I've been thinking (I know... dangerous huh?...but seriously), about the many things that we all have in our lives, that we feel we just couldn't live without. Or that we just wouldn't want to live without also. I have my own list and thought it was worth a mention to share it, and maybe others have some or several that are the same. Besides it has been raining the past two days and since I was a little bored, I spent some time writing and adding to this over a 48 hour period. It is a bit lengthy, so you might want to grab a coffee or a cold drink, perhaps a snack and sit back and have a good read, or skip this and come back later. *wink*
The first and foremost would be: Although they are not "things" they are people, in my life!
- My Family and Friends. They are a huge part of me and who I am. I love them all and feel so blessed and very glad I have had them to share in my life. Even though I may not get to see a lot of them as often as I would like, they are still close in my heart and always in my thoughts! (Within this list, is a list for this one)
- My Mom and Dad, without them I surely wouldn't exist, and I am truly grateful for them giving me life, raising me and all that they have done for me throughout my life. I am blessed to have my parents, their love and guidance, and for them having married each other and lovingly being together for over fifty years. I am a true blend of both of them in many ways, and I am so glad I got their good sense of humor gene.
- My Sisters, they are the first best friends I ever had. Being the youngest of three girls, they were the first girls I looked up to and wanted to be like. So many memories from growing up together sharing love and laughter through the years, and it's fun to look back or reminisce with them and have a good laugh about it now and then. (speaking of growing) being their little sister that passed them both in height. They're my Sissy's and I'll always be their baby Sis! ...Chance made us sisters, hearts made us friends!
- My Husband, for being "the one" who loves me most, has my heart, and chose to spend life with me. Through highs and lows I know he will always be there, and will be the one that shares with me in a life of better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and health, and all through the good days and bad days, the not loving this so much times, all the I love you's, and I love you moments, and all those in between.
- My Daughters, two of the most beautiful gifts life has given me, and who have given my life even more meaning, making it happier and more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. My proudest, challenging and most rewarding accomplishments. They are two of the best things that ever happened to me and my life, and they are also two of my closest friends
- My Granddaughters, I'm very happy to be a Grandmother to two of the cutest little girls. It's fun to see a do-over of your kids, in their kids. I love hearing them yell out "Grandma!" when they see me. Being a Grandparent is a whole new kind of love!
- My Extended Family and In-Laws, all those who are a part of my life and have shared moments with me big or small. From my Grandmas and Grandpas to Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. My In-Laws, Mother-In-Law and Father In-Law, who always made me feel a part of the family, even before their son and I were married. My Sister-in-Laws, who are my other sisters, and also friends. One I call "My Big Little Sister", of the same name as me, who was a friend in high school before we were sister-in-laws. My Brother-In-Laws who are the big brothers I never had! My Son-In-Law, who has been a great husband, father, and the son we never had.
- My Friends, they're unexpected gifts, and they become extended family too. I'm glad to have friendships that have lasted through the years, and close friends that are like family. I've always liked these friend quotes ...a friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you anyway! ...good friends are like stars, you don't always see them but you know they're always there!
and these "Things"...
- Coffee! My having coffee is a serious thing and an important part of my morning, day, life and existence! Seriously! If you know me, you know I am not kidding. I must have it! I want it! I need it! I believe this to be true, and I am sure some certain family members would attest to this statement! Plus I know I am a much better person with it, than without it! I do really love it though, and everything about it as well, the smell, the taste! Ahhhh!
- Sunshine, This plays an important role in my mood, my happiness or lack there of! Not to mention my ability to achieve anything productively with ambition. If it's raining this situation is worsened. Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons, with warmer weather and lots of sunshine! I am like a flower that has to have my sunshine, and I am not a happy flower without it. (just like the coffee... give me both, and I am a very happy gal! :) and also...The Moon and the Stars too!...'cause we all want the moon and the stars!
- Chocolate, one of the true guilty pleasures in my life! I am a chocoholic, I'll admit! I love the stuff, dark chocolate would be my first choice, but honestly if it's chocolate, I'm for it! This would be a good place to mention Nutella since it is a form of chocolate ...It contains cocoa and hazelnut, so I say it is! I love me some Nutella, (If you hadn't noticed) I've written about and added recipes here to my blog about Nutella too, and there are more to come about that and chocolate too I'm sure!
- Wine, this is my favorite "adult beverage", as I would say to my granddaughters. Red wine is my favorite, but I'll take white on occasion. There are so many different types and flavors to choose from. It goes well with everything if you ask me! Sometimes for me there is nothing better than chill-laxing with a glass of wine after dinner, outside on a nice evening. Cheers! *clink of the glass*
- Laughter, because I love to laugh! ...it makes you feel good, is good for the soul and it's been said that it's good medicine. I've always enjoyed hearing children's laughter. Have a good Laugh! Laughter is contagious! If it's funny, I like it! I laugh at myself...a lot! So, Laugh on! & Giggle-Giggle!
- Music, I love music, I enjoy most varieties! Not a rap fan! The mood dictates the tunes! I do love old motown and R&B. One moment might be - Al Green, Marvin Gaye or Barry White and then another might be some - Queen blasting out "Another one bites the dust"! Maybe - some Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, or The Eagles. Some Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jr. or Peter Cincotti. Some country with Carrie Underwood, Tim & Faith, or Martina! Some classical sounds of Alessandro Safina, Andrea Bocelli or Sarah Brightman. Or perhaps just chill-laxing with some soothing jazz from - Gato Barbieri or Ottmar Liebert. I enjoy most of all music genres. It's nice when you hear a song and it reminds you of a certain time or a place, or someone.
- Italian Food, this is my all time favorite food. This leads me to think of other favorite foods associated with Italian foods as in Basil, Garlic, Olive Oil, Oregano, Parmigiano Reggiano/Parmesan Cheese, Pasta, Prosciutto, and Tomato Sauce. (singing..."these are a few of my favorite things"!) If it has garlic in it, I'll probably like it!
- Mexican Food, a close second to Italian food. I love spicy, the hotter the better most of the time! So much to love in this category. I make great fajitas and taco salad healthy style at home, and my salsa is a hit with everyone, and I am told I need to bottle it, and so the recipe is ...my lips are sealed. *wink*
- Jewelry, I do like pretty things, sparkly, shiny things too. Jewelry is so varied in style, there is something for everyone. Be it expensive or inexpensive, I love it all....Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, Rings. Since I make some of my own jewelry, this is a hobby of sorts now too. Bring, bring the bling, bling!
- My Computer which includes many things of course, like the Internet, so I can perform many tasks throughout the day. E-mail, Shopping, Facebook and of course my Blog! Uploading Digital Photos, and Gaming is in there sometimes too. Not to mention if you need to know something the internet is full of answers! Just ask Google! *giggle*
- My Car, because lets face it, without it I wouldn't be able to go anywhere! I do really love my current vehicle which is a Toyota Sequoia. I love driving it, and man, it drives like a dream!
- My Cell Phone/smart phone, which I thought I didn't want. Let me explain, I had a flip-open style phone for ...forever, and when time came to upgrade, as it was on it's last leg, so to speak. I fought getting on board with the "Smart Phones", maybe 'cause I thought I wasn't smart enough and I had said I didn't want all the bells and whistles types, as I called them. Well after my daughter got the Android, aka Droid and I saw all that she could do with it ...I wanted all those bells and whistles after all! Yep, I got the Droid shortly there after. I have thought many a time since, how did I go so long without it? Also since it is a mini-computer it has most of all the things I listed about the Computer and is on-the-go. Fantabulous!
- Flowers, because they are beautiful and most of them are very fragrant and smell nice. Gardenias, are my true favorite, they are a beautiful white flower and it smells so sweet. I remember falling in love with these the first time I saw/smelled them. Maglolias, such a beauty and the smell is heavenly! Hibiscus, Iris, and Clematis are a few of my other favorites!
- Hummingbirds, I enjoy watching them, and attracting them to my yard. They are just so fascinating to me. I also like Butterflies, they capture your attention, and I think they are both quite beautiful.
- The color Purple, this is such a beautiful color! I love all shades of it as well! Black is also an all time favorite and Gold too, I love the two together!
- Smiles and Smiling, A smile can be like a hug, a greeting, a flirtation, an apology, a thank you, or a happy expression. It can warm your heart and someone else's at the same time. It looks good on your face, and makes others smile too. Smile! A little song I sing to my granddaughters- "Be optimistic!..Don't you be a grumpy...When the road gets bumpy...Just smile, smile, smile!" ...If you see someone without a smile give them yours!
Just a few of my favorite things!...
~Tammy~
~Tammy~
