Pet Peeves

We all have them. Little things that make us cringe or angry or push our buttons. I have been thinking about this lately and I know what my two main pet peeves are.
First, I am appalled at the incorrect use of the English language. I really feel like our schools have failed many people. Take a look at Facebook and you will find the biggest offense used constantly - "your". Now, if I am talking about your car, or your books, that is correct, but people are constantly using "Your so nice." "Your welcome." ARGHHHH!! It is, "You are so nice." "You are welcome." If you want to shorten it, it is "You're" not "your". Guess what people, spell check is not catching this and it is just wrong, wrong, wrong!! It ranks right up there with "Me and Jane are going somewhere." Years ago, I was driving in the car with my son and one of his friends and my son said, "You'll have to excuse my mom; she corrects every one's English." He was right! I couldn't help myself and I did it all the time. As a result, both of my children speak VERY correct English. It is no different than teaching them table manners, in my opinion.
Second, I am always annoyed when people do not use their turn signals. I drive a lot for my job and it is annoying and, sometimes, downright dangerous when you don't use a turn signal. I have a college degree, but I forgot to take MIND READING 101. I don't know what you are going to do just because you do!!! Help others out and be courteous. Use your turn signals!! Such a small thing but so helpful to others.
So, in conclusion, if "you're" reading this, please use "your" turn signals. There, two pet peeves solved in one motion!! :)

Holiday Madness

Someone sent me this cartoon today and I laughed out loud. Anyone who has been in my house knows that all holidays get recognized in a big way with decorations every where. Right now we are full of Halloween spirit with pumpkins, ghosts, and witches galore! Soon, the jack-o-lanterns will disappear and turkeys will take their place. The day after Thanksgiving, I begin the three day long adventure of decorating for Christmas. Yes, it really takes me three days to get it all set up. A few years ago, someone said to me, "I am so sick of decorating for Christmas." I replied, "I have one word for you - GRANDCHILDREN!" Seeing everything through their eyes makes it all new again. Their wonder and joy rekindles your own wonder and joy. It is worth all the time and energy it takes to put it all out.
Maybe that is the answer for so many of life's situations. As we grow older, we tend to become weary or disenchanted or just plain tired. If we take the approach of little children, small things become big amazements for them. Children don't see the dandelion as a weed; they see it as a flower. They rush into each day with the expectation that it will bring fun and laughter. And, guess what? It usually does!

One Word

A few months back, my husband and I were out for dinner and he was describing someone he works with occasionally and he used just one word. I then made the mistake of asking him what one word would he use to describe me. After almost 35 years of marriage, I should know better. My husband is VERY smart, but he does not like to be forced to answer anything quickly. He likes to ponder things, weigh his options and then make decisions. I, on the other hand, like to "pull the trigger quickly". I ended up getting totally angry with him that he could not come up with "my" word and we ended up finishing dinner in silence.
I related this story to my daughter and she said, "I know your word, mom. Your word is "determined".. Ah, I love that girl. I also told this story to Aunt Cathy, and, she immediately responded, "Your word is "generous". See, women are attuned to these games and they can jump right in and play!
A week later, on our anniversary, my husband gave me a card. As I opened it, he said, your "word" is on there. I thought he had long forgotten my silly question and was surprised when I read it: To My "Amazing" Wife.... He may not have responded when I wanted him to to, but I have to admit, it was worth the wait.
So, what's the one word you would use to describe the people in your life? Maybe you should tell them their word....

Ok, Readers...Identify Yourself!!!

I have been noticing that people are actually reading my blog and I can't tell you how pleased that makes me, however, no one is leaving comments except my daughter, Amber. I asked some people about this and they said it was difficult or confusing or you have to register...whatever!! I am a dinosaur and don't know much about computers. Thank God for Amber, my IT wizard!! She has promised to change the comment portion so you can easily post a comment without an account or signing in or anything. I would love the feedback and comments. Even if you disagree with me or have a different point of view, it would be interesting to hear from you...whom ever you are...you silent blog readers!! :)

Jack E. Boy

I took this picture of Jack over the weekend because I was taking pictures of Maddy for a project (more on that in another blog) and he insisted I take one of him as well. As you can see, he is never far from his hockey stick and puck. People probably think he is being pushed into hockey because his dad grew up playing it and works in hockey. Not so! This boy just LOVES it!!! You also have to notice the chocolate all over his face.

"Boys are noise with dirt on it." Jack is ALL boy!!!

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE holidays and decorating. This is the beginning of the season of holidays. Amber & I went to a fun boutique last week and she MADE me buy this silly hat. I won't tell you how much it costs; let's just say I was caught up in the moment with my daughter, laughing and having fun. Therefore, "hat bought with daughter = priceless"! She and I seem to have fun whatever we are doing. How did I get so lucky that my daughter grew up to be my best friend???

Appreciation & Cooperation

Recently, I read a story where a woman said the two things she wanted to teach her children were appreciation & cooperation. If you think about it, those two traits can get you through life pretty well.
APPRECIATION: When you are appreciating things, it's hard to be complaining at the same time. It is so easy to see the dust on the table rather than the flowers in the vase on that same table. For me, ever the perfectionist, I am too often seeking the "perfect moment" rather than finding a slice of perfection in the messy movement of a regular day. I need to apprecaite more and complain less. Not only will I be happier, I bet those around me may breathe a sigh of relief as well!
COOPERATION: Being a "doer", I tend to plow ahead and just make it happen. I identify with the saying, "I'm not bossy. I just have better ideas." We all have something to contribute to this life. Others may just be waiting for their chance to be heard. I need to listen more and talk less. You know, two ears, one mouth....

Bad Grammie

OK, so Amber & Sean went to Las Vegas for a few days and I am staying with the three kids. I was somewhat apprehensive about it as I know they don't have great sleeping habits. As it turns out, sleeping through the night has been the easy part. It's the awake hours that have been tough!
I planned baking cookies, crafts, stories, glow sticks for the bathtub, a new ring toss game and more. Each of these things have brought a lot of giggles and fun...but it's only lasted a few minutes. In between these activities, I have turned into a shrill referee trying to keep them from clobbering each other. I like to run a tight ship. Where did I go wrong? I'm the cool, fun grammie, aren't I? I always have a trick up my sleeve to grab their attention. What I wish I had up my sleeve was a flask!!! Just kidding....uh, yah, just kidding...
I love my grandchildren more than anything and I hope they know that fact. I want them to think of me as fun and loving, not the "behavior police". I want to turn in my badge!! I even told Amber I'd do it again....when they are 12, 10 & 8!!! :)

Compliment vs Criticism

"We remember a compliment for about three and a half days, but we hold on to a criticism for months."
I read this quote yesterday and it had stayed with me. I have always said that human nature is slow to compliment and quick to criticize. To think that our words can be such a force in someone else's life is kind of scary.
My five year old granddaughter has the BEST self esteem. If you tell her she looks beautiful she says, "I know." If you tell a 15 year old she looks nice, she would probably say her hair wasn't right, she wished she weighed less, the dress is old, and on and on... What happens to us between five and fifteen? We slowly let go of loving ourselves so much. I often brush off people's compliments when a simple "thank you" is the appropriate response.
I challenge you to pay a compliment to three people you meet in your day. It has to be genuine because a fake compliment is worthless. Think of the simple joy you can give and it costs you nothing. I bet it comes back to you tenfold.

Running

I have been asked by several people over the last few months, "Why did you start running?" I wish I knew the answer, but I really don't.
I have always hated things I am not good at right away & I have always hated athletics. I don't even like to go and watch any kind of sporting event unless someone I know personally is playing. I go for the food!
Last February, I got it in my head to try running a 5K. Up until that point my "running" experience included a slow jog on my treadmill now & then at best. I asked my son-in-law if he would be interested in doing one with me. He, very enthusiastically, said yes! We mapped out a 3.1 track around our houses and started training at 5:30am 2 or 3 mornings a week. In the beginning, I could only run a little and walk the rest. I felt like my lungs were going to explode! I hated it! Why did I start this?? I am not a quitter so I had to see it through to the first race.
March 22, 2009, we ran our first 5K together. It was pouring rain, my hip hurt terribly, BUT I finished!!! I felt so proud of myself.
Since then, I have run in five more races, some with Sean & some without. I run outside, in the early morning, 3 or 4 times a week. When his schedule allows, he runs with me, otherwise I run alone. It is my favorite time of the day. It is cool and peaceful and I just run & think. It has become something of a obsession. If I skip a couple of days, I get edgy to go run. When I am driving my car and I see someone running, I long to be out there running as well. WHO KNEW?!?! If someone had told me a year ago that I'd be running 5Ks, I would have told them they don't know me very well & that is a crazy idea.
This brings up a good point. How well do we know ourselves? So often early labels stick with us our whole lives. I was always "the smart one", not the athlete. Maybe we don't change those early labels that make up who we are, but we can ADD a label or two, can't we?
Maybe you can teach an old dog (or an old grammie) new tricks!!

Sleep

I have been thinking a lot about sleep lately. Through so many stages of your life, sleep evades you for different reasons. When you have that newborn bundle of joy, sleep is definitely in short supply. You get through most days bleary eyed and more than feeling a little numb. My poor daughter has had three kids in five years and she cannot remember what a full night's sleep even feels like. I remember putting my head on the pillow one night when my babies were tiny and a big alligator tear escaping down my cheek. "What's wrong?", asked my husband. "I am NEVER going to feel well rested again!," I sobbed.
As they grew up, little by little sleep returns to normal...until they get their driver's license. I always said I could not fall asleep until all the chicks were in the nest. That was the time when my idea of a late night was 10:00pm and their idea of an early night was leaving for the movies at 10:00pm! Quiet as they might have tried to be, I heard them come in every time!
Now my "babies" are grown ups and on their own. Sleep should be easy to come by, right? HA! Enter menopause! I can't remember the last time I slept through the whole night. I wake out of a sound sleep, sometimes boiling hot, throw off the covers and try to settle back down. Later, I get cold because the covers are off and being chilled wakes me again! And some nights, this pattern repeats itself again and again.
Hmmm, maybe old, menopausal grammies should be taking care of new babies---they are both up off and on all night!!! Now that's a thought...
Sleep well tonight & don't forget to appreciate it!