can't live...if living is without you...

Well, friends, it has been many moons since I last posted. Forgive me for my absence as I was again traveling for work. This time my destination was Dahlonega, Georgia for yet another installment of tourism camp with my buddy Mary-Kathryn among others. While listening intently (or not) to each and every word uttered by our wise presenters, MK shared a little activity with me that she also posted about. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to list 10 things that you can't live without, 10 thinks you CAN live without and 10 things you're really into right now. Forgetting the obvious (family, friends, etc.), your 10 things are to be the little luxuries that make your world go 'round. Here are mine in no particular order:

Can't live without...

The Precise V5 Rolling Ball pen. Mightier than the sword? Perhaps. But I've used these little beauties since high school. I even keep a black one in every box of stationery I have so I will never have to write a thank-you note without one. Fortunately, the office supply-orderers with whom I've come in contact in my lifetime must also appreciate the efficiency of the V5, and I've never had to work without them. Oh, and don't even mess with the Fine point ones - it's Extra Fine all the way, baby. Like me.

Text messaging. Harris told me it would change my life, and she was right. How did I ever get along without it? I don't have a nice phone (I've lost 2 in the Detroit airport), I can't get email or take pictures, but by golly, I can text until my hands rot.

Flip flops. If I was allowed to wear them all day every day, I would. And I don't need pricey ones or ones with sequins or polka-dot grosgrain ribbon. Just the plain Old Navy ones do me just fine. I've had to throw away 6 pairs this summer; not from wear-and-tear, oh no - the twins think flips are delicious.

iTunes. I was the first in my family to go straight with regards to free music downloads, and I must say, I've never regretted that move. I love that every month they have a new free download (most are terrible, but hey), and they'll suggest music based on what you've bought. I'm willing to shell out the $0.99 per song to get my music faster and to be legit and avoid federal prosecution.

Hair care products. You people have seen my hair. No explanation needed.

My HOBO wallet. Ok, I wasn't the first to get on this train, but I caught on eventually. If you're in the market for a new wallet, get a HOBO. They come in tons of colors, have lots of nice little compartments and pockets, and you can carry them as a clutch (my favorite feature). My only qualm - the coin pocket is a little small and kind of hard to search through. Still, worth every penny.

DVR. The poor man's TiVo. You haven't really watched TV until you've zapped through the commercials. And forget living in fear of missing new episodes of House or The Office. I must admit that I don't know all the ins and outs like Kell does, but I can make darn sure I don't miss any of my shows.

goodsearch.com. Who doesn't love a search engine? And how many times a day do you use one? If you're like me, a lot. I stumbled upon goodsearch one day while perusing the CARA website and immediately switched from Google. All you do is choose from a list of charities, and every time you search for something (the same way you would with Google), the website donates money to the charity you selected. It's just a penny per search, but every little bit helps, right?

Makeup. What girl can live without it? OK, what Southern girl can live without it? I make no bones about spending money on good makeup, and if you ask me, it's the only way to go. I won't bore you with the stuff I like (as I've done before), but I just have to tell you what I got on my recent trip to Sephora. You ladies may not have a problem with feathering lipcolor, but I do. This TooFaced Anti-Feathering Lip Pencil is great. Just put it on before your lip liner, and you're in business. It's clear, so you can wear it with any color. Beauty crisis averted!

Hand sanitizer. Anyone who has spent any amount of time with me knows my love of hand sanitizer. We all know what it does. Nothing beats a good washing of the hands, but this runs a close second, especially if you are terrified of raw meats as I am.

I hope this made you think about the simple things you can't live without. I'll be sharing another category with you next!