Happy

This week has been a little chaotic due to a flood we had in our house on Saturday.

Unfortunately, it has resulted in damages to our recently renovated laundry room and kitchen. Why not in the bedrooms, where the carpet desperately needs replacing, or the living room where the flooring is tired? No, we get damage in places that inconvenience us the most and don't need fixing up. (Just to aggravate the situation I'm saying...)

So while we are living in the chaos of a home that is really upside down, it is all too easy to get depressed, annoyed or frustrated by the fallout implications of this, and our daily living situation.

Kitchen

Dining Room

Laundry Room

Toyroom

For the most part, we are just going with the flow, but at the end of many nights, we fall back on a bowl of ice cream or glass of wine, to somehow pacify the situation. Even Dan, who is the forever optimistic, has been caught saying, 'No good deed goes unpunished.'

So while it's a slippery slope down to the pit of despair, we keep reminding ourselves that these are first world problems. Insurance, washing machines, ovens, kitchen sinks, dishwashers etc., all first world luxuries that we take for granted.

We try to take things in our stride, reminding ourselves of the good, trying not to dwell on the bad.

Today, I came across the 100 Happy Day Challenge, which I thought could really help me look at the positives in our lives, the big things I take for granted, and the small things that I often overlook.

The challenge is simple. Sign up, and submit a photo every day of something that makes you happy. Photos are submitted through hashtags via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. At the end of the challenge, you can receive a book of your 100 happy moments.

People successfully completing the challenge claimed to:

 - Start noticing what makes them happy every day;

 - Be in a better mood every day;

 - Start receiving more compliments from other people;

 - Realize how lucky they are to have the life they have;

 - Become more optimistic;

 - Fall in love during the challenge.

I challenge you to join me. 

I will be submitting photos via my personal Facebook page, but I will be making the posts public. Feel free to follow my 100 Happy Days, and if your interested in accepting this challenge, please shoot me a message, or leave a comment so I can follow your Happy Days as well! 

Day #1

Morning Mish Mosh

Yes... a smattering of details and 'stuff'.

Rumor has it (from a reliable source) that the NAC has already met once this month on the 11th. They are also rumored to be meeting on the 27th. We are waiting to be 'seen' and approved at one of these meetings. We are assuming that they are still experiencing a backlog... in order to have 2 meetings in one month. We have also heard that a single Mother was declined for adoption after a very long wait. The rules and policies don't seem to be clearly defined in this program. Things change on a whim and there isn't a rule book to refer to. Everyone seems to have different information and a different answer. I would caution single Mothers or anyone else who may be sitting in the 'grey' area, about entering this program at this time.. until there are clearly defined policies.

As spring is finally upon us, I realize that I can't hide behind my clothes anymore... so time to start the spring diet. This morning I had a broiled grapefruit with a side of yogurt. I just sprinkled some raw sugar, cinnamon and a little butter... and threw it under the broiler. Grapefruit is not something I would normally enjoy by itself... but this was delicious with some cool yogurt.

          In the May 2010 issue of the "American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism,"

scientists found that grapefruit is rich in nootkatone, a compound that activates a protein that

increases energy expenditure.

        
I realize that I fail. I bailed, then failed the April photo challenge. Story of my life - yes, I have been known to start projects and then leave them unfinished. Like the quilt that has been sitting up on my shelf for 8 months. However... I'm resurrecting it with... 'Flowers'  - spring flowers from my garden, and  'Looking Down'.

Something I found...

As part of April's Photo Challenge, I bring you:

Something I Found

Yep, found this today in my jacket pocket.

Don't you love when that happens!?



Catch up...

I know! I'm behind. Thankfully, I have friends that keep me on my toes.... so now, I have some catch up to do right?

As part of April's Photo Challenge, I bring you:

SHADOW

It was taken on the first day the sun actually shone here - on the shadow day, I just didn't have time to post it.

COLD

We have a very pretty mountain view. Can't see much here though!

WHERE YOU ATE BREAKFAST

I WISH! Okay, truth is I didn't eat breakfast. (My bad.)... but having breakfast at the Giraffe Manor in Kenya is a dream of mine. Too bad it's so expensive! Worth dreaming about though... doesn't it look like fun!!?

STAIRS

Remember when hubby was nesting? Yes... my stairs sparkled for a day.

I need 'nesting' fairies to come into my house every night while we sleep... especially with this new full time job called 'adoption' on our plates! ;)

Younger Me

As part of April's Photo Challenge, I bring you :

This is not a very attractive photo - however, it is hanging in my office at my disposal.

A Mexican was trying to sell me these iguana's to take back to Canada. Good idea!

Inside Your Wallet

As part of April's photo challenge, I bring you:

Inside Your Wallet

Edited in Camera+ using 'overlay'

HAPPY EASTER!!

Lunch

As part of April's Photo Challenge, I bring you:

LUNCH

Organic Salmon Salad from our local 'Bite' truck.

This is fastfood in Nelson. 

Tiny

As part of April's Photo Challenge, I bring you:

TINY

Edited in Camera+ using 'Miniature'

This is a crib in Muffin's dollhouse. It is empty, she has no doll baby. Hmm.

She uses it store Barbie shoes.



Reflection

As part of April's Photo Challenge (catching up), I bring you:

Reflection

Edited on Camera+ = HDR

Someone who makes me happy...

As part of April's Photo Challenge... I bring you:

Someone who makes me HAPPY

(of course there are 2 little people that need to be mentioned)

Edited on the iphone camera+ using Backlit and Vibrant.

I like the backlit feature with Muffin as it plays nicely with her soft, pale skin and

accentuates her eyes.

Edited on iphone camera+ using 'Faded'

I like Faded with Mister's darker eyes and skin tone.



April Photo Challenge - Join me!

For all you Mom's out there who are in the same position as we are - WAITING. I hope you consider joining my challenge - something to help the time pass! I could use a little distraction.... so let's do it!

I know we are late... but here you go... snag this photo and posted on your blog and post one photo a day. I realize we missed the first two... and I will make it up by posting them later. But for now we have Day #3. 

MAIL

Oh - to further this challenge, I suggest using only your iphone, and let's see how creative we can get! (Because, I'm lazy... ha. ;)