Today I am joining back in with Rebecca Jo for her Thankful Thursday!!! Stop over and join in!!
I am first and foremost thankful for my family! We are tight knit and we support each other no matter what! My first cousin passed away last night so if you have any extra prayers for my Aunt and her family; it would be appreciated!
I am also so very thankful for the worlds best cat sitter! She is amazing with all four of my cats! They love her and her entire family! This I know because I got cameras in my home when I began traveling for work....both for security and to be able to check in on my furry kids. They all come running to the front door as soon as she walks in - she gets a better welcome than me! HA HA! Sometimes her husband comes over for the visit and they crawl all over him and also her daughter! They love her daughter Savanna also! It makes my heart happy that they enjoy visits from the whole family.
I am thankful I was raised in the era that I was. We had so much fun and learned a lot about life while we were growing up ...we did not always get everything we wanted all year round (picked a few things from the Penney's catalog for Santa to bring us at Christmas), we played tag and red rover, built forts and stepped on rusty nails, get hit with a belt if we did something wrong, either won or lost games and competitions (there were no participation trophies), walked up huge hills after the bus dropped us off at the bottom (not at our driveways), froze to death waiting for the school bus (schools today are cancelled if it is too cold), had chores to do (not for an allowance but because we had to do our part for the family). We did not grow up confused and entitled and expecting life to be peaches and cream. I was prepared by my parents for life - real life - and sometimes real life sucks but I will get through and make the best of no matter what is given to me or NOT given to me. Thank you Mom and Dad!!!
Here is an example that prompted me thinking about my childhood today...
We have a lot of drama back home and thanks to Facebook I am able to follow it all even though I am out of town this whole week! HA!
The town where I grew up posted this last night on Facebook and it spurred MANY MANY comments both positive and negative.
Seriously?!?!?! Postponing Halloween??? Can you do that??? That seems totally crazy to me! We trick or treated no matter what the weather was! I can remember it snowing on Halloween and wearing a winter coat under my costume because I wanted everyone to be able to see what I was supposed to be! And running from house to house in the pouring rain...I am so totally confused why parents today think their kids will melt!!
Then I checked the Facebook for the town I live in now and was a little happier with their decision....
They posted a poll and NOT MOVING Halloween won! Also, they are going each family one free poncho if you go down to the Municipal Building today. What a deal!!! So kids get ready to get wet tonight and make awesome Halloween memories! PS - You will not melt...and you just might be a little better prepared for whatever life throws at you. Like when you are traveling out of town for work and have no umbrella. You pull up to the work building and have to run across the entire parking lot in the pouring down rain - HA HA! Which happened to me today...FUN FUN!
What is your opinion about how children are being raised today? Do you think this generation is prepared for REAL LIFE? Is your Halloween on Halloween?? What are your thoughts on moving holidays for weather? Am I being cold-hearted?
Happy Halloween everyone!!! HUGS HUGS HUGS!
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ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween
DeleteHalloween is October 31. Period.
ReplyDeleteWell, I should 't say that...in 2012, in the aftermath of Sandy, affected communities celebrated when they could...but that was a rare occurrence. Leave the holiday aloe.
I agree completely and I also agree that there are extenuating circumstances that may require it to be moved but rain?!?! HA! Have a fantastic Halloween!
DeleteI am the neighborhood association Halloween Queen. My actual title is Queen åįž The First, Her Most Halloween Majesty.
ReplyDeleteThat is very funny. Instead of Serene Majesty, Halloween Majesty. Uh huh. Yeah.
With the snowstorm, I am keeping scheduled night time trick or treating. Beggars' Night promptly at 18:00. Until 20:00.
For the afterparty with the ultra supervised making s'mores over a real fire and outdoor movie for the children and the adult Chili Cook Off competition for the coveted Golden Ladle award...
... so sorry, cancelled for this year. Which undoubtedly endeared me to the troops. Night time Trick Or Treating became priority since I reintroduced it on becoming queen.
Trick or treating in the snow is not a big deal. Tromping snow into the people's houses hosting the afterparty and nowhere for the little ones to sit and watch the outdoor movie (it is the slushy kind of snow) is a big deal.
You do not like my decision? Explain to me again how the only single woman without children in the neighborhood got shanghaied into being queen.
And it is a school night.
We also celebrate the Fourth Of July on the Fourth Of July.
I know. Crazy.
LOL! This entire response cracked me up! Maybe I should run for Queen of my association??!??! They would never vote me in since I don't have kids but I would love to try after reading your post!! It is the only way to have the control to keep things the same! HA HA! Congrats on being Queen! HUGS
DeleteOur Halloween is today rain or shine. It happens to be raining.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear you are sticking to the plan where you live too. Hope those kids parents explain to them that they will not melt and head out anyway! HUGS and Happy Halloween!
DeleteIsn't it crazy? There are a few cities and towns around here that are postponing too because it's supposed to be rainy and windy - ummm... what?!?! We never postponed Halloween when I was a kid, and I went with everything from rain ponchos to snow suits!! I'm glad my town (and surrounding communities) are keeping trick-or-treating tonight. They'll all survive the rain, of that I am quite sure!!
ReplyDeleteLOL Jill! I am so happy to read that people agree with me...the whole topic is sooo confusing for me! CRA CRA!! Happy Halloween!
Deleteditto every single thing you said about your childhood, that is mine, every thing listed. I say leave holidays where they belong. about how kids are raised today.
ReplyDeleteI went to my TOPS meeting today, we meet in a church, rent a room from them. next door is a day care. they park in the same parking lot we park in. I went to my car to get something I forgot and a grandmother, a very young one, was getting a 3 and 5 year old boys out of their seats. In a few minutes the grand mother opened the door and said Joe wants to see what you are doing in here, and pushed him in the door, she comes in and starts showing him decorations and talking to him about what he is seeing. the 5 year old is struggling trying to oepne the door. she lets him in, they get in a fight, have fits because she says we have to get out of here we are interrupting these nice ladies. they did not want to leave and as she dragged them screaming from our meeting, I said to my friend Please ALWAYS give your kids everything they ask for.,.. its crazy
LOL! Crazy right??!?! I am seriously so happy to see that others agree with me. I was worried many wild think I was being harsh but I truly do not think these kids are prepared for REAL life!! Their brains are going to pop when they lose their first job or worse yet, don't get selected for the job after one interview...UGH! What a horrible interruption for you all! Crazy and rude! Oh well, it does not seem to be getting nay better!! Happy Halloween!!
DeleteToday is Halloween. Not tomorrow, or the next day or whenever the next good weather day is. Today!
ReplyDeleteLOL Wendy! I completely agree - so glad others do too!! I hope you have a fantastic Halloween TODAY!!
DeleteOur municipality postponed Halloween too. Kids are going to go trick or treating tomorrow night, rather than tonight. My son took off work tonight specifically so he could take his sons trick or treating. I am not too sad, though, because now I get to take them! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is sooo silly! I am so sorry that it affected your sons schedule negatively! But also very happy that you get to take them now! My sister is supposed to be sending me pictures tonight of hers - they will be collecting candy in the rain! HA!
DeleteOh, I hear you! After reading your post, I thought I'd better have a look at my town's website to make sure nothing was changed (it wasn't). Postponing Halloween? What's next? Christmas? New Year's Eve? My condolences on the passing of your cousin.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy! I am so happy to hear that others agree and I am not just a grumpy old woman! HA HA!!!! Thanks for your condolences...they are appreciated so much! HUGS! Have a great week!
DeleteI agree with you about kids today vs how we were raised. My hometown (small, very small, in central Ohio) always had "beggers' night" for kids to trick-or-tread on the Saturday before actual Halloween. It worked quite well for kids and parents!
ReplyDeleteSounds like my town Terri! Only mine is in PA! I would live to know who decided to even think about moving it....parents calling in?? Not sure but certainly crazy if you ask me! HA HA! Have a fantastic week!
DeleteIt's been raining all day today but trick or treat is still tonight.
ReplyDeleteI would hate to be a kid growing up now. Things were so much better back when we were kids.
Completely agree Ann! I honestly thing we are SO lucky!!! HUGS
DeleteWhat rubbish to postpone such a celebration. Halloween is divisive here as there are those like me who say it is not our custom to celebrate Halloween and the commercial and media pressure on young families. I guess it does no harm, but I don't like it. I pretty well agree with you about child raising, but remember so many parents now only have one or two children now, not half a dozen. The loss of one from six would be a tragedy. The loss of your only child would a catastrophic life changing horror.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point Andrew...I never thought of it that way...LOL! Maybe that is what has spurred the hold them tight and protect them at all cost!!! UGH....Have a fantastic day!
DeleteOur trick-or-treat was this past Saturday (it's always the Saturday before Halloween) and was rainy and miserable, but they didn't postpone anything. It was on with the show!
ReplyDeleteWe sure did grow up in an absolutely fabulous era, didn't we? I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I completely agree Stacy!! I am sure every generation says that but I have wonderful memories of nature and friendships and fun and learning; not every wins and video games and computers instead of human interaction....we are very lucky!!!! HIGS
DeleteIt's crazy to me how they want to change Halloween... that was the fun of it - weather being hot, cold, rain or snow - candy was the end game goal - regardless of anything else. Kids dont care. Its the parents... calm down parents ;) LOL - the era of everyone gets a ribbon. I just can't sometimes.
ReplyDeletePrayers for your family & especially your aunt. So hard to loose a family member especially in a tight knit family!
I am happy others feel the way I do Rebecca Jo - sometimes I think I am turning into a grumpy old woman! LOL! Thanks for the prayers - his family definitely needs them. HUGS!
DeleteYou have so much to be thankful for. As I sit here typing I am also handing out Halloween candy tonight. I can't imagine postponing it. I have a blog friend who lives in WI and they do their trick or treating on the weekend before. I love the tradition of Halloween night!
ReplyDeleteMe too Debby - me too!! I hope you had a happy and fun Halloween handing out candy!!!
DeleteFirst, I don't think you are cold-hearted. We grew up in a different era and I was nodded my head at each and everything you wrote. I do think the kids of today are too pampered. Awards were earned and this generation expects something for just showing up (with lateness, bad attitudes, and lack of work ethic). They did change Halloween here to tonight due to tornado threat and moved it Friday night from 6 to 8. Enjoy your weekend, Ann!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin - it is nice to see that others feel the same way! Enjoy your trick or treating night in "nice weather" HEE HEE! Hugs!
DeleteGreat post, it's always so uplifting to visit here! And I'm with you. Kids need some struggle to help prepare for bigger struggles as they get older. More importantly, overcoming challenges builds self esteem and character IMHO. I'm not a fan of participation prizes or eliminating friendly competition.
ReplyDeleteI remember freezing while waiting for the school bus, then froze again waiting for it with my kids when they were little. Good times!
So, sorry about your cousin. A tough time for your aunt for sure, and the rest of your family.
Thanks for the condolences Abby...it really is hard for the family. I am with you on the struggles-kids today never face them because they are FAR too protected and then they can not function in REAL LIFE!
DeleteBeing a special education teacher who works with mostly emotionally disturbed students and dealing with their parents it is interesting. So many of kids with these issues are raising their parents. Also, being the parent of two kiddos in there 20's, one thing I couldn't stand is that too many parents wanted to be friends with their kids instead of parents. My son is very resentful that I wasn't his friend when he was growing but my daughter says she is grateful for the lessons she learned growing up. I think we are in deep trouble unless the mindset changes.
ReplyDeleteAgree totally! The friends with you kid thing is the WHOLE issue!! You are there to teach them how to live in the world; NOT be their friend. Kids are not prepared for REAL LIFE anymore which explains them going off the deep end when they run into one little set back because they did not learn how to deal with adversity!! UGH
DeleteI was so happy our town just kept Halloween on Halloween; my husband and I are often shocked when school closes (because of the kids waiting for the bus and not because of heat issues in the school). My kids are often so shocked to see what other kids get under the Christmas tree as we keep our Christmas small and simple (compared to others but I still think we spend way more money than my parents ever did!).
ReplyDelete