. 

9. DH

I'm lucky enough to have a partner in every sense of the word. He supports me in everything I do, thinks I can achieve anything I want and helps keep me motivated to accomplish goals. He's also a fantastic father to our daughter and that brings me to number 10.

10. DD

She was a complete surprise and she continues to be a wonderful one. I never expected to be a mother and wasn't really sure I wanted to be, but I'm happy to be one to DD. She's in a really fun stage now and saying "Mamama" and "Dadada" often as well as adding other words like "allo Mama" and "Mama up". I'm sure the 2s and beyond will be stressful, but I think I might just be up for it. 

Here's a photo of the 2 of them after biking. 

Thanks for following along and don't forget to check out Kate's blog too!

Happy Stitching,

Tiffstitch