Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Do you like to try to guess your gifts ahead of time?
Well, this is a dumb question...lol. How am I supposed to write an entire blog about this? Time to get the thinking cap on, I guess.
I hate surprises. Wait. That isn't entirely accurate. I hate surprises when I know they are coming. Does that even make sense? You know how sometimes someone will say something along the lines of "I got you something REALLY cool, you are gonna be SO surprised!", but you can't have that "something" right at that moment? I HATE that. It actually puts me in a REALLY bad mood. If I don't know that "something" is coming, then I don't have time to think about it, so it's not a big deal. Those are the kinds of surprises I like...the ones people don't warn you about.
As far as guessing presents...yeah, I suck at that. You can give me a hockey stick, wrapped as a hockey stick, and there is a 99% chance that I will guess it's something completely different. So I don't even try anymore. Besides, that takes precious time that I could be spending opening it and finding out what it actually is! Also, what if I guessed something really expensive, and it ended up being something really cheap, and then, well, I'd probably hurt the feelings of the gift giver, and that defeats the whole purpose to begin with.
This question reminded me of my step-dad. Now HE is a good gift guesser. I remember one year for Christmas, we got him an engraved door knocker. We wrapped it up tightly in a towel, so it wouldn't "knock" when he shook it while attempting to guess what it was. I can remember him turning that box over and over, and all around, and shaking it. Within a few seconds, he made his guess....and he was right. How-in-the-heck? How would he KNOW it was a door knocker. He didn't ask for one, my brother and I never told him we got him one, he doesn't have x-ray vision, my mom was pretty good at hiding stuff....to this day, I have not a clue how he knew.
For many years I wished I had his ability to do that. Then I realized that I would spend the entire month analyzing the gifts under the tree, and the anticipation would drive me nuts. I am a woman of VERY little patience (shocker, I know) and I know that it wouldn't be long before I was trying to sneak a peek at the inside of those packages. I AM, however, a woman with a really good ability to ignore the things I don't know exist. So if I just avoid looking under the tree at all, I can forget there is anything down there with my name on it.
this blog has done nothing but make me want to go look under the tree now...must.stay.strong.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
NaBloPoMo Day FIVE!
Monday, December 5, 2011
What was the first gift you ever made another person?
This is a hard one for me. I'm sure if I sat and put a LOT of thought into it, I could come up with my very first memory of the very first thing I ever made someone, but then I would never get to writing this blog, and that is what always leads to me not finishing them. (how's that for a run-on sentence?)
So I will go with the first one that comes to mind....
I grew up on a street where everyone was related, in one way or another. It was a dead end road, we were the last house, and there were only houses on one side. Our closest neighbors, the Houghtalings, (pronounced Ho-telling) were perhaps the sweetest people on the block. He was an ex police chief, and I really don't remember what she did, to be honest.
Every year, we would celebrate "May Day". "May Day" being May 1st. I don't know how anyone else celebrates it, or if anyone does, but for our house it meant that we spent some time collecting beautiful wildflowers, and making baskets or cones to put them in. We would color them, just make them really special. Then we would "sneak" (as much as two giddy kids could sneak, in the middle of daytime, to a police chiefs house) to the Houghtalings, and place the flowers in front of their door. Then we would knock...and RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was quite a good distance from their door to ours, so I'm sure that they saw us long before we ever made it to our door in our early years of doing this. There are times I can remember hiding in their bushes in front of their home, as we got older and realized the need to get a little more sneaky.
I remember always giggling, thinking to myself that they would always wonder who left them the beautiful flowers, and that it would forever be a secret in our house. Looking back now, we were the only kids on the block, so it was pretty damn obvious who it was...but they never once let on that they knew. I think that is what kept it so special.
That is one of the traditions that I wish I would have kept up with my kids. Just doing a little something "extra" for the neighbors like that...I think they would have enjoyed it. I guess it's never too late to start...but we sure do have a lot of snow to make it through before those gorgeous spring wildflowers show themselves!
Edited to add: After writing this blog, I decided to google "May Day". Sure enough, there was a wikipedia listing for it, which listed all the different ways that different countries and cultures celebrate the holiday. Here is what it said for the United States:
May Day was also celebrated by some early European settlers of the American continent. In some parts of the United States, May Baskets are made. These are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged.
I learned two things from this article. One, my mom wasn't as nuts as we thought, (ok, she was) and Two...while I adored the Houghtalings, I'm even more glad that they didn't catch us now that I know what happened if they did...lol.
What was the first gift you ever made another person?
This is a hard one for me. I'm sure if I sat and put a LOT of thought into it, I could come up with my very first memory of the very first thing I ever made someone, but then I would never get to writing this blog, and that is what always leads to me not finishing them. (how's that for a run-on sentence?)
So I will go with the first one that comes to mind....
I grew up on a street where everyone was related, in one way or another. It was a dead end road, we were the last house, and there were only houses on one side. Our closest neighbors, the Houghtalings, (pronounced Ho-telling) were perhaps the sweetest people on the block. He was an ex police chief, and I really don't remember what she did, to be honest.
Every year, we would celebrate "May Day". "May Day" being May 1st. I don't know how anyone else celebrates it, or if anyone does, but for our house it meant that we spent some time collecting beautiful wildflowers, and making baskets or cones to put them in. We would color them, just make them really special. Then we would "sneak" (as much as two giddy kids could sneak, in the middle of daytime, to a police chiefs house) to the Houghtalings, and place the flowers in front of their door. Then we would knock...and RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was quite a good distance from their door to ours, so I'm sure that they saw us long before we ever made it to our door in our early years of doing this. There are times I can remember hiding in their bushes in front of their home, as we got older and realized the need to get a little more sneaky.
I remember always giggling, thinking to myself that they would always wonder who left them the beautiful flowers, and that it would forever be a secret in our house. Looking back now, we were the only kids on the block, so it was pretty damn obvious who it was...but they never once let on that they knew. I think that is what kept it so special.
That is one of the traditions that I wish I would have kept up with my kids. Just doing a little something "extra" for the neighbors like that...I think they would have enjoyed it. I guess it's never too late to start...but we sure do have a lot of snow to make it through before those gorgeous spring wildflowers show themselves!
Edited to add: After writing this blog, I decided to google "May Day". Sure enough, there was a wikipedia listing for it, which listed all the different ways that different countries and cultures celebrate the holiday. Here is what it said for the United States:
May Day was also celebrated by some early European settlers of the American continent. In some parts of the United States, May Baskets are made. These are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged.
I learned two things from this article. One, my mom wasn't as nuts as we thought, (ok, she was) and Two...while I adored the Houghtalings, I'm even more glad that they didn't catch us now that I know what happened if they did...lol.
NaBloPoMo Day FOUR!
Sunday Free-writing:
Not a whole lot to write about today. Had our Volunteer Appreciation Night on Friday. I got recognized for having reached "400 Hours" of volunteer service at the State Park. I got a sweatshirt from their gift shop that I've been wanting for a long time, so that was awesome!
Saturday I worked. Then Mackensie and I worked on a little craft project that I am doing for the critters that will be boarding with us on Christmas Day. I'm excited about how they turn out, and will share a photo when they are completed. Right now, we are on hold as we wait for some paint to dry.
Today, my dad and step-mom are coming to town. We are getting together to visit and he will give the kids their birthday presents. Mackensie, Tennyson and Seth all have birthdays exactly one week apart, starting with November 25th, so he usually comes in the middle of it and does the gifts all at once. It works out really well, and the kids look forward to it. We go to the hotel and they get to swim, and since they LOVE to do that, it's always a great mid-winter activity. (though the 600* pool room is a bit much for the grown ups)
I'm still not sleeping. I have had about all I can take of this insomnia. I'm lucky if I fall asleep by 4AM. During the week I can just sleep through the morning to make up for it, but weekends are harder. Especially Sundays, since I have to be up at 6:30AM for work. So today I am really dragging ass. I'd LOVE to take a quick nap right now, but I know if I do, I won't sleep tonight. Which really doesn't make sense, cuz I won't sleep anyway. This morning as I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, trying desperately to pry my eyelids open, I noticed my bottle of NyQuil still sitting there from my most recent bout of illness. It's the only thing that got me through my nights. I'm thinking it's gonna enter my body tonight as well, because I seriously need some sleep!
Hoping to hear something tomorrow on that job that I applied for. I know I'm not supposed to get my hopes up, but man it's hard not to!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
NaBloPoMo Day THREE!
Day Three is for "free-writing", so here goes...
Until July 12th of this year, I worked 2 part time jobs. Still struggled for money, but at least I had 2 jobs. On that date, I was let go from the one that earned me the most money, as it gave the most hours. I haven't been able to get a second job since, and I've really been stressed out because I wanted to take the opportunity to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. Without College Degrees, it's impossible to find a "career", but especially at the age of 35. I've worked in entry level positions, mostly fast food and restaurant type stuff my whole working life.
So for the past 5 months, with me only working one VERY part-time job, money has been a constant fight in our house, understandably so.
This past week, I was informed of a job opening in our area. It's an Executive Director position, and I really felt I was horribly under-qualified. Until I saw the list of qualifications for the person currently Interim Director, and who they are seriously considering for the job. I have WAY more experience than he does.
So for the first time in 35 years, I had to write a professional cover letter. In addition to the 6 page application, I now had to sell myself in 4 paragraphs or less. I'm really good at selling other people or items, and am great in talking about someones qualifications or services, but I SUCK at selling myself. Brad was a HUGE help during this, and I honestly think if it wasn't for that, I still would be sitting at the dining room table staring at a blank document.
Yesterday I compiled the cover letter, application, and 4 letters of recommendation from various people and turned it all in. I have no idea why, but I was a nervous wreck. It got to the point that I really felt like I could cry, or throw up, just from nerves. I know that the chances of me getting this job are really very slim, but it's for a place that is really struggling, and I REALLY think I could make a huge difference there. It's working with people and animals, both things that I love to do, and I just really pray that this is my chance to do something with my life, finally.
So if you are the praying type, please start saying your prayers for me now. If not, then please just send good thoughts and good luck vibes my way, because this job could really change our lives, and we all desperately need that right now!
Until July 12th of this year, I worked 2 part time jobs. Still struggled for money, but at least I had 2 jobs. On that date, I was let go from the one that earned me the most money, as it gave the most hours. I haven't been able to get a second job since, and I've really been stressed out because I wanted to take the opportunity to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. Without College Degrees, it's impossible to find a "career", but especially at the age of 35. I've worked in entry level positions, mostly fast food and restaurant type stuff my whole working life.
So for the past 5 months, with me only working one VERY part-time job, money has been a constant fight in our house, understandably so.
This past week, I was informed of a job opening in our area. It's an Executive Director position, and I really felt I was horribly under-qualified. Until I saw the list of qualifications for the person currently Interim Director, and who they are seriously considering for the job. I have WAY more experience than he does.
So for the first time in 35 years, I had to write a professional cover letter. In addition to the 6 page application, I now had to sell myself in 4 paragraphs or less. I'm really good at selling other people or items, and am great in talking about someones qualifications or services, but I SUCK at selling myself. Brad was a HUGE help during this, and I honestly think if it wasn't for that, I still would be sitting at the dining room table staring at a blank document.
Yesterday I compiled the cover letter, application, and 4 letters of recommendation from various people and turned it all in. I have no idea why, but I was a nervous wreck. It got to the point that I really felt like I could cry, or throw up, just from nerves. I know that the chances of me getting this job are really very slim, but it's for a place that is really struggling, and I REALLY think I could make a huge difference there. It's working with people and animals, both things that I love to do, and I just really pray that this is my chance to do something with my life, finally.
So if you are the praying type, please start saying your prayers for me now. If not, then please just send good thoughts and good luck vibes my way, because this job could really change our lives, and we all desperately need that right now!
Friday, December 2, 2011
NaBloPoMo Day TWO!
Tuesday, December 2, 2011
What was the most disappointing gift you received as a child?
I actually remember this one as well! This also has to do with a person who lived on our "Boulevard". Mr. Wood lived right next door to the sisters, Chrissy and Amy. I remember that for as long as I remember him being alive he had to have been 90. I know that isn't really possibly, as he would HAVE to age each year, but I only ever remember him being really, really old, and amazed every year that he was still alive.
There were a few other things I remember about Mr. Wood. I seem to recall his house being white and grey, but that may not be true. I remember that his mother lived with him, and he was her caretaker. I don't ever remember meeting her though. I remember that as kids we went to his house, but I don't ever remember going further than the front porch, and I don't remember why we even went there. Right directly across from his front door, on the inside of the house, was his mothers portable toilet. I can remember being a kid, and standing at his front door, and being terrified that when he opened it, she would be sitting right there, doing her business, for all of Gods creation to see. That never was the case.
Another thing I remember is that Mr. Wood always had gifts for us on holidays and our birthdays.
So some point in my very early teenage years, I received a present from Mr. Wood. I opened it to see it was Sesame Street coloring books. I remember being horribly disappointed in that he would buy me, a young teenage girl, Sesame Street coloring books. He obviously didn't know me at all, and what a waste of a perfectly good present receiving opportunity. I don't know what ever happened to those coloring books...I'm ashamed to know, actually.
Now I am 35. And as I sit typing this out, I am overwhelmed with guilt, sadness, regret. Mr. Wood was so thoughtful of us kids, yet I don't remember much about him. I feel horrible that I didn't have a closer relationship with him, because he obviously cared about my brother and I. I should have taken the time to get to know him. To keep him company, to play board games with him, to sit and talk....to learn his first name. I know I was too young to realize this, but I still feel guilt.
In the years since that, I have learned that I still, at my age, absolutely LOVE to color. It would appear that Mr. Wood knew something about me that I hadn't yet realized. So it turns out that the most disappointing gift I received as a child has actually led me to a memory that I can hold pretty dear, and a lesson to take time and cherish such a thoughtful gesture. It's also taught me that sometimes my elders really do know more than I think they do.
And I'd give anything to have those coloring books back again...
What was the most disappointing gift you received as a child?
I actually remember this one as well! This also has to do with a person who lived on our "Boulevard". Mr. Wood lived right next door to the sisters, Chrissy and Amy. I remember that for as long as I remember him being alive he had to have been 90. I know that isn't really possibly, as he would HAVE to age each year, but I only ever remember him being really, really old, and amazed every year that he was still alive.
There were a few other things I remember about Mr. Wood. I seem to recall his house being white and grey, but that may not be true. I remember that his mother lived with him, and he was her caretaker. I don't ever remember meeting her though. I remember that as kids we went to his house, but I don't ever remember going further than the front porch, and I don't remember why we even went there. Right directly across from his front door, on the inside of the house, was his mothers portable toilet. I can remember being a kid, and standing at his front door, and being terrified that when he opened it, she would be sitting right there, doing her business, for all of Gods creation to see. That never was the case.
Another thing I remember is that Mr. Wood always had gifts for us on holidays and our birthdays.
So some point in my very early teenage years, I received a present from Mr. Wood. I opened it to see it was Sesame Street coloring books. I remember being horribly disappointed in that he would buy me, a young teenage girl, Sesame Street coloring books. He obviously didn't know me at all, and what a waste of a perfectly good present receiving opportunity. I don't know what ever happened to those coloring books...I'm ashamed to know, actually.
Now I am 35. And as I sit typing this out, I am overwhelmed with guilt, sadness, regret. Mr. Wood was so thoughtful of us kids, yet I don't remember much about him. I feel horrible that I didn't have a closer relationship with him, because he obviously cared about my brother and I. I should have taken the time to get to know him. To keep him company, to play board games with him, to sit and talk....to learn his first name. I know I was too young to realize this, but I still feel guilt.
In the years since that, I have learned that I still, at my age, absolutely LOVE to color. It would appear that Mr. Wood knew something about me that I hadn't yet realized. So it turns out that the most disappointing gift I received as a child has actually led me to a memory that I can hold pretty dear, and a lesson to take time and cherish such a thoughtful gesture. It's also taught me that sometimes my elders really do know more than I think they do.
And I'd give anything to have those coloring books back again...
Mr. Woods house
Thursday, December 1, 2011
NaBloPoMo Day ONE!
Monday, December 1, 2011
What was the first tangible gift you remember receiving?
What was the first tangible gift you remember receiving?
The first gift I remember receiving was a gift I got when I was 3. My parents were still married, and I had these friends who lived across the street, Chrissy and Amy, who were sisters. Another neighbor, Tyler, was over playing with all of us at the sisters house. I don't remember much about any of them, except that I always seem to remember Tyler was VERY cute. At the same time, I have not a single memory of what he looked like, just that he was cute.
So apparently it came time for Tyler and I to go home. My family lived on a boulevard, and our mothers were standing in it waiting for us to come across. As we were running down the front steps, Tyler pushed me to get me to hurry. When he did, I fell, and hit my face on the metal hand rail, where it curves downward. Needless to say, it split my face open, right across my eye. All I really remember was that there was a LOT of blood...or what seemed like a lot of blood to a 3 year old.
I was taken to the brutalfactoryofhumanslaughter hospital. This is where my first memory of the incident comes in. Me, at three tender years old, being held down while they shoved a 12 inch long needle into my eye area, to numb it for stitches. I can very clearly see the needle coming down at my eye. I don't know if this is how it really happened, or if this is just how my mind wants me to remember it. If that is the case, my brain is more f*cked up then we all thought! (this very well could be the case)
So, fast-forward to a period of time following the "accidental attempt at making 3 year old Amber blind" that I don't have any clue how much time actually passed. I'm guessing a day. If that. I'm now at home, surviving the horror of the slaughterhouse/hospital. Tyler came to visit me, though I'm certain it was nothing to do with guilt. (it was ALL guilt) He brought with him caramel corn and a Dydee Bear. Dydee Bear was a bear you got free when you used Dydee Bear diaper service. I'm not sure if you had to save up points each week or what, but I do remember exactly what it looked like. Because I still have mine.
So I guess a super cute boy named Tyler, giving me a used Teddy Bear he got for free, made up for his attempt to jab my eye out with an iron rail, because I've kept the memory of his gift with me for all these years. I'm such a sucker.
(My Dydee Bear)
The house that it happened at.
NaBloPoMo....wtf?
So a very good friend of mine (Hi Katie) keeps a blog. Today I saw her post about this NaBloPoMo, and thought "wtf izzat?" So I followed her link and soon found my answer, sort of. (probably easier for you to do the same) Turns out December is National Blog Posters Month. The link takes you to a page that gives you ideas on what to post each day. I thought it was kind of a neat idea, and seeing as how I never stick to anything, I thought I would challenge myself too. Anyone wanna start the betting pool on how many days I will make it?
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