I Am Thankful For...

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, I thought I would post about a couple of things that we are all thankful for. I will speak for myself, but I can almost guarentee that the rest of the WWB bloggers will agree, as you may too, that we are greatful for a lot of the same things. This list does not include everything that I am thankful for, because you all know I am most thankful for my dog, Mark Eaton, but I won't mention him! And so to start...

First things first - Family. Whether it is just one other person or a hundred different people that make up your family, it is still a blessing to have those individuals in our lives. They are who we are, and who we will grow up to be like (Oh lord, please don't let me be like my uncle!) Family should always come first, hence why it came first on my list.

Friends - How interesting that this word also starts with an F. Are F words good afterall? (I know what you are thinking!!) We all know that friends come and go, in and out of our lives, sometimes just as much as the weather changes, but true friends will always be there, come rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc. I cherish my friends and am thankful for everything they have ever said or done for me. I will probably never be ever to repay them for their friendship, but I do not know what kind of person I would be like today if it were not for them.

Freedom - I think I have said it enough times through my blog posts, but I will say it again. I am thankful for those who leave their families and friends to go overseas and fight the battles that help keep us safe from harm. I am thankful for their strength, courage and dedication.

Now here is where some may disagree - Hockey - If you know me, you know that I love, love, love, like really love hockey. It was perfect when I met my husband because one of the first evenings we spent together, we just laid on his floor watching a hockey playoff game and I think he was so excited that he had a girl who actually WATCHED hockey! But now he also knows why I love hockey so much... Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, Rick DiPietro, Carey Price, John Zeiler (hahahaha, little inside joke for those who know me), but the list goes on of goooood looking hockey players. I am THANKFUL for them!

So what are you thankful for? I have noticed people posting to their facebook every day what they are thankful for this month, but let's remember to be thankful year round. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and remember, give thanks for the fun things too!

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EXHAUSTED...That's How I Feel!

This time of year is hard for everyone.  Not only do you have work and family obligations but the holidays are rapidly approaching which means, cooking, gift buying, decorating and just going here, there and everywhere.  It’s difficult and I honestly don’t know how we all do it!

The last week was completely exhausting for me.  It started off with a quick three-day trip to Philadelphia which did wrap up my travel season for my “big girl” job.  Thank goodness…I really don’t think I could get on one more airplane this year.  I got back to the ‘burgh and worked my Wednesday night and Thursday day shift at our bar.  Friday I managed to almost finish my Christmas shopping and then it was back to work at the bar for the weekend and let me tell you, this weekend was tough!  It was the first weekend, in almost five years of ownership, where I had a mental break from dealing with the type of people you have deal with in a bar.  I now know, and completely understand, why people in the service industry are slightly "off" from the rest of the population.

Friday night I had the most ridiculous customers...EVER!  We had DJs and the music was great but I was dealing with complete asses and/or amateurs.  One woman, who I absolutely cannot stand (I’m desperately trying to figure out a way to get her ban for life) actually tipped me with a plastic, 2006 Steelers football!  Really?!  I had another guy that was buying shot after shot and wouldn’t leave a tip at all and then, to top it all off, I had these amateurs that would come up to me and say “can you make me a shot that doesn’t taste like it has alcohol in it?”  Or the classic, “do you have any beer?”  Seriously…it was enough to make me pluck my eye lashes out one by one and with all the kids coming home from college this week for the Turkey Day holiday, I’m sure I have a week full of fun to look forward too!

Saturday was slightly better.  I of course was up at the crack of dawn but I did manage to get all of the gifts I bought the day before wrapped.  As for down at the bar on Saturday night, it too was slightly better.  The customers were far better than the previous night but we were insanely busy.  I spent most of the night running up and down two flights of stairs (I worked our second floor bar) to get more beer, juice, lemons and limes.  The only real perk was I got an amazing ass workout! J

Don’t get me wrong, I was happy we were busy and making money but I’m EXHAUSTED!  I’m tired of smiling and being nice.  I’m tired of drunk people acting like idiots.  I’m tired of working seven days a week.  I’m tired of cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping.  I’m tired of not getting enough sleep and I’m tired of feeling like a little, old lady when I'm only 33.  I just want to go home, put my jammies on, watch really bad reality TV (perhaps a little Housewives) while drinking hot chocolate spiked with a little something, something until I pass out!  Is that too much to ask for?  I know I probably sound like a whinning, complaining bitch, and I swear I'm not.  I also totally get the motto...Work hard now, play hard later.  Today, I just wish it was later!

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Birthdays and Such

Remember being a kid and literally counting down the days until your birthday. Having half-birthdays. Birthday eve. While I still get excited about presents--I'm a girlie girl when it comes to that kind of stuff--the turning of the calendar and changing of a number I could do without.

I'm not ashamed of my age. I truly have gotten wiser as I've aged and I wouldn't trade the knowledge or life experiences I've had for another chance at youth. However, slowing the process down wouldn't be a bad thing. Maybe have every year be the equivalent of two--730 days vs. 365 days. Or, only celebrate on leap years--which would mean I'm all of eight and a half!

You don't realize how quickly life passes by until you have children. How my kids got to be six and eight is a mystery to me. It really does feel like they were in diapers and cribs last week. I cried on my son's eighth birthday because it just didn't seem possible that he could have gotten that old, that quick!

Any milestone marking time that has passed is bittersweet. It is wonderful to have fond memories to reminisce about, however, it is sad to know certain chapters are complete and will not come again. Graduating high school or college. Buying your first house. Getting married. Having kids.

The point is enjoy it. All of it. It all comes and goes so quickly. We live in such a fast-paced, gotta-have-it-now, no-time-to-wait world that not only do we miss the little things, but sometimes the big ones as well.

At a time such as Thanksgiving, it seems perfect to slow down, enjoy and be thankful for the here and now. Before you know it, there will just be pictures and memories to commemorate another holiday passing.

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Merry Early Christmas to Me

It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve given a “new house” update, but we have been making some progress. And although painting seems like the NEVER ENDING project, I feel as though we might be close to finishing up the last couple rooms. Once those are done, just give me a new bathroom, some new kitchen floors, appliances, and we are ready to move in!

It’s small, needs some updating, but it is ours! It’s been a LOT of hard work, some arguments, decision making, and for indecisive individuals like my fiancé and me, not always a walk in the park…

However; I am excited to announce that we will be closing on our first home next Wednesday, November 23, at noon!

It seems like a long time coming, especially since we have been in the process since July… and working in the house since August, it is all FINALLY falling into place.

The thought of the “officialness” of the whole closing process is a little scary! I’ve NEVER purchased anything so expensive. Besides my saddle and maybe the carpeting I just bought, I can’t say I have invested so much money into one purchase.

A fellow blogger informed me that she literally gets nauseous when making big purchases and has actually gotten sick when buying cars and closing on her house.

I can’t say that I’m a puker – I’m an impulse buyer. Typically, regardless of price, if I want it, I buy it. But I’ve had a lot of time to think about this purchase, a BIG purchase. It’s nerve-wracking. It isn’t like buying a pair of jeans. If they don’t fit right, I return them and get my money back, or find another pair. You can’t return a house if things aren’t going well… I won’t get my money back if the toilet leaks and floods my basement.

Reality is setting in – in 5 days I will be a homeowner. Scary! Exciting!

But I’m ready, it is time, I need to be a big girl!

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Give a Gift That’s All the Gab!

I know it isn’t Thanksgiving yet, but Christmas is just around the corner and soon enough your company will be hosting its annual holiday party. Most people spend more time at their job than they do with their own families, how sad, but true! Holiday gift exchanges at work are a great way to build camaraderie and holiday spirit among coworkers. We have all probably been to gift exchanges where everyone draws a name and you end up with some stinky bath soap or pair of mittens. Most of the time, no one really knows what to get. People set gift limits such as $15, then when you take back the earrings you got because your ears aren't pierced, you find out they only cost $5, although you spent $17. It definitely ruins the spirit of the holidays when you end up with a crappy gift. At work we have a gift exchange coming up and I found some great ideas that I had to share.

1. Butt Station
This started off being just a gag gift for co-workers but everyone wants a butt station! A fun art deco desk accessory that includes a pen holder, tape dispenser, memo/card holder, paper clip holder and just a great conversation piece all in one! Stands... or sits... about 5" high and comes in a variety of colors including the ever popular neon green, neon orange and bright blue. You can order these on eBay or Amazon.com.

2. Chalkboard Wine Glasses
Why not do a plug for myself. Do you entertain? I saw this somewhere and thought it was a great idea. I have not yet made these but I plan to and I am going to start selling them just in time for the holidays (if you’re interested in purchasing, let me know.) With these glasses, you don’t need charms to keep glasses from getting mixed up - you can write with chalk on the glass. How cool is that? Write your guest’s name or leave a message - something to bring a smile to their face. These will make a great holiday gift!



3. Is your office cold?
Why not give an electric blanket. I have one at my desk and I use it all of the time, I lay it over my chair and use it to make a heated seat, call me crazy, but it is nice! Look at Walmart, Target or Big Lots, they usually have them reasonably priced.

4. Gift Baskets
Create a themed gift basket. Some examples would be a movie basket, a coffee or tea basket, candle basket, or include things from your local sports teams.

5. Edward Scissors
From traditional scissors found in workrooms and classrooms to those used in private kitchens and linen rooms, these scissors come with comical flair.


6. Sampler of different types of hot sauces. Click here, this website has a great selection. Or, try looking on Amazon.com.

7. Wine and lottery tickets
Who doesn’t like the chance to win money? Give a bottle of wine and attach a few lottery tickets, this was a hot item last year for our gift exchange.

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Remembering Our Troops Through the Holidays

There have been some recent holidays that have made us all think a bit more about our troops overseas and how they will be there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's...whatever holiday it is that they celebrate. Election day always brings about talk of the troops overseas, who wants to bring them home, who wants to keep the war going, etc. Then came the Marine Corps 236th birthday. I had to tell my husband happy birthday because he also counts this as HIS birthday too and gets really excited! And then there was Veterans Day. A day to reflect on all of those who serve and who have served our country.

We have some tough fighters out there who won't get to be with their loved ones during the holidays. As a way to make them feel a bit more at home, we are sending cookie care packages at our "big girl" jobs. Hopefully the whole office participates, but of course the six of us are.

You can also join in on sending a couple dozen, fresh baked (and there are ways to keep them that way through shipping) to America's hereos overseas. I would like to provide you with some baking and shipping tips and if you need an address to send your baked goods to, please add a comment and I can provide you with an address.

COOKIES & ITEMS TO AVOID
~ Certain cookies ship better than others. It is recommended that you do not mail any type of delicate cookie, such as Madeleines, as they may crumble. Cookies with custard or custard-like fillings or toppings, including cheesecake, could spoil due to extreme heat during shipping. Also, any cookie that requires refrigeration is not a good candidate.
~ Avoid any strong scented cookies as the other cookies may pick up the scent and taste.
~ The following items are PROHIBITED: Illegal substances, alcoholic beverages and pork or pork by-products.

PACKING TIPS
~ Include the recipe for your cookies so that service members with food allergies can make an informed choice.-Don't pack crisp and soft cookies together. The moisture from the soft cookies will seep into the crisp cookies, making them lose their crunch.
~ You can place the cookies in a tin or in ziplock bags to be placed in cardboard boxes. The U.S. Postal Service provides free military kits that include boxes, tape, address labels and customs forms.
~ Pack cookies in layers with wax paper. Lay a sheet of wax paper on the top layer and place a slice of white bread, not homemade, in the container to keep the cookies fresh during shipping. The bread will absorb moisture.
~Don't overstuff your container or your cookies may be damaged. Likewise, don't under pack your container. The cookies should fit snugly.

There are many items you can include with your cookies to cushion the containers from shifting during shipping.
~ New socks, boxers, towels or other soft, practical items
~ Individually wrapped hard candy, such as jawbreakers, lollipops or butterscotches.
~ Newspapers, magazines or comic books

Please remember that even if you don't believe in what is going on overseas, there are men and women there fighting for your right to have that belief. If it were not for them, who knows what our country would be like today. Do not take the little things for granted, such as cookies during the holidays, and remember to think of those who won't be with their loved ones for the holidays.

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Use It or Lose It

Have you ever held on to something, not because you like it, but because you feel obligated to? Maybe it was something you received from your first boyfriend, or a parent or grandparent who has passed, or maybe it was your child’s first school drawing. I’m sure we are all guilty of it. I am.

As Nick and I get closer to our official move-in date at the new house I am starting to realize how much stuff the two of us have accumulated living together over the past three years. I’m not one for clutter, and I don’t like the thought of keeping things you don’t actually need, but then why do I have a bin of horse show ribbons sitting in the corner of my room collecting dust? Sentimental value – for the moment, I guess.

It’s so much easier to get rid of things when you aren't emotionally attached to them. Old clothes, books, shoes, etc. Most of these things don’t matter much to me. I can easily get rid of them. I love to donate old things to AM Vets or Goodwill, and I do.

But what about the old things that you use, that you don’t love, could easily get rid of, but are strangely attached to?

For example, I have two matching corner book shelves, one of which has traveled with us to both of our previous houses, and the other one sits in my parent’s basement. They don’t match anything (other than the table and chairs that we also have, which used the same stain). The table and chairs never made it upstairs in the house we are currently in, and won’t make it into the new house. But I will keep them. Why? Because my grandfather, of whom I have never met, built them. I feel a need to keep them. I like them, but they just aren’t going with the décor at the new house.

My BFF and I had the same conversation this weekend about her mother’s plates. She thinks they are ugly, but she uses them, and feels obligated to keep them because they are her mother’s, but they aren’t her style.

There are two main reasons we save things:
1. We’re worried that, no matter how unlikely, we might want to use them someday.
2. Things have sentimental value – they are an anchor to a memory of a past event.

I’m certainly more #2 than #1… I’m good about, if I don’t use it, I get rid of it. But I hang on to those memories of the past. Needless to say, I will get rid of the bin of horse show ribbons before we move – I have no use for them. I will, however, keep my bookshelves and the table and chairs (for reasons #1 & #2).

I'm sure at some point I will let go of them, whether they end up in the garbage, donated or passed down to my children. I just know that right now, I'm not willing to part ways with a link to my past that I don't know much about. These are the items I have to remember a man I have never met.

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