The Best of Life’s Pleasures

My hubby left the comfort of his first job last week.

After spending almost 5 years in one place, he was ready to move on. It will be a step forward, yet this step isn’t about a promotion. It’s about our quality of life. He’s an accountant (no, he does not do taxes!), so with this position, he won’t have the crazy long hours he had in the past. He’ll be able to come home for dinner and spend time with our daughter – something I really crave since I grew-up with a dad who worked way too much.

We’ve had a lot of deep discussions lately about money and our future. Without me having a consistent paycheck, it’s not always easy for us to do all the fun things we’d love to do. While at times it’s difficult, we are quickly learning these decisions have been worth every sacrifice.

And we’ve learned the things that get us by are not things we need money for. It is just life’s simple pleasures – those wonderful things that money can’t buy – that make us happiest.

Some of my favorites that don’t cost a dime:

• Daily cuddles and squeezes from Little K. Plus, her adorable baby gibberish.
• A beautiful, sunny day when rain is predicted. Or, a rainy day that gives you an excuse to stay inside and cuddle on the couch.
• That rush you get when you make someone’s day.
• When you meet someone new and can tell from your first conversation that you are going to be friends.
• Experiencing all your senses – smelling fresh cut grass, feeling the smoothness of baby’s skin, tasting a fresh-from-the-oven pie, seeing the joy the swing brings to your baby at the playground.
• Having an unexpected good hair day.
• Seeing a “feel good” story on the news for a change.
• Successfully teaching a parent how to do something (after all these years of them teaching you).

I could go on and on…so instead of me just listing things, I decided to enlist some help from my Facebook friends. I had no idea I’d get such a great response. Here’s what folks had to say were their favorite of life’s simple pleasures:

Playing outside on a beautiful day. – Erin R

The hugs and kisses from your children, and the smiles of a newborn. – Stacy B

Feeling your baby move inside you, and knowing that while she is there she is completely protected by you. – Elizabeth W

Reuniting with a friend and picking up right where you left off. Watching my husband playing with my boys and having a blast while doing it. Watching the sunset over the lake. Crawling into a freshly made bed after a long day of work. – Alicia B

The smell of a clean house, going out to dinner with girlfriends, a cuddle from the kids. – Melissa B

Taking a bite of a Michigan apple or peach fresh from the tree. Or a freshly picked strawberry. – Joe H

I love the smell of burning wood. Reminds me of bonfires up north! – Joe F

A nicely drawn bath, the first cigarette from a new pack hehehe, when everyone in the house is sleep but me and it’s a peaceful quiet, laughin’ till my sides hurt, a sale or unexpected discount, making someone else happy that truly derserves it. – Neisha K

A beautiful sunset, a nice fall morning, trees with many different colors. The smell of fabric softner on warm out-of-the-dryer clothes. – Nicole L

Finding money you didn’t know you had. Receiving a letter or package in the mail (snail mail). Making the yellow light. The first sip of a beverage when you are thirsty. Holding hands with someone you love. – Kristy S

The smell and feel of fall in the air. Freshly washed and line dried sheets. That first sip of coffee in the morning…Oh yeah. – Angela W

Nilla wafer dipped in milk. Yummy. – Erin W

The smell of books, watching a flock of birds fly overhead, the way a cat folds its paws under its breast. – Maria C

Apple cider from an orchard in the fall. A good book you can’t put down. The scent of crisp Michigan winter air. – Sarah C

The smell of cider and donuts, the smell of a bonfire, tiramisu, free t-shirts, brownies…okay, that’s enough.  – Brianna P

Definitely the smell of books, and a good book you can’t put down at that, a true Michigan thunderstorm, hearing your favorite song on the radio, spending time with the people you love, apples picked straight from the orchard and the first piece if produce from a home garden and how tasty it always is! – Mallory T

Picking blackberries, fresh baked cookies, laughing until you cry, the sound of children’s laughter, crunchy fall leaves… – Becky B

Snuggling on the couch with your hubby watching a chick flick and eating popcorn. – Christine S

Deep breaths, brushing my hair after a hot shower, washing my face – anytime, eating out by myself, seeing friends succeed and a funny grandpa story. – Nicole Y

Fresh clean **line dried** sheets and a breeze just strong enough to chime windchimes. – Becky N

A clean bedroom and new sheets! Oh, and vacumed carpet, love that. I also LOVE Luna [dog] after she gets a bath. She’s soft and fluffy and smells good and prances a little bit. – Misty M

Clean public bathrooms, candles, sleeping while it is raining – Kerri S

Curling up with a good book and knowing I have time to finish it! – Elizabeth S

Freshly cut toe nails – Melissa J

Camping with my family in all the beautiful parks that Michigan has to offer. Campfire, s’mores and fresh air. Nothing better! – Jill C

Brand new Socks ! – Dustin W

Sitting on the front porch watching a storm roll in. – Michelle H

Brushing hair at days end. – Heather H

SLEEP (more than 2 hours at a time)! A smile from the kiddos, clean bathrooms, my husband doing the laundry so I don’t have 2! – Jade H

Baby’s smile when they wake up in the morning. Being greeted with my daughter yelling “mama!” while throwing her arms around me after a long day at work. Watching my small children communicate through laughter. – Kim K

Being able to sleep as long as you want on a rainy morning – no alarm clock! Street fairs, kittens that purr on your lap, a fresh bar of home milled scented soap, ferry rides, trips with friends, the smell of pine needles, finding out someone else cleaned the house! – Linda N

Snuggling with the kids, watching fire flies over a wheatfield on a summer night, the sound of a piano, a good glass of red wine, watching a bright harvest moon; sunday morning breakfasts; sitting on the front porch with grandpa and dad. – Dawn H

Driving with the windows down the first warm day after a long, frigid Michigan winter. – Sarah W

There you have it, a great list of life’s simple pleasures. So, the next time a lack of money has you down, read this list and know one of these wonderful pleasures is waiting to make you smile.

What are your favorite pleasures of life?