My 2011 Summer Essentials

1.  Lots of books - My favorite thing to do in the summer months is head down to the gorgeous nearby park and read outdoors.  I like to read a mix of summery classics and lighter reads.  (I'll be posting my summer reading list later this week!)

2.  Sunscreen - I'm extra white and I burn at the drop of a hat, so sunscreen is a MUST.  I like to carry around a travel tube for easy reapplication.

3.  Scented lotion - Heat amplifies fragrance and can make perfumes overbearing.  Scented lotion is an excellent less potent option.  My favorite is Bath & Body Works' Lemon Vanilla (part of the "Summer Vanillas" collection).

4.  Dr Pepper Lip Smacker - This is a year-round must, but absolutely vital in the summer and winter months.

5.  Water bottle - Colorado is extremely dry, so hydrating is necessary when spending any time outside. 

6.  Jean skirt - I'm not a fan of shorts, so this skirt is my go-to for when the heat gets unbearable.

7.  iPod - My iPod gets a workout during the summer, between trips to the park and exercising!

8.  Nook - I do most of my traveling in the summer, and I bring my Nook along to take multiple books without occupying more space.

9.  Flip flops - I always buy a cheap pair of flip flops at the beginning of the season for errands and trips to the pool.

10.  Limeade (not pictured) - I love the cold, tart sweetness of limeade in the summer.  We buy it by the gallon from the grocery store, but I also love Sonic's cherry limeade as a special summer treat.

Sick Day Essentials

I love this guy, but like most small children, he breeds germs.  With a hefty amount of Purell and hand washing, I seem to avoid being sick most of the time.  Kris is not so lucky.  Someone sneezes in his direction and he catches a cold.  (This is mostly due to allergy/sinus problems weighing down his immune system.)  With the up and down weather changes, he didn't stand a chance against the booger machine.

So, now Kris is sick.  And that means I get to play caretaker.  Since we've been together for a loooong time, I know the necessary items to get us both through a Kris cold unscathed.

Sick Kris (with Darby in the foreground and the monkey lying on the floor)

Kris's Sick Day Essentials

1.  Star Wars comforter

It's the perfect thickness for hanging out on the couch - not too hot, but thick enough to keep him warm.

2.  Red sock monkey

Kris's dad and stepmom gave us matching sock monkeys for Christmas after I fell in love with an adorable anniversary card they gave us last year.  Kris occasionally curls up with his monkey when he's not feeling well or especially tired.

3.  Ginger ale and crackers

This comes straight from his childhood.  When he was sick as a kid, he barely ate anything else.

4.  Creamy Chicken Noodle soup

Think "Cream of Chicken" mixed with "Chicken Noodle".  Yeah, I don't understand it either.

5.  The guy's version of "trashy TV"

Lots of "Destination Truth" and "Ghost Adventures", with a little bit of Science Channel and National Geographic thrown in for balance.

Even though I don't really get sick, per se, I do get a lot of killer migranes.  For comparison, here are my . . . 

Sick Day Essentials

1.  Funny and/or nostalgic movies

As a kid, I had specific movies that I watched when I was sick.  (e.g. Singin' in the Rain and The Ten Commandments)  Now, I'm not so rigid, but the flicks do have to give me warm fuzzies.  (Some of my favorites are Labyrinth, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and The Lost Boys.)

2.  Big, comfy pajamas

I like these for sleeping as well, but when I don't feel well, they're absolutely necessary.  My favs right now are my newly purchased Pac-Man pjs.  They're guy's pajama pants, which means they're infinitely more comfortable than women's pjs.  (Why is that?)

3.  Socks

Normally, I hate wearing socks.  When I'm not wearing shoes, I usually go barefoot rather than keeping my socks on.  I only wear socks around the house when I don't feel well.  Something about having them on then makes me feel warm and cozy.

4.  Cream soda and Chicken NoodleOs

I'm a Dr. Pepper fiend, but it's not the greatest thing for a sick person to imbibe.  I compromise by drinking cream soda (still carbonated, but not caffeinated).  I don't compromise on the Chicken NoodleOs, though.  They're a must and no other chicken soup will do.

5.  A long, hot shower

I'm of the firm belief that a lengthy, near-boiling hot shower can fix (almost) anything.

What little things help you get well faster?

Geeky Winter Essentials

My cousin and fellow blogger, Annette, posted a list of her winter essentials on her blog, A Simple Breath.  It got me thinking about the things that get me through the winter blahs.

1.  Knit zombie earflap beanie and black cotton gloves - It gets pretty cold here, so hats and gloves are essential.  The hat is adorable (in addition to keeping my head warm) and these little one-size-fits-all cotton gloves are warm and still allow me to read on my commute.

2.  Soap & Glory's Great Shakes Hand Cream - It's a British brand, but Target carried it for a while (They gave me time to fall in love with the stuff . . . and snatched it away.  The website reports that the brand should be back in the States in September 2011, though!).  It softens your hands without making them greasy and lotion is definitely a winter essential in an already dry climate.

3.  Bonne Bell Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker - I'm a Dr. Pepper fiend and the Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker has been my go-to chap stick for about twenty years.  I wear it all year long, but I have an extra one just for my coat pocket to keep my lips from getting chapped by the chilly winter winds.

4.  Queen of Hearts hoodie - I don't like to crank the heat, so I put on this lightweight hoodie to keep warm when hanging out at the house.  It's also the perfect replacement for a jacket on warmer winter days.  And it's awesome.

5.  Netflix - Movies magically delivered to your house (and gaming console!)?  Yes, please.

6.  TV show box sets - There's nothing better than spending a snowy day watching your favorite shows.  My picks right now:  hilarious British comedy "Spaced", "MST3K" (always!), and the late great "Pushing Daisies"

7.  A big bowl of buttery microwave popcorn - It just completes a movie marathon in a way nothing else can.

8.  Movie notebook - The perfect way to keep track of movies you want to see; a must as major release dates are approaching!

9.  Wintry books - Something about reading these books in the season they are set helps enhance the mood beautifully.  I like to read Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist and Ghost Story by Peter Straub around this time of year.

10.  (Not pictured) Clam chowder and a basket of piping hot fish and chips (with plenty of vinegar!) - Nothing cures the winter blues like seeing that basket lined with newspaper and knowing it's for you! Mmmmmm . . .

What helps you get through until spring?