Want vs. Need

I've had a few opportunities lately to reflect on the ideas of "Need" and "Want."

I was watching a home improvement show where the couple noted their 3,000 Sq. Ft. house was too small to raise their three children and they "needed" more space. Not to be picky here, but generations (centuries worth of generations!) raised MORE than 3 children in less than half that amount of space. And most of those kids turned out well adjusted, no?

I also read an article that said the new "must have" for homes is two sets of washers and dryers "so you don't have to spend an entire afternoon on laundry." Convenient? Sure! But millions of people living today and in the past managed just fine without any washing machines - much less two!

So many excesses are commonly described as needs. Yes, the examples are extreme and not indicative of how most people live, but I've been innundated with the amount of stuff "required" for gardening, babies, gourmet cooking, holiday gatherings, blah, blah, blah. And by far, very little of it is "needed."

Its OK to have "wants," but I'm developing a strong belief that for our own good we, as a society, must do a better job labeling wants as wants and not creating an artificial sense of what is neccessary. Next time I find myself thinking I "need" something, I'm going to try to step back and examine where the desire is coming from. Is it really a need? If not, what I am trading to get this "want?" Is it worth it?

All I *really* need in life is love and happiness, neither of which come from having a 4,000 sq ft house with two washers and dryers.

Life is grand

Yesterday was a good day. Really, an absolutely fabulous, stuff of legend kind of day.

The evidence:
- Virtually no traffic on the drive to work. Whoo!
- A reasonably paced day at the office - no giant fires
- I reported an issue that got a lot of attention in Canada, and my theory on what is causing the issue across North America sparked some interest and is being investigated by the vendor as we speak
- I had my annual review which was even more complementary than I expected, since I have only had my manager title for 3 months.
- Was told I am "rock-solid" in an area I have long considered my weakness
- Heard that a few other nice work recognition pieces are coming my way
- Had a coworker tell me I need to eat more chocolate because I'm too skinny for my pants (heh.)
- Got home while it was still daylight (something that's been rare for me in the last month)
- Discovered a bunch of plants I ordered awhile ago were delivered just in time for me to come home early today and plant on the nicest day of the week.
- Discovered a check I had forgotten about, yielding a chunk of "found money"
- Opened my email to find the sweetest, most heartfelt love letter from my hubby
- Spent the remainder of the evening snuggled up with aforementioned cute husband catching up on TV and eating yummy spinach pizza.
- Passed out at a reasonable hour and got plenty of sleep (also rare for me!)

Now that I think about it, the whole week starting with Adam & Dena's wedding on Saturday has just been spectacular, filled with family, friends, recognition and love with a big side of fun. As I said before, life is grand :)

My Favorite Alphabet

If a had a kid (and that's a big IF) I would teach him or her this alphabet. It's so much more fun than the plain old boring alphabet song...

Color Me Confused.

I was pretty sure *I* had my name, but this website doesn't seem to think so!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Busy Little Bees

My life has been *really* busy lately.

In the last 30 days I:
Attended 3 baby showers
Attended 1 wedding
Celebrated 1 bachelorette party
Celebrated our 1 year anniversary
Returned from Tokyo
Traveled to Orlando
Worked many, many hours of overtime (I realized this morning I have not had a day in three weeks that didn't involve work to some degree or another)

I'm going to try my best to sneak out of my office early one day this week, go home and veg...

Sage Advice

"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things."

Have a Magical Day.

Question: How many things can you put Mickey Mouse's head on?
Answer: Appears to be unlimited.

Mickey Mouse pasta forks, Mickey Mouse snow globes, even Mickey Mouse manhole covers.

I'm in DisneyWorld this week for a conference. It's an interesting choice of venues for a business conference....

That said, Disney is really tops on entertaining people. They do it, they do it well, and they do it almost invisibly so you don't notice all the time and effort involved in entertaining you. Simply amazing.

Last night was the Halloween fireworks as seen from the top floor of the resort. Pretty neat, and well done fireworks. I've been to Downtown Disney two days in a row, and tomorrow is an excursion to the Animal Kingdom.

As they say at Disney, Have a Magical Day!

Crap like this...

Is why I refused to make a permanent move to Florida. Living there for 6 months made me feel dirty enough.

Florida man charged with caging, abusing 9-year-old son

Speaking of which, guess where I get to go next week? ORLANDO. Gah.

I've been looking so long at these pictures of you.

Our Japan pictures posted in my lovely Picasa Album:

Japan

Sep 14, 2006 - 348 Photos

Look what I got!

 

I know the picture is a bit blurry, but the note says, "Just Because. *smooch* Love Tom"

*melt* Awwwwww....Isn't he the cutest? And he just knows how I love the golds and deep burgandy reds of fall :)