Wednesday Thoughts

I'm a winter wuss. I've lived in Michigan pretty much my whole life but I have never gotten used to winter. In the summer, I romanticize winter. I picture it as being this super cozy time where there's snow on the ground but the air outside doesn't hurt. Everyone is just sipping hot chocolate, wearing cute chunky scarves, watching movies under a blanket, and looking out the window at the falling snow.

The parts I forget about in this fantasy are too numerous to list. But I'll try. Scraping car windows, getting snow in my shoes/boots, having my nose freeze the moment I walk out the door, shoveling, slipping on ice, my car getting stuck in snow, parking in the snow, gross slushy roads, not wanting to go outside, etc...

I don't feel like I'm thriving right now. I feel like I'm in survival mode. I go to work, I go home, and once I'm home, I don't want to go out again until I have to (as in work the next morning). If I can get out of winter with any friends left who aren't mad at me for my antisocial winter ways, it will be a miracle.

I really do feel like a large part of my personality is buried under the snow and cold. 

I think this is supposed to be the part of the post where I say "so, here's what I'm going to do to solve my problem," then share some tips to help anyone else struggling with winter. But I can't. I haven't figured it out yet.

Right now I'm taking it one day at a time. I have started checking things off my long to-do list. I'm un-burying myself little by little. I go on kayak.com and look at vacation deals to tropical places. I pretend I can afford those vacations and think about warm sunshine on my skin. And outdoor smells that I miss so much. Remember the smell of cut grass? Glorious.

I need a vacation. I need some snuggles. I need a hot dog from Comerica Park. I need to wear flip flops.

Instead I stay inside and read and craft and Netflix (just made that a verb). I exercise, I bake, I exercise again to fix the damage done by baking. I survive winter. Inside. As long as I'm inside, I'm happy.

When I hear people say they like winter, I am genuinely shocked.  I get some of it - the snow is pretty. Inside is cozy. But what else? What do these people like? I need to know.

It is pretty though. I'll give you that. On my drive in to work this morning, I noticed that the trees look like they'd been dipped in white paint. They looked so pretty, and so enchanting. Moments like that help me remember that I like the seasons. Well, I like three of the seasons. (Actually only two of the seasons. Spring can't be trusted.)

I'm sorry. This Wednesday Thoughts isn't funny. It's not even particularly interesting. But these are my thoughts today and getting my thoughts is really all I can guarantee in Wednesday Thoughts.

If you made it this far, I'll share with you this funny thing I saw online earlier today. The silliness of it was too much for me this morning. Am I getting loopy or is this funny? Don't answer that.

What about this one? It also killed me.

(source for both)

Happy Wednesday!

How to spend Valentine's Day when you're single

1. Eat whatever you want. Where ever you want. Don't worry about making interesting conversation. Don't worry about that ketchup on your lip. You'll wipe it off when you feel like it.

2. Think about how lucky anyone would be to date you. Strut your stuff.

3.Call your other single friends and see what they're up to.

4. Be your crazy self. You're not trying to impress anyone! You're single and loving it!

5. Look in the windows of fancy restaurants, pitying the couples who are trying to live up to the expectations of Valentine's Day.

6. Go to the gym and enjoy having the place to yourself! No awkwardly trying to look straight ahead on the treadmill!

7. Wonder what your ex is up to.

But only for a few minutes. Don't dwell on it because...

8.Once you've done that, you'll inevitably start to wonder what's wrong with you...

(it doesn't.)

9. Find a good friend to hang out with!

10. Know that when the time is right, you'll find the right one.

But for real, Valentine's Day is better when you're single. No expectations at all. Just hang out with friends and have fun.

What do you like to do on Valentine's Day?

Looking for a special Valentine card? Look no further!

 

I hope at least one of these melts that specials someone's heart!

How to drive a person crazy

Sometimes I get bored. Then I remind myself, "wait... I have younger siblings who could probably use some tormenting."

Last week, my sisters and I were having a long conversation via Facebook messaging. A lot of it was about coupon codes, music, and the polar vortex. I only got really involved with it when someone mentioned Jackée in passing. You know, Jackée Harry from Sister, Sister?

From that point on, I became 100% invested in the conversation. But mostly I was invested in driving my sister, Heather, insane.

I started responding to the messages as Jackée. Jackée said the same thing I would have said, but she said it for me. And she said it with her unique Jackée twist. 

Below is a small sampling of the messages. 

After about three Jackée responses, I started to wonder if Heather was losing it yet. I told a friend, "I think she's starting to snap, but she's not there yet. I have to push a little harder." The friend I was talking to is an only child, and I think he was feeling grateful for that fact after hearing about what I was up to.

Aren't you sad I'm not your older sister?

Finally, I got the response I was looking for:

 Success.

I could tell in her tone that when she said she was "on the brink" she meant she was past the brink. I'm not the only one who still loves messing with their siblings, right?

Wednesday Thoughts

I have some Wednesday Thoughts writers block today. I feel like my thoughts are buried today. Probably under all the snow. It won't stop snowing.

I ate a Snickers bar earlier to "help" (with what, I don't know). But it wasn't enough. I need another. But I can't have another because I'm an adult and that would be irresponsible. Responsible adults don't eat two Snickers bars in one day. I'll just continue to fill my belly with air popped popcorn and diet Coke because that's healthy. That's responsible.

I just realized what this Wednesday Thoughts is going to be like. Stream of consciousness.

You know what I miss in the winter? Smells. I know there are still some smells available in the winter but not as many as in other seasons. The cold and snow deaden and cover all the earthy smells. And there are no outdoor festivals where you smell that combination of cigarettes in the distance and corn dogs. I know cigarettes are gross and I hate the smell of them up close, but I love that outdoor festival smell. And the smell of the fair with that farm-y manure-y smell and maybe some exhaust mixed in? Mmmmm, I miss it.The smell of people being together. Remember barbecue smells? And sun screen? And the smell of the lake? And sparklers?

I've been trying to figure out where I can smell some new and comforting smells lately and I'm coming up empty. Restaurants? Nah. They just smell like food. And while I LOVE food, that's not a new or unique smell. Hardware stores smell good and so do craft stores but they're still indoor smells. And they're only interesting in small doses. Gas stations - too cold. Much too cold. Plus, a little smell of gasoline is nice, but more than that and you might have a problem. I guess I'll have to wait until spring for more smells.

Gosh I sound like some kind of smell junky.

I don't have a problem though. I can quit whenever I want.

In other thoughts, I've been making some special Valentine's cards for you guys. Want a sneak peek? Here's one of them:

I think you're going to like the rest. I'll put them up in the next week.

Happy Wednesday!

My reaction when I hear we're getting more snow

I know I shouldn't be surprised. It's only the beginning of February. But this is still my reaction.

February!

People in Michigan are fond of saying that although it is technically the shortest month of the year, February is actually the longest. The reason being that it's cold and dark and seems to drag on and on. But I'm here to tell you that February is ok. And here are some reasons why.

1. Super Bowl! I don't even really like football all that much, but I like the Super Bowl. For the commercials mainly (and the snacks!). My favorites last night were the Budweiser horse and dog one (though I'm confused about the nature of their relationship), the Butterfingers cups one (with the couple in therapy) and the one with Bruce Willis and Fred Armison hugging. Also, a little fun fact: I barfed in the middle of the Super Bowl last night. 

2. Black history month!! Here's are some great reasons to celebrate Black History Month:



I say "slavery" you say "sorry!"

Sorry.

3. Valentine's Day. We've been over this one before. Yes, yes, I know. I've heard your arguments (it's a made up holiday! it's single awareness day! Charlie Brown hates it). But you've also heard my arguments (it's about the color red! it's about chocolate! and love in general!). And may I emphasize the chocolate part. If no one else is buying you any, buy yourself some! Who even cares? Let's be real here: Valentine's Day is actually much easier when you're not in a relationship. Buy yourself a heart shaped box of chocolates, turn on Netflix, and have a great evening.

4. It has that hidden R people like to argue about. It's not FebUary it's FebRUary. Or FebruANY if you work for Subway. Or your name is Jared.

5. Every four years, there's a leap year. That's kind of interesting, right? February is the only month with that little twist.

6. My mom's birthday is in February. Not only that, it's TODAY!!! Happy birthday, mom!!

7. The Olympics. If you're into it, which I never really have been. I'll watch some, and I admire the athletes and all, but if I miss the whole thing on accident, it's all good. That's not very patriotic of me, is it? What I meant to say was: U.S.A.! U.S.A.! 

8. It's not January.

What do you guys think? Are you ok with February?