Holiday Seasons are Upon Us!

Happy Days or Crazy Holidays?

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Normally when talking about Holidays there are 3 types of people. The people who love holidays way too much, the ones who despise them, and the ones who don't care one way or another. The third group of people are the ones who are most likely too busy to enjoy what the holidays have to offer. The ones who despise them probably have a negative experience surrounding it. Therefore, it is up to the ones who love the holidays way too much to have enough cheer for all of them. Shall we start with thanksgiving? 

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The one thing I can tell you is a tradition in our house is to have my Uncle, who we never see, over for Thanksgiving dinner. My mom spends all day in the kitchen slaving over the hot stove. Mom was so relieved when my sister and I were old enough to be useful in the kitchen. We always had all the fixings! Candied yams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, ham, pumpkin pie and my absolute favorite green bean casserole. Let me help you guys out with my favorite recipe, no one does it better than French's!  https://bit.ly/2JoYpjM. Yes, my favorite part of Thanksgiving is the food and seeing my Uncle Dave. I'll tell you what is not my favorite part, cleaning extra hard for when the family comes over. My house ever since I can remember has been cluttered and always needed time to 'be presentable', as my mom would say. We never had that problem during Christmas because it was always the immediate family. 

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Now Christmas was always my favorite holiday as a kid, as it is for most. I loved it then because of the presents. I love it now because of the joy that it brings, the sweaters people wear, and Christmas movies, Hallmark has the best! I love that most people are a little happier around Christmas and people are a little more grateful and caring. I think it brings out the best in people. It also brings out the best sweaters! Things get stressful though around Christmas, most can agree. People realize what they don't have and feel bad that they can't give more to the people that they love. I think that a big reason why people are more kind around this time of year. You put yourself in other's shoes and that is when people are grateful and care. Now I'm just sounding like a sucker. Enough about me! What are your favorite traditions for the upcoming holidays. Anyone celebrate holidays not talked about here? Comment below and let us know! As always, Hannah Lynn 

Dream Jobs

"When I grow up I wanna be..."

*insert dream job here*

I always said that I wanted to be a Vet or Teacher when I was a kid. Then I grew up and realized I had no idea what I wanted to be. Now I love my job. Lets be honest though, It is not my dream job; don't tell my boss. Which bring me to the topic, what are jobs that you've always dreamed to have? There are so many jobs out there, some better than others. Lets take a look at some that interested us. 

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First lets talk about a professional blunt roller. If you can't roll blunts, this position is not for you! Who would need a professional blunt roller you may ask? In 2014 Waka Flocka Flame, the rapper, took to Instagram because he felt he needed one. https://bit.ly/2q8lNJr Who filled the position? Seth Rogan. 50,000 dollars a year for a side gig is pretty great. He kept the gig up until it was announced this year that he was fired. Obviously, acting was his dream career not blunt rolling. I'm sure he still does it for his personal gain.

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With cannabis making a comeback and becoming legal all around the U.S. many want to know how to get a job having to do with that. Growing, chopping, and trimming bud doesn't always pay the best or is not the most enjoyable. However, getting paid to smoke weed is every stoners dream. https://bit.ly/2PJN8g6 This article talks about a company in Toronto, Canada, that hired 5 lucky individuals to get paid to smoke weed and write social media posts. Like sign me up! Then there is this article that talks about 3000 dollars a week to pretty much do the same thing https://bit.ly/2S8e8Yh. There just asking stoners to take their money, but you have to meet their terms or get fired like Seth Rogan. This article also talks about 'budtenders', a term that I was not familiar with until I went to Colorado. They are the bartenders of weed and a pretty sweet gig as well. I wouldn't say 'dream job', but to someone it might be. 

Just remember that you can't find a job that you aren't looking for. Also, it is never to late to try and find a better job or to chase after your 'dream job'. You never know until you try and that can't start unless you take the first steps. These jobs are out there, you just have to find them. 

Smoking and Alternatives

Cigarettes, Vaping, Quitting, and More

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I always like to begin my blog with saying how I relate or what I think of a topic. Smoking is one that I could talk about for hours, being that I smoked my first cigarette at 6, was a dedicated cigarette smoker for 12 years steady, and am now a 'vaper' trying to quit smoking altogether. Don't try to do the math, it won't make sense. I started smoking cigarettes steady at 11, smoked happily up until the millionth time I tried to quit in the summer of 2018. Nothing ever worked until I got my JUUL. I don't advocate for JUUL and I always tell people they are only great if you use them to quit. It worked for me though, it really got me to finally quit smoking cigarettes. In my opinion, I don't think vaping is any better than smoking. It is new and hard to say the real long term risks, however I am not a professional. There are always good and bad to every aspect.

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This is the part where I tell you what I can find on this topic, which is a lot! First, I advise you to always keep a look out on your choice of poison in the news. We all know smoking causes cancer, this isn't new. What is new is what else they link it to like Dementia, how it can leave residue that is more harmful than we know, and how a landlord that once allowed smoking can change his mind at anytime. I found all this out by just searching 'Smoking and tobacco' into the N.Y. Times search on their website: https://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/smoking-and-tobacco. Vaping is new and upcoming, so if that is your niche, you are going to want to stay up-to-date on laws, health articles, and other things that keep you educated and informed. Even one of those articles on the Times says that vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes. I think that you just need to be sure what you are vaping. This article talks about a company called out on putting erectile dysfunction medicine similar to Viagra in its vape juice: http://time.com/5424105/fda-vape-ecigarette-erectile-dysfunction-viagra-cialis/.

The last part in almost every blog I write tells you something to the effect of 'Do your research'. This one will be no different. Our bodies are special and our own, we want to respect and nurture them. Smoking is something that can bring such joy to people, some never developing any health risks from it. Other times, we all know how bad smoking can be. I commend the people who have finally quit smoking fully and advocate to reach out to smokers and tell them what helped you. Understand though, that it isn't your place to tell people how to live your life and some people are happy smoking cigarettes. Make a difference where you can, but choose your battles wisely. As always, Hannah Lynn.

High Time for Halloween Talk!

Halloween Then and Now

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Halloween is a great time to be a kid or an adult, as long as you love to wear costumes, right? Most people love the thought of being someone else for a night and stuffing their faces with candy or alcohol, whichever you like more. One year I remember having my fair share of both, only to spend the next day hugging the toilet and seeing all that chocolate again. Never a dull Halloween these, but how did this holiday start anyways? Better yet, What was it about when it all started?

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The History Channel has a great page all about it, new to 2018 too. You can find all the info dating back to the start of Halloween. It tells you how all these different holidays and traditions turned into the Halloween we love today. It surprised me to find out that Halloween in America started out with people going door to door asking for money or food and that was in the 1800's! It wasn't exactly the Halloween we know today. It's kinda crazy that it developed into such a spectacular event for all ages circled around candy and costumes. If you want a good read and to learn more about this popular holiday head on over to https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween and check it out! It tells you all about the history of trick-or-treating, black cats, Halloween parties, and much more!

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Obviously as a kid, most of us have fond memories of Halloween. I talked earlier about I cannot remember a dull Halloween in my life. What about Halloween these days? Personally, I have a huge family and love all trying to have a costume that coincides with one another. Then the kids go to bed and the adults drink and eat the kids candy, if its not a work night that is. Being an adult isn't all it is cracked up to be. So, What are you favorite things to do for Halloween? Any tradition you love? Any costumes you have in mind or a dead set on? Remember, It's high time for Halloween talk; spark that conversation today! 

Scratching the surface on elections

Elections and November 6th 

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Elections happen pretty frequently when you think about the different levels of them. Like how many elections go on in your city, county, state, and national levels. This means you want to make sure you are staying up-to-date and forming an opinion on who you are going to vote for, right? How do you do that though?  It isn't a cut-and-dry, easy-peasy thing to do. The best way I've found is to do your research about who is on the ballot. If you want to see a sample ballot for your area of WI, go here: https://myvote.wi.gov. This helps you narrow your specs on scoping out who you want to vote for. Not everything is always on the sample ballot though, that is why you want to do what? Your research! You can make more on an impact on a county or state level, however it is extremely important to vote in the elections leading up to and for The President of the United States as well. It is also easier to form an opinion on something so important like the election for President. Make sure you listen to all sides of all arguments before solidifying your decision, there could be one fact that is a tipping point in your decision. That is why research is so important! 

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November 6th though, what is so important about it? Well, we are voting for the governor of our state. That's the equivalent to the president of Wisconsin, pretty much! I think we all deserve a say in that. We are also voting for things like the Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, The United State Senator, and other things depending on what district you live in.  Voting is putting your two cents into what you want to see in your country. It is also being an active part in your community and society! It is important for everyone to get out there, for every election, because it really could come down to your vote to decide it all. Not to mention, your opinion matters!
Many people coming into the shop have mentioned this article to me, so I think it is important to talk about. https://bit.ly/2DHHIRj This WEAU article talks about how there will be a question regarding the legalization of marijuana. I verified on https://elections.wi.gov/elections-voting/elections (The Wisconsin Election Commission) that this is true. You might have to have Excel, but if you go down to the list of attachments it will be the third one that says 'List of Referenda for November 2018' and it goes through the questions that will be on the ballot in every county in Wisco. I did take a snip it from the spreadsheet for those of ya'll's that don't have Excel (on the bottom of the blog). Many people that have approached me are thrilled to be able to voice their opinion on this matter. Many people understand that even if they never want to use cannabis, that other people may. Some people fully believe that it is a life saving, miracle, one-of-a-kind, drug. Some people think it should remain illegal. Some people think that it could help rapidly decrease the Opioid problem that we have in our state.  Some people think that it should only be used for medical purposes. Some people think that it should be fully decriminalized and just legalize it all around. We wanna know, What do you think?