Happiness is...

My friend Allison over at Alaskan Purl was recently awarded the Happy Blogger Award, inviting her to list ten things that make her happy. Her list is extensive and fun and you should check it out. In turn, she nominated ten blogs that make HER happy, and I am one of them. That makes me happy. I'm not quite sure if this means I'm also supposed to list ten things that blow my skirt up or not, but I'm gonna, cause it sounds like fun and let's be honest, who doesn't like to talk about themselves? So, in no particular order, here's ten things that make me smile.

1. Shoes. The quintessential symbol of womankind. I love my shoe collection. Especially the red ones. I have a particular affinity for red shoes, which is very perplexing to Keith, who thinks his own shoe collection is sufficient, consisting of two pairs of running shoes, three pairs of golf shoes, and one pair of dress shoes. He's really missing out.

2. Fabric. The colors. The textures. The incessant need to buy more.

3. Books. I grew up in a house with bookcases full of books. Books make a house a home. And I like to think of my little mini library as a nice warm welcome to anyone who visits.

4. Anne of Green Gables. Two words: Gilbert. Blythe.

5. The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear. I love children's books, and while the majority of my children's collection are Disney books, I make a huge exception for this little gem. The story is cute and the illustrations are phenomenal. If you haven't read this book, you simply must. It's out of print, but ebay is your friend.

6. My wonderful collection of friends. Really now, every woman should have a real, honest-to-goodness best friend to rely on at all times. I am blessed with two. Or three. It doesn't get any better than that.

7. My job. Yep, you read that right. I love my job. I am the Station Master at the White Pass Railroad and I love getting up to go to work every day. I love interacting with tourists. I love working with trains. I love that I can stand there on the loading platform and still smile when the train comes around the corner, time after time. People from all over the world come here to see this, and I get to do it everyday.

8. Disneyland. Simply put, my list would not be complete without the mention of Disneyland. I don't think I've mentioned this on my blog before, but I am a bonified Disney fan. Everything from Mickey Mouse to Matterhorn Mountain.

9. Making lists. Like actually writing them out on a sheet of paper; not typing them up. I like the look of a crisp notepad and block printing. I make lists for everything...what I need to buy at the store, what things I want to organize next, what UFO's I want to finish up, you get the idea. It's a wonder I haven't made lists of the things I need to make lists for...

10. Watching the ships leave. I don't know what it is about these ships, but I love going down to the docks to watch them sail away. Especially in the end of summer, when it's starting to get darker in the evenings and the little strings of twinkle lights are all lit up. The combination of the sparkly lights glittering on the water and the gigantic snow-capped mountains behind it make for an awesome sight, night after night.

And just for fun, after I compiled this list, I asked Keith to randomly list off a few things that he thinks make me happy. His list was lengthy and surprisingly, spot on. Good to know he does pay attention after all: Foot rubs, long hot showers, garlic, strawberries, vegetables, Disneyland, Greece, sleeping in, trains, While You Were Sleeping, baking, throwing parties, scarves and hats, diamonds, tiramisu, the Stowaway restaurant, reading, quilting, See's Candies Key Lime Truffles, Coach handbags, organizing things and hiking.

Comments

[Thelma]

Allyson, It's great to see a new post from you! I think I need a pair of red shoes....can you believe as much as I love red, I don't have a single pair of red shoes?

We have a Coach outlet in my little neck of the world, sometime, you could visit me, and we would hit the Coach and local fabric stores, and I could visit you and ride the train.......sounds like a better deal for me!

Thanks for taking the time to share a little bit of Allyson this morning!

[Helen in Switzerland]

How funny -I have to say that great minds think alike - I was just blogging about the things that make me happy too before I stopped by to read your blog. I think it's always healthy to see the good things in life! by the way, your job sounds awesome!!

[Mary Flynn]

I own one red pair of shoes. How fun to see so many in your closet.
I wanted to comment about your job. It is so nice to hear that somebody actually loves their job and looks forward to it daily. Your truly blessed when you do what you love.

[Robin Booth]

It was delightful to read about what makes you happy. It brightened my morning. I was especially impressed that your husband knew what you liked too. My sister and I were just talking about Gilbert Blythe the othe day.................

[Kim]

I adore the things on your list and am so envious that you love your job! Lucky lucky you!

[Allison]

I love that Keith listed off all those things! They are all definitely spot on!

[alice i]

Oh Wow--I do think you have the coolest job in the world! I love trains too. Maybe owning a fabric store would be nice too, but much less relaxing. How fun! L,A-

[Air Jordan shoes]

Happiness, I have discovered, is nearly always a rebound from hard work. (David Grayson, American journalkist)

[Chamaine]

...glad to see this! It made me smile! You are great...oh, my dad and mom said that 2011 is the year for the Alaskan cruise...wahoo! It'll be fun to see your neck of the woods...love you!

[Christine Thomas]

Welcome back, Allyson!! I bought a pair of red shoes in 2001...one of the first pair I'd seen anyone wearing. I would get stopped in the mall and told how cool my shoes were.

I really liked how thoughtful your happiness list was.

[Nicole]

Loved this post Allyson! It was fun to get to know you a little bit better. I always knew we had a lot in common--love of red shoes, buying fabric, Anne of Green Gables! Also, I never get tired of seeing photos of the gorgeous place where you live.

[quiltmom( anna)]

Allyson,
I loved your list- some of your things would be my favorite things too- fabric both colors and textures,
jewelry - both beads and stones made into wearable pieces,
my job as a kindergarten teacher and I love Audrey wood's Book the very hungry bear and the red ripe strawberry. It was the first book that our son learned to read and remains one of my favorite.
I also collect books- both quilt books and novels as well as art books.
Very nice post.
Warmest regards,
Anna

[AnnieO]

As a girl with big feet (9.5-10), I can't say as I have ever braved red shoes, but I like all yours. Also ditto on books and fabric. I love one of my jobs (!!) the other not so much. Disneyland always brings fond thoughts. And, oh yes, I am a list maker. Glad your hubby knows you so well-==it's important! This was such a fun post.

[Alicia]

I love your list! I do think, however, you are just a happy person and you find happiness in just about everything around you!

[One Second Needle]

Thanks for listing you "happy things" on this post. You have quite an impressive fabric collection and you store them well.

[Maemae]

May I ask which of the several Film adaptations this picture comes from, my mother always tried to make me watch the PBS marathon special of this show and now thanks to some friends at work I am addicted to these books...I know I know its technically a children's book but would love to find the one PBS has on its special and I seem to remember this scene :)