After my Grannie died in September, the big challenge was obviously going through the house where she and my Grandaddy had lived for 50+ years. Her house was meticulously organized, even her extra bedroom-turned-closet. One of the first things my mom and aunt tackled was the large collection of linens. It was no secret that Grannie loved linens. Tablecloths, napkins, towels, OMGTHEHANDTOWELS, sheets, and comforters. They kept the ones they wanted for themselves and gave the others away to places that might be able to use them. The other thing that was no secret that my Grannie AND Grandaddy shared a love for was their collection of coats, jackets, and…
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{Part 2}: The Door To Christmas: Story of The Christmas Room
For Part 1 of The Christmas Room story, start here. ******************************* Once everything was checked out, we were given the thumbs-up to go into The Christmas Room. In spite of being in that room year in and out, the magic of the room made your brain feel all oogly woogly and for a moment you couldn’t remember where you were supposed to go or sit or what you were supposed to say and YAY IT’S CHRISTMAS WE’RE FINALLY IN! If you’ve ever been lucky enough to go into The Christmas Room, you know that whether it’s April or July or the day after Christmas, you will long for wrapped gifts and…
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{Part 1} The Door To Christmas: The Story of The Christmas Room
The door to the jewelry store was locked as soon as the clock struck closing time on Christmas Eve. Jewelry was put away, money was counted, the employees milled around to wait for their gifts that were always handed out after closing. My sister and I were twitchy to get out of there so Christmas could start. Christmas Eve was always spent at Grannie’s. It was tradition. It was how Christmas started. After we got home from the store, my parents seemed to mill around for hours. My grandparents and Aunt and Uncle knew to wait for us, that we would be there as soon as we could. It seemed…
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I Mean, Why Bother?
Something as simple as laundry has to be so freaking complicated, doesn’t it? The first thing I always hear after a load is done with new clothes in it is, “Why did you shrink this?” I didn’t shrink it. If something that’s already been “pre-shrunk” (pre-shrunk, my ass) can’t be washed in cold water with cold rinse and dried on low (i.e.: you have to dry it 5 times before it’s actually dry), then how is it my fault? Why can’t I take it back to the store and say, “hey, this shirt freaking shrunk and it’s already been pre-shrunk. I want my money back.” At least, couldn’t they put…
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Serious question…
Here’s a very serious question: Which of these scenarios would you rather see? 1. Neil Patrick Harris playing Barney Stinson playing Justin Timberlake in a JT biopic. 2. Justin Timberlake playing Neil Patrick Harris playing Barney Stinson in a NPH biopic. 3. Neil Patrick Harris and Justin Timberlake just standing around together in suits and ties looking hot. 4. Neil Patrick Harris and Justin Timberlake on SNL singing Mirrors with more cowbell. Other options?
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The Key To Grace
The other day, I stopped at the mailbox to grab the mail. That’s a task I dread most days. It’s never anything fun. Bills, sale flyers, notices that are for people who may or may not have lived here previously (there are like 12 different names on mail that comes here — strange). There was an envelope in there with an unfamiliar handwriting. It was “bulky.” I opened it and was left breathless. This is a Giving Key. If you’re unfamiliar with The Giving Keys, take a minute and head to their site. It’s an amazing story of how a musician simply made a few keys with words of encouragement…
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Friends From Cradle To Grave
Forever Friends. Friends Forever. I would venture to say not a whole lot of people can say they have been friends – true friends – with a group of girls since they were born. I’m so blessed to be able to say that I have. From little girls. To grown up girls. Through thick and thin. Through love and loss. Through boyfriends and church bus trips and high school and college. Through wedding showers and baby showers. Through births and deaths. We are seven strong women, all perfect in our own ways. This past weekend we gathered for our annual (why isn’t it more often than that?) girl’s weekend filled…