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?

So, I’ve been tagged in Facebook by several friends for this 25 Random Things list…   but I really don’t like to encourage Facebook use, so I’m responding here :)   

If you read my blog, consider yourself tagged, and post your 25 Random things on your blog.  If you don’t have a blog, feel free to post them here!

1. I have no middle name
2. I love frogs and started collected them in grade-school – long before they became “in”
3. My hair was platinum blonde as a child.  Dark brown now.  I dyed it dark purple once.
4. I traveled to Acapulco, Mexico on a 6 man plane when I was 15.
5. On that trip, I threw up over the Grand Canyon on the way down – and experienced “Montezuma’s Revenge” on the trip back.  (no bathroom on a 6 man plane…)
6. I did voice over work, and also appeared as an extra in a horrible B-movie called “The Varrow Mission“
7. My favorite places are Princeville/Hanalei Kauai, and Seattle area.   And speaking of Seattle, I LOVE living in the northwest.  Love it, love it, love it.
8. I love cats.  But have unfortunately developed allergies to them the past few years.  Not so fond of dogs (Harley excepted).
9. I have never laughed harder than with my friend Michelle.   And I’ve never done dumber things and found them as hysterical as with Michelle. As an example, see the “umbrella tree incident.”
10. I will not drink milk.  Yuck.
11. I have lost 49 lbs since August 15th. 
12. I love being in recording studios.  I’ve often thought I’d like to be a backup singer.
13. I love wandering around Home Depot (though rarely buy anything) – it’s such a creative energy place…. so many projects just waiting to be started!
14. I’m so happy to have escaped Mormonism and organized religion.  (Wish I’d done so many years ago)
15. Flowers make me happy.  Giddy.  I adore my little garden.
16. I am not a fan of Facebook…. though I use it because it is the only way to connect with some friends.   …but I DO like the “growing things” application (see #16 above). So send me one.
17. I know I can always count on my sister – any time I need her.  Whether it’s to laugh, cry, travel to Hawaii, or technical support.
18. I’m very proud of my brilliant son, Brandon,  who left for Panama today for a 6 week vacation with his family.
19. I’m spontaneous. I can be made aware of incredible airfare to Kauai in the early afternoon, make arrangements and buy the tickets before the day is over.
20. In other words, I’m going to spend my birthday in Kauai this year – with my sister and our delightful daughters! 
21. I have an unnatural attraction to all things sparkly, shimmery, metallic, opalescent or iridescent.
22. I played synthesizer in a pit orchestra for several musicals… and got paid for it.
23. I hate wearing a bra (though I need to – and do so in public).
24. The first R-Rated movie I saw was “Life of Brian” in 1979.  Had to view it at the U of U campus, as none of the local theatres would show it.  (I’ve seen many R shows since then)
25. I’m a geek (think accounting, computer nerd, x-files, star trek, Stargate SG1).  But only partially, because I’m also an artist. 

Today is Donny Osmond’s 51st birthday. 

I don’t know why I remember that every year, but I do every December 9th.

And here are a few other bits of random information that surface from the depths of my brain now and then….

    

• Tina Bryant’s birthday is November 1st.  She was a friend in grade school.
• My phone number on Rodeo Lane in the 70s was 277-2511. 
  Michelle’s was 272-3283.  I even remember the Hadley’s phone number… .completely useless use of brain storage.
• Steven Sheffield’s middle name is Kingsbury and his birthday is April 15 – tax day
• el pez means “fish” in Spanish
• The lyrics to The Slitheree Dee (the slurping sound at the end is very disturbing to Kennedy)

Oh, the slithery dee
He crawled out of the sea
You may catch all the others
but you won’t catch me.

No, you won’t catch me,
you stupid old slithery dee
You may catch all the others
but you (slurp sound).

What useless information would you like to share today?

I was tagged by Kristin for a list of things I’m grateful for.  Due to travel, I’m coming to this a little late – but wanted to get my list in before my day is over (which it should have been an hour ago…..)

 In no particular order…

Weather.  I was going to say rain, because I do love rain – especially summer rain.  But a sunny day  is nice too.  As is misty fog in the trees.  And I’m quite fond of a thunder/lightening storm.  And sparkling fresh snow is beautiful, as long as I don’t have to drive in it. 

Lindsey, my new hairdresser. After living in Seattle area for 5 years, and trying 6 different hair stylists, I finally found one who actually LISTENED to what told her and gave me what I asked for. YEAH!

Christy – the gal who cleanes my home whenever I call – and is so affordable. In fact, after being in Salt Lake for two weeks, I will return home to a spotless home thanks to her. I don’t know how I ever got by without her.

Water. Crashing ocean waves. A babbling brook. A rushing river. A calm lake. Rain drops. Waterfalls. And an ice cold glass of clean, clear water.

The internet. Blogs. Email. YouTube. Huffington Post.  Watching Ashley model her latest clothing purchase for me on her webcam.

Getting regular Massages.  I have a testimony of massage.  And central air conditioning (which, thankfully, I don’t often need living in the wonderfully temperate northwest). Pedicures are awesome too.

Molbaks. I could browse this store for hours on end in any season, and leave feeling rejuvenated. Right now, Molbaks is filled with poinsettas and holiday decorations. They have something like 48 different varieties of poinsettia to choose from. Plus, between now and Christmas, they serve free coffee and Kringles (an amazing danish pastry) until 5pm.

Airplanes. I’d never go anywhere if I always had to drive.

My garden. As my many blog entries will attest. And the cute little birds that visit my feeder each day.

Music. Too many artists to name.

Girls trips. Kristin, when are we going to take our next one? Michelle? Chris? Kathleen?

Friends and family. It’s been so great to reconnect with long-time friends on this trip to Salt Lake. Nothing like laughing yourself silly, or a nice warm hug from a friend. And simple joys like granddaughters wanting to cuddle with you before bedtime, or waking you up with hugs and kisses (and asking you to fix them breakfast).

And spending time with my wonderful and absolutely nutty kids and grandbabies.  Today we had our first Thanksgiving with only my immediate family.   Jennifer prepared a fabulous meal (and Ashley’s sweet potato casserole was delicious – more like dessert than a vegetable, though ) while I did “crafts” with Kennedy, Emily and Marie. 

We also spent some time at the park taking photos and playing at the playground.  Did I mention my kids are nuts?

They must get that from their dad. Don’t you think?