Heinz 57 post

I think if I were on the Knicks and saw someone grab my wife's hand, that I would fly into the stands, too. Remarkably, Davis didn't touch anyone; he only asked what was going on. Five games suspension is ridiculous! He should be applauded. There are so many THUGS in professional sports that this guy kept his fists in check and should get a medal for it.

Little 11 year old Haleigh in Baltimore...I hope God takes her home. She has suffered more in this life than anyone should. I cannot believe all of the politics involved in this. The little girl's aunt, who adopted her and her adoptive father should be sentenced to death by baseball bat. Criminals have all of the rights.

Why do we pay football, baseball and basketball players so much money? Could they ever use it in their lifetime? Do they use it for any good? How many thugs are on professional sports teams? It would be interesting to see how many are in trouble/have been in trouble with the law. G wonders if we think the percentage is higher because it is reported. Seems to be the rule rather than the exception.

We are holding our heads above water. We actually are so blessed. On AC 360 tonight, they showed the neighborhoods that look like Katrina is not a four or five month ago event. Shame on the insurance companies and shame on the members of our government who aren't blasting the insurance companies. The crime in our governments is as rampant as it is in professional sports.

We have girl scout cookies to sell. Number One Daughter's Brownie troop is selling them. Our little girl is so shy! She wants to sell them, but can't bring herself to ask anyone. Poor girl. She's her daddy's daughter! I never met a stranger. Sometimes that is a good thing and other times, well, you know.

Good night Wilson Pickett.

What's goin' on?

Almost everyone is in a "funk" of sorts. Many of my blogger friends are experiencing crisis in one form or another. It's like what happens during a full moon...too much upheaval. Mercy, mercy me...Marvin Gaye. I love that song...

We are in the midst of shaky times, too. G's job is gone. It is a time of tension and nerves. Outwardly I am calm-for him...but inwardly, I am a mess of knots and butterflies.

I am being careful because the kids do not need to be upset with it. All they know is that G is home and they are so happy. It is a wonderful side effect of the upheaval.

Prayers for everyone in their time of need and gratitude for the laughter that others share.

Four Things tag

Here is Stacy's Mom by Fountains of Wayne. It is one of my dependable pick up my mood songs...and it is a catchy beat, too. :)

Four Jobs I've Had
1. Radio personality
2. Forestry Supervisor
3. Newspaper Editor
4. Executive Secretary
Four Places I've Lived
1. Iwakuni, Japan
2. Milington, Tennesse
3. Beaufort, South Carolina
4. Napa Valley, California
Movies I'd Watch Again
1. Breakfast at Tiffany's
2. original Miracle on 34th Street with Edmun Gwen and Natalie Wood
3. Lord of the Rings trilogy
4. You've Got Mail
TV Shows I love to watch
1. Project Runway-ugh! I am so hooked. I want Daniel V to win:)
2. Dancing with the Stars-If Jerry Rice or Giselle win, I will be happy;)
3. The Gilmore Girls
4. Anderson Cooper 360-even though I shouldn't watch news at all.
Four of my favourite foods
1. Watermelon
2. Japanese & Chinese fare
3. Tamales
4. Steak
Four places I'd rather be right now
1. In high school
2. Ventura, California
3. In my little sister's living room
4. On my dad's lap
Four Bloggers I'd like to Tag
1. Chocolate Makes it Better
2 Dave's Road Trip
3. Hamel's House of Blog
4. Gayla

Mulling over

I have been thinking about life lately. Pondering goals and options, like the ocean rolling and mulling over its sandy bottom. Depend-able, the ocean. Waves roll over thoughts that escape you and me.

Perhaps it is because the Golden Globe awards were on this evening. Actors and actresses have to reinvent themselves over and over to remain or re-emerge on the A-list. Madonna is the epitome of it. It must be wonderful to have the resources to reinvent yourself from scratch every other year.

It seems that I have spent my lifetime trying to make sense of it. Of this. Of me and my life. I think that I have been able to know myself best when I was working in the Redwoods. On mountain tops where you realize that you are not significant in the scheme of things. Not because I am worthless, but because the things that have happened to me in my lifetime mean nothing in the scheme of Heaven and Earth.

The bumps in my life would not even equal one ring in the life of a Redwood, so why should I take it all so seriously? One hundred years from now, my ancestors will not know my battles or struggles, but they will walk in a park or on a mountain top where I stood. A place where my heart and mind soared to the Heavens. If I can leave anything, it is this: the same feeling for them. For my children and their children's children. I wish them the same sense of belonging and awe that I experienced as I stood atop the most beautiful mountains in the west.

When you stand on top of a mountain you are greeted by the comfort of the view that lies beneath. I wish I could recall the author of this tidbit and it goes something like this-loosely quoted:

"...So why do we do it? Why do we walk and hunger and tire and keep walking until we reach the summits in this great, great land? The reward is the view at our feet..."

Fox' faux pas

I was so angry with Fox Sports' Pre-Game show today that I wrote them a letter:

"Near the end of the pregame show on Sunday, January 15th, the blood drained from my face as James Brown announced that they were going to the White House for a breaking news report. In a year when we have troops on foreign soil and during a weekend when our country is being taken to task for an airstrike, you should not be joking around about breaking news from Washington D.C. In fact, the events of September 11, 2001 call for a greater sense of what is and isn't acceptable behavior regarding news events.

Regardless of the fact that it was "Mad T.V." We have relatives on the ground in the hotspots of the world and your indiscretion is reprehensible. It was wholly inappropriate. Further more, the tone and excessive banter of the Fox Sports team coupled with a shameful breaking news joke makes me question whether or not it is worth watching Fox Sports' pre, half-time and postgame coverage. Shame on you."

It was disgraceful in view. My stomach began to form knots as soon as James Brown made his statement.

In other sports this weekend, I am unhappy that Michelle Kwan was handed a spot on the U.S. Olympic figure skating team. In spite of the fact that she is beloved, she is injured and unable to participate. The spot should have been given to the bronze medal winner at Nationals. It is just a sad tribute to the politics that so over-rule athletic talent, competence and physical ability. Michelle is graceful and she has been trying for years to win the gold, but this year, the baton should have been passed.

The Steelers' victory over the Colts was much more sound than the score reflects. Me thinks Payton Manning will need an intertube to sit on this week. I really wanted Tony Dungy's team to go all the way to the Super Bowl. He has shown such grace under incredible personal loss. However, Bill Cower is a wonderful father and I can't deny that I like him as a man, too. Go Panthers! Go Seahawks. I think I would like to see a Seahawk vs. Steelers Super Bowl. And You?

Pellet gun in the actor's studio

I suppose there will be an outcry about the shooting of a 15 year old Florida boy because he was armed with an all but innocuous pellet gun. However, he had painted the only thing on the gun that distinguished it from a 9mm handgun. The small, red, plastic tip had been painted solid black. The pellet gun looked like the weapon that it was intended to mimic.

This was not a murder by a swat team as so many headlines have cried. This was, simply put: suicide by police officer. It is becoming a widely know phenomenon. S.E. Hinton used suicide by police officer to kill off one of the characters in her highly acclaimed novel: The Outsiders. At the end of the novel, Dallas pretended to turn a gun on a police officer and he was shot to death.

It has been widely reported that Christopher Penley, wanted to die, according to statements that he allegedly made before he was shot. Although he was only 15, he turned a gun on a deputy and that left one option for the member of the SWAT team that pulled the trigger. A sharp shooter is employed to "take out" threats. Sadly Christopher Penley was a threat to himself, his hostage and later to the deputies.

I am wondering how long it will take before a lawsuit is filed. The family has already employed an attorney. I am hopeful that they hired an attorney in case their son survived the shooting and not to file a lawsuit. My heart goes out to his family-do not misunderstand me. I cannot imagine losing a child much less losing a child in this way, but lawsuits are won in cases like these because the so-called defense team is a better set of actors. Isn't it strange that our legal system is not based on fact, but on Oscar caliber performances in court rooms across this nation.

As long as you, "do not recall" something or you have a ringer-like a murder victim's father on a police force, as in the case of Brandon Hein-serving a life sentence for a murder that he did not commit, you will prevail. Learn about Brandon Hein's case. Last night Brandon Hein's case was the subject on Dateline. A travesty occurred here.

Christopher Penley was brain dead tonight. His family has donated their son's organs, which is an honorable way to celebrate their son's life. It is a heartwarming twist to this very sad tale.

Last night, Anderson Cooper was ready to hang the SWAT team member-until he saw a real 9mm and the boy's pellet gun side by side. Indeed they looked exactly alike. After which, Cooper's tone changed and he stated that it was amazing how similar the weapons looked.

Further sensationalism in the press occurred last night when the hope that the #2 terrorist in the desert had been assassinated in a remote area of Pakistan. Sadly, the "mark" wasn't present, which seems to be a common theme when we hear that some agency has gone "gunning" for a person at the top of the deck of terrorism.

Sadly, the press didn't learn a lesson after the Sago mine disaster. They have continued with their breaking news and heaped piles of sarcasm and sensationalism atop headlines meant to incite riots. Breaking news by its very nature is misinformation, which by definition is not news. However, if you label something, "Breaking News," you can apparently get away with calling anything murder.

Three year old safety

Little Big Boy is three. Obviously we talk to him about safety. Walk indoors. Hold hands when crossing the street, etc. Every parent knows the importance of safety training.

Little Big Boy is enrolled in private preschool. If you are too smart, most preschools do not have room for students. The private school is operated by our church. Number One Daughter attended the same school when she was four. The director of the program is awesome. I adore her. I would recommend this preschool to any parent.

The program teaches school skills, social interaction and the best part, he gets to learn about Jesus, too. That is so important to us. There is such a lack of Jesus in the world. I am so grateful that we have an excellent school where our beliefs are reinforced. If you could choose a school for your child, this is it.

The kids form a line at the end of the school day-two hours for three year olds-and exit in a formal line. Some how Little Big Boy ended up in the parking lot ALONE and CRYING because neither his daddy, nor his mommy were there to pick him up. One of the mothers was about to take him back inside when G arrived to collect Little Big Boy.

When I heard this, my heart jumped into my throat. I am stunned. I entrust my three year old to others and there he was alone and I was many miles away. I know that it wasn't deliberate. I know that no one would knowingly let my little boy stand alone in a parking lot unsupervised. My head knows this, but my heart is broken. He is fine and safe, but that little bit of uncertainty shook me up and angered G.

I left a message for the director who had already left for the day. I know that an apology is the very least that I will get. I know this, but my boy was alone and there is a lump in my throat tonight that I cannot swallow.

I am so grateful to the mother who was getting Little Big Boy and taking him back to the building. My little sister asked me if I had ever been that mother: the one led by God to a lost child...oh yes, many times-in stores or just outside or inside doors of stores. Thank God that there are good people who look out for the wellfare of little children. It is the horror of what might have been that is keeping me up tonight.

Tag! I'm it...

Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot.

Cynical Dad
Cape Buffalo
Mr. Big Dubya
Chocolate Makes it Better
The Playground in My Mind

Select five people to play (but only if they want to).

The Rose
Lovin' The Ride
Ramblings and Musings
Warriors Forever
WifeBear



What were you doing 10 years ago?

We were making the final preparations for our wedding. One of Greg's aunts passed away about one month before our wedding-We discussed postponing our wedding, but in the end knew that and Susan would have wanted us to go on, so we did. It was the best wedding and everything went on without a hitch-actually a lot of things happened, but we don't remember any of them-except that two carloads of guests were in traffic accidents in front of our church before the ceremony. Everyone was fine so we were lucky.

What were you doing one year ago?

Recovering from major surgery. I feel so much better because of the surgery, though. Our bodies are amazing machines.

Five snacks you enjoy:

1. Clementines
2. WATERMELON
3. Calamari-it is a rare treat; it's been five years at least!
4. Potato chips-prior to the life style change, anyway.
5. Natural pistachios

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:

(No Place Like) Home for the Holidays – Perry Como
Good Things (Live Version Joe Dirt Car LP)-The Bodeans
Midnight Confessions – The Grassroots
A Linda Song-Barry Manilow
One Headlight – The Wallflowers

I like many artists from many eras: Sinatra to ZZ Top;)

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:

1. Become a philanthropist
2. Build dream homes for our families
3. Payoff all the bills for us and our families
4. Buy an island
5. Live on the interest and NEVER touch the principle.

Five bad habits:

1. Binge eating.
2. Negative self-talk.
3. Not believing in myself
4. I do not CAYG-clean as you go
5. Don't trim pet's nails often enough.

Five things I like doing

1. Being with my family
2. Writing
3. Playing Yahtzee with the kids
4. Crafts-floral arranging, stamping, ikebana, sumi-e
5. Long drives in the country

Five things you would never wear or buy again.

1. Whole squid to make "homemade" calamari
2. kitchen appliances at garage sales
3. off-brand cleaning supplies
4. a home without a full basement
5. a Greyhound bus ticket

My favorite toys

1. Breadmaker
2. CD player
3. Computer
4. Treadmill-New present from G-have wanted one for over one year:)
5. simple board games with kids:)


I did one of these things a while back. In retrospect, I was pretty down on my life then. There is a big difference in what I wrote then and now. Life is interesting. Well, if I tagged you, please play along-Chocolate Makes it Better tagged me, so I must extend a gracias to him. If I didn't tag you and you would like to be tagged and play along: TAG! Your it!!!

Stopping the insanity

G and I have been talking a lot lately about family traditions that have gone awry. We remember when "dining out" was a way to celebrate a special event. Now it is the norm when we get together with his family. If my family lived near, we would probably go out to eat with them, too.

For some reason, eating out became a habit and as many know the documentary "Super Size Me" showed in alarming detail what happens when you dine out every night for one month.

I do not know when dining out became the focus of our family activities, but it has taken over our lives. Both Number One Daughter and Little Big Boy want to dine whenever they see their grandparents. Unfortunately and without realizing it, we have nurtured this desire all of their lives.

The buck stops here.

I stumbled upon the Discovery Channel's National Body Challenge. It starts in earnest on January 14th. I have already created a meal plan for the first week! I must take time out now for a short vent:

Discovery Channel's National Body Challenge web pages are NOT USER FRIENDLY! I started a team: Carpe Diem-Now I am unable to invite anyone to join the team, but worse yet: I AM NOT EVEN A MEMBER OF MY OWN TEAM. Further, when I was trying to make my meal plan, it was deleted twice before I figured out how to save it. You can't scroll with your mouse on the menus either. It doesn't sound like a lot of issues until I add this: It took me two hours to register and make a one-week meal plan. Granted, next time I visit, I will fly through it, but you will need to plan time to learn the quirks of the system. Vent-off.

The great thing about the site is that you will find recipes and a funny little shopping list. The shopping list is not based on the amount that you actually need during the week. It simply puts: "bags of spinach" on the shopping list.

My meal plan is about 1500 calories per day. That is ideal for me. G gets an extra 500-800 calories per day and it is easy to add them. We are going to do this together, but more importantly, we are going to break the cycle with our family. We deliberately didn't eat holiday meals at our families' homes. I prepared meals here. It was good for us. We have been weaning off of dining out, too.

The fact of the matter is that I got lazy. I lost my life in the past six years. Two pregnancies and a major surgery plus three falls. But I'm taking my life back this year and I am so lucky to have G want to come with me.

This May, we will celebrate our tenth anniversary. He has one and a half years left to go on his second college degree and a job waiting for him upon graduation. We are definitely blessed. We are going on a second honeymoon for our 15th anniversary. We are going to slide down the Seven Sacred Pools in Hawaii.

Before we depart, we are going to: lose weight and get in shape; take ballroom dancing lessons; learn to dance without counting the beat, which means we have to take lessons within the next two years so by the time we land in Hawaii, it will be second nature to twirl around a dance floor. We are going to change family gatherings from meals to activities-like a trip to the zoo.

It is an ambitious plan and for the first time in many, many years, I am excited about losing weight and getting in shape. There was a time when I ran two miles in 14:20. That's damn good and I worked hard to get there. I could do ten tricep push-ups. I could hike up a mountain, work all day and hike back down the mountain again-ten days in a row.

I'm ready to work back to it. It is time. G, Number One Daughter and Little Big Boy are all a part of the plan. We will make this life-style change for the rest of our lives. If you would like to make a healthy life-style a reality in 2006 and need a jumpstart, come with us! Visit Discovery Channel Body Challenge 2006.

You have about one week to prepare yourself mentally for it. We're going to make this change for the rest of our lives-no surgery-no pills-no gimmicks. Just a quick two-month start that will help us prepare for the rest of our lives. We also have Dr. Phil's Weight Smart book to guide us through. So, here we go; let us know if you are going to come along! No matter what you try to change this year, I wish you success.

Hello, my name is Renee

and I'm a Christmas-aholic!
My tree is still up. My wrapping paper is still at the ready. I tell myself it is because we have not celebrated with 18 year old yet. However, I know in my heart that it is because I cannot bear to see the season end.

When I enter the kitchen, I stroll to the cd player and turn it on. I'm greeted with my favorite Christmas carols. The ones that I am listening to now are sprinkled with my faves from my youth.

My other favorite disc has Madonna's version of Santa Baby-which is the most decadent version of all. And it also has Santa Claus is comin' to Town by the Boss-no one can sing that song better.

My kids still enjoy listening to the music with me-though we have taken to pushing the forward button when Elvis' Blue Christmas comes on. We do not know a "Blue Christmas" together because we are blessed. I hope that my children will always be blessed with peace and joy at Christmas.

I have known sorrow and want at Christmas, but I do not keep that alive in my heart. It is the joy and comfort of the holiday that is burned into my memory. The Jolly Ol' Elf will always come to my home and I am a better person for it. In keeping Christmas alive-even in January, I am calmer.

So excuse my lights and tree if you must, but I would prefer to sit with you in our family room and share a cup of hot cocoa with you while we continue to keep the spirit alive-if only for another day.

More than one miracle

Anderson Cooper showed JR's letter with his scrawled message that he didn't suffer. A shame and a courageous note to write. "I just went to sleep." My heart breaks again for the 100th time since the real truth was revealed in the wee hours of a very long morning.

I imagine that we will never know how deep the pain is for the families of the lost miners at the Sago mine. My heart is full of prayer and hopes that they find peace.

On the other hand, there is a survivor. I think to call this "one miracle" even though it was hoped that there would be 12 miracles is not putting the proper light on the matter.

God performs miracles. The survival of all of the miners would have been a miracle as is the survival on one miner. Imagine if it had happened the other way around:

The word spread on everyone's lips was that all 12 miners had been located and none of them had survived. The extreme sorrow would have been hard to witness. But imagine if after all was thought lost that word came that one of the miners was breathing. He was in critical condition, but they were rushing to get him out of the mine. He was groaning. His body temperature was many degrees below normal.

When his body was lifted from the mine there would have been a burst of cheers that could be heard far and wide. The ambulance would have passed a standing ovation just like it did on that fateful night, but everyone would know that this precious cargo was a miracle...not "just one miracle."

Randall McCloy, Jr. is part of the miracle. It is very unfortunate that more lives could not be saved. Yet it IS a miracle that they all survived the blast....It IS a miracle that the men had the presence of mind and the compassion to leave notes behind that assured families that their men had not suffered only fallen asleep peacefully. It is a miracle that rescue teams were able to reach the men without being harmed themselves.

I am very sad that McCloy's family has to endure these days of waiting and hoping and praying. It is endearing that the world is full of people who are praying for his recovery-that, too is a part of the miracle.

The Sago mine tragedy is exactly that, but there is a miracle at work and we need to be thankful for it. I know that many people do realize and voice their gratitude for this miracle, but it is time to turn all of the attention to the survivor and his family. Heaven help them if he does not recover-that would be yet another cruel twist to the tragedy, indeed.

I am tired of the press trying to goad family and friends of the befallen to lash out at the owners of the mine. MSNBC is the only news outlet that I have seen take part of the blame. I must applaud their integrity. Some of the anchors who are at the Sago mine still try to get rash statements and continue to air statements that were made in the heat of the moment. Greater attention is being paid to the families possible lawsuit than the fight for life taking place in a trauma center miles from the mine itself.

My heart is broken for the loss of 12 miners. My prayers go out to the families involved. I hope that the media stops the sensationalization of the tragedy. Here's what I would like to see: anchors get down on their knees and pray for the miracle to include recovery for McCloy, Jr.

Thank you Jesus for prayers answered. If it is God's will, may this tragedy include the survival of Randall McCloy, Jr.....for his family's sake. Also, Jesus, can you please help mine owners realize that they owe it to their workers to staff rescue teams on-site. Training is costly, I know, but the precious moments that were lost in mobilizing rescue teams from distances may have made the difference in the final outcome of the tragedy. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

"Ear witness"

There are days when I regret my journalism major. It is not always the most honorable profession.

At 11 p.m. last night, I did something that I have not done in months: I watched CNN. I watched news. I have not watched it on the advice of doctors that news programs and televangelists increase depression because of their "dooms day" tones.

Yet, last night as I flipped through the television channels, I saw that the 12 miners had survived. As we know, this was a misrepresentation of fact. The media must carry a huge dose of blame for the "miscommunication" in Sago overnight.

In September 2001, all of the news outlets took calls and reported events of twin towers' demise from so called "ear witnesses." These people didn't actually "see" events, but they heard screams, rumbles and their information was reported by news outlets as fact.

This is exactly what transpired overnight. As much as I admire Anderson Cooper for boldly thanking God for the blessings of the lives of the 12 miners, he and his producers pulled "ear witnesses" before their cameras and reported their stories as if they were confirmed fact.

I recall Anderson Cooper saying several times that they were trying to independently confirm the reports. I remember so many faces spreading the news of the miracle of the survival of the 12 missing miners.

Around 4:30 a.m. Central, an MSNBC correspondent said that he was ashamed for the role that he played in reporting the survival of the miners when in fact there was a sole survivor. I admired his candor and he was obviously shaken by the events and his role in reporting erroneous information. He displayed integrity. I have not seen any integrity from the media since then.

I have not watched reporting of the events since 5:30 this morning, so I do not know whether any other reporter has voiced their apology. However, the reporting that I saw from the morning news teams, including Soledad O'Brien, whom I have always admired, ignored the media's role in the dissemination of erroneous information.

In the rush to "scoop" other news outlets, reporters have lost their ability to research and confirm a story BEFORE it airs. In the rush of "eye witness news," credibility has been lost.

This brings to mind an incident that transpired when President Reagan was shot. I was watching Peter Jennings and he reported that James Brady had died at the hospital. Minutes later, he had to retract the report; as we know, Brady didn't die. Jennings-with an extremely stern look on his face ordered the staff, get this story right before you give it to me. He said it live and directly to his staff and then he apologized for the incorrect report. It was a stunning moment in a stunning series of events.

When did the grapevine become the best source of information? We know that it is the most unreliable source that exists, yet here we are-dare I say, again.

No one person or bit of information should be singled out for the errors that transpired overnight. However, if the media must learn that "ear witnesses" are not confirmed sources of information. Perhaps we share in the blame for being so "hungry" for information that we do not want to wait for it.

It is a part of the industrialization of America. Remember when waiting two hours for a roast to cook seemed like a lifetime? Now 30 seconds on high in the micro wave seems like an eternity. Perhaps the whole point of the matter is that we need to "slow down" on many, many levels.

I regret tuning in to the reporting last night. It's not that I don't care, but that I was so sucked into the events again and that I took the reporting as gospel, too. No one wanted the events to transpire as they did. No one person is to blame, but in my "hunger" for knowledge, I have to accept some of the blame for what happened last night, too. I wanted to know NOW-and sadly I was told in the moment a truth that was wanted so much that it ended up hurting the families of the miners.

My prayers are with the families of the victims and of surviving miner Randall McCloy, Jr. along with the disbelief and continued prayers of a stunned nation.

Sago mine

My prayers go out to the families for their loss at the mine. I watched the whole thing unravel on CNN...from the announcement that there were 12 survivors through the press conferences.

The president of the company was so hurt and sincere. I hope that the families realize that he did not want to deceive them. He cried and said, "Well come to the worst day of my life."

The media tried to get him to place blame and then he stood very tall and said, "I'm not going to point fingers. Those men risked their lives to save the miners. I'm not interested in going down that road."

He explained how a cell phone call had been intercepted and how the information got out wrong. It was and is so very unfortunate.

Oh my dear God have mercy on everyone.

Truth

Have you ever looked into the mirror of yourself and seen truth? Today I looked into the mirror and saw it. I told G that we need a full length mirror so that I won't forget what truth looks like.

The Japanese kangi character for truth looks complicated, but is actually very simple. A few brushstrokes this way and that. If you try to make it with "perfection" in mind, then it may be very aggravating to try.

No one is perfect. Today, I looked into a mirror and believed that. I have long been a perfectionist in many things; today I realized that much of my perfectionism is wasted energy. Just that simple realization was energizing.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

For old long ago...

I had to "google" Auld Lang Syne before I could understand the song that it such a tradition at 12 midnite on the first of the year. I like many knew the all important "for auld lang syne" line, but never knew it's origin. I found this wonderful site: The History of Auld Lang Syne and you will be able to read the history of the song and the literal translation.

We do not have a New Year's tradition. I do not remember my parents' ever celebrating and G and I have not celebrated the New Year in many a year. We talk about starting a tradition each year and we actually made plans this year, but I was sick. (I smile when I write that. Everyone else has been sick and I thought I was going to get away without being ill, but...It's just a head cold, though.)

We purchased a decent bottle of champagne and sparkling juice for the kids; our celebration was ready to go, but I was ready for bed long before 8 p.m., when I finally gave in. Number One Daughter read books to me, which is always such a joy. Her language skills are superior for her age and that warms my heart. Reading is an important activity in our home.

Little Big Boy's three-year-old efforts at reading are also wonderful. He looks at the pictures and takes us to places that amaze. His imagination is a great gift, not only for him, but for us.

18 year old rang in the new year with a buddy who was home on leave. Steve is a Marine now. He is heading to Iraq soon. 18 year old is sad and I understand. He has decided not to enlist for now. He was going to, but is now teetering back and forth between enlisting and going to college. I hope his goes for his education. He is very intelligent and a math wizard; he could do anything from engineering to medical school. I think that he would rather teach history and that would be just fine with me.

I do not attempt resolutions anymore, but I have been working on life changes that will make all of our lives better. This is the year that I get my life back. That is my theme. I am going to do everything that my doctor says-short of surgery-to get my back pain under control. I do not believe that surgery is a good option. It is only 50% effect. Those odds are not worth the attempt in my book. I keep holding out for them to figure out a way to replace disc fluid. I know it has been in the works forever, but what a wonderful coup that would be.

This summer, I'm going to play with the kids again instead of having to watch them from the sidelines. That is my goal and I have been working toward it for four months already. I am beginning to feel a difference, so the new year is going to bring many rewards. "I'll take that cup of kindness yet..."-to go, please!

Fun and games...

The kids are playing with Play-doh. Last night we played Yahtzee; we played it again this morning, too.

We are getting ready for doctor appointments now and G has to return to work tonight, but I am still listening to Christmas and holiday music...I'm making it last as long as possible...maybe until next year:)

I hope your holiday is still rolling on, too....

The day after...

The day after Christmas is always a day of recovery in our home. Come to think of it, it was in my parent's home, too.

We were up until five a.m. getting things ready. It wouldn't have taken so long, but Little Big Boy was congested and kept waking up. Number One Daughter actually marched into the kitchen during the wrapping! UGH...neither of us asked her if she had seen anything-we just scooped her along and back to bed.

Both kids were awake at five and I was ready to march downstairs and let the celebrating commence....but Number One Daughter fell asleep, so we all rested. We arose at 8:15.

I do not know when I enjoyed opening gifts more than yesterday morning. Every gift--even underwear were opened with ooohs, ahhhhhs and hoorays. We are blessed.

It was a nice day. Christmas Eve, I baked a ham and we enjoyed that, too. Today we are lazy getting out of bed. The kids are flitting from gift to gift. Between gifts, Little Big Boy sits at his drum set and gives us a drum solo. I have always loved the drums. Dave Clark of Dave Clark Five has long been my favorite drummer-I have many-but yesterday, I think I actually fell in love with my favorite drummer: Little Big Boy.

Number One Daughter is using Digidraw to help her with Thank you notes. It was a wonderful holiday...I didn't want to go to sleep last night...I didn't want to see Christmas end. It doesn't really end...we can carry it with us from day to day...if only everyone would try. I wish the "feeling" of Christmas lasted all year.

That will be my New Year's resolution: live Christmas 365 days a year.

Celebrate the season

And now as the holidays are here, one last time, I bid you a holiday to rival all others. No matter how you celebrate the season, I send blessings your way.

This is the post card that I give you: Two children filled with wonder and peace throughout the land.

Love, comfort and joy to you, too.

Enjoy,

ENJOY,

ENJOY.

~Renee

Winter wonderland

'Tis the season. We have about one foot of snow. I wish that we would get a fresh inch or two. There is too much gray snow now.

I know, however, that there are many who trade places with me in a heartbeat to have a white Christmas. I wanted to write about a ten year old girl and her pen-pal relationship with a 20 year old soldier from our state, but the ending is not happy. I will write about them after the New Year because it is a story worth sharing.

Number One Daughter's Christmas program was wonderful. For the first time that I can remember, we sat on the correct side of the gym. She was almost directly in front of us and it was a rare treat to see her so close to us. Her class sang two songs and then did a variation of the May dance. For the dance part, she was so close to us that I could almost touch her. It was wonderful. She and I kept locking eyes and sharing secret smiles. She was so proud.

Her dance partner was having a tough time dancing with a girl-even though they had been practicing all month long. So we sat in the audience giggling because Number One Daughter quite literally dragged him through the steps. It looked very much like an owner who was walking a puppy who wasn't leash trained-with one exception: the new puppy owner waited for the puppy to cooperate. Our Number One Daughter dragged that boy so fast, that he was nearly airborne!

Little Big Boy's face lit up brightly when all three of us walked into his preschool for the last half of his Christmas party. "You're ALL HERE???!!!!" he exclaimed. There were too many parents around, but the party was okay. It had been planned by parents who apparently didn't realize that their "reindeer games" weren't exactly age appropriate. I mean it was a like a Concorde SST had come out of retirement and flown over their heads! There just wasn't anything that they could readily understand.

We had a very embarrassing moment when Little Big Boy was upset with his book exchange gift. It was suited to a girl's taste and not a boy-makes you wonder what parents are thinking when they buy something for a gift exchange...I was mortified. I was more upset for Little Big Boy. Out of 15 three-year-olds, he was the only one crying and saying that he didn't like his book. I felt like that was the five minute span that everyone was going to remember. He is much better than that and he deserves to be known for his loving qualities and not his little melt down. In the end, "A good time was had by all."

We arrived home and I had to bake a cake for G's Christmas potluck. He tells me it was a hit at work. I baked a pineapple upside down cake and added orange zest to the batter and topped slices off with whipped cream and sprinkled red or green decorating sugar on top. It was a "festive" cake.

Today is going to be a long day of preparation. This is the count down to my favorite moments of the year. Not only the look on the kids faces...Not only the magic of a white Christmas...Not only G's four days off. It is Jesus' birthday and we are going to have a party for him. The kids will help me bake the cake. We'll write Jesus' name on it. We will say a prayer for Peace on Earth and for all of our loved ones. We will ask for everyone in the world to "have enough." Not a lot, but enough food in their tummies...Enough school supplies...Enough roofs over people's heads. Please, dear Jesus, can everyone in the world "have enough."

Thank you for visiting my blog. I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that the New Year brings you success, happiness and a warm bed.

~Season's blessings to you, Renee

Christmas programs and parties

Today is a big day for our family: Number One Daughter has her first grade Christmas Program today at 1:00 and Little Big Boy has his preschool Christmas Party at 2:00. We are invited to both.

How I treasure these moments. Number One Daughter singing, dancing and frolicking at her elementary school followed by the literal sugar-high excitement of Little Big Boy's party.

We still have to sign Christmas cards for Little Big Boys class and wrap his book-exchange gift. There is so much for us to do yet, so have a happy day. I hope that your day is surrounded by the sweet joy of children at Christmas time...