Day One 'SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER'

Tomorrow is December the first. It's day number one of 'Spreading Holiday Cheer'.  

Here is the first item in the list:

Day One....Give someone a compliment to make their day. 

               FOR YOU

Day One....Sit and relax with a hot cup of tea; peppermint would be a good choice. 

Everyone likes to hear something nice about their self.  Perhaps telling a co-worker they are doing a good job; tell someone they look great in the outfit they are wearing; compliment their hair; it does not matter what you compliment them about JUST DO IT. The compliment can be given to a neighbor, person you see everyday, someone who waited on you or even a family member. It only takes a few moments to bring a smile to another and give them a feeling of happiness.  That's what this time of year is about. Thinking of others and spreading the cheer.  

As for yourself you should not neglect yourself.  Take five moments to sit back and relax with a nice peppermint tea.  If peppermint is not to your taste, any tea will do.  You don't like tea? Give it another try. Five minutes all to yourself can revive you.  So sit, sip, relax and enjoy. 

Until tomorrow.....I have the person in mind for the compliment. They do need a little cheering up so I hope my words will do the trick. I'll let you know in the next blog. As for peppermint tea, yes I'll be having a cup while watching a holiday movie.  

Spread Holiday Cheer

   Last December I saw an interesting post on social media. It was a December calendar with twenty-four Radom Acts of Kindness; one for each day from December first to Christmas Eve.

Last year I did these but a few days I varied from the list, but all in all I did an act of kindness each day from the first of December to Christmas Eve.  (There were a few repeats but not many.)

During the past year, I thought about the list on occasion.  I wondered about creating my own kindness list based on some of the items from last year's list. I made notes at different times when an idea would come to mind. Taking a few of the suggestions, I came up with my version of the 'acts of holiday kindness' which I have titled for myself as 'Spreading Holiday Cheer'.  Besides doing for others, I thought about a list of things one could do for their self during the days leading up to Christmas. Each day I plan to post the 'Spreading Holiday Cheer' as well as 'Treat to Oneself'.  After a busy day many need a few moments from the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations just to unwind and relax. 

Each day I also will try to create a short blog about the 'cheer item' for the day. Actually I plan to do it the day prior so everyone can get a jump start on the daily action beforehand. 

Each day's item is only a suggestion and it can be varied to suit your own situation. 

The holidays are a time for family, friends and fun.  It's a time to reflect on what we have and a time for goodwill towards others. 

There are many who are alone; many who do not have much in their life.  Sharing and spreading joy and happiness is one thing we all can do to make the holidays brighter for others.  Even the Scrooges and Grinchs need to be reminded that this is the season of joy.  You might even melt their icy heart a bit and put a smile on their face.   

Enjoy your holiday season. Merry Christmas.....Happy Hanukkah and Happy whatever you may celebrate this time of year. 

Don't forget to read back on this blog November 30th for the December 1st day of 'Spreading Holiday Cheer' act of the day. 

Acting as Kids

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  One is never to old to enjoy the day.  It brings out the kid in all of us.  What I find enjoyable is the cute costumes worn by the children.  I love to see little super heroes, nurses, witches, cowboys and girls, monsters and princesses.  

Adults come up with some interesting attire. It's always interesting seeing a man dress as a women. Actually some guys can rock that look. 

A few years ago my husband and I attended a Halloween party at one of the veterans clubs where we are members. As we stepped inside one of the men checked our membership card making sure we hold membership. 

He walked around to a few other people checking membership cards. We had only been there about five minutes when in walks what I at first thought was a sixty-five plus year old woman. This person sat next to me. Dressed in a very lovely silk gray pants suit, long silver earrings, tennis bracelet and a large cocktail ring on the left hand ring finger this person made a stunning sight. Their hair (a wig) was a blonde-gray shade and a black felt hat covered the head. I noticed a medium size patent leather black purse that matched the inch and a half heeled shoes. This person took out pen and paper to write their drink order to the bartender and then showed her their membership along with another note that said 'don't let on who I am'.  

I watched this person for a few minutes trying hard to figure who it could be. Finally it dawned on me. I knew who it was; the outfit had looked familiar. It was one I had seen few years prior at a fundraiser where men dress like women. Chuckling I whispered to this person a hello and I will keep their secret. 

In the meantime the membership card checker guy returned and the bartender told him she had checked the card of the lady in gray (that's what we named this person).  Mr. Card Checker took a seat next to Lady Gray and struck up a conversation. He even bought her a drink. Lady Gray smiled at him and kept down casting her eyes as if shy; using a very whispery voice to speak. This went on for about ten minutes then Mr. Card Checker asked if he could speak with me alone. 

We walked over to a secluded area which was not easy to find since the place was getting crowded. His question floored me. He wanted to know if I thought Lady Gray would like to go out with him sometime. I had no idea what to say. I was speechless which is not normal for me. I decided on a good answer. I told him let's go back over and I would ask. I could hardly keep from laughing.  

Well I tapped Lady Gray on the shoulder and told her Mr. Card Checker wanted to know if she'd go out with him sometime. 

In the regular speaking voice Lady Gray answered him by saying "when". Hearing the deep voice of this person dressed as a woman all Mr. Card Checker could say was "oh I knew you were a guy all along" but the facial expression showed disappointment. 

Halloween brings out the kid in us all; we all enjoy having a mini-size candy bar, pumpkin flavored food/drinks and some of us still enjoy haunted venues.  

As in the past few years (I get no trick or treaters in my adult community) so I pass out treats to those I see in the veterans clubs where I frequent. It is funny when someone asks for a specific type candy bar which is their favorite. 

This is one holiday we adults can let our guard down and become a kid for a day.  

Until next time.....Happy Halloween to everyone.  Enjoy candy corn and pumpkin everything. 

RUSHING HOLIDAYS

It's October and the month of Halloween. I enjoy October, which I am sure I mentioned in another blog.  I own quite a few black pieces of clothing so I seem to wear them everyday during this month; well all accept Wednesdays and Fridays but that's for another blog. 

Yesterday as I walked through a store, I pushed my buggy (shopping cart) down an aisle of all things Halloween. All types of candy and treats caught my eye as well as other items for celebrating the holiday.  I could not resist picking up a bag of candy corn and Halloween Oreos.  (I will be giving both to an acquaintance with a child).  As I slowly strolled down the aisle I began to smell a distinctive odor that generally aggravated my allergies due to the overwhelming scent. I turned into the next aisle and saw the reason for my discomfort. The aisle was dedicated to items for the Christmas holiday. Included in the  holiday display was scented candles causing my allergies to act up. The shelves held garland, ornaments, lights, dish towels, pot holders, stockings and Santa hats. Yes it is only October third, but the Christmas items were sitting on shelves waiting to be purchased. 

It seems that holidays are being rushed earlier and earlier every year. What ever happened to taking it ONE HOLIDAY at a time? 

I celebrate holidays as they approach. Since this is only October I am celebrating Columbus Day, birthday of the Navy, Octoberfest, Halloween and my wedding anniversary. Come November it'll be the Marine Corps birthday, Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. December first will be time enough for me to begin thinking about Christmas and the beginning of winter.  

As I strolled from the aisle dedicated to Christmas, I turned down the next hoping I would not see Valentines.  

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy holidays but as I stated prior one at a time. 

Until next time....enjoy the October holidays.  Oh yes don't forget another October holiday, National Candy Corn Day on October thirtieth.  

NO FOOTBALL SEASON

The NFL is boycotted in my household. In fact I need to thank the NFL, they are saving me money this season. 

I did not sign up for The NFL Sunday Ticket.  This has saved me close to two hundred dollars.   The years I did not have it we would go out to a sports pub to watch our teams play. My husband and I would spend a good bit of money on food and drink as we watched our teams play on the gridiron.This year we are not doing so.  I would figure the amount saved each week would be close to fifty dollars. 

Since we are not watching football we are not purchasing foods we would normally eat during football; subs, wings, pizza, chips and pretzels. In fact we are consuming healthy meals on Sunday now. 

No new team apparel or team related items will we purchase this season. 

Of course my piddly amount may not be a big factor to you, but if the majority of the public felt the same the amount would be astronomical. 

Next we are thinking of boycotting sponsors of the NFL.  

Thank you NFL for saving me money.  

If the players and staff of NFL teams do want to respect our country, our flag, our anthem then leave the USA.  In the sixties protesters against the Vietnam War were told "America love it or leave it."  The same for all those who don't respect our nation....leave. 

Until next time....enjoy your Sunday with watching a movie or reading or just sitting around talking with family and friends. 

Fall Memories

Fall begins. I love the fall. The leaves change to colors of ruby red, burgundy, yellow, orange and light brown.  It's the painting of Mother Nature.  As leaves fall to the ground they make a colorful carpet.  Pumpkin spice appears everywhere; in coffee flavors and tasty treats. Apple cider and apple flavor is another fall favorite. A few years ago I had apple cider flavored donuts that were delicious with a cold glass of apple cider.  

Candy corn makes an appearance for a Halloween treat.  It seems there are many different flavors anymore. I enjoy this tasty sweet confection but only the original which is orange, white and yellow. Now a days I can only tolerate twenty pieces at one time. 

Each year I purchase a bag, count out twenty pieces then sit alone to eat them as memories of my childhood, that I have filed in the storage cabinet of my mind surfaces. 

My first introduction to Candy Corn was at age three.  My Uncle Harold brought me a bag one Sunday afternoon when he and my aunt came to my grandparents for a visit. (At the time I was being raised by my mother's parents.) I never seen Candy Corn previously, but it resembled the corn feed my grandfather used to feed the chickens. My grandmother took the bag of candy from me.  She told me I could have it during the upcoming week.  For a few days I forgot about the bag of candy but recalled one morning as I accompanied my grandfather on his rounds as he fed the chickens.  

After lunch I asked my grandmother if I could have my bag of candy.  She hesitated but reluctantly opened the cupboard where it was hidden and put some into a bowl. 

I took the bowl and went into the living room and sat on the couch with Fluffy, my yellow and white cat. I took one piece of the candy, savoring the sweetness. Then it dawned on me how the shape reminded me of chicken feed.  I threw the bowl up in the air and pieces of candy fell to the ground. I got down on all fours and began to eat the candy like a chicken eating feed. I had not noticed that Fluffy got off the couch and began to lick the candy. As I played chicken, my Aunt Julia walked into the room as well as my grandmother. Both asked what I was doing and I said playing chicken. I had no idea I was eating pieces of candy off the floor that had been licked by the house cat. My aunt and grandmother stifled their laughter at my antics. My aunt picked me up and said time for your nap little peep; you had enough to eat. 

I was probably eleven years old when my Aunt Julia told me this story.  To this day it is one of my favorite childhood stories. After hearing the tale of Candy Corn from that next October forward I would get some Candy Corn, go into a secluded area and enjoy the treat and think about my childhood memory. Tears always would run down my cheeks these days as this story unfolds within my head as I remember each of these three relatives fondly.  I was an adult in my forties when I lost my uncle and aunt; a child when I lost grandma. 

Of course I have wonderful memories of other relatives in my life, but it seems fall brings out the memory of these three.  I do have a wonderful Christmas memory of the same uncle, but that is for December; for some reason seeing a man in suspenders brings memories of my grandfather. 

Until next time....think back to your own childhood and how certain items brings a happy memory to you. 

Memorial Day

We are approaching Memorial Day weekend.  Many think of this as a three day holiday celebration; the beginning of the summer season. Many will take trips, have cookouts, picnics and outings to lakes and parks.  The boisterous voices of those enjoying a three day weekend will be heard everywhere.  Many will give greetings of "Happy Memorial  Day" BUT what is there to be happy about?  Memorial Day is not a day of celebration BUT a day of REMEMBRANCE.  Remembering and paying honor and tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice; those brave heroes who gave their all for our nation during times of war and conflict.  Veterans organizations will hold services and place flags on graves of veterans.   They will ask everyone to have a moment or two of silence to remember those who gave their all. 

There will be twenty-one gun volleys and a bugler will sound "Taps" that will echo far and wide.  

Many confuse Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and Armed Forces Day. It is Armed Forces Day we pay tribute to the men and women CURRENTLY serving in the military. Veteran's Day is the day we thank those and honor the men and women WHO served in the military. Memorial Day we REMEMBER those who perished upon the field of battle; the ones who did not know how their day would end. 

With Memorial Day approaching, it is important to for everyone to take a moment and reflect on what the day means.  It's not about a day off work, a three day holiday weekend, the Indy Race or picnics, cookouts and outings; the day is about honoring the memory of those who served with pride, died upon the battle field for our country SO that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. 

If possible attend an event in your community sponsored by a veterans organization.  Purchase a Poppy from the local American Legion Post and wear it proudly. 

They gave their all for us; honor them with a moment of silence.