If a Tree Falls in the Woods...

Compliments tend to make us feel good. So, if a compliment is given by someone who doesn't really know what they are saying, is it still a compliment? And should we still bask in the glow of the faux compliment?

Today, Dave and I were shopping in a man's store. By this I mean, tools and manly equipment abounded. This was no sissy Home Depot trip, this was a testosterone filled trip to Harbor Freight Tools. If you've never been, it's a store for manly men. Anyway, I'm wandering around while Dave is drooling over some piece of hardware and this nice elderly lady said something to me as I passed. I didn't quite hear her, so I said, "Pardon me?" She then replied, "I said you are very pretty." Well, I thanked her, somewhat taken aback. It's not every day someone you've never seen before makes such a bold statement. I did smile as I thanked her and went around the aisle. A little while later, in a different aisle, the same lady came up to me and said, "You look beautiful." At this point, my one eyebrow goes up and the thought processes start turning. Hadn't she already commented on my looks? Is this some freaky test on people's reaction to compliments? Had she forgotten she already saw me and was just telling every woman she saw in a manly store how beautiful they were? About that time, she begins telling me she "used to operate a travel agency up north and she knew beautiful." OK, that's plausible. Should I congratulate her? Before I could say anything, she says "I used to make clothes for them." OK - who's them? I'm sure I've heard everything she's said. Right after that declaration she says, "I made a lot of money. Five thousand dollars." To which I responded "Good for you." She then tells me she's there with her husband and son. At this point, we start recycling the conversation when she said, "You know I used have a travel agency." We go through all the other statements previously made. Then I'm aware of what I'm dealing with - the poor dear wasn't really living in the here and now. So, I try to converse with her the best I can until I say I really have to go because my husband's waiting for me.

So, for a short while, this little old lady made me feel really good with her compliment - even if she didn't know what she was talking about!

A Poem for You

Thanksgiving came, Thanksgiving went,
The next day came, all our money we spent.
The turkey was carved, the potatoes were mashed,
The leftovers are now continually rehashed!

Let’s light up the houses and light up the trees,
Get up on that ladder with your rickety knees!
The season is here where we all seem to hurry,
We shop and we wrap in such a grand flurry.

The holidays come, the holidays go
But let’s not forget what we already know
The spirit of Christmas can last through the year
Just remember our Savior, our Christ, oh so dear!

More Santa Stuff!

Isn't my little helper cute? Aunt Charlotte got Jack a new onesie and we're showing it off!

That's all - no other reason to post than to show you Jack! (Isn't that reason enough??)

What Would You Give Them for Christmas?

Yes, I know Thanksgiving isn't even here yet. But, I want to get my Christmas shopping done and wrapped before December 8th. On that day, my Bremen, my Logan and my Lexi are coming to stay with us! (Oh, their moms are coming, too, and the dads later.) Anyway, I want to be as "done" on the shopping front as I can get because I want to be able to spend fun time with the kids (and their moms, too!). I have done some of my shopping, in fact a lot of the kids stuff is done. But what I need help with is the "older" kids. I have some ideas and some of those ideas Dave and I don't agree on. So, fill in the blanks for me so I can get really inspired in my Christmas shopping and quick!

Teresa is telling Santa she wants ___________________ for Christmas.

Stuart would love ____________________ for a gift.

Kevin really wants _______________________ to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Marcy would be happy if _______________________were waiting for her under the tree.

Charlotte would love ____________________ so much she wouldn't need a gift receipt to return it!

Bill would think ______________________ is an awesome gift.

Wendy would have a big smile on her face if _____________________ was her gift.

Jon has been hoping for _______________________ for Christmas.

Jamie has __________________________ on her mind as the perfect Christmas gift.

Patrick wants ___________________ for Christmas, even though he says he doesn't want a present!

Heather would be happy to see ________________________ when she unwraps her gift.


So, put on your thinking caps and tell anyone you know to help me complete my Christmas shopping list - I can use all the ideas I can get!! Oh, just to head off the Scrooges, coal is not an acceptable fill-in for any blank!