Teena's Truths: Life Advice You Can Count On

You know those inspirational posters that you see in offices and schools? The ones with the cat hanging from the tree that says "Just Hang In There" or the captivating image of a man atop a great mountain that simply says "Determination". Yeah well, these aren't those. These are real life nuggets of wisdom, learned the hard way. No flowery, cutesy, awe inspiring imagery. No scrolly, swirly fonts. Just golden gems of truth. Ponder them. Memorize them.  Share them with your friends. Just remember where you heard them. Don't try to claim them as your own, or I will find you, and slap the ever lovin' crap out of you. This shit is mine. See the title? TEENA'S TRUTHS. I'm Teena. Not you. And don't you forget it.

If you don't believe me, just ask the last people who tried to steal my stuff. Oh that's right, you can't. I blew them up. (Thank you M.Campbell Photography for this kick ass photo.)

Anywho.... without further adieu, here is my unparalleled genius. Enjoy.

"Get up, put on something pretty, slap some extra shiny lip gloss on, and make today count before it's over."

"Having a bad hair day? Just wear a low cut shirt or a high cut skirt, and no one will notice."

"There are very few things that glitter, new shoes, and a good song can't fix. For everything else, there's alcohol."

"Practice makes perfect. But if it doesn't, just try not to fuck it up too bad."

"If he doesn't make you laugh AND orgasm, he's not the one."

"Never judge a man by his car. Unless it's a Camaro. Then it's safe to assume he's a douchebag."

"Always use protection. Sex is better without a screaming baby in the other room."

"There's only so much stupid that good looks and a hot body can make up for. So brush up on current events, and read a book from time to time."

"Work hard, play hard, and fuck hard. Not necessarily in that order."

"Always dress to impress. You never know who you'll be making a first impression on. Plus, no one likes a lazy slob."

"Never be ashamed of being yourself. Be ashamed of being someone else, because they probably aren't as awesome."

"Always wear waterproof mascara. Rain and tears are easier to wipe off than black gunk."

"No one likes a whiner. Man the hell up, or shut the hell up."

"Never underestimate the power of a hot bath or a cold beer."

"If you can't find a good man, invest in some good batteries."

That's it for now. I'm sure your brain probably imploded after the first three anyway. There's only so much brilliance the average mind can handle. But don't fret, there will be more. I am brimming with barely contained cleverness.

The Maze of Grief

Today I hit a wall. It's been coming in waves for several days now, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it hit me full on. Well this morning, at 3:43 a.m, I knew it was official. For those of you who may not know, or don't read my blog regularly, we lost our son a little over 15 months ago. I've written about the Grief many times, and tried to explain as best as I can, what we deal with every single day. Lately, I've been finding myself wandering aimlessly through my Grief, and not quite ending up anywhere. It's like being lost in a maze, only it's a maze that has no end. There's a clear start, but no finish. Sometimes a path becomes clear for a while, and you follow it, but then out of nowhere, your path ends. In short... you hit a wall. Sometimes you know you are approaching a wall, because there are subtle signs. You can't focus, you're overly emotional, you feel like you are living in a thick fog, so you know it's only a matter of time before you stumble into something. Other times it's dates or times, seasons, holidays, or anniversaries that are approaching that you know will guide you right into a blocked path. There's no avoiding it, and there's no way around it. Sometimes you are stuck behind that wall for hours, sometimes days, sometimes weeks. Eventually, you drag yourself up and over the wall, and you keep going. If you're lucky, another path becomes clear for a bit, and you follow it. Seeking out the light whenever and wherever you can. If this sounds bizarre and confusing to you... Try living it.
This morning, at 3:43 a.m, I hit a wall. I know that because I woke up shortly before and my mind was a mess. No matter what I did, I couldn't clear it, shake it, or fall back to sleep. This is not uncommon for me, since I suffer from insomnia, but this was different. It's difficult to explain how, but it just is. You'll have to take my word for it.
Now I am trapped behind this wall. Though I am sitting at my desk, writing this post, I am only here physically. My head and heart are elsewhere. I function out of habit. I got up, showered, did my hair and makeup. I even put on some shimmery accessories. I drove to work, and I sang along to the radio. I put on my best "normal" face, and I am going about my business. Why? Because I have to. That's how it works. You don't get to hide from the world, or curl up and disappear. No matter how much you may want to, it's not an option. I can't scream and cry all the time, so I fake a smile. "Fake it til you make it." Wise words from a fellow grieving parent. That's what you do when you hit the wall. You fake it until you can bring yourself to climb up and over it, and really feel joy again. There's no way of knowing how long I'll be here. This isn't my first wall, and it certainly won't be my last. This maze is my life now...

Regrets and Choices

I hear the phrase "No regrets" a lot, and while I appreciate the sentiment, I'm not sure it applies to my life. Or anyone's life for that matter. I think if people were to be truly honest with themselves, they could never really say they had NO regrets. I mean come on... I'm currently regretting the frozen meal I had for lunch. Now I know that's a bit on the lighter side of things, but still, you get my point. I have a great deal of regrets, hindsight being what it is and all. In my youth I made many a regrettable choice, and though I learned a lot, I still wish I had chosen differently. Would I be where I am today without those choices? No. But who knows, maybe I'd be somewhere better. Or maybe I'd be a better person. We'll never know. But I look at things a little differently than others. It's less about not having regrets, and more about accepting those things, and dealing with them the best way you can. Having regrets means I've made mistakes. And even though I learned from them, and ideally, am a better person because of it, I still regret the initial mistake. I'm flawed. We all are. So of course we have regrets.
This brings me to other choices I have made. In 34 years on this planet, I have made and lost many friends. I have cut people out of my life, or accepted my removal from theirs. Some people are not meant to be in your life forever. This doesn't mean that I didn't cherish the time we shared, or that I regret having  had them in my life. They came (and went) for a reason. I accept this. Is it often sad? Of course. It is never easy to let go of people who were once important to you. But sometimes it is necessary. Sometimes I think we try to hold on to the person, when we should just hold on to the memories. Letting go of those people doesn't mean you hate them. It just means you made the choice to love yourself, and remove yourself from a less than ideal relationship or situation. I've never destroyed photos or mementos from my past. Instead I treasure them, as a reminder that each person that comes into my life teaches me something valuable. Gifts that were given in kindness will always remind me of good times with that individual, and even if that person is no longer a part of my present (or future) they were a part of my past, and I will always be thankful for that. Some truths are harder to accept than others, but that doesn't make them any less true. Sometimes being the bigger person doesn't mean forgiving and forgetting. Sometimes it means moving on, and accepting that not all things can be forgiven or forgotten, and being ok with that. It's not about holding grudges. It's about knowing when to say "I deserve better than this." and meaning it. It's about knowing yourself, and what's best for you, and not letting the opinions and assumptions of others sway you.
This is me. This is who I am. Regrets, flaws, mistakes and all. I own it. You may not always like me, and you will more than likely disagree with my choices from time to time. I can accept that. I'm not living my life to please you, or anyone else. In whatever amount of time I have left on this planet, I plan to learn and grow as much as I can. I will make many more mistakes, and I will make many choices that people won't understand. But as long as I know that I am doing the best I can, and choosing what is best for me, I'm ok with that. Because the choices and regrets are my own.

Free and Easy Kids Crafts

Here in Michigan, we had some nasty weather last night, and because of that, many folks found themselves without power. For a lot of those people, that means kids home from school with little or nothing to do. So I decided to create a few projects that you could do at home, with kids of all ages, using only things you most likely have sitting around in closets, or under beds. 
Turkey Finger Puppets:

For this project, all you need is glue, scissors, an old glove, paper or fabric scraps, and googly eyes or buttons. 

Start by cutting the fingers off the glove. Then cut out several feathers from your paper/fabric scraps. Don't forget to cut out a beak and the gobble. (AKA: the red dangly thing)

Once you have all your parts cut out, glue them on, and VIOLA! You have adorable turkey finger puppets! 

Now ask the kids to put on a puppet show. They can sing songs, do a silly barnyard skit, or share things they are thankful for. 

This is also a great project for Thanksgiving, to keep the little ones occupied while waiting on dinner. 

Play Kitchen:

This is a great way to use up all sorts of various odds and ends you may have laying around. The play food can be made using any fabric or colored paper. I used scraps of felt, but craft/scrapbook paper would work great, also. 

Just decide what foods you want to make, and draw them out. I based my foods on colors of felt I had, but you could do fruits, veggies, a pizza, etc. Be as creative as you want! There is no right or wrong on this project. 

Once you have them drawn up, cut them out, and set them aside.

To make the stove, I used a shipping box (free at the post office) that I had in my closet. I spray painted the box with a can I had left over, but you can use any kind of markers or paint, or cover it with craft paper. 

The knobs on the top are painted bottle caps, and the stovetop is drawn on with a paint pen. (Again, use whatever you have.)

I drew on the fake oven door, then cut a wine cork in 2 and painted it black. Then I glued a piece of plastic (an old pencil, or wooden dowel would work for this, also) to each of the corks to create the handle. The towel is just a piece of scrap fabric with a bit of lace glued to the ends. 

That's it. It's that easy. And if you have more boxes, make a fridge, a sink, and more. Add a picture frame window, or cut out the oven door to make it open. The possibilities are endless. Then all you need is a cute tea set, and your favorite doll or stuffed toy, and you are ready for fun!

It doesn't have to cost a lot (or anything) to create endless fun for little ones. And I'm sure you have many things just sitting around waiting for you to use them creatively. Imagination is the best toy you can give your child. 

Being a Good Person

What does being a good person mean to you? Does it mean you are kind to others? Does it mean you never make mistakes? Is it determined by your religious affiliations? What factors do you take into consideration when you decide whether or not someone is "good" or "bad"? I ask this because I am often surprised by how quick we are to judge someone based on such minimal amounts of information.
I read an article this morning about several Atheist groups who attempted to volunteer their time and money to help out the less fortunate. They reached out to some Christian organizations to offer their assistance, and were turned away. Not because they weren't needed, but because of their lack of similar beliefs. Apparently, these Christian groups think that in order to do good, you must have the same exact views as they do. That makes exactly zero sense. Just because you see the world with a different perspective, does not make you more or less "good".
A person's religion (or lack of) is a very personal matter. Most people, including Atheists, do not go into these things lightly. There are many factors that can determine how someone chooses to view the world. For one to assume that you are not capable of kindness, or to deny someone the chance to do something selfless, based solely on one part of their makeup is insanity.
These same ideas apply to many different areas where people are quick to judge.
Is a person's value determined by their skin color? There are certainly people who think so. Why? Because it is different than theirs. And different is "bad", right? It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? But it happens every day. We make snap judgments about others based on something as trivial as that, all the time.
If you're Gay, you can't be a good parent. If you're a woman, you can't be strong & decisive. If you're a man, you can't have emotions. If you're a black man, you must be good at sports, but be a terrible father. If you're blond, you must be stupid. Do any of these sound familiar? They should, because we see and hear them all the time.
We live in a world filled with amazing, brilliant, wonderful people, but many of us never discover that, because we are too busy assuming we know what kind of people they are, without knowing anything worthwhile about them.
Being a "good" or "bad" person isn't determined by your skin color, your hair color, your sex, your religion, your sexual orientation, your financial status, or any of the like. What makes you good or bad is how you treat others. Do you care about the well being of the less fortunate? Do you reach out to those in need? Do you treat people with the same level of respect, kindness, and compassion that you want in return? Judgment is a two way street. If you don't want to be judged harshly, then don't judge others harshly. If you want to determine how good or bad another person is, get to know them first. You may be surprised. We preach "Only God can judge." but we don't live it. We quote the Golden Rule, but we don't practice it. We mistakenly think the only "good" people are the ones who think, dress, look, and act just like us, because of course, WE are good people, so they must be too, right? Not necessarily.
Whether you agree with someone's beliefs, share their core values, or follow the same moral guidelines, does not mean they can or can't be a good person. We need to stop making these things mutually exclusive.

Country Girl?

For those of you who don't know, I was born and raised in small towns. I spent the first half of my childhood in a town of roughly 400, then moved to a "big city" of about 1,500 folks. There were more cows, pigs, horses, and chickens than people, by a long shot. I've lived in various places during my adult years so far, and am currently abiding in another rural area.
Why, you ask? I have no idea. I don't own a farm, a tractor, or even a dog for that matter. I have no desire to have livestock of any nature, to be honest. I was recently involved in a country folk vs. city folk debate, and it got me to thinking....What the hell am I??
I would have to think I fall into the country folk category, and I started thinking about what makes one "country". Stereotypically speaking, of course. Here are my thoughts...

I don't hunt. I grew up in a hunting family, and most of my siblings, and much of my extended family still hunts regularly. I have no qualms with hunting. I COULD hunt. I even learned to use guns and bows in my early years. I just have no desire to hunt. If I want meat, I go to the store and get it. I don't even have to buy it dinner first.
I own nothing camo. Not even a pair of socks. And more to the point, I don't want to own anything camo. Who am I hiding from? Am I in a war at Target? I just don't get the camo thing...
I don't have animals. I like animals just fine. I've had many pets in my time, and I like to think one day I will have some again. But just one dog, or maybe a cat. Nothing that requires milking though. I don't even like milk.
I don't drive a Ford or Chevy. Nope. I drive a Subaru, and I love it. A wagon, even. And it's never hauled hay, feed, or an animal carcass.
I don't have a garden. Hell, I don't even have real house plants. I killed a cactus once, so clearly I was not born with a green thumb. I do appreciate home grown produce, and I have been known to hit up the farmers markets, and road side stands.
I hate nearly all domestic beers, and I won't drink any beer from a can. I'll float down a river, chill by a bonfire, even tailgate, but I'll do it with good beer.
I think NASCAR is stupid. Now if you've read any of my other posts, you know that I am a BIG automotive sports fan. But NASCAR stopped being worthwhile when they stopped running moonshine. Give me rally, Formula1, or pretty much ANY other car racing, and I'm in. But you can keep your NASCRAP.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. I don't fit most of the "country" stereotypes. So why do I still consider myself a country girl? I'll tell you why...
Because being country isn't just about competing in a greased pig contest or playing cow pie Bingo, though I've done both. Many times. It isn't about wearing boots, and listening to Conway Twitty. But I do that too. It's a state of mind. If you'd rather lay in the bed of an old truck, drinking a beer, and counting stars, than hang out at a loud club, you're probably country. If you get more pleasure out of building a roaring bonfire than twirling a glow stick, you're probably country. If you own more flannel and denim than silk and satin, you're probably country. If you often get stuck behind farm equipment on your daily commute, and you have no desire to honk your horn and get impatient, you're probably country. If you know that the best food is home cooked, not from some 5 star restaurant, you're probably country.
I may not fit all the stereotypes of a typical country girl, and as much as I enjoy the big cities from time to time, I'll always love coming home to my little rural slice of Heaven. I'll always treasure the peace and quiet of a summer night, and the brightness of the stars over a glistening body of water. I'll never take for granted the easy going pace of a simpler way of life, over the hustle and bustle of the city. In my life, I may live in many places, and I may enjoy them all, but nothing will ever feel quite like home to me without dusty roads, open fields, and a small town.

My Unsolicited Advice Part 2: Public/Social Behavior

I believe I've established my level of bluntness. It's often mistaken for bitchy-ness, but I don't think the two are universally entwined. I can be bitchy without being blunt, and vice versa. Though, when giving unsolicited advice, it may come across as both. Oh well... I won't lose any sleep over it. Onward and upward! Today's topic du jour is: Public/Social Behavior. As with the fashion post, I will select 10 points to focus on. For now....
1. Common courtesy. Where oh where have good manners gone?! When did it become popular practice to be rude? These days, the simple act of holding a door for someone is like spotting a unicorn fart. Rare and almost unseen. And what about minding our Ps & Qs? (I still don't know what that stands for, but I know what it means.) Please, thank you, you're welcome, etc. are still magic words. And as much as I loathe being called Ma'am, I fully appreciate the respect behind it. (But, for the record, I prefer Miss, Sugar, Darlin', Young Lady... you get the point.) Common decency is becoming a thing of the past, and I'm not ok with that. Women, if you want to be treated like a lady, start acting like one. Men, if you want a real lady, be a real gentleman. It's just not that hard. Hold doors, be kind to others, give up your seat for someone elderly or pregnant, offer a stranger a hand, and just stop being such an a-hole. Please and thank you.
2. Children. Seriously, parents... what the hell is going on? Do you really think it's a good idea to take your toddler to an R rated film? If I wanted to hear constant screaming through my movie, I would have went to see a slasher flick. And I have no issues with children in restaurants, as long as they stay at their own table. I get it, kids will cry, they'll be loud, and sometimes, they might even throw a fork. But strap them in, and keep that to your own area. Little Annie might be adorable, but I don't want her sticky fingers in my hair, or my soup. This isn't your home, so you need to be respectful of others, and at least attempt to keep your spawn in check. If you don't want to do that, stay home.
3. Old folks. I'm getting sick and tired of rude, pushy, and entitled old people. You are not exempt from simple courtesies just because you survived 60+ years on this Earth. We don't owe you any favors. IF we choose to offer them, be appreciative. Senior discounts are a privilege, not a right. You don't get to demand a store give you something for nothing. Also, if you cannot drive the posted speed limit, see over the wheel, park, or handle your vehicle, give up your license. I understand that this is difficult, but your selfish need for independence is endangering others, and that is not acceptable. If your loved ones, and the government don't have the balls to tell you as much, I will.
4. Public fighting. I have two words for people who do this. Grow. Up. Is this the playground? Should the rest of us circle around you shouting "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" and pumping our fists? Unless you are defending yourself against an assailant, there is no excuse for this. And this applies to immature couples who want to have dramatic and public arguments, as well. Take your trash home. The rest of us have no desire to witness your ignorance.
5. Tipping. Let me just go out on a limb here and suggest we make this mandatory, instead of optional. If you can't afford to tip your wait staff, then stay home and eat. That waiter/waitress has probably worked longer and harder than you, has dealt with rude, demanding, and stupid customers, and is making squat. They survive on tips. If you have a genuine complaint about your service (and it is the waiter's fault) ask to speak with a manager, and let them know. But don't under tip a waitress because the cook put too much salt on your fries, or because a spoon wasn't clean enough. They have no control over that, and there is only so much they can do. Be generous with the tips. Especially if you have a large group, fussy family members, and around the holidays.
6. Following along that theme, stop being rude to service people. Waiters, clerks, janitors, etc. all work just as hard as you do, and deserve just as much respect. Be polite, use manners, and have some patience. They are only trying to do their job, and it is not their fault that you can't find your credit card, are running late, or that your child is hungry. If you don't like something about a store, send them an email, or fill out a comment card. But don't take it out on the person behind the register. They don't make the rules, and  most likely don't have the power to change them.
7. Cell phones. Unless you are stuck in the toilet, or are suffering from a medical emergency, you have no business being on a phone in a public restroom. First of all, it's just gross. Are you tweeting about your bowel movement? And secondly, IT'S JUST GROSS! I think Aunt Betty will understand if you have to call her back. While I'm on the subject, just because your phone is mobile, doesn't mean you need to actually be on it EVERYWHERE. I don't want to hear about your daughter's rash, or your son's vomiting while I eat. I also don't want to hear you argue with your boss or husband while I'm buying groceries. And if you want the cashier to take your savings card, get off the phone and have it ready for them. Having the ability to communicate with anyone at anytime is great, but get it under control.
8. Drinking. Now, I'm Irish and Scottish, so me likey my alcohol. But I also know how much is too much, and when to say when. Nothing is more irritating than obnoxious drunk people. Especially when those people are grown ass adults. If you can't go to a restaurant, party, wedding, or social gathering without getting shit faced, you are an idiot. Have a few drinks. Have more than a few drinks, even, but know your limits. If you can't control your feet, your mouth, or your bodily functions, you've had too much. I enjoy a good time as much as the next gal, but I also like to remember it.
9. Socially selfish. You know the types. They leave their car parked in front of a handicap ramp, so they don't have to get their fancy shoes wet on a rainy day. They hold up a line because they couldn't get off the phone and get their checkbook out and ready. They block the entire aisle at the store with their cart, and when you say "Excuse me." to get around it, they look at you like YOU'RE the rude one. This blatant unawareness, and ME, ME, ME mentality is disgusting. Pay attention to your surroundings, and think about how your actions might affect others, and quit being so self absorbed.
10. PDA. I'm probably going to get a lot of shit for this one, but this drives me nuts. Holding hands, hugging, even light kissing, is fine. I am even guilty of it. But the couples who want to dry hump each other in a theatre, booth, or middle of the mall... come on. You are obviously desperate for attention, or trying to prove something to someone. This isn't seven minutes in Heaven, or whatever the kids are playing these days, so keep your groping to a minimum. Or to quote every 10 year old... "Get a room!"
Well... that concludes today's unsolicited advice. Stay tuned for Part 3.

My Unsolicited Advice Part 1: Fashion

Hi, my name is Teena, and I like to share my opinions with others. Some people require buckets of alcohol to be filter-less, but not me. I'm just naturally outspoken. It's a gift, really. On my resume, brutal honesty should be listed as a skill. It's not, but I'm considering adding it. But I digress....
Surprisingly enough, for as often as I don't keep my trap shut, I really do bite my tongue A LOT. It's true. Why do I do this? Well for starters, there really is a time and place, and though I may not be known for it, I do actually have tact. So sometimes, I just smile and grit my teeth. All the while secretly hoping that someone else is less tactful. Or drunk. But then it dawned on me.... I HAVE A BLOG. So while I may be expected to occasionally zip my lips, I can always write whatever the hell I want. So today, my friends, I am going to get some things off my chest that I would normally keep to myself. Because, well... I can.
Today, I'd like to start with fashion. Now, let it be known, that I am no expert in this field. I wear what I like, and what is comfortable. That being said, there are some basic dos and don'ts. Here are a few:
1. Don't wear Crocs. I mean seriously... are you avidly avoiding sex? Did you just come from cleaning up a crime scene? Do you have flippers where you should have feet? Crocs are the herpes of footwear, and they should be avoided at all costs. Personally, I'd walk bare foot over broken glass and fire before I put them on my feet.
2. Tights are for UNDER something. A long sweater dress, a pretty skirt, etc. They are not pants. And while I'm on the subject, let's go easy on the leggings, gals. I don't want to see your camel toe. NO ONE wants to see your camel toe. There is a proper way to wear leggings, and I hate to say this, but 85% of you ladies are doing it wrong.
3. Skinny jeans are for ladies. Period. There is no exception. If you fellas like to wear your denim a bit more snug, more power to ya, but if you require Crisco and an extra set of hands to get into it... No. Just no. And also... just like the name suggests, skinny jeans really are for the skinny. There is nothing wrong with curves, but wrapping them in something much too tight is not flattering.
4. Why, hipsters, why? We get it, you're artsy, edgy, non mainstream, and you were all those things BEFORE it was cool. But do you have to look so douchey? Wool caps & scarves are for winter. And stop giving glasses a bad name. I wear glasses because without them, I can't see. You asshats wear them for no reason, and now suddenly all of us visually challenged folks are being lumped in with you, and it's pissing me off. Now go drink your PBR in a dark corner somewhere, and bitch about society.
5. Can we all just agree to stop wearing Ed Hardy, Tap Out, and Affliction shirts? It just makes you look like a tool.
6. Yoga pants are for yoga. Shocking, I know. Apparently putting the name in the title wasn't informative enough. So let me just make sure this is clear. YOGA PANTS ARE FOR YOGA. Did you get it that time? Unless you are on your way to, currently practicing, or immediately coming from yoga... change your damn pants. I don't care how good they make your ass look. If you are actually doing yoga that much, your ass should look that great in anything.
7. Pajamas and sweats are not acceptable in public. It takes no more effort to put on real clothes. You want to know why you're single, no one will hire you, and people treat you like shit? Because you look like a mess. If you want to be taken seriously, start with how you present yourself to the world. You want people to respect you? Respect yourself enough to not look like a lazy piece of trash. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, and put on real pants.
8. Hey gangsta... pull your pants up. First of all, it's hardly practical to run from the police while holding up your drawers. Second, the only place it's ok to bust a sag that big, is in the bathroom. You don't have swagger, you just look like an idiot.
9. If you can't walk in heels that high, don't wear heels that high. Or practice first, so you don't look like you have a broomstick up your ass. They're shoes, it's not a tightrope act. If you struggle that much to keep your balance, you're doing it wrong. And don't feel too bad if you can't walk in the stilettos, because, let's be honest... they were made to wear whilst lying down anywho.
10. If you think it's too tight, short, low cut, or inappropriate, it probably is. Now don't get me wrong, I like a deep V as much as the next gal, but maybe wearing it to volunteer (bent over) with children all day isn't the best idea. And while that micro mini and stripper shoes are perfect for a night at the club, they probably aren't suitable for a job interview. Ya get me?

Well... that is my unsolicited advice for today. You're welcome.

Being Thankful

Starting November first, the thankful posts begin on facebook. These can be anything from your health and family, to the internet and a good cup of coffee. The idea is to say, each day, something you are thankful for. No matter how big or small it may be. While I know by mid November, these posts can get tiresome and a bit much, I still appreciate the sentiment.
I think it is important, now more than ever, to find these blessings, and to savor them. And if by making a social media post about it, you take a moment and truly acknowledge the good things in your life, then I say go for it. Should we only be thankful in November? Of course not. But if Thanksgiving is a reminder for you to slow down and cherish life, how is that a bad thing? So whether or not you are participating in the month of posts, maybe you should still sit down and make a list, just as a reminder to yourself to see the silver lining. With the craziness of the holidays just around the corner, it might be a nice little refresher to keep our heads, and hearts, in the right place.
And in that spirit... Here is what I am thankful for.
I am thankful for Dan (my hubs) and all the joy he has brought, and continues to bring into my life. For his endless hard work, and strength of character. For his support, and love, and friendship. I am thankful that he chooses me to share his life with, and that each day we grow stronger and closer.
I am thankful for the members of my family, who have chosen to stand beside me, during the most difficult time of my life. For not walking away when it wasn't easy, and for continuing to show me compassion and understanding.
I am thankful for my friends, who have become my family, and held my hand, dried my tears, and walked with me through Hell. And those who have reached out, showed empathy, support, and kindness, when they didn't have to. For those who have listened and cared.
I am thankful for all the Team Finn love and support. For each of you who took the time to place a sticker on your car (helmet, camera, computer, etc) and bring a little happiness to Dan & I. For honoring the memory and legacy of our son, and keeping his spirit alive.
I am thankful for the automotive community, and all the amazing people it has brought into our lives. To the rally world, especially, for being a second family, and for helping us in our quest to find the right path in our new normal.
I am thankful for all of our adopted kids. For their smiles, and laughs, and love. For their endless loyalty to us, and to Zach's memory. For being a part of Dan & I's life, and for making us a part of theirs.
I am thankful for a job that I love. For being able to work for people who not only treat me with respect and kindness, but also who make me feel appreciated and genuinely cared for.
I am thankful for a beautiful home, a warm bed, and for food in my belly.
I am thankful for the ability to share with all of you my thoughts and emotions. And I am thankful to all of you who take the time to read it.
I am thankful for my son. For all that he has taught me, and all the joy he has brought into my life. Though I would have given ANYTHING for more time with him, I am thankful for the time I had, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am thankful for the memories, and I will treasure them always. I am thankful for all the signs and messages he continues to send me in spirit, and for being the best kid a parent could ever ask for.
I am thankful for so much, that I can't possibly write it all here. And I am making it my mission, especially in the incredibly difficult days to come, to remind myself of these things. And when it gets too hard, I will look up, and know that I have the best, most amazing angel smiling down on me, and that he would want me to be thankful just to be alive...