I’m a happy person, a Pollyanna who’s never seen a half-empty glass in her life. Even though I know too much of anything is annoying, I like being positive nearly all the time. It is, I suppose, my natural state of mind.
          Speaking of natural states of mind, I’m also a creature of routine. Although I don’t think I’m anywhere near obsessive-compulsive, I do like a schedule. It’s fun to break away from—for vacations, for exciting things, for spur-of-the-moment adventures—but for the most part, you could pretty much set your clock by me.
          This is our first winter away from…well, away from winter. It’s warm here, we have a nice rental house, and I love spending more time with the family that is here. The boyfriend and I have lots of together time. Even Walmart is convenient instead of 12 country miles away.
          I’m happy here, too, but it is different because I sometimes have to work at it. I didn’t go to church today because no one has welcomed me to the ones I’ve tried—startling to a lifelong Methodist who expects to be met with an outstretched hand and a casserole J. I don’t enjoy cooking because the cookware and the appliances in the rental—though modern and nice—have much different personalities than the ones at home. Sewing is difficult because I have to spread things on the floor instead of my perfect-height table. When I write, I carry my laptop around in search of a quiet place. A right place where I can concentrate.
          The story, with which I’ve struggled over these past months (and which you’ve heard about way more often than you really want to!) is searching for a quiet and right place, too. It’s working toward its Happily Ever After instead of skipping merrily into place.
          And maybe this is okay. The happy I have to work a little to maintain these days is no less because I’ve struggled with it. The story I’m writing is—I hope—the same way. And the routine? Well, this is just a little bit longer adventure than most.
          See you next time. Be happy.

Comments

  1. We are so much alike, Liz, I'm starting to wonder if there is a distant genetic connection somewhere. ;) Obviously, I'm a silly happy person, too. I always think that I'm adventurous, but the plain facts are I need my routine--it makes me happy. In spite of how much I love the lake, it's taken a while to make that place feel as much like home as my other house. I have to work on my laptop up there--where to do it? A lap desk and the big chair and ottoman fixed that after I tried out the bedroom, the kitchen table, outside on the deck... I get your issues with the winter home. If you intend for it a regular thing, you'll make it work. In the meantime, keep that happy--it's a good thing.

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    1. Hi, there, sister of a different mother. I keep thinking about your lake house while I'm here. If we do this every year, I hope we find a place like it.

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  2. Routine??? What is that??? ha ha!!! My life is full of chaos. I admire you for your ability to make and keep a routine. My husband, he would love that. He's very together and sometimes (who am I kidding, he ALWAYS) shakes his head at the chaos that follows me like a nasty little shadow. Anyway, my WIP right now is fighting with me as well. Funny, the last story I write flew off my fingertips and onto the pages, but this one is making me work for it. It might be because I veered from my "pantser" method and am trying out the "outline" method. I just am not sure. I'll be sending you good juju on writing The End :)

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    1. Oh, my vibes are with you, Niecey, on the WIP. It's a struggle, isn't, almost made harder by those stories that fly off our fingertips. Thanks for the good juju!

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  3. I confess...being happy isn't always easy for me. But I know that you can choose--be happy or be miserable. I'm not talking about a bout of depression, that's a different animal. But on an ordinary day, you can wallow or you can pick up and go!

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    1. Yeah, I've been the depression route, too--I think getting over that is what gave me the incentive to make the happy choice. The "wallow or pick up and go" reminder is a good one!

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  4. I've always been the 'sunny' ray in our family as well - and it's tougher than it seems, I tell you! :-) Great post, and I enjoyed your insights!! Blessings, Liz!!!

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    1. It IS tough some days, isn't it? But still so much easier than climbing out of that wallowing that D'Ann mentioned! It's definitely a blessing in itself. Thanks, Gem-sister--it's always good to see you!

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  5. I wish I could get into a routine. I've tried, but it never works out. Stay happy!

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    1. Thanks, Shawn. I think part of the reason routine is necessary for me is that I am SO unorganized and focus is beyond my capability.

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  6. As I age--gasp! did I just use that four-lettered "A" word?--I find I like routine more and more. But I also cherish the spur of the moment jaunts to wherever. I chose to be happy, unless someone yanks my chain. Then all bets are off. In today's negative society, we often have to make the choice to be happy. Yay you...and you'll finish that WIP. I've no doubt.

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    1. Thanks, Vonnie. Aging is fun, even if the word (and some of the side effects!) isn't. And, yes, the choice is ours to make.

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  7. I needed to hear this today, Liz...I'm usually a happy person but I've been a little stressed since we got back from vacation. Because things are falling into place but some of the things are falling a little faster or differently than I'd expected. I'm going to enjoy the ride, though. Thanks for the words.

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    1. Gets a little hard sometimes to keep all the balls in the air, doesn't it? It'll calm, though, and you and the Radio Man have your little entertainment system there to keep things lively!

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  8. Liz, I hear you today. I am usually pretty upbeat and see the "glass half full" but I too find change to be unsettling. Taking me out of my comfort zone can throw me off. Yet I also find that looking back some of my best decisions and life experiences came after I found my routine disrupted. No matter what we can choose to be happy. It's definitely more fun to be happy!

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    1. It is, isn't it? And I agree--some of my best life experiences have been since I retired (talk about change!) Think I needed to whine a little, and you all are so wonderfully responsive. :-)

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  9. A tiny break from routine is always welcome, but too much and 'my world' gets out of whack, and I get lazy. Definitely like my routines to keep me on task!

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    1. Yeah, I do the lazy thing, too, which is hard to stop!

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