Ten ways to make me happy

In an effort to keep up with my blog while I'm getting back in the groove, I decided to start using some prompts from Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. I've been reading them all over the blogosphere (yes, Blogger, that's a word) and have always been impressed with what bloggers come up with. So here it goes:

Kat asked us to write a list of 10 things that make us smile when we're unhappy. I'm a simple girl and simple things make me happy. I don't need to spend a lot of money or go to some elaborate lengths for a grin. Here is my list, least smiley to most smiley.

10. Dairy Queen. Specifically, their new Double Fudge Cookie Dough Blizzard. I ate so many of these during my pregnancy that it's no wonder my baby came out 8 lbs 10 oz. I know food doesn't equal happiness, but sometimes when you're in a crappy mood, nothing but chocolate can do the trick.

9. Shopping clearance sales. I'm not a shopper by nature. I can't just go into a store and browse and buy some regular priced merch. That's not for me nor my bank account. Clearance? That's another animal. I get such a charge from finding great deals and markdowns and it always lifts my spirits. Kohls is my favorite place to find clearance stuff. I'm proud to say almost my whole closet consists of clothing items that are $10 or less.

8. A nice, hot shower. There is something so calming about a hot shower, especially when you add in good smelling soaps and lotions after. Plus, tears just combine with the water. Good place for a cry.

7. Listening to country music. I know it can be hokey. I know it's not for everyone. But for some reason, it always makes me grin -- especially the songs about drinking, small down life and having fun. It reminds me of a simpler time, when my girlfriends and I spent Thursday nights at the Wild Dawg Saloon, having a blast and line-dancing the night away.

6. Buying new makeup. But Amanda, this is buying something. YOU ARE A LIAR. Well, this is different. I love shopping online for makeup from a store called Eyes Lips Face. Almost all their stuff is $1 or less. Not only is it good quality and a good value, but it makes me feel pretty and that's important when you can't find the time for mascara anymore.

5. Running. Lord, it's been a long time since I had a good, long run. In fact, it's been since before we bought our house, a year and a half ago. I always loved getting on the treadmill and running my anxieties out, and being a new Mom, I'm full of anxieties. I got a treadmill for Christmas and I'm ready to get running again. My goal is to be able to run a 5k before the Breast Cancer runs start in October. That gives me 9 months to get in shape.

4. Dinner out. Which is interesting because usually cooking dinner in is what gives me the sads in the first place. There's something about having someone else cook, serve me and clean up that gets me grinning.

3. TV. Like, pretty much any kind of mindless television. Reality TV (obs), sitcoms, old sitcoms (I'm looking your direction Golden Girls marathon on WE), E! Television, shows about bringing babies home, the list goes on and on.

2. My husband. He has an uncanny ability to make me laugh no matter how sad or angry I am. It's helped him avoid a plethora of arguments over the years and has also kept me sane. He knows exactly what to say to take me from tears to laughter, and he's one of the funniest people I know. His humor is so silly and unexpected that you can't help but smile.

1. My son. His smile makes me smile, his cry makes me smile (well -- you know...) his sweet, breathy coos make me smile.