My Happy List

It's a good week to write a happy list because there is a bit of a cloud hanging over my head. 

Do you see that map up there - well that shows where our three kids are now.  The red star is us. William is in Winnipeg (over on the left) a mere 2012 kms from home.  I know because I just looked it up.  Kate is the one on the right in Halifax which is only 1815 kms from home.  Sigh.  Good thing for Malcolm and Christie as they are just 73 kms away so we can visit them.  

I know we will adjust, but right now the house seems quiet and empty and dull (sorry Jonathan, but you really need to up the noise-factor). While I get my bearings and learn how to live life as an empty-nester I thought it would be a great idea to post a Happy List.  So here goes:

1.  I'm going to start out small here - I got a new lunch bag! I know, I know - crazy that such ridiculous things can make me happy, but isn't it cute. I'm sure lunch will taste much better (especially now that I don't have to use the old stinky one).

2.  I passed my Chinese dynasty pop quiz.  All last winter William tried to teach me important things like the Chinese and Japanese dynasties.  He wrote them on our fridge in dry erase marker so that I could "study" them while I cooked.  There was no way I could get my mind around all the dynasties so I agreed to put some effort into learning the names and dates of four Chinese dynasties.  William periodically tested me on them and I was doing pretty well, but we got busy around and pretty much forgot about it since April. Last Saturday before Kate and William left for university we all went out for sushi and William sprang a pop quiz on me.  Guess what?  I passed!  I really have learned the Xin, Han, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Yay for me!  

3.  I finished all six books that I set out to read this summer.  Fist pump in the air!   I like reading, but I never seem to get around to it when I'm working so I was pleased that I got them read over the summer.

4.  Last week I took William and Kate to the cottage for one final visit before they left for university.  It was a lovely relaxing time.  Spending time at the cottage with the family definitely makes me happy.

5.  We finished the round-the-world cooking while we were at the cottage.  Details coming soon.  We have been at our culinary adventures for almost 5 years and I thought it would be fitting to cook the final meals and bring us back to North America before the last child went to university.  

6.  And finally, I really am happy that our kids are happy and doing what they are supposed to be doing.  They are all in good places right now learning new things at university or new jobs.  Speaking of new jobs, Christie got a new job as an Occupational Therapist which makes us very happy and Malcolm has had lots of contracts teaching English as a Second Language which also makes us happy.  

See there you go - lots to be happy about!

I've linked my post up at Ricki Jill's Happy List at Art@Home.