A Few of My Favorite Things
[image error]2010 was my Annus Horribilis. Queen Elizabeth II had hers in 1992, the year Andrew and Sarah separated, Windsor Castle burned, Diana's dishy tell-all was published, and Charles and Diana made their separation official. I had mine this year. We won't go into it. I think it has all been said, and what hasn't been said is too personal to share, but… 2010 was quite a surprise, in the worst way. It just wasn't the year I was expecting on Dec. 31 2009, when one of my last few emails from Kathleen Givens said "Here's to us!"
Here's to us! This is still the way it should be. Here's to us! Maybe 2011 will be a bright new beginning. Maybe it won't. I could say I was prepared for any possibility, but I would be lying, because I generally start a new year expecting the best and thinking great new things are on the way. I'm delighted to find that I still have that kind of optimism, and maybe that in itself is a gift.
So in the spirit of appreciating all that I have… Here are a few of my favorite things.
Family, amazing friends, my health– the obvious ones, but "things" would imply not people or dogs, so…
The Keurig single cup coffee brewer (thanks for the tip, Jacquie). I am the only one who drinks coffee at home, and it's such a pain to make a pot just for me. I stopped drinking coffee. Until I got my Keurig. But it makes cocoa, tea, and green tea, too. Love it! [image error]
L.L. Bean's Wicked Good Moccasins. My new around-the-house footwear. Happy feet. (And yes, mine are Fuschia, but they come in many colors).[image error] My Nissan Rogue. It's lacking the bells and whistles of my husband's luxury vehicle, but I don't care. My Rogue and I have bonded over the past four months and I can't imagine being without him, er, it. [image error]
A reliable go-to wine for any occasion. And Reidel O glasses. My go to wine is J. Lohr Paso Robles Cabernet. [image error]
HDTV with DVR. Wow, my time is my own. I don't have to watch a show when it's actually on, or wait for commercials to go refill a drink or walk the dog. Rewind. Fast Forward. And what a picture. I can't believe we waited so long to replace our old TV and get a DVR. High def is pretty amazing. Especially for football games (Go Pats!).
My Tiffany umbrella, a gift from a friend. Automatic open, and automatic close. The automatic close is a life-saver, because I have a silly fear (leftover from childhood) of pinching my fingers in the closing. [image error]
A charm bracelet with aquamarine beads, dolphins, and other sea-creatures. I bought it while on vacation, and it reminds me both of Kathleen Givens (the dolphins) and of a really happy time with my family, which was a rare bright spot in 2010.
Also, my Kindle. I love reading on it because it's not backlit, like a computer screen, so it is an ereader that really reads like a book (only more convenient). I never thought I would like e-reading, but it turns out that I really do. But I still love actual BOOKS, too. You can win a Kindle and a $50 gift card in our holiday contest. All you have to do is comment.
Some of these things are also great gift ideas, if you're still stuck for last minute ideas. What are some of your favorite things?
