I’m most happy when my mind doesn’t chatter all the time. My mind has a tendency to feed me both positive and negative vibes. Some days, it does a fantastic job of feeding me the happy hormones and on other days, it goes downhill and stays there.
Happiness is something that I work towards and it takes work. It doesn’t just arrive and announce that it is there. Constant work is needed to get those feel good chemicals, Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins and Oxytocin in the right frame of mind, at least for me anyway. Dopamine is the reward/pleasure chemical and I’m not always there. I think I am lacking in that respect. Seratonin is the chemical that is responsible for your mood/well-being and I can tell you that it has a hard time with me! Endorphins are your natural pain relief/euphoria chemicals and it’s up and down with me. Lastly, Oxytocin views me with caution, it is responsible for love/bonding and trust and I think it looks at me as a lost cause! All of these work together to create happiness or at least feelings of satisfaction and motivation
So far they haven’t achieved their goal to get me to that happy place. I guess I am happy in the mornings when I have a clean slate to put whatever I want to on it, however, when something (a problem) comes along to rattle my well-organized world, it blows it all to kingdom come!
There is no specific answer to your question. It could be any time of day and for whatever reason, depending on what it is.
We’re days away and it is picking up speed. Christmas is a time where “magic” is in the air but let’s not forget the modern version of Christmas. It is not about a babe in the manger a long time ago, it is about the craziness that accompanies what we call the Christmas of today. The shopping, the presents, the food fest, friends and family gathering together and of course, the “STRESS” that accompanies the whole shebang!
I’m there too. I feel it as I put the finishing touches to the house, making sure I didn’t forget anyone in the mad rush, last minute menu planning, and everything else that goes with Christmas. I’m sure when all is said and done, it will be wonderful and a time to relax and enjoy! Fingers crossed!
The last thing I did for fun was to take a walk when it was dark and gloomy outside and the wind was picking up speed. It was also very cold. My nose and face were uncovered so they did feel the effects of the cold but I truly enjoyed that walk! I love it when the weather decides to show me a different face, one that is not always accommodating but not too bad either.
I was feeling stressed and even though I had told myself that I wasn’t going to let the Christmas stress get to me, it never fails, it finds me and puts me through the hoops. Sometimes, I don’t know if I’m coming or going!
However, Chachi, the cat, did his best to breakup the stress and it did help but I needed more. I bundled up and ventured out into the cold and wind. Believe it or not, I was the only out there. Not surprising. I did my usual round and halfway through I felt the cold sting my face and nose. I burrowed deeper into my jacket, pulled the scarf up against my face and kept going. The good thing, stress was now forgotten! I was dealing with something else. I let the cold do its thing and as I made my way back, I realized that I actually had some fun. It was an exhilarating walk and I came back with a smile on my face and ready to tackle the day with whatever else it had to offer.
That was the last thing I did for fun. Poor me? Not really, fun is what you make it. I find immersing myself in nature is a fantastic way of having fun. I absolutely love it and it is a great stress buster.
I don’t make lists when I go shopping so I often forget things! Recently, I’ve started doing that and I find it is so much easier to get everything without doing several trips!
Fruits are at the top of the list. Right now, I’m into blueberries, raspberries, plums, mangoes, papayas and whatever else is in season. I love fruits so it is a must have on my grocery list.
Vegetables are next. Just about any vegetable is fine with me. Spinach, eggplants, zucchini, cabbage, cauliflower and beans often top the list as well. Salads are another item that is a must have.
Fish is something I can’t do without. I’ve found this new seafood place which offers fresh seafood and it is fantastic. I am a regular there because the local supermarket does not offer the freshness that this store does. They have all kinds of fresh seafood and the prices are reasonable as well. I eat fish at least three times a week so it is a must on my grocery list.
Meat is not that important, although, I do have it once or twice a week. If I do get it, I go for the not so fatty cuts of meat and if it’s pork, I go for the Iberico variety. Expensive but it’s a treat. The pigs are fed on acorns which gives the meat a certain flavor and it is delicious.
The essentials are next on the list. Water, grains, bread, and whatever else that is needed to get the household going. I’m learning not to like grocery shopping but I find that it is a necessity. Can we come up with something where you’ll have to press a button, put in the items needed and it gets delivered? I’m not talking about the home delivery service, this one will be simpler. Press a button and the items show up with no hassles whatsoever!
Honey and Hubie can’t believe their eyes at the scene before them. Christmas is a magical time and there is a lot going on where they’re at. Santa is busy getting ready for the biggest night of the year, the fairies are sprinkling fairy dust to make it a sparkling affair, the elves are busy filling Santa’s sleigh with presents and tucked away in a house near by, there is a family taking a breather and enjoying The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie. Christmas is on the way and Honey and Hubie think it is the best time of the year as well! The lights, the sounds, the colors, and the magic makes it the most wonderful time of the year!
A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighborhood.
She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do. “Well, you can paint my porch. How much will you charge?”
The blonde said “How about 50 dollars?”
The man agreed and told her that the paint and other materials that she might need were in the garage. The man’s wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, “Does she realize that the porch goes all the way around the house?” The man replied, “She should, she was standing on it.”
A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money.
“You’re finished already?” he asked.
“Yes,” the blonde answered, “and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats.”
Impressed, the man reached in his pocket for the $50.
“And by the way,” the blonde added, “it’s not a Porch, it’s a Ferrari.”
I’m not going to saying anything although I’m dying to!
He was one of a kind and thinking back, I didn’t like him when we first met. I thought he was brash and so full of himself but I changed my mind after spending some time with him.
Tall and handsome with reddish blond hair and green eyes, he wasn’t bad to look at. However, there was something about him that caught my eye. He was kind, gentle and caring. I can’t recall a single time where we exchanged harsh words with each other. Life was easy-going with him around. There was laughter, there were walks together, exchanging life stories, there were tears shared but most of all, he taught me that there was “better” out there.
A better kind of love. Not the hurtful, careless variety but the kind that can take a whole lot of beating and still stay to weather the storm. He was steadfast in all he did. I knew that I could depend on him and there was no mistaking the love light in his eyes. He showed me what true love was all about. It was caring, it was loving, and it was always there. I knew I was loved without needing to ask because his actions spoke louder than words. He had a quiet strength about him and he wasn’t a man of many words but when he did speak, I listened.
His name was Mike and he made a positive impact on my life. Most of all, he showed me that I was worthy of love and during his time on earth, he made sure that I knew that and there were no doubts in my mind. I do miss him especially during the holidays but I know that he will be singing with the angels as Christmas rolls around.
Thank you for positively impacting my life to the point that I can only say good things about you! That says something.
Daily writing prompt
Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.
Uncertain, lost, directionless and confused. Those are some of the things I was feeling back then. I had lost someone close to me and I was at ground zero. It was scary and I was vulnerable. I was also back in the rabbit hole and afraid to budge. I had to come to terms with the loss and it wasn’t easy. I made my mistakes along the way and at times there was just no moving ahead. That was back then.
Stronger, capable, focused and moving forward. These are the things that describe me now. My life is not where I want it to be but I am getting there, one step at a time. It is still not easy and at times I think I’m not making progress at all. However, the truth is, I’ve made much progress. I pretty much know what I want in my life and when moments of stress hit like it did yesterday, I don’t give up as easily. I see a stronger person emerging out of the fog and one who is capable of achieving more than I thought I would a year ago. Vulnerability is still there but there is strength too. And that’s a good thing.
Is my life today what I pictured a year ago? I wanted better this year and I’m still not there yet. I’m moving forward and that’s for sure.
🎄✨ The Gentle Countdown to Christmas with Honey & Hubie ✨🎄
As Christmas draws near, the world begins to buzz. Shops fill, to-do lists grow longer, and the days seem to whirl by in a mix of excitement, errands, and festive chaos. Yet somewhere between the wrapping paper and the rushing, there is a quiet kind of magic—one that whispers instead of shouts. And that is where The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie shines brightest. In the days leading up to Christmas, when everything feels fast and full, this story offers something rare: a moment to slow down. A soft place to land. A warm breath in the middle of winter’s hurry.
🌟 A Story That Brings Calm to the Christmas Countdown
While adults check calendars and children count the sleeps until Santa arrives, Honey and Hubie remind us of the kind of wonder that doesn’t rush. Their world is full of gentle courage, small acts of friendship, and the kind of imagination that warms even the coldest December day. Reading their adventures becomes more than just story time. It becomes a pause… a quiet moment shared… a way to settle the heart during the busiest season of the year.
🎁 A Cozy Escape for Families
As Christmas approaches, evenings grow softer—twinkling lights, warm rooms, and time spent together. Honey and Hubie fit perfectly into that space. Children lean in to hear about fairies, woodland creatures, and the brave little greyhound who learns to face her fears. Parents find themselves relaxing too, drawn in by the sincere sweetness of the tale. It is the kind of story that helps families breathe again—something peaceful to balance the noise and excitement of December.
🎄 A Christmas Countdown Full of Wonder
This year, why not make Honey and Hubie part of your family’s countdown?
•Five days before Christmas: Meet Honey and Hubie and slip into their magical world
• Four days before Christmas: Pause the holiday rush with a chapter of soft adventure
• Three days before Christmas: Share a lesson about courage and kindness
•Two days before Christmas: Let imagination take over where stress used to sit
• Christmas Eve: Cozy up together for a heartwarming read that ends the night with smiles
By the time Christmas morning arrives, children aren’t just excited for gifts— they’re filled with wonder, joy, and the warmth of stories shared.
✨ A Book That Feels Like a Calm Winter Night
In a season that often moves too fast, The Excellent Adventures of Honey andHubie reminds us to slow down. To enjoy the small moments. To sit together. To let imagination be the gentle snow that settles over everything else. Christmas may be busy, but a good story has the power to quiet the world for just a little while… and Honey and Hubie do exactly that.
May your days leading up to Christmas be cozy, magical, and filled with adventure. And may Honey and Hubie bring your home the gentle calm the season sometimes forgets to offer.
Hmm….skills or lessons I have learned recently? I would say that I have learned how to let go without going through what I usually do. Letting go is something I don’t do well because it is tied in with changes. I absolutely hate anything new that I would have to get used to and to deal with. However, I am learning to let go of situations and not do the “the end of the world” theatrics! I mope for days on end when letting go but these days, it is getting easier. Not immediately, mind you, but in a shorter period of time and when I do, I don’t go back and try to sift through it. I let it lie.
I am also learning that not everything bad that comes your way is really bad. Sometimes it is for the better. Does that make sense? It does to me. Let’s say a relationship goes bust and my first instinct is to get sad. However, I am learning that sometimes that relationship was not worth anything to begin with. It was better off biting the dust! I take the lessons I’ve learned from it and put it to good use so that I benefit from it, the next time around. That’s something new.
I also try to look at the positives. This one is not that easy because we usually tend to look at what is lacking or rather we are pros at it. I’m turning it around. I look at the positives first and the negatives don’t seem to matter anymore. I rattle off five positives first which is easy to do and after that, it doesn’t seem like I’m lacking much at all!
Those are the things that I’ve learned recently and I feel like I’m on the right track. Keeping on it takes focus because falling to the wayside is easy to do.
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