Things I Like

A list for Friday, what is more appropriate? I thought in the spirit cheer, I would make a list of things that I like for one reason or another.

• Cafe Au Lait and Beignets late at night after an event. We took the kids after a wedding last weekend, but I also have fond memories of going after the opera.
• Women who swear. I can't really say why. I think it is because all of the broad-shouldered feminists in my life drop the f-bomb quite frequently. And I also think that one doesn't swear around folks they are uncomfortable around or unsure of. It is something you do when you are sure of someone. So I feel like I am an easy person to be around when a friend says 'shit' without apologizing.
• Plastic-y jewelry. There is a new shop in town that is like Claire's for big girls. They have stuff in a rainbow of colors. Something to match every thing in your wardrobe and the store is quite large. I am usually not a big jewelry person and for a long time I wouldn't wear anything that wasn't 'real', but my standards are relaxing.
• There are a couple new frozen yogurt kind of places in town where the yogurt is soft-serve style with a bunch of flavors. Pick as many flavors as you like and then add whatever kind of toppings you like, weigh it and voila! Custom yumminess. You can choose really healthy smaller portions and only pay for what you buy. (Or you can get the Chocolate Silk with crushed Thin Mints and Hot Fudge. I won't tell.) We have been taking the kids there because they usually have a dairy-free option for Scooter, who usually misses out on the ice cream runs.
• A clean house makes me feel really happy. I don't get to feel this kind of happy very often, mostly because I am a lazy such-and-such.
• Ordering things from Harry & David to mail to folks. Everything they have looks so yummy, but is mostly nut filled or paired with nuts, so a no-no for us. So I buy them for other people. I do the same thing with girl stuff. I have no use for it, but someone does! And it makes me happy to be able to buy it AND give a present. Two-fer.
• The Yamaha Clavinova electric piano in Brother's room as we speak. He has been attending lessons for about 2 months and is progressing nicely. I had been looking for a keyboard secondhand on craigslist. Usually they are about $1000-$1500 but I lucked out and got one for $400. I am so excited he is interested. I told that he will never ever regret keeping up with it, but he will surely regret quitting. That isn't an issue right now, but I am so pleased to be able to do this for him and possibly for Jelly and Scooter as well. Both Honey and I grew up with working parents who had no college education. There wasn't a lot of money for any kind of enrichment, even though we both wanted to learn to play music or take dance classes or join clubs. I am so so thankful I am able to do this for my kids. *Happy Sigh*
• All of you! I never would have thought 10 years ago that I would have waves of affection for folks who live in my computer and discuss what you write with my husband and friends...like you are real people! Yet, there you have it. Happy Friday!