Am I The Only One?

Am I the only one who is annoyed about the Black Friday bonanza spilling over onto Thanksgiving day?

Actually, that's a rhetorical question. I'm not the only one who is annoyed. I've been scouring social media platforms this evening looking for evidence of other's discontent on the subject, and I found plenty.

You see, I'm so thankful for the things I have, but that's just the issue: they're things. Possessions. Objects. Sure, I think some of the things I own are pretty cool, and certainly there are many other things that I would like to own, but that aren't in my price range. Objects, though, do not have the meaning that relationships have. For what it's worth, I think that possessions aren't what makes life worthwhile, it's the relationships we have. I don't need "big-ticket items" like a TV to enjoy life. In fact, I don't even have cable (there's not much in the way of TV programming that's worthwhile, in my opinion), and I actually don't miss it one bit since I made the decision to get rid of it.

My family, friends, co-workers, and others are worth far more to me than any object.

Where did that thought process break down in our society? It seems like more and more people are less focused on Thanksgiving (these days, I sometimes wonder how many people know the holiday's origin), and are more focused on Black Friday deals.

I'm a Black Friday shopper. I go out every year in search of deals, but I absolutely refuse to go out on Thanksgiving Day to shop for objects when I could instead be with people that I care about and who care about me. This isn't a new feeling for me, because I distinctly remember discussing this last year.

Sadly, there is a demand for these stores to be open on Thanksgiving Day. I understand the insistence from these companies that their customers have asked for sales on Thanksgiving, but wouldn't it be great to see some companies taking a stand? Have a backbone. What about an ad that says something like, "we believe in giving thanks, and we're thankful for our employees and their families, so we won't be opening our doors until 6 am on Friday?"

So, this year, I'm talking to you, Sears, Kmart (opening at 6am on Thanksgiving Day? Really?), Target, Toys R Us, and Target. There are others, I'm sure, but those are coming to mind first. Let your employees enjoy the holiday, and stop making it sound absolutely urgent that I leave my family on Thanksgiving to find a good deal.

Sears actually responded to my tweet on the subject, saying that they were focusing on seasonal employees and those who volunteer to work on Thanksgiving. It's the same response they have sent hundreds of others who are raising concerns about the hours of operation. In response, I asked whether there would be a consequence for employees who didn't volunteer and how many were "volunteering" out of necessity. I haven't gotten a reply to that one.

What do you think about all of this?

Christmas Memories

So glad Cameron loves Christmas as much as
I do!

Recently, I have noticed something, something a little exciting: this Christmas, as I sat beside the family Christmas tree (kudos to my mom, it was beautiful!), I realized the little things really bring me lots of joy, perhaps more than I thought. A good book (not surprising) can keep me entertained for hours, but put me in a kitchen with all the right ingredients, and I could probably spend the whole day just putting a dash of this, and a tad bit of that into a glorious-smelling concoction. You can imagine my excitement, then, when I opened a brand new panini maker (for the record, I could live off paninis if it was socially acceptable...). It's safe to say I had visions of sun dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella dancing in my head. Yummmm!

Then came the biggest moment of the season...drumroll?

I GOT A KITCHEN AID MIXER! Yes, the stand-up kind that makes me think of adorable little 1950s housewives. and it's RED, my absolute favorite color in the whole wide world. I am beyond excited to use it and have all kinds of plans for home-made breads and pizza dough, not to mention all the cookies and muffins.

However, what I have been unequivocally blessed with this season is a group of incredible people who constantly surround me with love and support. My family and friends mean the world to me, and I could not have been happier to spend the holidays with them. My grandmother has always loved Christmas, and I can remember her asking in June for our lists ever since I was a kid. Seeing her kid-like joy on Christmas is a memory I will always treasure, and watching my  expanding extended family laugh and talk was so fulfilling to me.

Perhaps the most meaninful gift I received this year was a box from my grandmother filled with old family photos. Everything from photos of me as a baby, my dad growing up, and my family as we grew together was included, and I must say, the note she included made me tear up.

Here's to a wonderful year, to health, to friends, and to family. May your New Year be filled with joy and the happiest of memories.

We Will Never Forget

In a couple weeks, Americans will wake up to a somber litany of news and television specials. The 10th anniversary of the horrific events of 9/11 will undoubtedly bring painful memories rushing back to our consciousness.

Yahoo! has set up a collection of stories from everyday Americans who live every moment in remembrance of the terrorist attacks. After watching a few of the videos and reading the stories, it became impossible not to write about them. Take a look by clicking the link above...but keep a box of tissues handy!

I remember the morning the news broke as if it were today. I was just starting the 7th grade, and I had just arrived to my drama class. One of the "class clowns" rushed into class and told me the World Trade Center was hit. At the time, I had no idea what the World Trade Center was, nor did I have any clue as to what such an attack meant. I remembered the Columbine shooting, and in my young mind, I thought it must be something similar, only it was someone's office building that was hit. I didn't understand that the "office building" was a source of pride among so many Americans, nor did I understand just how deeply this would wound the public.

When I got home from school, after having listened to live coverage in each class that day, and watching a few students being called to the office (I later found out they had family in New York or at the Pentagon), I had to babysit. I remember the scope of the attacks were just beginning to sink in, and I wasn't sure what that meant for my own safety. I think the most heartbreaking moment of that day, for me, was hearing the little girl I was babysitting ask me, "are we going to be ok?" How was I supposed to answer that? I barely knew how to process what was happening, let alone how to explain to a kindergartner that she should not be scared...How could I? I was scared, and I'm sure I wasn't very convincing when I told her she had nothing to worry about.

I've never given blood, but this year, even though it seems small, I'm going to get over my hesitations and march to the nearest donation center. We may not be able to fully heal the wounds of those who lost family and friends that day, but maybe we can help someone heal now. What if every one of us donated a pint of blood, volunteered for an organization providing aid to our veterans, or gave to a cause supporting the families of the 9/11 victims? Imagine the good that could still come of the tragedy 10 years ago.

May we never forget, may we always hold our loved ones dear, may we stand together, one nation, undivided.

Rainy Days Aren't Meant For Kids...

Those of us over the age of 16 felt a little bad for the kiddies today after waking up to dreary skies. The adults began to load up on coffee, preparing for a day cooped up in this little cabin, and the kids were ready for adventure from the moment they woke up. Since their grandma had arrived in the evening yesterday, it was still exciting for them to see her.

Seizing this opportunity, the older cousins all got ready at record speed and set out for the neighboring town to do a little shopping. Of course, this meant stopping in the stores with free food samples, and not actually purchasing anything. After walking for a time, we concluded lunch was in order, and realized that perhaps our indecisiveness was a family trait, not just individual, lovable (we like to think) traits. Needless to say, a few hours away was a welcome treat, and nothing could have reminded us of that more than the events of the ensuing hours.

Shortly after stepping foot back in the cabin, we were greeted with "Moooom!! Mommy!! MOM, SHE HIT ME! SHE WON'T SHARE THE SQUEAKY DUCK!" Ahhh, the joys of motherhood. I took the opportunity to relish in my ability to return any and all children to their respective mothers. Yes, that was a comforting feeling, to be sure. A few hours later, as we finished dinner and were entertained by chanting of the "ice cream and cake, cake, cake!" variety, we coulbdt have agreed more as an exhasperated 6-year old looked desperate to quell the arguing and fussing, and complained, "I'm just over all this noise!"

A quick nod around the table and the adults agreed, yes we were as well, and so to bed the kids were sent. Overall, all the kids did well for being stranded inside all day, and each had her moment as the little angel we know they each are. Sometimes, even on the cranky, no-nap, rainy days, it's just as funny to see them so concerned over such trivial things... Well, at least it is with the luxury of a child return policy ;)

Decaf? What does that mean?!

Ah, the beach. A beautiful breeze, the hot sun, perfectly warm water... And about enough sunscreen to choke a horse. My family isn't exactly known for the ability to tan, so instead we load up on our SPF 70 sunscreen (50 if we feel like living on the edge), and off we go. After sprinting across a busy highway to get to the beach (5 kids in tow, of course, makes it a little more challenging because that also means all the sand toys we're carrying), we set up the two umbrellas. Yes, two. We can't have our freshly sunscreened skin out in the sun!

After a while of building sand castles (which are routinely knocked down by the only boy in the family...ahem...), I have the pleasure of giving approximately 400,000 underdogs, by my count. Of course, once my arms can barely lift a feather and my head has gotten a few swift kicks, it's only natural we should splash around in the water.

When finally everyone was winding down an the kids (really more like the adults) were ready for a nap, we trekked back to the cabin, cleaned off, and started dinner. The "big kids," otherwise known as the 20-30 something year olds, settle down with a good book, take a short nap in the sun (who is the traitor who brought the decaf coffee?? How do they expect us to be alive without regular coffee?? Obviously they are not really part of this family), and chat about boys, weddings, and babies-- our favorite topics, duh!

By the end of the day, though, we were all glad to be together again, even if we have to disown someone for the terrible, even disgraceful, choice in coffee.

Oh, And One More Thing

While we're on the topic of the Royal Wedding, I should add that I fully intend on seeing Kate's wedding dress at some point. It is now number one on my List of Things To Do Before I Die. Anyone who could make this happen is strongly encouraged to inform me. Immediately.

Alright. I'll give it a rest, but only for now. As soon as the royal couple announces a pregnancy, you know I'll be writing about it. Don't say you weren't warned.

Today I find myself in the northern parts of the Motherland. It's the annual Grandma's Week, and it's our first full day at the little brown cabin that used to seem so big. You see, Grandma's Week is a special week. My grandparents only had granddaughters, so it was all very cutesy for many years. All the girls would head up to the cabin with Grammie and Poppa in the old blue station wagon, and once we arrived, we'd scurry across the busy highway to the beach and played on the rickety teeter-totters and metal slides. Those, of course, are now completely inappropriate in today's But My Child Can't Get a Skinned Knee, He'll Never Recover From Embarrassment society, and have since been removed, so you can rest easy knowing we won't have any skinned knees here.

Here's where it got fun those days. There were six of us a the time (my sister wasn't born yet. She's the first to tell you our lives weren't exciting until the day she graced us with her presence...) and since we were young, we washed our hair in the lake and all in all didn't mind only having one bathroom, which was primarily for the four adults. Now things are different. Now we're in our twenties and thirties, and we most definitely do care that we share (a much needed) second bathroom, because now there are great grandchildren. Don't get me wrong, they're adorable, I love seeing them when I can...but 16 people is a lot more than 10.

Grammie still asks about the "plays" we put on for the adults when we were kids (and teens), which ranged in both quality and subject matter (literally, from marriage to basketball stars on steroids). Needless to say, I feel at this point that I am a little old for parading around in old, beat up prom dresses from the 80s on the front porch of the little cabin for all to see. Traffic has been known to stop and watch these plays. I wish I was kidding.

I have no doubt that many stories will come out of this little excursion, so stay tuned. After all, who doesn't love the classic situation involving 15 (yes, there is 1 boy now) women, two bathrooms, and only 4 bedrooms? It can only lead to one thing: Thinking. About how much we really do need another bed.