photo: snarkerati.com
“Maybe its maturity or the wisdom that comes with age, but that witch in Hansel and Gretel—I think she’s very misunderstood. I mean, the woman builds her dream house and these brats come along and start eating it.” – Miranda, Sex and the City.
This season? Tryin not to be the witch.
Taking a moment
Stepping back
Doing less
Enjoying more
Ahhh
photo source: ezzal.com
photo: biologyblog.org
It’s here… Flu Season. The pounding head-sore throat-body aching-even my hair hurts-nothing sounds good-dear God maybe I should just die-flu.
Is it a coincidence that flu season overlaps the Holiday season? I think not.
As Mom/Baker/Decorator/Party Planner/Shopper/Gift Wrapper etc. my #1 reason for getting sick during the flu/holiday season is from doing far too much!
In 2010 I vow to stay healthy by Simplifying my Holiday to-do list including:
Oh, and wash my hands with soap & warm water. Often.
My guys would tell you it’s my mashed potatoes.
Stand back and prepare for compliments a-plenty!
(this makes 2 Grandma-size serving bowls – just right for all the hungry potato eaters at my house)
whynotassociates.com
It’s Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. and, as with most holiday mornings, I’ve been up for a while preparing for today’s feast. The turkey’s nearly defrosted, the salads are made, appetizers are ready and what remains to be done is manageable.
So, I poured a cup of coffee and sat down to read today’s newspaper.
Every year, on Thanksgiving Day, our local newspaper includes a section called, “Thanksgiving Wishes.” Here is a sampling of some of the wishes posted here in West Michigan today:
Even before I read this, I knew that my family & I have so much. We have more food than we can eat, we have good health to climb the stairs throughout our house, we are warm. Later today, we can see and hear our grandchildren as they burst through the door. We’re all comfortably dressed, and we can come & go as we please. We have abundance in many many forms.
The kids have been asking me “Mom what do you want for Christmas?” Well, I know what I want and it’s not more stuff. I have what I need, more than I deserve. What I want to do is save this special section and re-read it tomorrow, on Black Friday, and find the wish I can fulfull. Happy Thanksgiving all !!
For more information, go to http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/11/time_to_give_help_others_throu.html
Below are my tried & true travel tips for simpler, stress-free travel:
Wear comfy clothes that you’re ok sitting or standing in. Ditto on the shoes.
Ladies – Skip the purse and instead take a small backpack (you can fit your reading materials, snack, mp3 player and jacket in it)
Get to the airport early!
Bring or buy magazines & leave them for other travelers when you’re finished (and you don’t have to carry them both ways)
Most importantly – pack your sense of humor. Smile – be patient – help others if you can.
BE THE PERSON YOU’D WANT TO BE STUCK NEXT TO 🙂
A parental pitfall that no one warns us of is what to do when our child’s romantic relationship with someone… ends.
Like most areas of parenting, there’s no handbook for it.
As Mom to two young men, I’ve witnessed them fall in and out of love. They’ve had their hearts broken and they’ve broken a few hearts, too. We’ve been there to comfort them, to offer advice, and, to redirect when necessary. But here’s what no one prepares us for: what to do about our relationship with her? She’s the girl he wanted us to like, the one he asked us to include in our plans, the one he planned his free time around. What do you say to her? How do you tell her that you’re sorry things didn’t work out the way they’d both imagined and that you know how much it hurts.. but that you see his discomfort, too?
Answer: You don’t. You keep your thoughts to yourself and trust that when she thinks back on times with us… she remembers cozy days, laughter, and comfortable conversations. You hope she recalls that she was welcomed and that we were kind. We hope that she knows we’ll miss her, too.
How do you mend a broken heart? Sometimes…you have to just stay the distance while your heart adjusts as well.
I’m so thankful to not be flying for Thanksgiving.
Between the pat downs, cramped quarters and scheduling delays, I’d rather … not.
So if you find yourself stranded or delayed, take a deep breath, and try your best to have Dell Griffith’s *(John Candy) outlook.
Happy Trails 🙂
I’m starting to feel it: excitement for the holidays.
It started with the arrival of this (see photo). As a child, the 5 of us kids would fight over time with this book. The arrival of the Sears Wish book meant that, at last, the holidays were upon us. As a reader, I loved nothing more than to squirrel away with it and a cozy blanket and dreamily review all of the choices. Johnny West. Easy-bake-Ovens. Super-slider-snow-skates. As I got older, my thoughts turned to makeup mirrors, velour robes, sparkly holiday sweaters, and foxy winter jackets.
So it was with great delight that I introduced this scaled down 80-page version of the Sears Wish Book to our grandson last weekend. The “oohs” and “aahs” coming from the living room were unmistakable, as was the, “DAD! I want thisssssss!” as he pointed to, of course, a child sized snowmobile.
Then, a few days ago, I was downtown and, as I stepped out of my vehicle into the biting November wind, my eyes landed on evergreen wreaths trimmed with red bows. As I looked up and down the street and saw the lamp lights had been trimmed as well, I smiled, leaned into the wind and went on my way.
Yesterday, while out with the hubbs & son, I felt it again. Ever so slightly, there it was: the faintest twinge of Holiday excitement was distinctly, clearly, in the air.
Not the manic, frantic shopping panic.
Genuine excitement.
The sun was shining, the air was crisp and shoppers were bustling through the store. Everyone was pleasant; the Christmas displays were appealing and the lines were short.
We made our purchase and left the store and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. This is what I’m striving for this holiday season: the wonder, the delight, and the excitement of the pretty lights and fun family times ahead.
~ Melissa Sovey
“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me?”
~Ayn Rand
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