My Favorite Things 2022
I was really on the fence about writing this post. I mean, you haven’t heard from me in ages and this is the post you get after waiting for so long? After watching your inbox every single day. Just hoping… praying… (if that’s your thing) that this would finally be the day? And then suffering another disappointment when there’s, yet again, no email from me…
Gosh, I’m really sorry. I had no idea how much you missed me!
No, I know. I suck. And it feels like really bad form to come back after so many months with a post loaded with affiliate links, like I expect you to buy this crap I’m about to tell you about. Rest assured, though. I have no such expectations. I just didn’t want to break tradition (again) and skip this year’s Favorite Things Post. Plus, I think I can use these items to catch you up on what’s been going on with me this year, in case you were wondering. Spoiler alert… The news is not good.
Favorite Thing #1
Fitbit Luxe
Since my wedding day in May of 2021, I have gained 25 pounds. Twenty. Freaking. Five. Pounds. This is the heaviest I have been in my whole life. So, basically, I turned 50 and my metabolism just… left. Quit. Packed its (saddle) bags, left them (on my) behind, and moved to Costa Rica. Without me.
To help me get back into shape (Oh, who am I kidding? I just mean back to fitting into my clothes. I’ve never been in shape…), Schmoopy bought me a Fitbit smart watch. I chose the platinum Luxe model (with this replacement band) because it’s more dainty and I have small wrists.
Or, at least, I did have small wrists…
So, I got the Fitbit and started keeping track of my sleep (I’m an excellent sleeper!), exercise (or lack thereof…) and my steps. Hey, did you know they say you’re supposed to get ten thousand steps a day? Imagine my horror when I discovered that my typical work-from-home day garnered me about 650 steps. So, freelancing for the last ten years, I’ve probably walked the equivalent of about six miles total.
Favorite Thing #2
1 By One Body Composition Scale
Can a scale, that tells you you weigh twenty five pounds more than you should, be a “favorite thing”? The short answer is, No. It’s a jerk thing. But, as far as scales go, this is a really good one. There’s a similar scale out there that costs $175 that I thought I needed to help me on my fitness journey, but I found it to be no better than this little $20 bargain, so I was quite happy to return it.
This scale syncs with an app on your phone and tells you your weight (ugh), body fat (yikes), muscle mass (that’s it?), and a whole host of other things that will probably make you sad, but will help you to track your progress. Assuming you make any. It’ll also tell you bad news. It’s not your friend.
Favorite Thing #3
Supernatural on Quest 2
Clearly, my technology is telling me I need to move more, but exercise sucks. Who wants to run on a treadmill to nowhere? Not me! Lunges? No, plank you. So how does a person who hates exercise do the exercise? The answer is more technology! Enter the Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset and a game called Supernatural.
I got this thing last Christmas and mostly used it for playing Mini Golf with my friends (which is super fun, btw), until I discovered the fitness game, Supernatural. Turns out if you convince me I’m standing in the Scottish Highlands, play me some great music, and send targets flying at my face, I will swing at them. And, when I’m done, I will be sweaty and my Fitbit will congratulate me for exercising and I will feel good about myself because I crave my technology’s approval.
Favorite Thing #4
Ozeri Food Scale
So, guess what? Exercise isn’t enough. You have to eat right too. I know, right? Healthy is stupid hard. It’s no wonder so few people do it. If it weren’t for the fact that I want to live a really long time, I’d totally opt out. But this is my reality now and I actually have to keep track of what I’m putting in my body. This food scale helps me do that.
Without getting all diet-y on you (there are plenty of blogs out there for that), a serving size for any given food is never what you think it is. It’s always way less. Like, for example, did you know a serving size of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies is not a whole sleeve? I know. I was shocked too.
Whether you’re counting calories or macros (carbs, fats and protein), this scale will help you know exactly how much food you’re eating. Prepare to be horrified.
Isn’t this a fun post?
Favorite Thing #5
The Magic Bullet
In an effort to get proper nutrients into my body with as little effort as humanly possible, I’ve started using The Magic Bullet. This little guy blends a smoothie right in the cup you drink it from.
Just put your ingredients into the cup, screw on a blender lid, put it top side down into the bullet, push down and turn. When it’s blended, reverse the process. Only the cup and blender cap are dirty and both can go into the dishwasher.
I like to freeze some banana slices, then blend them with a pre-made chocolate protein shake and some peanut butter powder. Delicious! No, really. It’s… Well, it’s pretty good.
Are you getting sick of the health and fitness crap that I’m passing off as favorite things but are really more like necessary evils? Well, I’m not done.
Favorite Thing #6
The Ultimate Book of Mixed Puzzles
Fitness includes brain health and, without oversharing, I’ve been very concerned lately about losing my marbles. Exercising your brain is just as important as exercising your body. More so, I’d even argue. I’d hate to have a healthy body with a swiss cheese mind.
Although, a sharp mind trapped in a crappy body is pretty terrifying, too. OK, I guess they’re equally important. Stupid exercise.
I’ve had puzzle books before, but I’m finding this one especially challenging. (Hopefully that’s because the puzzles actually are challenging and not because I’ve already begun misplacing the aforementioned marbles…) The spiral binding makes it very convenient to keep track of what puzzle I’m up to. I try to do one a day.
Seriously, how do fit people have time for anything but staying fit? It’s a full time job!
Favorite Thing #7
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
OK, enough with the healthy crap. Here’s a book I really enjoyed that I think you might too. This thoughtful, quirky book is about Eleanor, a loveable weirdo.
Being a loveable weirdo myself, it’s no wonder it resonated with me. It’s funny and different and I can’t wait for the author to write more books. Hurry up, Gail.
Speaking of writing books, I’ve started writing one of my own. Now, don’t get excited. You guys know how slow I am… But the good news is that this writing does not depend on me having to do any projects, so maybe I’ll have something worth publishing in the nearly far future.
Favorite Thing #8
Bad Sisters
I’m not usually a fan of dark comedies because I’m never sure when, or if, I’m supposed to laugh. This show didn’t pose such problems for me. It was funny. I’m pretty sure I laughed at all of the right parts.
Bad Sisters is a limited series on Apple TV about a family of sisters in Ireland, one of which loses her detestable husband before the start of the first episode. The show takes turns between then and now, unraveling the mystery of how this truly horribly man met his demise. I promise, you will be satisfied in the end.
Favorite Thing #9
The Finger Heart
It’s an all too common problem amongst grown ass adults. You want to show your affection for someone by making a heart with your hands (like the one I made for you at the top of this post), but you don’t have access to both hands because you’re carrying your deliciously unhealthy Starbucks peppermint mocha latte in one of them. This little gesture solves that enormous and frequently occurring dilemma.
I first saw it in a Korean TV show with subtitles and I thought the gesture meant, like, show me the money. Or, it was the worlds smallest violin. But, NO. It was a gesture of LOVE. Of all the hand gestures people make, this is the one that just might have the power to change the world. I mean, can you imagine if street gangs flashed finger hearts at each other? Wow.
Favorite Thing #10
Egor & Zero
They’re on every year’s list. My furry babies.
Egor had a healthy year, except for the time he ate a plant that scratched his esophagus and caused him to throw up a little bit of blood causing his mom to nearly have a heart attack because she’s in terrible physical shape. Apparently.
Zero actually had a rough year. He dropped a lot of weight suddenly, so we took him to the vet. She diagnosed him with hyperthyroidism and now he has to take medicine for the rest of his life. It’s working great, though. He’s back up to his normal weight and he loves his tuna flavored medicine.
I went through my whole year in pictures to find cute ones of the cats for this post. As you can imagine, I found lots of them. Here are a few of my favorites…
Thanks for catching up with me (and the cats) in this Favorite Things post. For my next project, I have my sights set on adding wall sconces to my dining room. If I can manage to accomplish that, I’ll be sure to loop you guys in here on the blog. (I know. Could I be any more non-committal?)
I wish you all a fabulous holiday season and a happy and healthy new year.
Oy with the healthy already…
* This post contains affiliate links.
38 Comments
Natasha
Great post! I didn’t know that about thin mints. Shocking.
My Crappy House
Oh, I think you knew, Natasha. I think you knew…
Linda
Glad to see your post. I enjoyed it.
I know where your coming from with the weight thing. I’ve been trying to get in shape (or fit in my clothes) and I’m losing a couple pounds, gaining a few and back and forth. There is no damn end to it!
Happy holidays and the best of health for the new year.
My Crappy House
Happy New Year! The struggle is real. Every other week, I gain, then lose. I can’t get it to budge! I’m hoping now that the holidays are over and the constant temptations (the goodies, not the group) are gone, I can make some headway.
Judy Youssef
I can sympathise with Zero as I’ve just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism too!
Though it hasn’t caused me to lose weight!!!
Happy holidays ?
My Crappy House
Aww, I’m sorry you’re in Zero’s boat! Yeah, he dropped so much weight it was scary. I don’t know what the people treatment is, but his medicine is working really well. (It’s called methimazole.)
Why can’t these ailments ever come with positive side effects for us? Like a disease that caused me to suddenly love broccoli?
Katherine Davies
The battle is real. I’m 16 years older than you are and it gets more real as time goes on. I empathise 100%.
I’m doing Pilates – you could try it, too! I actually love it but your Scottish Highlands games look more fun!
Happy Hollydaze – good to see you.
My Crappy House
Man, this year especially. The weight is not coming off! And my body seems to be falling apart in general. This is not good! If my plan to live to 102 happens, I’ve got a rough second half of my life ahead of me…
In addition to waving my sabers in the Scottish Highlands, I’m also weight training twice a week. I miss being a couch potato.
Happy New Year!
Debbie Warren
I missed you!
I can relate to the weight thing. I keep losing weight, and it keeps finding me again and bringing its friends.
My Fitbit really helped me for the first year, then helped me some the second year, then really helped the third year, then I decided I was old and was going to be fat, and so what? And then I tried to fit in airplane seat, and I am back to using my Fitbit. Also my Cubii underdesk exercise cycle would be on my favorite things list this year, since it fits in my living room and it’s too low to become a coat hanger like my old exercise bike did.
Nicole Rubio
Love your work. I never read anyone. Yawn. But I read you. I think maybe your me. But in another body. So it’s just like reading something I wrote. But didn’t.
My Crappy House
This comment blows my mind. I’m not even sure if I’m me or you as I write this. Or maybe I am us. Happy New Year to we!
My Crappy House
I’ve missed you too!
So, you’ve got me looking into Cubii now… That’s not a bad idea to burn some extra calories while I’m sitting at my desk. Working from home is rough for trying to get in steps. I see some of them sync with the Fitbit… You might be on to something here!
I’m happy I’m not alone in my struggle, but it sucks that so many of us are in the same boat…
Heather
♥️
Lynne
So funny I’ve been waiting patiently for your favorite things Post cause it’s one of my favorite things and you didn’t disappoint ❣️
I’m sorry that you’re having health issues and hope all goes well. For what it’s worth I think you should definitely write. You have talent and should use it on something other than a crappy blog. Blogs are so passé now. But I will always read your posts if you continue them. Happy holidays!
My Crappy House
Blogs are passé! I agree! Who even has time for this anymore? I mean, I’ll still keep posting, but I really think a crappy book is in my future. Happy New Year!
My Crappy House
Aww, back at you
Gwen
Hello to one of my favorite lovable weirdo’s. Don’t worry about the weight; you will take it off and feel even healthier for having worked for it. Everyone’s metabolism craps out eventually. Have a fabulous holiday season with your hubby and fur babies!
Gwen
My Crappy House
Ah, you make it sound so easy and inevitable, Gwen! I will try to channel that optimism… Happy New Year to you and yours
Marilyn
You haven’t lost one bit of your entertaining writing skills, a FABULOUS post, you make me LOL everytime! LOVE YOU LIKE CRAZY and that cute hubby of yours too. ♥️?♥️
My Crappy House
Thanks! I like to think I haven’t lost it, but you are definitely biased… I love you guys too! Happy New Year
Barbara H.
Wait! 50? How can that be? I thought you were much younger. But since I’m 25 years older you are much younger. Feel better? Yes, the metabolism thing – such a drag. Dropped 25-30 pounds and stopped. Maybe it’s the ice cream? Or the almond bear claws. Will have to come back later today and check out some of the things – might actually get a few of them but swear I will use your links. Love the cats, lost my oldest one last month but the remaining two are doing well – so far. Yes, hard to limit the cute cat pictures but who would want to? So happy to see this post – stay strong. And prosper.
My Crappy House
It’s nice to catch up! I’m so sorry you lost one of your babies. I’m dreading that day so much. Zero is starting to show his age, but Egor is still active as ever.
I’m as baffled as you by the whole “being 50” thing. I thought I was much younger, too! Stupid time. Stupid weight gaining joint hurting body. I want to speak to a manager!
Happy New Year!
Julia
Took me a minute to realize that the ol’ “I’m 50 and my metabolism just hit the brakes” line was a lie…as I was stuffing a cookie in my mouth and washing it down with a glass of wine. Calorie deficit = weight loss. You’ve got the right tools (I know you like your tools!), now use them! I also used an app to track calories when I first started (I lost 45 pounds and now pushing the big 60 I can say that I am in great shape). Add heavy weight lifting to your routine, keep your protein intake up, and you’ll be great…and not the old lady in the chair lifting the cans of corn, but heavy weights. You and Shmoopy can do it together! Keep on moving girl. And I’m glad you put the cookies down long enough to write a post…lol.
My Crappy House
I’m laughing at the image of sitting on my couch lifting cans of corn… I’m old, but I’m not cans of corn old…
Schmoopy bought me some personal training sessions at the gym, so I have been weight training for a few months now. I’m getting stronger, but my ass still looks just as big, so I’ve got to work on my diet. I hate that part because I love to eat terrible things. Well, you know…
Happy New Year!
Johnny Riservato
Fifty !! I have ties in my closet older than you !!
Keep writing , youre awesome
Hugs
Riz
My Crappy House
Haha you know, that makes me feel like a little kid and I LOVE it! Hugs right back to you. You’re still the best motivator
Terri Warner
Love your sense of humor! Thanks for the update, I worry about you. Heart with two fingers.
My Crappy House
Aww, that’s sweet! I worry about me too… haha
Happy New Year and two finger heart back at you!
Marianne
I really enjoy your writing style so I want to wish you good luck on your book! Also, thanks for sharing your photos of your beautiful inside cats. Any news to share on the feral cats that you built the outside houses for? Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and good luck on your health program!
My Crappy House
Thank you! I hope I can motivate myself to really do it.
Our outside cats are still around, but I’m not sure they’re using the house I built for them. Maybe it’s too small? I don’t know. But we decided to buy them a bigger house that’s maybe more practical. Certainly more cost effective than the crazy one I made… (Here’s the link if you’re curious: https://amzn.to/3jVHEmh )
Happy New Year!
Pamela Bergmann
Again, loved seeing another blog email from you. It seems like each decade from fifty on brings it own little challenges. I am now 70 and while my mind says I’m still 30 my body complains constantly.
Hang in there and Merry Christmas!
My Crappy House
Yes, I think my days of pain free skinny living are done. I’m just surprised that so much happened in one year for me. More than just the weight stuff I wrote about. It’s like a timer went off and my body was like, “Hey, let’s throw some poop in this fan and see what happens…” I really hope this isn’t a new trend for me.
Anyway, as my body gets older, I realize that a lot of us (the fun ones, anyway) never get old on the inside. We’re still young on the inside while the wheels fall off of the bus.
Happy New Year!
Janelle Ballard
Thank freaking goodness! Now I can stop checking my emails every 10 minutes. After all this time, I’m exhausted. Happy holidays.
My Crappy House
Hahaha I love this comment so much! Happy New Year!
Angie S
I like your honesty, the way you write, and your cats.
It’s a rare time that I follow a blog post (the “cool copper technique” that I found on Pinterest) and go to the Home page to see what else is happening in some random person’s life.
Keep posting, you have a new subscriber!
My Crappy House
You just made my day! I love when someone new joins the fray. Welcome and Happy New Year!
Leslie Susan Clingan
Hi, I a new friend and follower. Discovered you through our mutual friend Em at Dust and Dog Hair. She wrote a post about her favorite bloggers and when she mentioned that you sometimes disappear for a bit, I knew you were my kinda gal. I blog but then LIFE gets crazy and I don’t blog. Right now I am blogging a bit because LIFE is kind and gentle in the first weeks of this new year. Em’s blog is one of my favorites. And I am anxious to get to know you and your kitties better.
Eleanor Oliphant is a delightful book. I recently read Miss Cecily’s Recipes for Exceptional Ladies by Zimmerman. It features some equally quirky characters. Congratulations on beginning your own book. I keep saying I want to write a book but I don’t know that it will ever happen. And I don’t know what I really have to say.
Love my Oculus and playing Supernatural. Hubs just bought a BMI calculator. I want no part of it!!
My Crappy House
Speaking of disappearing… You wrote me in JANUARY and it’s now OCTOBER 31st and I’m just getting back to you. I’m so sorry. I suck. Truly, I do.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I do hope this response finds you. I actually have no idea if people are notified when I reply, so I’ll send this out into the interwebs and cross my fingers.
I LOVE Em. She’s a great writer and I’m woefully behind on reading her blog. Basically, I’m woefully behind on literally everything in every aspect of my life. Hence, this ten month delayed reply.
It’s been so long that I actually reread Eleanor Oliphant. I enjoyed it the second time around just as much. I will check out your recommendation. I’ve been struggling finding new GOOD books to read. There’s a whole lot of crap out there, but I have no time for crappy books.
And speaking of crappy books, I’m on like page one of my own, so don’t get excited. I don’t know if I’ll ever really ever have it in me to do it. I’m a terrible self motivator.
Anyway, a big belated welcome to my blog. Thanks for popping by and saying hello