this little life of mine

Ten Things That Make Me Smile

A listy post inspired by Kim’s post. I thought it would make a good Friday Love List, too!

1. a good night’s sleep
2. petting soft, purring kitties
3. pretty flowers – wild or domestic
4. the smell of the air after it rains
5. the sound of joyful children playing
6. making it through a grueling workout
7. a day at the beach
8. taking a really awesome picture
9. a nice, relaxing spa pedicure
10. watching the birds in my back yard

Chicago Love List

It's been a long time since I've done a love list, and sicne I just got back from an awesome weekend vacation, I thought it' might be good to revive it. Stuff I loved about my weekend in Chicago:

1. The awesome clothes I bought at Vive la Femme, particularly the ruffly black blouse I wore on Halloween.
2. Hanging out with some totally awesome people! 
3. Drinking Acai margaritas. 
4. Seeing the beautiful fall foliage. 
5. The fantastic weather.
6. Walking the length of the crazy, wonderful Halloween parade.
7. Just getting out of California was nice!
8. Decorative cabbages in planter boxes.
9. My room at the Club Quarters on Wacker.

10. The wig I wore for Halloween. It has inspired me to dye my hair brown, now!

Friday Love List

Things I loved this week:

1. The Host. I finished the book last night - it's awesome! I'm still not sure if the ending thrilled me or annoyed me, but on the whole, it's a great book! (Also, I suddenly realized I've been spelling Stephenie Meyers' name wrong this whole time! Yikes! Sorry about that!)
2. Buying fresh produce at the Farmer's Market on Wednesday. Since my trainer cancelled our appointment, I didn't need to hurry to the gym, and a few stands were still open when the bus pulled up, so I was able to score some carrots, plumbs, peaches, beets and artichokes. Yum!
3. My new Isabella Fiore purse! Yeah, it's a bit small which is kinda-sorta bugging me, but it's so pretty I totally forgive it!
4. Having Monday off! I suppose that should've been at the top of the list, but whatever. It was really nice to sleep in on a Monday morning then spend the rest of the day laying around in comfy clothes and watching soap operas, Judge Judy, and Ellen! I could use a few more days like that!
5. Paletas. One of my coworkers brought in a bunch of these delicious cold treats for us yesterday. I had the Strawberry one, and it was so refreshing! Just look at that! You can totally see big chunks of strawberries in there:

   

6. Fitting into my "skinny jeans". They're still a size 18 which is what I'm generally wearing now (although some of my pants are getting a little baggy and require a belt), but they apparently run small because today was the first day I was actually able to get them on. They're still too uncomfortable to sit in all day so I'm not wearing them now, but I'm still excited about it because a) I got them up over my thighs and hips, and b) I was able to zip them up! Yay!
7. Finishing my 26 Things list. I will be posting the pictures on the 26 Things flickr group on Sunday, and thought I might post one picture a day (or so) in June.
8. Getting a pedicure. OMG, that felt so good! I was originally going to see the new Narnia movie with a couple friends tonight, but those plans fell through, so I had a pedi instead. Since I didn't have any of my stuff with me, I had to choose a colour from their selection. I can't remember the name of the O.P.I. polish colour but I think it might be Chicago Champagne Toast.

   

Have a terrific weekend, everyone!

Friday Love List

A List of Things I Love Today:

1.       The new album by Stellar Kart, Expect the Impossible. I downloaded and listened to it last night and it’s awesome! I particularly liked the songs Innocent, Sunshine, and their cover of John Fogarty’s Centerfield.

2.       The songs Let God Arise by Chris Tomlin, Booming by tobyMac, Not Afraid by Stephanie Smith and Hello/Goodbye by Jessie Daniels.

3.       A Day in the Life Photo Project at sh1ft.org.

4.       Today is Leap Day! We get an extra day to breathe and speak and live and laugh and love!

5.       It’s also Friday, which is always awesome!

6.       It’s Glory Day: a day for coffee and gossip and friends.

7.       AND, it’s payday! Woo hoo!

8.       The novel Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. Totally AWESOME book! I’m amazed how much I LOVE it!!

9.       All the pretty daffodils in my yard.

10.   Sweethearts left over from Valentine’s Day.

11.   Power outages. (What? They can be kinda fun and exciting in a carnival funhouse sort-of way!)

12.   Blueberry cake donuts. (I only had half of one, and I can prove it!)

13.   Dropping that damn five pounds that piled on earlier this month.

Friday Love List

Since yesterday’s Thursday 13 wasn’t about love or anything like that despite the fact that it was Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d dedicate today’s Love List to those things I’ve been lovin’ on this past week:

1.       I’ve been reading Mother Aegypt by Kage Baker – whom I totally love!! – which is a wonderful compilation of short stories. The one I loved the best was “Desolation Rose”.

2.       The song I’ve loved the most this week is: Never Going Back to OK by The Afters.

3.       I loved Jenny’s candy bar envelopes! Such a great idea and so cute, too!

4.       I also loved the Sweethearts with the adorable cover I received earlier this week as well as the cute Pixie Stix Valentine I got yesterday!

 

5.       Tuesday was the perfect day! I loved every minute of it! The sun was shining, the sky was blue, it was warm and simply beautiful!

6.       I also love that my broken eyeballs are getting much better!

7.       I love that Jericho is back!!! Yay!

8.       I love that Lost is still really, really awesome!

9.       I totally love that the writer’s strike is over, and everyone can get back to work!

10.   I loved, loved, loved this graffiti (found on the wall of the handicapped stall in the ladies room at Barnes and Nobel downtown SLO) – such perfect timing what with Valentine’s Day this week! I wonder if the artist planned that.

11.   I love the new books (Charles de Lint’s Spirits in the Wires and Theodora Goss’ In the Forest of Forgetting) I bought this past week. I’m really looking forward to reading them soon!

12.   I love that our little daffodils are starting to come up!

13.   I love how the rain has made the hillsides green!

14.   I love seeing the blossoms on the trees downtown!

15.   I love working out at the gym (even without my trainer!)!

Stuff I Love in Spite of Itself

Today's Friday Love List:

1. I love my family, even when they irritate the crap outta me.
2. I love red wine (particularly zinfandel), even though it gives me a headache.
3. I love my friends, even if they're all so far away.
4. I love The Gap, even though they don't carry my size.
5. I love riding the bus to work, even though it takes longer than driving.
6. I love cute, high heeled shoes, even if they give me blisters.
7. I love audiobooks, even though I can't turn the pages.
8. I love taking naps in the afternoon, even though it means I won't sleep well that night.
9. I love designer clothes, even though I can't afford them.
10. I love losing weight, even though it takes forEVER!

The Friday Love List

I first discovered The Friday Love List from Mary's blog some time ago, and am finally getting around to playing myself. Here's a random list of foodie stuff I love today:

1. Orbit Wintermint gum.
2. Lemon bars with powdered sugar.
3. A grande Americano from Uptown Espresso.
4. Healthy Choice Steamers. Particularly the Creamy Dill Salmon. Yum!
5. Smartwater.
6. Orange marmalade.
7. Chopped cherry Jam from Bea's Ho-Made Products.
8. Minestrone soup with crusty sourdough bread.
9. Fettucini Alfredo.
10. Medium rare grilled New York strip steak.
11. Lemon and garlic grilled salmon.
12. Fuji and Gala apples.
13. Clementines.
14. Baked cornish game hen.
15. Crock pot pork chops with cream of mushroom soup.
16. Creamed tuna on toast.
17. Campbells' Chicken Noodle soup. The classic!
18. Chicken Caesar salad (favourite is from Quizno's).
19. Buffalo chicken wings (mild) with Litehouse Bleu cheese dressing.
20. Hearty beef stew with tons of veggies and barley.

Bon appetite!