I arrived in Salt Lake Thursday night.

I am staying with Kennedy at Ashley’s new home while her parents celebrate Justin’s graduation from nursing school, their 7th Anniversary, and enjoy a 2nd honeymoon in Hawaii for 10 days. 

Here’s what I’ve been up to the last few days…

Playing in the backyard, making the Kwanzan cherry tree “rain pink.” 

Making exciting discoveries of new flora – such as a wisteria just starting to bloom.

And, of course, taking pictures.

Meals at Cafe Rio. 

Daily walks to the park (only a block away from the house) where Kennedy pretends the play equipment is a big ship, surrounded by shark infested waters. 

And watching a little bit of Scooby Doo and lot of Phineas and Ferb – and their pet, Perry the Platypus (who is actually a secret agent). Who knew such delights could be repeated over and over again with “On Demand” cable.   

A LOT of Phineas and Ferb.

Kennedy says she’s going to marry Phineas (the triangle head one).

And she’s been singing this song all day.

Enjoy.

Well, not actually the last day of happy – just the last day for this meme.

 Very happy that tonight, the song that has been in my head the past three days (including all through my dreams – I hear it in my head upon waking) is finally OUT of my head.  It’s a great song – from one of my favorite musicals, “A Little Night Music” called “You Must Meet My Wife.”   Stephen Sondheim is so clever….

Today I was very happy to attend the 2 year anniverary party at my favorite local art store…. and to be able to partake of the melon and strawberries they were serving.

I was also delighted to find the biggest, most delectable, shiny, red, sweet and delicious organic strawberries on sale at Central Market.  Yum.

And thrilled that I maintained my weight again today!

You? 

Today I was really happy to discover I had maintained my weight from the day before – not up, not down.  That’s the whole goal of this hcg Phase 3 stabilization – but can be quite challenging.  First day I’ve done so since starting P3 10 days ago.

Was happy to hear about how happy Ashley is about the birds visiting her yard.   Birds and flowers…  It’s genetic. 

Happy I gained another web design customer this week.

And I’m happy that I only have one more day of this meme….

 How about you?

Today was another beautiful day – in the mid 60s – perfect for walking along the river again.   Today is a bit of a repeat on yesterday’s happiness….  there’s a kind of perpetual happiness I feel whenever I look at the beautiful area in which I live.  Even after 5 1/2 years of being here, each time I go out I sigh as I look at the evergreens, and ferns, and flowering bushes and trees….  I really love it here.  It makes me happy.

 I was also happy that my experiment at making a mock Chicken Milanese turned out ok.  Certainly not up to Machiavelli’s standard, but pretty tasty, and a nice change from my usual fare. 

Also happy that there is a good chance that the evil bright safety light on the back of my building will be turned off.   Some of you know how very strongly I feel about obnoxious lighting, and how disturbed I was when this light was turned on (after a year of living here).  So I’m happily looking forward to the potential of dark nights in my little back yard again.

What made you happy today?

On this, the 5th day of my journey on the happiness train, I am still reeling with the joy of my 90 minute massage.  Wow – what a difference I feel today!   My low back has been bothering me for a few weeks and today it feels so relaxed!

In fact, it felt so good that I went on a walk along the river….  walked nearly twice as far as I usually do because my body felt so good!  

And while I was walking, hearing the croaking frogs, watching the ducks and geese, and seeing the wildflowers growing all made me very happy.

I’m also happy that Biz has hopped on the train on her blog today.

You know the drill – what are you happy about today?

I’m on Day 4 of this happiness theme…. 

Today, I’m really, really happy that I get to go have a 90 minute massage in a few hours.  I need it badly and am really looking forward to it.

There’s also a lot of happiness eminating from my little garden.  Bright red azalea in bloom, aubretia tumbling down the rock wall, splashes of blue forget-me-nots, all my perennials growing nicely….  and the Sluggo I used seems to have negated the slug problem… at least temporarily.

Happiness abounds.

What’s making YOU happy today?

I’m really happy today that the weather was sunny, but not too hot.    My rock garden is blooming, and I have a brand new pink fuchsia hanging on my patio awaiting the return of my favorite hummingbird. 

 Also happy for the very friendly and affectionate orange tabby cat that comes to visit and snooze on my patio chairs….  the birds don’t particularly enjoy his presence, however.

 I’m also happy that Ashley is willing to go and do birthday shopping for my mom on my (and my siblings) behalf, is patience with my indecision, and then deliver said gift once decided upon.  Thanks, Ash : )

So, share your happiness for the day….

What am I happy about today?

Well, first, I’m so happy you have posted what makes YOU happy – I really enjoy reading your comments.  So thanks – and keep it up!

Next, I’m really happy with my beautiful tulip bouquet…. 

They were fresh cut from the local tulip fields – 40 of them for only $10 - and purchased at the local Central Market.  Man, I love living in the northwest (and I guess that’s happy thing #3).

I’m also happy for my son, Brandon, who was just cast as Judah in a community theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  And granddaughter Emily (age 5) gets to sing on the children’s chorus.

I love that show (I played in a pit orchestra for 2 or 3 different productions – great fun), and am delighted that both he and Emily will get to enjoy the experience together

So, tell me what makes you happy today?

I’ve decided to hop on the happy train, started by Chris on her blog, and continued by Michelle.

So for the next 8 days, you get a peek into what’s making me happy each day. Lucky you.

Today – I’m so happy to be on Phase 3 of my diet and can eat lots of food again.  I was getting so VERY bored with chicken, lettuce, celery and onion….    Today for lunch, chicken salad with almonds.   For dinner – a taco salad (sans chips, but topped with lots of sour cream) followed by a chocolate torte with real whipped cream.  Yum.

My other happiness for the day is this artistic offering Miss Kennedy drew of the two of us, and her mom mailed to me (along with a few others) .  This was my favorite.  I’m in the striped dress, Kennedy is in the circles. 

So, what made you happy today?

You may recall that last year I painted a wall in my bedroom with metallic paints.   Since then, my bedroom has been “almost” complete.   However, something was missing.  The wall at the foot of my bed contained a boring bookshelf that accumulated books, photo albums and miscellaneous crap…  not very bedroom-like.  

So I began a quest for a piece of furniture.  Something that would complete the room, and give me a place to put candles and my sand garden. I didn’t really need a dresser, but wanted something dresser like.  I found JUST what I wanted several months ago at a local import store – an antique Chinese chest.  Perfect size, perfect look – but way out of my budget. 

So I kept looking.  And looking.  And looking.  Found a few things online that might work, but most were far too expensive or the wrong size.   And I wouldn’t dare buy them without visually inspecting them.

Feeling inspired to do my part to stimulate the economy, I went out on a couple of weeks ago and hit the local furniture stores to see what I could find.   Nada.  Zip. 

So I stopped back into Far Fetched Furniture to see if they had imported anything new and more affordable.  And there it was. My perfect Chinese cabinet sitting right next to the door.

On sale. But still out of my budget.  

I wandered the store, but kept coming back to it.   The sales guy, desparate to make sale in this economy, knocked a couple hundred more off of the price – making it nearly 1/2 off, and I caved.  

I introduce you to my 90 year old Chinese cabinet.  Isn’t it perfection? I smile everytime I look at it.

Do you have any piece of furniture that makes you happy?