Tuesday Tens: Things I do in my personal life to make me smile

Life throws all sorts of curve balls to us.... sometimes more than others... and in those times, I really have to do things that keep my mind busy and my heart smile. Some of the following things are what I like to do to keep me smiling and putting one foot in front of another.

My kids are ALWAYS in my happiness... and I feel whole when I am with them. For someone that wants to be so independent in life, I have suddenly realized that I am just not at all whole without them and feel somewhat lost when they are not around... they keep me grounded and give me so much purpose in life. I truly know that I was meant to be a mom, or more importantly to me, I was meant to be their mom. I was meant to be Bella Boo's Grammy as well. The four of them just make my heart smile... over and over again. Don't get me wrong... none of us are perfect, and I have earned every gray hair in this head with my kiddos, and worrying and trying to provide all I can for them... but... that is what we do as parents... care. With all our hearts we care.

This list has nothing to do with my kiddos... as that is a given... as well as Ms. Bella Green Jeans.... it is just about me... and my simple pleasures.

1. Painting my finger and toe nails. I work in a restaurant, so this is not allowed on my fingers... poor things suffer... but, I love it. As I speak it is not even 8 a.m. and Miss Carlie is telling me that she is wanting me to change her finger nails and toe nails. Who does that sound like? A mini me perhaps. I also am liking new colors. Example... Carlie (I have to live through her when it comes to painting nails...) now has purple finger and green tootsies... LOVE IT....

2. Looking through food blogs. I pick up ideas here and there. Sometimes I follow recipes, yet, most of the time I simply find a blog and/or recipe and I adjust it to my likes or my families likes. I get ideas and just go with it. I could do this for hours... and Carlie continuously comes up to me and asks for me to put on one of her Barbie movies, etc... Poor girl.

3. Scouring through my cookbook collection. I can't tell you the number of cookbooks I have. With the net and food blogs, etc... I am not sure why I hold onto them! They are a comfort to me for some reason. I love them. I can scour them for hours on end.... I can go without sleep as I don't notice the time passing. I like them that much...

4. Reading through... DRUM ROLL PLEASE... my cooking magazines. Paula Deen, Taste of Home, The Food Network... they all call my name as I pass them in the stores. Thank God for Costco where I can get them at a discount. Better yet, I need to just subscribe to them.

5. Usually I need to stay busy to keep my mind going. My mind doesn't like to rest, yet, there is one thing that I love to do, and it may be above all other things. I love to be on a beach. I love to hear the crashing of water as it hits the shore. I love the wind on my cheeks (don't really like it in the hair, but it is part of the whole thing, so I will go with it.) I love the way it feels when the sun is hitting me. I love the sound of seagulls yet, don't want them near me... dirty birds... but, love the way it sounds. I love to dig my toes in the sand. I could just sit there for hours if by myself without others telling me it is time to go... or I need to go potty, or, when is lunch, etc....

6. Cooking and baking. LOVE IT. I feel relaxed when I do it. I feel whole. I feel happy. Not as in a restaurant cook... but for those I love. I am that lady... the one that likes to cook for others, so you often get yummy desserts or dishes being sent home with you. I AM HER.....

7. I love volunteering in my community. I do so in many different areas. I love to go to the school and read with each of the kids. It is amazing to me to see their little faces light up when the words click, or when they totally understand the story. I love to encourage them along the way. It keeps me involved with my own daughter... but I like knowing I am helping with others as well. As the old saying says.... It takes a village....

8. CRABBING. I bought a crabbing net at a yard sale when we first got to Oregon. I had heard of crabbing and thought it would be fun for Taylor and his dad. With that in mind, they started. In fact, I think I found two nets. ANYHOW... we had an international student staying with us, so we planned crabbing for a day in Newport. I was addicted from that day on. It is relaxing to me. Sitting on the dock... no tv... no phone... chatting with whoever you are there with. Since we pretty much go to the bay, there is generally a wonderful breeze going on. I love it. I love the rewards as well. Crab for dinner... not too much is better than that. I mean, how many times do we get the chance to catch our dinner and be eating it a few hours later. So good fresh.

9. Camping is also one of my favorite things. Everything takes longer... cooking, doing dishes, EVERYTHING. I love it though... no schedule to keep. I love being where I hear the crickets chirping and can open my little window of the tent trailor and watch the stars. I love the smell of the camp fire. I love that it is quality time with my kids and family/ friends. It is wonderful.

10. I love preparing for holidays. They are big for me. They are HUGE FOR ME.... I just love the excitement of my kids. I love to see how others celebrate. It makes me smile. I love planning the menues... thinking of the perfect gifts... Thinking of what will make it personal and special. It is great...