Aren’t there things you just HAD to have and then, meh, never really used them or they just weren’t what you thought they’d be? Well, there are things I bought early this year that I used way more than I expected. I don’t have a crystal ball, so I just lucked out.
Anything I thought I needed for entertaining, well, I certainly didn’t. Spring décor? Nope. Spring outfit? No. Spring purse? Ain’t gonna happen. Like the season that wasn’t. Dang, and spring is my favorite season.
But here are a few of the things I like way more than I could have imagined; the top four things I’m really glad to have right now.
Yoga Pants
![Yoga Pants and Indoor Sneakers - my uniform. I'm really glad to have these things!](https://corineatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sketchers-Yoga-Pants-1-1024x768.jpg)
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I stocked up on these Sketchers Yoga Leggings.at Costco when they were on sale, purchasing three different colors. They fit great, don’t sag, aren’t too tight, not too warm, not too thin, leg pockets. Perfect. Oh, and I get to wear leggings every single day in quarantine.
Slip-On Indoor Sneakers
![New Balance Wide sneakers I use for indoor wear.](https://corineatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Indoor-Sneakers-1024x768.jpg)
I bought two pair this year for use in the house. A pair of Sketchers during the Costco sale and a pair of New Balance. They are both slip-on comfort shoes. I’m not sure they would be appropriate for a marathon, but for walking around the house all day, they are perfect. The New Balance are a wide width which are hard for me to find and I couldn’t be happier with them. They are both more comfy than barefoot.
Keurig Coffee Maker
![My beverage station featuring my Keurig coffee maker - a new daily staple. I wasn't sure how much use I'd get out of this, but now one of the things I'm glad to have.](https://corineatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Keurig-1024x629.jpg)
I don’t usually drink coffee every day, but I always drink it when I go to the gym in the mornings. So I really struggled with needing another coffee pot and if a Keurig would get used. I talked about it on my beverage station post. Alas, the gym is no more and little did I know I would need to make my own coffee. And now I do drink it every day. I get myself all jazzed up on coffee and get pretty dang productive.
Desk
![My Bayside Writing Desk - going back to work meant I needed a solid working surface. This is one of my favorite purchases.](https://corineatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Desk-4-1024x768.jpg)
I did know I was going back to work and needed a good desk where I was spending my day. I found an attractive Bayside Writing Desk. on the Costco site. My husband went to Costco, saw it and picked up – sight unseen by me. He loaded the heavy sucker up and brought it home. It assembled pretty easily (well, I say that because he did it). It’s solid, it’s beautiful, it’s a good size, it’s really perfect. Such a great purchase. I’m not sure how to purchase it now, but if you’re in need of an inexpensive but solid piece of furniture, I recommend Bayside Furniture.
Usually the view outside my office window isn’t too nice since it’s the side of the house where our trash cans live, but right now these trees are in full bloom and so beautiful.
![My office window looking out at this flower-laden tree.](https://corineatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Office-Window-880x1024.jpg)
What I’m Reading
You know, I completely forgot to post and review that I recently read Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. It always rates up there as a high-school teacher favorite, but somehow I never read it. That’s probably a good thing, because I don’t think my teenage self would have appreciated it. My old-lady self barely appreciated it. Wharton is a beautiful writer and she brings the New England winter to life. It’s not much longer than a short story but she does get the story told. Her writing style has stood the test of time and the vernacular is easy to understand. The story is a tragedy of which I have never been a fan and I really didn’t need the depression right now. Sorry, Edith, you’re getting three stars for your masterpiece.
My sister Susie sent me a David Baldacci Will Robie thriller, The Target. I’ve read several of his books, but not this series. The writing is pretty bad, but the story has a lot of kick ass, so I’ll finish it.
This post is already getting pretty long, so I’ll close here and wish you a happy Passover and blessed Easter.