100 Happy Days: Week 9

This "cold-cough-aching-wheezing-hives-whatever-I-have" is still here to stay and definitely putting a damper on my happiness. But I'm trooping through and still doing my best to be a part of the world. I have never been this sick for this long, but I think it's finally on it's way out! Dr.s just say it needs to run its course, but it's starting to feel like last winter with the "polar vortex" - never leaving!

Anyways, I did have some great happy moments that I want to share with all of you. 

Day 60:

Allison Art House had a Ladies Night Out event and I attended with my friend Tiffany. I found great unique gifts for some of the ladies in my life. I love this shop. Watch for more on it on my blog soon. PS - I won the door prize too!

Day 61:

Dinner with my parents at Matteo's. This is one of my favorites in Waukesha and although I wasn't feeling the best, quality Italian food near a roaring fire definitely helped me feel better. And I got to see many pictures of my parents' trip to Paris. Win, win. 

Day 62: 

I spent Saturday cooking all day and watching Netflix. I made two soups and my grandma's specialty cookies with a few tweaks for ingredients I dind't have. More on the soups and cookies to come. As for the Netflix.....Gilmore Girls, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 version), Pocahontas and more Gilmore Girls. 

Day 63: 

I didn't post this on social media but I think it's important to post now. My mom and I went to Wine & Dine in Milwaukee and tried many new eats and treats. We found my mom a few more cocktails that she would like and I found a few restaurants I have to try. Time with my mommy is always time well spent. 

Day 64:

This quote definitely got me through the day. With me still dealing with this cough, I will laugh at just about anything to help cheer me up and I love sleep right now. 

Day 65:

Flowers - a way to a girl's heart and happiness. I was completely surprised by this delivery.....to my work. It showed the person really cares to remember where I work and send me a little something special. These definitely helped flip around my day and week and I am forever grateful for this thoughtful gesture. (Let's just say that someone was raised right!)

#100HappyDays

100 Happy Days: Week 8

 Day 51:

 Sushi and Milwaukee night with my girls. I don't get into Milwaukee as much as I would like and so picking a place on the river with excellent food was a great idea. I got to see the skyline, got to catch up with the girls and filled my belly with delicious sushi. Screaming Tuna gets a high recommendation from me.

  Day 52:

 Luke Bryan on stage with Garth Brooks - what a site. The County Music Awards majorly impressed me and though I never doubt country music to cheer me up, this show kept me laughing, smiling and singing along. Maybe the wine I had with it helped too! :)

Day 53:

 The start of a nasty cold brought on a treat to myself of chocolate, Gilmore Girls and snuggling up on the couch with blankets to keep toasty warm. This chocolate bar was amazing. The caramel was almost like toffee inside the bar. For 1.99 at Walgreens, it was worth the splurge. 

Day 54 & 55:

I headed back up to Appleton for the next TMNT party and another success it was. Even though I wasn't feeling the best, I made the most of it and didn't let my cold win. (Maybe that's why I'm still sick? - nah!) My cousin came up with all the ideas and I helped make them happen. Super proud of the cake - another successful cake for one lucky 6 year old. 

Day 56, 57, & 58:

I laid low for a few days and there are no pictures because I'm still recovering from this dang cold. I found out that I'm allergic to Hydrocodone so that set me back a little but I'm thankful that it's just a cough and I'm not more sick. I can't really sleep well at night but am trying to rest and get this gone with lots of fluids. Plus a few texts from friends really cheered me up and are getting me on the road to recovery.

100 Happy Days: Week 6

 Fall is just flying by and we are in peak colors currently. This makes me so happy seeing nature "showing off." I"m not ready for the cold yet, but I am enjoying the golds, oranges and reds in the falling leaves.

Day 37:

 I got out on a walk on my lunch and saw this part of the sidewalk and couldn't get past the sunlight coming through the trees and landing on the falling leaves. 

Day 38:

I was waiting for someone in a parking lot and looked out and saw this gorgeous sunset. Only a few more days until winter that I will be outside for the sunset as they will start to happen when I'm at work :(

 Day 39:

Wear Orange for #UnityDay - an anti-bullying initiative to bring attention to this problem not only in the schools but anywhere. I finally got to wear my orange dress that I have had for years and always think it's only for summer.

  Day 40:

 Checked out a "New To Me" Restaurant in Delafield - Revere's Wells Street Tavern while I caught up with a friend. These nachos were great and although I didn't take on my servers challenge and order the full, I found the half to be a perfect sized portion for one as a meal.

 Day 41, 42, 43, 44:

I spent a lot of time with friends and family over the long weekend and just am amazed by all the love, support and helpfulness of them. I don't know where I would be without all of them and I don't want to find out. I spent time with my cousin and her husband Friday having some drinks and watching comedy specials, Saturday I helped a friend move, Sunday I relaxed and watched the Packers game with a friend and Monday I went to Lapham and got this great shot before a crazy hilly run with friends. Pretty sure the post-work runs at Lapham are done until the Winter Solstice and days start getting longer. And by then, they will have to be walks because it will be really snowy!

#100HappyDays

100 Happy Days: Week 4 & 5

I got a little behind on posting so I did two weeks+ at one time to get you all caught up in my happiness. I hope maybe this has influenced you to at least look for the happinesses in every day life. I am really focusing on those and not the negative things. What good is it to dwell on that when you can smile and be happy?!

Here are Weeks 1, 2 & 3. 

Day 23:

Running has been going well for me lately. A little nagging knee thing is happening so I am taking more days off but my time/mile is getting closer to where I want to be!

Day 24:

Here is where my geeky side comes out because I completely and totally loved the #PRSMS at Marquette. Learning that the Brewers use one gal to run multiple social media sites for the team really surprised me but made me happy too! One gal can do it all!

Day 25: 

Eat all the pumpking things! I love pumpkin and the all of these rock. Ok the Reese's is just thrown in for it's shape but you can't beat sweet & salty at the same time! :)

Day 26: 

Again I went to Lapham with a friend and did some pretty hardcore running. My knee definitely felt it after this one. But seeing these beautiful deer that didn't spook too much when we were near was really awesome! I hope to make it to Lapham this week and get some great pics of the fall leaves!

Day 27: 

 My friend Caroline invited my mom and I and another friend and her mom to her church's annual Mother/Daughter Banquet. It was a wonderful time where the men of the church waited on us for dinner. Many laughs were shared and we all really enjoyed ourselves.

Day 28: 

I forgot to post yesterday's happy. Spending time with friends new and old and celebrating birthdays!!! ‪#‎100happydays‬ ‪#‎day28‬

Bonus photo - I didn't post a picture of the day but found this after the fact. Beers were large, lines were long, but we all had fun. 

Day 29:

Spent the afternoon with my mom watching the Packers win, hemming up some of my pants and making Banana Blueberry bread. We each got a loaf and it was so tasty!

Day 30: 

Started a new book - a recommendation from Lauren Conrad (she knows what I like to read and we never even met). So far this one is pretty good. An almost 20-year-old finds out she has a decade left of site and decides to change her life plan to do all she can while she can still see. 

Day 31: 

Fall is here and I made my favorite fall soup - Butternut Squash/Apple soup. Sooooo good! 

Day 32 & 33:

I didn't post yesterday, but this is what made my last two days happy. Meeting up with friends and trying new places! ‪#‎100happydays‬ ‪#‎day32‬ &‪#‎day33‬ 😀

 Day 34: 

I love pumpkin beer. I bought so much last year that I actually had some leftover to drink again at the start of this year's season. I can't drink them in the summer because they are too heavy but it's all I want to drink from September to March :)  This was an excellent one and I may need to find more of it. Woodman's has had the best selection so far. 

Day 35: 

Saturday was a bummer weather day and so I decided to spend it cleaning and cooking. I made a broccoli cheese soup (with Gouda!), Roasted squash and sweet potato soup, gryo meat in the crockpot and pasta with pesto sauce. I have a fridge full of food now so I don't have to worry about what to make this week for meals. 

Day 36:

 My niece & nephew are my world and I got to spend a lot of the day with them. Alex is growing into such a smart little man asking all sorts of questions and helping me back cookies by counting out the Reese's for on top. We might have eaten a few. And Maddie is my little sweetheart sharing big smiles and belly laughs with me all afternoon. 

#100HappyDays

100 Happy Days: Week 3

I had a little numbering issue and double numbered one day - but I'm back on track now. Here is Week 2 and Week 1 

Day 16: 

Took in the sites from Lapham and we were hoping for more pops of color but just a few so far. Sun is setting earlier, making the narrow wooded trails hard to see, but we pushed ourselves harder than ever before and conquered some amazing hills. It felt great.  

Day 17: 

Had a weeknight girls night and got to sip wine from some fancy glasses while catching up on life.  

Day 18: 

Currently I'm reading Book 2 in a YA series. This is called The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. It's a light easy read and I'm glad that I am taking time each night for books. 

Day 19:

 I love having friends over to watch Packer games. I hosted a baked potato bar and it was a as huge of a hit as some of those the Packers were laying down on the Vikings. Never a doubt they would pull out this win, but never thought the spread would be so large! 

Day 20: 

When I have no other plans or just want a night in, watching Netflix has become the norm. Currently watching the Prison Break series with the occasional retro Disney movie thrown in. 

Day 21: 

 My friends surprised me with a birthday cake at a get-together and they all sang and almost lit the house on fire with all those candles! But I love them and thank them so much for their friendship! 

Day: 22

I cannot thank everyone enough for the calls, texts and messages wishing me a happy birthday. I feel so blessed to have so many people in my life and had such a wonderful day!   ‪#‎100happydays‬ ‪#‎day22‬

It was my birthday and I couldn't find the perfect photo to capture all the elements of the day - so I just thanked everyone for their love! 

100 Happy Days: Week 2

 Day 8:

 Homemade Broccoli Potato Cheese soup. Even though the "whipper doodle" stripped out on this soup, I still was able to blend it up and it was just as nutritious and delicious. Soup season is upon us. 

Day 9:

 

 I have known Tony since preschool and we still keep in touch and try to meet up a few times a year for a drink and dinner. This was one of those times and it was another great night!

Day 10:

 Happy Birthday to my Mom - Dinner at Matty's and spending time with my family always makes me happy!

 Day 11:

 I just love this guitar in Waukesha - the mirrored state of Wisconsin is such a statement - I really like it. 

Day 12:

 The first day that I really noticed the leaves changing a lot in Waukesha - Makes me happy and makes me think of warm days, cool evenings, spiced cider, boots and sweaters!

Day 13:

My amazing nephew Alex had his 3rd birthday and he is such a cool kid. So friendly and saying hi and bye to everyone that comes to his house. He had so many friends to celebrate with and that was great to see. 

Day 14:

 Grandpa turned 97!!!! Seeing all the love in the room for his big day was amazing. He was so happy to see everyone!

#100HappyDays

100 Happy Days: Week 1

Day 1:

Couldn't find the original, but here is a screen cap from Instagram. We got Kacey (the guy) and JB (the dog) to run at Lapham Peak. We started with Asthma Hill and did a nice loop and ended at the tower. Big feat for both of them. And JB walked down the tower no problems. Up was another story for that little guy so he was carried. Extra workout for his mom. (Kacey did both on his own with only minimal complaining!) A great workout overall. 

 Day 2:

 It was a cold one this morning and I couldn't warm up at work. I was gifted some Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa and decided to try it out. Heavenly! The cup kept my hands warm and the cocoa is divine. Archer Farms (Target)

Day 3:

I went for a run right after work - the legs were ready to quit, but a few people said Hi and cheered me on to keep going and I did just that! Thank you's to all of them!!!!

Day 4:

My parents dropped off my bike a few weeks ago and I decided to take her out for a spin. It has been almost 2 years since I last went for a ride but it felt fabulous. Getting to the trail off of Meadowbrook was a little scary and I used my brakes a lot on the steep decline, but I am going to take that trail west someday! The hill up Meadowbrook was a good leg workout for sure! I have had that bike since 7th grade and she is still kickin!

Day 5:

I used a gift certificate I received last year for my birthday to treat myself to a massage. Huge shout out to Marlis at Serenity Spa for the BEST massage I have ever had. I felt more relaxed after than I have ever before!

Day 6:

Flashback to 3 years ago and our 2nd annual Brewers tailgate with the crew from Fox Run Sentry Liquor. Although the store closed 4 years ago this month, the crew still keeps in touch and we see each other often. I am so thankful for all of these people in my life and I hope the Brewers game tradition continues!

Day 7:

 

My niece and nephew are my world. I got to spend Saturday with them and my mom. Alex and I played trains, puzzles, baked cookies, and  talked a lot. Maddie is getting some teeth so she didn't want to sleep, but she liked to tell stories and be held. And I enjoyed every minute of it. 

#100HappyDays

100 Happy Days

If you have been on social media sites in the past few months, you may notice that some people are tagging posts with #100happydays and the post is something that makes them happy. This is a movement that I have noticed going through my friends and wanted to know more about it.

I went to the website: 100happydays.com and found out more. The point is to make you realize that something every day can make you happy and you should be ok telling others you are happy. Then after the 100 days you are more willing to find something everyday that is making you happy and you won't need to post about it. This can lead to being in a better mood and overall more optimistic. And who doesn't need that in their life.

So I decided that I could go for a little more optimisim and positivity in my life and jumped on board and started. I'm only on Day 2 but I plan to do a weekly recap on my blog but if you want to see it daily, check out my Instagram.

What makes you happy? Consider joining the movement!