A few days ago, I was sitting in my office writing this post, and Hubs walked in. This is rare, because he knows that when I’m writing, my office is like the Bermuda Triangle. People who come in here while I’m trying to be interesting and witty are often never seen again.
“Whatcha doing?” he asked. Rolling my eyes, I smiled, “I’m writing a new post. It’s called ’50 Things That Are Sometimes Better Than Sex.'” “What??” he choked out. “You think there are 50 things better than having sex with me, and you’re putting them on your blog??” “I didn’t say better than sex with you. I’m talking about sex in general. Way before you,” I tried to reassure him. Looking like I just shot his dog, he looked at me and asked, “And there are 50 things?” “Well,” I replied, “there’s actually more, but space is limited, so I had to pick the best ones.” “So how long did it take you to come up with all these?” “About half an hour.” “50 things in half an hour??” As he turned to head out the door, I distinctly heard him grumble, “Just so you know, this is why I don’t read your blog.” Probably a good call, sweetie.
So here’s The List. Enjoy! If I left anything out, I’d love to read yours in the comments. Now I’m going down the hall to assure Hubs that we will never speak of this again.
1. Warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies, right out of the oven.
2. Finding your most coveted, I’ll-never-be-able-to-afford-it-ever handbag on eBay for half price.
3. Getting into your skinny jeans for the first time in five years.
4. That moment when your workout is over, and you feel like a badass.
5. The way your dog shakes, twirls, and barks with joy because he missed you just so much when you get back from getting the mail (at the end of the driveway).
6. Watching “The Notebook.” For the 217th time. And still crying. Every. Single. Time.
7. The exquisite shampoo head massage your hair stylist give you before she cuts your hair.
8. The smell of Cinn-a-Bons in the mall food court.
9. Finding the perfect little black dress.
10. Robert Redford. In The Horse Whisperer. And The Way We Were. And Butch Cassidy &the Sundance Kid. Actually, Robert Redford, in anything.
11. Finding a gynecologist who doesn’t make you feel awkward.
12. Afternoon naps.
13. The first hot summer day of the year.
14. Downloading the perfect mix on your iPod.
15. Milk Duds, because…chocolate.
16. The first sip of your favorite red wine at the end of a stressful day.
17. Huge, it’ll-all-work-out bear hugs when you’ve had a bad day.
18. A dozen perfect, pale pink roses.
19. Sharing an unrestrained, blow-Diet-Coke-out-of-your-nose belly laugh with your BFF.
20.When a total stranger meets you and asks, “Are you the writer?”
21. Selling your book to someone other than your editor and your mother.
22. Long, slow kisses. With no other agenda.
23. Seeing your grandchildren jump out of the car and run to you, arms out wide, big smiles, yelling “Grandma!!”
24. A big, fat book you’ve been dying to read, and a hammock in the shade. And Hubs has taken the kids.
25. Your pussycat asleep and purring on your chest as you lie on the couch.
26. Finally finding a hair stylist that “gets” your hair.
27. Getting flowers at work, for no reason, from someone who loves you.
28. Tillamook Strawberry Ice Cream. For dinner.
29. Taking your convertible out for a drive on that perfect sunny day.
30. Running into an old boyfriend while wearing your perfect little black dress.
31. Finding $100 in the pocket of a jacket you wore last year.
32. 30-minute foot massages. Bliss.
33. The first morning pee, that you’ve been holding in since 3 a.m. because you didn’t want to get out of bed. (C’mon, you know what I’m talking about.)
34. Watching your adult child be a parent. And discovering he’s better at it than you were.
35. The first time you say, “I love you.”
36. The first time someone says it back.
37. Crawling into clean, fresh sheets when you’re exhausted.
38. Wine tasting at your favorite vineyards on a beautiful day. And you’re not the DD.
39. Getting off an airplane and spotting your favorite people excitedly waiting to greet you.
40. Kicking off your heels after a hard day at work and running through the grass in your bare feet.
41. Thick, fresh, oversized towels when you get out of the shower. Even better if they’re warm.
42. The peaceful silence of early morning when you’re up and everyone else is still sleeping.
43. Folgers commercials of servicemen and women coming home and surprising their loved ones.
44. The day your adult child walks through the door after a year in Iraq.
45. The perfect Chicago Char steak. Rare on the insider and charred on the outside. You make the salad. I’ll get the corkscrew.
46. Having a girlfriend you can compare notes with about your sex lives. And nothing is off-limits.
47. The uninhibited laughter of a small child.
48. Going to your 40th high school reunion and realizing you actually look pretty damn good.
49. Realizing that your menopause phase is actually over.
50. Nordstrom Semi-Annual fall sale. And a totally clean credit card.
Carla says
Twelve. Twelve. 12!!!!
Vikki Claflin says
I agree, Carla! Aaaahhhh…. :)
Paula Kiger (Big Green Pen) says
These are awesome!
Vikki Claflin says
Thanks, Paula! Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Roxanne says
As always, your post is a fun (and oh-so-relatable) way to start the week! A few things I’d add: Undoing the button on your pants after you’ve eaten too much at a restaurant (and you’re wearing a top that’s long enough to camouflage it)…ahhhh. Being able to fix a computer glitch yourself (a glitch that invariably occurs when you’re on deadline) so you avoid succumbing to Computer Tourette’s. An entire day with no deadlines, no housework/chores, no social commitments, no cooking, no nothin’. When the airplane lands safely.
Vikki Claflin says
Roxanne, I love “computer Tourette’s”! What a perfect name for that twitch! :)
cate says
Finding out it isn’t cancer
Vikki Claflin says
Amen, my friend. :)
Diane says
Yep. All of the above…
Vikki Claflin says
Thanks Diane! Don’t think Hubs quite agrees. :)
Axiesdad aka Bob says
Boy is this a gal thing! If I had had the experience, I might agree with #44, but that’s it.
Vikki Claflin says
You make me laugh, Bob! Last time I checked, I AM a girl, so… You could always write a man’s list? :)
Axiesdad aka Bob says
Of things better than sex? It’s gonna be a short list!
says
So funny Vikki. I LOVE your list! Especially 1,4 and 12!
Vikki Claflin says
Nancy, I’m glad you liked this post! It was really fun to write. :)
Rena McDaniel says
I love them all, but I have to totally agree with 44 (except Afghanistan) nothing beats that one!
Vikki Claflin says
Rena, that one was tough. It still makes me teary to think about it. But oh, what a wonderful moment it was!
CAROL CASSARA says
I love your list! A good nap? Worth any price! In fresh sheets? Oh yeah! The book/hammock thing? Love.
Vikki Claflin says
Thanks, Carol! My ultimate lazy afternoon always includes a good book, some sunshine, and a great hammock! :)
Kelly L McKenzie says
OK. Seriously. This is a damn fine list. And it took you HOW long to throw together? Impressive. Off to share.
Vikki Claflin says
Thanks, Kelly! As I began the post, it all started tumbling out. I’m not sure what that says about me? :)
Haralee says
This is comprehensive. I am impressed in only 30 minutes you came up with it. What others didn’t make it?
Vikki Claflin says
Haralee, I’m in enough trouble now. Hubs isn’t ready to hear more! :)
Kimberly says
Brilliant. Early morning kayak paddle before anyone else is on the lake. Heaven.
Kimberly
http://FiftyJewels.com
Vikki Claflin says
Ooh, Kimberly, I can just see it. Going on the list! And don’t you just love early mornings? :)
Jennifer says
Yes, yes, YES! These are awesome. My husband never reads my blog either:)
Vikki Claflin says
Thanks, Jennifer! Sometimes I kind of wish he would, but most time, I’m relieved. I’m not quite sure what he’d think about what I tell the universe! :)
Doreen Pendgracs says
Nice post! And I’m glad you had at least a couple mentions of chocolate. Great chocolate is definitely at least as good as good sex. :-)
Vikki Claflin says
I totally agree, Doreen! Chocolate raised the bar for everything else we love! :)
Stephanie Lewis says
HAHA!! But I just have to say if number one happens frequently then number three is unlikely to ever occur! At least in my case! Sharing.
Vikki Claflin says
Thanks, Stephanie! Glad you liked it, and thank you for sharing!! :)
Thriller Mom says
I loved this! So many apply to me! Too many maybe. Yikes ???? LOL! Shared on my facebook page
Estelle says
19 all the way. So cleansing!
Carolann says
22! And all of the others of course. Love them all!
Absolutely Prabulous says
Lol what a title. Over a year ago I wrote something similar called 30 Things That Make Me Happy but I have to say…yours is one hell of a title lol! And I do love your list. It really is the little things in life isn’t it?
Laurie Oien says
There IS something about fresh sheets!! So nice! But, you’re right – that first morning pee after holding it can be so very satisfying. I must add a good BM is also pretty awesome! Sorry, had to go there.
Aussa Lorens says
Pinned it! Not sure I’m 100% behind allll of these, but some of them– OH YES.
Vicki says
The sound & smell of the salt water ocean!
Vikki Claflin says
Vickie, Perfect! :)
Nicole Johnson says
I am in…sign me up.
Vikki Claflin says
Nicole, Done! :)
Linda Weiss says
Vikki reading my first blog of yours and you are fabulous. I agree with the whole list lol. you are so real I love it. Y ou feel like a friend already.
Vikki Claflin says
Linda, Just saw your fabulous comments and notes. You’ve made my day! Thank you for your support and encouragement. Aren’t new friends fun? :)
linda weiss says
Yes Vikki new friends are fun. Check out my blogs on wordpress and let me know what you think.