http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness Pondering happiness, hope, and wisdom Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:23:47 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide No escape from reality Whenever I hear those words echo out of my car radio, I think two things: Is this my real life—the one without Adrienne? And is she talking to me right now? Queen was one of Adrienne's favorite ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2010/03/11/the-coincidence-of-queen/ I am sitting in a bar in Mammoth Lakes, California, during one of the busiest times of the year—President's Day weekend. As I listen to the inane chatter of intoxicated birthday girls, inebriated ski bunnies, slick man whores, and a staff who can't wait for this night to be over, ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2010/03/04/best-of-mammoth-a-skiers-point-of-view/ I am embarrassed to admit that I watch the television show Little Miss Perfect, a reality series that follows child beauty queens and their stage mothers in their quest to achieve the title of—you guessed it—Little Miss Perfect (LMP). I stumbled upon this show last year, and my husband walked ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2010/02/10/little-miss-perfect/ Although I read numerous fairy tales when I was a little girl, I never wanted to grow up to become a princess. Maybe I knew the stories were unrealistic or maybe I never wanted to be rescued by a prince. I loved the beautiful dresses and happily-ever-after endings, but not ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2010/01/23/faking-it-the-illusion-of-wonder-woman/ I am not someone who normally makes Christmas wishes, but this year ... well ... the world is bugging me. So Santa, if you're listening, here is my Christmas list. It's a tall order, but if anyone can do it, you can! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS ... 5. The return ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2009/12/22/all-i-want-for-christmas/ According to psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages were initially applied to terminally ill patients, but were later adapted to include anyone who had experienced a personal loss (e.g., divorce, job). People may not go through every stage, and ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2009/10/19/painger-the-sixth-stage-of-grief/ Although I am working on several emotional blogs about far more serious topics, I realize that today---the anniversary of my sister Adrienne's death---I need some levity in my life. Adrienne often teased me about being too anal-retentive; she thought it was funny to watch me obsess over tasks. However, she ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2009/10/09/five-signs-that-you-might-be-too-anal-for-adrienne/ Note: This blog entry is a continuation of a previous blog titled: Flying the Unfriendly Skies: Part One---The Ignorant Mother so I suggest you read it first to fully understand my disagreement with Miss Sourpuss and Continental Airlines. The passengers remained quiet after I had confronted the mother regarding her son's ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2009/09/27/flying-the-unfriendly-skies-part-two-the-lazy-stewardess/ On the hot, humid afternoon of Friday, July 10, 2009, my husband and I boarded Continental Airlines Flight 2292 * with service from Birmingham, Alabama, to Houston/Bush International. Our flight was supposed to leave at 5:50 p.m. so we, along with 42 other people, were in our seats by 5:30 ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2009/09/25/flying-the-unfriendly-skies-part-one-the-ignorant-mother/ When I walked outside this morning, my eyes stung and my mouth tasted like ash. From our front door, which faces east, I could see that the La Crescenta Station fire had turned the blue sky into a dull beige dustbowl. I sighed as I prepared to take one of ... http://andreawilsonwoods.com/happiness/2009/08/31/the-day-la-lost-its-luster/