Happy New Year!

Bless those who curse you

In April 2005, I went to Paris with my kids, Mom, Aunt, and friends. Getting around the city was rather confusing (I spoke more French than any of us, and I only had one semester in 9th grade), but we managed to figure out where the train stations were and set about going to all the places tourists go. One morning we bought our Metro tickets, and Mom asked the man in the booth a question. I don't remember what it was, but he looked at her like she was trash, and it ticked me off. I repeated her question, probably in a more authoritative voice than was necessary, and he answered me. I wanted to tell him what I thought of his Parisian attitude, but Mom was standing beside me. Instead, I glared at him and said, "God bless you!" I didn't mean it, and Mom was amused.

Since then, I've tried to actually live Luke 6:28. The more I do it, the more cathartic it gets. Blessing those who irritate me relieves stress and irritation. Even on the worst days, when I'm behind some jerk who is determined to keep me under the posted speed limit, a well timed, "Well, bless your heart, honey!" will break the tension and maybe even make me laugh.

Matthew 5:11 says that I am blessed when people are ugly to me because of my faith. It doesn't happen that often specifically because of my faith--most people are at least nominally Christian here--but it ties in with blessing those who curse you. Some people are only happy when they're angry. If I am pleasant to those who are ugly, one of two things are likely to happen. Either their mood will lighten and they'll have a better day, or I'll tick them off, which will cause them to have a better day.

As we head into a new decade, I think about that guy in Paris. I wonder if he was having a bad day, or if he's always that way. I'm sure I haven't crossed his mind since that morning, and I smile when I think about the way a chance encounter has changed my long term thinking. Joyeux Noel et bonne annee, Parisian Metro Dude, and really, God bless you!

"White" Christmas

Lest anyone should think that everyone in North America had a white Christmas, allow me to present Exhibit 1:


That's the snowiest part of my front yard. I had to be sure to get a picture before the sun shifts. One sunbeam and it'll all be over. I'm fighting bitterness. How am I supposed to teach my kid to drive in snow when this is all we get? The weather system that dropped snow on so many of you dumped an additional 2" of rain on us Christmas Eve.

Other than being left out in the snow department, we did have a good Christmas here. We decided to try a minimalist approach this year. Everyone got the same Christmas budget from which we bought a few gifts. I had seven under the tree, most of them from my Mom, who is not a minimalist. The remainder of the budget was given in cash to be used on the after-Christmas discounts. I wasn't sure it would go over, but everyone agreed it was worth a try, and it worked wonderfully. No one was overwhelmed with stuff, it was all easy to put away, and now we can go buy what we wanted but didn't get for less than it would have cost a couple of days ago. It was almost as nice as the first Christmas we paid cash for everything. It was such a pleasure to sit back and watch the kids play with their new toys, knowing that there would be no credit card bills coming in the mail. (BTW, that's easier than you think. We did it when our income was at an all-time low. Pre-planning and lay-away--those were my secrets to success.)

As the years pass and time goes faster, I find I don't enjoy Christmas quite as much as I used to. It sneaks up on me and I don't anticipate it like when I was a kid. My kids are older, too, so Christmas morning is a lot more laid-back. I don't set my alarm to get up fifteen minutes before the kids are allowed out of their rooms so I can get my first hit of caffeine in peace. It's a different dynamic altogether but I can't complain. It's part of life. As long as I'm breathing, it's a good Christmas. Not white, but good.

Liquid Christmas cheer

I have Christmas shopping still left to do, so I just checked online to see what time Target opens. In addition to expanded hours during the Christmas season, the nearest store has a pharmacy, photo center, and wine available. *L* Target markets to young moms, apparently.

The last few days haven't been my best. A few fitful nights have had me cranky. It's been a challenge to maintain an attitude of gratitude. After all, it could be so much worse. I have a long list of things to do to prepare for visiting relatives and Alex being home for Christmas, but at least I have family who loves us enough to make the trek during the holidays. Some of the things on my list will make life easier in the long run, like planning holiday meals weeks ahead of time so I can grocery shop before the huge rush. Things are looking up, and I'm going to try to get some shopping and cleaning knocked out today. I might even attempt some baking. This is me, living on the edge.

Heading back to normal

Chadwick headed home today. I take Alex back to school tomorrow. Overall, we had a good week with them. There was some drama, but that's to be expected with teens and young adults. The downside is that I haven't written anything in about a week and a half, and it's getting to me. I'm going back through How To Think Sideways lessons to make sure I'm on track with 'Still Gracie Mac' and might get some words in tonight. I might look at the parts I have to rewrite. I need to flesh out my goals for the book so I can get back to work Monday morning. Tomorrow is already shot; I'll be on the road all day. Half of the trip I'll be alone, though, so if I can refresh the story in my head, I can use the drive home to ruminate. I'm SO ready to get back to work.

Eric and I indulged in a little retail therapy this afternoon. Alex needed two flat queen sheets to take back to school for his fraternity initiation. The guy he talked to didn't say why he needed them, and I'm not sure I really want to know, but I suspect togas will be involved. We also went to the bookstore, where I picked up some history books for research. I'd intended to use my e-reader for that, but I couldn't get all the books I wanted. I found some good stuff anyway, and I got a little fix.

Now for another fix--back to Think Sideways and a little plot doctoring.

Not quiet, but that's OK

I stayed up way past my bedtime Friday night, waiting for Chadwick and Alex to get here. By 7:00 in the evening, I had people converging on my house that I hadn't seen in months. They all live nearby, but evidently I'm chopped liver. That's OK, they were almost as excited about seeing Alex and Chadwick as I was.



They got here about 11:30, and Alex's very first priority was food. He didn't miss me, per se; he missed my cooking.



He was, however, more than happy to interrupt his midnight snack for a surprise visit from The Girlfriend.


Needless to say, we haven't seen much of Alex this weekend, which is more or less what I expected. When he was little, I didn't think this time of his life would actually come, and when he was an adolescent, I was pretty sure he wouldn't live this long. Now he's moving into having his own life and surprisingly, I'm good with that. Of course, I'm steadfastly not thinking about the first Thanksgiving we'll have without him. For now, I'm thankful to have loved ones safely under my roof, and I plan to feed them for all they're worth!

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

Glassy-eyed

I'm nearly half-way through the final "Sword And Scabbard" typo check. I started from the back to try to catch more of the evasive little buggers and it seems to be working. I also find myself wanting to read forward again occasionally, which I think is a good sign.

Numbers from the book signing weren't as dire as I thought. When I sifted through the numbers this morning I discovered I made $25 more than I spent on the books to take with me, and I still have a few copies left. Of course, gas money is still out of pocket but I did get free room and board, and I'd have had the gas expense just going to visit anyway. Plus there's the whole 'finished Christmas shopping' thing. ;-) I love it--it's not even Halloween yet! I literally have about nine people left to buy for. Eric and the kids and I are doing 'token gifts' this year--stockings and small things under the tree, and then taking the rest of the budget and going shopping after Christmas. That will allow us to take advantage of the sales, plus it will take a ton of pressure off me--less shopping, wrapping, debating style/color/size, etc. Between that and probably only having to sing at one service this year, I'm actually looking forward to Christmas this year! I *might* even get some baking done this year!

So that's the excitement here: edits done this weekend, hopefully off to Lulu next week, and on to new things.

On my way

I'm heading for the 18th century shortly. I have everything packed, even breakfast for tomorrow morning. My flight leaves at 6:20. Yes, a.m. Some of you are spewing your favorite beverage on your computer screens, aren't you? I'm so not a morning person but I have to be in Florida early in the day, so the early flight is a necessary evil.

I have the new camera we got for Christmas and will have photographic evidence for you in about ten days. Y'all behave while I'm away.

Merry Christmas

There may not be peace on earth, but here today in my home there is peace and good will to all men.

Enjoy!

Hmph.

It's Christmas Eve, and I'm still not decided about what to cook for Christmas dinner tomorrow. There is a standing rib roast in the fridge, but beyond that I'm still trying to figure it out. I have a vague idea of garlic mashed potatoes and herbed green beans, maybe some cranberry sauce, but I need a pasta of some kind to keep everyone happy. I have a fully stocked fridge, freezer, and pantry; I'll be able to come up with something, I'm sure. Oh, and I have to make challah, for sure, or I'll be in big trouble.

I'll be out the door pretty soon for the first of the church services. I have one at noon and one at four, but by the time we set up and break down both of them I won't have a lot of time between. I need to make a refried bean dip this afternoon. I decided we're going to have nachos for dinner tonight and watch "A Christmas Carol" (the Patrick Stewart version). At least I have that much planned.

Merry Christmas (Eve)

Mom and Stepdad and The Dog arrived safely, and we've been quite busy. In the last five days, we have:

- Played/attended one hand bell concert
- Shopped for stuff we really didn't need now, but might later; barely talked Mom out of buying something that I have under the tree for her without giving away the surprise
- Played/attended four church services in two days
- Bought groceries twice
- Walked the dog (our yard isn't fenced)

Mom has approximately 83 new pictures of each of the cats, and four of my family. I can't post any here just now because they don't have the USB cable for their camera, and my card reader is too big for their card. The Dog and the cats have a tenuous non-aggression pact and have been chased out of each other's food dishes by the humans. Apparently they don't care if the other species is eating their food, but the people do. So, really, it's a typical Christmas here! Good times, people, good times. I just thought I'd pop in here quick-like and wish all of you a Merry Christmas. I have to go upstairs now and fill the kids' Christmas stockings before I forget. Again. Me? Too busy? Why would you think that?

Back in a few days, hopefully with photo evidence. (Evidence of our happy holiday, not that I'm too busy. I'm too busy to take pictures when I'm too busy. Yeah, that makes sense.)

TSO!

If I was a trust fund baby with no responsibility, I would be a TSO groupie! I waited six weeks for yesterday. It was like being ten and anticipating Christmas again, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra was worth the wait. After seeing them last year, Eric and I knew we had to take the kids this year. They didn't open with Wizards In Winter this time; they didn't play that one until the second half. The show was fantastic, though, and Alex spent two and a half hours alternating between laughing and saying things like, "No way!" and "How????" and taking his jaw out of his lap. Part-way through the first song, I pointed out key members to him. Al Pitrelli was center stage, Angus Clark at the far end, and Jane Mangini, Al's wife, on the keyboard with her back to us, and he nodded politely and added, "And Al Pitrelli is playing a Les Paul." I thought he would come out of his seat when Angus left the stage briefly and reappeared with a King V, which he obligingly came to play on the platform nearest us. I think his reactions made the show more fun for me! Of course, he identified every guitar on the stage; to me they're all guitars. Then again, to me, a Lamborghini is just a car! What do I know? (At least I can identify a dangling participle.)

One of the things I noticed last year, and that Alex identified on his own this year, was that everyone on stage looked like they were having the best time. By yesterday, they were on their eighth show in five days, but they acted like there was no other place they would want to be. I can't even imagine that schedule!

We decided last night to add a TSO line item to our budget. Frankly, by the time you get tickets, T-shirts, and dinner, it's an expensive family outing, but they (the band and the kids) are worth every penny. We won't have too many family Christmases left. In five years, Alex could be on active duty and may not be able to be home. Making TSO concerts part of our family tradition is one way we can bridge the miles between us when we can't be together.

Baby steps

I decided the cleaning and decorating fairies weren't going to make an appearance here, so I've been doing some at a time. Yesterday before work I dragged the box with my creche pieces downstairs, and today I cleared and dusted the mantle and set it up. I also got the book shelves straightened back up and cleared a space for the Christmas tree. I delegated the vacuuming to Alex, and Eric dragged the tree downstairs and set it up this evening. Tomorrow I'll bring the decorations downstairs, add some lights to the tree, and let the kids put on decorations. With the tree up and squared away, I can start wrapping presents and get them out of my way. I have to remember to leave some space in between the gifts; Tess spent a lot of time sleeping under the tree last year. I guess she thought she was God's gift to us! That's my diva.

I've made a dent in my shopping, too. I mostly have Eric and the kids left, maybe one or two not-strictly-family gifts. The budget is even holding up.

The snow changed pretty quickly to freezing rain, and it's mostly moved out of here. It might be icy tomorrow, but that's about it for now. I figured out last night that we're about sixty to ninety miles too far south for a proper winter. Such a drag, but good to know for future reference. At this point I think we need to move closer to a Great Lake. I always pout when people talk about lake effect snow!

Time for me to go curl up in bed and see if I can catch a weather report.

It's a good thing I'm not on a diet,

because yesterday was the perfect example of how NOT to lose weight! I had half a bagel and coffee about 9, between wrestling the turkey (23 lbs!) into the roaster and starting the bread. I didn't realize I was hungry again until almost 1:00, and we were within half an hour of putting food on the table. I took the edge off with nibbles of bread while I sliced it. We had our big meal about 1:30, and while it appeared I was being good by skipping seconds, I was stuffed to the gills. Around 6:30, some friends came over for a relatively impromptu dessert pot-luck. Oh my. I'd made chocolate pots-de-creme (new recipe--I was going for something like Applebee's new chocolate mousse shooters), a chocolate pudding pie, and a lemon pie. My friend made all pies--pumpkin, apple cranberry, and pecan. Since it was dinner time, and because we only do this once a year (OK, maybe twice), I got out dinner plates and we all gorged a second time. And no, in case you're wondering, I didn't walk yesterday. It was cold and I slept later than I wanted to.

Today is traditionally 'nibble on leftovers' day. I have grand and lofty plans in my little brain--get laundry caught up, clean our bedroom, wrap the presents I have to mail so I can take them to the post office tomorrow (or Monday), write a few thousand words. We need to decide when to put up the Christmas tree. Usually we do it Thanksgiving weekend, but it's so early this year, and we still have more than a month until Christmas. I love our decorations, but I don't know if I want to look at them for a solid month! If I steer clear of the turkey, I might get some of it done!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The turkey is in the oven, and I'm heading to the kitchen to start the bread shortly. I wanted to pop in here before I start the cooking marathon. ;-)

I heard Anne Graham-Lotts on the radio the other day talking about 'Thanksliving'--living each day with an attitude of thanks. I'm generally a happy girl, so this comes easily for me, but I think in the next year I want to be really intentional about it. Some people think it's silly to thank God for a great parking spot, but if He sees when every sparrow falls, I'm pretty sure He can score a parking spot for me with no effort!

Y'all have a blessed Thanksgiving, enjoy your feast, and then get out there and start Thanksliving!

The Big 2-0

No, it's not my birthday. Thank goodness--no way would I want to be 20 again! It's our 20th wedding anniversary. I was a mere infant, of course, on our wedding day. ;-) Seriously, I wasn't old enough to drink! By Eric's next birthday (in July) I'll officially be married longer than I was single.

In a bit of an odd twist, Scott called yesterday to announce his engagement. Congrats, buddy! I hope your marriage is as good as mine. Not that it's been easy by any means. We've had our share of downs, but the downs weren't as low as they could have been had my best friend not been beside me. And we've had more than our share of ups, too.

One last bit of irony. Twenty years ago I wore ivory lace. Tonight, I'll be having dinner with my husband in black lace!

Happy (early) birthday!

Eric's birthday is the end of this month, two days after Alex's. Consequently, he's had less than stellar birthdays some years because of tight finances and his wish for Alex's birthdays to be good.

Tight finances are less of an issue now, so while The Boys were here, we went shopping. Chadwick is a technophile extraordinare and was just the consultant* we needed to buy these:


Yes, the TV and the stand are new, but so is the tuner in the inside upper right corner of the cabinet. Our old tuner finally gave up the ghost after more than a decade, and we found one reasonably priced when we got the TV.

The Boys spent a whole afternoon moving the old cabinet and TV upstairs and putting the new set-up together. I've written down the directions on how to get all the components to talk to each other. Hopefully I won't have to make any tech support calls to Chadwick!








*Why, yes, I did need a consultant to buy them! I know nothing about Man Toys and I was scared to spend that much money on something that might not be right. That trumps surprises every time.

Happy Fourth!

That time again

It seems like we just had the 4th of July with The Boys, and it's time again. We'll have the same crowd as last year: TSgt Danny, Paco, and Chadwick.

I'd say I'll be scarce for a few days, but it's not like I haven't already been scarce lately. Hopefully I'll be back soon to post some good news. I have to get clearance from Scott first, and that might take some time. There's no telling with him.

There is some good news I can tell you about. I have officially enrolled in on-line classes to earn my Family Herbalist Certification. Goin' back to school! They have a payment plan that let me pay half my tuition up-front and spread the remainder over a year with no interest. I should be able to cover tuition and books out of my paychecks, which will be cool. Then I'll be able to say I worked my way through school by washing dishes! It doesn't take much to make me smile.

Stay tuned for hopefully good news.

Dream vacation

I almost don't dare to say so, but Eric might have a few days of vacation that we can earmark for a family trip this year. It may not sound like much, but 95% of our family vacations have been to visit other family members. Early on, it was out of necessity. Frankly, we were poor and needed free lodging. In sixteen years, our non-visiting vacations have included a half-dozen camping trips (three of which we actually traveled more than 20 miles for), and the tourist stuff we did in Italy. Even some of the Italy traveling could be considered 'with family' but they came to us those times.

We really haven't talked about specifics. Our conversation has gone far enough to acknowledge the possible presence of vacation time, a tentative willingness to go 'someplace', and a preference for a mix of 'stuff to do' and 'time to chill.' Our interests are very eclectic. I'd go for the historical venues, preferably with shopping nearby. Eric is all for the shopping, and so are the kids to a lesser extent, but they have a lower tolerance for battle fields and dead presidents' houses. I don't think we're really theme park people, but we did have a good time at Gardaland in Italy, so maybe a small dose of that might be all right. I'm not sure about the kids at this point; they might opt to stay home with their friends, but that's too bad! We all need some forced family fun sometimes.

Decisions, decisions. If you had a week or so and some disposable income, where would you go?