ON THE PORCH WITH PATTI

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher

Life in The 20s: Happy 2020-YOU!

ust the other day Kassidi asked me about how I was – how my life was – in my twenties. Since she is in her twenties now, I felt that was fair game and that I could answer honestly without reservation.

I spent my twenties in the mid 1980s and early 1990s, so Kassidi had grand visions of debauchery of this time period, primarily thanks to 80s movies and unfortunate pop culture television retrospectives. I’m afraid my answers were a disappointment based on what she knew as depicted by The Breakfast Club, stories from Studio 54, which was still happening in the 1980s, and various tragic life stories of the 80s Brat Pack.

My twenties weren’t a time infused with crazed nightclubs on the daily, scandalous misadventures, $300 a day cocaine habits and lost weekends. Sure, I had acquaintances who lived that life, but I had issues spending money on anything I couldn’t wear, drive or live in. Mr. Kaminski can attest to that since I had to build out an entire room as a closet in the first high-rise apartment we lived in together to house my wardrobe. My dollars went to Neiman Marcus, Tootsie’s, Mercedes Benz and such. Heck, as a female, I didn’t even have to pay to get into clubs, and I certainly didn’t have to spend money on drinks. It was the 80s after all back when ladies appreciated being treated as ladies with no strings attached.

Fast forward to today, and both of my babies are living their twenties in the worst of the twenties: 2020, 2021 and now, 2022. And I’m over it. One year ago, I started On the Porch with Patti because I was done talking about the Rona or anything remotely negative – I was done with the bad and knew we all were headed back to the days when Corona meant beer. As I sit here on my porch one year later, the dreaded “C” word still rears its ugly head daily and now has reproduced!

The twenties that my babies are experiencing today are a double dose of disaster. They are twenty-somethings living through the terrible twenties. And here we are on the eve of a new year that is 2022 – a double dose of twenties.

I personally think the coming year needs an entirely new identity – a fresh start sans the dreaded twenty reference yet again. There’s just too much bad mojo. You know, kind of like when Coke decided to become New Coke. Well, now that I think about it, that didn’t work out so well.

In my world, the coming year will not be referred to as 2022. It will absolutely be a more positive 2020-YOU! Why? Because I want the new year to be all about you – making you the best possible you that you can be! And that’s the message that I’m imparting to my twenty-something babies. Despite what’s going on in the world, do your best, be your best and make the year a success for you.

Happy 2020-YOU! See y’all next week – on the porch!

Patti and Kassidi enjoying the twenties – 20 degree weather in Colorado!

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Get De-Cluttering Tips at Mamie George Branch Library Program

Are you frustrated with clutter? Does your family have so many activities that you don’t know if you’re coming or going? Get tips for leading a more organized – and less stressful – life for the New Year when Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mamie George Branch Library presents the program Let It Go – How to Clear Your Clutter on Monday, January 24th, beginning at 6 pm, in the Makerspace area of the library, located at 320 Dulles Ave in Stafford.

Discover helpful ideas for organizing closets and pantries, paperwork for income-tax preparation, and other areas of home and work. Get time-management tips that will increase efficiency and reduce stress. By analyzing personal-management styles and utilizing organizational strategies, you’ll be able to make time and space for what is most important to you.

This event is made possible by the Friends of the Mamie George Branch Library.

The program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, however, and reservations are encouraged. To register online at the library’s website at www. fortbend.lib.tx.us, click on “Classes & Events,” select “Mamie George Branch Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library at 281-238-2880, or by visiting the library.

Fort Bend County Fair Scholarships Available

The Fort Bend County Fair is accepting applications for their scholarship program. The opportunity to earn a Fair scholarship is open to a wide range of qualifying students, but students must apply.

The Fair will provide $4,000 scholarships for up to 50 Fort Bend County students. Since 1979, the Fort Bend County Fair has been giving back to the county’s youth through its scholarship program. Past recipients have represented kids who have been livestock exhibitors, parade participants, art students, and yet for some, they had never been to the Fair. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is Thursday, January 27th, 2022. In addition, three Fair Queen

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Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant Former Senior Vice President & Trust Officer of a major Houston bank. Scholarships will be awarded. “We encourage students to apply and grasp this opportunity. No matter what your involvement with the Fair may be, this is a great way to help fund your education,” said Cindy Schmidt, Fair Manager.

For 2021 the Fair awarded $185,000.00 worth of scholarships to Fort Bend County students. Forty-four of those scholarships were for academic achievement. 2021 Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply as a second year applicant and are instructed to call the Fair office for an application.

A 2020 recipient and University of Houston student Jordan Holub shared, “This scholarship has allowed me to successfully complete my first year of undergraduate studies without the burden of financial struggles. As a pre-medical student, the scholarship allowed me time to focus more on academics, organizations, and taking part in my community.”

For more information on the 2022 scholarship rules and application, visit fortbendcountyfair.com or call the fair office at 281-342-6171.

A M A T E U R P H O T O C O N T E S T

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