Sweet Yet Sour

A few of my favorite things…

Thursday, December 11th, 2008 | The Daily Special | 1 Comment

I hope that title got the “Sound of Music” song stuck in your head, because it did that to me and I think we should all suffer together.  “Brown paper packages tied up with string…”

I used to watch Oprah religiously until I discovered that I hate her for being so “my way is the best way, I’m so great” about everything.  My favorite show used to be the “Oprah’s Favorite Things” show, but now that I hate her I realize that the show is all about crap that us little people who don’t make Oprah’s salary can’t afford or don’t need – like Champagne bubble bath…

Anyway, I’ve decided to compile my own list of my favorite things (and I am working on a list of my least favorite things as well – Oprah is at the top of that list).

1. Online shopping and more importantly free shipping.  If you have not checked out www.freeshipping.org – go there now before you do any more online shopping. It’s an awesome site that has all sorts of codes and info about almost every major (and minor) shopping site on how to get free shipping.  I’ve used it frequently this shopping season.

2. Reducing my junk mail and therefore the waste of paper.  Last year I signed up with GreenDimes to opt out of a junk mail and I gave it as a gift to a few relatives.  It’s been awesome and I have really seen a reduction in our junk mail.  Plus, they have great re-usable grocery bags that come in cool colors, fold up into themselves and come with key chain sized carabiner.  It’s really easy to sign up and I can testify that it works!

3. Giving gifts to the world through Kiva.  Kiva is an organization that allows you to donate/make a small loan to someone in the developing world for their business.  For example, today Kiva is featuring a woman in Peru who is requesting a loan (it will be paid back) to help her purchase some cattle.  Ever wonder how you can help people in other countries while still sitting on your ass on your comfy couch?  Try giving someone $25 to help them buy cattle…

4. Heifer International is similar to Kiva, but it has more of a “help a community” ideal. My mom grew up on a farm with a goat as a pet (whom she loved), so every once in a while we buy a goat or two from Heifer in her name.  Those goats go to a needy community who use their milk, fur, whatever.  You can buy cows, sheep, pigs, bees, etc. and really help out a community in need.  And then you can say, “I own a cow in Africa” and it would be true!

5. Here’s a picture of my two most favorite-est things (screw you Oprah – they’re all mine) -

Favorite Things