What Kids Know

I spent Christmas with my niece and nephew who are both under the age of 10.  And you know what I discovered?  Kids ask a heck of a lot of questions….

 

Why does Santa Claus come down the chimney instead of using the front door like everyone else?Why is the sky blue? Why do dogs bark? 

 

In my hectic, overscheduled life I don’t have time to ponder these things. I guess I’ve lost my sense of wonder.

 

I don’t know why Santa uses the chimney.  I’m just glad he made it again this year – and that he wrapped his own damn gifts!

 

I don’t know why the sky is blue, but I sure woke up happy this morning to have made it to another day. 

 

And I don’t know why dogs bark – but if my neighbor’s dog doesn’t put a sock in it, he may not make it to his next doggie treat!

 

Do all adults lose their sense of wonder?  They must not.  Because if they did who would be curious enough to explore the universe?  Who would be able to tell us that Pluto is in fact not a planet?   Who would figure out the cure for cancer…or male patterned baldness? 

 

I guess we could all stand to be a little more child-like. 

 

Little kids are open and honest with their feelings. They’re not afraid to cry when they’re sad, or laugh when something is funny. 

 

They sleep when they’re tired…eat when they’re hungry… and seem to have boundless energy.  (Maybe there’s a lesson for us grown ups in there.)

 

Little kids make friends so much more easily.  They just go up to one another and say “hi.”  That’s it.  Simple.  Do you know how much I worry over making small talk at an office Christmas party? 

 

As 2008 comes to an end and I think about making resolutions, being more childlike is tops on my list.  And hey, who isn’t up for naptime and being wheeled around in one of those strollers?

Valentine’s Day and the Single Girl

     Single?  On Valentine’s Day?  There was a time when I couldn’t imagine a worse fate.  No more!  This year there won’t be any crying and gnashing of teeth.  Instead, I’m going out.  Kickin’ up my heels.  Painting the town red. 

     Valentine’s Day is on a Thursday this year.  For lovers, that means a full 96 hours of romantic bliss.  (At least that’s how I imagine it.)  For us singles that means 4 days of faking-happy when yet another she-wolf is anointed with a dozen long-stem red roses, suffering overly-crowded restaurants and movie theatres, and too many sappy love songs on the radio. 

     On Valentine’s Day proper I’m going to avoid the more posh dining spots.  But that doesn’t mean I want to hide out in my apartment either.  This is a time to be out and about.  Capone’s Pizzeria and Prohibition Pub on Rte 139 in Pembroke has Trivia every Thursday night from 8-10pm.  Perfect for the single gal.  This is something you can do alone… who knows, you may even meet someone else who was brave enough to venture out solo for the evening. 

     Friday I’m taking some time to ensure that I’m not in the same predicament again next year.  A quick Google search and I find that there are 8 Minute Dating events coming up in Stoughton and Bridgewater.  It’s Just Lunch can be found in Boston.  And there’s a local The Right One in Norwell (800-818-DATE). 

     Now I’m not one to drown my troubles in alcohol, but I’m headed to another bar Friday night.  British Beer Works (in Cedarville and Pembroke) are happy, busy places with lots of people.  And while there are bound to be couples here (there are couples everywhere on Valentine’s weekend) the place doesn’t scream “romantic.”  It’s a relatively singles-safe zone on what is bound to be the second busiest night of this 4-day weekend. 

     Just because I don’t have a date for this weekend doesn’t mean I shouldn’t look my best.  Actually, I’d argue that it’s even more critical to keep in top form when you’re on the prowl – I mean, happily single.   Saturday is my day of beauty.  Top to bottom.  Since I’m committed to this new positive outlook I’m going to shave my legs and everything.  

     I’ll head to Star Nails in Pembroke for a pink & white and a pedicure.  Sure there are fancier places, but Star Nails does a great job and they take walk-ins.  A full body massage, plus 20-winks later that afternoon, and I’m off to the races. 

     I find getting ready to music always puts me in the right frame of mind before going out.  I’ll start with “True Love” by Pat Benatar.  (Yes, that Pat Benatar.  True Love is a bluesy album – and nothing like the Pat Benatar you remember.)  I’ll follow that up with Lyle Lovett’s “Live in Texas” CD.  (I know.  He certainly doesn’t’ look like the kind of guy I would want to spend Valentine’s weekend with either.  But he’s got a terrific sense of humor and songs like “That’s Right (You’re Not from Texas)” and “She’s No Lady” always make me smile.  Plus, how can you get ready to go out without listening to “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues” and “M-O-N-E-Y”?  

     As I’m completing the final touches, I’ll pop in “Love Me with a Feeling” from The Rose soundtrack.  (Go ahead, laugh.  But have you listened to that song in the last 20 years?  There’s nothing better to get a little head of steam behind you.  Trust me.) 

     Where am I headed?  Nowhere.  There’s a Plus One Party at my house.  This is a great way to expand your circle of friends – romantic or otherwise.  Everyone…and I mean everyone must bring a single of the opposite sex.  A single girl must bring a single guy, and vice versa.  A married couple must bring along another man and woman (preferably each single and not already in love with each other.)  I’m serving nothing but desserts and champagne – just the sweetest things in life. 

     Sunday.  I’ve almost made it through my second Valentine’s Day weekend as a “newly” single gal.  It’s been a good three days.  I went out, had some fun, got beautiful, and met some new people.  I deserve a rest after all that fun – it’s exhausting. 

     Sunday is Pajama Day.  I’ve rented some romantic comedies (nothing to illicit tears), there’s a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the fridge, and I’m eating homemade mac and cheese for lunch (maybe dinner too). 

     I prefer the oldies but goodies when it comes to movies, like “Pillow Talk” with Doris Day and Rock Hudson and “If a Man Answers” with Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee.  But there are many more recent movies that give me a lift and restore my hope that someday too I’ll find romance.  “The Perfect Man” with Chris Noth and Heather Locklear for one.  “The Truth About Cats and Dogs” with Uma Thurman.  Or even “Hitch” with Will Smith. 

     Sunday night.   It’s a bubble bath with lavender suds and a trashy romance novel.  Come Monday I’m sure I’ll hear tales of how my coupled friends spent their weekend. There’ll be accounts from disappointed women whose expectations were too high.  From men who’ll complain about how their wives didn’t think that take-out Chinese was romantic enough.  Me?  I’ll be satisfied knowing that I took Valentine’s Day into my own hands this year. 

     Single?  On Valentine’s Day?  Things could be much worse!

Dear Cupid

Valentine’s Day is to me what Christmas is to my 6 year old nephew:  A day of infinite possibilities.  Each year he climbs up on Santa’s lap at the local mall — wish list in hand — and whispers his most secret desires.  He goes to bed on Christmas Eve and truly believes he’ll get exactly what he asked for.  Then comes Christmas morning.  He bounds down the stairs full of excitement and rushes to the living room where he’s overwhelmed by all those gifts wrapped in brightly colored paper under the tree.  He rips them open so quickly and with such glee!  The joy he feels is just pouring out of him.  I swear you can see it.

I feel the same way about Valentine’s Day and Cupid.  Every year on New Year’s Eve I whisper a prayer to that chubby little cherub and tell him all the things on my wish list:  “Dear Cupid, please make him tall…and funny…and a good listener…and…and…”

I know I said last year that it would be really great if he could own at least one suite, and a pair of dress shoes, and have a 401K plan.  But I’m starting to think that’s the equivalent of a child asking Santa for a pony — or even more likely a unicorn.  So please, Cupid, just make him nice…and sweet…and someone who likes my family…and someone who thinks I’m funny rather than crazy.  Is that really so much to ask for?

Maybe Cupid hasn’t come through these past few years because I’ve lost faith.  Now, my nephew — that kid believes down deep in his heart.  When he makes his way onto Santa’s lap he knows the big guy is going to come through.  He’s sure of it.

I certainly don’t need what’s on my wish list any less than my nephew.  He truly believes he will die if he doesn’t get a new bike…or an I-Dog…or any one of a million things.  Well, I don’t think I’ll actually DIE!  Not anymore anyway.

I’ve been on my own for more than two years now and I’m doing pretty well.  But it certainly would be nice to have a man around.  Someone to do things around the house…to help with the chores.  Someone to spend time with…to stay up late nights talking to.  Someone to go shopping with…and on day trips this summer.

Maybe I ought to just ask for the unicorn!

Eliminate Your Social Debts

I spent a lot of weekends this past year enjoying the company of friends.  At summer bar-b-ques…dinner parties…poker nights, etc.  But if you’re like me, you find that the year is quickly coming to a close and you still haven’t reciprocated.  Don’t despair!  Here’s some easy and fun ways to eliminate your social debts and fulfill your obligations before the year runs out!

Traditional Holiday Cookie Swap:  How many kids’ birthday parties, christenings, and communions did you actually go to this year?  A cookie swap is a great family-friendly party for a weekend afternoon.  Everyone you invite bakes a dozen more cookies than there are guests.  For example:  if there are 6 invitees, each invitee bakes 7 dozen cookies.  Ask your guests to dress up in their Sunday best (pearls and all).  Serve fancy finger sandwiches and coffee.  A little holiday music on the CD player and you’re good to go.  Each guest enjoys a tummy full of sweets and goes home with dozens of cookies to enjoy later or put out on their holiday buffet.

Holiday Gift Wrapping Party:  Invite your favorite multi-taskers.  Similar to the Cookie Swap, everyone brings lots of wrapping paper and trimmings to share — and of course all their unwrapped gifts!  Set up tables with scissors, scotch tape, tissue paper, markers, etc.  Order in pizza or Chinese food.  Wrap your holiday gifts while gossiping with your best gal pals. This party is so easy you can pull it off any night after work and you don’t even have to cook!  Parents with kids will appreciate a safe haven to wrap gifts free from little one’s wandering eyes.

Tree Trimming Party:  Consider hosting a tree trimming party if you’re a new homeowner.  There’s nothing sadder than a naked Christmas tree and many new homeowners barely have all their rooms decorated never mind their tree!  Invite your closest friends and family — you probably haven’t had time to host a proper housewarming anyway — ask each guest to bring an ornament for your first tree.  Strategically placed Christmas decorations will fill any holes where you haven’t yet bought furniture.  You’ll have to do all the cooking yourself and shell out money for beer and wine, but it could pay off in the end.  With enough carefully placed remarks about everything you still need for your new home, you may make out like a bandit at Christmas!  Who says it’s all about the joy of giving?  Receiving ain’t so bad!

Lights Out Party:  Have you been putting off hosting your own little event because you’re afraid you’re not the world’s best entertainer?  Go out for a good time instead!  Have everyone meet at your place in their warmest outdoor gear then head to Edaville Railroad in Carver, Massachusetts for the Festival of Lights.  Climb aboard the heated train and delight in a 2-mile trip of more than 7 million twinkling holiday lights.  Ride the antique carousel.  Visit Santa’s workshop.  Then hurry back to your comfy pad for an easy dinner of hearty stew and hot chocolate.

Trash to Treasure Party:  They say “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  Well find out for yourself at this party perfect for all those friends who ever stuck you with a re-gift.  I usually have this soiree the Saturday after New Year’s — once the gift giving and returning has died down.  Take that one gift that you just don’t know what to do with:  the garden gnome, the Porky Pig pie plate, the Thomas Kincaid lighthouse collectible and bring it to this twist on the ‘ole Yankee Swap.  Each guest brings the worst Christmas gift they got re-wrapped and ready for re-gifting.  Draw numbers out of a hat indicating the order in which you get to pick your “treasure.”  You can swap with anyone who has a lower number than you do — the person to pick #1 has their choice of the lot.  TIP:  the worst the gift you bring, the better.  You wouldn’t believe the stuff that people get for Christmas!

With easy and fun party ideas like these there’s no reason for you to enter 2008 in social debt.  Enjoy!