These are a few of my favorite things...

I've always considered myself fairly technologically-savvy. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a "techie", but I can navigate fairly well. This blogging thing being so new, though, I was bound to run into trouble soon!

This morning I'd created my entry and pressed the "publish post" button, thinking "ah, one more entry up".

It disappeared.

Of course, I hadn't saved it anywhere else, and I didn't have time to recreate, so on to Plan B.

Oprah has her "O" List. While my opinion on things carries nowhere near the weight of Oprah's, here are my widely varied recommendations:

1. Ice Cream: Being a semi-native Buckeye (the Ohioan, not the nut), I'll have to go with Oprah on this one. Graeter's Ice Cream is amazing. If you're ever in the Chicago area, Oberweis Dairy is excellent, as well.

2. Tea: I love the smell of coffee, but the acidity wreaks havoc on my insides. I do, however, enjoy a good cuppa. Tea, that is. A fellow blogger (see below) recommended Adagio Tea. Their selection is amazing, prices are reasonable, customer service is excellent, and their tea is top-notch. An all around A+!

3. Baby Bottle: Upon recommendation from my sister-in-law, I tried Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Bottles for my second child. They look like a normal bottle, but have this tube-thingy (there's that technical knowledge showing again!) inside that somehow eliminates additional air. I'm telling you, the kid can be sucking on a dry bottle and be getting NO GAS. This, as any mother will tell you, is a beautiful thing.

4. Diaper: Variations on a theme, I realize. Huggies makes an overnight diaper in size four and up. Both of my children tended to be big, ahem, pee-ers at night. I got tired of washing sheets every day. I was so excited when my little guy hit size four diapers, I nearly cried.

5. Book: Because I am a self-proclaimed bibliophile, this could become quite lengthy. I will, however spare you my extensive list and give you what is currently on my bedside table. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson. A great true story about events surrounding the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It tells the story of Daniel Burnham, renowned architect and the man responsible for the Fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a doctor. If you're into something lighter, I've read each and every one of the Harry Potter series multiple times. Or for some great "chick lit", check out any of Sophie Kinsella's books, particularly the Shopaholic series or The Undomestic Goddess.

6. Joke: We've already established that I have children. Hence, I have heard knock-knock jokes ad nauseum. My favorite little joke goes like this: "Where does the king keep his armies? In his sleevies!" Go ahead, try it out on a friend and see if you don't at least get a little giggle.

7. Blogs: I've only recently been introduced to the world of blogs, but I have a couple of faves. http://qcreport.blogspot.com. Quinn Cummings was a child actress who starred in The Goodbye Girl and Family. Now she's all grown up with a family of her own and a successful business. She's a talented and fun writer. Check her out. http://www.melissacmorris.com. I found this blog through the previous one and am hooked. Mel is a smart, preppy working woman with a handsome hubby and a sweet little doggy. She also knows good tea! (see above)

Well, that's all for now. It was a good backup plan, I think.

Cheers!