The Disrespected Turkey

I typically don't use my blog to vent. I find it too easy to get in the habit of griping about life, and who needs that kind of negativity? But... today I'm going to. Because this drives me nuts.

Shopping ON Thanksgiving.

To be fair, I'm not a fan of shopping. I find it frustrating and stressful, and I always worry that I shouldn't be spending money (this is what happens when you are in charge of bills in your household). Despite that, I understand Black Friday and the rush people get from finding specials and fighting the crowds. I would rather poke my eyes out with a fork, but I get why many people like it. I guess.

This year people are pushing it a bit farther and shopping ON Thanksgiving. Now, maybe this is not the first year that this has been a trend, but I think it's certainly getting more publicity. Folks are leaving shortly after their holiday meal to find their holiday deals and I think it's ridiculous. Shoppers can't stay home ONE DAY and relax? Or just shop on the internet? I really don't get it.

I do realize that not everyone is blessed enough to have family live nearby or to have halfway sane family members to spend time with. But other people do, and they want to stay at home and enjoy them, not sell sweaters and televisions on a holiday.

I think that perhaps this subject may get under my skin a little more because my mom is a nurse and has had to miss every other holiday with us for as long as I can remember. Obviously doctors and nurses can't just stay at home, and I have a lot of respect my mother's career. She has always worked in geriatrics, and now she works as a hospice nurse. So this year for Christmas she'll be caring for dying people while others are at home opening gifts and eating ham. She never complains about it, just takes it in stride. But I'm pretty sure if she had to work at a department store, it wouldn't be as fulfilling to miss the holidays. And, she's not the only one that misses holiday celebrations, we have to miss celebrating with her.

Oh, and one more thing that gets under my skin. I have read posts on facebook for nearly a month complaining about people enjoying Christmas things prior to Thanksgiving. Complain, complain, complain, about Christmas lights, music, decorations, yadda, yadda, yadda. Generally I kind of feel the same way, but I've started viewing Thanksgiving and Christmas as one big holiday season. And, I pretty much missed out on Christmas last year as I was shushing, rocking, nursing a very colicky newborn the entire season. I have catching up to do.

In any case, as I scrolled through my facebook feed on Thanksgiving, pretty much the same people that had vented about Christmas decorations being out too early were bragging about the great deals they had snagged on Thanksgiving. REALLY?!? It's super awful for me to enjoy Christmas music a week before Thanksgiving but OK for you to necessitate workers missing a holiday so you can shop? This makes no sense to me.

What do you think? Should retail stores be open on Thanksgiving?

** Now that I've ticked off probably half my readers, I'll try to reel everyone back in with this news... I'm being featured on Curvy Girl Guide this Tuesday! Stay tuned :)

Here's the List

I've been pondering since the weekend about what to post this week. While I had almost decided on several grainy cell phone pics of Amelia cuddling with her daddy and sleeping along with a weekend recap, eh, that sounded boring. As Facebook has been flooded with people's daily gratitudes during the month of November, I've decided I should post my own list.

I should add here that although I rarely make a written list of gratitude, I do try to reflect at least once a day on what I'm grateful for. My cousin writes a daily list and e-mails it to several of her friends, and I generally am obsessive about checking my e-mail until she sends it. Partially because it is a way for me to stay connected to her even when both of our lives are very busy, but also because it is a good reminder of the small things in life that help people get past bad days, tragic life happenings, and grumpy moods. As soon as I read it, I think about what I am grateful for, and because she sends it early in the morning, I can start my day feeling grateful and remember to be this way during the day.

For instance, when Little Miss Grumpy Pants will not sleep through her whole nap and I am stuck holding her while I'm trying to work one handed? I take a deep breath and look at her soft features, her slow and peaceful breathing, her pudgy little arms, and realize that I will miss this cuddling some day. What else am I grateful for?

• My daughter is healthy and happy. I really take this for granted until she catches a cold or flu, or until I think of the many people I know that struggle with infertility or have had children that have passed away. She drives me a little nuts some days, but she is a blessing and we are so, so fortunate that she is well.
• I have awesome parents. They do an immense amount for us, from providing Amelia with clothes, diapers, and toys, to babysitting and listening to me gripe when I feel like I being pushed over the edge by motherhood. They are terrific, loving grandparents and let me know often that they are here for me anytime.
• I have a wonderful marriage. It is not always easy, and we go through our up's and down's like any other couple. I have really been reflecting lately how good of a husband and father my spouse is. He is kind and makes me feel like the most beautiful woman alive. He appreciates my cooking and ability to do 50 things at once to keep our home up and raise our child. He apologizes when he's wrong, and he tells me I'm a good mom frequently. Watching him cuddle or tickle Amelia melts my heart and I'm so grateful that we are raising our daughter together.
• The rest of my family is awesome too! It would take me all day to go through each and every one, but trust me, I'm blessed with a great family. When people complain that they have to deal with family gatherings during the holidays, I have no idea what they are talking about. I look forward to stuffing myself and then laughing around the table after a good meal.
• Employment. I think this is a huge thing that I took for granted a year ago, and I really try to be thankful for it every day. Luckily, so far my job is making this easy. I had a few qualms about working for an online school, but it's only taken me a couple months to be amazed at the teamwork and positive attitudes that I witness every day.

• Wonderful pets. I know, some people are not into animals, that's fine. But we are, and we pretty much have the best ever. As our daughter has been edging on abusive towards Mikey (our 8 year old 13 pound cat) and Molly (our sweet, obedient 3 year old golden retriever), I'm reminded every day that we are lucky to have them. I don't have to worry about Amelia being hurt by one of them, and she is growing up knowing how to be kind to animals.
• All the other standards to be thankful for: a warm house, food on the table, clean water, a safe area to live, transportation. I list it off like it's nothing, but all it takes is turning on the news to be extremely grateful for any of these things.

I really could go on and on. I've been thinking of tons of 'small' things to be grateful for every day. However, I have onion rolls to start baking and a daughter to play with. So, I leave you with a picture of three of my loves and a wish for you to have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude.