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Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Ms. Bear Blogs: A Sweet Twist on Our Holiday Tradition

Holiday TraditionEditor’s Note: Guess who’s back on the blog, friends?!?!? MRS. BEAR!!! After sharing the joys of her European Adventure over the summer, I’ve been waiting and looking for the next opportunity to have her return for another classic Story Time! She doesn’t disappoint with today’s post, either, with her tale of our sweet twist on our holiday tradition this year. And, yes, before you ask: I can personally vouch for the deliciousness of all the yummy desserts she cooked! How on earth does she make it all look so easy?? She never fails to keep me in awe of her magic… xoxo


Did you ever notice how often you do the same thing over and over, even when it no longer suits you? I’ve noticed this about myself for a long time, but recently, I started noticing this about other people too. And, I’ve started questioning myself as to why it is so hard to change. Well, no answers yet, haha, but I have been thinking a lot about this lately and decided to try to practice what I have been preaching to myself (and actually, to Melissa as well, because she is practically incapable of shaking things up!) Case in point with Melissa…she’s only had one hairstyle in her entire life! But, I digress….

2017 was not our finest year. I think I can honestly say it is the worst year we ever had, except for 2003, when Brian died. Without getting too deep into my trauma with the year, let’s just say it involved some family problems and heartbreak and some of what seemed like endless health problems for me. Of course, it was also one of my finest years, with the trip to Paris and all! But, I digress again!

So, after a really bad Thanksgiving (and I do mean really bad!!), we just decided we had to shake things up a bit at Christmas. Our refrain was, “There will NOT be another day like Thanksgiving in our house on December 25th!” But, being kind of boring and set in our ways, we couldn’t quite decide how to make this happen. We talked about it endlessly and finally came up with a plan that we could all (mostly, because the things we decided to do were two things Janelle hates), but we forged ahead anyway. Christmas morning brought us around the kitchen table and our little tree (another change we made last year) opening all our gifts. Then we headed out to IHOP to, gasp, have Christmas dinner out! Now that was really shaking it up, because never in my almost 62 years had I ever had anything but a home-cooked turkey or ham dinner on Christmas! And, man, what a good Christmas dinner it was…Janelle and I had breakfast; it may have been the first time in 20 years that I had French Toast and I didn’t even feel guilty about the calories!). Melissa had her usual burger and fries because she said she had a stomachache, and only Melissa feels that a burger and fries are her cure-all for nausea!

After lunch, we were going to go off to the movies — after watching a lot of trailers because we couldn’t decide what to see — but the restaurant was so crowded that we missed the show times. We did go drive by the show just to see if it was crowded, and boy was it!

Holiday TraditionAnother thing we shook up this year was some brand new cookie recipes. If you read So About What I Said regularly, you know that I am well known for my mother’s almond cookies and for my chocolate chip ones. Well, this year we didn’t have a single one of those! We made 7 layer bars, sugar cookies (unfrosted!), gingerbread and peanut butter cookies with kisses in the middle. And you know what??

IT WAS GREAT!!!!!

So, if I had to sum up Christmas 2017, I would say that I learned a lesson, which I hope I will hold onto. I learned that things can change and that doesn’t in any way diminish what was, or what will be. It just was what it was and a very nice holiday was had by all. Not a tear was shed this Christmas, which I think may be the first time in almost 15 years that that happened!

I hope all of Melissa’s readers have a spectacular 2018, and if you don’t, just don’t worry, because you can always make some changes and move on! Happy New Year to all!

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3 Comments Filed Under: family, holidays 2017, Ms. Bear Guest Post

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Happy Holidays and Looking Back 2017

Looking Back 20172017…oh, what a year!! This year is sure one for the record books — from the personal to the political and everything in between! I’m pretty sure you’d agree with me too! There were ups and downs. Highs and lows. Happiness and heartbreak. Wonderful people came into my life while other people made an unexpected exit. Yes, 2017 wasn’t a year for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. But now that the year is almost over, I thought now would be the perfect time for a little happy holidays and looking back 2017 fun! You know I’m always up for some quality reflection, so without further ado, here’s a look back at the past year on So About What I Said…

Looking Back 2017I got deep in more Letters To My Future Husband, on second-guessing love and the man I don’t want Mr. Melissa Blake to be.

Looking Back 2017We chatted with some Love Lounge, on the games people play and any man of mine.

Looking Back 2017I got real and dropped some much-needed truth bombs in MEMO TO MEN, about such topics as how men are like the stock market, mystery vs. history and how it’s time to stop all that mansplaining.

Looking Back 2017Disability posts, including my shiny new wheelchair, a side of me you’ve never seen before, the saga of the shower chair and stigmas of mental illness.

Looking Back 2017Fashion features, like Style Guides, pretty opal rings, the allure of palm leaf purses and ’70s vintage tees.

Looking Back 2017Some beauty chat, including the blorange hair trend, summertime Chapstick collection and Christmas tree eyebrows.

Looking Back 2017Family fun posts, including Harry at the apple orchard, staycations, my birthday with the dinosaurs, Ms. Bear’s European adventure and County Fair shenanigans!

Looking Back 2017Pop culture musings, like an Ode to the Vampire Diaries, why the world still needs Buffy Summers, favorite emojis, as well as lots of TV and music talk.

Looking Back 2017***But the things I’m MOST PROUD of…?? My freelance writing career in 2017. It grew by leaps and bounds in the last 12 months, and I scored bylines in The New York Times, Glamour, Good Housekeeping (print!!), Racked, Ravishly, SheKnows, CNN and Country Living! And, I was featured in the amazing Pantsuit Nation book!! #ImStillWithHer

So, that’s where I am as we say goodbye to 2017 and get ready to usher in 2018. I’m not sure what the new year will bring, but I’m pretty confident that life can only go up from here. I am so thankful for you, dear readers, and this journey you’re on with me! The community that this blog has created has given me strength, lifted me up in my darkest hours and just generally brought a smile to my face each and every day. Thank you for being here and being so awesome!

Looking Back 2017Here’s hoping you’re all in the festive spirit and surrounded by the people you love most! We’ll be back to regular posting on January 3rd, so look for more of your favorites in 2018 — and, of course, never hesitate to let me know what you’d like to see by emailing me at mellow1422@aol.com!!! It’s going to be a fantastic year ahead, friends!!

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there!! I love you, friends!! xoxo

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4 Comments Filed Under: Blogging Club, holidays 2017, work

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Holiday Gift Guide #6: Best 10 Under $10 That Won’t Make You Look Cheap

Best 10The final Holiday Gift Guide this year comes courtesy of Samantha, one of my oldest and dearest friends!! When I asked what sorts of gifts people would like to see on the blog, she immediately suggested a category of inexpensive yet not cheap-looking ideas — and thus, this best 10 under $10 round-up was born, where cheap is most definitely NOT synonymous with quality. Just take this Let’s Do This notepad from Rifle Paper Co., $8…

Best 10A Very Merry mug to enjoy the holiday spirit all year long, $6.48

Best 10This canvas cosmetics bag for trinkets and treasures, $6

Best 10Cat nap sleeping mask for afternoon snooze sessions, $6.99

Best 10These woodland creatures pencils to add some smiles to work, $6.55

Best 10A fun ring set that is sparkly and brings the bling, $7

Best 10Two healing crystals to promote well-being and positive energy, $7.57

Best 10These pretty coasters to go with a favorite drink, $8

Best 10Some inspirational plates for a relaxing get-together, $8

Best 10…or, a beautiful decorative dish to brighten up the bedside table, $8

Happy shopping, friends!!! xoxo

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2 Comments Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2017, holidays 2017, holidays on a budget

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Holiday Gift Guide #5: For the ’90s Nostalgic Who’s Still Too Legit to Quit

'90s NostalgicAs the classic saying goes: Everything old is new again! So this year, why not treat the ’90s nostalgic to one terrific #throwback treat?? Because everyone’s favorite decade (beanie babies, anyone?) will never really go out of style! First up: A Time Machine to the ’90s nostalgia kit full of all sorts of surprise goodies, $19

'90s NostalgicSome classic scrunchies to slay the fashion front, $14

'90s NostalgicGoosebumps 25th anniversary box set to relive all those scary memories, $19.02

'90s NostalgicA Buffy candle with the best quote from the series, $16

'90s NostalgicColorful stick-on gems like you used to sport in middle school, $8.83

'90s NostalgicThis fun troll bank to save loose change, $11.69

'90s NostalgicA Lip Smacker set for smooth lips, $8.33

'90s NostalgicMrs. Pacey Witter pencils because EVERYONE wanted to date this bad boy, $4

'90s NostalgicThis Friends t-shirt in honor of the classic character, $22.95

'90s NostalgicAs If print because it’s STILL the perfect life mantra, $13.88

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Decade Love, Holiday Gift Guide 2017, holidays 2017

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Holiday Gift Guide #4: For the Feminist (aka Purveyor of the Matriarchy) Who’s on a Mission

FeministMore than ever before, we all needed a feminist in our lives this year — someone to help us fight the good fight and shatter that glass ceiling FOREVER! Consider these gift ideas the perfect way to say “thank you” to the Purveyor of the Matriarchy in your life! My favorite pick? The Woman Cards, a line of playing cards featuring 15 hand-drawn portraits of American women who changed the world, $19.99…

Feminist FeministA collection of inspiring buttons to show the world, $2

FeministThis limited-edition mug and print because women have to stick together, $36

FeministA Not Today, Patriarchy tote because, really, not today and NOT EVER, $22.50

Feminist FeministAn office desk nameplate ($30.95) and Like A Boss pen set ($14.99) just so there’s never any confusion!

FeministA coloring book to help relax and de-stress, $7.18

FeministIntersectional Rosie t-shirt because the resistance includes everyone, $29.95

FeministThe perfect key chain so she’ll never lose her keys again, $12

FeministAnd, finally, a subtle gold necklace to always remind her of her immense power and strength, $58

P.S. The Holiday Gift Guide 2017 so far…

 

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2017, holidays 2017, inspiring women

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So About What I Said is a daily blog that covers relationships, disabilities, lifestyle and pop culture. I love to laugh and have been known to overshare. I also have an unabashed obsession with pop music, polo shirts, and PEZ dispensers. Read more...

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