LMOH: Sending a Kind Word

I know I already posted about the joys of getting a holiday card, and how it's like unwrapping a surprise gift (which we rarely get as an adult).  Well, you know another form of that that doesn't have to wait for the once-a-year moment?  Sending a thank you note.  Yes, a hand-written Thank You card is always great, but even a thank you text or email - letting someone know what a great job they did - means the world.  Feel like going the extra mile?  If it's work related, send the compliment to that person's boss and blind copy (e.g. BCC) the person.  It's rare that a boss hears the 'good' things.  Most of the time when they are looped in it's because of complaints.  So this has the added benefit of helping the person out (1) work wise b/c their boss now knows they did something appreciated and (2) personally, because people do more who feel appreciated.  

Hopefully you get a chance to thank someone soon.  And even maybe get one yourself!  Cheers!

New Post Categories - Streamlining the Experience

 Ok, so I realized that I have a lot of interests, and I enjoy sharing thoughts and insight with you all on an array of topics.  That said, when I take a step back and think about the "array" it's possible to narrow the topics into 3 categories, and moving forward I will be doing that to help you all have a more positive interaction with my posts by knowing right away what the topic covers!

So what I will do is put in the title one of the following:

- Food: (these topics will cover food items such as recipes, thoughts, experiences, etc)

- LMOH: (Short for Little Moments of Happiness - cementing my belief that life's joy or moments of awe and inspiration can happen in the littlest of things or events.)

- AOT: (All Other Thoughts - delving into the other areas of  intrigue, query, curiosity, and thought, helping to showcase well-roundedness and interest in all potential facets of life).

I hope that this new mechanism of categorization helps improve your experience in following and returning to my blog!  Have a great weekend!

The Joy of Holiday Cards

Growing up I never fully appreciated holiday cards, but as an adult, it's become a little magical, getting this individually wrapped surprise gift in the mail.  Maybe it's just me, but I don't get a lot of good surprises in the mail, lest as an adult in general, so I've come to find this little cardboard of happiness is really just that - happy!

We even have a card holder so we can display them until after the holiday season is over.  Some people splurge on fancy, double sided photo cards.  Others send canned cards you might find at any holiday store.  Doesn't matter.  I love putting them on the card holder all the same.  (Except glitter.  Please don't send me glitter.  That stuff never comes off!)

So I have to admit, knowing how much I enjoy getting holiday cards, it always makes me smile to hear from those who receive ours that they, too, brought a smile to their faces.

Never underestimate the power of a kind, little gesture.  We could all use a few more of them, I'm sure, and they always mean the world.

Remember Gratitude

 I see a lot of memes and gifs about how stressful 2024 has been and how it appears the end of the road maybe isn't near.  I'd probably agree to an extent.  Lately I've been very stressed.  Sure, I have some coping mechanisms (deep breathing, listening to the sounds of the ocean, vegging out in front of the TV likely to something I've already seen so it doesn't give me more anxiety, walking, etc etc), but one thing I find always kind of resets my brain is focusing on the things for which I am grateful.

If you've done this before, you're probably nodding along.  Things like Gratitude Journals now exist in the common vernacular in a way they didn't even 10 or 20 years ago.  If you're not used to thinking or speaking aloud the things that make you grateful, you're probably rolling your eyes a bit or going "yeah, sure."  But, no, really! There's even science behind it!

https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/#neuroscience

Expressing gratitude actually helps wire the brain to focus more on the good in your life.  So when you're feeling particularly stressed, frustrated, annoyed, or even low... after a good vent (because who doesn't love a good venting session?!)... make sure to say aloud (or at least to yourself) at least one thing you're grateful for.  It doesn't even have to be big.  It can be as simple as "I had coffee this morning".  But you get the idea.  

Feeling adventurous?? Go for three things you're grateful for, if you can!  Heck, even five!!  The point is, it helps.  Really.  And you might find yourself even smiling (but shhh, that can be our little secret).

New Kid's Book Coming Soon - What Ein Prefers!

 

ANNOUNCING MY SECOND KID'S BOOK!!!

Coming to Amazon 11/1 (Pre-order available now) - What Ein Prefers is a story about Ein (short for Einstein), a smart and wise corgi, who has learned that the way to enjoy your favorite moments even more is to do them your preferred way.  The story uncovers just what Ein's preferences are and why they're so wonderful!

This comes after a wonderful reception of my first kid's book, What Faye Loves.

There's a kickstarter campaign underway through mid November and an Etsy store (under Last Bite Publishing) for folks who want more "package" prizes and a-la-carte goodies, like the cards and stickers.  PS - for the Etsy store, please give me until Thanksgiving to ship it all, but then after that the normal few business days apply!

Otherwise, the books themselves are orderable through Amazon!

And...as always, a portion of the proceeds to back to help local animal rescues.  

I hope you can bring Ein and Faye into your lives and enjoy what they have to offer!

The Little Things

 It's turning to fall in the northern hemisphere and the respite from the heat is welcome.  I loved wearing a jacket and pants the other day, the cool breeze on my face.  Aaaaaaaah, fall.

A few other little things I've enjoyed lately:

- a caramel apple

- getting 'fall' dinner plates and bowls that match our halloween salad plates and cups

- mornings in the backyard in the cool breeze

- driving with the windows down again

- pumpkin yummies

What are some of your little enjoyments now that the seasons are changing? 

Home Buying Needs Changes

 I’m not sure about you, but I’m so over the housing market variation in quality.  One of our favorite pastime ones is to go house hunting (because you never know!) but lately it’s just been more frustrating than not.  Our friend is a realtor and after speaking with her, we realized we’re not alone.  Here are some changes I wish the real estate market would make:

(1) require the seller to do a fully inspection before the house goes on the market

- this would help buyers and sellers alike be eyes-wide open with what the state of their house is

- sellers can determine which items they will fix (and list which have been fixed) and which won’t

-  now someone doesn’t fall in love with something only to find out there are tons of problems and then figuring out what will be fixed or not becomes a whole event

(2) create and implement a scale by which the upkeep of the house is defined and incorporate that into the sale price.

- sorry, but just basing it on square footage alone is no longer ok.  I could have a 3000 sq ft house in shambles and another impeccably upkept and they go on the market for the same price?  All that does is frustrate the seller and the buyer because it sets unrealistic expectations.

- instead, create a scale (1-5 or 1-10, don’t care) where 1 is completely in shambles and 5 (or 10) is brand new.  Then, on a scale of 1-5 you have 4 being “like new / well kept”, 3 being “average” and 2 being “needs work”.  Now you factor that into the starting list price and value and, again, eyes wide open.  No one is surprised and MAYBE it would incentivise people to actually maintain their properties.

Share other ideas you have in the comments!  Happy house hunting.

Goodbye, Ein

After almost eleven years together, we sadly had to say goodbye to Ein, our oldest (and first) corgi.  He finally succumbed to his bone cancer and we miss him everyday.  While his book, What Ein Prefers, comes out later this year, (similar to his sister's book, What Faye Loves)...in the process of healing, I wrote the below poem.  If you've lost a pet, hopefully it brings you peace and solace, too.  They always mean so much to us.

GOODBYE, EIN

by Stephanie Houser

5.1.24

I remember when we first got you, and how you smiled at me with a great big grin

You were so excited to start a life and know what it meant to be a family, from within

And we watched you grow and play and love all the moments big and small

In fact sometimes it seemed like you really just were in love with it all

You forced us to be better, too, and feel love in a new kind of way

To learn patience and trust and kindness and togetherness each day

And while some days were harder than others, trying even (one could say)

You were always worth it, even if in the moment we may have felt another way

We knew it was getting close to saying goodbye yet we didn’t quite know how 

Because all the days and years that have passed are so special to us now

When you love someone like we loved you, it’s hard to think of letting go

But we knew it was what was best for you because letting you suffer was a big no-no

So when the doctor did what doctors do for dogs when it’s their time

We said goodbye to our best friend and family member, no longer in his prime

And while we’ll miss you forever, my sweet little man, we’ll love you even more

Because it was time to say goodbye and let you walk on through that door

But our memories of you will be carried with us, every one making us smile with all our heart

And we’ll thank you for how wonderful you were, even though now we are apart

Because, my bestest of best friends, you’ll always be my little bear…forever…no matter what