10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Saying, "I feel like I look gross today" and Christian says, "Really?  I think you look great."
2. Saying something funny and Christian makes a face like he's trying not to laugh, but then he can't help it and he laughs anyway.
   
3. Warm, sunny, windy weather in January.
4. Thinking about the fact that LOST starts only one week {!!} from today.
5. Thinking about the patio garden I'm going to have this spring.
6. My formula for the perfect Cookout meal: hamburger {lettuce/tomato/cheese/mustard/mayo}, fries, onion rings, a large Coke, an extra order of hush puppies, ranch and mustard to dip everything in, and two spoonfuls of Christian's milkshake.
7. Eating my Cookout leftovers the next day.
8. Pulling something out of the back of my closet and looking awesome in it.
9. The smell of my new Yes To Carrots shampoo and conditioner.
10. Blog comments.  {That's not a hint -- it's the truth.}
    

I haven't been in the greatest mood today, mostly because I {disastrously} tried to paint our dining room last week, and now it's driving me crazy.  I thought I would make a Happy List {in the style of Taza, because yes, I am obsessed with The Rockstar Diaries} to try and cheer myself up.  After thinking for a while, I realized that I am not a particularly happy person.  And I don't think, I know some people reading this are thinking, "It took you this long to figure that out?"  But it's something I want to work on.  I want to be happier.  And I have ideas; suggestions are also welcome.

{photo via PaperTissue}

Uncle Christian

Yesterday Alice dropped Hayden and Kate at our house while she went to a doctor's appointment.  Christian had work off for MLK Day, but Laura didn't, so we had my little Lara as well.  I was feeling miserably sick {and still am}, so Christian entertained the kids like the awescredible husband and uncle he is.  I love this picture.  It was such a sweet moment...

...although, afterward I wondered if both of them wanted to sit in his lap only because they love him and wanted to play with him...

...or if their jealousy of each other had something to do with it.

Friday Night

Christian and I went ice skating Friday night with Joel and Rochelle. There's a {very small} temporary rink in downtown Raleigh that was crowded, but we had fun. Christian was much more sure of himself than I was {... or maybe he's just a better skater?}, doing spins and pushing kids down right and left. I was determined that, however awkward I might look, I wasn't going to fall down; however, Christian knocked me down at the end of the night, getting himself elbowed in the face in the process.

Afterward we went to the new Dunkin' Donuts on Western, which, it turns out, runs out of everything after about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. We got some good doughnuts, but, at the recommendation of the {albeit, very generous} Dunkin' Donuts employee, got four white chocolate hot cocoas with caramel. Joel described them as looking like dirty dishwater, which they did, being a very strange shade of gray, and Rochelle described them as tasting like hot, sweet milk, after which Christian and decided he was through {because nothing grosses Christian out like warm milk}. It was definitely an adventure, and I love adventures.

Thoughts on Last Year's Goals

Three hundred and seventy-six days ago, I wrote this post describing my goals for 2009.  I don't really like to read it; failure isn't a pleasant thing to face.  I probably wouldn't ever read it again, except that I feel the need for closure on those goals before I make new ones.  And since I was so public in my declaration of my 2009 goals, I want to be equally as public in evaluating how well I followed through with them.  It only seems fair.  I'm going to do them in reverse order, though.  It only seems easier that way.

Goal 5: Watch the entire Seinfeld series.  Completed.  I expected this goal to be incredibly easy, and it was.  Excellent.

Goal 4: Maintain regular personal scripture study, journal writing, and morning prayers.  My accomplishments in regards to personal scripture study and journal writing have not been satisfactory.  On the other hand, I have, finally, for the first time in my life, managed to establish a pattern of regular morning prayers.

Goal 3: Wear my retainer every night.  I began wearing my retainer again until I started experiencing daily migraines and jaw pain.  I then decided it wasn't worth it.  Adult braces, here I come.

Goal 2:  Read all the books on my "to-read" list.  Number of books read in 2009: one.  This one.

Goal 1:  Make all A's in school this semester.  This goal in particular is the one that I've been avoiding thinking about.  I don't really have words to express how terribly I messed this one up.  I could say things like "I almost failed most of my classes" or "I didn't try hard enough," but it doesn't really describe the situation very well.  I'm very disappointed in myself for doing so poorly.

What a depressing post; I'm sorry it's such a downer.  But 2009 wasn't all bad.  I'm going to collaborate with Christian and post a {quite belated} 2009 Year in Review, highlighting all the fun times and good moments.  Check back for it soon -- it'll be worth it.