What makes you the happiest?

BubblyToes

Other than the obvious family and friends of course.

What do you do that makes you happy?  Where are you at when you're happiest?

I was in my sewing room this afternoon cutting fabric when I realized that when I am creating something, I am extremely excited.  Whether it be knitting or sewing (which I am getting better at ) or drawing up some kind of design to attempt to knit or sew, I'm very happy.  I love the whole creative process.  As much as I adore my job, sometimes I wish I had done design school instead of pharm school.  

So, what about you?  What makes you happiest?

goodheartedmommy

cooking. I cooked all day today for the week ahead, and I had a ball. I was in a good mood with the kids, even though I was exhausted, and even though we were having company in a few hours, I said " getting stressed about the mess, my kids are only young once, and this is fun!"

um, there's supposedtobea.f.uckinthere. 

sarahjared

When I am doing anything with photographs-taking, editing, making a photo book or other photo gift, etc.

Wish I had time/money to take a photography class and get a REALLY good camera.

Oh, and I am pretty happy when I am reading mindless stuff (like People magazine or a romance novel)

AnnapolisLari

Martha-stuff = knitting and baking and sewing. The crafty bits. Reading.

MayorMcCheese000

When I am in nature.

I love being out in the woods, on the beach, in the mountains, anywhere I can really just enjoy the beauty of our world. It sounds corny but I feel like I can breathe a little deeper, think a little clearer and it just really centers me.

 

ETA: I'm also really happy when my house is extra clean!!

femmegem

I love doing crafty stuff. I had so much fun making our advent calendar and stockings last year, and I really enjoy designing our holiday cards every year. Anything creative, really. Which is why I need to get off my lazy backside and learn to knit and sew.

CleoKitty

Besides the obvious kids and stuff:

My chickens. I know it's cheesy, but getting those hens is the best thing I've done in years. I can't believe how much dorky happiness I get from them. When they're out of their pen and freeranging in the yard I can go outside and the moment they hear my voice all 13 of them come running to see me. (I almost always have a handful of sunflower seeds, some pumpkin guts or other kitchen scraps, a couple stale pieces of bread, etc. for them so I know that they just associate me with treats, LOL.) I've gotten to where several of them will eat straight from my hands. And then there are the awesome eggs that are 100% better than any you'll ever buy at the store...

 

shiloh17

Im def happiest at the beach! I love relaxing and listening to the ocean. At home, baking puts me in a good mood. I also love decorating for the holidays and seeing how excited my lil guys get. Although, right about now--a full night of sleep would make me estatic.....its been almost 5 mos. since I slept thru the night! Ds1-4yrs, ds2-2.5yrs, ds3-4.5 mos.

belle204

Any crafting -- papercrafts, crocheting, etc. or building something. I also love the library & bookstores and joke that they are my happy place. it never fails that I can instantly calm down when I'm there.

mamarazzi

I love my job.  I never, in a million years, would have thought I'd end up having a photography business, but it's perfect for me (and my family).  I love meeting new people and chatting with them, hanging out with kids, being creative and seeing the final result.  It makes my heart swell when I get positive feedback from clients and I love repeat customers and getting to see their kids grow up and capture memories for them.  I just love photographs in general.  I love how they can speak volumes without a word.

I love playing cards with my grandpa.  He's the most amazing person I know and he's never, ever been crabby or negative with me.  He loves playing cards and I love being able to enjoy something with him that he likes so much.

Shopping...especially for bargains...thrills me.  I get a rush from finding a helluva deal.

BubblyToes

Belle, I know exactly what you mean about the library and book stores.  I can spend hours getting lost in them. 

I love taking W to the library.  I want him to love books as much as I do.

jessicaclare

Cooking or baking, especially when someone eats what I made and likes it. I love how you can take a bunch of things that wouldn't be appetizing in the least and turn them into something amazing.

GettinNervous

When there's nothing worrying me. My appliances/heater/car are running great, I have money in the bank, I'm sleeping good, etc. That's when I am happy. Because when something goes wrong, I get really really stressed. Other than that, I am even happier when I am going out to eat without the kids!! I don't get to do that much anymore.

mommydale

Other than the obvious, definitely books, writing and photography. Probably the happiest out of that those is writing because it gets my mind off of the things that stress me out.

Rebekah1021

I love cooking! Love it. I enjoy making meals and from scratch. I love the smell of the house when cooking and savoring the first bite.

buffalo_buckeye

Getting dressed up, going out to dinner with dh and sippin' on a drink while listening to the ocean waves and smelling the salty air. Ahhhhh

AggieCouple

Sleeping.  I just want 10 hours of completely uninterrupted sleep.  Maybe 12.  I don't think I've had that in 4-1/2 years.

ETA: Actually, I did get that on a couple of skiing trips H and I took this past winter.  I think even when the kids both sleep through the night, I still am very conscious of them and wake up at the slightest sound; and I go to bed around 11-12, and they wake me up by 7 every day, so it's just not enough sometimes.  But on the trip, I felt completely free at nights, nothing disturbed me, and I slept in as long as I wanted.  It was pure bliss.  

Kapalua

ditto bubs and lari obviously!  knitting and sewing is so relaxing for me-and I get downright giddy over my creations.  I really enjoy all sorts of domestic stuff...cooking/baking/gardening/decorating etc. 

belle204

Bubbly, Amarah loves the bookstore and asks to go. I swear I buy her a new book every other week. It's the one purchase I don't mind making when she asks for something & it makes me so excited when she can read it.

eclaires

reading, shopping, writing, playing w/ my makeup

oh and my current top favorite thing is reading "Goodnight Moon" to Scarlett.

karen6784

Shopping (bargain hunting), cooking, and scrapbooking.  I love being creative and playing with paper!

*Amy*

Channeling my inner Martha-baking, crafting, decorating all make me feel so good.  I love the creative process as well.

I also love a good meal out.  There is something about going someplace new, trying something different, having a glass of wine and great conversation.  I used to do this all the time pre-kids and now it is very special b/c I don't get the opportunity as often.

Temp374386125003286

Running.  I love the way I feel after a good run, it is therapeutic and cathartic. 

I love cooking and I enjoy eating (probably too much).  I love to read and I love to sleep.

StarryNight39

Definitely taking pictures. I love scouting out a perfect location, snapping pictures when my kids aren't looking, getting a great shot, editing, etc.  love everything about it.

I also love books. Like Bubs and Belle, I could spend hours in a library or bookstore. My Nook is always on me and loaded with new books to read.

Jodi&Joe

Riding on the Harley.  Hands down, that is my happy place.  And that is not something I thought I would ever say. For one, I'm a total worry wart about many many things --- and thought I would be worried the whole time.  And I am, initially, every time I get on it.  But after about 10 minutes, I relax and go in to zen mode.  There is something SO freeing about being on the back of that bike.  That, and Joe and I tend to really connect when riding.  I think it provides him that same "freeing" feeling and enjoying that together is amazing.

But also, being around friends.  We have our core group that we ride with and they were all over our house last night (plus some addt'l friends).  And at one point, I just stopped and looked around and everyone was laughing, having a good time.  I LOVE entertaining at our house and I LOVE when everyone is together.  We really are more like family than friends --- it almost reduces me to tears at times when I stop and think about how much we all love each other, and enjoy each other's company.

shopgirl_07

Hands down, it's being at the beach, reading a good book and looking out toward the horizon. I go to the beach a lot during the summer and never, ever get tired of that feeling.

kickypants

Skiing or snowshoeing with my H. We both love winter, the mountains and being outside, and it's definitely my happy place.

lsufan

Running.  I never thought I'd say that, but I love my long runs outside.  It's such a stress reliever for me, and it's one of the only times I get a little solitude.

Andrewsgal

Sitting on a tropical beach with my kindle in one hand and a drink in the other. DH and I go to a Sandals resort once a year, it totally recharges me and our marriage. It fills me up so to speak.

Oh and the other thing has to be spending time with old friends. I have a group of girls I have been friends with for over 10 years. They bring out the best in my and I love them, I am truly happy with them sharing drinks, laughter and stories. We live in 3 different states, but still get together once a year and it is a time I truly treasure.

Bellisimo

I'm at my happiest when on the beach with a good adult beverage in hand.  Second happiest exercising in some form.  Third photographing my kids doing things that make them happy.  Fourth would be listening to music.  I like shopping too, but I haven't done much of that in the past 4 years since I've had kids.

KoriBrett

Creating something from nothing.

And the ocean.  Waterwaterwaterwater.

Drowning in music.

JulieRNbride

Reading....whether it be a great fiction book, a magazine, a newspaper....anything!

Being near the lake in the summer.

Paying the bills and asking DH, "What should we do with all this extra money??"  Doesn't happen often, but it is a nice feeling when it does!

Hanging out with my high school best friend.

Getting together with our new group of "parent" friends and their kids.