Christmas Eve

Anybody that knows me knows that I'm not a huge fan of Christmas.  In fact, because the holiday is known more for wish lists and putting your game face on before visiting Santa at the mall than for the true meaning, it's usually been a huge letdown.  Almost all kids only know the holiday as the day they get lots of presents, exchange gifts with their Secret Santa classmate and have parties full of sugar, sugar and more sugar.  Their name better be on Santa's 'nice' list, or they'll get a lump of coal in their stocking.

I come from a family of five, raised in a very small town in northwest Pennsylvania.  My dad was the breadwinner for most of our lives and mom stayed at home to raise us.  Industry diminished by the month, as did decent paying jobs.  The economy sucks in that area, so does the social scene.  It's no secret why I left!  I didn't care to drive twenty miles on snow-covered mountain roads to work at McDonalds for $5/hour, nor did I want to be an alcoholic who settled for a life less than ordinary.

There were many years that my parents struggled to give us a Christmas.  As a kid, it's the equivalent to a kick in the pants.  We never went to church, so the spiritual meaning of the holiday was lost on us.  Our grandparents always got us something; usually something fun.

As an adult, I place no emphasis on a wish list to give to Santa.  Instead, I volunteer to work so others may spend the day with their children.  I adopt a family or buy gifts for kids who would otherwise have none.  To be honest, I'll be happy when it's 12:01 AM on December 26th.

And on that note, I have to start getting ready for work.  After three hours of sleep, I got up and washed my laundry, cleaned up the kitchen and made some pasta.  Tonight should be fabulous!!!

Home for the Holidays

Actually, I'll be working through the holidays, but I digress.  My brother has gone to the airport to spend his Christmas with friends in Oklahoma.  That leaves lil ol' me home alone until Sunday night.  Too bad I scheduled myself to work every frickin' night as well!

On another note, he has secured an apartment closer to his work; now I have to find mine.  We agreed on this arrangement because, heaven knows, we're looooong overdue for our own spaces again.  My apartment search has been downright sad.  There are plenty of apartments out there, however, one hasn't jumped out at me and said, "Pick me, we're perfect for each other!"  I could apply that to many areas of my life...  Wait!  What was I talking about?  Oh yeah, the apartment.  I'm going to gather some info and head downtown early next week to check a few places out.  I have to update my PPD for work, so two (or five) birds with one stone.  Speaking of stones, If I had the stones to actually do it, I'd cash out my 401K and take off.  While that's not something I can do before my lease is up here, who's not to say I won't sign a six month lease at a hole-in-the-wall and do it in the summer.

Meanwhile, back at the dump ranch, I better start getting ready for work.  If my lucky stars align tonight, maybe five clerks will show up and I can leave early since I picked up the OT shift for this week!

*Whew*

It's very odd for me to not be logging into my Facebook account every few minutes to discover if anyone has posted new pictures/news/events they're attending.  I recently, and rashly, decided to deactivate my profile because I would saunter in and out of this cyber "Real World" so many times a day that it's pretty scary to contemplate putting a number on it.  I'm afraid that I'm addicted to the Internet, my friends.  And if I'm going to continue with my obsession, I have to make it somewhat constructive.  Therefore, I hope to will blog more in an effort to fill my cybertime with something more meaningful than using Status Shuffle to make people laugh.

As you can see, I have changed the design and title of my blog.  I have been exposed to the teachings of Mile High Church, the triumph of Louise Hay, the wisdom of Dr. Wayne Dyer and the Law of Attraction.  The concept of each is that, "Like attracts like," and if you put your focus on what you want out of this life and act out of love, you will attract it.  The same holds true if you put your focus on what you don't want.  Think about it.  There is more truth in those two sentences than you ever thought there could be.

'Single in the City' dooms me to a love life unfulfilled.  'Love Laughter Light' makes me smile just looking at it.  And if I'm smiling on the outside, I'm smiling on the inside and I attract more people like that into my life.

Yes, we all have bad days.  Yes, we all don't feel well from time to time.  But that doesn't mean you have to wallow in negativity.  Go outside of your pissy mood and look at life with an open heart and mind.  Take in the sound of a child laughing.  Notice that a customer in line at the grocery check-out allowed someone with a few items to go ahead of them.  Smile and say hello to someone you don't know when you're walking down the street.  Watch your favorite movie or sitcom reruns when you're home and feeling under the weather.  I'm telling you, even small, simple acts of love and laughter will make you feel better.

After all, laughter is the best medicine, isn't it?

New design

I changed up the ol' blog name to reflect positivity and draw more of those beautiful things into my life.  "Single in the City" was holding me back, figuratively...and literally.

Being positive has worked for me for a very long time.  Even if you're in a rotten mood, if you make an effort to focus on something positive, your mood will turn around.

So, bring it on!

You're going down!

Another 1.6 pounds has evaporated off my fluffy frame, bringing my total to date to 12 pounds!!!

It's time for bed.....................