Top Five Favorite Gadget/Techie Things of 2010

I don't think of myself as a tech/gadget guru (as you'll see later), but there are some things that I used this year that I won't live without from now on.  They're just that cool!  So here goes.....

5.  Rival Crockpot
Yeah, this isn't a new one, but as my church responsibilities have increased, as well as the intensity of the classes I've been taking, I've found myself relying on Mr. Crockpot more and more.  My family loves him, too.  I get to make healthy meals ahead of time for my family, which helps our waistlines AND Mr. Checkbook, too.  (Mr. Checkbook and I are often at odds with one another, but that's a story for another day....)

4.  Mac AirPort
I'm an Apple girl.  I grew up Mac and for the years that we had a PC, I longed to be back where I belonged....with Mac.  We finally got our Mac Mini about four years ago and I've never been happier.  When I went back to school, it became apparent that we needed a second computer to share in order to have everyone get their homework done in a timely manner.  We were lucky enough to have one of Sweetie's tutoring families GIVE us another Mac Mini a year ago.  But we needed a way to link to the internet and to the other computer wirelessly.  So, we purchased some cheap router, thinking it would serve our purposes.  Wrong-o.  Within a few months, I was having to reset the dumb thing constantly.  I should have known better, but Mr. Checkbook hung over me.  I gave Mr. Checkbook the what-for and purchased a Mac AirPort.  It has worked flawlessly and I once again am in love with Mac.

3.  Roku
No, it's not a Chinese noodle dish.  It's how we stream movies and music to our TV (the one Sweetie got for his birthday....).  We love Netflix and I've wanted to be able to watch movies and TV shows on our television and not just the computer, so I asked for this for my birthday and my wish was granted.  I love it.  It was super easy to set up and we get all our Netflix shows and Pandora music streamed instantly.  I know that Netflix streams through many different gaming systems, but we have a PS2 and that's upstairs where the kids hang out and play.  I'm very happy with where it's at and what it does.

2.  Shutterfly
Since my free time is limited, I need to be able to preserve our family memories as fast as possible.  Scrapbooking takes time and paper and embellishments and glue and money...things that I just don't have a lot of anymore.  Shutterfly allows me to upload our pictures and turn them into books fast.  If you take into account the time and money it takes to purchase all those things for a scrapbook, it all evens out  (at least to me).  I highly recommend them.  It's awesome!

1.  iPhone
I used to mock those who had the iPhone.  I thought they were costly to get and then you have to have a data package with it....costly to maintain, too!  Sweetie found one by the side of the road as he was running one morning earlier this year (that's the absolute truth!) and after trying to find it's owner, I claimed it.  I used it as an iPod touch for a while, loving it's convenience.  Then AT&T changed their data package pricing and I turned it into an iPhone.  I will never go back.  It's the original iPhone, so there's not a lot of storage, but it has me totally hooked.  I've warned Sweetie that when this one dies, I WILL be buying a new iPhone, Mr. Checkbook be darned.  I've got my music, internet, ward stuff, and phone all in one slick package.  I'll say it again.  I love Mac and I'm a Mac girl.