chatty cathy

who came up with the phrase "the gift of gab" anyhow?
I'm not sure it's really a gift and maybe more of a curse.
Both big daddy & I are not what you would describe as the quiet or reserved type.
Both of us like a good conversation- most often initiated by us.
I've often been described as a bit "chatty" by teachers growing up or "bubbly"-same goes for big D.
I come by my...shall we say..verbal "skills" naturally.
In fact I'm one of the more quiet ones in my family by comparison.
My mother and aunts could talk anyone under the table.
Actually my Uncles are never short on things to talk about either.
I have one crazy Uncle that I have actually fallen asleep on the phone with while he was still gabbing away.
And lets not even mention the grand dame herself- my Nan.
She never comes up short in the story telling department.
Maybe it's an east coast/ Irish thing?
What ever it is, there was rarely a quiet moment in our house growing up.
Oh how history repeats itself.

Needless to say- Lulu has inherited the chatty gene and LOVES to talk.
and talk...and talk....
not that what she is saying isn't cute and "interesting" but geez....some days it can be so relentless.
"momma why is the sky blue?"
"is your favourite colour blue?"
"how do you make different colours?"
Why do birds have feathers?"
"why do they build nests?"
"how do they find the way down south in the winter?"
"can I have chocolate for breakfast?"
"did you have a good sleep?"
"are you awake?"
"what does year of the rooster mean?"
"can I have chocolate for breakfast?"
"wanna play pet shops?"
"mr. huggy face the panda wants breakfast"
"he loves to take baths and eats eucalyptus"
"is it spring yet?"
"why do we have different seasons?"
" I want to go to easter Island on easter when I'm older"
"in Calgary they speak the same language as us but with no accent- or a little accent. right?"
"wanna hear about my dreams?"
"do you remember your dreams?"
"wanna play beauty salon?"
"can I have chocolate for breakfast?"
sigh...
all this within the first 60 seconds of me waking up.

So I can't really fault her for talking all the time- it's in her blood.
and I suppose it isn't always a bad thing.
some advantages of being talkative are:
Usually have something to say in awkward situations and often puts people at ease.
it feels good to be able to be an icebreaker.
Feels great to make people laugh.
It also feels good getting things out of your head and into the universe (kind of like this blog)
People like when you ask questions about themselves and to draw them out a bit.
Who doesn't love a good story teller?

But the disadvantages are:
That you can drive people crazy if you don't take a breath in between sentences.
It can be annoying to others.
Story telling is good as long as you don't end up becoming a me me me person, always talking about yourself.
(Lately I feel guilty of becoming this way and am making a concerted effort not to)
It can be distracting in certain situations. (especially while driving in traffic- ahem...)
Quiet time is essential to the soul- and you don't always have to have your tongue wagging.
Nothing wrong with silence from time to time.
Crickets deserve a chance to be heard too.

So Lulu if you read this some day, remember, it's okay to not talk all the time.
Regardless of how loquaciously long winded all your crazy (said in loving way) relatives are.
and remember the mantra- shhhhhhhhhh.......from time to time.

Talkative youngsters tended to show interest in intellectual matters, speak fluently, try to control situations, and exhibit a high degree of intelligence as adults. Children who rated low in verbal fluency were observed as adults to seek advice, give up when faced with obstacles, and exhibit an awkward interpersonal style.