The Basics
by chuckofish
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m going to list five things for which I’m grateful. But since it’s early in the month, let’s start with the most basic, mundane stuff and work up to the most important closer to the holiday.
1. Elastic waists, stretchy material, and the color black. Let’s face it. Some of us 50-somethings have not aged as gracefully as others. I’m the type with lumps and bumps that require camouflage. So I’m grateful to J. Jill for styles I can wear comfortably, but still look reasonably tidy in. And black is definitely my favorite color.
picture from jjill.com
Okay. Now picture her a foot shorter, twice as wide, and thirty years older, and presto, c’est moi! Yes, I’m grateful (if dumpy).
2. I’m also grateful for this little product: Eucerin redness relief soothing nightcream.
I use it morning and evening. It’s not expensive and it works amazingly well to even out skin tone and help with those pesky wrinkles. I love the stuff.
3. Green Mountain Coffee. It gets me through those morning classes when I’m feeling uninspired. If only my students drank it too!
It’s roasted in Vermont — what more do I need to say? Yum.
4. Supermarket flowers. Every now and then I buy myself flowers. I especially like these (can’t remember the name), though I’ve never had this color.
They last for weeks if you use the (nasty) chemical preservative they come with. In November, which is notoriously cold and rainy, I am especially grateful for flowers.
5. Let’s not forget the vacuum cleaner. I know, it’s not exciting, but I thoroughly appreciate my warhorse. It takes a lot of use and abuse and keeps on going. Since you are all very well acquainted with vacuums, I’ll spare you a picture. However, mine is coming to the end of its natural life and I am thinking about getting a new one. I would appreciate recommendations!
So that’s my list of some of the little things that make my days better. No deep, spiritual connections here, but it’s a start, What are your basics?
*Obviously, I’m not getting anything for plugging the products listed above. I just like them!
dual personalities 
Great post, dual personality! I will have to give some thought to this and do my own post–although J Jill and grocery-store flowers are also favorites of mine. That is why we are dual personalities I suppose! 🙂
Even as a twenty-something I love black stretchy items for teaching in!! I have a new pair of stretchy dress pants that I wish I could wear every day. And I bought flowers at trader joes just the other day, though they aren’t holding up as well as yours!
Now if I could only find some shoes that looked good and didn’t kill my feet!
I would highly recommend a classic Royal model (the Everlast series, I believe.) It’s simplicity and vintage aesthetic appeals to Chamberlin sensibilities. Most importantly, it’s incredibly powerful. Dad bought one years ago, and it revolutionized vacuuming in our family.
Forgive me, the second sentence should begin “Its.” What a terrible mistake for a TA to make!
I cannot believe we are discussing vacuum cleaners!! 🙂
I’ll look into it. A good vacuum cleaner could definitely revolutionize my existence — and I’m ready.