'tis the season

                        Thanksgiving is a great holiday; it contains lots of family, great food, and in most cases, football. The lions always play on this holiday, regardless of how good they have been playing or not. I usually end up mingling with family, filling my face & going to bed early, for two reasons. One- I most likely went out, on the biggest bar night of the year (day before thanksgiving), and for the second reason, is that I usually have to be up early to work the extravagant shopping day, bright and early.

Black Friday marks the start for the holiday shopping season. Some people see it as the ultimate shopping day, presumed to have many great sales to kick off the holiday shopping season.

 People who work in retail, may or may not view black Friday as such an awesome day.  Although I love the holidays, I’m not the biggest fan of black Friday. I have always worked retail, therefore, I have just about always worked black Friday, usually opening shift as well. There are a lot of crazy shoppers out early that morning. Some of them can be rather ruthless, willing to do anything to save a few dollars. I understand that the economy sucks. However, there is no reason to be so animal like when entering the stores, on that morning.

Last time I checked, shopping is supposed to be an enjoyable time. They don’t call it “retail therapy,” for nothing.

Laughter is the best medicine:)

I believe laughter, is the best medicine! I love to laugh. I laugh at many different things and situations. I may laugh sarcastically at something; I may chuckle at a funny joke; I may laugh at movie, I may even laugh so hard I start crying. When I start crying from laughing so hard, I know that was a good healthy laugh. It almost makes your heart feel lighter. Every time I spend time with my friend Patty, this happens. We can never stop laughing, and it almost always ends with tears.

Every time Patty and I spend time together, we can always count on having a great time together. Whether it is just simply having a girls night; painting nails, doing facials, and hair treatment/masks, or having a night out on the town. We laugh so much when we are together, that it is a bad idea, to work out together. We seriously start laughing about nothing, I will be trying to count reps, and she could be doing pushups, but as soon as we look at each other, we burst into laughter. One time we were working out in the weight lifting room, and my friend the personal trainer at the gym, asked us two times what was so funny, then later he admitted he thought we had been laughing at him. In all reality we were just laughing at each other the whole time. I personally, always find it humorous when she works out because she randomly makes this weird face and looks so awkward using the weightlifting machines.  It wouldn’t surprise me, if that was the same reason she was laughing at me.

Patty and I are definetely two of a kind. We have known each other for over 10 years now, and our friendship never gets old. I dont beleive there was ever a dull moment, shared between the two of us. We have always been there for each other, through thick and thin. Regaurdless of our busy schedules.

We don't get to see each other as much as we both would like, due to our busy schedules. Thanks to work and school. However, we catch up when we have any extra time. Give us two hours, a few drinks, and it is if we haven't spent any time away from each other.  I know we will always be a life-long-good-friends, and I always look forward to a good laugh with her. She is like my sister from another mister:)

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE!

I believe everyone has the choice to choose their own attitude. It’s an ability everyone has. However it does require some effort. I never really thought you could choose. I guess I never really even took the time to think about it in that way. I just figured if you were having a bad, you were having a bad day, and everyone has them. It wasn’t until my boss, David, kept saying, “Princess Shannon Middleton, what are the four principles, we live by here at Sephora?” Which, I would respond, “1.Be there. 2. Make the clients day (by smart samples & express services) 3.Dance and have fun. Finally, 4. Choose your attitude.”  He has done a lot for me, and continues to do so. He always seems to be pushing me to be a better person. Even if he is getting on my last nerve, I know in the back of my head he is just pushing me to be better.  David was the first one who always told, and to this day, still tells me “You can choose your attitude.” He once told me, “No matter what is going on in your life that you do or do not like, you have the ultimate decision to decide how you will handle it and how you will let it affect you.” I would consider myself to be a pretty positive person. However, Mr. David Wood’s, has helped to create an even more positive lifestyle, for myself. I’ve notice how I take the time, to think through the options I have to handle situations that would normally piss me off. I’ve also learned, from choosing my attitude, that there is no point with getting mad or upset over things we, ourselves cannot control. It is a waste of energy, and I could use that energy on something the actually does matter in my life. I really do appreciate the many different things he has done for me. The one that actually does mean the most to me is how he actually takes the time out of his daily day and continuously pushes me for the better. Although I may not show it every single day, I really do appreciate that, and many other things, such as the strong advice he gives me from time to time, the knowledge he shares with me, and just the way he has taken my already open minded mind, and widened it even farther. Thanks to Mr. David Woods, I will continue to choose my attitude and keep an open mind. And when times get tough, I will remember to take a deep breathe, and take the time to think it through as clearly as I possibly can before making my move.

Halloween:)

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. It has been up in the "top 3," category since I was a child trick or treating throughout the neighborhood. There are many reasons, to me, why it is such an awesome holiday. First of all I love candy all the time. Therefore, when it is handed out freely, it makes me happy:). When I was a child, I thought what an easy trade; dress up in a sweet costume, and get free candy. Well, after you knocked on a stranger’s door and asked for free candy. Now thinking about it I can see how it could be slightly dangerous. However, that is all a part of growing up, in my opinion. Every year my mom would make me a costume. Back then I never really thought that was that cool. Every year instead of picking one out at the store we would form an idea, see if the store had directions, to sew together, whatever it was we wanted to be that year. Now I actually appreciate the hard work my mom put into the costumes. But my brother and I being the brats we were, always wanted the amazing ones boughten at the store. Boy, have times changed. Because quite frankly. I cannot afford a fifty dollar whore suit this year. So instead of buying a skimpy, poorly made costume from the Halloween store, that is way overpriced. Then having to find something to add to it, to cover up anything hanging out (if you will), I am going to work up the courage to ask my mother of mine, to possibly make me a costume this year.:) Another reason I love Halloween, is all the haunted houses, and horror movies!!! I love the adrenaline rush!! I might be scared shitless walking through some of the well-put together haunted houses, but the excitement, and the adrenaline rush, is totally worth it. I like to watch horror movies also. Not always, necessarily, the ones with just blood, guts and gore. However I really like the ones that actually scare you, not make you want to puke. The third reason I really enjoy this holiday is because it is the one night you can be whatever you want. No matter how far off it is from your true character:) A few other reason I enjoy Halloween, as much as I do is for sure are the caramel apples, carving pumpkins, & all the effort some people put into decorated their houses! Well writing this blog, definitely got me geeked for Halloween!:) Hope it did as well, for anyone who reads this!:)

One thing that sucks about the Michigan summer is...

Road construction is inevitable in michigan. We have some of the worst roads ever. That is one downer about the summer season in Michigan, which Im not particularly fond of.  It is like, as soon as the warm weather starts over powering the harsh cold months, you can almost bet, it wont be long before all that is notice along the highways, are large orange cones & signs, ramp closures and so forth.Considering, I drive i-75 every single day in order to get to work, it serves as a major invconvenience to me. One thing, I really do not like is how I-75 has been down to one lane. It is always my luck, that I get stuck by Grandma Moses, going barely 40. I tend to drive like an asshole from time to time; possibly speeding(due to my lead foot), and switching lanes to get around slow cars. Because, for some reason I am always in a hurry. Don't get me wrong, I like a road that does not contain pot holes, and horrible cracks & rivets in it, just as much as the next person. I just feel as if it takes far too long for all of the construction to be finished. Another reason, I dislike the process of road construction on the highway, is because they have little on & off ramps, that are temporarly placed. In my experience with the on-ramp, at the Bay Rd exit, going south; it seems as if people do not understand the stop sign placed there. Last time I checked a stop sign means come to a complete stop. Not, roll threw the stop sign and try to beat the on coming traffic that is going sixty to eighty miles an hour. Making the on coming traffic slam on their brakes, avoiding several car accidents. If you actually read this blog, thanks for listening to me bitch about road construction. Although, I know it is for a good cause, and right before the snow comes, it will be all over until next summer... it is still irritating. Thanks Again!:):)

LolaBelle

                  My mom was always what you would call "crazy cat lady." Well not that bad, but she was definitely a cat person. We always had cats growing up. I on the other hand, would have loved to have a dog growing up. However, my dad always took good care of his yard. The back yard was his sanctuary. In the past he built a rather large wooden deck that wraps around to the pool, two fountains, a two story club house(for my brother and I when I was younger.) and was always adding new plants and flowers. It was one of his favorite hobbies. So when ever I would ask if I could have a doggy, his response was, "Where would it poop, not my back yard."  With that said, it was always shot down. Never even considered twice, just a flat out NO. Until one day a few years ago, my best friend, gave me the best present ever. It was a little yorkie-beagal-snauzer-mix. The cutest little thing. I decided I was just going to bring her home and he would have to accept it. I knew once he saw how adorable the little puppy baby was, he would not be able to say no. So I took her home and my Dad happened to be the first person home. He wasn't exactly thrilled about the whole situation. But I said I would take care of her and everything would be ok. I knew my dad wouldnt be able to say no, now that I had already brought her home. Once my Mother came home, she was more than thrilled. I knew at this point my little fur-baby wasn't going any where.:) I could not think of a name for my little puppy for the longest time. I finally landed on LolaBelle. Lola for short, and she has many other nicknames now. She turned out to be one of the most loving, intertaining dogs. She hardly barks, unless she sees another animal outside. She loves to cuddle and sleeps with my every night. LolaBelle is one of the biggest social butterflies I know. She loves being around people. From little kids to adults. Lola has brought a lot of joy into my family's home. I tell her she is a "little fur angel, sent down from heaven." I'm sure you have realized now, that Lola is definitely spoiled. However, Lolabelle is such an amazing dog that she deserves it all.

Michigander at heart.

I have come to realize, I take a lot of what Michigan has to offer for granted. About one month ago, I decided I was going to move to Florida, where I would finish my college degree. I made the decision because I wanted to travel, I wanted to live some where completly oposite of Michigan. I thought it could be a good change, and if it wasn't I could always come back. To this day I still want to have the experience of living in Florida. However it was definetly the wrong time to up and move accross the country. I mean, dont get me wrong, I absolutly love it there. Over the Summer I went to Florida two times, to kind of check it out(such as; apartments,schools,work,etc). I was in paradise. But I began to realize many thing I would miss and many other thoughts and concerns came to mind. So I ended up backing out and enrolling in another semester here at Delta. I decided I could one day make that move, just not right now. Once I returned back to Michigan at the end of August, I started to look at and notice things a little different. I mean obviously, I notice the climate differences, that is a given. & even though I love really hot weather, I also love the fall. Hoodie weather is always nice. I love to see the leaves change from bright green to firey red, orange, and yellow colors.  Even down to the the crisp fall air, or the crunch of the leaves when you walk over them on the sidewalk. And if it is hoodies weather, it is defintly time to pull out some fun boots! For as much as I complain about all the snow we happen to be barried under every winter, I would still miss it. I absolutly love being Up North, snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, tobagoning, ice fishing, and the list goes on. Yes, it really sucks driving through lots of snow every day, however, its still worth all the winter activities.    Another thing is,  I do not think I could imagine a Christmas with out snow. That is just so weird.  As well as no snow for New Years, or my birthday(Im a January Baby)?! That is just out of the question. I do have a slight problem with the winter lingering for as long as it does. But if ya hang in there long enough, well, it is back to hot humid days! There are many other factors that did help shape my decision to stay in Michigan, for the time being. I can't say I will always live in Michigan for my whole entire life. However, I do know I will always come back. Michigan is my home. It may be a little cold for some, but it is where home is. & we have the luxory of four seasons, which a lot of people cannot say. Who knows maybe one day I will move even farther than Florida, but Michigan will always have a spot in my heart.