My Favorite Things

I realize I am no Oprah (though I'd kill to take over her show when she finally gives it up) but I have some new favorite things. As I'm feeling generous (and needed something new on this blog that did not involve whining), so I'm going to share them with you.

Sportswear – I'm sure you'll all gasp in shock when I say I am not the workout type. I don't have "workout clothes" and never have. I played sports for many years but that only required sweats and a few old t-shirts. Now, I have found the joy and comfort that is sportswear. You have to get some of these Lux Suede Fleece Pants from Reebok. I found them at one of those wholesale stores for like $12 or some such. They are AMAZING. I also love this polyester, stretchy, long-sleeved top I found from Champion, but can't find it on the web anywhere. It has a nice collar with a ¾ length zipper and the texture on the inside is uber-soft. Fits perfectly and I found it at the same wholesale store. I really need to go back and get more of these things.

iPod – I'm clearly not talking about *new* things here, but I really do love my iPod. It's the greatest invention since indoor plumbing. To have so much music in one little device that sounds great, fits anywhere, and even works with my car radio is like finding the Holy Grail to me. The cup one I guess, not the dead body one. And speaking of books…

Eat Pray Love – This book by Elizabeth Gilbert is a treasure. Again, as this book was released in 2006, I'm clearly far behind the rest of civilization. In this memoir, Ms. Gilbert spends a year abroad with four months in Italy, four months in India, and four months in Indonesia. Along the way she meets some colorful characters, herself, and her new love. Pretty much in that order. This is one that when I'm finished I'll likely read it again with a highlighter in hand to mark all the lines I want to remember. This book should be mandatory reading for every woman over thirty. Not that I would discriminate and say a woman under thirty can't read it, but women over thirty would absolutely benefit from this read.

Chocolate Frosting – This explains why I need the sportswear. There is very little in this world as satisfying as sitting down with a canister of good old-fashioned chocolate frosting…and a spoon. Upon the first bite, my eyes actually roll back in my head. I have no problem admitting my addiction to chocolate and I manage to stay on the wagon for long periods of time. But then I fall off. I have not only fallen off these days, I'm being dragged along under the wheels. I thought I would treat myself over the Valentine's weekend (since no one else was going to) and bought a yellow cake mix with chocolate frosting. The cake mix is still in the cupboard. Now I have to buy another container of frosting. Darn.

SPRING – Have I mentioned I don't like being cold. Actually, that's an understatement. I HATE to be cold. And I'm ALWAYS cold. I have a little heater that sits under my desk at work. I use it year round. Even when it's 100 degrees outside. Mostly to battle back against the air conditioning. So I am ecstatic that Spring is forcing its way in here in the Va Beach area. We've hit over 70 degrees already. Grant it, then it went back to the 30s and we had a little dusting of snow. And though it's beautiful today, they are calling for snow this weekend. (Which means we will see nothing. Trust me.) The sun is shining and the temps are rising and I am very, very grateful for it.

There you go, some of my favorite things. My guess is that you can't buy Spring, but the rest of the stuff is pretty easy to find. I really recommend that chocolate frosting. And then wearing those fleece pants on the treadmill.

What are your favorite things? Any new discoveries lately? Anyone get anything really cool from their sweetie that give the rest of us awesome-present-envy?

Would The Real Terrio Please Stand Up

It's a truth that I don't like what I look like. Now, before y'all start barking at me, what I mean is that I don't think my outside looks like my inside. Gee, that doesn't sound right either. I guess I mean what I look like doesn't match who I am.

I might be having an identity crisis.

Let me give a "for instance". I went to a Nickelback concert a couple years ago with a group of people. Ages ranged from near forty to six years old. I stood next to a 15 year old kid. For some reason, I kept getting twinges that I shouldn't be screaming my fool head off, singing along with every word, and dancing like I forgot my pole in the parking lot. What can I say? I'm a headbanger from way back and I LOVE Nickelback. Have you heard that growl Chad Kroeger does? 'Nuff said.

On the other hand, I can do a pretty good two step and feel as at home at a George Strait concert as I do at a Nickelback show. Then there's the me who is taking my daughter to the Opera next month. Oh, and the me who has spent this week listening to the latest Ne-Yo CD on loop on my iPod. The Year of the Gentleman. Awesome. Highly recommend it.

Not that I think judging a book by its cover is always a good idea, but for most people you can get a sense of who they are upon first meeting them. All based on their outward appearance. Their style of dress, their hair color or cut. There's something special about most everyone that sets them apart.

I don't think I stand apart. I'm….dare I say it….ordinary. Vanilla. Gah! I hate that word. LOL! Maybe it's that I'm too eclectic to look like any one thing. Yeah, that sounds better. I'm not ordinary, I'm deceptively eclectic.

Do you think who you appear to be on the outside is who you are on the inside? Is there something *special* about you that people notice right off? (A good kind of special here.) Could it be I'm just trying to cling to my youth as I creep ever closer to forty? While I'm asking silly question, anyone willing to nominate me for one of those make over shows so I can change up the look?