A Few of My Favorite Things

Each year about this time, I like to think back over my favorite things of the year and dwell a bit on practicing gratefulness.  John and I have a multitude of things that deserve bushels of gratefulness. Our God is an awesome God. Some of my 2017 Favorite Things made the list again this year.

As I think back over 2018, most of my favorite things are not really things at all,  but events or memories. However, I do think of several things that have become “Favorite Things” in my life. These are not necessarily in order of priority.

 

1. Santa’s Bag Christmas Gift Tracker –Favorite Christmas App

Yes, I told you about this find in a recent post. This was an app I found last December that helped me ever so much with Gift Giving for Christmas.Because it was both simple and thorough, it saved me hours of time and concern. And this year’s version is even better.

 

2. FitBit

Our kids gave me a FitBit Charge 2 for my birthday two years ago. Again this year, it is still definitely one of my favorite things. I’m sure the Fitbit Charge 3 is even better.  Using my FitBit daily for these two years has made me extremely pleased with the motivation it has given me to keep moving, get my steps in each day and keep on target for staying fit and healthy.

Note: I have finally learned how to use Amazon Affiliates and will earn a very small percentage if you purchase this product through this link. This helps me pay the costs of the website.

Saving the Day from Cruise Ship Meals

Last December when John and I went on our trip of a lifetime to Australia, the FitBit was aGodsend. Because we were on a cruise ship for two weeks with over the top delicious meals every day, my daily eating routine was definitely challenged. However, being able to track my steps and walk the halls at night to compensate for any lacking steps, I was able to enjoy the delicious food. Thankfully I came home without wearing any of those calories or fat grams into the coming year.

"That which you measure, tends to improve."

3. At a Glance Planner

Each year for the “as far as I can remember” years, I have used a planner of some kind. I’ve searched for the best  planner for me. Last year I  found “my best favorite planner”. It is called At a Glance. I was so happy this year to find the 2019 Planner on Amazon for almost 1/2 the price I paid last year at Office Depot. I like the Daily Version best with a page worth of room to write on. Last year I also bought the Weekly Version and may still order this one too.

Note: I do earn a very small percentage if you purchase this product through this link. This helps me pay the costs of the website.

4. Penzu.com Journalling App   

This favorite, The Penzu App,  has made my list another year. I don’t even think I realized how valuable it is until this year when I was trying to locate my Christmas notes from last year. Because, I somehow tend to write things in places safe and secure that I can’t find again; Penzu, has come to the rescue. Now I am making a habit of documenting each needed piece of information in an appropriate journal. An example of this is: Safeguarded Passwords, Apple Support Notes, Geek Squad notes, my WordPress Training Course Noes, my Mom’s needed information for later, Favorite Stories, Travel Notes, Christmas to Remember Notes, Favorite Scriptures,  and My Gratitudes are most of my journals.

The Penzu App is free. I did upgrade to the Pro Version, which is a once a year cost, because I needed more features and journals than standard.

5. The Amazon Echo and Alexa

If I were ranking the “Things” part of my “Favorite Things”, this would likely be at the top. This is something brand new for John and I. Our niece, Shea, gave us this early Christmas present last week. Once we got it connected to our home internet service, it became a good friend. Believe me, I only know a fraction of what it will do. That fraction has given us such great joy by giving us such an easy way to have beautiful music at our fingertips. And the sound quality of this one is wonderful.

Alexa is the secret friend who operates this amazing tool.  Ask Alexa to play Christian Christmas music and instantly begin hearing an assortment of beautiful pieces. She will play until you tell her to stop or tell her to play for 20 minutes (for example.) If you don’t like a song that comes up just say “Alexa, skip”.

I told her to set an alarm of soft beautiful music for 7 AM last night. At 7 AM  this morning beautiful music began playing.

Alexa will even manage a To Do List, A Shopping List, Varieties of Shopping Lists. If perchance you have a Smart House (we don’t), Alexa will turn on and off the lights, lock the doors, close or open the garage door, and who knows what else.

Note: I do earn a very small percentage if you purchase this product through this link. This helps me pay the costs of the website.

6. Dancing

Dancing Lessons and friendship with Ben dela Vega has been a great memory., Our favorite Dance buddies have become good friends and prayer partners.. Ben is very good at stretching John and I to do things we think are beyond our abilities.

7. Crossfit

Crossfit with Erin Hathaway has been a stretch, but something John and I are so grateful for. Our Legends make such a good team of friends. 

8. Book of Memories

Each year I create a Book of Memories for the previous year. Although I always seems to be behind in these projects, I absolutely love the finished product and memories captured. This year will be my year to also create a book of memories for our high school graduating senior, Kylie. Chatbooks has been a good  and easy app to work with.

 

9. Our Church

Northplace is such a good church. The friendships we have made there are special. It is also special

seeing our Buchanan kids and grandchildren at our Church each week. This is such a joy. My prayer is for all of our family to be there.

10. Journaling Bible

I found a beautiful bible to journal in for Kylie this year at MovetheMountain.com

Special Dinner Out

Time in Cancun with 3 oldest Grandson

Watching our Grandsons in Ballgames

Keeping Our Littlest Granddaughters Each Week