A daily post of Happy.
Day 271: It's not quite a "man cave" given that it shall be used by me, but it's close. After bringing the truck home from Timmins I turned my upstairs office into a spare room, and until today had everything from my office in totes and boxes in the basement. It was driving me more than a little nuts not being able to find anything so I tackled the mess today. I'm quite pleased with the end result, save for the Coke sign which, when lit, begins to smoke and emit a burning smell. It has since been unplugged and shan't be used again until I am able to inspect it more thoroughly. So aside from the smell of burnt plastic, and once I get myself a little space heater, I think I will be quite cozy down here. Having things organized, having a space for my "stuff" again makes me really Happy. #LovelyHouse #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 26, 2015 at 3:34pm PDT
Day 270: A stunning day at my sisters cottage in Tobermory. Oh man, I just love that I *live* in this area. #luckyhotdog #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 25, 2015 at 11:27am PDT
Day 269: Red velvet brownies with whipped butter cream cheese icing...#needIsaymore #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 24, 2015 at 9:47pm PDT
Day 268: Quick one today. It's only April and already I feel like I've started to fail on my New Years resolution of being gentle: in thought, in word and in deed. I was reminded of that resolution today, and liked this photo representation of it. I'm "resetting" myself, and committing to begin anew. It really does help me to feel Happier when I actively try to see the world in a better light. #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 23, 2015 at 3:18pm PDT
Day 267: Spending the evening tonight watching a wonderful original production at The Roxy called "The Portrait". I just adore live theatre, and having such a close local connection makes this show that much better. Now, if I can only stay awake through the second half... #myfatigueisnotareflectionofthequalityoftheshowImjusttired #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 22, 2015 at 5:58pm PDT
Day 266: I think this was something like my Day 5 post but...corgis!! See? They are everywhere. The perfect spokesdog for Dentastix even. Small thing, but seeing those big ears and little white paws made me really Happy. #corgis #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 21, 2015 at 6:59pm PDT
Day 265: One of my all-time favourite novels is Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre". It was, I think, the first "grown up" book that I read more than once. The copy you see in my hand I got in high school and the pages are tattered, torn, weathered and worn from love, and lots of use. I think I've read this book four times, and I'm feeling a need for another visit to Thornfield soon. Tonight a kindred spirit and I feasted on the excellent plot and intrigue of this wonderful story in the film version, and swooned more than once over the perfect representation of Edward Rochester by Timothy Dalton who doesn't even need a beard to be delicious. I nearly used a photo of him during the proposal scene to represent my Happy, but I ended up deciding that one photo doesn't accurately encapsulate the glory of this book. If you haven't read it and you enjoy a dark story of romance, intrigue, mystery and everything that is good, pick it up at your local library. It'll make you Happy too. #JaneEyre #TimothyDaltonIsGorgeous #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 20, 2015 at 8:07pm PDT
Day 264: Know what makes me really Happy? That feeling of immense satisfaction after a day of hard work, and enjoying the spoils of making my corner of the world a little nicer. After nearly eight full, nonstop hours of raking, weeding, cleaning, degreasing, organizing and purging, I feel like my yard and garage are now ready for Spring. Loving that blanket of blue at the back of my lawn. This really is a Lovely House. #LovelyHouse #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 19, 2015 at 1:52pm PDT
Day 263: Clear blue skies, soft warm breeze, laundry on the line, and a blanket of beauty on my lawn. Spring has sprung. There. I said it. And it made me Happy. #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 18, 2015 at 11:46am PDT
Day 262: Friends, I sometimes forget how incredibly lucky I am to be surrounded by the people I am. I have some really wonderful people in my life, and sometimes it just bowls me over. This post is for yesterday, and I'm late because I wanted to take the time to explain how Happy I am, and not rush it. On Thursday night at around 11pm when I went to brush my teeth, when I turned on my bathroom faucet the water would not drain. So, not being entirely helpless I figured I'd get out the plunger and give'r. Well. Imagine my horror and surprise when not only did the water *not* go down, it came up both in the sink, and then in my tub!! Horrified (because of course it's horrible smelly black water coming up) I panicked and called a very good Friend who, at midnight, came to help me plunge. We tried going at both drains with plungers, Draino, speaking sweetly to them...nothing worked. Alack and alas, I called a plumbing company who promised to come to Lovely House in the afternoon the next day. So when that time rolled around and I was preparing to take my lunch to go meet the plumber (it's just a small clog that can be fixed with a snake, right?) my Friend and colleague ML who works in our welding dept walked by my office and wished me a good weekend. I said thanks, moaned about my plumbing and wished him the same. And he said "...did you know I'm a certified plumber?" And just like that he agreed to help me. Well. Friends, this was no small job. What we thought might be a little clog turned into cutting drywall, pipes, and discovering a corroded cast iron pipe plugged solid with over a hundred years worth of filth. And he, and my other good friend who helped me plunge the night previous, fixed it. It took the better part of the day, and when it was all said and done all of us were filthy, exhausted and starving. We capped the night feasting on sushi and enjoying each other's company. I cannot begin to convey to you what that meant to me yesterday, knowing I have such people in my world who are willing to help me get through. Happy doesn't even begin to describe it. So awesome. #luckyhotdog #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 18, 2015 at 10:00am PDT
Day 261: BBQ! I can't remember if I did this one already, but even if I did it warrants a repeat. I submit to you that just about ANYTHING cooked on a BBQ is improved (and even more if that BBQ is a real charcoal grill, which mine, alas, is not). Today I cleaned and fired up the grill, and I'm about to cook my first thing of the year: a grilled chicken breast for my lunch tomorrow. Vive la Spring!!! #BBQ #diewinterdie #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 16, 2015 at 2:24pm PDT
Day 260: Clocks. I love clocks. Even though being on time is not my forte (but I am working on it), I just love clocks. I love the chimes, the soft tick-tock, how each one is different...some people find it irritating, but there are few sounds I find more soothing than the soft ticking of a clock. This photo is from a clock repair shop. Grammy P had a wonderful clock that was a focal point for me in her home, but it hasn't worked for the last few years. I'm getting it serviced, and I'm bringing it home. I'm very excited, and the thought of it ticking softly in my home and chiming in the hour as it did for so many years makes me so Happy. #Voldi #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 15, 2015 at 6:02pm PDT
Day 259: Today's Happy is brought to you by Laura Secord Easter eggs. They are a definite favourite of mine, and they were always a staple around Easter at Grammy P's house as long as I can remember. I love both kinds, the gooey eggish one and the fudgy one, and this was the first year that there were none to be had for me. So in her memory, and also because they are awesome, I bought one of each (and four for my older sister because evidently she likes them more than I do lol). #Easter #LauraSecord #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 14, 2015 at 2:43pm PDT
Day 258: So another "obsession" of mine used to be Sprite. I think that it briefly replaced the blood in my veins during high school. I loved it! And what I loved even more than drinking it was collecting Sprite cans and bottles from around the world. I had them from all over the place: Germany (watch those escalators), France, Greece, China, Barbados, Italy, Norway, Japan, Kenya, Australia, Dubai and more. I had a HUGE collection. Some were bottles, some cans, and all of them were different. Some I drank the Sprite out of, some I left the Sprite in. When I lived with V in BA I had them all out on display, but when I moved to OS there wasn't room. So, they went into a tote and went out to the shed. Alack and alas, I didn't factor in freezing temperatures when I decided to store them outdoors. You can't imagine my dismay upon discovering the following spring how the cans that still housed the beverage exploded everywhere and ruined much of the collection. Many of my prized cans went out to be recycled. I was heartbroken. That was over two years ago now. Tonight my big brother gave me a can he brought home from Russia from his trip last year. I was so touched by the thought and intrigued by the can that...dare I say it? I start over? I'm not sure. It's a little silly, but it sure made me Happy. Thanks Dabe. #Sprite #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 13, 2015 at 7:35pm PDT
Day 257: You guys! Snow drops! Dare we say it...that Spring Has Sprung?! (If you look very carefully, there was even a little bee frolicking on the flower). Happy!! #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 12, 2015 at 7:14pm PDT
Day 256: Spending the day with a couple of cute little munchkins necessitates a trip to the toy aisle of whatever store you happen to be shopping in. They found "trashies" (something like "webkins" I understand), and I found these: classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys, the same design they were when I was a kid. I did a double take when I first saw them, not sure if it was some cheap knockoff or something, but they seem to be the real deal. They have the little original weapons and everything! It took a LOT of strength to not buy all four of them (and the Shredder was there too!) but at fifteen bucks a pop...maybe not. Instead I took a photo, and am sharing them with You. Why? Because seeing them, remembering the thrill of buying them when I was a kid, made me really really Happy! #TNMT #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 11, 2015 at 6:06pm PDT
Day 255: Today was one of those days that I'm going to have some trouble finding just one thing to pick as my "Happy". It's such a welcome "problem" to have haha. Today I rocked a couple of presentations at work (so much so that one of the teachers sent me a lengthy note saying how much she enjoyed my presentation and how beneficial her class found it...such warm fuzzies...I think I can speak for most of my recruiter colleagues in saying we don't do it for the accolades, but we sure appreciate them when they are offered!!), then I enjoyed the LOVELIEST lunch break with a beautiful Friend and Annesley Girl, (homemade vegan enchiladas!?!) and now tonight I get to enjoy the company of another Lovely Lady who is treating me to a concert! Top that with some fantastic conversations and excellent news happening next week...pretty stoked. I needed this, Friends. What a lucky hot dog am I! #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 10, 2015 at 4:10pm PDT
Day 254: One of the favourite pieces I brought home with me from Timmins is the dining room table. So many beautiful, lovely, happy memories were made around this table, and tonight I started my own by having my first little dinner party. There was food, drink, laugher and merriment until it nearly hurt. My heart is very Happy tonight. #ievenusedthesilencecloth #luckyhotdog #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 9, 2015 at 8:37pm PDT
Day 253: There've been ups and downs of late, but today I'm happy to report that it's been mostly a day of "ups". On more than one account I feel as though I'm on the path to beginning something new, something good. I'm nervous and scared, but also optimistic and hopeful about both. I like days like today. They make me Happy. #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 8, 2015 at 7:46pm PDT
Day 252: Lately I have been doing my best to channel The Chairman. Though we lost him in 2002, he remains a prominent figure in mine and many of family members' lives. Difficult conversations have never been my strong suit, but it is often the case that things can't improve unless you are willing to have them. Trying to imagine how he would have conducted himself, and attempting to do likewise. I am happy and blessed to have had him as an example in my life. #ifajobisworthdoingitisworthdoingwell #GumpoP #luckyhotdog #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 7, 2015 at 10:51am PDT
Day 251: Today was a very monday Monday. Nothing is better after a monday Monday than to kick back with an old favourite film that transports you back to high school. Would that I could go back and do it all again. Turns out, growing up is a trap. #alliwanttodoismakeablanketfort #ThatThingYouDo #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 6, 2015 at 7:12pm PDT
Day 250: It isn't finished, but after three days of moving, organizing, washing, pitching and sorting, I am able to see a bit of what the end result will be. And I'm very very happy with it. #homeiswheretheheartis #luckyhotdog #LovelyHouse #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 5, 2015 at 4:47pm PDT
Day 249: Today I made it to the Farmers Market for the first time since maybe Christmas. It was such a gorgeous day that I just had to go. Bright, clear, sunny and mild, it was just what the doctor ordered. I bought bacon and brussel sprouts. Mmm. Speaking of doctors orders, I saw this sign tacked to a hydro pole on my way. I can't decide if it was made by a kid, or if it's an inside joke I'm missing out on. Either way, "smooking" turns out to be bad for you, so avoid. Who knew? #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 4, 2015 at 9:56am PDT
Day 248: Finishing a lovely day with a lovely mini-series. #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 3, 2015 at 6:52pm PDT
Day 247: "Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in this world." - Anne Shirley. True story, Anne. Thanks for a great dinner date tonight, Friend. It was awesome becoming "IRL" (in-real-life) Friends and I look forward to our next event. And I also look forward to Colin James. Let's do it!!! #kindredspirits #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 2, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT
Day 246: I don't actually care for ice cream, but I love this ice cream distribution centre. It's on a highway near where I live, and for those unfamiliar with Chapmans their logo is the two kids in the centre enjoying their ice cream. Why I love this building is because they paint and change their logo to match the nearest holiday. True! A few weeks ago these two were enjoying a nice cone with some leprechauns and shamrocks. At Thanksgiving they are both dressed like pilgrims. I love it! It's a small thing that took me awhile to notice, but now I look forward to driving by it so much. It makes me Happy! #Chapmans #icecream #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Apr 1, 2015 at 7:24pm PDT
Day 245: So now that it's officially official, I can say that Grammy P's house sold while I was away in Florida, and it closed today. Although I knew this was going to happen at some point, I wasn't prepared for how I would feel when I heard first there was an offer, and then that it sold. I know it had to happen, it is all part of the process and the natural progression, but I still felt it very keenly. It was almost like a fresh loss all over again. I didn't really have a lot of time to process and plan either given the short turnaround, and I had to organize a major event at work this past Saturday. My mantra last week that I kept repeating to myself over and over: somehow it'll all work out. It always does. I should know this, but for anyone who knows me at all I am a worrier. I go seventy five steps ahead of where I should be and it doesn't always serve me well. So when this news came when I was at Epcot, it hit me like a ton of bricks and immediately I went into organization mode. In a little over a week would be my last opportunity to ever set foot into a home that has meant the world to me, and if I wished to take any mementos from there then I had to figure that out fast. I am so lucky to have people in my world that are so kind and so good to me and my family that the move went as smoothly as it did. My two aunties were there already, my parents drove up on Saturday morning, and I left OS as soon as possible after the event finished, picked up my brother, and arrived by about midnight. Up early on Sunday, and had the house pretty well packed up by noon. Back on the road south to come home again shortly after, arriving home by about midnight. I can't begin to express my gratitude for all of the help, the support and the kind words that have been extended both to my family and to me individually. This was very hard, but at the same time I know this would be what she would have wanted. I do feel like there was some divine intervention getting this all done as smoothly as it did. And now, now that it's done, it's time to look ahead. She always wanted everyone to be Happy, and well, I intend to be. Here is to the next chapter! #GrammyP #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 31, 2015 at 4:43pm PDT
Day 244: Happiness is reconnecting with old Friends who understand you, support you, and are there to help you in your hour of need. This guy here is one of the very best. Thanks for everything Ky. Couldn't have done it without you. #luckyhotdog #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 31, 2015 at 4:20pm PDT
Day 243: I know I'm a couple of days behind...it's been a busy weekend. I'll post more about that later, but for now a couple of quick ones. For Day 243 (Sunday), Happiness is finding great comfort in beautiful memories, and in turning the page of life chapters with Family and Friends who support each other. #luckyhotdog #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 31, 2015 at 9:54am PDT
Day 242: Happiness is being afforded the chance to spend one last night in a home you love. #luckyhotdog #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 28, 2015 at 9:46pm PDT
Day 241: Friends, sometimes my Happy is just making it through the day and being warm and safe in my bed (having a ridiculously cute cat doesn't hurt either). #cattime #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 27, 2015 at 7:05pm PDT
Day 240: I've posted before that some days it's tough to find a "happy". This week has been pretty not-great for a host of different reasons, but I'm trying to subscribe to the idea that "somehow it'll all work out." It always seems to, one way or another. I have something coming up this weekend in my personal life that I'm not quite prepared to face, and that cloud has been hanging low obstructing my perspective. It's been a tough week professionally too...this weekend is our big Open House, and my Super Bowl (six months of my work culminates to this one day). It's very high-stress and, as much as I enjoy it on the day of, I'm never sorry to see the finish line. Sometimes I get down on myself and feel like I'm not organized enough, or doing something well enough, or just feel like what I do doesn't really matter in the big picture. Tonight I had a real infusion of kindness and generosity in a local guidance counsellor offering me these beautiful hydrangeas as a thank you for some work I did for her. It was so unexpected, and so gratefully accepted. Beyond the beauty of this gorgeous display, the action reaffirmed a few things, mostly that there is much beauty in this world, in many forms, and that Life Is Good. As Grammy P used to say so often, "Just be easy. One day at a time. Somehow it'll all work out." #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 26, 2015 at 6:30pm PDT
Day 239: Ladies night! Happiness is having a strong support network to prop you up when times are tough. Love these two. #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 25, 2015 at 5:32pm PDT
Day 238: One thing I've discovered over the course of this experiment is that it really is the seemingly little things that matter the most. Things like having running water, for example. With this icy winter pipes have been freezing all over OS. I've been lucky thus far to not be in one of the warning zones, and as such didn't really think much about my water supply. That was until it nearly stopped running. Last evening my roomie and I noticed that while we had water, there was little to no pressure. By this morning there was a trickle barely enough for us to brush our teeth. Apparently a water main broke on the main street at the end of my little dead end road. They were working on it when I left for work, and by lunch the water still had not returned. To cover my bases I arranged with a friend that I could use their shower, but it can be such a nuisance to have to drag your stuff all over town just to wash your hair. You can't imagine my delight when I came home from work to discover that the water was running. It really is the little things in life that can sometimes make you the most happy. #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 24, 2015 at 8:44pm PDT
Day 237: As bittersweet as it always is when a nice holiday ends, there is something just so lovely about coming home. Especially when you come home to a little cat who acts like you were gone for a year, not just a week. Happy to be home. #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 23, 2015 at 10:20am PDT
Day 236: Waking up to one last morning in the sun. Headin' north#FloridaVacation2015 #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 22, 2015 at 6:48am PDT
Day 235: Tonight as I type I'm seated on the tennis court watching my family play (very competitively. Choppy is playing Dad. @shopgirll, you would love this). The weather is warm and mild, the night is clear, and I'm feeling very relaxed and content. Today was beautiful...30 degrees at midday, sunny and cloudless...perfect. Tonight a couple of us went for ice cream at Celebration, a small town that used to be (or might still be) owned by Disney. As I don't much care for ice cream while the others got their order I sat on a park bench and took this scene in. Soft rose colour in the sky, the lake was still, and, I'm not even kidding, there was soft jazz playing in the distance. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting. What a beautiful holiday this has been. I'm so fortunate to be able to have this little getaway with my family each year. I head home tomorrow for OS, and will begin my Florida countdown immediately. #luckyhotdog #FloridaVacation2015 #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 21, 2015 at 6:10pm PDT
Day 234: I'm sitting on a fake rock outside the Canadian pavilion at Epcot Centre waiting for the fireworks as I type this. My feet are brutally sore, I'm covered from head to toe in sunscreen and sweat, I've eaten nothing that cost a reasonable price today, and I'm surrounded by hundreds of fellow Disney revellers. And I could not be Happier. I will love this place until the day I die. #HappiestPlaceOnEarth #WaltDisneyWorld #WDW #Epcot #FloridaVacation2015 #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 20, 2015 at 5:27pm PDT
Day 233: What a zip-a-dee-do-dah-day!! My oh my what a wonderful day! Plenty of sunshine and more. #MagicKingdom #WDW #FloridaVacation2015 A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 19, 2015 at 4:54pm PDT
Day 232: Today we four spent the day at Universal Studios. I haven't been here since I was a little kid, heavily favouring Disney World during my yearly southernly sojourn instead. I kind of dismissed it, honestly, because it really struck me as too close to Canada's Wonderland, and if I'm going to spend that kind of money I'd rather ride Spash Mountain than E.T.. Boy...has this place evolved. What an amazing time!! The whole park is cool, roller coasters, movie stuff everywhere, but the price of admission is worth it just to see the Harry Potter stuff. Honestly, I haven't been so impressed by a theme park in ages. I could have spent my entire day in Diagon Alley, let alone Hogwarts Castle. And don't even get me started on the Hogwarts Express. Man oh man, what a great day! #UniversalStudios #FloridaVacation2015 #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 18, 2015 at 3:49pm PDT
Day 231: Wearing Grammy P's shamrock for St Patty's day. It makes me think of her, which makes me very Happy. #HappyStPatricksDay #365happydays A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Mar 17, 2015 at 4:18pm PDT
