Thankfulness Challenge – Thankful for GOLDEN

Whew ….. 30 days …. 30 posts on this blog. I admit there at the beginning I just didn’t think I was going to make it. It was hard coming up with something meaningful to say every.single.day. However it was also kind of fun. I’d say let’s continue but yeah I’m not gonna do that. You all knew I wasn’t going to do that, it is nice to know that I can tho.

This challenge started cause I re-read a post from 2014 in which I did 30 days of Thankfulness Challenge in which every day I posted about something that I was thankful for or that made me happy. Before I started this new challenge I wrote down each topic from that challenge to make sure I didn’t repeat anything. There were a few days there where I almost did to see if anyone was paying attention but in my mind that wouldn’t have been me completing the challenge and well I couldn’t have that now could I? That’s not to say some didn’t overlap. Like for instance in 2014 I talked about Christmas Music, and this year I gave my top 10 Christmas Music List, so similar but different. Although upon looking back at the 2014 post I noticed a lot of the same songs made my top 10 list. Which frankly didn’t surprise me. I mean a good song you listen to nod your head and move on a GREAT song well that makes the top 10 list, it stays with you forever, it is marked in ink on your soul. I also posted my Christmas TV calendar in both years but I’ve been doing that calendar for over 10 years now so that’s also not a surprise. However, for the most part each post is unique and true to itself. I’m kind of proud of that.

The major change from 2014 and 2019 is that Golden provided 7 posts in 2014 and none this year. What up with that huh?! It's Golden after all who made this blog a thing. Well she started the idea … when the universe was trying to kill me. Back in 2014 I did a very nice post about how thankful I am that Golden is in my life. You can read that here. I met Golden back in 1997. That’s crazy to me. That 22 years ago the Auburn Housing Board randomly selected us to be suitemates (there’s a good reason God didn’t make us roommates that you can read here) and the rest as they say is history. Being so far away from one another 5-6 hours, depending on who is driving, it would have been really simple for us to lose touch, drop out of one another’s lives and move on, or become internet friends that like and comment but don't really interact. However some things are worth holding on to, some things are worth fighting for, and this friendship is most definitely one of them, her cheese balls are another. Guys she makes the bestest cheese balls ever. She put tomatoes in it, but not everyone is perfect. I love Golden like the sister I never had. Sometimes we fight like sisters, but we also always have each other’s backs like sisters. The best part of the friendship side instead of the sister side is that we can also tell one another when they are out of line and it’s ok.

It is because of Golden that I’ve gone to Las Vegas and looked for Tupac. It’s because of her that I’ve gone to Dragon Con now 6 years and counting. It’s because of Golden that I have a higher appreciation for art and the relaxing nature that is pumpkin carving. There are a ton of movies I might not have seen without her suggestion or her putting it into her DVD player. I learned through her that Kill Bill is an excellent movie to fall asleep to. If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have known Roxy and Lulu and the blessing that is Mighty. I wouldn't have a second family up North that I know I can call at any moment should I need them. She jumped in the car when I wanted to go see Bryan White in a backyard BBQ. She took me to my first casino in MS and showed me the secrets to Skee Ball. She's the reason I can't pass a corn field without yelling CORN at the top of my lungs. Even when I'm alone in the car. She and I spent several awesome days walking out asses off in the Magic Kingdom, Universal (Harry Potter), ok that one was for Golden’s niece who was going to be in the parade with her school band. That still counts. She showed me how wonderful going to the Zoo could be, especially when surrounded by friends and family. When I wanted to go to New Orleans the year after Katrina she jumped in the car and off we went. She is always up for an adventure and I love her for that.

So today, and everyday I’m thankful for Golden ….. I am thankful for her friendship, her support, her laughter, and her ability to always put whatever I’m going through into perspective. Thank you for 22 years of awesome memories here’s to many many more!

Marcy
@beaslma

Golden
@theonlygolden 

Thankfulness Challenge - naps

I suck at taking naps. I mean dont get me wrong I can fall asleep with the best of them when I'm tired but I wake up from naps ill as a hornet trapped in a coke can. Why is it a coke can?! Is it cause I am in the South and everything revolves around cokes ?! Like in Washington is it a can of something else and in Detroit something different?! Anyway back to my original point. 

I just woke up from a nap. 

Right before I fell asleep I was telling how I didnt feel good. I've pretty much been miserable all day and I'm not even hung over or day drinking and that's just not ok. My head has been killing me and my back is hurting well not really hurting but is spazzing so it hurts at certain times like really bad then just a dull ache. 

I fell asleep and the Trolls movie was just now coming on. I just woke up and it is going off. So maybe that's my problem. I never mastered the 20 min recharge nap. I usually pass out for 2 hours or more and I guess that's too long. Also dad says I snore, he should know hes king of snoring. 

Cause well..... I suck at naps. 

Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – Happy Thanksgiving

Wherever you are, whomever you are with, and whatever you are eating may you have a great day, may the dressing be delicious, and may your credit card not get cut up after Black Friday. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from SayWhatMG AKA Marcy and Golden!

Now get off your various devices and try to enjoy your family and friends if at all possible! 

Thankfulness Challenge – Thanksgiving Talking Points

So tomorrow is Turkey Day! This means people will get getting together with friends, or family or both to enjoy a meal, watch some football, play some football, and well…talk about football.  We are going to my brother’s house, his wife and two sons will be there as well as his wife’s mother. Then add myself, my mom, and my dad and that makes for a very full house without the college admission scandal (too soon?!). 

So I thought I’d give some “safe talking points” for today’s post. Feel free to modify these for your particular area or situation. I’m thinking your friends and family might not care as much about say… my nephew’s grades … for instance. 

• Wow this food is delicious, who brought the Ham? It’s fantastic! 
• Hey {fill in blank} how’s the new job going?  -- this assumes that there will be someone at your table with a new job. 
• How awesome is A Million Little Things!? 
• Anyone want to go outside and throw the football around? 
• Did everyone get my Christmas TV Calendar? I e-mailed it Tuesday night. 
• How happy are you guys when Say What MG posts?! It’s awesome right?! 
• Please pass the dressing? No .. no I mean dressing it’s not stuffing, you know what never mind I’ll get it!
• Anyone want to go outside and play basketball? 
• Name your favorite Christmas song. 
• What is everyone Thankful for this year let’s go around the table. {fill in blank} you start! – granted this one is like last ditch effort but it’s always a good one to keep in the back pocket. 
• So, boys …. How’s school going?  -- I have nephews … you may need to change this to “So ladies…. How’s school going? – This one can also be a time bomb waiting to go off so be careful and read the room correctly. 
• What does everyone want for Christmas? 
• How about those Auburn Tigers!? Football…Basketball….Volleyball…. doesn’t really matter the sport. 
• Name your favorite Christmas movie (you know research for next year’s calendar – which might not be your intent)

Most important ……. Remember this one …….. 

• Thank you so much {fill-in-blank} for hosting all of us this year

Anyway, no matter what you do enjoy the moment, take care of yourself, talk a walk outside when you need to and remember you get great food and maybe a slice of pie, at least that’s my hope for you.

Thanks for reading, 
Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – 2019 Christmas TV/Movie Calendar

I present to you as your present the 2019 Christmas TV Schedule! See the bottom of this post. Once again, the calendar is set up in 11X17 format but if you have to print it 8.5x11 it is readable – hopefully you have glasses - but if you can print it 11X17 your eyes will thank you. I have also found that saving the PDF to your favorite portable device is the best way to keep the calendar handy and as an added bonus you can zoom in and out to read that ever so small type. The jpeg breaks up the more you zoom so if you can the PDF is the way to go. 

So, they’ve done it …………. They’ve broken me. Hallmark and Hallmark Movie and Mysteries has been showing movies nonstop since June. I’m done. So, for the calendar the only Hallmark Movies that show up are A. The classic ones I want to see again and B. New movies/specials that, again, I want to see. After all as I’ve said on other occasions this is about me and I just share the wealth. You are welcome! 

Most of this calendar this year will focus on network specials, AMC, TCM, Freeform, and Lifetime. Hallmark has taken over this calendar for the last year …… so yeah if you can’t find anything on my list flip over to Hallmark or Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (why they insist on having two non-stop Christmas channels is beyond me – just rename them Christmas 24-7 and be done with it) and see what they have going on. Spoiler alert the dude who the girl hates at the beginning of the movie … will get the girl by the time the credits roll, at some point there will be a huge misunderstanding that a 5 minute conversation could solve and there will be snow, even when the movie is set in a state that traditionally does not partake in snow... Just saying. 

• Freeform started their Christmas holiday in November with a “Kick off to Christmas” before they had 25 days of Christmas (starting Dec. 1), but since they gave so much love to the Claymation of my childhood, I’m going to let it slide. I’m very excited to see what their lineup has to offer this year tho it concerns me a little their recent connection with The Simpsons. I love it but am also concerned. 
  
• TCM hits the holiday fun on Dec 1^st with classics like It Happened on 5^th Avenue, Remember the Night, The Greatest Story Ever Told, A Christmas Carol, those movies and shows that made the Christmas special magical. If you are wanting nostalgia Christmas this is the channel to check out. This is especially true should you have an older loved on in your house. These are the shows Grandma or Grandpa with Alzheimer’s remembers. Let them relive her childhood a few times too.
  
• AMC started their holiday on November 25^th which runs through Christmas Day featuring over 60 films and specials airing all day every day in what they are calling the “Best Christmas Ever!” However as with Halloween they are not releasing said Schedule cause they don’t care about me or my calendar and that’s just fine …. I mean ……. It’s rude but … fine. I found some of them but I’m sure not all of them. 
  
• Lifetime is like Hallmark in which they are turning into a 24-7 holiday, they did at least limit it to starting October 25^th and they don’t take over the calendar they get to stay another year, but I’m watching you Lifetime. Get it together man! Also keep in mind if you are looking for G rated Lifetime is not the place for you, I’m not saying you’ll get NC-17 mind you but if the kids are watching too then you might want to  head on over to Hallmark instead if you are concerned. Better yet go to TCM or Freeform and show them something fun. 
  
• Food Network is back in the game with all kind of Holiday themed competition shows. Frankly however all the Halloween ones made me mad so I’m not showing them on my calendar. That’s their punishment. Take note Lifetime. They typically air Sunday, Monday and Wednesday nights so yeah find them….. Holiday Wars, Gingerbread Showdown, Kids Baking Championship, etc., There is one exception, a Hanukkah Challenge that will air on the 21^st at 8, which frankly made me smile. Nice to see them giving some love to the other side of this holiday for once. It’s not all Santas, Snowmen, and Mangers (oh my!) after all people! 
  

For those that do digital Might I suggest Season 2 of Magic for Humans from Justin Willman, which will appear on Dec 4. Keeping with the spirit of the calendar there is a holiday themed episode there you will want to watch. Also there’s a Christmas movie Holiday Rush which started playing Nov. 28^th, I’m sure it’s still around check it out. If you are a Million Little Things fan Rome stars in that movie and if you are a MLT fan I don’t have to tell you how wonderful he is. My boss swears by A Very Murray Christmas which came out in 2015. So if it is still out there (I don’t understand how Digital stuff works) then check that out.

So… here’s what Netflix has in store for you …cause I love you and I want you all to be happy too …

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/10/8574620/netflix-christmas-movies-tv-shows-2019

I post this today cause tomorrow on ABC you can find A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and well dear readers you know how I feel about that lovely Charles Shultz movie but you might find it interesting so here you go.

Marcy
@beaslma

Thankfulness Challenge – What Grinds My Gears

So yeah … I’m stealing this idea from Family Guy but I think I’m ok I doubt they will find this blog. If they do …. Seth McFarland feel free to reach out to Golden. She’s my representation and she will take care of any concerns you might have. Also please forgive me. I did at least give you guys credit, that’s good enough right!? Huh!? I mean please! :D

So I’m climbing on my soapbox for a few minutes to gripe and complain about some things that I won’t be able to talk about at Thanksgiving lunch in a few days.

News - Twitter is not a news source …. For the record neither is Facebook, and don’t get me started on Instagram  -  I used to love watching the news, reading the news paper, getting several different versions of the same story and researching further to get the “true story.” Nothing makes my blood boil more than hearing the words, “As he posted on twitter” or “she unfollowed him on Instagram” I know we are all addicted to social media but it’s not a news source. It isn’t to replace PR and it’s certainly not the freaking gospel. 

Politics - not politicians but the idea of politics. I used to live for presidential debates. The commentary before, the "spin room" after, the speeches, the issues oh how I miss them actually discussing an issue. However politics has become the place I flee from now. I can't stand the my side vs your side mentality. My father is a very smart man and yet is convinced everything wrong with this world can be traced back to Democrats. He stubbed his toe the other day and I said Damn Democrats and he just looked at me then smiled. I like to think he got my joke but he probably thought I was coming over to his side. See I'm not a Republican but on paper I am. Being in a red state most of the important races fall on the Republican side. So if I'm gonna vote in a local election that matters to me I gotta go to that side. The crazy thing is I often straddle the fence, seeing the argument on both sides being pretty equal in a discussion. I dread family holidays cause at some point the discussion leads to politics and you know what I do then. I go into the kitchen and refill the tea pitcher. Let them have their talk I just dont have to sit there and listen to it cause goodness knows no one wants to hear the other sides view anyway. 

Working the holidays – I’m soooooo sick of hearing people complain that places are opening early on Thanksgiving to get a jump on Black Friday and saying that companies don’t care about their employees or won’t let their employees spend the holiday with their family. First off. . . . when you got that job you knew that place was open on the holidays. Second off . . . if you don’t want to work the holidays then don’t take a job where you will have to work the holidays. My partner in crime, Golden, has to work holidays and yeah it sucks but that’s the job she has and she just does what she has to do. No body gives a damn when she works from noon to 2 am ? But God forbid she have to work on the 4^th Thursday of the 11th month. My brother has recently taken a job that is going to require him to work some of the holiday, not all of it mind you. Family members are acting like it’s insane he’s going to have to work …. I’m like wait what?! It’s not like they decided to open the holiday just to ruin his holiday ….. I mean they area always open the holiday the only difference this year is that we are aware of it.

Black Friday is Stupid – I think Black Friday is stupid, however I get that there are people out there that treat it like it’s their actual holiday and love it. That’s fine. You do you but don’t look at me like I’ve got a freaking lobster on my head cause I’m planning to spend my Friday off sleeping in and well enjoying my day off. I had a coworker today ask me if I’ve “made my plan” I was like for what? She said for the big day. I was like “oh we are going to my brother’s for lunch” she said “no idiot, Friday I could care less about Thursday, we have already had dressing” I was so taken a back by that. I told her I don’t do Black Friday. There is little they could give me that could make me want to get out there in all that madness.

Dogs suck – well not all dogs, I love dogs. I had one of the best dogs ever, Golden has had some pretty awesome dogs as well. However the neighbor’s dog makes me want to ask Santa to bring me a bazooka to take him out. In all honestly it’s not really his fault, I’m sure he’s a lovely dog. However the people that he belongs to that I should take out. See this dog starts barking around 6:30 at night and continues to bark until he literally passes out from exhaustion. Once he was yelping not just barking so I drug myself out of bed to look out the window. He had wrapped himself around the tree he was tied up to. That particular night I felt bad for him until about hour 3 of this but they never once came out to check on him, much less try to free him from his tree. It also doesn’t help that they have two dogs. However the dogs are chained up close to one another but not close enough to interact or keep one another company. Truth be told I feel for these dogs. If you don’t want a dog don’t get it. 


That’s all for now … I’m sure I’ll think of more but for now this is what grinds my gears!
Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – Top 10 Christmas Songs

The other day I talked about Christmas Movies, today I finished up my Christmas Holiday TV calendar which includes specials and beloved movies that people should be on the look out for during the holiday season. When I work on my Christmas calendar I always listen to Christmas Music to get me into the right mood. It’s weird I used to LOVE Christmas music. I was that person listening to it in April. Now I can’t really start listening to it until late Nov. cause all it does is remind me of all the things I haven’t done yet, like shopping, gift wrapping, cards, etc.

However if I’m being honest, I love Christmas music. It’s all so happy and upbeat and even songs with the same title sang over and over by different artist bring something new to the song. Not saying that’s always a good thing but it keeps it interesting. I have talked about Christmas music on this blog before … here ….. but this time I thought I’d do one better…. Here’s the top 10 songs that would make my playlist if someone told me I could only have 10 songs to listen to during this season. Now this list is not about artist, if it were all 10 songs would be by Bryan White …… honestly his Christmas music makes me really happy and you should check them out …. This post however is about the songs that no matter when they come on I always listen, and yes one or two of Bryan’s made the cut. 

1. Oh Holy Night – Martina McBride – you can’t beat this version of this song. Granted any version of this song is fantastic this one beats them all. The woman is amazing. 
2. I Believe – Frank Sinatra – I love everything about this song, the message, the music, the happiness I feel when listening to it. 
3. One Bright Star – Various – this song has been sung by many including Bryan White and Vince Gill. It’s a fantastic song that has a tendency to give me chills when I really pay attention to the lyrics. 
4. Christmas In Dixie –Alabama – Honestly anything by Alabama this time of year is my favorite, from Tonight is Christmas, to A Candle in the Window, to Thistlehair the Christmas Bear, all of it makes me smile and brings up memories of me and my mom putting ornaments on our tree. Any song that is but that Christmas Shoe’s song that one makes me cry like a little girl, every.damn.time 
5. I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Pentatonix  – ok I’ll be honest a variety of people have sung this song a ka-billion times but I had to admit this version is one of my favorite ones. 
6. I Still Believe In Santa Claus –NKOTB – I love this song, I love the message of this song and I love the way these 5 men blend their voices in it. I 100% believe in Santa, in the idea of Santa and the feeling of wonderful and happiness that Santa instills in people. How could anyone not believe in something that’s sole purpose on this planet is to make people happy? 
7. Mary Did You Know –Laura Wright – This song is a different spin on the story of the birth of Christ. It twists it up from Mary’s point of view. I have heard this song by many others but since I have recently discovered the lovely voice that is Laura Wright and my ears are very happy for it. I’ve heard several versions of this song but I really like this one, it doesn’t hurt that Laura has a fantastic voice to back up the song. I’d highly recommend any album or song she has sung on being added to your playlist … STAT! 
8. Finding Christmas – Bryan White – I love this song, it’s a new one not a cover of the same songs over and over and it’s brilliantly done. It’s about a guy who rediscovers his love of Christmas through his children’s eyes and it makes me smile. I love the part where his two boys join him on the chorus the first time I heard it it was so unexpected and now it’s my favorite part of the song. It’s just so pure and innocent. 
9. Mr. Bailey – Eric Bay – this is not a typical Christmas song that’s all over the airwaves but it totally should be. Eric is a master of taking a thing and turning it into a song. He expertly puts It’s a Wonderful Life into a musical journey and I am forever grateful for him doing so.  
10. Til’ Santa’s Gone (Milk and Cookies) – Clint Black – I love the fun playfulness of this song. It never fails to put a smile on my face and a pep in my step.

So there you have it, my Christmas music top 10 list. Honestly, I could have gone to 20, 30 songs but I had to limit it or we’d be here until New Years.

Have a great week!
Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – My Typical Day

So the other day I posted that I was out of ideas, then the next day I had several ideas popped into my head. One of those ideas was to give a detailed account of a typical weekday for me. I say weekdays cause my weekends are not at all typical, especially during football season. However my weekdays are pretty standard, so here goes

I’m one of those crazy people who has several alarms set to wake up, to physically get up, to get out of the shower, to be moving to the car, to leave, all with a different song attached to it. 5:45, 6:10, 6:30, 6:45. I know it is insane but I know when Ed Sheeran sings I gotta wake up, when Bryan White starts singing it’s time for me to get out of the shower,  when Eric Erdman starts singing I should be dressed and doing my hair, and when Justin Timberlake comes on I should be moving to the car to leave for work. I won't bore you with getting dressed cause there's no rhyme or reason as to what I put on for the day, or how I do my hair cause after about 45 minutes of being at the office I'm going to pull it back into a pony tail or bun anyway. 

From there it’s a 20 minute drive to the office, sometimes I stop for a biscuit but typically I just head to the office getting there around 7:30. I used to spend my commute listening to the Daily Show but Comedy Central moved it and now i can't find it at the same time, which makes me a Sad Marcy. However I have a flashdrive in my car for those days that i can't find anything to listen to on the radio.  Once I arrive at the office and park, I might sit in the parking lot for a few minutes playing on my phone cause I’m not ready to get in there yet. I have also been known to see others getting out of their car so I sit there for a few minutes cause I don’t want to walk in with them, or more important ride the elevator with them. Granted they are not always from my office but sometimes they are. Look … it's too damn early to be sociable. 

Once I get out of the car and into the elevator I fob my way into the office and make my way to my office shouting Good Morning to anyone that I pass along the way then I log into my computer. Usually while I wait for my computer to come on I make my to do list and plan out my day. It takes my computer a stupid amount of time to come to life. Then once I log in it takes a little longer for it to come up to speed and I can use it. This is because there are these mandatory programs that automatically run in the background so those take forever to open as well and you can't really start work until those finish loading. Sometimes after loggin in I'll use that time to go get ice in my cup or talk to coworkers, or play on my phone. On Mondays I change out the sign on my desk. Last year for Christmas a coworker gave me the sign with those letter things and my goal was to change it out at least once a week. So far I’ve met that goal. Well except for those 3 weeks that out office closed after the chiller exploded on the AC flooding out our floor and the floor below us. I skipped a week during that break but I don’t count that cause no one else was there to see it wasn’t updated right?! I did get to work from home during that span and found it surprisingly easy. 

So then I spend the next 4 hours bouncing from project to project, helping coworkers, coordinating with subs, meeting with my boss or project managers and am typically shocked when someone comes around at noon to ask if I’m eating today. Usually the answer is yes but there are times where I bail on lunch to complete a task or punch and bind a submittal that kind of thing. However it’s part of my sanity plan to get out of the building at least once a day. Typically, we go somewhere near the office and grab lunch sometimes we venture further out. There’s usually a group of 2 or 3 that I go with on a routine basis. We don’t do fast food often opting instead for a sit down bring me food kind of place. Sometimes I miss the fast food I know my wallet does.

Then it’s back to the office for another round of meetings, conference calls, and draft submittal creation, or edits to already completed drafts. The last week or so I’ve been working on award nomination forms for some of the employees in our office. Over the last month I’ve worked on submittals for projects in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. I like the variety of the work that I do. No two days as far as the work is concerned is the same. The best part of my job is that at some point there is a deadline and I have to move on whether I want to or not. I don’t usually leave the office at 5, tho lately I have. Often I stay and work until about 5:30 or 6 either cause I’m trying to get something done or let traffic die down. Sometimes both, sometimes it's well past 6. The latest I have stayed was 9. I feel that's good enough and I don't really care for doing that but you do what you have to do right?!  

Then I drag it out to the car and make the 20 minute drive home. Sometimes I make stops on the way home, medicine, groceries that kind of thing but usually it's a stright shot to the house.  Once there I change clothes, we usually have dinner as a family, everyone takes their medicine, then mom and I watch TV until 10/10:30. Depending on the day of the week or the season it changes what we watch. Big Bang Theory is a constant, we also like watching reruns of Mad About You, as well as Reba. Stuff we've likely seen billions of times. Every once in a while we'll watch a movie, especially during Halloween or Christmas season, and we ALWAYS make time for A Million Little Things. . . . Always. Usually i'm watching with one eye and playing a game on my phone, or texting with a nephew, or Golden while just sitting around on my duff. Before I go to bed I give mom her nighttime medicine and I head to bed. Where I pull out my phone and either scroll my twitter feed, watch you tube videos, or text with Golden until I fall asleep. I’d say on a good night I’m asleep by midnight on other nights I’m asleep by 1.

So that’s a typical day for me.  
Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – Christmas Movies

Tonight I happened to be flipping around looking for something to watch and saw that ET was coming on at 7. On a whim I said we should watch ET! Now we are all in my living room watching ET and what I really want to do is change the channel. My father came down to join me and my mom and the first words out of his mouth was “don’t yall have this on DVD why are we watching it on TV” and of course mom got all defensive cause now she thinks he’s here but doesn’t want to be. He also likes to watch TV in total darkness which my mom hates. So one light is on and it’s driving him nuts.

ET was one of the first movies I ever remember seeing. It was definitely the fist VHS I ever owned. My grandmother went to the store one year and got all the grandkids their very own copy for Christmas. I still have that VHS. She was so very proud to be able to give us those. I think it was the most she had ever spent on Christmas. I guess that’s why I always feel like this is a Christmas movie even though it’s totally not. I can’t remember the last time I watched this movie but the ending never fails to make me cry.

This weekend’s plan is to finish my Christmas calendar. I found a few things that I was missing and I think I found some of the AMC line up even though they didn’t want to share. Ingrates. I’d like to send it out prior to Thanksgiving next week. One of the guys that recently left our firm came by just last week to make sure I had his new e-mail address. It always cracks me up when they do that. He said he realized towards the middle of October that he didn’t get my Halloween calendar and he was going to make sure he got the Christmas one.

The office next door to ours in our building plays non-stop Christmas movies from 8-4 (when their receptionist is in the office). I love walking by to see what’s on. I have a tendency this time of year to go to the bathroom more. My boss jokes that he’s going to find me in the hallway one day sitting in the floor, laptop in my lap, one eye on the TV the other on my screen. He’ not wrong. I think it’s great that they do that. She watches far too much Hallmark for my taste but it’s her TV I’ll let her do her thing. Today she watched Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story my two favorites. Yesterday she watched It’s a Wonderful life. Our Thanksgiving lunch was a success and now I feel like I can actually listen to Christmas music without making myself want to vomit. Damn I love this time of year. However all this means is that I’m wwwwaaaayyyyy behind on my Christmas shopping. That’s future Marcy’s problem.

We’ll I’m going to watch the movie, have a great weekend, stay safe out there!

Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – Potluck Meals

Tomorrow is our Thanksgiving lunch at work, it’s Potluck. I’m bringing my mom’s Cornbread dressing… and yes it’s dressing not stuffing. There is a difference. Notice I said I’m bringing not that I’m cooking ….. tho I guess technically due to the crockpot I am. See we’ll mix up all the stuff tonight, put it in a huge bowl that will go in our fridge then tomorrow morning I’ll drag it and the crockpot up to our office and it will cook in my office. My office will smell amazing all day long. Sometime around 10 a few friends will stop by with a cup in hand and we’ll sample the goods. I mean you don’t want to serve something to a group of people that doesn’t taste very good so you have to taste it ahead of time. One year we sampled a little too much and the crockpot never made it to the office table. I regret nothing. Guys it is that good ….. it is literally to die for. If I’m ever on death row and they come around asking about my last meal I want my momma’s crockpot dressing. 

It’s really simple to put together but it does take some planning and time.

Here’s the recipe …. Incase you are interested …

Crock Pot Dressing

·       1 Pan Cornbread (I use a 10 inch cast iron)  use 5-6 large eggs

·       1 10oz. can of cream of chicken soup

·       1 10oz. can of cream of celery soup

·       1 to 3 10oz. cans swanson Chicken Broth

·       1 stick butter (can use margarine, but butter makes it richer)

·       1/2 onion, chopped (I love Onion so often use the whole onion. I also like to use a sweet Onion like from GA or TX)

·       3 pieces of sandwich bread crumbled (left out overnight so it's kind of dry) 

·       salt and pepper to taste

Mix up and cook your cornbread as usual only be sure to add your eggs in your cornbread about 5 large, it needs to be a little more dense than a typical cornbread. Once the cornbread is done put it into a LARGE mixing bowl and crush it all up into breadcrumbs. Mom jokes I crush it up to much to where you can’t tell what it is but the more you crush it up the yummier it taste. Then crumble up three pieces of plain white bread in the same fashion adding them to your mixing bowl. Then dump in the cream of chicken soup, the cream of celery soup, the butter, and the onions into the same mixing bowl as the cornbread and carefully stir to combine. This is the moment where if you aren’t careful most of it ends up on the table. Avoid that at all cost. Then once everything is incorporated add the Chicken Broth a little at a time. You want it to be really wet cause it will continue to absorb throughout the night. We actually add a little more the next morning (sometimes) depending on how dry it is. AT this point taste it. Then add Salt and Pepper to taste. Often we don’t need Salt (the soups and chicken broth take care of it) but we always add pepper. Make sure everything is very well mixed in the bowl. Then let it hang out in the fridge over night (or if you want go directly to the crockpot but if you can let it sit and meld the flavors together your time is well spent). The next morning move from Mixing Bowl to the Crockpot and cook on high for an hour or two stirring occasionally to keep from burning. Then turn it down to low to cook until ready to serve. Typically you would like for it to cook about 4 hours total. We like ours a little moist so we keep the lid on until time to serve but if you like it to be dryer and more dense then take the lid off towards the end of cooking letting some of the moisture out of the crockpot.

It’s not at all figure friendly but it’s amazing and your friend and family will love you for it. I am forever grateful to the lady who gave this recipe to my aunt who then gave it to my mom who is giving it to me. It’s my favorite thing about the holidays and once I’ve had a spoonful I’m ready to put up the tree! Well after I eat some pie and have an adult beverage or two during Drunksgiving.

Happy eating !

Marcy

@beaslma

Thankfulness Challenge - Friendship

This is gonna be another short post just to keep the challenge alive. My father was able to talk his friend into coming over for dinner and I want to join them. They have been friends for decades, working with each other for many of those years. His wife is very sick and has recently moved to a rehab facility. He's been running at both ends for about 6 months and a home cooked meal is the least we can do. However why I am joing them is the stories that they tell from their work life. It fascinates me to hear their stories and listen to how much they remember from those days when everyone just did all they had to do to get the job done. 

I'm going to listen and absorb.... have a great night

Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – Favorite Childhood Books

As a kid, I loved being read to, I loved reading on my own, I loved everything about reading. From the smell of a freshly opened book, going to the book store or library and browsing the shelves looking for that perfect book, and finishing one just to start another. My favorite day of the year was the Scholastic Book Fair I would get so excited when they’d pass out the order forms and when my mom and I would sit down to fill it out. I would save my money all year long for that one order form. No matter what I did or how much I saved it was never enough but mom would always come through. 

My nephew came out of the womb wanting to read. He’d sit on the couch book in his lap flipping the pages and making up the best stories that never existed. I only wish I had pulled out a camera and recorded them. A lot of times I couldn’t understand what he was saying but he was so enthusiastic about it I loved every second of it. One year he was determined to read the most books in his class and get as many AR reader points (or some jazz like that) in a single year. That was a fun year. See they had to read a book, tell their teacher they read it and then take a test on what he read. His score would result in points. I loved suggesting books, helping him find others, reading them with him so he’d have someone to talk to about it before taking the tests.

So just like with the video games post I thought I’d share some of the books that he and I bonded over when he was a child incase you are looking for some Christmas ideas prior to Black Friday shopping. 

 

http://www.littlegoldenbooks.com/

Little Golden Books. I love the Little Golden Books series, I have a ton of Little Golden Books on my shelves. I like the original books like Tootle, The Little Red Caboose, The Shy Little Kitten, The Fire Engine Book and also love the Sesame Street, Disney versions that came out. Like the Monster and the End of this Book featuring Grover, and a few years ago they released “Everything I need to know I learned from a Little Golden Book” which I got for Christmas from several family members. For the record don't bring me some weak ass Little Golden Book without the gold foil spine all that will do is piss me off. 

My all time favorite Little Golden Book was and will always be The Poky Little Puppy, which by the way was the on billionth LGB printed in 1986. It’s my all time favorite book from my childhood. As a matter of fact whenever a friend has a baby I give them this book as part of my baby gift. That book is all kinds of brilliant. It’s five little puppies who dig a whole under the fence and explore the world around them only to get in trouble when they get home. They do this several times throughout the book and the way they see the world and things around them was brilliantly done. A great way to talk to kids about consequences of actions that kind of thing.

https://www.berenstainbears.com/
The Berenstain Bears. There is a Berenstain Bear Book for literally every occasion. God Bless Stan and Jan Berenstain. The hours of enjoyment that the books have given me are too high to count. From having a Messy Room, to Bad Habits, to telling the Truth, to having a new Baby, table manners, trouble at school, going to a doctor for the first time, dealing with bullys,  learning how to deal with strangers, and mom getting a new job, and moving and going to the dentist, going to school for the first time. Literally every single thing has a Berenstain Book to give to a kid to make their situation a little easier to deal with.

Literally anything by Dr. Seuss. I loved the play on words, the fact that he could make up this world in his head and it all worked at the end of the day. I love that there is a book that people have started giving for graduation gifts, Oh The Places You go. So many fantastic stories, and of course I love me some How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Horton Hears a Who, There’s a Wocket in my Pocket, Oh The Thinks you can Think, and I wish That I had Duck Feet. So many great options you can’t go wrong with any of this books. 

Pierre – or as we called it, “I don’t care, my names Pierre” My mom gave me this book cause I had gotten into a habit of saying I don’t care. The book is all about a little boy who answers everything by saying I don’t Care and the consequences of it from it. At one point he is asked if a Lion could eat his mom (or something like that) and he says I don’t care and the Lion eats his mom. It was quite traumatic at the time. I love that book.

You can’t go wrong with any book on this list much less any other book on the planet. Reading is important no matter the book just the aspect of giving an actual book and even better reading the actual book with the recipient.

Marcy

@beaslma

Thankfulness Challenge – Video Game Consoles

So yesterday I posted I had nothing for you and today I had several ideas while I was at work. Isn’t that always the way ? PS – Hi H!  hope you have a great day tomorrow! -- So maybe I’m getting my mojo back. I promise nothing.

Today’s post is brought to you by a friend of mine who sent me a message to say “I’m thinking about getting a Playstation4. I’m really leaning towards doing it!” Which led to a long conversation about yes he should totally get a game station. 

I’ve mentioned several times on this blog my love for video games. The way they suck me into another world, the way they relieve stress and the overall enjoyment I have when playing. It’s not uncommon for me to get obsessed with a game and play it for days, hours, weeks. I wouldn’t take breaks if life didn’t make me. I like finishing a game. I am also annoying to play a game with cause I want all the things. All the coins, all the side quests I want to do it all. I used to drive my nephews crazy cause they just wanted to finish the level and move to the next one.

I was lucky my first console was the Atari 2600 and I loved everything about it. From the variety of games available, the game play, the graphics, and the ease of game play. Then again back then games were not as elaborate as they are now. We had Frogger, Pac Man, Mrs. Pac Man, Space Invaders, Pitfall, The Smurfs, ET, and so many other games. Then my Atari met an untimely death when it battled my mom’s vacuum cleaner which sucked up the cords and ruined the machine. It was a dark day in our household.

 

It was however rectified when Santa brought us a Nintendo which gave me Mario Brothers and RBI Baseball and so many other games that defined my childhood.  We had the glove, I had the magazine, I mean I was all in from the first day. As much as I loved my Atari this console is the console that I think of when I think of Video games. I am not proud of the fact that I spent a good 45 minutes at work when they came out with the mini NES … but wasn’t successful. From there I graduated to a Sega, then Microsoft took over with the X-box, X-box 360, X-box 1 and that’s where my video game story ends. Once my latest X-box ate it I just haven’t replaced the system. I really want a Nintendo Switch. I like the idea of being able to play at home and on the go, but I can’t justify the price tag cause I’m an adult. Granted I also had a few versions of the Game Boy and other hand held games but when I think video game systems I think of the ones plugged into the TV, those with cartridges that you could borrow from friends and swap back and forth like currency. Going to the store to rent games that’s what I think of. So this post is not about games I play on my phone, maybe that's for another day, cause lord knows I have plenty. 

However, the question remains the same which console?! PS4, X-box, or are you a PC gamer. Since it’s nearly Christmas I thought I’d help Santa out and give the number one thing someone needs to think about when they are considering a new console.  

What do you want to play? Are you a gamer that likes to connect to other gamers online? Do you like the shoot up up, role playing games like Fortnight, or Resident Evil, or quest games... fantasy play, what about sport games, NFL, NBA, Soccer, MLB? Do you like games based on movies or TV? Take a look a the console you are interested and see what type of games they sell. That’s the first step. It all comes down to the games you want play and if you can find enough games that will interest you to keep you wanting to play the console.

Also do some research and make sure that you aren’t buying a console that is about to release a new system. There is NOTHING WORSE than buying a console only to have a new one come out a year later and suddenly you can’t find any games for your console cause they are shifting their focus to the new one. Trust me on that one. Been there wasted my money on that.

No matter what system you pick enjoy it. If you are going to spend the money buy a few games and really dive into the system and use it or you have wasted the money you spent.

Have fun!


Marcy
@beaslma

Thankfulness Challenge – I got nothing

This challenge has been hard, mostly cause I haven’t felt like I had anything real to talk about. So they have all felt a little forced. My plan was to spend this weekend writing up several posts so that I would have things I could post on days like this but then life happened. That’s not to say I could haven’t done it I just didn’t. However I want to keep this thing going and make this challenge happen so you guys have had to deal with my ramblings about nothing and for that I would apologize if anyone were reading these things but let’s face it they aren’t. 

You would think that would make it easier, I mean I could write anything I wanted and it wouldn’t matter. I could go into a political rant, but so is everyone else these days, I could spend days researching something and come up with a very eloquent way for someone to think about something and possibly change their mind about an issue, like say Gun control, but I likely won’t. 

This was not a good time to do this challenge. I feel like I already have 3 jobs between the one that pays the bills, my mom’s health, my fathers needs, and now this just feels like another thing on my to do list. I should use this space for enjoyment, happiness, or fun but I often use it as an excuse to be on my computer. I’m sure I could use this computer for more important things or even for anything in general other than surfing the web but that’s all I do. So I promise that I’ll get better and maybe one day I’ll jump over this hump but for now all you need to know is that I posted today and kept this thing moving forward.

Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge - Birthdays

Today my oldest nephew turned 20. For 20 years I have watched him grow to the young man he is today. He's a super smart kid, who is stupid tall and has the temper of my father, something his father and I also inherited. 

He was not an easy child and often we were sure his dad would end up in prison and McNeil would end up in the ground before the child turned 10. He wasn't so much a bad kid just didnt know when to shut his mouth ha! Even when we were standing behind him telling him to. 

He is currently a Sophmore at Auburn with a big decision on his shoulders about his future. I have no doubt in my mind that whatever direction he decides to go he is gonna make an impact. See he also inherited my dads work ethic, something I was also cursed with, which is going to drive him to make this world better. 

We need more kids like McNeil and i hope those kids are out there just in the background quietly making their way into the real world. It's been a blessing watching him grow up, and I'm very proud to be his aunt. So today and everyday I am thankful to the young man who made me an Aunt. 

Happy Birthday McNeil! I love you! 

Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – The Week is over!

Today I’m thankful that the week is over. It’s not that it has been an overly HARD week but it hasn’t been an easy week either. It has just been a hectic week, between the Basketball game early in the week to having several submittals to get done and help with I felt like I was always running behind. Now it’s Friday and I just want to take a nap. I want to sleep all freaking weekend and I know I can’t but that’s honestly all I want to do.  That’s become my norm for the weekends. I know that’s not ok but that’s what it is. At some point laundry will be a thing, and of course Auburn has a huge football game this weekend. Not to mention that my oldest nephew turns 20 tomrorow. 

So I’m going to bed, yall have a great weekend.

Marcy
@beaslma 

Thankfulness Challenge – DJ Nash

Tonight is another short post. It’s 7:30 my time and at 8 A Million Little Things will be on my TV on ABC. I can’t express how much I truly love this show. You know how some shows have an ensemble cast but like often the ensemble seems to just be there sometimes or completely non existent in some episodes ? Yeah A Million Little Things is not at all like that. Everyone brings something to the table in every single episode.

I will admit I started watching this show because of the amazing James Roday of Psych being cast as one of the lead characters. I have yet to watch anything connected with Mr. Roday that wasn’t great. So I was in from that moment. While Mr. Roday got me to the table the fantastic story telling by DJ Nash and his writers room have kept me there. Not to mention that amazing cast …. how they found this many talented people is beyond me. Incase you don’t know the show is about a group of friends who rally together to pick up the pieces after the glue of the group commits suicide. You’d think that would make for a super sad show but it’s actually a really lovely, heart warming, and funny show. Don’t get me wrong there are tears and challenges the group have to overcome but it’s a great representation of life in general.

The best part of the show is the online presence of it’s creator DJ Nash. He’s not one of those guys who created a thing and only tweets when he’s promoting the show. The conversations that he has with fans is almost as entertaining as the show itself. That’s actually the coolest part of this fanbase is the conversations that the show generates. Last year there was a lot of really productive conversations about suicide and cancer and this year the conversation’s that have resulted from the speculation of what’s happening on the show. Right before the start of Season #2 I saw a conversation where a lady had to miss the premier episode cause her daughter was hurt playing Volleyball. I too hurt my knee playing Volleyball in high School too so I reached out to her and have checked in on her daughter several times since. She’s recovering nicely incase you are wondering. My point is that this show has become way more than just a show. 

Today I am thankful for the brain that is DJ Nash and the creative team behind A Million Little Things ! 

Anyway it’s nearly 8 ….. I have a show to watch and you should be watching too!

Thanks,
Marcy  

Thankfulness Challenge – College Days

So as I said yesterday my family and I put on all our Auburn gear and headed to the local arena to watch the Tigers play basketball. It was a super fun night that ended with my nephew asking “What is it about Auburn Sports? It’s not a game unless you are about to have a heart attack.” He’s 100% right. Being an Auburn fan is not always fun, it’s not always easy but it really is GREAT to be an Auburn Tiger.

I’ve talked on this blog before about what Auburn means to me it’s more than a university, it is home. That feeling of belonging that feeling of calm that comes over me when I go back to that campus fascinates me. Just getting off at that exit and driving towards campus makes me feel like I have class the next day.

I started at Auburn in the college of Liberal Arts with the plan of going into communications with an eventual degree in journalism. That was the plan. However as most college students need to understand often the plan changes at least once or twice in those 4…4+ years.

My older nephew is currently at Auburn and he’s at that cross road where he stays on the path he’s on or he shifts the plan and go in another direction. I’ve told him every student on that campus has gotten to that road, the question he has to ask himself is what do you want to do. It’s not an easy decision and it’s not easy to trust yourself and go with your gut. For me, the decision was really made for me. The weed out class for a Journalism degree definitely weeded me out. At the time I was devastated. My guidance counselor told me you can do what you want to do with a degree in English. That…was….a …. Lie. Well not a lie, I mean she wasn’t being malicious about it or anything she was just largely mistaken. See I loved my guidance counselor. When I graduated my mother gave HER a graduation gift. She is the reason I have that piece of paper on my wall in a nice fancy frame … collecting dust. Her advice however was misguided. The people I tried to get a Journalism type job from were done with me after they realized I only had an English degree.

I can’t imagine trying to be in the journalism profession today. It drives me crazy how lazy some journalist are now especially in the light of everything going on in the world. It drives me insane that a social media account has become a source. They are no longer concerned with getting the story it is more about repeating whatever one else is talking about. If you watch two or three channels or read a few articles the same text or talking points are used over and over.

Not to mention that now a days it’s harder than ever to break into and I wasn’t someone who wanted to be on the screen. I was more interested in the research side of the table or the writing of copy. I am however grateful for where I have ended up. It’s not at all what I thought I’d be doing with my life as a 20 something year old but I’m good at it and feel very secure in saying that someone knew that that’s where I needed to end up and for that I am grateful. I now it’s not easy but trust the plan, even when it changes, it might be exactly what you needed.

Marcy