What the World Needs Now

Is to step back and let me help someone.

Have y'all ever had the opportunity to step up and help someone out? You know like paying for their groceries when they realize they're short or helping them up if they fall or helping someone short reach something on a top shelf...that sort of thing. Simple, everyday things that can make the difference in someone's day.

Do y'all know that I have never had the opportunity to do any of it except help an elderly lady find her brand of coffee once in Trader Joe's? Oh, I've seen these people. But there always seems to be someone in front of me or closer in proximity to the person and they don't hesitate to step up and help out. It's downright annoying.

I know I should be grateful that there are people who are more than willing and able to help a fellow human out and I am but I'd like to have the chance too. I mean, come on!

I can so relate to the characters in the Kohl's commercials:

Did y'all see the squirrel at the end? He folds his arms in obvious frustration that he did not get to help make that dad's Christmas better. That's me. I'm the squirrel. Because someone like that nice lady is always one step ahead of me.

Oh, well. That commercial reminded me of the next one. The one that's brought a swell to my heart and a happy tear to my eye. Oh, and makes me want to be Mrs. Claus:

I hope everyone caught the humor in this post. I promise, it's not an actual complaint. :)

Have a great weekend, y'all! 

Oh, and if you need a hostess gift for those holiday parties, check out my Etsy shop and then you'd be helping me out. :)  I don't have a cute commercial but the coasters are pretty nice. AND I have some with a vintage look that are new this week! 

Here's the link to my Etsy shop: CoasterDoodles

You can enjoy FREE SHIPPING in the US until December 16th!

Here's a sample of some of the vintage Christmas coasters! 

Best Laid Plans

Excitement was mounting for the FIRST ANNUAL EMPTY NEST/CHRISTMAS OYSTER ROAST.  Food preparation commenced on time.  All needed items were purchased at the grocery store.  The order for three bushels of oysters was put in.  All was moving forward smoothly.  Which should have been a huge indicator that something was about to throw a wrench in the plan.  And it did.  Friday morning.  It was around 3:30ish a.m. that I awoke, with full awareness, that I was sick.  Are you kidding me?!  And this thing would not let up until late Friday night.  So, I sent out a mass email that we would have to postpone the BIG FUN until New Year's Eve.  Everyone was very understanding, some said it would work out better for them to have it on New Year's Eve anyway.  To top it all off, the weather was not cooperating either-it poured down rain nearly the entire day. 

That was all well and good.  Except the kids were disappointed.  So, because I did feel better, and the rain was letting up as evening approached, and we just didn't want to disappoint the kids, we let the college lovelies have a few of their closest buds over for some Christmas goodies, oysters, movies (and let me tell you that watching Love Actually or Christmas Vacation is not complete until you watch it with commentary from college students) and games.  And, it was a great time!  Except that we always forget one thing about entertaining the younger crowd.  They last way longer than we do!  However, we have learned that exhaustion is bearable when brought on by spending time with youth.

Ah, college kids.  Remember those days?

The lovely on the left has been Birdie's BFF since they were 3 years old!

Put the food aside, let the games begin!

Birdie's really good friend E, DoodleBug, Birdie's BFF M

I don't know...this looks like trouble.

I just love these kids!

DoodleBug's current BoyToy being silly.

DoodleBug and friend A smiling for the camera.

Boys + oyster knives = uh oh! LOL

Steaming another batch.

The games moved outside.

Shoveling out some steamed oysters.

More games.

A shovel full of steam oysters (you won't see me eating any of these things because, to me, they look like something one coughs up, not like something good to eat.

Friend S shows a nasty oyster.

Down the hatch!

Still eating!

And then they ate more!

 
AND A GRAND TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!