Black Friday--Hoosier style

Today is the big day for all you shoppers. I typically don't venture out today because of the crowds...I'm not big on crowds of people shoving their way in front of the lines. But I had to share a couple of ads that were in the paper today.



First, the recliner. Um, camo recliner? Seriously? Where are you going to use it? Instead of a tree stand for hunting deer, just use this recliner. Kick back, put your feet up, and wait for the deer in comfort. They'll never see you, because...hey, your recliner is camo and blends in.



Then there's this lovely picture. Look at all the beautiful Christmas decorations. How wonderful would it be to relax in front of this beautifully decorated setting? But, wait....what's in the fireplace? Is that a guarantee to never have to replenish the fire? Or is it just a way to have one fire for the whole winter?

Gotta love redneck ads.......

I can cook, I promise!

I know...I know. You're still munching on turkey and dressing. But, I was reminded recently of this exchange I had with my mom.

One year for Thanksgiving, I was discussing the menu with my mom. As she covered every conceivable dish for the day, I finally asked her what I could bring. I was excited to contribute to our feast as I had a new home with a great kitchen in which I could concoct a fantastic dish.

Mom thought for a while and kept pointing out that all the sides were covered. I insisted and finally said, "Mom! I want to bring something besides drinks! What can I bring?" She finally relented and said that I could bring cole slaw. I said, "Great! I can make cole slaw." She then informed me, "Ummm, honey? Your dad and I love Long John Silver's cole slaw. Couldn't you just go there and buy some?"

Did you know that you can't buy LJS cole slaw in any size besides the individual size? Yeah, I found out as I bought 10 of them for our Thanksgiving dinner. The lady behind the counter couldn't stop laughing as I told her the reason behind my request. She kept giggling at my pitiful story of how my mom didn't want me to make anything for dinner.

Blagodarnost

That's Bulgarian for thanksgiving. Just a quick list of things for which I'm grateful:

• A septic system that flushes toilet paper. And that I don't have to use any more Joseph Smith First Vision pamphlets to do my business (it seemed so wrong to use that, but what was a missionary to do when there was no toilet paper anywhere in the country?)


• Music and the ability to carry a decent tune.


• Friends who make me laugh and cry with me (sometimes they make me cry from laughter).


• Modern day conveniences for a fertile woman.


• Family who drives me batty but loves me unconditionally.


• Mountain Dew for stressful days.


• A wood burning fireplace with plenty of wood.


• A supportive and uplifting bra. (you thought I was going to say friend, weren't you?)


• The extended version of Lord of the Rings with the cast commentary (if you haven't watched it, you are missing on some mighty humorous commentary).


• Men with their manly quirks (of course, this is coming from a single woman....).


• College basketball.


• Nice smelling candles...lots of them.


• Sleeping alone which means I can make noises and smells without embarrassment (except when I blog about it)--see previous entry.


• Healthy and pretty teeth.


• Being a Daughter of God.


• The means and ability to travel and experience the grandeur of God's creations.


• The fact that Dove and Ghiradelli dark chocolate are not against the Word of Wisdom (since I'm a chocolate snob, not just any chocolate gets my motor running).
  

A little bit country

I love country music. I always tell people that I was raised on country sunshine (for anyone who knows country, that's a reference to a country song from long ago).

I love country music. So many people make fun of country or complain about it. But, come on! What other type of music can have such fantastic songs about fried chicken, a huge International Harvester tractor, an old Chevy Nova, long-haired country boys, or even red high heels.

I love country music. Some of the newcomers are more pop than country, but I still love the essence of country music. They sing about real life, an ideal life (for the most part), or a comfortable life. Some of the best songs are about mothers, dogs, and deep abiding love.

I love country music. In all other genres of music, the artists are known and expected to be arrogant, cocky, egotistical and flamboyant. Country music stars are patriotic, God-fearing, respectful, and grateful. Usually any flamboyance is done with humor--remember the sparkles of Porter Wagner or Dolly Parton's...ahem...assets? These are examples of flamboyant personalities that have become the topic of many jokes.

I love country music. Those songs tug at my heart or memories. Hearing Jim Reeves will always remind me of my grandma. Hearing "I'll Go To My Grave Loving You" from the Statler Brothers will always remind me of my mom. Listening to "Sneaky Snakes" by Tom T. Hall will always put a smile on my face as I think of my childhood. Tricia Yearwood's "Thinking About You" will always remind me of my first love. Her song, "On a Bus to St. Cloud" will always remind me of my first heartbreak. "Can I Have This Dance" will remind me of a love that I continue to seek. "Country Boy Can Survive" from Hank Jr. makes me yearn to be so independent and capable. And of course Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" brings tears to my eyes as I reflect on America and her heroes.

I love country music. Of course there are some songs that are less than appropriate. Generally, those songs don't stay popular for long. The songs that do stay popular that are about the stereotypical topic of cheating often are filled with real feelings regarding the subject. Regardless, just like any other genre of music, there are immoral songs, but that doesn't negate the pure sound and goodness that country embodies.

I love country music. I love a variety of genres of music. But as a recent country hit says, it's like a pair of jeans that fit just right, or the touch of a precious child, or feeling the love of a mother. It's home and everything that it represents.

A funny

I saw this slogan on the back of a septic tank truck:

"We're #1 in the #2 business!"

Why am I single?

I think I've figured out why I'm single. I only attract gay men. Seriously.

When I was in high school, I formed a huge crush on Greg Louganis, the Olympic diver. I became a huge fan from the 1984 Olympics and whenever diving was on TV, I made sure I had a front row seat and a rag to wipe the drool from my face.

When he came to Indy for a dive meet, I was able to see him and meet him afterwards. While he was signing my program, I asked him to my prom. He was very polite and asked me when it was. Unfortunately, he had another meet that weekend and would not be able to attend. About a year or so later, I was reading an interview of him in a magazine. He was asked how he handles all the adoration. He mentioned that he has been asked on dates from young women and their mothers, asked to attend a prom (THAT'S ME!!!), and other invitations.

By the time he announced that he was gay, I had moved on in my celebrity crush cycle.

The first year that I watched American Idol, the two finalists were Reuben Studdard and Clay Aiken. I was a Clay fan from his first audition. He has such a fantastic voice in such an unlikely face. He seems to be a genuinely nice man and I enjoyed his progression throughout that season. I bought a couple of his CDs and have enjoyed them.

By the time he announced that he was gay, I had moved on to another favorite singer.

I recently traveled to Minneapolis and while there visited the Mall of America, the largest mall in the US. That place is huge and since I am so terribly directionally challenged, I got lost while in the mall. As I was contemplating the directory and how to interpret that map, a salesman approached me. He shook my hand and complimented me on the softness of my hand as well as my style of clothing. He said he knew I wasn't from Minnesota as all women from Minnesota have rough skin and wear flannel. I thanked him kindly for the compliments and then he leaned closer. He softly warned me to not hug or kiss him because he was gay.

By the time he announced that he was gay, I had moved on in my search for an escape door.

Walking down memory lane

Recently, my high school celebrated its 80th anniversary. They had a big to-do at the school and a couple of my girlfriends and I attended.

They had done some renovations and it was interesting to see the changes. Isn't it funny how some senses are so prominent? A couple of the places had the exact same smell and once it hit my nose, I was transported back to being a gangly 17 year old. A few places looked almost exactly as it did before and as I gazed upon the sight, I could see it as it looked over 20 years ago filled with students and chaos. As we walked through the gym and my shoes clicked on the floor, I could hear the squeak of shoes and the thud of basketballs as I envisioned how it was when I attended sporting events.

I saw one of my teachers there and was surprised to see how little he had changed. Certainly, he was older and had a few more wrinkles, but overall he didn't look much different. I, obviously, had changed as he did not recognize me. He finally remembered me as I reminded him I had attended BYU (funny how being a Mormon makes me peculiar!).

The reunion committee (there is a reunion committee for the entire school and is responsible for the major school reunions, not class reunions) had prepared tables to represent the classes from each year. As I looked at the pictures and memorabilia from my class, I saw a couple of pictures of me and my name mentioned in some of the programs.

As I contemplated my years at high school, I was struck by a thought. I no longer felt such an overwhelming loyalty to my high school as I do to BYU. I no longer consider myself a purple and white girl, but I bleed blue and white. My girlfriends appeared to have a different viewpoint. They were interested in every detail of the school and reminiscent about so many things. I kept comparing my feelings to the feelings I had upon visiting BYU last year for the first time in over10 years. My thoughts and feelings were more pronounced and passionate. I was interested by the changes and memories of my high school, but I was fascinated and invested in the changes and memories of BYU.

We sang our school fight song and I was surprised at how much I remembered of the words. But singing, "We're loyal to you Washington," seemed disloyal to me as I kept getting the BYU fight song words confused with this song.

I'm glad I went. I would go again. But I am thrilled to be going to BYU to attend Education Week again in 2009. That feels like coming home to me.