August Happiness Challenge – Day 31

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Last Day's Happiness: I won Doug over. Today – September 1 – has been a really shitty day, so I'm kinda glad I didn't compose this post yesterday. It's nice to remind myself of how happy I was just yesterday.

 

On Monday, Doug and Laura, two passionate Western fans from Southern California, joined our movie meetup via Zoom to discuss Westward the Women. I run into them in person at the TCM Classic Film Festival every year in Hollywood. Laura loves the Dodgers as much as I love the Cubs, and we always have fun talking baseball. Her husband, Doug, however, is another matter entirely.

 

He loves Clint Eastwood, John Wayne and all those avatars of toxic masculinity. He loses his shit whenever Jane Fonda's name comes up. He and I were on different sides of the issue during the covid Fest when masks were required indoors. In fact, he mocked those of us who complied as "sheeple."

 

Yet somehow seeing me with Laura, just a couple of gals talking about our heroes in blue, has softened him where I'm concerned. He greeted me so warmly last night, enthusiastically responded to my questions and laughed at my jokes. 

 

I still agree with Doug on very, very little. But it makes me happy that he likes me.

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 30

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Today's Happiness: Responsible people. Friday after work I stopped at an Italian restaurant and got a chicken parm sandwich to go. I tried to tap with my card but it didn't work so the owner took my card and inserted it into the reader. Then we got talking and I forgot my card on the counter. 

 

Hours later, when I was switching purses for the Saturday ballgame, I noticed my card was gone. I started to freak out and then I remembered I knew where it (probably) was. I called just as they were closing. The bus boy answered the phone and asked me lots of questions (where exactly did I leave it, what color is it, is it Visa or Mastercard, etc.) before he would even confirm they had my card. When he was satisfied that I was really the cardholder, he told me to come in Saturday morning at 11:00 when they open.

 

I told him I couldn't – I'm going to the game! – and asked if they could hold it for me until today (Sunday).

 

When I showed up today, it was the owner who was at the register. Even though he recognized me, he asked me to spell the last name on the card before he would pop open the register and hand it over.*

 

I am happy I don't have to worry about fraudulent charges on my card. The staff at this little Italian restaurant treated it as though it was the Hope Diamond. 

 

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 *I go here often, usually once/week. The owner said that, since I usually pay cash, he didn't know this was my name.

August Happiness Challenge – Day 29

 

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Today's Happiness: A special day at the ballpark. I was at Wrigley Field for the Cubs' 150th birthday party and it was divine. We fans voted on the best players in franchise history and it was wonderful to see some of the lions of my girlhood back within The Friendly Confines again. Sweet Swinging Billy Williams is 88 years old, but the best left-handed hitter in Cubs history is still with us. I also got to see Greg Maddux again! For a long time, because I adopted Anthony Rizzo, Greg Maddux was my favorite most Cub. He's really retired – no endorsement or broadcast deals for him – so it was delightful to see him looking fit and mischievous. (But it was kind of startling to see him so gray.)

 

It's not a birthday party without presents. The Cubs organization gave these pins to select fans before the game. It goes with everything I own.

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 28

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Today's Happiness: Late burst of energy. Yesterday I didn't accomplish much and I was OK with that. But today was shaping up the same way. I got home from my shift at the store and saw the Cubs getting creamed. So I took a nap. Then I played Farmville. Then I spent time with Scott and Zelda. Then the evening was over and I was filled with self loathing.

 

But who decides when an evening is over at my house? I do. It was 9:30 when I started cleaning the tub and the caulk surrounding it. This made me so happy – knowing that Friday wasn't wasted, and I would climb into a clean tub come Saturday morning.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 27

 

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Today's Happiness: Two naps. I'm not sick, but I feel like my battery needs recharging. I was so very worried about Roy Hobbs yesterday. I am looking at a rather busy calendar over the next week/10 days. I just didn't feel like "people-ing." I felt like dozing in between podcasts about Harry and Meghan's return to the UK. 

 

I'm happy that I have the freedom to just nap when I feel like it.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 26

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Today's Happiness: He came through with flying colors! Today Roy Hobbs had his dental work done. I admit I was scared. Anesthesia can be tricky for cats and post-op pain can be difficult to manage. 

 

I needn't have been so worried. It was a simple cleaning – no extractions, which means no post-op pain to manage. And while my good boy was slow to come out of the anesthesia, when he did he was hungry and thirsty and affectionate.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 25

 

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Today's Happiness: A double dose of happy. First scoop: I took my first yoga class in ages with a different instructor. I admit I was nervous. I'm not very good at yoga and I'm used to Rachel, I'm comfortable with Rachel. But today, with Carlos, everything was fine. 

 

Second scoop: This is the earliest TCM has made the announcement. I've already made my hotel reservation!

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 24

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Today's Happiness: They laughed at all my jokes. My oldest friend's daughter was in from California. She spent 7 days celebrating her (gulp!) 30th birthday in the midwest with her oldest friend – who still lives here – and visiting her father and his family.

 

Anyway, getting together was her idea. We met at an old-school Chicago fixture, Miller's Pub. Figured it would be a nice palate cleanser after all the SoCal sun tea and carne asada (though she did ask if she could have avocado on her cheeseburger).

 

I did not realize that our dinner Monday night was her last night in town. She wanted to make sure to see me before she left. There are many things she could have done, many relatives she could have seen, and she asked to see me. Plus I was not a box being ticked off – she and her friend seemed to genuinely enjoy my company. 

 

I felt very special and loved. 

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 23

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Today's Happiness: Hepburn. Today is Katharine Hepburn Day on TCM. I watched two of my faves in real time and DVR'd two more. One that I recorded, Mary of Scotland, I've never seen before! She is my queen, and I've enjoyed our time together today enormously.

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 22

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Today's Happiness: It all came together today. I have been worried about my short-term finances. Roy Hobbs has dental work coming up this week and the estimate is jaw dropping – between $820 and $2,335 (depending on whether he needs teeth pulled and how many). He has insurance, but since his gingivitis is chronic, they may well rule it a preexisting condition and not cover it. I have cash put aside for this, but I would rather not part with the whole $2,335.

 

Then there's Freddie and Fannie. There's a new lending policy that demands condo associations have 15% in reserves, up from the current 10%. OK, so that's a 5% increase in my monthly assessment right there. Then there's the higher prices we're paying for insurance, utilities, services and repairs (yet our President keeps insisting "affordability" is not an issue), so I predict each unit owner will welcome 2027 with 8% to 10% more in assessments each month.

 

I know that neither of these situations is all that unique to me. Neither is insurmountable, nor will they keep me from the upcoming film festival (Noir City Chicago) or my planned trips to Michigan to see my niece and her husband and Violet. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm not thrilled with this unexpected outlay of cash.

 

But then today I got great news from the bank! They just did the annual analysis of my mortgage escrow and determined there's a surplus in my account. I received a check for $435! Great timing for the vet bill. But wait! There's more! My monthly mortgage payment has been reduced by $30/month. That will make the 2027 assessment increase more palatable.  

 

I did nothing to precipitate this joyful turn of events except go to my mailbox. Isn't that grand? 

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 21

 

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Today's Happiness: A good day at work. There's an old saying that some of us are show ponies and some of us are workhorses. I'm a workhorse. Give me a job to do and I want to do it well. So I am happy to report that today at the card shop, we not only beat our hourly sales targets, a customer told me our store calms her down, makes her happy, and she hopes we will be here forever.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

August Happiness Challenge – Day 20

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Today's Happiness: Nothing. I don't mean that nothing made me happy. It's that nothing happened today, and sometimes a slow, uneventful day gives a Gal a happy opportunity to recharge.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 19

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Today's Happiness: A walk at sunset. I don't have many good memories of my dad. But this evening, one came roaring back, happy and clear. It was about 7:30, the sun was going down, and the heat and humidity had abated. On my way back from a walk I thought of my dad. 

 

Some summer evenings, after dinner but before our baths, he'd take my older sister and me for a walk. He'd make it a game. We'd go up one street and down another and around this corner or that. Then, when he was sure we were turned around, he would challenge one or the other of us to find the way back home. I realize now he was trying to teach us our neighborhood. I was terrible at this game – then, like now, I had no sense of direction.

 

But I liked this time with him. He wasn't grumpy. He wasn't distracted. He wasn't shouting at clouds. He seemed to want to be with my sister and me. 

 

I said a little prayer for my dad tonight. I hope that in Heaven, he gets to take long walks every evening and he's always relaxed and happy. 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 18

 

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Today's Happiness: Two in a row! Frankly, I don't usually care about the Crosstown Classic one way or the other. The Cubs and the Sox play in different leagues and usually there's a tremendous disparity in the quality of their play. Not this year. The first place White Sox are 65-60 and my Cubs are 74-53, but in second place in a stronger division. 
 
My guys have won two in a row, and they have been great games! Extra inning nail biters. Both teams are going to make the playoffs and while I don't see a Crosstown World Series in our future – not even Pope Leo's influence is going to get the Southsiders past the Yankees or the Rays – both teams are playing really good ball. I'm happy for the Sox players. They seem like nice kids (they are the youngest team in the MLB) and it's not their fault their fans are ... well ... Sox fans.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 17

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Today's Happiness: Being back in The Loop. I was downtown during late afternoon on a weekday for the first time in years. All the handsome men in their collared shirts and crisp pleated chinos! In the immortal words of ZZ Top, "Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man." Sigh ...

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge: August 16

 

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Today's Happiness: My bath mat. Yeah, sometimes it really is the little things. I like my new bath mat. It's pristine, bright white and it feels cushy under my feet.  

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

August Happiness Challenge – Day 15

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Today's Happiness: Two old ladies from Florida. This one is hard. I'm in a bad mood because of my neighbor (see post below) and because the Cardinals shellacked my Cubs. But then I looked at the mail I'd heedlessly tossed onto my coffee table.

 

I got two postcards today! One from my Cousin Rose, from her visit with cousin on her dad's side, Marlene. The other from my Aunt, on a road trip to Pigeon Forge with her husband and dog.

 

These are the last two people alive who held me as a baby. They both exasperate me – Rose because she can't stop telling me how to live my life and Auntie because she can't stop being more MAGA than thou. Yet they both love me. I know they do. And the universe reminded me of that today.

 

That's a lot to be happy about. 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

August Happiness Challenge – Day 14

 

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Today's Happiness: Blueberry muffins. With sugar sprinkled on top! I don't expect to be this delighted by something found at Target, which makes it even better somehow.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

August Happiness Challenge – Day 13

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Today's Happiness: I'm that woman. I worked today with my favorite shift supervisor, Zoey. She is a junior at college, now aged 22.* She still lives at home with parents she believes don't understand her, is majoring in journalism, and can't figure out if she wants to marry her boyfriend or break up with him. She's curious and creative and more naive than she realizes. Today she paid me a compliment that was so sweet it made me want to cry.

 

"I'm so lucky to know an older woman who makes me comfortable with my messy life." 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

*She had been pre-med as she thought she wanted to be a shrink, but lost time when she switched majors. 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 12

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Today's Happiness: Movies! Every August TCM hosts Summer Under the Stars – special programming that features a single star for 24 hours. Yesterday was Barbara Stanwyck. I missed a thriller that I hadn't seen in years – Sorry, Wrong Number – so I DVR'd it and caught it this afternoon. Then I took a break for baseball (Cubs vs. Nationals) but returned to TCM for Julius, aka Groucho, Marx's day. He and his brothers are going to keep me company as I pay my mid-month bills. So you know I'm going to go to sleep smiling.

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.