Life can be rough. We sit in traffic, get ingrown hairs, stuffy noses, wrinkles and parking tickets. We step in dog poop, chewed gum and muddy puddles. We track it into the car and through the house. We breakdown, stress out and mess up. {Sh}it happens. But I’m tired of focusing on the sad stuff, the bad stuff and the downright crappy stuff. I want to pay tribute to the stuff that makes us smile, the stuff that makes us grateful, the stuff that makes us LAUGH. Here’s to the good stuff…
Here’s to nitrous at the dentist, ‘that’s what she said’ punchlines and arriving on time. To Facebook birthday wishes, A/C on a hot day and freshly shaved…legs. To brand new love, lifelong love, following the rules and breaking the rules shortly thereafter. To horoscopes, cold beer and authentic Mexican food. To inspirational quotes, rediscovered gift cards and fresh, clean sheets. To thongs…both kinds. To productive Saturdays, lazy Sundays and actually completing a Pinterest project. To good neighbors, easygoing landlords and a roof over your head. To inebriation and sobriety. To public libraries, laundromats and people watching. To sugar highs, carbohydrates and raw, organic food. To televised sports, higher education, dogs that look like their owners and family around the dinner table.
Here’s to community pools, the sound of children’s laughter and taking pictures. To waking up naturally, your favorite coffee mug and your morning pee. To green lights, a good sneeze and popping bubble wrap. To low tide, a great fortune in a cookie and home videos. To good hair days, witty banter and happy hours. To full tanks of gas, old CDs and road trips. To ripe bananas, the first beads of sweat during a workout and perfect playlists. To that cop who finally passes you, after driving behind you for what seems like forever. To sand dollars, rainbows and shooting stars.
Here’s to mermaids, palm trees and the smell of sunscreen. To hiking, driving and cuddling on the couch. To the carpool lane and clean underwear, co-ed softball leagues and bikes. To seat belts, sunshine and windows rolled down. To the snooze button, hugs, good news and free samples. To fully charged batteries, sticky notes and email. To animal videos on YouTube, tasteful tattoos…and not-so-tasteful tattoos. To the sound of waves crashing on the shore, warm sand between your toes, salty skin and the first few seconds of a hot shower. To greetings from a friendly dog, wind chimes, foreign accents and kids’ perspectives on life. To free time, concerts, ball games and the smell of a BBQ. To Wi-Fi, sweat pants and the taste of food after you’ve rolled one up. To farmer’s markets, purring cats and the ocean. To spontaneous kisses, holding hands and date nights.
Here’s to sweet text messages, friends you know outside of Facebook and weekend plans so exciting, they get you through the week. To 18 holes of golf, a home cooked meal and feeling that good-kind-of-sore. To cell phones, front row parking, online dating and paychecks. To the Eagles, Tom Petty and Bob Marley. To Patsy Cline, Stevie Nicks and Beyonce. To blue jeans, bidets and Netflix. To the smell of rain, modern medicine, finding the remote in the first place you look and coffee of any kind. To back cracking, Chapstick and Craigslist. To a fresh coat of nail polish, the sound a vacuum makes when it catches something and the day after laundry day. To gardening, wildlife and California. To the good ‘ol U.S.A.
Here’s to sunrises, sunsets and every breath between. Here’s to the good stuff.
Hannah Jane Nancarrow 
Reblogged this on Loren Nancarrow.
I have chills Hannah. A fan of your Dad’s for many years in Poway. Now a fan of yours!
WOW!! Double WOW!! You are a very talented writer!! I so enjoyed reading this, brought joy to my heart!! Thank you for a smile! Give your dad a hug for me!!
AND…………heres to YOU!
Here’s to getting through the first Mother’s Day following the passing of my only child unscathed, because he taught me how to live.
My sister lost her only “child” on New Year’s Day this year….her 44 year old son. Then 3 months later we lost our mom, so this year was my sister’s first Mother’s Day without her son & her mother. My heart breaks for her. I’m sure there will be brighter days & happier events to come. Sometimes it’s hard to see the silver lining. Therein, the phrase, “count your blessings”.
So so sorry…
Wow How Monotony Grabs Hold.
Thank You For Shaking It Loose And Shaking Me Right Into a Bright Smile And Heart Bursting With Gratitude…
Loving all of this and you!
You are such an amazing lady I love reading your posts. Heres to the good outweighing the bad, here’s to the rainbow at the end of a long storm, here’s to the light at the end of the tunnel. You get it missy hope you and your family are in for better times you deserve it. Keep smiling 🙂
wow!
My Lord, my heart is pounding! Thank you, I needed a lift today, first Mother’s Day without mine.
That is quite a list Hannah…Have enjoyed watching your dad on TV since I moved to S.D. County in 1996 (LOVE all his gardening and earth-healing advice) and have been sending supportive, healing intentions to your dad since his diagnosis…love discovering your lovely writing gift out of this whole thing. Keep up the wonderful job! Blessings and respect to you and yours.
WOW Hannah! Thank you so much! I needed that! Love all your posts.
Way to go Hannah. THe bad stuff always get the headlines, its about time the Good Stuff made some news. Great job.
Jackie
Love it kiddo…just love it. Be well……
Love it Hannah!!! Great thoughts and pictures come to mind throughout the blog!!! ♥
Here’s to a cute little 2nd grader who has turned into a beautiful and talented young woman!
And…..where did you come from…..YOU ARE SIMPLY AMAZGING…….not sure who is the better blogger…you or your Dad…..guess the Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! You and your family are truly BLESSED…..but one thing….DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’!!! ❤
Hannah, you are amazing. So is your mom and dad. Inspirations. Tell your mom, thank you again and again and again. What an angel here on earth.
I can’t think of one thing you missed. Great read Hannah. Thanks for making us all see what should be obvious everyday. We are blessed.
♥ Thank you, Hannah! ♥
Here’s to inspirational writers, Great Job!
Very inspiring post, many things you spoke of, I too celebrate, but just never knew it until you put it into words! Thank you for helping me to appreciate the small stuff!
Great way to start my day!! Thanks Hannah:)
Excellent stuff!
Just LOVE the attitude of the gratitude! XOXOX
Beautiful! Thanks for the abundance of reminders……life is good!
You are an amazing and talented writer.
You rock kid!
@ Loren …..she sure does ! Wonder where she gets it from??????? lol
Be well Nancarrow family.
?a altère; si nous prenions un petitbol de longchamp homme pas chervin à la fran?aise!
LOVE IT! But I have one more — here’s to German Shepherds, animal rescues and LED ZEPPELIN 🙂
Ahhh good words child of Loren. I can’t imagine most anyone, not smiling while reading them.
Well done, once again kiddo.
You are a great writer….luv it all!!!
Hannah, you are an inspiration! Now I’m inspired to make my own list. It’s easy to get into the “trench” of life and not see what’s around us. Your Dad was always a ray of sunshine when I worked with him…so are you!