10 things I can't live without

I pulled this idea from my friend Anisa's blog. The "game" goes like this: List 10 things that you can't live without, 10 things you CAN live without, and 10 things that you're really into right now. Forgetting the obvious (family, friends, religion, etc.), your 10 things are to be the little luxuries (or not) that make your world go 'round. For the first installment, here are the 10 things I can’t live without:

1. Diet Coke
It’s official; I’m an addict. I’ve cut down to only one or two a day...when I was at my peak, I would drink around five in a 24-hour period. I used to be a coffee drinker, but now, I only like things that are cold. At least it’s cheaper than those vanilla lattes from Starbucks.

2. A pet
I can’t live without Samantha, my cat, of course, but that’s too obvious for this list. Countless studies have shown that having a pet makes you a happier person, and I completely agree. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have a little furry creature to greet me every day when I walk in the door. Pets just make life better.

3. Excedrin Migraine

I’ve never been diagnosed with migraines, so I’m probably not supposed to use this stuff. I get headaches frequently, however, and Advil just doesn’t cut it anymore. Someone recommended this a few years ago when I had to leave work due to a crippling headache. It works wonders for me...I’d imagine it’s the combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and caffeine that does the trick. I use it sparingly, but it really is my wonder drug.

4. Dustbuster/vacuum cleaner
My aforementioned cat, Sam, thinks it’s a fun game to kick as much litter as possible out of her cat box. And for you cat owners out there, you know how maddening it is to walk barefoot around your home and to have little pieces of litter stuck to your foot or in between your toes. I use my dustbuster just about every day for that purpose alone. It’s also really good at picking up dust that has made its home around the baseboards of each room.

I can’t not mention my vacuum cleaner here. It is one of the things I would grab if there was a fire at my apartment. I lucked upon it...my grandmother was in town for a week-long visit, and one thing on her to-do list was to find a good vacuum cleaner. My mom took her to the Oreck store here in Jackson, and Granny found just what she was looking for. Well, Granny is very particular, and when she got home, she realized that she preferred her old vacuum cleaner. That is how I happened upon the Oreck XL21 High Speed Upright Vacuum complete with a Hepa Celoc filter. Granny also purchased the lifetime warranty. Lucky, lucky me! I never understood the reason people invested in a good vacuum cleaner, but now I do. Put this on your birthday list, your Christmas list, or your wedding registry list...especially if you have pets.

5. Chapstick

I’ve tried them all, and I keep a tube in every possible place for those times when you just really need some chapstick. I honestly think a form of torture for me would be to take away my chapstick. There is nothing worse than having chapped lips. And when we do, it’s just human nature to lick our lips, which makes it worse. My favorite right now is Aveeno’s Intense Relief Medicated Therapy.

6. Bobbypins
I can’t stand having hair in my face. I really don’t know why I have long hair, because it’s always pinned back in some sort of fashion with bobbypins. Like chapstick, I take them everywhere and panic if I don’t have a few in my purse when they’re needed.

7. Magazines
I’ve read magazines for as long as I can remember, and they truly are a staple in my life. There’s just something about a magazine...the glossy pages, the fact that you can roll it up and stick it in your bag, the jolt you get when you see a new issue of your favorite one on the newsstands.

I worked as a teaching assistant for Samir Husni during my unfinished stint in journalism graduate school (that’s another story, another day). Working for him only furthered my love for magazines, even though part of the job included counting the ads in issues of 100% Beef and Mammazons (just use your imagination).

These days, my list of must-reads includes: Glamour, Lucky, In Style, US Weekly, People, Real Simple, O, and Better Homes and Gardens.

8. Concealer
I was blessed with the trademark Myers family dark under eye circles. My allergies only contribute to this, so I truly look like I have two black eyes when I wake up each morning. Thankfully, I discovered Bobbi Brown’s creamy concealer and sheer finish loose powder. It transforms me from raccoon to normal human being.

9. "The View"
I’ve watched ABC’s “The View” since its conception many moons ago. I’ve gotten to know all of the co-hosts, from Debbie to Lisa to Meredith, Star, and Rosie too. I can’t miss this show, and I TiVo it every day. It’s a great show because it combines a little bit of everything in a roundtable fashion...the topics discussed range from the presidential election to the best conditioner for your type of hair. And, because the women are so different, you get a plethora of views (clever, huh?).

10. My nail scrubber

I’m a little OCD about having clean hands and feet. And they really don’t feel clean unless I use my nail scrubber. Most people understand the clean hands thing, but the clean feet obsession takes it to a new level. Most days (but only once each day...I’m not that bad), I sit on the edge of my tub and clean my feet with warm soapy water and my nail scrubber. It makes me feel so much better. Please don’t judge me.

Leaving little to the imagination

I'm sorry, but does anyone else think this ad for the LZR Racer swimsuit is a bit well, I don't know...wow, I sure didn't notice Michael Phelps's sculpted arms or perfectly toned quads...if you know what I mean?

I'm at a loss for words, so I'll just end with...

Go USA!

Ya Ain't Been Pucked...

When I was growing up, we took annual family trips to Florida. This was during my pre-teen and early teenager years, so you can understand why a trip to Fudpucker's for dinner was high on my list of things to do while in Destin. I don't know why I subjected myself to each trip, because I knew once we arrived at the restaurant the words that would escape my dad's mouth when I asked him one very important question. Part of the reason I wanted to eat at Fudpucker's each time was so I could ask my dad that all-important question...I guess I partly believed that maybe as each year passed, he would budge a little. It always went like this:

Me: "Dad, can I get a Fudpucker's T-shirt"

Dad: "No."

Me: "Why not?"

Dad: "Because I said so."

Me: "But all my friends have one!"

Dad: "I don't care if all of your friends have one. You're not going to have one."

Me: "At least tell me why I can't have one!"

Dad: "Lindsey, I'm not going to explain the reason. You'll understand one day."

Dad is right. I did understand, finally, as I grew a little older. My dad didn't want his young daughter walking around in a T-shirt that read "Ya Ain't Been Pucked Till Ya Been Fudpucked." Makes sense, huh?

I'm sure I'll have similar arguments with my children one day. I just hope they respect me as much as I respect my dad. He is my hero, my dad.

Fact o' the day...

A female doctor (and breast cancer survivor) told me yesterday that women automatically cut their breast cancer risks 50% by exercising...50% is not something to play around with! She told me, "It's not something you need to try to do...it's something you have to do." She said it's currently recommended to get 4 hours of cardio a week...so that's 40 minutes, 6 days a week.

I'm currently doing some research on foods and vitamins women need to add or remove from their diets to cut that risk even more...I do know (begrudgingly) that alcohol increases your risks. Why, oh why, does it have to be alcohol? Why can't it be something no one likes, something like pork rinds or beets?

I do know that it's all a balancing act. I want to do what I can, within reason, to reduce my risks, but I also want to enjoy this one life I've been given. So I'll be exercising 6 days a week, and I'll add more vitamins to my daily routine...but I'll also continue drinking my wine...in moderation, why of course...

Seriously?

I get excited to see new issues of my favorite magazines on the shelves each month. Lucky is one of my favorites...I don't so much as buy the clothes that they advertise, but I do get ideas from their pages. So, imagine my surprise when I opened up my latest issues of Lucky to see these shoes staring back at me. Had I accidentally picked up an issue of AARP magazine? I love the quote that goes with the second shoe: "There basically isn't an outfit on earth I wouldn't wear these flats with." Umm...the only time I'd wear these shoes is if I were dressing up as an un-hip grandma for Halloween.

I do understand the fact that New York fashion editors don't necessarily advertise mainstream clothes. I enjoy the couture looks, and I'm OK if you show me a pink tutu and try to pass it off as the newest cocktail party look...that's fun and whimsical, and I'd agree that some people living in big cities could pull it off. But nobody can or should pull these shoes off. I think the editors of Lucky had a mini-stroke in editing this issue...here's hoping they don't scour the nursing homes for their next fashion inspirations.

My first mammogram

My first mammogram...not as fond a memory as "my first kiss" or "my first love" or "my first car." But it's a memory nonetheless. I had my first mammogram yesterday. I'm only 27, but with my family history, my doctor recommended I go ahead and get a baseline. I also had an MRI done of both breasts. Yes, I felt a little dehumanized after leaving the doctor's office.

The MRI was nothing...I just wish it cost nothing. They gave me a high dose of xanax prior since I had to lie on my belly for about an hour for the test. I think the dose of xanax would've knocked a horse out. I slept through the entire thing and could barely walk afterwards I was so medicated.

Once the MRI was finished, I prepared for the mammogram. The mammogram was not my favorite. I'm not going to paint a pretty picture and tell all of the women out there that it really doesn't hurt too bad. It hurts like a b*tch. I really had no idea my breasts could be flattened so much. The tech grabs one boob at a time and puts it on a metal plate. She then winds down a metal plate on top of it...and keeps winding until your boob pretty much loses all of its color and is as flat as a pancake. She then takes a picture, and if she doesn't like that picture enough, she flattens the boob out some more for the next Kodak moment. I was pleasantly surprised, however, that they do pop right back into shape after the mauling is over.

In all seriousness...I am thankful. My breasts are cancer-free, and with a doctor who chooses to keep a close watch on my breast health (alternating mammograms and MRIs every 6 months), they will likely stay cancer-free...or worst case scenario, if I ever develop breast cancer, it will be detected early...early enough that it can be treated, and my life will go on. I wish more than anything that the same could be said for my mother. She died 18 years ago today of this terrible disease.

I love you, Mom, and miss you deeply.

I have issues...

My sensitivity issues have gotten out of hand. The other day, I noticed a huge (baseball-sized) wasp nest attached to the door leading from my living room to my balcony. I'd been stung by one of those buggers once already, so now I'm scared to walk out on my balcony...not that I want to in August in Mississippi, but anyway...I've been watching the wasps from inside my apartment, and I've been able to watch them closely since the nest is attached to my balcony door. They're a little family of eight, and they're kind of fun to watch (evidence of further issues I have!). I knew they had to go, however, so I could use my balcony at some point in the future, so I told the manager at my apartment complex. She wrote a work order up, but I honestly assumed it wouldn't get done. I left for an appointment and to run some errands and came home a few hours later. Walking up to my apartment, I looked up at my balcony and could see that the nest was gone, along with the family of wasps. It kind of broke my heart a little. I really need help.