• The Complexities of Life

    Christmas Arrived Early…and it’s K-Mart’s Fault

    While watching the first Thursday Night Football game of the season,  I saw a K-Mart commercial. Usually, this is no big deal. K-Mart commercials, specifically Ship Your Pants, are hilarious. However, this one threw me for such a loop I just had to share it with you.

    My issue with this commercial is that it’s another example of retailers accelerating the holidays. Grocery stores are selling Halloween candy next to back to school supplies. Kids haven’t finished the first week of school.

    People become so consumed buying gifts and supplies for holidays that they can’t really enjoy them. It’s the second week of September and Halloween costumes/decorations are popping up on shelves. Pretty soon, stores will have sales on baking supplies and Christmas lights.

    Good grief.

     

    Updated October 31, 2016

     

  • The Complexities of Life

    Grade School Memories

    I am forever grateful to have been in grade school at a time where teachers taught students life skills versus curriculum based on standardized tests. My favorite grades in school were second and fifth. I can recall two lessons that have a profound effect on me as an adult.

    In second grade (circa 1989), my teacher spoke about common sense. I can’t remember her entire speech about common sense, but there were two sentences that stuck with me:

    [bctt tweet=”Common sense cannot be taught. You either have it or you don’t. ” username=”MsWalton”]

    As an adult, I never realized how many folks have no common sense. All the book sense in the world, but couldn’t chew gum and walk to save their lives. Baffles the hell outta me.

    In fifth grade (circa 1992), my teacher taught my class how to complete IRS form 1040EZ. For someone who hates math, this was a fun math lesson. I learned the importance of independence. My teacher explained that if you don’t learn how to do your own taxes, how will you know that someone else would do them correctly for you? Makes sense right?  I refuse to pay someone to do something I can do myself.

    I’m so appreciative to all the educators who taught me life lessons that have carried into adulthood. Now that I’ve finished this post, I’m going to finish unclogging the dishwasher.

    Until next time,

    MsWalton

     

    Updated September 3, 2016