Acts of Kindness

Mom and I were going shopping and decided to run through McDonald's for a quick bite to eat.  After ordering and pulling through to pay, the cashier said that the car in front of us paid for us too.  She said that the other driver said that she knew me.  I didn't recognize the car but thought she'd pull over after she got her order, so that I could thank her for buying. After paying, she just drove away.  It took a few minutes of confusion on my part to realize that it was just a random act of kindness. 

So now I've been waiting to do the same for someone else...

The best part of this was that it was totally unexpected.

So, during this Holiday season, do something unexpected for a total stranger.

Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Merry Christmas

May you find  the love and peace of the Christmas season!

Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us

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Christmas movies

I'm sitting here watching Christmas movies.  Have to love the 25 days of Christmas.  It's amazing just how many movies there are. 

Couple of my favorites are The Grinch (both versions are classics), The Christmas Story (because everyone thought Cody looked like Ralphie when he was little), Elf (it's just simply fun), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (there are too many ridiculous moments), plus many others. 

I've never been a "Its a Wonderful Life" fan.  I know- some of you will boo me for that.  The Home Alone movies just make me want to yell "Kevin".  The Christmas Carol is a dark, scary movie. Alot of Lifetime and Hallmark movies make me cry.

Charlie Brown's Christmas tree makes everyone remember the movie. I like Snoppy pretending that he's a vulture, Schoeder's classic piano, and Pigpen's dirt cloud.

The newer "Santa Clause" movies are fun too.  It's like Santa meets Tool Time.

But my favorite Christmas movies are what we call "Nash and Cody movies". When the boys were younger, they would ask to watch their movies.  These are the best.  We laugh at everyone's antics, clothes, my hair, and how cute they were in their pjs.

So what if Christmas movies can be a bit sappy? They warm our hearts, restore our faith in humanity and generally bring joy to the world. So choose a few of your favorites, pop some popcorn and enjoy some family time.

Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Thanksgiving

Ok- I've been quiet for about 2 weeks.  My dissapointment in 52% of  my fellow Americans who voted back in our Preisdent has somewhat subsided.  Really- all I can say is I hope that they are happy with their current financial situation because it is not going to get any better in the next 4 years. It will only get worse. The election could be debated for the next 4 years but I'll move onto something else.

How about Thanksgiving? I'm sitting here deciding on what to say.  Holidays are supposed  to be about families, getting together and enjoying each other.  So why does everyone complain about the Holidays? We'll get together with family, who we see a few times a year.  In my younger years, I wished we had the Norman Rockwell type family, who got together often, shared memories and stories, etc. But I've decided family is what it is. If it means only getting together a few times a year, and getting through the awkward moments and situations, then that is what it is. I know that with my boys, we will maintain the closeness that we all share. We have our own holiday memories- something about singing and dancing in the kitchen on Christmas Eve when everyone leaves  :)  but that's our memories. 

As for Black Friday, it was fun 20-25 years ago when it wasn't it's own holiday.  Persoanlly, I don't go anywhere near the stores.  I think I can get as good prices the day before Thanksgiving or during the pre-Holiday season.  I'm really not about crowds.

So to everyone,  enjoy your Thanksgiving. (And finally admit to your mother that you don't like Pumpkin pie).

 

 

Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Sandy

Well, Frankenstorm has come and gone, leaving its path of destruction along the way. 

Fortunately, here in Pittsburgh, we only got a ton of rain but not everyone was so lucky.  I feel so bad for the people in NYC, NJ and MD. It will take years to re-build what has been destroyed.

Thanks to everyone who texted or emailed making sure we were all OK here.

Up to the mountains and into West Virginia, they got tons of snow. Snowshoe is considering opening early for skiers.  We are going to head up the mountains to check on everything.  It's always exciting to see the first snow.

So what does everyone think about Halloween festivities being cancelled until the weekend? Personally, I could see in the hard hit areas. But around here, so what if it is raining or snowing? As kids, we went trick-or-treating in all kinds of weather.  My mom would always make sure that whatever our costume, we could wear a winter coat or rain jacket under it.  I also remember the Halloween of 1991 and the big snow fall that we had because it was Nash's first Halloween that we were going to take him around to the neighbors. Sure, its wonderful when the weather cooperates and you can stop and visit with neighbors along the way.

But are we, as overprotective parents who want everything perfect, ruining these children holidays?  Aren't these part of the memories, that trudging through snow up neighbors sidewalks to get candy or your candy bag being soaked from rain?

Happy Halloween to all!!

 

 

 

 

Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Pink Ribbon Month

We all know that it's Breast Cancer Awareness month so I'm going to put my two-cents worth in and tell everyone to schedule their mammograms. (OK guys- you can stop reading here!!)

The doctors say that you should schedule your first mammogram by age 40, if there is no family history to do so earlier.  I waited until I was 45 to have my first and shouldn't have waited so long.  Long story short,  after multiple mammograms, sonograms, biopsies and surgery, everything was benign, but it was a long 3-4 months to get those results.  Every year, when I schedule my appointment, I always have the "what if" thoughts. Yes, I've had further biopsies over the years, but they say early diagnosis is the best, so call today!!

Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Bike Week

Joe and I were down the beach last weekend for Fall bike week.  Joe sure knows how to treat a girl right. We went to the Rat Hole, Spokes and Bones, and the Beaver Bar. We ate dinner at the Dead Dog Saloon.  Actually we had a good time.  This bike week is different than spring. It's mostly "older" couples (like our age), basically professionals living the biker life. And no, I don't do leather chaps or halters.

Chad (aka Kenny) and Crystal, our beach neighbors, were out and about with us. I felt better having another female with me at these places.  The bars weren't that bad.  I was only uncomfortable at Spokes and Bones. It seemed to be more of a hard core biker bar.  I was having thoughts of the "Wild Hogs" movie.

Of course the weather is warm and sunny.  Anything to be away from Pittsburgh's 40's and rainy.

My idea of bike week.....

Just kidding. Here's a pic of Joe's Harley

Have a fun and safe day

Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....