#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 12 - Pancakes

Pumpkin pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup

Last night while talking about what we both had on tap for today, I casually mentioned to my wonderful husband that it would be nice to have pumpkin pancakes for breakfast.
He had a busy day planned, including a 30-minute drive to help and learn at a small local brewery.
Imagine my delight when I awakened to smell not only freshly brewed coffee - my salvation! - but the enticing aroma of pumpkin pancakes.
Oh, and these pancakes are so delectable.
They are whole grain pancakes with a hefty dose of our own homegrown and processed butternut squash. Over the years I have found butternut squash to be much more flavorful than small pie pumpkins and use butternut in all recipes calling for pumpkin.
But then there's the homemade blueberry syrup!
I canned it last summer from blueberries we had frozen the year before, and it is so darn good! Just perfect on these pancakes.
My husband had to dash out the door for his brew-ha-ha before I was awake enough to converse, let alone eat. After my usual 2-3 cups of java, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the pancakes he so lovingly prepared - and even left in a warm oven.
Thank you, honey.
My day surely started out on a happy note!

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 11 / Fiber

About to cast on project #3,259

Nothing makes me happier than starting a new project.
Well, maybe ordering supplies for a new project.
Or a big box of yarn in mail...

It's hard to describe a fiber addiction to those who don't share the love.
My husband, for example, likes to ask me what I plan to make when I show him my latest fiber acquisition, failing to understand that while the right project may come along, the yarn itself has spoken and must be had.

I'm kind of like a yarn collector, purchasing glorious handmade yarns and sumptuous llama/alpaca/wool/mohair combinations simply for their beauty. Does a fine art collector have to justify her latest Van Gogh or Rodin? A wine enthusiast his latest Bordeaux? I think not.

My yarn collection, fondly referred to as a "stash" in professional terms, now occupies several vintage cupboards purchased specifically to house it. Each skein is lovingly crammed placed on worn wooden shelves, carefully protected with lavender sachets.

Sometimes I open the cupboard doors and feel giddy just looking at all that wooly loveliness.
My official hobby may be knitting or even "fiber arts" if I want to sound hoity toity.
But my real passion is for the yarn.
Just call me a connoisseur.

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 11 - Gorgeous

Beautiful day in Iowa

We're just coming to the end of a spate of unseasonably warm weather in central Iowa.
Iowa winters are typically gray, cold, and unpleasant.
But lately the days have not only been warm - hovering near 50 degrees - but sunny.
A couple days ago I walked on a trail in Ankeny while my daughter was in class and it was truly beautiful; the kind of day that dares you to be unhappy.

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 10 - Kinky?

Dinner and a show

So the other day I opened my email and surprised to find an offer for discounted tickets to Kinky Boots. A quick check with the husband and we were Broadway (in Des Moines) bound.
It was a great show and a fun night out.

Kinky?
Sorry, this is the best I could do.

I guess you'd call my style "utilitarian."

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 9 - Blueberry Pie

Blueberry pie.
Is there any happier pie?
Apple pie is homey and comforting.
Pumpkin pie evokes fall leaves, cool breezes and thankfulness.
Rhubarb pie is spring with all the promise of the seasons to come.
Strawberry pie is summer, sweet and juicy.
Pecan pie signals decadence and a devil-may-care attitude.
Cherry pie is tart and intense, a serious pie.
But blueberry?
Blueberry is sweet and tart, juicy and, well, easy as pie.
But blueberry pie in January can't help but invoke a smile.
Pass the vanilla ice cream please... I'm having pie!

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 7 - Better living through chemistry!

Access to high quality medical care makes me happy!

It's no secret that my family suffers from more than its fair share of mental illness.
And without therapy and modern medications all of us might not still be here.

So last year when our insurance company began requiring that all long-term prescriptions be filled by an online pharmacy, I was dubious.
I was also a little angry, as we had a local pharmacist who would help us with insurance company issues, prod slow doctors into issuing refills, and answer any questions we might have knowledgeably and with an appropriate dose of humor.
Plus I liked the small town feel of being greeted by name whenever I came in the store.
Well, no more.
Admittedly, once the initial hassle of verifying prescriptions, clarifying the verifications, and verifying the clarifications was complete, the inconveniences were mostly small annoyances.

But pity the poor fool whose prescriptions are not stable.
And that poor fool just happened to be my son.
He's been working hard with his psychiatrist to find the right combination of meds that will help tamp down his anxiety and offer relief from depression. That means he might try one med for a month, then need to change the dosage, add a different med, or try something else altogether - all of course under the direction and care of his doctor.
Oy, what an ordeal he has had.
He's had to call the doctor to call the insurance company to call the local pharmacy to call the online pharmacy, and every possible combination of the above.
One of his meds still hasn't been approved, despite being a quite common ADD med; one that my daughter also takes that has been approved by the same insurance company and ordered through the same online pharmacy.

My son usually ends up having to pay out of pocket for medications he needs, something he can ill afford on his salary as a therapeutic social worker. I can't help but think of others who are suffering who don't have the wherewithal to buy what they need outright, the know-how to navigate the never ending phone calls, or the ability to expend the energy needed simply to satisfy insurers and online pharmacies.

By the way, this has nothing to do with Obamacare.  In fact, without the ACA my son would not still be covered under our insurance and would likely be denied affordable coverage because his illnesses would be considered preexisting conditions.

I realize how fortunate my family has been in having access to high quality medical care not only for our mental illnesses, but for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and other routine ailments.

As difficult as it has been for my son to get his medications approved and delivered, the online pharmacy has an ironically bizarre medication delivery method.
All our prescription medications are delivered by U.S. Mail and our left on our front porch.
Yep, drugs arrive almost weekly - in 3-month supplies - and are dropped off by our front door. No signatures required. No proof of delivery nor receipt. Antidepressants, thyroid meds,  drugs to aid with sleep, anti-inflammatories, antacids, muscle relaxants, and anti-psychotics all wait outside the door.

Despite the ongoing hassles, I am so thankful we can get the medicines that not only improve our lives, but in some cases, have actually kept us alive and ticking.
That makes me happy!
Though it's too bad we need these drugs or I could make a lot of money on the side...

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 6 / We are not amused

My daughter has a horrible cold.
And Floyd is not amused.
With each tissue she pulls from the box, Floyd roars his disapproval.
Each sneeze?
Roar.
Cough?
Roar.
And forget about blowing her nose.

Make any untoward noise and Floyd will let you know - in no uncertain terms - that your bodily blaring disturbs his quietude.
And he knows you're only doing it to bother him.
Because he's beautiful.

We've gotten so used to his remonstrations that any stray cough or sneeze is usually followed by a "Sorry, Floyd."
Goofy cat.
He makes me happy.

#100 HAPPY DAYS - Day 5

Today's happy was definitely our homemade pizza!

It's one of the quickest, easiest, yet most delicious meals and we make it almost weekly.
A few years ago I started making the crusts from whatever Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day dough I have on hand.
Often I mix up a double batch of dough and make crusts to freeze. Each recipe makes 3 or 4 crusts and freeze beautifully. Just roll them out and prebake for 8-9 minutes, cool, and freeze.


We use frozen pesto or a red sauce made from oven dried tomatoes - both homemade with summer bounty. A little sauce, some cheese, and other desired toppings and dinner is ready in a flash, with very little cleanup to boot.

Last night I was pooped, so Michael made us two fabulous pizzas using ingredients that were on hand and only needed a quick zap in the microwave. The pizza pictured above had pesto, parmesan, fresh mozarella and feta.

Our second pizza had sauteed mushrooms and a sprinkling of sausage along with parmesan and fresh mozarella. Served with fresh veggies - we had colorful peppers and sugar snap peas - this was a great meal.
And it certainly made me happy.

#100HAPPYDAYS - DAY 4

My daughter came home from a university trip to Cyprus and Greece to find her room totally redone.
We ordered her a new bed, found a funky old dresser/cabinet, and upgraded her lighting.
But best of all, we surprised her with freshly painted walls and trim.
It looks fantastic and she was thrilled.
When I walked past her room the contrast of these pom-pom flowers against the blue-green of her walls was stunning. Today the simple beauty of our everyday made me happy.

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 3

Today I volunteered at the local library.
There's not a lot to the "job" - basically I supervise a special homework room from 3-5 p.m. once a week. It's a nifty room with laptop computers, a color printer, and other school supplies that some kids, especially in my oft-neglected urban neighborhood, might not have at home.

I log onto the computers, sometimes do some other simple work (stamping "withdrawn" in a cart full of books, for example), make sure kids stay quiet and on task.
Oh, and I'm also supposed to answer the occasional question.
Well, try to answer questions.

Today's inquiry involved geometry, never my strong suit and especially not 30-plus years after I took the New York State Regents exam and nearly passed out.

I can't remember my geometry teacher's name, though I think it was Miss or Mrs. Gaines, maybe? That year my schedule was such that I couldn't take the honors level math most of my peers were taking - 3D geometry, I believe. And that was probably a good thing.

The last math I truly understood was algebra, though I continued on through intermediate algebra and trigonometry, always getting A's, but not having a clue.
Do you know how scary it is to plow into mathematics, getting A's, but not understanding the why's and wherefore's of the subject? I felt as if I were continually on a precipice and the slightest whisper of a wind would knock me down.
Cause me to fail.
In geometry I discovered I was good at recognizing which formula to use in which situation to end up with the correct answer. But it always felt like I was just making up my own theorems - how could they be right when I truly didn't get the underlying rationale?
Of course, I never said anything to anyone. My high school was crazily competitive and it seemed unwise to reveal a weak spot - even to my teacher.
No subject has ever caused me more anxiety than higher level mathematics.
In New York State, where I grew up, high school subjects were tested statewide at the end of the year with a Regents exam, kind of a giant comprehensive final that everyone takes. You could even buy study guides specifically for each subject's exam.
I remember sitting in the gym that hot June day, rows of desks surrounding me.
And feeling completely overwhelmed.
I didn't know what I was doing. Was this the right answer? I was figuring like crazy with pencil and paper - no calculators allowed in those days.
I grew hot and could feel my face flush.
Oh my god, I was going to fail this exam!
I must have looked panicked because my teacher, one of the exam proctors, came over, put her hand on my shoulder, and whispered, "It'll be alright."
Well, somehow I managed a 90-some percent on the test, as usual, but after only one more year of mathematics I couldn't take the uncertainty, the fear of "being found out" as a fraud, of failure, any more. I didn't take any kind of math course again until statistics in college; but that's another story.

Today, when I couldn't answer Mohammed's question, I apologized and mumbled something about it being "too many decades" ago since I'd taken geometry. I politely suggested that perhaps one of the librarians could help him.

Despite this flashback to my own math hell, volunteering at the library made me happy.
Maybe the next question will be about Social Studies...

#100HappyDays - Day 3

Today my best friend is my pillow

Ah, nap time.
That glorious time of the afternoon when I manage to stumble up the stairs and fall like the dead into my bed.
Perhaps a more accurate description of this interlude would be "rest time," as sleep isn't really required.
My body melds with the mattress, craving surcease from the relentless strain of having to work so dang hard just to hold itself together.
Thus is one of the many realities of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome; extreme fatigue.
Fatigue has a different quality than sleepiness; it overtakes my whole being, making each step a long slog through deep, wet, mouldering mud.
Fatigue becomes my master and is not to be disobeyed.
The ridiculously warm weather of the past several days - highs near 50 in Iowa in January! - afforded a great opportunity to start walking outside again. But walking is very much harder on my body than the recumbent exercise bike, and every time I resume my outdoor treks after a hiatus, fatigue mocks my optimism, adding its own malevolent prostration to my elevated pain and flaring fibromyalgia.
The only thing I can do at times like this is rest; not necessarily sleep, just cease most activities and lie down as often as I can.
It's easy to feel kind of down when this happens. I hate the extra burden this puts on my family. I hate that I can't take my dogs to the park. Cook supper. Do much of anything.
That's the thing with EDS; you have to take the good days and make the most of them, while keeping a keen eye on saving enough of yourself back to be able to function the next day.

So, in the spirit of focusing more on the positive, today I am embracing my nap time. I love my pretty pillows and the way I become a cat-magnet whenever I lie down in bed, often accumulating 3 or 4 of our resident felines around and top of me.
Yes, today I am cranking up the electric blanket, grabbing a good book, and communing with my best friend - my pillow.

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 2

I was just thinking about how much I love clementines.
Then I realized I don't have any memories of eating them when I was a child.
Hmm. That seems weird.
Well, apparently not.
According wikipedia, the market for clementines didn't evolve in the U.S. until 1997 when the Florida orange crop was devastated by bad weather.
Huh. You learn something new every day.

I've been on a clementine kick of sorts, eating 4, 5, or even 6 of them each day for the past week. While I love oranges, they are so much more trouble - more difficult to peel, to section, etc.
Plus until I get another cortisone injection in my bum thumb, holding the orange tightly enough in my left hand really hurts the joint.
Today I peeled a 4 clementines for a snack, stacking them in a little bowl.
They looked so pretty and seeing them sitting there in all their sweet, juicy goodness made me happy.

#100HAPPYDAYS - Day 1

So I've decided to participate in 100happydays.com, partly to live more mindfully on a daily basis and partly to get myself to start using my camera again and to blog.
The past couple of years have been quite difficult at times, hence the radio silence here.
But now I'm ready.
Ready to embrace life to it's fullest.
To recognize the "happy" in my life and document it.
My youngest daughter and I "arted" together.
Actually, she created art and I colored in a coloring book.
I did use fancy pants colored pencils, however.
And doing this simple activity really did make me happy.