Say you're an expatriate who just moved back to Texas. Upon your return, you might be "happy as a hog in slops" or "happy as a boardinghouse pup." More convoluted phrasings include: "The greatest thing since...(apple burr to bare feet); "She took to you like...) a buzzard to guts; a sticker burr to bare feet)"; and "I haven't had so much fun since...(the hogs ate Sister; the legs fell off Nell's hamster)." Try using one of these, and your spirits will rise like a corncob in a cistern.

Fat and sassy.

If I felt any better, I'd drop my harp plumb through the cloud.

I'm cooking on a front burner today.

She's got a lot of stars in her crown.

Fine as cream gravy.