Mar's 2009 Must Haves
Every year around this time I ponder and prepare myself to review and consider what will make my Top “Must Haves.” Sometimes I know far in advance of the end of the year, and this year’s top four were clearly candidates the moment I discovered them. To become a “Must Have” contender each item has to enrich my life and offer something worthy of the price you pay and the benefits they bring. As every year, this year the prices vary, and one is even something you can even make for yourself—so “priceless” in my book. So here you go: my “Must Haves” for 2009—now that we’re in 2010 you can get on board by introducing these in your home.
- FurBulous Dog
This one is a treat for you and your dog. A new USDA certified organic dog shampoo made up of a blend of essential oils, Aloe Vera, and Rosemary Extract. It has NO artificial ingredients, chemicals or detergents. Both Violet and I loved it the moment we tried it. It’s a hypoallergenic shampoo and if you’re like me I enjoy giving Violet her bath when I’m taking a shower. Finally, a safe and non-toxic alternative to detergent and chemical cleaners. Without laureth sulphate to create suds, FurBulous Dog has an ingenious self-foaming pump. So it’s safer for Violet and much, much faster for me since the shampoo is quickly and easily distributed over her coat, rinses out in a snap, and there are no “clumps” of shampoo (you could always tell where I started with old-style shampoos because I had to pay extra attention to that area when rinsing out.) FurBulous Dog meets all USDA Organic Food Standards so it’s a big deal to have such an amazing product available for my Schnauzer. Once you use this easy pump shampoo you notice the difference and the fresh clean smell your dog will have for days. FurBulous is Fabulous and I have the great smelling dog to prove it. If your local retailer does not carry it request it. If you like more information and learn more about this amazing products check out there web site at www.suchagooddog.com
- A Home Resource Book
As mentioned above, not everything that makes my “Must Haves” list has to be something you need to purchase. On the contrary, this one is all about getting organized and having one reference book that becomes an important resource for any homeowner.
Do you know whom to call? What’s under warranty? Where is your property line? These are just a few of the many answers I have in my home resource book. Take an ordinary folder and add heavy-weight sheet protectors (this offers you the perfect place to slide in any warranty papers, property surveys, appliance repair numbers, insurance certificates and even your pet’s Vet documents without gluing or taping), then enter all the info you can think of. Soon you’ll have everything all in one central location.
If you’re like me and have to travel for work—and rely on others to take care of your home—well then this is right for you. Violet’s babysitters have come to rely on it. I took the extra step to add phone numbers for neighbors and even my sure-fire take-out menus that are “Mar” approved. If you’re going to stay at Rosebrook Gardens you need to know who to call should the irrigation systems needs tweaking, or Violet needs a groomer. All is at your fingertips, and should you need to call my cell phone well that, too, is listed: sometimes the most common numbers to you are most valuable to others. Knowledge if power so give your family, house guest or house sitters access to your resources.
Make this your year to get organized and gather all those documents and phone numbers and put them in one neat place. I keep mine in a drawer near the phone in my kitchen and I make sure everyone knows where it is. This is not only a “Must Have,” it’s a must do!
- Snapfish.com
Snapfish is the home of online digital photo printing, photo sharing, with over 100 personalized photo gifts you can make from your own photo collection. This website offers you the ability to create a free account to uploading and share photos. They have been around now for several years, and they’ve got their service down to a simple science. One can even get high-quality digital photo prints at low prices and unlimited, free photo sharing. Use your digital photos to create custom photo books and gifts that are easy and fun to do. It’s also a lot of fun. Truth be told I recently discovered Snapfish.com and created a 2010 Violet calendar for my friends and family—and starting at $18.99 a personalized calendar makes my “Must Haves” list for this year for a super, personalized, and well priced gift that keeps on giving month after month.
- Jenga
Okay, I can admit it, I’m a big kid at heart and I love playing games. In 2009 I discovered the Jenga game (perhaps a tad later than many people, I know!) and it soon became one of my “Must Haves” for two simple reasons. One: It does not cost much, and Two: It provides great entertainment for anyone six or older, and all it takes it one or more players to play. All you need to do is pull out the lower blocks and stack them on top without toppling the tower! It sounds so simple, but there are so many variables that make this game genius: the table surface, how you originally stack the tower, how many cocktails each player has had, …well, you get the picture. As each player precedes the weight of the tower shifts, some blocks may become looser than others and may be easier to remove but be carful not to knock over the tower as the last player to stack a block without the tower falling wins the game. Still think this is easy? Add the fact that you can only use one hand makes it harder and more challenging.
I like to add a personal touch to my game as I ask each new player to write their name on one of the 54 wood blocks. I keep a Sharpie marker in the box at all times for this simple personalization method. The over the months and years I’ll have a fun reminder of the guests who have participated. With a price tag of retailing around $11.99 it makes a “Must Have” that is also easy on the wallet.
I’m always looking for amazing stuff to make my five “Must Haves” each year and many of you write in with suggestions, and I invite more for the 2010 list. Seems a long way away, but I look throughout the year. It’s not always easy, never-the-less, it’s such fun when I do discover something special and can say: “This is a Mar Must Have!”
And there you have it.
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