HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

in Random Crap

Na na na na na na, YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY.

Na na na na na na, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY TOO!

Na na na na na na, no, really…it’s my birthday.  Is it really your birthday?  Happy birthday!  Even if it isn’t your birthday you should say it is because everyone has at least one shitty birthday and you should get a do-over, so it’s now your birthday too.  EVERYONE WINS.  Especially me because I woke up to messages like this one from my sister:

bloggessbirthday

I got a crazy weird miracle birthday present in the form of three used copies of the exact same book but it’s way too long to explain and when I paused to say “ISN’T THAT INSANE?” you’d be like, “Um…I guess?  Is that the miracle?  ‘Cause it just sounds like you got too many copies of one book, weirdo” but in my head it’s a message from the universe that something good is out there and that’s exactly what I needed.

And I thought maybe it’s a sign that I should give back books so here’s what…the first ten people who leave a comment telling me they really need a copy of Furiously Happy but haven’t been able to afford it yet will get one.  Not a signed copy (because I’m lazy) but I’ll send you a gift card for the book through your email.  Just leave me a comment if you’re in a bad spot and need to read something to remind you that depression lies and that things will be okay.  Because they will be.  I promise.

And in lieu of birthday presents what I’d really like is for you to tell me something you’re happy about.  Something little.  Something big.  Videos of goats screaming.  Anything.

I love you guys.

meandhunter

Bonus birthday photo of me and Hunter S. Thomcat, who was named the king of photobombs last night.  CATOUFLAGE!  (That’ll make sense when you read the book.  Probably.)

UPDATED: Those first 10 copies went quickly, but I just got an email from someone who wants to anonymously gift another 10 copies.  More emails going out tonight.  I love y’all more than cake.

757 thoughts on “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!”

Read comments below or add one.

  2. I own your (audio) book, so I’ll leave that for the next person. Happy birthday Jenny! Ummm small good thing: my tree is still pretty alive after 3.5 weeks, which makes me happy because I’m not ready to take it down. Also, the DayQuil just kicked in, so yay?

  3. I borrowed a copy from the library but I’d love a copy!

    My cat makes me happy. The demon.

    (You didn’t leave an email so I’m hoping you came back and that you’re one of the other 10 who did. 🙂 ~ Jenny)

  5. I have the audiobook, but I have a friend who battles depression & can’t afford the book.

    (check your email. ~ Jenny)

  9. Happy Birthday!! Something HUGE I am happy about is how much better life is now than this time last year. It has been a hard road and it’s not over yet but I can see light…it’s there…and I am experiencing happiness I thought was only meant for other people.

  10. I would love a copy since I borrowed it from the library and don’t want to give it back. 🙂

    My demon cat makes me happy on my black dog days. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WONDERFUL LADY!

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  11. Super happy about being an absolutely kickass adult college student with no winter session class right now. I own the book & audiobook so do not need a copy but thank you for being awesome.

  12. I am happy/excited/giddy to be starting a new job in 2 weeks. I like my current one, but the new job is one I plan to love the everloving shit out of. But in a not-gross, totally professional way.

  16. Happy birthday! I’d love a copy of your book, I haven’t been able to find it yet here in The Netherlands.

    (I totally want to send you a gift card but I’m using amazon and the shipping is CRAZY EXPENSIVE to ship overseas. Sorry! But it’s being published in like 7 languages so look for it soon maybe? ~ Jenny)

  17. I did buy the book, so someone else can enjoy, but what’s making me happy now is my new essential oils and the fact that my brother gave me the complete words of The California Raisin Band on DVD for Christmas. The TV commercials, specials, and TV cartoon show. Major win!

  18. Happy birthday! I NEED to know there are still fun things out there, your book being one of them! Please send me one!!

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  20. I’m happy that our ancient cat, Garcia, turned out to have conditions treatable with ear drops and eye drops. And I need a do-over birthday, or maybe two.

  21. No book needed as I already have your book — and love it — but I also received 3 copies of the same book once for my birthday. I now feel even more of a kinship to you.

  22. I need a book! I am depressed! Life just kind of sneaks up on me.

    (I get it. Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  23. Small good thing: I was able to talk about my fairly severe (but hidden) phobia of hospitals this week for the first time like… ever! And I was listened to!

    I have your book on Kindle so not commenting for that. Just to share a victory!

  24. I finished reading your book a few days ago. I laughed, I cried, I cried even harder at that last part. It made me realize I’ve been suffering long enough and it’s time to get help. I’m thankful and happy I’m still here to get the help I need and to be taking that first step.

    Thank you.

    Happy birthday. <3

    (Now I’m sniffly. You rock. ~ Jenny)

  25. Kitty toes always make me happy! Also, I’m happy because I JUST had a job interview today that went pretty well!! I didn’t embarrass myself! And I needed it to go well (even better, to be hired fingers crossed) because my current job is ending tomorrow and this has been an epically crap year otherwise.

  26. Happy birthday!
    You are an inspiration to me, as I am a fellow Silver Ribbon gal who decided to be furiously happy before I had ever heard the term.
    I own both of your books, and don’t need a copy for myself. However, if I do win one, I know of someone I would give it to, who could sure use it!
    May this be your best year, yet!

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  27. I have the book. But thank you for making me feel like I am not the only one who feels the way I do. As for happy? My mother in law made me a photo block of my nephew and I. It makes me smile just looking at it.

  29. Happy birthday! My dog makes me happy, but I have been waiting to get your book for ages because I can’t afford it! Thank you!!!

    (check your email. ~ Jenny)

  30. Happy Birthday!!!! I am good and the thing that is making me the happiest is that I think I found someone that I like, like…like. (And it is scary and funny and happy all at the same time.)

  31. I have a tiny Groot in a pot on my desk at work. He sings, but he doesn’t dance.
    My mother knitted me a scarf for Christmas. One end has a Dalek pattern, the other, a TARDIS pattern.
    And my son gave me a Doctor Who Loot Crate for Christmas. I think my family finally gets me. Which makes me happy.

  35. Happy Birthday!

    Today, I am (still) happy because I received a new, black hoodie as a Christmas gift, only to later discover that it has CAT EARS. (Needless to say, I wish to be buried in said hoodie).

  36. HAPPY BIRTHDAY…JUDE…(and Jenny) <3 I just started reading the book so I don’t need it (yay!) actually I totally need it, but I got it…so…THANKS!

  40. I don’t own your book yet but I love you and you are a hero!! My boobs tried to kill me but was unsuccessful. Actually, it was only my left boob. The 2 have not formed a gang yet. I also want you to know that, when I retire, I am going to have a gourmet grilled cheese food truck with specialty cupcakes. I think your cat cheese will fit right in. The truck will look like a flying pig. I am telling you so that you are not confused when I pull up to your house. I will let you drive the truck if you want!

    (I totally want to drive a flying pig. Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  41. What made me happy today? My gay neighbor finding the guy I’m dating attractive. I called it, and dating guy was completely clueless. Didn’t even know what a bear was.

    I’d love a copy 🙂 Days are good, but nights are bad,

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  44. Happy birthday! I don’t need a copy of the book (read it, LOVED it!) but getting another birthday greeting is never a bad thing.

  45. I’d love to send your book to my sister. She’s so much more fabulous than her brain will let her know. I worry about her. I love her. I think she’s pretty damn cool.

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  46. I would love a copy of your book, but I am not too poor to afford one, so will leave it for someone that REALLY can’t afford a copy. Love your blog – it is one of the things that makes me happy! My dog, sleeping with her head in my lap, makes me happy!

  47. The Beatles streaming on Rhapsody has me smiling. I get to make my own playlist and share it with my grandson. Life is good. Happy Birthday!!

  48. I’m happy that two friends gave me the gift of Furiously Happy (One in a store at a signing with you, the other with an awesome letter written in the front) for MY birthday, and I’m keeping both of them. Forever. Or at least until I die and my nieces and nephews fight over who gets my books.

  51. Happy birthday! Something good….there was still cold pumpkin pie for breakfast this morning. My antibiotics are working. Hobby Lobby has holiday stuff on sale like half off and I found cat stockings!

  52. Happy birthday! It’s my wedding anniversary today and we got over a foot of snow. As my three year old just said, fucking snow.

  53. Happy happy birthday! Thank you for shining the light out to the darkness. You make the world a happy place.

  54. I’m really happy about a secret. That’s been like 6 years in the making…but I’m also scared as hell. Does that count?

  55. I am unpacking, and a fair amount of my mother-in-law’s discontinued china pattern and my Waterford is broken (that isn’t what makes me happy – what makes me happy is it is just STUFF). I’m choosing to go “Hey! Look at all the stuff that isn’t broken” as opposed to old me, which would have cried over the stuff that easy.

  56. Happy birthday, Jenny! I don’t need a book…well, ok, I probably DO, b/c my damn teenager took your book to high school. She thought it would be a great way to meet other kids. sigh

    But, I’ll get another copy eventually.

    But happy birthday!!!

  57. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! People with December birthdays are awesome. A disproportionate number of my closest friends over the years have/have had December birthdays (as do I), so I know it’s true.

    I do not need a copy (gots me a hard copy and a kindle copy!) but love that you’re sending some out, so go you.

    I’m happy that… huh. I’m just happy. Go figure. Ain’t that a kick in the pants! Oh, wait! I’m happy that I’ve started changing my not-so-great habits from over the holidays now rather than waiting for the magical “New Year.” I get to make my life be magical whenever I damn well choose. BOOYAH. HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY!

  58. I got a promotion at my library job last week. Today I got to tell someone that they could contact me for future questions because I was the Reference Supervisor. My fiance told me he was proud of me 🙂

  59. I’m happy that I’m still in my super warm and cuddly pajamas. The top and bottom don’t even match but I am so cozy. Heaven – it’s the little things. 🙂

  60. Happy Birthday Jenny!! I don’t need your book for myself because my wonderful daughter got it for me for my birthday which coincided with it’s release. However I do have a wonderful friend who I would live to gift it to that could really use the reminder that depression lies, especially at this time of year. If she lived closer I’d simply hand her my copy, unfortunately that’s not the case.

    (Check your email. 🙂 ~ Jenny)

  61. Happy Birthday! I would totally love your book, because I’ve been having a rough time lately myself. I know depression lies, but sometimes it’s really REALLY hard not to listen just a little bit.

    (I tried to send you an email but it bounced back. Sending you love, sweetness. ~ Jenny)

  62. Happy birthday, Jenny!

    Honestly, I am just happy to be where I am. After nearly 7 years of being apart (due to military stuff and then civilian life sticking her in a far away city), my partner and I were able to spend our first Christmas together in our home this year! AT best, in the past, I would fly to visit her for Thanksgiving, and that would be the only holiday we would get together, but once she got her feet planted with a civilian job upon retiring from the Army, I moved in!

    I hope the new year brings you much peace and happiness (and lots of posts for us, yes I am selfish!). Much love to you and yours, Jenny, you are a wonderful person.

  63. When Furiously Happy came out, I requested it at the library both in book and audiobook form, hoping one would come soon. Surprisingly, it was the book. I read Furiously Happy and cried. Happy cried, because I’m part of the tribe. Knowing there is a tribe helps. Finally, the audiobook came. I thought I didn’t need it, but listened to it on the way to and from work. Hearing you say these things helped. Somehow it hits deeper. I would love to own either of your books in any format, but it’s a struggle. For the holidays, I asked my gifts be lunch dates, one on one with low pressure. I’ve been staying home a lot because I’ve needed to but catching up with the family has been great. I know it will get better. I’ll be able to handle groups and crowds again, but it may be a couple months. The winter is hard for me, like a lot of us.

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  64. Already got the book. In honor of your birthday, I’ll be gifting a copy also. So that’s your present. Feliz cumpleaños!

    (You are the best. ~ Jenny)

  65. I don’t need a copy of the book but my local library desperately needs one. I know I am not one of the first ten but if anyone sees this buy a copy for your library, that way I can check it out and read it finally.

    (Library books need specific bindings so they usually won’t take a normal copy. Tell them to email me though and I’ll see what I can do. ~ Jenny)

  66. I already bought the book, so thank you for that! Happy birthday! (It’s not my birthday but it was two days ago so I can happily pretend it still is!)

    Something making me happy is how much my 14 year old niece has fallen in love with reading again recently.

  68. Wow! When I started to write that it said their were only 6 comments…. Now their are like 60!! Forgot to say Happy Birthday!!

  70. I have multiple copies of both of your books, so I too will pass that along to the next person, but I’m happy that you went on your book tour and came to Huntsville so I could meet you and that I have people in my life who get me and who still seem to be ok with hanging out with me.

  71. I own your book already, so I too will leave it to the next person! Happy, happy birthday, sweet Jenny. Small, but good thing? I love this little book of yours. I am still reading it, ever so slowly, because I cannot stand the thought of it ending! Have a lovely day, and week for that matter! <3

  72. Happy Birthday! I would love a copy of your book! I’m reading your first book now!

  73. I have the book, my hubby bought it for me on a low day. I devoured every word. I’m alive today to see my kids grow and thrive because I paused for a moment before self harm and remembered somewhere deep in my brain that was still lucid that depression lies. You helped me remember that depression says I’m worthless, but I am not. The happiest thing I’ve seen all day was my almost 2 year old trying to wash her doll’s boobs with deli ham. To which my husband replied, “You can’t wash up with ham!” Parenting is so fucking random. I love it.

  74. I have 3 copies of your book (2 that still need to be sent out to friends – oops)!

    Something I’m happy about…after dealing with anxiety, depression & self-harm for 19 years I finally met with a therapist last night! Baby steps…

  75. I am happy to have found your blog, bought your book (read it) and that you are by far the funniest person I read online. You make my day!!!

  76. I need your book! I read a library copy, but would love a copy of my very, very own to re-read as needed.

  77. I already have a copy. I’m happy for 2016 to get here, because I am going to make 2016 my bitch! (Well, not really, but you know). I’m also happy because my real birthday is just in 9 days, and I always get sushi and mai-tais on my birthday, even if no one else cares, because it’s a week after New Year’s and they’re all partied out.

    (All joking aside, seriously, reading Furiously Happy has made this time of year 10000x’s better than it typically is for me. Thank you, Jenny, our wonderful, funny, loving & lovable Bloggess, for reminding me that depression lies and I can still be happy and weird, forget what the rest of the world wants me to be for them.)

  79. I have both books on audible, but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday! Or “yom huledet sameyach,” if you are in the mood for Hebrew today. 🙂 I love that you are gifting others on YOUR day; you are a mensch. (What is the yiddish word for a female mensch?)

    (Wench? ~ Jenny)

  80. Happy birthday! I hope the next year is as successful as this year has been for you. Because DAMN! Also, I want to get texts from your sister. Please?

  81. Oh, and something I am happy about…
    Yesterday, my youngest daughter and I went to see Star Wars. She is 15. It is the first time I’ve ever taken her to a movie. It wasn’t as hard as I thought… I just pretended I was good at it.
    Thank you, again.

  82. I’m in a box set of Regency romances based on fairy tales (mine is based on The Dirty Shepherdess, who isn’t into porn, I promise, but is in fact, just a shepherdess). It’s #1 in folklore on Amazon! Whoo hoo, #1 best seller!

    And happy, happy, happy birthday!

  83. I have had a crap day at work, (well at least the last few hours have been crap) and when I finally got home, and unlocked my door completely ready to have a big glass of milk and cry, I was knocked over and attacked by my herd. The three corgis and the one large Weimerainer knocked me down 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the house and were so excited they were jumping, and snarfing, and licking me wherever there was exposed skin. That, that right there is the essence of my happiness.
    ALSO! A very happy birthday to you!

  84. Happy Birthday! I’m just happy and thankful to have my family and a roof over our heads for another year.
    I would adore a copy of your book. I can’t really afford much in the way of book spending, but I checked out both of your books multiple times from my library, so there’s positive stats in a way…

  86. Happy Birthday!! My friend Jen would benefit greatly from this book. She suffers from depression and she’s been dealing with complications from the birth of her third child that have left her bedridden temporarily (which is, you know, just great when you’re struggling with depression). I bought your book for my kindle and as I read it I kept wishing she had a hard copy so she could read it as I know it would really strike a chord with her.

    (Check your email. 🙂 ~ Jenny)

  87. Wishing you a furiously happy birthday! Already have your book, which makes me happy. Also, happy that someone else has a bumble for a tree topper. I am now legit in the eyes of some of the more judgemental members of the family. Woot woot! Not that their opinion matters, or anything…

  88. I’m happy that I got a Barnes & Noble gift card for Christmas so I can get your book!

  89. For Christmas by boys (ages 18 and 16) painted the ugly fucking wall i had in my living room. the wall that pissed me off everytime i looked at it. which was every day because i live there. and stuff.
    i wasn’t allowed to come home on Christmas eve while they did this. So they gifted me extra by forcing me to be outside on a day off so i drove through Rocky Mountain National Park and Big Thompson Canyon and communed with nature and shit like that which i didn’t realize i NEEDED until i was doin it and it was glorious.
    Basically – Happy Birthday to you – my kids are the fuckin best boys EVER.

  91. Happy birthday. Your story and of course yourself are a beautiful light in my dark world. I haven’t been able to get it yet.
    Hope you have a wonderful birthday

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  93. Happy birthday!

    I gave my niece a copy of Furiously Happy for Christmas. I slipped a note around the epilogue and told her when she’s having an especially bad time, to read those pages and realize that she’s not alone and never will be. So I’m happy I found your words to help me tell her this. She cried but also called me her biggest supporter which was a pretty awesome Christmas gift back 🙂

  94. Happiest of birthdaus, dear lady. I’ve been a fan for so long that sometimes it feels weird that you’re not walking into my house & grabbing a glass of tea. 🙂

    What I’m happy for: my daughter was riding her bike home from work and was hit by a car. I’m happy because she wasn’t seriously injured, and that it happened at a slow speed. So, I’m happy my baby girl is ok.

    Hope your day is a delight, and filled with all the wine slushies you could dream of. 🙂

  97. I have your first book but not the second! Would love to check it out.
    Many happy returns!

  98. I keep telling myself depression lies, but it seems to be a losing battle. What makes me happy? My cat Molly gets upset when I leave the room and has to follow me. SOMEBODY loves me!

  99. You signed my copy in Santa Cruz, thank you for that! Also, happy birthday to you! And to me (happy pretend birthday!)

  100. We don’t need a copy of the book, since we already bought it, so bumping that to the next need.

    A big happy spot recently, I got to spend almost a week with my daughter and geek out over games (Video, RPG, & Board), and share podcast loves like Welcome to Nightvale and Lore. It had been since August that I’d had much time, beyond a ride to her mother’s from school, or a ride to a friends for X or y event. Still from her mom’s place The rest of the house also joined the the geek fest at times and when interests combined.

  103. Happy Birthday Jenny!
    I already have your book and it was great! Ready for another one but I’m sure you have heard that before. Food, cats and reading make me happy!! Hope your birthday is amazing and stress free!

  104. Happy Birthday! Something happy… I survived my son’s first trip to his dad’s for more than a few hours, and tomorrow I get to pick him up and smother him with kisses! (That’s extra happy, because he’s 12 and still lets me do embarrassing things like that!)

  105. Things that make me happy: reading Furiously Happy; sharing banana nutella muffins with my work family, and when someone brings me coffee unexpectedly. These are all tiny-but-big
    good things 🙂

  108. I have your book on my kindle, so I’m good there.

    A lot of things make me happy. Right now, I’m happy that I have a mini vacation that starts at 5pm. (I’m off work until Monday.)

    I’m happy that I get to spend a bunch of time at home with my kitty, Jules.

    I’m happy that past me left some yummy chocolate in my desk for current me, because current me needed it.

    And Happy Birthday! 😀

  109. Happy birthday Jenny! Thank you for sharing so much of you with us. For that, I am grateful.

    I do not need the book – I own it on my nook.

    What makes me happy – my 15 year old dachshund Bella, laying here on the couch with me, while homemade sauce and meatballs cook on the stove with Blue Bloods on my tv.

  110. I definitely need a copy of “Furiously Happy” as I’m just furious at this point. Donkey’s in hammocks, mini pigs, just about any farm animal antics make me happy.

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  111. I’m happy because my daughter’s endoscopy this morning went well, and it looks like she doesn’t have some weird, unnamed digestive disorder like I was convinced she had because WebMD and Google both told me and the Internet never lies, so how was I supposed to know it would be something totally ordinary? I mean, I was all prepared for appointments with specialists and “We’re going to name this disease after your daughter,” but no. It turns out she’s just a weird kid who doesn’t eat enough. Way to go, kid.

  113. Something I’m happy about: I finally got angry, reconnected with my feelings, and stopped feeling suicidal a couple weeks before my birthday (the 25th). Thank you for being part of what has kept me going through all of my downs and ups.

    (These comments are gold and they are saving me. Thank you. ~ Jenny)

  115. Well, that sucked. I was #3 but had to fight with WordPress while 40 other people commented. Anyway, happy birthday. I hope the year brings you lots of dead animals. Or not, in case you think you have enough already.

  116. I’ve been on the library waitlist for your book forEVER! I guess that’s good for you! But I would love to actually read it. 🙂
    Furiously happy? Christmas vacation with my kiddos. Definitely. Happy Birthday!

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  117. I’m furiously happy the Broncos won. I was too nervous to watch the second half, so I went to bed. Then I was too nervous to sleep. Then I couldn’t sleep because I was elated. Now I’m happy to still be upright. Happy birthday Jenny.

  118. It would lift my spirits no end to get a copy, but someone else could probably use it more. Someday, though! Happy Birthday!

  119. What makes me happy was when I remember getting to meet you at a book signing recently. You’re my version of a rock star and any time someone I know is struggling, I send them my favorite posts that you’ve done. Also, Hunter S. Thomcat makes me happy (as do my 3 crazy cats). 🙂

  120. As a fellow mom, I’m sure you can relate when I say my son brings me happiness every day that I didn’t think possible before he came around. Seriously, there isn’t a day when I am not in awe of how much is growing and learning and does those cute little thing that makes the tantrums worthwhile.

    PS- I’ve never had a cat and I’ve never really liked more than a couple of other people’s cats. I’ve always had dogs, and even those cats I liked were described by their owners as “(s)he thinks (s)he’s a dog!” But Hunter is making me rethink all that–he’s freaking ADORABLE!!

  121. Happy birthday, Jenny!!!!

    My happy for the day: I went and saw The Force Awakens for the second time this morning but this time I got to go with my best friend. Plus, I got a haircut and it doesn’t suck! 😁

    Enjoy your day!

  122. Happy birthday! I already have your book, so don’t send me one. What makes me furiously happy is shopping with my daughter, especially thrift store shopping. She makes me laugh every time we get together.

  123. While watching the ultrasound of my gallbladder this morning, I yelled out, “That’s no moon.” I’m nicknaming the giant gallstone the Death Star — now to schedule Skywalker for its ultimate destruction. (I’m happy because I finally get to get this sucker out.)

    Happy birthday!

  124. I finished work early today, and the weather is perfectly gorgeous. So I caught the bus to Haywood Road and settled down at the bar in Universal Joint with an interesting book. I read, ate a delicious bacon and blue cheese burger, drank a rich & dark porter, bobbed along to great music, and enjoyed the gentle breeze blowing in from the wide open garage doors (used to be garage). Then I walked the 2.6 miles to my house under wide, cloudless blue skies at a comfortable, if bizarre, 66 degrees.

    I am so content right now.

    Happy birthday.

  125. Happy Birthday!! I’m really happy to have just learned that we have no early releases on ads (I work on grocery ads) after the one on New Year’s Eve. Since the beginning of November, all the print schedules have been shortened, and it’s dizzying trying to make sure the correct files are finished and approved on the correct date. This happens every year for holiday ads, but this year was the most difficult because (a) I’m old and sick of my job and (b) my dogs don’t understand why I work late.

    [mentally inserting photo of me with a ridiculous dog toy atop my head on Christmas Eve]

  127. I would love a copy of your book but it’s my birthday on Saturday so fingers crossed someone related to me will get it for me 🙂 I’ve not been able to buy luxuries like books since having to move back in with my parents (i’m nearly 35) so hoping family treat me
    Yesterday I was subjected to a torrent of abuse on Facebook from my cousin’s slightly racist husband. I was in tears over it which I knew was ridiculous. I then went out training with my wonderful fitness class who helped me forget about it, when I got home there was loads of messages from my friends telling me he was an idiot & out of line for the viciousness he levelled at me.
    So, to those people I never realised were friends & to my family who rally when I’m being attacked, they make me happy

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  128. I bought two copies and gave one away! I don’t need a free nother.

    One thing I’m happy about is that in three hours I get to do a killer bike ride in the cold and at least one buddy will be struggling worse than I.

  129. Hellz yeah I’ll take a copy of your book! 🙂 Your blog makes me happy; seeing a new post from you in my feed always makes me smile…and sometimes giggle uncontrollably. 🙂

  130. Happy Birthday!!! I do NOT currently have a copy nor have I gotten to read your new book so that would be kinda awesome to receive….but I’m not in dire straits or anything so use I guess you’ll just have to make a judgment call on that on.

    As for happiness I’d say getting to come to work today as opposed to the last 5 days I got to spend listening to my kid play GTA V literally ALL.DAY.LONG has made me really relish my job environment. So it’s kind of a damned if you do/damned if you don’t kind of happy….if that makes sense.

  131. Unborn Baby poking the kitty in my lap then they both settle down to purrs. Makes me very happy.

  132. The world is a shinier place because you’re in it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    I had a lovely Christmas with my sisters and nephews. They’re 22 and 17 and they are turning out to be wonderful young men – not guys or bros or dudes, but MEN. I am so happy to be related to them.

  133. I’ve already bought your book twice – so I hope whoever gets it enjoys it as much as me! For Christmas, my dad gave me an electrician and he arrives on Thursday! Finally, I can begin changing my kitchen around and making it a room I love!

  134. I was given a copy of Furiously Happy for Christmas but had bought my own on pre-order before it came out. I would love to gift the extra copy to someone in need. Otherwise I might leave it in a local little red library. I really just want to pay it forward.

  135. Happy Birthday to you, sweet Jenny. It’s been sort of an “off” couple of days for me, but I have found over the years that baking often helps soothe my soul. So I’m going home to decorate a cake I baked last night. It will be for a friend’s 50th anniversary tomorrow, and I hope it makes them smile as much as it calms my angst. 🙂

  136. Happy birthday!!! I’ve already bought three copies of your book, so I’ll leave that for another. But your books make me happy. And my obese cat who lays on her back in the middle of the floor and rocks herself back and forth while trying to lick her belly.

  138. I just bought the book on my Kindle and read it! You are something happy that happened to me this year. In a sense that I discovered your humorous writing, not that you are like a visitor or a pie to the face.

  140. May your Birthday be Furiously Happy, and full of cake, or cheese, or maybe cheesecake. And a Very Merry Unbirthday to Me, I guess!!

  141. I have your first book but not the second. Would love to check it out!
    Many happy returns!
    (sorry if this posts twice, I think my earlier comment got eaten)

  142. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I would love a copy of your book. I would give it to my daughter who is battling a pretty serious bout of depression right now.

    (Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  144. Happy Birthday! I don’t need you to buy me a book. Happy thing…something that makes me laugh. If you, like me, are a fan of British panel shows…The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2015. FANtastic and hilarious. Here you go. https://youtu.be/cxA_5X4YAIs

  145. Wishing You the HAPPIEST Of Birthdays!
    Watching the Black Squirrels playing in the yard,makes me Smile 😀

  146. Happy birthday! Something that makes me happy on a daily basis is my wife, because she is awesome, which is probably an understatement seeing that she supports me on a daily basis with my struggles with anxiety.

    Also puppies. And Star Wars. And coffee.

  147. And yes, I laughed at your book, but I was brought to tears by those who tell you they are #25. Wow – what a difference you are making in the world – one starfish at a time!! Kudos!!

  148. My mom took my daughter to Subway (this child really loves sandwiches). She saved the cookie for me. Broken into like twelve pieces but touching. And good. White chocolate macadamia.

  149. Already got the book. In honor of your birthday, I’ll be gifting a copy also. So that’s your present. Feliz cumpleaños!

  150. Happy birthday! What makes me happy is knowing I’m not the only one who’s out there trying to keep going.

  151. I tried to leave you a birthday message and I kept getting an error message and then I refreshed and finally sent one (or so I think). Although it might have been marked for spam and the others might have actually gone through. So in case nothing actually made it through… happy birthday!

  152. I already have your book but today is also my best friend (of 28 years!!) birthday and SHE could use a copy of your book.

    The good news I have to share is that I’ve had the same best friend since I was 7.

  154. Happy birthday! I do not need you to buy me your book, but thank you for the offer. I listened to your audio book and loved it (as I did with your first book) so I forced my husband to listen to it and he also loves it. Side note, he is a psychologist and he totally validates you. (That sounds vague, but frequently he’ll say “yeah, that makes sense” when you’re talking about your mental illness, so … that to me sounds validating.)

    Also, here is a video of dog bffs being cute: https://youtu.be/J4rAOg1o2q0 It makes me smile.

  155. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!! My Happiness right now: Tom Baker (The Doctor, the 4th Doctor, the Definite Article, you might say) was signing Christmas Cards this year. Personalized Christmas cards. My husband has been a Tom Baker Doctor fan since he was … 12? He’s going to be 44 on the 31st. The last time Tom had offered anything signed on his website it was exorbitantly expensive and I couldn’t afford it. This was in my price range (actually, it was super cheap!) and it was PERSONALIZED. And the picture was super awesome on the front. So, I had Tom write “To Adam, the Definite Article” on the inside and he autographed it on the front and under the greeting. I themed Adam’s Christmas gift completely around Doctor Who. There was a 4th Doctor Pop figure, the 4th Doctor’s screwdriver, The E-Space Trilogy DVD, and a How to be a Time Lord book with the card tucked in the back.

    He knew something was up but I don’t think he expected the card. He cried. Serious, lovely, happy tears. He was a child again for a moment and it made me cry and pretty much the entire family cry. Tears of joy. I wish I could give Mr. Baker a hug for making my husband feel like a child again. I video’d it because I wanted to have it for myself. Whenever I feel like I need a good, happy cry I’ll break out the video.

    I hope you have a birthday that brings you so much happiness. You deserve it! HUGS

  156. I got a late bday gift (you and I have very close birthdates!) of the in-laws watching my boys
    Husband and I haven’t had a date night in 5 yes 5 years. I ate and peed alone yippee.

  157. I’m happy I don’t have to wash my hair today. Woke up to Stu the cat licking it like I was his long lost kitty.

  158. Happy birthday! My big happy is that I made it through the Christmas holiday. No, seriously. My lil sister’s big gift to the family turned out to be a big bust, and there was some drama. But we got past it, cuz my family is awesome, and we stick together even when we piss each other off.

    Also a big happy — seeing the excitement on my mom’s face today when we used her Christmas present – a Legacy Box. She can’t wait for those 19 old reel-to-reel home movies from her childhood to come back in digital form so she can watch them again. I can’t wait either. I’m a HUGE family history buff. Would love to be able to see these films.

  159. Happy birthday Jenny! Thank you for always making me laugh when I need it most. I would love a copy of furiously happy- it was on my Christmas list, and I need something funny to kick off this year after a not so great 2015!

  160. Happiest of birthdays! My happy thing is very tiny but I’m clinging to it. One of my degus has been at the vet since Saturday night, very sick with pneumonia. It’s still very touch and go, but he was a little bit better this morning, and this afternoon I went to visit him. I’m hoping it’s not the last time I see him, and that one day before too very long he’ll get to come home.

  162. Happy birthday to you!!
    I’m happy that my teenage daughters are friends too and do things together like spend the afternoon drawing while binge watching Harry Potter movies while the dogs are curled up between them. I love how they respect their differences and celebrate them instead of using them against each other.

  163. Happy happy birthday to you 🙂 I am happy to have a wonderful husband who loves me and 5 furry little kitty angels.

  164. Just got invited to spend a week to a month in San Diego with a good friend. Westward ho! Happy birthday, Jenny!

  165. I don’t know if I’m in the running for a book, but I do have a friend who is really struggling that I would love to send your book to… I don’t know of any one more in need to be reminded that depression lies! happy birthday to you!

  166. Happiest of birthdays! Mine was yesterday! So here’s to shitty December birthdays! Cheers!

  167. Happy Birthday Jenny!!!!! What makes me happy? Xanax and Klonopin… nah, they make me not freak out. I guess I should say my husband. He tries so hard to fix me and make me smile. And hearing my children play music.

  171. My grandchildren make me happy.
    I already have your book. There’s a pretty cool bookplate in it, too, and that makes me happy, too.
    Happy birthday, you!

  172. I’m 46 years old and I got toys for Christmas. My family got me the whole set of Harry Potter Funko Pop toys. They get me. I’m a lucky girl in every way that counts. Happy birthday!!! You should totally have the Funko Pop dudes make a Beyonce version. The whole taxidermy toy area also is an untapped market. I would stand in line to buy a Rory action figure (with kung-fu grip, of course). 🐓🐓🐓

  173. Happy birthday Jenny!! Hope your day is fabulous. 😊 My depression’s been okay, but my anxiety has been messing me up for the last week or so (lousy sleep, worrying about everything, Dad hospitalized for Christmas – he’s thankfully doing better, but it was scary and crappy) and I had been hoping to get your book for Xmas… But instead my husband got me a book I already own and three books by one author that I was kind of like “Oh! I liked him back in 2002. And now I have three books of his to read that I didn’t know existed. Because it’s not 2002. 😐” If I’m not gifted a book by your lovely self, I’ll just exchange one that the husband gave me and hope he doesn’t ask about it – haha!

  174. I can see I’ve missed the cut-off, but I know someone who really needs a pick-me-up. He just posted that he really struggled this last semester at college, and although I expect he knows depression lies, I think it would help. Let me know what you think if you can. Thank you and have a terrific rest of your birthday! 🎂

  175. Happy Birthday Jenny!
    Plenty of things make me laugh. Lots of things make me smile. Tons of things make me feel content inside; the best episodes of Doctor Who, a great song, my Mom’s chocolate chip cookies.
    But nothing makes me feel happier in my universe than the laugh of my son. I don’t care about anything else at that moment. He is magical.

  176. Happy Birthday Jenny. My do-over birthday would have had to be my 30th; I came home from work to find my husband had left me. Turned out to be the best birthday present I ever had – but at the time it was devastating. But I preordered Furiously Happy the day you said it was available.

  177. I need a copy because I’ve been unemployed for two years and can’t afford tampons, let alone a new book….
    But i’m like way down the line so….

    (Yes, but I’m jumping around randomly. Check your email. ~ Jenny)

  178. Happy birthday! I just scored an autographed copy of Ann B. Davis’s “Brady Bunch Cookbook” at a local junk shop. That made me happy.

  179. I have the book and that it’s signed makes me furiously happy!

    Happy Birthday Jenny!

    Something to make you smile
    My book club did a gift exchange where we had to bring a book from our collection that we loved, wrapped with a brief description. I brought Let’s Pretend This Never Happened 😀
    I hope it makes the recipient very happy.
    (Don’t worry I also own the audiobook!)

  180. Happy birthday!! I’d love to get a copy of the book for my sister, who manages her life around multiple chronic health issues (MS and RA being at the top of the list), which has of late taken a toll on her both physically and emotionally. She could definitely use a reminder that depression lies and things will get better.

    I’m happy about the fact that I was motivated enough to put up some outdoor decorations at my house for the first time in about 4 years – so our 3 LED lighted penguins (Ondre, Charlotte and Miranda) got to come out of the shed for a while.

  181. Happy Birthday!!!! I’m happy that we got a new grandson in December. Wylie River Isaacson was born with a heart defect but it’s treatable so all is good (or soon will be). Grandkids are great for depression.

  182. Happiest of birthdays to someone who makes others smile even when they thought they could not! I’m happy because you found your calling.

    I’m also happy because, even though a friend and mom of four passed on this morning after a long illness, another friend legally adopted all four of her children and is on the way to giving them a wonderful, loving, warm and celebratory life with the new parts of their family. There is so much good and so much love in the world. You can’t keep it down, which is how I know depression lies. Thanks for doing your part to help us all realize that. 🙂

  183. Happy birthday Jenny! I really need a copy of your book. This time of year is very hard, (emotionally and financially) and you always make things brighter and make me feel less alone. If I’m too late, reading these comments works too 🙂 I have a sleeping kitty on my lap and that always makes me happy. I hope your day is a great one-you deserve it.

  184. I have your book in digital and audio formats so I just want to wish you a very happy birthday.

  185. Just got invited for a week to a month to San Diego by a good friend. Westward ho! Happy birthday, Jenny!

  186. I’d love a copy of your book if they haven’t all been taken.

    Happiness today has come in being with my son and boyfriend and seeing their faces as they opened the belated Christmas presents (shared custody.)

    Much love and happiness.

  187. Happy Birthday, Jenny! Thanks for always being real and sharing yourself with us. So which book did you get in triplicate?? I am eating bacon at 1:14pm PST and that makes me furiously happy. ❤️

  188. Happy Birthday Jenny! I had your book on my Christmas wish list and no one got it for me. 🙁

  189. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jenny!!! I am happy because you made it my Sort-of-Birthday, which gives me another reason to be drinking coffee with Irish Cream in it, which tastes really good until you start to wonder what Irish Cream is….but also because my cat did not pee on my bed today. It’s a good day.

  190. I have the book already (and love it), but would just like you to remind me again that depression lies. It’s been rough around here lately.

    Happy birthday, dearest Jenny. 😘

  191. Heh I bought a copy of the e-book even though I didn’t really have the flexible income to do it because I needed to hear that depression lies. But I’m hopeful, I have two potential jobs that may come through early int he new year and either one of them would be wonderful (who knew having 3 kids and no affordable health/dental insurance could be so stressful?!?!)
    As for what’s making me happy right now, I just spent the entire day letting my OCD run wild and re-organizing every single cupboard in my kitchen!! Hooray for being able to find tea when I need it 😀 Have a very happy birthday and may the new year bring awesome stuff for all of us!!

  192. I’ve been having a crappy time lately depression wise. Sometimes it’s hard but I have good friends. Good friends that buy me food and love me when I’m at my lowest point. Happy birthday and have a good New Year!

  193. I gave the book to my sister in law for Christmas
    and I’d love one for myself…I nearly pee’d my pants reading your
    last book😍

  194. I would love a copy if you still have one! Well, I am sure you have some…the giveaway ones. Love you!!!!!?

  195. Happy birthday, Jenny! I haven’t commented in so long, but I haven’t stopped reading. What makes me happy is when my 2 year old tries to make my 6 month old laugh by singing a song about the months of the year that she gets REALLY into. There’s even a dance.

  197. I (Norah) bought the book on my Kindle since we are reading it for our book club, but a friend of mine who battles anxiety hasn’t been able to get it because she hasn’t had the money and there are a bazillion holds on it at the library. If you have any copies left, I’ll leave her e-mail address and name for a surprise! Loved the book …

  198. My something good is also why I need your book. In a couple weeks I will be moving across the country and starting a new job – my first time being a real adult and starting a career. So, yes, good, exciting stuff but also terrifying. My anxiety tells me all these lies about how I’m going to fail at adulting and will be miserable and useless. So I need your book to distract me from that and help me remember I’m actually a badass capable woman but because of the whole no-job-yet thing, I haven’t bought it. Plus my cat wants me to have it so I don’t kill him with my attempts at finding comfort in his fluffy catness (not to be confused with Katniss, his archery skills suck, unless you count playing with the string).

  199. Kitty paws are my favorite! They make me happy, thanks for sharing Hunter S Thomcat’s paw! And Happy Birthday!

  200. I’ve bought several copies of your book (my adult kids keep taking them), so I’m good. But I wanted to wish you a happy birthday! And to tell you my werewolf shingles have finally healed, which makes me happy. Also, I’m well enough to go back in the studio and resume working on my album today. So that makes me extra happy! Hoo-ray for us!

  201. I’m really happy that i got to spend some time with my sister and mother this past weekend (they live 3 hours away). every time I visit with them I always feel better afterwards

  202. Happy birthday! I’m happy that California got some more rain! I’m also happy that our dog is finally learning to trust cats. She’s been scared of them for years.

  204. Happy, happy Birthday, Jenny! Hope you have an awesome day. Happiness to me are my cats, their quirky behaviours and how they always make me smile or laugh. What better way to celebrate your birthday than with your family … people and furbabies galore!

  205. Happy Birthday! And Happy Birthday to me, I just had a shitty birthday last week so this is a nice do-over. My dogs make me happy and are wonderfully therapeutic. So does my roomba which helps me clean up after my dogs. Cheers!

  206. Happy Birthday, Jenny. Actually, happy birthday to us since it’s actually my birthday too which makes the 29th even more awesomer.

    Just finished the book. May have peed a little from laughing.

  207. Every year I forget that we share a birthday! Happy Birthday! I’m cooking dinner and doing “Christmas” with my two 20-something boys who are very busy at Christmas time. So today we’re doing my birthday and Christmas together. They bought me a joke book that is Pat The Bunny except it’s Pat A Zombie. Have you seen it? It’s freakin hilarious and so cute because I used to read Pat The Bunny to them when they were little. Now I have both books displayed in my bookcase which is TOTALLY something you would do.

  208. I would love a copy if you still have one! Well, I am sure you have some…the giveaway ones. Love you!!!!!

  209. Happy Birthday!!
    I hope your day is filled with joy and laughter.
    (Also, I don’t need a copy of your book because I already own it.)

  210. Happy Birthday! Got your book at a signing this fall and looking forward to reading it! I am happy that last night I finished a novel I started 6 years ago! The last chapter is total shit, but nothing a little editing can’t fix. It was my goal for 2015, and I accomplished it on top of working two jobs. Just thought I’d share, because after a tough year and tougher holiday season, I really needed to tell someone (or lots of someones), so it feels real.

  211. Happy birthday!

    I read your book right before Christmas and about half-way in I decided that my best friend NEEDS it. Since it was the day before we were supposed to exchange gifts and we live in Norway (the land of REALLY slow postal service, especially with stuff from abroad) I obviously couldn’t just buy it off Amazon as I usually would. That shit can take weeks, yo.

    So, I started googling for book shops in Oslo where I could buy it, but for some stupid reasons, none of the shops here lets you know what’s on their shelves without actually going there. After having gone to all the ones close to work and my house, I decided to brave the big one next to the Christmas market around where all the tourists hang around without realising people around them might have shit to do. And there I found it. One small copy on the bottom shelf under “memoirs”, surrounded by mainly historical figures and people from the soccer world. Just in time for me to nab it, tell the store clerks to get more and to let the non-soccer-stuff shine for once, before I ran home to wrap it so I could give it to her.

    Fortunately, she seems to like it. I wouldn’t have exposed myself to christmastourists otherwise.

    So that’s my christmas/jul/yule-story/trauma from 2015.

    Hope you’re being taken well care of and that you’re having an awesome day!

  212. Happy happy birthday Jenny! I already have your book (which I love, and was lucky enough to have you sign), but I wanted to wish you a joyous day! My oldest son turns 10 today, so you are b-day buddies 🙂 He makes me pretty happy!

  214. Happy Birthday and cat hugs! (One of my cats just leaped through the air to land on the other one. None of the other cats appreciate his Circe de Soliel artistry when he does that, they hiss at him and scratch. He just looks hurt and confused that they don’t enjoy his antics.)

  215. My son (7) just told a medium-sized dog “Don’t eat me! I’m too handsome to die!” He makes me laugh (and subsequently is the reason I’m also crazy).

  216. Happy birthday!
    I’m happy because tomorrow we get to take my almost three year old to Disneyland for the first time thanks to his awesome Grandad & G! He’s about to smile his lips off of his face talking about seeing R2D2 and “this is Halloween” (how he references anything from Nightmare Before Christmas! He has wild curly blond hair to help give you a visual! His happiness is truly contagious, hope it translates even just a little here!

  217. I have your book on Kindle, but my husband needs a print copy so that he can BEGIN to understand what I’m going through.

  218. I have the book – already read it multiple times and love it! However, I wanted to say “Happy Birthday” and that obviously only super amazing (but maybe slightly fucked up) people were born on Dec 29. My evidence is you and me!

  219. We got a puppy for Christmas, and his puppy breath makes me furiously happy (even though we already HAD three dogs, and everyone says we’re crazy for getting a puppy.)

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

  220. Happy Birthday! I’ve been wanting your book since it because available for preorder (has been on my Amazon wishlist since then) but haven’t been able to get money that I could set aside for it, so was planning on waiting until I get my tax return. I’d love to get a copy, though I’d kinda feel bad because I’m sure there are people worse off than I am right now who’d deserve it more.

    As for something that makes me really happy, I got some BB8 socks that are white and orange and are FREAKIN FANTASTIC. I’m going to see the movie again soon, and will so be wearing the socks while I watch it.

  221. I already have two copies of Furiously Happy. (I always need a back-up.) I am so happy that you are happy for your birthday. As a present to you I would love to provide 5 copies to others. So, here is my email. Pick five folks send me their addresses or whatever works and BAM! Happy Birthday to you!

  222. On Christmas, my sister handed me a book I had given to my niece for HER birthday, and said, “Merry Christmas…” and then my niece said, “Mom, why are you giving Jennifer MY BOOK, the book she gave to ME?!” and my sister looked at both of us and said, “I wondered how THAT book got into MY house?! It wasn’t bringing ME any joy so I took it off the shelf and I thought I should give it to Jennifer instead…” That book was by Donna Tartt so I suppose we can sort out why it was joyless, but I handed it back to my niece and told my sister that she needs to only give BOOKS that actually belong to her! Do you think that trifecta of books you received actually “belonged” to the people who gave them to you? This whole fiasco from Christmas has me flummoxed about books!

    I actually gave my niece YOUR BOOK for Christmas this year (she is THRILLED) and we made a pact that it would stay UNDER HER BED so my sister couldn’t go giving it to other people because it didn’t bring her joy. Although how can a book called FURIOUSLY HAPPY not provide JOY?!? The mind boggles.

    I just need to know, did you get the goat? I have not slept since you asked us to tell you to not get it. It would make the happiest birthday for all of us if you did. xo

  223. Happy Birthday! What made me happy today is that we finally have snow and it looks so pretty outside. On another note, do you periscope? If not, can you please?? I’d follow.

  224. Love me some screaming goats, but hey look what I just saw on imgur..! happy birthday girl, you’re the best!

  226. Happy birthday, Jenny!

    Currently making me happy: this video of an epic lightsaber prank that my 9yo nephew and I just watched three times and are now plotting our own version of because Star Wars.

  227. Happy Birthday! I’m happy it’s your birthday!! I’m also happy about my nice warm house, happy marriage and good kids.

  228. Im happy because you always manage to bring me out of my darkest corners and lead to the light i forgot there was.

  229. Here is a thing that makes me happy: I invented a holiday birthed from the ashes of a disappointment. It is my gift to everyone willing to abide by a couple simple rules – it’s your Birthday Holiday Season. It begins when you receive your first gift or birthday card and ends only when the last candle is blown out. This way, nobody can “forget” or “miss” your birthday ever again, they’re simply extending your own personal holiday! I’ve had birthdays that last for months, and that’s a lot of stupid fun, especially if you insist that everybody wear a party hat.

  230. I have the book and that it’s signed makes me furiously happy!

    Happy Birthday Jenny!

    Something to make you smile
    My book club did a gift exchange where we had to bring a book from our collection that we loved, wrapped with a brief description. I brought Let’s Pretend This Never Happened 😀
    I hope it makes the recipient very happy.
    (Don’t worry I also own the audiobook!)

  231. Santa (aka Amazons flash sale) bought my copy, but I’m Furiously Happy that my dad is still alive and I got to celebrate one more Christmas with him and so far looks like he will make it to 2016! As a 31 year old woman whose mom died from cancer in 1998 and watching my dad slowly deteriorating from cancer, I’m just blessed to be able to spend so much time with them (caregiver to both). I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

  232. Your my lost twin, my Birthday is also in December. My family is also crazy… also known as crazy awesome in that crazy awesome sort of way. I have a bought of depression and anxiety. I don’t have my shit straight but somehow I keep it straight. I got your first book for Christmas. I read it with the lights out… no not with night vision goggles (that would be cool, WHATS UP SANTA???)… and find myself laughing histarically (wtf spell check?) into the dark while my husband grumbles strange things at me (probably something like “I am so jealous.” Because he could not be saying, “She is not shining a light in my face at 2:00 am in the morning when we both have to get up at 5:30.”) Did I mention, as I type this my children just destroyed a game called Marble Run, upon which they are chasing marbles all over the floor (ya know cause they bounce like they were made out of rubber, but are glass)… I don’t think they really understand this game, or the maker was secretly laughing saying it was an engineering game, but it is really about chasing the marbles around the house as they bounce into special places for me to step on in the middle of the night so that I will land face first in a china closet or, if my son leaves the toilet lid up, a toilet, face first. SPLOOSH

    Anyway, I know you probably have given all your books away, but I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for all of the laughs and the feeling of normal. No really, I feel normal when realizing there are others like me…. really it isn’t normal, it is truly awesome. 😉

  233. I would love a book, but I stopped counting while scrolling down the requests. That can’t be good for my chances.

    But I would also like to wish you a great birthday, so enjoy it and tell that neighbor bobcat he (or she?) can’t come to your party. That Bobcat looks shifty as hell. It would eat your pets and probably your new BB-8, in addition to all of the snack foods in the house.

  235. Happy Birthday! I’m happy my wife made it through surgery last month. I’m sending you a virtual spoon. I hope you’re winning today.

  236. Bappy Hirthday to you! I think that’s how it goes, maybe I should have another glass of wine… don’t tell my boss I’m at work. Sad I missed your giveaway but OMG laughed my ass off at your text convo with your sister. Those are the kind of conversations I have in my head all the time. Have a great day!

  237. If I hadn’t been slow, I totally would have nominated a friend who needs your book! (Unrelated:she gave her son a book on botched taxidermy for Christmas, so she’s definitely one of the tribewhether she knows it or not…) But happy birthday!

  239. I’m happy because we share a birthday – really! It’s really my birthday too! Happy birthday to us. 🙂

  240. I am furiously happy that I get to hang out with your sister and her family all the time. I am furiously happy that my 13yo is besties with your 5yo niece. I am furiously happy that your sister got my copy of your book signed and then gave me a signed Furiously Happy audiobook for Christmas.

  241. Happy Birthday! And right now, Hunter S. Thomcat’s photobomb is making me happy. But also, cupcakes from the fancy cupcake shop across town – those were delicious!

  243. I am ridiculously happy about the fancy blender I got for Christmas from my parents.

    I REALLY LIKE SMOOTHIES, OKAY?!?

  244. Woo Hoo! happy birthday! I’d love a copy of your book. You see, I was on the waiting list at the library. I finally got the email, then forgot the email, then forgot to return the other 8 books that I had all intentions of reading. So, I lost out on my long queue, and had to pay over $5 in late book fines. And if I did get a copy I would read it and then forward it to my friend to introduced me to the giant metal chicken. The chicken has thus linked us forever.
    And something that I’m happy about? I teach yogalates – one person really let one rip and no one laughed. Because if someone had snickered, I would have lost it. Then again, I might have been hearing things…
    Happy Birthday – thanks for making me laugh!

  245. Happy birthday. 🙂

    Aside from the fact that I’m being happy that depression hasn’t killed me yet, and hopefully won’t, I’m glad I still have my parents, and that I was able to rescue a gorgeous dog from the shelter.

    I’ve already read your book, thanks to my favourite place: the library. I was reading it as I helped dad make his deliveries and he asked me what I was laughing at. 🙂

  246. Feliz cumple! I’m happy that LSU is playing Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl today and that it comes on after I get off of work so I can actually watch it! Also that if LSU happens to lose, Kliff Kingsbury will take his shirt off in celebration thus soothing my hurt feelings about the loss – RIGHT KLIFF???

  247. Happy Birthday! Here’s a virtual spoon! I’m happy my wife made it through surgery last month.

  248. I’m happy because at this time 4 years ago, I was waking up in a mental health facility after a suicide attempt and for the first time ever, I didn’t spend the day in bed. (Okay, but just the morning!) Happy birthday!

  249. This year you mentioned me in your blog and I met you at your book signing in NYC. You were so warm and sweet and wrote the NICEST thing in my book. And my friend’s book. He read it over Thanksgiving and loved it! And I was able to give you a delicious pastry. Lots to be happy about!

    Happy Birthday, Jenny from your friend Norma. You are MAGNIFICENT and I’m so happy to know you! XXOO

  250. I would love a copy of your book. Not going to go into why, because it’s way easier to smile and let everybody think I’m fine. Even if I’m too late for a copy, I just wanted to say that I somehow always manage to fine one thing to be happy about every day. Even if it’s just that my kitten licked my nose, it’s something!

  251. I gave your autographed book to my cousin. She said, “but I have that book.”

    My mom smiled and told her, “Look inside.”

    Cousin didn’t say anything but her eyes got wide. And we got hugs.

    She wrote her Senior Thesis on your first book, though I can’t remember the name, sitting in the eye doctor’s waiting room.

  252. Of course, when trying to correct a mistake made by auto-correct, it says that I’m “being happy”.

  253. Happy Birthday! I’ll share it with you in spirit since I tend to have shitty birthday-days. I already have the book (and where am I keeping safe that special signed book plate you sent me that I should now put in the book?!) It makes me happy that Christmas is over and I finally made a post publicly on fb about doing a Children’s Tumor Foundation fundraising race in my underwear. In Detroit. In February. Brrr.. https://my.cupids.org/craddock It will definitely take a few shots of liquor.

  254. You already have a gazillion responses to this post so I’m going to assume the books are gone already. However, if you ever run across cheap used ones again, I’d love to have a chance to buy one. My son battles depression and anxiety and has your same awesomely weird sense of humor. I think it might help him to hear another voice that isn’t his counselor or his mother… Not that we are bad voices, we’re just, you know, the voices no one wants to listen to. And to be fair, I don’t get it because I don’t experience it. I’m trying to get it and trying to support him through it but it’s so HARD. So, if you have any resources or advice for a parent of someone who battles depression and anxiety, I would love to hear them. He’s 20 and this all boiled to the surface about a year ago but we are learning that it was there all along.

    Anyway, Happy Happy Happy birthday to you!
    Kim

  255. Tonight my whole family is getting together to celebrate my dead grandfather’s 100th birthday (except him, naturally), and it’s my (living) cousin’s birthday too, so that would be kind of rude for me to show up and be all, it’s my birthday, mofos!!

    Have a happy birthday yourself, though!

  256. I have a copy of your book that I have shared with friends who can’t sort of afford it…they are very happy I did!! I lost my beautiful cousin today and I although I am sad beyond words, what I am happy about is that I go to see her TWICE this fall (after an eight year absence) and will remember her warmth, her generosity and her spirit!! Thanks for the opportunity to share, Jenny.

  257. Happy Birthday!!!! I own the ebook and a signed bookplate- which may be weird because I have no actual book to put it in- but I carry it in my purse to remind me that I’m not alone. When I hit my lows I read your blog and comments because it helps. Today is a low for me. I’m having one of those days where I can’t face real people but I have to be at work so my door is shut and every time someone knocks I pretend I’m on a call and turn my back and wave them away. I’ve cried for 3 hours And I can’t stop then I feel stupid because I don’t know what’s wrong or why I feel broken. I should be happy. I have a job. I have benefits. My kids are healthy. My husband is not but with my insurance he has the care he needs. Because of the community here my kids had the Christmas I couldn’t afford so I should be happy. But I’m not happy today. But I hope you are happy today. And I hope those that get your book smile today. I’m not asking for a copy because it would be greedy since I have the ebook. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday and thanks for being you because you and this tribe help me through the bad days.

  258. I’m happy because I’m two years into a job (that I started on my birthday!) that I love insanely and very, very happy that I am free of the horrible public health job that I was stuck in for 7 years. I’m so happy that the permanent soundtrack in my head since the day I started this job is the song “Happy”.

  260. Fuck! Yes! Please! I am hating myself as we speak, especially for being so damn broke! I desperately need a laugh…

  261. I already have two copies. 🙂
    I am happy happy happy because I just returned from an impulse trip where I learned two Very Important Things. 1, I can wrangle two kids, two car seats, a stroller, a suitcase, and three backpacks through the airport by myself AND stay relatively sane. 2, the area I decided is where I want/need to retire & settle down, DESPITE NEVER HAVING BEEN THERE BEFORE, turned out to be freaking awesome and perfect for me. I am a little bummed to be back in TX now, but I’m returning to OR & WA this summer to pick the town where my kids and I will be “from” for the rest of our lives, and moving there within the year. For someone who has spent half their life in the military, moving every few years…this is huge. I’m gonna lay down some roots & grow as tall as those gorgeous trees that make me so happy.

  262. Happy Birthday! It’s also my sister’s birthday. She lives in Texas and loves animals so maybe I missed the memo and you’re actually my sister? That would be cool because then your next book could be all about being raised by a pack of bikers. There’s stories in that life.

    Anyways, here’s the thing that makes me so happy. He’s the best thing ever, even if he dances like a white boy.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/-HVgfLtiON/

  263. I can’t think of a reason to be happy right now. It’s your birthday and my husband Matt’s birthday (you’re a year apart).

    I was recently told (by my doctor, not like some guy at the pizza place cause that wouldn’t bother me so much) that a recent ekg shows I have had a heart attack but she’s trying to straighten out my blood before she sends to a cardiologist. Then I had a mammogram and now they want to send me to a specialist for more in depth testing. And then the day after Christmas my mother died. I’m thinking “REALLY?!?”

    But it just occurred to me that I have blessed myself by buying Furiously Happy which I can re-read and remember why my life is beautiful. Thank you for being you…and, more importantly, for living your life out loud. It’s like a siren song…except without the death at the end. You’re the anti-siren. Happy birthday. May your light shine ever brightly.

  264. Already have the book you signed in Dallas, so just sending birthday good wishes to another December baby!

  265. Happy Birthday! What makes me happy are my awesome friends and my cat which survives anything (beeing abonded by his former owners, hit by a car and beeing shot by an air rifle) and which likes me enough to sleep on my belly. 🙂

  266. My birds doing weird things makes me incredibly happy. today I got to watch Cappy, who was adopted a few months ago (after being a breeder rather than a pet, and is slowly getting more comfortable) steal a peanut and make off with it out of his own bowl. it was very stealthy, furtive, and completely unneccessary

  268. Happy birthday to you! It’s not my birthday, but it is my son’s birthday! (He’s 14, ugh.)
    My kids gave me your book for Christmas (meaning I ordered it and told them that’s what they were giving me), and it is so excellent! I’m just starting to treat my own depression and anxiety; my middle son asked me why I looked so sad all the time, and I just didn’t know what to say. I still don’t. But I’m working on it.

  269. Well, I’m guessing I’m not #10…. But would you just send me an email so I can show off to my friends? Have a wonderful birthday, and I will, too….even though it’s in March, but I needed to do-over year 10 when Mom started a fire in the kitchen and we ate cake outdoors cuz of the smoke.

  270. First things first HAPPY BIRTHDAY
    Second , I feel like I’m probably not the best pick but I’d really love to get Furiosly Happy , because I’ve read Let’s Pretend this never happened(this gives me bonus points right?) and I absolutely loved it , it was the book I needed at the time I read it and now I literally lend to my friends ( I usually don’t lend books , that’s my rule number 1 of surviving this world) so yeah , I think it be pretty cool if you’d send me your book .
    if you got to the end of this super long comment well done you and the thing that makes me happy is books (and no I didn’t say this just to get bonus points but that helps right?) no but seriously I do love me books , I love reading and I also love getting to know people although they don’t like to meet me .
    That’s all hope you have a wonderful birthday 🙂

  271. Happy Birthday! If you haven’t given away all 10 copies, I’d really love one of them, to give to my recently-diagnosed bipolar daughter. They haven’t found a medication that works properly for her yet, and she’s really struggling.

  272. Happy happy birthday Jenny!!! 🎂🎂🎂🎂

    I’m happy that I’m not alone in being ‘broken’– & that we’re all finding ways to live life to the fullest 😊

    Hope your day is fabulous, with no dimes or granny panties in sight!
    And thank you for sharing your life with us. Cheers! 🍷🍷

  273. Happy Birthday! Mine is on the 8th. Would love a copy of your book, but cant’afford it… Depressing state of affairs here…

  274. Happy Birthday! I don’t need the book. I received the signed copy from my husband for Christmas. (Insert giggling and joyful jumping in chair here.) But one of the thing that makes me happy right now is, as weird as it sounds, coloring. Mainly with gel pens and sharpies, but it has been soothing and the finished pictures always make me happier.

  275. I’m happy that the photo of you and Hunter is posed in such a way as to NOT show kitty butthole.

    (I think I’ve been playing too much Neko Atsume where kitty butthole is abundant)

    (And only here would a statement like that not raise an eyebrow. For which I am also happy.)

  276. Today I’m happy that my toddler was able to communicate that she needed to throw up before it happened. This was huge, as I don’t really like being covered in vomit.

  278. Probably too late, but moving across the country this month without my wife’s help is kicking my butt and my cat’s and I can hardly afford any of it nevermind a book.

  281. Hapoy Birthday Jenny! Mine is coming up on the 8th. I would love a copy of your book, but it’s not in my poor girl’s budget. Sad state of affairs here..

  282. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday and tell you I have never laughed as much when reading as I did when I read your books this past month! Thank you!

  283. Already own the book, but happy birthday! I’m happy my nephew (15 mos) was really into snuggling with me this past weekend!

  285. Things that make me happy: cat nipples, pretending I can speak some English so I can write you a message, puns, the hour I spent this morning trying to decide if Daniel Craig was my favourite UILF (as in MILF, but with “ugly” instead of “mother”), World War One books (the drama and the lace)… And specially that last part of Furiously Happy which made me realize I have finally overcome my depression (I call it “dementors”, apparently Harry Potter also makes me happy!). And I´m not looking back, just like that raccoon on the cover! Not sure what the future will bring, but I´m not scared to find out 🙂
    MANY THANKS for that über inspiring-eye-opening-hilarious read and furiously happy birthday to you from the other side of the world!!!

  286. What makes me happy today? We found out this week that our 12 year old son will be discharging next Monday from an inpatient treatment center for children with severe anxiety and depression, where he’s been since early November. I’ve never been away from my kids for more than 4 days, so not having him home for almost two months, especially during the holidays, has been awful for all of us. I can’t wait to have my whole family together again! I’ve allowed him to read certain parts of your book, and to see him laughing until he cries is such a wonderful sight! I’ve also kept a copy that you signed when you were in Milwaukee in October for when he’s a bit older and can handle the more adult topics 😉 Thanks for all you do, Jenny. You’re an inspiration and give so many hope. Depression lies, anxiety sucks, but through it all, there’s hope, and help, and I consider you part of our treatment team <3 Happy birthday, Jenny!

  287. I’m happy that this evening I will be seeing friends whom I have not seen in weeks. We’ll be drinking and painting. None of us actually knows how to paint, so this should be RIDICULOUS.

  288. Happy Birthday, Jenny!!!!!!!
    YOU make me happy!!!!!
    Right now my brain is being a jerk and trying to supplant stupid, negative thoughts into itself about issues that probably aren’t even real. Time to go color in my new grown up coloring book I got for Christmas…

  289. Happy birthday! I’m grateful to have such an amazing man in my life that somehow manages to deal with all of my crazy.

  290. Hey Jenny! :). Happy Birhday! Just FYI: you share a birthday with one if the coolest people to ever have lived on this hurtling greenish-blue ball of goo we call home; my oldest brother Matt. He died in a car accident in ’88 about a month before he turned 19… But like you (also one of the coolest people on our goo-ball) he lived furiously happy while he was here. I feel furiously blessed to get to know you over cyber-social-alternate reality. Peace be with you on this glorious day!!! Keep the freak flags flyin’… ;)~

  291. Happy Birthday! I read Furiously Happy and laughed until I cried and a couple of times, cried until I laughed. Now I’m reading your first book. Last night I sent my boyfriend several texts. I started with p.s. and ended in p.p.p.p.p.s. one was to assure him it was p.p.s and not p.s.s. I Google it! Imagine my surprise when two pages later in your book, you did the same thing!!! It’s so nice to know I’m not the only one that can’t stop the random thoughts. And I can’t wait to tell my boyfriend he’s not the only one to endure weirdness. He thinks he’s a flipping saint!!!

  292. What’s making me happy today? A smiling goat picture that my boyfriend sent me last night from thousands of miles away when I couldn’t sleep. It made me laugh at a time I really needed to laugh and I really wish I could post it here to share it with the world. That, and drinking coffee with my aunt and my mom today, also laughing.

  293. Happy Birthday! My little happiness, is really furiously happy, baby #3 was born on Christmas and now I think my family is complete.

  294. Getting to meet you last November, was part of my birthday gift to myself. Your birthday wishes to me, in my copy of “Furiously Happy” was very special. I’m a hard-core bubble head. Being able to give you a book full of bubbles… with Rory’s happy face in all of the pictures? Yeah… extreme happiness vibes going on from that. Happy Birthday Jenny!

  295. Yay, December babies! I also think sharing a birthday with Jude Law is awesome. I share mine with… Aaron Carter.

    Hope you’re having an excellent day! Happy birthday!

  297. Happy Birthday Jenny! I don’t need anything from you. You’ve already given me countless laugh-til-tears-run-down-my-leg moments AND touched my heart with your beautiful, generous spirit. That, right there, makes me happy.

  298. I would love a copy of your book! I found “Let’s Pretend this Never Happened” at a thrift store and this would complete the collection.
    Today I am happy that my snoring, adorable orange cat is lying next to me making sweet noises and his brother is here too. Today cats make me happy. (they do every day)

  299. Yes, a birthday do-over! Happy birthday to us! I had to put my cat to sleep on my birthday in June. It sucked. A lot. And delaying the inevitable a day wouldn’t have helped anyone. So a post about birthdays and cats, ahh, tears. I’m going to say one more sucky thing before I post the happy thing. The EF-4 Texas tornado was across the lake from where I live. A little lake between me and massive day-after-Christmas destruction.

    BUT NOW THE HAPPY THING. Everyone I’ve come in contact with is not “poor me and my slab of foundation”. Nope. They are FURIOUSLY HAPPY. I’ve been across the lake conducting what business I can to spread the economic love, and cashiers are asking me, “did you get hit? How can I help you?” And I’m like, “Nope, I’m good, how can I help YOU?” And they smile, and they’re good. It’s neighbors helping neighbors across the lake.

    So what makes me happy is knowing that I’m in the right place at the right time to witness strength and resilience in the face of darkness.

  300. Happy birthday Jenny!
    A confession: I still haven’t read “Furiously Happy”. I have a copy, but I have been studying for a certification exam (that I have already failed once) for what seems like forever.

  301. Happy Birthday!!

    My grandmothers birthday is tomorrow and mine is next month.

    Today I am really happy to have the day off from work, and I finished a project I was working on, and I also have a cat who loves me.

    I’m probably way to late for the books (stupid power company picked TODAY to turn off the power for some work), but one of these days I will be able to afford your new book. I do have the first book and I read that again when I want the reminder that I’m not alone.

    Have a wonderful birthday. Go watch some things on YouTube. 🙂

  302. Happy Birthday!!!

    Something that makes me happy: my mom bought me a coloring book for christmas. I’m in my 20s… and I’ve been coloring every night. With vigor!

    And wine.

    And markers.

    Oh, also this

    [facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/linkuptv/videos/1042304872478263/" /]

  304. Happy Birthday!
    I’m happy that I got to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my son this year! It’s the first time that’s happened in 13 years.

  305. Happy Birthday! I just finished the audiobook of Furiously Happy. Favorite part was when you had cat fur on your bottom. It’s a struggle that’s all too real.

  307. I hope your birthday is great! Or at least less sucktastic than a somewhat bad day. (That made more sense in my head, but I’m leaving it.) I’m happy because my dog lets me pretend she’s a giant teddy bear when I sleep.

  308. I bought a copy of Furiosly happy for my daughter for Christmas. It was TORTURE to have it in my closet for a week and not read it…. I didnt want to spoil anyhting if my boyfriend bought me my own copy (it was one of 2 books I asked for) He bought me a SIGNED copy!!! SO HAPPY!! and he got the other book too….

  309. Happy Happy Birthday – one of the great things about this past year – reading your books and blog. A funny thing for me – my sons have 4 dogs and I bought them all toys for Christmas – Carmen, the sneaky one, casually took all the toys for herself.

  310. I’m happy that so many early responders noted that they already HAVE your book, so are happy to see them go to ten OTHER lucky people. I’m also happy from having watched my two big brothers dancing around my kitchen, preparing their contributions to Family Christmas Dinner. It’s been years since I saw them cooking together (or adjacent to one another), since their wives tend to shoo them out of their own kitchens, so it was a joy to see them working side-by-side and laughing together. Not to mention negotiating for the practically non-existent counter space. Seriously warmed my heart. Happy Birthday and Happy Almost New Year! The light is on its way back!!

  311. I am happy I finished your 1st book last night. I read the 2nd last month. I am late to the following of you. And my family wishes I never found your books. I literally laugh out loud any where I’m reading it. They are tired of my coughing fits. Well because I’ve been sick with a cold for like 6 weeks and when I start laughing it starts a coughing fit. My husband say that “it can’t be that funny, nothing is that funny”. He doesn’t read, he has no idea how hilarious you are. I borrowed them both from the library. But I think I need it to read over and over. So I’m sure all the 10 are taken, but just incase…pick me pick me!

  312. Happy Birthday! My good thing is that for the first time in a long time I’m doing a little cooking for fun. I made cherry jam last weekend and I’m going to try it again with a tweeked recipe just because I want to!

  313. I cried on Christmas day because, yes, I have family, and also, they made me feel crappy that day. Then I read your book whilst locked in the bathroom (again….it’s a thing around here….your book is, ah…on my toilet. Permanently. That’s a compliment, you’re welcome!), and I felt better. So YOU made me happy!

    Also, today I went to the cancer prevention doctor (family history of breast cancer) and while examining me, she told me my skin looked fabulous and what did I use. I thought she meant my boob skin, and I looked at her funny. Then she quickly said, “The skin on your FACE, it’s so lovely.” So that also made me happy! Also I was worried about her checking out my boob skin even if it did look nice. And then I thought of you microdermabrasion chapter and I really, really wanted to blurt out some quotes from that at the doctor, but I DID NOT, so that’s a win. I think. Or maybe a loss, because maybe she totally would have laughed. We’ll never know.

  314. Already have the book. Already love the book even though I already knew depression sucks and it lies and so do some doctors who don’t know how to treat it. But happy birthday anyway. I hope you are not one of those December birthday people who get shorted presents by some cheap people who say they are combining your Christmas and birthday gifts…. they lie, too

  315. Happy birthday.
    Will you get this far? I KNOW Im not one of the 10~ and I also noticed you can’t count. 🙂

    Life… Sucks. No beginning to the “suckiness” and no end in sight.
    However- I added your book to my library wish list… Behind a bunch of other people…. Because of THIS comment…

    24Jill W | December 29, 2015 at 3:05 pm
    I finished reading your book a few days ago. I laughed, I cried, I cried even harder at that last part. It made me realize I’ve been suffering long enough and it’s time to get help. I’m thankful and happy I’m still here to get the help I need and to be taking that first step.

    Im neither thankful or happy to “still be here” but see a glimmer of light wayyyyyyyyyyy out there…. In book form.

    Your generosity brightened my day. So does knowing Im not totally alone in the sucky dark.

  316. Happy Birthday! Something that’s making me happy right now is that I just started reading “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” and think is awesome – hilarious and sad, but in a good way. You’ve got a wonderful, supportive community going here on your blog, which is also making me happy.

  317. OK, I was in a bad spot before Christmas, but then you came to Seattle and I got to meet you and I talked like a manic squirrel (sorry, I know how you feel about squirrels) and then we got: KITTENS. Two little brothers, totally superglued bonded to each other, 10 weeks old, flame point siamese/possibly ragdoll sweetiepies. Phoenix and Blaze. They like to have me snuggle them to sleep while holding them both at the same time. Which is adorable now but is going to get pretty awkward later as they grow. So now my profile pic is of me holding them both and we put a meme caption on it that says: “I’m not saying kittens fix anything, but EVERYTHING is better with kittens.” I think we need to turn it into a poster for rescue kittens. 😀 And when they’re not begging to be held while they fall asleep, or wrestling all over the house because/BOYS, they’re randomly posing adorably for photo ops like this one: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153999433363974&set=pb.573898973.-2207520000.1451426239.&type=3&theater

  319. I’m happy that I was able to go to a couple’s massage for my anniversary today, and not freak out about a stranger touching me (especially my feet). I loved your book, and am thankful I finally got the help I needed to get my anxiety in check.

    Happy Birthday, Jenny–from one of the other myriad of Jenns, Jennis, Jennys, and Jennifers from the 1970s. What were our parent’s thinking?

  320. Happy birthday Jenny. Having found your books and blog make me happy cause I love them, and you. Your amazing, thanks for being you, and thanks to your mom for springing you from her lady garden 😉

  322. Happy Birthday Jenny!
    I’m happy because:
    1) I am in a much better place emotionally today than this date last year
    2) my lunch consisted of three chocolate covered peanut butter crispy balls and they were fantastic
    3) I get a therapeutic massage in 3 hours
    4) I did something really physically hard earlier this year and was successful, if still requiring the above massages 3 months later
    5) It’s your birthday and your presence and the presence of this community has added so much good feeling to my life through the words and deeds of you and everyone else here.

  323. Happy Birthday Jenny, I am furiously happy because my 20 year old who has been to hell and back over the last 7 years is still with us, doing great and has just gone camping with friends.

  324. Happy birthday Jenny!
    I commented over on Facebook, and you get so many comments, but wanted to add my well wishes over here. 🙂
    My co-worker lent me your first book last year because it made her think of me, which made me go “really? well, yeah, thanks, I’m pretty crazy and awesome and if I remind you of Jenny Lawson, well that’s pretty frickin’ awesome too!” I immediately bought your second one the day it came out because I had a feeling it would resonate even more with me, and it did.
    My best friend was in the hospital for a month just recently for a serious episode of depression and I lent her my copy, which was then passed around to a couple other ladies on the ward. I always forget that not everyone who deals with mental illness has been dealing with it for as long as I have (since I was 13 and I’m 30 now), and your books and blog are such a HUGE help for someone who is just starting to figure it out.
    Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with the world, and helping people better understand what it is like to deal with mental illness, but also helping us laugh at ourselves at the same time.
    I hope that all that good stuff you are putting out into the universe comes back to you 1000x over and that your birthday is full of unicorns and kittens and cute goats yelling.
    http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/84868136/

    Also, if you are interested in adding to your repertoire of silly things that will help you get by on dark days, I have a couple Pinterest boards that I use.
    One is things that make me smile. And they are just stupid silly images that will make me laugh no matter how shitty I feel. There are quite a few cat-related pins.
    https://www.pinterest.com/charlotteann85/things-that-make-me-smile/
    The other is dealing with depression. Which is more motivational type stuff, some of which is funny, some that is more serious, and some that may or may not be from your book. 😛
    https://www.pinterest.com/charlotteann85/things-that-make-me-smile/

  325. Happy Birthday!!!! I hope you have a super fantastic day today and everyday!!! You make laugh out loud and I lv u😍💜 I’m disappointed in myself for missing seeing you at Left Bank Books here in St. Louis!!!! So I want to selfishly ask you to please hurry and put together another book but also take your time and ignore my request because I know touring is stressful and causes anxiety. Just know you brighten my day and anytime I’m having the wrong feels I open your book to have the right ones! Thank you!

  326. Happy happy birthday, Jenny!! I don’t need the book since I already have it and refuse to part with it EVAR. Some things that make me happy: Homemade fudge from my uncle’s girlfriend, my cats, warm slippers, getting to dress up for going out to dinner tonight with my husband for our 24th anniversary (it was yesterday), and the fact that my 3 kids 13, 16, and 20 all slept in the same room at my sister’s house for 3 nights and not only didn’t kill each other, but had fun together!

  327. My happy thing: my best friend, inspired in part by your honesty about depression and being open about hard things, has been blogging lately about the joy and struggle that comes with not only parenting (4 month old twins and a 3 year old), but also with finding the balance in an authentic and meaningful life. https://whyarethere2.wordpress.com/

    Also: this dog caught in the act with a can of whipped cream. https://www.facebook.com/casey.schnakenberg/videos/10208789636964576/

  328. I’m happy that all the ridiculousness that is ‘family time’ at the holidays is over and I can chill indoors during a snowstorm with no bra on because let’s face it, the best gifts are the ones you don’t have to wear. Also this video of a hippo farting because it made my 4-year old daughter laugh so hard she snorted and started coughing while laughing and could barely breath enough to ask for it again. Happy Birthday, may you only have the support you need without and underwire. 😉
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=PSKQ3ZNQ_O8

  330. I do not need a copy of your book. I read it, listened to it, and recommended it to countless others.
    Happy birthday, or unbirthday, whichever it is. Today is one of my unbirthdays. I had my real one last week.
    You askedon’t us to tell you something happy. I am on depression meds and they work quite well, but I just realized I have CAD, Christmas Affective Disorder. So what has been happy? On Saturday, after all was said and done, I spent the entire day in my recliner reading and sleeping. It was truly awesome. Everyone should do this weekly, or daily, whatever works. After that day of recharging, I can face the world again and enjoy things until the next overdone family gathering. Best wishes to you and your wonderful family. Thank you for being here for us.

  331. Happy Birthday! Cat nipples would be too small to milk and cats shed so much, you would need to double filter it. Or get a hairless one. I dont really need you to send me a book. I havent got one yet but mainly because I’m lazy not because I’m not interested.

  333. I live in an “Over 55” community in Florida. A while back, I decided to let my hair go grey, which I am happy about. A new neighbor (you can only imagine the turnover in these communities!) said to me, “So what made you decide to let your hair go grey?” Like, why had I given up on life? I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying, “So how does it work? Do you just go to Walgreen’s, cruise the Clairol aisle, and look for the box that says “Bozo”? Is that how you’ve managed to get that shade of red/orange?” Sadly, i did not say it out loud.

  334. I got a new job 2 weeks ago and I’m quite enjoying it. I’d forgotten what it’s like to work for people who aren’t psycho, and it’s a constant pleasant surprise.

    Happy birfday!

  335. I’m happy because I bought myself a copy of FH when it came out, and then a dear friend got me a copy of FH for my birthday- which means a) her first gift to me was the wonderful feeling of knowing I have a friend who knows me well enough to know what I would love to read and b) what she actually then gave me a wonderful excuse to go stand and stare at aisles of beautiful books to see which second book I get to get (since I also already have LPTNH).

  336. Happy Birthday Beautiful!! I hope you have a day filled with joy and love and that this year is filled with more happy than less than moments!

  337. Happy Birthday Jenny! I’m happy today because it has snowed 24+ cm here (almost 10 inches) and because I work at home I don’t have to deal with it. 🙂

  338. Happy Birthday Jenny, may it be a furiously happy year for you! I am very happy that my meds are working and life is good! Depression is a lying mofo!

  339. Happy birthday, Jenny!

    I just returned from spending Christmas with SJG friends. I was invited by a lovely saint and had a great time. We made all sorts of treats, including Christmas cookies which I hadn’t made in years and went to see Star Wars. It was the first Christmas I had truly looked forward to in six years and it was great to enjoy it again.

  340. I don’t need a copy because I got one for MY birthday last week and I’ve already devoured it. 🙂 From one December girl to another, happiest of happy birthdays to you!

    And the thing that makes me happy today is seeing people at the museum where I work actually reading the signs I put hours and hours into writing and designing.

  341. I already own your book so yay me, but I just had to share that today is also my daughter’s birthday and she’s 16 this year and OMG HOW DID I GET OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A 16 YEAR OLD??? In other news, I took her to get her driver’s permit today and she passed so I let her drive around the back of our local Target and she didn’t hit anything! So, you know, #parentingwin! Happy Birthday, Jenny! Thank you for bringing joy into our lives!

  342. It’s seriously my birthday too, my 40th to be exact! I love your posts and your books, totally makes my day when you post!

  343. Happy birthday, Jenny! I already have your books (signed)! I also have shared them with many who needed to read them. Thank you so much, and have a wonderful day! Also, Happy Birthday to Dexter Holland! Two amazing people share the same birthday! 😉

  344. Happy Birthday! I am (unusually for me) happy about a lot of things, very happy and thankful for the folks that posted cute photos of cats, screaming goats, silly orangutans, etc., on this blog.

  345. The stray cat my neighbor and I had been taking care of disappeared two weeks ago, which made us both really sad… then today, on my Facebook page, I saw his picture on the link for the town animal shelter. He is pretty ill from diabetes, but the animal control officer let my neighbor and I get him back without any fee, because of his impending vet bills. He’s going to live with her, and I gave her the gift of cat sitting him for the rest of his life, as well as subsidizing his medical fees. The animal control officer sent him home with me with a bunch of things- cat food, beds, litter and litter pan, toys- and the cat seemed really happy to see us again. No idea how he got from one side of my town to where he was picked up (something nefarious, we think), but he’s back home with the people who care about him. It may not be all that important, but he’s a sweet guy who has had a rough life. Oh- and I’m really thankful that Bloom County is back- and even better than it was before, thanks to Facebook. No editors to censor his strips.

  346. Hi Jenny and Happy Birthday. I’m happy because I’ve got a roof over my head and food on the table. I’m unhappy because I moved in with mom to take care of her (she’s 85) and gave ALL my stuff (including books) away. Now I’m getting sad because nothing is mine and it feels weird. I’ve struggled with depression all my life but finally feel well enough to maybe go off my meds. But I’m scared that I will get depressed again. Anyhow, I think reading your book could give me insight. My library has it, but I’m 256 on the wait list, so it will be awhile. Anyway have have a wonderful birthday and I hope you got lots of presents that weren’t both birthday and Christmas gifts. That sucks. Happy New Year.

  347. p.s.-OMG- forgot to say this- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Was reading your book while getting my windshield replaced; pretty sure they think I’m nuts now from all the laughing, but I don’t care.

  350. I am happy that my family and I have had the first really good Christmas in about a decade. Drama every damn year, and this year we were going into it after a nearly solid year of being super broken and hurting and just hoping to maybe not be entirely miserable. Or, well, I was anyway, I didn’t really take a poll, but I know I and the Beloved were feeling that way. And instead of the usual shit…love happened. Clear communication, gentleness, apologies, small favors – the kind of things that aren’t so big taken one at a time, but together amounted to happy tears and joy instead of curling at bay in separate corners.

    God, I’m exhausted. But it’s a good kind. It’s the kind where safe isn’t just a wish, and okay is really okay, not a fancy way of avoiding saying “awful”. Bloody hell, we earned this one.

    Happy Birthday, Jenny.

  351. Happy Birthday! What’s making me happy is my kitten I got from a shelter, who is the most adorable and loving little girl ever, and the awesome books I just read, “Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She’s Dead”, and “Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie We’re in Trouble”.

  352. Happy birthday!

    I’m about to go sell a bunch of books at half price books and I think yours will be one I buy if it isn’t too expensive. I’m selling an entire tub of books (have to pare down, I have over 400 books and they’ve outgrown my shelves) so I’ll probably make enough to cover it. Plus I have a signed bookplate already and I’m not daring enough to stick it in a different book and confuse people. So I kind of have to buy it now.

  353. I’m happy because we finally got some serious snow yesterday, and I got to go sledding with my 5 y.o. granddaughter, and I didn’t have a cardiac event. Or, pee in the snow. But, then I came in and I 10 cookies. They’re all gone now, and that makes me happy, as well.

  354. Happy Birthday Sunshine! My animals make me happy…and chocolate…mmmmm…chocolate! Thank you so much sharing so much in Furiously Happy! It is eyeopening to many who don’t understand and life-saving to those that understand all to well about mental illness. Bless you!

  355. I already bought “Furiously Happy” as a birthday gift to me! Tomorrow, a big mug of tea and I will be reading that book (the big mug of tea doesn’t read, but it’s my wingman for reading, keeping those energy levels up to turn actual paper pages). I can’t read it today because IT IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!! Really. Happy Birthday, Bloggess. You rock the world!!

  357. I’m happy I got to meet one of my favorite writers (nudge-nudge) this year. I’m happy I have terrific people in my life who remind me that all is not lost. I’m happy I find lots of material to generate loud, inappropriate laughter ’cause I–we all–need it. Cheers to you, Jenny. Happy, happy birthday!

  358. Messages from the Universe happen in the best ways!! Radio songs geared to your need to be confirmed…MY NAME AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG??? Message received 🙂 Thank you… And spread that Happy Birthday joy in your unorthodox and addictive-ly insane way that brings confidence to us all.

  359. I really, really need a copy of your book, can’t afford one, had a crap christmas, and want to pass it long to someone else who needs it even more. After I finish it. btw, just found you can’t believe I haven’t known about you before, us both being in Austin area and you being incredibly funny and insightful and an awesome read. Thanks for everything, especially the first post I read, which was just, hey, if things are shit at the holiday, you’re not alone. I needed that so much it was a gift. and Happy Birthday!

  361. So I live in an “Over 55” Community in Florida. A while back, I let my hair grow out so I could see how much white/grey I had. I liked it. A new neighbor (you can imagine the turnover in these communities!) said to me, “So why did you decide to let your hair go grey?” It was said in a tone like, “when did you just give up on life?” I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying, “So, how does it work for you? You go to Walgreen’s, cruise the Clairol aisle until you get to the color called Bozo, and that’s how your hair ended up that color?” Sadly, I did not say it out loud. Nothing screams “this is my natural color!” like a 67 year old woman with home dyed orange hair.

  364. Happy birthday, Jenny! I am all set in the awesome books by you department, but was feeling a bit depleted in the feeling awesome department…and then I read this post and saw you giving your book away to a bunch of people who really needed it and …whew. I feel so much better. I was just feeling damp and bluesy after my daughter and her family headed back home a few hours ago. Still miss them but in a normal way. Thanks for breaking my funk with your kindness!

  365. My awesome husband bought your book as a Christmas gift to me (AND YOU LIKED THE PIC ON TWITTER OMG!!!) so I’m no longer in need. Something happy? I have M&Ms and chocolate covered cherries to make me smile on an otherwise yucky day. Not that your birthday is yucky, just that Tuesdays are Methotrexate recovery days and I generally feel like moldy ass crack. Ahem.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I snorted and laughed so hard when I read about the cat rodeo that I nearly choked on my own breath. I promise, that’s actually a compliment, despite it sounding like my kinda blaming you for my almost death. It’d be a hell of a way to go.

  367. Happy birthday, Jenny! Reading every word you write makes me extremely happy! I am desperately craving your new book.Desperately. 🙂

  369. I’m happy that on Christmas morning at 1am and the whole of Christmas weekend, the emergency vets were able to say my dog from a terrible death and heal her! I love my fur baby and she’s not allowed to leave me yet!

  370. When I read your book I kept thinking, “oh, I do that too, I think that too!” And eventually, “Jenny sees a doctor and it helps her, so…” I started therapy and things are getting much better for me – thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

  371. I won my copy from Goodreads so in honor of your birthday I’d like to buy someone else a copy. Can you give me the info to make that happen?

  372. My birthday day gift to you is those precious 3-5 seconds where your cat who usually just farts at you lets you rub their belly. Always makes me happy 🙂

  373. Happy Birthday! I was just talking to a friend I’ve known for over eight years from the internet and phone calls. We’ve never met. She was telling me about a gift her sister gave her for Christmas. A book written by some mentally ill woman. Which truthfully, did sound strange. Who wants a book written by a mentally ill person? Until she told me the title. And then I was, YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF JENNY LAWSON? You will LOVE this book, START READING IT NOW and check out her website and you will want to get her first book too! We’ll be able to discuss it, just as soon as I can retrieve my copy which I loaned to my therapist. The Happiness is Spreading. 🙂

  374. Happy Birthday! And thanks for your book, Furiously Happy, I really needed to read it.

  376. Happy birthday and a heartfelt thank you for your wonderful books. I’m happy because a friend just sent me a link to a five-year-old girl drumming (on a totally real drum set) to Jump by Van Halen. It was awesome.

  377. Happy birthday Jenny! I’m so happy for you.

    I’d like to put my name in the running if I still can. My husband has been stuck at an oil rig since the beginning of this SNOWMAGGEDON bullshit and it’ll probably be a couple more days until He can still come home. To say things are stressed is an understatement, to say the least.

  378. Today really is my Birthday too!!! So Happy Birthday to both of us awesome Capricorns! I have both of your books & reading them makes me happy!!

  380. Happy birthday! We had our first (much later than usual) storm today. Instead of seeing people being upset about the snow I witnessed several acts of kindness like people helping strangers push stuck cars out of snowbanks and a taxi driver helping shovel out a stuck city bus. As I was shoveling after I got home from work, a neighbour I don’t know came to help me cheerfully stating “‘Tis the season!” when I thanked him.
    Faith in humanity at an all-time high!
    I also sent my first copy of Furiously Happy to an on-line friend I met when I sent a Traveling Red Dress out into the world. I got a second at a book signing 🙂

  381. Happy Birthday! I don’t need another copy of your book. I already bought two. One signed copy for myself that my kiddo decided was missing a few words that he added in scented marker (just when I thought the book couldn’t get better, now it smells of cherries), and another to put in the Little Free Library in my area. If you don’t know what a Little Free Library is, here: http://littlefreelibrary.org/ All libraries should have your books.

  382. Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for continuing to be amazing and reminding people like me that we aren’t completely defined by our physical pain or our depression!

    (I already have copies of both your books.)

    What makes me happy today is that my new glasses came in and I can see properly again! It’s pretty fantastic, after about 2 months of wearing my 5 year old ones because my current pair broke. Vision is the best!

  384. Happy birthday Jenny! I already have an audiobook copy of Furiously Happy and am furiously happy I found it! I wanted to tell you that I just found out that I have cancer and am having a total hysterectomy on Thursday. I wanted to find a book that would make me happy and guess what I found? I have laughed my butt off going to and from work everyday since I bought it. It has made me forget to be depressed and I have had so much fun listening to you everyday. What started out as a really, really, really depressing week is completely awesome now! Thank you so much for sharing your story, your incredible wit, and hilarious stories with us! I will definitely be reading “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” as soon as I finish Furiously Happy. I bet both books will be even funnier as soon as I have my hands on that self-administered happy juice in the hospital. Thanks again for cheering me up and have a fantastic birthday!

  385. My 3 legged kitten, Larry, is 1. alive and 2. featured in a new coloring book–Color The Cats by Pamela Hodges. If Larry can make it, we all can!

  386. I’m happy that my wild and wonderful six-year-old boy has made himself a kangaroo costume out of construction paper and is hopping around the house with a paper baby in his pouch! A six-inch stack of construction paper, scissors, and a case of scotch tape are all this child needs for a wonderful day. Happy birthday!

  387. Happy Birthday Jenny.
    Your books made me happy. It’s stinking hot summer here in Oz (34c today) and the fact that I have books and awesome air con also makes me happy 🙂

  388. Jenny! So you are a fellow Capricorn! I knew there was another reason I like you (besides your obvious talent and wicked wit). I don’t need the book as I have the digital copy and bought two copies for friends as gifts so please give the gift cards to those in need but I just wanted to say Happy Birthday and thank you for letting us share your daily life. You ROCK!

  389. I already read your book…I sent you a photo of me reading it.. I’m the middle aged hag outside next to a birdbath and 11 feet of python hanging off my shoulder all while reading your book.. remember me? I’m here coping with getting through the day without a meltdown. Yesterday this wonderful article on birds with its salty language and great pix cracked me up and was forwarded to totally everybody I love.
    http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/10/dark-secrets-bird-world.html

  390. I feel like we were misled when you billed Lisa as the “normal” one in Let’s Pretend This Never Happened.

    Not that that’s a bad thing. It’s just that cat cheese is a suggestion that I don’t see coming from a “normal” person.

    In conclusion: Normal people are boring. Who needs ’em?

  391. Happy Birthday! And now I really need to know what book it was that you received so many copies of… that’s a weird coincidence, but even weirder if it’s some rando obscure book that no one has heard of.

  393. Happy Birthday!!! I don’t need another copy of your book, but thanks. I already bought two. One signed copy for myself that my kiddo decided was missing a few words that he added in scented marker (just when I thought your book couldn’t get better, it now smells of cherries), and a second to put in the Little Free Library in my area. In case you don’t know what that is, here: http://littlefreelibrary.org/ because your books need to be in ALL libraries.

  395. Now I really want to know what book you received so many copies of!! Books always make a lovely birthday present, but I must know exactly how weird this is – was it some rando book, or something super popular???

  396. Oh man. I have the book (it was the one thing I asked for for Christmas), but those of us who can (sometimes) afford it have been giving them out through amazon giveaways in the James Garfield Miracle Facebook group. There are many people there who don’t have it yet. I was tempted to get it for everyone who had it on their wish list but alas, I could not afford it.

    Anyway, I have a few happy-makers today. My son and I have been having a really rough day (moreso I’ve been having a rough day parenting correctly) but we managed to get out of the house and to Gigi’s house to open some of his belated Christmas presents and he just started acting so much better as soon as we got in the truck and was SO excited about his new presents, he even found it amazing when his grandmother put a small present hidden inside a bigger cell phone box. So that was nice.

    Also I’ve been reading your book all day and am SO motivated to write, more than I’ve been all year, and that’s always super wonderful so that makes me really happy. I need to get a recording device though cause I’ve already forgotten half of my ideas.

    Happy Burberry! (That was supposed to say Birthday but auto correct got me so I decided to go with it. It seems to work.)

  397. Happy Birthday! What makes me happy is that, because of you, I called the Lifeline to get over a hard day(s). You let me know that they are there even if you aren’t in full crisis, but need help just to get through to the next day. Thank you, Birthday Girl!! 😁

  398. Please help me get the book I hate to ask and thanks for all you do on making us laugh and bringing awareness to mental health it’s been a crazy year for me but I’m slowly getting back on track but still having financial difficulties

  399. Everything is too dark right now but a good thing I did was write nearly 2000 words of something new

  401. Happy Birthday, Jenny!
    I love that when I woke up feeling grouchy and lethargic this morning, that I could come in here and laugh. Hope you had a fantastic birthday. <3
    (no book request from me, I already bought several copies 🙂 )

  402. Happy Birthday Jenny! Love your book(s), can’t afford the new one yet but will soon, Your blog makes me laugh which is a really good thing!

  403. I do not need you to buy me a book. But HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

    Something good I can share: My family of choice is the bestest ever! While I may not be the best at changing and learning, they love me anyway. They are wonderful, and I love and appreciate my loves so much!

  404. Happy Birthday~! Mine was a week ago and somehow nothing changed. But I got chocolate so I’m happy. (I’m easy to please).
    Aaanyway I bought your book just after the release but that reminds me I may want to reread it. Because why not? (BTW when I was pre-ordering I had two options and one was 30% cheaper than the other but came out two days later. Don’t ask me why, both were ebooks in English. Weird. But somehow appropriate.)

  405. Honestly, the thing that is making me happy is knowing that I can laugh again. I put away your book because I was trying to savor it, but I was really down and decided to pick it up and start reading it. Within the first few pages I was laughing uncontrollably at your arms not working. Actual tears running down my face, muscle-cramps in my stomach from laughing because I NEVER use those muscles, type of laughing. It had been so long since I’d even smiled, let alone actually laughed or physically showed ANY emotion, that I was so relieved to know that maybe “I’m still in here.” I love you for that. Happy birthday <3

  406. I already have a copy of Furiously Happy, so thank you for offering and Happy Birthday! I am happy because I got to go out snowshoeing with a friend today!

  407. I’d love a copy since I haven’t made it to the library to borrow one. I can’t even finish writing my book since now I’m not talking to anyone in my family. Makes for a fun Xmas. Happy birthday. If there’s someone worse off than me, please give them a book instead.

  408. I’d love a copy of the book! I’m sure I’m too late, but never hurts to try. Making me happy…a fantastic visit with family this past weekend…nieces and nephews are the BEST!! Happy happy birthday to you!!

  409. I’m in a pretty dark place right now, to be frank. Family issues, namely parental alcoholism, my Dad’s cancer, my own chronic health issues and the strong suspicion that my own cancer has come back. I’m trying to be upbeat, but I’m melancholy as fuck right meow. I don’t need a free book, because I’d like to support you. I just appreciate you being a bright spot in a rather crappy time for me. In the past few years, I’ve gone through a heinous divorce with an abusive person, lost a few friends, and met a side of life I never knew existed. Thank you for helping me feel ok with my own anxiety, depression, and emotional issues. I’ve come to learn that it’s ok to not be ok.

  410. I’m super happy because my blue tongued skink, Eugene, let me put his unicorn horn on, so now I can send out Halloween cards. My other lizard, Alice, was super cooperative and I have dozens of pictures with her in a princess crown.

  411. Happy Birthday to your fantastic self! I’m slightly biased, but Decmeber babies are the best 😀! Hope you are having a wonderful Birth-day, Birth-week, Birth-month! What’s making me happy is a safe and warm home and being able to cook for my family and friends.

  412. Already own both hard copy and audio. My son is reading the hard copy after walking in while you were reading to me!

    I am Furiously Happy to have raised a Boy who finds stories like yours the kind he wants to read. He’s my bright light on those shadowy days. And you help drive the shadows out, too.

    Happy Birthday and thank you!

  413. My step son gave me a turntable for Xmas (ours had long since died and been disposed of) and now all our old albums are like brand new and I”m just hiding in the basement doing nothing but listening to old records all day. It’s wonderful! 🙂

  414. Happy Birthday! I am happy because when I’m reading your book in bed and keep laughing out loud, my husband, who is trying to sleep, just says, “I love to hear you laugh.” And then I read him the part I’m laughing at and we both laugh. Thank you for making us both laugh.

  415. Happy birthday Jenny! Totally agree about the cat nipple thing, although it’s totally sizeist and if Hunter S. Thomcat were a girl cat she’d probably be really offended. I’m waiting for my book to arrive and I’ve been chasing the mail man like a Jack Russell Terrier but with no success so far. A happy thing that happened? Ummmmmm…a great family get together without mean comments about my life and home, only wonderful camaraderie and feelings of being blessed to be with the special ones I love. Yay!

  417. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNY!!!

    I finished FH a few days ago (permanent place on my book shelf!) and just picked up your first book at the library today 🙂

    Thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone.

    I’d love to gift a few books myself, if that’s okay with you… Just let me know 🙂

    -k

  418. Happy birthday, Jenny. I hope that this next trip around the sun brings you many more good days than bad. If there is someone out there that desperately needs a copy of your book but was too late to this give away please let me know and I will buy one copy for them. I don’t have the words to express how much easing my debilitating chronic pain has saved my life, but it has and that makes me happy.

  419. If love a copy of your book to give to a lovely young friend who battles depression every day. Thanks very large!! And feliz compleanos!

    Patty Dunlap
    Piperdwn@msn. Com

  420. Happy Birthday, Jenny! 🙂 And I’m happy about how cute my doggehs are when they sleep together (in a non-sexual way).

  421. Happy Birthday!!

    I only recently discovered your blog and books, and it was exactly what I needed in my life, so thank you! You’ve helped to remind me that everything will be ok, and helped me to not feel guilty for being depressed.

    Little things that are making me happy right now: the antidepressants I just started taking again seem to be helping, I had the energy to clean for the first time in ages, I’m getting a hair cut tomorrow, and for Christmas I got a fantastic polka dot blanket scarf. 🙂

  422. I would love to have a copy of your book. I have been trying to save up for a copy but I have not quite gotten there yet.
    I am happy to have the love and support of an awesome man that I love dearly. For all of the things that are not going right, I have that.
    Happy Birthday!

  423. Happy Birthday! I already have a copy of your book (and have loaned it out to several people who needed it as well), so I’ll just leave you with today’s furiously happy moment – we got around 15 cm of snow last night and a random kind stranger plowed my driveway while I was at work. I expected to come home and shovel, and instead I cruised into my lovely clear driveway like a flippin’ princess. Amazing!

  424. No book needed (read it the INSTANT it downloaded to my Kindle), but wanted to wish you your very best year yet, starting with a Happy Birthday. My good thing for the day is my 6-year-old daughter choosing to watch Star Wars (for the fifth time) instead of Frozen (for the 400,000th time).

  425. I had my first daughter when I was 30. I had twin daughters when I was 35. Either pregnancy could have turned out horribly wrong, since I was an “older Mom”. But … they were text book pregnancies (if you call the twins’ Cesarean section “normal” (because they were BOTH breech .. I think they did that just to start their lives off on the right foot, so to speak … ).

    I am happy and eternally grateful that all 3 of them are now independent adults, healthy all their lives, and all of them are happy with their lives. I can’t think of a greater gift a parent could have.

    Except, of course, wanting them to clean up their doggone messes that they make when they come back home to visit. Or refilling our car with gasoline after they’ve used it to visit their far-flung friends. And tidying their bedrooms when they are about to leave and return to where they now currently live. Gripe, gripe, gripe, ya know? FWP … I’m glad I have them. 🙂

  426. well my birthday isn’t till August, which is when I planned on splurging for your book. I have your first on audio. I love to read anything by people as zany and crazy like me with a heart of gold, you. btw, Happy Birthday Jude, you randy, rascally, sex God!

  429. Happy birthday! I am happy because yesterday I got to swim in my mum’s pool – after the hot weather, it just reset my chi or something and I still feel so calm today 🙂

  430. Congratulations on keeping up with Jude Law for another year!

    Currently making me happy: finding cover art that I love and getting the OK on it for an upcoming chapbook.

  432. Happy Birthday, Jenny! I’m happy that you’re around, bringing hope and laughter and a real sense of community to people who really need it. :^D Your birthday falls exactly between my two daughters birthdays (my youngest was born Dec. 27, my oldest on Dec. 31). <3

  433. I can afford to buy the book on my own, so don’t waste a free copy on me. But I am happy that my brilliant neighbors got me a slightly late Christmas/Early New Year’s gift. A Benedict Cumberbatch coloring book. They understand me better than people who’ve known me much longer. 🙂

  434. HAPPY BIRTHDAY smooth jazz from the 40s makes me happy and a nice breeze in summer x have a good rest of your birthday!’

  435. Have the book, wrote a Goodreads Review of it, and the same text is on my blog here:

    http://allthroughthenights.blogspot.com/2015/10/review-furiously-happy-by-jenny-lawson.html

    I love this video. We adopted two cats from this litter. Trudy, the one at the beginning, is now our Kaylee, and we also have one of the dark torties, River, who was born Nonnie. 🙂 We’re so lucky to have baby movies of our cats, and they’re adorable.

    https://youtu.be/oBwHxeJjKvE?list=PL06Jxw7RXsB2ZD6ItUT_LCpZZ0BfsblLC

  436. I got the audiobooks of both your books for Christmas (sort of, it’s a bit convoluted). Today my family celebrated my pseudobirthday, aka “the day on which we do all the brithday things for Amanda while she’s home for Christmas because her actual birthday is in the middle of the semester.” It still rocks anyways.

  437. Happy birthday! My happy thing is that yesterday was my third anniversary and marrying that man was the best thing I ever did. Plus the cake I made him was not a total disaster! (I have a low bar for success when it comes to layer cakes.)

  438. Happy birthday Jenny!

    Being in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada makes me happy.

  439. I’m happy that I have wine in my fridge and that even though I’m a 39 yr old grandma I still have enough sense to know to keep it in the fridge.

  440. Happy birthday!!!! My happy thing is your book. The past 2 1/2 weeks have been hell – serious family illness, cat illness, and I’m getting a divorce and my husband moved out. But somehow reading you book made me literally laugh out loud, many times. It’s an amazing reminder not only that you are wonderful and hilarious, but that, just like you, I can apparently still find laughter even when things are unbelievably awful. It gives me hope that things will get better again, and then shitty again, too, but to hold out for the good. I sincerely can’t thank you enough.

  441. Something that makes me happy: friends and cats – not necessarily in that order…

  442. Have a fabulous Birthday! Something I love. Crystals. I love them, I own a fair amount but always want more. My husband jokes that he’s been hauling rocks around for me for over twenty years.. I love quartz, amethyst, all gems both large and small. The most unusual one is a very large Herkimer diamond quartz. All my best ones were gifts or bargains and the largest one is a huge amethyst that has millions of little clusters that shine like stars.

  443. I’m happy that the holidays are over, well… almost, but New Years isn’t a big thing. I’m also happy that I’m over the stomach flu.

    I also think it’s awesome you’re giving away copies of your book, I bought it on my nook, read it in bed, and my husband stared at me like I was insane because I couldn’t stop giggling. He doesn’t understand 🙂

  446. Happy Birthday Jenny! I just finished listening to your book today (Furiously Happy) and LOVED it! Thank you for writing about depression in such a real way. You rock! Also, my son makes me super happy. He’s 4…and he’s hilarious and healthy and even on days when I wish he would be quiet for 30 seconds, I can’t help but laugh along with him and all his crazy happy ways. 🙂

  447. Happy Birthday to us! My landlady who lives downstairs surprised me with a piece of cake as I got home from work, so yay!

  452. Happy Birthday Jenny! I am happy you write such great books and share your life experience with us. Also, we got snow at last, here in Minnesota and everything looks so nice and wintry now. I already own your book (got it for my birthday!)

  455. My birthday was yesterday and I love having a Christmas birthday. A friend sent me a “5 Ways to Annoy Someone With a Christmas Birthday”. Enjoy! 1. Wrap b-day gift in x-mas wrap. 2. Talk about x-mas at their Bday party. 3. Give them a combo gift. 4. Tell them what a bummer it must be to have a Bday around the holidays 5. Write Happy Bday!! in their Bday card.

  456. I’m happy to be the 444th comment and I’m happy your alive to bring joy to so many. Its your day, enjoy it. Meanwhile, in the backyard I’m happy to see new standing cypress seedlings growing from seeds I stole from a landscape down the street. I did not trespass, the mother plant was hanging out into the street.

  457. Happy birthday fellow December Capricorn. My bday is tomorrow. not sure if that is better or worse than the 29th. The good news is my girls and my hubby remember that it’s my bday and bake me cakes and such. This makes me feel like the queen of the dregs of the old year.

  458. There are way too many comments for anyone to read, probably, so this is just another drop in an ocean, probably. But the ocean is made of drops and i like being a drop in an excellent ocean.

    Happiest of birthdays, Jenny! You make the word a better, brighter place every day and your birthday ought to be an official holiday, really.

    Incidentally, it’s also the birthday of one of my closest friends, Bea Bacher. She also released the video to her new song today, and it makes me very very happy:

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNGPMLjjT8o&w=560&h=315%5D

    I also discovered the utterly amazing spoken word poem The Nutritionist by Andrea Gibson today, and i made me weep with gratitude and relief and probably actually did change my life a little bit: https://player.spotify.com/user/thunderclouded/playlist/5RimqvptYLPbWZVWIf4J54
    (or else https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfY4ePGIuMM)
    (or just for reading: http://ohandreagibson.tumblr.com/nutritionist)

    I had a really really good day today, a productive, creative sort of day when things are meaningful and move in good directions. So it really did feel like a very good birthday.

  459. Happy Birthday to all of us! 🙂 I am happy because my sister-in-law took a risk and got me a dna test kit for Christmas. After 37 years I might make a connection with my birth family. I still don’t have words for how that feels.

  460. Happy Birthday Jenny! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. You are the bomb! You have brought me back from the edge on more than one occasion. Things that make me happy include that I had twin great niece and nephew born today (I am totally not old enough to be a great aunt!). I’m also on a mission to get a BB-8 RC droid and let Rory ride it around the house. Just the thought of that makes me smile! Hope it was a great one!!

  461. a copy of your book would be wonderful and so very, very, incredibly timely. happy birthday and thank you.

  463. Happy birthday Jenny! I’m happy for tons of reasons, like my amazing husband who pus up with all my nutty ways, my 2 cats, the fact that my Christmas decorations are almost all put away ( I love them for exactly 4 weeks then they have to go away again), I’m on vacation until January 4th, I’m going to Disney World this week … and I enjoy your blog pots so much!

  464. I got the book when it was one of the amazon flash sales. But if you were so inclined I’m sure my cousin would love a copy. I know she can’t afford it and it would be so relevant to her!

  465. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNY!!

    and happy re-do birthdays to all of us ;). I’m happy that you are your weird self and even when people try to tell you your wrong, you always find a way to make your new logic make sense and be happy. I’m just happy you exist and please don’t ever change.

  466. I agree with Don above — I’m remarkably happy to have paged down so far to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I’m just happy to be alive.

  468. I am happy that you take the time to tell me to think of something happy to tell you about! I am so busy trudging through life that I forget to
    appreciate happiness and actually express it! Happy Birthday! Thinking of you always makes me smile… inside and out! <3

  469. Happy birthday!!! I’m watching my loves play lego Harry Potter so I’m very happy. I hope you had a wonderful day!

  471. Happy birthday! I am happy today because after 2 months of first trimester pregnancy sickness and four day of stabbing pain everywhere but especially in my throat (starting on Christmas, yay?) I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with strep throat yesterday and given a huge horse shot of antibiotics in my bum. This afternoon for the first time in way too long I’m feeling close to human and happy… well, except my bum, which feels sore and angry at me but it’ll have to take one for the team this time. I hope your day is wonderful!

  473. Happy birthday! I’m happy cuz my birthday is next week (holla to everyone who has a birthday within 2 weeks of Christmas!) AND because I just realized what I can get with the Amazon gift card I got from someone at work (it’s your book! Yay!). Oh, AND, my husband promised me that we can get a cat in 2016. My Facebook friends had better be ready for ALL THE CAT PICTURES.

  474. I’m happy I’m finally reading your book :). My adoptason and bff lives by L.A. and he went to see you in the bookstore and get a signed copy. December has been a rough month, but while in the waiting room for a post-op check on my youngest daughters foot (Morton’s Neuroma) I started reading it and both my younger daughters were questioning my snorting with laughter and then trying to hide it and choking on my spit instead. Then while we were waiting for the Dr to come in, I started reading your 2am notes to self out loud and I was crying with laughter while they sat there giving me concerned looks. So worth it.
    I could say you make me feel sane, but you don’t, you make me feel less lonely and less alone and I’m proud to call you a personal hero and someone to look up too. Never change.

  475. Happy birthday! May you be showered in gravy. In whatever manner you deem fit.

    I am happy that I am handling my gestational diabetes in a better way. It was depressing me very badly when I would have one high number, but now that I am heading into month 7 I am feeling like I can do this. Because I can do this!

  476. Happy Birthday!

    Today my guineas played “Pretend the ground is Lava”. Or that is what I told myself they were doing, which made me happier than cursing at them that the snow would NOT kill them and they did not have to screech their displeasure with me from trees and tops of things! Guineas are not bright creatures. They are noisy things that will pretend they like you so they can claw the crap out of you when you forget they are like mini Velociraptors and are just waiting for you to get close enough to try to eat you.

    Wait, Never mind the Guineas. Ducks! Ducks make me happy! ;p

  478. Happy birthday soul sistah, I received a copy of your book for Christmas from my daughter. What makes it even better is she read it first and wrapped an emergency spoon with it. The bafflement was fun! The sentiment is heart melting. I love you and thank you for saving my life (problemly)

  479. Don’t need a copy. One of my best purchases this year. Really I just wanted to give you props for quoting Chuckie Cheese. You know he’s a mouse, right? Arch nemesis of the cat….

  480. Happy Birthday! I adore your books and pick them up to read when I’m feeling down. The best thing I ever did was to adopt my daughter from China when I was 45 years old. She makes me super happy. We recently celebrated 20 years together. She is a great person and I feel like at least I did one thing right.

  481. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! The batch of chicken mulligatawny soup I made on Sunday evening is making me so very happy this week. I could eat it all day long!

  482. Happy birthday!! I’m happy that I got a signed copy of your book for Xmas from my sister who really needed to meet you. Also thanks for the do over birthday, my 35th was so bad that I have not celebrated any birthdays for the last year and a half. So tonight it will be my do over birthday so I can get over the bad one and get back on the birthday track.

  483. Happy Birthday!!!! In this very moment, after a great lunch with my crazy girlfriends, I am happy to take off my pointy boots with heels and put on sneakers:-)

  484. For my 50th birthday, I am going back to the surgeon so he can move my broken ankle about and see how it is healing. (NOT my idea of fun!)
    I’m so happy I bought your book and read it… and then my husband read it… and I think my 20yo son read it… and today, the library sent me a notice (FINALLY) that it was my turn to read their copy and I was able to cancel that request (because, obviously, I bought it and read it after I broke my freaking ankle to smithereens) and now someone else will get to read the library copy of your book! That makes me FURIOUSLY HAPPY. Truly. Oh, and my newborn grandson. He’s pretty awesome. 🙂

  485. Have a wonderful birthday filled with cats and cake and presents and adorably creepy taxidermy. Much love and kittens.

  486. Happy birthday!
    My kid, chickens, dog, and my cat (tho she died a month ago and I miss her very much) make me happy.
    As does your writing.
    Thank you.

  487. Happy Birthday!! We’re visiting my mom for Christmas. She’s 96. When we go home on Friday I’ll be able to Skype with her again as we do every night. Well, not when we’re right here. Obviously. But it makes me happy.

  488. I do not need your book — I met you and got my copy signed, which made me Furiously Happy. I love you and this tribe you have created, because I have been having a really hard time seeing the light lately, and reading your words and the comments remind me that I’m not alone. Have a wonderful birthday!!

  489. I’m happy I’m finally reading your book :). My Adoptason and BFF was in LA for your signing, and you signed a book for me, and he sent it and YAY! December has been a rough month, and it’s been a struggle to get through it. However, today we were in the waiting room of the Dr’s office, for the first post-op for my daughters foot surgery (morton’s neuroma), and I started reading it. I was trying so hard to stifle laughter through just the first chapter that I was snorting and choking on my spit. The we were swept to a back room and while we were waiting for the dr, I started reading your 2 AM notes out loud to my teenage girls and while they didn’t quite get the humor, they appreciated it enough to not be too mortified when the Dr walked into my red face and teary eyes.
    I could say you make me feel sane, but in all honesty, you make me feel less lonely and less alone. And for that, I will always look up to you and regard you as a personal hero.

    Happy Birthday!

  490. Happy birthday!! In discussing what to share that I’m happy for, my boyfriend and I decided to share that we’re happy we found each other. Our lives simply wouldn’t be complete without the other and we look forward to one day celebrating our own big metal chicken anniversary!

  491. Happy birthday! Once we were at a Mexican restaurant and I asked my daughter if she knew what kind of cheese she was eating and then I told her it was Chihuahua cheese. Then we were making jokes about how hard it is to milk those Chihuahuas…they also suffer from small nipples.

  493. Happy Birthday! I hope your day was awesome. Or at least didn’t suck too badly. I sort of want a do over on today, and I sort of get one. Tomorrow I’ll be schlepping 2 kids back to the tire store because they were too busy today for me to sit for hours with said children to figure out why my 2 month old tire won’t hold air. Furiously Happy is on my 2016 wish list. It will happen, it’s just a matter of how long it takes.

  494. Happy Birthday! It’s my Dad’s birthday, too. He’s 81 and we were happy to take him a cake we made and a balloon. Now I’ll always remember it’s your birthday when we remember his. Can’t get your book for myself right now, but it’s on hold at the library,and it’s almost my turn. Rereading “Let’s Pretend…” while I wait. Cheers to being furiously happy in the coming year.

  495. Happy Birthday! I am happy to already be reading a copy of Furiously Happy. Thanks for writing it!

  497. Happy Birthday!
    I’m happy that we got thru Christmas with the family intact. Everyone was on their best behavior and we had a great time.

  498. Happy birthday, Jenny!!! Now five of my favorite people in the world have the same birthday. Two are a little older than you and two had their first birthday today. What stupendous synchronicity. All of this makes me happy, but THEN my 84-year-old uncle decided to gey married today! Sometimes life just rocks. Hope your day and year rock, too.

  499. Lalalalaaaah! What’s that, old boyfriend who triggered an eating disorder? I’m singing a song of joy ’cause Jenny owns this birthday now. Cheese for everyone!

  500. Happy b-day and I love you, Jenny! Today can’t be my crappy birthday because it was a pretty good day, all things considered. Oh well…have a great weekk!

  501. Happy birthday to someone who I have never met, but has made me laugh, cry and keep hoping. I got the ebook, so no book needed. Just wanted to say thanks again and hope your day is awesome.

  502. Happy Birthday!
    Today’s Happy: My children (4 and 8, both girls) randomly smuggled together in my bed for the Mommy-dictated nap time without arguing, shoving, screaming, whatever. And we all slept for a couple hours. It was awesome.

  503. I’ve come down with a post-Christmas cold gifted by my dear husband, so today, I’m especially thankful for my warm bed/couch, super extra soft blankets, my two warm purry kitties, lots of books including both of yours, and plenty of time to rest (once I do get out of the land of unemployment, this won’t always be the case so I try to remember to be thankful for rest). Happy birthday, Jenny.

  504. Happiest of birthdays! I’m happy you’re in the world. I’m happy that my very rickety 86-year-old mom made it to my house for Christmas. I’m happy that all of my kids were also home. I’m happy that my 25-year-old son realized he needed to deal with anxiety and depression and drinking, and is getting help. Life is good.

  505. I was on Library Thing and saw that it was your birthday. So I quickly left that site to come here to wish you the happiest of birthdays (except for any future birthdays which will surpass this one). And I want to thank you again for forming this family/tribe that I fit into and hope you have a wonderful new year. Have a sweet ’16!

  506. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I totally need your book! NEED. I’m sure I’m to late to get a free one, but I hope not! I have four kids, one of whom has several mental and physical disabilities and believes werewolves are real. He’s 18. He talks to them about killing people. He’s scary and his treatment costs a bazillion dollars. The other three kids are ridiculously sweet and hilarious and awesome. They try to be nice to their big brother and encourage him even when he’s being mean. Your first book made me laugh and cry and I’m SO looking forward to Furiously Happy!

  507. Happy birthday! I picked your book up on a whim at the library because I thought the cover was interesting. I flipped open to a random page and basically laughed out loud in a very quiet library and immediately thought, “I need to read this book.” And I was right. Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how many times I paused, closed the book, and hugged it. I finished it a few days ago and haven’t stopped thinking about it. You get it, and me, and for that I am very grateful. But anyway, my happy thing is that I was able to pull myself out of a very shitty, angry, hurt mood earlier today a lot quicker than I usually do, so that’s always good. 🙂

  508. Happy birthday, Jenny! I am very fortunate in that I have never suffered from depression. But I bought and read and loved both of your books anyway. They have helped me realize and sort of understand how awful depression is. I teach in an inner city high school and I am VERY happy that I am on winter break for another week.:-)

  509. Happy Birthday! You are awesome to give the book to those in need. What I need is for my mother in law to hurry up and finish reading my copy so I can read it again.
    My animals make me happy.

  510. Happy birthday, Jenny!! I hope you have a fantastic day 🙂
    does the shared-birthday-super-secret handshake

  512. Happy Birthday to you!!! It’s my birthday next week, which honestly, is a terrible time to have a birthday because the whole world is sick of holiday crap and always forgets about it. But that’s ok, because I can still get myself a cake, and cake is one of my favorite things in life (as long as no one wrecks it by putting fruit on it). I bought myself a copy of your book, and I bought my friend a gift card for BOTH of your books because she needed you in her life right then. Your work is a thing that makes me happy! So is cake, and so are donuts. Tomorrow I am getting a massage at a place called “Jungle Spa”, because I am on vacation with my in laws and my husband thought I needed to de-stress. That makes me very happy right this minute, and so does dental work. Normally dental work sucks ass, but I am on vacation in Mexico, and I just had incredibly good work done on my teeth by a hot dentist (seriously, dentists should NOT be allowed to be this attractive) who charges a fraction of what it costs to get the same work done back home in the U.S. Having full incisors instead of broken ones is a seriously happy thing 😆.
    Happy happy birthday to you!!!

  514. What makes me happy! While I haven’t read your new book, I did just finish re-reading your first one 🙂 and it still makes me laugh out loud! Thank you!! I will be buying your new one next time I pick up my ereader again….. So, like, tonight? Lol

  515. Happy birthday! I hope it’s going awesome. I am happy that I am mom to a weird, sweet, happy little autistic dude and his smart, funny, kind, anxiety-ball of a big brother.

  517. Here’s something that made me happy today. The book club I’m a member of (which I have never been to, but I will someday!!) posted a link to a Goodreads book club list and GUESS WHOSE book is on that list!!! https://www.goodreads.com/genres/book-club-2016 Yep. Your book. Maybe I’ll actually go to the meeting that month, and I can tell everyone that I actually MET you in person (previous book tour) and won’t THEY all be jealous? Yes, yes they will. Because you are awesome and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! 🙂

  518. Have a wonderfully Happy Birthday! And what makes me happy is knowing that there are people who love me no matter what shit I get do. And that there are people out there that I will love no matter what (Includes you). Have a great new year, Jenny. May your family be healthy and happy always.

  520. It’s pretty late in the day, so I don’t know if you’ve yet to choose your ten winners, but I could really use a pick-me-up. I was diagnosed with epilepsy this past summer which brought on a serious bout of depression and anxiety I’m still fighting through every day (on top of my Lupus diagnosis with which I’ve been dealing for almost 30 years).
    I’m going in the hospital in two weeks for an epilepsy study, which has my anxiety and depression on overdrive. I can’t think of anything better than a copy of Furiously Happy to keep me company and to remind me that there is more to life than my depression and anxiety while I spend this time away from home.

  521. I’m happy that I got to hear/see you in Santa Cruz and give you an early birthday gift (handwoven towel to mop up the spilled wine slushie). I’m ecstatically, furiously happy that after more than 5 years I’m winning my worker’s comp claim, and they’ll have to pay all my bills for the injury they caused to my psyche: for the rest of my life!

  522. I got Furiously Happy for Christmas. Yay!
    Now it looks like I’m getting a cold for New Year’s which is the best excuse to lie in bed and read it! Double YAY!
    The man who bought the book for me gets us, too. I’m pretty excited about 2016 and so grateful for this community you’ve created.
    Thank you!

  523. It’s my birthday, too! And I couldn’t think of a nicer, crazier person to share the day with. Only December babies know what it’s like to compete for some b-day attention when you happen to be born in the same month as that other REALLY famous guy who’s the reason you hear “But you got your Christmas AND Birthday present on Christmas.” No wonder we’re traumatized and depressed.

  524. Happy Birthday Jenny!! I guess I’m about 475 comments to late for a book, but that’s ok, I’ll just keep borrowing it from the library…..I wonder how many times a person can continue to renew a book?? Because, honestly, you make me happy! Really, you make me Furiously Fuckin’ Happy😂 Seriously tho, can you got to jail if you refuse to return a book?

  526. Happy freakin bday Jenny!!! Ok, for your bday, here’s what makes me happy. Today my 14 yr old son told me he was “currently happy with his relationship with Nintendo.” It cracked me up. He was serious. #geekthoughts

  529. Happy, happy birthday to you!!!
    I read your book the instant it was available for download on my Kindle, and I gifted copies of both of your books to a friend who really needed you in her life right then. Being able to give such an awesome gift as you is definitely something that makes me happy. And the friend who originally gifted your first book to me makes me happy too. Birthday cake makes me happy, and my birthday is next week, so that’s pretty happy too. Right now I am happy about dental work, because I got very high quality dental work while on vacation here in Mexico (with my in laws, NOT a happy thing) for a very reasonable price. Not having hillbilly, meth-addict teeth anymore (I’m neither, so you see why the teeth bothered me) is a VERY happy thing, even if the dentist isn’t a great way to spend a vacation (he WAS a very hot dentist). And family makes me happy, even the in-laws, crazy as they are. I’m extra happy that my parents and sister are safe and sound after flooding in Missouri has left many without homes. And I am happy that you, and I, are heading into another year despite the lies depression has told us over the years. Cheers!!!

  530. Happy Birthday Ms Jenny ! I hope it was FABULOUS ! I havent gotten “Furiously Happy” yet, hopefully by tax time I will !
    What makes me happy ? When I get tickled at something and my daughter tells me ” You are so dorky, but I love you anyway “! Great compliment from a 14 year old ! :p

  531. Happy Birthday, Jenny! I finished Furiously Happy last night. I bought it for myself for Christmas and now my daughter is reading it. Thanks for the laughter and for truth about the hard times. You’ve rubbed off on me already. I was driving my husband home and the rain started that little spitting thing it sometimes does before a storm really sets in. I turned on the windshield wipers and then off, then on. The one on the passenger side has been hanging on by a thread for a couple of years so I can’t stand the sound it makes. My husband is a mechanic. Mechanics fix things for a living, right? I am normally Miss Congeniality, but I started thinking about how you feel kind of “stabby” sometimes. I calmly told my way too handsome spouse he was lucky it wasn’t raining or snowing really hard, because if it was I’d have to keep the wipers running and then I’d have to pull over and rip the windshield wiper off the car and beat him with it. Then I laughed. I really laughed. It was rich. Thank you!
    Visit me if you like at lakearrowheadladywriter: loripohlman.wordpress.com. I write about writing mostly, but life always sneaks in. So happy to have discovered your writing! Thank you!

  532. Happy Birthday Jenny! We are both Capricorns😉 & mine was 12/27. I am a bookworm, in 2016 I will be reading ‘Furiously Happy’! I NEED some happy. I am reading your blog, month by month. I can Relate, my anxiety is sky-high! Ghirardelli choc. Helps, although I am lactose-intolerant…Need cheese, too. Big hugs 2 U!!

  534. Happy birthday, Jenny! I already got the book and you gave US the gift. Thanks for the essay on soup. I laughed so hard I woke people up.

  536. Something happy: my husband bought me your standing raccoon photo sculpture for Christmas, after listening to me laugh out loud so many time reading your book. Now he hides it in various odd places to surprise me every day, and has also taken several videos of the raccoon sneaking up on me unawares. If seeing such a video might make you happy, let me know where i can email it to you – i don’t have the brass balls required to actually post it online.

    I’m a shrink – a child and adolescent psychiatrist actually, with a practice specializing in anxiety and depression. Your book is a gift to me, as are all true stories of living with these illnesses. Raunchy, wonderfully weird, pee yourself laughing true stories are especially useful though, when it comes to talking with teens about depression and anxiety. So I thank you for that, and am willing to express my appreciation with a video of me getting scared shitless by a small raccoon sculpture at various moments since Christmas.

    love,

    p

  537. We say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you but honestly, you need to adopt Birthday Week. Because you’re right, sometimes you have a shitty birthday and a whole week gives you time for the birthday to redeem itself. My youngest is sick (and has been for a week) but she’s on her birthday week, so tonight we bought masses of junk food at her request, she’s tucked up with my Christmas blankie and the cat (who is a tangle of paws, cuddled up at her side), and she’s watching a new DVD about two tiger cubs who get separated when they’re tiny and how they find each other…because that was just too dang cute not to purchase tonight.

    So Kara says HAPPY BIRTHDAY and we hope your birthday week is wonderful and epic and just all around furiously happy. (See what I did there?)

    PS: I loved both of your books!!!

  538. The something I’m happy about is that we have the same birthday. Ain’t it a weird one? Hope yours was good!

  539. Happy Day, beautiful Jenny! Thanks for making 2015 so much funnier. I’m most happy about the fact that I never ever ever ever give up. Even when I’m depressed. Even when things aren’t going my way. Even when everything sucks – I don’t give up.

  540. I don’t need a copy of your book. I got myself one for Christmas. I’m happy about that. I’m happy I cold afford to buy it. I have a lot of things to be happy about but sometimes I have a hard time finding them. Thank you for reminding me that the light will always come.

    I’m happy that I’m snuggling with my daughter right now.

  541. New to you and your amazing community and reallllllly grateful to find you, Jenny. Reading Let’s Pretend, bc doing things out of order will give me all sorts of anxiety, and I’ve got enough in that department. Happiest Day, my new cyber sister. You make me feel…hmmm…I guess you make me feel. Period. Thanks. Your fellow writer-friend, Deb.

  542. I’m happy that a) it’s finally getting cold in New England, yes weird I know, and b) I reconnected with a childhood friend in real life. not just on social media. Happy birthday! The 29th is a great birthday day. My birthday day as well, just a different month. 😀

  543. Happy happy oso happy birthday! 🙌🎂🎈🎁 Have your second book – – love! Read your first book at the suggestion of my librarian; she’s the one who introduced us. Or me to you. Your awesome-estness.

    So love that you got three of the same, used book. Are you going to tell us what it is? And the long story that goes with with it ? Please? Your stories are the best!

    Happy Birthday, again. Many happy returns. And not only in the shopping way.

  544. I’m happy that I’m happy for the first Christmas in awhile. This time of year has been stressful for the last few years for a variety of reasons, but this year it was really good. Also for my husband who makes me laugh every day and my silly Terrorist Terriers and Bad Bengal Boys. 🙂

  545. Not much that I’m happy for today – but I’m happy that I scraped through today so hopefully tomorrow will be better.

  546. Happy birthday! Thanks for helping me feel less alone. I hope I can get some of my friends who are feeling like they are the only one to read your book, also. Nice cat toes.

  547. My wife thinks I’m a hupocondriac, so of course after I read about the massive white hair that grew out of you forehead, I grew one right above my eyebrow…at least an inch long. My wife now thinks that her hypothesis is correct. Happy birthday!

  548. Laughing really loud and silly animal photos and captions makes me happy. As does a really good cup of coffee.

    Happy birthday Jenny! Many happy returns of the day.

  549. I am happy that I am pursuing some of my writing dreams by making some goals and FINALLY figuring out a clear vision for what I want to accomplish. Furiously Happy is part of my inspiration because some of my stories involve speaking out about mental illness and two psychotic episodes I had in the past. Don’t want to bring you down on your birthday though, so just know I lived through it all and I hope I can tell you, Rory, and the world at large more about it someday. Happy birthday — you are one of my faves! Cheers to always refilling our “creative cups!”

  550. Happy Birthday, Jenny!! Hope it’s been fabulous. I have both your books and love them. After I did the first read through, I pick them up and open anywhere and figure that’s the thought I need then. Something that made me happy was that you got the weird relationship between carrion and carry on.😚

  552. Happy Birthday!!!
    I have the audio and hardcover book… Love them! My happy thought is that I’m relaxing by a beautiful fireplace in a lovely mountain resort with my hubby. It’s the only vacation that we do just the two of us, and I’m spilling over with happiness. 🙂

  553. My husband gave me your book for Christmas. I ordered it, I paid for it, handed it to him so he could wrap it. Totally worth it!!!!
    Happy Birthday! I celebrate all month and if I see something that I just really, really need I’ve been known to claim it was my birthday when in fact my birthday was 6 months later. Got the cookie jar! You would have thought my sister would have known I lied since her birthday is the same month as mine. Did I mention that she gave me an awesome Snoopy cookie jar?

  554. I’m so happy my husband is alive. He almost died in November. Seriously. ICU and everything. The only good thing that came out of it (besides that he’s alive and totally OK) is that I saved his life and that’s good for future arguments. It’s sort of the total grievance-stopper. Forever.

  556. Things that make me happy, even if it’s just temporary: kittens, my grandson, chainsawing, eating chocolate chip cookie dough against the rules, my supersoft flannel sheet, my pillow pet, reading, writing, coloring. Play-Dough! I love the smell of it. lol

  558. Happy birthday you beautiful woman you!

    I’m not sure if you’re a fan of the show Supernatural. If you haven’t seen it, at least go on Netflix and watch Season 9 Episode 5, the first few minutes. I thought of you as soon as I saw it, and I got a huge kick out of Geoffrey Chipmunk. laugh (It will make more sense when you watch it.) All I could think was, “Can I get that and send it to Jenny?”

    And who knows, maybe you’ll like the show and be an addict like the rest of us. I mean, the guys are gorgeous, the show is meant for geeks, and it’s funny, quirky, and a lot of fun to watch. And there are 11 seasons, all of them FULL SEASONS, none of this 10 episode crap like Game of Thrones. (Not that I don’t love me some GoT. Jon Snow may know nothing, but I’ll still have little dreams about him when I’m napping all alone. laugh)

    Enjoy your birthday. Here’s long distance hugs from your fans in Phoenix, Doug and Caitlyn “Wheels” DeAmbra

  559. Happy Birthday! Stay warm – Texas isn’t supposed to get cold until February. I’m just generally happy because my life hasn’t been nearly as hectic in the second half of 2015 as it was in the first half. For the first time since I can’t remember when, I actually relaxed and enjoyed Christmas! Loved both of your (audio) books!

  560. Seeing you at Changing Hands makes me happy, as does being home for my mom’s birthday yesterday and hiking with her and the Boy today. It was a beautiful hike full of awesome oak trees the Boy insisted he MUST climb. Happy Birthday Jenny!!!

  561. Happy Birthday! What makes me happy: when my crazy cat falls asleep in my lap and has twitchy little dreams, milkshakes, fuzzy socks, your book which made me laugh (& cry) and my mom, who’s my BFF.

  562. Happy Birthday! I am happy because Christmas is over, and I’m out of the depression that went along with it. I’m also happy because I still have several chapters of your first book left ahead of me to read. Your writing fills me with joy!

  563. Happy Birthday, Jenny!!! I absolutely loved your book ‘Furiously Happy’. I am so happy to have stumbled upon on it – although, I’m not sure how one could miss that cover and not be intrigued. With that cover and title alone, you basically had me at hello. I was surprised however to read it and discover that it was actually a very funny book on your struggle with social anxiety. As someone who has been dealing with this since I was kid, I want to thank you for helping me to see that it is an illness that other people do suffer and struggle with. It was really eye opening for me as I always felt that I was so different and I have a difficult time embracing my weirdness. I will often look back at certain social interactions and criticize myself harshly and it inhibits me from ever wanting to try again to step outside of my comfort zone. Its debilitating having these moments of weakness, darkness and over-whelming thoughts of self-hate. Although these struggles are inevitable, I want to thank you for reminding me to live ‘furiously happy’ when everything is going right. I am forever FURIOUSLY HAPPY that you wrote this book and openly shed some light your mental illness and shared some of your embarrassing and hilarious anecdotes. Although they weren’t always the most relatable, I could always relate to the feelings you shared in your stories.

    P.S. After reading ‘Furiously Happy’, I obviously had to pick up ‘Let’s Pretend This Never Happened’ and so I am currently in the midst of reading that. PLEASE CONTINUE TO WRITE BOOKS!! (no pressure or anything!) I am a little sad that I missed your book tour as I was a little late in discovering you. So please also continue to also do book tours that include Toronto (Canada) as I would love to meet you!

    P.S.S. I LOVE YOU AND DID I SAY THANK-YOU? ‘Furiously Happy’ will forever sit on my desk as a constant reminder to myself.

    P.S.S.S. I HOPE YOU HAVE THE MOST AMAZING BIRTHDAY EVER! 🙂

  564. happy birthday. I own “furiously happy” and it meant a lot to me when I read it on my way to discovering myself and my depression so…if someone can’t afford a copy, I’ll mail you mine. I want to help others just like your book helped me so please let me know.

  565. My toddler makes me happy…sometimes. Ha ha. I love him. And I love when I’m able to connect with him during a meltdown and help him calm down and redirect. And I love whe. I’m able to stay calm in those situations. Cause it is t always, as much as I’d like it to be. Happy birthday!

  567. Happy Birthday Jenny! I know you are way past your ten comments and I don’t want to be downer …but I could really use some happy. I was the woman who posted about the son’s whose girlfriend believe the lie back in October. His girlfriend lost her battle with depression and took her own life. Today I got a call from my son pleading with me make the pain stop. His insurance is all messed up and he still hasn’t been see for his depression, sleep issues and anxiety….which have all increased after losing his Katie. I spent several hours today on the phone finding out what needed to be done to fix this, and several hours listening to his sobs and hoping that i can get him through this horrible time. I am barely sleeping or holding it together myself these days. What makes me happy…..seeing my kids happy and healthy. Hoping I can get him there again.

  568. Happy Birthday Jenny! It’s my birthday as well 🙂

    It’s not a great time of year for birthdays.

    My kitties make me happy.:)

  570. Happy Birthday!!!
    I lost my way to this page then when tweeting that I was starting a marathon of Doctor Who (my way of escape from depression, or path farther into it via Netflix) I saw your twitter account and remembered what a big fan you were. I am thankful for a blogger like you that makes depression cool (livable/bearable). So I guess finding my way back to your blog makes me happy.
    I remember how much joy your 1st book brought me and hoping I can get my hands on the 2nd one.

  571. Happy birthday! I don’t need a copy as I bought it and read it… and now I’m reading your first book. Yes, I’m aware that it’s not in the right order because timey wimey, I do what I want… something that makes me happy… well I’d say my dog, because no matter how much I feel like nobody loves/likes me, she will always prove that she 100% will always love me… screw everyone else… although I’m pretty sure she doesn’t say that… pets are awesome. Again, happy birthday. Enjoy your special day.

  572. Happy birthday and THANK YOU for being exactly who you are!!! I made it through today – that’s something! Depression lies, depression lies, depression lies.

  573. You know what makes me happy, the thought that someday, my husband will do something to piss me off enough to punish him with a 6 ft tall rooster named after a pop diva and that I cannot fail as you have written me a manual. A manifesto even. Happy birthday!!!

  575. Happy birthday to you! My 14-year-old dog makes me happy because even though his liver enzymes are horrible, he hasn’t gotten the memo, and is as happy and playful as a puppy. A very barky puppy.

  576. What’s making my happy right now is my boyfriend. After a catastrophic marriage and subsequent crappy dating experiences, I had pretty much given up hope. I decided to be happy on my own and not to look for a relationship. I have dealt with major depression and really wanted to get myself to a good place. After lots of therapy and reading (love your blog/books/humor/honesty) I have been in a pretty good place for a while now. And it turns out that there was the perfect person out there for me once I was ready. ❤️ Happy birthday Jenny!!

  577. I am approaching my 7th full year of a serious illness that continues to baffle the entire medical community, and I’m about to give up. A book would be great but a positive thought thrown in my general direction would be even better. Thanks.

  578. It is my birthday too! I had a dream last night that I was talking to you and told you that we had the same birthday. There may have also been ghosts. Happy birthday to us@

  579. I could use a reminder that depression lies. Sometimes the ; tattoo on my arm isn’t enough.

  580. Happy Birthday!! I have discovered many small things to be happy for today, but right now, I have to say I am most happy about the amazing family that I married into. Sure, some of them are a little much, but they all are caring, loving people who try to understand me and treat me more like family than my own did when I was a kid. Also, I am super happy that you are having a good day and get to have strange conversations about cat cheese. 🙂

  581. Already have your book. Have read it three times. As for happy…. that one’s kinda difficult right now. My son makes me happy. I’d be even happier if someone handed me a couple grand, but having my son is enough.

  582. Happy Birthday, Jenny!!! I absolutely loved your book ‘Furiously Happy’. I am so happy to have stumbled upon on it – although, I’m not sure how one could miss that cover and not be intrigued. With that cover and title alone, you basically had me at hello. I was surprised however to read it and discover that it was actually a very funny book on your struggle with social anxiety. As someone who has been dealing with this since I was kid, I want to thank you for helping me to see that it is an illness that other people do suffer and struggle with. It was really eye opening for me as I always felt that I was so different and I have a difficult time embracing my weirdness. I will often look back at certain social interactions and criticize myself harshly and it inhibits me from ever wanting to try again to step outside of my comfort zone. Its debilitating having these moments of weakness, darkness and over-whelming thoughts of self-hate. Although these struggles are inevitable, I want to thank you for reminding me to live ‘furiously happy’ when everything is going right and most importantly that depression lies. I am forever FURIOUSLY HAPPY that you wrote this book and openly shed some light your mental illness and shared some of your embarrassing and hilarious anecdotes. Although they weren’t always the most relatable, I could always relate to the feelings you shared in your stories.

    P.S. After reading ‘Furiously Happy’, I obviously had to pick up ‘Let’s Pretend This Never Happened’ and so I am currently in the midst of reading that. PLEASE CONTINUE TO WRITE BOOKS!! (no pressure or anything!) I am a little sad that I missed your book tour as I was a little late in discovering you. So please also continue to also do book tours that include Toronto (Canada) as I would love to meet you!

    P.S.S. I LOVE YOU AND DID I SAY THANK-YOU? ‘Furiously Happy’ will forever sit on my desk as a constant reminder to myself.

    P.S.S.S. I HOPE YOU HAVE THE MOST AMAZING BIRTHDAY EVER! 🙂

  583. Happy birthday!
    Knowing I have great friends who will always support me makes me extremely happy. 🙂
    Also, I have a copy. Love it.

  584. I have Furiously Happy in both audio book and paperback (and Lets Pretend this never happned too!!).

    My Birthday present to you is to let you know how fantastic your books are. I’m going through a very painful separation right now and your books are not only helping me see the happiness and joy in life but are also giving me wonderful coping mechanisms to get through this. Every day I am furiously happy that I have found your blog and the tribe here.

    May you have the most wonderful birthday filled with all your hearts desires!!

  585. Jackie (#106)’s video made me CHOKE with laughter! That was AWESOME!

    Yesterday was Mommy’s birthday, so Happy Birthday to YOU, Jenny, and to Jude, and to my Mommy. Love. You. All.

  587. I have both of your books and they are two of my favorite books in the world! I also gave Furiously Happy to my daughter-in-law who also deals with depression. What is making me happy right now (or at least willing to stick around) are my two cats who love me no matter what.

  588. Happy, happy birthday!! You are wonderful, and I’m so glad you’re able to connect with & help so many people. I’m happy to be employed. I wasn’t for 7 months this year, so it is definitely appreciated!

  590. I’m happy that today I walked all around the grocery store with no wheelchair or sitting for the first time in 5 years since my cancer surgery. And I got in my pool naked and the lawn guys did NOT show up… AGAIN. Really happy about that one. Happy birthday.

  591. I’m ecstatically happy because I picked up my cats after they’ve spent two weeks in a cattery. I feel like I haven’t seen them in a million years and apparently they feel the same way about the house because they’re swarming all over the place like they’ve never been here before; they’re like a grumpy tide of walking fur. I love them all so much!

    Also, happy birthday!

  592. Thank you Jenny for the book. I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to reading it. I am always pleased at how many of my friends just get you and therefore get me. It’s comforting when we all see a large chicken and shout Beyoncé.

  593. I already have both of your books but I wanted to say Happy Birthday anyways!
    Also, if you watched the tv show Happy Endings the thing that I just found would make you smile.. they did a live show at UCB https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAq5CnLws-E that show shouldn’t have been cancelled… also i have no clue if you have seen it… but you should because it is the best. this makes no sense… i should really go to bed… i have to work tomorrow… WHY ARENT I STOPPING.. dear crap this is craziness. I feel like I am living that moment i had a dream about where I met someone i admired and then made a fool of myself… except I … could have stopped at any moment and just not continued to type this weirdness… but its past midnight so my logic points are shut down and i am just extra weird. I am for sure going to regret submitting this comment but hey… oh well?

  595. I am happy because today is the second day in a row that it hasn’t rained here (we’re visiting family in the Seattle area). So all in one day, I was able to see bald eagles, Canada, and the sun. Happy birthday to you, and happy new year to me!

  596. Happy cause we had agreat Christmas with my brothers and their kids. And we all went to see the new Star Wars movie together. Happy cause my daughter got married and we like her spouse.

  597. Happy Birthday and thanks for the loan of your birthday! I had bronchitis for mine last week.

    What makes me happy? 1) My supportive husband of 24 years read “Furiously Happy” so that we could have an in-depth discussion of what I go though when I go into a depression. 2) I found a local non-profit that is happy to take the toys I bought for Toys For Tots, but was too sick to deliver. (Help Kids Around the World – HKATW) 3) My adult rescue kitties that I got at different times have all been playing with each other this week. 4) Friends, family, Jenny and all ya’ll!

  598. Hey! Just by coincidence, I listened to the entire audiobook of Furiously Happy today. And now it’s your birthday! Happy Birthday! I actually bought my copy, so use that money to buy yourself something nice. Thank you for making dark times brighter. You are one of the reasons I got back into writing, and it’s brought me hours of joy.

  599. Happy Birthday!
    I am really happy because I just got a shiny new keyboard to go with my shining new computer I got as a graduation present. So know I have access to all the buttons, instead of having to copy paste certain letters to get them typed out. 😀

  600. Happy birthday, dear Jenny. I have both your books in physical and electronic versions, so I’m set! Your request for us to submit something happy is perfect for me this time of year, since I’ve been melancholy and prone to focus on how crappy the year was. So here’s what I’m happy for: I’m almost 60 and I still have all my limbs and they are all functioning (mostly). I have my eyesight and most of my hearing. I have good friends and a sweet dog, as well as a home, a car, and money for groceries. By writing this down, I’m evaluating what is really important to me, as well as reminding myself that even a subset of these blessings would be a dream life to many others. It may not keep me from cycling back into depression (as I typically do), but I’m a big believer in reinforcing the thoughts that I want to be the strongest. So thank you for “making” me go through this exercise. Hugs!

  601. Happy Birthday! It isn’t my birthday, but it is the 90th anniversary of my mom’s birthday. I loved her so much, and I love you too… in a totally different, non-maternal way. I mean I am like old enough to be your older sister or something.
    Your books are amazing. I already own both. I have a signed copy of your most recent, and I got a signed bookplate for your first book after my most embarrassing moment won a contest. Your blog and books have made me laugh with you and sometimes cry with you. Your words have helped me through some dark times. Thank you.

  602. Happy birthday. Something that makes me happy is that my sister and I desperately wanted to get our brother both your books, but didn’t really have the money…but then the book stores in our respective home towns had them on sale for boxing day, so she got Let’s Pretend this Never Happened, and I got Furiously Happy. I’ve inscribed it letting him know that I bought it to save him from bathroom corpses because I love him. And I do love him. And my sister. And sales. And your books. And that’s a lot of Ands.

  603. Just reminded me of when my cousin who was maybe four years old wanted to know what cat milk tasted like…the mama cat was not cooperative

  604. I just read your book and it helped me. My boyfriend suffered a severe head injury this month and I’m slowly getting him back and you followed me on Twitter. I would say that all these things make me happy. Happy birthday Jenny!

  605. What makes me happy? So many things today! Tricking my friends because I have a random new number for a few days. I’m sending them text messages about the weirdest crap. Like a guy named Chaz that’s being dumped by his intellectual lady friend that’s done with booty calls. But other than that, I also love this video:

    I’m sure you’ve seen it because you work at The Internet and I’m guessing it went out in a memo to people. That said, I hope you love it too! Happy Birthday Jenny!!

  607. Wishing you a supremely happy birthday. I’m happy today because my husband and I fixed our Mission-style sofa frame (sort of) and we ate home made spaghetti for dinner.

  608. Happy birthday!

    I’m happy that I read this post. I read it as I was laying in bed with no motivation to get up. It made me want something to be happy about so I got up and finished a project I’ve been putting off. Thank you for giving me that today.

    Also, I was reading articles on getting through depression and you may have seen this because it was published 2 years ago but she referenced you when suggesting reading clever funny books 🙂 http://www.diycouturier.com/post/47249603128/21-tips-to-keep-your-shit-together-when-youre (#17) She was right on with that one, I loved both books and hope for more, they really help.

    Thank you for all your wonderful stories Jenny and happy birthday!

  609. Happy Birthday!!! I hope to find a copy of your book soon!! I need to read it!!! You are amazing!

  610. Today I was telling my sister a story and (naturally) it included the words “anal beads” and my mom yells from across the room WHAT ARE ANAL BEES and that made me happy so that’s my thing

  611. I’m late to the party. That’s what I get for my lucid periods being late at night. Hope you had a great birthday!

    What makes me happiest lately is my kitten, Clinchfield. He’s messing around under the Christmas tree right now, hopefully not making a mess. Our youngest cat (not two years old yet) suddenly passed away at the end of April, and without Clinchfield (he’s almost nine months old now), I don’t know how I’d cope. He’s so full of life and does the cutest things, so I had to start a blog about him, because the internet doesn’t have enough cats on it. See the link below if you’d like to take a peek.

    I’m also very fond of pajamas and fuzzy socks.

  613. Happy (Slightly Belated) Birthday, Jenny! Sending you lots of light and love for the upcoming year!
    What makes me happy? So many things, but currently… the fact that I will get to see all of my 4 nephews & 5 nieces before the week is out.

  614. Happy birthday! I dont have your book yet, but they are all gone. Its fine though, because I am sure the folks that got them will pass them on maybe when done.
    What makes me happy is having all the fricking snow shoveled and then my husband getting the snowblower out (I hate that thing- I hate mechanical crap I cant start) and then watching him snowblow almost the whole damn backyard. FOR NO REASON OK it didnt make me happy but I wanted to type that out.
    What makes me happy is my cats, sometimes my husband, having enough firewood inside. Not cooking, being lazy, and having tiime to visit blogs I normally dont get to and say inane things.
    If I didnt mispell or mistype or had half a brain I would have a blog and type my own stuff and keep it hidden because I think they would commit me (or maybe not) who knows but I wouldnt take the chance.

    Happy Birthday- I like you.

  615. Jenny, a HUGE happy birthday to you! 🙂

    I’m totally excited that I hiked all the way up to the “Hollywood” sign on Sunday and took pictures of the back of the letters from the top of the mountain! (Now, if I could just figure out how to upload one of them here…Hmmmmmm…)

    Lisa is hilarious — I’m totally with her on the cat cheese; maybe we could call it Meownster. (But yeah, “cat milker” would be one damn dangerous occupation!)

  616. I have a new doctor, and what I thought was depression may be hypo-thyroidism (a very treatable condition)! It would explain several other problems, too, so I’m happily hopeful for a better next year.

  617. I’m happy when my boyfriend and I can laugh together about our Crazies. we and our relationship are very similar to you and Victor’s. I’m constantly writing notes in the margins of your books which we later reads, or am forwarding tweets and posts to him.

    it’s great having someone who accepts you as you are — Crazies and all.

  618. Jenny,

    I have been a lurker on your blog for years now, but as I am writing this, I think I really need to tell you about what is the first post that comes to my mind when I think of you. It’s that one in which you went to see Amanda Palmer in a concert and you couldn’t get yourself to go out there because of anxiety, and then they let you stay in this literal cage above the stage to enjoy the whole event alone. As someone who has trouble articulating my anxiety, and what it feels like to want to be part of the crowd and to want to get away at the same time, that was realest thing that I remember reading from you.

    Thankyou for existing and talking about things that surround the said existence.

    What makes me happy? Cats. To be specific, when cats do that thing where they warm upto to only you, and are spawn of the devil with everyone else. This is why I feel, I prefer cats a teensy bit over dogs, because there’s nothing like a cat trusting you, after you’ve made an effort to be their exclusive human.

    Either way, this has gotten way too long anyway.

    So much love.
    Surbhi.

    P.S. I’d love a copy of Furiously Happy.

  619. Jas I really need that blue cat dress!!! Awesome.

    Also my daughter is 2 and a bit and told me secret. Shhhh….a secret…..elephants…..and tigers…..are animals. Shhhh.

    She also asked daddy after dinner for ‘more secret ice cream please daddy’ (he’d given her ice cream on a walk today and told her it was a secret).

  620. Happy Birthday, you fabulous being! Things that make me happy: Green chili, you, Chip & Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper, champagne, chocolate…

  621. Happy birthday! I’m happy beacause after a week of heavy fog we have the sun in Venice (italy not venice california!)

  622. Happy unbirthday to all of us ☺

    What makes me happy? Playing boardgames with my mr11. He’s good people.
    I have a ginger cat of my own, but my torti cat has to be my favourite…she said so!

  623. Jenny! YOU I laugh from reading YOU. (remember the drug commercial). :)! I can not begin to tell you how much I loved your first book…. a second book? Where have I been? (Life sometimes has a way of getting in the way of time spent reading blogs.) Why do I keep putting things in ()’s ? Just wanted to say – Thank you for so so many giggles.
    It just asked me to leave a link to my latest blog at the end of my comment. I do not have a blog – my goal for 2016 – (guess I better get busy) My blog will be full of ()’s. for sure.

  624. Happy happy cake day! What makes me happy? Most recently, chopping off all of my hair. It was down to my waist and was this living, breathing entity that was just an EVERYWHERE Hair Monster and I grew to hate it. Just went chin length and I wake up every morning smiling because I don’t have to untangle hair from my armpits and ankles and brush knots out for an hour. =)

  625. I spent your birthday in the Battan Death March of traveling- I got a ticket to see my boyfriend for Christmas, but we had some snowy weather between me and the airport that had reportedly gotten pretty insane so I left wayyyy early and then had dry roads the whole way so I sat at the airport for five hours. Then my connecting flight was delayed so I sat in Houston for two hours. Then my bank apparently forgot that I had activated my new debit card so I had to call them and straighten that out before I could pick up my rental car, when I’d been up for nearly twenty hours.

    You’re probably thinking that you asked for something that made me happy, and I promise, it’s here: at the end of it all, and after circling the apartment complex five times to find the right building, I got to see my boyfriend and that makes me deliriously happy and wipes out all of the travel awful (except for the awake for forever part, I’m pretty sure I was medically in a coma for a while last night…) oh yeah… And my rental car plays my music on my phone when I plug it in to the charger, that made me giggle.

  626. Happy Birthday, a day extended… and glad I read your blog this morning (I generally read in bursts) because I realized I missed my brother’s birthday yesterday…oops.

  627. What makes me happy? Finally having time off from my new job and taking New Year’s off to spend the day with hubs who has to work on New Year’s Day (he’s law enforcement).
    Happy Birthday! PS: I am ordering your book very soon to read as we go through IVF as I know it will be a nice needed break in the crazy anxiousness I know I will feel. I am devoted to being “Furiously Happy” as I wait to see if our last shot of having our own child actually works 🙂

  628. Tea…. I am currently happy about Tea.. I spent the day learning about new kinds of tea and trying different steeping techniques with the loose-leaf tea I have at home. Peaceful. Relaxing. (Also I had to pee a lot.) Happy Birthday from Germany!

  629. I just recently discovered your blog (I live under a rock), and I do love it. Thank you for the permission to have a do-over for my birthday because mine was two weeks ago and it was THE PITS. I’ve made up for it since then, and all is good.

    I wish you the happiest birthday. If I knew how to put photos in the comments (must learn html!), I would share some funny pictures. As it is, I’ll share a link to a sub menu on my blog titled “Tortoise Belly Button.” Because they have belly buttons. Who knew? You can scroll through and look at some fun photos I took at the zoo where I work.

    Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, even if I am a day late.

    https://becomingcliche.wordpress.com/category/tortoise-belly-button/

  630. Hi Jenny, I’m happy because I finally was able to buy my own home this year. I moved back home in 1998 to care for my mother after my dad died suddenly. i was 28 years old. My life was consumed with taking care of her because she was bi-bolar and had other health problems too numerous to mention, but I stayed in the house I grew up in feeling like my adult life was passing me by. When she passed in 2006, my husband and I continued living in my childhood home because we didn’t have a mortgage and liked seeing our bank balance grow over the years. We lived debt free, but I carried such an emotional burden because the house was filled with so many sad memories. We finally decided to sell the house this summer and find one that would make me happy. In October we found the perfect one and now I’m in a new home making new memories with my husband of 25 years. I’m 45 with a 30 year mortgage and I’m ridiculously happy.

  632. My one & only baby’s birthday was yesterday……Happy Birthday to you as well! He’s going to get a kick out of knowing you share the day with him. I’ve been reading your stuff out loud to him for years now. Hope your day was wonderful. Trish

  634. I’m happy that the long nights of winter are receding, and I will get to feel more human again soon. Also, my brother is getting married, my sister is having a baby, and my son just decided he loves Star Wars. All is well in my world, today.

  635. Hippo Bird Day Two Ewe! Love both your books. And what’s making me happy: I have navigated away from one position and now 2016 is totally open to me. Scary but intriguing too.

  636. Happy birthday!! I already have your book and now my mom is reading it so we are good 🙂

    As for happy – I have a NYE date with a guy that’s WAAAAAY too hot for me and thinks I’m the bees knees and I’m gonna get a midnight kiss for the first time in many years. (The last midnight kiss was from my abusive ex douchebag so let’s get new memories, amiright?) So I’m gonna get gussied up and go out with my new squeeze and ring in 2016 right! (And I’m hot too, just sayin, working on the self confidence stuff 😉 )

  637. Happy Birthday!!! This is my first comment I think- but I just wanted to say that one thing that makes me happy is how awesome you are. And you make me laugh a lot. 🙂

  638. Happy birthday! Right now I’m happy about how much HST’s little paw pads look like jellybeans. I fostered an orange kitten once and she had perfect jellybean paw pads, too. I named her Jellybean, because I’m wildly creative. I named her brother Mac because he, too, was orange (like Kraft Mac n’ Cheese) but also because he purred as loudly as a Mac truck. Anyway, this Christmas, I got a text with a picture from the family who adopted them (they were adopted together! Don’t you love that!) and they’re happy and healthy and playful and awesome, and my heart is now too big for my bra.

  639. Happy Birthday! I can still remember hearing my mom cry from laughing so much while reading “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” and it peaked my interest so as soon as she was finished reading it (which basically means the day because she reads all of the time and very fast!) I picked it up and also finished it in no time! You’re so awesome and I love your humor and sarcasm!!! Have a great day and thanks for being so awesome! Gifting your new book to my mom would be awesome if you have another to spare? Thanks!

  640. My old girl cat Ember made me happy last night. She’s a tortie, and as such can be a bit touchy. But last night she was stretching her old bones in front of the fire, just soaking up the heat, and I got to rub her fuzzy little belly. And instead of biting the shit out of me, she rolled over and reveled in the pettins. I even got a little kitty smile, with her half-lidded gaze.

  641. Happy Birthday! (late). And thank you. You’ve made my life better. I just finished Furiously Happy and am gifting it to everyone I know (with sticky notes pointing to my favorite parts, of course 🙂 And your book made the list at Rainy Day Books, “a frank and hilarious memoir” (third paragraph, last sentence). http://rainydaybooks.shelf-awareness.com/?issue=97

    Thank you for the courage you bring to being you. It makes having the courage to be me a little easier sometimes.

  642. My sister, who usually lives overseas – often in dangerous places – is home for a year and living half hour away!

  643. I would love to have a copy, I sent a few copies to others for Christmas, and should have gotten one for myself. I have stuggled for years with depression and anxiety. And it IS a lying bastard..most of the time. My calmness comes from doing nice things for others….so I am currently renovating my parents’ house on a shoestring (non-existent) budget, so no spending on stuff for ME this year. I couldn’t help but participate in the 6th Annual James Garfield Christmas again this year so I sent a few people toys and some who had asked for a copy of your book THAT IS COOL!….please send me my OWN copy…I will fucking love you forever!

  644. Happy Birthday! I’m happy that my son who got a pink slip on Dec 23rd, laughed Christmas morning when I got him a light up Hanukkah puppy (we’re not jewish, long story) and loved his copy of Let’s Pretend this Never Happened (I really think the beta fish stole the other copy.) Have an Awesome Day!

  646. Happy Birthday Jenny! I’m happy that after reading your book, I’m no longer the only person who KNOWS there are dead bodies/body parts in those bags, boxes, etc tossed on the side of the road. It’s always been my “oh yes, I really am crazy” statement when people didn’t believe me. I’m just glad to know that someone else swims in the same crazy pool.

  647. Happy Birthday! Right there with you on getting multiple copies… I ordered your book TWICE… and was all confused when I got the notifications on release day that “your BOOKS” have shipped. So I gave the extra copy to a friend 🙂

  649. Have a fan-freaking-tastic birthday! The cat toes make me happy and the fact that I’m starting a new job in a couple of weeks makes me dance with excitement (and fear, but whatevs, I’m dancing)! Also, I already have my own copy of the book and happily pasted my signed book plate into it, so I don’t mind a bit that I’m late to the book giveaway party 🙂

  650. This quote often makes me happy, especially when my OCD kicks in and I’m trying too hard to make everyone I know happy but getting frustrated and angry at myself when I inevitably fail:

    “A wise woman once said, Fuck this shit. And she lived happily ever after.”

  651. Ack Happy Belated Birthday! I have both of your books and actually pointed my little brother to your blog (and read the dog biscuit pharmacist bit which left us both howling) when he asked about Furiously Happy (which was sitting out).

    My happy things might be a bit weird, but there are three at the top of the list: haven’t had a migraine in a week, actually managed to spend a good half hour at the mall without freaaking out (including walking one end to the other and parking on a bench rather than hiding in the auto center), and I got a really nice telescope for christmas (if only we had clear skies at some point…new england winters are normally yucky but 60s and constant rain (while nicer than snow) aren’t exactly conducive to skygazing). Something I’m not necessarily happy about just yet (but think I could be) is that I have started the process for genetic screening (and my insurance actually approved it, so while I am not really sure what that says about my family history, there is a bit of hope in me that I might have some preparation if my life goes the same as most of my family’s has).

    Hopefully you had/have a happy birthday and a happpy new year and as always, thank you for all you do.

  652. Happy Birthday! I thought I’d tell you my 3 favorite smells because they make me happy. 1. Puppy feet. 2. The smell of laundry 3. The smell of my Father in law (he always smelled so good).

    My immediate family (my husband and kids) and my Puppy and 3 cats make me happy.

  653. IMG_2578.jpg I have no idea how to post photos, so if this doesn’t work, can someone help me out 🙂

  655. Happy Birthday Jenny!!!! I already have a signed copy of Furiously Happy which is something I am happy about. I am also happy that I finally broke off a very toxic relationship with my foster mom. Cheers! I hope you had a great day!!!

  656. Happy Birthday Jenny! It makes me happy to know that I can tell myself “depression lies” and that it is true and then I can move on. Plus, last night my cat Wednesday stood up on her hind legs as if she were a Meerkat instead of a house cat.

  659. I just got home from a frozen trip to Minnesota to meet my fiance’s family (because omg i have a fiance now and yes we are totally doing all this shit out of order). It was fun and exciting and they actually liked me! Also, I got to see snow! That’s not a thing that happens very often for me, and it was so fascinating and tranquil and how is it possible to be sad when the world gets covered in a mystical white blanket of beautiful?

  660. Hi Jenny! I hope your birthday was a great one! Looks like I’m a tad late in saying yes I want your book. I can’t believe how far behind Canada is in getting new books. I haven’t been able to find yours in any stores yet. Maybe the snow’s too deep and the book guys can’t make it through the drifts. I have your first book and it totally made me laugh out loud. I never do that because I get weird looks from my cats.

  661. I would love love love love love a copy of the book. I am probably too late to be one of the ten, and you were kind enough to send me your first book so you probably want to share the joyous madness somewhere else anyway (but at least I’m honest about it), but I have to try all the same because my Vicodin isn’t cutting it today and I can’t drink and it’s just me and the kiddo alone all day and he is going stir crazy and that means mommy is going crazy and I can’t send him to the yard to make slush art because he has a cold and I just want to curl up in bed with a lot of heating pads and some chocolate but the last time I tried that he jumped knees-first into several internal organs to come for a snuggle and….it has been sitting on my wishlist since it came out. No one got it for me. I can’t get it for myself. And I’m the physically disabled, full-time mommy of a neurologically disabled kid, and I don’t have clinical, brain-chemical-style Depression, so sometimes I forget to be realistic about when I do get seriously, seriously depressed anyway. I’m so used to using humor as a survival skill that I forget what I’m laughing about isn’t actually a joke. And I need reminders that it is ok to laugh at yourself and take yourself seriously at the same time. Plus, you’re just awesome. And it is awesomely Hobbit-y of you to gift others on your birthday. Which I wish you a very awesomely happy one of, because dear lord (and James Garfield), woman, you are celebrated! Oh, and something that makes me happy right now? That the only reason I’m on my own with kiddo today is that my hubby has work, plus we just had plans with friends last night so nothing was planned for today because we need a recovery day from being social in 3D….and although I have a ten year old boy and thanks to the kindness of others he had things under the Christmas tree, he still wants to take time to snuggle me (even if his aim and my internal organs aren’t always as grateful a combination). I also am grinning a little because my friend Ginger (who you sort of kind of know because she was in your video and also you met her at a recent signing) wants to take a taxidermy class, and only splendid things can come of this.

  663. I love you in some weird online-stalky you-don’t-know-me way, but I love cats and I have a bone garden and am currently in possession of a cat-sourced dead cardinal in my freezer so I feel like I know you. Happy birthday!

  664. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! If I get your book, I’ll gift it to someone I know who would love to read it, I already have your book, and you’re are my spirit animal!
    I’m also happy because my Boyfriend and I just got a cat and she’s so fat and amazing!

  665. Have a wonderful birthday Jenny. I adore you, you’ve made me laugh when I thought I would never be happy again. I’ll try to send you a pic of my children and grandchildren. They make me happy. Keep the happy train going.

  666. A thing that makes me happy is coloring with my son. He is 6 years old and has a lot of imagination and the best part is that he loves coloring with me too. He makes up a lot of stories while we do it together which makes it even more awesome.

  667. I’m Comment 667 (The Neighbor of the Beast), & that makes me happy!

    Also, I had a stress-free, drama-free Christmas with family. We had take-out Chinese food, & it was awesome.

    Happy (late) Birthday!

  668. Happy happy birthday!! I must say that your audio books are amazing and some of my favorite!!

  669. I just got engaged! After 14 years of a bad marriage, I didn’t know I could be this happy, but dammit I am. It’s so much easier to be in love than it ever was, and I’m pretty sure that’s a good sign! Also we’ve already been living together for two years and known each other for ten, so if I was going to have a problem with him, it probably would have surfaced by now. Looking forward to all the grumpy-old-people stuff and craziness in the years to come!

    p.s. I hope you’ve found a bit of chilly weather so you can wear the wonky silver ribbon scarf I gave you at the DC reading. Silly to say, but you were so sweet about it.

  670. I don’t need you to give me a book, but I’ve just gotta say, Jenny, Jenny, you don’t know me but you make me so happy. And also my granddaughter Aurora. She makes me happier than even a basket of kittens. Love you, keep writing, and I’ll keep reading!

  673. Happy happy happy birthday!!!! I do not need a book – but I’m so so happy that my daughter’s brain tumor is still not growing, still considered benign, just schedule her another MRI in 6 months to follow up. YAY!!!!!!!!

  675. First up, Happy Birthday our queen.

    What makes me happy? (i dont need a copy of any of your books, or audio versions either)

    Going to see Star Wars – The Force Awakens finally today, and not having been spoilered at alll. Being an agoraphobic aspie helps! Havent been to a movie theater in 20 years! Going to a noon session so theres not that many people

  676. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN!!! (that’s you). I’m happy right now that the “not great” news is that I’m officially IN mentalpause and that it was neither cancer nor vagina dentata; AND, I’m happy that kitties have jellybeans for toe pads.

  677. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! LOVE the catouflage! I personally have created a new word myself — cardouflage. It’s when I wear a cardigan every day to cover up my fat rolls! This “dunlap disease” just gets worse and worse with age . . . and skinny pants!

  678. Happy Happy Birthday, Jenny! It’s my son’s birthday, too…he’s 29 today, so next year it’s his golden birthday. I’d LOVE your book but I’m pretty positive you have the lucky 10, so that’s OK, I’m saving for it. I hope your day is lovely and I hope you have some idea of the number of people who love you and understand you, because, well, you know the because. You are my pretend best friend.

  680. Happy birthday- I already own both books and have passed the. On. However, we are currently stationed in Germany and my mother in law, in Savannah, Ga, is currently battling pretty severe depression and we are not there to help. I already told her about the book and was going to send it, as she would not buy on her own. It would be pretty amazing. Thank you!

  681. It’s literally my birthday, too! Yay twinsies! That’s how it works, right?

  682. You saying that depression lies is my happy spot today. Things kinda suck- possible divorce, losing my house, making my daughter’s life icky…oh, and very little time to think about all of it working 60 hours a week. At least my job is the part I like!
    Andplusalso- the picture of you and Hunter S. Thomcat makes me smile big. Happy Birthday yesterday!

  683. i am happy that my husband and I (both aged 57) just came back from a mini-honeymoon in St. Michael’s Maryland! We live in Fairfax Virginia and were married December 1st!

  684. Happy Birthday Jenny!
    I am so happy that today I feel more like part of a merry band of misfits, and less like a weird chick that sometimes feels alone in a crowded room.

  685. I’m happy that I finally took enough control to ask for help. And I actually got it.

    Because I know that we’ll all get it, “Maybe everything isn’t hopeless bullshit”!

  686. Happy belated birthday! I love how my daughter does random photo and video shoots with our cats (and sometimes the bearded dragon), it always makes me laugh. Btw, I couldn’t figure out how to put media in this reply box….I don’t know how the internet works.

  688. Dec. 29 is my birthday too. Happy birthday to us! My husband and I also just celebrated our 15th anniversary last week and our families surprised us with a big metal chicken. I screamed; he is a little bewildered.

  689. Happy Birthday to you! I was so sorry to miss your reading in LA. I had to attend the 66th end of the season soccer party. This one was for my youngest daughter. My husband has coached 66 teams and would have given me major stink eye if I missed his speech. Hope you are having a great birthday. I am happy because it is sunny here in California and all my kids are in town for the holidays. Let me know when you get back to Cal. I have a taxidermied cobra for you. No, I didn’t kill it. I found it at a swap meet and it needed some style so I added a few things to it. http://nancyhadley.com/2015/12/library-mural-on-ellen-beyond-the-trees-and-stuff/

  690. Jenny,
    Whoa! Almost 700 comments. What an amazing Happy Birthday present to you!! Am adding my warmest wishes to the growing pile. Don’t need the book because got it from the library and it kept me going during a bad spot in my semester this fall.
    Just found out this afternoon that my older son, who is another big reason I follow you — I’m also a supporting family member — passed his National Registry testing on his way to becoming a paramedic. WhooHoo!!!! Absolutely negates a police officer totalling my car at a messed up intersection yesterday evening. (Btw, my husband was driving when my car’s amazing heated leather seats saw their last bit of pavement.)

  691. Happy Belated Birthday! Thank you for your existence; reading “Let’s pretend this never happened” really saved my depressed ass during a bad marriage. Which is why I don’t mind buying your new book myself, so long as you keep writing these great books. So, we have a deal now: you write, I will pay and read. Awesome.

  692. Happy Birthday!🎉 I do not need your book. I read it and it made me feel normal. Thank you. That has never happened before.
    I’m happy because my 9 and 11 year old daughters actually cleaned there rooms! It’s awesome!

  693. Happy belated. I have been secretly feeding a cat at work who looks similar to HTS. I work at a gym so I have named him K Fit. He seems a smidge gangster, so it seemed appropriate. Little kitty gang signs at the gym members as they come and go.

  694. I just wanted to tell you Happy Day After Your Real Birthday and the wishes are just as big. When I read your first book, I knew you would be a great person to hide under the tables at public functions with. I am listening to the audio book (in the safety of my home due to uncontrollably inappropriate laughter in a public place (when I am out there, you know, with the public). Thank you for being kind enough to share your story with strangers, who then think you are the best friend they never had (not in that creepy stalker way). Bring in that New Year knowing how many lives you have touched.
    Rock on- Stacy

  695. I entered a comment yesterday and it was not posted. Did I do something wrong? I am having an extremely bad night and wonder if I want to do another. How can I mess up on a site?

  696. Happy belated birthday! What makes me happy: I got to hang out with my brother’s kids who are geeky and adorable. The toddler likes to help me clean up (and he’s actually really good at it. I might just put him in charge from now on).

  698. What you want is California Sea Lion milk — 0 % lactose. Reindeer and rabbit are good too. Cat milk is pretty average.

  699. I am happy that a neighbor just posted an add trying to sell Lionhead Rabbits, and then I got to google Lionhead Rabbits, and got this freakin’ adorable picture to look at. http://www.rabbitmatters.com/lionhead-rabbit.html
    Now I just want to give one of these ridiculously cute fluffballs to everyone I love as a wish of good cheer. Happy Birthday Jenny! I can’t teleport any rabbits to you, but hopefully the picture will at least convey the thought.

  700. Happy Birthday! In honor of your birthday… I think we should all celebrate all sorts of crazy things! Celebrating something like a solid year of being depression free, celebrating nearly 2 years of being out of a mentally abusive relationship, celebrating a good job and a wonderful man in my life, and my crazy two cats who make me smile every day. Celebrating getting on 3/4 flights this years without taking a xanax and being okay, and celebrating having xanax so I can interview for a job without seeming like a lunatic who can’t talk. Celebrating being happy. Celebrating a community of crazy weirdos that are pretty darn amazing. Also, I got to sleep for 13 hours today. If that doesn’t deserve celebrating then I don’t know what does!

  703. I’m happy because our friends from Houston came to visit us today. (We live in Michigan). Our friends from Houston with 3 boys and a baby girl. One of those boys had to go to the bathroom and somehow locked himself in our powder room. Except I don’t know if he so much as locked himself in or our handle just broke because the handle still turned but he couldn’t get himself out. So my husband had to get on a ladder outside in 30 degree weather and tell a 3 1/2 year old to click the lock on the screen and turn the crank. He did and my husband pulled him out of the window and spent the next two hours trying to figure out how to get the door opened. Because our friends came to visit. Our friends from Texas. There’s something in the water there, y’all.

  704. Happy birthday, Jenny! I’ve never left you a comment before, but I’ve read both your books and loved them and I sometimes keep up with your blog (and I’m always super happy whenever I catch up). Anyway, you’re awesome and I hope you had a smashing bday.

    My happy thing: I’m 40 pages away from my 50 books-this-year goal! I have tonight and tomorrow to finish, so I’m pretty sure I’ll get it. 🙂

    Cheers!

  705. Happy birthday 🙂

    My 40th was in August, and the day before my birthday, visiting relatives left a tap on where I had a sink full of dishes soaking, right before we left the house for 3 hours. We came home to massive damage. It was a long, terrible process (we have insurance, though) and now I am super happy about my new kitchen. It’s so pretty. The old kitchen was 80’s-tastic.

    Also, my kids. They make me happy every day.

  706. My oldest pup turned 14 on your birthday yesterday. That’s 98 for you and me, Lorne. He bares an uncanny resemblance to Grandpa Walton. This makes me very happy. Happiest of birthdays to you, amazing Jenny.

  707. Happy happy Birthday!! I am happy that my mom is doing better…my dad passed in September and after 46 years of marriage she’s been a bit lost…but she popped off a smart ass quip at me the other day which is the most like the mom I know that she’s been in months…it made my heart happy

  708. I am happy that my cats all circle the wagons around me when I am not feeling well, which is often. Chronic illness is better with kitties.

  709. The Cat Doctor on Facebook makes me happy because there are adorable pictures of cats in my newsfeed 5 days a week and one of them is named Sadie and she is a major sourpuss grumpykins and my spirit animal.

    Happy Birthday! Happy New Year! Thank you for being you, and sharing you with us. 🙂

  710. I think I might possibly have funded your Christmas because Amazon thought your book was the only thing ever i wanted to order. i gave to all my besties, and one who is undergoing a decidedly difficult time told me she read 40 minutes today(a large order of self time for her) and was completely and utterly validated for the first time. i feel that very thing every time i read your work, but for the gift for my friend, I thank you immensely for you words. I am flat broke after the holidays but would still like to give out a couple more copies. how do I do that? Thank you again like all your fans. I could not make your reading in San Francisco from Sacramento thanks to a new chronic illness and yes, mental illness, but thank you thank you thank you. Please let me know how to send copies to someone who can find hope in your words as do we all.

  711. Your writing always puts a smile on my face, even if it’s a small smile of “yep, I know how that feels too” recognition. I’ve fought the invisible liar on and off for decades and it almost won this most recent battle…but my kids faces and your words kept showing me just enough light that I could see my way to getting the help I so desperately needed.

    I’m alive. That’s my good thing. Thank you Jenny

  713. My cat’s paws. I think of them when I’m really down. Louise’s furry paws with her exquisite pink and black pads hanging off her perch.
    HBD nice lady.

  714. I am grateful that you published the suicide prevention hotline in September. I had the (un)fortunate experience of using it this November. You wouldn’t believe that when I googled the number, I got a number that was disconnected. So, I found the correct number on your website, and quickly found the help I needed.

    (I’m so glad you’re here, Erica. Thank you for being you. ~ Jenny)

  715. Happy birthday! (A little late never hurts…) Today I’m happy for little girls hugs and kisses. Yesterday I had to work in the office and then had a sleep study…since I work at the hospital already, I just stayed there until this morning. Thankfully today I work from home, so I was able to shower and come home after my sleep study. I hadn’t seen my kiddos (5 and 6) since they went to bed on Tuesday night. When I got home, they about tackled me in hugs and kisses. Just the best.

  716. I’m happy because you actually mention my daughter in your book! (No, she didn’t try to break into your hotel room.) She was thrilled beyond my ability to describe. And maybe a bit embarrassed to be weeping about it on the airplane.

    Happy Birthday. You are making my day happy as I weep with laughter. Thanks.

  718. Happy birthday Jenny!

    And congratulations to Sam right above me for that shiny new black belt! (Phew I managed to write that without a gendered possessive — I know a “Sam” as in Sam-uel and a “Sam” as in Sam-antha, and as a total stranger to THIS Sam I figured I’d avoid unintentional gender-bending.)

    As for me, I’m happy that my husband listened to me so well – my Christmas present was a Nikon camera. Forty years after I fell in love with photography I finally have a camera that lets me muck with all the settings. It may be second-hand, but it’s a REALLY GOOD one. Our friend the photographer is going pro and sold him her “starter” camera. Yay me!

  719. Since I am comment 700 something, I guess I missed out on the free book..:( I just haven’t had the chance to get it yet…I know, I know dumb excuse, but it is the truth…and may I just say Happy birthday from another December baby.. have a wonderful New Year Jenny…we love you…

  720. Happy birthday to you, and happy (un)birthday to me! What’s making me happy lately is the song Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked — can’t get it out of my head, so I’ve decided to embrace it and defy me some gravity all year. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3w6gz_defying-gravity-idina-menzel-kristi_music
    What also makes me happy is the reasoning of my 7 year old when she tells me she NEEDS a horse: (i) it will make the commute to school easier; (ii) we will not longer need to mow the grass in our postage stamp-sized yard; (iii) horses don’t burn gas, so it’s good for the environment and (iv) there’s room in our garage for the horse to live, since our car doesn’t fit in garage built in 1929. Makes me crazy happy to hear her logic (which is pretty good, for a 7 year old), but we’re not getting a horse.

  722. Happy Birthday! I FINALLY closed out my synagogue’s dinner ad book – happy, happy, happy! I actually just ordered both of your books to celebrate. 🙂

  723. Happy Birthday to a wondrous person, thank you for existing!
    This will sound sad but I am truly happy that after tomorrow all the socialization of the season is over. My family and friends are wonderful and know me well enough not to push so hard anymore and I had a wonderful time with all the visiting over Christmas and now New Years, but I will be truly happy to close the door on their backs as they leave in the morning. Then I can take some time to reboot and probs cry – a lot. It was good but I am getting tired and so the thought of an empty house (well just me and my son) makes me happy

  724. Happy Birthday! I have a happy that is mixed with my sad. Two years ago my husband and I lost our only child (her name was Mallory) unexpectedly and at the tender age of only four years old. This year, on the week of the anniversary of her death, we found out we are expecting another child. It’s all kinds of bittersweet. Also, I’m kind of old to be doing this again (I’m going to be 39 very soon) but I am happy to be able to share the love we have with another beautiful, little radiant being.

  725. Happy (late) Birthday!!! My something happy is..donating to Project Night Night. I’m financially strapped but blessed beyond blessed to have (grown) children with beautiful souls who understand that being together is a better gift than any material thing could be. The $25 donation gave me a little lift at an otherwise difficult time. Thanks so much for your kind, strong, weak and supportive words throughout the year. Cheers to many more happy birthdays and more days on the light side than the dark!

  726. Angela (comment 712) just made me laugh until I cried! WAY TO GO!! I need this in my life! (The exercise, not so much the crying..although, they were very happy, laughing tears, which I’d choose any day over the icky, ugly hurting tears!)

  727. Congratulations of all your success this year Jenny; you deserve it. I wish a very Happy New Year to you, Victor and Hailey as well.

    Have the other ten copies of your wonderful book been given away yet? If not, I would dearly love one. I am struggling with depression and it’s been hard lately finding a reason to go on. I visit the blog every day (sometimes more than once) and it helps me feel less alone.

    If the books have all been gifted, it’s okay; the picture of Hunter is pretty awesome and cheerful.

    Happy 2016

  729. Happy belated birthday! Hope your day was scrumtrulescent (to quote Will Ferrell as James Lipton). What I’m happy about: I kinda need the adult version of the book “Tell me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep” so I like to watch or read something funny before bed. Thank goodness for Furiously Happy–I read a couple chapters and try not to wake my husband laughing before I drift off. What a wonderful thing it is, Jenny, that you were born and we all get to enjoy the special kind of magic that is you! 🙂

  730. Im happy because you are finally seeing who you are and how special you are–not to us, but to yourself. If you don’t matter to Jenny, well…you all you got, lady.

    And Happy Birthday, long may you wave.

  731. guess I forgot to hit “post”

    Im happy because you’re doing so well, and you seem to have found jenny. You ‘re all you have, and I think you’re doing amazingly well. Just keep telling yourself what a good year this was. And happy birthday…

  732. Jenny,
    I’m happy for a wonderful new relationship, after ending my last (seven year) relationship. After months of oscillation between depressed and normal, I’m finally really happy again.

  733. What makes me happy…? No plans on a holiday weekend that my birthday falls on. Paid vacation tomorrow, giving me 3 blissful days to hide out in my house with my cats, tidy up after Christmas chaos, take naps, and soak in my little old jetted tub. Does it get better? Only if my husband were in town. But not too shabby 🙂

  734. A day late, but called my dad this morning to wish him a happy 90th birthday. So you know what I am thankful for! My husband, my mom and my dad all born in December…seems to be the month for birthing the very best sorts of people!
    Hope your day was happy. And I am off to try to design a tiny, tiny little milking machine.

  735. I’m a couple days late but happy birthday! My gift to you is something I’m happy about: I didn’t merely survive last year (which, if you asked me halfway through 2015, surviving is leagues more than I thought I could do) I flippin’ THRIVED. Short list – I’m finally employed after 2 years of chronic unemployment (thanks anxiety), I had artwork in a big show here in Melbourne, and I’m coping so well with stuff I surprise myself on a daily basis. It’s awesome. And you’re partly to thank for it – I became ok with not being ok (instead of fighting against it and pretending I was fine), and got help. Thankyou Jenny <3

  736. Sorry this is late, but I just read this post this morning, so Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! It’s a double happiness for you! What makes me happy? I think it’s something you can relate to: watching my 12-year-old daughter growing up to be a cool, strange, awesome young woman. (Of course, that can also be a source of unhappiness, but it is happy most of the time. 🙂 )

  739. Happy Birthday. I am happy that the sun is shining today. it is only 10 degrees here, but the sun is shining, and it feels warm coming through the big windows.

  740. Wow. I hope you had a great birthday! Honesty, your book made me really happy this year. Not just your ridiculous humor but the fact of knowing I’m not alone in fighting mental illness! Keep it up. Looking forward to your next book!

  741. Hi! I am 85% finished with “Furiously Happy” and it has made me furiously happy. I’m laughing out loud, I’m giggling (I’m a grown woman. I don’t giggle. Unless I read one of your books.) and your book got me out of serous depression and anxiety (holidays, dead mommy issues, taking care of sick parent, etc). So I saw that you’re giving out more books, and I really want to loan this book to a very depressed friend, but your book is on my kindle and I can’t loan him my kindle because I need that shit. I can’t afford to buy him the physical book because Christmas and I’m broke. I just want a way to cheer him up and after brainstorming about it, your book is what I’ve come up with. So if you’re still gifting books, can I please have one for my friend? I need for him to be happy, even if it’s temporary. I think you should know how much your books help me and how much I relate to all of the good and the bad. So, thank you for being brave enough to be yourself, I’m trying to be, and I really want my friend to be too. Thanks! Happy New Year!

  742. Hi Jenny! I left a comment a few days ago that I had won my copy and would like to pay it forward by sending a copy to someone else. Can you link me with someone who said they’d like a copy?

  743. I saw your book in Target! And I kinda did a little happy dance… even though I don’t know you in person, but you do follow me on Twitter! Anyway, I was insanely happy to see it there, not able to pick it up yet, but I will because you are right depression lies all.the.time.

  744. I have started reading Furiously Happy. I don’t have depression but I do have mild anxiety and my mother is bi polar, my sister has depression and my daughter has severe anxiety. I’m just waiting for my number to be called. This book is amazing. My husband has walked in on me reading multiple times because I was laughing so loudly. You are an inspiration to those who battle MH. It’s all how you look at things. You are awesome.

  745. I am sorry I’m so late in joining the “Happy Birthday, Jenny” party…but here’s to a blessed year! The things that make me happy are my grandchildren and hearing them laugh at the silliest things, and reading…reading makes me happy. AND…that my 7 year old grandson loves to read…that makes me happy. I just spent $75 bucks I really didn’t need to, in a Barnes & Noble – just on books for my grandkids. (Those hardback books are pricey!) But the main reason I’m leaving this comment is to tell you that you make me happy….your blog, your books…it was so fun attending your book signing this year at the Brazos Book Store! I was in the 4th wave of people, and I’d partooken (my word) of the lovely wine they’d set out. So, when I got to you, I was a little tipsy and totally overwhelmed! But you are so gracious. I know we all wish we could spend more time with you….because – you totally rock! I love the community you’ve brought together!!! I love your transparency! Thank you for giving us a community to know we aren’t the only ones out there. And, seriously, I’d rather be one of us than not – it seems we have more fun. Right? My sister-in-law is “normal” – but I get bored within 5 minutes of time with her… her granddaughter’s a “princess” (only child) – mine runs around quoting Teen Titans and the movie “Elf.” (she’s 3) And, thank you for asking what makes me happy. Because it just made me smile thinking what a silly girl my granddaughter is, but she also has a good heart. She sees a need and does what she can to fulfill it. My grandson is the same way. I guess I’m happy that we have been able as a family to (so far) raise 2 fun, loving, smart kids. And it does take all of us! Mom, dad, Nana, and (great) grandma. And I should add “Kunkle Evan.” And Red Wine. Red Wine makes me happy. (and my comfy bed which is piled with ten pillows and 2 quilts and 2 fluffy blankets) (all for me)…yeah, that makes me happy.

  746. I’m happy about Tylenol. It’s the only thing I can take bc I’m pregnant, and I had to take it because my belly is growing and it’s making my back hurt…but at least I got to go back to sleep after taking it!

  747. I gave copies of your book to friends for Christmas. And I sent a copy to another friend who just went through a nasty divorce. I hope each enjoy reading it as much as I have.

  748. Crap, I guess I missed this. I haven’t been able to get either one of your books yet, but hopefully I wilL soon. My birthday is coming up and they’re both on my list.

  749. Happy Birthday! You are amazing and reading your stories about you and your family make my grey days a brighter, and I have recommended your blog to everyone I know who needs a way to smile and move forward. I have not had time to get your book, but I hope to be able to sort that out soon as I hear nothing but wonderful things! Keep on being you!

  750. Happy belated birthday! The thing that makes me happiest right now is that last week my girlfriend travelled with me to meet my family for the first time, and I’ve never had a better trip, and we’ve picked out a ring 🙂

  751. I know this is an old post, but happy birthday! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE your book; I got it from the library, laughed out loud many times (which is rare for me, I don’t literally LOL very often), read bits to my family, who also laughed, and it’s now at the top of my “books to buy” list. I read it really fast and I was hanging on to it so I could reread it, but then I thought, “Someone else needs to read this” and I returned it so someone else could enjoy it and feel less like a complete outcast.

    So, um… thank you for writing it. It literally made my life better.

  752. I’ve been looking for you all my life. I love you. I wish I could be you! I also wish I could go back in time to wish you a happy birthday. Crap, I think I just used all 3 of my wishes, so wishing for a book is out at this point. Right?

  753. Here’s what makes me happy right now (and I’m not being gratuitous, although that does sound kinda sexy, right? Okay, moving on…):

    Binge reading your blog posts makes me Furiously Happy.

    My Bipolar mania has ADD symptomization (insert Forrest Gump reference regarding what life is like), and I wander away down rabbit trails (did you know RABBITS REALLY DO HAVE TRAILS, and I’ve seen one, live and in person – couldn’t find the beginning or the end of it, and couldn’t find my way back from it, humorously enough, but I got to see the real thing anyway), and I forget things like eating, showering, taking my meds, and checking your blog (the latter being one of my top Mental Health Bare Necessities of Life [you can hear the song in your head, can’t you, and you’re singing along – admit it, since it doesn’t qualify as A Problem]).

    So yeah, I get to binge-read your posts – in the same manner that I would binge watch Doctor Who or… or… hey, I haven’t watched anything in a while except for some YouTube, wanders away, thinking about the Fourth Doctor cosplay I saw last Halloween…

  755. OH MY GOSH. I was catching up on the Bloggess and was reading that it was your birthday and I scrolled back up to look at the date — Dec. 29th was my mom’s birthday! She passed away in 1990 and I still miss her so much. Knowing that it’s your birthday too was a nice little surprise. 🙂 P.S. It’s also my cousin’s birthday, my uncle’s, and a dear friend’s, but you’re the only one who probably celebrated with stuffed raccoons so — YOU GO GIRL! IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY! Well, it WAS your birthday, but maybe when you read this you could eat some cake or dance with one of your taxidermied lovelies and celebrate it all over again, just because. : )) Hope it was great!

  756. Pingback: Let’s Blog about Bloggers – The Buffington Posts

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Where Do I Belong? A memoir of Sarah Carrington: The unbelievable story of growing up in a religious cult in the mountains of Northern British Columbia. What happens to you in life doesn’t make you strong; rising above it does.

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