Sisters

Growing up as the only girl with 2 older brothers I always wished I had a sister.  Having only brothers somehow made me feel that being a girl was like getting a booby prize, or coming in last in a race.  This may have been the emotional hypersensativity of ADHD, or it could have been my family's culture.  Fortunately for me, I had a pretty progressive mother.  She was pretty much a tomboy all her life and even though she made sure I had "girly" experiences and toys, she also made sure I didn't take being "girly" seriously.  My brothers also had a hand in keeping me humble.

Now that I'm in my 7th decade here on planet earth I realize that I've had sisters all along. Girls (now women) woven in and out of various stages of my life that helped shape and define who I now am as a woman.

My sisters from my immediate neighborhood:  Sandy, Susan, Trina, Alice and Julie.  From you, I learned how to play fair and pretty much how fun imagination can be.

The sisters from my gradeschool class:  Bonnie, Jackie, Diane, Ro, Marti, Janet, Alice, Phyllis, Jenny and Jane.  From you, I learned to enjoy life as it comes, bumps and all.  I also learned that it's ok to be me.

My sisters from my summers around the pool:  Jain, Annie, Bonnie, Susy, Kathy, Maria and Susan.  From you I learned how to be a gracious hostess because if I wasn't, my mom would definitely get angry.  I also learned that laying in the sun was boring.

The sisters from high school years:  Susy, Kathy, Maria and Susan.  From you I learned to be strong and that it's ok to defend myself.

My sisters from the young adult years:  Suzanne (Peanut Butter), Kathy (Kreegs), Jain (Jelly): Only the Bears are the same.  That it's ok to grow and change, so long as you stay true to yourself.

The sisters in the faith:  Jain, Karen, Cathy, Dawn, Denise, Pat, Wendy, Ro, Alice, Marti, Sue, and Janice.  You introduced me to the love of my life and showed me how to be a woman of faith, for that I'm eternally grateful.

My sisters who have been recently rediscovered: Jax - my pinochle and New Year's buddy, (we probably shared a crib while our parents played pinochle) and Denise - my first and only prayer partner.  You taught me that friendships (and sisters) have no time frame.

There are more sisters that I could mention but I think you get the picture.  For those of us who were born into families that had only one girl, if you look around you, you will find a whole bunch of sisters, older, younger, past, and present.  Enjoy and appreciate each one.

So, to all my sisters, thank you for all the adventures, fun and laughter.  When I remember each of you, my heart smiles.

So for today I'm grateful for:

1.  Sisters, however they're packaged.
2.  Memories of my youth - I really had a good one.
3.  Reconnecting with Jax and Denise.
4.  All the women in my life.
5.  My Mother and Grandmother.

Later,
Jan

Never pay retail.

Gabbi's red bed has now become UD's favorite bed.  I'm sitting here watching UD sleep in what was Gabbi's favorite bed just before she died.  Now UD prefers that bed.  For those of you who are dog lovers and owners out there it's a Medium Coleman dog  hammock type of bed.  It has a metal framework much like those camp chairs that fold up into a 3 foot tall skinny bag.  On that metal framework is a nylon canvas sling or 4 cornered hammock that is  held onto the framework by corner pockets.

Just cause I like to brag about my bargains... this bed is worth around $70 on the web and I don't think Coleman makes it anymore.  I got the bed for ONLY $1.50 at a garage sale.  I love it when things like that happen.

I rarely pay retail, about the only thing I may pay full price for is certain brands of shoes, like Crocs.  I live in my Crocs all year.  I wear them till the tread is gone then get a new pair.  Often, I will find them in discount shoe stores or stores like TJ Maxx, but if I have to, I will sacrifice and pay full price for a pair I really want.  Mind you, I don't have a closet full of them, only about 5 pair and I'm not talking the clunky clogs.  I do have a pair of the fur lined clogs I wear in the winter and one pair of transitional Keen type of sandals that I can wear socks in if I have to.  Then there are my summer slides, ballet flats and my everyday  when I don't care about fashion athletic slides.  The last pair I'm wearing now.

I really think you can get good quality items if you shop with a discerning eye in ALL venues, from major high end departments stores like Nieman Marcus to outlet malls to resale shops to local garage sales.  And you shouldn't have to pay full retail at department or boutique stores if you know how to shop the clearance racks.  It has become such a game to me that I find it challenging to see how much I can get for $10 when I go for a Saturday morning of garage sales.

I'm starting to get preachy here so I think I'll stop.

So for today I'm thankful for:
1.  Gabbi's red bed which is now UD's red bed
2.  Garage Sales - best sport know to man
3.  Bargains
4.  MSRP - so I know how good of a bargain I'm getting
5.  That UD's sleeping in Gabbi's bed right now and not barking in the window!

Til later,
Jan