What makes you happy?

Tequila

Falling down juice.

OK then - just a few that immediately come to mind ..... my dog - walking him, playing with him, singing to him, dancing around the kitchen with him, when he climbs onto my lap and licks my face; the buzz when I get the phonecall to say I've been cast in a play and then after weeks of rehearsals when I'm finally on stage and the audience applaud at the end; sitting in the garden in the sun with my H enjoying a cool glass of wine and just chatting about our day; shopping (of course!); when I hear the theme tune to Coronation Street and I know I have half an hour of my favourite programme to look forward to; Body Pump - the chamaderie of doing a great workout surrounded by like-minded people and the relief of the cooldown when it's all over and I've done it!

That'll do for now but I may well add to them! Great thread - this one could run and run! ?

Sunsets (there's a shocker, eh? ?)

Daisies

Rock pools at the beach

Rainbows

Kites flying against a blue sky

Wind turbines

Cats

That first glug of a bottle of wine being poured

Penguins

The first sighting of Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument while driving up the A9 towards Perth.

Climbing into a freshly made bed.

Taking off in a plane somewhere away from it all.

Beautiful fuck me shoes (no "tarts trotters"!)

Banter

Italy

Competiiton. Exceeeding challenges-my own and those set by others

Watching episodes of The Shield back to back

Eating bread-all kinds. A life without bread would be unimaginable

Red lipstick

Compliments-giving and receiving

Listening to the rain against the windows when I am all cosied up in bed

Red wine and low lights on crisp Autumn nights

Ooh I have many.

My bed.

My hot water bottle.

A quiet house

A completely crossed off to do list

New stationary

A new body scrub

freshly waxed eyebrows

A cuddle with my cat

A cuddle with my children

A compliment from my husband

A good tune on the radio

Bright sunshine

Hard, heavy rain

Waking up on the first day of a holiday

A new carpet or freshly painted room

oh I could go on and on..

Driving my car with the top down. Regardless of weather

Sitting in my nice tidy garden after slogging my guts out weeding all day.

Enjoying a really nice bottle of wine with H.

Having all my family together at Christmas (I only see all my siblings, together, at the same time, once a year).

Cooking something new for dinner which tastes fantastic.

Being able to use my new kitchen after it taking at least 4 weeks to finish (today is the end of week 3).

Swimming a length of front crawl in the pool when I haven't been swimming for ages. My shoulder feel great afterwards.

ETA Watching big fat snowflakes fall from the cosiness of my house.

That's funny you say that. I work in Stirling and travel through on the train from Glasgow. But even though seeing this means I'm almost at my work it always makes me smile too. It's so pretty seeing the hill with the town and castle and then I always look further to the right and see the Wallace Monument. It doesn't take my breath away, but I always think "that's a nice view". I guess that's a pretty good way to start the working day!

I'm off to the pub now (that makes me happy!) but I'll be back later, or tomorrow, to write my top ten things ?

Putting clean linen on my bed, having a shower before bed and wearing clean pjs. I always sleep brilliantly.

My dog. The way he jumps about and loop-the-loops when I come home. It's like living with an eternal optimist. I like brushing him, and after the initial resistance, he goes all soppy and dopey and chilled out.

The Ikey. The laughing, the smiling, the chatting, the being naughty, the being clever, the learning, the practising, the waking me up at 4am so he can show off his latest skill... I find him fascinating. I absolutely adore him.

MrHalo. As much as I whinge and *** about him on here, he really is the icing on my cake. He and I have the same sense of humour, we challenge each other intellectually, what he isn't good at, I am and vice versa. I love him. Even with the things that drive me up the wall. A marriage isn't something you have, it's something you do as far as I'm concerned. And domestic issues aside, I think we do it rather well. (I am trying to re-tax my car at the same time as writing this, and MrHalo was looking for the renewal notice so we could do it online, he came in and handed me a sheet of paper saying "you put it in the drawer". He had just handed me the TV license. ?)

Making things. I like making things. Physical objects. Something that you can stand back and look at and say "I did that". I like the sense of satisfaction that gives me.

Making Flapjack. It makes me happy. It also makes me lardy. ?

A crisply cold vodka, lemonade and lime on a balmy evening.

that has brought a tear to my eye! as you are probably aware we are having huge marriage problems at the moment and you have said it down to a tee there, what i want to say to my Husband.sorry for de-railing Mrs M.

Things that make me happy....

my dog, after a seriously rubbish day yesterday i came home to lots of love and excitement and i love her so much.

lie ins at the weekend.

fresh bedding

Thunder and lighning

Hearing church bells

The smell of a frosty winter night

Spending time with Mr L. / my family

Cuddles from my baby niece

The first day of autumn - there's a usually a day in September when the weather suddenly gets cooler, but is still sunny, and the air smells different and I get a first day back to school type of feeling

Mojitos, they make me happy

Rock pooling with a bucket and a childs fishing net

Snow days

A new notebook

Champagne

Salt and chilli squid

A long bath with a really good book

Oh, and walking along the canal from Bath and having bangers and mash at The George in Bathampton. It's one of my favourite places in the world.

Off the top of my head and probably not a great list because I have had a beer already!

Things that make me happy:

Afternoon tea - proper afternoon tea with all the china and cake plates and doillies.

Seeing a friend in the distance coming to meet me - esp when you haven't seen them in a long time.

Amy when she gets all excited and wants to show me something and shouts 'mummmummmuuuummuuummuuuumeee' as though she can remember how many syllables there should be!

glimpses of purple heather on far off hills

Ffeshly made bed with line dried linen - just the smell makes me smile

The first Sunday of advent when the children at church first see the candles (and you can see them mentally countdown the weeks).

a hug from my dad

Terry Wogan on the radio (esp the janet and john stories) on the way to work

Seeing Mr Magenta smile

Sparkly evening shoes

a load of laundry being blown on my washing line on a sunny day

Jumping in puddles

A shiny sink

Writing thank you letters

the smell of Pleasures by Estee Lauder - my wedding day perfume

Seeing the Law for the first time as i drive towards Dundee where I was born

Watching out for Arthurs Seat and Castle rock from the edges of town when I am heading home to Edinburgh

Seeing Amy play in the garden and remembering why I don't mind that I have scrappy lawn strewn with toys rather than a landscaped 'outdoor room'.

Sniff pocket tissues in funky patterns

Arran Aromatics displays in shops (just all those glass bottles together - such hope therein lies)

Putting up the Christmas tree and unwrapping all the decorations for another year.

Choosing a 99 cone rather than just a plain one - that wee chocolate flake always makes me smile.

Easter - the hope, the joy and the memories of Easter days as a child.

You

I love that pub! Are you a Bath-ite??

Aaah what a lovely ? thread!

- Driving through the countryside on a sunny day
- My Ipod full of fromage
- Chatting to lovely Hitchers (the horrible ones, not so much?)
- Spending time with my 1 year old niece, Isobel
- Shopping ?
- Hilda
- Eating chocolate, lying on the sofa, watching Girls of the Playboy Mansion or other such trash on E!, Living, or MTV
- Going to gigs
- Our weekly Sunday dinner club with friends

Clean bed sheets, a bubble bath with my H chatting beside me, clean PJs and then bed

A fantastic cheese board, I love cheese

Limpeting (a phrase me & my H made up on honeymoon - bobbing about in the sea, him holding me really close and just gibbering away to each other)

A clean flat - this includes everything; bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living room, with even the sofa having been vacuumed and plumped up

Camping, especially hearing the rain outside my tent knowing I am snuggly warm inside

Skiing

Being with my girlfriends from school. We don't see each other as often as we would like, but when we do, it's like slipping on a comfortable pair of slippers. We've been best friends for nearly 25 years and I have no doubt we still will be in another 25 years

Cooking for friends or family

Walking over Waterloo bridge in winter, seeing the Eye, Houses of Parliament, Canary Wharf, St Pauls, the Southbank etc all lit up

Snow, fresh clean snow that's still falling

A sunny cold morning (I am much more suited for winter)

Wrapping up in my lovely cashmere jumper, warm coat, hat and gloves

Iceland (extra twee moment) this is where my H propsed in the middle of no where, it was so peaceful and the scenery was stunning

Thinking back to my wedding day, I loved every minute and would do it again (to the same man) in a flash if I could

My furbabies.

My nieces.

New shoes.

When a student has a 'penny drop moment'.

Reading a good book.

Baking

Taking photos - especially of tiny things like bees.

New stationery.

Clothes that fit (these are scarce at the mo because I'm a lard-arse.)

Beautiful music - especially played live.

Laughing with my siblings about memories of childhood.

Going to zoos and farms.

Mr Golightly.

Some fab replies, thank you!

It's always nice to think about what makes us happy, isn't it? ?

Checking my wee ones are tucked up safe in bed before i head to mine..they always seem so peaceful

riding through the local woods on my horses with the smell of wild garlic and other wild herbs tickling our noses!

galloping like a wild thing along the beach

eating out-a very rare thing these days

camping in the middle of nowhere and sitting by the fire

my weekly 5 mile dog walk, just me and the pooches

My snuggly blanket (kept on the sofa and particularly good for afternoon naps)

Sitting in front of the fire on cold winter days

Sitting out in the garden with my breakfast cup of tea

Waking up and H hugging my bump

My scan photos

My family, each and every one of them, they may drive me nuts sometimes but I don't know what I'd do without them

My two bunnies

Singing in the car - I may look stupid but I'm having fun and car journies go so much quicker

A clean house

Old episodes of friends

Looking through old photos of uni and sixth form days

Curling up with a good book

Cooking and I wish I had more time for it

Meeting my H for a surprise lunch when I'm working from home

Driving over the Tyne Bridge and realising I'm nearly home

Lying in my bed on a sunny morning with the window open so the curtains billow about.

Our long-awaited and recently finished garden.

Watching back to back comedy shows with Mr O'Hare and a bottle of wine, and laughing our asses off.

Mr O'Hare generally, but in particular the fact that his default setting is 'little ray of sunshine' and that he can fix almost anything. Including me.

Sitting in front of our log fire with a nice bottle glass of single malt on a cold evening.

Waitrose New York cheesecake.

Finishing the sort of book that you want to turn back to the beginning and start reading again straight away.

A long chat with my Mom or one of my closest friends.

Big mug of tea after a long walk.

I could go on...

Being with Mr W - I have realised over the last couple of years that I am very happily married. Mr W is a lovely, funny, kind man and I'd rather spend time with him than anyone else.

My nephew, I love him more each day. He is such a happy, funny little chap. And he looks just like my sister did at his age. Spooky!

My family - including the ILs, I'm very lucky to have a such a cool and supportive bunch of people around me.

My cat. He is like my baby.

My friends - I love spending time with my friends. What a great bunch they are. I'm a vay lucky girl.

Wine. Mmmm.

Running - makes me feel good.

Vegetarain sushi. Mmmm.

Shopping for clothes and shoes.

Sunshine and blue skies.

Holidays. As many as possible!

Boozy Sunday pub lunches with my family.

Walking along the river.

Taking an excellent picture.

My new job.

Fresh bedding.

A clean and tidy house.

Sitting in my garden with a glass of wine on a Summer evening.

Decorating the Christmas tree.

There's loads more, but that will do for now.

Waaaah Spam, we do limpeting! Although not just in the sea and you have to repeat the phrase 'limpet, limpet, limpet' as you're clinging on to the other person ? God I sound nuts now don't I?

Christmas lights. I'm an absolute sucker for them. I'd keep them up all year if it didn't make me look like a weirdo or a student

A good pedicure. Pretty feet = happy me

Night feeds with my baby daughter. I know I'm supposed to hate them and want her to sleep through, but I actually love those moments with her in the middle of the night. It's dark and quiet and it's just me and her. I love the feeling of her warm little body, and the urgent, concentrated feeding that she only does at night these days. I'll miss it when she drops this last night feed.

The sound of rain on canvas at festivals when I'm tucked up in bad inside the tent. I like the inevitable mud-bath the next morning slightly less!

The first sip of a glass of cold white wine after a tough day

I've not finished reading the thread yet but laughed out loud at this one as we have a similar thing - except it's called 'barnacles'. The best thing about being on holiday, if you ask me!

I'm very simple. I don't need much to make me happy . So for me it's hugs, listening to U2, walking along the canal in the morning when it's misty and quiet, and laughing at something silly with my h.

? ?

Yes!

My husband, who makes me laugh constantly

my cats, even if ive had a crappy day, i'll get home and they'll calm me down and purr when i pick them up, its so lovely

my family, i love spending time with my parents, im quite lucky in that sense!

cooking and baking

listening to music, mainly U2

walking around Bath where I live

my bed and my fluffy feathery duvet

white toasted bread with lots of butter (this is a rare threat as wheat makes me feel awful)

going home to Colombia (very rare treat)

talking to my family over there (although sometimes it makes me very sad too)

bonfire night (or fireworks in general)

sitting in the sun, anywhere

Bacon and egg sandwiches. I've just had one and I feel great?

Watching my son sleep -with not a care in the world.

My sons laugh

My fabulous husband who constantly suprises me with how thoughtful and loving he is. I am a very lucky girl indeed.

Watching my H play with our son - maks my heart swell.

My two puss cats

Cheese - any kind with lovely bread and crackers (but no celery - bleurgh)

Sitting in a beer garden on a sunny day with friends drinking Pimms

Walking on the beach whatever the weather (i am lucky enough to live very close to the gorgeous beaches of Bournemouth)

Spending time with my parents at their farm in France

Getting to sleep in past 7am (a rare occurence these days!)

Spending time with our fab circle of friends.

Cooking

I could go on - but this has made me realise how much I have to be thankful for. I have a great life really - I should remember that more often!

I was thinking about this the other day- I had a windfall recently, most of which is being used sensibly but part of which I want to spend on something that is just for me and will make me happy, and I kept finding that I was thinking of things that women generally are supposed to like (shoes, mainly) rather than the things that make me happy personally. I blame marketing. Anyway, here's what I came up with as things that actually make me happy:

- working productively

- crosswords

- reading

- new cookbooks

- staying in luxury hotels

- pilates

- feeling thin

- one vodka martini (but not more than one)

- cuddling my children

- my husband

- Lock and Lock food storage boxes

- going to galleries on my own

- driving

- black cabs

- my new White Company waffle dressing gown

- having friends round for dinner