Simple Things: A to Z

It’s Friday and my mind is all over the place, so I figured that a blog post that is all over the place is only fitting, right?

Months ago, I saw a ton of bloggers post “A to Z” surveys on their blogs, using each letter of the alphabet to highlight a simple thing that brings them joy in their life.

I love surveys and always find them entertaining when other bloggers post them and since Chelsey brought the dying survey back earlier this week, I figured it wasn’t too late to hop on the bandwagon. (I think Dory started the survey?)

Let’s do this!

The Simple Things: A to Z

A – Apples. I eat at least one apple a day. They’re portable, refreshing and so darn delicious. (Alternate selection for the letter A: Ass Grass. Still one of the top three most hilarious moments we’ve had with Sadie!)

B – Blogging and you guys! Before I stumbled upon healthy living blogs, I thought blogs were creepy websites on the internet that crazies updated with complaints about the word. Sure, they are that, but they’re also so much more and cover every niche imaginable. The joy I get from sharing my life with you guys and interacting with you every day is beyond anything I could have imagined just three years ago.

C – Christmas. Is it just me or are you seeing more and more people pinning holiday-related things on Pinterest? At first it was Halloween costumes, but this week I saw (and re-pinned) this pin for prints you can print out and frame around your house during the holidays.

D – My dad. He is such a supportive person in my life and always lets “his girls” know how much he loves them.

E – Exercise. Sometimes we forget that exercising isn’t a “given” and I feel grateful to have the ability to workout regularly without pain or injury. (Knock on wood.)

F – Freelance writing. As much as I love blogging, the writing you see on this blog is conversational and informal and very different from most of my professional work. While I love writing blog posts more than anything, I also like having assignments away from the blog that don’t have anything to do with food, fitness and healthy living. Sometimes it’s nice to write brochure content for a local business!

G – Gone Girl. I read this book for two hours last night. I couldn’t stop! When Nick got that text on his disposable phone!?!?!? Ah!

H – Home. To quote my mother-in-law, my home is my sanctuary.

I – Inspiring athletes. Watching the Olympics is so much fun and the athletes are truly incredible. <—Look another “I” word!

J – Jokes. Silly email chains. Ridiculous websites. Anything that makes me laugh in the middle of the work day. Like this and this:

K – Kind people. You make my heart sing!

L – Leslie. When I think about my sister, I cannot help but smile. She is a ray of sunshine and I’m so happy that I’ve had a best friend by my side all my life.

M – My mom. The most optimistic, loving woman I’ve ever met.

N – Nature. Outside is the place to BE!

O – Oreo Birthday Blast ice cream. No lie, I think it has quickly become my favorite ice cream flavor of ALL TIME. Second runner up: Chocolate marshmallow.

P – Pandora. I love music and feel like my Pandora station “gets me.” We had a rocky patch there for a while when it kept playing various versions of “Hallelujah” and trying to depress me, but our musical relationship is now thriving since I’ve “thumbs upped” and “thumbs downed” enough songs on my favorite stations for Pandora to know my taste.

Q – Quiet time.  

R – Ryan. My husband and my best buddy. I love spending every day with that guy. 

S – Sadie. As if you couldn’t guess this one. She makes me laugh every day and is surprisingly quite wise…

T – Traveling. Exploring new areas, near and far, is one of my favorite things to do.

U – Upcoming vacations!!! First up: Bachelorette party in New Orleans, baby!

V – Vitamins. Specifically gummy vitamins. I never took vitamins as an adult until I started buying gummy vitamins again. They’re just so darn good and as someone previously diagnosed with osteopenia, I’m all about taking a calcium supplement. Now, if only I could find some Adora disks in Ocala somewhere. So good!

W – Weddings. So far, within the next year, we have four weddings to attend for people we care deeply about and I cannot wait to celebrate such a special day with wonderful friends.

X – Xylophones? X-rays? My choices for this letter are rather limited. I’ll cheat and go with x-tra thick Greek yogurt.

Y – You!

Z – ZOOMA runs! I’m already excited for the Amelia Island races in January!

Question of the Afternoon

• What are three simple things in your life that bring you joy?