Bloghop of Joy!





Morning, everyone! I’m here today for the Bloghop of Joy! hosted by myself and Kyra Lennon!

In these cold, winter months, everything can seem kind of ... bleak. However, every now and again, something small will happen that makes us smile again. It could be a random memory, something you see on TV, overhearing something that makes you laugh out loud - just that one thing that makes the clouds part, and the sunshine appear again. We're not talking life-changing moments, just the little things that inexplicably make us smile.

All you have to do to be a part of this happy hop is sign up on the Linky List, and on March 1st, post your list of joy - with a minimum of five things that put a spring back in your step!

Here’s my list:

Loved Ones
Nothing cheers me up on a bad day like Youngest wearing underpants on his head, pretending he’s Bane. Or Oldest coming home telling me he’s the only one in class who paid attention in reading comprehension, and got a house point. Or Hubby telling me I’m beautiful even when I don’t feel like I am, and I’m worrying about my weight. Or Mum calling to ask how my week’s been and if I’m okay. Or a quick email from one of my wonderful friends saying “hi”.

Sweet Treats
When I’m feeling down, one of my go-to things is treats; be it a bar of chocolate, a couple of cookies or a slice of cake. That quick sugar rush is sure to chase away the blues.

Muscular Men
Being an avid wrestling fan, I also have a soft spot for well-toned guys. There’s no easier way to bring a smile to my face than with a picture of some hot, shirtless man. Tuesdays are always my favourite day of the week, because I get my wrestling fix!

TehInterwebz
Sometimes the Internet can be a dark scary place full of trolls and entitled people with challenging opinions. And other times, it’s utterly silly, and fully of insane stuff sure to make you smile. Need a quick mood booster? Check out 9gag.com – you might come across something hilarious, like a smiling lamb! Or if that fails, there’s always http://heyyeyaaeyaaaeyaeyaa.com/ - played on an endless loop of happiness!

Losing Myself in Something
Sometimes kids, husbands, writing, bills and other responsabilities all get a little too much, and you need an escape for a few minutes. In those times, there’s nothing like losing yourself in something; be it a round of Candy Crush Saga, A Chapter of The Spook's Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch, or making ASOIAF dolls on http://www.dolldivine.com/index.html. Anything to lose myself in for 5-10 minutes, and escape the stresses of life, so I can go back to tackling everything.

These are just a few things I go to to chace the blues away. What about you? Be sure to check out the other blogs on the hop, which can be found here:

56 comments:

  1. Just dropping by from the Blog hop of Joy. It's true, the internet is always a large source of joy. Seemingly infinite (thankfully!). I forgot to add it to my list. :3

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    1. Thanks for dropping by. Despite the often horrifying side of the 'net, it's almost always a source of joy for me. :D

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  2. Nice list! Getting lost in something is refreshing!

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  3. Chocolate and muscly men... Ooh yeah :-)

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    1. Right?! LOL Thanks for dropping by Annalisa! :D

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  4. I love this idea for a blog hop. I can't wait to be up-lifted by everyone's list of joy. Thanks for hosting this!

    Your list is brilliant. My brother and his friends (when they were little) used to put underwear on their heads and jack around. The story about your son just brought back some really funny memories of that!

    I, have a huge soft spot for sweet treats and muscular men. Eating a chocolate bar while watching muscular men, even better! lol. And losing myself in something I love to do, (it's almost always writing with me) is a great way for me to relieve stress too!!

    Have a great weekend Clare- Thanks again for hosting.

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    1. My pleasure, Jen, glad you enjoyed it so much. I'm looking forwards to your list.

      It must be a boy thing! LOL

      Right - ah, it is my dream way to spend an evening.

      Thanks, hope you had a great weekend too.

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  5. Chocolate and the interwebz make me happy. 9gag is seriously addictive.

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    1. I know! I lose myself so much in 9gag. Thanks for dropping by, Misha. :D

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  6. Just hopping through. I totally agree with sweet treats and the internet- new follower! Would love it if you'd follow me back: morgankatz505.blogspot.com

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  7. I'll check out those sites- and muscle men- I'm there with you. :)

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    1. Thanks, Summer!

      Who can resist a well muscled man?! ;)

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  8. Hot muscular men? I'll send you a photo. Hopefully you're a little lenient.

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    1. Alex, I'm still waiting for my photo! :P

      Thanks for dropping by! :D

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  9. Those are some great things Clare. I love books because you can get lost in them and go to so many places. Excellent bloghop.

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    1. Thanks, Sheena, glad you enjoyed the hop. I agree, it's great to get lost in a good book. :D

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  10. Clare,

    Thanks for spreading joy today. I love getting lost in a great book too. I really am enjoying all the posts of things that bring folks joy.

    Mary Hill
    http://mary-anderingcreatively.blogspot.com/
    http://www.blogher.com/do-you-think-its-better-play-it-safe-or-take-risks

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  11. Pahaha, how did I forget to add wrestlers to my list?!

    Thanks for co-hosting with me, chick!

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    1. I'm ashamed you forgot their hotness. They're even better when combined! :P

      Thank you for inviting me to co-host with you, honey. It was an honour. <3

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  12. Sweet treats deserve their place on the list! Yes, sugar every day!

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    1. I'm sure my dentist/ nutritionist wouldn't approve, but yes, sugar every day!

      Thanks for dropping by Adriana.

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  13. What a lovely, uplifting list!

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  14. What a great list. Loved ones of course no.1 and I too love losing myself in something. Thanks for running this hop!

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  15. Sweet treats should include Dr. Pepper, which I crave desperately right now! :)

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    1. Heh ... in my case it's Coca Cola, which we're sadly out of. :(

      Thanks for dropping by!

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  16. What a great list. I should have included hot shirtless men on mine! Thanks for hosting this fun hop. :)

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    1. Everyone should include shirtless men on their lists, preferably with a picture for me to drool over! ;)

      Thanks for dropping by. :D

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  17. Sorry I couldn't join in with this hop but have read many entries. This is a great list of joy :)

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    1. No worries, thanks for dropping by anyway. Glad you liked the hop and my list. :D

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  18. What a wonderful list. :) Sweet treats help me too. I'm craving something now, but there's nothing left in the house. Grocery day tomorrow, though!

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    1. I know the feeling, Christine! Our groceries are coming tomorrow. Thank goodness we have something yummy for dinner.

      Glad you liked the list, looking forwards to seeing yours, and thanks for taking part.

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  19. I like your joy. The interwez linky's were great.

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    1. Thank you, glad you liked the hop and my links. :D

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  20. Super list of joy...
    Hot muscle men? Ooh-la-la!
    Thanks for hosting this blog hop.

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    1. Thank you for taking part. Glad you liked the list! :D

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  21. Great list, Clare! And thanks again for hosting this! It's a wonderful idea!

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  22. Thanks for hosting this Claire! So nice to see how everyone else cheers themselves up, and to remind myself of all the good in my life.

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    1. Thanks you, glad you enjoyed the hop. It is nice seeing how everyone cheers themselves up.

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  23. Great list, and I can totally relate about getting lost in something. Thanks for hosting!

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    1. Thank you for taking part, glad you liked the list. :D

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  24. The internet can be so good for cheering me up, especially if you find the right website! :)

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    1. Agreed - it can really turn my mood around. Thanks for taking part. :D

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  25. i'm all for a muscular man...thanks for a fun bloghop!!

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  26. Excellent list! Having a husband who says you're beautiful is such a gift! Mine is blind...he hasn't noticed the extra pounds or crows feet!

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    1. Thanks! Heh ... mine must be blind too, as he hasn't noticed the extra pounds and grey hairs. ;)

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  27. Cool list! Yes, t'internet can be just as scary as it can be wonderful. I loved the idea of losing yourself in something - I know exactly what you mean - for me, it would probably involve daydreaming...I'm good at that :-)

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    1. Thanks. I agree, the web is both wonderful and terrifying. Daydreaming is good. :D

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  28. What a fantastic list and wonderful idea. :)

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  29. I actually prefer more toned men to the really muscular ones. Wrestlers don't really do it for me, but a swimmer's body...now that's nice. hehe

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Thank you for taking the time to read this entry, and comment. I really appreciate it.