I participated in another Secret Subject Swap because the last time I did it I had fun. The best part is I didn’t have to come up with something to write about for one glorious day because I was told, by email, what to write about. See how this works? Yes, I like to use the word “extravaganza” every chance I get because it sounds exciting and a little ridiculous and it makes me laugh.
So, welcome to take one of December’s Secret Subject Swap (EXTRAVAGANZA!), the first of two this month. There will be more, oh yes, there will be more. I just won’t be writing in the second swap because of the whole we have to take turns and give someone else a chance stuff that makes the kindergartener in me want to pout for at least an hour. I am totally pouting right now.
This week 14 brave and 1 trying to be brave blogger(s) picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style (I don’t really have a style that’s why I throw words like EXTRAVAGANZA! around a lot). Today we are simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. (I hear that “dung-dung” they play on Law & Order after reading this part (every single time)…feel free to play along at home!) (That was a lot of parenthesis…you’re still with me, right?) (I just can’t seem to stop using them)
If you want to read all of the other bloggers posts today go and see the list over at Baking In A Tornado. Last time I posted all of the links for your viewing pleasure, but then my page was a mile long and I got lost in the middle for hours. Anyway, tell Karen I sent you (check out all of the baking recipes too). Feel free to make any of her cookie recipes and mail them to me for sampling.
OK, let’s do this!
My Subject was: If there was one thing I could change in my past it would be….. Submitted by: Chewylicious and you can go check out her blog by clicking on her name right up there ^^^^^^^^^^ (those are arrows. sort of.)
If There Was On thing I Could Change In My Past It Would Be….
That I said “Yes” more often. I think I missed out on some really amazing experiences because I was so busy being “normal” or too shy to say yes, or working really hard, or taking life too seriously. Now, I am not saying I don’t have an adventurous spirit because I do. I like trying new things and meeting new people and going places I have never been before. The thing is, back then, in my past, I had too many excuses and took on too many responsibilities that didn’t belong to me. I said no because I had committed to doing things I didn’t really want to do or because I was worried about money or a boyfriend or my family. So, I wish I had said yes more to meeting for coffee and going on a hike and grabbing lunch. I wish had said yes more to oddball dates and bad concerts and boating and late night dancing. The important thing now is that I change. I need to make sure I am saying yes more today than I was yesterday, right? That’s the whole point of thinking about these things. If you have something in your past that you wish you did differently then do it differently now. TODAY!
Say yes more and say no less. This is my new slogan. Thank you, Chewylicious!
Go forth and be merry! Celebrate the weekend. Say yes to peppermint coffee and twinkle lights. I promise, you won’t be sorry you did.
Still picturing you as a Barbie bride……..having trouble moving on from there.
Ha! It is quite a vision.
Also, just for the record, that was a joke. I have never wanted a Barbie wedding. I just feel I need to put that out there….
Random robot is killing me.
At least there is one person out there that appreciates my horrible meme making.
Agreed the Robot was awesome!
Robots are awesome and weird.
I love your answer! I wish I would have said yes to more adventures… I’m such a risk assessment girl it’s sick!
Me too. Cautious could easily be my middle name!
I love your answer. Saying yes to the things you’d like to do (instead of the things you feel obligated to do) is a wonderful new mantra! It’s fantastic to realize that we can make positive changes at anytime. Thanks for such a thoughtful post and silly memes. I’m off to make an extravaganza out of a McDonald’s Peppermint Mocha. 🙂
BTW, Your rooster print is amazing. Such talent!
Thank you. Peppermint mocha sounds delicious. Glad you are saying yes!
I adore your answer extravaganza. I especially love that you made me think about something I never realized I want to talk to my kids about. Maybe if I didn’t say “yes” enough, I can be sure that my boys do.
Having kids changes your perspective. I find myself questioning my own behavior now. Am I modeling good things for my daughter? It’s in the little things we do. I hope all of our kids are better than we are/were…braver, happier, smarter…the list goes on and one. Hope for the future!
Great post I am enjoying reading these swap posts!
Thanks! If you email Karen from http://bakinginatornado.com she will happily add you to the list and you can play along too. She is awesome and we all have a good time.
YES! YES! YES! You are so very right my dear friend. YES opens up a whole lotta doors…and occasionally a can of worms better left closed. But, I’m with you all the way on this post! I live on the “safe side” on most days. I know that I’ve missed out on some great stuff because of a million different reasons or excuses. Makes me want to commit to a 2013 full of YES!
Totally a good New Years resolution, right? We need to live fully on the Sonny side.
I don’t know, Lillian. I gotta say, I was a little turned on by the robot. But I have a thing for metal and wires. Love your blog and can totally relate to wishing I’d said “yes” to more.
Geeks and robot lovers of the world unite! Say yes more now. It’s the best we can do.
Your ecards are so funny!! I actually had the opposite trouble; I didn’t know how to say know, so I used to get dragged into lame, boring events, or have to do all kinds of crappy stuff to help out friends at the expense of my own time or spending time with my loved ones! Not any more!!
Oh I have suffered from that affliction as well. That’s why I didn’t get to say yes to a lot of the fun things. Saying no is a hard one for us gals. I am learning to get over it though! 🙂
I can absolutely relate to you! I’m not a huge fan of Jim Carrey movies but the one he did a couple years ago where he was a Yes Man was hilarious! I want to do that more. Saying no or overcommitting is wired into us I swear!
I think from now on we should all be a little bit more of Yes Girls!
By the way ~ thank you so much for an awesome prompt! I had an absolute blast writing it!
Lanaya
http://www.raising-reagan.com
You are a very talented lady! I will never forget you has Angelina Jolie. I have never seen that Jim Carey movie, but I do remember the previews. I will have to watch it. Yes Girls! yay!
Thank you! I was stoked to see this prompt! 🙂 You totally have to watch that movie! It’s called Yes Man. Trust me it’s funny!
I will look for it on Netflix. 🙂
I hope you get to watch the movie. It’s called Yes Man. It was so funny! Thank you again for a wonderful prompt!
You are so welcome!
“Yes” is a beautiful word. But so is “no.” It’s important to have a balance between the two. (If you couldn’t tell, I suck at saying “no”!)
I seem to have a natural talent for saying no when I should say yes and vice versa. Someday I will be normal, maybe.
The trick is knowing when to saying yes or no. I think as we grow older we become able to distinguish between the two. All of either would be a bad thing.
Jae Mac, I’m Just Sayin’…(Damn!)
Very true.
First of all, I love your humor and your voice. Sometimes I get busy and behind on my reading. Then I visit you and smile and think “She is really funny.” If I could change something, I would have said No more often! I was a busy social butterfly in my late teens/early twenties, and I could have used more responsibility and introspection. 🙂
Balance seems to be the theme going around the comments! We all need more of it. We all get busy and behind on our reading…you are in good company! 🙂
Yes! I agree. Although I became much ballsier in my twenties. I was adventurous, stupid, and took risk taking to a whole new level ….it was damn well worth it. I regret that I wasn’t that way in junior high and high school. I was so shy then and tried not to get noticed. I had low self esteem and missed many opportunities. A kid I adored and he wanted to go out with me, I refused because I was so shy. He even contacted me on FB and I’m married now, but I think “oh it would have been nice. to have experienced a high school boyfriend”. I don’t know why I broke out in my twenties but if I had stuck to being that wall flower, what a sad little librarian existence I would have led. Kind of like “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I would have missed out on all those wonderful people and friends and places.
I was the same way in high school. Being shy can be very limiting sometimes. So happy to hear you had a different experience in your twenties. I try to live in a way now that limits eventual regrets!
It says to say something witty or charming or both…I’ve got nothing. NOTHING. Now, I’m all stressed. I’m going to say yes to a peanut butter ball. I love Christmas balls. So yummy. Anyway, LOVE random robot. LOVE your post 🙂 and of course LOVE you! I’m going to France in 7 months and I am determined to not let anything hold me back! I plan on finding my yes 🙂 Great post!
Ohhh France! Lucky you! I have a good friend living there right now who is moving in a month. Don’t let anything stop you. Think of all of the blogging material! 🙂
YES!!! Good post! 🙂
Thank you!