Reverb 10 - Prompt #5

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

Well, if one thing is for sure, it is that this prompt is an emotional one.  Well done, Alice Bradley, well done.  It's interesting to me that this prompt was posted on December 5th. This day is my dad's birthday. He passed away when I was ten years old, but I still celebrate his birthday every year just the same.  What an ironic occurrence - to be caused to reflect about loss on the birthday of someone I had to let go of fifteen years ago.

To start, let me say that 2010 brought a lot of letting go for me.  In some instances, I wanted to let go.  In others, I had no choice but to let go.  Take for example my beloved grandfather.  He was someone that, if I had my way, would never leave this earth.  He was genuinely one of the most likeable men on the planet.  Honestly.  You could ask anyone and they would wholeheartedly agree.  In order to be completely unselfish, though, my family and I had to let Papa go because a horrific combination of Alzheimer's disease and lung cancer decreased his quality of life dramatically.  Luckily for us, and for him, he passed fairly easily and seemed to be finally at peace.  Even though it was incredibly hard, it was best to just let go. 

The same was true of my Uncle Deano.  Cancer is a dirty word, and unfortunately it overtook my uncle this year.  While I didn't get to see him nearly often enough (due to geographical difficulty), he was always a light in my life.  He had a booming voice and a personality to match, and oh, how we love him and miss him.

This year has been such a time of learning for me.  In several instances, it produced a disappointing outcome.  Through trials and tribulations I faced this year, I discovered that there were people whom I thought were true friends who did not return the same love and time I had given to them in their own hard times.  It was a horrible feeling to see who wasn't standing there when the shoe was on the other foot, and that was hard for me.  I'm one of those people who often loves too hard.  If someone needs me, I will be there, and my inner circle absolutely knows that.  I guess I thought the same would be true of my friends, and I have not found that to be the case with all of them.

I learned that some people are more than willing to continually take from you, but see no reason to ever give, and that is an unhealthy friendship.  I've had to learn how to distance myself and let go of those who have chosen not to be there for me.  People who I thought genuinely loved me completely took advantage of me and felt it was okay to use me up.  I'm not at all good at letting go, but at some point you grow up and realize that some relationships can be detrimental to you.  You have to find a way to let go in order to better yourself. 

Luckily, my spirit is very hard to break, and I have been able to carry on in spite of these realizations.  While this part of the year has been hard, it has cultivated so much knowledge, and I wouldn't trade this for the world.

Until next time,

Reverb 10 - Prompt #4

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

This is a good one!  Again, this one would be backed by a recent occurrence.  For the first time in fifteen years, I got a REAL Christmas tree for 2010!  My family always had a real tree when I was growing up, and after my Daddy passed away, it got to be pretty difficult to go through the process.  From then on, plastic trees were the game plan.

In fact, there's one funny memory that comes to mind.  (Truth be told, I'm not 100% sure if I have this memory or if I've just been told the story so many times).  Back in the day when I was a wee Chicken Wing, we had a very full real Christmas tree.  After it was all decorated and things were looking very Christmas-like, I was sitting on the living room floor watching television on the GINORMOUS TV we had. 

Allow me to digress for a minute.  I'm sure you remember the kind - they had this slightly bulging curve for a television screen and ridiculous wood paneling.  I mean, it was literally like a solid piece of furniture with a TV screen inside of it.  Not to mention, it must have weighed 500 pounds!

Anways, back to the memory - I was sitting on the floor engrossed in some program of the cartoon variety.  All of a sudden, Christmas attacked!  Our beautiful real tree fell over and swallowed me up.  The way Mom tells it, you couldn't see me at all!  Needless to say, I'm sure there was a healthy mixture of panic, laughter, and shouts of, "Get that tree off my baby!"

I know that was a long and winding road off the beaten path that was this prompt:  December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

The real Christmas tree created the sense of wonder that I hadn't experienced in so long.  Getting all bundled up (it was only 20 degrees that evening), laying all the seats down in the SUV, and driving 25 minutes to pick out the PERFECT Frasier Fir brought back memories from childhood.  It really is a magical experience.  Then, you get to set it up in the tree stand and get to decorating!  You have to be meticulous in your ornament placement, because unlike the old faithful plastic tree, you can't bend the branches to hold the heavy ones.  Real Christmas trees simply do not work that way.  Plus, you actually have to water the real tree so there is a sense of wonder in that, too.  (If I don't nurture this tree, it will die.)

A very proud Comanche with his perfect tree!

Now this cultivates wonder!

Until next time,

Reverb 10 - Prompt #3

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

There were many moments that I really felt alive in 2010, but one that sticks out most just happened recently.  One moment during which I felt most alive this year was Thanksgiving Day. 

Grandma Chicken Wing's house was warm, which perfectly offset the chilly, gray day that happened to be drizzling rain for the majority of the time.  There was a table full of food to perfectly complement the table full of family.  While I was so thankful for the bounty my Grandma had prepared for us year after year, I was also mindful of a few things that were new to the experience.

1.  The seating arrangement was different.  This was our first Thanksgiving without Papa Chicken Wing, and he always sat at one head of the table.  Grandma Chicken Wing always sat at the other head of the table.  This year, Uncle Chicken Wing sat at the head where Papa was usually seated.

2.  This year, I had full control of the amount of food I consumed.  While I won't lie and say I didn't go overboard on my own, this year Papa wasn't there asking me repeatedly if I wanted more creamed potatoes.  (His Alzheimer's had gotten pretty bad in recent times before he passed away, and he loved to help out during lunches and dinners by making sure I wasn't lacking in the potato department.  I made my stomach hurt so badly one time because I just didn't have the heart to tell him that I was full).

3.  As we all encounter sure signs of the circles of life, so did I this Thanksgiving.  It was the first that Comanche (my very handsome boyfriend, if you're a new reader) shared with our family.  Papa was gone, which saddened me terribly, and Comanche was there, which made me giddy with excitement.  It was also the first time that Comanche met Grandma and Uncle Chicken Wing, so I was filled with anticipation for that.

4.  Also new this year?  Grandma Chicken Wing actually let me prepare something for the Thanksgiving table - my homemade macaroni and cheese.  For those who don't know my Grandma, this is like finding a cure for something horrible, or discovering a new type of dinosaur - it truly is ground-breaking!  Grandma is famous for never letting anyone help or contribute - after all, it's her day to shine, as the matriarch of our family.  This was a huge deal for me, and I am happy to report that everyone loved my mac and cheese, including Grandma!

The Spread!  A picture's worth a thousand words!

Little Brother Chicken Wing enjoying scrumptious mac & cheese that someone made!  ;)

Oh you know there was more waiting on the stove!  We need a bigger table!

Not everything was different, however.  There were certain things that scream classic Thanksgiving to me, and those still were present in 2010.  The food was absolutely amazing, parades and football games were watched, and a game of toss-around football was played.  Dinner was had with the leftovers from Thanksgiving lunch, just as it is almost every year.  Games were played (this year, it was a colorful and competitive family favorite - Mexican dominoes).

I always feel so alive at Thanksgiving because it's one of many yearly reminders of how lucky I am.  I hope I am alive to experience many more Thanksgivings with my family, as it's one of my favorite holidays!

Until next time,

Something Every Man Should Know

*We interrupt the Reverb 10 series to bring you this important Public Service Announcement.*

In life, there are certain lessons that must be learned in order to be successful. 

In school, you have to study before a big test and then apply what you learned if you want to guarantee success.  In the romantic world, you have to practice being honest and faithful and open to sharing in order to make a relationship last.  In social settings, it's pretty important to learn lessons in etiquette.  When you get ready to start working, you have to practice your interview skills and then if you get the job, you have to continue to practice good habits if you want to keep the job you got!

Now, there are also certain things that you have to know that are gender specific.  This post is about something every man should know.

Whether you're dressing for a job interview, going to your first prom, or maybe even walking down the aisle, every man needs to know how to tie a tie.  If you've ever attempted this, you know this is a difficult task.



Perfect Paisley!  Yes, please!  Click here to buy!


Well, stress no more, Peeps!  There is a fabulous website in the interwebs that teaches you not only how to tie a tie, but also how to tie FIFTEEN different knots or styles!  WOWEE, that's impressive!  I'm so serious - it's even chock full of videos that walk you, step by step, through the process, so you can practice on your own.

Click here to head over to the site!

I personally believe that there should be more websites like this out there - you know, ones with absolutely relevant information!  I plan to practice some of these tie-tying techniques so that I can be of service to any males in need!

Another cool thing about this site is that it's brought to you by ABCNeckties.  If you like one of the ties featured in their how-to videos, you can hop on over to ABCNeckties to purchase it!  Amazing!

I hope you find this useful, and please send this on to your friends - especially to that special man in your life who rocks the clip-on regularly!  Trust me, they're counting on you to teach them the ways of the necktie!

Until next time,
Miss Chicken Wing

Reverb 10 - Prompt #2

December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)

Oh wow.  I can't say that cleaning the house or doing laundry ever contributes to my writing, but I can't eliminate that.  (I'm pretty sure that no one around me would appreciate that type of prioritizing).  The only thing that I do daily that doesn't contribute necessarily to my writing would be watching television.  Yes, I could eliminate that, but then I would feel cut off from the world.  Hey, I like to watch TV and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Plus, occasionally I write about my favorite TV shows or movies, so I wouldn't want to elimate the watching of the tube.

Until next time,

Reverb 10 - Prompt #1

December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

The one word that I would use to describe the year 2010 is change.  So many things changed for me this year!  I remember on New Year's Eve 2009, I told the friends I was gathered with at the time that 2010 was going to be a big year.  I could feel it.  Wow, was my intuition on point or what?  Granted, I never thought things would change in the ways they did, but change was definitely on the horizon.

Let's recap, shall we?  The economy stayed in a downturn, making it hard to live financially.  My boyfriend at the time moved 3 hours away thrusting us into a long-distance relationship.  Not long after that, my relationship of six years ended.  My grandfather's illness took a turn for the worst and eventually took his life.  I experienced the "d" word - dating - again for the first time since the age of nineteen.  I had the first blind date of my life, which was a change within the dating scene.  I met an amazing man, and began a great new relationship.  My family experienced hardship.  This is just scratching the surface.

The one word that I would love to be able to use to describe 2011 for myself would have to be complete.  I hope that I will be able to reflect upon 2011 as a year where I became even more fulfilled - with love, with savings, with greater faith, with family, with memories, with travels.  I want to accomplish more goals in 2011, and then I could feel more complete.   

Until next time,

New Series - Stay Tuned

Every now and again, I find it harder and harder to come up with content that will hopefully entertain you.  I know that this blog is supposed to be about me and my life, and it is, but I have found that I also write this blog for each and every one of you.  I don't think you understand how much it means to me when someone says, "I love your blog.  I am a religious follower of the Chicken Wing."  Umm, hello....please pause while I retrieve the socks that you just rocked off my feet!

I've recently been made privvy to an awesome initiative in which bloggers can reflect on their year, and share their stories with one another, and I thought this could be an excellent opportunity for me.  I am behind (what can I say - I am always tardy to the party), but I will catch up and I will continue this.  It's called Reverb 10.

An excerpt from their website reads:  "Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10 - and the 31 prompts our authors have created for you - you'll have support on your journey."


Basically, every day for the month of December, an author asks a question (called a prompt), and you simply answer it via your blog.  Then you share it with the world.

So, I've decided that I'm going to play along. 2010 has been an interesting year for me, and I think it will be therapeutic for me to look back upon the lessons that I've learned this year.

Stay tuned for a recap of my year, and don't forget - I'm starting at the beginning.  Prompt #1, from December 1st. If you blog, I'd love to hear your reverb perspectives!

Until next time,
Miss Chicken Wing

My Newest Love

Clearly, I'm in love with love.  I love to love people, places, and things.  I also love for those same people, places, and things to love me back.

A few posts back, I told you a story of the romantic variety.  In this post, I would like to introduce you to my newest love.  He's rythymic, smooth, upbeat, joyous, hard-working, and loves to make me sweat.

Dirty?  No, he's

ZUMBA!!!!

A girlfriend of mine at work told me that she'd started going to the free class at our local YMCA.  She told me that the classes were twice a week and here's the kicker - they fell in the later evening, so I could actually attend!  Yessss!  I was really nervous for some reason, so I did a little research on what Zumba is.

According to Wikipedia.com: 

"Zumba is the name of a dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Beto in Colombia during the 1990s. Zumba was marketed by entrepreneur Alberto Perlman, who made the concept popular through dance classes as well as branded merchandise. The program combines Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun. Zumba classes are offered through licensed instructors in more than 90,000 fitness center locations in 110 countries with ten million participants. DVDs are also available for learning at home. Classes and instructional DVDs use music based on salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton, samba and other international music styles and forms. The Zumba program is recognized by the America's leading fitness educators, including the Aerobic Fitness Association of America, IDEA Health and Fitness Association, and the American Council on Exercise." Source


Want to see an example of what Zumba instruction looks like?  Click here.

So, I decided to check it out, and I fell head over heels in love!  I found that while it was a challenging workout, it wasn't too hard for me to comprehend the choreography.  Granted, I did feel as though I had a slight advantage since my mother enrolled me in dance classes at the ripe old age of two.  And, being as I stuck with it for 15 years, I was used to living my life in eight-counts.

If you like moderate cardio with the chance to shake your bon-bon, then Zumba might just be the form of exercise for you!  Plus, there are all women in our class so far, and it feels like a girl-time party to me!  The instructor was great, and after every number, the ladies all clapped and laughed. Seriously, this has got to be the only gym class where there were more smiles than smirks present!  I think that's saying something!

If you think you might be interested, I'd say give it a shot and try to find a class near you!  This type of workout has officially been declared

Until next time,