I recently posted about my disillusion with consumer culture, so now I will balance it with a little positive.

I want to hear about thing you purchased that you enjoy- things that may have outperformed your expectations or maybe filled a need you didnt know you had.

I have a couple that came out of left field- never knew they were needs... and i would love ideas from my fellow Xers on things they grew to appreciate.

my 2 unexpectedly solid and extremely valued purchases over the past few years are-

Echo 4010 chainsaw. I moved from a suburban neighborhood to a 13 acre heavily wooded property. hundreds of mature oaks and hickory trees....

but there is also a crap ton of junk trees and invasive growth.

I bought the chainsaw thinking I would have to replace it soon enough given the crazy amount of work it gets.

the thing has run like a top problem free for 6 years, with no sign of slowing down. literally hundreds of hours cutting massive fallen trees and hundreds of junk trees, and it still runs like new. an A+ purchase that exceeded my expectations.

An electric blanket. I have a senior dog that loves to be toasty. He comes up every night and waits for me to lift the covers for him.

A week of single digit temps with forecasts of sub zero temps coming made me decide to try an electric blanket.

I get it, unwrap it, decide to try it, and my life changed.

from night 1, I was so warm and cozy i became addicted.

I never thought I needed one, but after using it I dont want to live without it.

I love the damn thing so much, I began giving them out as gifts.

people look at me like I am a loon when they get them, and within weeks they become converts like me.

so- what are some of your most well used and loved possessions?