Things That I Am Loving Right Now

-The birdfeeders in my tree are attracting a hell of a lot of birds. I like birds and I kind of enjoy the thought that I am the only soul in the neighborhood who is feeding them. My neighbors seem to only feed stray cats which, since it keeps the cats away from my birds; is probably not a bad thing. Still, spay and neuter, folks, spay and neuter.

-My new immersion blender. Yes, I love an appliance but, in my defense; butternut squash soup would not have been the same without it. Just saying.

-Starbucks nonfat cinnamon dolce latte, 130 calories, 0 grams of fat and a full serving of milk. And it tastes delicious.

-The ages that my kids are right now. Yes, The Girl is a handful of hormonal angst and sensitivity but! She can make me a cup of coffee just the way I like it and she knows how to empty the dishwasher. The Man-Cub is still all lovey-dovey and cuddly and his cheeks are still round and soft and edible and he can clean up after himself, take care of the unpleasant chores that come along with dog ownership and he tells the best fart jokes. Plus, I don’t have to deal with changing diapers, cleaning bottles, wiping noses or remembering to break the suction on my nipple before pulling a tiny set of fangs mouth away from my boob (the pain! The pain!). Not that I didn’t enjoy those things you know, at the time.

- The weather. We are enjoying a beautiful-and long-autumn. The leaves on some of the trees in our neighborhood are just turning now so; we have enjoyed a continuous display of color for the past month and a half.

-Pumpkins. I cannot say enough good things about pumpkins.

-Fiber One bars in chocolate and oat flavor. I’ll admit, they took some getting used to-at first it was kind of like chewing on a really tasty mini straw bale-but, now; I am addicted. They kill my cravings for chocolate and, with nine grams of fiber in each bar; they fill me up, making for a low calorie treat. Plus, you know, fiber, need I say more? No, no I need not.

-My son’s Cub Scout pack and its’ leaders who crack me up with their fabulous sense of humor and relaxed attitude toward the whole Scouting experience. Today, we are taking a field trip to the corn maze. It won’t be haunted this time and I’m looking forward to navigating it in the daylight. Plus, we are going to build a fire and toast marshmallows-a very “Scouty” thing to do or so I am told.

All in all, I’m really enjoying things right now. Of course, my laundry list of things that are really irking me right now is also about as long as my left arm and includes:

-Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse? No, just, no.

-Heroes, I am so confused! Who is a good guy? Who are the bad guys? I need a decoder ring and a flowchart just to follow along.

-Why did I spend good money for orthotic devices that make me want to rip my own legs off? The pain, the pain!

-Unsolicited political messages being left on my answering machine at all hours of the day and night-as a consequence of my irritation at the invasion of my privacy, I might just have to pick a random celebrity to vote for as a write-in candidate-I’m thinking Howdie Doodie.

Howdie Doodie for President!