37 reasons and then some

In celebration of my 37th birthday today, I thought I should concentrate on all things 37. It's not a very cool number and there aren't many things that relate to the Big 3-7, so I decided to abandon that idea and list 37 things I love and adore. (Warning: This is sappy and sentimental. It's a little goofy and a little silly. It's my birthday and I get to be all of those things.)

1. Cynical
Who wouldn't love such a cute boy with a big heart and an honest attitude and he can reach stuff I can't.

2. Babe
Babe is the now bald and naked Raggedy Ann doll I have had since birth. Just seeing her nestled in a basket in our den makes me feel secure, safe and loved. It says it right there on her bare chest: I Love You.

3. Diet Coke
I love me some Diet Coke, not Pepsi, not Diet Rite. Let's be clear on that. The other stuff is tar in a bottle. I want the Real Thing.

4. Rain
Not storms, but rainshowers. I love the sound of it hitting our roof. I love walking through the puddles in my flip flops. I love the smell when it comes mid-day in the summer. I love rain.

5. My new socks
I have been tempted to carry them with me wherever I go as a security blanket of sorts. Warm feet, warm heart.

6. Good mail
I can't help it, but please Mr. Postman, bring me something good. Something wtih my name on it, all wrapped in brown paper and promising happiness.

7. Mexican food
Any shape, any version.

8. Tazo Passion Tea
Mmmmmmmm, fruity.

9. Patty Griffin
When it don't come easy, some Patty will fix it every time.

10. Letters
Whether mailed or e-mailed, I love hearing from my family and friends. I love knowing they put pen to paper or fingers to keys to send me a little note or a long letter. It's my lifeline to them in so many ways. My friendships are most dear to me and my letters, stored away carefully, record those friendships in great detail. They are precious to me.

11. Baby feet
I am obsessed. I have removed the shoes off many a little one, just to see chubby toes and round, soft feet. Nothing sweeter.

12. Sunday showers
I take long, warm and sudsy showers every Sunday morning, stopping to use my sugar scrub and an assortment of moisturizers. I come out puckered, relaxed and so very clean.

13. Clean sheets
Nothing is better than crawling into crisp sheets just spritzed with linen spray. There is no better way to fall alseep.

14. Road trips
I love car trips. I love packing for them. I love listening to the radio. I love looking at all of the sites along the way. Sometimes I never want the journey to end, even when we reach our destination.

15. Books
I was going to name one book, but I just couldn't. I realized that I am fascinated with all books, their content, their smell, their mobility. To name one wouldn't be, well, fair to all the others. My latest fascination, of course, are knitting pattern and technique books.

16. Tomatoes
Fresh from the garden, slightly chilled. There is nothing better in the summer.

17. Blogging
I had longed for a creative and personal outlet. I had craved new friendships. I had wanted to vent and rant and write. Blogging gave me that. . . and all of you. . .

18. Photographs
An opportunity for you to see the world through the eyes of others and a way to give them a peak at yours.

19. Green
It's not easy being green, but it's so beautiful.

20. Our tent
There is no place better to sleep. No place better to cuddle. No place better to duck into when it's raining. No place more safe, secure and more like home than home.

21. Snowglobes
I have collected them all my life. I am partial to those from places I have been or places I want to go.

22. Eucalyptus Spearmint lotion
Part of my daily ritual, slathering up in this stuff. It relaxes me when I squeeze out the first palm full.

23. Knitting needles and yarn
The perfect hobby came along at the right time for me. Mobile, satisfying, intricate, challenging and sometimes relaxing.

24. Fabric covered boxes full of goodies
I have several such boxes in my home. Inside each are treasures including photos, old letters, bumper sticker, movie tickets, playbills, and bubble gum machine rings. They all trigger a memory.

25. Tiny handmade items
I could spend hours browsing the Internet to find handmade tiny creations, crafted by artists. Whether they be tiny pillows or pin cushions, or maybe a pointy little cat or an adorable little blue bird, I am tempted each and every time to purchase them, adding them to my collection of favorite things.

26. Wooden steps
I love the sound of pitter pattering up and down them. I love the way they smell after they have been cleaned with an oil soap.

27. Aprons
I particularly love hand-made or vintage ones. I like the idea that it makes it appear as if I cook, but more importantly, I love the practicality and the fact that they are so very ladylike.

28. Patches of clover
For years my dad battled clover in our yard, but I must admit that I loved the little patches scattered across our lawn. They were so soft underneath your toes and I loved staring at them in search of the elusive four-leaf variety.

29. Yard Sales
Treasures abound! It's true that one man's trash is another man's treasure. I don't like thinking that once useable items go to waste, so it's very interesting to me that someone else can take something discarded by another and put it to use. Makes much more sense than mass consumerism.

30. My bed
If I had my way, I'd make it up daily and when I got home from work, I'd pile up in it, surrounded by books and knitting and waste away my entire evening. It'd be my own private island of sorts, me and my fellow natives, the cats.

31. My cats
This will officially solidify my membership in the Cat Ladies of American - Western Division (CLAWD), but I so love their devotion, their purring, their attention to detail and the fact that they would pile up with me on my own private island.

32. Margaritas
I fancy myself as not being much of a drinker, but I must admit that I adore the salty and lemon-lime flavor of a margarita on the rocks. Mmmmmmm. Relaxing, tasty and festive.

33. Vintage stores
I love old hats, old books, old dishes and old furniture. We don't have room for much of that sort of thing, but I love to peruse aisle after aisle of what is our heritage: how we filled our homes.

34. Ice cream
I inherited this love from my grandmother, who made it a staple in her house. I could eat a bowl every night and not grow tired of it.

35. Live music
I could listen to almost any genre of music if performed live. I love the energy, I love that it's not perfect and I love sitting outside on the grass along with other event goers living the same moment.

36. Princess S and Prince E
I never knew that I could love someone so deeply and them not be my own child. I cherish them. I crave them. I love them.

37. Journals
Since my teen years I have recorded my deepest thoughts, my happiest moments and my biggest dreams in blank books. I am drawn to them for the possibility of what they will hold.

At this point I am wishing I was a bit older as there are several things I haven't even gotten to such as strawberries, Coty loose powder, freshly painted toenails, Christmas ornaments and peonies. . .

I am blessed, so very blessed.