Ornament Grinch

Posted on December 8, 2024 by msw blog

My mother-in-law loves quirky Christmas ornaments. Each year she gets my husband and I each at least one new ornament.

My problem is that I love uniform ornaments and decorations. I want everything to match. I have the perfect set for our Christmas tree. I know she gets us these out of love, but how can I kindly ask her to stop? Or would it be terrible if I had a separate, smaller Christmas tree just for these ornaments?– Ornament Grinch

This post hit close to home . I am a friend, auntie, and a sister who started a tradition decades ago of giving an annual Christmas ornament to the children in my life. This tradition is not only an affordable gift alternative, but also a beautiful, whimsical way to capture the year. Therfore, I love Eric suggestion on how to handle this :

Dear Ornament: You have come to the right place! I have such a long history of Grinch-esque ornament preferences that I’m banned from Whoville. (I still stand by the tree I decked out in cranberry and pewter.)

A “Mom’s Christmas Tree” is a good compromise and can even start a lovely new tradition. Asking her to stop is likely to result in bruised feelings, as is getting into a long conversation about arboreal aesthetics. Accept that these ornaments come from a heartfelt place and give them a heartfelt place in your house.

I’m curious what you’ve been doing with the ornaments thus far. If you’ve been begrudgingly adding them to your uniform tree, it might seem like a demotion to move them. A simple conversation might help smooth things over. But a tree where all of her gifts to you can be displayed is a lovingly festive gesture.

issue. How would you handle it?

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Joy

Posted on December 7, 2024 by msw blog

Joy is exactly what’s happening, minus our opinion of it. Well, that is how I have quoted it for years. The full quote is this: Until we know that joy is exactly what’s happening, minus our opinion of it, we’re going to have only a small amount of joy.

Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…

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Loveable Debt

Posted on December 7, 2024 by msw blog

Anyone who has ever been in a relationship knows that money can cause stress and dissonance in even the most loving partnerships. And one of the biggest financial concerns that can cause strife? Debt. 

While getting on the same page with your beloved may take some work, it will ultimately be better for your relationship, your peace of mind and your bottom line. Here’s what you and your partner can do to ease some of your debt anxiety. 

Understand the ramifications: If you learn that your partner has a significant amount of debt, it’s a good idea to talk about how that debt will affect their life … and yours. This makes the debt feel real rather than some far-off, intangible thing that can be dealt with down the line. 

Come up with a plan of action: It’s important to discuss both of your expectations around the debt. Do you both consider it their debt and their financial responsibility? Or does your partner expect you to help pay it off? Do you have a significantly higher salary and are willing to contribute

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On My Bookshelf

Posted on December 6, 2024 by msw blog

Don’t worry about your collection of unread books. The magic of reading lies in their patience to wait for just the right moment to reveal the hidden treasures within.  – Jamie E Davis

Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…

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Real Life Rants

Posted on December 6, 2024 by msw blog

RANT to the northern lights for only showing up at night when most of us are asleep. It would be much more convenient if they showed up in the middle of the day.

RANT to people who either ignore or can’t read my “No Solicitors” sign on my door. I had one person who even said he read my sign but my house looked like it needed work! I’m on a fixed income. My house does need work but I cannot afford it, especially here in Seattle. And those who work for a cause important to them, those causes may also be important to me but I do what I can when I can and do not want my home interrupted by solicitors who ignore my sign. Please don’t knock on my door!

RANT AND RAVE Rave to all the candidates and initiatives that promptly removed their campaign signs. Rant to those who have not. Let’s get on it!

RANT to postal delivery drivers who do not put the outgoing red lever back down after collecting the outgoing mail.

RANT to those who think it’s fine to leave stuff on the curb — everything from furniture, mattresses, kitchen stuff — here in Seattle this is illegal dumping! If your stuff is usable, there are many organizations such as The Salvation Army that will pick up donations to help people in need. If it is broken and unfit for reuse, take it to the transfer station or call a local junk-removal company to get rid of it. Your neighbors don’t appreciate junk left on the parking strip.

RANT to my neighbors with stunning decks overlooking Lake Washington who never use them. Every day I walk my dog past these beautiful homes and see zero people outside enjoying the view — morning or evening, even during summer. Meanwhile, I live in a basement apartment with no deck and no view. It’s frustrating to see such a wonderful opportunity for relaxation and appreciation go to waste. Please, step outside and enjoy the beauty you have right in front of you!

RANT to people who choose a window seat, then refuse to push up the shade for the entire cross-country ride. Why?

RANT to ignorant, self-centered people who refuse to recognize the therapeutic value of service animals.

RANT to the people driving by who gave me the finger as I held up a sign that said “Hope not Hate.” Do you not see the irony? 

RANT to farmers market shoppers who need to show more respect to hardworking farmers and other shoppers. Leave your Randomdoodle home from the crowded area where someone might trip and fall over Fido, or at least use a very small leash. And tall Fido’s nose doesn’t need to be sniffing the homemade tarts. Try not to dig and pick through the fruits and veggies at the bottom of the box too long looking for the perfect specimen while a long line waits to pay. And please, please don’t stand there picking off cherry stems and tossing them back into the bin. Our markets are urban gems. Let’s treat them accordingly.

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