August Happiness -- Friday 17

I'm happy because my mom is happy. She's 72 and has had health problems this past year. That's why I've been so worried about the impact my sisters and their marital, financial, physical and parental woes have had on her. Those two have really dominated my mom's days lately. This weekend, though, she can shift her focus from her daughters to a granddaughter. My oldest niece has flown in to spend some time with Grandma. (The reasons why are too chaotic and complicated to go into here, because "chaotic and complicated" are the hallmarks of my sister's life.) My mother is delighted to have her here, and I'm sure they will be good for one another.

Tied for first! Tied for first! Tied for first!

The Cubs beat Pujols and his Cardinals! It was a great game, final score: 2-1. The winning streak is at two. We really needed this game, because those pesky redbirds were starting to move up onto our stubby Cubby tail. And because, at least for a few hours until Milwaukee plays tonight, WE'RE TIED FOR FIRST PLACE!

I love Rich Hill. I love Ryan Dempster. I love Jacque Jones. And most of all, I love Lou.

Go, Cubs, Go! Hey, Chicago, what do you say? Cubs are gonna win today.

Friday's Feast #11

Appetizer
Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day? I do it all in one session, at least two loads -- warm and cold. There's a third load if I have a lot of darks. And I always use liquid detergent. I hate it when the powder doesn't dissolve completely.

Soup
In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old? 30 years ago, when Elvis died at 42, I thought he was old. Now I've outlived him. So I guess old keeps getting older.

Salad
What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both? Get healthier. It's a long-term goal that I think will help me achieve some short-term goals (lose weight, enhance stamina, clearer skin).

Main Course
Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately. I'm watching CNN right now, coverage of those poor rescue workers in Utah who died trying to save the trapped coalminers. It's so tragic, the worst-case scenario, and if I read it in a novel, I'd say, "Oh, come on ..."

Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today? It's not even dawn yet, so it's too early to say. Naturally I hope my Cubs keep winning so I'll be a 10.

For more information, or to serve up your own feast, visit Friday's Feast.

How cool is this?

Kwizgiver has presented me with the "Nice Matters" award! I'm really thrilled. I began this blog as an online journal, something organized for me and saved on the Internet so I could access it anywhere. I never thought that I would have readers, or meet a network of bloggers I'd enjoy reading and look forward to hearing from.

From Kwizgiver's post --

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award."

Thank you, Ms. Kwiz. Now I get to share this with:

Book Mama (who generously shares the imperfect adventures of a beautiful family)
Gabriella Hewitt (both creative and generous)
Mo (who helped shake me out of my doldrums with the Happiness Challenge)
Jenny McB (who has cracked me up even on my sad days)
Sparky Duck (who is both a romantic softie and a horndog)
Cupcake (who is such a passionate advocate for her kids)
Hickory (Are you still out there? I still think of you and your "big city" daughter)