Tonight I'm trying an interesting experiment on Facebook. It isn't my idea, actually...I'm one of the ones who thought it would be fun to participate. What I had to do was be one of five people to sign up on a friend's "wall" and my friend will send me something handmade as long as I then repost on my Facebook "wall" that I'd be willing to send something handmade to the first five on MY wall with the same rules applied. The time limit? Sometime in 2011. I think I can swing that.
So far, there are no takers to something free that was handmade by me. All they have to do to get a "prize" in the mail is to agree to do likewise and "pay it forward" to five people.
I'm so feeling like Lisa on "Green Acres" right now. Poor city girl couldn't cook...and nobody would eat anything she made. Ironically, I never said that I intended to cook, though. Not that I'm not able to. Really!
The requirement stated that it must be "handmade." If truth be told...when it comes to "handmade"...I'm far better in the realm of paper. Not as good as my friend, Cindy, who makes the most beautiful cards you can imagine...but fairly decent. In fact, technically what you are reading right now is "handmade." But, NO, I'm not planning to send an envelope full of printed blogposts. What I have planned - assuming that anyone takes the challenge - is pretty good. I want it to totally rock...well, for something free and "handmade" that is. After all...nothing rocks your world like something that is better than you expect, yes?
How many times do we "pay it forward" out of our abundance of items because we don't need it, want it, or want to deal with it? Most of the time we just call this "giving to Goodwill." The truth? What we have in our possession is what we are supposed to be a good steward of in this life. But instead of getting it moved along to people that actually need it...we put it in storage houses, attics, closets, and in garbage bags in the trunk of our cars. We won't wait for direction for its disposal and we either store it or throw it out.
Then we plan our next shopping trip.
But what if we were intentional about our disposal of items and our giving?
Are we missing out on the joy of giving because we are too busy to stop and think things through? Apparently, some of my friends are too busy to read my status because nobody wants something free right now. OR perhaps it is that they don't want to commit to sending out five things of their own.
I suppose that's possible.
Seriously, though, think about how it would look if you could pay it forward? What if you had a closet full of clothes that you had "undergrown" or "outgrown" (whatever) and there was another person who had lost or gained weight and needed a new wardrobe? Wouldn't that be an amazing miracle to receive beautiful clothes at a point in time when you had no money for such a luxury? Well, for me, this year...I experienced that miracle. Not once...but twice. I tried to express my appreciation...but I honestly am grateful for that generosity every day that I go to my closet.
Every single day.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could just do something nice for someone with no clue as to how it is going to be received? Or care? I have two projects in mind right now, and I'm waiting until I'm directed on an amount to send. I want to mail it when I'm prompted to send it...and in the amount I'm told to send. I tend to trust God's timing for these kind of things. I also prefer to do it anonymously.
One reason that people don't "pay it forward" with regularity is because they have encountered someone who is a really ungracious recipient. They feel the need to pay you back...or refuse to receive the gift altogether. Kind of like when you give someone a compliment on their hair ("Oh, it's dirty!") or their clothes ("This old thing?") or something that they accomplished ("It's no big deal."). You get your compliment back in your hands...and you leave feeling like you should have just kept your mouth shut.
And so the next time you think you might say something to someone who is just starving for kind words...you remember your last experience...and you don't. And your silence means that what God had planned to do through you remains undone.
How often have we been poked in our spirit to do something and we refused? We worried about what someone would think of us. We thought that they would think that we were disingenuous. We were afraid that following through would require more of us than we wanted to give. We thought that someone else was better equipped to handle the situation. We were afraid. We figured it wouldn't matter one way or the other. Or a gazillion other excuses. Sound typical?
I'm currently reading a book that explains that the reason that so many of us are feeling unfulfilled in this life is because we are trying to perform miracles in the lives of other people in our own strength. We exhaust ourselves and then begin to resent the effort that we expended for naught. We long to make a difference...to make peoples' lives easier...to matter. Most of us get fulfilled in raising our children and don't really notice that something is missing because we are too busy or too exhausted to truly ponder it. Then when we have time...we don't even know where to begin.
Or maybe it's just me that feels this way...although I seriously doubt it.
So, I'm hoping that someone will respond to my offer. They may or they may not. It is possible that they just looked at it and didn't really read what I had written because they've seen it numerous times before. I'm definitely guilty of that. The first time...I read it. Times 2 through infinity...I do not.
Guess we shall see...I plan to keep posting it until I can pay it forward...or I'll just have to start drawing names. I don't want to be denied the opportunity to give...and I'm actually pretty excited about doing something nice for someone else. And it won't even involve regifting...
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Friends
Tonight I had the privilege of hanging out with one of my groups in my circle of friends. I like to think of these circles as much like the way water breaks into ripples when you throw pebbles in. The circles just expand outward. Most of my circles are like that...they tend to expand and contract over time...and occasionally, that effect of circles within circles actually happens because we have more than one group in common.
When I was younger, I thought that friendships were meant to be more boxed in. That allegiances were almost cut and dried. That you had to choose between friends. And I suppose to some extent in those early years that was true. I don't know where those "rules" got in my head. But I apparently came "preloaded" with some software that was heavily bent on rules. First children often are.
Not that I was a big fan of rules. But I did have a pretty healthy respect for them.
Anyway, tonight we met for dinner. For this particular group...it has been a difficult year. Health issues...divorce...sandwich generation situations...job problems...and other various stress-inducing drama. But we laughed. We talked. We shared, prayed, and caught up. It was a three hour dinner that was spent reconnecting, releasing, and rehashing what we've been going through these past few months.
But there are bright spots among our little group as well. There is healing. Budding romance. Maturing children. And, of course, the knowledge that we earnestly and deeply like each other. There's a lot to be said for that.
In this life, there are so many things that pull on us day to day. Worries about how we will live, who we will encounter, and what we can tolerate make it extremely difficult sometimes to just spend a few hours solving the world's problems.
Tonight we talked about a job ending...but also talked about the possibilities that this will afford her to follow her dreams. She has the desire to serve God through her artistic gifts...but knows that she has bills to pay. Another one was suggesting possibilities that were far beyond anything she'd contemplated...but made perfect sense in many ways. Another was tightly scheduled and she felt pulled by wanting to join us but also needing to be going where she had already committed. One couldn't be with us because she had a sick husband at home, and another one was nursing an ailing father. A couple of us were in holding patterns in our lives...with nothing especially out of the ordinary going on...but we were quite grateful just to be a part of the conversation.
I don't know what my life would look like without my circles of friends. Without women that I've known for years...and others that I've only recently just begun to know. I believe that we are all put on this earth for a purpose, and we often find that purpose through the encouragement and support of our friends. Our families love us regardless...but our friends really have the choice to be with us...or not.
We talked about beach trips, and weddings, and our plans for the future. We made dates to exercise together, and tried to share our impressions from the holidays. Thankfully, they were overwhelmingly positive. We are bound by a common faith...and we have no qualms whatsoever being honest about our walk...what is truly on our minds and hearts...and what we hope the future will bring.
I felt personally blessed because Jill was there with us. She loves my friends...and they love her. During those years when the girls can be tough and their mothers even tougher...Jill found refuge with my friends who thought that she was the most wonderful girl in the world. They still do. And for that I am immensely grateful. She has been blessed by hearing the collective wisdom of women of faith who encourage her by being inclusive and by giving her good counsel. Sometimes it is exactly what I would say...but she hears it with a more open mind than she would if it were delivered by me as her mother. And likewise...they can tell me when I am being wise...when I am being too protective...or just "too much" and I respect the fact that they know us well enough to render a judgment. Some people like to tell me how to raise my children from a worldview that is dramatically different from mine. While I am open to hearing other opinions...I find that I tend to discount those opinions in favor of my own. This circle of friends affords me the opportunity to fully appreciate someone else's view...which is invaluable.
Today I spoke to another friend about taking a trip with my circle of friends that enjoys scrapbooking together. We've been doing this for years...and I really love what we refer to as our "therapy" sessions. I have received so much support and learned so much from these ladies that I can't even begin to elaborate.
Later this week, I will have lunch with another circle of friends who have been gathering for the past two years. Our children graduated together...but we weren't ready to let each other go just yet. I love hearing about the ongoing story of their lives...how they are faring...and basking in that feeling that I am not alone at this point in time. They are right in the boat with me.
Much like the ripples of a pebble in a pond...our circles expand and contract. They overlap. They take their time melding into one another until it just becomes a continuous circle of change. But even in the midst of that change...we are all grounded...connected...together.
I love my time with my circles of friends. I'm blessed that I have people who care enough to call and check on me if it has been too long, text or e-mail me with whatever is going on in their lives, or pick up a phone to ask when we can get together for lunch. I love knowing that I am not alone in this journey of life...that I have people to share my joy with...and my pain. They crack me up, they make me think, and they pray for me.
And for that...I am very, very grateful.
When I was younger, I thought that friendships were meant to be more boxed in. That allegiances were almost cut and dried. That you had to choose between friends. And I suppose to some extent in those early years that was true. I don't know where those "rules" got in my head. But I apparently came "preloaded" with some software that was heavily bent on rules. First children often are.
Not that I was a big fan of rules. But I did have a pretty healthy respect for them.
Anyway, tonight we met for dinner. For this particular group...it has been a difficult year. Health issues...divorce...sandwich generation situations...job problems...and other various stress-inducing drama. But we laughed. We talked. We shared, prayed, and caught up. It was a three hour dinner that was spent reconnecting, releasing, and rehashing what we've been going through these past few months.
But there are bright spots among our little group as well. There is healing. Budding romance. Maturing children. And, of course, the knowledge that we earnestly and deeply like each other. There's a lot to be said for that.
In this life, there are so many things that pull on us day to day. Worries about how we will live, who we will encounter, and what we can tolerate make it extremely difficult sometimes to just spend a few hours solving the world's problems.
Tonight we talked about a job ending...but also talked about the possibilities that this will afford her to follow her dreams. She has the desire to serve God through her artistic gifts...but knows that she has bills to pay. Another one was suggesting possibilities that were far beyond anything she'd contemplated...but made perfect sense in many ways. Another was tightly scheduled and she felt pulled by wanting to join us but also needing to be going where she had already committed. One couldn't be with us because she had a sick husband at home, and another one was nursing an ailing father. A couple of us were in holding patterns in our lives...with nothing especially out of the ordinary going on...but we were quite grateful just to be a part of the conversation.
I don't know what my life would look like without my circles of friends. Without women that I've known for years...and others that I've only recently just begun to know. I believe that we are all put on this earth for a purpose, and we often find that purpose through the encouragement and support of our friends. Our families love us regardless...but our friends really have the choice to be with us...or not.
We talked about beach trips, and weddings, and our plans for the future. We made dates to exercise together, and tried to share our impressions from the holidays. Thankfully, they were overwhelmingly positive. We are bound by a common faith...and we have no qualms whatsoever being honest about our walk...what is truly on our minds and hearts...and what we hope the future will bring.
I felt personally blessed because Jill was there with us. She loves my friends...and they love her. During those years when the girls can be tough and their mothers even tougher...Jill found refuge with my friends who thought that she was the most wonderful girl in the world. They still do. And for that I am immensely grateful. She has been blessed by hearing the collective wisdom of women of faith who encourage her by being inclusive and by giving her good counsel. Sometimes it is exactly what I would say...but she hears it with a more open mind than she would if it were delivered by me as her mother. And likewise...they can tell me when I am being wise...when I am being too protective...or just "too much" and I respect the fact that they know us well enough to render a judgment. Some people like to tell me how to raise my children from a worldview that is dramatically different from mine. While I am open to hearing other opinions...I find that I tend to discount those opinions in favor of my own. This circle of friends affords me the opportunity to fully appreciate someone else's view...which is invaluable.
Today I spoke to another friend about taking a trip with my circle of friends that enjoys scrapbooking together. We've been doing this for years...and I really love what we refer to as our "therapy" sessions. I have received so much support and learned so much from these ladies that I can't even begin to elaborate.
Later this week, I will have lunch with another circle of friends who have been gathering for the past two years. Our children graduated together...but we weren't ready to let each other go just yet. I love hearing about the ongoing story of their lives...how they are faring...and basking in that feeling that I am not alone at this point in time. They are right in the boat with me.
Much like the ripples of a pebble in a pond...our circles expand and contract. They overlap. They take their time melding into one another until it just becomes a continuous circle of change. But even in the midst of that change...we are all grounded...connected...together.
I love my time with my circles of friends. I'm blessed that I have people who care enough to call and check on me if it has been too long, text or e-mail me with whatever is going on in their lives, or pick up a phone to ask when we can get together for lunch. I love knowing that I am not alone in this journey of life...that I have people to share my joy with...and my pain. They crack me up, they make me think, and they pray for me.
And for that...I am very, very grateful.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Tonight
Today is the first day of the new year. Often I have found this day to be one where I swear to myself that I'm not going to eat too much, that I'll be more disciplined, and that I'll put on my "Supermom" cape and strive to be that woman who actually has a functional home that looks like it could be featured in a Southern Living spread. I am not that woman, mind you, nor have I ever had any indication that God has gifted me with the ability to even remotely achieve such status, but it seems to be on my mind every January.
Old habits die hard.
So, tonight I am reflecting on life as I know it right now. I ate too much today...but I don't feel guilty. We were invited to spend the afternoon watching the football game (Roll Tide!) and a delicious supper was served that I didn't have to cook. It had the classic New Year's Day fare...and it was wonderfully prepared. The home was beautifully decorated and comfortable, and the hosts were upbeat and gracious.
The Tide winning their bowl game 49-7 totally rocked as well.
I have rooms to clean, bills to pay, lists to make, and things to do, but right now I'm just grateful that there are 364 days ahead of me - Lord willing - that are blank slates. I can feel free to have hope. I can dare to dream. I can imagine that some of what I want to happen...actually will.
Today was wonderful. It was a true celebration of a holiday...with all of the wonderful aspects that a holiday carries with it. Time off...friends...family...food...football. Reality will hit in two days.
Most of the time...reality bites. But this year...I sincerely hope not.
Tonight I'm thinking of the possibilities that lie ahead. Of the prayers that I'm offering tonight for people who need them. Of the resolutions that I plan to actually attempt this year even if I fail miserably in the process. Of the people who have possibilities right in front of them if they are smart enough to just grasp the brass ring that is just overhead.
So, enjoy the waning hours of the first full day of the year. Smile when you think about all that is ahead of you...and press on with great expectations and joy in your heart. Don't fear disappointment or play the "what if" game until you make yourself nuts. There's plenty of time for that. Just make a plan, execute it, and see what happens. You might just be surprised.
I surely hope I will...:)
Old habits die hard.
So, tonight I am reflecting on life as I know it right now. I ate too much today...but I don't feel guilty. We were invited to spend the afternoon watching the football game (Roll Tide!) and a delicious supper was served that I didn't have to cook. It had the classic New Year's Day fare...and it was wonderfully prepared. The home was beautifully decorated and comfortable, and the hosts were upbeat and gracious.
The Tide winning their bowl game 49-7 totally rocked as well.
I have rooms to clean, bills to pay, lists to make, and things to do, but right now I'm just grateful that there are 364 days ahead of me - Lord willing - that are blank slates. I can feel free to have hope. I can dare to dream. I can imagine that some of what I want to happen...actually will.
Today was wonderful. It was a true celebration of a holiday...with all of the wonderful aspects that a holiday carries with it. Time off...friends...family...food...football. Reality will hit in two days.
Most of the time...reality bites. But this year...I sincerely hope not.
Tonight I'm thinking of the possibilities that lie ahead. Of the prayers that I'm offering tonight for people who need them. Of the resolutions that I plan to actually attempt this year even if I fail miserably in the process. Of the people who have possibilities right in front of them if they are smart enough to just grasp the brass ring that is just overhead.
So, enjoy the waning hours of the first full day of the year. Smile when you think about all that is ahead of you...and press on with great expectations and joy in your heart. Don't fear disappointment or play the "what if" game until you make yourself nuts. There's plenty of time for that. Just make a plan, execute it, and see what happens. You might just be surprised.
I surely hope I will...:)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Reflections on the New Year...and Resolutions
Today has been one of those days. Not horrible. Not even particularly noteworthy. It has just been "not fun." Oh, I had fun at lunch with two friends and some great phone conversations tonight that made the day worth getting up and breathing through, but overall...it was not my favorite.
Come to think of it...2010 has really not been my favorite year either. It has had its highlights...and I'm grateful for every blessing, gift, and memory that is of the positive persuasion. I attended three family weddings this year, got to hold my precious new great-nephew, vacationed at Inlet Beach, visited Austin, Texas, saw my cousin from Pennsylvania, watched University of Alabama win a National Championship, and celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary. I watched my daughter finish her sophomore year of college and get halfway through her junior year. She was presented at a ball in July, turned 20, jumped up and down at another great pledge class for her sorority including three great girls from Montgomery, and introduced us to a few new faces that have since come and gone. My son began his senior year of high school, grew taller than his sister (and heavier), was accepted to three colleges of his choice (Alabama, Auburn and AUM), and managed to amaze me with his ability to save and take care of his needs AND wants.
Yeah, now I feel bad whining about 2010.
Anyway, the year has had its lowlights as well. Most have come out miraculously well, but some have kept me wishing for a different outcome. But life is life. It is what it is. And sometimes what it is...totally does not rock.
There will be people that I will not receive Christmas cards from this year because they are celebrating Christmas in heaven. There are folks that I've welcomed in my home that I likely will never lay eyes on again because breakups are like that. There are people who have experienced illness, tragedy, and life-altering news that will forever mark the year 2010 into their consciousness.
And this week...I've had a headache...a restlessness...and exhaustion all combined to make me declare that I am sincerely ready to see 2010 ride into the sunset. And as a parting thought..."may the door hit ya...where the good Lord split ya." Just sayin'.
Surely 2011 will be better.
Maybe this will be the year that the resolutions get kept, the wrongs are righted, and all will be swell with the world. World peace? A noble concept, but highly unlikely. Having no major drama? I vote for that.
I want this to be the year where the people I've upset through the years realize that although I have my moments of being unbearable...I really do mean well.
I tend to want happy endings more than the average person and actually need to know that somebody out there is living the fairytale. I need to know that life is working out for everyone in some capacity. And most importantly, that it is working out for my children. As it is said by my friend..."A mother is only as happy as her most unhappy child." So, I want this to be the year of the fairytale for at least one of them.
This year, I want to hope for the best, but have been disappointed so often that I can almost scarcely dare to hope anymore. I'm tired of taking the crumbs of delight...I want to sit at the banquet table. I want to have a spirit that is so full of joy and appreciation that disappointment cannot find a place to roost anywhere near me.
I want to spend this year being sincerely grateful for how blessed I am without having to be reminded through tragedy, loss, or other drama. I would like to do without those for awhile..or possibly forever.
I want to make an honest effort to resolve a couple of things in my life that absolutely, positively must be dealt with...or I'm just not going to be happy. Nothing earthshattering...but definitely overdue.
I really want to make a difference...but have almost convinced myself that this is not why I am on the planet. May I make a small difference to someone every day.
May I spend the coming year making some attempt at using my God-given abilities every day.
If you think about it, though, many of these are completely out of my control.
So, what is within my control is the following list. It is my resolution list for 2011. I plan to do one of these each month and will write about the experience when it is over. I'm just not so sure what will be done when...I'm just going to let the Spirit lead me. I don't know if I can commit to a year...but I can commit to a month. I hope so anyway. So here goes...
1. Exercise
2. Notes of affirmation
3. Cleaning for one hour
4. Memorizing scripture
5. Service to others
6. Nothing but water to drink
7. Giving something away - decluttering
8. Cooking/baking
9. No eating out
10. Learning something new
11. Giving anonymously
12. Healthy eating
Obviously, I'm not going to try to do #12 in December, or #6 in January when I'm living off of decaffeinated coffee because I have a vendetta against Alabama Power Company and refuse to turn on my heat. I'll just surprise you...and probably myself...by letting you know what I did...after it was over.
Happy New Year! May 2011 be a wonderful year of blessing, health and happiness. Here's hoping...
Come to think of it...2010 has really not been my favorite year either. It has had its highlights...and I'm grateful for every blessing, gift, and memory that is of the positive persuasion. I attended three family weddings this year, got to hold my precious new great-nephew, vacationed at Inlet Beach, visited Austin, Texas, saw my cousin from Pennsylvania, watched University of Alabama win a National Championship, and celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary. I watched my daughter finish her sophomore year of college and get halfway through her junior year. She was presented at a ball in July, turned 20, jumped up and down at another great pledge class for her sorority including three great girls from Montgomery, and introduced us to a few new faces that have since come and gone. My son began his senior year of high school, grew taller than his sister (and heavier), was accepted to three colleges of his choice (Alabama, Auburn and AUM), and managed to amaze me with his ability to save and take care of his needs AND wants.
Yeah, now I feel bad whining about 2010.
Anyway, the year has had its lowlights as well. Most have come out miraculously well, but some have kept me wishing for a different outcome. But life is life. It is what it is. And sometimes what it is...totally does not rock.
There will be people that I will not receive Christmas cards from this year because they are celebrating Christmas in heaven. There are folks that I've welcomed in my home that I likely will never lay eyes on again because breakups are like that. There are people who have experienced illness, tragedy, and life-altering news that will forever mark the year 2010 into their consciousness.
And this week...I've had a headache...a restlessness...and exhaustion all combined to make me declare that I am sincerely ready to see 2010 ride into the sunset. And as a parting thought..."may the door hit ya...where the good Lord split ya." Just sayin'.
Surely 2011 will be better.
Maybe this will be the year that the resolutions get kept, the wrongs are righted, and all will be swell with the world. World peace? A noble concept, but highly unlikely. Having no major drama? I vote for that.
I want this to be the year where the people I've upset through the years realize that although I have my moments of being unbearable...I really do mean well.
I tend to want happy endings more than the average person and actually need to know that somebody out there is living the fairytale. I need to know that life is working out for everyone in some capacity. And most importantly, that it is working out for my children. As it is said by my friend..."A mother is only as happy as her most unhappy child." So, I want this to be the year of the fairytale for at least one of them.
This year, I want to hope for the best, but have been disappointed so often that I can almost scarcely dare to hope anymore. I'm tired of taking the crumbs of delight...I want to sit at the banquet table. I want to have a spirit that is so full of joy and appreciation that disappointment cannot find a place to roost anywhere near me.
I want to spend this year being sincerely grateful for how blessed I am without having to be reminded through tragedy, loss, or other drama. I would like to do without those for awhile..or possibly forever.
I want to make an honest effort to resolve a couple of things in my life that absolutely, positively must be dealt with...or I'm just not going to be happy. Nothing earthshattering...but definitely overdue.
I really want to make a difference...but have almost convinced myself that this is not why I am on the planet. May I make a small difference to someone every day.
May I spend the coming year making some attempt at using my God-given abilities every day.
If you think about it, though, many of these are completely out of my control.
So, what is within my control is the following list. It is my resolution list for 2011. I plan to do one of these each month and will write about the experience when it is over. I'm just not so sure what will be done when...I'm just going to let the Spirit lead me. I don't know if I can commit to a year...but I can commit to a month. I hope so anyway. So here goes...
1. Exercise
2. Notes of affirmation
3. Cleaning for one hour
4. Memorizing scripture
5. Service to others
6. Nothing but water to drink
7. Giving something away - decluttering
8. Cooking/baking
9. No eating out
10. Learning something new
11. Giving anonymously
12. Healthy eating
Obviously, I'm not going to try to do #12 in December, or #6 in January when I'm living off of decaffeinated coffee because I have a vendetta against Alabama Power Company and refuse to turn on my heat. I'll just surprise you...and probably myself...by letting you know what I did...after it was over.
Happy New Year! May 2011 be a wonderful year of blessing, health and happiness. Here's hoping...
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
After Christmas Reflections
Christmas was three days ago. You really wouldn't know that looking around here with my Christmas china waiting to be put away for another year, my tree still up (it's real...and is probably a fire hazard about now) and a poinsettia that will refuse to die until 2013 (and it will live in its little foil world until then because I'm not heartless enough to throw it away while it is still looking somewhat alive) sitting across the room.
I just moved the "12 Days of Christmas" glasses back a few inches so that I can rest my hands more comfortably on the keyboard...although there are really only "10 Days of Christmas" in my world because Day 7 and Day 12 came to some unfortunate end sometime over the past twenty years that I've owned these glasses. Of course, the red and green M & Ms are taunting me on the other side of the room but little do they know that they aren't even remotely tempting while "Santa's White Christmas" ice cream from Publix is in the house. Yes, after failing to find any after a week of trying at my local store, I asked them to call around and secured some at the Publix across town. Apparently, their management is either better friends with the people in the warehouse, the people across town eat healthier, or they didn't sample this during their Christmas sample-palooza. Beats me...but I'm fairly certain that if they had sampled this particular concoction at that Publix...they'd have run out too.
Anyway, there is a bowl game on television, the weather is still cold, and my kids are still out of school. I had to go back to work yesterday, and went to bed last night at 7:30 p.m. and slept until 7:00 a.m. to gear myself up for today. It is obviously exhausting to be on vacation. I hadn't been in awhile...so I suppose I'd forgotten. It's a good kind of exhausting, though.
I've had a wonderful week all in all. I have received more than I asked for and way more than I deserve in gifts, thoughfulness, love, surprises, kind words, and Christmas cards. I am so blessed to have the people that I do in my life...whether they were there for a reason, for a season, or for life. It matters not to me.
I had a heart-to-heart with God the other day while I was driving down the road and it was a good conversation. With all of the busyness and preparation for the season of His birth, I had been strangely out of contact. I suppose that He heard me because it appears that something that has been really on my heart is being rectified. I hope that the answered prayer is indeed that and not just another temporary reprieve from the wondering. I suppose that time will tell. But for now...all is well.
Thinking back over all that represented this Christmas, I realize that it was an exceptionally good year. Oh, the bills are arriving, but all in all, it went well. I didn't send out all I intended to on time, lost one gift card that someone was supposed to get that I thought was under the tree but apparently wasn't, lost a couple of addresses and ran out of cards, but I hope I'll be forgiven this year. I missed seeing some of my family due to circumstances beyond everyone's control; but that was the worst of it.
The weather was brisk and felt like Christmas to me. I met my new great-nephew...who is beyond precious. My kids were both home, the house stayed reasonably straight, and I got everything purchased and wrapped in pretty much record time. It helped tremendously to have a daughter who actually enjoys wrapping gifts and my over the top obsession with bargain hunting that actually worked out beyond my wildest expectations this year.
We had time with friends that we don't see often enough...and ate enough food to actually get tired of eating. I turned down some truly wonderful food that I would have liked to consume, but I was just so over it. Shocking! But for me...the season is having that time to lay eyes on people that I care about...to give them a hug and catch up on what is going on in their lives. I've also met new people this Christmas and I've enjoyed that as well...friends of friends...so to speak. If there's going to be any "expanding" going on around here...I want it to be in my circle of friends and not my waistline.
Now the upcoming year is just in front of us like a brand new promise of something wonderful. In January, my daughter will be 21. In May, my son - and my baby - will graduate from high school. In August, he will begin his first year of college, and my girl will begin her last. This time next year, we will be paying for her final semester in college. She is still on schedule. Both the fact that she is...and that she is three semesters away from finishing totally amazes me.
I don't know if you are like me and make resolutions every year that you try to keep but can't seem to generate enthusiasm for past February. This year, I'd like to actually keep my resolutions short term...so I'm coming up with twelve month long changes that I'm going to try very diligently to keep...for one month each. Maybe I can keep it up longer...but I won't feel guilty if I don't. I promise to outline these in the next day or so as I get myself all fired up for the new year that lies ahead.
I suppose it is time to decorate my house for "not Christmas" as my friend, Stan, stated on his Facebook status recently. But I'm really not ready to let go yet. Maybe it's because we got a really wonderful gift for Christmas that we aren't sure is what we think it is...but may actually be. Perhaps I want to learn how to use my new Nook before I undress the tree. Maybe I want to balance my checkbook and just rest after six weeks of go-go-go for a day or so before I drag the umpteen dozen boxes out of the attic and adjust to my house looking like it does most of the time.
I just want to bask in the Christmas after-glow a little longer. After all...it will be back around before we know it.
I just moved the "12 Days of Christmas" glasses back a few inches so that I can rest my hands more comfortably on the keyboard...although there are really only "10 Days of Christmas" in my world because Day 7 and Day 12 came to some unfortunate end sometime over the past twenty years that I've owned these glasses. Of course, the red and green M & Ms are taunting me on the other side of the room but little do they know that they aren't even remotely tempting while "Santa's White Christmas" ice cream from Publix is in the house. Yes, after failing to find any after a week of trying at my local store, I asked them to call around and secured some at the Publix across town. Apparently, their management is either better friends with the people in the warehouse, the people across town eat healthier, or they didn't sample this during their Christmas sample-palooza. Beats me...but I'm fairly certain that if they had sampled this particular concoction at that Publix...they'd have run out too.
Anyway, there is a bowl game on television, the weather is still cold, and my kids are still out of school. I had to go back to work yesterday, and went to bed last night at 7:30 p.m. and slept until 7:00 a.m. to gear myself up for today. It is obviously exhausting to be on vacation. I hadn't been in awhile...so I suppose I'd forgotten. It's a good kind of exhausting, though.
I've had a wonderful week all in all. I have received more than I asked for and way more than I deserve in gifts, thoughfulness, love, surprises, kind words, and Christmas cards. I am so blessed to have the people that I do in my life...whether they were there for a reason, for a season, or for life. It matters not to me.
I had a heart-to-heart with God the other day while I was driving down the road and it was a good conversation. With all of the busyness and preparation for the season of His birth, I had been strangely out of contact. I suppose that He heard me because it appears that something that has been really on my heart is being rectified. I hope that the answered prayer is indeed that and not just another temporary reprieve from the wondering. I suppose that time will tell. But for now...all is well.
Thinking back over all that represented this Christmas, I realize that it was an exceptionally good year. Oh, the bills are arriving, but all in all, it went well. I didn't send out all I intended to on time, lost one gift card that someone was supposed to get that I thought was under the tree but apparently wasn't, lost a couple of addresses and ran out of cards, but I hope I'll be forgiven this year. I missed seeing some of my family due to circumstances beyond everyone's control; but that was the worst of it.
The weather was brisk and felt like Christmas to me. I met my new great-nephew...who is beyond precious. My kids were both home, the house stayed reasonably straight, and I got everything purchased and wrapped in pretty much record time. It helped tremendously to have a daughter who actually enjoys wrapping gifts and my over the top obsession with bargain hunting that actually worked out beyond my wildest expectations this year.
We had time with friends that we don't see often enough...and ate enough food to actually get tired of eating. I turned down some truly wonderful food that I would have liked to consume, but I was just so over it. Shocking! But for me...the season is having that time to lay eyes on people that I care about...to give them a hug and catch up on what is going on in their lives. I've also met new people this Christmas and I've enjoyed that as well...friends of friends...so to speak. If there's going to be any "expanding" going on around here...I want it to be in my circle of friends and not my waistline.
Now the upcoming year is just in front of us like a brand new promise of something wonderful. In January, my daughter will be 21. In May, my son - and my baby - will graduate from high school. In August, he will begin his first year of college, and my girl will begin her last. This time next year, we will be paying for her final semester in college. She is still on schedule. Both the fact that she is...and that she is three semesters away from finishing totally amazes me.
I don't know if you are like me and make resolutions every year that you try to keep but can't seem to generate enthusiasm for past February. This year, I'd like to actually keep my resolutions short term...so I'm coming up with twelve month long changes that I'm going to try very diligently to keep...for one month each. Maybe I can keep it up longer...but I won't feel guilty if I don't. I promise to outline these in the next day or so as I get myself all fired up for the new year that lies ahead.
I suppose it is time to decorate my house for "not Christmas" as my friend, Stan, stated on his Facebook status recently. But I'm really not ready to let go yet. Maybe it's because we got a really wonderful gift for Christmas that we aren't sure is what we think it is...but may actually be. Perhaps I want to learn how to use my new Nook before I undress the tree. Maybe I want to balance my checkbook and just rest after six weeks of go-go-go for a day or so before I drag the umpteen dozen boxes out of the attic and adjust to my house looking like it does most of the time.
I just want to bask in the Christmas after-glow a little longer. After all...it will be back around before we know it.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The Gown
Today is Day 6 of vacation week (yes, I count the weekends) and I am sitting here at 8:05 a.m. in my gown. I've realized something really pertinent this week...and that is...that my gown apparently renders me incapable of productivity. If I get up and put clothes on, I can clean house, make a grocery list, feed the dogs, prepare something to eat, make plans for my day, and actually execute them. If I stay in my gown, I end up on the couch at mid-morning watching television, wondering where the dogs are, forgetting to do anything I've planned, and eating cake while watching something mindless like "The View" or reruns of Christmas movies that I've already seen fifteen times each since Thanksgiving because I'm too lazy to fix anything even remotely nutritious.
Never mind that I have people coming to my house at the end of the week, that I'm not supposed to eat sugar until 2012 or that I always whine about not having enough time to do anything...and now I do. Forget that Christmas is two days away, that my laundry is piling up and will require a John Deere to excavate from my bedroom, or that the grocery store will resemble Times Square on New Years' Eve tomorrow before the sidewalks roll up at 7:00 throughout the world so that people can spend time with their families...so I need to get in there today if absolutely necessary.
In my world it is always absolutely necessary because I cannot seem to pull it together like a normal person.
Yeah, I don't want to forget about that stores closing early thing because I actually did that one year. I suppose that this is so that the people working retail this Christmas don't snap and choke some woman who is whining because the store is out of boxes on Christmas Eve or that an item that has been sold out since November 15th isn't available in her size. Never mind the men that think that no Christmas shopping whatsoever should occur before December 24th.
But if you really want a job that will make you contemplate violence...wrap gifts.
I should know about this, by the way. I used to wrap Christmas presents at Belk when I was in college. There's nothing that will wreck your holiday spirit like trying to be all festive and sunny when people are trying to get the twenty gifts that they spent $2 each for wrapped while the line is snaking into the parking lot. Waiting in line transforms even the nicest person into a snarling wildebeast if they are left there long enough. Heaven forbid you should run out of boxes.
I also had the misfortune of working with at least a couple of people who truly had no business wrapping gifts whatsoever. They didn't tuck their ends under. Cut enough paper to wrap two gifts and then had to reconfigure each gift in such a way that it took four times longer to slap paper on the box than it should. Folks that talked the entire time...but found that when their mouth was moving...their hands apparently couldn't. People who moved slower than molasses because they'd apparently never spent time on the counter at McDonald's when a bus would pull in. Oh yeah, I have that on my resume too.
This particular employment stint at Belk's had the added bonus of having to be Mrs. Claus several times a week while kids came to have their pictures made with Santa. This involved dressing in a short red dress with fur trim and a Santa hat. "Precious" would be an understatement. Frankly, right now I actually look more like Mrs. Claus than I care to reflect upon right now and would kill to have those thighs back. Well, not literally, but you know what I mean.
Anyway...back to the gown.
I'm going to get up and change in a minute and am going to try to snap myself out of it before my kids get up. That means that I have until approximately noon today. My big "sleeping in" this week has been until about 7:30...which...if you know me...is scandalous. I'm usually up at 6:00 every morning whether I have to be or not. Frankly, I like being up after Big Dave goes to work and before they get up so that the house is quiet and I can have some "me" time. With the kids home, as much as I love them, this has become more of a necessity than I thought was possible.
So, here I go to get away from whatever kryptonite forms the threads of this gown that keeps productivity at bay. I'll make yet another to-do list...and then whatever doesn't get done today...just doesn't get done. Except for cleaning the bathrooms and doing some laundry. That has to get done whether the curse of the gown wins out or not.
Wish me luck.
Never mind that I have people coming to my house at the end of the week, that I'm not supposed to eat sugar until 2012 or that I always whine about not having enough time to do anything...and now I do. Forget that Christmas is two days away, that my laundry is piling up and will require a John Deere to excavate from my bedroom, or that the grocery store will resemble Times Square on New Years' Eve tomorrow before the sidewalks roll up at 7:00 throughout the world so that people can spend time with their families...so I need to get in there today if absolutely necessary.
In my world it is always absolutely necessary because I cannot seem to pull it together like a normal person.
Yeah, I don't want to forget about that stores closing early thing because I actually did that one year. I suppose that this is so that the people working retail this Christmas don't snap and choke some woman who is whining because the store is out of boxes on Christmas Eve or that an item that has been sold out since November 15th isn't available in her size. Never mind the men that think that no Christmas shopping whatsoever should occur before December 24th.
But if you really want a job that will make you contemplate violence...wrap gifts.
I should know about this, by the way. I used to wrap Christmas presents at Belk when I was in college. There's nothing that will wreck your holiday spirit like trying to be all festive and sunny when people are trying to get the twenty gifts that they spent $2 each for wrapped while the line is snaking into the parking lot. Waiting in line transforms even the nicest person into a snarling wildebeast if they are left there long enough. Heaven forbid you should run out of boxes.
I also had the misfortune of working with at least a couple of people who truly had no business wrapping gifts whatsoever. They didn't tuck their ends under. Cut enough paper to wrap two gifts and then had to reconfigure each gift in such a way that it took four times longer to slap paper on the box than it should. Folks that talked the entire time...but found that when their mouth was moving...their hands apparently couldn't. People who moved slower than molasses because they'd apparently never spent time on the counter at McDonald's when a bus would pull in. Oh yeah, I have that on my resume too.
This particular employment stint at Belk's had the added bonus of having to be Mrs. Claus several times a week while kids came to have their pictures made with Santa. This involved dressing in a short red dress with fur trim and a Santa hat. "Precious" would be an understatement. Frankly, right now I actually look more like Mrs. Claus than I care to reflect upon right now and would kill to have those thighs back. Well, not literally, but you know what I mean.
Anyway...back to the gown.
I'm going to get up and change in a minute and am going to try to snap myself out of it before my kids get up. That means that I have until approximately noon today. My big "sleeping in" this week has been until about 7:30...which...if you know me...is scandalous. I'm usually up at 6:00 every morning whether I have to be or not. Frankly, I like being up after Big Dave goes to work and before they get up so that the house is quiet and I can have some "me" time. With the kids home, as much as I love them, this has become more of a necessity than I thought was possible.
So, here I go to get away from whatever kryptonite forms the threads of this gown that keeps productivity at bay. I'll make yet another to-do list...and then whatever doesn't get done today...just doesn't get done. Except for cleaning the bathrooms and doing some laundry. That has to get done whether the curse of the gown wins out or not.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The 10 Most Annoying Christmas Songs EVER (IMHO)
Tonight the dogs were outside barking at a leaf blowing across the lawn or a cat running through a field three counties over or something equally random. It being the holiday season and all, all of that barking made me start thinking about the classic rendition of "Jingle Bells" performed by the barking dogs. I remember thinking at one point in time that this was really clever...although now I find it only slightly less annoying than the ridiculous chorale being yipped outside my garage door right now.
I've been on vacation this week, and have been so delighted to not have a million things on my mind that need to be done. I've slept in. I've cooked and cleaned. I've written and I've read. I've planned, bought, wrapped, mailed, straightened, decorated, and made list upon list. I've enjoyed the cold weather and the fact that all of my "must-do" chores have been done.
Well, until TODAY.
Earlier today, I went outside and realized that it is back to ridiculously warm weather just before Christmas. I vote NO to this, by the way. All I needed was another week of cold. I'm not asking for snow...although I am battling some serious "snow envy" right now. I'm just requesting that we actually have winter weather through Christmas. It can jump back up to spring weather next week for all I care. But for now, I am protesting having to endure "Winter Wonderland," "White Christmas," or "Frosty the Snowman" in the musical realm until the weather gets brisk again.
I've gone from "Ho! Ho! Ho!" to "Bah, humbug!" faster than people snatch "Santa's White Christmas" ice cream off the shelves at the local Publix. And in my personal experience...that's fast.
Frankly, because I'm in a non-Christmas-y mood today, there are a number of other annoying songs that I'd like to think up an excuse to completely avoid. I'll probably end up offending someone, but I'm going to list the songs that annoy me - personally - beyond belief. Oh, there are definitely more than just this list...but these are the worst offenders. And NO, I didn't include the barking dogs' rendition of "Jingle Bells" here. I'd rather listen to that repeatedly than to any of these.
10. 12 Days of Christmas
This song is well intentioned. It is about giving and true love and going the distance. But it is much like singing "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall"...you lose interest somewhere along the way. And frankly, other than the five golden rings...I'm not particularly enamored with any of the other gifts noted. Like at all. And you just KNOW that there was no gift receipt for any of it. And in my mind's eye, I can only see the results of numerous birds and livestock combined with maids, lords, drummers and pipers en masse and just know that it cannot end well.
9. A Hippopotumus for Christmas
No. Just no. Whoever thought this song up was seriously on crack.
8. Blue Christmas
Christmas isn't blue. It is red and green, silver and gold. Anything else is fraudulent. I don't care if it is Elvis or Porky Pig that is singing this song...it sucks.
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
All I can think when I hear this is that this kid is going to end up on Jerry Springer someday. I don't even like the Michael Jackson version as unpopular as I'm sure this will make me. It just screams "I will now become dysfunctional and will blame it all on this traumatic experience."
6. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
The first time you hear this song...it's cute. Every other time...it's ridiculous. In my case, it has been ridiculous since 1967. Please don't wish me a "May-we Cwith-mus"...unless you are actually six years old and really talk like that.
5. Santa Baby
This song sounds like someone is belting this one while simultaneously working the pole. And I don't mean the North one, either. I mean, puhleeze...this one is commonly sung by Eartha Kitt and Madonna. That alone should ban it from the airwaves.
4. I Saw Three Ships
And the significance of this would be? That we can count? On Christmas Day in the morning? (As opposed to the evening, apparently.) Okay, so the ships are carrying the Magi...but I still hate the song.
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I'm a big fan of the movie and consider it mandatory to experiencing full-blown Christmas cheer, but the song itself is stupid. I mean, we're gleefully singing "all of the other reindeer...used to laugh and call him names...they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games..." and we're okay with this? I think not. In this day and age, Rudolph's Mama would have sued the school board. I still want to punch the stop-motion animated coach reindeer for being such a jerk.
2. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Really? No. And the cheerleader raspy voice is so not working for me. Thanks, anyway. I don't "rock" around my Christmas tree. I put gifts under it and pray that it doesn't ignite from the gazillion lights that I put on it the weekend after Thanksgiving. But rock? Um. No.
1. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Although I could probably expound upon why this particular song is the most heinous one of all, I'll just say that it just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. And not in a good way. I mean, how festive can it be to croon about a drunk geriatric person getting run over by a mythical being? Just sayin'. And YES, I did laugh the first time I heard it kind of like you laugh when someone falls down just before you realize that you need to dial 911.
Oh, I'm sure that there are many, many lists out there that include some of the above and some that I haven't thrown under the bus. Like "The Little Drummer Boy" (what new mother would allow THAT? Answer: none...and newborns don't smile unless they have gas) or "Jingle Bell Rock" (which I confuse with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and turn off immediately if at all possible.)
But whatever...I only have three more days to "enjoy" these before the music turns back to the same c-rap that plays the other eleven months of the year. And when it does...I'm sure I'll miss even these truly awful ones. But I'll have eleven months to get over it.
I always do.
(And if truth be told...I did some research to see how my list compared to that of others through the magic of Google. I'm actually in sync with approximately 80% of the songs. Which totally rocks. But not around the Christmas tree. Please spare me that.)
I've been on vacation this week, and have been so delighted to not have a million things on my mind that need to be done. I've slept in. I've cooked and cleaned. I've written and I've read. I've planned, bought, wrapped, mailed, straightened, decorated, and made list upon list. I've enjoyed the cold weather and the fact that all of my "must-do" chores have been done.
Well, until TODAY.
Earlier today, I went outside and realized that it is back to ridiculously warm weather just before Christmas. I vote NO to this, by the way. All I needed was another week of cold. I'm not asking for snow...although I am battling some serious "snow envy" right now. I'm just requesting that we actually have winter weather through Christmas. It can jump back up to spring weather next week for all I care. But for now, I am protesting having to endure "Winter Wonderland," "White Christmas," or "Frosty the Snowman" in the musical realm until the weather gets brisk again.
I've gone from "Ho! Ho! Ho!" to "Bah, humbug!" faster than people snatch "Santa's White Christmas" ice cream off the shelves at the local Publix. And in my personal experience...that's fast.
Frankly, because I'm in a non-Christmas-y mood today, there are a number of other annoying songs that I'd like to think up an excuse to completely avoid. I'll probably end up offending someone, but I'm going to list the songs that annoy me - personally - beyond belief. Oh, there are definitely more than just this list...but these are the worst offenders. And NO, I didn't include the barking dogs' rendition of "Jingle Bells" here. I'd rather listen to that repeatedly than to any of these.
10. 12 Days of Christmas
This song is well intentioned. It is about giving and true love and going the distance. But it is much like singing "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall"...you lose interest somewhere along the way. And frankly, other than the five golden rings...I'm not particularly enamored with any of the other gifts noted. Like at all. And you just KNOW that there was no gift receipt for any of it. And in my mind's eye, I can only see the results of numerous birds and livestock combined with maids, lords, drummers and pipers en masse and just know that it cannot end well.
9. A Hippopotumus for Christmas
No. Just no. Whoever thought this song up was seriously on crack.
8. Blue Christmas
Christmas isn't blue. It is red and green, silver and gold. Anything else is fraudulent. I don't care if it is Elvis or Porky Pig that is singing this song...it sucks.
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
All I can think when I hear this is that this kid is going to end up on Jerry Springer someday. I don't even like the Michael Jackson version as unpopular as I'm sure this will make me. It just screams "I will now become dysfunctional and will blame it all on this traumatic experience."
6. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
The first time you hear this song...it's cute. Every other time...it's ridiculous. In my case, it has been ridiculous since 1967. Please don't wish me a "May-we Cwith-mus"...unless you are actually six years old and really talk like that.
5. Santa Baby
This song sounds like someone is belting this one while simultaneously working the pole. And I don't mean the North one, either. I mean, puhleeze...this one is commonly sung by Eartha Kitt and Madonna. That alone should ban it from the airwaves.
4. I Saw Three Ships
And the significance of this would be? That we can count? On Christmas Day in the morning? (As opposed to the evening, apparently.) Okay, so the ships are carrying the Magi...but I still hate the song.
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I'm a big fan of the movie and consider it mandatory to experiencing full-blown Christmas cheer, but the song itself is stupid. I mean, we're gleefully singing "all of the other reindeer...used to laugh and call him names...they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games..." and we're okay with this? I think not. In this day and age, Rudolph's Mama would have sued the school board. I still want to punch the stop-motion animated coach reindeer for being such a jerk.
2. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Really? No. And the cheerleader raspy voice is so not working for me. Thanks, anyway. I don't "rock" around my Christmas tree. I put gifts under it and pray that it doesn't ignite from the gazillion lights that I put on it the weekend after Thanksgiving. But rock? Um. No.
1. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Although I could probably expound upon why this particular song is the most heinous one of all, I'll just say that it just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. And not in a good way. I mean, how festive can it be to croon about a drunk geriatric person getting run over by a mythical being? Just sayin'. And YES, I did laugh the first time I heard it kind of like you laugh when someone falls down just before you realize that you need to dial 911.
Oh, I'm sure that there are many, many lists out there that include some of the above and some that I haven't thrown under the bus. Like "The Little Drummer Boy" (what new mother would allow THAT? Answer: none...and newborns don't smile unless they have gas) or "Jingle Bell Rock" (which I confuse with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and turn off immediately if at all possible.)
But whatever...I only have three more days to "enjoy" these before the music turns back to the same c-rap that plays the other eleven months of the year. And when it does...I'm sure I'll miss even these truly awful ones. But I'll have eleven months to get over it.
I always do.
(And if truth be told...I did some research to see how my list compared to that of others through the magic of Google. I'm actually in sync with approximately 80% of the songs. Which totally rocks. But not around the Christmas tree. Please spare me that.)
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