Ok, this one is kind of a cop-out. We were supposed to go to the Essex Studio Walk, but a friend asked if we wanted to join her for a late run to Kings Island. And since we are pass-holders, we decided it was a good idea.
We didn't do much but get our first look at the 2011 edition of the park... it's a lot like the 2010 edition, but with a very large tower of a ride that isn't operating yet, and an animatronic dinosaur to greet you just inside the front gate.
Immediately, we headed to Boo Blasters so that Jerry could school us in the art of shooting a laser at a target. First round scores: Jerry - 1410, Gina - 510, Marilee - 420. Jerry made sure to point out that at least he didn't triple my score.
We then made our way through Kiddie Land to Rivertown, just taking in the sights. A quick dinner of Potato Works Fries (did you know that "Rivertown" spelled backwards is "Potato Works Fries"?), and we were off to the Beast. I made sure that we didn't ride over a wheel, but the ride still beat us up pretty well. I swear it's been sped up! And riding in the dark but with the lights in the tunnels on is not awesome!
We made our way through Coney to the Racers - which still both go forward :(
A quick walk through Action Zone made us (me and Marilee) realize that we only really like Drop Tower any more. We're getting so old.
We stopped to ride Der Viking Fury. Jerry chose the seats, and unfortunately, he selected seats directly in front of 3 screaming girls who basically told us once we were seated that we would be annoyed because they were cheerleaders and were gonna scream the entire ride. Also annoying: nobody does the "Tastes Great!"-"Less Filling" shouting match anymore. What is the world coming to?
After exiting the Viking Fury, we strolled through the Emporium, checked out the lighted area behind the Eiffel Tower and decided to end the night with Jerry beating us once more on Boo Blasters.
Except he didn't!
Final Scores of the night:
Jerry - 420
Marilee - 589 (something was wrong with her last digit)
Gina - 710
Take that, husband!!!!!
Next week, we will watch the Reds (hopefully) dominate the Cardinals, and collect Sparky Anderson bronze statues!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Keeping it Local: Demolition Derby
Jerry and I have always said that we want to find ways to incorporate more local activities into our lives. We try to find restaurants that are small local favorites (El Pueblo, anyone?) and participate in activities that are uniquely Cincinnati. It is my hope that I can add a local weekly feature to the blog. I need to get better about actually updating it more often though!
Actually, a few months ago, I applied for a new job (shocking, I know) with the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network. I was even in the process of creating a blog to highlight all of the local things that we do and show my love of this city. That didn't work out so well. Before I had even chosen the design of the blog, I was informed that my resume was not moving forward. No biggie... it was a little bit bigger job than I was probably ready for anyway.
However, as Jerry and I try to invest locally, I thought that it would be a nice addition here as a small segment rather than a dedicated blog.
For a friend's birthday, she invited us to dress up in our hillbilly best - we went for fresh-off-the-farm chic (wish I had taken a pic because Jerry and I were cute!) - and join her to celebrate her birthday by watching automobiles slam into each other. The admission fee was only $10 per person and I think that it was $10 well spent!
The Derby consisted of 3 rounds: Tractors, Mini-Derby, and Full Derby.
The Tractor Competition featured 11 or 12 tractors customized for the event. One was driven by a little guy who appeared to be no more than 10 years old. He lasted a pretty long time, but ultimately came in somewhere around 4th or 5th. The entire Tractor portion might have lasted 10 minutes. The roars from the crowd as tractors flipped over and lost wheels were great! (I don't know why these photos are importing all funky, but here are some photos...)
Final round was the full derby. I think the entire field included 8-10 cars and it looked a little something like this...
Actually, a few months ago, I applied for a new job (shocking, I know) with the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network. I was even in the process of creating a blog to highlight all of the local things that we do and show my love of this city. That didn't work out so well. Before I had even chosen the design of the blog, I was informed that my resume was not moving forward. No biggie... it was a little bit bigger job than I was probably ready for anyway.
However, as Jerry and I try to invest locally, I thought that it would be a nice addition here as a small segment rather than a dedicated blog.
Keeping it Local Adventure #1: Demolition Derby at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds.
For a friend's birthday, she invited us to dress up in our hillbilly best - we went for fresh-off-the-farm chic (wish I had taken a pic because Jerry and I were cute!) - and join her to celebrate her birthday by watching automobiles slam into each other. The admission fee was only $10 per person and I think that it was $10 well spent!
The Derby consisted of 3 rounds: Tractors, Mini-Derby, and Full Derby.
The Tractor Competition featured 11 or 12 tractors customized for the event. One was driven by a little guy who appeared to be no more than 10 years old. He lasted a pretty long time, but ultimately came in somewhere around 4th or 5th. The entire Tractor portion might have lasted 10 minutes. The roars from the crowd as tractors flipped over and lost wheels were great! (I don't know why these photos are importing all funky, but here are some photos...)
After the tractor competition, came the Mini-Derby - 3 smaller cars and a quick competition. Again, the crowd roared as engines smoked and cars were crumpled. I can't remember who won, but I wanna say it was 701.
Final round was the full derby. I think the entire field included 8-10 cars and it looked a little something like this...
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| The field as the derby begins. |
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| It would appear this guy is missing a tire |
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| But if you look closely, his axle snapped (It's now sitting on the hood of the car) |
Post-derby, we headed to Quaker Steak & Lube in Colerain for some wings. I tried the boneless wings with Buffalo Blue Dry Rub. I have to be honest, I didn't really enjoy them. But I did enjoy my mini mason jar full of alcohol. Apparently, I am making a mason jar collection. Jerry opted to use my Joe's Crab Shack jar for his beer yesterday. And he liked it!
Next local adventure possibility..
- Essex Studio Walk (and visit to American Sign Museum)
Next local adventure possibility..
- Essex Studio Walk (and visit to American Sign Museum)
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Primer aniversario
(Be forewarned... brevity is not my specialty)
On April 8, Jerry and I celebrated a very happy first anniversary of marriage. On April 9, we continued the celebration by watching nephew Jacob's soccer game, running by the Taj Ma Hoell to complete our 2010 taxes, and heading up to Dayton International Airport to catch a flight to San Juan, PR (Via Washington Dulles).
And you have to remember to watch out for the iguanas:
We then stopped by the Puerto Rico Tourism Center to try a local drink (free rum drinks in the lobby), Casa DonQ to try to local's favorite rum, and the Old Harbor Brewery to try a San Juan microbrew. Time to walk off all those drinks, so we headed to La Princessa and walked the 3/4 mile walk outside the city wall - only to learn that the back entrance of the El Morro fort is closed from this side. We walked about a 1/2 mile back to the gate, up a large hill to the cathedral, and finally made our way to the front entrance to the fort, where we took a quick tour before heading back out to the streets of Old San Juan.
We stopped at DonQ again to make a few purchases and headed back to the hotel for light bites and drinks at the lobby bar.
As we made our way back to the hotel, we noticed one or two (thousand) signs for a restaurant called Richie's Cafe. It was slightly past the resort entrance so we decided to try it out since it was lunch time. The food was good, the drinks were expensive, and the view was amazing!
We ended the afternoon lounging by the pool and finding out that Tiki Bar happy hour was cancelled. We decided to try the Iguana's Pub at the country club inside the resort where I had a delicious veggie burger, before settling in for a night of relaxation.
We ended the day with happy hour at the Tiki Bar where our favorite bartender, Warren, might have slipped us an extra rum punch on the house. We called it an early night in light of our early wake-up call for our flight home.
While there was the occasional rain shower, the weather couldn't have been better! We had an amazing time and cannot give enough thanks to everyone who helped us make it happen...
Jerry's parents who let us use their Wyndham points
Gina's parents who entertained Corby on Saturday evening
Eric Faber who provided house- and Corby-sitting services throughout the week
Thank you all for making our first anniversary special!
On April 8, Jerry and I celebrated a very happy first anniversary of marriage. On April 9, we continued the celebration by watching nephew Jacob's soccer game, running by the Taj Ma Hoell to complete our 2010 taxes, and heading up to Dayton International Airport to catch a flight to San Juan, PR (Via Washington Dulles).
Ah, Puerto Rico: where gas is sold in liters, speed is displayed in mph, and distance is measured in kilometers...
And you have to remember to watch out for the iguanas:
We had an action packed trip to Puerto Rico, but we made sure to allow plenty of time for relaxation by the pool. We headed first to pick up our car. On advice from a former Puerto Rican resident and a host of PR travel sites, I requested a compact car. PR drivers are crazy and a compact car would allow me to easily maneuver the craziness. After a ridiculously long wait, we were told that they didn't have any compact cars (it was late, they barely had any stock left), and that they were going to give us an SUV for the same price. This had me slightly worried - you're going to give me a huge car when I ordered a small one? Then this rolled up:
That's right: the 2010 version of the car that I drive everyday! We headed off to el Walmarto to pick up a few snacks and drinks since we heard the resort was a wee bit on the expensive side. And finally around 11:00, we checked into the Wyndham Rio Mar. After begging for a room change so as not to have to watch/hear the pool-goers everyday, it was pajama city.
Sunday, April 10
I was, of course, up very early the next morning to see the view from room:
Sunday was a mostly quiet day around the hotel - touring the grounds, relaxing near the pool for a bit, and enjoying lunch and island drinks at the Tiki Bar. Once it was dark, we headed toward Fajardo to check out the biobay. Because the bioluminescent plankton can only be seen when the moon provides the least light, this was the only day that we could go during our trip as the moon was headed toward full. We kayaked out to a lagoon and back. Because we had to walk through water and were wet the entire time, we couldn't take cameras and therefore have no pictures :(
Monday, April 11
We were supposed to sit through a sales pitch first thing in the morning, but thanks to a whole bunch f confusion, we got out of the sales pitch and still got our free gift: a cabana by the adult pool with chips, drinks, and fruit! After a sitting by the pool for a bit, we headed to the Luquillo Kiosks for lunch at La Parilla where we enjoyed the local specialty: Mofongo (fried plantains mashed with garlic and butter).
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| Plain Mofongo |
After lunch, we explored the rest of the kiosks and headed back to the hotel in time to hit happy hour at the Tiki Bar: 2 for 1 rum punch - my mom would be in heaven here! We had a simple dinner a few more drinks at the lobby bar before hitting the resort casino and quickly losing $20 (but getting free drinks).
Tuesday, April 12
We headed to Old San Juan. Our plan was to first stop at El Churry - a food truck featured on Man vs. Food - to try a local specialty. Unfortunately, El Churry is no more - or possibly it has moved, but it wasn't where we were told. As we entered Old San Juan, we were starving, so we dined at Cafe PR. |
| Lunch: Chicken Stuffed Eggplant with rice and fried plantains |
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| Walking up to El Morro |
Wednesday, April 13
Based on advice from various websites, we drove to El Yunque early in the morning. It was a long an arduous drive since the entrance to the rainforest was across the street from the resort entrance. We drove the main road of the rainforest and decided that we would hike one of the medium size trails: La Mina. We hiked way down to La Mina falls and intersected another medium size trail: Big Tree. We hiked back up the very steep trail thinking that it ended somewhere near La Mina. We ended about 1.5 km from where we started and were forced to hike back up the main road to find our car. Did I mention that it was the RAINforest? It was constantly misting and we hit one heavy downpour, otherwise, the weather was great. |
| La Mina Falls |
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| Overlooking the resort from Richie's |
Thursday, April 14
Jerry really wanted to see Arecibo - a large radio-telescope which I had never heard of until he mentioned it shortly before heading to PR. After a 2 hour drive, mostly along crazy winding roads, we explored the giant dish in the ground and learned why PR is such an amazing location for the research coming from this facility. They have a neat display of the planets throughout the property, located to show the relative distance from the sun. Our drive back through the winding country roads was interesting, particularly when we stopped for goats who had gotten away from their owner. Our trip back included stops for souvenir shopping and drinks at the Luquillo Kiosks. At the hotel, happy hour was back on, and dinner consisted of light bites at the lobby bar.Friday, April 15
It was our last day in PR, so we cashed in on that free cabana rental, and lounged by the pool all day (minus a short break to hit the beach a few steps away). |
| Free Cabana! |
We ended the day with happy hour at the Tiki Bar where our favorite bartender, Warren, might have slipped us an extra rum punch on the house. We called it an early night in light of our early wake-up call for our flight home.
While there was the occasional rain shower, the weather couldn't have been better! We had an amazing time and cannot give enough thanks to everyone who helped us make it happen...
Jerry's parents who let us use their Wyndham points
Gina's parents who entertained Corby on Saturday evening
Eric Faber who provided house- and Corby-sitting services throughout the week
Thank you all for making our first anniversary special!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
My Anniversary was Last Week
I said that at the one year mark I would blog about the past year and take up blogging more often.
But...
I have been in Puerto Rico since the anniversary date on a VERY much needed anniversary-moon vacation. We returned last night and I have so many things to talk about that I haven't been able to properly organize my thoughts.
This week, I will catch you all (both?) up on the lives of the McWhorters. After Tuesday, I am either gonna have good news or a bad mood.
Come back to find out why...
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Holy Relaxing Weekend, Batman
Not too relaxing, but kinda just what we needed.
It was a rough week at work for me. If it could go wrong, it most likely did. I bust my...er, hump... everyday with very little reward. I tell Jerry everyday that I'm not going to take it anymore - not going to come in early, stay late, or take anything personally. And yet there I was on Friday: in the office by 7:30 and stuck there until 5:15 while others "worked" from home since the boss took off early for a family trip.
But I digress.
After a particularly frustrating day, I came home Friday night to relax on the couch with my husband while enjoying some basketball. I think that I was asleep by 10:30 at the latest!
Sleep was decent since the boy stayed relatively quiet until early in the morning, so I wasn't fighting him for blankets. I was up early and contemplated hitting up Zumba but decided to work around the house instead. Husband and I did some extensive cleaning up and cleaning out. For the first time in a VERY long time, the office is just shy of immaculate. Laundry is done and put away. Ugly peel-n-stick tile is mostly removed from the storage area in the basement. Husband bottled one batch f beer and brewed a second. I would go so far as to say this house is clean... enough for the cleaners that are coming next Saturday! The highlight of our day was heading to Chicken on the Run for dinner and bumping into friends who recently moved into the neighborhood.
Sunday started with breakfast at my parents and then home to finish a few cleaning items. I only popped into my work email once, and that was simply to get the link to my NCAA bracket. As I write this, UNC tied up the game that will determine whether I win the office bracket challenge (everyone has had their final four selections knocked out except for me, but I still trail by 30 points). Failure update: UNC lost :( Other than a few cleaning issues, it has been a pretty lazy day.
Best Weekend Ever... until next weekend when we go to the April 2 Reds game and April 3 Reds Un-Cut show at the Aronoff... and then until the following weekend when we leave for Puerto Rico.
An then the next best weekend ever will occur on whatever weekend falls between the last week that I work at my current job and the week that I take up a new one (working on it!). Wish I could predict when that will occur...
It was a rough week at work for me. If it could go wrong, it most likely did. I bust my...er, hump... everyday with very little reward. I tell Jerry everyday that I'm not going to take it anymore - not going to come in early, stay late, or take anything personally. And yet there I was on Friday: in the office by 7:30 and stuck there until 5:15 while others "worked" from home since the boss took off early for a family trip.
But I digress.
After a particularly frustrating day, I came home Friday night to relax on the couch with my husband while enjoying some basketball. I think that I was asleep by 10:30 at the latest!
Sleep was decent since the boy stayed relatively quiet until early in the morning, so I wasn't fighting him for blankets. I was up early and contemplated hitting up Zumba but decided to work around the house instead. Husband and I did some extensive cleaning up and cleaning out. For the first time in a VERY long time, the office is just shy of immaculate. Laundry is done and put away. Ugly peel-n-stick tile is mostly removed from the storage area in the basement. Husband bottled one batch f beer and brewed a second. I would go so far as to say this house is clean... enough for the cleaners that are coming next Saturday! The highlight of our day was heading to Chicken on the Run for dinner and bumping into friends who recently moved into the neighborhood.
Sunday started with breakfast at my parents and then home to finish a few cleaning items. I only popped into my work email once, and that was simply to get the link to my NCAA bracket. As I write this, UNC tied up the game that will determine whether I win the office bracket challenge (everyone has had their final four selections knocked out except for me, but I still trail by 30 points). Failure update: UNC lost :( Other than a few cleaning issues, it has been a pretty lazy day.
Best Weekend Ever... until next weekend when we go to the April 2 Reds game and April 3 Reds Un-Cut show at the Aronoff... and then until the following weekend when we leave for Puerto Rico.
An then the next best weekend ever will occur on whatever weekend falls between the last week that I work at my current job and the week that I take up a new one (working on it!). Wish I could predict when that will occur...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
No good excuses
It's been a tough week. I have been mentally, emotionally, and physically challenged this week. I am drained, and in desperate need of some change!
Fortunately, this week has been flying! I have to prepare my work time sheets a day in advance so that I will even know what day it is.
Reds opening day is one week away and Jerry and I took the day off work. I think I am going to attempt to sprinkle in a few personal projects in addition to meeting with a landscaper and (of course) watching the game.
Then it's only 6 more days of work and we are off to enjoy our delayed honeymoon in sunny Puerto Rico. Maybe some down time will bring with it new perspective. Maybe all of my work projects will perish in my absence. You never know what to expect.
Fortunately, this week has been flying! I have to prepare my work time sheets a day in advance so that I will even know what day it is.
Reds opening day is one week away and Jerry and I took the day off work. I think I am going to attempt to sprinkle in a few personal projects in addition to meeting with a landscaper and (of course) watching the game.
Then it's only 6 more days of work and we are off to enjoy our delayed honeymoon in sunny Puerto Rico. Maybe some down time will bring with it new perspective. Maybe all of my work projects will perish in my absence. You never know what to expect.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Here Chickie, Chickie... and ugly eggs
Today, I made cake pops! As I mentioned before I want to make them so badly! I decided that I am making them for Easter, so I needed to practice today. The chicks looked adorable, but the eggs just didn't look as good as I would have hoped considering the effort involved. In any case, here are some pictures...
The eggs took a ridiculously long time. I gave up trying to paint on the corn syrup to add the colored "ribbons" because it was falling off in clumps. Adding the individual decorations took a REALLY long time because you have to add a drop of coating to get them to stick. And since you need so little, it dries very quickly.
In any case, they are finished and I am about 90% sure I will not do the eggs again. Unless I come up with a better method...
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| Yellow cake batter, ready to go into the oven |
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| Cooled cake (after husband had a piece) |
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| Crumbled cake (spread out to dry a little more) |
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| Balls of cake and vanilla icing |
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| Everything it took to decorate - candy melts, lollipop sticks, star decors, spring mix, rainbow chips, corn syrup, spring colored sugars, and edible black markers. |
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| Man down! This one was too warm when I dropped it in the warm candy melts. It was properly disposed of - tasted delicious, too! |
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| Chickies! |
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| "Egg," getting ready to decorate |
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| Finished chickies and eggs! |
The eggs took a ridiculously long time. I gave up trying to paint on the corn syrup to add the colored "ribbons" because it was falling off in clumps. Adding the individual decorations took a REALLY long time because you have to add a drop of coating to get them to stick. And since you need so little, it dries very quickly.
In any case, they are finished and I am about 90% sure I will not do the eggs again. Unless I come up with a better method...
Friday, March 18, 2011
On a roll...
With or without butter? Whoa, throwback joke! Anyone? Mr. Dillon - 5th grade?
Look at me, I'm on a roll. Updating the blog multiple days in a row. I really have nothing to say.
I rolled my ankle walking out to the garage this morning, so that was fun.
This is boring, so why don't you look at this picture of the world's cutest puppy instead:
Look at me, I'm on a roll. Updating the blog multiple days in a row. I really have nothing to say.
I rolled my ankle walking out to the garage this morning, so that was fun.
This is boring, so why don't you look at this picture of the world's cutest puppy instead:
With all of his Christmas toys. Bet you can count on half of one finger how many are left! (There was a rope attached to that purple heart thing. The rope has been shredded, but it is the only remaining item from the lot.)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The Other PR
Not Pleasant Ridge sillies... Puerto Rico!
As you may (or may not) recall, husband and I were married almost a year ago in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. Since we essentially vacationed out there around our wedding day, we never took a real honeymoon. The plan was always to take a one year anniversary-moon.
Since we have confirmed our house/dog watcher, I feel comfortable telling you that we are headed to the Wyndham Rio Mar in Puerto Rico. I am so excited. I haven't been on such a big vacation since my family went on a cruise a few years ago. (I am not counting Vegas because there was more work than there was relaxation involved)
The goal is relaxation, but here are some of the things we might give a try:
Biobay Tours (there is only one night that we can even consider this!)
Hanging out at Luquillo Beach
Visiting Old San Juan - Where, I am told (by someone originally from PR), the Pina Colada was invented!
Hiking in the el Yunque Rainforest (ha-can you imagine us hiking?!?!?! It's gonna happen!)
What would you do?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Cake Pops!
I decided that I MUST make cake pops, especially since Ashley Schleyer has already done it! But I have no occassion requiring such delights. So, I decided that I will (without being invited/asked to) make some for my family's Easter gathering.
However, I can't just up an make them without practice. So, this weekend, I am practicing my cake pops.
However, I can't just up and make them without supplies. So, every day this week, I have been at Michael's and/or JoAnn Fabric purchasing various supplies. I have to go every day because I am using coupons and I can only use one at a time. I have just a few more items and one might require a trip to the Cake and Candy Supply store (conveniently close to my house).
I am gonna (attempt to) make these babies:
Which should come first, the chickies or the eggs???
Also up for consideration - Buddy Christs (with the holes in his hands and everything):
On second thought.... seems like too much work.
Check back next week for pictures of practice-awesomeness!
However, I can't just up an make them without practice. So, this weekend, I am practicing my cake pops.
However, I can't just up and make them without supplies. So, every day this week, I have been at Michael's and/or JoAnn Fabric purchasing various supplies. I have to go every day because I am using coupons and I can only use one at a time. I have just a few more items and one might require a trip to the Cake and Candy Supply store (conveniently close to my house).
I am gonna (attempt to) make these babies:
Thanks for the photos Bakerella!
Which should come first, the chickies or the eggs???
Also up for consideration - Buddy Christs (with the holes in his hands and everything):
Check back next week for pictures of practice-awesomeness!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It's about that time
As I previoiusly mentioned, the blog needed a little dusting off and sprucing. Since it is now baseball season, the blog got a baseball makeover. Go Reds.
There are lots of exciting things going on for me right now. I hesitate to talk about and possibly jinx any of them. I will say that I am taking a more active approach to managing my life rather than letting it be dictated by others and things. That involves many small, incremental changes.
I am currently working on a personal project. I am in the process of creating a new blog and focusing on my online presence in this age of web marketing. I was going to give you a hint of the new blog, but it is still in design and without a single word written. I don't necessarily like the look of it yet and I have to focus on what I want that brand to be, so... Check back next week for those updates, I guess.
There are lots of exciting things going on for me right now. I hesitate to talk about and possibly jinx any of them. I will say that I am taking a more active approach to managing my life rather than letting it be dictated by others and things. That involves many small, incremental changes.
I am currently working on a personal project. I am in the process of creating a new blog and focusing on my online presence in this age of web marketing. I was going to give you a hint of the new blog, but it is still in design and without a single word written. I don't necessarily like the look of it yet and I have to focus on what I want that brand to be, so... Check back next week for those updates, I guess.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Oops...again
I caught a little heck from the husband for the lack of updates on this here blog. And heck, it still has fall theming. Yikes! (This has since been updated - You're welcome!)
Truth be told...
I haven't felt funny in a while. And let's face it, what's a blog, really, if not a dose of humor?
In a bit over a month, Jerry and I will be married one year. How about I promise this: I will do a recap of our first year of marriage and then I will make a formal editorial schedule for how I'm gonna blow your mind with this blog. I mean, that's what I do at work - the editorial schedule thing, not so much the mind-blowing thing - so I should be able to handle this, right?
Quick recap:
We still have the most handsome and deeply rotten dog on the face of the planet.
I had some kind of wicked stomach flu 2 or 3 weeks ago. I do not recommend it, unless you really enjoy sleeping on a cold tile floor in the middle of the day, cuddling with your toilet.
I am still employed despite my inability to train my hand to properly type 2011 (I am so stuck in 2010!). Seriously, I get regular emails about how my clients probably hate me because I keep accidentally typing 10 instead of 11. If we lose an account because I typed something as 2010 when I clearly meant 2011 and the document was not externally facing, I will eat my own shoe.
The days are getting longer, and by coincidence the nights are getting shorter.
I officially declared baseball season a little early by retiring my Bengals sweatshirt in favor of a a Reds pullover jacket. But then pitchers and catchers reported to the Spring training facility and all was right with the world.
I am currently starving and heading out to get lunch!
Peace!
Truth be told...
I haven't felt funny in a while. And let's face it, what's a blog, really, if not a dose of humor?
In a bit over a month, Jerry and I will be married one year. How about I promise this: I will do a recap of our first year of marriage and then I will make a formal editorial schedule for how I'm gonna blow your mind with this blog. I mean, that's what I do at work - the editorial schedule thing, not so much the mind-blowing thing - so I should be able to handle this, right?
Quick recap:
We still have the most handsome and deeply rotten dog on the face of the planet.
I had some kind of wicked stomach flu 2 or 3 weeks ago. I do not recommend it, unless you really enjoy sleeping on a cold tile floor in the middle of the day, cuddling with your toilet.
I am still employed despite my inability to train my hand to properly type 2011 (I am so stuck in 2010!). Seriously, I get regular emails about how my clients probably hate me because I keep accidentally typing 10 instead of 11. If we lose an account because I typed something as 2010 when I clearly meant 2011 and the document was not externally facing, I will eat my own shoe.
The days are getting longer, and by coincidence the nights are getting shorter.
I officially declared baseball season a little early by retiring my Bengals sweatshirt in favor of a a Reds pullover jacket. But then pitchers and catchers reported to the Spring training facility and all was right with the world.
I am currently starving and heading out to get lunch!
Peace!
Friday, December 17, 2010
If I were to write our Christmas letter...
I love getting Christmas update letters in the mail. This is not sarcasm. I particularly like it when my name is mentioned. I always feel though as if I would never have enough to say to merit an entire letter, should I write my own. However, I do imagine it would go a little something like this...
Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays from the Jerry McWhorter II -Electric Boogaloo family!
It's been an exciting year for the McWhorters, but you would know that already if you had Facebook.
In January, Gina began a new job with a Business-to-Business advertising agency. It was nice at first, but has since been ruining her personal life and kind of making her bitter. Her boss made her route her work email to her mobile phone and keep it with her at all times, including the week that she and Jerry were in Las Vegas getting married.
We officially became "The McWhorters" in April. We were married in a lovely ceremony at the Chapel at Planet Hollywood Resort. No, silly, we didn't have an Elvis impersonator perform the ceremony! Wouldn't that have been unique and not a stereotype at all? We were blessed to share the day with our closest family and friends, as well as the World Wide Web. We were also blessed to have this time to vacation as it would be the only break that we had all year.
Back home in Ohio, we vowed to take greater advantage of our home town and all it has to offer. We got to see the Cyclones win the Kelly Cup and were live to view the walk-off home run by Jay Bruce that gave the Reds the NL Central title. We also enjoyed the annual craft brew series at Habits Cafe - a new brewery every Wednesday throughout the summer! Our social calendar was full, but I can hardly remember much of it - maybe it was all that craft beer or the fact that my boss managed to interrupt every social event we attended with something asinine. But I digress.
We made some major updates to our home and became good friends with the tile department of every Lowe's in the tri-state area. But now we have nice bathrooms, have eradicated the 3 (yes 3!) layers of disgusting linoleum in the kitchen, and enjoy an updated look on our screened-in porch. Thank you Obama for the first-time home buyer credit!
In August, we added to our little family. We adopted Corby, a seven month old lab mix, from the Butler County Humane Society. Turns out that by "mix," they simply meant that he looks like a lab, but who knows what's in there. After his first visit to the vet, we were told that he might gain a little more weight, but he was as big as he is going to get. We are thinking there is some terrier in him. This made us a little sad as he's gonna be the little guy who gets picked on at the playground. However, he is ridiculously handsome. That's not a proud parent talking - that's what we hear everywhere he goes. We can't help it if it's true. He's as rotten as he is handsome, though.
Jerry permanently hung up his FedEx Kinko's/Office apron at the end of August to start a new career as an estimator at KDM Pop Solutions. There are a lot of similarities with his previous position, but more differences. He now has respect and works with mature adults. This gives us less to talk about over the dinner table as all he can say is, "I love my job."
We are looking forward to spending the holidays with the family so that Corby can meet all his cousins: Jacob, Jared, Jordan, and Joshua. This will be our first Christmas as husband and wife, so... I don't know... will it feel any different than the last 3 we have spent together?
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
The McWhorters
Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays from the Jerry McWhorter II -Electric Boogaloo family!
It's been an exciting year for the McWhorters, but you would know that already if you had Facebook.
In January, Gina began a new job with a Business-to-Business advertising agency. It was nice at first, but has since been ruining her personal life and kind of making her bitter. Her boss made her route her work email to her mobile phone and keep it with her at all times, including the week that she and Jerry were in Las Vegas getting married.
We officially became "The McWhorters" in April. We were married in a lovely ceremony at the Chapel at Planet Hollywood Resort. No, silly, we didn't have an Elvis impersonator perform the ceremony! Wouldn't that have been unique and not a stereotype at all? We were blessed to share the day with our closest family and friends, as well as the World Wide Web. We were also blessed to have this time to vacation as it would be the only break that we had all year.
Back home in Ohio, we vowed to take greater advantage of our home town and all it has to offer. We got to see the Cyclones win the Kelly Cup and were live to view the walk-off home run by Jay Bruce that gave the Reds the NL Central title. We also enjoyed the annual craft brew series at Habits Cafe - a new brewery every Wednesday throughout the summer! Our social calendar was full, but I can hardly remember much of it - maybe it was all that craft beer or the fact that my boss managed to interrupt every social event we attended with something asinine. But I digress.
We made some major updates to our home and became good friends with the tile department of every Lowe's in the tri-state area. But now we have nice bathrooms, have eradicated the 3 (yes 3!) layers of disgusting linoleum in the kitchen, and enjoy an updated look on our screened-in porch. Thank you Obama for the first-time home buyer credit!
In August, we added to our little family. We adopted Corby, a seven month old lab mix, from the Butler County Humane Society. Turns out that by "mix," they simply meant that he looks like a lab, but who knows what's in there. After his first visit to the vet, we were told that he might gain a little more weight, but he was as big as he is going to get. We are thinking there is some terrier in him. This made us a little sad as he's gonna be the little guy who gets picked on at the playground. However, he is ridiculously handsome. That's not a proud parent talking - that's what we hear everywhere he goes. We can't help it if it's true. He's as rotten as he is handsome, though.
Jerry permanently hung up his FedEx Kinko's/Office apron at the end of August to start a new career as an estimator at KDM Pop Solutions. There are a lot of similarities with his previous position, but more differences. He now has respect and works with mature adults. This gives us less to talk about over the dinner table as all he can say is, "I love my job."
We are looking forward to spending the holidays with the family so that Corby can meet all his cousins: Jacob, Jared, Jordan, and Joshua. This will be our first Christmas as husband and wife, so... I don't know... will it feel any different than the last 3 we have spent together?
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
The McWhorters
Friday, December 10, 2010
Feeling "poor"
I suddenly had a feeling today that I appear poor to some people. I also realized that most of my friends seem ridiculously greedy this time of year...
Jerry and I decided to sponsor two children in foster care whose foster parents do not have the ability to buy them gifts. Jerry sent me a message stating that we have so much that he would like to share it with others this Christmas. Somewhere along the way (somewhat through a miscommunication), this thougt turned into, "Let's spend money on these children and forego exchanging gifts with each other." I have to tell you that this is a GIANT sacrifice for me as everywhere I go, I see things that I want to buy my husband.
It's true though, we are not needy. Anything that we want for ourselves, we either buy it right away or establish a plan of action to get it. We both come from amazing, giving families who have never and will never let us go without being able to meet our basic needs.
I have been extra stupid-sappy this Christmas because I am so proud to be married to a man who never asks for anything and seeks primarily to make others happy. Just yesterday, we invited a friend to join us for the Cyclones game this evening. He laid out a laundry list of reasons why he couldn't go, finally ending with, "I can't afford it." As if on cue, hubs and I looked at each other, nodded, and having never said a word to one another turned to this friend and offered to treat him and his daughter to the game as a gift. I love that we both have that attitude and the relationship to know we are each thinking it.
I have been asked by many people what I am getting my husband for Christmas. They are often shocked to hear that we aren't exchanging gifts. My co-worker even made a comment about how she and her husband are fortunate enough to have stupid amounts of money to spend on each other at Christmas. I felt like she was looking down on me and calling me poor in that singular statement. (this would be the same person who once told me that she would consider divorcing her husband if he didn't get her an extravagant gift for Sweetest Day - a made up holiday!)
On top of that instance, I read facebook status updates all the time about people who are requesting some perfect, unattainable gift from a spouse or family member. And I see them as purely greedy. It kinda makes me sick and a little sad for them at the same time. Yes, I have given people Christmas wish lists - upon request. But I do it hesitantly and only because I know that I will be receiving a gift from them either way, so it may as well be something that I like.
I don't know exactly where I am going with all of this other than to say that I am not poor. I have more wealth than it is fair for Jerry and me to keep to ourselves. I just wish that being charitable did not leave others with such a bad impression of me, particularly when the response should be quite the opposite.
Jerry and I decided to sponsor two children in foster care whose foster parents do not have the ability to buy them gifts. Jerry sent me a message stating that we have so much that he would like to share it with others this Christmas. Somewhere along the way (somewhat through a miscommunication), this thougt turned into, "Let's spend money on these children and forego exchanging gifts with each other." I have to tell you that this is a GIANT sacrifice for me as everywhere I go, I see things that I want to buy my husband.
It's true though, we are not needy. Anything that we want for ourselves, we either buy it right away or establish a plan of action to get it. We both come from amazing, giving families who have never and will never let us go without being able to meet our basic needs.
I have been extra stupid-sappy this Christmas because I am so proud to be married to a man who never asks for anything and seeks primarily to make others happy. Just yesterday, we invited a friend to join us for the Cyclones game this evening. He laid out a laundry list of reasons why he couldn't go, finally ending with, "I can't afford it." As if on cue, hubs and I looked at each other, nodded, and having never said a word to one another turned to this friend and offered to treat him and his daughter to the game as a gift. I love that we both have that attitude and the relationship to know we are each thinking it.
I have been asked by many people what I am getting my husband for Christmas. They are often shocked to hear that we aren't exchanging gifts. My co-worker even made a comment about how she and her husband are fortunate enough to have stupid amounts of money to spend on each other at Christmas. I felt like she was looking down on me and calling me poor in that singular statement. (this would be the same person who once told me that she would consider divorcing her husband if he didn't get her an extravagant gift for Sweetest Day - a made up holiday!)
On top of that instance, I read facebook status updates all the time about people who are requesting some perfect, unattainable gift from a spouse or family member. And I see them as purely greedy. It kinda makes me sick and a little sad for them at the same time. Yes, I have given people Christmas wish lists - upon request. But I do it hesitantly and only because I know that I will be receiving a gift from them either way, so it may as well be something that I like.
I don't know exactly where I am going with all of this other than to say that I am not poor. I have more wealth than it is fair for Jerry and me to keep to ourselves. I just wish that being charitable did not leave others with such a bad impression of me, particularly when the response should be quite the opposite.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Ugh... incoming boss rant!
Yesterday, my boss saw an open tab on my computer that said "Careerbuilder." Had he asked me about it at the time, I would have shown him that I was reading an article about the professional fields that are showing growth for 2011 (IT or engineering, anyone?).
However, he didn't ask me.
Instead, he sent me a message about 3 hours later stating that he was upset that I was seeking a new job and that I should be discussing such things with him. He also insisted that he is making personal sacrifices to ensure that everyone in this company is happy and had a job in such difficult economic times. By sacrifice, he means (and he has told me this on more than one occassion) that his take-home pay is less this year than it was last year.
Then, today, I found out that he hired a new copywriter without letting anyone know that he had started the interview process. This is particularly disturbing as I had given him the resume of someone I thought would be a great fit for the job. At that time, he said that he would not be contacting people for interviews until he had publicly posted the position and had solicited a few more resumes. Well, the job was never posted and the ONLY time that I saw anyone in the office was yesterday when he met with some guy, who he then took out to lunch. Today, I found out that this guy has been offered the open position and will be starting tomorrow.
To call someone a two-faced liar is bold, but perfectly applicable to this situation.
However, he didn't ask me.
Instead, he sent me a message about 3 hours later stating that he was upset that I was seeking a new job and that I should be discussing such things with him. He also insisted that he is making personal sacrifices to ensure that everyone in this company is happy and had a job in such difficult economic times. By sacrifice, he means (and he has told me this on more than one occassion) that his take-home pay is less this year than it was last year.
Then, today, I found out that he hired a new copywriter without letting anyone know that he had started the interview process. This is particularly disturbing as I had given him the resume of someone I thought would be a great fit for the job. At that time, he said that he would not be contacting people for interviews until he had publicly posted the position and had solicited a few more resumes. Well, the job was never posted and the ONLY time that I saw anyone in the office was yesterday when he met with some guy, who he then took out to lunch. Today, I found out that this guy has been offered the open position and will be starting tomorrow.
To call someone a two-faced liar is bold, but perfectly applicable to this situation.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The steps to making cupcakes for Christmas
I said I had already completed Step 1, but I think that I am way ahead of that now...
Step 1 - 2 months out, ask mom what the plans are for Christmas dinner. This is the step where you learn that you are expected to make cupcakes.
Step 2 - Think about all the super fun (and mildly ridiculous) things you can do while decorating cupcakes.
Step 3 - Visit Bakerella.com and get really excited about the idea of making cake pops instead.
Step 4 - Realize that cake pops are too much effort for the little bit of appreciation and the tons of complaining you will receive from your family. (I mean, how could I possibly think of doing something fun and interesting and different for this crowd - I am saving those cake pops for another special occassion - tbd)
Step 5 - Decide that you will make plain old boring cupcakes in flavors like "white" and "chocolate" but throw in a twist with a unique Christmasy flavor (like gingerbread - I'm just saying, it sounds like a good idea)
Step 6 - Remember when your granny bought you that candy making kit many, many years ago and decide that you were so freaking good at making those candies that you must make little chocolate candy toppers for your cupcakes.
Step 7 - (Previously referred to as Step 1) About 6 weeks out, purchase adorable candy molds from candy/cake company that is conveniently located right down the street from your house - I really should make more use of that place!
Step 8 - Stock up on candy melts and candy decorating "pens" (which are kind of expensive in my opinion - so they better not suck)
[All done to this point]
Step 9 - After reading the local grocery circulars and stealing the appropriate coupons from your parents' Sunday Newspaper, head to your local grocery store to stock up on white/chocolate cake mixes, boring canned frosting, and all the fixins for gingerbread cupcakes (I mean, if that's the flavor that you chose)
Step 10 - Melt candy all over your kitchen in an effort to re-hone your candy making skills. (I am just guessing that this will happen)
Step 11 - Turn co-workers into candy and cupcake-tasting test dummies. (Guess there will be a lot of baking going on this next week...)
Step 12 - Evaluate your progress thus far and determine next steps.
Step 1 - 2 months out, ask mom what the plans are for Christmas dinner. This is the step where you learn that you are expected to make cupcakes.
Step 2 - Think about all the super fun (and mildly ridiculous) things you can do while decorating cupcakes.
Step 3 - Visit Bakerella.com and get really excited about the idea of making cake pops instead.
Step 4 - Realize that cake pops are too much effort for the little bit of appreciation and the tons of complaining you will receive from your family. (I mean, how could I possibly think of doing something fun and interesting and different for this crowd - I am saving those cake pops for another special occassion - tbd)
Step 5 - Decide that you will make plain old boring cupcakes in flavors like "white" and "chocolate" but throw in a twist with a unique Christmasy flavor (like gingerbread - I'm just saying, it sounds like a good idea)
Step 6 - Remember when your granny bought you that candy making kit many, many years ago and decide that you were so freaking good at making those candies that you must make little chocolate candy toppers for your cupcakes.
Step 7 - (Previously referred to as Step 1) About 6 weeks out, purchase adorable candy molds from candy/cake company that is conveniently located right down the street from your house - I really should make more use of that place!
Step 8 - Stock up on candy melts and candy decorating "pens" (which are kind of expensive in my opinion - so they better not suck)
Let's decorate some candy!
Step 9 - After reading the local grocery circulars and stealing the appropriate coupons from your parents' Sunday Newspaper, head to your local grocery store to stock up on white/chocolate cake mixes, boring canned frosting, and all the fixins for gingerbread cupcakes (I mean, if that's the flavor that you chose)
Step 10 - Melt candy all over your kitchen in an effort to re-hone your candy making skills. (I am just guessing that this will happen)
Step 11 - Turn co-workers into candy and cupcake-tasting test dummies. (Guess there will be a lot of baking going on this next week...)
Step 12 - Evaluate your progress thus far and determine next steps.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Challenge Update
Raise your hand if you're a slacker.
Not that we have that out of the way, where did we leave off with these challenges?
I called my mother the other day. As she picked up the phone, I said, "I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate you." She said, "Oh... I appreciate you, too. Why didn't you pick up the phone when I called earlier?" Then she began to tell me all of the days that she could watch my dog since she couldn't do it this weekend. While I feel better about myself, I don't know that this was a productive call.
Challenge #7 - Take a picture of one thing, person, place, or specific moment that makes you feel grateful. Share it with your social network.
Coming soon!
Challenge #8 - Send thank you notes to five people who deserve a little recognition.
Admittedly have not written those yet, but already know where they are going. Think it's you? Then check you mail next week.
Challenge #9 - Enjoy the people around you. Take a moment to appreciate their unique talents, abilities, and personalities.
This is today's challenge. I am suddenly glad that my boss went out to a lunch meeting, and Smelly McSmellerson with his BO/cigarette drenched sweatshirt left for half the day. I'm not gonna bore you with the details, but I do like most of the remaining people around me today. Heck, I'll even throw a bone to the AAE because despite the fact that she has an issue with being where she says she is, or telling the truth about when she is working, she actually works pretty hard. She's not that good at what she does (I've been told - and knowing my boss, the same has been said of me), but she tries. I'm going to ponder this topic just a touch more.
In general gratitude news, I am ridiculously grateful that Marilee is kind enough to take the pup this weekend so that Jerry and I can have a practice vacation - 2 nights away with mobile phone work alerts in the off position. Get jealous!
I called my mother the other day. As she picked up the phone, I said, "I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate you." She said, "Oh... I appreciate you, too. Why didn't you pick up the phone when I called earlier?" Then she began to tell me all of the days that she could watch my dog since she couldn't do it this weekend. While I feel better about myself, I don't know that this was a productive call.
What else did we miss?
Challenge #7 - Take a picture of one thing, person, place, or specific moment that makes you feel grateful. Share it with your social network.
Coming soon!
Challenge #8 - Send thank you notes to five people who deserve a little recognition.
Admittedly have not written those yet, but already know where they are going. Think it's you? Then check you mail next week.
Challenge #9 - Enjoy the people around you. Take a moment to appreciate their unique talents, abilities, and personalities.
This is today's challenge. I am suddenly glad that my boss went out to a lunch meeting, and Smelly McSmellerson with his BO/cigarette drenched sweatshirt left for half the day. I'm not gonna bore you with the details, but I do like most of the remaining people around me today. Heck, I'll even throw a bone to the AAE because despite the fact that she has an issue with being where she says she is, or telling the truth about when she is working, she actually works pretty hard. She's not that good at what she does (I've been told - and knowing my boss, the same has been said of me), but she tries. I'm going to ponder this topic just a touch more.
In general gratitude news, I am ridiculously grateful that Marilee is kind enough to take the pup this weekend so that Jerry and I can have a practice vacation - 2 nights away with mobile phone work alerts in the off position. Get jealous!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
That's what's bugging me...
Breaking from the challenge for a minute to vent.
I keep reading posts on Facebook from someone who complains about needing to take a break from work for "Me Time." Ok, you don't even work full time. You are home alone more than you are at work.
I personally worked 53 EXTRA hours over what I should have last month. I worked 13 days in a row - it was supposed to be 11 until my comp day got denied and then turned into 13 when I ended up having to finish a job over the weekend. Of those 13 days in a row, 3 were weekend days,5 were at least 10 hour days, and I had to travel to California. I barely see my husband, let alone my dog (who seems to favor my husband more and more). I get interrupted with work while I am out with friends and family. I can't take lunch away from my desk, let alone make it through an entire dinner more than once a week without work interruption (a problem that has been somewhat resolved by turning off work notification on my phone once I leave the office). I work for someone who gets pleasure in treating others like crap. In my free time, I am work for free for an ungrateful client who asked for my professional help and then tells me that all of my suggestions are wrong.
But I can see how YOU need "me time."
I keep reading posts on Facebook from someone who complains about needing to take a break from work for "Me Time." Ok, you don't even work full time. You are home alone more than you are at work.
I personally worked 53 EXTRA hours over what I should have last month. I worked 13 days in a row - it was supposed to be 11 until my comp day got denied and then turned into 13 when I ended up having to finish a job over the weekend. Of those 13 days in a row, 3 were weekend days,5 were at least 10 hour days, and I had to travel to California. I barely see my husband, let alone my dog (who seems to favor my husband more and more). I get interrupted with work while I am out with friends and family. I can't take lunch away from my desk, let alone make it through an entire dinner more than once a week without work interruption (a problem that has been somewhat resolved by turning off work notification on my phone once I leave the office). I work for someone who gets pleasure in treating others like crap. In my free time, I am work for free for an ungrateful client who asked for my professional help and then tells me that all of my suggestions are wrong.
But I can see how YOU need "me time."
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Gratitude Challenge, Day 6
This morning as I drove to work, I attempted to listen to Star 93.3 because I hear they are playing Christmas music, and they are! But when they went to a slow song, I changed it to Q102. They may have only 10 songs in their entire library, but the morning show does draw me in, and I don't know why. Anywho, they do a segment where they get a random question and have to answer it live on the air. Today's question was something about who your most inspiring mentor is and why. I thought that the question went well with today's gratitude challenge...
Ok, I have to admit that I am taking the easy way out just a little on this one. I am planning to call my mother this evening. I talk to her at least once a week when I join the family for Sundady breakfast. We talk about all the important things, like what's on the menu for Christmas or how many cupcakes I will need to make for Christmas.
If you haven't put all the pieces together yet, my mother is the reason that I love Christmas. I'm not greedy - I love giving way more than receiving. My mother and I actually used to drive around late on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to family members, particularly the young ones who still believed in Santa Claus, but whose parents may not have been able to give them much. I still remember the day when she called to check on the kids Christmas morning and asked if Santa brought them anything good, and the oldest one (too wise for that Santa-shtick) said, "I knew you would come through for us Aunt Sharon."
Whoa... back to the challenge. So, yes, I see my mom once a week, but I feel like we talk a little too much business. So I am going to call her this evening and tell her how much I appreciate her.
Challenge #5-Take a few minutes to call someone you haven't talked to in a while. Tell them how much you appreciate them.
Ok, I have to admit that I am taking the easy way out just a little on this one. I am planning to call my mother this evening. I talk to her at least once a week when I join the family for Sundady breakfast. We talk about all the important things, like what's on the menu for Christmas or how many cupcakes I will need to make for Christmas.
If you haven't put all the pieces together yet, my mother is the reason that I love Christmas. I'm not greedy - I love giving way more than receiving. My mother and I actually used to drive around late on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to family members, particularly the young ones who still believed in Santa Claus, but whose parents may not have been able to give them much. I still remember the day when she called to check on the kids Christmas morning and asked if Santa brought them anything good, and the oldest one (too wise for that Santa-shtick) said, "I knew you would come through for us Aunt Sharon."
Whoa... back to the challenge. So, yes, I see my mom once a week, but I feel like we talk a little too much business. So I am going to call her this evening and tell her how much I appreciate her.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Gratitude Challenge, Day 5
Challenge #5 - Take five minutes to write about how grateful you are for all of the wonderful things that you currently have in your life. Don't long for what you don't possess-instead, take stock of all of the blessings you already enjoy.
I fear that my answers are redundant, but I am happy to do each of these challenges...
Here is a quick synopsis of all of the wonderful things I have in my life...
- My health (even if I am looking a little rough for finding door frames and door knobs easily with my knees and elbows)
- A wonderful husband
- A home that is rather cozy and which the husband and I can afford even if one of us were to lose a job
- An adorable little puppy with a rotten side who entertains us and keeps us on our toes
- Student loans that are paid off
- A nice car
- Incredibly loving and giving parents who are the first to offer advice and a helping hand
- Amazing siblings who I may not have gotten along with early in life but who are 2 of my best friends now
- Incredible in-laws with deeply kind hearts
Has is been 5 minutes (and then some) already.
Back to work I go!
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