I'm dreaming of ...

Well,  it's time for me to write out my holiday wish list for my dear, sweet hubby; who, truth be told, would rather I just buy my own presents; but loves me so much he's willing to brave the wilds of places like the mall and Walmart to secure goodies just for me.

If you couldn't care less what I'd like to see under the tree on Christmas morning, I suggest you scroll on down to my previous post where you can listen to some fine Christmas music. Trust me when I say this song never gets old. I laugh every time I listen to it. 

While I would prefer Jeff were the type of husband who can find thoughtful, appropriate gifts for me all own his own, I know that's not who he is, which is why I take the time to make him out a list of things I'd like. Without this list I might just very well end up with a practical yet not too desirable present like, say, windshield wiper blades or a new kitchen trash can.

I know without him even saying it that Jeff is patiently waiting until Amelia and Lola get old enough for him to hand over the debit card to them and say, "Here, go get your momma something for her birthday and Christmas. Y'all know more what she'd want than I do." However, until that day comes, I'll just keep providing him with this annual guide. 

Honestly, coming up with a list of things I'd like is not that easy. I never have problems buying gifts for my friends and loved ones, but I have a hard time coming up with things I want. Part of it is that I tend to have caviar dreams while we're restricted by a canned tuna budget. For example, there's a ruffled, long cardigan I really like, but I wouldn't dare ask for it because it costs $107. Do you know how many gifts I could buy for my girls with that kind of money? A lot. 

So keeping in mind that I cannot in good conscience ask for anything too pricey because guilt would prevent me from truly enjoying it, I've come up with this list:

I love to read, which is why the first seven items on my list are books. I've heard good things about all of these so any of them would be fine by me. 

1. "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen 

2. "Just Kids" by Patti Smith.

3. "When Everything Changed ..." by Gail Collins.

4."The Summer We Read Gatsby" by Danielle Ganek.

5. "Naptime is the New Happy Hour" by Stefanie Wilder Taylor

6. "It's not me, it's you," by Stefanie Wilder Taylor

7. "You say tomato. I say shut up," by Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn

These next two items are more about need than want. My current slip-on slippers had a blow-out of epic proportions months ago, but I keep wearing them because I love them so much. 

I have two other pairs of slippers, but I prefer the ones I can slip-on especially since they're my main footwear this time of year. I rarely leave the house so slippers suffice for my lifestyle. In the summer I replace them with flip-flops. 

My tennis shoes still look pretty good, but they're not wearing well at all. They've begun to rub my feet in a weird way, which makes me not want to wear them at all.

8. slip-on slippers

9. new tennis shoes

Okay, I have to admit I'd never even heard of this next artist until September when I began hearing her music once a week at Amelia's dance school. The big girls, as I call the advanced students who have class at the same time Amelia does, perform their warm-up routine to the songs on this CD.

Within two weeks of hearing V.V. Brown, whose lyrics I had to Google to figure who she is, I was hooked. This is a great collection of songs, and I'd love to have it to listen to in my van on those rare occasions the girls aren't watching a DVD on the in-vehicle entertainment system.

10. V.V. Brown CD Traveling like the Light

I've been searching for a good moisturizer that will not wreak havoc on my somewhat sensitive combination skin. Oprah says this is some fantastic stuff so I'm willing to give it a try based upon her recommendation because, as we all know, Oprah doesn't recommend garbage. 

11. Hope in a Jar moisturizer by Philosophy

These next two items are recommendations from Amelia, who for years has been head-over-heels crazy in love with infomercials. She's convinved my kitchen collection won't be complete until these items have been added to it. 

12. Perfect Brownie pan

13. Big Top cupcake maker

I always reserve the end of my list for items that I would love to have if money were not an obstacle.  This part of my list has remained relatively unchanged for a few years, but the last item is a new addition this year.

14. A gold and diamond watch

15. A pair of gold channel-set diamond earrings

16. A weekend spa get-away

17. A stove with four working burners. The stove I currently have has only two burners that work, but one of them only works part of the time so more often than not I have to make do with one small burner. I've been able to cook a lot in the microwave or oven, but it's getting aggravating having only one good burner.I truly hope that if Santa doesn't deliver me a new one this year (which I am honestly not expecting) we will be able to buy a new one once we knock out some outstanding bills. 

While I am talking about presents, I have to share that today is my birthday for which I got exactly what I asked for: a DVR for the bedroom. I am truly spoiled, I know.

Most of the time I watch television at night in the bedroom with Amelia while Jeff gets Lola ready for bed in the living room. I'd been recording my shows on the DVR in the living room, but had to wait until late Friday or Saturday night to watch any of them and usually wound up going to sleep before finishing all of them.

Now, I have my very own system on which I can watch my favorite shows at my leisure. I went and picked it up last week, but haven't really got to use it yet since Amelia has been camped out in our bedroom for the last five days recuperating from a nasty case of tonsillitis. 

However, now that she's on the mend I plan to settle in on these cold, cold nights and catch up with my friends on Glee, The Middle, Modern Family, Raising Hope, Community, The Office, and, of course, my gal Oprah.