Happiness Is...

So last Friday I did something very out of character for myself: I went shopping for clothes.

True Story!

I love shopping as much as the next girl, but, for a perfect storm of circumstances, I just haven't gone shopping. The last time I went shopping, it was because I needed an outfit for the rehearsal dinner for Katie's wedding. Which was Thanksgiving weekend. In November. I know what you're doing. You're adding the months in your head. Why yes, that is 7 months sans-shopping. (I must admit, I've impressed myself with that shopping-free stint.)

And what a shopping trip it was. Less than $40 on two tops, two pairs of work pants, two pairs of pajama pants and a pair of sneakers.

Happiness is: #1. a pair of new shoes!

This is true: firstly, because I'm female. need I really say more? secondly, because I'm some sort of pseudo-runner. and thirdly, because I've had this nasty tendinitis in my left foot that has been nagging me off and on since the last half marathon. [side note: I've actually been religiously wearing a brace to work every day for the last month or so! but the tendinitis I have has an especially slow recovery time, so I'll probably be wearing the brace for a really, really, really long time. upside: it's a soft brace, so it's not like I'm walking around with a cam boot on my foot. :-P ]

Happiness is: #2. lots of reading time!

This is true: At this time in two weeks, I will have seen the last installment of the Harry Potter movie franchise!!! I'm currently reading book 4 (out of 7). Every day, before and/or after work, I unplug from the matrix of technology and just read. Within my circle of friends there is an impending divorce, an upcoming first date, second military deployment, and brother coming out of the closet. None of these directly involve me: I've just got crazy coworkers. At any rate, my cell phone can and will explode at random points throughout the day. Devoting so much time to reading has been an immensely enjoyable escape! (And of course I've been working on a costume for the Harry Potter premiere as well... pictures to come later.)

Happiness is: #3. spring cleaning. again!

I'm an addict. A cleaning addict. The more stuff I get rid of, the more stuff I get rid of. In the event I move across the country, I have every intention of fitting everything I take with me in one car. Ah, to be young, single and unencumbered! This obsession is fed by my bizarre fascination with Clean House (along with Hoarders, and Hoarding: Buried Alive). Last night was the Clean House: Messiest Home in the Country 5 episode. Highlighting lots of clutter and family dysfunction, what else could be more motivating? The youngest daughter was 19 and had never lived in a clean house! yikes!!! And then, on the website they have video footage from 20 or so families whose homes are just as disastrous but didn't make the show! How much stuff can people really own? Apparently, an awful lot. I see it with crazy lady. One day she asked me for advice on how to get rid of stuff. The next day I saw her buying more stuff. Sheesh! On the upside, I've got a friend and her husband to at least start going through their stuff. She has been making offhanded comments about clutter for quite some time. Last weekend they finally attacked their closets! Even my mother, who is quite the pack rat, has started letting stuff go. Amazing!

One thing that is not so happy about spring cleaning: self induced allergy attacks. yuck!

Anyway, I'm off. I get to present a project I've been working on to the CEO at work today. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'm looking forward to it being over!