Decorating

I love Christmas!  Anyone who knows me will tell you that.  I love everything about it.  What other holiday do you and all the stores completely change their decor for a month.

Or, for some stores, three months.

It's really kind of crazy when you think about it.  We turn everything upside down in our home to become 'festive' for the holidays.  Even more crazy is the fact that all of this stuff is store for 11 months of the year.  Granted, I may have more than some people - I really get into it.  Plus, I tend to be very 'protective' in the storage part, so things take up more room, it seems.  Eric absolutely hate all the extra storage needed for Christmas stuff.  But I think it's worth it.

Decorating for Christmas is almost as good as everyone opening their gifts on Christmas day... for me, anyway.  You open a bin, and it's always a fun surprise as to what's in that one.  Then there's the process of unwrapping the breakable/delicate things and remembering them, whether it be the story of how you got it or just a memory you have tied to it.  Maybe it's just because Christmas has always been a very special, almost magical holiday for me.

I'm almost done with my decorating this year... just have some things to put up outside.  It was too nasty (wintery mix) yesterday and it's just too cold today.  Not that it's going to get warmer this week, so I'll probably suck it up and do it tomorrow, regardless of the weather.

*sigh*

It's only the beginning of the holiday season with still so much left to do... but I'm already wishing I didn't have to take it all down after Christmas.

Black Friday!

You know... I just don't get excited about Black Friday like I used to. Ever since my disappointment a few years ago when I went to a midnight opening at an outlet mall and came away with nothing worthwhile. Plus, the fact that you can get a vast majority of the black friday deals online on Thanksgiving Day REALLY make standing in line unappealing, especially n the cold! Plus, I hate getting up early.

So why am I posting about Black Friday?

Eric and I did something different this year. We went to Ikea. We figured there wouldn't be Back Friday crowds there and figured this may be our last opportunity to go this year. There were a few things we wanted to look at, so why not? And we were right... no crowds until we were about to leave. Probably sent too much money, as usual, but we did come away with some things we were looking for. Score!

Then we made the mistake of going to a few stores that were 'mall adjacent' since we had some time. That mall was insane! I guess we should've expected that, but we weren't really thinking about that - we just figured the stores we were going to wouldn't be busy. And comparatively, they weren't. But their parking fields were filled with mall shoppers! Boo!!

But speaking of Black friday shopping, as I mentions, I DID do some of mine on Thanksgiving Day. While shopping and thinking about my list, I realized I really don't have much left. And most of what I still need, I know what I'm getting. There are a few lingering questions, mostly about the gifts the men in my life want (husband, father, bro-in-law, even my nephew)... why are guys so hard to shop for?? But I'll figure it out. I always do.

Thanksgiving

Can this year seem to go by any faster??

Thanksgiving has come (and gone) already... this year seems much more relaxing than in years past, though... well, after a certain point, anyway. Preparation began on Tuesday and I was feeling a little stress until people starting arriving, worried if we'd get it all together in time. But once everyone was here, I was fine.

Eric and I hosted again and we had a full house with his parents, sister, nephews, and her boyfriend and his girls. Plus we had a late addition right before we ate. Luckily we always have plenty of food. Including a 22 lb. turkey! Which, as usually, turned out perfect, thanks to the brining process. Plus, we had green beans, mashed potatoes, White Castle stuffing, roasted butternut squash, rolls and a salad. So yeah... PLENTY of food!

A fun new thing (for us) this year was that we got to actually have a separate kids table! I never understood the real reason for this until this year... I always figured it was a space thing... no, it's not. It's true separation of adult company verses kids. I have to admit, I liked it! Is that bad??

So once again, we had a great Thanksgiving with the family. That is the best part of the holidays, after all... time with family. On the one hand, I really miss my side of the family during the holidays. But on the other hand, it's nice to have such a great family to spend time with on Eric's side. Either way, I love my time with family.

Gotta Love an Underdog

I realized something these past few months... I really do love an underdog.

You always hear people say they root for the underdog, but I always assumed it was just because they had no allegiance to either team.  But something crazy happened this year on the NFL front... the Colts stopped winning.  And for the first time, I really found myself rooting for them in games.  Before, I always had a secret desire for them to lose, just to see the giant fall.  Well, they fell, alright...and now they're at a level that I can root for.

I know... that sounds horrible, right?  But it got me thinking about all my pro-team allegiances.  (college doesn't come into play, here, since you're just loyal to the school you go to, regardless.  I can't help that my school has a great football program.) 

I love the Cubs.  Not sure when it started, but it was sometime in college that I became a Cubs fan.  You have to admit, they are the ultimate underdog, curse or no curse.  I think even when they make it back to the World Series, they'll still be an underdog.  Maybe this is their year...

And then I'm a Jags fan, which is a team I love with all my heart, but they never get any love from the media.  Sadly, it's because they haven't done anything outstanding to get that love.  They had their few years where they consistently made the play-offs (and why did they get rid of Tom Coughlin, again... a coach who went on to win a Superbowl with the Giants?) and even made it to the AFC Championship game one year (damn Titans).  But even in those games, they were the underdog because they were still so new to the league.

So what is it about the underdog?  is it sympathy?  Is it wanting to see an upset?  Or is there more to it?  Do we, maybe on a subconscious level, relate better to a team that doesn't always win?  Who knows... I do find it interesting that I never saw this about myself before.  makes me wonder else I'm oblivious to...

Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon

This is one of my favorite events every year... the WZPL Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon.  This is what inspired me to start volunteering with Make-A-Wish.  The storied you hear over the 36 hour period do nothing but warm your heart, make you laugh, and sometime shed a tear.

I like volunteering for the actual Request-A-Thon, as well as the normal volunteer stuff.  It just feels good, all around, and talking to people who were so moved by listening to a child's story is just awesome.  Granted, it doesn't top when the child's wish is actually granted.  Warm fuzzies...

Since Smiley started hosting the 36-hour fundraiser, it's grown every year!  I remember when he fist started and they were excited to break $200k.  Now, even though they set there goal way below, they keep breaking $400!  Last year, it was around $415k (nearly 70 wishes!), and with just over an hour left in this year's even, I think they're going to break that!  How awesome is that?

Even more awesome is if you would add to the cause... this isn't a solicitation, cause I'll never know if you do... but the warm fuzzies right before Thanksgiving totally put you in the spirit!  They take donations through the weekend, which is a nice touch, but if nothing else, go check out the event page and read some of the kid's stories.  It makes you appreciate your own health, as well as your family's health.  Makes all the 'problems' you think you have minuscule. The kids go through these battles with so much positive energy (as much as they can muster)... we, as adults, could definitely learn something from them.

Professional Stalker

I am a professional stalker.

Okay, so not really... I just stalk professional athletes. 

Okay, not really... just one.  Maurice Jones-Drew.

Okay, so I didn't really stalk him.  I just played the role of a big fan when he and the Jags came to play (and beat!) the Colts.

I started with a plan.  A plan based on knowing nothing about getting a football player's autograph before/during/after a game.  So, naturally, I showed up early, in hopes of getting it after they did their on-field practice before the game.  Nope... not then.  They have their game faces on at that point.  At least the Jags do.

So how about after the game as they head to the locker rooms, especially after a win!  Well, they do start throwing gloves and towels if you ask, at least some of the players do.  But no stopping for autographs.  Hmmph.

At this point, Eric suggests asking one of the 'gate keepers' where the bus is - I figured in was under the stadium somewhere at Lucas Oil Stadium... and I was right.  So I batted my eyes and and flashed my smile to one of the guys and got to go down to the friends and family waiting area by their route between the locker room and the bus.  Way cool!

Most of the players came out and just beelined to the bus area with their box lunches for the road.  The guys look SO different out of uniform!  It was hard to recognize some of them... in fact, it was hard to recognize most of them!  But then came MJD... he stands out in the crowd because, up close and in street clothes, he looks like a very normal guy you'd run in to somewhere!  After he visited with some legitimate friends in the friends and family area, he did, indeed, work his way down and sign some autographs.

The best part?  He remembered seeing me in the stands!  He even apologized for not being able to stop up on the field - he said it's hard for them to do up there!  Love it!  He's a real genuine nice guy, too... really soft spoken.  A very cool guy to meet, even if it was in brief passing.

So I got my autograph and I couldn't be more happy!  Obviously the highlight of my day... of my WEEK even!

Go Jags!  Always and Forever!

Do What You Love, Love What You Do...

Few people in this world, especially in this down economy, can say they have a job they love, a job they are excited about getting up and doing EVERY DAY, a job that they will do for the rest of their lives.  You can spot someone with a job they love by the fact that they've already been there a long time and you can tell it's a part of them.  Without that job, they would be a fraction of who they are today.  And, as this seems to be proven time and time again, they will die without that part of their life.

One such case in point... recently, Andy Rooney died.  Yes, he was old.  Yes, it may have been his time.  Sure, it may have been purposely timed out this way... but the fact that he died weeks after his last broadcast on 60 minutes seems awful coincidental to me.  Suddenly, by choice or not, he was no longer doing something he had done all his life, something that he loved.  He might as well have lost a loved one and been heartbroken over it.  Sadly, he lost her in 2004.

Joe Paterno.  He's coached Penn State Football since 1966 (and was an assistant for 15 years before that). Some say he should have retired years ago.  But when you've been somewhere for over 60 years doing something you love, how can someone expect you to pack-up and leave, especially when it's all you've know for that long.  It's an intricate part of your life and it's what you love.  So it's sad to see him stepping down because of controversy off the field. I'm sorry, no... he's being forced out.

He did what he thought was right, what he thought he was supposed to do at the time after being told something by one of his assistants - send it up the chain of command.  Probably followed whatever policy/guildelines/rules were in place when he reported things the way he did. They probably had such a policy in place to keep things OUT of the media  He wasn't a witness to anything, nor did he expect nothing would be done beyond him telling his superiors (which there actually was - just nothing came of it).  But now he's been told it wasn't enough and he should have done more.  (If you haven't seen the full timeline, here's a link... you'll see this all began way before Joe knew anything about the situation... I just don't think he knows what else to do... so he's stepping down - in my opinion, anyway... it's a big, HUGE, cover up!)

Joe is not a young man - he will be 85 at the end of the year.  He will be 85 when he has to leave something he loves doing behind.  Correction.  He will be 85 when he's told to leave what he love doings.  This isn't your standard retirement, where you take off to FL and spend your savings because you CHOOSE to.  He's being told to leave what he loves doing so the controversy will go away next year.  So what's to become of Joe?  Will he see the same fate as Andy Rooney?  I sure hope not.

They say you should love what you do, yet so few do.  So to all those do what they love, love what they do, and die doing it... I commend you.  And I really envy you.

Political Season

I will be so glad when tomorrow has passed.  This was my first 'big' election living in Marion County (verses Hamilton County) and quite frankly, it's political overload before an election here!

The big debate is over the mayor... do we select the incumbent or his challenger?  The Mayor started out clean... but his challenger immediately attacked him, and the mud slinging began.  I hate that about politics... don't dog on the other guy, just tell me what you're going to do without bashing what they've done.  I'm SO sick of the TV commercials!  I will give both of them credit - they're not pushing their party affiliations, at least.

On a more local front, there was someone in our neighborhood running for our district's city council spot.  Eric befriended him before the campaigning began and actually got involved in the door-to-door campaigning.  He loved it!  Not something I'd want to do, necessarily, but it definitely gave a new perspective to what goes into a campaign as someone new comes into the game... LOTS of time!  I won't go into details, but at least there wasn't mudslinging at this level.  At least by him.

But the mailings, on the other hand, sent out by the party headquarters... there was mudslinging there, at least towards the incumbent since he apparently made some 'bad votes' on some 'critical' items of interest for the city.  Oh, the mailings... so many mailings!  We had one day of mail that was nothing but political adds from all parties for all positions... there was about 10 total, I think. Is that really necessary??  I don't think so.

For the record, I already voted.  I love that they allow early voting here... makes life easier to not have to deal with trying to get to the polls on election day.  Do it at your convenience on your schedule.  Plus, I get to avoid the barrage of last minute campaigning outside the polling locations.  "Leave me alone - I already know who I'm voting for!"  Seriously... why would I already be coming to the polls if I hadn't already made up my mind?

Oh well... here's to the end of the politcal season!  Yay!