Over the past six months, I’ve produced some heartfelt writing and some shabby fill-ins as my blog evolved. During this time, I’ve realized that what I thought was a great post (or a fun one to write) may not have interested or inspired anyone else. Today’s post is dedicated to what my readers have deemed as the top blog posts of 2009. The results are based on my blog stats and the number of page views – not necessarily scientific but definitely an indication of what you, as my readers, chose to read. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Category: Reflecting
The Origin of Woo Hoo Gifts
Sometimes, the best traditions evolve by accident. My family is no exception. In fact, we have our very own woo hoo gift tradition every Christmas that most people don’t understand. It began when I was a child and I’m proud to say that I created the whole woo hoo phenomenon. We all have that one gift that we receive that is the most special. It is not always an expensive gift but more so one that means the most to us. Every year, my mom would wait for my “Woo Hoo!” and she would know which gift she gave me was the most special. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Last Holiday
Some of my favorite childhood memories stem from Grandma J’s house. It was one of the smallest two-story houses on one of the busiest streets of the city, but all I remember is how big it was in my eyes. It was a place where big memories were made. I can remember sledding down the hill that led to her backyard with my cousins, playing house in the abandoned bedrooms upstairs, and finding Easter eggs in her sitting room when it was rainy outside. Most of all, though, I remember decorating Grandma’s tree the weekend before Christmas every year. She would play Andy Williams records and cousins, aunts, and uncles would gather in her little kitchen to eat hamburgers and chili. She was the only one I knew who used real tinsel on her tree and even though we made a mess that haunted her Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
A Little Roseanne in All of Us
There was something oddly refreshing about watching the TV show Roseanne when it was in its prime. I was in my early 20s when it gained popularity and I remember not only laughing with the TV family but also laughing at my own family in comparison. From unemployment and dysfunctional relationships to dreams of escaping a “lower class” lifestyle, the show publicized the worst traits of the American family that no one had the guts to admit. We laughed at Roseanne on the outside and we laughed with Roseanne on the inside. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Mom, Mommy, Mum, Ma
A few days ago, I watched an episode of Family Guy and laughed so hard at the scene where Stewie consistently calls for his mom. “Lois, Mom, Mommy, Mum, Ma …” and repeat (video clip). Most parents can relate. We are in demand at all times and the beckoning sounds like a broken record. Kids are impatient, time consuming and even annoying with their demands. Some evenings, I swear I’ll scream if I hear the word “mom” one more time. But, the reality is that I am “mom” and it’s a term of endearment that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Adding Insult to Injury: Just Sayin’
One of my favorite comedians, Henry Cho, has a hilarious bit where he talks about how to insult someone in a kind manner. In this particular standup routine, he details how his wife’s southern family will cut someone down and then add “God bless her soul.” She definitely has some junk in the trunk, God bless her soul. His singing sounds like a sick bird, God bless his soul. The cook needs cooking lessons, God bless her soul. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
The Long Road to Thanksgiving
Six years ago, it seemed like my world was falling apart. I was newly single, struggling with the stigma that accompanied divorce; I was working three jobs to make ends meet and provide the basics for my children; and I was finishing up my degree, with hopes of a better life – all while mentally struggling to make sense of a new lifestyle as a single mom. At the time, one of my jobs as a reporter for a small religious newspaper put me in daily contact with people who sacrificed themselves for others without a second thought. They truly knew the meaning of giving. Ironically, though, during my bout of self-pity, all I could see was the devastating reality I was living. As Thanksgiving rolled around, it was difficult for me to truly reflect on my blessings until one person changed my life with a subtle action. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
California Dreaming
I rarely remember my dreams, but once in a great while, I wake up vividly recalling the night’s events. The scene is clear, my thoughts are still wandering, and the “lesson” or moral of the story hits me smack dab in the face. Last night’s lesson was about “what ifs.” In my dream, I was an eager 18-year old heading off to college in California, thousands of miles away from my southern Illinois family. As I toured my new campus and dormitory, my heart was beating fast as my newfound freedom excited me and the pressures of being alone overwhelmed me. read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Big Hair, Tight Jeans and Disco Balls
I took a stroll down memory lane today. In my memory, I was dancing underneath a disco ball to Aerosmith’s “Angel” while awkwardly trying to stay at arm’s length from my dance partner, a boy from one of the “public” schools. Later in the memory I was giggling with my girlfriends about the cute boy that tried to touch my butt and the even cuter boy standing in the corner. We would take a short break for Tombstone pizzas and maybe even a video game or two before heading back to the dance floor – a place where we felt on top of the world and totally rad. REad the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Those Pesky Deadlines
As a reporter, I’m no stranger to working on deadline. A story comes in, I do my research, conduct the interviews, and then write the story – all usually within a day’s time. However, deadlines do not just apply to my freelance work. Deadlines apply to every single aspect of my life. I’m on deadline as a teacher – preparing lesson plans in time for class to start. I’m on deadline as a mom – rushing to get to soccer practices and dance lessons by the time each one starts. I’m on deadline as a home owner – keeping the house clean, the family fed, and the dog away from our valuables. Deadlines are draining and sometimes a royal pain. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 