Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Simple Pleasures

Since last week really seemed to be a downer, I thought I should turn the tables this week and talk about the things in life that give me joy.


1. Running--I know, to some this may seem crazy, but I love the feeling I have after I run. Actually, I even like the feeling when I'm running...once I get in a couple miles. Running allows me to clear my head and pound the stress out. It keeps me grounded. Plus, after running 6 or more miles, I can eat whatever I want!

2. Bonfires--I'm a little bit of a pyromaniac but I love fire. It is so mesmerizing! And the warmth is awesome! There is something so simplistic about staring into the flames that brings a sense of contentment and peace.

3. Coffee--you had to know this was coming! Sometimes the best thing ever is to curl up with a Cup-a-joe and a blankie.

4. Really good food--it doesn't take much to make me happy.



5. Good friends--good friends are hard to come by so when they do, you must never take them for granted, b/c when they're gone, it's heartbreaking.

6. Breathing--as Lulita reminded me last week, BREATHE! It does wonders for calming your soul. Also, one of the best things is when you've had a cold and that first moment you can take a full breath.

7. Music--music has the power to evoke many emotions. Whatever mood I'm in, I'm certain to find a song that suits. I always tell my husband that if I'm even in a coma, all he needs to do to get me out is to play some music. A little AC/CD "Back in Black should do the trick!

8. Napping--kids just don't get how great this is. One of my favorite things is napping...probably b/c I never have the chance.

9. Reading--I love getting lost in a good book. For me, the storyline will actually play out in my head like a movie. So it's like a twofur.

10. Orgasms--I may have passed the PG-13 rating Doc likes to keep on this one but it HAS to go on the list. You really don't appreciate how good they are, and what they can do for you, until you don't have any for a while. THAT is the defintion of Simple Pleasure.

Have a Simple Day!
-As American as Apple Pie

68 comments:

Unknown said...

I with you on all the above except napping. I've never been able to take one, and I'm way to active to WANT to take one!

Oh, and coffee? I have to have de-caf cause I'm already hyper!

Orgasms, oh yea.

The Mountain Cat said...

Coffee gives me orgasms.

Doc said...

Oh brother... Here we go. *shakes head*

Dana said...

So that is what Mt. Cat puts in his coffee??

I like the list Apple - all good reminders that even when things seem a bit out of sorts, there is always some pleasure to be had!

The Mountain Cat said...

I lace my coffee grinds with female pheremones. LOL.

runningwildkids said...

Running is always something that keeps myself grounded. It is my biggest stress reliever besides venting to the husband! Great list!

Leighann said...

I'm with you on the whole list except for running and coffee!

Running -- boobs too big, I'll sprain them! Even when I chase the kids I have to hold them down LOL

Coffee -- smells yummy tastes icky, give me my Mt Dew!

Oh, and I think you and I will both be feeling great on Saturday! MUWAHAHAHA!

Leighann said...

Mt Cat I hate to be the one to tell you this, but those weren't pheremones!

*giggle*

As American as Apple Pie said...

I want some of Mt Cat's coffee.

Dianne said...

great list!! except for the running. I too have leighann's boob issues but worse than that are my thunder thighs. It takes them quite a while to stop jiggling after I come to a full stop - it's so exhausting.

time with animals would be added to my list. my cats, anyone's pet, always makes me feel happier, more at peace. must be the whole unconditional love thing

As American as Apple Pie said...

Dana--Thanks! Sometimes I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Running Wild--Even hubby likes it better when I'm running. He says I'm a more "pleasant" person. Sometimes he even goes so far as to suggest it may be time for a run. That's his way of telling me I'm kind of bitchy.

Leighann--I couldn't run with my big hooters either...that's why I got them shrunk down! Much better now. Shhhhh, don't tell about Sat!! It's just something special between you and I. *wink*

As American as Apple Pie said...

Doc--Is that all you have to say?

Doc said...

Simple pleasure = the complete lack of chaos, In other words everything is in it's proper place and acting right.

As American as Apple Pie said...

Dianne--yes, I love to snuggle with the animals too! I had to stop somewhere though and 10 is such a nice round number.

As American as Apple Pie said...

Doc--Amen to that! But then reality sets in...is there ever a complete lack of chaos?

runningwildkids said...

Leigh-I am with apple pie that they will shrink....give them time. You didn't know that I am the president of the Itty-Bitty club did ya!

The Mountain Cat said...

I just love you guys!

Leighann said...

Oh I won't say a word about Saturday, isn't it fun having a dirty little secret?!

I've had big boobs since the 2nd grade, I'm not holding my breath on them shrinking anytime soon!

Leighann said...

I just love you guys!

You're just using us for our big boobs!

Unknown said...

I'm sure you've received this on emial once or twice but here it is again:

1. Free your heart from hatred
2. Free your mind from worries
3. Live simply
4. Give more
5. Expect less

Unknown said...

Oh...and eat dark chocolate peanut M&M's!

Aunt Becky said...

Orgasms are the best part of my day, dude. I heart your list.

The Mountain Cat said...

Leighann,

Yeah so?

Dana said...

Mt. Cat isn't using me for my big boobs - or if he is he isn't getting much use!

Lu' said...

I'll be dipped in peanut butter, I can't argue with a single one of them. I might add that a simple pleasure for me is hearing a great laugh :)

Lu' said...

Leighann they will wither and knock against your ankles. It's not so bad, some times it tickles.

Dana said...

Oh no! Lu's dipped herself in peanut butter ... who's got the pancakes??

The Mountain Cat said...

:-).....

Doc said...

they will wither and knock against your ankles.

This is a disturbing mental image

As American as Apple Pie said...

Christine--I have not seen that...at least not in that form. I love it! Can't do the M&Ms though...I hate PB.

As American as Apple Pie said...

ROTFLMAO @ lu!!!

As American as Apple Pie said...

Aunt Becky--Do you mean to say you have one every day? I'm so jealous!

Leighann--Mine didn't ever shrink either. That's why I had them professionally sucked out. Yes, I love dirty little secrets. That's another Simple Pleasure.

Dana--dipped in anything else & I'd volunteer to BE the pancakes.

As American as Apple Pie said...

Here's one of my favs, along the same lines as Christine is thinking:

risk...more than others think is safe

care...more than others think is wise

dream...more than others think is practical

expect...more than others think is possible

Good words to live by.

Unknown said...

Ahh geez, now you've got me on a kick. Here's another I have hanging on my bulletin board:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,
fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
As we let our own light shine, we give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

~ Nelson Mandela

Doc said...

I like the little motivational posters that I create on saturday mornings... thats a simple pleasure

As American as Apple Pie said...

OMG!!! Christine that is SOOOO what I needed to hear. It goes great with another area of my life I've been working on. I am printing that one off!

Doc--you know what I'm talking about, right?

Leighann said...

Leighann,

Yeah so?


Don't get snarky with me little fella!

Leighann they will wither and knock against your ankles. It's not so bad, some times it tickles.

Lu you've just scared the shit outta me! Although that whole peanut butter thing might have eased the pain a little!

Dana, I'll bring the pancakes, syrup AND camera!

Apple, peanut M&M's are THE BEST!

Leighann said...

I like the little motivational posters that I create on saturday mornings... thats a simple pleasure

You have NO idea :)

By the way, how much longer do we have to wait for new Patrick pictures?!

Doc said...

Doc--you know what I'm talking about, right? - Your dirty little Saturday secret... Yes you told me about it yesterday.

The Mountain Cat said...

Sister Mountain Cat you are the best!

Lu' said...

I like peanut butter, apricot preserves and butter on my 'cakes and sometimes I'll add syrup too. What's another acre added to my landscape.

Doc said...

By the way, how much longer do we have to wait for new Patrick pictures?!

Are you for real? I know you guys say you like them but I never want to put up too many and turn the blog to a mush-fest.... Hell I took 40 or more on Monday to document Daddy Day. I can post some later this week (maybe weekeend)if ya'll want... There are a lot of pictures of that kid.

Lu' said...

WOW Christine, powerful stuff. Way to tell it Manny.

Dana said...

OK, enough! Don't y'all know that talking about the "dirty little secrets" you have in front of other people is a fine example of bad manners?? Well ... yeah ... I'm jealous ... but that doesn't make it right ;)~

Leighann said...

Of course I'm for real have you ever seen him?! Daddy Day is what I was referring to, I thought for sure today would be the day you'd bust them out!

Leighann said...

Doc--you know what I'm talking about, right? - Your dirty little Saturday secret... Yes you told me about it yesterday.

Wait, you surely DIDN'T let the cat out of the bag did you??!!

Leighann said...

Dana, it's fantastic!

Doc said...

---nevermind I better not type that and be a party pooper-----

As American as Apple Pie said...

Doc--no, that is not what I'm talking about. AND, that is not what me and Leighann's dirty little secret is either.

Have fun talking y'all! I'm off to lunch. I'll catch up with ya later!

Doc said...

Wait, you surely DIDN'T let the cat out of the bag did you??!!

- I will tell no one...

Lu' said...

Yah, what Dana said.

katydidnot said...

oh, i'm all over that list. wait, was there more on the list than that last one? i forgot the rest when i read that one.

Doc said...

Welcome Katy... I am glad you checked us out... We have a lot of fun over here.

Dana said...

Lu, maybe we should come up with our own "dirty little secret" to talk about so that we can have a little inside conversation and alienate all of the other YJKOBT commentors *wink*

Unknown said...

AAAAP: You are indeed fabulous. No shrinking people!

Except maybe the boobs - I got the same running problem! I don't understand why anyone wants them bigger!

Leighann said...

Dana maybe if you lather me with juicy sex talk today I'll let you in on the secret a little early!

Leighann said...

- I will tell no one...

I think we may be referring to different things ;)

Doc said...

I don't know... I am confused. Too many secrets flying around. ARRRGGHHH I am gonna make this the no secret zone

Lu' said...

Dana should we stoop? Kind of like speaking a foriegn language in front of someone when you know damn well you can speak their language.


Hey I can make lather!

Lu' said...

Doc start a new blog, YJKOTS (you just keep on telling secrets) No one will know what the hell any one is talking about. ha ha ha

Dana said...

Nah Lu, you know I prefer to take the high road most of the time *gigglesnort*

Lu' said...

Follow the yellow brick road and maybe the Wizzard can fill us in. He was just a charlaton though so never mind.

Doc said...

Doc start a new blog, YJKOTS (you just keep on telling secrets) No one will know what the hell any one is talking about. ha ha ha

OMG - This comment is the single funniest thing I have read in a long time... BWAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAAA!!

Ken said...

I really like a good bonfire.

Lu' said...

I like a good bonfire and a good bon bon for that matter. My Mom liked a good fire how bout it Mic?

The Mountain Cat said...

I like that idea Doc! We have plenty o' secrets....OOOH! It is TBATHOM time!!

Unknown said...

I could really go for some good coffee and a bonfire, but what I want to burn would be called arson...so I must behave.
Great list agree with them all!

Ginormous Boobs said...

I absolutely LOVE bonfires. In fact, I build a great big fire pit in the backyard of my old house just to accomodate my need for the flame.