Morning Musings, Natural Highs, a 'quiz' and more

After 'reviewing' my progress here at Small Reflections over the last eleven months (while thinking about how to celebrate my 1st Blogoversary), I've selected a few posts to bring forward and share again ... just because.

The first is a list of 'Natural Highs' shared originally by Mother of Invention at Spilling Out! Apparently the list was started by a friend of hers who suggested that everyone add something to the list and pass it along, so that's what I did on February 12th ... and what I'm doing again today ... just because.

I invite you to do likewise if you wish ... and as an 'incentive' ... I offer an award for you to enjoy yourself & share with others. All I ask is that you leave me a link to your list when you decide to pass along these Natural Highs with your own addition(s) so I can read them too.

Natural Highs

1. Falling in love

2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.

3. A hot shower.

4. No lines at the supermarket.

5. A special glance.

6. Getting mail.

7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.

8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer

11. Milkshake (any flavor).

12. A bubble bath.

13. Giggling

*14. Listening to Mother of Invention sing a lovely song whenever I visit Spilling Out!

15. The beach.

16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.

17. Laughing at yourself.

18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you

19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.

20. Running through sprinklers.

21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS

24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

26. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).

27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

28. Playing with a new puppy.

29. Having someone play with your hair.

30. Sweet dreams.

31. Hot chocolate.

32. Road trips with friends.

33. Swinging on swings.

34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.

35. Making chocolate chip cookies.

36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.

37. Holding hands with someone you care about.

38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.

39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.

40. Watching the sunrise.

41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.

42. Knowing that somebody misses you.

43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.

44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

45. Hearing a loon’s call!

46. Waking up and seeing your cat's big eyes looking at you.

47. Being at a hockey game and having your team play well and win their game.

48. Walking on the beach barefoot with a canine friend who loves to play fetch.

49. Getting lost in a wonderful book!

50. Sharing a pleasant memory or event with someone.

*10-8-08 Addendum - Interestingly, while creating a version of this list to share at Sacred Ruminations Wednesday morning, something strange happened to the 'formatting' of the list ... and in straightening things out, I realized the list I copied from Spilling Out and shared previously had no #14 ... so I've added one & highlighted it in purple ... just because.

Remember ... you're invited to add one (or more) and pass along these Natural Highs on your own blog (or not) as you wish! Let's see if we can get this thing going again ... just because. Please leave me a link in comments if you decide to participate ;--)

For the 2nd week in a row, I'm opting out ...

but (just so you know) ... Mommy Wizdom is today's Fun Monday host and has set forth a challenge akin to Raven's Weekly Wordzzl. Clicking on the first two links will take you there in case you'd like to participate. Somehow (although I've tried my best in drafts), generating fictional 'tales' in this manner simply isn't part of my 'skill set' ... yet. Alas, I've run out of time to fashion a story worth sharing this morning, and I've a million things to do today ... so I've shared a Monday Motivator at Sacred Ruminations this morning and I found this at Work of the Poet ...

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

The scariest thing on Halloween is you! You definitely don't want any kids in costumes crossing your path - and you're willing to scare away any who do. Actually, I used to LOVE this holiday ... but since moving to the area I live, we just don't get many 'trick-or-treaters' any more ... so I'm resigned to this fact of life. You definitely think of yourself as someone who has a dark side. And part of having that dark side means not showing it. Once upon a time (when I worried more about what others thought of me), this might have been true, but these days ... not true. I am what I am! Your inner child is open minded, playful, and adventurous. Yup ... this is true for sure. You truly fear the dark side of humanity. You are a true misanthrope. Wow! This one stops me in my tracks! My understanding of the term 'misanthrope' is a person who hates (or distrusts) mankind ... and (although I do wonder often about the apparent loss of common sense in today's world), I don't think that definition fits me at all. You're logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you... especially when it comes to the paranormal. I'm not sure how 'logical or rational' I am ... but these days not much scares me ... even the paranormal. You are picky and high maintenance. If you wear a Halloween costume, it's only when you really feel like it. And it has to be perfect. Ohmygosh ... if you could see me here in my casual, even 'frumpy' attire ... you'd be laughing uproariously at this one (just as my friends & family might be upon reading this). Picky and high maintenance ... nope! Not me ;--)

What's Your Halloween Personality?

Reflecting on Halloween today (especially in light of how Hootin' Anni and others seem to love this holiday) ... I'm reminded of how my 'ex' & I used to delight in decorating our 1st home (in a different neighborhood), play 'spooky' music & sound effects on Halloween ... and dressed up ourselves to distribute treats to 'costumed' kids. In October of 1980 ...(our first year in our new home at the beach) we decorated & dressed up as we'd done for more than a decade and waited (with treats to distribute) for 'trick or treaters' who didn't come ... discovering (after the fact) that parents here don't allow their kids to dress up & knock on doors ... ever! Now that I'm 'happily retired' ... away from the school setting, I've had few reminders of the holidays I once celebrated ... until becoming a blogger. Perhaps you'll all help me revive the 'celebratory' spirit within myself after all. I offer the following 'Halloween Quiz Award' to all those who decide to play along and share results in comments and/or leave a link to where you share on your own blog so I can find them easily.

Check this out!

Vixen (of Vixen's Den) makes LOVELY aprons and is having a Fall Apron Frenzy. Just click on the link for contest details.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!" Scottish Saying