SNOWBOARDING! More than anything else. I love it so much.

Martial Arts

I'll think of more

On May 2nd, 2009, I went to a place called Beavertail. It's in Rhode Island. It's got a lighthouse and it's a point with all sorts of rocks and bushes and it's all by the water. It's a gorgeous place and probably one of my most favorite and most hated in RI all at the same time. Part of one of the days of my anniversaries...May 2nd 2007.......was played out at Beavertail. I walked along the rocks and cried a lot and thought a lot and it was really cloudy and it was misty out. I was all wrapped up in sweatshirts with the hoods up and isolated from the world. And there came a point during the day that I was crying and thinking out loud and I felt something warm on my back. Like a hand. I had been talking to my friend Mike, who was killed November 4, 2003. I still talk to him a lot. So I was talking to him and I felt this warmth, that felt like a hand, on my back and on my shoulder. And I stopped. I didn't move, I stopped crying, and I just all of a sudden felt this peace. I wasn't scared or hurt or angry or alone or upset at all anymore. I turned around to see whose hand it was, and no one was there. But what was there was sunshine. A break formed in the clouds and there was a ray of sunshine beaming down on my back. No other rays broke through the clouds that I could see. Just that one. And I stared up at the sun with my eyes closed and let the ray warm my face.

I didn't cry anymore that day. And actually accomplished a great feat by going to the place where part of my anniversary happened. And DID NOT freak out.



So for me, sunshine, water, talking to Mike, and remembering that day. That makes me happy. Because something happened that day that is beyond my power to explain.

wow IB that sounds amazing!

and LN I've never tried snowboarding, I'm sure I'd break something if i did!

Golfing. There's something to be said about teeing off at 6 a.m when the fog is still out and dew on the grass, and I've never found a more quiet place in the world than a golf course. Its just you, your mind and body, working towards one goal. Its the toughest mental roller coaster in sports you know! Hehe, I just love it...walking down the fareway and feeling like you are the only living soul at that given moment. *sigh* I wanna go play now! Hehe great post mayday ;) thanks for this!

I love to sit on my front porch in the morning and drink a cup of coffee.
I love to hang out with my dog and walk or play ball or stick.
I love making things... I make yarn from wool, and knit things from yarn... I'm more of a "process" person than "product"... once the thing is done I really don't take much further interest in it.
I love letterboxing (similar to geocaching but better!).

I never saw you as a golfer SB! I guess you learn something new every day!
and ourelse I don't know what letterboxing or geocaching is have you been putting things you shouldn't through your neighbours letterboxes? Is it a type of caving?

LOL! you know...i get that all the time. Admitted, I grew up a country club brat :) but wouldn't give up the sport for anything else in the world! I serrrrriously reccomend it to survivors, it sounds corny and stupid. but seriously, I really can't explain it. It gives you something, for six hours (four if you're lazy and ride in a cart haha!) to completely concentrate on, and if you try it, i'll bet you'd be surprised how few creeping memories and thoughts you get while you're playing...but beware, those with addictive personalities like mine, it IS addicting!!!

the only time I ever played golf me and my brother started attacking each other with the golf clubs! (we were like 5 at the time!) my parents never took us again, maybe it would be more therapuetic as an adult

Reading aloud with my daughters...we take turns now. We started out with me doing it all when they were very young and have continued the tradition throughout their entire growing-up. We've been through the complete Little House series more times than I can count and have gone through through many, many other books as well. We're currently working our way through the Percy Jackson series. It's a perfect way to spend an evening.

Talking and playing board games with my girls. In case nobody gets it here...my world practically revolves around my babies (hardly babies any more...they're 14 and 17 now). We eat candy, make cookies, goof off, and generally have a wonderful time. We've even taken to doing some role-playing games from time to time.

Writing on my books...I have several in the works and one of my greatest wishes is to become a published author. My subject-matter is strong women overcoming extremely difficult obstacles, set in a mystery/adventure/romance genre. It's very therapeutic and cathartic for me as it deals with them overcoming having been abused and the process involved as well as their adventures while doing so. Most of them are the type of women I want to eventually be like once I've healed...strong, independent, emotionally stable and capable of accepting the love of another person.

Drawing, dancing, painting, listening to music...just about anything creative...there isn't enough time in my allotted 24-hours to do everything I'm interested in so I pick and choose on a daily basis.

I love taking my daughters face in my hands and kissing her on her little mouth! The best feeling in the world rushes over me! The love that is felt between us, at that moment, is complete bliss!!!

What makes me feel good?
hmmm.....

Definitely the feeling I get when my fingers run across a piano.

It makes me smile reading these posts! I think it is great that such a variety of different things can make people happy I love the sheer passion that so many of you talk with! I think that is so important

Things that make me feel good:

Logging into DS and seeing 4 messages.
When I'm watching DVDs of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" at midnight with Tonya and she says "let's watch one more."
Being anywhere in Colorado.
Coming out of a sweat lodge.
"Daddy, will you play with me?"
Finishing a new piece of artwork.
Being teased by people I know love me.
Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things...

(couldn't resist)

Probably the ultimate feel good for me was when my kids were tiny babies: kissing them, holding them, seeing them all blissed out from the pleasure of a good meal, watching them smile and laugh...

I loved when our kids were 2 years old, and the whole world was so exciting to them, and every day was a huge adventure, and their energy and enthusiasm seemed limitless.

I loved watching them get older and learn new things...loved talking to them and discovering the sort of people they were becoming.

All that felt better than I had ever imagined.

It really feels good to have my breathe taken away by the beauty of nature. I don't let that happen enough.

Riding my bicycle and racing down a hill like I did when I was a kid feels so good that I can momentarily forget all my troubles.

Sometimes nothing beats a really good workout that leaves me sweaty, sore, and with my heart racing.

I like walking along the beach and watching the waves.

Oh, yeah...and I really like good sex...when there are no flashbacks or bad memories, when I'm able to feel present and connected, when I'm not anxious or afraid or feeling weird and inadequate, when it's just passion and pleasure...when it's good, really good, few things make me feel better.

Really Matthew?
You had to go there? lol

I feel like such a slacker! I only put one thing...ok one more lol

I love being on stage, it's the best feeling EVER to perform...
In case any of you didn't know I'm a MAJOR drama brat :]
ask me to quote any shakespearian play ;P