I know I’m not the only women who does this. In a way we are taught to do it. That is kind of sad. It really is rare to have someone say something nice to you these days. Whether it be for a job well done, a delicious meal prepared or an observation about your appearance, generosity or character. I’m not talking about insincere flattery or back-handed compliments. We get more than our fair share of those from the snarky people in our lives. I’m talking about honest admiration of a quality or attribute we posses.

I’ve been trying to work on this. I have to mentally remind myself not to brush the compliment off in my moment of unease with a smart-ass remark. And we all know, I love to be a smart-ass, so this is no easy task. It is incredibly difficult to just say thank you. Ironically, it also feels really good to accept the compliment and take it in to embrace it.

We don’t get nearly as many of these moments as we should. If you are like me, I challenge you to practice receiving compliments with grace, then internalize and appreciate them. And because they are so rare, I will also make sure to give out a lot of genuine compliments, so that I am not the only one that gets to feel great about myself. You should do the same.

My (much older) sister tells me I was this way as a teenager. Of course, I totally don’t believe her, because, you know, she probably says shit like that because she is jealous that I am so much younger and prettier than she is. Pffft! Sibling rivalry! And because I am now much more tidy and organized than she is. She needs to get over it and just let me torch help her get all her stuff organized.

So, what do I have to do to get my kids to stop being so messy? They must have defective genes (read: my sisters genes) or something. I really can’t believe we are even related, let alone that they came out of my own uterus.

PS – You know I love ya sissah! xoxoxo

Eliana (my great-niece) who is 1 1/2 can now say Aunt Bunnie! And it is so freaking cute. I love her!

Jealousy…

Watching Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations and he is Laos. I would love to go to Laos. I would love to go to Laos with Anthony Bourdain. The last untouched place in Asia. Lucky bastard!

What makes them so damn happy?:
Less space, less stuff, more life
Not compelled to get married, more important to just be with the right person
No big, over the top weddings
No homeless
Smallest gap between richest and poorest
Happiest and also least religious country
Deep belief in humanity
Success is not measured by your financial wealth, but by creativity, intellect and how happy you are
Work in an area that interests you, not what will make you the most money
Kids/family most important
Work ends at 4pm for most
Families eat together every day
Focus on living, not consumerism
Kidnapping, molesting and rape are nearly unheard of
Government provides free healthcare and education for everyone
Unemployed are paid 90% of their previous wave for up to four years

Saturday:
Halloween.
White Chili, a la my sis, Joan E.
Burnt toast, also a la Joan E.
Re-done and perfect toast, a la Tal.
My niece and nephews (Cookie, Brett & his wife, Amber & Mori) and my great nieces (Eliana & Kayla).
My girls and several other friends.

Cookie, Bunnie, Tal, Joan E. and Amber

Best part…Ellie walking “through” the screen door.
Second best part…her costume.

A freaking UNICORN!!!
It was all I could do not to squeeze her as hard as I could to get all that magical unicorn juice out of her!

Sunday:
Cleaning house.
Laundry.
Homework.

Jealous, huh?

This.
This is what I get out of it.
This conversation occurred on Twitter last night between two of my friends, @kittygutz and @batzukes, about me.
(I met them both on Twitter and have become friends with them in real life, as well. And yes, I also know their real names, too.)

I could not receive any higher compliment.
I am humbled.
And grateful for my friends.
Not just @kittygutz and @batzukes (who, by the way, are both incredible people).
Not just the rest of my amazing Twitter friends.
But, all of my friends.
I’m lucky to have so many great people in my life.

So, if I haven’t told you lately…Thank You.