today marks three years since i began blogging. three years ago, i had this idea that i should start keeping track of the good parts of my day instead of always getting bogged down in the bad bits and that if i kept a record of the good things, even if i had a totally rotten day, i could go back to my list and it would remind me of happier times. i thought about keeping a paper notebook list, but then decided that keeping it online would be easier to access and harder to lose. i didn’t know much about blogs back then, but i thought that maybe a blog would be the right format for this kind of happy list. i’d enjoyed reading the online musings of my friend, blogapotamus rex and so i decided to try it for myself. i wasn’t sure if this was a list i wanted strangers to just stumble upon, so i buried it “deep within the bowels” of the household, all-purpose website where we dumped all sorts of things. there was no link to it from the homepage of this website and for awhile i didn’t tell anyone about the site. i don’t remember the first time i shared the blog address with someone, but i started getting regular comments about a month after i started writing. i soon learned what great motivation comments can be. i also realized pretty quickly that the blog itself was a good incentive to find… well, happy stuff. if i hadn’t blogged for a few days, i began seeking out happy experiences–if i was waffling between watching tv or going outside, i’d make it a point to go outside to enjoy nice weather, which would make me realized how much i enjoyed crickets chirping and that was so much better than old re-runs. is it possible that this blog has actually changed my general outlook on life? well, if there’s a story that i’d like to share with you (dear readers) and it could swing either moany and groany or i could look at the humorous side of things, well, i’ll look for the lighter side. and in re-framing the story for the blog, i find myself in a better mood about whatever happened in the first place. your positive feedback in the comments always puts a smile on my face (and sometimes causes me to squeal with excitement, just a little). thank you for reading my blog. thank you for leaving comments (and for giving me feedback in person too!). it makes me so happy to know that my blog can be a bright spot in your day too. i’ve made new friends through my blog and strengthened existing friendships and faraway family ties. i think it’s a keeper.
i’ve missed my first two blogiversaries, so i thought i’d celebrate this one in true blog style with my very first giveaway! here’s how it will work:
–leave a comment on this post telling me about something that made you happy today, or tell me what your favorite thing to read on happy stuff is. this can be either a specific post (i.e. i liked the post where you curb-shopped that credenza), a specific topic (i.e. i like the stories about your great aunt bess), or one of the categories in the sidebar (i.e. i am especially fond of your “stuff that makes me smile” posts).
–i will draw a number at random (based on the number of comments) and that person will receive any or all* of the following:
1. a jar of my homemade rhubarb sauce.
2. a few sheets of moo stickers made from some of my favorite photos
3. my most recent original needlepoint piece, made either into a pillow or a totebag pocket (or i’m open to other suggestions if you prefer!)
4. [not pictured] a set of 5 greeting cards created from your favorite of my photos (here are some of my favorites to browse, but you can choose others).
–the deadline to leave your comment will be midnight, friday, june 6, 2008.
–good luck everyone! (lurkers, be brave! comment for the first time and learn the joy of de-lurking!)
*i say “any or all” because, let’s say you hate rhubarb–well, i’m certainly not going to force you to take the rhubarb sauce. if you’re opposed to (or just not particularly interested in) any of the other prizes, you are welcome to refuse them as well.
Ooooooo! Happy blogiversary! You know what? Inserting the word “blog” into ordinary words makes me happy. It’s silly and it makes me happy. “Blogiversary,” “Blogapotamus,” “Blogalicious,” etc. The word has been squished already (Web+log) and then it gets mutated into all sorts of silly-sounding, happy-making terms. It reminds me of made-up languages from middle school, like pig-Latin or “Op” words: my name is Bop Eee Ay Nop Zop!
On happy stuff? It’s ALL bloggerifically happy. It’s a bright spot in my day that reminds me too to “always look on the bright side of life,” wee-oo, wee-oo, wee-oo, wee-oo.
happy blogiversary! it just so happens june 2nd is my birthday whcih makes me happy because your blog has brought me so much joy, delight, and pleasure.thank you, and may your life be filled with lots of happy stuff.
my fave is “fun stuff” but i love it all…………….
Happy Day! I love your fun stuff too. Today my happy thing is that I did my 100th post. I’m having a little party…you should come by and we can celebrate together. if anyone dumps the rhubarb…I’ll take it off your hands! Congrats!!!
what a great reason to start a blog! I love reading all of your happy posts here and now your blog name makes complete sense : )
I’m happy to hear that my friend’s baby arrive safe and sound and that she has a super cute name : )
Yay!! Count me in. Happy stuff, indeed!
My happy thing today came at 4:15 am. One of my boys woke up from a bad dream and came to find me. I made a “nest” on the floor of my room so he could go back to sleep near me. While I made his nest, he told me several times, so sincerely, “Thank you, Mom.” We both had a happy moment.
Happy Anniversary, Happy Stuff :)
The happiest thing for me today was listening to my 14 month old girl giggle so hard she got the hick-ups. All because I was playing peek-a-boo with her. Can’t beat that!
I love visiting your blog and remembering how happy life is. I love the simple things that make like good and beautiful. Thanks for sharing yours. They make my day brighter whenever I see them.
oh, and since I know you’re interested in this subject…stop by my blog to join in my local foods challenge. It would be very fun to have you!! (no pressure, though)
I always enjoy the posts involving Mr. Happy Stuff the most . . . hearing my former roommate referred to as “Happy Stuff” always makes me laugh.
I stumbled over here from Common Threads. I LOVE the square you made. And I also LOVE winning, so I’m throwing my name into the ring on this one (that needlepoint is quite nice).
Things that make me happy: When my hedgehog sleeps, she sometimes stretches completely out so that the front legs are extended front and rear legs are out the back. It’s so silly and cute.
Happy Blogiversary!
i like your nature photos, they make me take a deep breathe and smile… thanks!
Somehow I thought I had already left a comment but nope! I really like your reason for starting your blog – and that little grass section in your banner always makes me smile. Hearing my kids say I love you mom makes me happy and so do holidays spent lazily.
p.s. – I’m a big rhubarb fan!
You have been “there” for me when I was depressed. Thank you for that!
You even make me think of “happy stuff” I could blog about on my own blog if I were a blogger…..heck, maybe someday I will be a blogger!
Happy Anniversary, Happy Stuff!
I love your blogiversary story, and I always feel happy when I read about and see beautiful photos of your happy stuff! The beautiful layout and insight into the small (and also large) joys in life are inspiring and contagious. Thanks you for dedication to your blog–it rocks!
I finally had a chance to look at your blog today for the first time in awhile. Ok, I really didn’t have a chance, but put off any hopes of doing more work today by checking it out. Great photos as always. What is this container I see?