I’m having one of those days where being me just isn’t so much fun. I’m grouchy and feel put upon. I’m sure it will pass, but in the meantime I thought I would list 10 things that make me happy. The idea came because My Life in Purple gave me an award and it asks that I list 10 things that make me happy.
1. Showers make me happy. They used to me mundane everyday things, but now they are indulgent rarities.
2. Sleep makes me ecstatic. I have a very active dream life and many answers come to me in my sleep.
3. Acting makes me joyous; it’s like a form of meditation where I feel focused and in the moment.
4. My family makes me enjoy the everyday.
5. Laughing is what makes everything bearable.
6. Clothes! New to me clothes that I love can put a smile on my face.
7. Finding a great deal brings me so much joy I have to brag about it.
8. You reading this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
9. Hearing my daughter say, “Mama”. Who knew I would like it so much?
10. Knowing that even with all my faults, craziness, attitude, and general mayhem, I am loved.
I was also tagged by Keep in Touch With Mommakin as a Theta Mom (The True Authentic Mom) and she demands that I share five experiences that have shaped me as a True Authentic Mami. That Tammy is so demanding, but she’s a badass so I will do as she says.
1. Well, I’ve spent my life trying to be an authentic person. I see no point in trying to be other than myself because I do Me pretty well. I’m flawed, but it’s part of my charm and I am always growing.
2. I was raised by an authentic mom. She was a single immigrant mother with very little education and a think accent who never apologized for being herself. She refused to feel ashamed when being mistreated and once told me that racism didn’t affect her because it was about the other person not her.
3. I am not afraid to speak my mind. If I think something is wrong, I will address it. I am not rude, but I do not mince words.
4. I had an extremely difficult pregnancy. Horrific even. It taught me much. It taught me to take things as they come, not be so judgmental, make informed decisions, not to second guess those decisions, to listen to advice, but throw out any advice that was ill suited. I am a stronger person and a better mother because I do not expect an ideal situation, but I know how to make the best of what is presented.
5. I’ve come to realize that perfection and nitpicking do not make for a happy mother, a happy husband, or a happy child.
The awards come with disbursement rules, but I am a rebel so instead I pass on The Mami Likes Me And You Should Too! Award.
This award was created as my response to all the lovely awards I have been honored to receive. Please check out my awards page for a complete list. I love getting awards, but I am not good at following the rules so what I have done is absorb all the wonderful mojo of these awards and turned them into another award that I will distribute from time to time. I will give this award to blogs that I truly love in hopes that you will visit them and love them to.
The rules of this award are simple. You may display this prestigious award on your blog or in your bathroom or nowhere at all. You do not need to do anything other than know in your blogger’s heart that I think you and your blog are fantastic. Mami likes you! Mami really likes you!
I present this award to the following blogs:
My Life in Purple: This is not a tit for tat. I love the wit and charm of her blog and think she needs a larger audience to share it with so please stop by and check her out. Stay for awhile and visit her often.
Away We Go: I just found this blogger and already I am in love. She’s an intelligent and gifted writer. Give her a chance, you’ll love her too.
That’s it. I only feature a few bloggers at a time because I really hope you take the time to check them out.
Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Sunday!
Awww, great list and I love your award! 🙂 It's very cute, “Mami Likes Me…”
I had really difficult pregnancy´s too and I think you´re so right, in that you have to listen to your own body. Advice may be good, but everybody is different and you need to find out what goes best for you.
Have a great weekend!
I hope that someday my son describes me as an authentic mom. And if I could change one thing about motherhood, I would give myself the ability to ake showers that are longer than 5 minutes and don't involve breastfeeding while I wash my hair. A nice hot long shower…. *sigh*
Thanks for the new blogger leads! Good stuff 🙂
Sleep makes me ecstatic too! Beyond ecstatic. It's 7pm and I would love to go to bed right now!
I love that you speak your mind! 🙂
You're just an awards magnet, aren't you? Congrats!
I've had the same day, I mean week. I enjoyed your list and your authenticity!! 🙂 I too love the feeling that comes from receiving a comment. Thanks for the blog spotlights; always fun to meet new bloggers.
I love hanging out with my girls and laughing until my sides hurt.
You made my minute, hour, day, week. This is so nice. Thank you so much, and believe me, the feeling is mutual.
Now go take a nap after a long shower.
XOXOXOXO
Those were ten really happy answers! I hope it cheered you up.
I'm totally with you on making informed decisions and sticking up for yourself especially when it comes to your health. I'm sorry your pregnancy was so tough. I didn't know that. But I'm glad you are well and your daughter is healthy!
Hope your weekend is great. “I got nothin” for Sunday– It was a slow week, but I'll stop by and see everyone else's Sunday photos.
xo
“Racism didn't affect her because it was about the other person not her.” May all of us have the same strength, wisdom and confidence that your mom has.
Congratulations on your awards!! My mom was a single mother, so I can totally appreciate her since being a mom myself.
thanks, I'll be checking them out… chin up, grumpy. we love you.
Ha – love the award you made! I checked out your recipients – they are really great! I'll be back for more. 🙂
I appreciate people who say it like it is. You can be direct without being rude and it's very effective!
Finding great deals is the best feeling. There's nothing more satisfying than saving a ton of money on something you really want, esp if you never even knew you needed it.
I love the sound of my kiddo saying mama too. It is great. I love your new award!! Very cool.
Congrats on your awards!
You do you BEST. Ultimately there's no satisfaction like being you.
And we're happy to know you… 🙂
Great awards and great list of what makes you happy AND a true authentic Mom. (Not mincing words..my fave).
Congrats on your awards! I loved learning more about you.
Thank you!!! Now I can say, My mom thinks I'm cool, AND Mama likes me! haha
The need for perfection is a bad nasty thing.
Silly Saturday #7 – Charm or Chores?
Your mother sounds like she was very wise. A true gift!
PS- wow. you spent a lot of time at my blog. I appreciate your comments! And I did check out your blogger recommendations. Very cool.
Congrats on your new award! Showers make me happy too:)
You're so very popular!
I love your happy list.
You are a blogging diva. You have the SIMC and now the Monday comment thing. Maybe your heard but Oprah is leaving Chicago in 2011. You should consider taking over.
About showers – did you mean taking a shower, going to a shower or the outside falling from the sky shower?
I really like this line from your post:
“that racism didn't affect her because it was about the other person not her.”
I mean the taking of showers.
Congratulations!! I like a good deal too!
Hugs!!
I always love being introduced to new fabulous bloggers! And here here for authentic moms. My Mom raised us alone and fabulously!
Great finds! I hadn't seen either of those two bloggers and I really like them both. Congrats on all the attention – you deserve it all.
BTW, the most common words out of my mouth are “I got it at Target. I know, you can't believe it, can you?” I love a bargain too!
You deserve all the awards you can get : ) Congratulations on being so authentic and real! Some people struggle their whole lives with that! I am glad you have achieved it! PS I love to hear Mama too. Such a beautiful sound!
You, a rebel? I find this hard to believe. Bahahahahahaha
Thanks for calling me a badass. I'm wearing purple jammies and have a pony tail on the very top of my head and couldn't feel less badass if I tried – it's all about the illusion, baby!!!
Love what makes you authentic – as I knew I would….
Congrats to you on your well deserved awards. And I hope you are feeling much happier today !
You do “do” you well and I wouldn't want you to be anything otherwise. The world would be a lesser place if you were anything different. Your honesty and your joy for living make everyone around you better. I'm happy to bask in the warmth that comes from you.
🙂
PS. Congrats — I was going to tag you with a THETA but Mommakin already got you!