So, we strolled into Lowe’s the other day to do some last minute fall plant shopping and the first thing out of Rhett’s mouth was…”You don’t want to look to the right.”

You see, my husband knows what will put me on one of my random rants and he had seen that the entire right side entrance to Lowe’s was what?  Christmas decorations!  May I remind you that it’s not even Halloween?!

In our house I have set a strict precedent that there will be no Christmas buying, decorating, or mention of it whatsoever until the day after Thanksgiving…we celebrate no holiday before it’s time.  It goes Halloween … Thanksgiving … Christmas … and ne’er the three shall meet.  I am very adamant about this.

So I started on my usual (tongue-in-cheek) sermon about the importance of giving each holiday its due course and while Rhett was laughing hysterically at me I started thinking about all the crazy little issues and traditions and traits people create for themselves.  For instance, besides my refusal to celebrate any holiday early…

1. I refuse to chew any other kind of gum except cinnamon.  And really just Dentyne Fire.  And ONLY until the flavor is gone.  And ONLY if I have no other breath freshening choice at my disposal.  Why?  Because gum is gross.  What is the deal with food you chew to a pulp and then don’t swallow?  And then people step on it or stick it on things…..Oh my god, I will go through 20 tins of mints before I will resort to gum.  And if you ever try to touch me with a chewed piece, you might pull back a nub.

2. When I sneeze it sounds like a cough….multiple, wheezing coughs.  All of my friends know to wait until the big one at the end before they say, “Was that sneezing?  Well then bless you.”  I would say it’s natural, but really I just figured out how to sneeze without spitting everywhere and the sound is part of it.  A small price to pay for not soaking your sleeve in spittle.

3. When I am on the phone with my family (and longest, closest friends) I refuse to hang up unless the last words we say are, “Love you.”… “Love you too.”  Because even if we are arguing I will convince myself that it’s very likely that they will get into an accident and what if they didn’t hear me say I love you right before they kicked the bucket?  It could happen.  I don’t care if you are only running to the neighbors.  Just say it.  I won’t let you hang up til you do.

4.    Stuffing (or dressing for my Northern friends) is only to be consumed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Period.  Any other time of year is sacrilege.  And if there are no mashed potatoes with gravy next to the stuffing, you might get an earful.

I know I’m crazy and I’m ok with it.  Because I think everyone has a few wacky little things about themselves that give them the feeling of being unique and (most of the time) endear us to the people around us.

So don’t be afraid to tell.  What little insanities make you who you are?  We at Sixthman will love you all the more for them.

-Jill Mac