{ Who Doesn't Like Free Pants? }

In church on Sunday we were talking about hypocrisy - specifically how hypocrisy in our homes affects our kids.  I raised my hand and told all of the ladies in our women's organization that I am the biggest hypocrite I know. I yell at my kids and husband for two hours on Sunday mornings in a vain attempt to get them to move faster, because I'm afraid that we might not get to church early enough to get a squishy pew, sing the opening hymn (which, inevitably, turns out to be "Love At Home", or "Home Can Be A Heaven On Earth."), and feel the influence of the Holy Spirit.  I'm pretty sure the Holy Spirit is with me on the getting to church early thing.

I also told them that although I am a big old hypocrite,  I'm also the first to point out to my children that I'm a big old hypocrite... and I tell them that hypocrisy is a bad thing ... so I'm not sure if what I do counts as hypocrisy at all.  It seems more like honesty to me.

In my defense, I don't think it's just me.  This time of year seems to bring out some "do as I say, not as I do" in a lot of us.  All I'm saying is if we really believed that "it's better to give than to receive" there would be a lot longer line at the mall's giving tree and a lot shorter one at Santa's workshop.  (Which, by the way, is where we have our children sit on the lap of a stranger, talk to a stranger and accept candy from a stranger... after having threatened them with a very painful death if they wander off... because a stranger might take them...resulting in a very painful death- or possibly candy and presents.)

After Christmas passes,  there's a lot of the making of promises that we know we can't keep - even if  (and maybe most especially if) the promises are to ourselves.  I don't believe in resolutions.  I'd like to pretend it's because I believe in constant progress and goal setting and all that other stuff that makes highly effective people highly effective.  Actually it's because I am honest enough to admit that sometimes good enough is good enough.  I know myself well enough to know that it's gonna take a lot more than a resolution to get me to embrace changes like getting out of bed, in the dark and the cold to go running at 5am, or giving up the mini chocolate bars I stole from my kids' stockings for breakfast.  Fear of public humiliation, however usually does the trick - which is why I have committed to running a half marathon with my sisters and mom in July.  This means it's either run now and work off my bouncy parts in private, or wait until later and embrace the possibility of having people stare as they watch me bounce...and then pass out.

I am, however, going to try at least one new thing this year... right here on my blog...and (luckily for you) it doesn't involve bouncing.

Even if we are still up in the air on the "better to give than to receive" thing, I think we can agree that it is at least as good to give as it is to receive.  So... I've decided give a little something to the readers of Rants In My Pants.  Each month I will be hosting a giveaway (giveaway sounds better than "friendly bribe") where you can score some very cool stuff.  I will be announcing the first one within a couple of days - and let me tell you it's gonna be good.

I'll be concentrating on featuring unique handmade items that will make all your friends jealous.  I've lined up some really cute things that you can only get from the sponsors of our giveaways.  No corporate giants allowed.  (Take that WalMart.)  Just to be clear - I am not getting any compensation from any of the giveaway sponsors.  I just found some stuff that I thought was cool/cute/rad and asked nicely.  I will however, do a review of their shops and share a list of my favorite things for sale there.  Everything I get from them, goes straight to our winner or winners.  Too bad for me.  Really good for you.  (I will post the rules and guidelines for the giveaway when I reveal the item for that month.)

 I hope that all of you have happy, happy pants in 2010 - made only better by the great stuff you're going to win from us.

e.

(PS - Our giveaway slots have all been claimed for the first part of the year, but if you are interested in sponsoring one in a few months, contact me via the E.mail button on the sidebar.  If I like your stuff, you're in.)