Struggling

Here I am, 7 weeks from the most horrific night of my life and as much as I want to write about Black Friday deals or Thanksgiving recipes, I can't bring myself to.  That is what happens when your brain experiences trauma.  You shut down.  Things that once seemed important now become trivial, vapid and shallow...

I don't want to live my life that way, which is why I am struggling. 

I am struggling to find a balance between what was and what now is.  The term "new normal" doesn't seem fair, because I didn't pick it, it happened to me, but that is the most fitting term to describe this weird purgatory type life I am leading.

We did Friendsgiving last night and I witnessed three different arguments, each trivial, but meaning so much to the people who were fighting.  To me it wasn't worth it... I guess that is what happens when you run for your life for a 2nd time from a man wielding an automatic rifle.  I wanted to yell, "do you know how lucky you are that this is how small and insignificant these issues you have are?" 

That is the new me.

I find it harder and harder each day to empathetic to people with "first world problems".  Yes life changes you, but 1 October made me re-evaluate my problems and guess what?  They aren't so bad. 

You can always earn more money, but you cannot get your time, harsh words or actions back.

With Thanksgiving approaching, I ask this of each of you, who makes your heart happy and say thank you to them for being in your life.  They may make your life irritable at times, but after so many were lost 7 short weeks ago, we must celebrate the love and kindness in each of us.

No Love For Turkey

A couple years ago I wrote this post all about how I really didn't like Thanksgiving.

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Not much has changed.

In the two years since that post my aunt passed away and what was once a tolerable holiday because we celebrated her birthday as well is now a pointless dramatic holiday.

For instance, my father is currently not speaking to me because I told him I was going out of town and he got angry because I am leaving him alone with crazy people and turkey.  We don't eat turkey in case you were wondering.

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I am no longer going on a trip but have somehow been guilted into celebrating something that is meaningless to me.

There have been approximately four huge blow ups regarding Thanksgiving and it isn't even here yet.

I just want to know who is bringing sweet potatoes because I need to know if I should bring my own.

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The entire family (NINE OF US) will be sucked back into the drama again at Christmas, but at least there are presents and prime rib.


Suffice it to say, Thanksgiving hasn't gotten better, just more chaotic and angry.

Oh well, here is to you and yours next week.  Drink a bottle of wine for me.

Thanksgiving Wear

With tomorrow being Thanksgiving I wanted to throw together a few out fit ideas for anyone who is searching in their closet for the perfect put together out fit.  I will be travelling in a car for four hours, followed by bloody Marys and football.

Woodsy Thanksgiving by kristaketter featuring Vero Moda

Chic Thanksgiving by kristaketter featuring ballerina shoes

I love both looks, however my look will lean more towards the cream shirt with the flannel button up.

Don't forget about the Winter Wonderland Swap!

This time of year is always so hectic and crazy for everyone so I just wanted to wish everyone safety, happiness and health for this upcoming weekend.  may you find comfort in knowing everyone has their own sorts of dysfunction and crazy in their families.  Love to everyone!

Secret Monstrosity

To some of you who know me well, this may not be that big of a deal.  To everyone else, I apologize in advance and I swear this should NOT change your opinion of me....

I hate Thanksgiving....  No, seriously, I fucking hate Thanksgiving! 

I have nothing to support my hatred, other than the fact that I have a small family and we are together every two- three weeks any way and I am forced into at least one family dinner if not two or more in that time frame... Not to mention every single birthday is just like a Thanksgiving, except with cake and luckily minus the turkey.

Oh and let us not forget the stress induced schizophrenic whirlwind that becomes my mother, seeing as my grandmother and aunt will ultimately tell her nothing is as good as my grandmother makes it...

Since I despise this holiday and find it pointless, here are a few e-cards to make my points come across crystal clear.

I need some sort of prize to justify THIS much time spent with a house full of lunatics who are on any other day half way normal.

I hate turkey...

Perhaps I could get away with lacing the gravy with Prozac.. Now where do I get some Prozac?

'Tis the season and all that jazz...

And yes, I just spewed hatred over a holiday that holds no traditions in my family other than the fact that it is an American holiday.  So here is to booze and football and hopefully peace within our four walls... (I am not kidding, last family get together had everyone fighting over World War II, Jews, Japanese which then turned to Vietnamese and the Vietnam War....  Yikes!)  

Now if you were to ask me what I am thankful I can certainly tell you:

My family

Whiskey

Health

Travel

My job

Wine

My friends

My blog readers

Comments made on my blog.

Hope you enjoy your pie with some whiskey!