Big Time Legit Slang From the 80's I Still Use #TBT #ThrowbackThursday

#TBT

Throwback Thursday

Five Deadly, Decent and Excellent 

Slang Terms From the 80's I Still Use

circa 1980's

Later / Later Gator:

Goodbye

Scarf / Scarf it down: 

eat food very fast

Upchuck: 

barf or throw up

Veg / Veg Out - I'm just going to Veg:

relax or chill out

What's Your Damage? 

what is wrong with you

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about deadly, decent and excellent terms from my teens I use on my teens.

Stream Romance: Movie #ValentinesDay #What2Watch #W2WW

What To Watch

Valentine's Day 

As you all know, "What's Good to Watch?" is a common question amongst my friends and family, and the reason I share movie and show recommendations on Cathy Thinking Out Loud every Wednesday (aka W2WW). Being just days away from Valentine's Day I'm recommending you stream romance by sharing the rom-com movie Valentine's Day with your honey. You can find it on Netflix Canada. 

Need more Valentine's Day streaming ideas? Try these 14 Movies to Watch Before Valentine's Day. 

Sharing is caring, so do tell ... what are you streaming these days? 

Happy Streaming!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what to watch. 

Note: I have not been compensated for this post. All my opinions are my own, and the purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers.

Thought We Had A Thing?! #BrandsandBloggers Expectations & Disappointment

Brands and Blogger Relationships: Dealing With My Disappointment 

Hey! Over Here! Remember Me?! I thought we had a thing.

It's not often I question a brand's choices when it comes to who they pick as influencers, ambassadors or to work on a given campaign. Each brand has a vision for their overall branding, specific campaigns, and targets they want to reach. I understand that many factors go into each campaign, and there is no shortage of great bloggers who bring impressive skills to the table. But every now and then I feel disappointment in a brand which I find hard to brush off. 

This post is not about a single brand or campaign. I can count on one hand the number of times I have felt this way about a brand in relation to my blog and blogging. It is not a rant, but rather a personal reflection and a statement that "it's just business, and not personal" isn't true for me. It is personal for me with each post, or decision to share content. 

I find it hard not to feel snubbed, if after willingly supporting a brand, sharing their content, and working with them more than once on a specific campaign I discover by way of social media I have now been overlooked for that campaign. It could be that the brand is looking to a whole new group of bloggers, or influencers in a specific niche. But Nope, that was not the situation in these cases. It could be they didn't think I was a good fit, but I have had nothing but positive feedback about my participation in the past. It could be that a different PR team is handling the campaign, but it's the brand that hires the PR team., surely there is some conversation about who has participated in the past. So I can only assume they have simply failed to see me, or my value. While for the brand this choice may be for a single campaign, my feelings about being included or excluded last much longer. 

Realistically the bloggers participating in these campaigns or ambassadorships are successful, with a proven track record, and numbers I only aspire to have, but even so I think my long-term value makes it worth including me in select and specific campaigns. I don't begrudge those chosen to participate. I'm at the same time both happy for the bloggers' success, and disappointed in the brands short sightedness. I'm small but not invisible or insignificant, and besides I thought we had a thing.Wait! Did I just get the brand equivalent of being dumped by text message?! 

So I respond in the only way I can. I simply stop sharing or engaging with that brand. They won't notice, nor will the PR firm for the brand that has made the decision not to see me. It's unlikely that the brand or the PR firm will ever read this, or know I feel this way, and that's okay. The posts I write aren't about getting something or getting back. Writing it down helps me to take a critical look at what I'm feeling, and gives me a place to file those feelings, and move on. Plus it helps me to better manage expectations for future brand relationships, and these are all good things.

Blogging is similar to being a stay-at-home mom, in that it rarely comes with the clear and easy to interpret feedback regular performance appraisal provide. I do wonder if others feel this way, or am I just being too sensitive. I try not to think out loud about this type of thing because I don't want my expressing these feelings to be misinterpreted as whining or having entitlement issues. Although I'm quite capable of both of those it's not the case today. Well enough of that, time to file this under Blogger Issues and move on, because tomorrow is another day filled with possibility.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my #BloggerIssues

Mom's View: Conflicting Feelings About My Kid's 1st Solo Trip Abroad #travel

Mom's Perspective: My Teen Is About to Take His First Solo Trip Abroad

In just over a month my youngest and three of his friends will board a flight to Europe. 

Actually it's connecting flights in an airport I've never been in (and I've been in many) to a country I've never been to (and I've been to several). What if he gets hurt, or mugged or there is an emergency? It would take at least 24 hours to get to him. So I worry, because Moms do that. 

Weighing the Pros and Cons to Each Decision:
When he asked I had mixed feelings: Say No you're too young and hold on tight, or say Yes and let go so he has the chance to be part of this adventure with his friends and have his own life experiences.

It doesn't matter that my youngest child is legally an adult, all I see is a kid that's a work in progress on his way to adulthood. 

So what if at his age I had gone on two Spring Break trips to Fort Lauderdale with my friends. Like somehow I was more mature and Fort Lauderdale at spring break was in any way about mature activities or experiences. But Thing 2 has always been independent and strong willed. He's not easily dissuaded, persuaded or likely to listen to words of wisdom and parental advice. That kid seems determined to reinvent the wheel at every stage of his life, and that kinda worries me.

The perspective is very different from this side of the parent-child equation.

You may not be here yet, or maybe you've already gone through this and lived to tell the story. For me this trip my youngest child is about to take abroad without me there to guide, help and be the voice of sanity is a first and a big step for both of us.

My job is to love, teach and protect him. His job is to grow, learn and eventually pull away and be independent. So what do I do with all my concerns, or how do I deal with the things parents worry about when their teen goes abroad for the first time. How do I make him understand that the majority of the world did not grow up with the same privileges he has had, and he is not invincible. That sometimes caution and a clear head are good options in a world where some things are out of his control. How do I get him to understand the really important messages and life lessons I have to share with him without being a hover-mother? I tell you it's tough. But I opted for yes, pressed enter on "book ticket now", and his tickets are confirmed.

I'm hopeful that he'll have a wonderful time and make some incredible memories, without being arrested, maiming himself, or losing his money or passport. I'll keep you posted.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about parenting Thing 2.

I Like It Better When We Netflix Together ...Sometimes #Streamteam @Netflix_CA

I Like It Better When We Netflix Together ... Sometimes.

The secret to a lasting relationship is the ability to be together and still maintain your own identity within the relationship. Same goes for the shows we watch, some are perfect for watching together, and others are best watched separately. There is that sweet spot in the middle of the He Says watch this, and She Says watch this, that is the We Say watch this. 

My husband and I have been together a long time, and back in the day long before streaming we learned to share the remote and give and take when it came to what we watched. Not that learning to give and take isn't a good thing, but I like being able to stream the shows we both like together, without the need for me to sit through an episode of Farscape. I'm guessing he's just as happy not to watch a 3 hour Bollywood movie with subtitles. In my opinion Netflix is a relationship saver, and peace keeper. It brings us together, while allowing us to retain our own viewing identities. It really does make me happy that my husband can spend his downtime enjoying a show he really likes, and even happier I don't have to endure it. 

It's interesting what our show and movie preferences say and reveal about our personalities. Even more interesting is how those preferences might even predict compatibility. I think you'll enjoy this infographic and the interesting stats it reveals. With Valentine's Day right around the corner why not stream a few romantic movies with your honey, or find a show both of you will love watching together. It could be the beginning of a very special showmance. 

Happy Streaming! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the Netflix Streaming "Sweet Spot".

Note: I was not compensated for this post, but as a member of the Netflix Steamteam I do receive Netflix free of charge for the purpose of writing my Netflix Streamteam posts and reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Grrr... #ValentinesDay I'm Just Not Feelin' It

It's almost Valentine's Day and I'm not feeling all lovey-dovey and romantic.

I'm "Bearly" (pun intended) feeling like-y, and closer to no-likey, take a hikey. I'm seeing red at everything around me - including my husband.

There are rules to a happy marriage:

RULE: Only one at a time.

So I'm feeling grumpy and tired. No big deal right?! It happens to everyone now and then. What's not okay is the fact the my husband of 23 years is also grumpy and tired. The only one at a time rule means only one of us can have a mental breakdown, be overwhelmed or "grumpy" at any given time. I'm pretty sure it's my turn! 

Each time he says something to irritate me, or sounds grumpy or rude I'm thinking:

• It's My Turn!
• Take a number and get in line for grumpy time.
• Go have your breakdown on your own time.
• Did you say something? I didn't hear you because I'm not listening to you. 

Yes I understand I'm feeling the equivalent to a Valentine's Bah Humbug, but knowing that doesn't make it go away for myself or my husband. But I'm not worried. After 23 years and 27 Valentines I know it's okay to just go with the flow sometimes. It has nothing to do with love, or caring, it has to do with acceptance. Accepting that grumpy is not a reflection of how much we love each other. Accepting of each other with all our moods and ups and downs. Accepting that this will happen from time to time, especially if you've been together a long time.  

Should I/We Be Worried?

It took me many years of marriage to let the little things slide in my relationship with my husband. If things were not happy in marital bliss-land I felt the need to overanalyze, rehash, and fix it. I had appointed myself keeper of the happiness for every aspect of our lives. Each time my husband was in a bad mood, or grumpy, or angry I assumed it was somehow related to me. He's a man, so it's not like he'd say: "Honey I'm having a bad day, but it has nothing to do with you. Just give me a little space and it will pass". That small but vital piece of information would come out somewhere around the mid-point of the Why are you being so mean to me?-What did I do? argument. (Full Disclosure: I didn't give him the "Honey I'm having a bad day" spiel either, but he just assumed it had nothing to do with him unless otherwise notified.) Turns out he could be angry or upset without being angry or upset at me. Apparently it is possible to just have a bad day or be grumpy and have nothing to do with anything I did or said. 

• In the first decade with my husband I took it personally.
• In the second I was more likely to just ignore it.

RULE: If you laugh you can't be angry at me anymore. 

(my husband made up this ridiculous rule - and now the evil offspring use it on my too! Endless efforts are made to make me laugh in order to invoke the rule Grrr...)

• In the third decade I tell him "you're a grumpy old man, get some friggin' sleep and chill", which usually leads to an exchange of sarcastic but funny one-liners, laughter, a lightening of the mood and the If You Laugh Rule being invoked. 

I think the source of the problem (grumpiness, being irritable) is very important in deciding whether to worry about it or just let it ride itself out. Why am I or my husband grumpy? Is it external reasons impacting a person in a marriage, or is it something within the marriage impacting the person. I'm tired, so is my husband. When I'm tired I'm grumpy. When my husband is tired he is very grumpy. My husband being grumpy to me, can result in me being grumpy too, and vice versa. (Note: in this situation the "only one rule" is immediately invoked, and it's my turn) Sometimes life is a grind. We have two sons, an 18 year old and a 20 year. Need I say more? I think not, because clearly they are 75% of the reason we are tired and grumpy. 

I don't feel very lovey but I love my husband and I know he loves me. That is not to say we always like each other, or like each other's actions. We argue over the kids, money, and what to have for dinner, but I can't imagine my life without him in it, and if I had to pick someone to grow old and grumpy with it would be him. So maybe it's just low blood sugar, and all I really need is chocolate. 

How about you, are you feeling love for Valentine's Day? 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about chocolate and sleep. 

Throwback Thursday #TBT #FisherPrice Great Adventure Western Town CD circa 1997

#TBT

Throwback Thursday

Fisher Price, Great Adventure

Wild Western Town CD

(Minimum System Requirements: Windows 95) 

circa 1997

The Fisher Price Great Adventure CDs (released by The Learning Company) were one of the earliest computer experiences my kids had, and this Wild Western Town CD is the lone survivor of that Great Adventure CD collection that included:

• Wild Western Town
• The Castle
• The Pirate Ship
• Big Action Garage

We had the accompanying Western Town, Pirate Ship, Castle and Big Action Garage toy sets, including the All-In-One Adventures (mini Castle, Pirate, and Western Town). Except for these few characters which I didn't have the heart to let go, I very reluctantly placed the bigger pieces in loving homes, so other kids could have great adventures with them as well. We were big fans of both the CDs and the toys, and they became some of our all time favourites. In my opinion the Great Adventure toy sets and All-In-One toy sets are timeless classics which I sincerely hope Fisher Price brings back. No electronics or bells and whistles, just great toys that provide hours of imaginative fun. 

How about you? Did you have any Great Adventure Toys or CDs?

Yep, just me Cathy Thinking Out Loud about great adventures.