Category Archives: Write2Unpack

“Life Lessons From a Labrador” is my sons’ most favorite blog post I’ve written. Today I thought I’d pay homage to the other canine in our house, Jack-Jack the girl German Shepherd. (She was named after the baby in “The Incredibles” and the cartoon short Pixar produced entitled “Jack-Jack Attack”)

When Jack-Jack was about 2 months old a friend of mine brought her into the office where we worked.  I told her if she needed to find the pup a new home I wanted dibs and, fortunately for me, 7 months later Jack-Jack came to my home.

My family and I have belonged to Jack-Jack for about 6 years, and she’s been an amazing addition. She teaches without trying, and sets a good example for me and my children. Today’s post is about that: the guidance we get from our German Shepherd.

1.  Be loyal. The first thing I think about when I think about a German Shepherd is loyalty. They will love you and stick with you until their last breath. They’ll even die for you. What a great lesson for my children: be loyal to those you love.

2.  When you have a German Shepherd you can forget personal space. We’ve trained Jack-Jack to stay off the couch, but when you sit on the floor you can expect a large furry lap dog to immediately occupy your space. She knows the importance of touch and snuggling. Oh, and don’t expect to use the bathroom without an escort.

3.  Listen. Jack-Jack will listen to you intently and try to understand what you’re saying. She doesn’t judge, and loves me even more when I talk to her. I want my children to grow up knowing the importance of listening to others, even when you don’t understand them, without judgment.

4.  Think. The Labrador can out sniff the Shepherd, but Jack-Jack’s smarts are head-and-shoulders above Belle (bless her heart).  Shepherds are super intelligent and need to be mentally stimulated, so do we. Mental stimulation has been shown to improve memory and lower a person’s risk for memory disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
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5.  Protect each other. While the Labrador will bark and bounce backwards, the German Shepherd will run straight at anything she deems is a danger to us or any of “her charge.” When we let the cat out at night she insists on going out too to make sure it’s safe for him, and is instantly at your side if someone’s at the door. A good reminder to stand up and protect those we love.

This week, my reader, I encourage you to take the guidance of the German Shepherd.  Be soft and cuddly, strong and fierce, use your brain, love unconditionally, and protect those you love.  Just imagine what kind of world we’d live in if we all loved like the German Shepherd.

Thanks to my boys for this week’s inspiration. The next pet-blog will, undoubtedly, have to be about Maxwell – The Cat Who Thinks He’s a Dog.

My thoughts are my own, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Facebook (Melissa Gale), Instagram (write2unpack), or Twitter (@write2unpack). If you have any topics you’d like to talk about, reach out to me at write2unpack@gmail.com. Oh, hey, and if you sign up to follow me you’ll never miss a post!

“Spectacles, Testicles, Wallet and Keys.” Those are the words my friend heard when she was leaving her hotel room.  She looked to her right and there was a man, also leaving his hotel room, checking to make sure he had everything before he closed the door.  He was instantly embarrassed, but his words have had a lasting impact. She remembered what he said and has used it herself to remember everything before she locks her house for the day. She’s shared it and now I use it to make sure I have everything before I leave for the day. That’s the inspiration for today’s post: life hacks.

We all need things to make our lives a little easier, and what better way to help out my readers this week than to share some life hacks that have helped me.

1. “Spectacles, testicles, wallet and keys.” Say this snappy little jingle before leaving for the day and you’ll make sure not to leave your house without the essentials.

2. Cut your frozen pizza before baking. It’s not any harder to cut, you won’t get a saucy mess, and the center won’t be cold.

3. Wrap celery in tinfoil. It will keep weeks longer. (Note: like all fruits/veggies, the pre-cut ones don’t keep as long)

4. To help ease mouth sores: mix equal parts Benadryl and Milk of Magnesia and swish (don’t swallow).

5. To clean up vomit (yes, it’s gross, but we all have to do it sometimes): sprinkle ground coffee on it. It will help the smell and dehydrate it, making it easier to clean up.

6. When you order pretzel bites and they come with cheese, tear the pretzel bites in half and dip the torn end into the cheese. The cheese will normally slide off the buttery outside, but will stick to the cheese. (This is my sons’ favorite life hack)

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7. Use a cardboard egg carton for your garden starts. When the plants are big enough just tear them apart and plant, carton and all.

8. Ctrl + z: In Word it will instantly undo the last action. That little nugget has saved my bacon more than once.

9. Use old, discarded pallets for a raised garden. There are always pallets free for the taking. You can find them at feed/pet stores, big corporate offices, fruit sheds, or look on Craigslist. Just be sure to ask first! Fill them with soil and PRESTO! You have a raised garden and your plants are in neat, little weed-free rows.

10. Coconut oil. This one’s my favorite. Use coconut oil instead of butter or canola oil for a healthier meal, it’s an awesome and natural skin conditioner (and wrinkle reducer), removes wax, removes adhesive left behind by stickers, washes easily out of clothes and doesn’t stain, it’s a great makeup remover (especially mascara), a great massage oil… seriously, just google it. Coconut oil will definitely make your life easier.

If you look on google, you can find reference to “Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch” as a mnemonic to teach you how to properly make the sign of the cross, an Austin Powers movie, and the Urban Dictionary even has a definition for “testicles spectacles.” As great as all those things are, my hope for you, my reader, is to bring a little humor to you this week and make your life a little easier.

Seek out things that can make your life easier. We all work way too hard, so find those tips and tricks that make your life easier, healthier, and less stressful.

Oh, and be mindful about what you say out loud. You may be remembered for something you didn’t intend. (Hat tip to the man in the hotel who never forgets the essentials).

My thoughts are my own, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Facebook (Melissa Gale), Instagram (write2unpack), or Twitter (@write2unpack). If you have any topics you’d like to talk about, reach out to me at write2unpack@gmail.com. Oh, hey, and if you sign up to follow me you’ll never miss a post!

This week I trusted a new friend and was rewarded with kindness and compassion.  Not always the case, I assure you, but in my 44 years on this earth one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is: Don’t let the fear of feeling foolish stop you from reaching out to someone else.  I was 39 when I learned that lesson, and The Universe was not so kind in its teaching.  Remember: if you don’t listen, it has to talk louder. (Mel’s Life Lesson 1996)

Anyhow, this new friend is a man. <gasp> I know, right? I’m friends with a man who isn’t my husband. No, I wasn’t hitting on him, and no, he wasn’t hitting on me, but we were having a conversation and he did something, unintentionally, that was sexy. He had trusted me with some personal news, and after our conversation I reached out to him trusting (hoping) that I could speak honestly with him about his unintentional sexiness. (That’s what I write about in my non-blog writings, remember?) I knew he could misunderstand and react as many have, but my Life Lesson 2012 was still ringing loud in my ears… and I leapt.  The “net” appeared in the form of unquestioning acceptance and a gentle response. And so this week’s blog inspiration found me… platonic friendships.

It’s not Friends with Benefits, but really the Benefits of Friendship – without the rules of romance to gum up the works. Let’s look at the benefits of having a Platonic Best Friend (PBF):

1.  Honesty. Your lover may be afraid to tell you that your new hair-do looks like a chocolate covered cherry, but your PBF will tell you straight out it’s a hair-don’t.

2.  It gives you another perspective.  I’m a girl and I think like a girl. Granted some of my thoughts are more like a dude’s, but I still see and feel things like a girl. Having guys who are friends gives me their perspective and insight into the Mechanisms of Man-Brain, and vice versa.

3.  It helps you be an adult.  You’re going to have to learn to work with people of the opposite sex, without utilizing the benefits of your sexuality. Having friends who are the opposite gender allows you to develop this skill.

4.  Unconditional love and support.  Without the expectation of a romantic relationship you’re free to be there for each other during tough times, and good times. Your PBF knows you, warts and all, and knows what you’re capable of. He’ll gently (or not so gently) nudge you when you’re stalled, and cheer your successes.
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5.  You don’t worry what other people think: People will pry, assume, and judge you regardless of what you do. Similar to Mel’s Life Lesson 2012, don’t let the fear of other people’s opinion stop you from having a worthwhile relationship. I’m not saying you should do things that would make your spouse or lover insecure, but having an opposite-sex friend is so beneficial you shouldn’t let the opinion of strangers determine who you are friends with.

When I met my husband his best friend was a girl. They’d known each other for almost 20 years, had been there for each other through the births of their children, rocky marriages that eventually ended in divorce, and were not a couple – just best friends.  She calls him her “brother,” he loves her and will be there for her if she ever needs anything, and she’s always there for him. I wasn’t threatened by their friendship. I appreciated (and still do) the fact that my husband has the capacity to love and care for people. I’m glad to say now she’s also one of my best friends. I love her dearly and would do anything for her.  And isn’t that what we need in this world? More love?

This week, my reader, I encourage you to embrace and strengthen your platonic friendships. You’ll be rewarded with honesty, perspective, and a lifetime of friendship.

My thoughts are my own, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Facebook (Melissa Gale), Instagram (write2unpack), or Twitter (@write2unpack). If you have any topics you’d like to talk about, reach out to me at write2unpack@gmail.com. Oh, hey, and if you sign up to follow me you’ll never miss a post!