Tada Moments

Yep its Time...I am Going Private

2011-10-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

I know its been F O R E V E R.

I would like to say that I have been gone because I have been on a fabulous vacation, or because a new promotion has me working insane hours (well that one is kind of true) or I wish I could say that I won the lottery and have been too busy spending the mulah to blog, the truth is things have been tough lately but I want to start blogging again and I have even thought of some great posts lately

but

I need to not have it out there for everyone to read.

Things have changed in mi vida loca and I need some privacy, for lots of reasons. Some good some bad, just lots and lots of reasons.

I know logging on to Private blogs can be horrible believe me, I know and I personally don't check my private blogs nearly as much as my normal ones but it's TiMe for this to happen. I won't do it for a little while but please leave me your email that you use for blogger, or email me, or text me or call me or best of all, stop by and give me your information and I will invite you to continue being a part of our slowly getting crazier life.

Love you all!

P.S. This is not a promise I will blog more, this is a way to make so that if I want to, I can freely.

P.S.S. I missed blogging, and my blogging friends and my blogging family.

Technical Difficulties

2011-05-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Due to some totally out of my control, not so easy to fix right now, not sure how to handle them, technical difficulties I will have to finish my last 6 happies later......

I want them to be awesome, so I am not going to just throw a few up here so rest assured I have not forgotten and I will finish them soon....

Thanks for your patience with me.

Happy #6

2011-05-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

I know I promised you Part 2 of Race for the Cure but my computer is acting funny. So I can't get my pictures to upload....AGHGH!!! Andy comes home tonight (that alone should be it's own Happy, he has been gone training for 2 months and tonight, he is home! For good! Wahoo!)
and he can help me, so tomorrow will be Part 2.

Today I want to say Passion is my Happy.

Sometimes I am so overwhelmed when I witness Passion. Passion for life, for love, for running, for kids, for music, for family, for success, for anything. Today was emotional to see so many people running in memory of, or in celebration of people who they love, and there was so much passion. I hope that sometimes my passion shows like this.

Yes, this makes me Happy.

Only 7 More to Go....

2011-05-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

Today's Happy is 2 part Happy, the second part with come tomorrow.
PART 1 -

Today I am Happy when I think of this organization. I have to admit I hope none of my "readers" are intimately familiar with this for obvious reasons but on the other hand, I hope everyone has some knowledge of how amazing they are.

I have been wanting to run forever, in fact when I was about 21 I wrote a list of Things to Do Before I Turn 30. In one of my many many many moves over the years I lost the list that was posted right on my fridge for all to see but I read it so many times I have most of them memorized. Since I am over 30 the list title has now changed to Things to Do Before I am 40 but the idea is still the same.

One of those is to "Be a Runner" this was actually number 1 on my list. Years and years later I am still not a "runner" but I am still trying. Tomorrow is my first 5k. I am running (well let's be totally honest here, I don't RUN, I am more of a jogger, or old man shuffler if you will) in this 5k.

I am so excited to be a part of this. Every single part of this process so far has been so fun. The people are amazing, it feels SO good to be a part of something this great. I have spent some time reading the background and some of the success and survivor stories. They are truly amazing strong brave women. I am in awe of the respect and love the organization gives the survivors. I can not say enough nice things about this process.

Tomorrow morning my time will not be good (I didn't even bother paying the $5 for the timer chip). I will not run the whole thing. I am very very nervous. I have worked hard to try and train. I already am planning my next 5k and what I will do different. I did not raise the most money for the cause. I have realistic goals for tomorrow morning BUT I am so so happy that my first 5k (which also is the first step to fulfilling a goal I have) is part of such an amazing thing.

I am proud of participate in the Race for Cure tomorrow morning.

Happy Number 8....

2011-05-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Kassie is a beautiful Violinist (is that a word??) and she plays for the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra which is a fabulous program and we love that she is a part of it.

The only downside is that it is a BIG time committment and she sacrifices alot to be a part of it each year. She had to join another ward in our stakes young women's program for the weekly acitivites because this year her group practiced every single wednesday from 6 pm to 8pm and this is when our ward's YW's was. So it has been crazy trying to juggle our schedule each week. (Here is where I say that I have NO idea how mom's of more than 1 and 1/2 kids do it.)

So here comes the Happy - WE ARE DONE FOR THE SUMMER!! YEA!! We got to go to our own Young Women's last night and it was good to be back! So now we have one more free night a week and I can give my calling 100% again. Total Happy in my book!

Happy Number 9....

2011-05-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

I am not lucky enough to be one of those "Naturally Beautiful" women. It takes WORK for me to be beautiful (actually the other day I was adding up how much I spend on " beauty" stuff each month and I am EXPENSIVE to maintain....just a little side note) so this is why makeup makes me happy. Just this morning I was in one of those moods where everything was hard, getting up was hard, spin class was hard, showering was hard, doing my hair was really hard and all I wanted to do was climb back in bed. Then I started my makeup and I noticed that the better I looked the better I felt. So I did not climb back in bed, I found a cute outfit I had not worn in awhile, put on some cute jewelry and came to work happy. Today makeup changed my whole attitude and that makes me happy.

10 More Happies! 10 can you believe it?

2011-05-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned that I love reading books but I also love reading these. We used to have a subscription but I thought it was a waste of money. However it is NOT a waste of money to buy one at the grocery store if the cover looks good. Nope it's not. Reading is reading right? Want to know a funny fact? I read them backwards. Not sure why but I always start at the back of any magazine. Magazines make me happy.

11th Little Happy of Mine

2011-05-02T07:57:00.001-07:00

These ALWAYS make my Happy.

ALWAYS.

If I had a million dollars I would start every morning at Tropical Smoothie.

I don't have a favorite, I try new ones all the time.

Today I tried the new Caribean one with Papaya. So yummy!

So today HAS to be a good day right? I have a smoothie on my desk.

How can i not be Happy?

!2th Thing that Makes Me Happy

2011-05-02T07:53:00.001-07:00

Sundays.

Sundays are usually so relaxing and so low key that sometimes I forget important things...like my Happy. (Whoops, good thing we are almost done right?)

So Yes, yesterday my happy is that Sunday was so relaxing I didn't do anything but church and hang out at home. There was obviusly no computer time, and as much as my love my computer, sometimes I am happy to not touch it.

Sundays are one of my favorite days of the week. They make me happy!

13th Thing that Makes me Happy

2011-04-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter!!!

Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Peanut Butter cookies

Peanut Butter on Apples

Peanut Butter M&M's

Peanut Butter Reese's Eggs

Peanut Butter on crackers....

My beautiful cousin MyrLynn plans her peanut butter for the year. This made me laugh (and gave me the idea for this post) but I agree, It's THAT important.

Peanut Butter is a Happy. How can it NOT be a Happy?

Happy #14

2011-04-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

This was Kassie's favorite song when she was little, it still brings a smile to my face to hear someone sing it.

I may or may not use this in one form or another as a password at work to remind me how much I love sun.

I love the feel of sunshine on my face, I love sitting in the sun.

Sunshine makes me happy.

Happy Number 15 of 100 (going backwards...almost done...)

2011-04-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

Bethany Frankel. Oh My Gosh. She is so funny. If I could be anyone she is in my top 5. I love her brutal honesty. She is so comfortable with who she is that she is totally uncensored. She just says things. Not caring how they come across. This makes me laugh, really hard. She is hilarious. Her show and her humor always makes me happy.

16th Thing that Makes me Happy

2011-04-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

LAST NIGHT KASSIE VOLUNTEERED TO PLAY WITH MY HAIR!

This is a TOTAL happy.

I love my hair being played with. It is one of my favorite things. Emmett plays with my hair for "time" on his video games. (AWESOME for me since he gets to play anyway but hasn't caught on to that yet) Andy does it in exchange for rubbing his feet (believe me he gets the better deal, I have great hair and his feet are nasty BUT having my hair played with is worth touching his feet) and Kassie, well Kassie is a different story. Kassie has to be paid to brush my hair, so that is why her VOLUNTEERING is a total happy.

Happy #17

2011-04-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

Yes this really made my happy list. I was at Smiths last night and I walked down this aisle and I inhaled really deep and realized that is made me happy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the smell of a good fabric softner. If I miss the rinse cycle in the washing machine, I will totally restart the rinse cycle to add our Downey. Yes I know this is a total waste of water and yes I know that I live in Nevada where water is regulated BUT I don't water my trees, that's a fair trade right? Yep, good smelling clothes, towels and blankets, especially blankets, make me Happy.

Happy Number 18

2011-04-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Soooooooo I wanted the Easter Bunny to bring Kassie this movie. Apparently so did every other Mom and Dad in Las Vegas and West Jordan because I could not find it! Anywhere! Sooooooo it was a total happy when we came home and Andrew had ordered it from Amazon and it was waiting here for us. Seriously I was sooooooooo happy when I opened that box and this was there! Thank you Andrew, this was a GREAT surprise and Happy!

Happies Number 21, 20 and 19

2011-04-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

I owe my faithful "readers" (Jeep) and apology. I took a minivacation and went to Utah to see family. I forgot all about my little blog because I was so busy being F.A.T. (Fun Aunt Tara). So here are a few happies from my great weekend in Utah with some of my favorite poeple.

Happy Number 21

Seeing these smiling faces all the way from New Jersey is a GREAT BIG HAPPY!!!

Happy Number 20

We spend over an hour making arts and crafts. Total chaos and lots of laughs made all of us very happy.

Happy Number 19

Seeing my Mom be a awesome grandma is a Happy. She is so amazing and wonderful.

As you can see from these few pictures (more to come) we had too many to count happies this Easter weekend. So I am sorry I forgot to blog, it was a busy weekend, I am home but very tired so while I work on finding my blogging bug again, I hope you are all enjoying the rest of this fabulous Easter!!

22th Thing I can think of that Makes me Happy

2011-04-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

SERVICE

Following up our our action packed, fun filled, emotionally fufilling, service centered weekend I realized that Service is a Happy for me. We volunteer once a month to serve dinner at the homeless shelter here in Las Vegas. Anytime we are there we leave feeling like a million bucks!

Every single time!

When you leave you are so greatful for the people that run it, you are grateful for the people and companies who donate the food, you are grateful for the cooks, you want to take the kids home and take care of them. I am most greatful that the people that need help have somewhere to go and get it. But most of all, as we climb in our nice car and drive to our nice house, we are so happy for what we have and happy that we had just given a couple hours of our time to serve someone else.

Serving others is a Happy.

Happy Things # 23

2011-04-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

Andy and I were married and sealed on the 20th of August. As a reminder of where we want to be in life, and to remember to celebrate the little things, a couple years ago I started doing "Happy 20th" gifts or cards or surprises or just something different or special on the 20th of every month. It started as a reminder to me that I need to nourish my marriage now it's like a Holiday once a month that we both celebrate and remember.

So...Since today is the 20th - Happy 20th Andrew.

MOST of the time you make me very Happy.

(Just keeping it real, if I said all of time, there would be questions)

24th Happy in my Life

2011-04-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

As I was browsing other family members blogs to find something that might spark a new Happy. I found this picture. This night made me happy. It is a very long story but it was a whole lot of the following-

1- car problems

2- hungry kids (and one very hungry grandpa)

3- Me, my mom and my sister thinking we were HILARIOUS. (Oh and we were, trust me)

that led to my Dad and his infamous tantrum.

This is my Dad after his got out of the car, slammed his car door, stomped off, while saying a few choice words, then threw his keys on the grass before he proceeded to throw himself on the ground. It was funny. It was called for, it was a frustrating night but this picture reminds me how funny my family can be. This makes me happy. Gotta love my Dad!

Happy Number 25

2011-04-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

It's Spring Break!

Here is why I love love love it -
#1 No rushing out the door in the morning.
#2 No worrying about fixing lunches and making sure it's new and exciting (they vote at her lunch table each day about who brought the best lunch and I am very competitive).
#3 No worrying about breakfasts and making sure these are also new and exciting and healthy.
#4 I HAVE to take a lunch break at work because I need to go home and "check" on Kassie.
#5 The very best reason of all - with lots of time on her hands Kassie turns into my personal slave.

HOW CAN THIS NOT MAKE ME HAPPY?!!?

Happy Number 26 (backwards from 100)

2011-04-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

Our weekend made me very Happy. We had a great great youth conference. Friday night we made some wooden toy cars to send to Central America for kids. Our youth made over 1,000 wooden cars. It was amazing. Then Saturday they had a car wash, all the donations went to the homeless teens here in Las Vegas. We made over $2,000. Then there was a dance and a testimony meeting early this am. Tonight we are tired, sunburned, sore and very Happy.

Happy Thing #27

2011-04-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

I am happy I have a Legacy. I know odd one - right? I am teaching our YW lesson tomorrow and its on Legacy. I am so grateful for the different things that have taught me the many things I know. Traditions and knowing where I came from and where I am going make my happy!

28th Happy (WOW! 28 left out of 100, just WOW)

2011-04-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Speaking of my stressful job, This made me very Happy. This was on my desk at work on Monday morning. Just for no reason. Just because they appreciate us. Everyone loved it. I know that I mention sometimes how hard my job can be and I know that about twice a week I think about walking out (does anyone else do this? Dream of just walking out of your job? Just once, just for the drama of it? Or is this a crazy "Tara" thought?) but the one thing I can say honestly about my employers is that they see how hard we work, and they are grateful for it. I constantly get Thank you Cards with surprises. If you have work at a tough stressful busy job, I work at a pretty great one!

29th Thing that Makes me Happy

2011-04-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

I am a total believer in aromatherapy. This is product by Origins Company, you can buy their products at most Nordstrom's, or here in Vegas they have independent stores. LOVE THIS PRODUCT! I put a little at my temples and then some right inside my nose (gross I know) and Tada...Instant calm. This stays in my desk drawer. This is used alot. Alot. If I could figure out how I would make it into a necklace and then it would always be with me! Just kidding...Kind of...

30th Thing that makes me Happy

2011-04-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

Naps should make my list of the 100 things that make me Happy. I love a good "guilt free*" nap in the middle of the day.

*guilt free means that Kassie is gone, Andy is gone, house is clean, nothing else I should be doing. Since these stars very seldom align, naps are far and few between which makes them even better when they happen.

31st Thing that makes me Happy.

2011-04-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

I just barely found these cute pictures on my phone. We visited Utah a couple weekends ago, I don't know how I missed these. More puzzling is when my 18 month old cute nephew had my phone, figured out to use the camera, took the pictures and I didnt know it??

These totally make me happy!

Happy #32

2011-04-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

We found this at the craft fair.

It says "My Greatest fear is that there is no PMS and this is just my Personality"

IT IS PERFECT FOR ME. I LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AND LAUGHED.

So funny right? Of course I bought one, if fact I bought two.

I loved it that much.

33rd Thing that Makes Me Happy.

2011-04-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

CRAFTS. All kinds. Kassie was very nice and went to a craft fair with me yesterday. It was so fun, of course everything was ridiculously expensive but we found some fun things. At one booth there was this mustard relish

This was so fun because this relish is made by my parents neighbors. The guy who was running the booth is the guy who bottles it. He did NOT care that I knew them. That was pretty funny to Kassie and I. It's a total happy when you see something unexpected that reminds you of home and people you know. We bought three bottles.

Happy Number 34

2011-04-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Weekend. Yep, pretty much every weekend makes me happy. That's it for today. I am going back to enjoying my wonderful weekend.

Thing that Makes Me Happy Number 35

2011-04-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, for no reason I miss my Mom and her cooking. Funny right? Andy is an amazing cook and I live in Las Vegas were I can get any food I am craving 24 hours a day, but sometimes I just miss the way she cooks. Comfort Foods. So this past weekend for General Conference I put a roast in the crock pot and we made roast beef sandwiches because this is what my Mom always did for conference weekend. It was nice, Comfort Food always makes me happy.

36th Thing that Makes me Happy.

2011-04-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

Being needed makes me Happy. Kassie and Andy have been a little sick, my job is crazy busy and I have to admit, I love being needed. I am good at being needed, when the time comes that I am no longer needed I will admit I will be a little sad. Well, more than a little sad. So for now, while I am still needed, this is on my Happy list.

Things That Makes Me Happy Number 37

2011-04-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

Having long hair that I can pull up in a bun is a total happy for me!

Especially in Las Vegas, its getting warmer here so this is how my hair is through 90% of the summer. Do you know what's funny? I actually had to ask a friend how to do the cute messy bun that everyone wears. Who knew there is a total art to it? Funny right? I lasted over 30 years without knowing how to do a cute bun. I am very happy I learned how. Very happy. Very Very Happy.

Happy Number 38

2011-04-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

Jon Bon Jovi

He is a TOTAL Happy. I am actually proud of myself for not using him yet since I feel guilty he makes me happy. :) He is my celebrate "freeby". If he comes knocking at my door, Andy says I can go! Look at him, how can you not have a crush on that face? Then there is his music and I admire anyone who in Hollywood, and in this world, stays married. I like that he is a family man.

He is practically perfect. sigh.

I am reading the new Jodi Piccoult book and they were talking about how the music people that is on your I-Pod describes you perfectly. So if I LOVE Jon Bon Jovi and his music makes me happy what does this say about me? Anyone? I would love to know!

39th of 100 Things that Make Me Happy

2011-04-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

Other People's Blog Make Me Happy

When you have time, check out a few of the hundreds (literally) of blogs that make me Happy. These blogs inspire me, they make me laugh, they have helped me decorate my house, they have made me feel like I am not as crazy as I sometimes feel I am, they have introduced me to gift ideas, to new traditions and new foods. They have inspired me to try harder and be better. I have never met any of them in real life. This is so cool to me, that a total stranger can make me feel something new and feel happy. So click away and enjoy...

Loralees Looney Tunes

A Life Changing Journey

TaterTots and Jello

Joy the Baker

Centsational Girl

*Does anyone know if in proper blog etiquette I need to somehow tell them I did this? Just curious, I don't want to offend anyone or end up in blog jail or WORSE they don't let me look at their blog anymore! So if you have any info on this, please pass it on...

Happy Things #40

2011-04-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

Frozen Yogurt

This is a HUGE happy. We love love love it.

Have you guys tried those self serve places?

You pick what you want and then pay by the ounce. Genius.

This is one of those things I really wish I would have thought of and started myself.

Cake batter with pecans and a tiny bit of carmel sauce.....too bad it's still Sunday!

Happy #41

2011-04-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

This is a Happy.

I love this weekend.

I sometimes with it was more often than twice a year.

Happy Number 42

2011-04-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Modern Medicine. Kassie has been so sick, getting worse and worse since last Friday, she has missed pretty much all of school this week so I finally took her to doctor. After two days on antibiotics she is a whole new person. I am so grateful for medicine. I am so happy we live somewhere that we can get the medicine we need when we need it. This is a happy today for me.

43rd Happy in my Life

2011-03-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

It was one of "those" days, everything seemed really really hard so I have to admit, today this is pretty much my only happy. However, it was a very YUMMY happy.

44th Thing that Makes me Happy.

2011-03-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

We went home and visited this past weekend. It was so so fun! We did so many things that made me happy. I got to see my cute nephews and niece. I loved seeing my Mom, Dad, Sisters and their husbands. We ate great food, that is always a happy. We also went Rollerskating, yep I rollerskated, yep I looked STUPID! Stupid enough that my dad recorded it on his new fancy phone (I am not so happy that someone taught him how to use it for something other than angry birds, because now there is this HORRIBLE blackmail worthy video floating around out there). I guess this is a "kind of" happy. I didn't fall though! That should be my happy for this. It was quite funny. Then we played Laser Tag, I have never done this before, can you believe it? It was so fun! I wish I could say that I was proud that I came in second place but we did play against a party of 6 yr old girls, so that makes it not quite as impressive. It was so cute, the girls kept asking me to do things for them, fix their vests, put their ponytails back in, untangle hair from hooks. So cute, I guess I looked like a nice lady. Or maybe just someone's mom, so despite me "helping" the other team, I still came in second, right after Kassie. S0 there you go, A whole weekend full of Happies! (I think this should count as my happies for the rest of the week - there is at least that many in this weekend recap post. Can I Natalie? Camie?)

Happy Thing number 45

2011-03-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

I know I know this is kind of a "lame" Happy but it really does make me happy. I use them at work, I have all the colors Sharpie has made so far, I use them for my Young Women, I use them to make lists at home. I have the thick ones, the thin ones, the fine point. I really like them. Silly right? It's still something that makes me happy so it totally counts!!!

Happy Number 46

2011-03-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Apparently my happy yesterday should have had THREE babies.

How about that right?

This is an even HAPPIER happy.

(and this my faithful readers is all I can say about this, for now...so speculate away, I love it!)

Happy Numero 47

2011-03-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

Babies make me happy! (no this is not an announcement from OUR house) but this could be a very real picture soon (provided one has girl and one has a boy, of course) with some people we are very close to and love very much!

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST HAPPIES OF ALL!

Happy Number 48

2011-03-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

Leftovers

I know that some people hate them but not me. Andy likes to cook and he cooked a lot last week so this week check out my yummy meals and I ....have.....not ....had ....to .....cook ....one ...thing:

Turkey Sandwiches (with the leftover Thanksgiving Turkey)
Homemade black beans with rice
Homemade black beans on my salads for lunches and in burritos and mixed with eggs. (can you tell I love love love black beans?)
Homemade Chicken Curry and
Chicken with fresh rosemary over veggies

Pretty good menu for eating from my fridge right? Usually when Andy is gone we eat out. So far, we have not eaten out once.

Leftovers totally make me happy!

Happy Thing #49

2011-03-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned before that I love technology, but this is another technology happy for me. We do it with my family back east, we have done it once with all my siblings on there, that was so funny. We have even done it once at home when Andy was upstairs and I was downstairs. Funny! When Andy travels this becomes a lifesaver. Today I am happy that someone invented skype.

HAPPY NUMBER 50

2011-03-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

50 of 100 Happy Things

This is my Happy. Today we are halfway done!

YEA!! WAHOO!! YES!!

51st Thing that Makes me Happy

2011-03-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Listening to my beautiful daughter play the beautiful music she does from her beautiful violin is one of my favorite happies.

Happy Number 52 backwards from 100

2011-03-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

My Very First Business Card.

Pretty cool right?

(my firm info is of course covered, there isn't any orange on them, however would be way cool though right?)

So I now am the proud owner of 500 cards. 500?? No clue what I am going to do with them, so if you have always wanted my business card, or if you have any great ideas for what I can do with them, let me know.

Since this is my very first real business card, It is a Total Happy!

Happy Thing Number 53

2011-03-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the simple things are the best. That was the whole purpose of this blog a couple years ago, was to help me to focus on the little things that made life good.

I am a homebody so....Coming home to my comfortable house after a long long day at work and being able to change into sweats, pull my hair up, grab a blanket and curl up on the couch and watch a movie.... This makes me very happy.

Happy Number 54

2011-03-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

SANDWICHES

I love them. Especially Turkey. At Thanksgiving when you get a Turkey for $5 when you buy $25 worth of groceries we always buy three for our freezer then eat them throughout the year. Andy made one of the turkey's the other day and I am HEAVEN eating leftover turkey sandwiches, with pickles. Yummo, total happy!

Happy Thing Numero...55

2011-03-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

Okay so this was a TOTAL happy Thursday. I love the chance to mix things up a bit. I wore a green St Patrick's Day shirt (Kass got one as well) and Shamrock necklace and then a leprechan visited our house! He colored the toilet water and the milk then left us green pancake batter for breakfast! So here's the thing. Kassie didn't care. She mocked me. When did she grow up?? Who doesn't love these things? Is it time to quit coloring the toilet water?

P.S. - Thank you ALL so much for your comments on my hair post. I really appreciate the help. Love you all!

56th Thing that Makes (Made) me Happy..I need your vote!

2011-03-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

My dark hair makes me Happy! I have never questioned my decision to change about year and half ago. Until recently. I went to lunch (Subway of course) with an old friend who is also a hair dresser and this is what she said-

"So Tara, lets talk Hair. I have known you a lot of years and I have seen your hair many ways and I want to tell you that you look better as a blonde. The dark makes you look older and very hard looking. Blah blah blah washes you out, yada yada yada, I think you need to think about going lighter, way lighter, as soon as possible."

SHE ROCKED MY WORLD and not in a good way.

I can't stop thinking about it this whole week.

Soooo after much thought I am putting it out there...Please share with me your thoughts. No hurt feelings, I just need a few opinions. If you don't want to share your name, I will let you comment anonymous for this post. So just tell me thoughts without your name. Brave of me right??
(keep in mind I am NOT photogenic and I DON'T do pictures but I wanted to give you some blonde/dark options)

So H E L P M E and give me your thoughts...

Happy Number 57

2011-03-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

Funny things. This is Modern Family, a really funny funny show. One of my favorites. I love laughing, and at my incredibly boring (but good) job not alot of things are funny so I get so excited when I get to go home and watch funny TV. I love love love funny shows, funny people, funny emails, funny blogs. Anything funny makes me Happy.

Oh Yes and Happy St. Patricks Day!

Happy Thing Number 58

2011-03-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

It is Wednesday and guess how many days I have eaten here? Three. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sad right? But it's always two meals. 1/2 then, 1/2 later. Plus I always know how many calories the food it. This makes me happy. I think I am addicted. I love almost everything there. My favorite? Anything with the Southwest Chipotle sauce on it. I even tried it on a salad. Delicious. Subway is a total Happy in my life.

Happy # 59

2011-03-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

Oh My Gosh!

Have you seen these???

Nail Polish Pens?

AWESOME.

You kind of click the end, like a pen, and that pushes the polish to the brush at the other end, then you paint. TADA! No bottle to worry about dumping, no dripping, no mess. I did mine last night on the exercise bike while watching Sister Wives.

Talk about multitasking.

Right?

I could not have done that with regular nail polish.

Great new fun find and that makes me very Happy.

Happy Thing Number 60

2011-03-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Emmett came to visit this last weekend. That is ALWAYS a happy. Emmett has not has his "own" happy because I looked through EVERY picture and I did not have one good picture of him all alone. Don't believe me? It can't be THAT bad you say, right?? See Below....

Attempt #1. My instructions are "look at camera, smile, wait for flash and then count to three".

Actual attempt # 13 but lets call is #2.

Then I tried it WITH someone. Nope that didn't work.

Now I am getting frustrated, my instructions are not that complicated...

Getting better......

TADA - This is as good as it got folks. Sigh, still he is a big happy in our life.

Happy # 61

2011-03-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

We saw this. Pretty cute, but the HAPPY part? We were the ONLY ones in the theatre. That was a first for me and it was so fun, we talked out loud, laughed really loud and enjoyed a cute show without worrying about bothering anyone. So fun!

Happy Number 62 of 100 (going backwards)

2011-03-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

BOUNTIFUL BASKETS

Seriously this really makes me happy.

I am total sucker for a good deal so I love this. For $45 dollars this week I got, My veggies/fruit, pineapples (anyone know if they freeze well? If not I will gift them), 5 loaves of the yummiest toast bread in the world, and what they call an Italian pack which has misc things like garlic and fresh herbs.

LOVE IT.

Since I love to shop if I went to the grocery store for just these items I would also come home with a collection of Easter candy, potato chips, any "new" flavor of gum I had to try, the new US weekly or people magazine and who knows what else, Oh yes and lets not talk about the number of times I have forgot my wallet and don't realize until I am in the line. so this works for someone like me. You prepay and then just go, grab your veggies and come home.

Happy Numero 63

2011-03-11T07:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I posted about texting and that made me laugh when I think of how my Dad texts. So today my happy is how funny my Dad can be.

My Dad texts like 1) you have to pay PER character, I have yet to see a complete sentence and 2) like the government is listening and reading his texts so he "can't give out too much info" 3) like he is not a college graduate who knows how/when to use his punctuation and 4) like he is writing a telegram.

Judge for yourself and tell I am not right on -

Dad:

Are you still thinking of trailer. (isn't this a question?) Might have one.

Me:

Andy's money that he plans on buying it with is still MIA so who knows? Who is selling it? How much? Details? (see how my personality shines through on MY text to him?)

Dad:

25 ft w/slide. Not sure cost. Will let you know.

Hmmmm, doesn't that sound like a telegram? (Just read it inserting "stop" where he has a period and you will get what I am saying) Where is the Hi, How are you? Or the I love you, have a good day. Nada. Makes me laugh, hard. I love funny people. My Dad is a Happy in my life.

Happy Number 64

2011-03-10T14:55:00.000-08:00

Today is a tough one!

I have read other blogs to get ideas, I have looked at my "master list" I made of things that make me happy (yes I really have this) and then I looked through all my pictures on my phone (I am still at my office) and I GOT NOTHING. Nothing funny, or witty, or interesting or even stupid. It is possible there are only 36 things that make me happy in life? What a horrible thought.

Okay so after much consideration here is what I came up with - Texting. Yep, I said Texting. I work all day every day and personal phone calls are discouraged (I tried to tell them I can work AND talk but they haven't bought that one yet) but for this reason, Texting has become my life. Anyone can get a hold of me most of the time through a text. BECAUSE IT'S SILENT, no one even knows I am texting. I do work stuff through text. I text my co-workers in my office if something funny happened that I don't want to say out loud. I schedule appointments throught text. I visit teach through text. (I mean set up the appointments not the actual "teaching" part) oh and don't forget Sonic's Text that their drinks are on sale for the next 2 hours.

It makes me VERY happy I can still have some contact with the outside world and accomplish some very important stuff when I can't leave work.

Happy Thing # 65

2011-03-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

80's Music.

The other night Time Life was advertising their 80's collection, we were laughing so hard at the hairsyles, the clothes, the names of the bands and the music videos. Everyone had wind machines blowing their huge hair all over. It was so funny. We watched the whole entire infomercial.

BUT

We knew EVERY song. The 80's gave us great music. It is by far my favorite music time period. You can hear the great voices and you can sing along. No techno anything. No super loud music covering up not so great voices.

LOVE IT! Singing along with a song you love is always a happy. Right?

As soon as I save my $149.95 or 5 easy payments of $29.95 these are babies are mine!

Happy Number 66

2011-03-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

Kmart's "Smart Sense" Water

I drink a lot of water, a lot and sometimes I need to mix it up a little for fun and so I am not bored. So lately my obsession is with sparkling water. I have tried several kinds and this is obviously my favorite. We don't live near a Kmart so when I go I totally stock up. Can you tell?

This is the picture Kassie (who was a little embarrassed I bought 40 of them) took and sent to Andy from the checkout line at Kmart with the following message "They aren't THAT good".

I beg to differ :) They are THATgood and they are a Happy for me.

Number 67 of 100 Happy Things

2011-03-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

I AM POSITIVE THAT EITHER OF THESE PURSES WOULD MAKE ME VERY HAPPY.

If anyone would like to buy me one and I can try it out then I could come back and tell you if it makes me Happy. That might be fun. It would be a game. We could call it the 100 Days of Happy Game. What do you think? (before anyone says yes, they range from $400 to $700 that might change the game a little right?)

Happy Thing Number 68

2011-03-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

This book was pre-ordered on Amazon months ago - I forgot about it until Amazon mailed it.

WAHOOOO!

69 Days of Happy

2011-03-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Catch Up on Tara Time

This week has been crazy, yesterday I spent over 6 hours at the DMV and other government agencies, trying to clear up some stuff (don't ask, trust me you DON'T want to know) it was miserable and then had to still try to do 8 hours worth of work in 4 hours. Yep rough rough day after a rough rough week so after that complaining here is the happy -

Today Andy is working, Kassie is babysitting and so far what have I done?

Exercised, showered, ate ice cream, took a nap, watched some Bravo (my favorite) and read my book and now I am watching a movie while blogging.

All things that I love.

How can that not be a HaPPy?

Number 70 of 100 Things that Make me Happy

2011-03-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

COMMENTS

Lots of people comment to me on something I said, or joke about what I wrote but yet there is No Comments on that post. What the heck?? I know sometimes it's hard, and this is something I am not great at, and I am working on it, and I am trying to make sure I comment every couple posts, at least, on blogs I read all the time but......this is still a happy for me so I am using it. Everyone likes Comments so please feel free to Comment ALL you want. Comments make me very Happy. Comments make everyone Happy.

Thank you.

----------------------Happy 71----------------------------------

2011-03-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

(This one is for your Andrew)

Our Dog. I am not a animal person at all. But Annie was a surprise for Andy (it was allllllll he wanted for his birthday) and it was a hard decision for me because I did not want one more thing to take care of. However, she does make our house a little more happy. She is always so happy to see us come home. Even if I just went to get the mail. We laugh so hard when we pretend to know what she is saying and say it in the voice we are sure she sounds like if she could talk. She is very very vocal and lets us know what she wants, or is she mad, or if walk wasn't long enough. It can be pretty fun sometimes. As far as animals go, she is good one. So I guess kind of in a round about way, she makes me a little happy.

(sometimes)

Does that count?

Happy Number 72

2011-03-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Date Night.

My husband works all the time.

So real date nights are rare.

We ate here

(I am not a raw onion/cilantro fan so it was just okay, I prefer Cafe Rio)

Then we saw this movie

(it was also just okay)

Even with everything "just being okay" I never have enough time alone with my husband so Date Night's are a DEFINITE Happy.

Happy Number 73

2011-03-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

My Nieces and Nephews. (pictures used without permission, I just stole them off their blogs) They make me happy. They are so much fun, all of the time. They are hilarious and keep us laughing. I love funny stories my sisters tell us about their every day life. I love when I get mail from my niece in New Jersey. I love sending them fun stuff so they know that we love and miss them. Maybe its because I love little (don't get me wrong, I love my kids, they just have grown out of the halloween bingo and lego phases that I was good at, I am in unchartered territory now..ahhh) kids so much, or maybe it's because I don't have to punish or potty train them or maybe its because we all live so far apart that time with them is so precious. Whatever the reason I am SO HAPPY that my siblings have such cute funny great kids.

74th Third thing that Makes me Happy

2011-02-28T05:54:00.000-08:00

MY AUNT JEEP

This is my Aunt Carol (aka Jeep), Natalie (who inspired this 100 Days of Happy game) and her darling daughter Sadie. (permission was asked for these picture, I promise, well permission from Natalie not Jeep)

Here is Carol and her husband Scott.

Carol is a GREAT aunt. Every since I can remember she has made an effort to be a GREAT Aunt. When we were little she used to call us on our birthdays and sing happy birthday. This is something that Anderson kids still do, and we got it from Carol. Carol is so much fun to be with, to talk to and hang out with. She is so so so funny. My Mom and Carol together is even funnier. She is also a great friend to my Mom and I love that.

When I was closer and could participate in all of the family activities the first question asked was if Carol was going to be there. If she was, I made more of an effort to be there. Sad but true. I remember years and years ago when I worked at a doctors office near her house and we met for lunch a few times. It was not a very happy time in my life and I remember her being a bright spot. One time when she visited Vegas with her family, she took the time to call me. Amazing right? Do you know what else makes her great?? She also reads my blog! And Comments!! How cool is that?

Like I said, she always has, and still does, makes an effort to be a GREAT Aunt.

One of the reasons I love reading Natalie's blog (besides her great pictures, her darling girls, and because she is freaking hilarious) is because I can read what is going on with my Aunt. I can see how much she loves her granddaughters. I like knowing how she is.

I have lots of great family, and all of my Aunts are wonderful and I love them all but as I was thinking of things that make me happy, Carol came to mind, Having Carol as my Aunt makes me happy. Everyone needs a Aunt Jeep.

It just so happens it's her Birthday today, so Happy Birthday Aunt Jeep! I love ya!

Happy Number 75

2011-02-27T05:24:00.000-08:00

Want me to be really be happy? Give me one of these after you let me take a long nap. That should do it.

Happy Number 76 (Or 24 if I had chosen to count like a normal person)

2011-02-26T16:02:00.000-08:00

Water.

All Kinds.

Maybe it's because I am an Aquarius, a water baby, maybe I was predestined to love water (if you believe in that sort of thing) but I love it. I love drinking it, I love adding crystal light to it. I love our hottub in the back yard, I love love love bubble baths. I love showering, I love washing my hands and brushing my teeth, all things water.

This however is one thing that always makes me really really happy. The Beach.

It doesn't matter if it's an ocean beach, or a lake beach there is something for me that kind of makes me whole. There is times that I crave being near the water. My dream would be to live in a beach house. I want to be able to walk and see the water. Or even better look out my window and see water. sigh, Someday.

Until then I will be happy with the fact that I live in Las Vegas and we can swim 9 months out of the year. If you have to have a second best, this is it.

Happy 77*

2011-02-26T15:46:00.001-08:00

Do you remember those choose your own adventures books where you picked how the story ended by choosing ending # 1 or ending #2?

Lets play that now - Ready?

Reason Number 1 Tara missed her post yesterday -

1- I was SO HAPPY it was Friday yesterday that I came home, got all dressed up was out "celebrating all night long".

Reason Number 2 Tara missed her post-

2- I was SO HAPPY that the 13th cold medicine I tried was working so after my long long week I came home and fell sound asleep.

You choose the ending. Both are GREAT HAPPY'S in my mind. (Sorry C and N, I will do better)

Happy Number 79 & 78 and oh the irony...

2011-02-23T18:15:00.000-08:00

So the irony of this post is that my Happy number 78 (last night) WAS Technology...I THOUGHT I had posted from my fancy-can do everything phone and I bragged about how amazing that was as I sat at violin for Kassie. I bragged about how it was a busy day, I was not home at all, and that now that i figured how to do it I will never miss a post...ya da ya da ya da ...then late late last night when I was finally laying in bed...I checked the post on the above mentioned fancy phone- AND NOTHING.

Ironic right??
Needless to say -Today I am not positive number 79 still counts as a happy but 78 I AM positive about.

Sleeping makes me happy.

The End. Thank Heavens it's almost the weekend.

Number 80! Twenty Days Done!!

2011-02-22T15:01:00.001-08:00

Okay when I decided to do this 100 Days of Happy challenge I had no idea what I was in for. To go from no blogging for M O N T H S to blogging daily is like going from walking to the corner to running a marathon. Yep - Next time, I will start slower. However, don't get confused, I am not complaining. Because you can't COMPLAIN on the 100 Days of Happy (right Natalie and Camie?) sooo I will follow up my little, teeny, tiny complaint by saying that I do love having an excuse to be part of the blogging world again.

Now for Today's Happy....

THE SALON. I love love love leaving the salon. I love how awesome I feel for the first little while. I love someone else doing my hair and I love a professional blowdry. I love the products and sitting under the blow dryer and reading the new magazines while my color processes. I love the small talk. I don't usually love the small talk but Melinda, my FABULOUS hair girl, is soooo soooo good at the small talk. She remembers everything and remembers to follow up and ask how things went. Even weeks and weeks later.

She understands my need for constant change and to be kind of cool (because I do have a teenager but I am NOT old yet) so she helps me be able to style my hair kind of cool and gives me tips and pointers. She gets that I NEED to use hairspray, even though she tells me that it is very 1990. For Christmas she gave me a purse size hairspray, because she knows that at home and at my office, just might not be enough hairspray for little ole me. How cool is that? She even invited me to her wedding. Yep, I love her and love going to see her at the salon. More importantly I love leaving the salon. No, I don't have an appointment today, or anytime soon, this was just something that makes me very happy.

Number 81

2011-02-21T19:54:00.000-08:00

GROUPON

Everyone does this right? If you don't, go sign up! What are you waiting for? It's an email a day, nothing else. You don't want it? Delete the email. So simple.

How about LivingSocial? Or GroopDealz? Love them! Today we used our $10 dollars for $20 at Barnes and Noble. Everyone's Valentines gifts came from one of them, we have tried new restaurants, most at 50% off. It is so fun and getting a good deal always makes me happy.

82 of 100 Things that Make me Happy!

2011-02-20T21:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Kassie had a Solo and Ensemble Competition. She did AMAZING. I did record it on my phone but I don't know how to put it on You Tube, so when I figure that one out, you can see some of it. They got a 1, which is superior. WE ARE SO PROUD!!

It was a long fun day but one of the things that made me happy was this picture. This is Kass and her friend Amber yesterday.

This is Kassie and Amber at the same competition last year.

Total difference right? Amazing the differences in everything about them between this year and last year. It made me smile to see what beautiful, talented, fun girls they are turning out to be.

Happy Number 83-

2011-02-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

*Okay I swear this was here yesterday! I logged on, did it and then checked it later on my phone. Then tonight, its gone. What the Heck??

Need I say more? I think not.

Five Question Friday

2011-02-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

It's Friday, not only that, It's Friday of a three day weekend! YEA!!!

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?
2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?
3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?
4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?
5. What is the best book you have ever read?

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

Only on weekends. I am pretty sure someone would say something in my office. Yep, someone would mock me. Now come Saturday and Sunday? It's tracksuit/Yoga pants/leggings time. And yes some weekends it's the same thing, the whole weekend. I do shower though, and do my hair different and of course I brush my teeth. Does that count?
2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?

I think we live in a large city. I think I would love to live in a small city. Somewhere simple. Somewhere where you don't lock your front door even if you are just walking the dog. My answer is, I wouldn't chose a large city, I would chose a smaller one. Much smaller.
3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?

Depends how far and how many "kids" are going. Probably drive but we haven't really been on any family vacations, more like family weekend trips, or family jaunts so that may change if the drive was more than 6 hours.
4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?

Paying someone else to do it.
5. What is the best book you have ever read?

Hmm, I am a reader so this one is HARD! My last favorite, could not put down, stay up later than 9:30 pm, hide it in my desk drawer and pretend to work book was...The Queen Maker by India Edghill. I loved it so much I read her other two books before reading anything else. They made the Bible come alive.

I also loved The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman, I have read three of hers and the three I read all connect together by one common thing, it's read and wait to find what connects them. Her books are centered around a country, and a time period and then everything that goes with that. The people, the culture, the social status, the food etc. Really good. I just ordered two more of hers so I will let you know if every thing she writes is wonderful.

Historical fiction books always seem to make my top five best ever. So if you have read any great historical fiction, I want to know about it!

Okay let's hear your answers.....

And my happy for today? Number 84 is that I finished this post, I am not feeling awesome and that usually translates to no desire to post (or work, or clean, or exercise, or talk, or take care of anything)...then that translates to 8 months without blogging....so I AM HAPPY I POSTED TODAY.

Happy Thing Number 85

2011-02-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

Crazy busy day today, not feeling so hot = kind of lame "happy" today.

All I can focus on right now is that want is my heels and skirt off, my contacts out, my blanket and my couch. (Well honestly my bed but I still have somethings to get done tonight, so the couch will have to do).

Blah..and on that happy note, here is my "H a P p Y". My first sip of this today really made me smile.

P.S. - it has to be A&W, last Saturday my husband bet me $20 I could not guess which rootbeer was which. He said they all taste the same. He had several different kinds and on my blind taste test....my results were...100% right. Impressed? Yep. I knew them all and I reconfirmed, I love Diet A&W.

Happy 86

2011-02-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

My Google Reader. If you do know know about this (I didn't until recently), and you want to, email me. It is the greatest invention (that I have found) in the blogging world. It has helped me be a better blog stalker and decreased my productivity at work (just a little). I have found some AMAZING blogs, and got some even more AMAZING ideas. I just can't say enough good things about it. It definitely makes me smile. Definitely.

Happy Number 87...

2011-02-15T15:38:00.001-08:00

ALL THINGS HOUSEWIVES!

I don't descriminate, I am so happy when one of these is on the DVR.

I LOVE THEM!

Happy Number 88

2011-02-14T09:13:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to my BFFALOML

My 89th Thing that Makes me Happy is...

2011-02-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

Great Hair Days, not Reese Witherspoon, is my happy today, don’t get me wrong, she is great but not of my “happies” (is happies a word?), but her hair? Yes! She has great hair, I love it when I have great hair days. Don’t you? When my hair looks great, I even dress up more. Why not feel great all around. That’s my philosophy.

This definitely makes me happy.

100 Days of Happy # 90

2011-02-12T06:13:00.000-08:00

Today is one of my favorite Happies. Are you ready??

My Monday/Friday spin class.

You wouldn't know it to look at me but I exercise. Daily. I exercise to be healthy. (If I didn't love food that is bad for me, I would be sexy hot, I exercise that often and that hard...I am working on this...) I exercise so that my back-slipped-disk-something-or-other doesn't bother me. I exercise to feel good but lately I have come to understand that I exercise for the therapy of it. There is NO problem that is not made better (or more manageable) after a dang hard, sweat soaked workout. To me, this is better than any therapist or pill (and I have tried my fair share of both).

Several months ago I started the spin class at my gym. It took a couple months to get the hang of it and look like I know what I am doing and now I love it. The instructor is great, the music is good, friends come most of the time, Every time I go I feel stronger and better at riding. There is nothing bad about it and at the end of the class....

I am happy. Every single time.

5 Question Friday 2/11/11

2011-02-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

It's backkkk...

Well it has always been here, I haven't so I'm backkk....

THIS great blog does this pretty much every Friday, it's kind of a fun thing, so play along! On your own blog or just answer the Questions in your comment to me. I can't wait to read what you guys answer (I love this part so let me see your answers...).

1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home MakeOver or TLC's What not to Wear?
2. Do you have any tattoos?
3. Do you tell your kids about things you did growing up?
4. If the traffic signal turns yellow, do you stop or speed up?
5. What's your preference: chocolate or chips?

Here we go -

1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home MakeOver or TLC's What not to Wear?

Home MakeOver. TLC's What Not to Wear would honestly be my worse nightmare. I do love this show and try follow their rules, most of the time. I do wear tennis shoes with my "dress up sweats" but other than that, I do okay. I don't ever go to the store in my PJ's or without makeup. See I don't need that show....Do you hear that family and friends.....I don't need that show.....

2. Do you have any tattoos?

No. That's all I will say, my Mom and Dad read this sometimes.

3. Do you tell your kids about things you did growing up?

Not yet. I was not the best child, so I don't really talk about growing up in general. If I ever thought it would help or change her mind about doing something wrong, I would in a heart beat.

4. If the traffic signal turns yellow, do you stop or speed up?

Speed up. Unless I have been on the phone, or my contacts are not in, you know things that would get me in real trouble if I was pulled over. If that is the case, I stop.

5. What's your preference: chocolate or chips?

Tough one. Chocolate is my first answer but I do love the whole salty/sweet thing so it really is a toss up. Hmmm if I went to 7-11 and I only have $2 cash I would buy chocolate ...so that must be my answer.

Happy Friday and I for one am thrilled it's finally the weekend!

Happy Number 83

2011-02-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

Need I say anything more? I think not.

This Happy is a GrEaT one! Are you Ready for Number 91??

2011-02-11T08:35:00.001-08:00

This is my beautiful Mother

(She is with my cute nephews, I could not find a close up picture of my Mom alone. Well that is not true I have plenty, she would just kill me if I posted some of them, i.e. - my house, purple pajamas, Sunday morning, playing that game and you had to hold your foot in the air and pat your head at the same time, does that ring a bell Mom? )

Today is her Birthday. She is one of the most amazing people I know. She is a wonderful Mom, Wife, Friend, Grandma, Mother-In-Law and all around Person. She is talented and well rounded and knows what is important in life. She is the one person on this earth that I can honestly say that if I turn out like her, I will be proud of my life. She makes me happy. As far back as I can remember she has always been my best friend and biggest cheerleader.

I love you Mom and I am SO happy you are MY Mom.

Happy Birthday Sharon Kay!

Love/Hate Relationship

2011-02-10T15:03:00.000-08:00

I love to be creative.

My day job is a little boring. Don’t get me wrong I am grateful for my job (I mean how else would I be able to support my "Happy Number 92"??), I love the stability and flexibility it has. I like how close it is to my house and Kassie’s school, I love *most* of the people I work with, but it gets boring. I work in a law office and law is the same, nothing new, no thinking outside the box, same things, new case, different day, I did choose to work here so I know I can't really complain, I am just saying I need a creative outlet and since that is not something my great job offers...

I love coming home and being able to create (and by create I mean to try new recipes and craft projects I found on someone else's blog during that day at the above mentioned slightly boring job. So is it really creating? Or should I say, I love to COPY). But crafting and I have a Love/Hate Relationship. Take this for example-

This is my current project.

DO YOU LOVE IT? I do! I made three of them like this...

I took an old book and painted the edges with brown paint. Then I tore those pages out and hot glued them to a styrofoam wreath. TOTALLY EASY AND CUTE! Love it!

I do have one tiny small concern. (This is where the hate part comes in, the time). I read so many blogs and there is so many great creative people out there,(it amazes me). The other day one of my favorite craft bloggers said, "while my son was napping I whipped this up and wanted to show you". While he was napping? The apron she made was darling! How long do toddlers sleep these days?

These wreaths have taken me days...like 10 days....now sometimes,okay most of the time,we are busy so that is not like 10 days of 4 to 5 hours a day but we are still talking hours and hours and hours.

This won't stop me from trying to make cute things, just for the satisfaction h o w e v e r, crafting always makes me realize I am so so grateful I am living in 2011 because I would not have made a great pioneer. If I had to make my own bread and butter, I am pretty sure my family would have starved.

Things that make me Happy Number 92

2011-02-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

S H O P P I N G !!!

It doesn't matter what it is for, I even like grocery shopping. Costco is one of my favorite places, love Target, I weekly visit Michaels, sometimes twice a week and clothes. Love shopping for something new to wear, for anyone, doesn't even have to be for me.

However, I have to admit that I don't love having to go to Walmart on my lunch break, even though I know that counts as shopping it bugs me when the only time I have to get it done is on the only break I get from work.

So I guess this happy should technically be -

Shopping, when its not a "Have-To" at Walmart on my lunch break. :)

Happy Thing Number 93

2011-02-09T20:49:00.001-08:00

Costco.
More specifically Turkey Meatballs from Costco.
Have you tried them? You should, they are worth it.
Today these made me happy.

NUMBER 94!! These are in no particular order...for obvious reasons..

2011-02-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

THIS FACE

If someone had told me 14 years ago that I would be the Mom to the world’s most amazing girl I never would have believed you. I hear all the time that ”she is great because I am great”…or that “I raised her, so I get some credit” but I do not believe that.

Some people are just born great. Born practically perfect. She has gone through so many trials in her young life and she has risen above the sadness and disappointment, many many moves, as many new schools, more divorce and divorce issues then any child should have to deal with and don’t forget about her moody Mom and yet she has kept rising.

She is talented and smart and so beautiful. She follows the rules and is responsible. She is happy and optimistic and loves so so so many things. She has high goals for herself but she knows what’s important in life. She is nice to everyone, all of the time.

She even has a little BF they text each other things like “I am so lucky to be “going with the cutest girl/guy in the whole school” and “I waited for you at your locker, I needed a hug” and “when do you think we should try holding hands?”. She texts me things like “omgsh I don’t have my key and I don’t think I put the spare back last time I forgot my key” and “You looked very fresh this morning”.

She makes me happy. She has always made me happy, from the day she was born. Even when she doesn’t clean her bathroom or she puts the dishes I pulled out of refrigerator to be washed right back in the refrigerator instead of washing them she makes me happy. I love all of my family but if truth be told, she should really be numbers 1-45, 47-69 and 77-100 on my 100 days of Happy because she makes me THAT happy.

95th Thing that Makes me Happy.

2011-02-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

This Recipe -

1 box Cake Mix (I have only tried chocolate varieties so far)
1 can 15 oz puree pumkin (not pumkin pie mix)
Mix and make 18 cupcakes.

Why does this make me happy you ask?

114 calories each cupcake!

WHOO!! Besides that they are moist and yummy, they have a brownie like texture. You can barely taste the pumpkin, if you didn't know what was in them you would not be able to pick it out, I promise, I tested it, on several people. One of which does not like pumpkin. They are soo satisfying and guilt free. I love them. They make everyone who has tried them happy.

Try them and let me know what you think, you won't be sorry you did.

Numero 96

2011-02-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

Have you guys seen this? When we saw it in the movie theatre I LOVED it. Like cried halfway through it... fell in love with Gerard Butler...wanted to be Hilary Swank..I needed an Irish accent...was willing to up and move Ireland the same day loved it. For some reason it was magical to me.

When it came out on video I bought it but I did not open it and watch it again. I couldn't. Crazy right? Why didn't I open it you ask? (because I am positive you are all wondering why, I am sure that the curiousity is killing some of you and you won't be able to sleep tonight unless I explain..) because I was afraid I wouldn't like it as much as I did in the theatre. Crazy right?

Want another example of this concept and how crazy I can be? Ready?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. Every single time I read it I cry like a baby. When they made it into a movie I never saw it. I refused. I was so afraid it would ruin the book for me and I could not let that happen.

The book is magic to me.

(feel free to question my morals/beliefs because my husband dying or me having an affair is magical to me..yep I do realize how bad that sounds).

So the Happy part? Last night I watched P.S. I Love You and I LOVED it. I think I loved it more than the first time. I was so Happy! I am still so Happy...

97th Thing that Makes me Happy

2011-02-05T17:31:00.000-08:00

Books! They are some of my favorite things. I love a good book, I love sharing a good book, I love reading books people have recomended, I love my book club girls. I like all things books and wait until you see what I have been crafting with some "not so good" books...Maybe that should be a post soon.

Number 98

2011-02-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

FRIENDS

Well, not per say THESE "friends", although a good rerun of this show is always fun, I am thinking more of our friends in our life. Last night we went to a birthday party dinner for a good friend of ours. I was reminded how much fun good conversation and good food can be when you are with GREAT friends, both new and old. This made me happy. Sometimes a good friend is just what you need.

P.S. - I was going to do 5 Question Friday (if you are going to make a come back why not come back with a

BANG ,right?) But they werent posted yet, so check back later. Maybe I will post twice in one day. Maybe.

99 Days of Happy

2011-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

I decided to count backwards, kind of like when you were younger and used to sing 99 bottles of beer (err umm rootbeer) on the wall on really long car trips just to annoy your Mom and Dad. Remember? Please say you remember, The Anderson kids can not be the only ones who did this. How about Monty Python, did you quote that on long car trips? Princess Bride? Oh my sweet Wesley what have I done?

***As a side note, just this AM in the shower I was trying to sing songs I knew all the words to (just to wake up/annoy my husband) and I totally forgot I know all the words to this one! How could I forget I know all these words??! !! Tomorrow am - this is my shower song.

Okay back to 100 days of Happy, ready for Day 2?

Everyone who remembered my birthday last week. With cards, gifts, food, money, text messages, phone calls, voicemails, emails, Facebook notes. Everything. This made me happy. So Thank you. Thank you very very much.

Happy Number 87

2011-02-02T15:29:00.000-08:00

All things Housewives!

I don't descriminate. Seeing any of these on our DVR makes me happy.

100 Days of Happy

2011-02-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

Yep - It's a True Christmas Miracle- I am blogging!

Maybe its the cold weather (yes Las Vegas has cold weather, not school closed, snow coming in under our door , -15 degrees cold weather but I have not worn flip flops for weeks! That is cold!) or maybe it's because work is a little slow so I have had time to daily clean out my google reader (Thanks Katie for teaching me about this MARVELOUS invention) and so I am inspired from all the great blogs out there, or maybe it was the conversation I just had at lunch with my hilarious husband about how I need to not be so pessimistic or maybe, just maybe it was my darling, funny, creative cousin and this post, or maybe it's a little tiny bit of all of the many reason above, for whatever reason, I am going to try THIS challenge.

Wish me luck because as everyone knows, 1) I am not by nature a "happy" person, 2) I can guarantee that I probably won't post daily, some days will be like a couple days of Happy catch-up 3) 100 days is ALOT. Maybe I should have adapted it and said 13 days of Happy. Ya think?

So after EIGHT MONTHS (where has the time gone) of No posts at all, I, Tara, hereby promise to do my best to focus on one thing a day that makes me happy. Yep, we all need to be reminded of what makes us happy. Some of us (me) need to be reminded daily.

So...ready....set...go.....

Day 1

My Religion

This is the first thing that came to my mind. I love the peace of mind that any religion brings, I am especially greatful for mine and the joy and happiness that it continues to bring to my life.

Seven Smiles on Mother's Day

2010-05-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

So after 13 years of being a Mom, I figured out how to have a great Mothers Day! Want to know the trick? Tell everyone EXACTLY what to do. No more suprises, no expectations, no more hoping they will make it wonderful, I just said what I wanted, they did it! Here is the highlights...
1- A weekend get-a-way with my husband to Laughlin. So fun! We shopped and ate out and walked along the river banks, it was so relaxing and fun, a much needed break.
2- New bubble bath! Apparently Bath and Body Works stopped selling their bubble bath a little while ago but in Laughlin they had an outlet store and TaDa...They had bubble bath!

3- Talking to our Mom's. They are so amazing and have done so much for us.
4- New scriptures! With my name! I have not had new scriptures since the seminary days. How do I know they are my seminary scriptures? Because the full book of Genesis have names of all my friends and seminary class mates and anyone I knew and who they loved. Yep for real. In the top corner I wrote things like Amber loves Larry. Stephanie loves Josh. For over 200 pages. Sigh. So they were much needed and I am so so excited!

5- The cards from my family. They are so thoughtful and this was the one thing they did one their own. I Love them.
6- All of the "mothers" we know. I was looking through some old pictures from my single motherhood days and I realized that Kassie has had so many amazing "mothers" who have helped her be who she is today. I love so many "mothers" in my life. Thank you.
6- My favorite dinner. Barbequed chicken and baked potatoes. So simple yet so wonderful and yummy.

Perfect Mothers Day.

Happy Mothers Day Sharon Kay

2010-05-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom,

Thank you for teaching me about the gospel and the importance of a temple marriage.

Thank you for loving my daughter.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of taking care of your home.

Thank you for family vacations and the memories they provide.

Thank you for making me try new things and new foods.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of popcorn.

Thank you for listening every single time I need someone to talk to.

Thank you for worrying about me.

Thank you for teaching me that warm toast tastes better than cold toast.

Thank you for teaching me to take pride in how I look.

Thank you for fixing breakfast and lunches and after school snacks and dinners.

Thank you for forgiving me.

Thank you for going to every single performance and ball game, even the church ball games.

Thank you for teaching me to play fair.

Thank you for teaching me that sprite and saltine crackers fix every upset stomach.

Thank you for teaching me my work ethic.

Thank you for teaching me to not be afraid to try again.

Thank you for passing on the desire to do things well.

Thank you for supporting me, even with this silly blog.

Thank you for teaching me how to be a friend.

Thank you for being my friend.

Thank you for being such a great example of how to be an incredible mom!

I love you more than you will ever know!

Happy Mother's Day!