A Week in the North Woods
September 10th, 2012 | Author: Alysha
Happy Marvelous Monday!
During my vacation, I attended Brittney and Ryan’s wedding, made some delicious Peanut Butter Special K Bars for a Hunger Games watching party at Sun’s and went to Rhinelander, WI. It’s 5 hours north of where we live in Milwaukee. And it looks — and feels — like a different planet.
Oliver learning to swim. He’s a natural and loved chasing after the tennis ball I threw for him.
When he could touch the bottom, he tended to hop-swim before he’d all-out doggie paddled.
Since Oliver is a scent-hound, he couldn’t get enough of the smells up north.
Me before I slipped on the rocks (which only meant me sticking one of my Brooks Adrenaline running shoes into the water). Still, it got a laugh from Brenton and his dad.
During the trip I read “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. I’ve been hearing about the book in the blog world for some time and I’m so glad I picked it up. For those of you who don’t know about it, Gretchen is a writer (former lawyer) living in NYC and she dedicates a year of her life toward trying to be happier without making any drastic changes.
Unlike “Eat, Pray, Love” where Elizabeth Gilbert travels to Italy, India and Indonesia, Gretchen focuses on the little things in her current life she can change for the better (changing her life without changing her life). So much of what she said resonated with me. I completely agree that it’s more difficult to be happy than it is to be in a sour mood. If I am happy and smiling, people immediately question it. Why is that? Why do we have to assume that being happy is somehow abnormal?
Yesterday on my 10.14 (supposed to be 11) mile run, an older man who was biking smiled and gave me the thumbs up to keep going. This small gesture made me so happy that it gave me the push I needed to finish those miles. I wonder if that man knew how much that little gesture affected me.
Although I don’t want to start my own Happiness Project, there is a ton I learned from the book and little things I want to work on in my own life, resolutions such as:
- Act the way I want to feel
- Don’t snap at Brenton (I can have a hot temper sometimes)
- Think about what I am grateful for more often
- Don’t feel guilty about going to the gym
- Not engaging in negative conversations (or, at least, limit them)
- Learn a new skill (i.e. crafting. My next project is finishing a necklace that inspired me at Strawberry Festival and work on some special WWCD – What Would Carol Do – bracelets. I also have a ton of projects I want to do on my Pinterest boards.
Question: What is one resolution you have to be happier?
Posted in 
Those are great resolutions! I loved the Happiness Project so much and actually want to read it again sometime soon (it has been a while since I read it). And you’re killing me with those bracelets. Please tell me you’re kidding! I can’t wait to see the necklace you make. Your trip looks REALLY fun. I’m itching for vacation. Luckily mine is coming up in nine days!
Carol @ Lucky Zucca recently posted..Top Five Character Strengths
Yay for vacations! I’m sure yours will be wonderful :) And btw, I’m sooo not kidding!
Alysha recently posted..A Week in the North Woods
I am dying to read that book. Your pictures look amazing! What a blast!
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..MIMM: Marvelous In All the Right Ways
I know you would love it, Alex. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who hasn’t gotten something from it.
Alysha recently posted..A Week in the North Woods
I need to read that book–my mom raved about it too. Your vacation looks so nice and relaxing. I can’t wait for my trips this fall!
Brigitt @ Cook With B recently posted..How to Poach an Egg
Trip”s”? Lucky girl!
Alysha recently posted..A Week in the North Woods
I just saw the new happiness at home book two in a bookstore this week!! I try to make my bed more. I want to take my dogs swimming so badly!!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Guest Post: In The Cookie of Life, Friends Are The Chocolate Chips
So many things in The Happiness Project resonated with me too. Like when she starts her children’s literature book group. I’ve met more cat lovers than I could have ever imagined by sharing the url to my cat blog :) People literally stop by my cube at work to tell me what their cats are up to, which I think is awesome.
Karis recently posted..Eating Locally: Ratatouille Pizza
I had no idea you had a cat blog! URL, please!
Alysha recently posted..A Week in the North Woods
http://www.winecatsblog.com/
Karis recently posted..Eating Locally: Ratatouille Pizza
This book is on my list, I definitely want to read it! I’ve never been to Rhinelander, but it looks beautiful, and Oliver is the sweetest!
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie recently posted..Wedding Weekend
I don’t venture out of my teen fiction book addiction usually, but just this morning I was thinking about an optimism book I read and how I would like to find another good one. I am totally going to pick up this one.
These photos are gorgeous, and you look gorgeous in them!! I really love that you are making WWCD bracelets!!!
Alissa N recently posted..Vegan Plum Olive Oil Cake
I haven’t read many optimism books, but I’d love to find more if you have any recommendations :)
Alysha recently posted..A Week in the North Woods
I totally agree that five days off in a row is much needed and feels wonderful! I am glad you enjoyed your time in Rhinelander.
Happy to see you read The Happiness Project and learned a few things from it. I liked your list of takeaways, as I can relate to many of those as well.
Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest recently posted..Monday Monday, so good to me