Bright spots during winter days

A little snapshot of what's making me smile these days---

1. TEAM USA!: I'm such an Olympics junkie! I usually think of the Summer Games as being more exciting than their Winter counterparts for some reason. But if the first two days of competition are any indication of the drama-level of the week-and-a-half to come, I'm getting super stoked! Hannah Kearney taking the gold in Women's Moguls, and our first Nordic Combined medal ever! For the record, I am now officially a fan of Biathalon. To quote a friend of mine: "Skiing + shooting = awesomeness!"

2. Longer Days: Since the beginning of November when we "Fell Back," I have been having to be very careful about locating my keys in my purse before heading out the back door of work, so not to be grappling for said elusive keys under the patchy illumination of the parking lot street lights. The only downside is that the additional sunlight sheds a little more light on the effects of slush and salt on my supposedly-black vehicle. Eww.

3. Pharmacy tape: If there is one thing that I have learned working behind a pharmacy counter, it is that all tapes are not created equal. Scotch makes a "pharmacy grade" of clear tape that unrolls so smoothly, and sticks so well, that you'll wonder how you ever tolerated anything less. I kid you not.

4. Paper lunch sacks: It's been a while since I've packed lunches on a daily basis. In college, you either swing through the cafeteria between classes, or make the trudge down to your dorm room or house to brew some coffee and curl up on the couch with a cup of soup. I have to say, though, that there's something about the crinkle of a good ol' paper sack within your gloved fist that gives you a "go, get 'em" rush as you step out the door to work in the morning.

5. New cell phone: Until last month, I had had the same cell phone since freshman year of college when Dad sent me my first one (with the condition that I would be better about staying in touch while at school). That phone and I went through a lot together. It's now ancient, but practically indestructable, and had the loudest vibrate you'll ever hear (I was known to even use it as my morning alarm). But, I'll be the first to admit that it also had its weaknesses . . . the biggest one being its patchy reception out here on the farm. I had a couple trusty spots where I knew I could connect . . . but it gets a little impractical during the sub-zero winter months when the main one is on top of the picnic table. So I finally took the plunge and trekked down main street after work to the local hardware store. Surprisingly, for a person as indecisive and resistant of change as I am, I spotted a phone that would do the trick. And it even has . . . *gasp* . . . a camera! Technology these days, I tell ya . . .