365 Days of Happiness - Day 56

February 25

Today's happiness?  My mom.

She has always been so strong and I'm thankful for everything she has done for me.  I haven't always appreciated her and what she has done for me, but I've gotten better about that.  At least i hope i have.  I try to let her know how much I love her and that I value her opinion.  I'm so thankful she gave me a safe place to land after I fell flat on my face.  I'm thankful she encourages me to get back on my feet even when it means I move away again. I'm thankful she has been my strength through some difficult times.  I'm just so thankful that she decided I was worth keeping.  I just hope I make her proud and continue to.  Saying goodbye to her is going to be tough, but I know she understands why.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 55

February 24

I had to say goodbye to my guy today. It was sad and emotional, as is every time I have to say goodbye, but the amazing silver lining this time is it won't be for long.  I luckily will be back with him by this weekend and I won't have to say goodbye again.

I'm a very lucky girl!!

I will try to stop being a giddy school girl about my guy, but I doubt it'll stick.  I've never been so happy and I'm glad I found my best friend. ♥

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 54

February 23

My sister brought over her turkey she got from work, so we sat down and had our last family turkey dinner until the holiday season rolls back around.  This also marked the last time in a while that we'll be together.  I leave this week and my sister has to work the rest of the week, so I may not see her again.  At least until I get settled and come back for my stuff.

Though we don't always agree and I want to strangle her sometimes, I do love her and I love my mom and I'm just thankful to be able to make this stop.  I landed and got back on my feet, but I'm ready to move on.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 52 & 53

February 21 and 22

I decided to combine these two days as I did the same thing both days.

I spent the weekend resting in bed as my mom, boyfriend, and I were all in various stages of unwell.   I'm thankful that I had medicine and time to rest.  There are people who don't have such a luxury and there are people who are battling illnesses far worse.  I'm just glad to be here, living my life right now.

I hope you are enjoying your life!

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 51

February 20

Today I was told such wonderful and exciting news.

One of my best friends will be getting married to a pretty great guy.  He surprised her last night and today I received the excited phone call telling me how he proposed.
She deserves so much happiness in her life because she gives so much to those she meets.  I'm beyond blessed to have her in my life and I am beyond excited to see where life takes this amazing woman!!

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 50

February 19

I've been a bit selfish and superficial lately on here.  I need to be looking a bit deeper and taking to heart more joy and happiness each day.  There is more out there and I need to find it.  I've been taking a few things for granted.  I have a family, friends, a roof over my head, and I also have my health.  I do have issues with it, but compared to others it is just an inconvenience.

I've found out recently a friend of mine has been diagnosed with leukemia.   He is now going through more tests and will be on the road to recovery soon.  But he is to young for this.  He is to young to be on such a difficult road.  I forget sometimes, even though I should know better, nothing is set in life.  We all have things we fight through, but we have to be thankful for what we have.  I truly have so much to be thankful for.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 49

February 18

Oh the hangover!  What to be happy about?  Well, it has been such a long time since I've had a night out that I will say this time is well worth it.  I can't begin to express how thankful I was for all the love and kind words I received last night and all the people who came out for me.  It was amazing and I'm humbled.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 48

February 17

Tonight was my "Goodbye/Going away" party.  It was a great time.  Drinking, line dancing, and just hanging out with wonderful people made the night.  I was able to spend some actual time with them.  I had so many people who wanted to see me.  It made me feel good about how I've spent my time here.  I will miss them all, but I'm so grateful to have met everyone.

Tomorrow won't be as much fun, but such is the price we pay to drink.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 47

February 16

I started a new TV series that was recommended to me. What is it?  Penny Dreadful.  I'm not sure what to think, but I do enjoy getting recommendations.  People have such a wide range of tastes, it gives an insight into them.  Plus you never know if you're missing out on something fun.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 46

February 15

Since most of Valentine's day was spent apart, we decided to have our date night tonight.  We did a movie, dinner, movie, and ice cream.  I must say dinner and ice cream were my favorite parts.  We were able to just talk, which was nice.  Also, I didn't care much for the movies this time around.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 45

♥ February 14 ♥

Tonight was my last night at work.  Yeah, breaking hearts on Valentine's day.

It was nice to see the couples, the families, and the group of friends out.  Luckily, I didn't have to stay too late, which I was thankful for.  I was able to come home and spend the rest of the night with my guy.  This was our first Valentine's day actually being in the same place.  We didn't do much, just exchanged gifts and watched movies.  He truly has stolen my heart.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 44

February 13

Having my sister in the house has been different.  Unfortunately, it hasn't been for the best of reasons.  Though, we were able to get in a family game night, which was rather nice and incredibly entertaining.   We don't get much time for that kind of thing these days and with us again parting ways, it will be awhile before we get to again.

Enjoy family, whether blood or adopted by your own choosing.   You never know what can happen.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 43

February 12

Today I have not been feeling well and therefore I stayed in bed.  Having my sister's cat in the house has caused my allergies to kick my butt.  Hopefully, she'll be moving back into her own house soon and I can be back on my feet, feeling better.

Luckily, I was able to watch movies and cuddle with my guy.  That makes a sick day better.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 42

February 11

Again, I was able to watch the Kempo class work on their training with my guy leading them.  They have all been so welcoming as I sit in the back watching, learning.  It has been an experience seeing not only my boyfriend do something he enjoys, but seeing so many others.  I have enjoyed my time.  Luckily, I get to hang out a couple more times.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 41

February 10

Date night!!

I know these have been a happiness for me and you're probably growing tired of them, but I have spent so much of this relationship away from him, being able to be together and spend time together is just amazing.  Plus movies are fun!

I hope you've been able to get out and enjoy a few.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 40

February 9

My sister has been having some issues now that she has ended her relationship with her live in boyfriend.  Today I was able to spend some time helping her out.  Trying to get things back to normal for her.  Hopefully, I was able to take some of the weight of the world off of her shoulders, at least for a short while.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 39

February 8

This was my last Sunday working with my boys.  We have had so many great memories and I am eternally thankful to them.  I however will not dwell on the fact I am leaving.  I am going to remember the fun and today I had a guy give me a great compliment.

Margaritas are thought to be a "girly" drink, but I made one a man could be proud to drink today.  He said I could market them as "John Deer Margaritas".  I was glad I could make him something he enjoyed but I'm also glad that we could have a laugh.

Life is about finding the joy, no matter how small.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 38

February 7

Two more days of work after today.  That is it and I'll be done with this place.  Though, I'm sad to be leaving some amazing people, I have an amazing adventure ahead of me and that excites me.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 37

February 6

I went back to work today after five days off and I was met with a surprise.  I received a surprise from some of my regulars.  They made me cookies!  We talked about it a few weeks earlier, but I thought they forgot.  I didn't fault them. We are all busy and I really didn't think they cared that much.  However, I don't believe that anymore.  Somehow during my short stay here I am beginning to think maybe I have made an impact.  Maybe I really did need to come here not only for myself, because I needed to meet these people here but they needed to meet me.  It is something to know you impacted someone else's life.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 36

February 5

Each day brings me closer to the next chapter of my life and I continue to grow far more excited about the move.  Though I know there is so much to do, I just keep looking at the future.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 35

February 4

This blog has focused on the joys I see or experience, but today I was able to experience something new.  I was able to watch someone else do something they enjoy.

I had no idea what I was walking into when my boyfirend invited me to come and watch him teach.  I know he has put in many hours and a lot of effort over the years to be as skilled as he is in his art, but I've never had the opportunity to watch him.  Seeing him teaching others, he has a joy for Kempo.  He has a knack for explaining the stances and the forms.  Hopefully, as we continue to discuss our future together, he'll consider making a move into teaching and into his own studies.

I wish I had such a passion, but alas I have yet to discover such a thing.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 34

February 3

I'm not having much joy or happiness today.  Though, I know tomorrow will find me in a better mood and better able to handle the disappointments that come.  Today holds no such truth.

I hope you are doing far better than I.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 33

February 2

Looking for the small joys in life is what this has been about and for me one of those small joys is being in the kitchen.  I find a joy and a peace when it comes to being able to cook or bake and tonight I got to share that.
For those who know me, running to the kitchen and getting lost in a recipe has been an escape from some of the harder things in my life.  I use it to find my way out of the stress of life or the pain that comes.  Tonight however was something different.  Tonight is was a passion I was able to share with someone I love.  It is a part of me and something I wanted to share.

I hope there are joys and passions you can share as well!

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 32

February 1

I woke up and luckily didn't have to go to work, so I spent the day enjoying a wonderful snow day.  I curled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and watched movies with my boyfriend.  We were able to just watch the snow fall outside, covering the earth with a blanket of white.  Most days if I would have been forced out into it, I would have been angry and upset about the cold and the snow.  But, today just getting to enjoy it was amazing.  It was a nice, relaxing day and much needed.  I hope you have been able to enjoy a few snow days of your own.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 31

January 31

Today I get to celebrate one year with my amazing boyfriend.  We've met over a year ago, but we chose today to celebrate because it has special meaning to us both.  I'm thankful I got to spend it with him.  We did the traditional dinner and movie, but it was still such a wonderful time.

To many this is nothing.  However, to us this is what we've been waiting for.  Spending the entirety of our relationship doing long distance, being together is amazing.

Here's to many more years ahead!!

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 30

January 30

As each day grows closer to the end of my time in Manson, Iowa, I continue to find myself grateful and blessed by the people I work with and the customers I see regularly.   When I first began working at Shore Side, I told myself I wasn't going to get attached.  This was only going to be temporary and why cause myself the pain of saying goodbye.  Well, so much for that.  These people gave me something to look forward to, even on days when I didn't want to be at work.  I will miss everyone, but luckily I don't have to say goodbye just yet.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 29

January 29

Today has a lot of happy and some sad.

First off, today is one of my best friend's birthday.   Though he's on the other side of the world, he'll always be a part of my life.  So many great memories.  I haven't seen him in forever, but someday!

Second, I dropped more weight.  Happy, happy day.  I've been to the gym and watching my calorie intake and it's starting to show.  This is a daily battle and knowing I'm making progress helps make all the difficult choices easier.

Third, the day had it's first goodbye.  My last wing night.  I remember starting and being nervous and running my butt off, but now it doesn't seem so bad.  I've enjoyed having so many people come in to see me and working with this particular group of people.   I'll miss it, but time to move on.

Until tomorrow!

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 28

January 28

Hello gym!

I've been told before that once exercising becomes a routine, you don't feel right about skipping out.  That has become true for me.  Getting to the gym has become routine and I'm really starting to feel better about myself.  My confidence is building; my clothes are fitting better.  Yay for self improvement!!

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 27

January 27

Tonight was the first night of line dancing at work.  It's just something new to try to bring in a crowd.  I have to say it worked pretty well.  We had about 35 people show up and they stayed to drink.  I had to bartend, but it was a great night.  Not only did all these people have a great night dancing, but their energy was contagious.  I was laughing and dancing behind the bar.  I also got to spend time with some amazing friends.  During the night the girls and I planned a little going away party which has turned into something bigger but should still be a lot of fun.  I'm excited and a little sad about leaving them.  They have become a part of my life and I'm so thankful.   I'll let you know how the party goes.  We still have a few weeks.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 26

January 26

I haven't been on my game lately.  So, I'm will find something to smile about or laugh about or something that warms my heart.   That's again why I've created this.  I need it to help me and to focus me.  I've had some bad days, but I knew that would happen.  Change takes time and as long as I keep it up, I'll be okay.

So, now for today's little bit of happy.  I came home from work and my mom and I sat down and watched the Bachelor.  There was a line that was just hilarious and we just had a laughing fit.

So, during one of the one on one dates,  Chris was doing an interview and he was talking about how he couldn't focus so he was just thinking about "unicorns and dancing fairies".  It was the funniest thing that I had heard all night.  I needed it.

I know it isn't something wonderful, but at least I had a smile on my face for a while.

~Norma Jean ♡

365 Days of Happiness - Day 24 and 25

January 24 and 25

I've tried to figure out what to talk about here, but you know it has been dark in my world.  I haven't been able to find my happiness.   I was hoping it would only last a day, but I'm not thinking that will be the case.   I have to change my thinking.  I have to get myself back to my focus.  I want to be happy.