Just Do Better

Happy New Year and all that great stuff!  Can we please go ahead and discuss this notion of what people call communication or effectively communicating!?  Ugh!  The frustration is almost  . . . almost unbearable. But, there is this great thing called blogging that allows us writers to scribe whatever the hell we so please. So let’s dig right in, shall we . . .

DO NOT communicate with me in third person! This means via your Facebook status or any other form of social media (pick one).  There are these things called cell phones (and house phones) if you still possess one, that you MUST pick up and use to call me to express your train of thought. Then, we can go from there and assess what may or may not be wrong. Don’t make assumptions that my status is about you.  Usually, when you do, that means that you’ve just been run over (hit dog).  If I respect a relationship/friendship enough to call and discuss, then you will too.  It is just one standard that WILL remain a part of my life.

RETURN all phone calls and text within a specific time frame.  Typically this means that you may not want to continually update your social media statuses and then decide to call me back or return my text messages (days or weeks later).  Understandably, our days and life can get the best of us, but in most cases I am being intentionally ignored.  It means only one thing to me: I am not important enough for you to take seconds out of your thumb key typing speed to text or call back (push the green button).

KEEP ALL MOODINESS away from me, specifically as I relish in the contagiousness of my joy.  Recently I’ve had some great things happening in my personal and professional life and I want to shout about these blessings to the world or at least through the phone with those closest to me.  However, if I in anyway, feel as if though your disposition is displeasing and not receptive to listening about my good (no matter if you are going through your bad), I keep it moving. *cue mean mug and deuces*

STOP COMPARING YOUR LIFE TO MY LIFE because they are OBVIOUSLY different.  This means always having to ‘one up’ me in the conversing of damn near everything, from children and education to new blessings and tough fought hardships.  I will always be able to foster creative ways to better myself, therefore, stop trying to infringe upon me your bitter, emotional baggage. Ugh!

Pictured above is the January 2013 affirmation that I wrote across my wine calendar and shall continue to do so for the remainder of this year and those to follow.  Read it and adhere to it, “I determine my own happiness!”  Say it with me now, “I determine my own happiness!”  Hopefully, you all feel a bit better (not bitter) and will first, examine how you can be a better communicator and then, continue checking (constructively, of course) the inconsiderate individuals that refuse to acknowledge their ineffective communication practices. 

You can guarantee to have at least one reflective, motivational, inspirational or how you deem fit to term it, post from me each month as the year progresses with a monthly affirmation written across my wine calendar.

So, just as I started this post, Happy New Year and Salute to effective communication and uncorking new and familiar bottles of wine as well as unpaved  journeys in life.   

Oh and seeing that I am a resilient Falcons fan, Rise the Fudge Up!

Salute, 

San, The Red Head

What are some of your glows and grows of being a great communicator?

{Field Trip} Carpe Vino

Everything but the bottle of wine

Carpe Vino "Sieze the wine"! I wanted to share a quick post with you all about my field trip find on Saturday.  Yes, field trip.  Whenever I set out on retail ventures, I often find a bargain or two...or three. Hey, it's in my blood line.  My mother can find a clearance, sale, or a great deal just about anywhere...and I mean anywhere. My field trip adventures with my two favorite girls (my nieces) to our local Target welcomed me with dollar spot treasures.  If you can't tell by now, I am a wine-head (red preferred, but all is welcomed) *winking*.  When I came across the wine themed set and accessories, I literally screeched like a child...from pure excitement mind you.  I've been wanting to throw a little wine soiree for my close girlfriends for quite sometime and these wine themed field trip finds would make for great favors.

Wine buckets embellished with various grape varietals  

Wine charms, foil cutter, and wine key

    Wine bags

I purchased the wine journals, buckets, and bags in sets of six, two sets of wine charms, one foil cutter and wine key all for just . . . $22.  Not bad at all for my Saturday field trip find.  

Have you purchased any wine themed items or accessories lately? Were they used to entertain, as gifts, or to simply add to collection of wine paraphernalia ?

Saluté,

San, The Red Head

Say Yes to the Bottle

Before anyone gets their panties or boxers in a bunch, let me state that I am not encouraging alcoholism.  What I am asking, however, is that you need not be afraid to walk into a special beverage store or down a wine isle and be intimidated by the array of selections at your fingertips.  Wine is proof that you are loved and more than welcomed to partake in the hedonist pleasure of drinking it.  Yes, one can become a bit intimidated by all of the flowery language associated with wine, but ultimately in the end you will drink what you like.  Breaking down and decoding wine labels is not a rocket science, but it can be a bit daunting reading some of them.  The wine labels from the United States and other New World Regions (Chile, North and South America, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa) are simpler to read than many of the European ones.  Here is the best way to break down the front of U.S. and other New World Region wine labels:

 Label owned by Blackstone Winery and retrieved from About.com

Vintage- The year located on the front of the wine bottle that indicates the year the grapes were harvested. i.e. (2008, 2000).

Alcohol level- Described in percentage by volume that indicates the alcoholic strength of the wine. Most labels will read anywhere from 7% to 15%.

Vineyard/Producer/Winery/Estate- Who makes the wine. Sutter Home, Hogue, Francis Ford Collopa, and Rosemount Estate are examples of wineries.  

Region- The place where the wine is grown. Napa Valley, Columbia Valley, and Walla Walla Valley are examples of wine regions here in the U.S.  

Grape Variety/Varietal- The type of grape used in the wine. Cabernet, for example, is a red grape variety and Pinot Grigio is a white grape variety.

The back of U.S. and other New World Region wine labels are typically filled with government warnings and may include tasting notes from the winery. I like reading the tasting notes to access if my palette favors some of the flavors mentioned.  My ABC version of reading a wine label will help many of you.  I am as adventurous as possible when it comes to drinking and learning about wine. If, however, there are other “nerds to core” like I, here is a detailed breakdown of a wine label from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau.  Head on into the special beverage store or down the wine isle with a little bit of sommelier swag in your step.  Read those labels, purchase what you favor, pour a glass, and have a drink.

Saluté, 

San, The Red Head