Holiday List - May 2016

May 2016 

1 - National Bubba Day

2 - Robert's Rules of Order Day

3 - National Teacher Day

4 - Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You)

5 - National Day of Prayer / Cinco de Mayo

6 - No Diet Day

7 - World Naked Gardening Day

8 - Mother's Day / No Socks Day

9 - National Moscato Day

10 - Clean Up Your Room Day

11 - Eat What You Want Day / Hostess Cupcake Day

12 - Limerick Day

13 - Blame Someone Else Day / National Apple Pie Day

14 - National Chicken Dance Day

15 - Straw Hat Day

16 - National Sea Monkey Day

17 - National Cherry Cobbler Day

18 - Visit Your Relatives Day / I Love Reeses Day

19 - Circus Day

20 - Eliza Doolittle Day / National Pizza Party Day

21 - National Waitstaff Day / Do Dah Day

22 - Neighbor Day

23 - National Taffy Day

24 - International Tiara Day

25 - National Tap Dance Day / National Wine Day

26 - Red Nose Day

27 - Cellophane Tape Day

28 - National Hamburger Day

29 - Learn About Composting Day

30 - Memorial Day

31 - World No Tobacco Day / What You Think Upon Grows Day

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

More or Less...Some Resolutions

Happy New Year! It's a Sweet 16 year, y'all. This millennium can drive now! Really, if this year was a teenager, this year would be a sophomore in high school. No longer the baby of the bunch, but not completely wise to the ways of the hallway. Not looked down on because of youth, but not looked up to for wisdom. This Sweet 16 year is somewhere in the middle. Maybe going on a first date. Maybe getting a first kiss. Oh! The possibilities for the next 365 days!

As we go into this New Year, I'm going to try and look at it with a new and youthful outlook. I'm going to set my goals with the innocence and bewilderment that I can reach those goals

Build me Up Buttercup

Over the past little while, I've been privileged to hang out with some really incredible women. Amazing women. Unbelievable women. I don't mean women I'm fond of, or women I enjoy hanging out with. I'm talking about seriously fantastic women. They are each the kind of woman that I strive to be.

Don't get me wrong. I don't want to BE these women. Oh, bless their hearts, they have their own struggles and issues and inconsistencies. We all have our own, and I'll take mine over theirs any day. That's not what I mean at all. What I know about each of these women is that each of them has the ability to make me feel great about myself, and THAT is what it's all about. They don't just make me feel special, they make the other women in their lives feel great about themselves, as well. I want to be the kind of daughter, sister, mother, friend, colleague and associate that makes people feel better about themselves.

Now, when I get together with these ladies, we don't just sit around talking about how pretty and smart and clever we are. (Well, except for my sister and me. We do that - but only because our Daddy told us we are the prettiest and smartest girls he's ever seen. And, if our Daddy said it, it must be true.) No, it's more than that, and I've been doing a lot of thinking about what it is exactly.

I wasn't sure exactly how to determine what it is, so I Googled "how to make others feel better about themselves," just to see if anything stuck out. I came across this list from Happiness Weekly. Turns out, it's a pretty good list, although, for the women I know, I'd rearrange it a little and put Smile at People, Show Genuine Interest and Encourage People When You Can as the top three. And, in that order. These ladies are nearly always smiling, even plenty of times when things are necessarily going their way. They do show an interest in what others are doing. And, they encourage everyone in their lives to do great things.

That list still doesn't really pinpoint what it is that's so great about these ladies. But, I think I've finally figured it out. These ladies rarely say anything negative about anyone else. That's what makes me feel special around them. They are spending their time, thoughts and emotions looking for the good in most people. They aren't trash talking, or putting down, or gossiping about other people they know. And that makes me feel comfortable knowing that they're not saying negative things about me to others. If they're telling me how great their other friends are, and I'm in the same friend category, then I must be great, too!

Unfortunately, I've spent some time with a few people whose main topic of conversation has been the bad parts of other people's lives. In some instances, I've heard terrible stories about people I don't even know! I don't really understand why some people feel the need to tell me about strangers' shortcomings. 

Now, I don't choose to hang out on a regular basis with people who behave this way, so they're clearly not close friends. So, for a while, I thought remaining silent through the conversation would be the way to go. Then, I tried to steer the conversation back to something positive. You know, ask them to tell me more about themselves (most everyone likes to talk about themselves!). But nope, still kept going back to Derogatory City. 

Eventually, I found the opportunity to remove myself from the conversation, but I was left with a bad feeling in my soul. I believe remaining silent was not the right thing to do. I feel like I should have stood up for those poor souls whose dirty laundry was being flown around like kites. And, I suspect I will from now on. 

None of us are perfect, and we all have bad days, and we're all sometimes treated terribly by others. So we'll all slip up and let Negative Nelly take over our thoughts and our tongues. Hopefully, those times are few and far between. I hope you have a group of ladies who can make you feel as extraordinary as my group of ladies makes me feel. And, I really, most importantly, hope that I make YOU feel exceptional, too.

Much love,
~ME:)

Big Tex, Fried Foods and ME!

<click here for video>

We interrupt your irregularly unscheduled programming of Fitness Friday to bring you this important announcement...I am running for public office. Wait, no I'm not. But I AM in the running to be a judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards at the Great State Fair of Texas.

As you know, we have The Sparks Agency Fair Day at work every year. We take the day off work and head to the State Fair. We start the day with a Fletcher's Corny Dog, eaten at the feet of Big Tex, of course. Then, we make our way around the fairgrounds, seeking out the current year's fried food finalists, and judging for ourselves whether we agree with the Best Tasting and Most Creative selections. 

For the past five or six years, I've been trying to figure out how to become a judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards. I've been told that 'they' select judges who are local celebrities. Previous judges have been Mike Hashimoto & Jacquielynn Floyd, from the Dallas Morning News, Corby Davidson & Donovan Lewis, from The Ticket, and Representative Eric Johnson and Andrea Rega (I don't even know who she is!). Those people are celebrities?...pshh. I'll have you know, I've been on Animal Planet (with Speed Bump), on Texas Country Reporter (I met Muffin from Peppermint Place once) and in a car dealership commercial (Randall Noe Ford/Dodge). I'm about 3 1/2 minutes into my 15 minutes of fame. I'm not sure why I'm not "celebrity" enough. 

Not to worry, though. All that makes no difference now. For the 10-year anniversary of the Big Tex Choice Awards, the State Fair is opening the judging table for a citizen, for a fan of the fried food, for a friend of the fair, for --- ME! Well, almost me, anyway.

I need your help. To enter the contest, I submitted a 60 second video explaining why I will be the best judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards. I've been selected as a finalist, and now State Fair Fans (YOU!) have an opportunity to cast your vote for your favorite video (MINE!) and decide who will be representing fairgoers (ME!) on the judging panel. Voting is open between 9:00am on August 15 and 5:00pm on August 18. As they say, vote early and vote often (or at least as often as they'll let you). 

Click here for a link to watch the video and vote now!

It's a short video - they only gave me 60 seconds. I'll tell ya, a minute is a LONG time to do jump squats, but not nearly enough time to list all the reasons why I should be a judge. Here are some that fell on the cutting room floor...

• Not only am I a Native Texan, I grew up in Oak Cliff (where fried food was the only kind of food there was.)
• When the fried choices dwindled on the menu, my parents wisely moved us to East Texas, where fried will never die. 
• Prior knowledge of the layout of Fair Park leads to a near-perfect route, culminating in a ride back on the Texas SkyWay.
• The Butter Sculpture has included Armadillos.
• I cried (real tears, even) when Big Tex caught on fire.
• I fully support Go Texan (and have t-shirts to prove it).
• The Sparks Agency Fair Day includes an open invitation to all our friends to meet us at Big Tex to get the day started.
• I am awestruck by the Texas Star.
• I've made a pilgrimage to Kerens, Texas, the birthplace of Big Tex.
• I've met Miss Fernie, the brilliant mind that brought the Funnel Cake to the Great State Fair of Texas.
• Celebrities are not the only people who know good food when they taste it.
• I know where to buy Shiner Bock for the fewest number of coupons.
• I make sure to ride the Dentzel Carousel every year. 
• I know where the Dodge Mechanical Bull is located. 
• I once rode the DART rail to The Sparks Agency Fair Day.
• I am a TEXpert.

If you haven't already watched the video, go now. Hurry! And vote. 

Why I Should Be a Judge at the Big Tex Choice Awards Video

Cast

MaryEllen Miller - MaryEllenMiller

Fork Guy on Left - Glenn Hillin

Fork Guy on Right - Sparky Sparks

Big Tex Awards Finalists Tasters - Swift Sparks III

                                                                      Melody Tarno

                                                                     Robin "Skinny" Reynolds

                                                                          Matt Loving

                                                                          Dave McConnell

                                                                                                              Sparky Sparks                                    

                                                                           Glenn Hillin

Lead Racing Armadillo - Speed Bump

Mascot Armadillo Racer - Raider Red

Director - Sparky Sparks

Writer(s) - Glenn Hillin, Sparky Sparks, MaryEllen Miller

Executive Producer - The Sparks Agency

Director of Photography- Glenn Hillin
Production Designer - Sparky Sparks
Costumes - Jan Sparks
Craft Services - Becka Brown
This video was made on location at The Sparks Agency, entirely during business hours. 
No armadillos were harmed during the filming of this video.
Characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are completely real, and any similarity to the name, character or history of any fictitious person is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

Thank you for your votes. 

With warm, deep fried regards, 

~ME:) 

Fitness Friday - What I've learned about myself...

This week marks one year that I've been going to my Boot Camp class at the gym. My friend, Shelly, talked me into doing it. My friend, Tracy, teaches it. I'll be honest, I was reluctant to go to the class for a few reasons. 1. Because it starts at 5:30am. In the morning. Before sunrise. 2. Because I had no idea what to do at something called "Boot Camp." 3. I have no athletic ability whatsoever. But, I went, and I've been going to the gym an average of three days a week ever since. Yeah, so, there have been some weeks when I only went one day, but there have been plenty of weeks where I've been four or five. Anyway, here are some things I've learned about myself in the past year. Some of these things are very positive, some are not so much. I'm working on those. 

1. I CAN get out of bed in time to be at the gym at 5:30am.
2. It takes ten minutes to get from our house to the gym. 
3. I am fully aware of #2, so some days I can get completely dressed, brush my teeth, ponytail my hair and get some water in ten minutes. This gives me eighteen more minutes of sleep (nine minutes at a time, of course). 
4. When I started working out, I could do one plank-style push-up. I'm not kidding. I could do one. 
5. I can now do at least fifteen plank-style push-up in a row. If I drop to my knees, I can do a whole bunch more. 
6. I like working out with friends a LOT more than working out alone. 
7. I still haven't lost enough weight to even mention, but I look better in my clothes.
8. I can overhead press 15 pound dumbbells for ten reps, three times. (I started with 8 pound weights.)
9. I cannot lift a horse.
10. When I work out in the morning, I am less likely to eat unhealthy foods throughout the day. 
11. I am better at working out in the morning than after work.
12. I can run one mile without stopping.
13. I am very interested in eating less sugar and fewer processed foods.
14. But, I really love dipped ice cream cones from Dairy Queen.
15. I can hold a plank for 1 minute and 15 seconds.
16. I can make homemade ranch dressing that is unbelievably better than Hidden Valley.
17. I still get discouraged that I haven't lost weight.
18. Even so, I have a hard time staying motivated to eat fewer calories every day.
19. But, I keep trying.  
20. I love the blue of the sky when the sun is just rising.
21. I cannot be trusted with a restaurant menu. 
22. I am encouraged and inspired by the people in the photo on this page.
23. If I do not eat breakfast before I leave the house, I either skip breakfast altogether or eat something terribly unhealthy.
24. I can run and walk for 3.1 miles, but I really like to refer to it as 5 THOUSAND meters! 
25. I'm in better shape than I thought I was, because after three hours of horseback riding, I was not incredibly sore all over. 
26. Self-tanning lotion makes my feet darker way before it makes my legs darker.
27. I can do twenty situps in one minute. 
28. One year ago, I could not do one. 
29. I don't miss Dr Pepper as much as I thought I would. (I've only had ten in the past sixteen months.) 
30. I am really glad Shelly talked me into going to Boot Camp a year ago. 

Much love and many blessings to you!
~ME:)

What have you learned about yourself this year?

Holiday List - April 2014

April 2014

1 - National Fun at Work Day

2 - National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

3 - Don't Go to Work Unless it's Fun Day

4 - Vitamin C Day

5 - International Pillow Fight Day

6 - Hostess Twinkie Day

7 - International Beer Day

8 - National Empanada Day

9 - National Cherish an Antique Day

10 - National Sibling Day

11 - International "Louie Louie" Day

12 - Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

13 - Scrabble Day

14 - Dictionary Day

15 - That Sucks Day

16 - National Bookmobile Day

17 - Ford Mustang Day / High Five Day / National Haiku Poetry Day

18 - National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day

19 - National Hanging Out Day

20 - Easter

21 - National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day

22 - National Jelly Bean Day

23 - Movie Theater Day

24 - Pigs in a Blanket Day

25 - National Hairball Awareness Day

26 - Bob Wills Day / Hug a Friend Day

27- Morse Code Day

28 - National Blueberry Pie Day

29 - International Dance Day

30 - International Jazz Day

We can be friends!

I need another friend like I need a... Whoa, whoa, hold on there. Don't nobody panic. Of course I need another friend! Sure, I already have a lot of friends. I have some very close friends whom I can count on in any situation. I have longtime friends that I've known since I was a child. I have cousins who are dear friends, and dear friends who are like sisters. I have 825 Facebook friends. In fact, if you're reading this, it is quite likely that you are my friend. But yes, I am certain that I need another friend. 

I've been thinking about this for a few weeks. I went to the Society of Talent and Entertainment Professionals Annual Conference & Showcase, and the very first speaker we had, Angela Belford, seemed like just my kind of gal. She was witty and funny. She was serious about her subject matter, but wasn't seriously stuffy about it all. She just seemed like a groovy person to hang out with. Well, y'all know how quiet and reserved I am, so when I got an opportunity to talk with her, boy did I. We hit it off big, too, and hung out together for the rest of the conference. Since then, we've corresponded quite a bit - and mutually helped each other from our respective occupations. It's been really fun getting to know her.

Eight or ten months ago, my friend, Shelly, invited me to join a Boot Camp class that she goes to. I did, and now I'm even better friends with Shelly. And then, we made friends with Alicia, and I got to know Kari again. Now, we're working out together every day, and Alicia and I are running together a couple of times a week. Boom! We're friends. 

About a year ago, when my super groovy sister, Gina (yep, my super grooviest friend, ever!), came to town, I reconnected with her friend/my friend, Carrie. She's kind and caring, and super funny. Sweet Hubby Ryan (husband/friend) and I hang out with the Cranfords as much as we can. Carrie is pretty groovy, and she has lots of friends.  She is slowly but surely introducing me to those friends, who are also pretty groovy. 

Yes, I keep making new friends, and I'm not getting rid of the previous ones. The untrained eye might think this whole "friend" thing is getting out of hand. It is not, I assure you. It is important for us, all of us, to have friends and to keep expanding our horizons with new ones. All the ladies I mentioned, Angela, Alicia, Shelly, Kari, Gina and Carrie, all have talents and points of view and experiences that are different than mine. I am learning something from each one of these beautiful and talented ladies. I can only hope that I have something to offer them that is given from me as freely and generously.

Aristotle said, "In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief; they comfort and aid the old in their weakness, and they incite those in the prime of life to noble deeds." 

The Bible tells us, in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him - a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

William Shakespeare said, "A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow."

In her book, DARE, Becky Blalock says, "It is other people who give you the strength and support that help you grow as a professional. The more people you have relationships with, the more access you will have to knowledge and opportunities." 

Friends keep us young and healthy. Friends helps us grow and learn. Friends provide a safe haven in the storms of our lives. Friends encourage us and lift us up. Friends back us up when we are right, and let us know when we are wrong. Friends keep us warm and keep us cool. Friends help us succeed in business, and provide opportunities for us to help them succeed. Most importantly, friends make us laugh. Well, that's what is most important to me, anyway.

A study on the Importance of Friendship links the ills and social problems of the world on friendship, or the lack thereof. Having face-to-face friends, not just social media friends, is so vital. Of course bad things happen to people who have friends, but statistics show that suicides, divorce, homelessness and drug addiction rates are lower among people who have a few really good friends. It's that support system that keeps people going. 

So, yes, I need another friend. And so do you. Strike up a conversation with the new kid in your class. Invite someone from your church to lunch. Share your coffee break with someone from another department. You just don't know what kind of groovy person you might meet. 

Much love and many blessings, my friends!
~ME:)

Who is your newest friend?

Holiday List - March 2014

March 2014

1 - Sock Monkey Day

2 - Texas Independence Day

3 - Fun Facts About Names Day

4 - National Grammar Day

5 - Learn What Your Name Means Day

6 - Nametag Day

7 - Middle Name Pride Day

8 - International Fanny Pack Day

9 - Get Over it Day

10 - International Day of Awesomeness

11 - World Plumbing Day

12 - Girl Scouts Day

13 - Earmuffs Day

14 - Pi Day

15 - Corn Dog Day

16 - Lips Appreciation Day

17 - National Irish Coffee Day

18 - Awkward Moments Day

19 - Kick Butt Day

20 - World Storytelling Day

21 - National Common Courtesy Day

22 - International Goof-off Day

23 - OK Day

24 - National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

25 - Pecan Day

26 - Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

27 - Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day

28 - Barnum & Bailey Day

29 - Texas Loves the Children Day

30 - Pencil Day

31 - National "She's Funny That Way" Day

Holiday List - February 2014

February 2014

1 - GI Joe Day

2 - World Play Your Ukulele Day

3 - The Day the Music Died

4 - Liberace Day

5 - World Nutella Day

6 - Canadian Maple Syrup Day

7 - Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors Day

8 - Laugh and Get Rich Day

9 - Read in the Bathtub Day

10 - Clean Out Your Computer Day

11 - Extraterrestrial Visitor Day

12 - Safety Pup Day

13 - Get a Different Name Day

14 - Ferris Wheel Day

15 - National Gumdrop Day

16 - National Almond Day

17 - Random Acts of Kindness Day

18 - Pluto Day

19 - Single Tasking Day

20 - Hoodie Hoo Day

21 - International Mother Language Day

22 - National Margarita Day

23 - Diesel Engine Day

24 - National Cupcake Day

25 - Quiet Day

26 - For Pete's Sake Day

27 - National Chili Day

28 - National Tooth Fairy Day

Very Superstitious...

I'm not really very superstitious at all.  I meet Friday the 13th head on.  I don't freak out about broken mirrors.  I'm not a scaredy cat when it comes to black cats.  Now, I don't walk under ladders, but that's because it's just not safe.  I don't particularly believe in luck - I believe in blessings.  I don't count on wishes - I count on prayers.  (Birthday candles and shooting stars are exceptions, however.)  I don't believe in magic, but I do believe in miracles.  

I do, however, have some superstitious feelings about the going out of the old year, and the coming in of the new year.  There's just something special and magical and lucky and wishful about a new year.  The old year is just..well, just so last year.  

So that I don't bring any dirty laundry into 2014 with me, the last load of laundry is in the dryer now.  I don't need any dirt from my past cluttering up my future, so the floors have been swept.  I'm over all that garbage, so the trash cans have been emptied.  On New Year's Day, we will do no laundry, do no sweeping and will not take out the trash.  Those acts could interrupt the space/time continuum and alter the course of the whole year.  We could unwittingly wash someone important out of our lives, sweep our good luck right out the door and trash our hopes and dreams.  I just don't need that kind of nonsense following me around for a 365 days.  

For good luck and prosperity, we'll have black-eyed peas and cabbage for lunch on New Year's Day.  I'll kiss my Sweet Hubby Ryan at midnight to ensure warm affection for the coming year.  I'll keep my thoughts positive and my words encouraging, so that the year will be filled with accomplishments for my family and friends, as well as myself. 

Yes, I make resolutions.  Every year.  It's part of the superstition, I guess.  I need to write down my intentions, in order for them to stick.  I always start out with great intentions, too, just like everyone else.  I can't find my list from last year, but I know it included going to the gym (I've been pretty steady at going two to three times a week!), making a point to perform at least one random act of kindness per week (that one has been pretty easy), writing in my journal and reading the Bible every day (those haven't held up as well).  There were some other things, but I sure can't remember what they were.  I'd like to say whatever they were, they have become so much a part of my life that they're now just habit.  I'm pretty sure if I did say that, it would be a big fat lie.  I'm certain I just forgot about them after a week or so.

This year, I resolve to a) commit to going to the gym at least four days a week, b) cut at least 85% of processed foods from my diet (cake will not leave the diet for good) and c) read one non-fiction book for every fiction book I read.  I have a few more, but they are for me only. After all, these are MY resolutions.  

In just a few hours, this year will be over.  Looking back, I'd say it was a pretty good year. Last year's black-eyed peas worked.  I'm one lucky girl.  

Much love, many blessings, good luck and Happy New Year!

~ME:)

What are your New Year's Eve and New Year's Day traditions / superstitions?

Holiday List - December 2013

Most of you got to these stories through Facebook, so most of you already know that every day is a holiday. It has come to my attention that some people like to know about holidays in advance of the actual date, so they can celebrate accordingly, of course. I see their point. I mean, how can you properly celebrate National Donut Day, if you passed all the donut stores on your way to work and THEN found out it was National Donut Day. I don't know why I didn't think of this before. Oh yeah...I didn't really keep up with the blog very well before. Well, now that I am doing better, I can give you a head's up (or is it heads up - or heads' up?...I don't know for sure, but you know what I mean).  

So, here is the list for December. Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. As I've said before, I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.  

OK, really...here is the list.

 1 - Day with Art Day

 2 - National Mutt Day

 3 - Giving Tuesday

 4 - National Cookie Day

 5 - Annual Day of the Ninja

 6 - Mitten Tree Day

 7 - National Cotton Candy Day

 8 - Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

 9 - Roller Skate Day

10 - Dewey Decimal System Day

11 - International Mountain Day

12 - Poinsettia Day

13 - National Cocoa Day

14 - Monkey Day

15 - Cat Herders Day

16 - National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

17 - National Maple Syrup Day

18 - Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day

19 - Oatmeal Muffin Day

20 - Games Day

21 - Crossword Puzzle Day

22 - Thermometer Day

23 - Festivus

24 - National Egg Nog Day

25 - Christmas

26 - National Whiners' Day

27 - Visit the Zoo Day

28 - Card Playing Day

29 - Pepper Pot Day

30 - Bacon Day

31 - Make Up Your Mind Day

That's the list. We will eat, drink and be merry all this month - maybe even with a plunger on our heads! 

Happy Holidays and much love to you,
~ME:)

Oh yeah...have you actually subscribed to the blog? If you do, you'll get the low-down way before the Facebookers. Where do I sign up? you ask...up there in the right hand corner...right under where it says, "follow ME by email." Just type your email address in there and hit submit. You'll get an email asking you to confirm your email address (that's so 'they' know that you've really signed up and I'm not just forcing you to get my emails). Be sure and complete the confirmation process. Then, just like that, you'll get stories from ME!

I Had a Dream

I dream a lot, and I remember a lot of my dreams. The dreams are usually in color and are very vivid. Sometimes they're pretty fantastical, sometimes scary, sometimes really weird. But, every now and again, I have a dream that's just about normal stuff. That happened just the other night.  

In my dream, I was in the hallway of Martin Weiss Elementary, where I went to school from Kindergarten through 6th grade. (Some of you just smiled at that, because you remember that school. A couple of you probably grimaced, because I point it out every single time we go across that overpass from I-20 onto I-35.) Anyway, there I was, in the hallway near the stairwell that went up to the 4-6 grades, only I was me from now.  

As I walked toward that stairwell, I saw someone I know. In real life, this person is not someone who is in my circle of friends. In my dream she wasn't either. I'm reluctant to say I don't like her, because that just sounds mean. So, I'll say, she's not on my list of favorites. In my dream, she was crying. I didn't think about the fact that she's not my favorite, I only thought to make an attempt at some sort of comfort for her. So, I hugged her. Not just a pat on the back hug, but a real, honest-to-goodness, squeeze-you-tight, warm hug. And she hugged me back. She hugged me with the embrace of someone who really needed that hug. And she sobbed. We held that hug for a while.

After a moment, we released the embrace, she wiped her face and she thanked me. Then she said, "You give really great hugs. You really like hugging people, don't you?"  

I said to her, "Of course I do. It makes people feel better. It also makes me feel better. I get as much, maybe even more, from hugs as the person I'm hugging."

In my dream, I hugged her again. She wiped her tears and went on her way, and I went up the stairs and down the hall to a familiar classroom. And then, I woke up.  

I didn't think about the dream at all, until we were in church. During a children's moment, our pastor asked the kiddos what they could give someone, besides money, that could help someone. The kids came up with a few ideas, until they all agreed on one. They could give someone a hug. That would help someone and doesn't require anything. They even went out into the sanctury and hugged the congregation. That's when I remembered my dream. It all came flooding back to the front of my mind. Filling my thoughts with a memory of something that hadn't actually happened.    

As it turned out, the sermon was on Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  

That's exactly what I said in my dream! When I give a hug, I get a hug in return. Sometimes, if I have my hands full, or there's a lot going on, I'll give a side hug. You guessed it...side hug in return. When it's a real hug, though, I get a real hug, often a pat on the back, and sometimes even a kiss on the cheek. A good measure, indeed!

A hug (noun) is a tight clasp with the arms; an embrace. To hug (verb) is to clasp tightly in the arms, especially with affection; to embrace; to cling firmly or fondly to - cherish; to keep close to; to cling together. Oh, but a hug is so much more! A hug is a greeting - hello, how are you, I'm happy to see you. A hug is a parting - goodbye, I'll see you later, I'm going to miss you. A hug is a celebration - you did it, we made it, I'm proud of you. A hug is a consolation - you did your best, I'm here, don't be afraid. A hug is a comfort - I understand, I'm sorry, I wish I could make it better.  

Now, I could cite some research about how hugs are really beneficial and reduce stress and lower blood pressure and boost the immune system, but I'm not sure I'm qualified for all that. Instead, I suggest that you go hug someone. I know it will make them feel better. I know it will make you feel better. Maybe that someone will be me. I give good hugs - in my dreams.  

Much love and hugs to you!
~ME:) 

Oh yeah...two nights later, I dreamed I had two belly buttons. 

Picture this...

When I was a little girl, my Grandpap was a professional photographer.  He had a studio where people went and had their pictures made, but the greatest thing (at least, according to me), was that he traveled around and set up a mini-studio in the back of a grocery store or other mom & pop shop.  I considered it to be great, because sometimes he would let me go with him and be kind of a secretary.  Well, at least I thought of myself as a secretary.  I guess I was more like the check-out clerk.  I got to write up tickets and take people's money and real secretarial stuff like that.  

Anyway, he would set up his little studio and families would dress in their absolute finest and come get their pictures taken.  Little boys with freshly combed hair, little girls with frilly little dresses and patent leather shoes, dads with pressed shirts and moms (oh the moms!) dragging them all to the back of the store, cooing, coaxing, cajoling and sometimes carping their families into smiling for the camera.  Grandpap was a genius at getting those smiles, too.  It was just magical.

So, as you might guess, I'm no stranger to a camera.  Growing up, I had my picture snapped more times than a teenage girl making duck faces in her bathroom mirror.   In fact, I've never met a camera I didn't like.  (I've seen some photos those cameras have spit out that perhaps I didn't care for, but we'll just blame those on the lighting.)  Put a Nikon in front of me, and I just can't help myself but to tilt my head a little and break out into a grin.  

More than being around cameras, I've also always been around photographs.  Growing up, we always had photographs all over the house.  Now that I'm the grown up, I take a lot of photos.  I have boxes and books and envelopes and (now) files full of photographs.  Photos of our kiddos, tons of pictures of Peanut, snapshots of my sister & brother when we were kids, pics of Ryan and me at just about everywhere we've ever been, photographs of friends, family, coworkers and schoolmates.  I most likely have a picture of you. 

Until last week, I had never really given a second thought about submitting photos for something before.  I mean, I've done it.    I have rummaged through the boxes and files to find pictures for graduations, for weddings, for other presentations.  I had the honor of helping Sweet Hubby Ryan's cousins, Dana and Susan, put a photo collage together when their sweet mother, Aunt Mary, passed away.  (She wasn't a stranger to the camera either, I might add, lovingly).  Even then, I didn't think about the gravity of it all.  It never occurred to me that all those beautiful, funny, heartwarming pictures of Aunt Mary are all that there will ever be now.  Thankfully, those sweet girls had plenty of options of their dear mother.  

Last week, I was working on a presentation for our Relay For Life event.  The plan was to show a series of photos of some cancer survivors and some who have lost their lives to cancer.  (You can see it on our Relay For Life Facebook page if you want.)  I got the photos from different people - from people on our planning committee, from team captains, from people I don't even know.  The common thread that struck me was that someone thought "this picture" is the one photo that they could find that best represented their loved one.  

I know that some of the people in those photos will have an opportunity for a do-over.  Next year's picture might be completely different.  Things change, people change, hairstyles change (especially for cancer survivors) and the next fun thing they do might result in a better photo opportunity.  

Many of the pictures, though, really put my thinking parts to the test.  I noticed that I had seen "this one" before.  Oh, and "this one."  And "this one."  And then, it hit me.  I will likely not see a different picture of this person.  This is the last one.  The best one.  The one that MOST represented this loved one.  There is not a do-over option.  There are no more.  

I know that everyone doesn't share the same love of the camera that I do.  I have plenty of friends (maybe you) who will do just about anything to stay out of the viewfinder.  For all of you who turn away or hide or put your hands in front of the camera when someone says, "Say cheese," stop doing that.  Smile.  Act like you're having fun (most likely you are or someone wouldn't want to take a picture of you).  Make a funny face if you have to.  When your family has to dig through your boxes, envelopes, books and files looking for a picture of you some day, you don't want the best one they can find to look like that one of Bigfoot.  

What is your favorite picture of someone you love?  What is your favorite picture of yourself?

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!  I know, I know...it's not Christmas or Thanksgiving or even Easter (although that one is coming up soon).  But, if you are my Facebook friend, you know by now that there is a holiday for every day of the year.  What you may not know, is how I, MaryEllen Miller, became the Queen of the Daily Holiday.

It all started with Dave Barry, syndicated humor columnist for the Miami Herald.  My friend, Dave (ok, I don't really know him, but if I did, we'd be friends, I'm sure of it), wrote a column in 2002 about Talk Like a Pirate Day.  My son, Chris, and I saw the column and had a big laugh about it.  We talked like pirates ourselves for a little while.  We would even bring up Talk Like a Pirate Day every now and again.

In September of 2007, after I'd been working at The Sparks Agency for about six months, I mentioned to Sparky, "tomorrow is Talk Like a Pirate Day."  And, he knew what I was talking about!  (Which, of course, further cemented the fact that I was destined to work for him.)  So, we left work that day, and showed up the next day - BOTH dressed like pirates!  We didn't talk about it before.  We didn't even suggest that dressing up might be fun.  Nope.  We just surprised each other.  Boy, did we feel like comic geniuses, too!

While all dressed up, and using our best pirate vocabulary and scallywag accents, we figured that if today is a holiday, then tomorrow might be a holiday, too.  And, there just might be a holiday for every day of the year.  Sure enough, there is!

It became my mission, right then and there, to research the very depths of holiday-dom to find each and every holiday for each and every day of the year.  It was (and still is) hard work, but it's my life's work.  I consider it to be one of my greatest contributions to society.  Therefore, I try to start every day using Facebook for good (and not evil) and wishing a Happy <insert holiday here> Day to the masses.  No, I will not tell you where I get all the holidays.  You'll just have to rely on me to be your resource.  

Some holidays are commonly known to the General Public (New Year's Day, President's Day, Labor Day).  Other holidays are good for mankind (Random Acts of Kindness Day, National Hugging Day, National Common Courtesy Day).  Many are kind of weird (National Chicken Boy Day, Slugs Return from Capistrano Day, International Sword Swallowers Day).  There are some that remind me of my friends (Lips Appreciation Day - Kathryn Nordstrom, World Nutella Day - Michael Bloomberg, International Day of Awesomeness - Gina Berry).  For the most part though, they're just fun (Buzzard Day, National Sea Monkey Day, Lost Sock Memorial Day).  Whatever they are, I'm sharing them with you.  

I, personally, do a happy dance when my dryer dries the clothes on the first cycle, but there are plenty of people in this world who need a real reason to celebrate something.  If you, or someone you know, suffers from "Stick in the Mud Syndrome," there still could be hope.  Just check back with me for today's holiday.  You, or someone you know, could just be waiting for National Chicken Dance Day to get that stick out of the...ummm...mud, and celebrate!

Much love and many blessings to you,
~ME:)

Psalm 47:1

My favorite, favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, followed closely by International Goof-off Day.  What's yours?

Why I Relay

I told you before that as we go along, you will learn about my passions.  Well, I might as well start now.  I'll do this one at a time, and I'll spread them out over time..just to keep things interesting.

One of my biggest passions is the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  It is the largest fundraiser in the world for the ACS.  Everyone involved in Relay For Life has a "reason to Relay."  Mine is an ever changing story.  I started Relaying in 2005, when my friend, Stephanie Couch (that's her on the left), was battling ovarian cancer.  In 2005, she was my reason.    

Stephanie was a spectacular woman.  She was kind and generous and loving and hilarious.  We worked in the same office and in a short time we became great friends.  She loved her family and her friends with all her heart.  She laughed at the same crazy and inappropriate things that I laughed at.  She had horrible jokes, that you couldn't help but laugh at.  (Yeah, I know, birds of a feather and all.)  Our desks faced one another for a while and we could peek around our monitors and keep each other laughing all day.  (The "powers that be" did finally change up that particular seating arrangement.  It was like being in school again.)

She started having some stomach issues and some "female" issues.  After tests and more tests, those issues found a name.  I remember her coming back to work and telling us it was ovarian cancer.  I remember not knowing what to expect from that, but that we were all really positive.  If anyone could beat this, it was Steph.  With her attitude, she could beat anything.  Lots of people had cancer and survived it.  We had no idea.  

Treatments made it seem like it went away.  A complete hysterectomy made it seem like they got it all.  Stephanie's attitude made it seem like she was winning this battle.  She wasn't.  She got the call at work and made the doctor just tell her right then (she was persuasive that way).  It was back.  And it was mad.  

Because the cancer was so angry and so aggressive, she had to have serious chemotherapy treatments.  She suffered through them like a trooper, keeping her attitude as positive as she could through the sickness and the pain of it all.  At least her hair wasn't falling out.  Until it did.  

I remember that day like it was yesterday.  It was Halloween, and Steph, being a huge fan of Halloween and always having clever costumes, was dressed in an all pink sweatsuit, with sprayed pink hair.  She had a sneaker tied to the top of her head.  She was a piece of bubble gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe.  I'm telling you, she was funny! 

What wasn't funny was when Stephanie noticed that there was something pink and kind of fuzzy on the floor.  And there was some of it on her desk.  And there was some of it on her keyboard.  And when she picked it up, she realized it was her hair - her pink hair that she sprayed just that morning so she would be bubble gum.  That's what I remember most about it all.  How that pink hair just kept falling.  I'm not even sure I can describe the feeling I had, much less describe how she must have felt.  I know that it was heartbreaking and that the vision crept deep into my soul where, I believe, it will remain forever.  

In the spring of 2005, another friend at work, Summer, brought us information about this Relay For Life thing.  We didn't know much about it, but we knew that it gave us something real we could do to honor our friend.  So we put together a team and we raised some money.  We went to that Relay and we stayed up all night at the football field.  We cried and we laughed.  We drank the Kool-Aid. 

In 2006, the demon that is ovarian cancer took my friend.  It took her from her husband who loved her oh-so-very much.  It took her from her children who adored her.  It took her from so many who knew how special she was.  It took her from me.  

In 2005 at Relay For Life, I was a Team Member.  Then I became a Committee Member, and then a Team Captain, and then the Event Chair and now I'm the Marketing & Communications Chair.  My "reason to Relay" started with Stephanie.  Then it was (and still is) my Aunt Margaret, who has been battling lymphoma for more than ten years.  But now, the purple Kool-Aid runs through my blood and my "reason to Relay" has grown to something vast.  Now, I Relay for YOU!

I know YOU have been touched in one way or another by cancer.   I have learned so much over the past eight years about how the American Cancer Society can help in so many situations, and I am willing to share that knowledge with YOU at any possible opportunity.  Whether YOU are the person reading this, or the clerk at the Post Office, or the gentleman I met in line at the grocery store a few months ago,  I Relay for YOU.  As they say at the ACS, "Having cancer is hard, finding help shouldn't be."  Let ME help YOU find help.  


There is an official mission statement that goes like this:  The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.  That about sums up why we do it -  those of us who have drank the purple Kool-Aid.  We're in it for the duration and just can't leave, because we believe we will not forget those we have lost...we believe we will support those who are facing diagnoses and treatment...we BELIEVE that one day cancer will be eliminated.  


Thank you for reading this all the way to the end.  

Psalm 147:3

Much love and many blessings to you,
~ME:)

Are you thinking to yourself, "if only there was something I could do?"  If you are, then YES! there is.  You can make a donation to Relay For Life by visiting my Relay site... http://main.acsevents.org/goto/maryellentx.  For your donation, I thank you.