Wednesday, September 24, 2008

My Box Arrived!!!

Today was a great day.
The weather was gorgeous.
Clear, sunny skies, about 70 degrees and a nice cool breeze
...perfect!

It certainly didn't hurt that I knew my Favorite Things Swap box was arriving today.
You see Summer, my swap partner, and I both made the mistake of not including our explanation letters and had to communicate about what to do when the boxes arrived. I sent her an attachment in an email with my explanation and she posted her on her blog.

I was like a kid on Christmas morning waiting for my package to arrive. Time was going too slowly and so I took the kids to the park to waste time and enjoy the beautiful day.

When I got home the mail still hadn't come. What? My mail lady is usually there by noon at the latest and it was nearly 1. So I took the kids inside to get them ready for their naps. I put Mia down and as I was closing the curtains in Austin's room I saw the substitute mailman (that explains the tardiness) walking up to my door with THE box. Yes!!

Not only was the box finally here, but I got to open it and enjoy its contents ALONE.

I put Austin in his bed and practically ran downstairs, retrieved the box and grabbed the scissors on the way to the dining room table. I carefully cut the tape. Inside, surrounded in bright pink bubble wrap, was all of this great stuff.


I could not believe it! First was four different kinds of chocolate. Hello...totally one of my favorite things in this world. I am so hiding those goods!
Fruity lip stuff. I rarely apply any actual lipstick, but I always wear chapstick or lip gloss. I will have to hide it from Austin who is always asking for "lips" so he can be like Mommy. Actually, he just likes the taste.
Sudoku puzzles. As Mark says, I am a sudoku maniac. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to send a book of Sudoku puzzles to Summer, but they are one of my favorite things to do. I almost downloaded Platinum Sudoku games to my cell phone the other day, but figured that might be a bad thing.
Better than Buillion beef base. I LOVE to cook and actually just ran out of this so it is absolutely perfect timing. Now I can cross that off my grocery list.
Vanilla Chai scented deodorant. I had no idea this even existed. Every once in awhile you just need to smell like something really yummy. Mmmmm, it smells so good. Mark is going to want to lick me. (Did I really just type that?)
Last but not least, Diva Girl Mad Libs. Seriously, I need to exercise the Diva in me a little more often. And humor...I can always use more of that. When I start taking life too seriously no one is happy.


Thanks Summer!!!

Doing this swap was so much fun. Thanks Wendi for hosting such a fun event!

I actually learned some really valuable things from this swapping experience.

First, I learned that most of my truly favorite things don't fit in a box and can't be sent away because they are uniquely mine. My most favorite things are Mark, Austin and Mia. Then there are my family and friends, the view from my deck, my camera and all the moments I capture with it, my quiet times, the feeling I get when I see my kids learn or do something for the first time, dates with my husband (though they don't happen often enough) and so many other things that bring a smile to my life.

Second, I realized that a lot of my favorite things revolve around my kids. Not that that is a bad thing necessarily, but it made me realize that I need to do a little more for Mommy. I need to make the time to feed my non-Mommy side, because though I love my kids with every fiber of my being, I am so much more than just a Mommy.

Summer received her package today too and I can't wait to hear what she thinks of my favorite things. I had so much fun sharing a little bit of me with a relative stranger. Right away we discovered we had at least one thing in common, we both have daughters named Mia. How random is that?

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! You got some awesome stuff, Susan!!

Kristen said...

WOW! Your swap package looks awesome!

But I loved loved loved your swap "reflection". I have to say that I agree with your assesments completely. :)

carrhop said...

What a darling, darling idea!!!--can't believe how many things in the box you received would have been things I would have sent!

Enjoy your goodies!!
Blessings!

Munchkins and Music said...

I love madlibs! I should buy one of them.

Jessica said...

Wow..that your package looks great! What a great idea!

Jennifer said...

That so nice! How can I find a friend to swap with?

Unknown said...

That looks like a package you are going to really savor. Especially the chocolate -I love chocolate. What a great idea.

Wendi said...

I love it!
The package is great.
How could it not with that much chocolate?
Yum!
I am excited the swap provided so much "learning".
And that you discovered a little about yourself.
What a great post Susan...thanks for sharing!
Now, get thee to a spa and pamper thyself!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

this is soooo much fun!

Summer said...

Y'all have got to see what she sent me. Seriously. You have got a way cool friend.

Unknown said...

How fun! I loved how you realized your favorite things couldn't be put in a box and you needed a little more you.

When is this swap thing happening again? I got to get on this train!

Lindsay said...

What a great idea!!

And I too am hooked on Sudoku. I can't tell you how many I did when I was in the hospital for three days when I was pg. with my son....and those were the days when internet wasn't available in the hospital rooms....can you imagine?! LOL

Amy Bennett said...

Oh what a great package!!

Unknown said...

Oooh, chocolate heaven!! I love Suduko too!

SO cool about the fact that you both have daughters with the same name!!

Forgetfulone said...

Really great stuff! Congrats on a great swap.