Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Silly Celebration, take six

So, I have this tradition of honoring crazy dates with lists.  Did you notice today's date?  It's 11/12/13.  This date won't come again for 100 years.  Kind of cool, hunh?  


A List of Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen
all lists in no particular order


Eleven ways to celebrate Thanksgiving

  • Pack up a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child.  Nothing makes me so aware of my blessings as giving to someone who has so much less than I do. 
  • Write letters to the people who have impacted your life.  Track down the teacher or Girl Scout leader who made such a difference in your life.  Email the college professor who inspired you to think in a newer, bigger way.   
  • Before you can truly be grateful, you must be light-hearted.  Choose to forgive.  Do it now. 
  • Make a Blessings Book out of scrapbook paper and pass it around after dinner this Thanksgiving. 
  • Reread your Blessings Book next year. 
  • Consider adding a family service project to your long weekend of cooking, eating, shopping, and playing. 
  • Invite friends over for Thanksgiving dinner.  You never really know who doesn't have family to celebrate with - unless you ask.  
  • As you rush around preparing, slow down.  Remember, who you share the meal with is much more important than the feast or decorations.
  • Whether or not prayer is a regular practice of yours, take a quiet moment to truly thank God for all your blessings. 
  • Be lavish with your affection.  These nutty relatives that drive you crazy are yours.  Yours. You know you love them.  Tell them so.
  • Host an After-Thanksgiving dessert buffet and gather with your family of friends.  Tell them how much they mean to you.


Twelve Thanksgiving books even the grown ups will enjoy

  • Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin
  • Millie and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey
  • Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
  • A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
  • 10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston
  • Over the River, A Turkey's Tale by Derek Anderson
  • 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey
  • One is a Feast for a Mouse by Judy Cox
  • A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting
  • Beauty and the Beaks: A Turkey's Cautionary Tale by Mary Jane Auchs
  • Mary's First Thanksgivng by Kathy-jo Wargin
  • Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julia Markes


Thirteen chores you should do before the holidays arrive

  • Drag out your winter clothes and coats.  Switch your closets around.
  • Before you launder everything (see above) try this.
  • You know that coat you forgot to take to the cleaners last March?  Do it now. 
  • Depending on where you live, stock up on rock salt, wood for the fireplace, deicer, etc. 
  • Have your kids try on their snow gear, especially the boots.  Shop now.  Once the snow falls, it's too late. 
  • You, too. (see above)
  • Buy more Christmas lights.  Do it now.  You know you'll need them. 
  • Consider creating a hot chocolate station.
  • Set a reasonable budget before the shopping bug bites. 
  • Before the madness begins, make a list of the things you love most about the holidays.  Do those things. 
  • Start writing your cards now.  Take the time to make it fun instead of a chore. 
  • Schedule a pedicure.  Take a great magazine to read. 
  • Schedule one Saturday afternoon at home completely alone.  Do nothing at all.  Sigh.  Now you're ready.

Happy 11-12-13

5 comments:

Jeanne said...

Fabulous indeed.

I hope your 11-12-13 was fabulous just like you

Roban said...

Oh, I love your lists today! I'm going to take them into consideration. Yes, I really am.

amelia said...

Yes, yesterday's date made me smile ... much like you. I absolutely love your lists!

And speaking of shoeboxes, I have a stack sitting next to me. Only one needs to be finished off, then they're good to go . . . and the holidays will official commence! :)

Marilyn Miller said...

What great lists.
I especially love the very last thing on your last list.
One of my goals is to have the major part of my shopping done before Thanksgiving. I am on my way to getting that done.

alexa said...

Lovely lists, and I am so pleased I have done lots of your last one :). Over here, we write our dates differently: day, month, year, so our 11/12/13 is a few weeks away yet. But thankYou for alerting me!

Oldies, but Goodies