Don't Mess With Me

There are a few phrases that just make my blood boil, make me want to turn and irrationally yell at whomever has just uttered those words. One of them is one I heard many times today - Don't take it personally. Don't take it personally??? Really??? When it affects me, it is personal. When it affects someone I love, it is personal. When it affects someone I respect, it is personal. I know I am not in a position to change rules, policies, et cetera in all areas of my life, but that doesn't mean I have to like them. I tend to be one of those people that quickly jumps up on my soapbox to defend my views or defend others (yeah, if you know me well, this fact comes as no surprise).  I happen to like my soapbox, finding it therapeutic to get worked up something, let out my frustrations, thoughts, emotions, and then stomp down and try to move on with my day. It is my adult version of throwing a toddleresque temper tantrum if you will. 


Today just happened to be one of those days that started with frustration, that continued with frustration, a day during which all little things seemed to annoy the hell out of me. Now before you say, whaaaa, whaaaa, stop whining, stop and think. We all have these days, and if you can't admit that you do, you are lying. I have the right to be frustrated with the world and in the end, the world will probably thank me for letting this frustration out today, rather than holding on to it and exploding in a not-so-pretty mess of frustration at the end of the week. In short, don't mess with me when I am already upset. 


What am I REALLY upset about? I'd rather not say, as I need to maintain personal and professional composure and save face. Most people who saw me today did not really see me, but rather my friend Molly, Molly Sunshine. Many of you know Molly well and perhaps even receive Molly as a visitor during you days we well. She is a lovely friend, the one who you hear coming out of my mouth when I say I am "Fine, just FINE!" Molly is the one who allows me to smile when I want to scowl, to answer the phone pleasantly when I want to just ignore the ringing or say "What do you want now?" Molly is a necessary part of my work day when I am frustrated. I am glad that she is there and I am sure my co-workers would agree, probably even suggesting that she continue to hang around until I can get my attitude in check. 


I try not to use this blog to just rant about things that upset or anger me, but today is one of those days. Perhaps it is more of several days of little frustrations all built up, then set in motion by one bigger one from today. Either way, I am aware of the fact that I am not the most pleasant person to be around today. My apologies. Perhaps tomorrow I will be back to being the ray of sunshine that you all have come to love. So, early to bed with hopes of letting sleep clear my mind and put me back on an even playing field. I just have to remind myself that it's just life and things could be worse... but honestly, I am glad they're not. I might just wring Molly's little neck....


What frustrates you and how do you handle it? Suggestions?

Yes, I Give Myself Pep Talks, Well, Kind Of

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel as if nothing is going right and no matter what you do, you can't seem to get rid of the little grey cloud above your head? Well, I know I have those days and I have found that just doing something little for myself, no matter how small it may be, can make it better. Instead of counting on others and outside forces to make the day a bit sunnier or less stressful, I have found a way to give myself a little pep talk, a reminder that I can handle anything. 

On one of these most challenging days, a few months ago, I was out purchasing program supplies for work, and randomly sitting on a shelf in the kiddie craft section, completely out of place was this little gem:

Being the shoe lover that I am, I knew it was a sign. I purchased it for myself (who doesn't love random gifts for no real reason, even if they are from yourself) and upon my return to the office, quickly placed it on my desk, not out there for everyone to see, but right where I can see it when I need it. I always say that wearing fabulous shoes can bring an improvement to your attitude, so now, on those most trying of days, I sneak a peak at this little picture, then look down at the soles I chose that day. Then, I take a deep breathe and I swear I can feel my soul smile. 

What little things bring you joy when you are feeling down or overwhelmed?

The Newness of Today

This morning I awoke to a pleasant song, "Auld Lang Syne". Yes, I am aware that New Years has come and gone and that we are truly into 2011 now, but the song made me smile. It is the version that was featured in the Sex and the City Movie, by Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis. While I love this version, the words, the symbolism of the song are what made me start to think, which is not an easy task in the morning. It seemed rather appropriate that a song so closely tied to the beginning of a new year and the possibilities it brings was the one that started my day, a new day, again, so full of possibility.

It is easy to wake up each morning and fret about what lies ahead, all the appointments and meetings cluttering the calendar, all the stops that need to be made, the errands that need to be made, the chores that need to be done. We can worry about how to accomplish so much in one day, what to make for dinner, what to wear that day, how to come up with the money to pay that one last bill this month. I often fall into this trap and stress myself out even more my feet hit the floor. It is a bad habit to get into, and while I try not to let my mind wander to my to-do list so early in the day, sometimes it just happens.


Waking to "Auld Lang Syne" brought a different feel to my day, a feeling of hope and possibility, the same as the feeling so many people experience when a new year begins. Why is it that we are so excited to ring in a new year, but don’t often greet a new day with the same sense of enthusiasm? A new day, in a way, might be an even bigger gift than a new year, a chance to undo the things that were not done right the day before, a chance to make different choices, to start a new to-do list, a chance to begin with a new attitude. Sometimes we don’t appreciate a new day the way we should, seeing it as just another step towards the weekend or another block of time filled with responsibilities and things we must accomplish, tasks to be done, people to please, et cetera.


My Opa is a very happy morning person, an individual who is perky and very much awake the moment hi feet hit the floor. I am not. The more I think about it, perhaps he is just embracing the beauty and promise of each day, seeing the opportunities it brings for new adventures, new quiet moments, to learn something new, to enjoy a new and yet another day with the ones he loves the most. He always jokes with me and says, “I checked the paper and my name wasn’t in the obituaries, so I got up.” It always makes me laugh and, given some thought, he has a point. Each day we are given a new chance to live, to our lives, even for just 24 what we want, what we will. We are free with each sunrise to make new decisions, to refocus, to reevaluate, to re-prioritize, to begin on new things, or revisit things or people left behind in haste yesterday. Seeing the possibility in a new day is like a little bit of new years excitement, given as a gift to each of us every morning. We should embrace it, whatever it may bring. The decisions belong to us each morning, the important decisions, like who to spend our time with, what deadlines are the most pressing, or what fabulous pair of shoes to wear today.


"Auld Lang Syne" was a random iTunes pick as my alarm this morning, but I think I may stick with it, just as a simple reminder to see each day as a new beginning, much like the new year.




Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?
And days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?


We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne,
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld ang syne.


We twa hae sported i' the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne.

But seas between us braid hae roared

Sin' auld lang syne.

And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Giving Thanks

So, everyone has been writing posts this last week about what they are thankful for and how grateful they are for the people and things in their lives, expressing their joy at being blessed with certain things. I am grateful for many things, for the people in my life, for people who may no longer be a big part of my life, for places, for moments, for opportunities, for the little things, and so on. After much consideration, here is the one thing I felt most thankful for yesterday:

Thanksgiving, the holiday itself. I am thankful for the holidays, for them coming around again each year, for the calculated times to celebrate all that we have, to be together with family and friends, to share food and drink and laughter, stories and a good time. I am of the belief that we should be in the holiday spirit more often, not just those six weeks where we celebrate Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, or as new GAP commercials say, "Have a Happy Whatever-you-wanna-kah!" Love it!

So, this year, I am thankful for the holidays, for the times I know I will get to spend with my family, with friends, both the new and the old. Oh, and there is always the fact that I didn't have to cook my own turkey this year...

Let the Sun Shine

It is Monday and on top of that, it is raining, hardcore raining. It is supposed to keep raining for most of this week, which is kind of depressing. I don't mind rain sometimes, but it doesn't seem like we really need it and in excess, not so cool. I figure that since the weather is depressing me slightly, I should focus on the things that have made me smile lately, things that have been rays of sunshine in my life.

1. Dinner and Errands with Mom - It was nice to share a meal with her and to share some retail therapy. Lord knows we both needed it! It was a great way to spend a Friday evening after a long and hectic week.

2. New Red Boots - Yes, new boots, yes, a good heel height, and yes, red. I love them and they love me. New shoes always make me happy!

3. Evening with an Old Friend - Amy Jean and I don't get the chance to hang out just the two of us very often. We went out to dinner where I had guacamole (which always makes my day) and then went to Michael's. We got lots of fun crafty stuff and then headed to the liquor store where we procured wine. We sat on her couch, shared some bottles of yummy wine and chatted. She is one of my favorite people to spend time with and I am glad that after 20 years we are still such good friends!

4. TV Marathons - A good part of Sunday afternoon and evening was spent curled up on the couch watching TV, including a Law and Order: Criminal Intent marathon. This is such a perfect way to spend a day. It is the perfect relax after a busy week and weekend and the perfect way to rest up for the week.

5. Ice Cream - My boss took her Membership staff to Cold Stone today. She won a behind-the-scenes tour in an auction and we went and it was lovely. We go to mix our own ice cream and enjoyed a great time together, eating and laughing like friends, not just co-workers. And come on, who doesn't love free ice cream? Jamie is the best!

So, those are the thing that have made me smile lately. Overall it has been a rough and hectic couple weeks and sometimes it is good to take a few minutes to focus on those rays of sunshine, be they large or small. What are the little things that make you smile?

Here's to a rainy week and the moments of sunshine I will find in it!

Training (W)heels

As any reader of my blog knows, I LOVE shoes! Heels are my preference, the higher the better! I believe every woman should wear them, learn to walk in them, embrace them and the wonderousness they bring to our lives (not to mention how great they make your legs look).

My friend Darlene met my famly at church today andthen came over to our house for lunch. She is a wonderful person and we always have insane amounts of fun together. But, there is one thing we do not agree on... shoes. Now, she woreheels to church today and I am so proud of her for that. You see, my good friend tends to be a creature of comfort (which is one of the things I like about her), and as such, her footwear of choice usually looks something like this:

Now, I on the other hand, would much prefer if my tennis shoes looked like this:

Now, call me crazy, but I think they are adorable! And frankly, I run better in heels than in flats (well, when/if I run), so I think they are a good option.

Onto the issue of actual high-heeled sho

es, the footwear of the goddesses... ahhhhh.... Today my mother said that, for her, a 1 1/2 inch heel is just fine, nothing higher. I about cried, seriously. 1 1/2 inches? Really? Really? Say it ain't so! Someone hold me!

Shoes with a 1 1/2 inch heel looks like this:

To me, these are what I call training heels. They are the heels that get girls ready for their first pair of real heels. Now, I realize that there is a time and place for a shoe with a low heel or for a nice pair of flats (and believe it or not, I do own some), but I am not convinced that these should be in the same category as real heels, grown up heels. My heels of choice are not something outrageous, something that is too high for people to actually walk in, just something with a substanial heel, something that makes people notice what I am wearing on my feet.

Let's say something like this:

Or this:

Or this:

Or this:

I recently saw something online that, to me, is the ultimate in training heels. You can think what you want, but I think they are adorable, and if I have anything to do with it, my niece Katie will have a pair sooner rather than later (she does turn 8 months next week and what could possibly be a more perfect gift from her Aunt Nina).

Here they are:

Heels for babies, yes, you saw that correctly. (Check out all the cute pairs here: http://www.heelarious.com/ ) I know there are people out there who think these are so wrong and bad for our children, but frankly, if you child is not walking yet, how are they hurting them any? They are adorable, and I think every gal, no matter her age, should have a fabulous pair of heels.

So, I guess even if they are training heels, for a baby or my mother, they are heels. My dream is to have a closet akin to that of Carrie in SATC, the movie, and those amazing, fabulous, perfect shoes she got from Big....

Ahhhh... every Cinderella has her slipper, and that is perfect and so worth "training" for!

Make Sure You Have An Umbrella...

Despite the fact that I have felt a little gloomy cloud hanging over my lately, I am going to try to focus on the good things this week. Yes, sometimes little things happen that become like umbrellas, sheltering us from the rain, if even for just a few moments:

1. Naps with my niece Katie - I love cuddling with her on the couch, watching her fall asleep, grinning sweetly, the way only baby girls can, and falling asleep, probably grinning, too.

2. Ben & Jerry's Half Baked Ice Cream - chocolate, fudge brownie, and cookie dough... enough said.

3. Zoe's Dance Recital - Yes, an hour and a half of small children dancing, tap and ballet. No, they are not great, but they sure are cute, and many made me laugh. I am very proud of my goddaughter!

4. Dinner with Mom - After the dance recital my mom and I enjoyed a quiet dinner with just adult conversation, no sippy cups, no bibs, no whining, etc. A good time for sure.

5. Almost Being Employed - I heard back from a great organization that I interviewed with and am one step closer to being employed!

6. Being Puzzled - I know it is a little thing, but I did a logic puzzle, all by myself, and got it correct the first time! Yes, all of it! I usually suck at logic stuff or get frustrated before I get very far, but I was focused and did well! Yay me!

7. Rub-down - I was so excited to find a gift certificate I got for Christmas a few years ago (that was misplaced during a move). It is for a massage and pedicure and I am going today, treating myself to some time for just me, and it's free! WOOHOO!

Well, these little things have made me smile this week. Sometimes it really is the little things. What little things have made you happy this week?