Well the challenge was set this week for #FridayReflections contributions!
Write 99 things you love. At first, I thought, no I don’t think so. I’m not good at things like this, or ‘what is the best advice you have been given’, or ’10 things you hate about….’. My mind goes blank and although I am sure I have been given much advice by various people over the years, when put on the spot I can’t recall anything specific!
However, I read some of the other contributions and thought okay maybe I CAN do this. I woke early this morning about 2am so I suppose writing a list of 99 things I love was a way to fill in the early morning hours when I had given up on trying to sleep.
Here are my 99 things I love
(in fact, after I finished I found I could have kept going! Not bad for someone who thought they couldn’t come up with 10 things.)
- My husband and our loving relationship
- My relationship with my children and their partners
- My gorgeous grandchildren
- My friends, especially my Saturday Sisters who I run with
- Spending each Tuesday with my darling grandson Ethan. He is 18 months old and brings such joy to my life
- Surprises
- Sunshine
- Exercising – feeling alive and ready to take on the world after a session
- Enjoying the Outdoors
- Chocolate especially dark chocolate with roasted almonds
- My favourite sandwich – Chicken, Avocado and Tasty Cheese on wholemeal bread
- Travelling with my darling to discover new cultures
- ‘Running away’ for weekends
- Walking along the beach feeling the soft sand and trying not to get my feet wet!
- Watching storms and lightening when I am cosy inside
- Log fires
- Red Wine
- Cheese Platters
- Making special birthday cakes for my grandchildren
- My new look website & blog
- The perfume of roses
- Daffodils because they make me feel happy
- Having a facial
- Having a manicure and pedicure
- Being pampered with a visit to the hair salon
- Preparing special dinners and trying new recipes
- Waking early, my husband still asleep, the house is quiet and still
- Having ‘me’ time
- Family gatherings and bbqs
- Reading a book in the sunshine on a lazy afternoon
- The smell of freshly cut grass
- Christmas! The season of goodwill. Decorating the tree, delighted and happy grandchildren opening their presents, Santa, over eating lunch followed by an afternoon snooze
- Driving to the coast with my darling and listening to Pink Floyd ‘Dark Side of the Moon’
- Luxurious, fluffy bath sheets
- Bubble baths
- Champagne
- Spring blossoms
- My morning coffee made for me by my darling
- Drinking hot chocolate in Quebec
- Cruising to different ports
- Making others feel happy
- Connecting with my readers
- The Truilli houses in Alberobello in Italy. Such a fascinating and unusual architecture
- Still receiving love notes from my darling after 23 years
- Massages
- New Running Shoes
- Meryl Streep, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren – all wonderful actors who definitely are Sizzling beyond 60
- Friends I’ve made through blogging
- A pre dinner drink with my darling at the end of the day
- The best years start now
- Snuggling in bed on a cold, rainy day
- My beautiful china tea set
- Long brunches
- Yoga
- Taking a step back to ‘stop and just be’
- A great pen that will make my handwriting look better!
- Stationery – pens, pretty notepaper, notebooks, journals, highlighters. I used to love going back to school just for the stationery
- Watching Gogglebox and being horrified that I think I’m like that watching TV
- My age – I’m 58!
- Dreaming & Planning
- Being healthy & living life to the full
- Being grateful for all I have
- Sentimental movies that make me cry
- My Smartphone – My husband is concerned I will need it surgically removed from my hand
- My laptop
- A cold glass of water on a hot, steamy day
- Long Hot showers after a winter’s run
- Wearing my fluffy bathrobe after my shower
- Watching the changing colours of the sky at sunset
- Watching the surprise and excitement on my grandchildren’s faces when they open their birthday presents
- Planning Celebrations
- Preparing a romantic dinner for my darling
- Winter in Brisbane – cool, crips mornings and evenings with sunny days and vivid blue skies
- The smell of rain after a steamy hot summer’s day
- The fact I only have 24 things to list
- The surprise of a rainbow
- Lying on the grass watching the clouds float by
- Airplane spotting with my 18 month old grandson
- My grandpuppy who thinks she is human and Ethan’s ‘big sister’
- Making people smile and feel special
- Coffee catchups
- One-on-one time with my daughter – never often enough
- Muscials – Mama Mia is my favourite
- Taking off in an airplane with the excitement of a new adventures
- Helicopter flights – scary and fun at the same time
- Experiencing the wonders of nature – helicopter flight over the expansive Grand Canyon. The beauty and power of the Niagara Falls
- Visiting my husband’s cousins in Italy and trying to speak in Italian with them – lots of fun
- When I can’t think of a topic to write about and then and idea comes from nowhere
- The encouragement of other bloggers
- The generosity of spirit people have
- I’ve run a marathon at 55
- Drinking French Early Grey tea in my beautiful china cup
- My husband cooking dinner for me
- Veal parmagiana – my husband’s speciality
- Singing – although my only fan is my darling grandson Ethan
- Being Me – it only took 58 years to accept myself for who I am and to love the person I am
- Herbs – the smell of basil and mint
- French lavendar
- The unconditional love I have from my husband and family
I did it! I listed 99 things I love. Looking through the list I am so lucky to have the life that I do and it makes me grateful and appreciative of all I have and the beautiful people in my life.
[bctt tweet=”Can you list 99 things you love? Why not take the challenge – you may be surprised at what you list”]
‘Let’s Keep Sizzling!’
First published at #FridayReflections
46 Comments
yay you did it, I love it! And I share so many loves with you, I was nodding along, I too love Lavender, making people smile and so many more that you listed. You make me smile xx
Thanks Mackenzie! It was your post that encouraged me to do it and then I read a couple of others and thought I do have things I love! I’m glad I can make you smile you are a lovely person.
Don’t you just love this! I was also surprised the first time I did it exactly how easy it was! This time it took me a bit longer to write – I wrote it over a period of 4 days. Loved reading your love list 🙂 There’s so much to love!
Yes Janine! Once you done it the first time you realise that there are lots of things you love! We need all the love we can get in this world at the moment! Have a great week and good luck with your new venture.
This is such a wonderful list! I love the positivity that shines off of it and I can relate to some.
Oh thank you Astrid! I didn’t think I would be able to think of that many but we realise we are so lucky when we actual list all the things we love.
It surely is an amazing feeling to complete the list…Though I got stuck at times, it still feels great to have finished it…Yes, we should be thankful to be able to do that 🙂
It really isn’t easy is it! Sometimes you have to leave it and come back to it. Thanks for stopping by.
i recently wrote a 10 things that make me happy post. I had never really thought about listing them our prior. But, writing them down sorta makes me focus on happiness, you know? Thanks for sharing yours, sue!
I know what you mean Kaitlyn. I only wrote it as part of the weekly challenge but I’m so glad I did! Thanks for stopping by to comment.
I love your site! I’m so glad I clicked on your link at #JoyHopeLive! Such a positive exercise in being thankful … you have 99 beautiful things to love about your life 🙂
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Oh thank you Lori! I’m so glad you clicked on my site as well! I have never tried a 99 things challenge and was surprised and very grateful to see how lucky I am to love so many things in my life. Thank you for stopping by! I’ll be checking out your website!
That’s a fabulous list 🙂 So much love there 🙂
Oh thank you Parul I have lots to love 🙂
Hi Sue!
99! How long did all this take you?
My husband makes me coffee and dinners, and I love his company. I love my blog too. I also have a group of women whose company I enjoy.
How do you have time to cook those recipes?
Thanks for coming to my linky party this week.
Janice
Hi Janice, yes it took a while. I started then walked away then came back and then more ‘loves’ just kept coming! Thanks for a great link up. You are welcome to join the two that I co host anytime #AnythingGoes and #WednesdaysWisdom. Hope to see you next week!
Such a fabulous list, Sue! I had a big smile on my face going through it.
I love it!
Thank you so much for sharing it.
Yes I’m sure some of my list would be on other’s lists as well. I’m glad you enjoyed it and it is amazing we do have so much to be grateful for. Have a great week!
What a great idea! I may do this when I have time to sit and think of 99 things 🙂 This is a great post to share at #JoyHopeLive…stop by! http://www.mylifeinprogress.org/finding-joy-in-the-everyday-26/
#debbieinshape
Well it too me a while Mary. Perhaps you can start and then just add to the list as ideas come. I’ve linked up to #JoyHopeLive so thanks for the invite.
I had so much FUN reading this list! And like so many others, I found myself nodding along as I read. I laughed at loud at #75! 🙂 I did not have time to write this post for last week’s “Friday Reflections,” but I have been thinking about it. I’m going to write it anyway, even though I missed the linkup. 🙂 Oh, and since you and your sweet husband travel so much, and have made it to North American in the past, you have an open invitation to visit me next time you are here! I have been to Brisbane once, and I really, REALLY want to go again, so perhaps it is not out of the realm of possibility that we may actually get to sit down together for coffee one of these days!
I hear you Michele! I think we all face the same challenges but if we have support of other bloggers that is helpful. We just have to take a step back and breathe sometimes. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.
Oh I so glad this post made you smile Wendy especially with the bad news of your friend. I didn’t write it at first because I didn’t think I could think of that many. Thank you so much for your kind invitation. It would be lovely to catch up for a coffee one day – you never know. Have a lovely weekend!
It’s amazing, isn’t it, how long that list can get, and how fast, once you get into it?
The unconditional love from our friends and family — that’s definitely a top one!
I know Carolyn. At first I thought I would only have about 10 but it is surprising if you do think about it how many things you can add to the list. Thanks for stopping by and yes unconditional love from friends and family can’t be beaten.
When I first saw the title of your post, my thought was, boy, that’s a lot of things to list! But reading it, and having many similar happy things, made me realize that it would be easier than it sounds. Lucky you to be able to spend a day with your grandson once a week. Mine moved a little closer, but are still an hour and a half away.
Yes that is what I thought too when #FridayReflections had it as one of the writing reflections. I initially wrote about one of the other options and then after reading some of the ’99 things I love’ posts I thought I would give it a try. It was hard halfway through but I walked away and came back to it a couple of times. My grandson is my pride and joy and I’m so lucky to have this quality time with him. thanks for commenting and talk soon. Have a great day!
I love the smell of roses and cut grass as well, and I am a complete stationary addict. My favourite thing on your list though is number 75 😉
#anythinggoes
Oh Tracey I’ve loved the smell of cut grass from childhood and it always brings back lovely memories. Stationery addict – join the club! I just love it! #75 – yes a few people have said the same thing. It was tough going at that point! Why don’t you try it! Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!
I am currently about 3/4 of the way through a 50 things about me post. Because im so rubbish at these things I am adding a time/date update after every 10 items. It i finish it before next week, I will link it up xx
Oh coming back from #anythinggoes again xx
I love this list Sue. You did it! I am such a thinker that I’m afraid my brain would “lock up” if I did that:) One day I will try and I’ll let you know when I do. God bless!
Horace you should try it! I shied away from doing it and wrote about something else. Then I thought surely I must love lots of things. I wrote some then walked away and then came back and wrote some more. Why not give it a try you will be surprised. Have a lovely day and God bless you!
This is a great idea for a challenge! I’m tempted to do it too.
Yes Melanie I’m going to set one up as I’ve had such positive comments. Go for it – you can do it!
Thanks for sharing with us at #JoyHopeLive!
Thanks Mary!
#44 is my favorite on the list. So very sweet.
Yes I still get a warm feeling when I receive a love note from my darling. It is sweet and so is he. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by to comment. Have a lovely week!
It’s so good to reflect on the things we love and to be grateful for those we already have in our lives.
It certainly is Ingrid and something that perhaps we don’t do often enough because of our busy lives. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
A beautiful list and one that will last you your whole life! I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend.
Yes Terri it is a beautiful list and I should print it and put it on my computer. Thank you for your kind words regarding my friend yes she was and still is a beautiful soul to me. Have a lovely day!
Thank you so much for sharing your post with us at the #AnythingGoes Link Party! I’m so glad that we can work together on these link parties.
Me too Sandy. I love working with you and Marilyn. Have a great week!
I love this idea. I’m going to take the challenge myself and post it next week. Thanks so much for sharing. Taking a few minutes to think about the things that really make you happy is a good thing to do.
Oh that is great Jenny!