My daughter is me only in smaller form. She looks like me, she acts like me, she is my mini-me.
Her school has these little books that she has to read twice every night and does she read them in her normal voice? No, she does not. She gives each character an accent and a funny little personality. She is especially fond of exclamation points as well. She will read a sentence find out that it has an exclamation point and then reread the sentence several times so that she can get the tone just so.
The other night we were walking in downtown looking at lights on our way to have dinner and there was a group of police officers standing around talking to one another. As we passed them, luckily out of earshot, she said in a funny little voice with her hand on her hip, Well, hello there officers....fighting crime?
She has to talk. Even if she doesn't have anything to say she will come up with a question. This mornings question? Mommy, do you miss our van when you aren't driving it? No, sweetie. Mommy, do you like the color of our van? Yes, very much. Mommy, do you think it is too light would you rather have another color? Is it fun to drive? and on and on and I am very very glad that the drive to school is only 4 min. Now, don't get me wrong I love that she will talk to me and I do not look forward to if she is a brooding teenager that won't talk to me but I am not much of a morning person and to even get me to talk before 9 am is a miracle and we are talking 7:45 here!
I love my little ball of energy and I pray that God will bless her life many times over. Thank you Lord for my sweet little girl whom I love so much!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
What a day.
I got on here thinking that I was going to vomit all of the horrible things that made today just as precious as it could be (excuse me whilst I wipe up all of the sarcasm I just dripped.) but I say No Mam! I will not spew the ick from the world of blog. What good would that do anyway? None I tell you. So, instead I am going to talk about funny things.
I am going to tell you my recent made me laugh so hard I wanted to puke story, and yes I am sure I will be embellishing for effect but not much....here we go.
I have a friend. A beautiful wonderful friend who always looks like a million bucks when she graces the world with herself. Heels, Hair and all sorts of Hotness walk down the pathways of life when this girl goes out into the world.
Do you know the things that stores put out in front in order to attract customers? The are made of some sort of light fabric and attached to wind machines and they look like really tall men, and every once in awhile they will fall and dance about in order to get your attention? Okay.
My fabulous friend was walking down the sidewalk, minding her own business, in her own little world I'm sure she was thinking of the 40 million things on her to do list when all of a sudden someone put fabric over her eyes and was trying to apprehend her. She began with her best kungfu moves and commenced screaming bloody murder all whilst attempting the clutches of her would be attacker. Finally my friend broke free only to find that her attacker was a blow up thingy and the people working in the mattress store that it was in front of had obviously wet themselves from laughing so hard.
I love my friend. She brings joy to my life. She can make me smile without even being here. She understands me. She doesn't expect me to be funny, and she understands when I am not. I am very glad that God brought her into my life, and that even though we haven't lived in the same city in more than 18 years we are even closer now than we were back then. You will always have people in your life that influence you but it is the ones that are still friends years later even when you may not have spoken in awhile. When you finally do talk it is as if no time has passed at all. I can count on one hand the people that are like this to me and I am blessed to have them in my life.
I am going to tell you my recent made me laugh so hard I wanted to puke story, and yes I am sure I will be embellishing for effect but not much....here we go.
I have a friend. A beautiful wonderful friend who always looks like a million bucks when she graces the world with herself. Heels, Hair and all sorts of Hotness walk down the pathways of life when this girl goes out into the world.
Do you know the things that stores put out in front in order to attract customers? The are made of some sort of light fabric and attached to wind machines and they look like really tall men, and every once in awhile they will fall and dance about in order to get your attention? Okay.
My fabulous friend was walking down the sidewalk, minding her own business, in her own little world I'm sure she was thinking of the 40 million things on her to do list when all of a sudden someone put fabric over her eyes and was trying to apprehend her. She began with her best kungfu moves and commenced screaming bloody murder all whilst attempting the clutches of her would be attacker. Finally my friend broke free only to find that her attacker was a blow up thingy and the people working in the mattress store that it was in front of had obviously wet themselves from laughing so hard.
I love my friend. She brings joy to my life. She can make me smile without even being here. She understands me. She doesn't expect me to be funny, and she understands when I am not. I am very glad that God brought her into my life, and that even though we haven't lived in the same city in more than 18 years we are even closer now than we were back then. You will always have people in your life that influence you but it is the ones that are still friends years later even when you may not have spoken in awhile. When you finally do talk it is as if no time has passed at all. I can count on one hand the people that are like this to me and I am blessed to have them in my life.
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Christmas warm up.
Okay, Thanksgiving is over I will now begin talking about Christmas. I love Christmas, don't get me wrong but it truly bothers me that the Thanksgiving holiday gets the shaft. Halloween gets more attention than Thanksgiving and I just do not like that one bit. We need to take time to be thankful for all of the things that we have been blessed with.
But this isn't about my Thanksgiving soapbox this is about things I love about the holiday season. I love the fact that you can find Christmas carols with out very much effort. I have several that are my favorite like Mary, did you know....that one stops me in my tracks every time. I sing at the top of my lungs...Well, okay I don't know all of the words but I know Mary, did you know and that phrase comes up quite regularly in that song so I get by.
Have yourself a Merry little Christmas depresses me. I really wish that someone would snack on a jolt cola and a ding dong before they crank this bad boy out because it truly makes me sad and nostalgic and there will come a day that I just might produce tears. Me no like....WAIT! Better yet have them drink a jolt cola and eat a ho ho....you know because of Santa and how he says ho ho ho!
That one about the shoes....I liked it at first. Thought it was sweet even got misty a few times but I am over it now. Too many people have put their spin on it and I just keep wondering things like why is this child shopping alone and what did the shoes look like you know what on earth made these shoes so special that it was her dying wish to own them? I know. I'm horrible but I'm just being honest. I felt the love and the compassion the first 140 times I heard the song but I just don't see it ranking up there with Rudolph or Oh Come all ye faithful.
Speaking of Rudolph...I love Rudolph. I love singing the opening part really slow and sultry like and then get all jazzy with the other part including the additions. LOVE Rudolph. Frosty the Snowman ranks up there too but I have trouble remembering the verses on that one.
LOVE Silent Night! I sing it every night before my daughter goes to bed. Year round none the less.
12 days of Christmas! I love to sing that with friends. It reminds me of Milligan Madrigals where we would pick people out of the audience to join in and they would humiliate themselves. LOVE. I also like the 12 pains of Christmas...WHY ON EARTH ARE THEY BLINKING!!!???
So many wonderful Christmas songs to enjoy! This is my first thing I love about Christmas!
But this isn't about my Thanksgiving soapbox this is about things I love about the holiday season. I love the fact that you can find Christmas carols with out very much effort. I have several that are my favorite like Mary, did you know....that one stops me in my tracks every time. I sing at the top of my lungs...Well, okay I don't know all of the words but I know Mary, did you know and that phrase comes up quite regularly in that song so I get by.
Have yourself a Merry little Christmas depresses me. I really wish that someone would snack on a jolt cola and a ding dong before they crank this bad boy out because it truly makes me sad and nostalgic and there will come a day that I just might produce tears. Me no like....WAIT! Better yet have them drink a jolt cola and eat a ho ho....you know because of Santa and how he says ho ho ho!
That one about the shoes....I liked it at first. Thought it was sweet even got misty a few times but I am over it now. Too many people have put their spin on it and I just keep wondering things like why is this child shopping alone and what did the shoes look like you know what on earth made these shoes so special that it was her dying wish to own them? I know. I'm horrible but I'm just being honest. I felt the love and the compassion the first 140 times I heard the song but I just don't see it ranking up there with Rudolph or Oh Come all ye faithful.
Speaking of Rudolph...I love Rudolph. I love singing the opening part really slow and sultry like and then get all jazzy with the other part including the additions. LOVE Rudolph. Frosty the Snowman ranks up there too but I have trouble remembering the verses on that one.
LOVE Silent Night! I sing it every night before my daughter goes to bed. Year round none the less.
12 days of Christmas! I love to sing that with friends. It reminds me of Milligan Madrigals where we would pick people out of the audience to join in and they would humiliate themselves. LOVE. I also like the 12 pains of Christmas...WHY ON EARTH ARE THEY BLINKING!!!???
So many wonderful Christmas songs to enjoy! This is my first thing I love about Christmas!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Memories.
I want to start off this blog to ask a question that has been bothering me lately and then I want to reflect a little. Okay? Okay. How bad did John the Baptist's hair have to be if thousands of years later he is drawn and remembered as the man that had wild, crazy, unkept hair. This is coming from a time when hair salons, product, scissors or even hats were readily available. You can't tell me that everyone was walking around with every hair in place in a land that involved goats, and sheep and various desert like situations. These are the things that keep me up at night people!
Last night as I was putting my son to bed we were reviewing the day, and I started getting nostalgic. I asked him his favorite part of Thanksgiving, and he told me family, food and games. My kind of boy! I asked him if he wanted to know about what my Thanksgivings used to be and of course my child who hates to sleep said yes.
When I was a child my mother's parents lived in Michigan and my father's parents lived about an hour and a half away. So, most of the time we would either go to my father's parents or they would come to our house. I liked when they would come to our house because that meant I got to watch the entire Macy's Thanksgiving day parade but I also liked going to my Grandmother's house. The woman could cook! There were always 12 of us, with enough food to feed 100. She would cook every meat, vegetable and bread anyway you could imagine, and the desserts? Oh my word! There were enough desserts for everyone to have their own pie, cake or pudding!
I can remember driving up there squooshed in the middle of the back seat and being so very glad when my daddy said does anyone see Grandmother's mountain? Because that meant we only had about 10 more minutes in the car. I remember coming around that last corner before we would turn into Grandmother's long gravel driveway. My Granddaddy would be sitting on the carport waiting...watching. He was always so happy to see us. Once inside my tiny little Grandmother would stop whatever she was doing to get a big hug and off we would run to play whereever we wanted.
My cousin and I would fight over the relish tray, especially the olives, because that was the only thing we were allowed to touch while my Grandmother was finishing up lunch. I can remember rubbing vaseline on my poor uncle's bald head, and him letting us, for not apparent reason. The man has got to have some Sainthood points for that one. I can remember the one...did you hear that? One, Thanksgiving that my mother and Aunts made "the men and boys" clean up the dishes. I especially remember my Grandmother playing hide and go seek with her German Shepard and the dog would actually cover its eyes while she hid and look for her and then hide behind a bush with his tail sticking out when it was her turn.
My family would have a prayer and then everyone would fill their plates. The adults would go to a back room where the formal dining table was set up, leaving the 4 kids in the kitchen...with the food...especially the desserts! After we ate everyone would lay around the kids would play and we would all just enjoy each other's company. A perfect Thanksgiving in my mind as a small child.
Thanksgiving has changed over the years and it surprises me just how vivid some of my memories are. Smells bring back floods of memories or a certain song will spark my mind too. My extended family will not all be together today. Some have passed, some have moved to other countries, some have moved to other cities, but all will be remembered today in my heart.
Today's Thanksgiving will be filled with new traditions. I have children now. I am expected to cook now. I have in-laws. I am thankful for all of the blessings that God has heaped upon my head and I pray that today you will be able to enjoy your Thanksgiving no matter what your circumstances. If you are sad today remember the good times and find someone else who may be sad as well. Just like my mama always says the best way to make yourself feel better is by doing something nice for someone else.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Last night as I was putting my son to bed we were reviewing the day, and I started getting nostalgic. I asked him his favorite part of Thanksgiving, and he told me family, food and games. My kind of boy! I asked him if he wanted to know about what my Thanksgivings used to be and of course my child who hates to sleep said yes.
When I was a child my mother's parents lived in Michigan and my father's parents lived about an hour and a half away. So, most of the time we would either go to my father's parents or they would come to our house. I liked when they would come to our house because that meant I got to watch the entire Macy's Thanksgiving day parade but I also liked going to my Grandmother's house. The woman could cook! There were always 12 of us, with enough food to feed 100. She would cook every meat, vegetable and bread anyway you could imagine, and the desserts? Oh my word! There were enough desserts for everyone to have their own pie, cake or pudding!
I can remember driving up there squooshed in the middle of the back seat and being so very glad when my daddy said does anyone see Grandmother's mountain? Because that meant we only had about 10 more minutes in the car. I remember coming around that last corner before we would turn into Grandmother's long gravel driveway. My Granddaddy would be sitting on the carport waiting...watching. He was always so happy to see us. Once inside my tiny little Grandmother would stop whatever she was doing to get a big hug and off we would run to play whereever we wanted.
My cousin and I would fight over the relish tray, especially the olives, because that was the only thing we were allowed to touch while my Grandmother was finishing up lunch. I can remember rubbing vaseline on my poor uncle's bald head, and him letting us, for not apparent reason. The man has got to have some Sainthood points for that one. I can remember the one...did you hear that? One, Thanksgiving that my mother and Aunts made "the men and boys" clean up the dishes. I especially remember my Grandmother playing hide and go seek with her German Shepard and the dog would actually cover its eyes while she hid and look for her and then hide behind a bush with his tail sticking out when it was her turn.
My family would have a prayer and then everyone would fill their plates. The adults would go to a back room where the formal dining table was set up, leaving the 4 kids in the kitchen...with the food...especially the desserts! After we ate everyone would lay around the kids would play and we would all just enjoy each other's company. A perfect Thanksgiving in my mind as a small child.
Thanksgiving has changed over the years and it surprises me just how vivid some of my memories are. Smells bring back floods of memories or a certain song will spark my mind too. My extended family will not all be together today. Some have passed, some have moved to other countries, some have moved to other cities, but all will be remembered today in my heart.
Today's Thanksgiving will be filled with new traditions. I have children now. I am expected to cook now. I have in-laws. I am thankful for all of the blessings that God has heaped upon my head and I pray that today you will be able to enjoy your Thanksgiving no matter what your circumstances. If you are sad today remember the good times and find someone else who may be sad as well. Just like my mama always says the best way to make yourself feel better is by doing something nice for someone else.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
and we're done...
Okay, not done. I have not acheived complete physical fitness in less than 24 hours but I am going to hold off until after Thanksgiving. My kids will be out of school the rest of the week and to be quite honest I was not a nice person. You take away my junk food and I get extremely sarcastic and rude. Not exactly something that goes with the holidays. You never know what might come out of my mouth so in order to maintain Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men I am going to hold off until after Thursday. I'm not giving up so stop rolling your eyes. I am still making better eating choices I'm just not going to go cold turkey. Ha! Literally!
Monday, November 22, 2010
It has begun
Okay, I did it. I have begun "training". Ha! My accomplishments are....I turned down a friend who wanted to meet for breakfast. I actually went to the track and ran two of the 12 laps and walked the rest. I was doing great until the middle school PE class came out and they were doing their mile all whilst talking about their weekend and laughing and joking and I sound like some sort of obscene caller with a sinus problem. I did it though! I have not eaten horribly today but I haven't been great either...with time.
There was one middle schooler who ran his mile in about the time that it took some of those middle schoolers to go around one time and he wasn't even winded so I don't feel too bad. There are all levels of physical fitness at all ages. I hope to be less of a person with more of a spirit in about a month. We shall see!
I was driving to school this afternoon and noticed mums still in the pot along the side of the road every so often. I'm guessing some landscaping truck forgot to shut their tailgate and they will not be pleased when they get to the job several mums short. So, when I got to the school to work lunch I told that to a friend there and she told me of a story where she was driving along and every mile or so there would be a dead chicken. For like a hundred miles...that's alot of dead chickens. Now, I don't know what kind of farmer farms dead chickens but I'm glad my visual was flowers much prettier of a picture.
Have a great day!!!
There was one middle schooler who ran his mile in about the time that it took some of those middle schoolers to go around one time and he wasn't even winded so I don't feel too bad. There are all levels of physical fitness at all ages. I hope to be less of a person with more of a spirit in about a month. We shall see!
I was driving to school this afternoon and noticed mums still in the pot along the side of the road every so often. I'm guessing some landscaping truck forgot to shut their tailgate and they will not be pleased when they get to the job several mums short. So, when I got to the school to work lunch I told that to a friend there and she told me of a story where she was driving along and every mile or so there would be a dead chicken. For like a hundred miles...that's alot of dead chickens. Now, I don't know what kind of farmer farms dead chickens but I'm glad my visual was flowers much prettier of a picture.
Have a great day!!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
5K?????
Okay, so I don't know why I'm putting this on here. Maybe it is because I want to be held accountable for it. I am going to attempt to do a 5K. Attempt. I am going to start in the morning accomplishing 5K. Seeing how long it takes me, how much of it I can actually run, see if I puke!
Hopefully I will be able to at least get around the track that many times. The weight is not going to just fall off especially with the way I've been eating. I still feel small in my head and then I see a photograph taken of me. People treat you differently too. As if you are not valid. Not all people mind you, more the ones that didn't know you before. Before you had the baby and then got so wrapped up in caring for another human that you forgot to care for yourself. Well, my baby is 6 so I can't use that excuse anymore. I should be able to accomplish this task. I want to be more fabulous at 40 than I was at 30 that is my goal. You think I can do it? We shall see. Wish me luck!
Hopefully I will be able to at least get around the track that many times. The weight is not going to just fall off especially with the way I've been eating. I still feel small in my head and then I see a photograph taken of me. People treat you differently too. As if you are not valid. Not all people mind you, more the ones that didn't know you before. Before you had the baby and then got so wrapped up in caring for another human that you forgot to care for yourself. Well, my baby is 6 so I can't use that excuse anymore. I should be able to accomplish this task. I want to be more fabulous at 40 than I was at 30 that is my goal. You think I can do it? We shall see. Wish me luck!
It isn't just a tree!
I have this thing I like to do. I like to plant a tree any time something substantial happens in my world so that I can remember it. I can look at the tree and remember how small it was when it was planted and how large it is now and how much time has gone past. I planted a tree when each child was born, I planted a tree when my husband's father died, you get the idea.
Well, a couple of years ago a little maple came up naturally in the flower bed at my old house. It was about chest high and I wouldn't dream of just pulling it. I had my dear friend "Mr. Tim" as my children affectionately call him to dig it up and plant it over by my deck so that some day it would provide shade for future cookouts. Well, that was when I thought I would be living in that house forever. I love that house. It is where I brought my babies home, I lived there for 12 years. It is home.
So, about 6 months ago when we came upon the opportunity to live closer to our lives we made the difficult decision to move. This decision meant leaving my son's now extremely large river birch and my daughters beautiful flowering cherry it made me sick. Saturday I got a call from Mr. Tim. He had gone by my old house and dug up my tree that I saved. It's okay we still own the house. It is now about 8 feet tall. He came to my new house and planted it in a location that will someday provide shade to my driveway. I am calling it Gracemont, and it makes me so happy. I love that I got to bring a piece of the old with me to the new. I love that I will be able to watch it grow. I love that even though life goes on and things change there are some constants. Mine today is a tree, a beautiful little tree.
Well, a couple of years ago a little maple came up naturally in the flower bed at my old house. It was about chest high and I wouldn't dream of just pulling it. I had my dear friend "Mr. Tim" as my children affectionately call him to dig it up and plant it over by my deck so that some day it would provide shade for future cookouts. Well, that was when I thought I would be living in that house forever. I love that house. It is where I brought my babies home, I lived there for 12 years. It is home.
So, about 6 months ago when we came upon the opportunity to live closer to our lives we made the difficult decision to move. This decision meant leaving my son's now extremely large river birch and my daughters beautiful flowering cherry it made me sick. Saturday I got a call from Mr. Tim. He had gone by my old house and dug up my tree that I saved. It's okay we still own the house. It is now about 8 feet tall. He came to my new house and planted it in a location that will someday provide shade to my driveway. I am calling it Gracemont, and it makes me so happy. I love that I got to bring a piece of the old with me to the new. I love that I will be able to watch it grow. I love that even though life goes on and things change there are some constants. Mine today is a tree, a beautiful little tree.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Random thoughts
Weird thoughts pop in my head all the time. Things that I think if I say them outloud no one would understand me and everyone would think I was strange. Here are just a few recent ones.
Who got to decide that the only hair a woman should have is on top of her head? That other than her crown of splendor all other hair must be destroyed? and why did said person pardon the eyebrows? I mean as long as there are two of course. Just seems very strange to me. Don't get me wrong I like eyebrows..I'm just not sure what their purpose is.
Why do they make sz 16 or above skinny jeans? Because they're not.
I hate it when I am in traffic and I look up to see flashing lights with a sign that says Caution: Oversized load. I get wigged out that people are going to be driving along beside me and look over at me and say to themselves...Yes, Yes she is.
Why do onions smell like b.o? and why is that a tasty thing to eat? You wouldn't want to eat b.o. Why is a random root vegetable a good thing to eat?
I hate it when I answer the phone and the person who is calling says Who is this? Now, am I not the one that is in the dark? I mean if I didn't have caller id. Didn't they dial the phone with the sole intent of speaking to someone at my phone number? Did I throw them off? Shouldn't they say Oops, I might have the wrong number my name is Juan Valdez to who am I speaking as your voice drips of golden tones that warm my heart and I must know your identity.
Why do they call moms who don't go to a job that gets a pay check Stay at home moms? Cause we don't, stay at home I mean. Why is it working moms and stay at home moms? Do working moms never go home? Cause trust me this stay at home mom works. It is harder than anything I have ever done in my life. Not physically mind you more mentally. And the judgemental opinion of the general public that comes across when they ask you what you do is on my last nerve. I've been in the workforce. I have worked with people that the only thing they did all day was come to work get their coffee, sit in front of their computer playing either solitaire or surfing the internet go to lunch back for more of the same nonsense and then they go home. Every once in awhile they go to a meeting but that is about it. Now, mind you this isn't all working people but if you are going to assume that I as a stay at home mom just stay on my couch watching tv and eating bon bons all day then I am going to assume the same about you. That is the great thing about this world we all get to choose our own path so don't be judging mine just stay on yours and wave to me every once in awhile. Otherwise, shut up a little.
Why do tiny little blonde women like to drive big huge black SUVs that they can barely see over the dash? Get a pillow for goodness sake you are going to kill someone! or better yet why do old people think that if they drive 20 they will be safe? Why does anyone think they are capable of texting and driving? I can't even drive and find my phone in my purse let alone type on it. There is seriously nothing so important that you either can't pull over or wait. Get over yourself you are not that important.
Thank you for listening to my random ramblings. Have a great day!
Who got to decide that the only hair a woman should have is on top of her head? That other than her crown of splendor all other hair must be destroyed? and why did said person pardon the eyebrows? I mean as long as there are two of course. Just seems very strange to me. Don't get me wrong I like eyebrows..I'm just not sure what their purpose is.
Why do they make sz 16 or above skinny jeans? Because they're not.
I hate it when I am in traffic and I look up to see flashing lights with a sign that says Caution: Oversized load. I get wigged out that people are going to be driving along beside me and look over at me and say to themselves...Yes, Yes she is.
Why do onions smell like b.o? and why is that a tasty thing to eat? You wouldn't want to eat b.o. Why is a random root vegetable a good thing to eat?
I hate it when I answer the phone and the person who is calling says Who is this? Now, am I not the one that is in the dark? I mean if I didn't have caller id. Didn't they dial the phone with the sole intent of speaking to someone at my phone number? Did I throw them off? Shouldn't they say Oops, I might have the wrong number my name is Juan Valdez to who am I speaking as your voice drips of golden tones that warm my heart and I must know your identity.
Why do they call moms who don't go to a job that gets a pay check Stay at home moms? Cause we don't, stay at home I mean. Why is it working moms and stay at home moms? Do working moms never go home? Cause trust me this stay at home mom works. It is harder than anything I have ever done in my life. Not physically mind you more mentally. And the judgemental opinion of the general public that comes across when they ask you what you do is on my last nerve. I've been in the workforce. I have worked with people that the only thing they did all day was come to work get their coffee, sit in front of their computer playing either solitaire or surfing the internet go to lunch back for more of the same nonsense and then they go home. Every once in awhile they go to a meeting but that is about it. Now, mind you this isn't all working people but if you are going to assume that I as a stay at home mom just stay on my couch watching tv and eating bon bons all day then I am going to assume the same about you. That is the great thing about this world we all get to choose our own path so don't be judging mine just stay on yours and wave to me every once in awhile. Otherwise, shut up a little.
Why do tiny little blonde women like to drive big huge black SUVs that they can barely see over the dash? Get a pillow for goodness sake you are going to kill someone! or better yet why do old people think that if they drive 20 they will be safe? Why does anyone think they are capable of texting and driving? I can't even drive and find my phone in my purse let alone type on it. There is seriously nothing so important that you either can't pull over or wait. Get over yourself you are not that important.
Thank you for listening to my random ramblings. Have a great day!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Differences.
I noticed something yesterday. When my kid's school goes on a field trip the kids ride a bus and the parents follow. Now, the ratio of parents to kids on a field trip is pretty much one to one so there are alot of cars that go with the caravan. As I was watching the motorcade pull out of the parking lot I mused about one thing. How strange we must look going down the highway. You know how the government uses the big black SUVs? Well, that would be this only there is a school bus involved. Kind of looks like the kids are being protected by the secret service. Well, the kids and a few minivans are being protected by the secret service.
5 years ago when my son started at this school I noticed right off that there was a large majority of the moms that look alot alike. They are slim. They like tennis. They are fashionistas. Now, I am not slim, I couldn't hit a tennis ball if my life depended on it and the closest I get to being a fashionista is shopping at TJMaxx. I worried that I had chosen the wrong school. I worried that these people wouldn't like me. I worried that I didn't fit it. I wondered how on earth I had landed smack dab back in the insecurities of middle school but I still had the body of an almost 40 year old...bummer. I was in quite a tizzy until one day another mom asked me to lunch. We chatted while our boys played and she asked me how I was liking the school. I was honest with her I figured what did I have to lose. She laughed, and what she told me next has stuck with me and I tell others even still today. It also applies to anywhere so listen up.
She told me that I would find all kinds of people at the school. She said that yes, there were some women there that were rude and self centered but there were many more that were not. Mom's that were there for the very same reason I was. She said you just don't see them as much because they are the behind the scenes type mom's that don't need the whole world to see them and praise them for what they have done. She said that I would be surprised just how many people I would meet that I felt like I could connect to . I have to say that back then I was thinking WRONG!!! I will say now how very right she was. It doesn't have anything to do with what you look like or how you dress. You have just got to turn on your inner beauty light. I will say that when I started I thought the ratio of mean people to nice people had to be crazy off but in all actuality there are very few if any people that are rude and mean. Most are just livin' la vida loca just like me and it is all they can do to get their kids to school on time in the morning.
Anywhere you go you are going to run into people that are not like you. People that don't like you for no good reason. People that are better at some things than you. People that look better than you. Even if you see a person that is so gorgeous and put together they can't possibly be real that person still has insecurities. Do not walk into a situation and put up your guard before someone has even said their first word. You have no clue and if you clam up before they get to know you it is going to be one wicked circle of insecurity and discontent and that can't be good.
So, how do we fix this? Well, first up stop being so judgemental. When you walk into a situation don't automatically assume that everyone hates you because they don't look like you. Don't get me wrong. I went to a birthday party this weekend that was a real toughy. The moms all looked alike and were talking in a closed circle. What did I do? At first I got that icky feeling, the hyperdefensive, why on earth did I forget my cellphone get me out of here feeling. Then I looked around. There were several other moms playing the wall flower and I went over to one and introduced myself. I met some really nice moms and had a nice time.
Now, don't get me wrong there is always going to be a situation where people are rude and mean. People are rude and mean they just are, but you don't have to be. Your life is what you make it. If you want to feel icky and mad all the time then by all means do that but please stay in your room. Don't go out in public because that is a disease and I personally don't want it spreading around. Realize that the world does not revolve around you, everyone does not hate you and find someone that you can make smile. Otherwise call in mean. It is perfectly acceptable I promise. Yes, boss? I'm mean today I can't come in. I guarantee you they will gladly give you the day off!
Go out there, smile! Enjoy something about today. You aren't going to live forever you know and if you waste a whole lot of days with a chip on your shoulder the only person you are hurting is yourself.
I'm just sayin.
5 years ago when my son started at this school I noticed right off that there was a large majority of the moms that look alot alike. They are slim. They like tennis. They are fashionistas. Now, I am not slim, I couldn't hit a tennis ball if my life depended on it and the closest I get to being a fashionista is shopping at TJMaxx. I worried that I had chosen the wrong school. I worried that these people wouldn't like me. I worried that I didn't fit it. I wondered how on earth I had landed smack dab back in the insecurities of middle school but I still had the body of an almost 40 year old...bummer. I was in quite a tizzy until one day another mom asked me to lunch. We chatted while our boys played and she asked me how I was liking the school. I was honest with her I figured what did I have to lose. She laughed, and what she told me next has stuck with me and I tell others even still today. It also applies to anywhere so listen up.
She told me that I would find all kinds of people at the school. She said that yes, there were some women there that were rude and self centered but there were many more that were not. Mom's that were there for the very same reason I was. She said you just don't see them as much because they are the behind the scenes type mom's that don't need the whole world to see them and praise them for what they have done. She said that I would be surprised just how many people I would meet that I felt like I could connect to . I have to say that back then I was thinking WRONG!!! I will say now how very right she was. It doesn't have anything to do with what you look like or how you dress. You have just got to turn on your inner beauty light. I will say that when I started I thought the ratio of mean people to nice people had to be crazy off but in all actuality there are very few if any people that are rude and mean. Most are just livin' la vida loca just like me and it is all they can do to get their kids to school on time in the morning.
Anywhere you go you are going to run into people that are not like you. People that don't like you for no good reason. People that are better at some things than you. People that look better than you. Even if you see a person that is so gorgeous and put together they can't possibly be real that person still has insecurities. Do not walk into a situation and put up your guard before someone has even said their first word. You have no clue and if you clam up before they get to know you it is going to be one wicked circle of insecurity and discontent and that can't be good.
So, how do we fix this? Well, first up stop being so judgemental. When you walk into a situation don't automatically assume that everyone hates you because they don't look like you. Don't get me wrong. I went to a birthday party this weekend that was a real toughy. The moms all looked alike and were talking in a closed circle. What did I do? At first I got that icky feeling, the hyperdefensive, why on earth did I forget my cellphone get me out of here feeling. Then I looked around. There were several other moms playing the wall flower and I went over to one and introduced myself. I met some really nice moms and had a nice time.
Now, don't get me wrong there is always going to be a situation where people are rude and mean. People are rude and mean they just are, but you don't have to be. Your life is what you make it. If you want to feel icky and mad all the time then by all means do that but please stay in your room. Don't go out in public because that is a disease and I personally don't want it spreading around. Realize that the world does not revolve around you, everyone does not hate you and find someone that you can make smile. Otherwise call in mean. It is perfectly acceptable I promise. Yes, boss? I'm mean today I can't come in. I guarantee you they will gladly give you the day off!
Go out there, smile! Enjoy something about today. You aren't going to live forever you know and if you waste a whole lot of days with a chip on your shoulder the only person you are hurting is yourself.
I'm just sayin.
My Daddy.
I want to tell you about my daddy. My daddy has always been a well known well liked man that has lots of friends all over the world. I remember growing up this was extremely annoying because we would always get stopped and he would have to talk for another 10 minutes or so and when you are hungry that is an eternity. When I was 8 almost 9 we went to Australia for 2 months so that daddy could speak all over the country. He didn't want to leave his family for that long so we went with him. I can remember thinking okay, good..we are on the other side of the world we won't have to get stopped every few minutes while daddy talks. Wrong. We were walking down a street in Brisbane, Australia and someone yells my daddy's name. That's just the way it has always been. He is a kind giving man and has always had a listening ear for anyone in need.
My father has been a professor, a preacher, an Executive Director, and a president. He was the favorite professor of many and inspirational to all! When you go to hear my daddy speak it is like sitting down to have a conversation with a friend. He knows how to capture everyone in the audience and have them listening to everything he says. Whether his is speaking to thousands or just a handful it doesn't matter he captivates. Boring is not in his repetoire.
I am the youngest of three daughters. I would always tag along with my daddy when he would go to pick some one up who needed a ride to church or on Saturday mornings when he would run errands. It was our time. Saturday morning breakfasts, changed to Sunday morning breakfasts, changed to Tuesday lunches. Our meals change to fit our schedules but they are always extremely important.
Most people don't have the relationship with their parents that I have with mine. Growing up I wasn't very cool. I had friends but I would much prefer to hang out with my parents or a small group. My parents are fun to be around and can make me laugh better than most! I treasure that quality in everyone. If you can make me laugh your name is going on a very short list!
My daddy loves to send cards. My freshman year of college he sent one every single day so that I wouldn't get lonely. He sent so many to camp that they made up a song just for me when I would get mail. He even started mixing it up by signing the cards from some random name and pretending he didn't know who it was from. Hallmark loves my daddy!
There are so many qualities that I love about my daddy. I am glad that God blessed me with him and I am proud everytime someone says "You are just like your daddy!" I hope so! I thank him for always loving me, for teaching me to love the Lord, and for always being a huge encouragement to me. I love my daddy.
My father has been a professor, a preacher, an Executive Director, and a president. He was the favorite professor of many and inspirational to all! When you go to hear my daddy speak it is like sitting down to have a conversation with a friend. He knows how to capture everyone in the audience and have them listening to everything he says. Whether his is speaking to thousands or just a handful it doesn't matter he captivates. Boring is not in his repetoire.
I am the youngest of three daughters. I would always tag along with my daddy when he would go to pick some one up who needed a ride to church or on Saturday mornings when he would run errands. It was our time. Saturday morning breakfasts, changed to Sunday morning breakfasts, changed to Tuesday lunches. Our meals change to fit our schedules but they are always extremely important.
Most people don't have the relationship with their parents that I have with mine. Growing up I wasn't very cool. I had friends but I would much prefer to hang out with my parents or a small group. My parents are fun to be around and can make me laugh better than most! I treasure that quality in everyone. If you can make me laugh your name is going on a very short list!
My daddy loves to send cards. My freshman year of college he sent one every single day so that I wouldn't get lonely. He sent so many to camp that they made up a song just for me when I would get mail. He even started mixing it up by signing the cards from some random name and pretending he didn't know who it was from. Hallmark loves my daddy!
There are so many qualities that I love about my daddy. I am glad that God blessed me with him and I am proud everytime someone says "You are just like your daddy!" I hope so! I thank him for always loving me, for teaching me to love the Lord, and for always being a huge encouragement to me. I love my daddy.
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