A Few of My Favorite Things | 2014

These are a few of my favorite things.

Believe me when I say there are a whole lot more than a few favorite things from this year to list.

In fact, this is so few of my favorite things that you’re bound to think I’m an ungrateful wretch of a human being.

I’m not.

[It’s one of my favorite things about me.]

It’s a list of “how-in-the-world-could-you-have-ever-anticipated-that-would-happen-in-2014?” favorite things.

2014

[Get all wide-eyed and incredulous looking when you say this next part.]

2014?!

I know.

Today is the very last day of a year that for several reasons was quite difficult.
[Raise your hand if the same holds true for you, my earth-dwelling kindred spirits.]

It’s also the very last day of a year that has been remarkable.
[Clap your hands twice and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle if that one’s true as well.]

 So–in no particular order, here are a few of my favorite things from 2014.

Although, the first one is actually YOUR favorite thing. Well–your favorite post of mine.

Favorite #1:

 

This little guy received the most love from you.

[I’m quite grateful that you even noticed him.]

He will make a grand re-appearance this year.

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

 Favorite #2:

This is one of my favorite things because it was the first post of 2014.

It’s actually in the top 5 of my very own personal all time favorite posts I’ve ever written.

I’m still horrified by the occupants we found.

Still horrified.

 Favorite #3:

This little monkey grabbed my phone and my straw.

You don’t wish for that kind of thing to happen–but–when it does happen it goes on the ‘A Few of My Favorite Things” list.

Favorite #4:

Staying in China for 4 weeks was amazing.

I didn’t screech like a wounded animal when I found a chicken/rooster head in the bowl of chicken/rooster soup that was in front of me.

My eyes probably got all wide and a little bit crazy.

I give myself a high-five every once in a while when I remember how calmly I leaned over and informed Handsome Dude of the situation.

“Hey, Babe. Did you happen to notice the chicken head in the soup and–uhm–why are they serving me first?”

“Because everything was made especially with you in mind and no, I actually didn’t.”

“Hmm. Well, there’s a head. Will I be shot if I don’t eat anymore of this particular dish?”

 “They made it especially for you, you know. ~grinning~  There’s no msg in anything.”

“Which I am all kinds of grateful for, but there’s a chicken head in some of it.”

I began surreptitiously taking photos.

“You’re taking photos?”

“Surreptitiously. My people need to know this happened. I’m going to position the head so I can see it better.”

He’s trying not to laugh aloud.

“Oh. Hey looky there. It’s a claw. Yuh. I really am not going to touch that bowl anymore.”

Our host explains something which is quickly interpreted as an invitation to take the defiant little chicken fist out and eat it.

It’s the best part of the chicken and saved for special people.

“Handsome Dude. I don’t want to be a special person. YOU be the special person.”

Handsome Dude suggested that our Host be the recipient of the chicken fist which I hastily and wholeheartedly agreed with.

We watched in horror wonder as our Host brought  the defiant chicken fist to his mouth and calmly began to gnaw the cartilage off.

It’s apparently magically medicinal.

Speaking of magical.

There was this one time that I spied with my little eye, a fish eye.

I didn’t bat an eyelash.

Favorite #5:

This photo of my sister, Bonnie, and her little Addie gran-girl. I adore them both.

That’s how delightful Bonnie really is.

That’s how adorable Addie really is.

I’m sitting here thinking that one of my favorite things of all is that I have family who are rather fond of being family.

That’s not something I take for granted at all.

At all.

I’m also sitting here thinking that there are a whole lot of people I have quite fallen in love with this year.

~grin~

Not the Handsome Dude kind of fall in love with–but I tell you my heart sings when I hear their voices or read their comments or anticipate getting to see them again.

And sometimes all I have to do is think about them to feel grateful for their associations.

I’m hoping that you’re imagining that you’re one of those glad associations–because you probably are.

2014?

It’s been a really great year.

Thanks for that.