What Are We Celebrating Today -- Monday, February 11, 2013?

I need to do a big update on Christopher. I didn't realize he was THAT bad. Oh my!

This week is going to be so busy. I have premier tickets for Safe Haven tonight at a local theater. Since I can't get Mike to pick up Angela after dance, I'm going to call the studio and have her absent. I hate to do it, but darn it, I didn't go to the last 3 premiers I either had or could get tickets for because of other things going on with the kids. I REALLY want to see this movie (and I'll take Angela with me#, and I have to be at dress rehersal with Angela for HOURS on Tuesday after school. Just once I want to do something I want to do.....it's only for 2 hrs. The studio is NOT going to be happy though.

So...what are we celebrating today....

1). White T-Shirt Day: This holiday honors the men and women who participated in a sitdown strike at General Motors in 1937. These autoworkers helped the United Auto Workers #UAW) union to become the sole bargaining agent for General Motors autoworkers. The strike ended on this day in 1937. Bert Christenson, a member of UAW Local 598, initiated White Shirt Day, in February 11, 1948. It is an annual event and is best known in Flint, Michigan and other localities that have a GM auto plant. My father worked for GM for over 30 yrs...and I know there are other Gather members that use to be GM employees. Larry H. is one....hope you're wearing a white shirt today.

According to the UAW's website, the traditions of White Shirt Day are simple:

• Everyone must wear a white shirt or blouse
• Your white shirt must not get dirtier than your boss's shirt
• Safety and work rules must be followed.

2). Make a Friend Day: Do you have enough Gather friends or other friends? The answer should be no. No matter how many friends we have, more of them increases our wealth. That's because friends are one of life's valuable assets, so you just can't have too many friends. Go out and make some new ones today. I know there are lots of people here on Gather that would like a new friend.

3). Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day: Would you believe I actually got an email from SILK wishing me a happy one. This day is in recognition that everyone spills a little milk now and then. Today is a day to recognize that s@#$ happens, so when it does, don't worry, or fret, or cry over it. Rather, take a positive attitude and fix it, or get past it. It's a day to be optimistic, think positive, look on the bright side, and to find something good in everything that happens. As the song says: Don't Worry, be Happy!

4). Clean Out Your Computer Day: This holiday is always the second Monday of the month. Most of us add programs and files to our computer with reckless abandon. After all, computers have huge storage capacity. Many of these files and programs are forgotten over time, and these programs clog up our computer and may even slow it down. I'm hoping to delete a few items today....maybe.

5). National Shut-In Visitation Day: If you know anyone who can't get out of the house for whatever reason, go visit him/her – bring groceries, grab a paper, bring him/her a houseplant or just have a sit-down and a chat! I'm very sure one would appreciate it.

6). Be Electrific Day: This holiday actually celebrates the birthday of Thomas Alva Edison. Without his incandescent lightbulb, we'd still be sitting in the dark....or by candle light. "The Wizard of Menlo Park," is the holder of 1090+ U.S. Patents, inventor and businessman, and founder of General Electric, among many other impressive accomplishments too numerous to list here.

7). National Peppermint Patty Day: A peppermint patty is a tasty confection made with a rich, creamy peppermint filling covered in semisweet chocolate. In 1940, the York Cone Company manufactured the patties in York, Pennsylvania. According to the website, the patties were such a hit, the company's other products were discontinued in order to produce more of the patties. Yum! I do love York Peppermint Patties. I guess you could also celebrate the Peanuts character Peppermint Patty. She made her appearance in the debut of Peanuts, Charles M. Schultz's famous comic strip, in 1966, and her real name is Patricia "Peppermint Patty" Reichardt.

I did find 2 other holidays celebrated today, but I didn't find much on either of them (not that I tried too hard). They are Pro Sport Wives Day and Satisfied Staying Single Day.

Have a great Monday.