Archive for December, 2007
Park City Utah is gorgeous in Winter. Breathtakingly so. 
Here is the view one of my DS’s took from the top of a ski run. We could look out our door and see where the 2002 Olympic slalom races were held. (Those people have GUTS!)
MAX! was a real trooper. Except for getting up at 5am or so, he adapted great. The kids would all go to the mountain about 9 and Grandpa and I had MAX! to ourselves until about 3 or 4. Just Heaven. He is happy until he is sleepy and then a snuggle blankie and Grandma rocking worked wonders for both of us. Oh, if his parents knew!
Trying to get him in his snow suit and into the car and strapping him in the car seat almost exhausted us both. How in the world did I do that with 2 of them????? I think we had less straps! And I was used to it. We could have won America’s Funniest Home Videos if anyone had seen us!
But we did get him together enough to take him out in the sled.
Pretty snazzy don’t you think?
Christmas morning brought this little elf
very early! When did he get old enough to hold his own bottle- geez!
I could write forever on how much fun we had. The guys brought ROCK BAND which is a video game that comes with guitars and drums and microphones. Then you follow your color band on screen that matches your instrument. After MAX! would go to bed we did this for hours on end. They want DH and I to hook our X box (yes we have our own) to the internet so we can all play together online. We are thrilled that our children want to include us, but this is a bit much! I learned to play a mean bass guitar! I told them if they came out with SHOW TUNES BAND, then I would sign up!!!
We took turns cooking and going out to eat WITH MAX! and letting the kids go out and us oldsters baby sitting. It was such a trial for us…..NOT!
Basically, we got a precious gift of time with our children and their trust in us to watch MAX! while they played. And for the brothers and sisters in law to bond and make memories. And in the end, isn’t that all that we can hope for?
MAX! on Christmas night playing with Mommy.
Our gates at the airport were close together and our flights back close in time, so we got to play to the very end. The minute they walked away after much smooching of MAX!, I just burst into tears. As the song says, “Love Hurts”!
Since I got home, I just bring out the memories I tucked into my heart and I start smiling at the strangest times. DH knows why and we can’t wait to send the parents away somewhere again soon!
I have a ton of pictures and I may sneak a few more in here and there. Grandmas are shameless!
Bryan, please do your magic with the pictures!
~ Consider the magic done. MAX! is now clickable. — bjw
December 30th, 2007
Here’s a little some place to continue the comments since we’re getting to the point I’m losing them.
December 29th, 2007
Wapak is scheduled for Thursday, but since she’s off playing with MAX! and who knows how long it will take her to come down from the contact high once she gets home, and since we’re at over 100 in the comments…
The weather outside was frightful, sorta. Actually it was quite nice with snow and wind and sun. This combination results in slush and mush and ice after dark so I didn’t go to Denver. I was iffy when I checked the weather but when I talked with OTR Truck Driver and Fireman and both said, “You’re going where? When? Will you leave there by 5:00 so you can get out of the city before it freezes?” I decided that was a sign and didn’t go to to Boy’s for Christmas which meant I stayed in county for my Holiday Cheer.
I have a very dear friend with whom I am in the habit of spending the holidays. Even though I didn’t have anything to contribute and they hadn’t planned on me I was welcomed for the meal. This is the good news part, the bad news part is that her son and his gf hosted the day. They have the largest house and they had folks over from both sides of the family. Both of these should have made it a wonderful day. Instead we had tears. And I’m not sure if I can fix them, if I should try to fix them, or if I should even acknowledge them. The friend’s MIL, “G” is a very pushy woman. Over the years we have all come to accept that there are two ways of doing things, G’s way and the wrong way. And wow does the son and gf run their house the wrong way. Neither of them cook so they don’t have things that many of us expect to find in a kitchen in the way of utensils and spices. Which of course meant that they were doing things wrong. Then there was the food that was cooked. G brought over the dishes that mean something to her and her husband which is a good thing, but when the gf mentioned making green beans G was all over her because we didn’t need another vegetable since we had corn and lima beans. The lima beans that only she and her husband eat. She needed a pan to prepare something and the gf didn’t have the size she wanted so that was another comment on how poorly run the home was. It was like that all day long. The blessing? Not something the gf’s family does but something G believes in very strongly. So while everyone was backing and forthing the 11yo and I did the kid’s blessing and got things going. I also got a dirty look but oh well.
I know. For many people this is normal. And for G this is normal. That’s one of the problems. I need to figure out a tactful way to tell the gf to consider the source. I like her and appreciate her hosting since their home is so big, it doesn’t have cats, and there are activities for those under 100yo to participate in. I have decided that I am doing a hostess thank you note gift thing. Any suggestions? And should I mention G or just ignore her and tell the gf how much I enjoyed her home, her hospitality, and her family?
December 25th, 2007
. . . yeah, I know, always a dangerous thing. These past few weeks have been so incredibly busy for me and so filled with the conflicting stresses of work and preparing for the holidays. Too much to do and not enough time to do it. I’m sure all the rest of you have been going through a similarly hectic time. However the details might vary, the theme is the same for most of us.
I don’t want to look back on this holiday season and count all the things I accomplished, all the duties I carried out, the cookies I baked, the gifts I purchased, the meals I prepared, yet not be able to find a single moment where I just had fun.
So I was thinking . . .
. . . maybe we should go caroling. Pick a day and time and go around as a group to all our various blogs and sing Christmas carols to each other. We could take turns and each sing a line or two, give our silly or serious holiday wishes, wait for the last person to finish up and then move on to the next blog. Just for fun.
We could be as organized or disorganized as you want. Though we probably should try to decide on a particular time — I’m thinking either tonight (Sat) or tomorrow (Sun) night. Probably the latter would be better for me, as I might have crossed a few thousand more things off my list by then. And we might want to determine ahead of time in what order we’re going to “sing” so we don’t have one person sing the first line and then have the next six people all sing the second line at the same time. If there are a lot of us who want to do this, maybe we could sing a couple songs each time to make sure everyone gets a turn on each blog.
If we want to be super-organized (not my forte and I’m making this up as I go) we could decide which blogs, in which order and what songs we’re going to sing at each one — to make sure no one gets lost or breaks into a rousing rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” or in case anyone wants to brush up on lyrics of Christmas carols. Or we could just wing it and see what happens.
We might want to start off each round of caroling with a brief explanation, for those non-CB people who read these other blogs. Sort of like this:
“Merry Christmas, McB! As you know, in the darkness there are CBs and on this, one of the longest nights of the year, we’ve decided to go blog caroling and push back the winter darkness by spreading holiday cheer.”
Or something. I’d be more than happy to go first each time, if no one else wants to. Except on my blog. That would be weird. Okay, weirder. Or we could all take turns.
We could even designate one person to wrap it up at the end and say something along the lines of: “Merry Christmas, Mary! Come sing with us, we’re moving on to Scope’s blog now.” Probably we could even leave a link. Or, as I said, we could wing it.
I know, you all are busy and don’t have time for this nonsense. But I think it’s important to make time for play. The world could use more frivolity. I figure this could either be a lot of fun and perhaps the start of a new holiday tradition, or it could be just one more time-consuming (not to mention fairly stupid and pointless) item to fit into an already too long list of things to do. What do you all think? Do you want to go caroling?
December 22nd, 2007
** I have not decorated for Christmas- the only thing I have up is the wreath Marcia made me
** I’m typing one handed because the dog wants attention, and it’s either type one handed or spend all afternoon getting bumped on the arm by doggie nose
** I have a very good friend whose mom makes the most extraordinary fused glass jewelry- I’m giving pieces to people for Christmas-
** One of my co-workers has a thing for mid-century modern- for Christmas I made him and his wife these stacking trees http://thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=822- I changed mine a bit and made them out of fuschia, tuquoise, and purple figured felt and closed them with velcro instead of sewing them into cones- he looked at me mighty odd when he opened his gift and had a stack of felt half circles but when I showed him how they worked… He’s thinking they may stay out all year
** I helped a young lady (10) craft her mother’s gift last weekend- it was fun, especially since it was the first time she’s ever made fudge
** I had three young ladies (8,6, and 4) over Sunday afternoon and we decorated cinnamon ornaments with glitter, made Shrinky Dinks, and drank hot chocolate
** I am helping another young lady (12) make gifts for her family this weekend. I’m still not sure what we’re going to make but I’m sure it will involve Shrinky Dinks, sewing, and being messy.
** It is turning into a handcrafted Christmas for me. I think I like it. Okay, I know I like it. It’s fun. Things are done with the specific person in mind. And no one else has anything quite like what I’m giving.
Wow, started this post all “woe is me” and “I’m not doing Christmas this year” but I guess I am. Just different than I have in the past. This seems like the start of a good tradition.
Are any of you crafting for the Holidays? Or buying hand crafted from others? And more importantly from my point of view how do you feel about hand crafted gifts? Are they caring? Cheap? Lazy?
And if you need a source to buy handmade I suggest etsy
December 19th, 2007
Apologies to CC for jumping in ahead of her post. No need for anyone to comment. I just didn’t want this link to get lost in the comments on McB’s post in case anyone else would like to participate.
Scope read on JCF about this one laptop per child program. If you buy one children’s laptop, they send another one to a child in a third world country. For $400. The technology is amazing to me. It’s a linux based laptop, only 7.5 inches and built specifically to operate in an environment with few options for electricity. The battery is charged by a hand crank!! The programs are geared to educate children as much as entertain. They are durable, portable and versatile. I don’t see the downside. So we’ve decided to do that. We’ll play with ours for a week or two then give it to a young girl we know who would appreciate it immensely. She’s a good kid whose single dad struggles sometimes but works hard to give her the best that he can. I’m hoping he doesn’t see it as charity but rather an opportunity. I’m so excited about this whole program. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Bob bless the cherries for sharing the link.
I’m incredibly blessed with my life. I have a wonderful home, a loving family, good, true friends. I have appliances, electronics, toys, books and a great car. I want for nothing(except Gerard Butler but Christina and I have worked something out as far as he’s concerned) It’s selfish of me to want to give something back because it makes me feel so good.
Today was a good day. I think, hope, pray I convinced a terminally ill man to let me place his dog in a loving, doting, perfect home. He’s tried twice before and was thinking that he would have his three year old service dog put down rather than risk a home where he was just an accessory. He’s a wonderful dog, a red border collie and I’m thrilled to say his potential new owners are dream dog owners. They will give him all the attention and affection any dog would ever want. It will be a good fit. I know it in my heart. And as sappy as that sounds I promised this man he could rest easy. If I’ve ever sold anything in my life, I hope I sold him on giving this retired couple a chance. The dog deserves it.
Just knowing how hard I tried on this makes me feel good. I told you, selfish of me.
December 19th, 2007
I checked the schedule and *gasp* we don’t have a 3rd weekend author! How can that be? Any of you random posters want to step up and take permanent duty?
Anyway … I mentioned in a comment that I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to Christmas songs. I want Nat King Cole singing “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)” and Brenda Lee “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” I’m not a huge fan of “new” holiday songs either. Few of them ever get it right, the whole spirit of the season thing. And a few I just plain don’t like. Which ones? Well, “The Christmas Shoes” for one. Although I blame it on radio bombarding me with that song relentlessly every year. First time I liked the song, second time I really listened to it, third time was “what, again?”
Another one, and I’m dying to know how many others feel this way, is Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas.” No, no, I’ve got nothing against The King. It’s those back up singers woo hoo hoo-ing their way through the song. I hear that first “woo” and it’s like someone dragging fingernails down a blackboard for me. My radio gets switched off before they make it to the last “hoo.”
I’m also not a big fan of song interpretations. Interpretation is supposed to be part of art, I guess, but to my mind the original artist - in this case the songwriter - has already done that. He (or she) is giving us their interpretation of a Christmas song. The first artist to sing it will usually give it a twist, a little something to brand it to their particular style. But after that? After that, my friends, it has had all the interpretation it needs. If you want to do something different, come up with your own song and leave the beloved standards alone.
There are acceptable exceptions, however. Reba McIntire’s version of “The Christmas Song” is lovely, a sort of bluesy, piano thing that almost makes me think I can smell those chestnuts roasting. And Vince Gill did a wonderful instrumental version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” that is just plain fun. I’ve mentioned Mannheim Steamroller’s version of “Carol of the Bells” before. In their hands it is not the delicate chiming I’m used to; but if the purpose of music is to move you and make you feel something, they’ve clearly accomplished that.
And for non-traditional, the ‘not really Christmas songs but played at lot at this time of year’ my vote goes to Emerson, Brown & O’Donoghue and “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way.”
Which songs to you love to hear ths time of year? Which ones make you cringe? Which ones make you sit up and pay attention?
December 15th, 2007
My dad likes to think of himself as the Grinch. He loves that cartoon but always insists we turn it off right before the Grinch’s “heart grew three sizes that day”. He talks a good game but when it comes down to it, my dad is the one who goes out and buys all the decorations, puts up the tree and dons the Santa hat on Christmas morning. He has a little village that he puts under the tree, a story he tells the grandchildren about the tree skirt and yet he teases my mother about her relentless Christmas cheer.
Certain traditions are inviolate. Orange juice and pigs in a blanket(beef sausages for me) while we open our stockings. A book for each of us so that we can spend part of the day reading together. Family is our focus for the day, but some of the best Christmases have involved others. We usually adopt people who have nowhere to go that special day.
When my brother was three, our downstairs neighbours went to her parents for Christmas, much to the dismay of their unexpected company who arrived after they’d left. We invited them to dine at our table that night. They plyed my brother with wine until he was bouncing off the walls. Music poured out of our stereo. There was much laughter and gaiety, despite the fact that we were virtually strangers. I’m not sure my mom was impressed with the wine incident but other than that it was a good day.
There was the year a friend of mine had to work at the radio station on Christmas Day. Mom and I made up a plate for him, then drove out into the middle of nowhere, down a dark deserted road to deliver our Christmas cheer. It was much appreciated, once we could finally get him to answer the side door.
Another year we had the International dinner. She was from New Orleans, he was from Winnepeg, his mother was from New Jersey and his dad was Chinese. We threw in a Scot for good measure. That was the time I learned about my mom’s brush with the Baader-Meinhoff gang. And my dad’s military clearance. Parents. They can surprise you. Speechless.
We had three Christmases in Germany. Dozens with both sets of grandparents. Lots of friends and family every year. Playing scrabble in the kitchen while the turkey roasted. We’ve had disasters lots of years too. The oven died. The turkey was green(twice that happened)Snowstorms stranded people. Everyone was sick. The tree fell over and broke all the ornaments. I unwrapped all the presents - to everyone(hey I was very young) The casts, splints, and slings. Poverty. But those aren’t the things I remember most.
I remember the laughs. The year dad made a grilled cheese sandwich, wrapped it up and put it under the tree and drove the dog insane with the smell as it slowly ripened. The silence. Christmas Eve coming out of church to see the snow fall gently down. The music. My parents singing hymns and carols. My Heinje record from Germany that still means the world to me. Dad complaining about listening to Roger Whitaker, again. Yet stopping to listen to The Governor’s Dream every time. Okay maybe by the twelfth time that day he’s over it. The complete and utter knowledge that I was lucky and loved.
One thing both my parents have always stressed to us was the importance of sharing, not just during the holiday season but especially during this time of gift-giving. Even when we didn’t have much to spare, they always donated clothes and toys, food or time. My dad bugs my mom about the strays that she collects, the kids she adopts, but he loves it too. Watching him tease the girls, or challenge the boys, share stories of his travels and tales of my mother’s adventures, I know how like the Grinch he really is. He’s annoyed by the commercialism and materialism that the holiday has become but once he sees proof that “Maybe Christmas, perhaps…means a little bit more” my dad himself carves the roast beast.
And you? Which holiday classic do you take after the most?
December 12th, 2007
It has been brought to my attention that there are a few people that are interested in having another CB Gathering. Possibly this could be something along the lines of Dayton. And since we are all grown-ups, most of the time anyhow (or OH pretends to be, usually 
) it was suggested that we could maybe possibly meet in some grown up place… like say, maybe… VEGAS.
It was suggested that we pursue this further. So I decided to start a special ON TOPIC ONLY post, just for the discussion.
Just to get an idea, is anyone interested in having a meet-up? Would you be willing to travel? Have any ideas where we should go? Ideas for when?
Yes, I know it’s the holiday season right now, so money is probably tight for everyone today. But that won’t be the case forever. So if you’re interested, now is your chance to speak up, chime in, and be heard.
And can you believe I actually was able to log in and post? Wonders never cease!
December 12th, 2007
Ok- I hope I am not stepping on someone’s blogging turn, but the numbers were growing, so I thought I would spill my thoughts on paper.
Every year, our church sponsors kids and their families for Christmas. We used to have a HEAD START(pre school for poverty level kids) unit at our church, and we would get each child, sibling and parent a Christmas present and have a dinner for them. WHEW! WE only average about 110 people per Sunday. Did you know they can’t buy paper products with food stamps? Or shampoo or laundry detergent? They moved the unit and we miss all of them!
Ok that was way too much back story to start. Glad you all are the writers and not me.
ANYWAYS! Now we just families that are referred to us. And the adult class makes paper angels and puts like “Boy - age 11 size 12- would like pants.” And we take the angel off the wall and wirte our names on the list and off we go to buy pants. The other thing he wants….underwear. at 11. And the mom- all she asks for is Charlie Perfume. And one family has a 2 week old baby. They just want diapers. And we check back on them a couple times during the year to restock them with food and other needs.
I WANT TO FIX IT ALL. I want to be FIXER. I want every child to have a present and not just pants or underwear. I love this time of year…..until I run into these realities. Then I start feeling guility for what all I have purchased for MAX! and my kids.
BUT THEN, I have learned at this advanced age of mine, to give thanks for what I have and to share what I have and just rip more of those darn angels off the wall.
I am sure all of you have lots of these types of things in your neck of the woods. And not just at Christmas. I know that MArcia in OK works with this all year long! I would bawl my eyes out doing this kind of work. Because I want to FIX everything. I have control issues in case you haven’t noticed.
I don’t want to be a downer, just a FIXER! What are some of the cool things that your group, community, church does this time of year to help out?
December 9th, 2007
Previous Posts
Here is the view one of my DS’s took from the top of a ski run. We could look out our door and see where the 2002 Olympic slalom races were held. (Those people have GUTS!)
Pretty snazzy don’t you think? 
very early! When did he get old enough to hold his own bottle- geez! 
MAX! on Christmas night playing with Mommy.