Waiting Room

 On my many visits to the dentist and lengthy waiting room times I made a little observation.  It all has to do with the seating in these rooms.  I understand that the office tries to make the rooms cozy and homey, like you are just hanging out in your living room.  What they don't realize, in their hours spent decorating, is that the chairs are extremely very uncomfortable.

There was an episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' where Larry David brings up the uncomfortable chair to the therapist.  The doctor never tried sitting in the chair.  He was more concerned how the chair fit in with the decor.

On a couple of these (dentist office) visits, I was uncomfortably seated in this torture device chair for over an hour.  This is the office with the soap opera station, so, yea, pure torture.  I think the doctor and waiting room designer should be forced to sit in their waiting room for eight hours straight several hours a day and see how comfortable they find the furniture and surroundings.  I have a feeling that things would quickly change.

National Be Kind to Humankind Week

 This year I am celebrating the fun, interesting national weeks.  This week is National Be Kind to HumanKind Week (August 25-31).

This holiday was founded by Lorraine Jara.  Lorraine heard a sad story about two boaters that were involved in a boating accident and were clinging to life.  Other boaters did not want to be bothered to stop and help these two men.  One of the men died.  Lorraine decided to honor them by creating this week to get people to do kindnesses for others.  Each day is laid out on who to help that day.

Sunday

Help those that are homebound.  This could mean sick or elderly.  Pick up some groceries and maybe stay for a quick little visit.

Motorist Monday

Drive courteously.

Touch a heart Tuesday

Encourage others in their dreams

Willing to Lend a hand Wednesday

Offer a helping hand.  Maybe it's a neighbor or a friend or even a new mom.

Thoughtful Thursday

Hold the door open for someone.  Offer to let someone go ahead of you in line.

Forgive your foe Friday

Contact that person (family member) that you have had words and make amends.  It's time to extend that olive branch.

Speak Nice Words Saturday

Speak only nice words.  Teach your children to do the same so they grow up to be friendly, respectful adults.

You can use #BeKindToHumankind or #BK2HK on social media.

National Thrift Shop Day

 Hey, Mackelmore, can we go thrift shopping?

Get ready to shop some bargains because today is National Thrift Shop Day! 

A thrift store, also known as a resale shop, consignment store or charity shop, can be found in most towns.  Items are donated to the stores and the staff stocks the stores with these donations.  By shopping at a thrift store, you are able to save money and find some hidden treasures (like vintage and unusual clothing).  For some it's not just about saving money, it's about the thrill of finding unusual items.  

While thrifting helps the budget, it also helps the environment by preventing these items from ending up in a landfill. 

 I'm gonna pop some tags 

only got $20 in my pocket

I'm a hunting

looking for a come up

This is .....awesome!

How can you observe the day?

If you have items at home that are not being used, pack them up and bring them to a thrift store or donation center.   This is a great way to clean up your home and give your items a second chance by not going into a landfill.

Check out some thrift stores/ resale stores in your area.  Bring a friend along and make a day of it.

Oh, and of course, playing Thrift Shop by Mackelmore is a must today.

How will you participate today?

National Elvis Week

 This year I am posting about fun and interesting national week holidays throughout the year.  This week is National Elvis Week.

During this week, Elvis fans honor the King, his life and, of course, his music.

Elvis became one of the biggest Rock and Roll stars in the 1950's.  He was later given the title the King of Rock and Roll due to his music and performances. Elvis bought his mansion, Graceland in 1957.  Memphis named a portion of the street, Elvis Presley Boulevard in honor of the King.  People still love Elvis.  Over 600,000 people tour Graceland every year.

Elvis week in Memphis includes a fan reunion, 5k, auctions, concerts, a candlelight vigil, memorial services and tours and so much more.

How to participate?

Make that pilgrimage to Graceland.

Host a "Rock a Hula" party with Elvis music

Use #ElvisWeek for your social media posts.

National Hobo Week

 This year I am posting about some of the interesting national weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Hobo Week.

National Hobo Week is celebrated along with the Hobo Convention held in Britt, Iowa.  The hobos set up their camps (also known as a hobo jungle) and peddle their wares or entertain throughout the week.  The hobo convention is the largest gathering of hobos, rail riders and tramps to celebrate the traveling worker.

Yea.  Workers.  Growing up, I always thought Hobos didn't work and rode the trains from town to town to get food or money.  Such is not the case.  They are traveling workers, unlike tramps and bums who do not work.

Oh, and hobos are still around.  I thought they were a thing of the past, you know, from the 1920's.

In case you plan on attending the hobo convention, you should brush up on your hobo lingo.

Big Rock Candy Mountain - hobo heaven 

Big House - Jail

Hobo Hieroglyphics - set of symbols to communicate with one another, availability of food or danger

Jungle - Hobo campsite

reefer - refrigerated boxcar

westbound - a train that a hobo hopes to die on

How to celebrate?  

Attend the National Hobo Convention

Do a little research on some famous hobos.

National Bargain Hunting Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Bargain Hunting Week.

It's a good thing that we decluttered and simplified our lives last week.  This week we are on the hunt for some good bargains!

Everyone enjoys a good bargain.  Be it an item off the clearance rack, at a flea market, the shelves of a thrift store or from a good old fashioned garage sale.  Some find more excitement in the thrill of the hunt.

Now, before you head out on your next bargain hunt adventure, make a list of items that you are looking for, including size and color.  Also, do a little homework and find out what those items are going for on platforms like, eBay, Craigslist and Marketplace.   Remember to check local thrift stores regularly (inventory can change daily). When frequenting yard sales, remember to ask for the best price.  Some people are willing to bargain with you just so they can get rid of the item.

Oh, yea, just because it's National Bargain Hunting week doesn't mean you can clutter up your home with a bunch of stuff.  Remember to only buy things that you need and will use.

You can use #BargainHuntingWeek on social media to share your finds. 

National Underwear Day

 Today is National Underwear Day!  A day that is used to honor the most intimate piece of apparel that many of us wear.  Originally celebrated to focus on emphasizing positive body image to women, men willingly joined in on the movement.

Underwear was originally meant to protect clothing from sweat stains.  Included on this celebration are corsets, bustiers, boxers, sports bras and briefs.  If you wear it under your clothes, then it is a garment to be proud of!

How to celebrate today:

Clean out your underwear drawer.  Throw out anything you wouldn't want to be seen if you were in a car accident (Mom advice).

Purchase some new underwear.  I think underwear is the last thing people think about when they update their wardrobe.  When was the last time you bought yourself some new undies?

Have a movie night!  Put on, "Risky Business" and watch Tom Cruise dance in his underwear.  

Read about the history of underwear in, "Unmentionables: A Brief History of Underwear," by, Elaine Benson.

If you are feeling bold and have the courage to wear them out publicly, you can have a friend take (tasteful) pictures of you.

And, of course, you can always just parade around (inside) your home in your underwear.

How will you celebrate today?

National Simplify Your Life Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Simplify Your Life Week.  

This week is set aside for us to, well, do just that...  Simplify our life.  A week to declutter/dejunk our lives, eliminate all the clutter, static and anything that causes us stress or anxiety.  The focus is not only external clutter, but internal clutter.  It's time to take a close look at our lives and remove the things that keep us from enjoying life.

There are many ways we can simplify our lives.

Schedule:  Keep a calendar/planner with all of your (kids & hubby's) activities and appointments.  

Meal Plan:  Making a menu plan for the week helps with grocery shopping and knowing what you are making for lunch/dinner.  Eliminates the need to make extra trips to the grocery store.

Declutter:  It helps when you get rid of excess stuff hanging around the house.  Only have what makes you truly happy.  Clearing out your living space is great for clearing your mind.

Eliminate people in your life that cause you stress.  This can be difficult, but by eliminating toxic people, you can add years onto your life.

Take a break from social media.  Check your phone once or twice per day (especially on those days you are not working, or you are with the important people in your life).  This helps you stay focused and present with what is most important in your life.

This is a great time to think about what you allow into your life.

You can participate on social media using #SimplifyYourLife

How will you participate this week?

International Clown Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week it's International Clown Week.

This week is set aside to celebrate these performers and their contribution to entertainment.  Members of the group Clowns of America International celebrate the week by hosting events and activities.  

The word clown comes from the Icelandic word, "klunni," meaning, clumsy person.   Other words connected to clown are: clod, klutz, clumsy and clump.  The word is still used today to describe someone that trips over their own feet.

Some interesting facts about International Clown Week:

The holiday was created by Weary Willie, also known as Emmet Kelly, Sr.*

During the week, clowns across the world perform acts of kindness to spread happiness and laughter

Clowns use this week to raise money for charities

Clowns International, founded by Joey Grimaldi is the worlds oldest clown society was founded in 1947.  Grimaldi was the first clown to use white face paint, instead of a mask.

Most clowns are named Joey (after Joey Grimaldi)

Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns

*Kelly was a famous clown who performed with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for over 20 years.

How to celebrate this week?

Attend a street performance.

You can put on your own show by putting on a costume and juggling or performing magic tricks.

Host a party and dress up as famous clowns (Emmett Kelly, Krusty the Clown, Bozo) 

Use #InternationalClownWeek on social media to show off your talent.