The Little Things

I’ll admit it. I get rattled easily. Well, by some things. There are probably other things that don’t rattle me that would rattle others. Anyway.

Certain things calm me:

-Lying down (duh).
-Red wine.
-People magazine.
-Scratching my dog’s belly.
-Holding one (or both) of my children while we read books together. It's also fun to cuddle while watching TV, though that's not as P.C. sounding. Let's face it though, it's one of the rare times they're not in motion.
-Watching the kids sleep. Extra points for tiny, sweet snores.
-Drinking coffee and listening to the weekend podcast of “This American Life” on Monday -mornings while on the bus en route to work.
-Broadway Musicals, especially "A Chorus Line," and "Rent."
-Taking a walk on crisp fall day, the falling leaves fluttering around me.
-Handel's "Messiah." I could listen to it every day, year round. Just love it. It's like church and synagogue all rolled into one.
-Baking. Preferably something with chocolate or fruit in it.
-Gardening. Getting my hands dirty and standing back to see the finished product. It’s (almost) instant gratification.

And these guys.

I have them perched on the windowsill above the kitchen sink. It's the Little People I'm referring to. The little plastic horse isn't bad either.

I don’t know why, but Little People make me happy. And they make me smile. And heck no, I don't let the kids play with these guys.