We made it to the middle of the week, and I’m extra excited over it because this afternoon I have my 2nd interview with what could be the perfect job for me. I’m afraid to want it too much because the disappointment will be so huge if I don’t get it. If you think about it, at 4:15 PST, say a quick prayer that if this is for me, that it will go well. Well, I’d like it to go well regardless. Nothing worse than humiliating yourself in an interview, right?
Verse of the Day
October 16, 2019
“`If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Jesus is the ultimate one “who believes.” All things ARE possible for him. Guess what? He longs to do great things through us, too! In fact, he promised he would do even greater things through us than he did himself because he is now at the Father’s side helping us! (See John 14:12-14.) So, isn’t it time that we quit talking about what we can’t do, and start believing in the one who can do great things? Paul put it this way: God can do “more than we can ask or imagine by his power at work in us.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Boss’s Day (or National Boss’s Day) – If you have a boss that means you are employed. If you are employed, then you are blessed. Our economy has improved so dramatically that we are seeing the lowest unemployment in our history. Thank you, President Trump! Normally I would say to let your boss know that you are grateful for them, and for your job. I don’t say that now. When I start a new job, I acknowledge Boss’s Day one time. If there isn’t any reciprocity on Administrative Assistant’s Day, I ignore it in future years. I know we shouldn’t only give to get something in return, but doggone it, how many of us are slowly dying inside, year after long, boring year in a job that the boss can’t even do something simple on an appreciation day? Years ago, when I worked in Seattle, I had two different jobs, and those bosses were so incredibly appreciative! They knew how hard I worked, they appreciated what I did for them, and they surprised me year after year with their incredible generosity. I did the same in return. If you are a boss, and you don’t get anything today from your employee, maybe you should check your calendar and see what you missed. Admin Assistant’s Day? How about their birthday? Oooooh, did you miss their anniversary with the company? If someone is willing to give you YEARS of their life, the least you could do is ACKNOWLEDGE it! Yes, I’m getting spun up. The soul killing job I go to every day, I was overlooked for both my anniversary with the company and Admin Assistant’s Day. She’s getting bupkis today.
Department Store Day – We live in a world where retail competition is very fierce, especially around the holidays. By the time we reach this time of the year the plans and preparations have been in the works for months. National Department Store Day marks the calm before the storm of the holiday season. Large retailers like Macy’s are making tradition-breaking decisions in the face of growing pressure from rival stores that promote holiday shopping earlier and earlier. The question always comes up – how early is TOO early? According to the National Retail Federation, department stores saw nearly 24% of their total revenue during the months of November and December in 2012, making the holiday season the top spending event of their year. Because of the economy shoppers like to start shopping early so they can spread out spending. We started in on ours a couple of weeks ago! Each year, about 40% of shoppers begin their holiday shopping before Halloween, and another 40% begin in November. I used to like seeing one holiday at a time in the stores, but I’m over it. I am already enjoying seeing the Christmas stuff, and (don’t judge) we have already started a bit of Christmas decorating and shopping. Stop it! I told you not to judge! When I was working in Seattle years ago, it was magical. I’d go home from work the last workday before Thanksgiving to normal store windows, and I’d come back to work AFTER Thanksgiving to the most amazing, incredible and breathtaking store window displays. It was literally the start of the Christmas season. Twinkle lights lined the streets and parks, Westlake Center had the traditional Christmas carousel, complete with Christmas music, and the Christmas winter wonderland just took my breath away and filled me with childlike excitement every day when I headed home from work. The sun went down before I left work, and my walk to the ferry was a lovely stroll through the brightly lit trees. The other commuters were happier and lighthearted too. The entire experience was amazing. In the smaller town where I live, now that I no longer commute to the city, we don’t see that. Everything is just muddled up together and we don’t get the separation of the special holidays. It used to bug me, but hey! Holidays should ALL make us happy, right? How do YOU like it to be? Do you like it very early, or would you prefer the holiday decorations be separated by actual holiday?
Dictionary Day – Today we honor Noah Webster, who is considered to be the Father of the American Dictionary. Noah Webster was born on October 16, 1758, so it stands to reason we would celebrate him today! The idea of this day is to emphasize the importance of being able to use a dictionary, and to improve your vocabulary. It actually stuns me a little – I learned not long ago that kids don’t know how to use a dictionary anymore – at least not many of them! That shocks me! When I was in school, I kept a little dictionary with me all the time! I realize that many people use the online dictionary now, but still, the skill of using an actual dictionary in BOOK form is so important! It is such an important resource! Sorry, I got off on a tangent. I can’t help myself sometimes. Webster began writing his dictionary at the age of 43, and it took him 27 years to finish it. It not only had the traditional English vocabulary, it had uniquely American words included in it as well. Today, celebrate this day by dusting off your dictionary and actually USE it! If you have a child in school who doesn’t know how to use one, spend a few minutes explaining it to them. It is a skill they will be able to use to enhance their lives forever.
Hagfish Day – If you’ve never met one of these guys, then today please allow me to introduce you to . . . the Hagfish! Until a couple of years ago I’d never heard of the Hagfish, but I feel really sort of bad for them! It is widely believed that the Hagfish is one of the world’s ugliest living creatures, made even more repulsive by the viscous slime that they use as a defense mechanism. Hagfish Day was started to promote understanding that in nature, beauty isn’t everything, and that the Hagfish is a highly evolved and special creature that is worthy of respect. This celebration also brings awareness to an unusual and endangered creature, which is very important since most “save the animal” campaigns are biased towards the more attractive or cute creatures, and the less attractive ones are left vulnerable. A couple of interesting Hagfish facts are that they have no bones or jaws, they eat dead fish and small invertebrates, and they are eaten by seals, dolphins and even people!
Information Overload Day – Mute your phone, don’t check your email every single time the pop-up box appears on your computer screen, and here’s a concept, pick up the phone if you need something done quickly. Today is Information Overload Awareness Day. Technology and Efficiency experts are urging people to take stock of how the always increasing flood of digital data is slowing down their personal and professional lives. Between emails, text messaging, social-networking sites like Facebook and good old-fashioned web-surfing, the amount of information at our fingertips each day can be overwhelming. It is both a blessing and a curse, because it is wonderful to be able to communicate to anyone, anywhere in the world in seconds, but it also keeps us plugged in 24/7 and that can be emotionally and mentally overwhelming. A good idea is to unplug when you get home. Turn off the phone and spend at least some time away from the computer and just let your mind relax.
National Feral Cat Day – In 2001 “Alley Cat Allies” started this annual event to raise awareness of the plight of feral cats and build support for humane solutions to dealing with them. Veterinarians agree that the best place for a cat is indoors with a loving family. That is not always possible for a cat that isn’t used to living with people. There are groups that are doing something wonderful! Volunteers and community organizations are coming together to trap, spay or neuter, and place feral cats where they can live out their lives as working cats. There is a program called “Barn Cats R Us” where these cats are re-homed to barns and garages, and local businesses, where they work as rodent hunters. In those positions, outdoor cats provide totally natural, organic mouse and rat control. Barn cats tend to hide from humans, and except for the occasional dead rodent they leave behind, you’ll rarely see any evidence of them. Barn Cats R Us isn’t just re-homing these cats to barns and garages, they have also found them “work” at golf courses, a winery, plant nurseries and a water treatment plant. The cats are placed in small colonies, usually groups of three or four, all of them spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped for identification and tested for feline diseases. What a wonderful program! If you have feral cats you aren’t sure what to do with in your neighborhood, call your local humane society to see if there is a program like this one in your area. The lives you save could benefit not just the cats, but the businesses and farms where they get to live and work.
National Fossil Day – This is a fun one, especially if you have a museum near you that has a display of fossils that is from your area! The National Park Service and the American Geosciences Institute are celebrating the 6th annual National Fossil Day, organized to promote awareness and stewardship of fossils, and to build a greater appreciation for their educational and scientific value for the public. Fossils in our national parks range from primitive algae found high in the mountains, to the remains of ice-age animals found in caves. Public lands give visitors the chance to observe fossils in the same place that the animals and plants lived millions of years ago. We have a little museum about an hour away from us that has these really amazing mammoth bones and other fossils that were found right in our area. It’s a dusty little place that doesn’t get many visitors, but I found it to be a really great place to go.
National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day – When my kids were little there was one day a year when I went to their school to eat lunch with them. It was the one time I insisted on taking the day off from work because it was important to them. Fortunately, MOST things, like the Science Fairs, plays, and open houses were in the evenings, but lunch with the kids obviously had to be during the day. I thought it was just something our local schools did, but apparently this is a National celebration that allows parents to go have lunch in the school cafeteria, with the goal being to learn more about what our kids are eating in school, and to open the lines of communication between the parents and the schools about what makes up a healthy lunch, and give parents a voice to that end. If your school doesn’t host an event like this, it may be a good time to contact your school officials, or maybe through the PTA, and get one set up. It really excites the children to be able to have their parents, grandparents or a family friend come and eat with them. It still gives you the chance to have lunch with your children, see the disgusting swill they are eating, and be encouraged to pack your child’s lunch for yourself at home! Most importantly, having you sit with them in the lunchroom brings them such joy! The years I was able to attend with my children there were a few kids who didn’t have anyone come to eat with them. My heart just went out to them. I ended up being a surrogate “Mom” to them during those meals – warmed my heart to be able to do that. We shouldn’t let this opportunity pass us by just because we grow up! Switch it up and take your parents to lunch – bask in the ability to spend time with your folks while you have the chance. It will give you precious memories for the future.
Food Celebration of the Day
National Liqueur Day – What is your favorite liqueur – assuming you drink of course? I really enjoy Irish Cream. Probably too much. I rarely have it since it’s something that tastes like candy and I could easily go overboard with it without even trying. It is delicious in coffee though! Mmmm. . . a hot mug of steaming coffee with Irish Cream on a cold, snowy night . . . Yum. Here are some interesting facts that I found on www.foodimentary.com.
- In parts of the United States, liqueurs may also be called cordials or schnapps.
- Grand Marnier Created in 1880, it is one of the most popular liqueurs of all time. Escoffier used it as an ingredient for his culinary masterpiece Crepe Suzette. Cesar Ritz was so impressed with this liqueur that he was among the first to introduce it at his hotels.
- All liqueurs are blends, even those with a primary flavor.
- Liqueurs are not usually aged for any great length of time (although their base spirit may be) but may undergo resting stages during their production in order to allow the various flavors to “marry” into a harmonious blend.
- The most common liqueurs that you should consider absolutely essential when stocking your bar: Amaretto, Coffee Liqueur (e.g. Kahlua), Dry and Sweet Vermouth, Irish Cream Liqueur, Maraschino Liqueur and Orange Liqueur (e.g. triple sec, Cointreau, Curaçao).
OK, I’m ready to go! Wish me luck! Have a wonderful Wednesday, celebrate something fun and make it a good day! God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Affiliate Link Disclaimer
Some of my posts will contain links to products that I am an affiliate for. When you make a purchase through that link, I will receive a commission for the sale. I make this known to you so that you are aware of these links.
Celebration list sources:
www.verseoftheday.com www.brownielocks.com www.holidayinsights.com www.thenibble.com www.foodimentary.com