Happiness and sweet surprises....

What a surprise!  Sunday morning I discovered Linda, over at http://wandertothewayside.blogspot.com/ had given me my very 1st blogging award!  The Happy 101 Sweet Friends Award.  Thank you so much Linda! The stipulated rules say I am suppose to list what makes me happy, and then pass the Award onto a unspecified number of recipients.

Glenn over at  http://glnroz33.blogspot.com/ awarded it to Linda, listing nine, and Linda listed ten, so maybe I should do 11...( I hope this does not come off as self-indulgent...)

(NOTE:  It has taken me two days to follow Linda's instructions on how to attach a link...thanks Linda!)

1. My two grandsons absolutely rock my world!

They both live in California,

so besides visiting my Dad, Mom. Sister, Brothers, family and friends,

I spend as much time as possible at their house.

They make me laugh til my face hurts.

Nothing is worth more than driving four hours for their hugs and kisses.

2.  Both my daughters are also two of my closest friends.

The history we have being the "Three Muskateers" after my divorce from their Father, is still so powerful.

A visit from either one or both of them

(usually in the summer) absolutely makes me feel like a kid going to Disneyland!

3.  Sister time with my Sister. 

She is so talented and creative and works so hard at her job (she is the only woman in a sea of men and holds her own impressively!

We laugh and joke and share love for animals.

There does not have to be a plan, we spontaneously enjoy one another's company.

She is so very precious to me and our friendship makes me deliriously happy.

4. My husband's laugh and holding his giant bear-paw hands,

makes me feel gitty...still, after almost 10 years.

5. Animals make me forget any trouble or worry. 

Especially baby animals...particularly baby dogs and kittens.

I LOVE puppy breath!

Izzy has brought such joy to my life...

My reliable walking companion and fitness coach.

6. Music and dancing. (They go together for me)

Music is a such a source of joy and happiness for me, for so many reasons, so, this may get out of hand...

Not to copy Linda, but I too LOVE the song "CRAZY" by Gnarls Barclay,

Before I had Izzy, that song would propell me up hills when I was out walking with my iPod!

"ME AND MRS. JONES" by Michael Buble,

John Legend's, "SAVE ROOM".

I LOVE Adam Lambert, especially his version of "MAD WORLD".

I listen to Bon Jovi or Bruce Springstein when I clean the house.

In the car, driving, I have to listen to Neil Diamond .

"SOOLAIMON" and "I AM, I SAID" are two I like best.

Life time favorites have always been "CRAZY LOVE" and "MOONDANCE" by Van Morrison.

Hal Ketchum's "SMALL TOWN SATURDAY NIGHT" and "PAST THE POINT OF RESCUE"

are songs I dance to with my grandsons...

(SEE? I TOLD you this would get out of hand...)

I enjoy smooth jazz, 'Nawlins, Louisiana type music, classical, country....

basically, most music except Rap...for some reason it makes me agitated.

I will dance to anything that makes my toes tap,

and I don't care where I am when the mood strikes me.

I am particularly fond of wiggling my fanny...

(Both my daughters can verify this embarrassing fact about me)

7. Food/Sweets.

I know, I know...this is not a healthy thing...

but it is a disturbing fact and heart felt truth about me.

I love to eat...especially Italian food.

And as long as I am being brutely honest,

I am a recovering chocoholic.

Brownies, with walnuts, fresh out of the oven,

absolutely, possitively,

send me over the moon!

I'd rather have them than a birthday cake.

I may as well throw it all out here...

(no one else will know besides just us, right?)

A chocolate chip, extra thick Blizzard 

from Dairy Queen made with chocolate chunks

and not the chocolate dip,

or

a pair of Hostess chocolate, cream filled cupcakes

has been one of my "celebration"/"bad day"

compensations since my childhood.

8.Nature's beauty

First would be the ocean and then the mountains

with sunrises and sunsets

in between.

I will stop and admire a big old tree

and enjoy hugging them.

Don't laugh! I feel their energy and strength...

Try it some time.

9. Girlfriend time with girlfriends.

OK, this one should have been further up towards the top...

but maybe it is in this postion because,

since moving here,

most of my bestest friends

are back working in California...

and

we don't get the time together

we used to have...

10. Going to the movies.

Since my Dad first took me to see

Disney's "Pinocchio" and "Fantasia",

I have been a huge fan.

11. Spending the weekend in Laguna Beach.

It is heaven on earth

to lie on that big bed

with the balcony doors open,

to hear the waves crash on

on the beach below our room.

and smell the salt in the air...

Writing or reading a book.

Walking around the village enjoying the shops,

the restaurants and street cafes,

Getting up early to beach comb and see the sunrise,

Dining at the Beach House restarant

watching the sunset...

Heaven, just heaven.

Now, for the best part...  
I would like to share this Award with the following blogs in Alphabetical order:

Liz at http://www.amomonspin.com/

Susan at http://www.29blackstreet.ca/

Jo at http://majorityoftwo.blogspot.com/

Pat at http://pat-aviewfromtheedge.blogspot.com/

Holly at http://hollyallisoncrafts.blogspot.com/ (Allison Wonderland)
Stephanie at http://bahtocancer.blogspot.com/

Angie at http://angie-ledbetter.blogspot.com/ (Gumbo Writer)
Sonia at http://gutsywriter.blogspot.com/
dianne at http://justmousinaround.blogspot.com/
Willow at http://willowmanor.blogspot.com/
Linda at http://vegaslindalou.blogspot.com/
Shelli at http://faeriality.blogspot.com/ (Market My Words)
Mari at http://marislittlecorner.blogspot.com/ (My Little Corner of the World)
JeannetteLS at http://reinventedvoices.blogspot.com/
Helen at http://machinistswife.blogspot.com/
Lisa at http://gioiachronicles.blogspot.com/
Whitestone at http://revel217.blogspot.com/ (Wanna Walk Along?)
Debra at http://debralschubert.blogspot.com/ (Write on Target)

** Some of the above are published writers, but I appreciate them sharing their knowledge.**

*** Just click on their links to go check out these talented ladies***