Back to the subject of joy...........

I just watched an episode of Frasier celebrating the end of his first year back in Seattle. The entire episode takes place at Cafe Nervosa where Frasier simply cannot get the perfect cup of coffee. While waiting, Niles asks his brother the deeply reflective question, as they discuss his first anniversary of Seattle living, "Are you happy?" Well, many many things occurred preventing him from answering his brother's query, people coming and going, rain pours on them at the outdoor table, the waitress put cinnamon in his coffee......such drama!

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That reminded me of a posting my new friend, Jami, did a while back where she put up a list of the things which brought her happiness. Top on her list was Family, an excellent choice. She also included having a clean house, her pets, and having a pain-free day! Only a week or so ago Jami had surgery to alleviate some of that pain, so a list revision will be in order!

At one point in my TV viewing, I had to go out to the kitchen, which makes for the first item on MY list of joy-making things:

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1. Being able to put the foot rest on my recliner down in one try! (More often than not I have to pump it a couple times to get the proper momentum going----short legs, you know

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2. Having my downstairs neighbor home from college and playing her grand piano for my listening and dancing pleasure. Sometimes she even plays "Finlandia", the tune used in "Be Still, My Soul".

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3. Hanging out at the pool with my neighbors and meeting new people. One of Pat's friends owns a skin care shop on Kingsley and wants me to come have a facial one day. Not that I need one, the ladies say I'll be hooked on having facials after that!!! Oh, good, another thing to be hooked on!

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4. Being invited to play Rumikube with my new friends---poolside!

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5. Meeting the wife of my downstairs neighbor for the first time---at least formally. She is so thin, I could read a newspaper through her!

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6. Getting special treats from the young man in the cabana at the end of the weekend---ever hear of white watermelon? Me neither!

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7. Sleeping in my bed with clean sheets---but NOT the toe stubbing which takes place when I go side to side to pull my sheets up!

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8. Hearing Robbie play the piano and/or Suzanne playing the viola on Sundays

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9. Getting/giving hugs at church with my church family

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10. Knowing that Justin made it back from his weekend away, safe and sound!

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And, having my sisters call me to find out what the poor people are doing, when they are sitting around the river in Oshkosh, enjoying brunch while I suffer sitting poolside with my friends! I think I had nearly 20 degrees on them, though, but they have me beat with those two adorable little boys!