#54 Glasses are not the end of the world... I promise
Some people are just destined to wear glasses. Most of those people are direct descendants of my blood line. We all need them. We all either wear glasses or contacts. We all have since these things were invented. A few days ago in Kindergarten, my precious, shy and self conscious oldest niece failed her eye exam at school. To a six year old who is already very tall and the older sister to kid who is always doing something cute, this is devastating news. This could potentially make her stand out, when all she really wants to do is fit in.
Let me be the first to tell you that this is NOT the end of the world. Glasses not only make you look smarter, but they open up a world of accessory to you. There are many women in the world who "wear glasses" when in reality their eyesight is perfectly fine. Tina Fey is the first one to come to mind. She admits that her glasses are fake, but that she likes the way they look on her.
My mom and my sister (her mom) took her to the eye doctor and afterwards she got to pick out her first pair of frames. I am certain that a parent on a tight budget would have been thrilled if she had leaned toward the frames in the $10 -$20 range. They would have probably also been thrilled with anything in the $30- $50 range. However, the only pair of frames in the entire store that my niece felt comfortable in were not in either of those ranges, but what are you going to do? The one of frames in the entire store that will make this experience more enjoyable for her? A parent is going to take out a loan if they have to, just to ensure that this transformation is as painless as possible.
As an aunt I would like kudos to my niece for having style and refusing to leave until she had it her way.
Not only do the trees now have individual leaves, but suddenly she is now the cool girl with the glasses. She is the one that the other kids will ask, "Can I wear your glasses?" "May I try them on?"
Now when some of her friends start to need glasses later on, she will be the one that they consult with and she will be the one telling them "They aren't so bad, and everything will be so much clearer."
Don't freak out if you need glasses. Embrace this opportunity to stand out in a good way.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Little Sisters
# 53 You are your little sister's hero...
I am certain that they can be annoying. I actually have no first hand knowledge of this fact, because I have always been the baby. I have always been the little sister. But I can say with certainty that you are most definitely your little sister's hero. She looks up to you. I know this because I have an older brother and sister who I have always looked up to. I also have two nieces, one of which wants to do everything her older sister does. She wants to dress like her and act like her and be as strong as her. She wants to be a part of every single aspect of her older sister's life. My oldest niece, Abbey is very good about this. She looks out for her little sister, Sophie. She tries her best to include her and make sure that when they are with "Abbey's friends" that Sophie is included and treated with as much respect as she is. In a perfect world this will last forever... however what is more likely to happen as they get older is that Abbey will go through a phase as all older sisters do where she finds this homage being paid to her annoying, frustrating and down right inconvenient.
The older sister or brother gets to all the fun things in life first. They get to drive, wear makeup, date, get in a good fight with their parents, go to concerts, the mall with friends, college, and many other of life's wonderful adventures.
Your little sister thinks that you hung the moon. To her you can conquer the world. You hold the key to life's questions; to success and happiness. Everything you do is cool in the eyes of your little sister. She spends her days trying to be you. Chances are she will will rebel harder than you and she will get in more trouble than you. She may even give your number to some random who might call you at 3 am looking for her. However, she will need you to bail her out... sometimes literally. She will depend on you to drive her by her crushes house just to see if he's home. You will be the first to know when her heart is broken and you will have to dry tears, provide comfort. You will be the one driving to leave her now ex boyfriend's clothes on his porch in bag. You will be the one lighting the match in the coffee can when she decides to burn his pictures and all memories of him. You will be the one who made a secret stash of all of her memories of him so that when she is older and wants to show her kids or her nieces and nephews her boyfriend, she will have one to show them.
Being an older sibling is big responsibility. Please don't treat it lightly. You may not always think its the coolest to have your little sister hanging around, but in adulthood or even the teenage years, she will defend you to the death if necessary. You will definitely go through periods in life where you would rather sell her at a yard sale than spend another awful second with her, but as an adult, you will depend on just as much if not more than she ever needed you.
It is the two of you who will be able to discuss when your mom starts acting crazy. If and when your mom turns into your grandma, it will be the two of you who are rolling your eyes and whispering every time she leaves the room.
Please keep this in mind the next time your little sister starts to annoy you. Play with her, let her wear your clothes and your makeup. Hang out with her sometimes. Make a special effort to make her feel special, even though she interrupts all of your "me" time. One day she's gonna be pretty cool. One day she is going to be holding your train when you marry your prince charming.
I am certain that they can be annoying. I actually have no first hand knowledge of this fact, because I have always been the baby. I have always been the little sister. But I can say with certainty that you are most definitely your little sister's hero. She looks up to you. I know this because I have an older brother and sister who I have always looked up to. I also have two nieces, one of which wants to do everything her older sister does. She wants to dress like her and act like her and be as strong as her. She wants to be a part of every single aspect of her older sister's life. My oldest niece, Abbey is very good about this. She looks out for her little sister, Sophie. She tries her best to include her and make sure that when they are with "Abbey's friends" that Sophie is included and treated with as much respect as she is. In a perfect world this will last forever... however what is more likely to happen as they get older is that Abbey will go through a phase as all older sisters do where she finds this homage being paid to her annoying, frustrating and down right inconvenient.
The older sister or brother gets to all the fun things in life first. They get to drive, wear makeup, date, get in a good fight with their parents, go to concerts, the mall with friends, college, and many other of life's wonderful adventures.
Your little sister thinks that you hung the moon. To her you can conquer the world. You hold the key to life's questions; to success and happiness. Everything you do is cool in the eyes of your little sister. She spends her days trying to be you. Chances are she will will rebel harder than you and she will get in more trouble than you. She may even give your number to some random who might call you at 3 am looking for her. However, she will need you to bail her out... sometimes literally. She will depend on you to drive her by her crushes house just to see if he's home. You will be the first to know when her heart is broken and you will have to dry tears, provide comfort. You will be the one driving to leave her now ex boyfriend's clothes on his porch in bag. You will be the one lighting the match in the coffee can when she decides to burn his pictures and all memories of him. You will be the one who made a secret stash of all of her memories of him so that when she is older and wants to show her kids or her nieces and nephews her boyfriend, she will have one to show them.
Being an older sibling is big responsibility. Please don't treat it lightly. You may not always think its the coolest to have your little sister hanging around, but in adulthood or even the teenage years, she will defend you to the death if necessary. You will definitely go through periods in life where you would rather sell her at a yard sale than spend another awful second with her, but as an adult, you will depend on just as much if not more than she ever needed you.
It is the two of you who will be able to discuss when your mom starts acting crazy. If and when your mom turns into your grandma, it will be the two of you who are rolling your eyes and whispering every time she leaves the room.
Please keep this in mind the next time your little sister starts to annoy you. Play with her, let her wear your clothes and your makeup. Hang out with her sometimes. Make a special effort to make her feel special, even though she interrupts all of your "me" time. One day she's gonna be pretty cool. One day she is going to be holding your train when you marry your prince charming.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Birds need love too...
As a grown up I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them I learned from my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently finished her first semester of kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So here it is, a year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. You may not agree with all of them and they may not work for everybody, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 53 Feed birds in the winter...
I know that you might think this is silly. Especially those of you living in big cities like me. Birds tend to be a nuisance. They hover as you eat your hot dog from a vendor or at picnics in the park. They fly overhead and you are always afraid they will drop something on you. Sometimes they are even downright creepy the way they stare at you with those glass eyes and long pointed beaks. However, birds are a necessary part of our ecosystem. After the final snow of winter has melted, the birds will begin eating mosquitoes and spiders and fly-baggies. To be honest I am not exactly sure what kind of bug a "fly-baggie" is, but that is what we called them growing up.
Every fall my mom and I would go out and collect a basket full of pine cones. Some of these we would cover with glue and glitter and turn into homemade tree ornaments. The rest we would put aside and wait for the first snow to fall. When the first snow fell we would get the reserve of pine cones out from their spot. We would spread peanut butter on them and roll them in birdseed. Then we would tie string to the top and daddy would get his ladder out and we would find the perfect spots for our homemade bird feeders. Mama also saved all of the bread "butts" during the winter and every time it snowed we would sprinkle them in the backyard.
It might seem simple or maybe even silly, but these are some of my favorite winter memories.
# 53 Feed birds in the winter...
I know that you might think this is silly. Especially those of you living in big cities like me. Birds tend to be a nuisance. They hover as you eat your hot dog from a vendor or at picnics in the park. They fly overhead and you are always afraid they will drop something on you. Sometimes they are even downright creepy the way they stare at you with those glass eyes and long pointed beaks. However, birds are a necessary part of our ecosystem. After the final snow of winter has melted, the birds will begin eating mosquitoes and spiders and fly-baggies. To be honest I am not exactly sure what kind of bug a "fly-baggie" is, but that is what we called them growing up.
Every fall my mom and I would go out and collect a basket full of pine cones. Some of these we would cover with glue and glitter and turn into homemade tree ornaments. The rest we would put aside and wait for the first snow to fall. When the first snow fell we would get the reserve of pine cones out from their spot. We would spread peanut butter on them and roll them in birdseed. Then we would tie string to the top and daddy would get his ladder out and we would find the perfect spots for our homemade bird feeders. Mama also saved all of the bread "butts" during the winter and every time it snowed we would sprinkle them in the backyard.
It might seem simple or maybe even silly, but these are some of my favorite winter memories.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
On accepting gifts
As a grown up I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some fo them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them I learned from my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started her second semester of kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learning by living. So here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all the nieces and nephews out there, or really anyone who will listen. You may not agree with all fo them and they may not work for everybody, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
#51 Accept gifts gracefully...
Everybody has someone who gives them a present every year either for birthday or Christmas that you open it you automatically want to make a snarly face. Hopefully we were all taught at a young age to open gifts with rapture and delight instead of grimaces and winces.I have just a few things to say on the matter since I just recently finished spending Christmas with my family and watching everyone open gifts. Occasionally you hear one of the younger attendees say something like, "oh great I don't even play with these anymore," or the general... "oh.... thanks," before tossing their newest addition to the goodwill pile aside and reaching for the next gift. Sometimes it is not the words that linger in the air but the distortion of a face as it pulls from the tissue paper a wonderful, terrific... laser pointer or another pair of gloves.
Giving, lest we forget is about the thought put into into the gift. Granted sometimes that thought is a bit wacky or a lighter shade of pink that you would have hoped for. However there is a process and a bit of skill involved in actually opening gifts gracefully, especially ones that you hate instantly and will never learn to love.
Number one... always be prepared for the worst possible thing to come out of that wrapping. Just assume that whatever your heart desires least is what you are about to get.
Number two... Open with a smile already on your face, because it is in fact a gift, so someone deemed you special enough to recieve it.
Number three... in a nonexageratted tone, as to avoid overkill, say something along the lines of "its wonderful," or "how did you know," or if you are really brave, "you are such a good gift giver. You always pick just the right thing."
Number four... If the object at hand is clothing that you hate, gracefully check for a gift reciept and if there is not one simply look at the tag, chuckle and say "oh how sweet, but I am afraid I haven't seen that size in a very long time. Where'd you get it." If the object is something that you use or set around simply say something to the effect of "I think so and so would love one of these. Where did you find such a lovely porcelian pig ash tray.
Number five... This one is very important. Never EVER make a snarly face when opening a gift and seeing something that you hate. You what I am talking about. it is so reflexive that you don't even notice yourself doing it. Your face squenches up and you look like a bunny. You say "thank you" politely, but what your face says is, "really she thought I would like that."
Be graceful at accepting gifts. It will at least insure that you will continue to recieve them.
#51 Accept gifts gracefully...
Everybody has someone who gives them a present every year either for birthday or Christmas that you open it you automatically want to make a snarly face. Hopefully we were all taught at a young age to open gifts with rapture and delight instead of grimaces and winces.I have just a few things to say on the matter since I just recently finished spending Christmas with my family and watching everyone open gifts. Occasionally you hear one of the younger attendees say something like, "oh great I don't even play with these anymore," or the general... "oh.... thanks," before tossing their newest addition to the goodwill pile aside and reaching for the next gift. Sometimes it is not the words that linger in the air but the distortion of a face as it pulls from the tissue paper a wonderful, terrific... laser pointer or another pair of gloves.
Giving, lest we forget is about the thought put into into the gift. Granted sometimes that thought is a bit wacky or a lighter shade of pink that you would have hoped for. However there is a process and a bit of skill involved in actually opening gifts gracefully, especially ones that you hate instantly and will never learn to love.
Number one... always be prepared for the worst possible thing to come out of that wrapping. Just assume that whatever your heart desires least is what you are about to get.
Number two... Open with a smile already on your face, because it is in fact a gift, so someone deemed you special enough to recieve it.
Number three... in a nonexageratted tone, as to avoid overkill, say something along the lines of "its wonderful," or "how did you know," or if you are really brave, "you are such a good gift giver. You always pick just the right thing."
Number four... If the object at hand is clothing that you hate, gracefully check for a gift reciept and if there is not one simply look at the tag, chuckle and say "oh how sweet, but I am afraid I haven't seen that size in a very long time. Where'd you get it." If the object is something that you use or set around simply say something to the effect of "I think so and so would love one of these. Where did you find such a lovely porcelian pig ash tray.
Number five... This one is very important. Never EVER make a snarly face when opening a gift and seeing something that you hate. You what I am talking about. it is so reflexive that you don't even notice yourself doing it. Your face squenches up and you look like a bunny. You say "thank you" politely, but what your face says is, "really she thought I would like that."
Be graceful at accepting gifts. It will at least insure that you will continue to recieve them.
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