Random things I am thankful for.

On Thanksgiving I came to sit in the big blue chair and tell you all about my take on the holiday. I then realized I had done that...last year...it's called Memories you can go read it if you want.

So, I decided to be silly with this posting and talk about the random things that have come to my head that I am thankful for, some serious and some...not so much.

1. Sister Schubert. I love that woman. She was able to mass produce or at least come close to the rolls that my mother has slaved over for years. Delicious bits of carbohydrates that are pure heaven. Did anyone else notice that this year they even come in 2 pan packages that have 8 rolls in each package? Perfect for a family of four on a regular Tuesday night? or you know a bad hormonal day for one...whichever.

2. Lee premium fit jeans. It's like an elastic waistband but it's not! It's like magic! They are wonderful. There is no gap in which people want to attempt a 3 point shot directly into your underwear. Plus they fit all day long not just in the morning directly out of the dryer. I love these jeans!

3. Characters. Not like famous people but like the people you run into in your day to day life that make you take a second look or immediately bring a smile to your face? This can be either from the fact that they are downright disturbing or friendly either way they take you out of your normal hum drum and into their little life's play. There is a man that walks the track where my son plays soccer. He is like an olive on a toothpick. Tiny little legs, huge round body. That alone makes you look twice. Then add that all of his outfits are made out of what looks to be neon patten leather and consist of shorty shorts and a belly shirt.

4. Friendly customer service people. You know the ones that aren't just friendly to you because they want a good tip, but the ones that seem generally interested in how your day is going and you have a nice little 5 min discussion with them about whatever may be going on at that moment. I love those people! It makes you appreciate them more when you get a customer service person who should have selected more of a solitary position like...town grouch.

5. Appropriately placed breath mints. You know how you realize, after you have left home, that your morning tooth brushing is not going to stand up to the garlic laden curry dish you had for lunch and you are petrified that you are going to see someone and have to do that talk where you cover your mouth and you end up looking like you are telling a secret rather than just having a normal conversation? Then low and behold you notice a happy little dish of red and white miracles. I love that!!

6. A good scratch. You know how sometimes you need to scratch but it might be in an inappropriate place and you don't want to embarrass yourself, but then you find yourself alone and can go to town on that bad boy. It is a strange mix of pain and pleasure. I know it's weird but I am thankful for a good scratch, and the next time you have one you will be too! In fact, I bet something is itching right now isn't it....It's okay. Go ahead. We aren't watching. Well, unless your in the library.

7. A genuine belly laugh. Catch that...genuine. Now, we have all laughed out of sympathy for someone that we could tell they were trying to be funny and they just weren't getting there. I'm not talking about that poor soul. I'm talking about a hurts your ribs days later, stuff flies out of your nose, you can't stop coughing painful laugh! There are not many people on this planet that can make me laugh like that but I can guarantee you if you can you are very special to me! I love to laugh!

8. Good parents. Okay, yes, my own. That goes without saying. I love my parents they are two of my closest friends, but that is not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about when you are just out and about and you witness a parent actually parenting, and not just because they know people are watching either. I love the dad's that get silly with their little girls or throw a football for hours with their little boy. I love the mother who doesn't blow her top after the 40 millionth Mommy? Mommy? Mommy? Parenting is a hard task and we are all human and will not be perfect all of the time but I get inspired when I see people out there doing it right. I get depressed when I go to Walmart after 10 and witness all of the ones doing it wrong but that is a totally different blog entry.

9. People that go crazy with their outdoor Christmas decorations. I have a next door neighbor who covers his entire house in lights and his yard in different Christmas characters. Add that this is all set to music and you have a fabulous display! I"m glad he does it because I can look out my window and enjoy it without electrocuting myself. We did lights this year and the very first day it rained and shorted my entire display out. His is fine. I will leave the Christmas fabulousness to him and I will drive around and look at the wonderfulness of others. It makes me happy!

10. Freshen up bubble gum. Just because I am.

What are you thankful for?

Love to all from the Big Blue Chair!

Christmas Gift Ideas

I'm not going to take total credit for this. I got the idea from someone I just can't remember who. This Christmas why not give gifts from local artisans? You will be totally surprised what you can find if you don't wait until Christmas Eve to do your shopping.

I do realize that children will want the latest and greatest gadget or gizmo but what about Aunt Sue or Uncle Bob? Trust me they have enough lotion and candles to start their own store. Enough is enough. Seriously stop it. How much rose scented lotion can one woman use?

This way you are supporting those living in your own community with your Christmas spirit. Not to mention you will shock the living fool out of Aunt Sue!

I recently went to a craft fair where a woodworker had made the most gorgeous wood bowls. If that isn't your cup of tea what about an embroidered shirt that promotes something the person does like Soccer Grandmother or Bingo Babe.

This still doesn't sound like something you would want to give? It's okay. I don't know you but I'm pretty sure you can come up with something that will not only be new and inventive but also support your local economy. Put your neighbors back to work. Gift cards to restaurants, gift cards for spa treatments, tickets to a local theatre or museum membership.

If you are still not sold on the concept and say to yourself if I don't give Aunt Sue her chocolate scented candle she will surely die, then find a local craftsman that makes candles and get one of theirs.

Most of all remember that the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with the gifts that you are giving and everything to do with the Gift that has been given to you. Jesus loves you! Happy Holidays everyone.

(I would also like to mention that the Christmas season should not officially start until after we have shown how very thankful we are for all of the blessings we have received. )

Preach it sister!

I feel as though I have a few hot topics that really set me off on a tangent and I just can't stress enough how much I feel others need to evaluate their perspective on these subjects.

Today's subject? Judging a book by its cover. (and how you shouldn't do it.)

I have been going to an exercise class for about 2 months now. I haven't lost a lot of weight but it is coming off and I am learning the routines to the point that I can do them without looking like an idiot. The other day two 50 something women, who were dressed scantily in extremely tight workout wear were standing directly behind me. One said to the other well, I have never done this either but if she can do it so can we. I was the she. I will not tell you how they looked like someone had tried to shove too much play dough in the container because that would just be wrong.

Now, I'm not going to lie, that really hurt my feelings. I get it I've put on some extra weight that needs to come off but I'm doing something about it so shut up a little!

My vindication came when the music started. I was having a great day. She was playing all of my favorite songs and I wasn't missing a step. If there was ever a part that I was feeling sluggish their condescending attitude pushed me to a better workout. I was not going to give them the satisfaction! I would catch their dumbfounded look in the mirror every once in awhile as they would stop to go get water. It was wonderful!

Today when you go out into your world I want you to do something for me. If you see someone that from their appearance alone you have formed your own opinion on who they are as a person, I want you to go up to that person and say hello. Especially if your opinion is a negative one. I want you to do this mainly because more than likely if you have had this opinion so have several other people that this person has come in contact with in that day. Be a light for that person. A smile. A Hi, How are you? Can make all the difference in the world.

My weight does not define me. I don't feel on the inside like I apparently look on the outside. I still feel like I look like I did when I was 20. When strangers look at me with a disgusted look or they won't speak it is just rude. It has taught me to look at all people differently. You don't know what another human being is going through. Don't pretend as if you are better than they are just because you seemingly have it all together. You never know what tomorrow holds!

Have a wonderful day people!

Band camp can change your life!

It was the summer of 1988. I had tried out and been selected to be the Assistant Drum Major in my high school band. At that point my knowledge of band directing was pretty much making sure I didn't forget deodorant because my arms were going to be flapping around...ALOT!

In a freak panic, I found myself atop the Head drum major's podium. Front and Center...in charge! If you must know the head drum major had started her period and had to run back to the dorm to "take care of business." as it were.

The band director was a large man who yelled most of the time and pretty much always had this vein on the side of his head that looked like it was going to explode. He screamed to me to do something that I had no clue what he was asking me to do and when I did not respond his rage was turned full force on me. Little old me. High atop a podium...by myself.

The director proceeded to bring the entire band...aka. my peers to attention so that they would be able to better witness my humiliation. I stood firmly at attention while his explosion of my stupidity and inability went on for about what seemed like 10 minutes! The assistant director just so happened to be at my feet and gently placed her hand on my foot to calm me. He then very sarcastically explained what it was he wanted me to do and I performed the said task.

This little tale is blazened in my memory. I can remember the weather. I can remember who was there. I can even remember which song we were about to play. At the time I was humiliated. Felt incompetant. Felt like everyone hated me. Hind sight told me that my peers were impressed that I could take that sort of humiliation without bursting into tears and how they were so glad it hadn't happened to them. Hind sight also taught me that because I stood there and took my harsh instruction without crying or running away it caused the band director to have a better respect for me.

Life is hard. There are going to be days where you feel like you can't go on and all you want to do is cry. Don't! If you made a mistake accept the responsibility and fix it. Don't blame it on someone else even if it is someone else's fault. Don't pass the buck. You will be better respected for the fact that you are the go to person when there is an issue. Remain calm and take it like a man!

Again with the phrases that I don't understand the meaning.

Have a fabulous day!

What am I going to be when I grow up?

What are you going to be when you grow up?

Why do adults ask this question of 3 year olds? My son would always say one of two things. A balloon salesmen or a roller coaster designer. The poor things have no clue. They just know that they like chicken nuggets, mama hugs and playing! Why on earth stress them out with things of the adult world. BACK OFF Grandma let my child enjoy their childhood. Heaven knows children these days are being forced to grow up way too early!

My husband and I are firm believers in helping our children be whatever they want to be albeit through education, encouragement, financial support. It is important to find something you love to do.

I bet you're wondering why I've jumped on this little train of thought. It is mainly because I am stressing over the fact that I have NO IDEA! I'm almost 40. My children are getting older. All I ever wanted to be was a mom. I wanted to raise fabulous children. It is all I know.

So, excuse me when I think about myself for the stupid look on my face. I have no clue. I know I love to write, but I didn't go to school to write. I went to school to be the next Katie Couric. That ain't gonna happen.

I can remember as clear as day the Milligan recruiter asking me what I wanted to major in and I had no idea. He said Well, what do you like to do? I said...Help people. He put me in Communications and thus my future was decided. I'm not proud of it. It is what it is.

I'm saying all this to say that A. Help your children better prepare for "The rest of their lives" and B. I'm almost 40 but that doesn't mean I can't switch gears. This time I want to be more educated in my choice of what I want to do.

Anybody know how I can get into writing? You know without the going back to school and the major degrees in journalism and what not. I'm fun. I'm hip. I'm happenin'!

Have a beautiful day and go out there and do what you love! The trick is finding the thing that you love that you can also provide for your family with.....Hmmmm. I'm on it!