O Christmas Tree!

Well, I found some precious time in my ridiculous schedule to get the Christmas tree up this week. Ever since I moved back from Annapolis I have been putting the tree from my apartment up in my bedroom. Last year I decided that it was just a little too small and as luck would have it Gap was getting rid of Christmas trees from holiday displays a few seasons back. I jumped on the chance to have a FREE five foot tree. Well, apparently I didn't remember what the trees looked like in the Gap windows. It's a Charlie Brown tree, only worse! It's all scraggly on top and fuller on the bottom. My initial thought was to just put lights on it but I really wanted my ornaments too so I put it all on it. The result...
THIS IS CRAZY!! Even Charlie Brown's tree didn't look this absurd! Oh well, it is what it is... The tree and the lights might look insane but the ornaments are still awesome and I intend to write about each one in a little more detail in my blog throughout the next few weeks.

Oh There's No Place Like...the Mall for the Holidays!

This time of year is my favorite next to summer! I love everything about the holiday season - from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to decorating the Christmas tree. I'm the one who eats candy canes all year long, remember. The last few years though, I've started to feel like I'm missing Thanksgiving and Christmas because of my hectic retail schedule.

It seems that the true meaning of these holidays has been overshadowed by Black Friday sales, extended mall hours and consumerism in general. Thanksgiving seems to get lost in the shuffle as well. I may eat candy canes and watch Christmas movies all year and start listening to Christmas music November 1 but for me, the official start of the Christmas season is when Santa makes his way down 42nd Street in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or at our church's annual wreath party. The mall does not dictate when Christmas starts for me.

As a retail store sales associate, I will spend the majority of the next few weeks trying to remain cheerful and full of the Christmas spirit, which is difficult for even me, a Christmas freak. It saddens me though that my holiday season is interrupted by a the increased hours I will put in at the mall. Thanksgiving will end early this year so that I will be rested and ready to sell jeans and sweaters to eager customers at 4:30 a.m. on Black Friday. What happened to spending time with family and loved ones on Thanksgiving?

In my opinion, our consumer-driven society has taken the holiday shopping one step too far. What's the difference if you buy your new DVD player at midnight or 10 a.m. on Black Friday at Target if its the same price? Keep the same hours. Be consistent. Let retail employees enjoy their holidays for a change. I'm grateful that my store is not open at midnight or on Thanksgiving but my holiday will be different this year. It's hard to even think about an approaching holiday with a weekend of long shifts at the mall looming.

When did we become so dependent on the material things? I know I'm guilty of following trends and getting my needs and wants confused but not when it comes to savoring my holiday time with family and friends. I will not be at the mall shopping when I no longer work there. For me, I want Thanksgiving and my time off of work from the library to be memorable, relaxing and simple. No long lines, no piles of clothes, no waiting for a parking space. That's not me and in generations past, everyone survived without the deals of Black Friday.

My favorite Black Friday memories took place no where near the mall. For two amazing Thanksgivings, we were fortunate to spend the holiday in Florida with my cousins. On Black Friday, there was no shopping but time spent together with cousins that we only saw every few years. We made fudge, decorated the Christmas tree and just savored the moment. That won't be happening this Black Friday. It's hard to picture a Thanksgiving weekend without the mall or sorting through the ads after pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.

It is my hope that society realizes that Black Friday shopping has gone too far. I wish we could revert to a simpler time when the emphasis on Thanksgiving week wasn't placed on Black Friday but it was on Thanksgiving. The holiday is supposed to be about our country, family and being grateful for all of life's blessings. Somewhere in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, those fundamental values were lost. Let's try to bring back Thanksgiving in the future. Be thankful. Eat turkey. Watch Home Alone. Stay away from the mall!

So, if you are going to be out shopping on Friday...do me a favor, please be nice to the sales associates. If the promotion sign is misleading or the store is out of a size, its not their fault. Remember they are people too and its the holidays, spread some cheer! Or better yet, don't come...consumers set the hours after all.

Article from the Baltimore Sun: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-black-thursday-20111121,0,6032883.story

Smiles, Giggles and Loud Laughter

They say laughter is the best medicine and I believe it. There is nothing better than a good laugh every now and then. Laughing so hard you cry or your stomach hurts is even better.

So, what makes you smile, giggle or laugh out loud? Here are my thoughts, let me know yours.

And remember, a little laughter will make the world a better place.

Things that make me smile:

• Seeing the first sign for Lakeside-Marblehead on Route 2
  
• Old pictures of fabulous times with family and friends
  
• Memories of my grandparents
• Christmas morning
• The things I hear the teens say at the library
  

Things that make me giggle:

• My dad when he starts one of his never-ending holiday prayers
• My mom when she calls my sister by the cat's name or vice-verso
• Watching people back a trailer in at the campground
• Watching people run (although, I have no room to talk because I apparently run like a duck)
• Short-sheeting my sister's bed and leaving Bibles around her room
  

Things that make me laugh:

• Playing games with my summer sisters and family, especially the Game of Things
  
• Random conversations on the walkie at GAP
  
• Watching our old dance tapes with my sisters
• Playing the name game at Lakeside
• Ghosting at Lakeside

Now, its your turn...try it! It might actually make you sMiLe!

P.S. A little something extra to make you laugh today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peAtB_dFUh0

Tic-Toc Memories

Today I had a delicious cream cheese and olive sandwich. Yes, that might seem an odd combination for someone who refuses most normal meals, like spaghetti. I love it though and it always conjures up fond memories of the Tic-Toc at Kaufmann's in downtown Pittsburgh.

I had many a cream cheese and olive sandwich at the Tic-Toc during the holidays before the restaurant closed, much to my dismay. For me, it was like having your grandmother make your favorite sandwich because these women were as old as my grandmothers! The waitresses had names right out of the Golden Girls - Dorothy and Rose - and they proudly wore name tags bearing not only their names but the years they had worked there - 15, 20, 25, 30, 35!!! Yikes!!

Ahh memories...I wish I could go downtown this weekend and order a cream cheese and olive sandwich with a homemade soda. I guess I'll have to settle for the homemade version.

Trip to Japan? Yes, please!

Apparently Japanese tourism has declined in the last few months. OK, well a major earthquake/tsunami followed by nuclear disaster probably didn't help tourism. The Japanese Tourism Board is planning to offer flights to foreigners to promote international travel to the country again.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2011/10/japanese-tourism

My days in Japanese class at Shaler with Shimizu sensei prompted a lifelong interest in the rich culture and beautiful language of this country. Since 7th grade it has been my goal to travel there one day and explore all of the places that I've only read about. I want to climb Mt. Fuji, ride the shinkansen (bullet train) and eat authentic Japanese sushi and lots of poki!!

Now all I have to do is become a "highly influential blogger." Ha ha!

You Better Run, Better Run

This morning I ran the Pittsburgh Great Race. It was an exhilarating experience that prompted some realizations: ANYTHING is possible and Pittsburgh is a WONDERFUL city.

When I turned 25 (last summer!) I made a five year plan, which included a number of personal and professional goals, one being to run a marathon by the age of 30. Later on I broke those larger goals down into smaller more manageable goals - run a 5K, run a 10K, run a half marathon and then finally run a marathon. Well, I'm not a runner...I've had knee pain in the past from my tennis days that I thought meant no distance running. This summer after running with my good friend Amy Newland (one of the of the fastest runners in high school), she encouraged me to try the Great Race, a 10K. We signed up and I began training. Much to my surprise, I found that I liked running and was able to run distances! Speed is not my priority right now - finishing and running the entire race are the most important to me. So, this morning I began the Great Race with trepidation but soon realized I was having fun and enjoying every minute of the run! I'm back on track with the five year plan now, and plan to train and run a half marathon next. I believe I am capable of doing it and if I am mentally prepared, ANYTHING is possible.

OK, now here comes the big shocker...write this down friends...I discovered today that Pittsburgh really is a WONDERFUL city. I'm shocking myself just admitting that statement. We all know that I love NYC, Cleveland, DC, Annapolis and pretty much any other city but I do not love Pittsburgh. However, today I realized when running the Great Race that I should be grateful to live in such a culturally diverse, supporting and all-around beautiful city. First, I loved running through the interesting city neighborhoods, which remind me of some of the DC suburbs that I have walked through during the Avon Walk. Also, one of the things that I came to love about the breast cancer walk was the show of community support in DC. Well, that was true today in Pittsburgh as well, and the Great Race isn't even a fundraiser. People lined the streets in Squirrel Hill and Oakland to cheer on the runners, bands from all of the colleges played and small children waved and held their hands out for high fives. And then the most amazing part of the run was coming down Fifth Avenue onto the Boulevard of the Allies and BAM - what a skyline to run towards!! It was thrilling!

Well, that's my two cents about the Great Race! I'm a little sore but excited that I was able to run a 10K and how much fun I had doing it.

I Heart Pinterest!

Ahh, just what I need a new addicition. Friends have mentioned Pinterest in the past and I never really gave it another thought but last night, my friend Alex and I were discussing it and I decided I just had to check it out.

So, I went online, signed-up and waited impatiently for my invitation to join. For those unfamiliar with Pinterest, its this online community and you create boards. Then you can pin items of interest to each board.

Well, the invitation finally arrived in my Inbox and that was it. I spent the next hour browsing, pinning ideas to my boards and just wishing I had more time to actually undertake some of the ideas I was interested in.

What did I pin you might ask? Well, here is just the beginning...

I'd like to go to Italy. OK, pin it to the "Place I'd Like to Go."

I'd like a book nook in my home. OK, pin it to "Dream Home."

I'd like to make graham cracker s'more candy. OK, pin it to "If I learn to cook..."

I'd like to make my own fire pit. OK, pin it to "DIY Projects."

I'd like to make my friend a fabulous card. OK, pin it to "To Give."

The list goes on and on... If only I had a day off to tackle some of these awesome projects or even just spend the day browsing.

Go, check it out! I warn you though, this website should come with a disclaimer, "BIG TIME WASTER." It has the potential to be a productive time zapper though, unlike Facebook.

National Library Card Sign-Up Month

In honor of National Library Card Sign-Up Month, a bit of friendly advice from your favorite librarian.

"Get a library card, if you don't already have one!!"

A library card is a passport to the world, the key to unlocking a wealth of knowledge and the ticket to your imagination...

So, you might ask, what will the library card offer me? Well, here is a list of 10 things that your library card can do besides checking books out that you might not have known.

1. Access to e-books for your Nook.

2. Learn a foreign language using a database.

3. Offer periodic discounts at local museums.

4. Get a book from any library in the country!

5. Survive the washing machine.

6. Participate in the summer reading program and win lots of great prizes.

7. Check out books even when the power goes out!

8. Get free Wi-Fi access, even from the parking lot! We like when you come in though!

9. Meet a new friend - the person who signs you up for the card.

10. Educate the future of our communities. Kids can get a library card at three at some libraries.

Yes, that little piece of plastic really does a lot. No they aren't paper anymore! And, we will even give you one for your keychain!

What are you going to do tomorrow then? GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!

I want to be forever young...

Do you ever wonder what happened to the innocence and spontaneity of your 10-year-self? Remember how excited you used to get over the simplest things? We grew up, that's what happened! Today I was thinking about how much I often miss those beautiful days of childhood. Then I think, why not strive to emulate those same childhood characteristics into our adult lives?

No matter how old I am, I will still...anticipate the coming of Christmas with the same joy and enthusiasm as I did as a child; long for summer days at Lakeside all year long, fidget anxiously for three hours to get there, savour the long summer days at the dock and cry when the season ends at Labor Day; enjoy a good cannonball into Lake Erie; love the freedom of going barefoot in warm weather; welcome the good company of a classic childhood story like Anne of Green Gables or Cheaper by the Dozen; and take a test ride on all the swings and slides in the playground. Perhaps these youthful adventures are good for our tired, stressed adult lives...

As we get older, we forget what was important to us as a child and start to become more cynical of the world around us. We need to take a step back in time and relax. I hope I never lose my youthful spirit or dreams. Someday I'm going to cannonball off the dock at Lakeside with my grandchildren and enjoy the moment just as much, or even more than when I was 10. So, make it your daily mantra to stay forever young!

Sincerely? Cordially? Affectionately!

Dear Friends,

Right now I'm reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society for my book club (which is fabulous if anyone was wondering!) and I realized how amazing it is that a whole book was based on correspondence via letters. How interesting!! Granted, the setting of the book is England following WWII so there weren't any of the modern conveniences that we have today to communicate but each of the letters possesses a sincerity that is missing from today's texts and Facebook messages.

Writing letters is an art that I think the current generation and most of society for that matter views as an old-fashioned practice and waste of time. Personally, I LOVE writing letters and notes to my friends and family. There is something special about opening the mail box and finding a HAND WRITTEN ENVELOPE from your best friend, grandma or aunt. My great aunt and I write letters a few times a month to each other. It brightens her day and makes me happy to have this unique connection her.

One of my most treasured possessions next to my books are the letters that my late grandmothers, as well as my great aunt sent to me throughout the years. These beautiful paper memories are stored as bookmarks within the pages of my books - a pleasant surprise when I take a book off the shelf to read. Writing letters was a regular part of life for my grandmothers, so will it completely disappear as the older generations begin to die? Have children today even written a letter besides to Santa (if they've even done that)?

It makes me wonder though... If we aren't even writing letters, what will happen to the love letter? Is that a thing of the past now? I'm reminded of the Sex and City: The Movie scene when Carrie is reading old love letters by Beethoven. She asks Big if he has ever written her a love letter and he says he will send her a love fax. How unromantic, even from Big! My generation is going to have love emails and texts. There is no way to express true love for someone electronically. The future of communication seems void of emotion and heart.

My icon, Jackie Kennedy, was known for her impeccable correspondence, not only as First Lady but throughout her entire life. In fact, most of the First Ladies and Presidents wrote letters frequently. There is a great book about letters written between the Presidents and their spouses. It highlights a part of their lives that the public rarely sees and all through LETTERS. We could all learn a simple lesson from our nation's leaders and start writing letters again.

Perhaps I should be grateful that new technology has opened the gateway to instant communication with friends, family and others we have lost touch with throughout the years. Email and Facebook have their benefits but at the same time I long for the surprise of a letter or card in the mailbox from a friend. The sender actually put thought into picking the card and writing the note, a simple way to show you care about someone. It takes time but try it! I guarantee it will put a smile their face!

Love,

Carrie

Happy National Library Week!

As a librarian and a nerd, I feel it is my civic responsibility to promote the public library and all of the wonderful and FREE services offered there. It is the hidden gem of many communities, an untapped resource just waiting to be discovered.

For instance, the small but aWeSoMe library that I now call home has free yoga classes for everyone, tax assistance for those of us who are numerically challenged and access to a wealth of interesting resources. Imagine what the possibilities are at big libraries then!

So, in honor of National Library Week, I encourage you to get out there and explore your community's library, you may be surprised at what you find!! Get a library card, check out a book, attend a program or say hi to the librarian...we won't tell you to shhh!