My Favorite Things — RANDOM

I'm sure many of you have just been bursting at the seams to find out what other "things" I enjoy so much. Well, I couldn't get my rattled brain organized enough to put things into categories, so this is just a bunch of randomness! So, the wait is over.....in no particular order, I love the following:

SHARPIES My inlaws think the fact that I have one at all times (it is on my keychain) is quite humorous, but you have no idea how frequently I use it! I love Sharpies of all kind, but I am a huge sucker for the big multipacks with all the different colors. The only ones I haven't tried out (but am anxious to) are the ones with the click-down thing....what is that called?! I really don't think my love for the brand has anything to do with the potent odor that is emitted, but I can't really explain why they make me so happy. When I worked at RLPG "in-house" in Maryland I noticed that most of the other designers also used the extra-fine-tip Sharpies as normal pens! So, I'm not the only one...perhaps it is an unspoken industry standard?! Well, as of 2 days ago I picked up Sharpie's latest addition to the collection, the "Sharpie Pen". Someone must have sent them a memo about our design department using them that way, and they created something just for us! I am VERY pleased with the product and love that it doesn't bleed through the paper! So, the next time you see one of those Sharpie keychains near the check out, if you don't already have one, pick it up....you'd be surprised at all it's many uses! (wow, long explanation...sorry)

EBATES I actually just got a check for $45.37 yesterday! For those of you that are not familiar, this is an online rebate site, that basically just gives you free money! I still am not exactly sure how they make their money, but I know they pass most of it back to ME! All you do is go to www.ebates.com before you shop online. Check to see if the store you are looking to shop at participates in Ebates. There is a long list of stores with a percentage listed next to each store (categorized for your convenience or you can just do a "search" for the store you are looking for). This percentage is the amount of "Cash Back" that is deposited into your Ebates account based on the order amount (before shipping). All you do is click on the link for the store from the Ebates site and it redirects you directly to the normal site....but it gives you a "tracking ticket" first so it keeps up with your orders. After a few days (up to 30), voila, the % of cash back appears in the account! Every 3 months Ebates issues you a check, or you can donate the money to the charity of your choice! See...SO EASY, FREE MONEY! I joined Ebates (for free) when we lived in Germany and I've "made" $347.36 for shopping that I would have done anyway. In addition, the company gives "Tell-A-Friend" credits for passing on this valuable information. No, that is not why I am including it as part of my "Favorite Things" post, but if you are interested, please use my yahoo e-mail address (let mek now if you don't know it) and we'll both get an extra $10! (it is usually $5 but there is a promotion going on) Again, that is NOT why I'm telling you about this, I just think it is a great thing and with the economy at its current state, who could say no to free money?! Let me know if you have any questions about it. (Some of my favorite stores that participate: Target 4%, Snapfish 10%, Shutterfly 8%, JCPenney 4%, Joann.com 5%, PetcareRx 12%, Victoria's Secret 2%, etc., etc. and a lot of the stores offer those valuable discount/free shipping coupon codes!)

APPLE/MAC I like to think that my graphic design profession helped aid me in being "cool" before the rest of the world caught on with the iPod craze. We all remember (if you are around my age) sitting in a computer lab in elementary school and learning the most basic functions on the oldest computers known to man....with tiny screens. Well, those were the first Macs I remember. I was reintroduced in college when a Mac laptop was a requirement for all graphic design majors. I personally think that that requirement alone made GD the most expensive major at the school. You could pay a lot of "lab fees" with $2000! Anyway, the combination of my own personal laptop and all of the Macs in the lab really got me hooked. I'll never go back! Since my first Mac laptop in college, I've now got a 20" iMac and a white PowerBook. I use both on a regular basis and love the features! I'm even brand loyal enough to get the AirPort Extreme wireless base station to use as our router (works GREAT, and is super easy). Needless to say, I am a fan. For all the designing I do, Macs can't be beat. I'm not going to go so far as to put an Apple sticker on the back of my car, but don't knock the people that do...at least they are passionate about something! (and of course I have an iPod too...not the latest and greatest, but it works... :))

UGA Wherever I've lived, whenever I see this symbol on a car, a t-shirt or a hat, it makes me smile. Let me just say from the beginning that I haven't always been a fan. Being born in TX, then living in MO, then to GA I didn't know which team I was "supposed" to cheer for. My parents weren't die-hard fans of anywhere and I really didn't care. When we moved to Georgia when I was in the 3rd grade, I just thought UGA was a "party school" and I wanted to go somewhere more "prestigious".....I wanted to go to UT(exas). Well, although I still support the Longhorns (I'm sure partially in part to the fact that I knew how to "Hook 'Em" with my fingers before I knew how to make a "peace" sign.....thank you Nanny & Hal) I now bleed RED & BLACK. Perhaps it was because the school gained a lot of accolades and got a much better reputation over the years and perhaps it was because I knew I could go there for "free" with the Hope Scholarship (thank you Georgia Lottery!), but by the time I was a senior in high school, UGA was the only place I applied. Considering that it has become more and more difficult to get accepted....I'm just lucky I got in...didn't have much of a backup plan....) At orientation, they teach all the incoming students how to bark. I felt like a complete idiot, but I've never been so proud to act like a fool....I'm a Bulldog. I realize that I've graduated now, but I will always be a fan. I tear up at the beginning of football games (that damn trumpet gets me every time), and get overly excited during the games. I love that students (okay, primarily "Greek" students) dress up for the games....in our Saturday finest of course.....regardless if it makes sense to wear a skirt, heels and pearls to a football game. I love all the tradition and that I got to be a part of it for 4 wonderful years. However, I think my favorite part about being a bulldog is the common bond and reminder it is of all the wonderful friends I made in college. I understand that I live in Buckeye country now and I am certainly a supporter of "the" state school here. I will certainly cheer for the Buckeyes.....as long as they aren't playing Georgia. I recognize and respect that Ohio State has outstanding traditions and is a fine institution, but you can still look for the UGA flag to be flying outside our house on big game days. Countdown to first game: 9 days! I doubt I'll get to see it up here...better have a baby in my arms anyway! Click here to view the schedule.

NEUTROGENA MOISTURESHINE SOOTHING LIPSHEERS I promise that the fact that Brian works for J&J and Neutrogena is a J&J company has nothing to do with this inclusion in my favorite things list. However, I will not lie....I got to try this one out for cheap because it was available in the "e-store" that Brian has access too through the company. Now I wish I'd ordered more! This little tube is the perfect combination of sheer color, balm, moisture and even has SPF 20 to protect from burn! It feels great on the lips and now it is always what I reach for when I'm not going for a "made-up" look but want to look a bit more polished. Overall, 2 thumbs up!

I'll add more later. These explanations have gotten lengthy.....sorry.