Back in the day, before I had all things bloggy (and Facebook-y) to satisfy my online urges, I spent a lot of time on bulletin boards – in particular, on IVF Connections.
One feature I always liked was the brag thread, where people would talk about how baby rolled over for the first time, or ate her first cheerio, or slept more than two hours in a row. Sometimes it was something major like ‘we just bought a new house’, or ‘I just earned my dream job’, but sometimes it was as simple as ‘I managed to take a shower and feed the kids breakfast before the schoolbus arrived this morning.’
We don’t do enough bragging, in my humble opinion. We need to speak up more often about the simple joys and subtle victories in our daily lives. Want to play along?
I’d like to know what’s going on in your life today that makes you happy. What’s worthy of commentary? What are you proud of? Why do you (or someone you know) deserve a pat on the back? Share an anecdote of how life is good in your little corner of the universe right about now.
Here’s a simple one for me: my pants are too big. I have had to give up many, many pairs of pants in my life because they were too small, but aside from maternity clothes I don’t think I’ve actually had to stop wearing a pair of pants because they were too large – and I’m not averse to wearing baggy, oversize clothes either! But the pants I bought just after Christmas to accomodate my burgeoning butt are no longer fit for public consumption. I knew they were getting looser, but I’ve been trying to keep them in circulation until the weather improved enough to transition into my spring pants. After two colleagues pointed out (with great kindness) that they were more than a wee bit saggy in the butt, I’ve had to face the truth. The pants are too big.
Yay me! I’ve only lost about 6 pounds in total, but I’m getting there.
Edited to add: another thing that makes me happy – I just found out that Loukia nominated me for one of the Blogger’s Choice Awards!
Thanks Loukia! And if you happen to feel like wandering over there and voting for me (you have to sign up to do it – what a pain!), then make sure you vote for Marla while you’re at it!
And now – what about you?
What a COOOL idea Dani
I have a number of things
1 jack wasn’t hurt when the motor fell out of his car last week. And the insurance covers it.
2 Nathan is finally starting to understand that YELLING I hate you Mommy when I say NO doesn’t even fizz me.
3 Miranda’s play “my Fair Lady” begins next week and I’m sooo looking foreward to seeing ALL the performances. I make it sound like she is the only one in it.
4 I think I’m finally getting over this nasty cold after 8 days. GEESH!
GOOD Job on the loose pants. If I ever get heahtly I will be trying for that one too.
I want loose pants too!!!!
1 – I’ve recovered enough from my surgery to start taking my martial arts classes again. I hurt mightily and only managed 75 pushups on my first day back, but things WILL be getting better.
2 – We’re ready to start working on the new house. The carpet’s been ripped out and I start painting this weekend!!! Cannot wait to move in and get away from the college boys next door.
3 – My son made all A’s (except Bs in music and art) on his report card.
4 – My lost kitty showed up again two days after going missing. He looked a little worse for wear, but was basically okay. He’s back to normal now!
Cool idea. Thanks, Dani!
I think that spending time celebrating good things is a wonderful thing to do!
Way to go Dani! (And congratulations on your pants success!)
This will sound odd but….
I have strep throat and the flu, it appeared last night. I have my first two U of M exams today and tomorrow, I’m too sick to write and I feel like I’m going to die… BUT it gives me the weekend to study!!!! Always a silver lining!
I think you should do this every week! A nice compliment to Wednesday Whining. 🙂 But no pressure.
And I wrote about things that make me happy yesterday! Way to go on the pants. Hopefully I’ll be joining you soon!
6 pounds is great!
*snort* The pizza delivery guy flirted with me the other night, telling me I looked 10 years younger than I truly am.
pathetic I know, but it worked for me.
Oh you guys are totally running with this! Lists, even! You rock!
Sharon, I like how you turned bad news into good!
Sayre – “only” 75 pushups? Ye gads, I can only do about 15, from my knees no less, and I’ve been doing them weekly for more than a year. Impressive!
Miche, thanks! But what’s your brag??
Amanda, that’s a heck of a thing to be happy about, but I’m glad you get the extra days to study at least!
NSLS – great minds think alike! (fools never differ?) I read your post – exactly the kind of things we need to celebrate more often. If this works out, I just might make it a regular meme.
CrazyMumma – not pathetic at all! I’ve been known to float for days when the guy at the Pita shop with the sexy Australian accent flirts with me (and everyone else in the shop, but what the hell!)
I am not feeling depressed — big change.
I made peace with someone. This has made me very happy because I really liked the person, but circumstances led to unhappy times.
I am becoming really good at standing up for injustice in the world and taking very brave stands. Sometimes I shock myself with what comes out of my mouth — and how vehemently.
(yeah, me)
After years of saying “I really should be writing this stuff down,” I’m finally journalling life with Sam. And loving it. Yay me!
Also, I’ve decided to take a Zen approach to the fact that the Christmas lights are still up on the house. Was making me crazy, but I see that this, too, shall pass.
Minor victories.
Yay for you – waiting for the day I can say the same thing about loose pants.
I feel good about the exam I wrote this morning.
I am happy that my son has already played outside for 2 hours today even though I am not there with him.
I feel good about the weather.
Congrats on the saggy pants, Dani!
Here’s what I’m proud of. Last weekend my ex, who left me almost two years ago for someone else, and whose relationship with this same girlfriend ended last month, pressured me to consider a reconciliation ‘because he misses the girls so much’. I’ve always been very easily manipulated and intimidated by him and, hating confrontation, have almost always caved to his demands. But I said no. Without thinking about it or waffling at all. I stood my ground and said no. Yay me! (It might sound like an easy thing to say, but it was hard to go against all our history, and all his reasons why we should try again, and stand firm and not even pretend to consider it for even a minute. And I did it.)
Alison, that’s simply spectacular! I am so proud of you!! *cyber high-fives*
Loukia, isn’t it gorgeous outside? I’m sure that has everything to do with my own good humour these days.
Trixie, mine were not only up but still lit every night until not all that long ago. I think I finally unplugged them daylight savings weekend. Who says we only need pretty coloured lights in December?
Ann, special hugs for you. I’ve *always* admired your braveness and willingness to take a stand, but I’m proud of you for being proud of yourself for it!!
Yay on the pants Dani! THat’s a great feeling!
Me, I am estatic that I mopped the floors yesterday. I have been wanting to do it for so long because they were so dirty. I mean I vacuum the hard wood nearly every other or every 3rd day but haven’t had the time or energy to mop them after vacuuming and they were filthy. So I feel good about that. I like it when things are clean and that is a rarity nowadays unfortunately.
ALso, I updated the family calender through June so everyone will know what the heck is going on with the girls activities while I am recovering from the c-section and caring for the newborn.
Minor I know, but I feel good having done it.
Lini, who enjoys reading your blog but seems to never have time to let you know
you’ve got my vote!
(and i already voted for Marla…:) )
My brag? I just yanked 20 dandelions from my lawn!
I am on my last day of surviving single parenting for nine days. (My husband is in Vegas on “business”). I only lost my cool once and the kids were dropped off/picked up from school and made to all of their after school events. The only weird thing was my youngest going to school (montessori level) in PJs one day. Sometimes you are just too tired to fight.
Aw, thanks for the shilling Dani! And happy baggy pants!
Let’s see, though I’ve lost some weight too, a customer yesterday essentially called me fat…nope…not that one.
We’ve started looking for a dog again, but the rescue “Angel” turned out to be vicious…nah…not that one.
Steve had a check up and the doctor told him he was very healthy, until not one but two EKGs came back funky and he spend yesterday wired up with a monitor on his belt and electrodes taped to his chest, the hairs of which they had to shave a la the Last American Virgin…nuh uh…pass on that one.
OH! I KNOW! Steve is starting a full time job next month – a real grown up one with benefits and vacations and bonuses and stuff so we can finally live like grown-ups (if we want to).
And, the sun is shining and I’ve got basset hounds on the brain!
And there was no screaming today, from either me or Josie.
And, you were nice to send people to vote for me (snowflakes, hell etc.)
Yesterday I ran four miles straight, no stopping, the fastest I have since I became a runner a few years ago, with a cold. I’m not a good singer or particularly crafty, but damnit, I can run.
I made it through a messy and painful medical procedure – not on me, but on my son. I managed to project both calmness and “it will really be alright.” And he trusted me enough to submit to something I told him would be unpleasant and he suspected would be excruciatingly painful. And I didn’t pass out or throw up at the gross parts — and I’m usually easily squicked by bodily fluids.
I don’t always feel like I’m the best mother in the world, but he knows I don’t lie to him and trusts that I am taking care of him when I say the doctor needs to do something. And while I sometimes worry that our attachment/bond/whatever got almost too loose when his little sister arrived and Daddy took over so many childcare details, in a time of crisis its clear that we’ve got a good bond when it counts.
So it was hard, but its over, and his relief at the results made it worth it. And I didn’t pass out!
Yay Sara! Bravo for not passing out, but I really like thi bit about how your son trusts you. That’s HUGE! I hope he’s feeling better soon.
Chantal, good for you! Four miles without stopping? Gah, I’m feeling a little stitch just thinking about it.
Marla, Bassett Hounds and jobs with benefits rock! I’m happy for you and Steve about the job thing, but mostly I really really really want you to get your dog – and not that mangy thing from the April Fool’s joke, either!
Yvonne, I’m happy to make FIVE days without loosing my cool even WITH the other parent in the house with me. I’m impressed! And isn’t it fashionable to wear your PJs to school these days?
Miche – hooray for dandilions!! (And hurray for dandilions yanked the old fashioned way and not sprayed with chemicals.) Yay you!
Ali thanks!
Lini, not much longer now! Is that floor mopping a nesting behaviour, do you think?
Best comments ever! And yay on the loose pants! I am so jealous and one day… one day I will pull my resolve together and get there too! I am saving my “skinny” pants (sadly, still size 10) for when that happens.
My brag… my son got 4 A’s, one B and a C+ on his last report card! This is HUGE for many reasons.
My 2-yr old is wearing underwear at daycare! Now if he’d only do it at home….
I took them to an indoor waterpark/resort this week, and not only did I charge NOTHING, I still have a little money left over!!
I love all these brags! What a great idea, Dani!
What a great idea for a post – can you do it again?
Congratulations on the baggy pants – who knew one day you’d be excited about that!
This post is like Ottawa’s weather yesterday and today, just what we need after the winter. Is there a link, do you think?
My husband is just back from a two-week business trip and we always seem to fight as we re-adjust. I’m glad he is back and proud that I have held my tongue on the petty criticisms (though I know I was in the right ;=) and we have just enjoyed each other. The little one is loving spring and coming home dirty enough to prove it. So I guess a second, “yay” would be that my hubby does the laundry.