Everyday joys...

I can breath through both nostrils now. When you have spent the last 5 days only having the use of one nostril, it's the little things like the clearing of the other that can bring you a joy undefined. Got to thinking about that. I have a list here on the side of my blog that shares with you a whole bunch of things that come to mind instantly when I think of joy, but just this last week, I realized I kept running into surprise every day joys too. Here's my list:

1. WD-40 : Our bedroom door creaks, and there is nothing more annoying than waking up early on the weekend and trying to not wake them when you open your door, and then CREEEEK! That precious quiet time you thought you might be able to get away with is instantly snatched away. Not anymore though--I oiled the door hinges and VOILA!

2. Vicks Vapor Rub (or as Juan says in Spanish, "Beeks Bapo Roo") : My daughter couldn't breathe, I couldn't breathe, and nobody was going to sleep. Then, I remembered what my grandmother always did, she rubbed VVR on mychest and a little under my nose. I ran and got it, applied it like an old pro. Lauren thinks I'm so smart, and I get to say a thanks to my gram for the "instant" cure.

3. Erasers: Need to google whomever came up with the simple eraser on the end of a pencil. Brilliant! We were down to one this weekend and we had to SHARE (of all things!). Can you imagine doing homework without your own eraser? It's not as important as inventing the wheel, but when the eraser runs out a definate panic sets in. We made it through but whew! just barely!

4. Bottled water: How cool is that? You can take water with you ANYWHERE. No more looking for unsanitary fountains or kids crying because they are thirsty. We always have water on hand. Twice this week a different child has asked me for water-and i just reached back and handed it to them.

5. Bubble Bath: I love taking baths, especially in the cold wintertime. My sister-in-law gave me some almond/milk bath powder and some lavender bath gels. There is something very girly about filling up the tub with hot bubbly scented water that literally melts the stress of the day away. I think I've regained many months if not years this way.

6. Insta-flame: We have one of those instant flame things that light the fireplace, stove, and candles. I use ours, no kidding, every single day of the year. In the winter I use it to light the fireplace and my evening ambiance candles, and the summer, the bbq. I love it so much, i recently found a sale on them at Michaels so I bought a back up!

I have more of these problem solvers but these are the ones that stood out lately. Do you have any simple every day things that bring make your days easier or more pleasurable? Problem solvers are wonderful. We should all make a list and share the helpful hints!