favorite gifts

I always get excited about the gifts I've picked out for folks. Here are a few of my favorites this year:

1. all kinds of Columbia gear

2. phone case charger

3. room fan

4. curler

5. curler/straightener cover

6. boots

7. Dora memory game

8. ear buds

9. passes to the flight museum

10. chik-fil-a calendars

morning workouts

While  getting up early is often a struggle, I am getting used to the idea of getting my workouts completed in the mornings. Here are a few of my favorite reasons:

1. it's done

2. no workout hanging over my head for rest of day

3. feels good when it's done

4. one shower

5. free to eat what I want for rest of day

6. don't have to worry about overeating at dinner

7. no need to rearrange evening family plans

8. free to relax all evening

9. not too close to the next morning's workout

10. easier to get to sleep early

weekend job

I have recently acquired a weekend job. While it's demanding on my time, energy, and schedule, here are a few of my favorite things about it:

 1. learning

 2. talking to people

 3. sharing experiences with people

 4. helping people

 5. making money to pay for school bills

 6. husband helping out around house more

 7. making my own way

 8. good products

 9. associate discount

 10. sharing my associate discount with family and friends

cruise

We enjoyed the cruise we took for our 25th anniversary. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. being away

2. no phones

3. no kids

4. no real worries

5. being together/adults only deck on ship

6. the beauty of the water

7. hiking the falls in Jamaica

8. diving in Grand Cayman

9. motorcycle trip around Cozumel

10. meeting new friends

back to school

While deep down I do hate the return of school time, there are still some things I like. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. back to a regular schedule

2. earlier bedtimes

3. quiet house

4. the exciting things my kids are learning

5. new opportunities

6. springboard for future endeavors/courses

7.  a hopeful change within the next two years

8. a clean slate

9.  teachable moments

10. vacation time for husband

quiet house

I like a quiet house. Although at times I guess a quiet house can feel lonely, here are a few of my favorite things:

1. the quiet!!

2. time to read

3. time to get on computer

4. time to rest

5. time to do whatever I want

6. don't have to share snacks

7. peaceful

8. the quiet

9. the quiet

10. the quiet

weekends

I think everyone must live for the weekend (unless that is a regular workday for them!) Here are a few of my favorite things about the weekends:

1. long bike ride

2. clean house

3. time on computer

4. quiet

5. time to read

6. time to cook

7. dessert!

8. time to myself

9. family visits

10. rest

boring week

Even during a normal week, there are a few things that remain on my favorites list:

1. getting back on schedule

2. getting caught up on chores

3. keeping the house a little cleaner

4. time at the pool

5. nap time

6. regular dinners

7. healthier dinners

8. time to read

9. time to sleep in a little

10. time to spend with a friend

the end of school

The end of school is drawing near. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. happier kids!

2. less stress

3. sleeping later

4. relaxing

5. vacation time

6. summer activities

7. swimming

8. beach days

9.  time to reorganize and reassess

10. only two more school years of kids at home!

shopping with daughter

I spent a couple hours yesterday shopping with my daughter. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. she drove

2. went to some stores I needed to get to

3. did not stay long in mall

4. spending time with her

5. looking for gifts

6. not buying anything!

7. saved money

8. found new stores

9. ideas for future gifts

10. she made money reselling items!

the beach

We were able to spend some time on the beach last week. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. memories

2. no crowds

3. watching the baby see it all for the first time

4. digging in sand

5. getting feet wet

6. seeing some kind of small shark

7. birds

8. waves

9. a condo for a nap break

10. family members coming to join us

new shoes

I always love getting new shoes. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. pretty new colors

2. feel good on feet

3. allows for better spring in the step

4. renewed shock absorption

5. better balance and alignment

6. comfort

7. more cushioning

8. alleviates pain

9. discontinue compensations

10. shiny!

spring

It looks like spring is here in our part of the world. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. warmer weather

2. flowers

3. neighbors outside

4. happier moods

5. school almost over

6. birds

7. sales

8. better cycling weather

9. better running weather

10. not being cold!

road trip

I just got back from a road trip earlier this week. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. seeing my son

2. having company on the drive

3. quiet time away

4. lots of reading done

5. seeing the positive place my son is

6. getting to know the town he lives in better

7. he got new job!

8. nice weather, one day

9. six mile run

10. safe trip

triathlon season

Triathlon season will be here soon. I am trying to plan my year's events (tris and other events.) Here are a few of my favorites I am hoping to do:

1. Gator Ride

2. Kona Eastside

3. OKC half marathon

4. CB&I tri

5. volunteer Ironman TX

6. COMBAT tri

7. Clear Lake Oly

8. Brazosport relay

9. Redman Oly

10. 10 for TX 10 miler

favorite dinners

When it comes to cooking dinner every day, here are a few of my favorite requirements:

1. easy

2. healthy

3. cheap

4. good nutritional value

5. tastes good

6. everyone likes it

7. ingredients readily available/easily obtained

8. makes enough for leftovers

9. family wants it again

10. easy clean up

iPhone

I finally got an iPhone. Never mind that it's my husband's old cast off 3g. I probably don't need much more than that. I've enjoyed using it. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. text messages

2. words

3. hanging

4. maps

5. fitness apps

6. weather

7. camera

8. sending photos

9. music

10. to do list

back to the routine

While I am not particularly fond of my kids going off to school, I do have to say there are some things I like about getting back to the routine. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. earlier to bed

2. regular dinner times

3. quieter evenings

4. less people in and out

5. easier to stick to schedule

6. healthier meals

7. quieter neighborhood

8. getting things done

9. I just like routines

10. looking forward to the next holiday