Watching my cat do ANYTHING!

Finishing five miles on the treadmill.

Random Acts of Kindness.

My morning cup of coffee.

People being nice to each other.

Opening up my email to find birthday wishes from people I would never have expected it from!

A child's giggle.

so many more....

Seeing the first buds/flowers/bulbs peeking out, determined to end their winter slumber.

Seeing a hummingbird find her way to my feeder on a snowy day. Hearing the first Swainson's thrush's beautiful melody in the spring, after their return migration from warmer climes. Magical.

Staying up until the wee hours, feeling as if the whole world (or at least the whole neighborhood) is asleep except for me. It's like I have the whole place to myself.

This is a nice thread...after the divalicious and pet peeves threads and all the/my possibilities for posting things there, I was feeling like a real curmudgeon.

Love this thread!

My pup's happiness each and every time I walk in the door.

Flowers

The sights and smells of spring

The ocean

Fireflies

A rainbow

My husband's little texts during a work day

A phone call from my dad

A warm krispy kreme dougnut!!!

tina

I love the constant companionship of my two Aussies -who else in the world has their goal of spending every minute of the day with me and look at me so adoringly?

I love the sight of 20 or so bright red Cardinals in the snowat my feeder. (I love them even without the snow, which has been sparse around here this winter.)

I love 2012 and am so happy to be alive now - DVR's, i-pads, i-phones, Navigation - it's all great! I saw a Sunday Morning segment where people in their 20s were buying and using (!) typewriters. (It's so wonderful, they said, you can just pull the paper right out of the roller, and there's your words!) They can have them. Been there.

I love retirement. I still feel a thrill, even after 3 years, when I go to bed on Sunday night, knowing my time is my own after 33 years, and I have no more Mondays. (Well, I work a seasonal job, but that's by choice)

I delight every day in the graciousness and helpfulness of this forum. It truly does add a ray of sunshine to my life that no one in my RL can understand. And I especially love threads like this, which are helping me count my blessings after a horrendous week in which my favorite aunt died and my son had to have surgery.

Dee

What a lovely thread! My favorites include --

When my husband sees a penny on the ground and reached down to turn it over, making it 'lucky' for the next person.

When my son comes home from school and gives me a great big hug, then says "right now" when I ask him what was the best part of his day.

And my very favorite -- snuggling up to my husband in bed each night before we go to sleep.

Wonderful Post :)

Every "season" when my orchids finally bloom

The beautiful sun rises/ sets here along the coast in Florida

Hearing my 2 teenage daughters laughing together late at night when the house is quiet and they are supposed to be sleeping When my 3 cats are all snuggled up together on the dog's bed and my 96lb dog is all squished in the middle of them happy as a clam

Slipping in between tight, fresh sheets on a newly made bed.

Starting my car and a great song is playing.

Watching the aquirrels and crows play a game of who'll get the peanut first.

Having so many flowers tut in my yard that I can share them with my neighbors.

When a scrapbook page comes together just right!

Finding a great find on a Goodwill treasure hunt.

I could go on and on, but these are the unusual ones that give me a little thrill.

Pulling into the driveway and seeing the pups at the door waiting for me

Snow, especially waking up to it or going to sleep watching it come down

Waking to birdsong whenever the temps allow us to leave the windows open at night

Walking the beach any time of year, but especially when the sandpipers are running up and back with the waves

Seeing that amazing shade of blue just before the sky goes dark in the evening

Catching sight of a hawk in the sky

Having a child take your hand

Looking up from my desk during dismissal to see one of my autistic kiddoes from last year standing there bursting to tell me his newest idea

And a lot you all have mentioned-fireflies, flowers, turning on the radio just when an old favorite is coming on...

Love this thread

When my 12-year old son gives me a kiss without being prompted.
Beautiful gardens.
Hearing a favorite piece of music on the radio.
Coming home and smelling dinner in the crockpot.
Sipping a glass of good wine together with my husband in the garden or in front of a fire.

Other than life with my sons & DH:

The sensations when you first start out on a bike ride: the feeling of balance, the motion, the sense of utter freedom & the happiness of being outside -- always the best part.

Pie for dessert

My cat jumping into my lap

Playing with my cameras -- love the shutter click

Warm blankets on a cold night

Fire in the fireplace on a winter evening

"Checking the time and finding it's exactly 12:34 or 11:11" OMG, my husband doesn't understand when I tell him to look at the clock and it's 11:11. I even say "one, one, one, one". It was something I'd noticed when we first fell in love and every time I see it, now, I have to make mention. :)

Seems like pets are a common theme. I have 3 dogs and at least one of them makes me laugh at least once a day.

DH does, too.

My 11 yo daughter still holds my hand when we walk down the street or through the mall.

The screen porch at our beach cottage makes me so happy. It's my favorite place in the world to just sit and read. Or nap!

Every night after dinner, each of my kids says "thanks, Mom." I've never told them to do this. Just warms my heart every time.

I have wonderful friends and we are all busy with families, work, etc., so I treasure getting together with one or a few for coffee, lunch, or a walk. My neighbor and I went for manicures together this morning and it was the highlight of my day.

Manicures and, even better, pedicures.

Waking up every morning to birdsong and the view from my windows.

Winning a bidding war on eBay.

Starting to read a newly published book by a favorite author.

Having a soak in my tub with candlelight glowing and good music playing.

Walking out of the airport terminal after a trip knowing that I'm almost home.

This thread!

swimming--seeing the sunlight through the big floor-roof window coming through onto the water. WOW.

Hearing DD play flute when she's really into a piece.

Watching DH build something in our house...or fix something...can't tell you what that does for me LOL. Most recently he replaced the motor in our dw, so we basically got a brand new one thanks to his brilliance : ) He's just called me now to look at the wall he's framing in for the PANTRY we're building!

A nice find at my favorite boutique : ) (most recently: I found what are either really excellently made copies or, less likely but still possible, original LC2 chairs last week...cat scratches on the top of the leather side cushions, but the frames are SOLID and the rest of the leather is great. I consider them pre-broken-in, and for $30 for both, I'll take them : ))

My dear darling 15.5 y.o. girl cat who has been skittish most of her life until we finally solved her frequent barfing problem jumping up every night to sleep in my armpit : ) She won't let anyone else sleep there now. She never used to let us touch her much at all!

12:34 -- HA! I thought that was my secret symbolic time! I used to catch both of them every day when DD was small.

Coming back and seeing this forum is still there, helpful warm, friendly and contentious as ever : )

Moving to a new city and finding 2 great restaurants that have sticky toffee pudding cake on their dessert menu.

Going to a favorite boutique and nabbing my size in clothes I love ahead of the season.

Finding great looking low wedge shoes that hide my hammer toe and are wide enough for my bunions.

Feeling in synch with DH, life is good.

Babysat my grandson overnight at our home, early mornings with him are precious to me.

and so on and so forth......

Sitting on our dock with our wonderful neighbors, still being amazed by the fabulous sunsets over the water.
Our 5 year old grandson's giggle.
Our 5 month old grandson's breathy phone calls.
The appreciative quiet that falls as our dearest friends and/or family tuck into a meal I have just served them.
Sitting quietly to appreciate the abundant wildlife that surrounds us here.
My husband's smile.
My garden full of butterflies already this year.
Skiing from the top to the bottom of a mountain without stopping.
Walking along the cool sand of our local beach at sundown, with DH.
Some of the sights, sounds and scents on my solitary, morning run.
Sharing a humorous story with my elderly mother. She always 'gets it'!
Spending time with our 3 teenage nephews. We spent the whole day together today.
Hearing DH play pieces on his piano that my father used to play when I was a child.
The anticipation of opening a new book for the first time.
Being outdoors, anytime.
Chocolate.
Life!

When one of my sisters calls just for an idle chit-chat.

Running in the woods with my running buddies even when it's pouring rain.

Baking in my recently reno'ed kitchen. Today it was banana/blueberry loaf and cranberry flax cookies. Yum.

Sunny days.

Watching my DH and 2 DS's (24 and 23) go off skiing together. So cool.

Seeing familiar names on this post sharing a bit of themselves.

Dark chocolate and caffeine.

My sweet dog greeting me with her tail wagging full force.

A good book.

My gardens.

Sitting on my deck listening to the birds.

My morning cup of coffee served to me in bed by DH.

A beautiful sunset.

Seeing the first screech owls in the early spring in our owl houses.

The sound of my dog snoring.

Working the daily crossword puzzle.

I must admit I had a little jolt of joy finding so many people had responded to this. I was afraid I was being too sappy and the post was going to drop like a stone. It's fun to read these because some made me think 'oh yeah, I love that too!' and with others I thought 'mmmm, that would be closer to my pet peeve list'.

It was good to have the pet peeve post because once we released our peevishness, it allowed more room for finding our joy.

I'll add a few more joys:
My mother just loves when she unexpectedly runs into any of us somewhere, like the store or post office. We tease her about it but I actually get it. It is a jolt of joy to see someone important to you in an unexpected, unplanned place.

Getting an email, or even better real mail, from any of my nieces or nephews. I normally open the envelope standing right there next to the mailbox because I'm so excited. My 4 yo niece just sent me a book she wrote. I know it's a book, and not just a collection of drawings, because she wrote 'This is a book'. Sooooo cute. She told me she stapled it together with her own pink stapler. So I guess she's the publisher and the author. Every single person she drew is smiling, even her Mama holding an umbrella on a rainy day. What a lovely way to view life.

Eating my favorite pizza with my favorite friends and my husband, like I did last night. The best meal I had all week.

Morning coffee and quiet time. A cat in my lap is a bonus.

Going to bed and waking up with DH.

Romantic time with DH.

Going for a walk on a beautiful clear day that's not too hot or cold in spring when all the flowers/trees are in bloom

Cooking a special meal

Feeling of accomplishment when a home project is complete, like painting a room.

When a student writes me a note of thanks that my course was really important to him/her

Getting pictures of my great-nephews

A good workout

Favorite songs/bands on the radio

I love this thread!

My dd calls 11:11 'make a wish time' and I do too.

So many wonderful little snippets in life and to read all of yours is a wonderful start to my morning.

This always makes me want to cry a little.... when in unison everyone pulls over for an ambulance, fire truck or police car rushing to help someone. It's such a solemn and loving gesture as citizens.

So many, but I just had a surge of joy watching my Boxers chase each other full speed in the back yard while having my first sip of coffee. It's going to be a beautiful day.

I know it's a book, and not just a collection of drawings, because she wrote 'This is a book'.

I will be smiling all day over that!

Meant to add: cyn, re hawks: One thing that always gets me, makes me tear up sometimes if I'm not careful, is seeing a hawk getting dive-bombed and harassed by a team of crows working together to protect their vulnerable babies...ay ay ay. We *love* raptors, and we know they have to eat, but the sight of the battle for life and death going on up in the sky while people are just driving by on the ground completely unaware...shows me that there is so much more going on at any given moment than we dimwitted humans are aware of.

A perfect day to me (I live in Florida) is a day where the temperature is a perfect 78 degrees with a breeze. It's not too hot and I can enjoy working in my yard. This perfect day will fall on a week-end when all my neighbors are out walking and where we will meet up at my fence and catch up on gossip and all that's happening. This does happen once in a while and it always makes for a happy day.
There are many little things that bring a smile to my face but most involve being outdoors with people, animals and some sort of activity.

Refreshing!

Being the recipient and the giver of random acts of kindness.

When my 3 yr. old GS has mommy call me because he just wants to talk to "Grandma." My heart sings all evening!

Watching Boone (rescue dog) and Grace become best buddies.

Seeing an old friend in the grocery store.

When someone puts dinner in the fridge after we eat so I can relax.

Watching "Powder Blues"...those thin, blue dragonflies, dance around the flowers, or land on my big toe when I'm on a raft in a pool.

The smell of Summer mornings before it gets hot.

The shade of Summer mornings, it's the prettiest shade of the day.

Heavy snow where work and school is called off, family is home to play, goof off, and eat in front of a roaring fire.

Watching Lizzie the cat lay next to the fire. A true fireside cat!

We used to have a cat that loved to sprawl out in front of the fire. Well, the gas that that cat would pass once he was all warmed up was unbelievable. It was a joyous and peaceful thing to watch that cat lay in front of the fire but boy could he clear a room.

The burst of spring. I will practically get down on hands and knees to see if my plants have started growing.

Right now there are big, beautiful fluffs of snow dancing around on their way to the ground. There's a pot of beef stew simmering and Guiness chilling. Dh just gave me a hug and a kiss on the top of my head as he passed by. Good times.

This will seem silly to some. We been married for 43 years and almost evening when I go to bed I find my side of the bed has been turned down by DH. (He only does my side & does it sometime in the evening. It still makes me smile every night.)

Eandhl that is so sweet! My husband makes me tea every morning. He can no longer do tea due to his heart condition so the fact that he makes it for me makes it extra special. Another thing to be thankful for! It is the little things.

Being able to go to Disneyland just for a cup of coffee and taking pictures for families there

Doing a genealogy search and finding one of my ancestors in a census with all their family members

Puppy breath

When out of the blue, I will start a sentence and DH finishes it

When my grandson likes my singing

Reading in the bathtub

The first flower on a tomato plant

Looking in antique mirrors and imagining who else stood there

When DH holds my hand when we fall asleep

Shirley Temple movies

Goofin off with DH.

Being with family.

Being outside on a nice day/evening.

animals

The sound of lawn mowers and smell of cut grass.

The smell of the dewy grass on early summer mornings.

The smell of my grandparents old house. I'd seriously bottle it up and wear it as a perfume if I could.

A compliment from a stranger. - While out and about not that long ago, a lady gave me some nice compliments and it just made my day. So simple. There are many times I may like someone's hair, ring, whatever..and I don't open my mouth to say it. This is something I'm going to work at changing about myself.

Tonight I got really happy about cheese and mustard.

I already posted some of mine, but just have to say that nearly every post is something that I can relate to and am saying, "Oh, yes! That, too."

Well, except maybe the 'sound of lawnmowers' which actually makes me feel homicidal. :) Guess that goes in pet peeves.

hhireno, have you seen this? Just beautiful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Murmuration

When my daughter mispronounces something like "miles-per-now-er" instead of mph.

I lost my pet cat recently, but she had an unusual high pitched scrapey purr (apparently called a triple-purr), we called it the windshield wiper purr. I can still close my eyes and hear it perfectly when I think about her. It is so cute.

A strong ray of sun falling across my cheek when I nap in our comfy nook.

When a new recipe turns out really really well.

Noticing you can actually see perfect little snowflakes in a snowfall.

Fiddleheads.

When the college music scholars sing Sanctus in our church, their voices really soar on the "heaven and earth are full of Your glory, Hosanna in the hi-i-ighest" bit, I look forward to it through the whole service.

How familiar my daughter's little hand is in mine.

Phi, and explaining the golden ratio to kids.

Finding money in the washing machine.

Helping a kid who is struggling with a subject figure it out, in such a way that he feels all excited that HE solved it, not that I told him.

Crepuscular rays. Fireflies. Tiny japanese senko hanabi (little sparklers).

The sound and feeling of lift that comes when my sailboat finds the perfect notch In the wind and begins to rush along.

My super soft not itchy pajamas.

When dh gets me a surprise for no reason. Or says something that cracks me up.

Bottle glass blue things. Peonies.

How my daughter unconsciously wiggles her toes when she is happy.

Seeing a really fat squirrel. The silliness of nuthatches, titmice and chickadees.

Unpacking a box (we moved 2 years ago) and discovering something I really liked but had forgotten about.

Spring peepers. Eating serviceberries off of the tree before birds get them all.

When dh surprises me by taking my car and filling up the gas.

Parallel parking acceptably on the first try.

When little kids have lost teeth and can't say things like months. Momfs.

Walking my dogs on the beach listening to the waves crash and feeling the warmth of the sun.

Hearing my wild birds calling me to feed them by hand.

Watching my poms run circles as fast as they can in the den.

Smelling fresh flowers.

Smelling and drinking that first cup of coffee in the morning.

Freshly cleaned house.

Freshly mowed lawn.

Soldiers coming home

Acts of kindness, especially from teenagers!

Sitting by the fire-pit on a nice evening with a glass of wine.

Relaxing in the pool on a summer day.

Enjoying a nice fire on a snowy day.

Seeing DH pull in the driveway daily

Soft PJ's and fresh sheets

Kids behaving!!!

Yours,
Thanks for the link, I have seen that, but it was fun to watch it again. I've never been lucky enough to see it happen with that size flock. Can you imagine! I enjoy just a few hundred birds.

When not one but two great songs in a row come on the radio while I'm out running around . . .

That perfect blue sky (like today) with not a cloud in sight . . .

My husband sneaking up behind me for a hug this morning . . .

Tulips!!!

tina

The almost-full moon rising through the bare trees tonight and emerging into a clear night-blue sky.

That time during the evening when the day is almost done, we're in our cozies and just chilling.

The smell of a pot roast dinner cooking when it's freezing outside.

The reaction our puppy has when she knows she's done good.

After months of searching (or researching for) something, finally finding "the one" and knowing without any doubts, that's it.

The sound of my daughters laugh.

The feeling I get when I look at old pictures.

When my husband calls to say hello or I'm coming home.

Long drives through the wooded countryside.

Listening to birds in the morning, both ours and the ones outside.

Shee, your comment about compliments from strangers really hit home for me. I feel the same way. If someone gives me a compliment, it totally makes my day. About 2-3 weeks ago, an older woman at my doctor's office told me she couldn't believe I was 47. She went on and on about how young I looked. Now, part of me was thinking "eh, this old bat obviously needs her eyes examined," but it made my WEEK, never mind my day. And of course I mentioned it to DH about 5 times. And I agree that I need to remind myself to open my mouth when I think something like, "gee, I like that woman's coat."

Also, I forgot to add one more thing to my list. The Sunday crosswords for our local paper and the NY Times. I'm not very good at them, but I looooooove sitting down in a quiet spot with those two crosswords and a pencil!

This happened to me today and I just had to share with my fellow grandmas.

I spent the night with my son and family last night. Around 6 a.m. I heard a sweet little voice say in my ear, "Grandma?"

It was my 3 yr. old grandson. He crawed in bed with me, got under the covers and we cuddled real close. Then he says, "Go to sleep, Grandma."

I wish I could have bottled up that moment!

Oh yeah, we got really cold air, tons of rain, and sleet!!

oak, that is so sweet! I can't wait to be a grandma.