Two on Tuesday: Blog Grateful

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Why are you thankful for blogging?

I am a stuffer.  It's true, and I hate that it's true, but there's no use in denying stuff here.  When things get difficult, or when I don't understand something, I stuff it down.  Then, when I encounter something else, I stuff it on top of what I've already stuffed down.  I do this until there is absolutely no room left, and then I try to sit on the suitcase and zip it up anyway.

It's super healthy.

On top of being a stuffer, I don't really talk about personal things in person.  I know that's bizarre, and probably stupid to a good number of you.  But it's easier to find my voice at a keyboard and really process what's bugging me, or what I think.  

In the last few years, I've shared a good number of things with you.  I've talked about my former church, the epic fail that is my grad school experience, my son, and the things that run through my mind when I teach.  For the most part, blogging has given me room to have a conversation or close the conversation when I just can't talk.  It's given me the experience of support without the awkwardness of personal conversation.

Mostly, it's helped me find my voice.

A while back, I wrote that I don't write because I'm going to make millions of dollars for putting my words on paper.  If you want to read someone like that, go to Barnes and Noble (or look on my sidebar for people more impressive than I am).  I write because I don't know who I am if I don't.

And I'm pretty sure that's something for which to be grateful.

Two on Tuesday: Pet Peeves

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What are your pet peeves?

Lots of things irk me, because, according to Favorite, I let them.  But if we're going to get down to my two biggest pet peeves, I'm really going to have to think.

Number one is this:  When are you going to have kids?

I've fielded this question at least a million times since I've gotten married.  C'mon people.  You aren't being original.  I've been married almost nine years--so you can only imagine the number of times I've gotten to smile and say, "Oh, I don't know."  *Add in harmless chuckle and a subject change here*

For the most part, I realize people aren't meaning to be rude and intrusive when they ask, but no one seems to take notice of the fact that the question actually is rude and intrusive.  Reword it this way:  "When are you going to have sex and see results from that sex?" 

Also, our situation has attuned me to the fact that there are many couples who are trying to remain positive and kind when they approach that question; however, they can't field it six times in a row.  It's too much--particularly when they've faced a loss.  So if you feel the need to put this question to a newly married couple, think better of it and bite your tongue.  You may be saving that couple a few tears later in the day.

(If I could tell you all the crazy questions I've had to address because of well-meaning people, you would probably call me a liar.  Or take up drinking professionally.  I've been accosted and questioned like I belonged in Guantanamo.  Maybe the lesson we should learn here is that if people want to talk, they will.)

My other pet peeve is when people assume too much.  Makes me want to buy a shirt that says, "You don't know me"--and not in a referencing Aida way.  We can't always decipher intentions so sometimes it's best to ask a specific question or take a step back.  Either way, more communication is often the best outcome.  Though, I'll admit that isn't always the case.

(I also get annoyed when Favorite doesn't close cabinets or get his clothes in the laundry basket.  People who put gum anywhere other than their mouths or the garbage gross me out.  I hate the assumption that all fat people aren't trying.  It bothers me when teachers don't consider themselves part of the same team.  I need to stop.  There's a whole other list of things that annoy me and make me laugh at the same time.  Maybe we should address that list later?)

Two on Tuesday: Early Christmas Thoughts

 

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 What’s your Christmas wish list? What do you hope to receive from Santa?

 

Christmas wish lists are hard.  I don't have a lot of wants, and when I really, really want something, I usually buy it.  My family loves to give gifts, but they prefer to get you something you actually want, so I make an effort to give them something...which usually ends up in a list of books.

Right now, I have a few books on my list:

My (not so) Storybook Life by Liz Owen (I don't want the kindle version as I don't have a kindle.  This was just the picture I found.)

Following Atticus by Tom Ryan (What is it with the kindle?  Gah.  I want real books, people.  REAL BOOKS.)

I've had my eye on a couple of Coach's finest.  (And, oh yes, I am picky.)  The Lion King just came out on DVD and Sheena made a good point with that Clarisonic facial brush.

But I'm also content with gift cards to my favorite haunts:  Sephora, Target, Macy's and Kohl's.

So what do you hope will be wrapped under your tree this year?