Thanksgiving: The Little Things

On November 24, 2013November 23, 2013 By R. PettyIn Opinions2 Comments

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. – Robert Brault

Recently, my amazing grandmother messaged me and moved our family’s Thanksgiving to the Sunday after. At first, I couldn’t believe what was happening…I don’t have to go to two Thanksgivings in one day? Has the world come to an end?

It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but it is. I talked with people all week about their plans, and I heard, “I’m driving to Illinois, Ohio, this city and that. One day here, one day there.” And I realized her very small gesture actually meant a great deal.

After 15 years of having two Thanksgivings a day, and before that, three or four in two days, it’s so nice to know we can go to one and relax. My grandmother gets it.

As I listened to everyone explain where they were going or how many people they were hosting, I heard the truth. The holidays stress people the hell out. Is that what we really want to remember in 20 years. Is that what matters?

Families should be more flexible and understanding. After all, is it not our families who are supposed to be that way no matter what? Aren’t they the ones who are supposed to love us unconditionally and support us through life?

Don’t Have Traditions for the Sake of Having Them

Too often families gripe and moan about not celebrating on that day. “It’s not the same…but it’s Thanksgiving…,” and they whine and whine. Thanksgiving is whatever day you schedule it. The whole purpose of the holiday is to spend time with people who care about and show thanks for what we have. And yes, I believe we can do that every day of the year. Thanksgiving is just to make sure we do it.

Let’s talk about food. Not everyone eats the same thing, so why should an entire family cater to a couple of people? Shouldn’t we all compromise and find a solution? Thankfully, my family is very diverse, so we have lots of options and favorites. We try new recipes and all pitch in.

If you have more than a few people who want to see, say an average of 10 people, consider rotating who travels where, maybe change the day of the feast, or throw in the cooking towel and go to a restaurant. You don’t have to have turkey and dressing. In fact, I’m having Chinese soon. And it will be a Thanksgiving celebration because I will eat a lot of good food and enjoy even better company.

So, this year I thank my grandmother, who truly gets the spirit of the season. She made a very small decision that meant a great deal – she just wanted everyone to be able to attend and bring a dish. Consider doing the same for the people you care about – you may help stop some madness, too.

If You Want to Write: Journals

On November 17, 2013November 17, 2013 By R. PettyIn Writing for Web and TipsLeave a comment

Doctors will tell you to keep a journal in order to release stress and sort out emotions. Jotting down all your feelings and thoughts can help you resolve conflict, make decisions, and force you to learn about yourself. But why should writers keep a journal?

In this chapter, Ueland explains the benefits of journal writing and how it makes you a better writer. Not better in the sense of correct grammar and what the world expects of you – better in the way of more honest, real, and true to who you are.

But why is it important to be real?

Readers want to devour a good book. A good book deprives you from sleep, takes you away from your family and friends, and sucks you deep into the world it creates. As an author, you can’t do that without being real. Your reader will move onto something better, and frankly, honest is more interesting and fun.

Any writer can fill pages with words. It takes true talent to show a reader what you see rather than telling them. Ueland uses this example:

His muscles rippled through his shoulders. (Did they really? No.) So she asks, what do you see it your mind?

His muscles looked as if they would burst through the seams of his shirt. (Believable and descriptive)

The novel Gone Girl is a great example of this. And ironically, it’s set in a journal format. That’s no accident. Journals are people being who they are and who they don’t want to be. The best-seller captivated readers worldwide, and it remains one of the most talked about novels in my office. It was the nitty-gritty details of a relationship, and it felt real. You were smack in the middle of the story and couldn’t put it down.

What you can gain from your journal:

A greater love for writing – Sometimes it’s hard to write and get into the habit, but once it becomes a routine, you have to do it. It’s like an addiction, and if it’s not done, your day may feel incomplete.
It jump starts other projects – We all have a book or story idea that we haven’t made time for. We sit down at the computer and freak out because we don’t know where to begin. After journal writing, you’ll realize that you can just start, and edit and fill in gaps later. You can even trade the time you’d spend on your journal on that new project, or switch back and forth as needed.
Immerse yourself in your own life – If you took one hour a day you play on social media or watch TV and wrote in your journal, you’d have insight into your own life, dreams, and self. As scary as it may be, good writers aren’t afraid to explore their most inner thoughts.

She recommends keeping a journal and writing in it every day, but not looking back on it until six months have passed. Doing so, you’ll see honest progression and skill as the journal continues. You learn more about the personality that comes out in your writing because no matter how hard you try, it will come through for the world to see.

Want more tips? Check out our If You Want to Write section!

Salute Your Shorts: Revisited

On November 10, 2013November 9, 2013 By R. PettyIn TV ShowsLeave a comment

Do you know the words?

We run, we jump, we swim, and play.

We row and go on trips.

But the things that last forever

are our dear friendships…

If you kept singing or know the song, you must have grown up in the 90s. That’s the opening verse to Salute Your Shorts, the show about a group of kids at summer camp.

When I was younger, I liked the show a lot, but I liked Are You Afraid of the Dark and Clarissa Explains It All more. I couldn’t really relate to any of the characters on SYS, and I hated the one time I went to summer camp. I still think summer camp is overrated.

As an adult, I realize I miss 90s TV shows. I miss the simplicity, the minor drama, the awkwardness. Today, shows try to do too much or get way too serious. At 12, I didn’t want to hear about 15-year-olds agonizing about sex, and I still don’t.

Salute Your Shorts was simple. Each episode had a situation or conflict, and it was resolved by the end. In 24 minutes or less. So, here are some of my observations (old and new) after watching two volumes:

1. Bobby Budnick still reminds me of Axl Rose. Every time I see Budnick, I think I bet that’s what Axl Rose was like when he was 13 – smart, cunning, mean, and a natural leader.

2. I really dislike Dina Alexander. I never even thought she was cute. She was a terrible, terrible person, and I did not understand how anyone would want to even be in the same room with her. Had I been in her bunk, I would have hung her on the flagpole.

3. Most of the characters still irritate me. The only character I relate to now is Z.Z, the nerdy tree-hugger type, so I’m not sure what that says about me as an adult.

4. The show holds up, but it’s nostalgia that keeps it going. Would it survive if it aired now? No. There’s not enough drama and fighting; there were no tears. It was just kids doing kids things and solving their own problems without it being Earth shattering.

5. I can still sing the opening song word for word. And I’ll admit something to all our great readers out there: Until two weeks ago, I thought the song said “… are our dear friend Chips.” Yes, chips. It didn’t make any sense at the time, but I never tried to figure it out. Two weeks ago, when I heard it again, I said … “OH….” and laughed and laughed. And felt really dumb.

I encourage anyone who enjoyed Nick’s 90s era to revisit Salute Your Shorts. Amazon has two volumes for $6 each, and it’s worth it just to relive a time where things weren’t so dependent on technology and dramatic. If you want to learn what made us late 20-somethings and 30-somethings who we are today, watch the old Nick shows.

For extra fun, here’s a video from a “scary” episode. It still creeps me out a little…

Halloween Flashback

On November 3, 2013November 3, 2013 By R. PettyIn Random FunLeave a comment

We hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! We filled our week with horror movies, costuming, giving out candy, and having fun. That’s what it’s all about 🙂

As promised in my Little Costumes post, here are two pics of little me at Halloween. These were the only ones we found, but as you can see, I still loved the season:

Lil Jem and a hologram — Late 1980s: I think I was four or five in this one. My mom says we were Jem and a Hologram – I LOVED Jem. I vaguely remember this costume, but I do remember the headband with the bow. If you’d like a seasonal blast from the past, check out the Halloween-themed Jem!

Santa Claus and a Witch — 1991: This is a pretty adorable story. According to my mom, my little brother was scared of everything (except me lol), so she dressed him up as Santa Claus. I do remember him loving Santa! I was an evil witch in bright blue heels, which were my grandma’s.

We want to thank all our readers and hope everyone had a great October. We’re looking forward to writing new reviews, writing tips, stories, and whatever else we can dream up. We also celebrated our one-year anniversary of Lil’ Horsemen (on Halloween), so if you haven’t read it, we’d love for you to check it out!

Work Halloween Costumes Can Benefit Employees and Charities

On October 20, 2013October 18, 2013 By R. PettyIn Random FunLeave a comment

When I started my current job in 2007, I jumped at the opportunity to dress up for Halloween. We couldn’t dress up that year due to a move, but in 2008, we rocked it.

You see, I worked at a grocery store for almost 11 years and couldn’t dress up. You can’t stock shelves or gather buggies when you’re wearing a dress and heels. And you definitely don’t want to wear a mask or wig, because they are uncomfortable and you risk customers doing the same. There’s a safety issue there, too.

Work costumes can be a great way to have friendly competition, get people together who normally don’t chat, and contests can be an effective way to raise money for a good cause. It’s one day a year. If you have a “holiday” party where you expect people to dress up, why not allow the same thing for Halloween?

Mrs. Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction with a scaracrow and Twister — 2008: My Mrs. Mia Wallace from *Pulp Fiction* (and my lovely co-workers at the time). I had everything for this costume at home and only had to buy the wig. Those are my real nails, and I turned a lot of heads that year with them. Even proofreaders have an edge!

School-girl witch from The Craft — 2009: A school-girl witch inspired by *The Craft*. This was just fun, and how often can you rock the school-girl look?! I had every piece and put it together the night before. It was one of my most comfortable costumes, and I loved every second.

2009: Same year. My awesome co-worker came as Carrie, and we took some fun pics for our photographer. We didn't plan the costumes, which was even better because we paired up and tied for best team costume that year. — 2009: Same year. My awesome co-worker came as Carrie, and we took some fun pics for our photographer. We didn’t plan the costumes, which was even better because we paired up and tied for best team costume that year.

2010: You should recognize the dress from my first post. In this instance, I was a witch and bought a hat. Once again, I have great co-workers who posed with me!

2012: I was the only person who dressed up in 2011, but that didn't discourage me! The next year, we had a contest that raised money for United Way. This is me as Bellatrix Lestrange from Harry Potter and the winner, the Madhatter from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. She earned that win, too! — 2012: I was the only person who dressed up in 2011, but that didn’t discourage me! The next year, we had a contest that raised money for United Way. I had to buy the wig and corset belt, but I owned the other pieces. This is me as Bellatrix Lestrange from *Harry Potter* and the winner, the Madhatter from Tim Burton’s *Alice in Wonderland*. She earned that win, too!

If you’re wondering if I’m dressing up this year, the answer is YES! I have something fun planned, and we’d love to hear your stories in the comments below! Happy Halloween shopping!

*All photos from Journal Communications, Inc.

Halloween: A Family Experience

On October 13, 2013October 12, 2013 By R. PettyIn Random FunLeave a comment

When you think of a family activity, what comes to mind? A week-long beach vacation? A trip to Disneyland? A weekend camping trip? The holidays?

Most people think of Thanksgiving and Christmas when they hear the term “the holidays”. But in my family, including my very close friends, the holidays start with Halloween — the best holiday of all. You don’t have to shop, fight the crowds, and no one is grumpy. What’s not to love?

This week, I’m focusing on the family aspect of Halloween and how you can gain quality time just by getting into costume and maybe trick-or-treating. It’s one night a year, and you can be anything you want!

We have years of memories dressing up together…