Why Do We Need Valentine's Day?

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Why would I put a "Valentine's Sucks" symbol on MY blog? Because I feel that Valentine's Day is a total merchandising holiday. Hallmark memorabilia and cards fly off the shelves as people try to buy the "right" gift for their valentine. Restaurants use it as an excuse to raise their menu prices and offer an "exclusive" menu. The way I see it, Valentine's Day should be celebrated all year long, not just one day.

My lovely daughter, Morgan, still believes in Cupid. Yesterday, one of the older children on the bus tried telling my daughter that cupid, santa, the easter bunny, and the tooth fairy are not real that it is really our parents'. Morgan told Gram that she tried explaining to this little girl that it was our parents AND the other figure. So, although I'm not a huge believer in this particular holiday, in order to live up to the farce, Morgan found a unicorn, from Cupid, lying in the family room. Since I didn't realize Morgan believed in Cupid, I now need to stick a five spot in her card!

The point is to remember and celebrate your loved ones all year long, not just on one overpriced, overmarketed day!

Things I am Thankful For In My Life

The news is very depressing to watch. However, when I do choose to watch it, I realize what a lucky and blessed woman I truly am. So, here is my list of what I am thankful for this holiday season:

1.) I am thankful that my father had a successful surgery to remove his prostate and free him from the cancer in his body.
2.) I am thankful that I have such a supportive and loving husband.
3.) I am thankful that I have a healthy, smart, beautiful, loving daughter.
4.) I am thankful that I have the best possible family and friends a woman could have in her life.
5.) I am thankful that we have the financial means so I don't have to work a typical 9 to 5 job.
6.) I am thankful that I am relatively healthy.
7.) I am thankful that I have a beautiful house to live in.
8.) I am thankful for Sicklerville United Methodist Church and the people that go there.

I'm sure I'll think of more things later, but these things are at the top of my list. We should all take the time out to reflect on those things that we are grateful for. Expressing gratitude should be a year round event, not just something we do around the holidays.

Observations From a Sick Bed

WOW! It's been so long since I've had any illness that I forgot how much it can knock you down. I feel like I've been run over by a mac truck. Anyhow, here are some observations I have made in my drug induced haze:

• There are a bunch of low flying airplanes and helicopters that fly near our house.
• Our kitchen clock is very loud, but somewhat lulling
• I love my husband dearly, but it is evident who really runs the household
• Laundry will not wash itself, dry itself, fold itself or put itself away
• Food really is necessary for energy
• We have some interesting sounding birds flying around our neighborhood
• Owners of dogs should be shot when they leave their barking dogs outside for extended periods of time
• I hear quite clearly every vehicle that comes down our street

I hope to never have strep throat again. I rather enjoy keeping busy and not making these types of observations!

Halloween through a Child's Eyes

I ask my daughter, "Morgan, what does Halloween mean to you?"

Morgan's answers, "Well, it means goodness to me, which means I like it. I like the candy, the spooky costumes, dressing up like a fairy, you get to decorate, fun stuff. The best part is getting dressed up and going trick or treating with your friends."

Now the mommy answers, "It means attempting to resist the temptation of the candy. Calming my child down after she goes on Halloween candy overload. Buying an expensive costume that Morgan may wear more than one time - maybe not."

I haven't been into Halloween the past couple of years. I enjoy the haunted hayride we take Morgan on. Every year I want to go to more haunted houses, but we never seem to find the time or a babysitter.

A Rather Squirrelly Adventure

After lifting at the gym this morning, I couldn't possibly get on the treadmill. The cool, crisp fall air was beckoning to me to walk outdoors. I went to Bethel Mill Park, which is my favorite park to walk at. As I danced/walked my way through the woods, I happened upon a squirrel. I didn't really think anything of it when he started to follow me. I thought for sure if I turned around and walked towards it that it would turn tail and run. Surprisingly enough, it did not. I started to walk backwards as I talked to this squirrel. At one point, I stopped. If I had been following my heart as opposed to my head, I could have stooped down and pet the little critter. I was really starting to get a little nervous. If I stopped, he would get closer and then crouch down as though he was considering making me his tree. At one point, another person walked past me going in the other direction. The squirrel darted behind a tree. As soon as the man passed by, he continued his quest. The end of the tree line approached, the squirrel then backed off. Thus, that was my "squirrelly" adventure for the day!

Anger Management

I have found that passionate people tend to have passionate anger. I must have a very passionate family, because anger appears to run in the family. I guess some would also consider me to be aggressive, therefore, most people know when I am angry. The older I get, the more focused I am becoming on controlling my anger. Having an angry feeling is okay, as long as you learn how to control it. Here is the short list of things that calm me down:

1. Music, especially of the "Heavy Metal" variety
2. Cleaning
3. Brisk, energetic walking

Here is list of the devices I would like to use to calm myself down:

1. Yoga
2. Breathing
3. Writing, if it is productive and logical, all the better

Anger can be a very dangerous emotion. People do bad things in the name of anger. I would prefer to be productive in the face of anger. I don't want to waste my life feeling angry and out of control.

Breathing is the essence of life

Breathing is one of the most overlooked aspects of good health. Oxygen is fuel for the brain and the body. Good, clean air boosts your physical and mental performance and helps lower stress. Whatever goal you're working for, proper breathing will help you reach it. (Courtesy of Sparkpeople.com)

If you've never taken a yoga class before, I highly recommend it. A person becomes very much aware of the process of breathing through yoga. When you are in pain, breathing is a very strong tool. I have recently had experience with pain and the importance of breathing. I find when my chiropractor is doing treatments on my heal, they are much more tolerable when I breath through any painful spots. Breathing reminds a person that they are very much alive. If you can learn how to control your breathing, you can more effectively control your life. So remember to just breathe.