The final five

Food
I am absolutely STUFFED right now. Like, Thanksgiving Turkey stuffed. We’ve started a recent Christmas Eve tradition of cooking a big breakfast!! Pancakes or French toast, bacon, sausage, hash browns, eggs, orange juice … the works! So the morning started off BIG!! We then exchanged presents between siblings and nieces and nephews and then went to (my favorite) OLIVE GARDEN! It’s not that their food is so amazing, well their breadsticks – yes, but it’s not about the food. It’s about the atmosphere and the feeling I get when I’m there. But needless to say, I walked out FULL!!

Thing I have taken for granted number 21
Never being hungry

Yes, I complain that I am hungry. I sometimes even misuse the word starved. But I’m not. I am very well nourished. Everyone I know is. It’s ironic, actually. They say we’re in this big depression and that Bush messed up the economy so terribly. But from what I’ve heard… most of us don’t even know what a depression looks like. The stories I hear about the great depression consist of families not eating for DAYS, and when they did get to eat it was little more than the size and consistency of a piece of salami. I know that people ARE hurting right now. I am not ignorant to this. People are jobless, people are struggling with money. I know people have it harder than those from certain times before… but honestly… we don’t know what it is to go hungry. At least none of the people I work with, go to school with, live around… or anyone else I know in my life for that matter. Talk to your grandparents about wanting.

Now go look in your refrigerator, and be thankful.


Religion
Anyone who knows me, knows that religion has been complicated for me.
I go through stages in my life when I can’t believe that PEOPLE actually believe the things they do. We are treading through out own mistakes and hypocrisies. I don’t like to think that when I die I’m done. POOF! Nice try, but you’re done. No deals, no buy ins, no persuasion. At the same time I don’t want to worshiping the people who give me rules to live by or I will go to hell. I don’t like that! I one point I went completely atheist. There is NO higher being our there. We are here alone. But one afternoon, I was driving in the winter. It was icy and had been snowing all day. As I began to turn, the ice took over and slid my car any which way it wanted to. And I prayed. I don’t know to who, and I don’t know why, but I did. And it really made me think. Why would I do that if I didn’t believe that SOMEONE was listening, or something? Maybe when I speak, maybe when I ask for help…I’m not just talking to myself. Because when the car stopped, The car was fine. Everyone else was fine. I was fine.


And the final three, my TOP three - need no explanation. And I don't think i could put it into words even if I wanted to.


3.Health


2.Love


1.Family

peace.love.happiness.

down me hands

I went to a party Friday night. NO, not one of those crazy wild college parties, more of a get together of people who were on my forensics team last year… combined with people from the team this year. Everyone looked great, cheery and Christmas-y, in good spirits. Many of us hadn’t seen each other in some time! As I sat talking with G, I noticed her Necklace, two silver keys on a chain. She went on to tell me that it was somewhat of a family ere loom. Passed down from girl to girl in the family, and now her.

Thing I have taken for granted number 20
HAND ME DOWNS

I can’t deny that I LIKE getting new stuff. It’s human nature. BUT some of the best things I have ever gotten in my life, once belonged to someone else. T-shirts, sweatshirts, necklaces. I LOVE things that have a history to them. That’s why I never want to build my own house. I want to move in somewhere that has a story behind it. A place that is above and beyond just MY existence. Christmas is kind of the Holiday of new things… but the best gift I’ve received was not new at all. When I was little, my mom had this ring that was give to her by my dad. It’s called a star sapphire. I used to LOVE looking at it. My mom would tell me that it started out as a regular sapphire, and that my dad had reached up in the sky and put a star in it for her. I LOVED hearing that story. I would ask all the time, just to hear it. And a couple years ago, my mom and dad had that very ring resized to fit my finger. It’s probably my favorite piece of jewelry, or favorite anything for that matter.
So cherish those things that didn’t come right for the warehouse to your home. Those are the things that make life interesting…. That make life special.

peace.love.happiness.

Solomente!

Alone time. Everyone needs it, but not everyone gets it. For new parents, it is a precious commodity. Being back in a house with 4 adults and 1 three year old, it’s interesting to see that I didn’t really realize how much is going on in a house that big. I guess I was so used to always having so many people around. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE having a lot going on, and it got pretty lonely in my apartment this past semester, BUT it’s weird coming back into a life of… tamed down chaos. On my later days for school, my alarm was what woke me up, but in the U house, it’s R’s little feet pounding in the upstairs hallway. And while many people would grunt at this and be annoyed, I find it so comforting. So I’ve been back in my house now for the longest I’ve been at one time since the summer… and I needed some time away.

Thing I have taken for granted number 19
Alone Time

So I find myself here, at Barnes and Nobel, enjoying my Mocha that I purchased with the gift card I’ve had in my wallet for WAY too long. It’s quiet, but not too quiet, and it’s EXACTLY what I need. Being alone is an interesting thing. I try to go several place (a restaurant, a movie, a coffee shop – without a lap top or book to read, etc) a year, COMPLETELY alone. I don’t really tell people because they always somehow feel bad for me. And when I walk in, yes – people look, well STARE is more like it. They ask me if I am waiting for someone and give me a look of pity when I say no. However, going to a public place alone is the best kept secret. Waiters treat you better and give you WAY more undivided attention. Sales people talk to you AFTER trying to sell you something, more people smile, and more people make little comments in passing. Maybe it is just because they feel bad for me. Maybe some people feel less threatened by a person alone, because I don’t have anyone to judge them with when they walk away. Whatever the case may be… I think it’s really healthy to go out, and be alone somewhere. Show the world your independence! LEAVE your comfort zone. Make being alone a personal CHOICE, so that when you are forced to be alone – you can cope and turn your loneliness into happiness.

An you’ll be amazed that it will help you enjoy being around other people THAT much more.

peace.love.happiness.

My FaVoRiTe

Thing I have taken for granted number 18:
Staying in for the night

From my last post, you can obviously tell that I enjoy going out. It's nice to have someone else taking care of everything. BUT in the same breath, I am VERY much partial to a night in. So for your I am going to make a personal check list of things to need to make a perfect night in, complete with all of my favorite things. Some new, some old.

A fireplace. It's a must! Nothing says cozy like a fire place.
A nice warm fuzzy blanket to keep away the draft - L knows all about that.
Christmas lights, even if it's not Christmas.
Really Warm socks.
A GREAT feel good movie. (The Holiday is a great suggestion, even if you've seen it.)
Some good hot cocoa or tea, possibly some "chocolate"
Great company, although sometimes you need alone time - and that can be very healing
A camera, to document the great evening
AND most importantly is to drop your worries at the door. This is a must. There is no point in having a night in like this, if you're going to spend it dwelling. Turn your phone OFF, don't look at your watch, eat and drink whatever you want regardless of calories.
Take an night for you!!

peace.love.happiness.

Better Late than NEVER!

No excuses, I'm behind!

So Wednesday night I went to the Claim with L and M. We decided to go out, have a good meal, fun, exchange presents.... etc. While there are a million and one things I am thankful for from that night, I'll take the one that I haven't already mentioned somehow.

Thing I have taken for granted number 17
Going out to eat.

So think about it. Most of us prepare and bake our own meals, it can take minutes - but sometimes takes hours, we do everything ourselves, we even clean up everything afterward. BUT when you go out to a restaurant, it's like walking into what your life might be as a millionaire. You're greeted at the door by your "butler." How many of you have a butler at home, yea. You never have to walk in and clean things up, so obviously you have a "maid." You have a "servant" who gets you everything you need so that you don't have to get up off your butt! You have your pick of the Menu (how many of you get to pick off of a Menu at home??). You have a chef, usually more than one. You have someone to clean up everything when you're finished with it. Seriously, I should spend more time in a Restaurant! :) We spend so much time complaining when we go out to eat. We waited to be seated, our food took to long, it wasn't perfect, something was wrong with what we ordered, our server was too slow.... BUT in the same breath, when we see or hear of rich people treating their staff like that, we are appalled. And then we make excuses about how it's their job and they are paid to do it... but so is that rich persons staff. Having worked in a restaurant for my fair time, I know how sad it is to have people treat you like you don't matter. Like this is all I am going to amount to ever. I didn't let it get to me too much, because I know what it can be like on the other side of the counter ... but still - I think we all need to be a little more appreciative of restaurants and the people who work in them. Especially around the Holiday's... because many of them are leaving their boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, mom/dad, brother/sister, best friend, and the worst to leave - Their children. So don't forget your pleases and thank you's.

peace.love.happiness.

Laughing Out Loud?

The News. They should really rename it the BAD news. I log in to my email account everyday, and I am forced to have a news feed come up, letting me know all of the horrific things going on in the world - in the past HOUR. I know that it's my responsibility to know what is going on in the world I live in... but sometimes, I just DON'T want to know. Children being killed by their parents? Father's and son's bombing banks together? REAL pirates trying to stir up trouble so they can get as much air time as Johnny and Orlando. I mean, COME ON! So about two months ago, after being so fed up with the friggin election, I changed some settings on my email account. 

Thing I have taken for granted number 16

The entertainment tab on my new feed

Now, when I switched to this tab, I was then bombarded daily with the "drama" of celebrities lives. As I logged in today, of course I got an ?earful? about Hillary Duff. "I've been accused by the press of giving lap dances at clubs. I mean, little ol' me? It's shocking."  Was this supposed be a joke?? Needless to day I felt so ashamed of CHOOSING to have these messages come up for me multiple times a day. So I switched to one of the other tabs, World News I think it was. I can't even tell you how many headlines had more the phrase "More than 20 people dead after...." 

Screw that. I went back to my entertainment tab. It's not that I want to ignore the news, or pretend that it's not happening. I don't want to disrespect the people who are living through these tragedies and deaths. But at the same time, I would rather be laughing at the fact that the biggest problem Ms Duff is facing is whether or not she gave a lap dance while be glad that I know that there are bigger more important things out there, even if I don't want to be reminded of them all the time. 

Find something to laugh about every day. It really does help soften the blow of the world we live in. 

peace.love.happiness. 

sthgil samtsirhc

As promised, writing my BLOG earlier! 

So I went out to lunch today with an old friend... that ended up lasting until dinner. But as I was sitting there, I noticed how it was decorated. With a little Christmas Tree, lights, ornaments, holiday signs.... And as we talked, I thought about how comforting these lights were, the decorations.... 

Thing I have taken for granted number 15

Christmas Decorations

I remember one year I was sick for just a day during the holiday season. It must have been before we got out for break, because I missed school. I had fallen asleep on the "sick bed" aka the couch in my font room, and when I woke up it was dark outside, but it was probably only 5 o'clock. As I opened my eyes, I saw the Christmas tree in the corner, with all of it's colorful, bright lights shining. I just remember that moment, how special I felt, how comfortable and warm, how much better I felt from the morning. That memory always comes back to my mind when I see lights and trees. They comfort me in a unique kind of way. 

A few years later I got really sick during the week before Christmas break. I had stomach pains like I had never had before, and I literally cried every morning when I had to leave for school. We had no idea what was wrong with me, and it took a lot out of me. I was so little and was so skinny when I was young, and not wanting to eat was bad news. We found out later that it was only Lactose Intolerance, which was a blessing compared to other things it could have been, but when I was sick and didn't know, the Christmas Tree and the lights on the railing always made me feel so much better. It took my mind off of my stomach. I felt kind of like the lights had some magic healing power. That they radiated some medicine for my stomach, or something. I knew that it didn't really.... but the feeling just seemed to magical. And to this day, it makes me sad when we turn the tree off for the night, when we pack it up for the season... 

So trust me, Christmas lights ARE magical! Just stare at the tree and TRY to keep from feeling happy... or smiling...  you can't. Now go turn on your tree and be MERRY!!

peace.love.happiness. 

ps: can you figure out what the title of this blog means??

1 new message

So I like to write my blogs late at night, but it seems that when i try to do that, it wont let me log in, and then I keep missing days!! So I guess I'll just have to start doing it a little earlier, which shouldn't be hard since I am official done with this semester! YaHOO!!

So yesterday I was going to write about these two tools that I been crazily using lately, and something that if I had to live without... I would have unfortunately lost many friends and many contacts this past semester. 

Thing I have taken for granted number 13

Text Messaging and Facebook

Keeping in touch with people is really difficult some times. Different cities, different countries... maybe even just different homes. I don't really call people as much as I should, and I'm really not all that fond of talking on the phone anyway, I like to multitask and that makes for a really crappy phone conversation. So I've really hit hard with the text messaging these past few months. It allows me to keep in contact while I am doing a million other things at the same time. Facebook... oh where do I begin. If it weren't for Facebook, I probably would have completely lost touch with everyone I've ever become friends with through just a class. You know... you meet people in a semester long class and you're great friends... after the semester ends you may occasionally see each other in passing, say hi chat for a few minutes. The next time, it's just a hello. After that, a head nod or smile....  eventually you ignore each other completely. Not out of rudeness, but it gets to that point where you almost wonder if they remember you. Or maybe you remember their face, but not their name. Or you wonder if that might be the case for them. Facebook has allowed me to stay in contact with those who with the previous description may have happened. So I LOVE the site for that.... even though it consumes more of my time than I would like....

MoViNg On

Oh today was one of my most favorite days of the year!! No, not December 14th and NO not Sunday (who likes sundays??) BUT

Thing I have taken for granted number 14

BAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES!!

So we, well I, made the dough this morning because it has to chill in the fridge for three hours. That we brutal when I was younger. Oh, yay, we're going to make cookies... but we have to take a three hour break for the STUPID dough. But now that I am older, I have more patience. Eh, who am I kidding, no I don't. I just know how to keep myself busy better. So the dough chilled, we picked up where we left off, and rolled the dough into balls, added toppings, insides, fillings, what not. I grudgingly put on Andy Williams, not because I like it, but because that's what we've always listened to while making cookies. The beginning of the Christmas season used to begin, REALLY begin, when my mom and dad took me and my brother to the mall to see Santa. And then afterward, we went to the dollar store to get our little silly gifts that we could afford with our own money. That night was when I started getting that Christmas feeling. It's harder to me to muster up that feeling now. I feel sometimes like the magic in Christmas doesn't exist anymore. But I know that's just silly, because Christmas and the whole idea of it IS magical. Now that I am older and don't go see Santa (well not that I tell anyone....) making Christmas cookies is that time for me when Christmas REALLY starts. So it has begun ladies and gentlemen... and so has the weight gaining... grr.... but as number 415 in the little book of christmas joys says: don't use the words "I'm on a diet" during the holidays. :)

peace.love.happiness. 

Good-aye Mate!

Yesterday was my day off from absolutely everything, because I am DONE with finals and this semester! As much as I loved school these past few months, I need a break for the first time in a year. (Physics and A&P didnt offer me much of a break this summer). So today is going to be another double whammy! 

I've been trying to make this video these past few weeks, so I needed to find a blank tape, so i ended up going through quite a few of them. I found the Senior year play, which was so fun to watch, I found my senior year homecoming stuff, and a bunch of stuff from right after my nephew was born and I became a god-momma. I realized that as humans we have this amazing ability to remember things and reminisce with others. 

Thing I have taken for granted number 11:

Memories. 

I took an Anatomy class this past semester, and the last few weeks were devoted to Neurology. We learned about many different things about the brain and memory, all that stuff. And unfortunately we learned about those who have lost such abilities. Huntington's, some types of Parkinson's, and the big one, Alzheimer's. These people with the aforementioned diseases struggle with varying types and severities of dementia. As if forgetting simple things like where the coffee is, what the garage code is, or where he or she left his or her glasses... they also sadly lose their personal memories: peoples names, recognizing their faces... holding your children as babies, watching their children get married, their OWN weddings, meeting their grandchildren.... and many other things. It's not just sad, but frustrating for them. It makes me sad to hear about people with this disease, strangers whom I have never met or seen.... to experience it secondhand or firsthand... would devastate me. I hold my memories to very close to my heart, even the bad ones, because I know that they have made me who I am, and they are a constant reminder that I am NOT perfect and I should not expect myself or other to be. Memories rekindle friendships, marriages, love... to lose those would be harder than any tangible thing on the planet. For those of you who experienced a love one battling a disease of this nature, I am sorry to the very brim of my heart. No one should be robbed of their memories, no one should have a loved one robbed of their memories. 

So remember to remember. And remember that you're lucky to have every memory you hold.

On that note, let's move on to something a little more happy. 

My sister has been corresponding pen-pal style with a girl from England for the past... well a while now. C made a trip here to America, and they were able to meet finally after months of emails. She was very safe about it of course, making sure that if anything happened she had "back up", you never know with the internet :) . The point of this is how amazing new friendships are and meeting new people is.

Thing I have taken for granted number 12

meeting new people from new places

I saw my sister smile and enjoy herself today more than I think I've ever witnessed. Sometimes I think making friendships online is more productive than in person. You know if you have things in common before you have to spend time with them :)  but anyway, I learned so many different things about England, like the fact that they only sell the kind of Coca-Cola that we discontinued (they have no Coca-Cola Classic, shock - amazement - i know!) While people from England and people from America aren't vastly different, there is still more of a cultural difference than you might think. Meeting someone new can seriously make you feel more happy. Ever heard the saying "fake it till you make it"? Well, usually when we first meet someone, we are on our best behavior. We aren't going to throw a pity party while our NEW friend it with us. We don't want them to have to spend the time comforting us about our problems, so we're focusing on the happy things in our life, the fun things. And believe it or not, even if you're kind of "faking" for the time that no bad things are going on in your life... it has an effect on you, that makes you kind of feel like there are NO bad things actually going on in your life. It helps you forget about the bad things. It helps you get a new perspective. It helps you enjoy yourself just a little bit more than the people you are more comfortable around. 

I need reminding most of all, but go out and meet new people. Be friendly to people you are in line with, people you are working with, in class with. Sometimes the greatest friendship are those you didn't expect to have at all. 

peace.love.happiness. 

I had trouble getting into my account last night, so today is going to be a double header. 

I am a girl who wears her jeans more than one day in a row without washing them, and I am not afraid to admit it! It always seems that I can never find more than one or two pair of jeans that fit me well at any given time. BUT those jeans fit me AMAZINGLY, AND I LOVE THEM. 

Thing I have taken for granted number 9:

My Blue Jeans

If I didn't have them, odds are I would be walking around pant-less nearly all the time, and especially with the weather right now, that would NOT be good. If you ask me, we don't appreciate our jeans nearly enough! Think about it, you can wear jeans to anything. I'm seriously contemplating wearing jeans under my wedding dress when the time comes. And I totally wish I would have worn jeans to the prom, it would have been SO much more comfortable. Jeans are like a really good best friend. They go with you  everywhere, they are there in good times and bad, they make you look good, they make you feel good, you can go to bed with them without them getting the wrong idea, they are supportive, and best of all - they are extremely comforting. 

Now, catching up to myself, todays REAL post. 

So yesterday it was freezing raining and regular raining and snowing, it was a mess. Today I don't have any finals, and therefor no school. For the first time in a long time, I slept in until 10:30, it was amazing!! I had all these plans to get some last minute shopping done, buy a sub sandwich, return some things, study. Basically have a very relaxed, chilled out day, taking my time to do everything and enjoy myself. I was so excited that my car was in the sun, so I didn't have to scrape the ice off of my car!!! Well instead, my tires were jammed in between ice, and I couldn't budge my car and inch. I tried for like 45 minutes. It was frustrating and cold. So finally I resorted to some good old man power!! 

Thing I have taken for granted number 10

The rescue kit my dad put in my car. 

I literally used a flat head screw driver and a hammer, and chiseled the ice from around my tires. On my hands and knees, I chiseled and chiseled. It took me a good 15 minutes, but I got my car out of the ice, yay!! Of course my AWESOME jeans were soaked, and I was freezing, but I made it!! So if you don't have a safety rescue kid in your car (one that is preferably dad-approved) GET ONE!! you never know when you'll need anything or everything in it! And don't underestimate getting down on your hands and knees and digging your way out of a problem. Sometimes, it's the only way. 

Drive safe these next few weeks!!

peace.love.happiness. 

OTH.. you might want to read the WHOLE thing first...

If you don't know this already, I am addicted to One Tree Hill! While I wouldn't go as far as to say it was actually a GOOD show (totally incomparable to HOUSE, the early CSI years, the early ER years, etc) it is my "drug" of choice. Anyway, I am very involved and invested in the characters, and the Peyton-Lucas love cycle, the Brooke fiasco's, the Deb and/or Dan psychotic episodes... and the list goes on. 

Now I know what you're thinking, One Tree Hill, seriously, that's what she chose to write that she takes for granted?? Well, insert name here, it's a little bit more complicated than that. 

Thing I have taken for granted number 8:

One Tree Hill, in a round about kind of way. 

First point to be made, when I moved out of my house for the first time this past fall, it took exactly one hour, maybe less, for me to start missing it and my family. I had very few friends, no cable, stolen internet, little food, and worst of all - no dog :(  So I logged onto my computer, stole some internet, and watched old episodes of One Tree Hill. OTH was my very best friend for a good two weeks. Of course, at the rate I was watching them, the number of episodes left to watch dwindled very quickly. 

Now that I have adjusted... a little bit... to life away from home, and found a good balance to keep me happy, One Tree Hill has begun to do some other favors for me, ooo la la. ;)  Since the show started on September 23, 2003 OTH has been known for featuring new, up and coming bands as well as solo artists. Would anyone else know who Kate Voegele was if she hadn't first played Mia?? If your song is played in a OTH episode, your record sales are probably going to sky rocket the next day, or more relevantly - iTunes downloads. 

Getting to my point, I don't feel very well tonight, and I have finals in the morning and it is stressing me out big time. So what did my mom suggest? Listen to some music. It was then that it occurred to me that 75% f the songs on my "chill out" mix are from One Tree Hill. Less popular songs from Jimmy Eat World, The Replacements, Stereophonics, The Weepies, and MY current number 1, Angels and Airwaves. Angels and Airwaves was the big talk from the USO show episode. Initially I was very annoyed with the main singers rhyming patters.... but found myself hooked on the song soon after. So I looked at a couple more, and a couple more... and finally their whole CD. They are an AWESOME group, and I hope they come to tour here soon! 

Getting closer to my point, music has an AMAZING ability to help us when we are at our worst. A simple song can change our mood, emotions, feelings, and so on. I've been listening to my songs since I started this blog, and already I feel much better and am not freaking out like I was thirty minutes go, when my AWESOME mom called me to tell me to snap out of it (in much kinder words... and without the Cher Slap.) So by now, you know what One Tree Hill has to do with all of this, and I guess what I am truly thankful for, and take for granted, is Music in general. 

Next time your get in your car, try turning off the radio and have complete silence.... it SUCKS! I take it back, don't try it because it's just plain depressing! 

Now go listen to some Christmas music, have a cup of hot chocolate (or as my nephew pronounces it haht tchawkwit) and have a Merry Night. 

peace.love.happiness. 

School??

Like everyone else in the student world, I have been spending my last week or so STUDYING big time for final exams. I seem to have this wall that I hit, when if I study ANYMORE, I will start losing information! I hit that point about five minutes ago. It's been a weird semester. Going from ALL general education classes, to ALL classes that apply to my major! This semester was very scary to go into. I was VERY worried that I would take all of these classes and decided : oops... I really don't like this after all. Thank goodness I'm having the exact OPPOSITE reaction. YES, I did realize that I have a LOT of work ahead of me and it's going to be a very demanding degree.... but I enjoyed my classes this semester, and if hard work is all that it's going to take... then I'm GAME! 

Thing I have taken for granted number 7:

My Education. 

Now I am going to say something that will probably sound ridiculous to most people I went to High School with... but I LOVED COD. It was an amazing start to my higher education, and if it were a four year school, I would still be there, by choice. I had some AMAZING teachers that really inspired me, and made me think that I can accomplish some amazing things. If it weren't for one of those teachers I never would have done speech, I never would have become a National Champion (in anything, probably ever), I never would have realized how much I LOVE public speaking, and I never would have done such a kick ass honors projects! I am so thankful for COD and my teachers there. NIU had a very tough act to follow. While I am still adjusting to it quite a bit, my teachers have really made it as good as it could possibly be. I'm being taught by ALL PHD's. (no, that doesn't stand for what Phoebe was told....) It's intimidating being taught by people who have so much knowledge. At the same time, it's extremely rewarding! 

I can only hope that things continue to get better and better, like it did at COD. 

For those of you who go to COD (or went there)  be PROUD. The college is amazing, and the teachers are some of the best in the nation. Don't listen to the people who bash it, they don't know a good thing when they see it. Make your time there amazing! 

Most importantly, don't give up on your education! It's so important, and above all a PRIVILEGE! Remember that. Going to college is something you GET to do, not something you HAVE to do. 

Good Luck on your finals!

peace.love.happiness. 

Company

I got up at about nine this morning, extremely pissed off at the fact that I didn't really fall asleep until about three hours earlier at 6ish. I go in and out of Insomnia cycles, and one night of non-sleep usually signals that it's going to be a LONG and frustrating few weeks worth of nights. With finals coming up next week, I'm in dire need of my sleep! Needless to say, I was pretty darn cranky. BUT at about 9:56 or so, I got a phone call. Because of the Switchfoot ring tone, I knew right away it was L. She used her jedi mind power to get me to Dunkin Donuts, which in case you didn't know - America Runs On. As I was walking out the door I said bye to the fam and assured them I would be back shortly. 

hmmm.... I lied. Unintentionally of course. 

Thing I take for granted number 6:

Good Company and a Good Gab Session 

One conversation melded into another and into another and so on. After being at a new school, where I really don't know a whole lot of people, I haven't really had any REAL conversations with anyone. And until this morning, I didn't really realize how much I had been missing. 

It's nice to sit and talk, especially when you and the person you're speaking with think so much a like. I realized how very therapeutic an hour and a half could be. Venting about what we needed to (and oh did we need to!), problem solving the problems that needed solving, giving advice, sharing secrets, and dreams (literally the dreams we had the night before, which were so weird!) I could go on.... but hopefully you all know and experience the value of friendship. 

So I'll cut it short tonight... to hopefully catch up on the sleep I missed last night?? fingers crossed. 

peace.love.happiness. 

Coexist

It's FRIDAY, so naturally I made my way home for the weekend. It's not really that far of a drive, but some days it seems longer than others. It's interesting, every time I'm driving home, I always come across a truck with no back, only a ladder.... random thought. Anywho. As I drove along, listening to my Xmas playlist on my iPod, I saw a light blue van with a bumper sticker. Normally I don't like bumper stickers, but this one caught my attention. Some of you may have seen it before. It's the word COEXIST and each letter is a symbol that represents a religion or belief.   http://www.peacemonger.org/images/CoexistMeaning.jpg  The C is the symbol for Islam, O is peace, E (which is different on some designs, but in the one i saw) was the male/female symbol, X is the Star of David, the i is dotted with a wiccan pentangle, the S is the yin-yang symbol, and the T is the Christian Cross. What caught my eye with this particular sticker was that most people use a bumper sticker as a way to force their idea (religious or not) down everyone else's throat. How many "McCain AND Obama are awesome" stickers did you see this past year? Exactly. I enjoy any symbol that promotes free thinking and the idea that that person is not going to judge you based on a belief you hold so close to your heart or try to FORCE you believe in something they hold dear to their heart. Isn't this America? Isn't this country about Freedom of.... everything? Once I googled this bumper sticker, I found a surplus of sites that offer t-shirts, stickers, sweatpants, bags, mugs.... etc. Plenty of items I would be proud to display in my life. 

Thing I've taken for granted number five: 

Understanding and Forgiveness (and all people who value and practice these ideas.) 

While I would have LOVED to have screamed and swore at that RED truck going EAST on I-88 at about 10:04 this morning (Iowa License Plate) , or perhaps the 3 cars (one was a Black Pontiac Gran Prix) that illegally did NOT stop for the school bus letting out a child headed WEST on Butterfield Road at about 2:19 this afternoon (what was a school bus doing dropping kids off a 2:19 anyway??) I remembered that this IS the holiday season, and decided to remind myself by singing obnoxiously "IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON the holiday season " and remembered that I don't want to be on Santa's Naughty list this year. 

So let me be your reminder: STOP being crabby!! QUIT being mean!! OVERCOME your irritability and get in the Christmas spirit for goodness sake! 

peace.love.happiness. 

Something we should ALL be thankful for ALL the time

I was doing some Christmas shopping at WalMart today. I'm still not used to the WalMart here, so of course I have to go up and down every aisle to make sure I get what I need. However, loving walmart the way I do... I don't mind spending a little extra time there. I was quite impressed too, because I didn't even have to wait in a check out line... which is unheard of during the holiday season. After I got everything on my list, I went to the little girls department, to look around for  a present for my gorgeous niece. (whom everyone says looks exactly like me... so did i just compliment myself?) As I held up a top, analyzing it a little too much... I heard a voice. He said with a chuckle, "Well that top would look just fine on you." I turned to find a man, probably in his late 60's. And then I stood there for that awkward moment, you know - when you're not sure if it was just a comment in passing or the start of a conversation. After a few seconds, I decided that in the holiday spirit - I would start the conversation. I asked him if he had children and grandchildren and his face lit up like nothing I had ever seen before. He told me how much he enjoyed shopping for them - more so when they were little kids -  now it was just too hard to follow what they liked. I gave him my insight on some computer games I thought they might like. As he was informing me of not knowing anything about computers, I noticed he wore a hat. On it was a patch that said "Veteran of the United States Army." 

Thing I have taken for granted for too long number 4:

Our service men and women (which is sad, considering my brother-in-law IS a veteran)

As he was beginning to thank me for the suggestions on the computer games, I was amazed at how someone who risked his life for the country I hold so dear -  who deserves to be treated with the utmost respect - was so gracious and thankful to ME... for suggesting computer games. These people, these men and women.... are of a different breed. I stopped him as he turned to walk to the electronics' section, and told him how thankful I was for him and what he did for me, my family, my friends, and our country. He looked at me, smiled and said "you are most welcome." and added, "Well I better go find my better half." 

I am so thankful for our service men and women. You have a place in my home, a place at my dinner table, and most importantly -  a place in my heart. THANK YOU!

peace.love.happiness. 

WATER

After a cold, snowy day here in Dekalb,  I was ready for some serious Nap Action. And so I cuddle up with my pink fuzzy blanket, pretend that my pillow was my dog... and doze off. I was all warm and cozy, until i realized that i was going to have to get up and eat and do things normal people do... So I crawled out from under the blankets, put on two hoodies on the way to the door, and shook to the kitchen. Made some warm dinner, that DIDn't warm me up. Finally, enough was enough. It was hot shower time! Have you ever really took a nice hot shower for no reason. Not to get clean, not to look nice, not to wake you up.... but just to take one. Well I did that today. I got into the shower a grumpy cold girl. I let the water run a little bit warmer than usual... and I just kind of stood. I stepped out a happy warm girl. A shower transformed my whole day. Any achy bones, cold feet, bad feelings just melted away with this shower. I take these showers for granted everyday. Think about people who don't have showers, or can't shower often. Of course It's terrible because they can't clean themselves. but on a psychological level.... they don't have the opportunity to just melt a bad day away with a ten minute shower. The power of the shower is stress relieving. 

 

Go visit a friend with kids. tell them you will watch them without pay while he or she goes and takes a nice warm LONG shower!! It will make their whole day better!! 

What's cooking good lookin?

Thing I have taken for granted number two:

A home cooked meal!! Tonight I had some of my family over for dinner (and really missed the others!!). I cooked dinner myself. And although I didn't make a fancy meal or even something difficult, I was very nervous! Is is good? Is anything over done, under done? Did I put too much of this, too little of that? And here I was only cooking for my family, who would grin and bare it not matter how bad it tasted... well maybe not my brother... but I'm sure SOMEWHERE deep down, he would appreciate it. But maybe it was MORE important because it was the people I love. I wanted to impress them on a much more personal level than anyone else I know. As I prepared dinner, I thought of my mom. Who, by my calculations, has probably cooked about 11,000 meals in her adult life. (probably more.) And all the times I complained, letting her know that I thought it was "yucky" or "ewwie" Although it was probably just that I didn't like the taste, and wouldn't have liked it even if a gourmet chef made it.... I wonder if it hurt her feelings. Or after a while did she just get so used to it, it stopped? And either way, it makes me sad. Even the most simple meal takes work... even going to pick up takeout takes time... and here I was nearly every night... ungrateful. And now tonight, my mom sat at MY dinner table, eating the meal I prepared... and although she could have gotten back at me.... she assured me countless times that it was "amazing" and "excellent." She even helped me with the dishes - which I doubt I did very often. 

So there it is...

Don't underestimate a home cooked meal, and if you can - get out to a homeless shelter this season, or donate canned goods. Spread the cheer with food for those who can't afford it themselves. 

peace. love. happiness.  

December 1st, 2008

I have been amazingly overwhelmed with how many things I take for granted every day. However, there was one thing that really stuck out.  So here it is, thing I have taken for granted #1:

Having someone to take care of me. 

My nephew was sick today. This normally playful little boy was curled up under a little blanket. While he should have been bouncing off of the walls, he was plastered to the couch. My motherly instinct kicked in. Setting him up with a blanket, tucking him in, getting him a little portable TV tray to eat his lunch off of, even lifting the triangular cut piece of jelly sandwich to his mouth. And it made me curious. How did I know what to do? what made me do what I was doing? how did I have that "just right touch" to make him feel better vs just making him feel annoyed? 

Answer to all of the above: my mom and my dad.

 I wasn't an overly sick child but I had my colds, my flu's, my infections. And now I picture myself back then: little, achy, curled up on the couch with my blanket and my koala. And for the entire time I was sick, I didn't have to move from that spot. A little TV tray would make it's way over to my side, a cup with a top and a straw was constantly replenished. Something I loved was on TV or in the VCR. Anything I wanted (within reason of course) would find its way to me. My dad would always bring home the Ginger Ale or the Cherry Sucrets. My dad, my mom, or both would sit with me at the doctors office, holding my hand, playing with my hair, tickling my back. It was as if the whole world stopped for my to get better. But when I look back now... my parents just stopped THEIR whole world to take care of me. It's ironic that of all the days I've spent sick in my life, what I remember is being cared for. Even at my worst, when I was hospitalized at age Two, the ONLY thing I remember is my mom holding my hand the entire night. Everything else about those sick days have long since faded away. 

So pay it forward. Take care of someone else when they are sick. Even if they're not a little kid. Everyone needs to be taken care of every once in a while. 

So there you have it, folks. The first item to my list.

peace. love. happiness.