TEATIME TUESDAYS

Yikes! So many decisions, so little time. Should I really wear white, or should I choose a hue, less colourful than my past?  Timeless lace or sparkling crystals? A chignon, soft-curls or my signature cut? An empire waist, a princess cut or ball gown? Train or no train, veil or no veil? In a garden or a church? Spring or Fall?  Roses or lilies? Morning or afternoon? A reception or nah? An entourage or the faithful few? Open seating or arranged seating? No garter and bouquet toss, or should I keep the tradition? Limousine or a vintage car? A wedding registry or monetary appeal? Themed or no theme? E-vites or invitations? Should I write my own vows or stick with the norm? You know what forget this, I'm just gonna elope.

Before you think I've been around the world and still can't find my baby (if you miss that, you too young), know that some of these attributes belong to the same person. On the flip side of that, I have single gal-pals, single mom friends, divorced friends, single never been married friends, and then, there is my seasoned and married crew. Meanwhile, I'm here being at peace and seeing the good in what I deem my devastating bad breaks. Still, I can't help but mull over things some folks don't like acknowledging, much less talking about. I seriously want an unfiltered answer from someone real, "Is marriage honest to goodness beautiful, or does it quickly evolve into nothing more than an old ball and chain?"

Captin's Log: pre-pandemic—when everyone was busy, and life was fast-paced, and calendars everywhere were booked and busy. Almost no time to meditate or give careful consideration before life-altering decisions were made. Everything impulsive, powered by the need for instant gratification. People were obsessed with the all mighty dollar—working excessively long hours, just to make more money, to purchase more things they'll essentially have no time to enjoy. Yet somehow, even that was not enough. 

Ahh, yes! We've officially entered the 'New Year, New Me' season. We dedicate this special time of year to deleting people from our Facebook friends list and blocking numbers in our contact list. Let's not forget setting yet another weight loss journey goal and my all-time favourite, the laundry list of New Year 'I wrote it cause it sounds deep,' Resolutions. To me, ringing in a New Year often feels like that moment when I finally learn to manoeuvre through the latest iOS updates, and then Apple says, "Bump that!" and come out with a whole new phone. "Sigh!"

Aviation United By AviationZ chatted with Author, Blogger, Ghostwriter Raquel Sherron about Dating.

Raquel chats about her background, and is there a perfect date? What to expect on a date or a first date, Online dating apps, why do we always see the positives on dating apps (pictures, career, hobbies) and rarely the negative? She discusses what ghosting is and why it can happen?  Is dating too much hassle, and is it better to concentrate on your own needs, and is it possible to be happy single? We also discuss her podcast Tea Time Tuesday's & much more.

Link:  https://avz1.podbean.com/e/dating-with-author-%c2%b7-blogger-%c2%b7-ghostwriter-raquel-sherron/

"Oh, the Who-Manity!" in my best Grinch voice. No, I'm not gonna draw some mind-blowing parallel to Whoville, where Cindy-Lou Who resides. On the other hand, I would like to take you walking through Whoville, where all the Whos are allowed to steal our happiness, leaving us all Grinchy, and we never understand why!

Even if you're not a die-hard GOT fan, you've probably heard the phrase "Winter is Coming." It is the watchword of the House Stark, which is one of the great houses of Westeros—or so I've read. A mantra of sorts aimed to remind the house not to think of life as a beach where you sip bottomless Mai Tai's while being kissed by the sun but to be constantly vigilant. Winter—for many, is synonymous with Christmas. And though we sing about it being the most 'wonderful' time of the year, winter tends to signify something quite different from jolly old St. Nick and his reindeer posse.

How in the pa-rum-pum-pum-pum did Kevin end up in the same situation one year later? Honestly, who am I to judge? I've realized I'd been asking myself that same question at least a dozen times per year. 

If there was ever a phrase that suited me to-a-T, it would have to be when Kevin Mclasiter said to his mom, "This house is so full of people, it makes me sick! When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone!" Married but alone, huh? Interesting concept. At some point in life, we perhaps were all so fed-up with our family that we wished they would all disappear. But true to form, in an ironic twist of fate, those Wet Bandit's would be right there. Lurking through the windows of our souls, whispering ever so mischievously, "Merry Christmas, little fella. We know that you're in there and that you're all alone."  

I hate to admit it, but I might have been a bit of a mean girl as I roamed the halls of my high school in the early '90s.  It took me a long time to say that aloud because I had somehow convinced myself it was me surviving the battle of the fittest.  I learned late in life that you don't have to be rude to express your opinion, and being aggressive doesn't necessarily represent your strength.  

If you need to step on other people to make yourself feel good, then that's a surefire sign that you popping off is more about your shortcomings than the other person. It's like whatchamacall-him used to tell me, "If you punch me in my mouth, it doesn't stop bleeding because you said sorry!" While as an adult, I may have regretted those words and actions as a teen, it didn't mean that I wasn't enrolled in the school of life. And it was eagerly waiting to test me. Fate was somewhere around the corner waiting to jump me like I'd stole its lunch money.