Good Grief, What a Groove!

Big thanks to Quinn the miracle man and Nadia (whoever she may be) for elevating my mood and jump starting my mojo by posting some James Brown. I'll pass on the favor to you. WARNING: Only click through if you've cleared the decks and are prepared for this seven-minute dominating, mesmerizing solid gold groove that Brown and his band laid down in 1973 on Soul Train. I give you "Get On the Good Foot"/"Soul Power"/"Make It Funky."

Ella Fitzgerald and Tom Jones - Sunny (Live 1970)

As the sun sets and I head back to the grind, I just wanted to offer a thankful shoutout to all of you who make my life so much brighter. Besos, particularmente, a Mama B y Pete.

Elvis Costello 1983 Everyday I Write the Book

Cheeky video commentary rolls behind one of snarkmeister Elvis Costello's poppiest harangues. Many thanks to K. Merrick for reminding me of the good old days when MTV was like radio only rounder -- and we all walked uphill to school and from it. Good times.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ...

... someone who buys for me asked me to post a list online.
Can you imagine?

It's going to be close to a homemade Christmas here for me, but I was surprised and, yes, pleased to get two lists and some good hints already. Please, people, keep the good ideas coming. I'm a little embarrassed to put this up publicly, but but it's great to know I've got significant annual readership;) Until we have a Bateman intranet, I'll just be bold enough ask my colleagues and male friends not to get me anything inappropriate -- or anything large -- and please forgive the oversharing.

THINGS I NEED VERY MUCH

toothpaste -- (crest & colgate are both good: the one Jackie gave me last year is wonderful); shampoo -- any kind of decent to very good moisturizing or clarifying ones; citrashine's good, too; crabtree & evelyn soap -- there's a store at the court + good hallmark stores often carry it; rose water; any decent lavender products; tom's of maine deoderant

aspercreme
heartguard for grace goo: prescription's on file with Steinbach Vet in Blue Bell

as many canned green veggies and legumes as you care to give!; dried fruit of all types, fresh fruit, fresh (or even frozen) berries, too; room-temp containers of rice, almond and soy milk -- vitamin & calcium enriched if they have it; (I don't know if there's such a thing as UHT Lactaid milk, but that would be good, too.)

b&n gift cards; wawa ones are great, too

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THINGS I DON'T NEED QUITE AS MUCH

a winter skirt -- conservative colors: appropriate for work, school, church & going out; comfortable, neat, sturdy walking shorts -- appropriate for school; turtle necks of any description (good ones can be found at landsend.com, but stay away from bright colors, please); cotton skivvies in beige; cotton and flannel nightgowns

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SMALL LUXURIES THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL

a coupon wallet

music: printed scores + music on cd or mp3 -- see amazon for ideas, or just get something you like & think I might, too
duplexer for hp deskjet 6988 printer
****sperry topsiders -- plain, no light colors -- just brown is best, size 7 (style #9294190 -- $70 -- available online: you might be able to find them in a store around here, too.)****

beads: glass, wooden, crystal, clay or china -- maybe semiprecious if you get a wonderful deal on 'em (say, under $5 or $10 for a strand); sterling lobster clasps (should be no more than $6 or $7)

THREE THINGS THAT DON'T COST A CENT

Coke(tm) rewards codes, from soda pop bottle tops and cartons; Boxtops for Education coupons, unless you're already giving them to a school you love; your continued friendship, love, loyalty, devotion and understanding

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I have less than no idea what Mom wants, but I know she wouldn't turn down a ginormo container of Cremora(R) or six!