Lots of little things make me happy - smiles from strangers, a gentle breeze on a summer's day, spontaneous laughter from children playing in the distance, funny off-the-cuff remarks, ice-cream, chocolate, the perfume of roses, violets and lilac ...

Sunshine on my face in spring
The warmth of the sun after a long grey and gloomy winter is so uplifting to the soul

The song of birds as they build their nests
Birdsong is the music of earth's renewal of life each year

My favourite music in the background as I work
reminds me of people I've met and places I've been and good and bad things that have happened during my lifetime

Watching my dogs at play
reminds me that life is meant to be joyous, uncomplicated and fun and lived in the moment. It is not something to be dreaded but rather it is meant to be anticipated and savoured and LIVED!!!!

Hearing unexpectedly from friends and familly
reminds me that I am not alone - that there are people who care about me and think of me every now and then.

Cardmaking, photography and scrapbooking
provide creative outlets that compensate for the mandaneness and madness and pressure of the working week. Cardmaking and scrapbooking allow me to have colour and beauty in my life and taking photos allows me to explore my environment and appreciate the play of light and shadow on the world around me. I love to look at other people's photographs and admire the creativeness of the art that they produce through the lens of their cameras (and with the aid of Photoshop and similar programmes!!)

Relaxing with a good book
opens me up to new worlds and experiences that I would not normally encounter (for good or bad ..... depending on the book of the moment). It expands my vocabulary and my mind and encourages me to explore my own life more deeply.

The smell of a Sunday roast
reminds me of a time when Mum would cook for the whole family and a roast was a special treat. It takes me back to a time when Mum and Dad were still alive, us kids still had the wide world ahead of us, there was no pollution or genetically modified food, vegetables came from Dad's garden and life was good .......

Planning my next holiday
because I am going to see and experience scenery, food, people and customs that are not part of my general day-to-day life. The anticipation and decision-making are as much a part of travel as the actual holiday - reading brochures, watching TV documentaries all play a part in deciding where, when and how to spend the next holiday!!

Receiving compliments for a job well-done
because it means my efforts are appreciated and valued. It inspires me to work harder and to learn new skills and gives me a reason to get out of bed and go to work - especially on a Monday morning!!