Twelve Reasons Today Was a Good Day

 For Aaron and I, it's always about the little things in life. And I'm grateful our lives are so small.


1. I had to set my alarm to make sure I was awake for the UPS man to deliver my new vacuum. I've needed a replacement for over a year, and Aaron ordered one for me.


2. I was able to go back to bed for more rest. I didn't fall back asleep, but I wasn't really awake, either.

3. I had my first milkshake today. Yes, I'm serious--I've never had a milkshake before. I thought drinking melted ice cream was nuts. It was delicious, and half-price.

4. Aaron and I spent the afternoon walking in the cypress swamp at Heron Pond. Apparently, the best way to recover from physically overdoing a work out on Sunday is more physical exertion on Monday. We took photos. We enjoyed the sunshine. We didn't answer our phones or worry about what time it was.

The entire pond was covered in small red and green plants, which made it look like the trees grew out of something pink and slightly gelatinous, since it rippled a little when the wind blew.













The mosquitoes loved him. I wore long sleeves.








5. I saw wildlife, up close and personal: Mosquitoes. Gnats. Vultures. A red-headed woodpecker.  Squirrels. A crayfish. Several turkeys, who flew across the road as our car approached.

We played with this little guy for a long time. Aaron kept worrying that he'd pinch my fingers. I told him not to be so afraid of everything, that this is what kids do all the time.






6. Aaron took me to the "redneck zoo," which means we drove around until we found a dairy farm with a fence close to the road so I could watch the cows. This is one of my most common requests when we go on drives in the country, because I love cows. I love staring into their oddly-spaced eyes, listening to them snort and chew. If they moo, all the better.

7. We went grocery shopping together. I usually go alone, so it was nice to have company. Bargain-hunting at Kroger netted us ribeye steaks on sale. We also bought a bag of charcoal, four bags of salad, and a 20 lb. bag of rice that were "Manager's Specials" (meaning: super cheap). We also managed to make a trip in and out of Aldi in about seven minutes, since it was 7:51 and the store closes at 8:00. Why does that feel like a victory? I don't know, but it does.

8. The ruby-throated hummingbird migration has brought them as far as Montgomery, Alabama so far. Though they aren't here yet, they'll be in southern Illinois in a matter of weeks. I check the map every day because I'm so excited that some tiny birds will be flitting around my backyard come April.

9. When we came home, Aaron put away of the groceries while I cooked dinner. Then he put together the new vacuum and tested it out in the living room and kitchen. I put away the dishes. With two people cleaning, it feels less like chores and more like a competition to see who can be nice longer.

10. We watched a few episodes of Mad Men on Netflix, after being too busy the past week or so to watch any together.

11. I got to open the windows today, and leave them open tonight. Even though I had to wash all of the silverware I've been leaving in the sink because I hate washing silverware, I finished it tonight because it's hard not to feel good when you're standing at the sink with a cool breeze blowing in the window, listening to the peep of a thousand frog voices and the drawn out chord of an oncoming freight train.

12. Aaron and I had a mutual day off together that we spent mostly together, rather than sequestered in our offices (with the exception of the past hour or so).