Thanksgiving

So the subject of Thanksgiving came up yesterday. What the plans were, where we would be, who would be there....

Made me reflect on how it used to be. My extended family was not close by in childhood. We always lived away from everyone so holidays were about the only time we really got to see them. And it was always an extended occasion. We would travel to the grandparents, join up with the aunts, uncles and cousins and we would visit. Hang out. Do stuff. Then, Thanksgiving Day would arrive and we'd cook and eat. Well, they would cook and then we'd eat, I was still a kid after all. I had no real appreciation for the effort that was involved in feeding that monstrous crowd!

And then we'd hang out a couple more days and then journey back home.

It seems Thanksgiving has somehow gotten sandwiched between our busy days, our Christmas planning and it just doesn't get the focus it once had. We spend one day, or even one part of a day, being thankful, eating, visiting and then we're off! It's Christmas time, the music on the radio changes, the stores change, the news is full of shopper news, and so are the papers!

Just for the record, I don't shop the Friday after Thanksgiving. I know that surprises you. :-)

So this year, I want to do something different. I want to slow down, be thankful, hang with friends and family. I'm open to suggestions, invitations, whatever...

What do you want Thanksgiving to look like this year?

peace.

Virgin Territory

This has been a week of firsts. 


I went back to school clothes shopping for a couple of little BOYS! I'd never done that before. Are dinosaurs in? Does everything have to do with sports of some kind? Is it important to match? 


I would hate to think the clothes I purchased are the reason for some little kid (whom I never met BTW) getting beat up on the playground or jumped into a gang at the age of 5. So I tried to stay very neutral, no big logos, no big artwork...OK, there's the one with the cool dinosaur and camo shorts but other than that....and hey, does sleeveless make you a dork? I also had to buy boy drawers and socks. Sorry boys, but tighty whities is all I could muster. 


The other thing this week brings is my daughter's first wedding shower. MY DAUGHTER's first wedding shower. I'm so happy for her, but somewhere inside I'm still 20 something and this just can't be possible. Maybe that's just the way life goes. 


My body grows older, but my mind aged to the point that it was done. Maturity, wisdom, grace...all these good and beautiful gifts of age continue to grow, but my self-perception, the way I think, well....not so much. 


I kind of like it. I kind of like the feeling of youth in my head and yet the wisdom of getting older also residing there. I don't sweat the small stuff anymore, I definitely like that. Well, ok, except for this. But that's different.


I guess that is the beauty of age. The recognition that it happens, the ability to live beyond it. Pretty cool.


"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD."
Psalm 25:4-7


peace.

Shopping

I don't know if I've ever confessed this here, but shopping stresses me out. Well, not exactly all shopping. Specifically, clothes shopping for myself.

I hate it.

It is a guaranteed moment of heart-pounding discomfort accompanied by the very obvious sweating. Very obvious, why you ask?

Well, I was gifted with the ability to only sweat from the neck up. That's right. Red face, dripping brow, soaked hair. It's lovely. Oh, but dry armpits. No stink. Great.

So picture the moment. Arms full of potential clothes, sales person in hot pursuit, asking too many questions. Awkward, sweating, red woman. Got it? Yeah, that's me. It's also the reason I do 90% of my personal shopping online.

But here's the deal. My daughter is getting married and I need a dress. I've looked online and loved several things. But this is not my usual fare and I'm going to have to go try it on. Which means I'm going to have to go shopping. My friend Barb has offered to go with me. I'm going to take her up on it. She has no idea what's she's in for. (well, she does now cause I'm pretty sure she reads my blog. So I'll just say "Sorry Barb, but you volunteered!" now and get it over with)

So if you happen to be in the store when I'm shopping, pay no attention to the red, wet-headed woman behind the curtain. She'll be fine once she's out of the store. I promise.

peace.

vintage is another word for my childhood

Or at least it seems that way some days. I love this blog from Kelly, a friend of mine who is uber-creative and has fabulous, eclectic taste.

Anyway, back to vintage...she asked the other day what the first poster I ever owned was...and it got me to thinking. I didn't really decorate as a kid, no money, no parental interest, so yeah. But as a budding teen, I discovered Tiger Beat and baby, it was on!!

So I confessed to her and now to you THIS was the first poster I ever owned.

He's done himself no favors in adulthood, but he was dreamy and cute in his teen years. (by the way, it's Leif Garrett) The poster is now labeled vintage, as I guess, am I.  :::sigh:::

peace.

It's the simple things

There is a lot to be said for the enjoyment of simple things. A clean house, a lawn that's freshly mowed, spring flowers in a mason jar, playing cards with friends or a favorite candle burning.

Life is so busy that I often forget to pause and enjoy.

I want to make the time to take time. I know, sounds redundant, but think about it. If I actually scheduled my down time instead of letting it be stolen by whatever, I might find everything else a little more peaceful, tolerable.

So I'm going to do just this. My art room is clean, I will go make art. And I'll be doing that from 5-7 this evening. Leave a message, I'll get back to you. :-)

peace.