What do you wish for when you know you're leaving?

Christmas cards? Done.

Annual art calendar? Done.

Gift lists? Well, that's another story.

Every year each of us creates a wish list for each other and anyone who asks what we want for Christmas. Not only are they really great for ideas of what to buy, they've become interesting time capsules to see what each of us was interested at that particular time in our lives. I love the ones Kian and Niall used to do by cutting and pasting images and web links -- just to make sure we got the precisely correct items. Good thing, too. I don't know a Sacred Heart from a Super Mario video game.

This year, as I sat down to type out my list, it was harder than usual. Knowing that in just a few VERY short weeks we'll be packing, storing and moving everything we own, what do I REALLY want to add to our inventory? Instead of the usual philosophical question, "Do I really need more stuff?" the question has become, "Do I want this enough to have to pack it?" That's a very different consideration that reframes my wish list to what I need RIGHT NOW or will DEFINITELY USE IN PARIS.

I am left with two basic categories: what I need for jogging, and what I can use for traveling and living in my new home -- especially until the family moves with me. Let's take jogging first.

The best time for me to run is in the morning. The worst time to run in winter months is in the morning. It's dark and cold and I hate it. However, a fleece vest, gloves and ear-protecting headband would make it less objectionable.

Now for travel. My mentor in Paris has lived there for a couple of years now and last month turned me on to one of her survival toos: a Kindle with global wireless access. I've resisted this book replacement in favor of sweet weight of pixels in hand, but the ability to download books and newspapers in English in 60 seconds AND not travel with the bulk of 3-4 books on each trip is irresistible. And finally, a travel photo frame to keep all my guys with me makes any hotel room or temporary apartment more like home.

No clothes, jewelry or decorative household items for me this year. Now that you you know what I want...

--Cass