It Is What It Is...

One of the things my sister-in-law and I have common – besides our undying devotion to her brother – is our dislike of that overused phrase: "It is what it is."

Meaning 1
A: I can't believe the high price of gas!  
B: It is what it is.
 
Meaning 2
A: It troubles me that you continue to put cyanide in my eggnog even after I've asked you to stop.  
B: It is what it is.  

It just seems so dismissive to me. Like my comments and opinions don't matter because they won't change the situation (what it is) because, well, it is what it is. But can't we talk about it? What if I have something to say? What if I don't want to just "get over it and deal with it"?

Grr. It's just annoying to me. Her. Us.

So of course, since today is Sherry's 50th birthday, we had to get her at least one gag gift. And we found the perfect one! You can see by the photo that she is at least amused. But not convinced to LIKE the phrase I'm sure.

We had a little gift opening at her house after we went out to eat. Most of the Austin clan was together – her hubby, son Colin and his gal pal, my parents-in-law, Jim, Clay, Carter and me – to enjoy a meal at the Wildhorse Saloon some 5 minutes from our house. A few of her friends arrived at the end of our meal so she stayed to visit with them as they welcomed her to that exclusive 50-and-over club.

I am in no hurry to join, by the way, especially when the conversation as we were leaving was centered around colonoscopies. Nice.

We hung out at her place awhile eating very good cranberry birthday dessert. Then it was back out into that crisp, below-zero air. Uff da. Talk about something getting old! This weather sure is!

But whatcha gonna do? It is what is.