.:|:. Dove Love’s .:. Points and Passions .:|:.

:)

By Dove, www.TarotwithLove.com  Okay, so I’m kinda getting this idea from Oprah and her “favorite things” show, which I must admit (as much as I like Oprah), I would never invest in.  Like…  I saw a quick blip of her show recently and she had on one of her favorite lounging outfits, very pretty.  “Just” about $200 for the top, and $200 for the bottoms (as I vaguely recall).  “Do-able” she says, regarding this price tag.  LOL, uh-yeah, okay ;) 

Anyway, so I was hanging my laundry today :) and was realizing how much I like my wonderful drying rack, which I’ve had for a million years — one of my very best “investments.”  I usually just hang my “delicates” and other nice clothes on it, but I’ve recently started even hanging my towels and “grungies” — my loungewear :) — on it.  It amazes me that I can hang two full loads on this thing.  The dryers at my apartment laundry don’t work — oh, they are fully operating, they go ’round and ’round — they just don’t actually dry the clothes, lol   I’ve spent about 3 hours and $2 or $3 dollars trying to get one load dry…and still toted damp clothes back up to my apartment.   Yep, this drying rack is one of my favorite things :)  Money and time saver.

From that realization, I decided to do a little list of some of my favorite things and this can also serve as a gratitude list :)   So here ya’ go:

1)  My wonderful drying rack!  I’ve had this puppy for at least 15 years.  I used to shop from a plethora of high-quality catalogues (Spiegel, Pottery Barn, Hold Everything…) and I think I got this baby from the Hold Everything catalogue.  I think one of the many reasons I like it is, it’s cute :)  Very cute.  And that’s important to we Libra people :)  It has sort of a star shape (one of my fav symbols) — the “arms” and “legs” are true to the star shape, but no proportionate pointy “head” :)  The way I set it up (it’s adjustable), it’s about 4.5 feet high and a little over 3 feet wide (but can go much wider).  It’s what I’m assuming is enamel-coated (white) steel, because it is surely very high quality.  It still looks like new except for a bit of scraping of the coating around the “hooks” that hold the arms into place.   And, as indicated, I load it down with wet clothes, towels and such.  I put shirts and other items on hangers to make even more room — and those little rungs have held up, no bowing even after all the use.  That’s why I think it’s steel.  All the rungs still welded tight in place.  I’m pretty sure I paid about $30 for it all those years ago.  I haven’t seen it in any catalogue or elsewhere since purchasing it.  I wouldn’t sell it for 100 bucks, lol :)  Love my drying rack!  Yay! ;)

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2) Cuisinart Convection Oven.  I bought it about ten years ago to wean myself off the microwave, which I gave away.  It’s wonderful.  You can bake a potato, broil some fish or other meat, cook the little frozen entrees, make toast to perfection, heat up a muffin or whatever…  I’ve lived here for three years, I’ve never used my large oven.  I sometimes forget those microwave things still exist.  After ten years, it does make a little “I’m old” noise while it’s doing its thing, heh, but I still love my little oven.

3) Okay, this is actually a recent purchase — rare for me, ’cause when I purchase, I try to make it one that I won’t have to repeat for a long, long time :)  But these little jewels are called “Klean Kantenes.”  For toting water.  I love them, for a lot of reasons.  Cute :)  And very lightweight.  I had been toting my water to work in glass (very heavy!), so this is a wonderful new thing for me.  I recommend the flat-top caps.  Also, I was not happy when I first drank water from them, because there was a metallic taste (they’re stainless steel), but I hoped that was just the initial “newness.”  And sure enough, it’s no longer an issue — either I’ve gotten use to that taste (doubtful) or the “newness” wore off.  I carry three of the 18 oz size to work, I also have a 12 oz that’s good for toting juice or almond milk in my lunch bag.  I got them at a discounted price since I bought several, but, as I recall, they range from $13 to $20 — something like that.  I noticed the site where I purchased them went up on price right after I got mine.  These are wonderful to have, especially if you’re concerned about the plastic taste and leaching…

4)  I was just thinking today how much I love my little baby crockpot (one/two quart), perfect for single people.  I’m not Hattie Homemaker (at all), so I don’t like to cook, but I gotta eat healthy.  I think it’s so cool how you can just put meat. veggies and seasoning in this little pot, turn it on, go about your business, and at the end of the day, a yummy meal.  So awesome :)

5) This I also recently got, a Fit Ball — there are several different names for it, stability ball, etc.  I never dreamed I would like it so much.  I play on it more than I do the actual exercises…  I especially like arching my back on it, feels sooo good!  And sometimes I sit too close to the TV while sitting on it — if I don’t have my glasses on ;)  It makes a great ottoman too :)  Oh, and sometimes I bounce it (fun to bounce!) just to bug the neighbors downstairs, LOL! Just kidding!! ;)

6)  Okay, one more.  I’m only 5′2″ so I have a couple of these wonderful wood step stools.  Ya’ know, they don’t fold up or anything, they would also make a nice planter ;)  But, they look nice, they can blend in with the decor.  I have one in my living room and kitchen area, and one in my walk-in closet.  Use ‘em almost constantly for top-shelf stuff.  And, in case I forgot to mention it, they’re cute ;)

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This and so much more that I’m grateful for… And as per my gratitude part of this list, I’m so grateful I no longer feel a desire for an excess of stuff, and having honed down in that area so much in the last several years, I can now see what I truly love and appreciate.  Minimalism is good stuff :)

Hugs,
Dove

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