For this weeks Fun Monday, Southern Doll wants to know;
“What have you done in your life that was worth doing? I want to know the moments in your life that you hope will be the ones to pass through your mind when your time comes. I hope that doesn’t sound too morbid. This doesn’t necessarily have to be items you have checked off your Bucket List, it can be those small moments that made you smile, or the time you got that huge promotion you deserved, or the first time your baby smiled at you out of pure joy. I want to know all the moments, big and small, that make life sweet! If you don’t already have a running list of these in your mind, you should! These moments help you remember how much your life is worth living, and we all deserve to enjoy it.”
Gulp.
Okay well, if it’s death bed moments, then top of the list has to be my children. I want all their firsts. First smile, first laugh, first tumble, first triumph, first everything. Because I don’t think there are many parents out there who wouldn’t see their children as the main thing in life that was worth doing. To bring another human being into the world and love them and nurture them is the ultimate high.
For me personally though, the thing I would like to put on this list is something I have yet to do.
Publish my first novel.
I completed nanowrimo in November, so I have 50 000 words of possibility, a beginning that I think is worth working on, but I still need to get my butt in gear and get editing.
That is my personal dream, my ultimate goal, the one thing I would like to achieve for myself.
As for the things I have already done?? I suppose there have been moments.
- Those kindnesses we do instinctively that leave us with a good feeling.
- Knowing you have made a difference in another person’s life.
- Being part of something bigger by supporting a cause, sharing information or just doing our own little bit in a small way.
But I feel a little uncomfortable listing stuff like that. Maybe it’s being brought up a British catholic. We’re not encouraged to blow our own trumpet, we’re not very good at it really. We should be, I mean, everybody should be able to value themselves, and I do, but I just can’t think what to write.
Hmmmm. Sorry Southern Doll, but I’ll make it up to you with a song okay?
Cough, cough (Clearing throat.)
A little while ago I wrote my own version of The Sound of Music’s ‘My Favourite things’ for a post entitled, ‘What makes you happy?’ and I think this could be a good time to remind myself of those moments that “help you remember how much your life is worth living.”
Please sing along if you feel like it.
My Favourite Things
If I’m wearing new shoes and my chins not too spotty,
When M gets the whole of her wee in the potty.
When we walk down the street and Miss E softly sings,
These are a few of my favourite things.
When we’re having cake and the servings aren’t measley.
The fact that on Facebook I can be Ron Weasley.
How Mr B loves me despite extra chins
These are a few of my favourite things
When the slugs blight
And the mud clings
And I’m feeling sad.
I simply remember my favourite things
and then I don’t feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel sooooo bad
(And there’s more)
A good bouncy tune or the book that I’m reading
When Miss E and M come to me when they’re bleeding.
When somebody sends me some new bloggy bling
These are a few of my favourite things.
A gift from a friend or a smile from a stranger
How Miss M is trained and I don’t have to change her.
When the wine is uncorked and we’re feasting like kings
These are a few of my favourite things
When the slugs blite
And the mud clings
And I’m feeling sad.
I simply remember my favourite things
and then I don’t feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel sooooo bad
(and once more)
When the slugs blite
And the mud clings
And I’m feeling sad.
I simply remember my favourite things
and then I don’t feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel sooooooooooooooooooo baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Happy Fun Monday Everybody.
Can’t wait to read all your happy stuff.
Thanks Southern Doll. 
Ok, tomorrow is Earth Day, so in my final count down post I have a couple more tips that I picked up after doing an Energy Audit of my home.
• Is your water too hot? Make sure your cylinder thermostat is set no higher than 60°C or 140°F.
• Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
Simple, but if we all did it, we could make a difference right?
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April 21st, 2008 at 3:40 am
Oh Jo….this was one terrific post. The lyrics are just too sweet. You’re ever so amazing. And to accomplish writing a novel would be great. I hope for the best for you.
My F M is posted, I hope you can stop by and read my entry. Have a super-duper day.
April 21st, 2008 at 6:05 am
What a great song! I sang along to it. Children are a blessing and the greatest gift.
April 21st, 2008 at 7:50 am
This was a fun post Jo! I really love the song. And good for you for having a goal to complete a Novel!
April 21st, 2008 at 8:50 am
I enjoyed the way you approached today’s topic … wish you much success with your novel writing and publishing … totally ‘relate’ to many of the things on your list (especially about ‘kindness’ and making a difference in the lives of others) … and enjoyed the ‘song lyric’ at the end today. I’m playing at Small Reflections today. I hope you’re having a Marvelous Monday!
Hugs and blessings,
April 21st, 2008 at 9:01 am
okay so that was friggin hysterical! ha!
April 21st, 2008 at 9:04 am
Good Post and it’s ok to toot your own horn a little, you have done some wonderful things the proof is in your childrens eyes (bright shiny and full of questions) and those small kindness often mean a lot more then you who give them will ever know. Can’t wait for the book release.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:57 am
I don’t think it’s any surprise that your children are top of your list~I think there are a lot of us waiting to read your novel!
That is a brilliant song~ loved it
April 21st, 2008 at 9:59 am
The song was brilliant! Brilliant!!
I’m in the same place with my nanowrimo effort. I think it has potential but oi…I’ve got to get working on it again.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am
Oh my goodness, that song is awesome!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am
I love your favourite things!
I wish you all the luck with your novel!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
This was so much fun to read! I LOVE your song! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
April 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
Great post and I love the song!
April 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am
great post Jo..I love, love, love your song…just brilliant. I have complete faith in you that you will publish your novel someday!!
April 21st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling saaaaaad….”
I’m going to have that song stuck in my head all day long. Great list.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Fantastic song – I loved it!!
April 21st, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I could have sworn I commented earlier!
This is such a lovely post Jo! Fab song!
April 21st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Jo, anything I can do to help you publish that first novel, I will.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Hey, Jo! I did NanWriMo too! I haven’t really started editing yet, but I did hand it off to someone today to read and give me a feel for whether or not there’s anything there worth editing. It’s scary – like handing over one of your kids and asking how well you raised it.
Very creative with “My Favorite Things”! Says a lot about you, too!
April 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I also want to write a book. Sigh. I couldn’t even complete NaBloPoMo, so my chances aren’t looking too good.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I think you should just do that novel already—we’ll all buy it!!!
And Happy Earth Day as well!
April 21st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Wow.
Now I feel bad because you’ve written a fricking song today and I’m only on my second glass of wine!
Loved it.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
oh yeah, girlfriend! this is freakin’ awesome.
you can sing for me anytime.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 am
You’ve done a great job with the girly girls Jo, you should be very proud of yourself. That said, get you butt in gear and start writing, even if it’s only for half an hour a day! That’s an order.
PS Can I be your agent?
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 am
Hi, found you via David. Really enjoyed your post and totally agree that our children are the most important. I hope you won’t mind me visiting you again.
Crystal Jigsaw
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:55 am
this *post* was one of my favorite things.
although your ‘firsts’ list forgot : first poo on the toilet. i only have that from *one* of my children. yeah, i suppose you wouldn’t want to remember that on your deathbed. . .
and this book. it is going to be so fab. i will have it on my shelf.
and will we still be mistresses when you’re a big-famous-author?
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:16 am
Love, love, love the song!! Great post.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Jo
I am writing a novel with one of my very best friends, and it is hard work! And I bet you are doing a fantastic job. I will be looking for your book as soon as you get it out!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 am
Wonderful post. Lover your pictures and also your poem.
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Children certainly are a great blessing. I hope you get your novel published. And your song- great!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I’m glad you wrote “kindnesses we do instinctively”
That should be the goal.
To have our kindnesses roll in front of our eyes… having done them so automatically that we weren’t even aware of the flow.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Publish that book! :0) Sounds like you have a great start!