A Few of My Favorite Things

It's been a while since I blogged...do you know why I don't blog much? Do you think it is because I'm too busy? I am busy, but no, that's not why. Do you think it's because I don't have any interesting stories to tell? Nope, I got 'em by the truckload. Confession...it's because I'm a perfectionist and struggle with not blogging perfectly the thought I want to express. After all, I am supposed to be a writer. So many people have begged me to write a book or two. I want to, but my anal, perfectionist, OCD tendencies prevent me. I'm trying to overcome it with the Lord's help...and to just blog for the great cathartic results I get and not to try to impress or humor...just get the ideas, jumbled as they are on "paper."

So, this is what's on my mind today...naming my favorite things. Why? I'm sad. My best friend found out that her son has leukemia today. Daniel is like a third child to me. I hurt for him and for his family. This is going to be a hard journey. So, instead of fixing my mind on the sadness, I have prayed much and now I am ready to praise through shouting out my favorite things. These are things that bring me joy...gifts from God, family, friends and life...

I'm not going to be as lyrical or rhymy as Maria, eg raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, but these things make me happy, bring me joy, make me smile...and I need that today.

DIET COKE, of course, in a large styrofoam cup from McDonalds, from a fountain, for sure;

Red licorice strings; a handful of red hots swishing around in my mouth; watching big, white snowflakes fall from the sky (even better witnessing Trinidadian family members who've never seen snow look up at it in wonder and dance around in joy); watching my daughter's face at Disney World when she saw the castle for the first time...and she got tears in her eyes (and she's not a princess fan), thanked me for bringing her and saying, "This place really is magical, Mommy."

A juicy steak cooked to perfection on the grill; a great episode of Castle; when my husband spontaneously laughs loud and strong...doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's precious; having a 100% clean house and sitting and looking at it with pride and joy; listening to my incredible son ask me about my day and hugging me hard when he knows it was crummy; watching Christmas lights twinkle while sitting in a dark room; smelling homemade bread and cookies baking in the oven, with the delicious smells permeating the whole house; staying on track with my Bible-in-a-year reading plan and really learning new stuff and enjoying doing it with my girl;

a clean desk at work; playing games on Facebook which easily relaxes and decompresses me; scrapbooking with friends; looking at those same completed scrapbooks with my kids and reliving the memories; reading a great book, esp. if it's about medieval Scotland; having lip balm at my fingertips wherever I am; living in a free country; watching a great movie, with a big bowl of popcorn; angel food cake; anything with mint or toffee in it; hanging out with my extended family and playing games (this past New Year's eve was awesome!)

the color purple; a new purse; the Container Store or any other organizationy kind of store/supplies; pasta; pixie stix, esp. the red ones; The Amazing Race; Jeremy Camp's "Give Me Jesus."

Anything by Fernando Ortega; Tyler Perry; forcing my kids to do their AWANA verses (not so much fun) but seeing them work at it, learn them and really GET IT = priceless; completing a big project at work; having the privilege of serving Jesus...no, really!; hanging with my girlfriends, sharing a meal; a big heaping pile of my mom's mashed potatoes and gravy; my mom's Christmas sugar cookies; ginger snaps; root beer floats; tacos al pastor; sleeping an extra hour either in the morning or with a weekend nap; the smell of freshly cut grass; paying all the monthly bills and having more than $13.82 to last for the next two weeks; the kids carrying their clean clothes upstairs and putting them away; coming home at the end of a long day, dreading having to cook dinner and then, smelling that hubby cooked for us all!

These are a few of my favorite things. I'm happy now...and you know me a little better now too if you made it this far. Oh yeah, I love my friends too, especially those who read my blog and make fun comments! : )

Stay tuned tomorrow for...a few of my most hated things...just kidding, although I could probably come up with a few of those too. Happy New Year 2012!