"These are things I love," says Rach, "and some of them may not be as obvious as they seem. Like my cell phone. It actually performs a triple duty for me. In addition to talking on it, I have a picture on it of my old dog, Boo, that I look at every day. I also save voicemail messages that make me happy so I can listen to them when I'm feeling down or having a rough day -- they're like virtual hugs."
Listen to one of Rach's favorite voicemail messages.

Rach loves to keep music close by. "I love satellite radio because my favorite show is on there and I can record it and listen to it later at the gym or in the car or wherever I happen to be," she says. "And I like to take my sound dock with me on the road so I don't have to be confined to listening to music on just my headphones."

Even Isaboo has one item she can't live without. "When you're walking a 60-lb pit bull like John and I do, it's more like she's taking you for a walk," admits Rachael. "John and I found this Easy Walk leash to be the only thing that works for her; no choking or pulling."

Watch Izzy "walk" John.

Now see John walk Izzy.

"I love this wine so much, I even had my wedding in the region of Italy where it's made," exclaims Rachael. "The pricier version of it is called Brunello, but the Rosso di Montalcino wine is made from the same grapes is always a bargain at under $20."

Sure Rachael likes some gadgets and toys, but when it comes down to it, she says, "What would any of these things be if I didn't have great friends and family, like John and Izzy, to share it all with?"