Talk of the Town

Contest time: Invent a word

If I have read it once I've read it a hundred times, only handle a piece of paper once.  I tend to accumulate piles of projects on my dining room table, no matter how many times I vow to never let it happen.  The 'Organize-Your-Life-In-300-Simple-Little-Steps' people say the trick is to only handle a piece of paper one time.  Whether it's a stack of kids school papers or the mail, I find this to be simple in theory but tough to practice.

I took the advice from the experts in an effort to reduce the piles. The credit card bill came and I thought to myself, "instead of leaving this in a pile on the dining room table, I'm going to put it where it belongs so I'll know where it is when I go to pay it."

You know the rest of the story.  It's time to pay it and I can't find it!  Where does the credit card statement belong?  On the dining room table!

Although my piles of paper drive me crazy, at least I KNOW where stuff is when I need it.  

There has to be a word for this situation.  The definition is "the situation that occurs when a person puts something in a place where they are sure they will be be able to find it, only to not remember where that place is."

Your turn.

Strangely familiar

Shopping for new glasses is both frustrating and fun and the same time.  Earlier today I went to the eye doctor to spend some time trying on new frames.  God bless my sister who agreed to go with me to give a thumbs up or down to each frame as I tried them on.

How many frames did I try this morning?  I'm not sure, but if I had to pin it down, I would guess I tried on three or four hundred frames.  Twice.

Out of all those frames, how is it I picked out the ones that look almost exactly like the same pair I bought more than five years ago?  

That's a skill my friends!

 

It STILL looks a lot like Christmas

What an unusual coincidence!

Today two friends both admitted on Facebook they have yet to take down their Christmas decorations.  Not an unusual declaration I suppose, but I’ve had it on my mind since this morning.

I usually try to “put Christmas away” shortly after kicking off the New Year, but why?  I suppose it’s only because that’s why my mom did.  I’ve been wrestling with the idea of leaving the stuff up until after Valentine’s Day and have come up with some possible benefits.

First, some families may not be able to gather on the actual date of December 25^th, but have a LOT more availability on their schedules on President’s Day weekend.  Imagine the deals you could rake in if you bought your Christmas presents six weeks later than everyone else!

Second, the dreary days of January might be livened up a bit by some holiday spirit.  You bake some gingerbread men and candy cane bark while listening to White Christmas (bonus- there is still snow on the ground!) and voila’, no more winter ‘blahs.’

My fear is that the groundhog may not take too kindly to having his turf stepped on.  Maybe once EVERYBODY gets their “Christmas” put away, the snow will melt for good?!  Get to it people! 

What say you?

 

Rusty bucket of bolts

Life as a stay at home mom has its benefits to be sure.  For instance, I spend a lot more time in my pajamas than I ever did before.  Also, the only 'boss' who can catch me in a cat nap does so when he takes a break from his Lego castle construction.  

At times though, I may find myself in need of five minutes of adult conversation.  Never is that more obvioius than when I realize I'm talking to myself.  Well, at least I know if I'm talking to myself, then someone is listening.

Recently, Jiffy Lube conducted a survey which showed three out of five Americans talk to their cars.  I would venture to guess we've all had a one-sided conversation with our auto before, but what surprised me was how the responses turned out.

50% have thanked their cars for a job well done, like getting them somewhere on time.

39% of people say they verbally encourage their cars.  

32% have apologized to their cars.

30% beg or plead with their cars.  

21% talk sweet to their cars while RUBBING the dashboard or steering wheel.

And 17% try to bribe their cars by verbally promising them premium gas, a car wash, and other special gifts. 

What I thought was funny was that apologizing and sweet talking were on the list, but threatening was not.  That's right, I mostly threaten my car with statements such as "You have GOT to be kidding me!"  "What is your PROBLEM?" Or the most often heard, "Don't EVEN..."

The results of this survey have me considering a change in the way I approach my swagger-wagon.  Maybe we would get along better if I changed my tone.

How about you?  What do you say to your car?