Hello.... as the Holidays crept up on me I neglected to transcribe my stories to my blog, my bad. And I realize now that this blog is designed poorly and won't work with my stories, quotes, pictures, 10 things...etc. So that being said I am currently redesigning (and pulling out my hair) this entire blog.
I shall return right after the New Year. I hope any of you that read will return.
Happy New Year's my friends...!!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Christmas through my children's eyes....
As Christmas once again approaches (wow times flies, didn't we just celebrate Christmas?? I am certain we did) I sit here quietly, nostalgically and remember those times when my son & daughter were growing up. Time really flies when your not looking. Every year I decorated our festive Christmas tree in a different theme. I had six sets of assorted ornaments and items to pick from and rotated depending on the mood that struck at that precise moment.
One particular Christmas I decided to forego tradition (throwing caution to the wind & be unique my rebel moment *wink*). Since we were living in Lake Havasu after much debate with my conscious I bought tons of large simple silver 'cookie cutters' shaped as cowboy hats, boots, cactus, jalapeno peppers, indians etc, etc, etc (you get the idea) and tiny metal/rustic bells to add the final touches! Simple white lights graced our soon to be grand tree. I then went about scattering the cookie cutters as ornaments (which of course I moved a bazillion times....type A that's me *wink wink*) sitting for hours tying bows out of brown raffia, (who came up with this beautiful but oh so annoying product? do you know how long it takes to unravel and open those strands to make a elegant bow? nah...didn't think so, ugh. and just as you got the last piece open it would tear making it impossible to use and thus the the process would begin again). I continued to place the bows scattered evenly between the western cookie cutters, then came the tiny little bells here, there and there to! It was my masterpiece and I was proud of how great it actually was coming together! I called it our 'vintage unique eloquent western tree'. It was marvelous.... (well at least I thought so..beauty is in the eye of the beholder folks)
Sticking with the theme I wrapped every single gift in thick brown paper (like we used to ship packages in) and brown natural twine to tie them, you know it all had to blend or I wouldn't sleep at night.....( ho ho ho)
But my very very very favorite addition were the tags. Instead of going with store bought tags or labels , I spent hours copying tons of old photos of everyone on white paper, then cutting them precisely and glueing each one to the top left corner of each present. No name was written just the photo...(hee hee) I am not certain to this day who was more amused Me or the Children. It was simple and a mystery all wrapped into one big adventure for the impending day!
From when they were very young my husband & I taught our children that if you ever 'touch' a present under the tree whether or not you think someone is watching or may catch you, the next day when you got up that present would miraculously disappear to points unknown to this day. This was a lovely holiday myth that my mother in law passed down to us and she told them in a way they were skeptical but absolutely convinced, as neither were brave enough to risk losing a gift. And as we all know children push the limits (of course! it is they're duty..) so if they touched a present that was not theirs but for the their sibling, two of their gifts would disappear (fear is wonderful motivator!)
I would arrange the gifts so you could see the tag on every package by just sitting back and gazing.....
So everyday after school or early evening when we got home they would dump their backpacks and any other worldly possessions in the foyer (certain to kill anyone attempting to enter the house after them!) and with lightening speed run to the tree and throw themselves down on their bellies, resting their chin on their little hands side by side giggling and in the spirit of olympic champions proceed to count how many each had seeking out new gifts that appeared while they were away that day. Every so often I would rearrange a few just to throw them off...what an amusing sight. As the parents we would quietly with the stealth of trained ninjas peek around the corner and watch them with delight listening to the conversations they carried on. (to have that time back *sigh*).
Of course as siblings they would dare one another to 'touch' but the shear prospect of what may happen would delude them to chicken out and just look, laugh and chatter together. (*priceless*).
The neighborhood kids would come to play (they were always at our house...) and we would peek in to see a fleet of adorable children laying on their bellies, knuckles or hands on chins looking at all the gifts, and laughing till I had to cover my own mouth so they would not hear me giggling too. They would pick out whose picture was on each gift and remember the moments those "actual pictures" had been taken telling stories amongst themselves. Of course the stories were much grander each time they repeated them to a new child that wanted to come see what it was all about. What fun we had...!!
I so wish I had video taped some of those moments, but alas I shall always carry those images in my heart and memory to pull out whenever I need a giggle or a cry when feeling nostalgic.
Christmas is a magical time of year for young and old. Always remember it is not about the gifts....the true meaning is different for everyone but it goes beyond words.
I love you my two sweet children, your presence completes me. (does anyone have a kleenex?? hand it over!!)....
Merry Christmas to all & to all a good night!
One particular Christmas I decided to forego tradition (throwing caution to the wind & be unique my rebel moment *wink*). Since we were living in Lake Havasu after much debate with my conscious I bought tons of large simple silver 'cookie cutters' shaped as cowboy hats, boots, cactus, jalapeno peppers, indians etc, etc, etc (you get the idea) and tiny metal/rustic bells to add the final touches! Simple white lights graced our soon to be grand tree. I then went about scattering the cookie cutters as ornaments (which of course I moved a bazillion times....type A that's me *wink wink*) sitting for hours tying bows out of brown raffia, (who came up with this beautiful but oh so annoying product? do you know how long it takes to unravel and open those strands to make a elegant bow? nah...didn't think so, ugh. and just as you got the last piece open it would tear making it impossible to use and thus the the process would begin again). I continued to place the bows scattered evenly between the western cookie cutters, then came the tiny little bells here, there and there to! It was my masterpiece and I was proud of how great it actually was coming together! I called it our 'vintage unique eloquent western tree'. It was marvelous.... (well at least I thought so..beauty is in the eye of the beholder folks)
Sticking with the theme I wrapped every single gift in thick brown paper (like we used to ship packages in) and brown natural twine to tie them, you know it all had to blend or I wouldn't sleep at night.....( ho ho ho)
But my very very very favorite addition were the tags. Instead of going with store bought tags or labels , I spent hours copying tons of old photos of everyone on white paper, then cutting them precisely and glueing each one to the top left corner of each present. No name was written just the photo...(hee hee) I am not certain to this day who was more amused Me or the Children. It was simple and a mystery all wrapped into one big adventure for the impending day!
From when they were very young my husband & I taught our children that if you ever 'touch' a present under the tree whether or not you think someone is watching or may catch you, the next day when you got up that present would miraculously disappear to points unknown to this day. This was a lovely holiday myth that my mother in law passed down to us and she told them in a way they were skeptical but absolutely convinced, as neither were brave enough to risk losing a gift. And as we all know children push the limits (of course! it is they're duty..) so if they touched a present that was not theirs but for the their sibling, two of their gifts would disappear (fear is wonderful motivator!)
I would arrange the gifts so you could see the tag on every package by just sitting back and gazing.....
So everyday after school or early evening when we got home they would dump their backpacks and any other worldly possessions in the foyer (certain to kill anyone attempting to enter the house after them!) and with lightening speed run to the tree and throw themselves down on their bellies, resting their chin on their little hands side by side giggling and in the spirit of olympic champions proceed to count how many each had seeking out new gifts that appeared while they were away that day. Every so often I would rearrange a few just to throw them off...what an amusing sight. As the parents we would quietly with the stealth of trained ninjas peek around the corner and watch them with delight listening to the conversations they carried on. (to have that time back *sigh*).
Of course as siblings they would dare one another to 'touch' but the shear prospect of what may happen would delude them to chicken out and just look, laugh and chatter together. (*priceless*).
The neighborhood kids would come to play (they were always at our house...) and we would peek in to see a fleet of adorable children laying on their bellies, knuckles or hands on chins looking at all the gifts, and laughing till I had to cover my own mouth so they would not hear me giggling too. They would pick out whose picture was on each gift and remember the moments those "actual pictures" had been taken telling stories amongst themselves. Of course the stories were much grander each time they repeated them to a new child that wanted to come see what it was all about. What fun we had...!!
I so wish I had video taped some of those moments, but alas I shall always carry those images in my heart and memory to pull out whenever I need a giggle or a cry when feeling nostalgic.
Christmas is a magical time of year for young and old. Always remember it is not about the gifts....the true meaning is different for everyone but it goes beyond words.
I love you my two sweet children, your presence completes me. (does anyone have a kleenex?? hand it over!!)....
Merry Christmas to all & to all a good night!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Fearless.......
As children, we are born with innate sense of fearlessness, no boundaries, unencumbered by doubt, 'unaware that we can't jump off the roof into the pool'...( viva Lake Havasu...) when our parents have turned their backs or get an adult night out. (babysitters are too busy talking to their boyfriends on the phone, playing on the computer or watching television) which makes our precious off spring completely free to explore any and all possibilities with no regard to the dangers that could and most likely will be lurking just around the corner. We are fearless hear us Roar! (as they would say *wink wink*) In contrast, as we age that little nagging voice inside our minds increases at warp speed to caution all of us to avoid risk at any cost. (some of us, but not me! I always embrace my inner child),There is a quote I love........"What would you attempt to do, if you knew you couldn't get caught?"... ~ unknown author. This thought reminds us of the value and amusement of the child's mind and perspective. That innovation and rapid fearless progress require and demand that we as adults march boldly forward, thus abandoning our fear of failure and seizing the moment while we can!
It reminds me of when I was raising my children. Oh the memories....(*sigh*) One night we were all dressed to go to an event which we were commanded to by my husband a.k.a Daddy-O to the kids (as he felt we needed so desperately to attend, understandably so). We were dressed to the nines. Clothes perfect, hair perfect, all matching (as it was late autumn) Both children did not want to go, but would never complain. They were sitting on the wicker porch swing outside attempting not to wrinkle or get a hair out of place. I saw their sad faces from my bedroom sliding doors and even as an adult I did not want to go (Ugh!). So I went outside, walked by the pool and gasped! Of course both children came running, "What Mom what ??" I took their hands and leaned a bit over the pool and said 'look' which they diligently did. Still confused, I said you must look further, so we gently held hands tighter and leaned a little bit further. Then to their amusement and utter surprise I held tight to their hands and jumped in clothes and all! We popped to the surface sputtering and laughing hysterically, as I looked up I saw my husband, their loving dad standing silently watching, smiling and gently taking off his tie. There was a sparkle in his eye as he watched us. It was the best EVER!!!! Daddy-O went in to get us towels and never complained just laughed, and shook his head. I imagine he was wondering who was the child and who was the adult?? (that part is a secret..) It is moments like these we need to remember......(*big smiles*).
It reminds me of when I was raising my children. Oh the memories....(*sigh*) One night we were all dressed to go to an event which we were commanded to by my husband a.k.a Daddy-O to the kids (as he felt we needed so desperately to attend, understandably so). We were dressed to the nines. Clothes perfect, hair perfect, all matching (as it was late autumn) Both children did not want to go, but would never complain. They were sitting on the wicker porch swing outside attempting not to wrinkle or get a hair out of place. I saw their sad faces from my bedroom sliding doors and even as an adult I did not want to go (Ugh!). So I went outside, walked by the pool and gasped! Of course both children came running, "What Mom what ??" I took their hands and leaned a bit over the pool and said 'look' which they diligently did. Still confused, I said you must look further, so we gently held hands tighter and leaned a little bit further. Then to their amusement and utter surprise I held tight to their hands and jumped in clothes and all! We popped to the surface sputtering and laughing hysterically, as I looked up I saw my husband, their loving dad standing silently watching, smiling and gently taking off his tie. There was a sparkle in his eye as he watched us. It was the best EVER!!!! Daddy-O went in to get us towels and never complained just laughed, and shook his head. I imagine he was wondering who was the child and who was the adult?? (that part is a secret..) It is moments like these we need to remember......(*big smiles*).
Friday, December 3, 2010
Time flies when you're not looking...
For me, November was a "wallflower" kind of a month - It arrived quickly & quietly empty handed before we even realized Summer had ended,it sighed and looking around rather unimpressed with it's surroundings, stood against the wall (can a month feel bored & unimpressed ?) preceded to add 5 lbs+ to everyone from the Thanksgiving feast & various over indulgences, barely attempted to make small talk and quietly left before anyone could ask it to dance! Oh November! Of course it knew full well that most people were scurrying about like little mice in a maze thinking of the Christmas holidays creeping or should I say leaping upon us and suitably we were all distracted planning for that next holiday, as if this one had come and gone.*laughing*
Thankfully December arrived wearing its very best "dancing shoes" like Dorothy with her ruby reds,December came with a big smile carrying an armful of gifts or as I like to say tasks that cannot be ignored. *wink*. Break out the pencil & paper many a list to be compiled. No time for procrastination or it is going to be a rough month, and who wants coal in their stocking for not doing it all perfect? Not me. If I was a betting chic and I am not, I would definitely put all my money on this month being an exhausting but happy winner! Certainly how could it not be a great month with so many grand elaborate, and some not so elaborate things in store for us ? ~ such as: chilling in the winter weather or freezing like a popsicle depending on your geographical location (this is why I stay on the west coast, Brrrrr), making a snowman, making snow angels, caroling, skiing in Lake Tahoe,baking the fruitcake that everyone throws immediately in the garbage, catching up with lovely people a few you might like to forget ummm (did I type that out loud ? nah..), eating enormous amounts of empty high calorie Christmas food and adult refreshments, since it's the Holidays those calories don't count (always been my rule, this is set in stone! so enjoy), relaxing & reading lots of books (in all that spare time you have,right? not), dashing madly through multiple malls and speciality shops looking for ...you know that, that 'that thing,' whew found it...now begins the ritual of wrapping & shipping all that hard work off to family and friends near and far, knowing without a doubt someone will choose to be unhappy with your well thought out gift. The Christmas Cards, don't forget anyone or you will be humiliated on facebook by the "forgotten one" being deemed a leper amongst those you did remember (for the huddled masses stick together~ in public anyway)...there comes the tree, decorating, stockings, wrapping gifts, and the Christmas parties..Ugh (many of which you would rather not attend, but you will graciously), groceries galore, (where do we put them all?) if you have children of any age, they have been asking for that one special gift for months,you know the one they can't live without ?!? Everyone will have it and they just must, so as dutiful parents we make this our top priority even if it means standing in lines until your frozen, been trampled, threatened with violence if you don't let some crazed shopper skip ahead in line because they're time is more important than yours, the inevitable sneaky blood clots forming in your lower extremities from the long lines, and a cascade of other dangerous maladies we endure, to find out you arrive home hide your great finds in the back of the closet for wrapping, pat yourself on the back, job well done...and when the children arrive home they make a comment that what they asked for all year isn't cool anymore now they want something you can't possibly get your hands on, (again everyone will have..Ugh!) but as parents we will leap small & large buildings at a single bound to get that new 'thing', and in the blink of an eye, Poof! it will be over. I am exhausted and remembering my childhood just typing about it, although it makes me smile and gives me a sense of calm & belonging. And finally if your smart go away on some mini getaway (even if that means taking your phone off the hook, no emails, no cell phones & staying home for a few days with the hubby & kids, or you and the pet(s), or just plain solo for many...a night at the B & B....the possibilities are indeed endless !
*doing a happy dance now*
Take a deep breath New Years is here !!
Thankfully December arrived wearing its very best "dancing shoes" like Dorothy with her ruby reds,December came with a big smile carrying an armful of gifts or as I like to say tasks that cannot be ignored. *wink*. Break out the pencil & paper many a list to be compiled. No time for procrastination or it is going to be a rough month, and who wants coal in their stocking for not doing it all perfect? Not me. If I was a betting chic and I am not, I would definitely put all my money on this month being an exhausting but happy winner! Certainly how could it not be a great month with so many grand elaborate, and some not so elaborate things in store for us ? ~ such as: chilling in the winter weather or freezing like a popsicle depending on your geographical location (this is why I stay on the west coast, Brrrrr), making a snowman, making snow angels, caroling, skiing in Lake Tahoe,baking the fruitcake that everyone throws immediately in the garbage, catching up with lovely people a few you might like to forget ummm (did I type that out loud ? nah..), eating enormous amounts of empty high calorie Christmas food and adult refreshments, since it's the Holidays those calories don't count (always been my rule, this is set in stone! so enjoy), relaxing & reading lots of books (in all that spare time you have,right? not), dashing madly through multiple malls and speciality shops looking for ...you know that, that 'that thing,' whew found it...now begins the ritual of wrapping & shipping all that hard work off to family and friends near and far, knowing without a doubt someone will choose to be unhappy with your well thought out gift. The Christmas Cards, don't forget anyone or you will be humiliated on facebook by the "forgotten one" being deemed a leper amongst those you did remember (for the huddled masses stick together~ in public anyway)...there comes the tree, decorating, stockings, wrapping gifts, and the Christmas parties..Ugh (many of which you would rather not attend, but you will graciously), groceries galore, (where do we put them all?) if you have children of any age, they have been asking for that one special gift for months,you know the one they can't live without ?!? Everyone will have it and they just must, so as dutiful parents we make this our top priority even if it means standing in lines until your frozen, been trampled, threatened with violence if you don't let some crazed shopper skip ahead in line because they're time is more important than yours, the inevitable sneaky blood clots forming in your lower extremities from the long lines, and a cascade of other dangerous maladies we endure, to find out you arrive home hide your great finds in the back of the closet for wrapping, pat yourself on the back, job well done...and when the children arrive home they make a comment that what they asked for all year isn't cool anymore now they want something you can't possibly get your hands on, (again everyone will have..Ugh!) but as parents we will leap small & large buildings at a single bound to get that new 'thing', and in the blink of an eye, Poof! it will be over. I am exhausted and remembering my childhood just typing about it, although it makes me smile and gives me a sense of calm & belonging. And finally if your smart go away on some mini getaway (even if that means taking your phone off the hook, no emails, no cell phones & staying home for a few days with the hubby & kids, or you and the pet(s), or just plain solo for many...a night at the B & B....the possibilities are indeed endless !
*doing a happy dance now*
Take a deep breath New Years is here !!
Time Flies when your not looking...
For me, November was a "wallflower" kind of a month - It arrived quickly & quietly empty handed before we even realized Summer had ended,it sighed and looked rather unimpressed with everyone, stood against the wall (can a month feel bored & unimpressed ?) preceded to add 5 lbs+ to everyone from the Thanksgiving feast & various over indulgences,barely attempted to make small talk and quietly left before anyone could ask it to dance! Of course knowing full well that most people were scurrying about like little mice in a maze thinking of the Christmas holidays creeping or should I say leaping upon us.*laughing*
Thankfully December arrived wearing its very best "dancing shoes," a big smile and carrying an armful of gifts or as I like to say tasks that cannot be ignored. *wink* Break out the pencil & paper many a list to be made. No time for procrastination or it is going to be a rough month, and who wants coal in their stocking for not doing it all perfect? If I was a betting chic, I would definitely put all my money on this month being an exhausting winner! Certainly how could it not be a great month with so many grand elaborate, and some not so elaborate things in store for us ? ~ such as: chilling in the winter weather or freezing like a popsicle depending on your geographical location (this is why I stay on the west coast,) catching up with lovely people and a few you would like to forget
( did I type that out loud ? nah..) eating enormous amounts of empty high calorie Christmas food and adult refreshments since it's the Holidays those calories don't count, reading lots of books (in all that spare time you have, right? not), dashing madly through multiple malls and speciality shops looking for ...you know 'that thing,' whew...now begins the ritual of shipping all that hard work off to family and friends near and far, knowing without a doubt someone will choose to be unhappy with your well thought out gift. The Christmas Cards, don't forget anyone or you will be humiliated on facebook by the "forgotten one" being deemed a leper amongst those you did remember...there comes the tree, decorating, stockings, wrapping gifts, and the Christmas parties (many of which you would rather not attend, but you will) groceries galore, and in the blink of an eye, Poof! it will be over. I am tired just typing about it. Finally going away on some mini getaway (even if that means taking your phone off the hook & staying home for a few days with the hubby & kids, or you and the pet(s), or just plain solo for many... *doing a happy dance now* take a deep breath New Years is here !!
Thankfully December arrived wearing its very best "dancing shoes," a big smile and carrying an armful of gifts or as I like to say tasks that cannot be ignored. *wink* Break out the pencil & paper many a list to be made. No time for procrastination or it is going to be a rough month, and who wants coal in their stocking for not doing it all perfect? If I was a betting chic, I would definitely put all my money on this month being an exhausting winner! Certainly how could it not be a great month with so many grand elaborate, and some not so elaborate things in store for us ? ~ such as: chilling in the winter weather or freezing like a popsicle depending on your geographical location (this is why I stay on the west coast,) catching up with lovely people and a few you would like to forget
( did I type that out loud ? nah..) eating enormous amounts of empty high calorie Christmas food and adult refreshments since it's the Holidays those calories don't count, reading lots of books (in all that spare time you have, right? not), dashing madly through multiple malls and speciality shops looking for ...you know 'that thing,' whew...now begins the ritual of shipping all that hard work off to family and friends near and far, knowing without a doubt someone will choose to be unhappy with your well thought out gift. The Christmas Cards, don't forget anyone or you will be humiliated on facebook by the "forgotten one" being deemed a leper amongst those you did remember...there comes the tree, decorating, stockings, wrapping gifts, and the Christmas parties (many of which you would rather not attend, but you will) groceries galore, and in the blink of an eye, Poof! it will be over. I am tired just typing about it. Finally going away on some mini getaway (even if that means taking your phone off the hook & staying home for a few days with the hubby & kids, or you and the pet(s), or just plain solo for many... *doing a happy dance now* take a deep breath New Years is here !!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
getting started....
I have always written many thoughts, quotes & sayings down on napkins, paper towels, journals, the back of the electric bill before I went paperless. I now feel ready to forge out into the unknown and share my nonsense via blogging with others. I am at a point in my life I feel like sharing...enjoy!
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