Friday, August 21, 2009

How little?

I was wondering the other day what the ratio of "little things" to "makes you happy" is considered to be normal. You know, on a range of people giving the "thank you wave" when you let them go ahead of you to a stranger saying "bless you" when you sneeze in a public place. Those all seem like pretty solid little things that proportionately give a nice feeling of happiness.

So what does it say about my life exactly that I was ecstatic the other night when I remembered I had purchased medium sized garbage bags for the trash can in the upstairs bathroom? Seriously, I was way too excited.

The Mr. was doing that ritual known as the Trash Round-Up. You know the one. The night before the morning the trash is picked up you go around and empty every trash can in the house. Other people do this too, right? I have memories from my youth as a child of my Dad making this round. Anyhoots, the trash can in our bathroom is not wicker, exactly. More wicker inspired...meaning it's got a lot of little holes in it. So it's really fun when there is no bag in there and perhaps someone (coughMrcough) has tossed a not quite empty Diet Coke can in there. Which then leaves a lovely little puddle, or even better - when I tip the trash up into a larger bag, sends drips flying all over the place. Like I need that extra bit of cleaning.

Wait - where was I? Oh yeah. So he comes in and empties the can, which I had lined with an old plastic shopping bag. That was when I remembered. THE MEDIUM BAGS! They fit this particular trash receptacle perfectly! No mess! Mo drips! The bag reaches all the way to the bottom! As I was waxing on about the joys of my medium bags I realize the Mr. is staring at me with a strange look on his face.

"What? It's the little things that make me happy." I hear myself say. He just shook his head and went to empty the next trash can.

18 comments:

Zip n Tizzy said...

To expand on that, I know I have two boxes of freezer bags somewhere around here, I know I moved them from where they were because they were taking up too much space, I have no idea where I moved them too - and our house is small.

I will definitely be doing that happy dance when I find them - assuming it's not immediately after purchasing more!

Vodka Mom said...

yep, it's the little thing. Like perhaps a new outfit???


xoxox

Johnny Sweatpants said...

Welcome back!

Captain Dumbass said...

I'm all about the little things. And welcome back. Now I realize why so many people were complaining about losing a follower last week.

*lightbulb*

The Floydster said...

JMMW - so good to have you back. I love it when someone acknowledges as simple a thing as letting them in the line of traffic. There are so many different little things that go a long way in cheering a person up.

minivan soapbox said...

You know what...Right Now...Like, today...I would be happy with SOMEONE in my family saying thank you! I mean - the drunk guy at 7-11 says thank you when I hold the door open...Can't someone in my family say it? (end rant...)

Susan said...

Yes! The waves and smiles and small favors make my whole day. I'm easy like that.

Octopunk said...

I'm not sure if garbage bags count as a little thing. We're trying to get through a box of the loathsome "flap tie closure" bags from Target, and they totally suck!

(No dis to Target of course.)

Kate Coveny Hood said...

This sounds like me. Whenever our house is really clean, I walk around exclaiming over the spotless corners like they're paintings in the Louvre. My husband thinks I'm nuts. But then again - he's a slob....

anymommy said...

Joy in the little things is a vital life skill. Some days, it's the trash bags. So glad to visit you here.

Casey said...

Cool new site sista! I get the same way about the wee trash bags we have for our wee bathroom trash can.

Leslie said...

Helllooo. *sly smile*

I have decided to name you, call gansta rap style, J. Mow. Or not.

It is amazing how little things can make life seem brighter.

msprimadonna67 said...

I totally know what you mean! (I, too, have childhood memories of doing the trashcan round up around our house.) You know what little thing always makes me happy? When the first parking space next to the Target building is open just for me. The kids call it 'my parking spot,' and the jokingly berate the poor souls who are occasionally parked there when we show up. (By the way, is there such a thing as shopping at Target too much?)

AC said...

welcome to the blogosphere, jmow!

and two thumbs way up for the small things.

for a different kind of girl said...

Gathering up the trash cans the night before trash day is a job here that's been assigned to one of the boys, but usually we forget and then my husband is running through the house on trash day when we hear the garbage truck rounding the corner and that? That is sometimes a big annoyance rather than a little thing!

I'm a big fan of people who say thank you for the little things, and I'm a big fan of the fact that you're here!

Kelly Dawn said...

woooohoooooo!!! you are back :) you better put me on that blog roll woman :) Let me know if you dont want on a blog roll :) I have NOT added you yet and in the interest of privacy? I wont if you don't want me to :)

Christy said...

I'm with you - I love that stuff too. hey - is it me or is this blog hard to read now? The dark background with the white font hurts my eyes. Am I the only one being a wuss?

Can I add this blog to my blogroll? Or should we keep it supa secret?

steenky bee said...

Ahhh! I sooooo know why you are not in my reader now. I mean, technically you WERE, but then you left. I found you again and now must simply update my reader!! Welcome back! I'd recognize your wit anywhere. I'm honestly doing little baby claps right now.