Reasons to Be Happy

1. Another satisfying evening of above-average television, including the excellent use of the word "jackassery" on Community.

2. This week's sunshine and continued warm temperatures. We played outside this afternoon with no coats on until dinnertime.

3. Jemma and I got ourselves some Robinette's donuts and cider yesterday, and I got a dozen, so they continue to be available to me at every necessary moment throughout my days.

4. I'm getting on an airplane at noon tomorrow to jet off to my annual Girls' Weekend with some beloved friends from college. This year, North Carolina, where we plan to take short breaks from eating, drinking, gossiping, and lounging in our pajamas to eat and drink in public, hike, and shop. That is, if we can shut up long enough to get dressed and leave the house.

5. The Joshua Radin station on pandora.com, which has been on constantly via the laptop in the kitchen and never fails to brighten up even the grouchiest of meals or cooking extravaganzas. I. Love. Him.

6. While I tucked Annie in tonight, she covered her eyes with her hands, then said, "I'm sorry I was mean to you this morning." (This would be in reference to her epic freak-out as we literally stepped out the door to go to dance. It continued in the driveway, on the sidewalk, and all the way up to the door of her dance classroom, where she sniffled, took a deep breath, and bounded off to have a perfectly lovely dance class. Huh.) Apologizing is hard for anyone, but seems to be especially excruciating for Annie, and I was so proud of her that she did it sincerely and on her own initiative.