Sweeter

My favorite things - that you can buy

Lucky magazine used to have a monthly feature where celebrities would list out some of their favorite things.  Since Lucky is a "shopping" magazine all of the things in the list were things the average person (if they had enough money) could buy.  My niece (and excellent blogger) Michelle did a similar list on her blog, but she included a few "unpurchasables" .  So I thought I'd take a crack at, but my list only includes things you can buy....and you don't have to be rich to afford 'em.  Here we go!

1. Mezzetta's Napa Valley Bistro Italian Olive Antipasto

Filled with olives, peppers and garlic marinated in herbs, spices and chardonnay, it holds the best olives in the world.  Spicy, yummy....I'm sooooo glad Costco has been selling jumbo size jars of these!  About $5

2. Ammonium Lactate 12% lotion 

My dermatologist recommeded this for my winter dry legs.  It stings a little when you first put it on, but it works, boy does it work.  Buy it over the counter (I got mine at the Kaiser pharmacy).  A big bottle will only set you back about 10 bucks.  

3. Bluewick Hinoki Soy Candles

These are a little pricy ($24 - $40), but they last forever, scent a large room and smell heavenly.  My favorite fragrance is Passionfruit White Currant.  Not sure?  Buy one of their travel candle tins for only $8.00 to try out a fragrance or two. 

4. Dave's Killer Bread 

Local convict makes good with his line of whole grain hearty breads. This is a healthy bread that actually tastes good with a pleasing texture.  My favorite is the 21-grain...nutty, yummy.  Love it toasted with a schmear of blackberry jam.  More than Wonderbread, it's $5 at most grocery stores, but Costco sells two packs for the same price.

5. Bon Ami

Around forever, this is one of the best cleaners I've used...and it's recommended by environmentalists as a safe cleaner.  Toilets, tubs and sinks all sparkle.  And here's a secret a local antique dealer shared with me...it's gentle enough to clean your silver...and so easy!  Only costs about 99 cents.

6. Aussie 3-minute miracle conditioner

For only around $3 you get salon quality deep conditioning.  My hair tends to be dry so I use it just about every other day.  It makes my parched locks silky smooth and frizz free.

7. Merrell sneakers

A woman at work was wearing a pair that looked so chic I went and got my own and discovered the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn.  Now, I'm not usually one for comfort over fashion, but with these sneakers, I get both!  Don't pay full price for these babies...Nordstrom's Rack, DSW or the outlet mall in Woodburn has them at reasonable prices.

8. Postage stamp

It amazes me that I can't put something in an envelope, address it to my girlfriend in New York, and someone else will take it to her in just a few days...all for only 44 cents (unless the price has gone up).  It's a bargain...they should charge more...I'd pay a buck for this kind of service.

9. Mai Tais at the Original Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian at Wakiki

Eric introduced me to these on our honeymoon.  Sit at the bar, (outside right next to the famous beach) order the drink and what the bartender machete open a fresh pineapple to squeeze in your glass, topped with some other stuff and a generous helping of top shelf rum.  OMG...that is paradise.  It'll set you back about $10, but every sweet, intoxicating drop is so, so worth it.

10.  Bissel Pet Hair Remover Vaccuum 

We bought one of these about a year ago and I immediately gave it a test spin.  You would not believe the dog hair this thing picked up.  There was so much hair in the bin, you'd think I'd never vaccummed my house before (trust me I had).  If you have a dog, cat, or hairy spouse...get this vaccuum.  About $150.

His socks were covered in green mold

Saturday I went into downtown Portland for a hair appointment.  I parked in my usual spot on Broadway, across from the Oregonian, pulled an umbrella out of my car, turned up the collar on my coat, and began walking briskly the 3 blocks to the salon.  The rain was coming down in sheets, and the wind made it icy cold.  I kept my head down trying to keep the rain from hitting my face, and walked as fast as I could.

I passed an old church, and from the corner of my eye, I saw someone lying in one of the doorways.  With my head down, all I could really see were his feet.  He was wearing those plasticy slipper kind of shoes and I could see his socks.  They looked like they were covered in green mold.  This made me stop.

I lifted my umbrella and the rain pelted me as I peered a little closer to see this man's feet.  He was laying down, hunched in a semi-fetal position, his back to me.  He wore some brown cotton pants and a gray sweatshirt which covered his face.  His shoes had kind of come off a little, and as I looked, I confirmed, yes, the heel of his sock was covered in green mold.  I just stood there staring for a moment...wondering, how long must this poor man have been walking around in wet socks for them to actually mold like that....months?  years?

He lay there twitching, a Big Gulp cup at his head.  I wondered if he was ill, drunk, or just sleeping.  The doorway provided cover from the rain, but the wind was whipping around and I thought how cold and uncomfortable that must be on the hard cement he was laying on.  I wondered what to do.  Should I call the police to pick him up, take him someplace warm to dry out?  Should I awaken him and ask if he needed help?  I wasn't sure. 

I was late for my appointment, so I raced ahead to the salon.  As I pulled open the door, the wind grabbed it and I had to pull it shut, dragging my soaking wet umbrella behind me.  The salon was warm. Holiday music was playing. Scented candles were burning.  I was greeted by a beautiful young woman who asked me if I would like some water or hot tea or perhaps a hand massage while I waited for my appointment.  I stood there, umbrella dripping in my hand, and just stared at her.  "I'll be back in just a few minutes." I told her.

I raced out the door and ran down the street.  I ran past the homeless man in the doorway.  I ran to my car.  I opened the door and pulled out a blanket I keep in the backseat.  I quickly shook it out and tucked it under my coat to keep it dry and warm. 

I went back to the man in the church doorway, unfolded the blanket and reached over to put it on him.  I was a little apprenhensive...what if he awoke and was disoriented and maybe thought I was trying to hurt him.  I entered the doorway and knelt down beside him.  I was immediately hit with his odor...a strong scent of human waste and body odor.  I gagged a little from the smell, but didn't want to cover my nose and mouth in case I woke him...I didn't want to embarrass him.  I placed the blanket over his moldy sock covered feet and pulled it up all the way to the top of his shoulders.  I made sure the blanket reached down around his back to the ground to keep the cold wind out.  He moaned a little as I placed the blanket on him, but other than that he didn't move.

I walked back to my salon, asked to use the restroom and washed my hands and splashed warm water on my face.  I was shaken.  I was struck with the disparity between me and the man in the doorway.  Here I was in a warm, luxurious salon, with people waiting to pamper and comfort me.  He...he was unbathed, unkempt, and cold.  It shouldn't be so...shouldn't everyone have at least some food, a warm place to wait out a storm, and the basic human dignity of a place to get clean and go the bathroom.

I sat in the waiting area, thinking...holding back tears.  Thankfully my hairstylist was running late, so I had a few moments to collect myself together.  Whether or not the man had made poor choices that helped to land him in his situation...I was sad for him.

Two hours later, I left the salon.  I wondered if the man would still be in the doorway sleeping.  I turned the corner and approached the church.  I came upon the doorway, and saw he was no longer there.  The Big Gulp cup was gone.  A dirty stain remained on the cement where he had lain.  And the blanket...the blanket was neatly folded and placed in a corner.  He was gone, and I never did see his face.