Full tummy, full heart

Thanksgiving rocks. Yummy food, family, friends, football, and the possibility of an afternoon nap are all reasons this just might be my favorite holiday of the year. Oh, and let's not forget the 30 days of Facebook postings from people publicly sharing what they're thankful for....

This time of year is filled with nostalgia. Whether it's the smell of turkey and stuffing (dressing, as they call it in the south), or the twinkle of Christmas lights on the tree, memories are everywhere. Do you ever think back to the year before, and remember where you were, who you were with, and what you were doing? For some reason the holidays trigger memories for me like this...am I the only one?

Last year on Thanksgiving my dad came to visit and we spent the weekend playing, talking and just enjoying each others' company. The year before that was the first Thanksgiving I spent without my girls (they were with my ex), and instead of crying all day I hopped on a plane and surprised my family in Florida. This year I journeyed out to the "Country" and was surrounded with love by an incredible family who welcomed me with open arms. I even got my hands on a shotgun.

My life has been full of blessings, and I am truly thankful. It isn't always easy, especially when I don't get to share these special holidays with my children, but I do my best to be thankful in all circumstances. One of my favorite scriptures is 1 Thessalonians 5:18:, Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

With a full heart (and a full tummy) I give thanks :)

{disclaimer: no animals were harmed during the holiday shotgun show}

Me vs. the Rainbow Loom

It's amazing what a little peer pressure can do. Thankfully I have a first grader who is teaching me how to be cool all over again. First it was the need for a certain pair of shoes. Then it was pigtail braids "like Maddie" (easily solved after a quick text to her mom with detailed description and instructions). Next it was the Rainbow Loom. I should have known it was only going to get worse.

When Elizabeth came home begging for this particular item I had absolutely no clue what she was talking about. The only thing I could really make out of her babbling conversation was friendship bracelets...okay, I thought to myself...I get it. If the Rainbow Loom is what we need, then the Rainbow Loom is what we'll get. After all, you won't receive friendship bracelets unless you give friendship bracelets. Nostalgia kicked in as I remembered the days of summer camp, friendship bracelets and my desire to be cool.

The next day I went to Michael's on a mission. I was going to buy this Rainbow Loom and all of the necessary accessories for my daughter to make the coolest friendship bracelets ever. The minute I saw the giant display I realized this must be the cool thing. I could tell by the herd of mommies sorting through the shelves, chit chatting about rubber band colors, different styles, etc.

I had no clue what I needed to buy to make this bracelet thing happen, so I asked the salesperson for a translation. Here's what I got:

Her: The Rainbow Loom is a tool used to make bracelets from small rubber bands.

Me: Ohhhhhh, okay. I get it. So we loop these rubber bands on this loom thing and magically it all connects into a bracelet?

Her: Yes ma'am. But you may want to watch the YouTube tutorials...the instructions in the box aren't very good.

Me: YouTube? Really?

Her: Yes, really. The directions are awful and you'll never figure it out. Watch the tutorials on YouTube.

OKAY. At this point I should have known I was in over my head. Little did I know I was up s*#@'s creek without a paddle.

Elizabeth was excited to get started, so we got on YouTube. If you're a mom, chances are you know exactly what I'm about to say. The tutorial is basically some bootleg video with cute asian (I think?) kids, teaching us (clearly the ADULTS) how to make the "basic" bracelet.

I'm not too proud to say it- I had to pause, rewind, and restart the video several times. Of course by now Elizabeth has lost interest and relocated to the television while I slaved away like a kid in a sweat shop.

Fast forward 5 days...

I made far too many friendship bracelets than I care to admit, Elizabeth still didn't have a clue, and there were rubber bands EVERYWHERE. Even my vacuum agreed. The Rainbow Loom had to GO.

It's been tucked away nicely, somewhere really really high, where little fingers can't reach and where rubber bands can't escape. Surprisingly enough no one has missed it.

Afternoon quickie

Every now and then you just need one. All it takes is fifteen, twenty, or, if you're lucky, thirty minutes in bed and wham, bam, thank you ma'am...it's a whole new me.

Get your heads out of the gutter, people. I'm not talking about that kind of quickie (although...never mind...I'm not gonna go there...) I'm talking about a good old fashioned power nap.

Isn't it amazing how a short little snooze can totally re-energize you? The other day I was working at my desk when the cement eyelids kicked in. You know the feeling, like when you're sitting in church and your head starts bobbing back and forth...and suddenly your entire body twitches and wakes you up...yeah, that was me. Rather than fight the inevitable snooze, I surrendered. A flash of guilt crossed my mind, but I got over it.

Thirty minutes later I was back at my desk, knocking out the to do list like it was my job (ummm, yeah I guess it kinda is). I was much more productive post nap than I would have been fighting cement eyelids/bobbing head syndrome for an hour.

So today, my friends, I challenge you to embrace your inner toddler and go for the power nap. You'll wake up refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle the rest of the day. If only our businesses were modeled after preschools, life might be much easier.

P.S. Welcome to my new and improved blog...take a look around and check back often...I'll be dishing on all sorts of fun stuff these next few months :)