Holidays for Kids: Not All The Same

 

I was thinking recently about holidays and kids. Given that Easter is coming soon, I remember back in the “old days,” our Easter baskets were filled with candy, including jellybeans, chocolate eggs, and other sweet treats. There might have been a small toy in the basket, but I don’t recall. When my step kids were younger, their Easter baskets contained candy and some small toys, sometimes maybe an article of clothing. Now, the Easter Bunny brings many big gifts to kids, such as bikes, scooters, and electronics. Not all kids are that fortunate, though. Some kids only get a small basket of candy, with maybe one toy.

The same goes for Christmas with Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy when you lose your tooth. Kids must wonder why some of their friends get less and some get more. Why would Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy bring less to them but more to other kids? That thought must run through some of their minds. I thought of a great thing that you can tell kids if they ever bring it up. 

**I advise you never to bring it up unless they do** 

You can simply tell them that the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy bring each child gifts uniquely fit for them based on how much candy they should or shouldn’t have, or maybe the Tooth Fairy brings less money because she wants to teach you how to be frugal with your dollar, or maybe Santa Claus does know whether you’re naughty or nice and maybe they were a few times you misbehaved. I’m not for telling kids that they got less because they were bad—please understand. I’m just trying to think of simple ways to ease the burden on their hearts. I know I will be scrolling through Facebook and seeing many of my friend’s children with lavish Easter gifts. I also know some children will get very little or nothing, and they may wonder why that is compared to other kids they know.

The main point is for kids to understand that they are all unique individuals, and they receive Easter baskets, Christmas presents, and money from the Tooth Fairy according to that principle. And then we hope they don’t ask any more questions!

 

Tip of the Day (or, rather, tips)...

 

This is a “Tip of the Day” kind of day. I have three tips here!

1. When vacuuming the stairs (steep stairs, I might add), don’t go down them backwards. That’s just silly. I have done this before—actually multiple times. You’d think I’d have learned my lesson by now. But what fun would that be? I’m ok, by the way.

2. Don’t forget to pull the wooden spoon OUT of the air fryer before closing it to finish cooking something. The air fryer is ok, as is the spoon; I caught my mistake in time. I mean, PHEW. Can’t even imagine what would have happened. Though I am a little curious now. 

3. If you have a flat-top stove, please remember to WAIT til the top cools after cooking before wiping the stovetop clean and make sure the burner has been turned off. I do this so often, it’s not even funny.

That is it, my friends. Today was. . .well, something else, I’ll tell you what. But now you have important tips.

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New in Psychological Thrillers

 

My newest book, The Silo, has recently been published. It is a psychological thriller—the first one I’ve ever written. I love reading that genre, and I had the idea, so I figured, why not try to write it?

Up until now, the books I have published are children’s books and full-length fiction. However, the full-length fiction I have written is more family, drama, and mystery/suspense. I definitely plan on writing more in the psychological thriller genre.

It’s funny how the idea came to my mind. The setting is my grandparents’ farmhouse and the old barns and silos. One day, a couple years ago, I was driving to my grandmother’s house, and I happened to glance over at the barns. The way the sun was setting and shadows were cast along the tallest of the silos, it was both eerie and inspiring. So I said to myself, “The silo.” And I thought that was a perfect title for a book. But what would it be about?

I tossed a few ideas over my head in the next few days after that, and then I just started writing. Unfortunately, it took me almost two years to finish writing the book because of unusual circumstances. I will admit that, at one point, I almost gave up on finishing it. But I had people rooting for me, pushing me to completion. That meant the world to me, and I finally finished it. I joke and use the quote “blood, sweat, and tears” because that’s what it felt like. I am so happy that it’s finally published, and I really hope people like reading it.

Currently, this is available on Amazon and will soon be available to purchase online at Barnes & Noble as well as select stores across the United States. To learn more about me and the other books I have published, please visit my website, Melanie Lynn Collection. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook for updates. If you happen to read The Silo, I would love a positive 4 or 5-star review on Amazon and Goodreads. I am thankful to my readers and those who support me.

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Another Trip to the Doctor's Office

 

Ahhh, going to the doctor’s office is usually interesting. Today didn’t disappoint. I was there for routine things, no biggie. 

First, I was walking through the parking lot and smiling and nodding at a lady who was passing by. We kept glancing at each other, and I was thinking, that looks like my friend's mom! but I’ve made faux pas before thinking someone looked familiar, so I didn’t say anything. It turns out it was her, and she had been thinking the same thing! I felt silly after that. I mean, I’ve hung out with her a few times. You’d think I’d recognize her. Just a tad embarrassing. 

Waiting rooms are gross. Old people burping and farting. People coughing and not covering their mouths. Always someone talking super loud, and a bored toddler screaming and/or running around. Today’s annoyance, however, was a woman was on her cell phone playing a game. How did I know this? Because she had the volume on her phone pretty high. Um, yeah, that’s almost as bad as someone talking to another person on speaker phone in a waiting room. Dude!

I was brought back into the small room where the overly-cheerful nurse, who kept calling me “hon,” even though she’s in her early twenties and I’m well into my forties, pulled up my chart on the computer and said, “Do you have any pain?”

Do I—um, am I supposed to?

“Noooo. I don’t think so,” I answer. 

“Good, good!” she says enthusiastically. Mmm k

The visit with my doctor was fine (I really like him even though he’s like 12), and as I’m walking down the stairs to leave, wearing my trusty flip-flops, I do the stupid thing of texting while walking. Downstairs. In flip-flops. Thankfully, I didn’t trip or fall. I did, however, lose a flip-flop. Damn thing went flying, I kid you not. The couple behind me laughed. Don’t blame them. I laughed, too.

Just another day in the life of Melanie!

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All In A Day's Cleaning

Cleaning: I’m not good at it and am very clumsy and accident-prone. 

This week, I was hard-core cleaning due to friends and family visiting this month. I began by dusting the ceiling fan globe, and it seemed loose, so I attempted to tighten it. Big mistake. It cracked, and I stood there, willing it not to break, but watched as it slowly continued to crack and pieces began to fall to the floor...

Then, of course, I almost fell off the step ladder trying to get down. Whoops.

I began vacuuming, and when it came time to crouch down to vacuum under the couch, the vacuum cleaner fell on me. OUCH.

Then I slipped on the stuff I was mopping with while coming down the stairs and nearly fell to my demise. 

(Really?!...)

At one point, I somehow ended up getting cleaner in my eye. (I’M OK, I swear!)

Later, I washed the cushions on our outdoor furniture, and the washer was so stuffed that it leaked water everywhere. Naturally. And to top it off, when it was done, the stuffing came out of the cushions! 

But wait, there’s more! 

So to end the day, I was walking down the steps and missed the last step. Landed on my knee, then my hip. 

Oops. I guess I'll just have to stay away from cleaning for a while. I'll really miss it...(NOT). 🤣

Wait, is that more dust on my window blinds?! Be right back!... 

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Working From Home Confession #7: Sometimes I Work From My Couch

Laptop: check

Notebook and pen: check

Coffee: check

Blanket: check

Phone: check

All set to work!

I am my own boss, so I can work anywhere I want, as long as I have my laptop. Sometimes I even work in my pajamas (because why not??) but I try not to because then I feel lazy.

I don’t work on the couch for too long, though. Why? Well, it’s so comfortable, I just want to close my eyes or read a book and not work. But some rainy or cool days are best spent on the couch.

Where is your favorite spot to work if you work at home?

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Friday's Follies

Friday was fun. I’m being sarcastic. Friday was not fun. Not in the very least.

First, I started to make a pancake. I had walked on the treadmill and felt I deserved a nice big pancake for breakfast. I poured the batter into the pan and waited. Then my dog wanted to go outside to potty. Well, we have to bring him outside with the leash through the front because he can’t do the steps anymore out back (and Heaven forbid he use the RAMP). So, out we went.

Did I mention I had pancake batter in the pan? On the stove? With the burner on?

Anyhoo, he did his business and we came back inside. Of course, I knew the pancake would be starting to burn. Oh…but it was more than that! It was completely burned to the bottom of the pan and starting to on top. I stuck the spatula in the pan to get the pancake off (no need to ruin another pan!) and a FLAME shot out!

How rude.

Photo of said pancake when I flipped it over!

Of course the alarm is going off and I’m upset because I JUST WANTED A DARN PANCAKE!!

I ended up making another pancake (not burned but not too tasty either), and by this time it was probably a little after eleven in the morning. Since I had calling hours to attend to later that afternoon, I didn’t want to shower yet, which meant staying in my pajamas til then. (I work from home. I can do that.)

My dog had to potty again. Outside, we go! It had snowed, and I hadn’t shoveled the steps (or anything) because it was going to get warm and sunny which would melt the snow. Cole did his thing, and we started up the two steps on the front porch. Cole got up fine. Me? I slipped in the packed-down snow and ended up on my arse. In my pajama pants. Good times. 

Stand up, brush myself off, and head up the steps. Turn the door handle.

Ahhh, but it won’t turn. Why? Because it’s LOCKED.

Ooops…I did it again.

Fun fact: Sometimes when I go outside (whether front or back door), my fingers automatically turn the lock. Don’t know why. Habit?

Knowing the back door to the back porch was open to air out the kitchen from the, um… pancake incident, I walked down the driveway to go through the back gate. Locked. Of course. Ahh, but the garbage was picked up that morning, so the two larger plastic bins were next to the fence where my husband put them before work. Perfect! I climbed onto one of those, clumsily climbed over the fence, thankfully landed on my feet, and let myself in the back door. I let Cole in once I got inside (he had been waiting on the porch; he’s old and doesn’t go anywhere fast, so I knew he’d be fine).

No other mishaps til calling hours but of course those are no fun. When I got home at 6:30 pm, I had a generous glass of wine, thank-you-very-much.

All's well that ends well.

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