Thanksgiving bringing on Christmas.

Unless you have been living in a dark cave, you know the holiday season is in full-force.  Yes, we all know it is not even Thanksgiving yet but, let’s be honest folks; we need all the time we can get to actually get ready for Christmas.  Thanksgiving eases us into and warms us up for the December holidays.

Many people really like that Thanksgiving doesn’t have all the glitz that comes with the December holidays.  It’s a less complicated holiday with a good (albeit pesky to prepare) meal and a reminder to be thankful for all that we have.  It’s like the sensible shoes or Gap jeans of Christmas.  It’s a terrific product and great day.

But, for anyone who knows me, I rarely wear sensible shoes or Gap jeans.  Not that I don’t love both, however, I am a more glitz, high-heel, Big Star kinda girl.  I love sparkles. l love presents.  I love giving presents.  I love parties. I love shopping.  I love dressing up. I love socializing.  I love food.  I love good company. I love my family. I love the magic that comes with believing in Santa. I love having a good excuse to throw a party.  Basically, Christmas is my kind of holiday.  For me, it’s perfect.

So I say bring it on…the earlier the better. Once the weather gets cold and it gets dark at 4:43 pm, Christmas is a huge picker upper.  The decorations are cheery and bright.  The songs bring promise and joy. There are sparkles EVERYWHERE.  I don’t even mind shopping at Home Depot during the holidays, because they have holiday villages, decorations and lots of sparkles.

I also realize that the holidays are not always happy times for everyone. Especially those who are in poor health or cannot afford to shop for loved ones.  However another great thing about Christmas (and all the December holidays) is that many people realize the depth of their blessings and they give back.  There is an outpouring of support during the holiday season that can sometimes get lost during the year.  The importance of having is very apparent.  Those of us who have should always give to those that don’t.  Christmas should remind everyone of that very important fact. 

Be sure to take the time to make a difference in someone else’s life this holiday season. You do not have to give lots of money or presents.  There are plenty of ways to give…deliver a meal for Meals on Wheels, donate your old coat to a homeless shelter, volunteer to serve food, or send a greeting card to a soldier. If you have extra money (and most of us do), buy some new clothes or toys for those who need them. It is never too early to start making a difference. And, you never know when you might need someone to make a difference in your life. Believe in the magic of Santa Claus and the power we have to change lives every single day. 

So as we are preparing to stuff our faces this week, I will be playing my holiday music, busting out my Christmas decorations, making my shopping lists and deciding on where I will give back throughout the year.  There is no shortage of need so really think about what's important to you.  There is nothing like helping someone else to have a great holiday season, just because you can.  Love is in the giving. That is powerful and it really sparkles. 

Gobble Gobble

xo~

Elizabeth

New York City

There is just something about New York City that gives me an extra hop in my step. I absolutely love the place. It has almost everything a girl can and would ever need. Restaurants, shopping, shows, art, culture, excitement, fun, danger and much, much more. I love coming to the big city and feeling so small but also feeling as though the possibilities are endless.

New York is a melting pot where you can be anything you want. People come to New York from all over the world to explore, to be free, to discover and to rediscover. It's a city of bright lights and big dreams. All walks of life are accepted there. And despite what some might say, the locals (in my experience) are very nice.

When I was expressing or gushing about my love for New York, I realized that not everyone felt the same. Some thought it was too crowded or too dirty or too dangerous or too overwhelming. One friend told me a story from his childhood about being miserable walking the streets of New York. I, on the other hand, walked the streets with my youth league and I couldn't get enough. Funny how everyone is different.

Here's the thing for me...I embrace this amazing city with open arms for so many reasons. Like me, the city is non-traditional. It doesn't judge me for not doing things the way "they are supposed to be done". Coming from a town referred to as Smallitimore, New York couldn't be more opposite. In a small city you can get lost in the lack of, the missed chances or keeping up with the Jones'. But New York doesn't care where I went to high school or what kind of car I drive. It's much bigger than that and much bigger than me. It has depth of character, beautiful diversity, perpetual hope, constant action (if you want it), amazing restaurants and shopping and limitless potential and opportunities. For me it's inspiring and thrilling. Several times a year I like to be challenged to be different, inspired to be more and pushed to aware of all of this. Most of all, it gives me perspective outside of my usual and helps me embrace all that I have in my home town. It leaves me feeling grateful and settled.

I can't wait to get there!!


Xo ~
Elizabeth

You Can Call Me Elizabeth

Elizabeth Marie Barrett was born to Beverly Jean Small Barrett and Steven Elbert Barrett on a warm day in May.  I was named Elizabeth Marie because my mom always wanted a daughter named Beth.  My middle name is after my paternal grandmother, Alice Marie.  So, I’m Elizabeth Marie.

From the start I had a nickname.  My birth name was Elizabeth but as I mentioned my mom wanted to call me Beth. Beth is a great name, don’t get me wrong; however, my actual nickname evolved to be Bethy…not so great.  Bethy Barrett.  Not great...especially for a child who was 5’8” 100lbs in the 8^th grade.  Not to mention that on every first day of school when the teacher took attendance, they called Elizabeth Barrett.  I would respond with, “Here, but everyone calls me Beth”.

As I grew older, I realized that I really liked the name Elizabeth and I really disliked being called Bethy.  I love my mom dearly and really respect her wanting to call me Beth.  But something about that name didn’t sit right with me.  I just liked Elizabeth better.  And since it was my name and my life I figured I had some control over the situation.  So, with that, at my first job at Lauer’s Superthrift, I asked them to call me Elizabeth.  And they did.  Yay me!

From then on whenever I got a new job, went off to college or met a new person, I would introduce myself as Elizabeth.  Those who knew me growing up didn’t really get it and to this day, they still call me Beth or Bethy. In fact, some of my long-time friends were almost mad at me for going by my actual name. They would roll their eyes or give me a strange look, you know the one that says, “Oh she goes by Elizabeth now excuse us” when I would say I’m Elizabeth.  Funny thing with Elizabeth…if I went by Liz, the stretch to Elizabeth wouldn’t have been that bad. But something about going from Beth to Elizabeth was unfathomable and, even, insulting to some.

Fast forward 20 years to my current job, which we will discuss later, a nickname is inescapable.  Evidently I am just not meant to be called Elizabeth.  With a name like Elizabeth, it is long, and one can expect to hear a Liz every now and then.  But my new nickname is EJ.  Which, I guess, would be ok, if I liked my last name or if I didn’t already have a nickname complex or if it was cool like Lauren Conrad’s, LC.  Regardless, I don’t dig it and it doesn’t seem to matter.  One person took to it (and I don’t even remember who now) and it spread like wild fire.  EJ is ramped.

I’ve had this discussion with several of my friends and even debated the merits of nicknaming.  A dear friend of mine loves her nickname so much so she purposely gave her baby son a nickname. She uses it to screen out those who really know her from those who just want something from her i.e. telemarketers.  She wears her nickname like a badge of honor.  For me, since I’m on the Do Not Call List, my experience with telemarketers is limited so while that is a valid point, the exposure is minimal. And, again I really just like my full name.

Whatever your nickname position, it’s an interesting human behavior that comes with very little self-control.  You may already go by a nickname and others will give you a new one based on their experience with or perception of you…good, bad or indifferent.  In the end I may be destined to be called whatever it is others want to call me…Beth, Bethy, Liz, Lizzie, or EJ. I like to think all of those nicknames are endearing coming from whoever chooses to use them.  I still remain a staunch proponent of naming your child whatever it is you are going to call him or her but I also recognize the endearment and fun that can come with nicknames.  No matter what though, if you ask me, I’d say you can call me Elizabeth. Let’s see how that continues to play out.

xo~

Elizabeth

First Time

So I've been thinking about writing a blog for quite some time now.  I read and follow other bloggers and I think, I should be doing that. Oftentimes, I will read, see or do something and I’m inspired to write about it.  My goal is not to get a ton of followers but more to put thoughts to writing and see if anyone else thinks and feels the same or even completely differently. 

To start, my name is Elizabeth Marie Barrett Jackson.  I come from a town called Pasadena, MD... “The Dena” as those of us from there affectionately call it.  My life has taken a different path than what some would say is the normal.  But then again, what really is normal?  I’ve been married and divorced, been deeply in love and lost and overall, I’m happy and blessed.  Currently I’m living the life of a thirty something single girl in a small city with big dreams.  I have a job I love but it isn’t the be all and end all.  I find myself somewhere between searching for life’s grand purpose and finding the next good time.  I’m challenged with finding the “one” but I'm not even close to the point where I will settle with a close “one”. I’m not pressed to have a baby even though my clock is ticking faster or louder with each passing day.  I’m surrounded by love and I have amazing friends and family who make the world a better place every day. 

I love to love and love to have fun with those I love.  I'm rarely bored.  I see the good in most people.  I enjoy warm weather - including humidity, beaches, shopping, fashion, traveling, cooking, Facebooking, using only one very particular kind of pen, eating delicious food and for that last reason, I enjoy exercising.  There are times I believe I was born 10 years too early but other times I think I am where I supposed to be when I'm supposed to be there.  Oh, and, I'm a Gemini...I tend to see most things from two sides and decision making is not always my friend. Like Casey Kasem put it, I keep my feet on the ground but I’m always reaching for the stars.

I’m thinking this blog will be a journal of my life’s experiences, stories from my friend’s experiences (with anonymity to protect them of course) and general thoughts, feelings and questions about life.  So, if you are interested, please check back.  I'll update as the spirit moves me and we can go from there.  I'm excited.  This is going to be fun!

xo ~

Elizabeth