My 10 Things

The Internet can be such an ugly thing. I have been hurt and hurt people through the Internet. Lovely. However, it can also be such a beautiful thing, too! One of my favorite uses of the Interwebs is reading the blogs of people that I know personally. My friend, Hayley and I knew each other in college and over the past few years, I have grown increasingly saddened that we weren't good friends at that point. I think we are more alike then we ever realized! :) She has started a new endeavor at The Tiny Twig and I strongly recommend checking it out! It is one of my favorite things to see pop up on my Google Reader. Hayley tagged me in her recent blog post 10 Things that Make Me Happy and I am thrilled to do my own post about 10 things that make me happy! In fact, some of my things are right in line with hers-- maybe we should move to North Carolina! ;) Hales, keep up the good work, girlfriend. Hopefully Tyler and I will make it down to see you, Mike, and the boys sometime soon. What fun it would be!

So... here are my 10 things (in no particular order)!

1. Getting personal email. Rarely do I get a personal email from a friend or someone I know, but when I do, it just makes my day! My friend, Meg, is really good about this. I need to get better at emailing people just to say hi! It is so exciting to see the address of someone I know and a little message. It's not snail mail, but I still enjoy it! Our small group which includes some of my dearest friends here in Cincinnati will send out these group emails on a semi-daily basis that absolutely make my day and crack me up. I love, love, love those emails (and those people, too!).

2. A new magazine in the mail. Oh, there is no joy like seeing a new magazine at the beginning of the month! I get so thrilled when I see a new magazine lying on the floor of my foyer (we have a mail slot). I subscribe to the Food Network Magazine, Cooking Light, Country Living, Southern Living, Everyday with Rachael Ray and Real Simple. Don't worry, most of those were free (school magazine drive teacher reward!) or $5 subscriptions! I always have lots to look forward to at the beginning of the month. Oh, and if you're a foodie like me, I highly recommend Cooking Light & the Food Network Magazine!

3. A fresh manicure and pedicure. Now, as lovely as it would be to be able to get manis and pedis in a salon, we're not made of money. As much as I love getting mani/pedis, I also don't mind painting my own nails. I just love a fresh coat of polish on my fingers and toes. It's the little things! Ha! This is also my favorite shade of nail polish: OPI's Tickle My France-y. It is the perfect neutral shade that goes with any season. Although I do prefer something brighter on my toes no matter what the season!


4. French Onion Dip and Potato Chips. This will be my snack of choice in heaven. Is it embarrassing that one of the things that makes me happy is chips and dip? Maybe. Do I care? NOT AT ALL! I would eat this every single day if I wouldn't weigh 1,000 pounds. And the best French Onion Dip is not made with caramelized onions. No, no. It's a carton of sour cream with a packet of Lipton's French Onion Soup Mix. OH THE DELICIOUS! However, contrary to the picture below, I do prefer my dip with Ruffles chips. :) Mmmm, I might be drooling. MIGHT.

5. Cardigans. Oh, how I love the person who invented the cardigan! It is so versatile. You can dress it up, you can dress it down! Two of my favorite cardigans came from Walmart of all places! I am a big fan of solid cardigans and patterned cardigans, like the one below!

6. The library. I stand true to the fact that the Cincinnati Public Library is the most fabulous library system ever! Eventually, when we move out of Ohio, I will miss it so much. The online system is very user friendly, it's easy to find books and place them on hold, the librarians are so sweet at my local branch and I've never looked for a book just to find that they don't have it. I could get lost in the downtown branch with a hot drink and be the happiest camper. In fact, I have done just that and plan to make that a part of my summer routine at least once every few weeks!

7. My friends from home. I am very blessed to have wonderful friends from high school, college, and now, my adulthood. But today, in my 10 happy things, I would like to introduce you to some of the people that hold my heart. Many of you blog readers probably know them, but these are my sweet friends from home (Michigan). I love these people so much that my heart could just burst! One of the things that I take for granted most often is that I have solid roots. Other than the first few years of my life, we lived in the same place. I went to the same Christian school and church for my entire life and many of the people that you see below have known me since the age of five (one of them since we were toddlers!). Since then, Meg (to the left of me) married Chad, who is now one of Ty's best friends. One of these handsome guys below is now married to my precious friend, Tali and two of them are getting married to the most darling girls that I just love! One of those girls happens to be a close friend that I met in college-- welcome to the family, T-ster! I just wish I could Photoshop the girls and Chaddy in, but we'll just have to make an extended family picture soon. :) I miss them so much and always look forward to the next time we can all be together! I love you guys!
8. No traffic! Everyday, I take three different highways to get to work. It grows quite tiresome on a normal day, but if you add in traffic, it is exhausting! Luckily I have an iPod that keeps me company. However, it just makes my day when there is no traffic and I can truly just zip home in about 15 minutes flat. It's the little things, right?


9. Going to a movie. It doesn't matter the night-- I am always excited if I get to go to a movie! Of course, I have to get a big Cherry Coke and a large tub of buttered popcorn to make the experience complete. Previews are also my favorite part of the movie, so I'm always sure to be on time. Hey, I absolutely adored the book version of Dear John. Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on how the movie was?


10. Going to Michigan. Oh, how I love going home! There is nothing like seeing your parents, your brother (sometimes!), your friends, and your church family! As much as I am learning to love and enjoy Cincinnati, it is still so refreshing to go home and enjoy your time there. I am always semi-giddy on our trip up and the ride is generally topped off with a Sonic Cherry Limeaide and some tots. However, the rides back to Cincinnati are getting easier and easier and for that, I am so thankful! :)

So there you have it. Ten of the many things that make me happy! What are yours? Since I was tagged to do this, I am going to tag a few people now. If you get tagged and you don't want to do this, no sweat! I won't be offended. :)

Mandy at Jack and Mandy

Le at The Domestic Chick

Bethany at New Beginnings

Kate at An Airman's Wife

Kara at The Gormong Life

Hope you all are having a fabulous start to your week!