“The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures you find in ordinary things”. – Veronique Vienne.

If you know me – and I am assuming if you are reading this that you might, you know there are times, albeit too many, that I talk about (very intensely) the things that I abhor, loathe, despise, detest, don’t like very much.  (For example, people who sing at concerts when you go to listen to the artist and then you cannot hear the artist singing…)  Since being negative has not proven to assist me very much in my desire to be a positive person  I have been thinking a lot lately about the things that I love,  both “ordinary” and “extraordinary” (people/places/events etc.)  Which make me happy?

I might have mentioned once or twice in my life time (or times infinity and beyond) that I hate don’t always like people.  It’s kind of a blanket statement based on some challenging years being the sole customer service department employee at our company.  It sucked.  On the flip side I find many people to be quite likeable. I actually fall “in love” with people often.   I am often struck by the inner and outer beauty and kindness of many people.  I am often awestruck by ordinary things that are beautiful as well.

Sometimes on a really good day I feel like singing like Maria in “The Sound of Music” about a few of my favorite things (although I am not a fan of all of her favorites – you can get the sentiment)

Julie Andrews in
The Sound of Music”

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

The message is when you feel sad think about the good things in your life that make you happy.

When I met Skip I knew soon after he was THE ONE for me.  His sense of humor, his gentle encouragement   to travel to places I would have been too afraid to, his extraordinary sense to be there just when I really need him most of all – make him one of my favorite people whom I am lucky to love.

Skip and I on our honeymoon in Vermont

 It might go without saying that I love my children.   Loves, Love, Love yep just love them.  Even on those rare occasions (and honest to God they are rare) when we don’t see eye to eye, I am blessed and happy to be their mom and mother-in-law.  That was an easy falling in love, as soon as I met them I was in love.  The saying goes that “you had me at hello.”

Dan, Ann Taylor, Becca and Kristen

I love my friends.

I love songs that bring back wonderful memories and of course those that make me dance in the car.

I love when people say please and thank you and mean it.

I love to send and receive cards I love Hallmark.

Despite how annoying they can be I love my dogs Harry and Frankie.

Harry and Frankie

I love to read I love libraries.  I love a happy ending.

I love to go to Home Depot and Target and the mall and Cinnabon. (Extra frosting and a large diet Coke please).

I love to make people happy.   I love to laugh and the sound of true laughter, the tears running down your face can’t catch your breath laughter.

I love a clean and well organized house and someday I may have one. But I don’t want to be the one responsible to clean and organize it.

I love the peace of the ocean.   I love the sunset. 

I love order.  I love crafty things.

I love a bargain (yes I love Christmas tree stores).

I love to eat food – and eat out and be with friends.

I love Limoncello and the smell of the sun and the sea and the fresh lemons in Italy on the Amalfi coast.

The Amalfi Coast of Italy

I love to go to the casino – but I love it more when I win as opposed to when I donate to the Indian tribes.

Slot win I have never seen

I love to go for a ride when I have no place in particular I need to go.  I love the feeling when I make someone happy.  I love the feeling that I get when someone is unexpectedly kind to me.

I love my electric blanket, heated seats in my car and dual heat and air controls just genius!!

I love the look and smell of fresh cut grass and flowers from my garden. 

I love a house full of company at Cape Cod.  I love looking at pictures even if they make me cry.

Long time ago

I love capturing “that moment/memory” on camera.

I love being a nurse.

I love my house at Cape Cod.  

I love the wine cellar.  Despite my complaints,  it is very cool to have one.  I love sitting in the boat in calm weather with our friends and family and a glass of wine.

Little Boat, Bigger Boat

And, although I discovered this only later in life, I am finding that I love to write and I love and appreciate more than you know, that you care enough to take the time to read what I have written.

My Favorite Things (my version)

(sing to tune of My Favorite Things)

Sunshine on cape cod and wine that is chilled
Chicken and steak that are perfectly grilled
Visits from loved ones and memories it  brings
These are a few of my favorite things

The feel on your face of a warm summer breeze
Knowing exactly where I put my keys
Current pop music that I try to sing
These are a few of my favorite things

The smell of a newborn just after a bath
Walking with Becca on the Cape Cod bike path
Cards from my loved ones that the mailman brings
These are a few of my favorite things

When my dogs bark
When the sky’s dark
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

“If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”   Roald Dahl