You Can't Tell Where You Are Going if You Don't Know Where You've Been

     When I was in nursing school one of my professors used to tell us "You can't tell where you're going unless you know where you've been." I remember thinking how true that statement was.  So every year at the end of the old year I start to really open my mind for what the new year might hold,  but first I look back to see where I have been over the course of the  year.   I am in that place right now.  Looking back and moving forward at the same time.
      This year has been a year of change and transition for my family and myself.  Some of the highlights include my daughter moving from elementary school to middle school.  I've also watched her move through 3 levels of her martial arts training which is an amazing thing to watch.  I've also watched her grow into a poised young lady - no more little girl around here.  That was made crystal clear last night at dinner when she made a point of letting our waiter know that she wanted the "regular" portion of fettucini NOT the kids portion.  It's a joy to watch your children grow and mature.  As for me, I have moved from clinical to administrative nursing.  That was a tough transition for me as I liked my job as an Operating Room nurse a lot.  This new position is a very family friendly one and allows my schedule to be very flexible and most importantly does not involve being on call  which is a HUGE blessing.  I also feel like I have been moving toward a more faith based life which is something that I had been desiring for a long time and just didn't know where to start.
      Now that we are at the very end of this year I have begun to look forward to the coming year.  I am very glad that none of us really knows what the future holds.  I like the twists and turns that life's journey takes you on, and in the coming year I am hoping for a few life changing adventures.  One of the things that I would like to happen is that I would like to go on a medical mission trip.  My goal is to go to Africa and use my nursing skills to maybe make life a little better for some kids who really need that.  It's something that I've always wanted to do and in 2012 I will be 50 so this is a celebration of 50 years of life. What better way to celebrate life than to give of yourself and your knowledge and skills?!  One of my resolutions for the coming year is to bless others however I can.  I'm not certain how that will play out, but it will be one of those things that will be fun to see how it all turns out.  I have a few things in mind believe me.  
      So here's to 2011 - it's almost over, and the New Year is almost here.  Let us be thankful that we are able to appreciate it for whatever blessings it gave us.  If the old year was not kind, let us hope that the new year will be.  Let us all look forward to where we might be going in the coming year, because we know where we have traveled this past year.  As the Irish blessing says, "May the road rise to meet you and the wind always be at your back."  Happy New Year to all!

Gifts

     Ahhhh, the Christmas season is just about done.  Christmas day came with all the bows and paper and excitement, and then it was over.  My family had a wonderful day.  We took a break and ate a delicious breakfast and went back to the business of enjoying time opening gifts.  We all got something that touched our hearts.  I received a little bracelet from my daughter.  She shopped and picked out just the right one, she purchased it with her own money and wrapped it up with love.  I was speechless.  My mother received a new monitor for her computer.  She was so grateful.  She has been without a computer for a while now and even though she'd never admit it, I know she missed her emails and looking up her knitting and craft patterns.  My daughter received an upgrade to her cell phone.  Something totally unexpected and fancier than I think she thought she should have.  A total surprise.  She also got her first "film camera".  It was an old Nikon that I found at Goodwill.  It had all the bells and whistles anyone could want - a "panorama" feature (wide angle), a good zoom, and built in auto flash, plus it was a size and weight she could manage. Initially I bought it as a joke, but she was so happy with it I almost held her nice digital model for a later occasion like her birthday.  Everyone was grateful and loved each gift.
      I read an interesting story this morning during my quiet time.  It told the story of a woman who arrived in heaven and was touring with St. Peter.  She found a room that was filled with gifts, beautifully wrapped and stacked up high.  She found a pile with her name on them and asked if she could open them, sadly St. Peter said no.  When she asked why he told her that these were gifts that God had sent her while she was alive and that they were returned because they were not really recognized as gifts.  I guess the question I would ask would be, would you send back a gift that was given in love?
     When I look back at our Christmas I see that we were given many other gifts than what is sitting in my living room right now.  We were given the gift of time.  My mother arrived on December 7th and we have had a wonderful visit.  So many of my friends don't have their mothers with them here on earth anymore and every visit we have together is precious to me.  Kaysie has had a really nice visit with my mom.  I've had to work a lot and so they have spent many happy hours together, baking, crafting and just relaxing and reading.  We were given the gift of memories - we took a day trip to Seattle and just had the best time.  We went up in the Space Needle and looked around Pike Place Market, we saw the first Starbucks and found a great little yarn store.  We took lots of pictures and just laughed and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day.  I think that every time I spend an appreciable time with my mom we find more and more common ground.  Even though I am her "little girl" I feel like she respects me as a mother and an adult more and more and that to me is not only an incredible gift but a treasure as well.   I'm sure there are other gifts that I haven't even figured out yet.  I will though because I think it's important to take the time to find them.
     What unseen gifts did you receive this Christmas?  Did you receive them or did you send them back unopened?  That would be a real shame.  Write to me and tell me what you found this Christmas other than what was under your tree.  Cheers!

I'll Be Home for Christmas

     One of my favorite Christmas songs is "I'll be Home for Christmas."  The origins of this song I've learned, dates back to World War II.  It was written from the point of view of an American soldier overseas during the Christmas Holidays who was writing a letter to his family saying he'd be home, but added at the end "if only in my dreams."  Bing Crosby recorded it for Deca Records in the fall of 1943.  It quickly rose to the top of the charts that year and became the most requested song at USO shows.
     Recently,  recording artist Josh Groban  recorded this memorable Christmas favorite and the music is interspersed with messages from military personnel serving our country in the Middle East which brings me to my point.  This song has always been a reminder to those at home to think of those who are far from home serving their country.  This year my daughter and I sent Christmas and Hannukah cards to service people through Holiday Cards for Heroes.  For those of you who are reading my humble ramblings far from home this holiday season, please know that my family is praying for your safe return daily and that you are indeed thought of and that your service means a lot to us.  I was born in the Old Family Hospital at Camp LeJuene, NC (Hu-Rah to all my Marine Corps family) and I am very proud that my dad served his country.
     I hope that many of you will indeed be home for Christmas this year, and for those of you still serving far from home God Bless you and keep you safe so that you can soon be home to your families.  Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah!

That's What Christmas is All About Charlie Brown

     One of my all time favorite Christmas specials is "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown."  Charlie Brown is being himself.  Sad and confused he turns to Lucy in her psychiatry booth.  Through her help Charlie Brown finds himself the director of the Christmas play.  Out of sheer frustration he yells "What is Christmas all about?"  I found myself in the same holiday funk this morning.  As I drove to work I went down my holiday laundry list and wondered how in the world it was all going to get done.  It seems like for everything I've checked off at least two more things cropped up (in my best Homer Simpson voice)  "Doh!" Out of sheer frustration I lamented my feelings on my Facebook page.  Surely there has to be some sympathy out there someplace.
     Charlie Brown got his answer about what Christmas was all about from Linus.  His trusty blanket made into a shepherd's headdress, Linus quotes one of my favorite passages from the book of Luke (2:8-14) about the birth of the Christ child.  Please realize that this special was made well before our concern for political correctness, and people saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"; back when the world was innocent and we were still children.
      When I checked my facebook page about an hour later I was reminded about what Christmas was all about from my dear friend Frank.  This is what he wrote to me " Wendi...Wendi...Wendi Christmas is not shopping, or cooking, or living up to expectations of others. It's about family, it's about looking at your little girl and thanking the Lord for what He has given you...The idea of Christmas as we know it is love and be loved by all those around you.  Merry Christmas my dear friend to you & your loved ones and may God bestow a wonderful new year...but if you do bake some cookies save one for me... :-)"
     When Linus finishes his monologue he says "That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."  I suspect Charlie Brown knew deep down what Christmas was all about.  I know I do, I just needed to be reminded.  Thank you for taking the time to remind me Frank!  Merry Christmas!

PS I sure will save you some cookies! :o)

A Christmas Prayer for Bess

Heavenly Father, 

Let us all be filled with the spirit of your only Son;

Sent into this world as a symbol of peace and love,
So that we might have eternal life.

Let us remember His humble birth in Bethlehem, 
The angels that proclaimed his birth to the shepherds in the fields that holy night, 
And those that had the faith to follow the star in the night sky that led to His manger bed.
May all those who gather here in His name to honor the celebration of His birth, 
Hold His love and goodness in their hearts now and always.

Amen.


I wrote this Christmas prayer for my friend Bess.  It's simple message is my gift to her this Christmas.  These are the things that I hold dear in my heart this time of year.  It's amazing to me when I see the miracles that God works everyday.  It all started 2000 years ago in a stable in Bethlehem because there was no room at the inn.  There was Mary young and pregnant, betrothed to Joseph a humble carpenter.  She told him an unbelievable story of Gabriel, God's messenger, sent to tell her of what was to be.  Another angel appeared to Joseph and confirmed her story.  He had the faith to be true to her and to care for her, and when they went to register her time came to have her baby.  What a night!  Angles spoke to shepherds, a bright beautiful star appeared in the night sky, people came from all around to see the miracle of God on earth.  For at least one night the world was at peace.

May we all find that same peace this Christmas season and hold it in our hearts all year long.  Merry Christmas Bess.  Peace.

The Best Gift Ever

     Today we got a very special Christmas card.  It had a picture in it, hand drawn by the little girl that we sponsor in Ethiopia, a world away from Portland, OR.  Kaysie and I were very excited to get news from that part of the world.  The letter that came with the card was from the World Vision program director for her region.  Our little girl is going to school for the first time in her life at nine years old.  She's learning to write her name, to read and to do math.  The program director gave us the latest news from her region of Ethiopia and she told us how much appreciated our monthly gift to our little girl was.  She spoke of new schools that were being built so that the children didn't have so far to travel to learn.  How for the first time ever this area where our sponsored child lives, had clean safe water to drink, and that the community at large was benefiting from irrigation that was helping them to farm and grow much needed food for their families.  She also said that they were hopeful to be getting better access to basic health care.
     Every single thing that this lady spoke of, I know I have taken for granted, at some time or another.  Clean water, education for my daughter, food and access to more than basic health care for my both my daughter and myself.  These people are delighted and very grateful to have them for the first time EVER.  As I read this letter I felt both proud and ashamed.  Ashamed that I had so much and had not fully appreciated it; proud because I knew that what little I was giving was being put to excellent use to make life better to folks who really needed it.  Now I know there are people out there that think that we should take care of people in our own country, and yes I agree with that, but I also think that maybe we should be thinking wider.  The wider world is important too.  I wrote recently about  the Portland Rescue Mission and the good work that they do right here at home.  Well now I'm writing about my friends at World Vision.
     World Vision takes care of the wider world.  Their programs are all over the globe and here in the US.  As far as non-profit organizations go, they use their money wisely and a larger portion goes to the programs they sponsor.  I asked before what would happen if everyone sent in $5 to the Rescue Mission or similar organization in their area here in the US.  Now I'm going to ask, what would happen if we invested in our brothers and sisters around the globe?  What would that say about us?  How would it make you feel to know that someone far away might get to go to school for the first time, or take a long drink of safe clean water?  I know it was the best gift that I ever could receive, knowing that I made it possible for a little nine year old girl on the other side of the world.  Merry Christmas Hirut.  I hope we get to meet each other some day.

If you are interested in helping World Vision with their good work by sponsoring a child or just making a contribution you can find them at www.worldvision.org or at their address
World Vision
P.O. Box 78481
Tacoma, WA 98481-8481

Together we can make the world a better place.  Cheers!

My Child of Peace

 Two years ago the Peace Sign celebrated it's 50th anniversary.  They were everywhere.  Emblazoned on T-shirts, jewelry, heck I even have a pair of hot pink flip flops that have rhinestone peace signs on the toe piece.  My daughter asked me "where did that sign come from?"  I said that for my whole life it had symbolized the 1960's anti-war movement, and that as time wore on it became more than that.  That it had become a sign all over the world for what peace really meant.  I appreciated her asking and actually being interested in the answer.  

     In the time since she asked me I noticed that sign appearing on many of the shirts and pieces of jewelry that she picked out. She has also been gifted with several nicer pieces of peace sign jewelry that she wears proudly.   I got to thinking about that, and realized that in her own way she was living a life of peace by outwardly showing the world that's what she was all about.  Many of her teachers have told me that she is a peacemaker and that she goes out of her way to help  her classmates find solutions to their problems in a kind and quiet way.  

     When she was in 4th grade she was on a Destination Imagination team at her school.  The team mates were both boys and girls, and they picked a difficult problem to solve.  Apparently there were lots of decisions to be made and an equal number of opinions on how to solve it.  According to the adult leader, my daughter, the shy quiet girl, was instrumental in bringing about the peace process and decisions that had to be made.  That made me very proud.  Since that time she has grown into a young lady before my very eyes.  I see her live a life of peace and kindness everyday.  She knows in her heart what peace is all about and she gives it freely to all who know her, person and animal alike.

     In 12 days we will be celebrating the birth of another child of peace, in fact he's  The  Child of Peace.  I encourage all of you to look inside your heart and find the peace of Christmas and the Child who brought it with him.  Live a life of peace not just at Christmas, but all year long.  Merry Christmas!

      

Surprise!!

     The holidays are full of surprises.  Between the presents and the people, it's almost too much to take.  I got my first surprise of the holidays on Wednesday.  At the time it wasn't very funny.  Everyone but me was laughing, but by the end of the evening even I was laughing, but I'm still not quite recovered from the shock.  My mom was coming to spend the holidays with my daughter and I.  I had her arrival marked on the calendar.  Saturday 10 December at around 8:00pm.  Right there on my iPhone Calendar.  I had my alerts and everything.   However, I was wrong, dead wrong.
     I received a call on Wednesday evening at about 5:30 from my Aunt Candy.  "Hi, I just thought you'd like to know your mom is in Oakland, getting ready to board the plane for Portland."  Stone cold silence on my end and then " Did you say she was in Oakland getting ready to board the plane for Portland?!"  My whole body went numb.  "That can't be right, I have her arriving on Saturday at 8:00pm."  There was a pause on the other end and then peals of laughter erupted into the phone.  "Ha!  I thought I was the only one that got dates confused!!  I guess not! " followed by LOTS more laughter.  I was thinking to myself, this isn't really very funny.  I am NOT ready!!  So much still left to be done.  Kaysie had 3 tests this week, I had a huge work party to get together,  oh this is not good!!
     I immediately ran and did a quick tidy up (grandma cleaning was performed last weekend, thank goodness!!)and whisked Kaysie off to Ikea at the airport for a quick dinner and then we picked up mom. Whose plain, by the way, arrived 20 minutes early (of Course!!)  What a mess.  We found her and got her home to our house and ever since then we have been dancing around each other while we all settled in.  The tests got taken and the party at work is now done.  She can be here now and we will begin to enjoy our visit.
     It was funny, looking back.  I don't think I've ever been caught that un prepared for an out of town guest.  I love my mom dearly and I'm always glad to see her.  So many of my good friends don't have their mothers any more, and I feel so lucky that she is still able to come and stay with us.  We love having her for Christmas and now that all the stressful things are done we can just enjoy each other and settle in for the season.  She's supposed to be here now and now I'm ready.   Have a happy holiday season with those you love weather you are expecting them or surprised that they are there!  Cheers!
     

Warm & Cozy

     Today when I arrived home I was chilled to the bone.  I came in my house and it was soooo warm and cozy.  Cute little dog greeted me with her little tail wagging a mile a minute.  I took said little dog out and when I came in I changed my clothes and made some tea.  Now here I sit in my favorite spot doing my one of my favorite things.  Life is pretty darned good.
     On my way home I received a text from a friend of mine.  She was approached by a homeless man who asked for some change in exchange for a couple of filthy slices of bread.  While I have to admit that we did giggle about that for a minute.  It just seemed a little silly, but then again, he was offering to give my friend something in return for her change.  I told her that maybe during these cold days we should carry pre-paid meal cards for the cafeteria because then at least he could come in out of the cold and get something hot to eat.  She thought maybe he wanted money for a drink.  Sad to think about that, but she was probably right.
     When I thought about that little man I felt sad.  It's cold outside.  I don't think it ever made it out of the 30's today.  In fact, if we have any precipitation it would probably be snow.  I don't know about you but I HATE to be cold.  I wouldn't last a minute outside if we lost our home.  Cold hurts.  Some people say that homeless people chose to live that way.  That might be true in some cases but I don't think it's true for everyone.  The ones that are outside and don't want to be are the ones that I feel for.  It has to be a hard life.  Sleeping on the sidewalk with little or nothing to cover you up.  In Portland, that  has miserable written all over it.  Right now, we are lucky because the weather is dry, but if it were raining or worse yet snowing or sleeting, well that puts a whole new twist on things.  There are shelters here, nice ones, but they fill up fast.  Then what?
     I only say this because in the mail this week and also before Thanksgiving we received a letter from the Portland Rescue Mission.  Just a little bit of money goes a long way I've found.  Whenever I encounter a homeless person I always direct them there.  Those folks do good work.  They try very hard to help people reclaim their lives especially the ones who want help.  Ever since I've lived on my own I've always thought that we are all one or two steps away from a similar fate.  An overwhelming medical bill or the loss of a job in these hard times could start a downward spiral that might bottom out on the streets of Tigard, or Portland, or where ever.  So as you read this little message consider your surroundings.  Your warm house or apartment, your hot dinner, warm shower and cozy bed.  We all deserve that don't you think?  When those letters from the Rescue Mission in your town come, think about my friend's little man with the dirty bread.  Maybe slip $5 in an envelope and send it in.  What would happen if everyone who got that letter did that?  How about if we find out.  Cheers!

Company is Coming!

     Company is coming for the holidays.  So this weekend we cleaned, and cleaned and cleaned.  At one point my daughter says to me, "Are we going to do ANYTHING fun this weekend?"  We did make a batch of Christmas cookies (Mexican wedding cookies) last night, and it was pretty satisfying in the "fun" category especially the powdered sugar part!  I digress...we prepared our home to receive our guest for the holidays.  There is still a lot to do, but the big stuff is done.  Thank goodness.  I was dismayed to find this morning that the carpet in the entry way looks worse than when I started, and I learned that it's probably wicking up from the padding.  Swell.  I made a mental note to insist on hardwood floors in our next home.
     Preparations such as these are really hard work.  Since my worthy assistant doesn't find such things "fun" I was on my own.  That's ok, except this morning I was exhausted and could not believe it was time to get up when my alarm went off.  Then I thought of something; the first Christmas had less than desirable accommodations.  Pretty much outside, dark cold, and probably not all that clean.  The king of kings was born in a very humble place to young parents who weren't married yet, and were more than likely scared out of their minds.  That kind of puts things into perspective.  My home, while small, is clean warm and has an indoor bathroom with running water. I am pretty high on the lucky scale there.  I know there are those with a whole lot less, and who might not be able to receive an out of town guest or even be expecting one.  While I will strive to have everything all ready for my guest, I might just leave one thing undone or untouched to remind me that it doesn't have to be perfect, because we will be celebrating the humble birth of our Lord.  Something tells me that he can relate to a busy single mother who tries her best!  Cheers!

The Santa Cam

     The Santa Cams have quite an important place in my little family's Christmas tradition; this is the story.
When Kaysie was little,  probably about 4, we were in Target around Christmas browsing in the toy department.  I have to preface this with the fact that after Thanksgiving every kid I've ever known has been filled to the tippy top with the spirit of Christmas, often times, much to the dismay and frustration of their parent.  On this particular evening there was such a child in the toy department at Target, and it was not my daughter.  He was racing up and down the aisles thrilled with all the toys at his eye level.  His mother looked like she had about had it.  I knew that look all too well.  Your darling child has been transformed into a Christmas demon, bent on frazzling your every last nerve.  Yep, been there.  Finally, with all the exasperation she could muster she told him that if he didn't get in the cart this instant, the Santa Cams right in that Target were going to show Santa that he belonged on the naughty list and he wouldn't be getting anything but underwear, socks and coal for Christmas!  I thought holy cow, this kid has been working hard all day to get his poor mother to this point.  All the while she was pointing at the ceiling.  I thought, what is she pointing at, and then it dawned on me, the sprinkler heads!  Those were the Santa Cams!  I thought this woman is a genius!  Sure enough a few weeks later in that very same Target I was at the same point with my own daughter.  She wasn't quite at the same point as that little fellow was, but she was pretty darned close.  I told her about the same thing and showed her the Santa Cams.  Her little eyes grew wide, and she straightened up in short order.
     Those sprinkler heads are EVERYPLACE.  We have them in our apartment, in all the rooms, even the bathroom.  They are every few feet in every store, the airport, schools, church and the grocery store.  Hmmm.  Let me just say, that the legend of the Santa Cam grew to include the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.  Stretching it I know, but a desperate parent will take desperate measures to entice good behavior.  I'm not above that.  A single mother, especially, needs to have tools that work.  The Santa Cam worked - at least for a while.  In our house the Santa Cams clicked on on September 1st (Kaysie's birthday - coincidentally) and they kept a very careful account of right and wrong doing.  Aided by, a few years later The Elf on the Shelf.  When Kaysie was 8 I pulled out all the stops when the Elf named Ellie came to visit for the holidays.  That was the year that the idea of Santa was suspect; due to a conversation in the back of the school bus (subject of a future blog post).   So, Ellie the Elf on the Shelf came to disprove that conversation.
     With the help of Tim Allen and the Santa Claus movies, Ellie and the Santa Cams and a cleverly penned letter from Santa kept the secret safe for one more year.  Sadly, the jig was up after that.  Thanks to a fireman during Fire Prevention Week I was found out, and so were the Santa Cams.  I remember that day.  "MOM!! The Santa cams are sprinkler heads!"  I was so sad.  My cleverness had been discovered.  Ellie the Elf left forever and the sleigh bell didn't ring anymore (mostly because I bent that sucker and took the ringer thingy out to make a point).  Kaysie felt bad I think.  She snuggled up to me one night that Christmas and said, "Don't worry mommy we can tell  Maddie (her cousin) about the Santa Cams."  That we did.  So the legend of the Santa Cams will live on for another few years in our family.  Just so you know, when we are in Target around Christmas time and I see a frazzled parent, I share with them the secret of the Santa Cams.  You can't believe some of the looks I've gotten!  It's priceless when they realize the power of the Santa Cam and what pure genius the thought of it is!  May all of you parents out there discover for yourselves the power of the Santa Cam!  You better watch out because Santa is watching!  Cheers!

Black Friday Musings

     Where were you last night at midnight?  We debated where we would be last night at midnight and between my daughter Kaysie and myself, we couldn't think of one single "hot ticket" item that would get us out of our cozy PJ's and out into the cold rain, risking life and limb, to purchase.  We decided at 11:30 that it wasn't worth it.  We had our first PJ Thanksgiving and it was soo nice.  The weather was rotten outside, but we were cozy inside snacking, watching movies, cooking and just relaxing.  The turkey coma set in about six last night and I was hard pressed to do much after the dinner dishes were cleaned up.  The thought of putting on real clothes and heading out into the rain and wind was not something I was psyched up for.  I could tell that Kaysie really wanted to go, and I would have gladly taken her to experience the midnight madness, but she surprised me and at 11:30 she decided she'd rather crawl into bed and head out this morning.
      As I settled down into my bed last night I could hear the traffic on Scholl's Ferry Road.  It was a constant hum all night long.  As I laid there I thought, what could be so precious or sought after that you couldn't buy it today or even over the weekend?  Now if you have small children at home that still believe in Santa and there was a special toy that was going on sale at midnight or  would sell out fast, then that's a great reason to be out in all that craziness.  There were a couple of years that I was standing outside Target in the cold and drizzle at 4:30am with a warm Starbucks in my hands waiting for the doors to open.  Those years I understood the intensity of Black Friday.  But this year I have to say I just don't.
     There is another reason why I didn't really want to be out last night.  I understand that the last few years have been difficult economically, but have things been so bad that companies need to require their employees to give up time with their families and friends so that the shopping season can begin 5 hours early?  Somehow that doesn't seem right.  I know there were some stores that refused to do that to their employees and I admire them for standing up and saying "No sorry.  The Thanksgiving Holiday isn't over yet. Our employees mean more than that and they deserve to have a good holiday and a little rest before the madness of the holidays begin. "  This from the girl who has been listening to Holiday music for three weeks.  That's right.   I don't mind contributing to the economy by shopping on Friday, but not at midnight or even 5 am.  My daughter sadly, no longer believes in Santa, and her gifts no longer require me to stand outside in the early hours of Black Friday with no guarantees and a fist full of cash.
     Today we began our morning by taking a 2.5 mile walk - up and down hills, and past the last of the glorious autumn leaves in our neighborhood. The sun was making an appearance for the first time in a week and in the chilly air we could see our breath.   After a light breakfast we headed out to a couple of stores and found some good deals.  We had a nice lunch and then it was pedicure time.  I nearly fell asleep in the chair.  Now here I am writing to you.  Later we are going to venture out to the mall down the street.  While the crowds are at dinner we will leisurely shop and then head home for a light dinner and movies by the fireplace.  That's as wild as I want to get this year.   A friend of mine is visiting her family in Atlanta and she tells the tale of pepper spray being used in a Wal-Mart down there to control the out of control shoppers.  Twenty-five people were injured.  I would rather do what we did today.  Nothing is worth pepper spray.
     I hope if you were out today in the fray of Black Friday that you made it through without incident.  Happy Shopping and remember tomorrow is "Small Business Saturday," so maybe stop in to the locally owned coffee shop, book store or pet shop and give those folks a look.  Our local merchants are trying hard this time of year too.  Lets give them some love by shopping with them.  Cheers!

Truly Thankful

     Today has been a day of family, friends and food.  Kaysie and I started a new tradition today.  We went to the "Friends and Family" class at Kaysie's martial arts school and we took our friend Aunt Pat.  It was really fun.  I learned a few things and got a great work out.  I am thankful for Kaysie's instructors Matt and Jody they are so patient even with an old out of shape gal like me.  Her form Chung Kuo Chuan takes a lot of focus and concentration.  I was amazed.  It's one thing to watch from the sidelines, but quite another to be out there kicking and punching.  After the class we came home, got cleaned up and got into our PJ's for a PJ Thanksgiving.  How nice is that?  I've spent the majority of my day in the kitchen, but that's ok.  That's where I like to be.  Before dinner we watched The Vegitale's version of the Little Drummer Boy.  It was really cute.  Of course it's raining, raining, raining, but that's what PJ days are for!

     Last week I started a gratitude list of things I was thankful for.  I made it to 50, and that was amazing to me.  I looked back over the list and they were all things that I truly appreciate in my life.  Just to clarify, these were things that  were beyond God, my family, my friends, my health.  These were all things that really make my life a pleasure, and in some cases peaceful and a lot less stressful.  Little things that I may have taken for granted in the past.  One of the first ones was clean hot running water.  I had never really given any thought to that, and yet there are people who have never experienced a hot shower in doors.  Makes you think doesn't it?  When I went to China to adopt my daughter, I had a very eye opening trip, especially once we left Bejing.  Once we were in Kaysie's home town the scenery dramatically changed.  Bejing is China's shinning city,  Shenyang, while beautiful in spots, not so much. Trash in the street and people begging because that's all they can do.  They told us not to drink the water under any circumstances.  The hotel provided bottled drinking water.  We were told to keep our mouths closed during our shower and to only brush our teeth with the bottled water.  That was the first time I had experienced no clean water from the tap.  While we had hot water for a shower, we couldn't drink it.
     Another one of my gratitudes was fresh air.  In the Pacific NW we have the freshest air of anyplace I've ever lived.  Just when the air gets icky with pollution or just plain gunk the rains come along and washes it all clean.  It smells sooo good out here.  That's one of my favorite smells - the clean air during or just after a rain storm.  There are places in our own country where it is unsafe to be outside because the pollution is so bad.  I can't imagine not being able to be outside because the air is unsafe to breathe.  Do people wonder why more of our children are suffering from allergies and asthma?   I read someplace that if everybody took public transportation once a week our air would be 50% cleaner!  That's a little thing that makes a big difference.
     As I scrolled down the list I found another one #26 - the peace that falls over my home just before bedtime.  It's that moment when you realize the day is done.  Kaysie is in bed, the dishes are done, lunches for the next day packed and in the fridge.  It's that point in the day when you sigh and let the stillness of the night settle over you, preparing you to rest your body and soul.  That peace is a blessing to me.  It allows me to thank God for another day and to settle in for a good night's rest.  All the cares of the day evaporate and sleep comes easy.  
      These are just a few of the things that I am truly thankful for.  They are all small and often times are over looked.  My promise to myself is to keep the list going.  Not on facebook, but in a place where I can read it from time to time.  To reflect on all that is good in my life and be grateful for the things that I have.  I think sometimes we often get a bad case of the "I wants," and we fail to realize that we have so much already.  I hope this Thanksgiving evening finds you full of turkey, with the ones you love and a heart full of gratitude for all the little things that your life has blessed you with.  Cheers!

   

Wrong Box Makes Right Hair Do Delimma

     I have a loong history of hair color disasters dating waaaayyy back to my days at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College).  So, a week ago tonight just adds another chink in the helmet.  A week ago tonight I decided at the spur of the moment to color my hair.  I am a light brunette after being blond most of my childhood.   Well I decided to reclaim my "natural" color.  That natural color is Loreal #9.  It has never failed me.  It took me a while to find out which blonde was best over the years and some disastrous results.  For instance, did you know that "ashe" blonde has a green component to it so that when you apply it to light brown hair like mine, it takes the green out and inserts pink or more like an odd mauve tint to the ends of your hair?  True.  My other favorite and the beginning of this terrible tale, is that "golden" blonde accentuates the red highlights in your hair.  True also only in my case "pumpkin" orange came to my mind.
      My first foray into the wonderful world of do it yourself hair color came when I was in a play in college and needed to be a "blonde" not a brunette.  Wanting to avoid wig disasters that had plagued me in past productions I decided to be a real actor and dye my hair blonde.  It would have turned out ok, except I took the swatch on the box best case scenario for true.  Let's just say it didn't quite look like the box.  It satisfied our director, but it was only 2 weeks until graduation and I couldn't wash my hair enough.  My mother about fell out when she saw me at graduation.  I have pictures of myself on that day and really, it doesn't look that bad.  Just a little on the trampy side.  Over the years, it has evolved to include the pink tips until I stumbled upon L'Oreal #9.  That was the perfect color and for years that has been my go to box when I want to mix things up.
      You might be asking yourself, "How the heck could she mess it up this time?"  I'll tell you.  Last Wednesday I decided enough of boring brown - I'm going to get my favorite L'Oreal #9 and be a new person for the holidays!  On my way home I dashed into Target and grabbed a box from the #9 slot, paid and dashed back out the door.  I was in a hurry trying to get Kaysie to an activity.  When we got home I decided to go for it.  I read all of the directions, mixed it up and loaded my hair up.  Waited the 25 minutes and when I washed it off, I was as "ginger" as a Weasley from Harry Potter!  I dug through the trash only to discover that I had grabbed 8G not 9!  8G the dreaded "Golden Blonde"!!!  Red, highlights my foot!  I was red all over and it did not look good.  Being the "smart girl" I thought, well, I'll just go up to Walgreens and get #9 and it will all be ok.  There's a famous saying "The enemy of good is better." Let me just say,  that was the thought process behind my decision that night.  While the results weren't really what I was hoping for, it did tame the "ginger" to a "strawberry blonde" and hair that felt like a brillo pad.  Nice.  I crawled into my office the next day hoping no one would notice...right.  I'll give it to my co-workers, they are so very polite.  It looked awful, but they didn't say anything, which I'm thinking  they were invoking the "If you can't say something nice then don't say anything rule."  Probably a good thing because I was feeling a little sensitive at that point.
     A few days later I decided I just couldn't live with it and very sheepishly asked my awesome knight in shinning armor , Steve if he could add color to my hair appointment.  He was great.  He told me he didn't think the color was that bad.  But, he had a plan and it was pure genius - Highlights and a fresh cut!  He slayed the "Ginger dragon" big time and once again I feel like a princess with golden hair!  Whew.  Let me just say, that I was freaking out just a little bit.  The thought of facing the holidays and all that is involved this year in particular was terrifying to me.  Not anymore!  Once again, I have skirted hair disaster thanks to my man Steve.  Steve, you made me look good, and also made me feel better.  I swear, before The Fantastic 5 and all of my other readers that while I might resort to L'Oreal #9 from time to time I will ALWAYS read the box before I put the color on my head, and if I have a shadow of a doubt I will only let Sir Steve do the deed because he is a professional and for that I am truly thankful!  Cheers!

Let the Cooking Begin!

     Tonight, for me, is the official start to the culinary highlight of the year,  my favorite holiday Thanksgiving!  Yahoo!!  The magazines and websites have been thoroughly searched for gastronomic nirvana.  Tastes that will tickle the palate and boggle the senses!  My plan is to enjoy the next few days, and diet be damned!  Heck, I'll run it all off shopping on Friday anyway!  Plus, my daughter and a friend of ours are all going to the traditional "Family & Friends" martial arts class on Thursday morning.  My plan there is to get through the class as best I can without causing any harm to myself.  Afterall, I will be the one hoisting the turkey out of the oven in the afternoon.
     The cooking...my favorite part, begins tonight.  I'll be making an applesauce cake and whole cranberry sauce tonight, stuffing and pumpkin upside down cake tomorrow night and also the sweet potatoes.  That just leaves the turkey, green bean casserole and Asagio mashed potatoes on Thursday.  We are on the fence about rolls, they are easy to whip up.  I've got a couple of other goodies planed, just for fun.  No pies this year though.  I might whip up a sweet potato pie over the weekend.  I have a killer recipe for that from a dear dear friend at work.  She has sworn me to secrecy about that, and I feel very special that she shared it with me.  Miss Vicki, my lips are sealed!!
     Do you have any favorite things that are always a part of your Thanksgiving celebration?  Something that you always have to have?  I always have to have the sweet potatoes with marshmallows, Kaysie has to have green bean casserole.  The day after is the ultimate turkey sandwhich!  Turkey breast, with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mayo on good bread - dark brown bread is my favorite - Kaysie likes potato bread.  Then Saturday is soup day - you guessed it Turkey Noodle!  This is when we might have pie, but I think we'll be good with Applesauce cake and pumpkin upside down cake.  
     I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  Be grateful for all of the little things, and enjoy family and friends.  Cheers!

Decking the Halls

     Deck the halls with boughs of holly
     Fa la la la la la la la la
     Tis the season to be jolly
     Fa la la la la la la la la
     Don we know our gay apparel
     Fa la la la la la la la la
     Troll the ancient Yule Tide Carol
     Fa la la la la la la la la
   

So the carol goes.  How do you deck your halls?  We go all out.  It takes at least two weekends to get everything just the way I like it, and that's just outside.  In side well, that's another story.  Christmas goes up gradually inside, and comes down the same way when the holidays are over.  I LOVE Christmas.  I take great care to make sure my house is clean and tidy before the decorations go up.  It's a labor of love that starts Thanksgiving weekend.  We have an artificial tree that I've had since Kaysie was a baby.  We do a real tree every couple of years, but they tend to be messy and expensive and I have to de-decorate sooner.   One year I got a real tree dirt cheap and that thing stayed alive until New Years.  That was great!  My mom is coming for the holidays this year so we are doing the artificial tree because I want everything done before she arrives.  We have special lights for inside and a big wreath over the fireplace and frosted swags for the mantle as well as candles and an Advent wreath for the dinning room table .  It's really pretty once it all gets up.
      Now about the outside...I bring the inside outside which for me is really fun.  I don't draw the curtains much around Christmas.  I love being able to see the tree all lit up out our living room window.  Our windows are big picture windows and it just looks so pretty.  I also put electric candles in the bedroom windows and ice-cycle lights around the windows inside.  We can't do outside because we live on the second floor.  A couple of years ago we won the decorating contest.  I put everything on timers so they all came on at dark and went off as we were going to bed.  This year should be no different.  That's one of the joys of Christmas for me decorating inside and out.  I love walking around our complex and our neighborhood to look at the lights.  Our neighbors go all out too.
      My uncle is a decorating legend.  When my cousins Charlie & Kari were small my uncle made a huge star to put on top of their house.  Every year that he put that thing up there was always a huge storm.  He'd get up on the roof in the wind and rain just to put that star up.  My Aunt swore for years that he'd wait until there was a Nor'Easter roaring up the east coast before he'd put the star up.  Some years it went up early, and some years it went up closer to Christmas, but it always went up in the middle of a raging storm!  He still puts the star up, but now he does it in better weather I think.
      I was listening to Delilah the other night and she was talking about author Debbie Macomber and how she loves Christmas.  Delilah said that Debbie starts decorating right after Halloween, and that her husband is a Bah Humbug kind of guy.  He says that's her thing.  I love that. Debbie is my kind of girl! Christmas makes me happy.  I needed a little Holiday Happy this year.  It hasn't been a bad year, I just needed a mood lift.  I put up my Christmas lights on my computer at work a couple weeks ago, and I just love to watch them twinkling away while I work.  I'm with Debbie, the earlier the better.  Bring on Christmas. It was a beautiful day here in the Great State of Oregon today.  Perfect "deck the halls" weather.  Clear blue sky, cold crisp air, and lots of lights!  It's time to deck your halls - lights are on sale at Home Depot so get out there and get busy!  Cheers!

Faith, Courage, Strength and Love

      I was scrolling through Facebook this morning and found this quote from 1Corinthians (16:13-14)

"Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. Your every [action] must be done with love (HCSB)."
This quote just struck me, especially the last verse.  "Your every action must be done with love."  Wow.  Can you imagine how different your life might be if you took this quote to heart and followed that directive?  During this season of Thanks and Giving, it might be a worthy challenge.  Let your every action be done with love.  Not the sappy, superficial kind of love, but the deep down kind of love.  That kind of love can only come from the deepest reaches of your heart.  The love that all of us are capable of, for another living soul.  Could you do that - perform every action with love?  While I think the idea is a good one it would be hard.   Could you perform a difficult task with love in your heart?  Even if it means that there might be consequences?  That is what the early Christians like those in Corinth faced all the time.  That's where the first part of the quote comes in I think.  "Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong." I think Paul was trying to let the people of Corinth know that in order to perform actions with love, you have to be firm in your faith.  You have to be alert to things that could draw you away from your mission and that often times it takes courage and strength to perform your every action with love.
     We have come a long way since Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.  As humans, we still have challenges and uphill climbs, but I think on the whole our life circumstances are a little better.  We have other barriers that keep us from acting out with love.   I would encourage you to take Paul's quote and run with it.  If you have faith, strength and courage how can you lose?  God doesn't require us to have any more than a mustard seed's worth of faith to accomplish any task.  Add to that a little courage to stand up to the "nay" sayers and the strength to push on through and accomplish your tasks and challenges  with love.  Think of all that you could accomplish!  See how many actions you can perform from now on through the holiday season with love.  I want to know how it goes!  Cheers!

The Power of the Carol

     I've been taking some good natured ribbing from my co-workers and some of my Facebook friends about listening to Christmas music already.  I'll admit it does seem a bit early to start that, but for some reason this year, I needed to hear it.  I am not alone.  Many people have been requesting it on our local soft rock station, so they started it early this year.  Personally, I LOVE Christmas music.  It makes me happy.  It makes me remember happy times when I was little and Christmas was magic.  That's just me.  I don't just love the secular stuff,  I love the sacred carols from Advent and the Christmas season too.
      I have a theory this year.  We have had a rotten couple of years.  So many people have lost their homes to foreclosure, the job scene isn't much better, and just the general state of the world is kind of snarky to say the least.   This year I think we needed a little "happy."  Now, this is just me, but as I said earlier, Christmas music makes me happy.  It lightens my mood,  brings back so many happy memories of my childhood and fun times with my family and friends.  I think of how hard my parents worked to make Christmas nice - even in the lean years.  I think maybe with Christmas music cursing through the airwaves people stop and listen for a minute and maybe recall a happy memory or two. Prozac through the radio. What's not to like about that?  Now I know there are people out there that say "I hate Christmas, it was never a happy time. "  Let me just say that "never" is a long time, and it's in the past in this case.  My job is to help you find the "happy" again.  Throw caution to the wind, and throw on an all Christmas station for an hour and clean your house or do the dishes, or I'm really going to stretch it here, bake some cookies.  Then give it a try before bed or when you get up.  I'm telling you, the power of the carol is strong.  It won't be long before you'll be singing along and tapping a toe.   Don't  let the past get in the way.  It's over and gone.  The best line from a movie I ever heard is: "Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; today is a gift that is why it is called the present."  Let the season of Christmas and all the music that goes with it be your "present." Accept it and have fun with it.  Enjoy this gift, and if you have the inclination remember the ultimate present the season of Christmas gives us all.  Peace.

My Gratitude List

     Earlier in the month I wrote about developing an Attitude of Gratitude.  It's been proven that developing such an attitude can make you a happier person.  I decided yesterday that I would start a gratitude list that I would keep going until Thanksgiving and see how many small things I could possibly be grateful for.  I wasn't really sure how to go about this and I decided to post my gratitudes as my status throughout the day on Facebook.  Yesterday I lumped all of my gratitudes into one post, and that worked fine for yesterday.  I didn't think of the status thing until this morning.  Before I ever got out of bed this morning I posted that my first gratitude today was for soft flannel sheets!  It made me feel good.
     Let me back up just a bit.  These "gratitudes" that I am posting as my status are beyond the big ones which I guess I should clarify.  My number one gratitude of all time has to be God.  He is so patient with me, always has been.  Thank goodness, right?!   I think about how my day went today, and I am so glad that He loves me and is always with me, even when I get myself into a mess.  My 2nd all time gratitude is my daughter.  She is so precious to me and a sweet sweet soul.  My 3rd of all time is my family in Delaware, and my 4th are all of my friends - you are a very special part of my life and always will be even if I don't say it.  My All time 5th gratitude are my "life circumstances" - I have a job that I love, I have a nice apartment, food in the frige and a little extra money to spend.
      So now we can move forward... The little things I was thankful for yesterday were : my co-workers, laughter, Starbucks, the ability to walk, and my city - Portland, OR.  My list thus far for today is:

1. Flannel sheets
2. Clean HOT running water
3. Headphones
4. iHeart Radio
5. Memories that make me laugh out loud
6. The beautiful Autumn leaves in my neighborhood
7. Microwave ovens
8. The unconditional love of my little sweet/snarky dog
9. My iPhone and all of my techie, geekie toys
10. My cute, zippy little car
11. The Delete key on my computer!  (Love that one - it saved me big time today)
12. Delilah's radio show (she keeps me calm - big job believe me)
13. My blog and my ability to write clear and concise thoughts. Thank you Nancy Palmer!  

I'm certain there at least 4 or 5 more, then tomorrow I'll continue.  I have to say that it does give you a more positive outlook.  You notice the little things that you might otherwise take for granted.  I encourage all of you to start a list of your own.  See how many little things that you are truly grateful for in your life.  Share your list at dinner on Thanksgiving with your family.  What a nice tradition to start as a family.  Kaysie is working on her list too and we will share our lists over dinner.  I'm always amazed at the things she thinks of.  Children have such a wonderful window on the world and you are truly lucky if you get to look out of that window with them.  The view is amazing.
     Email me and let me know - how many little things are you grateful for.  Post them on our Facebook page (The Half Full Glass); Tweet the number to me or leave a comment here.  I'll be excited to see how many people take the challenge!  Cheers!

Holiday Cards for Heroes

     When I was little one of the things I enjoyed were all the cards that my parents and my grandparents received in the mail.  My parents kept theirs in a basket and it was such a treat to go through that basket and see who all these holiday wishes were from. My grandmother was the school nurse and she'd get cards from her former students from all over the place.  I remember a couple of her former students joined the service and their cards came from exotic places like Japan, Germany, Thailand and Hawaii.   It was great fun going through her basket.  My dad was in the Marine Corps when I was a baby and we'd always get cards from his service buddies and their families.  That was exciting too because some of them traveled and landed in some pretty cool places too.  

     I remember how my mom would take the time to carefully pick out our cards and address them.  She'd go to the post office and purchase the holiday stamps and send them off shortly after Thanksgiving.   When I first lived on my own, that was a tradition I started myself.  I sent cards to my friends but also to some of my older relatives that we had visited from time to time when I was younger.  There was one particular couple that I held dear to my heart.  Aunt Onie and Uncle Luther.  They were darling people and I sent them Merry Christmas cards until they passed away.  They loved it.  I also struck up a correspondence with one of my grandmother's former student's Raymond Ng who joined the Navy.  He was stationed in Japan for a while and it was so fun sending him letters on Air Mail stationery.  What Raymond appreciated more than anything were his Christmas cards.  He was far from home at the holidays and he loved getting mail.

      So today I was scrolling through Face Book and found a post that talked about "Holiday Cards for Heroes."  I thought what a great idea!  You can brighten a service person's holiday for 44 cents.  How awesome is that?!  I am a mother, and I know there are mothers out there that will be missing their soldier children this Christmas and Chanukkah.  This is an easy way to spread some holiday cheer and know that it would mean the world to someone so far away from home.  Tonight Kaysie and I will be writing some Christmas and Chanukkah cards to our service men and women.  

      Here's the address:  The cards need to be postmarked NO LATER than December 10th.  

                                       Holiday Mail for Heroes

                                       P.O. Box 5456

                                       Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

As you are addressing your holiday cards this year,  write a little note inside one or two and send it to someone  who is far away from their loved ones serving our great country.   Cheers!

     

Homemade Cookies

     When I was a little girl my favorite thing was homemade cookies.  It didn't make much difference who made them, I was always a willing taste tester.  Christmastime was my favorite time for homemade cookies. To me it was "Cookie Season."  My grandmother had a whole back porch filled with holiday goodness.  Us kids were allowed free reign out there.  We'd rush in the door, say hello, kiss my grandmother on the head and dash for that back porch.  All was right with world when we had one of her delicious snickerdoodles in hand.
     The same was true for my best friend Ellen's house.  Her mom was as big of a baker as my grandmother at Christmas.  It was amazing going over there.  Their counter was stacked with tins filled with every cookie you could ever imagine.  Press cookies,  her famous chocolate chip cookies, sugar cut out cookies, russian tea cakes, and my personal favorite Jelly cookies.  Jelly cookies were sugar cookies with a window of seedless raspberry jam and another cookie pressed on top.  I remember watching Aunt Annie make those.  They had to be rolled out and cut out just right or they wouldn't turn out.  Some years were easier than others, but oh how good they were.  I loved them from the time I was just little until I was all grown up and away from home.  No visit to Ellen's house at Christmas was complete without jelly cookies.
     Today I only worked a half of a day.  I thought about how I'd spend my afternoon and I decided to bake.  I stopped at the store and got a bag of chocolate chips and some other things and I whipped up a batch of my chocolate chip cookies.  Nothing puts a smile on Kaysie's face like a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies.  When she started school I was only working part time and on my day off, I'd always make cookies for her.  I've been slacking in the baking department lately and so I remedied that today.
      The holidays will be here soon and the cookies will be stacked in tins on our kitchen counter.  My mom is joining us for the holidays and there will be three generations in my kitchen baking  up some Christmas treats.  I'll be making Aunt Annie's jelly cookies as those are my favorites. I have to make those on a day when I'm home alone as they bring back some pretty powerful memories for me.  I'll send my mom and Kaysie to the mall that day.   I'm sure my mom and Kaysie will bake up some sugar cookies and Russian Tea cakes.  I've got a new recipe to try this year - homemade Oreos with mint filling.  We can all make those together.   It will be a fun time for sure.   I hope that when Kaysie is all grown up that she remembers all the times we've made cookies together and has a favorite kind that she will share with her own children.   Share some holiday memories with your kids and bake a batch of cookies together!  Cheers!

Family Memories

     I have a very small family.  Myself, my daughter and our little dog.  That's my family.  My daughter was adopted from China.  She's an outstanding martial artist, student and young lady.  She has a terrific set of values and a sweet, sweet soul.  Our little dog is cute, very soft and she snores like a buzz saw.  Mostly, she makes us laugh.  That's her job.  She thinks her job is to protect the perimeter.  She sits in the windows and watches.  She barks at the wind, falling leaves, the stray child who runs through the courtyard, and of course other dogs walking by.  She spins in mad circles when the door bell rings and occasionally when we leave without her.  I am the mom.  I can break a 1" pine board with my fist (it just shows the other two who's in charge - that's it.), I can whip up dinner in 30 minutes or less, and I can clean and do laundry at the same time.  In my spare time I work full time, and write a blog (and soon a book based on said blog).  I love to listen to Delilah and to read on my kindle.  That's our family.  Occasionally, my mom comes to visit  or we go to visit her.  We just went to see her and the rest of the family.  It was a good visit.  We had a lot of fun.
     In a couple of weeks many people will be hitting the road, the air and the railways to get to family members that live a ways  away.  I think that's one of the reasons Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love to hear stories of people traveling to their families, or their families coming to them for a holiday celebration.  I've always been fascinated by large families.  I always wondered what it was like to have lots of brothers and sisters, and lots of extended family members.  I was reading on facebook today about a friend of mine's family who came to an early Thanksgiving.  There were pictures of plates picked clean.  No leftovers for them.  That certainly makes cleaning up easy!  I could just picture all of those people packed into my friend's house sleeping on air mattresses all over the place.  Playing board games, and watching movies and laughing.  What a fun picture my friend paints.  She has a lot of children herself and I don't know how she does it, but I'm guessing there's never a dull moment.  I know there isn't.
     What traditions do you follow every year at Thanksgiving?  Kaysie and I usually have a marathon board game over the weekend.  One year it was Monopoly.  One year it was Scrabble, and last year it was Wii sports.  My arms were so sore by the end of the weekend, I could hardly brush my teeth.  We play hard at our house.  There will also be the Black Friday shopping trip that I am being told is beginning at midnight.  Good grief - all that tryptophan, followed by a nap and then shopping 1/2 the night.  That could be fun!  My little family might not be large right now, but we do have fun.  Our Holiday traditions are sacred to us, and I think that makes up for our family being small.  We also usually put up our tree that weekend and hang the outside lights.  It's a busy but very fun weekend.  What will you be doing with your family this Thanksgiving weekend?  I think the most important thing we all do together is just enjoy being a family and being together.  My daughter will only be a kid once.  I'm hoping that no matter how old she gets she remembers all the crazy stuff we did.  What will your children remember about the holidays that you spent with your family?  Here's to making memories this Thanksgiving holiday!  Cheers!

Winter Coats

     Santa Claus is a big part of Christmas.  Sadly, my daughter has outgrown  Santa the person, but I know she believes in Santa as the spirit of Christmas.  We did a little bit of Santa shopping today for some children who needed winter coats.  We had one of hers that was still in really good shape and the right size, but that was only enough for one of three children in this family.  So we went and found two more coats.  We thought we were done early, only to discover the coats we initially bought were the wrong size.  So we went to a couple other places.  We found what we needed finally, and we will donate the two other coats.  "They will fit someone," my daughter told me.  She's right they will.  My daughter learned a little something about buying coats.  Every mother wants her children to be warm.  I showed my daughter how some coats were pretty, but probably not very warm.  Once she was on board with the warm factor we quickly found exactly the right things.
     We talked about what we were doing and I told my daughter that when she was very little there were lots of people that helped us out.  I was ill and trying to work, but there were lots of bills and we didn't have much money left over.  Many of my friends helped me out with winter coats, diapers, and clothes for her.  I was so grateful for the blessings of my friends.  My daughter asked me about the family we were helping and I told her about how hard their mom worked to take care of her family.  I also told her that the gift of these jackets would help them out so much, because sometimes even the cost of one coat could put the family budget way out of whack, and she had three little children to buy coats for.  The kids won't know where the coats came from, they will just know that they have something warm to wear when they go outside.
      My daughter, in all of her eleven years, is a very wise soul.  She said that the coats were like a hug; soft and warm and full of love.  I told her that was the thing about coats given in love, they would always be like a hug, for everybody.  "I like being Santa, mom.  It feels good to bless someone who needs help."  She makes me so proud because of the path she is choosing to walk.  She thinks of others and their needs first.  She is kind and generous of heart.  I love that.  We could all learn from the generous heart of an eleven year old girl.  I think that's a good way to head into the holiday season.  Don't you? Cheers.
     

Blessings

What are the blessings in your life? Have you ever stopped to think about that?  I am a lucky lady. I have had and continue to have many blessings in my life.  I have a great little family, I have a wonderful job, a nice place to live, great friends near and far and good health.  The list a lot longer.  I could sit here all night and still probably not be done.  As a young girl I never understood what blessings were.  It wasn't until I was much older that I figured it out.  I lived much of my life in a fog.  When I look back, it makes me cringe.  I don't know how I could have been so blind to all the gifts that I was being given.  Even the ones that I would rather have not accepted like getting fired from a job and being seriously ill when my daughter was a baby,  are two that come immediately to mind.  They were indeed blessings.  I just didn't know it at the time.
     Most Americans live a life of abundance and they don't even realize it.  To me that's a little bit sad, so I'm going to turn that around and say, it doesn't have to be that way.  Open your heart.  That's right - open your heart.  That's where I believe it all starts.  I think that's where our deep down beliefs and feelings reside.  That's where our blessings hide sometimes.  They are tucked away until just the right time.  Then when we are willing to be open to them they come out and change our lives.  Even the ones we don't necessarily want.  When I was a new mother I became seriously ill.  I loved being Kaysie's  mother, and deep down I wanted to get better.  Love was the blessing.  My love for my daughter was what got me through that awful scary time.  All I had to do was think of her and it kept me going.  I made it to the other side and we are going strong as a family.  I am doing everything I can to stay healthy and be the best mom I can be.
     What are the blessings that have been revealed to you?  Do you know?  Could there be some tucked away just waiting for the chance to pop out and change your life? Now would be the perfect time to seek them out.  Write them down on index cards and lay them out on the living room floor.  I bet you would be surprised what comes to your mind.  You might be living a totally abundant life and not even realize it.  After you see what is out in front of you give thanks for all of those things.  I think when we look at what we have we feel really lucky.  I know I do.  Cheers!

Breathe

     We do it unconsciously, everyday, all day and night, even when we are sleeping. . . breathing.  Lately I have felt a little stressed and when that happens I need to breathe deep.  Really focus on that in and out that I do quite naturally.  It's an instant relaxant for me. When I feel stressed at work, I get up and go outside and breathe deep for a minute or two.  That chilly NW air is just the ticket. Instant calm.   Everyone has something that helps soothe them when they are feeling stressed.  My other "deep breath," if you will, is our hot tub.  I haven't been up there lately, only because I feel like I don't have time.  I'm thinking maybe I should take the time.  

    As the holidays are fast approaching we all need to find our "deep breath," that which soothes us and lets the stress fall away.  I think we all know too well what happens when the holidays start to get wound up.  I love Thanksgiving so that's not my stressful holiday.  Mine is Christmas.  I rush around, here and there, in and out, up and down.  By the time Christmas Eve arrives I'm done, period.  Last year I was finished with the majority of my shopping by Thanksgiving, mostly because I did the majority of my shopping on line.  I'm trying really hard to do be mostly done this year too.   This year I have a plan.  In addition to deep breathing and the hot tub, I'm going to run and work out at the gym.  Last year I couldn't because I was still healing from my accident.   One thing that I have started doing lately is making sure that I carve out at least 30 minutes just before bed for just me.  I curl up in bed and read.  I have three books going right now and I rotate between them depending on how tired I am at the end of the day.  I'm hoping that this relieves the holiday stress for me.

     I encourage you to find your "deep breath" before the holidays even get started.  Have a plan for soothing your self during this very busy time of year.  Get some books from the library that you've been meaning to read, or some movies to watch.  Carve out time for yourself at the end of the day.  Time where you can just sit and breathe.  Cheers!

   

Thanks

     I would like to devote this blog entry to the word "Thanks."  Thanks is a humble little word.  Webster's defines thanks as "an expression of gratitude."  It is a word that has an equivalent in almost all the languages of the world.  It was one of the few expressions in Mandarin that I learned before I went to China to adopt my daughter.  "She-she" is the word I learned.  I used it as often as I could.  I was so grateful for the opportunity to become a mother.  As far as I was concerned, everyone I came in contact with in China deserved to hear that word from me.  To me it was the effort of many that made my heart's desire come true.  Often it didn't seem like enough, but to many of these people it meant the world.  The people that I met while I was in China were some of the kindest people I had ever known.  They were so eager to help, and they seemed so happy that one little girl was going to have a "happy life" in America.  She-she: thanks was used liberally on both sides, for twelve magical days.
     When I was a little girl my mother always made me write thank you notes after my birthday and Christmas, or really anytime I received a gift from someone. She told me one time that when I was really little she would just have me write the word "Thanks" on a note card and then write my name.  As I grew older the notes became a little more detailed.  I remember finding a neat little bundle of thank you notes that I had written to my grandmother as we went through her things after she died.  It touched my heart that she had saved everyone.  I'm sure it must have touched her heart that I had written them in the first place.  Again a small gesture that meant so much.
     As we get nearer to Thanksgiving is there anyone that you would like to thank?  If there is, take the time to do that.  It's a small gesture that means so much.  I'll get the ball rolling, Thank you to five very special people and they are Andy Shaw, Lu Yueh Sheng, Jessamy Austin, Sally Ratledge and Patty Reese.  These five people have supported my blog project all year long and I would just like you to know how much your support means to me.  You will forever be my Top Five.  Thank you for following it means the world to me.  Sally, a special thanks for you for being the First of the Top Five!  To all of my facebook friends that have clicked on that "Like" button on The Half Full Glass' page thank you, especially to my friend Daff O'Dille - you were my first like and for me that was exciting!  Kate, I'd like to thank you too for helping me navigate Acrobat.  I know all the frustration will be worth it in the end.  Lastly,  thanks to all of you that read my blog all over the world.  It's so fun to click and see where in the world people are reading.  It makes me smile every time, and it keeps me writing!  As long as you read I will write.  Cheers!
 

November in the Northwest

     November in the Northwest is upon us.  The leaves are just past their peak color and  have begun to fall from the trees, driven to the ground by the blustery wind.  The highs now are in the upper 40's and the rain has begun in earnest.  We do our best to dodge the drops as we dash from the car, up the steps and onto the porch.  Tonight we "fall back" in so many ways.  The clocks are turned back to give us an extra hour to savor the warmth of the soft flannel sheets and the fluffy comforter on the bed.  We "fall back" into our winter habits of crafts and cooking our favorite foods that drive the cold away and leave us feeling warm and cozy.  We also "fall back" into books and the luxury of a Sunday afternoon on the couch reading and watching football.
     In Portland we look eastward on the first clear day to gaze upon Mt. Hood in all of it's winter splendor; looking like it has been dusted with powdered sugar.  We run to that mountain with our tire chains in the the car and the skis and snow boards strapped to the top of our cars. We stop at Joe's Donuts for snow-park passes and some of the best donuts and coffee around. We flock to the mountain to play like the "kids" that we are, because as you know, kids of all ages enjoy a good romp in the snow!  Some of us are more daring than others, sliding down the side of that mountain at break-neck speed.  While others of us enjoy the quiet splendor of the cross country trails that take us into a winter wonderland.  A feast for the eyes to be sure!
      And speaking of feasts....the farmer's markets are over for the season except for the "Holiday Markets" the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Every good thing you could ever imagine from the bounty of our farms are at these markets.  The grass fed turkeys, the last of the autumn produce, the candied hazelnuts and let us not forget the Rogue River Cheeses!  It's a Foodie's version of Disneyland to be sure.  Kaysie and I come home with enough food to feed everyone in the neighborhood.  Then we get busy in our little kitchen, mixing and chopping and preparing for Thanksgiving Day.
     The day after Thanksgiving the nose on the Reindeer that leaps across The Old Town sign lights up red and ushers in the Christmas shopping season.  My daughter and I enjoy getting up early on "Black Friday".  We try to get to our neighborhood Starbucks as they are opening the door for our morning beverages.  Then we go out into the darkness for some caffeine fueled holiday shopping.  It's always fun being out amongst the happy shoppers jumping into the holiday spirit.    The remainder of the weekend we spend decorating our little corner of the world.  The lights don't get turned on until the final day of November, and then only with great ceremony that rivals that of the Griswold family of that holiday classic Christmas Vacation.
     For most of November we are content to be home.  Lounging by the fire place listening to holiday music and playing board games.  When we do go out we are greeted by a feast for the eyes no matter where we look.  Sometimes we take a day trip to Seattle or the coast to enjoy the beauty that is present so much of this month.  I remember when I first moved here, November was my favorite month.  I loved the way the early morning mist hung on the tops of the evergreen trees and even the greyest day was beautiful to me.  These are all of things that I love best about the Pacific Northwest, in addition to the people that I live and work with.  My roots are growing deeper with every passing season and I'm glad.  I have found my home and the place where I am meant to be, and this, my favorite month, makes it that much sweeter.  Cheers!
   

Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the River and Through the Woods

By Lydia Maria Child

Over the river, and through the wood,

To Grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh

through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood—

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose

As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,

To have a first-rate play.

Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding",

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood

Trot fast, my dapple-gray!

Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood—

And straight through the barnyard gate,

We seem to go extremely slow,

It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood—

Now Grandmother's cap I spy!

Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

     This was a song that I learned in Mrs. Ellis' music class when I was in elementary school.  I have always loved the holidays, but especially Thanksgiving.  When I think about Thanksgiving the person that comes immediately to my mind is my Meem - Mom.  She was my grandmother and she made our holidays very special.  When I was a tiny little girl, one of my first Thanksgiving memories is being in her big farm house with her, my mom & dad and my great grandfather.  My Aunt Candy was living in Atlanta at the time.  She and her husband Pat drove for hours with their cocker spaniel Nicki so they could be with all of us for the holiday.  The majority of my Thanksgiving memories are of her little house in town and how the whole family, many years later, would pack into that tiny little dining room to share dinner.  Those would be the years that my younger cousins would remember.  The thing that never changed though, was how good her little house smelled when she cooked the turkey.
      When I was a little older I always got to spend the night with Meem the night before Thanksgiving.  She taught me how to make a roasted turkey.  I still do it the way she showed me all those years ago.  It still turns out perfect every time.  I remember, as a teenager,  helping her with dinner.  In my mind, since I was her right hand helper,  I was entitled to the crispy skin when the turkey was was fresh from the oven.  However my mom and my Aunt Candy thought otherwise.  It was always good natured fun elbowing for room around that turkey roasting pan to get that first taste.   My Meem was a good sport though, and she would just laugh and let us go at it.  She was a tiny little thing, and honestly, I think she was smart enough to stay out of that fray!  Turkey skin was a serious delicacy.  To this day it's my favorite part of the bird.  Only now I have to fight off my darling daughter.  Kaysie loves that first sweet taste of freshly roasted turkey too.  
      When I think of those Thanksgivings in my grandmother's tiny little house it takes me back to a wonderful happy time.  There were always people at Thanksgiving who weren't members of our family, but my grandmother included them so they wouldn't be alone on a holiday.  There were stories told after dinner of us kids, mostly of me, when I was really little, and then one year, the torch was passed.  It was passed to my cousin Charlie who is now the King of the Castle Kitchen at Disney World.  My grandmother had friends who were a childless couple.  They loved us kids dearly.  They were always at our Thanksgiving dinner.  My cousin Charlie was about 4 years old and very precocious.  We were getting ready for desert when he got a hold of a can of Ready-Whip whipped cream.  When my Aunt finally got a hold of him there was whipped cream everywhere!  Including all over Uncle Vernon and his glasses.  It was so funny.  Here was this dapper older gentleman covered in Ready-Whip.  We have laughed about that ever since.  It's one of my favorite memories.  Every time I see a can of Ready-Whip it makes me smile.
      My grandmother knew how to make everyone feel so special and she loved having a houseful of people.  I wish Kaysie and her cousins could have known her.  They would have adored her as much as my cousins and I did.  She's everyplace in my house though.  I have lots of her kitchen utensils and bowls.  Her canisters sit on my kitchen counter.  I have the bowl she made her world famous iced tea in, her potato pot & masher and that turkey roasting pan.  I think that's one of the reasons why I love my little kitchen, because always in my mind,  she's right there beside me when I cook.  There's not a Thanksgiving that goes by that I don't think of her and that tiny little house full of people.   Here's to perfect turkeys!  Cheers!

An Attitude of Gratitude

      I recently read something that has made me reevaluate how I view my life.  It was a challenge really, about happiness.  "Do you want to be truly happy?  Then take the time to write someone who has had a profound influence on your life and thank them.  Let them know what their time and effort meant to you and how it has shaped the person you have become.  Then do it again, and after that encourage someone who is younger than yourself to be the best they can be."  I took that challenge and wrote to someone who had a profound impact on my life.  She literally saved me from a real tragedy, and I can't even hardly put into words what that has meant to me.  The thought of not being here and being my daughter's mom shakes me to my very core.  I am more than grateful to this woman.  Over the years she has become a dear friend and although we don't speak to each other as often as we'd like we still remain connected through gratitude.
I know that my card touched her heart and I loved sharing my "attitude of gratitude" with her.  She came along side me at a very difficult time in my life and helped me through to the other side.
       That little act got me thinking about what else I was grateful for and I think the answer might seem a little surprising.  What I've discovered is that I am grateful for some of the more difficult times in my life.  They shaped the person that I became.  I remember when I got fired from a job for the first time.  It was hard because it was a job I was passionate about.  Someone I respected sat me down and told me that it wouldn't be the last time I would get fired, but that it might just be the hardest.  She was right.  It took me a couple of months to find another job, but the gifts that the experience gave me outweighed the adversity of it by a mile.  Fortunately it was years before I became a parent so I was only responsible for my dog and myself.  It forced me to look at where my life was going at the time and not only was I able to find a good job, I was also able to make a firm decision to go back to school to become a nurse. A decision I have NEVER regretted.  It also gave me the opportunity to live and work in our Nation's Capital - an experience that was so worth getting fired over.    The other difficult time that I'm grateful for was just after 9-11 in 2001.  This time I was a parent.  I hadn't lived in Portland very long and I was a new single mom, figuring out the directions to a child that were written in Chinese (my daughter is adopted from China).  She would cry for hours on end, and you couldn't touch her or hold her or pick her up to try and soothe her.  It was awful.  I remember one particularly rainy Sunday when she was having a cry-a-thon, I sat right down next to her and did the same thing.  There we were just the two of us sitting in the floor crying.  I still am not certain why she was crying, but I was crying out of frustration and fear over so MANY things.  Shortly after that day her cry-a-thons came to an end, and she became the sweet, loving child that lives in my house today.  That experience taught me patience.  It taught me that sometimes you just have to sit down and cry it all out.  There are times even now, that I wish I could cry it all out.  Shortly after that I developed some serious health issues and I have always been grateful for those first hard experiences as a parent.  They helped me to develop the patience to over come a serious illness and the long time it took to totally recover.
      I think the thing that I am the most grateful for are all of my friends. I recently attended my 30th High School Reunion and I had the privilege of spending time with some of the best people I know.  We talked and talked and talked some more.  We got all caught up, and I've decided that the "Diner Crew" plus a few others are some of the best, most down to earth people I know.  I hope that we will always be friends and that when we need each other we can do what we can to be supportive in the hard times.
      Ask yourself what you are grateful for.  Send a note to someone who has had a profound influence on your life, encourage a young person - just like someone encouraged you when you were young.   Start a gratitude journal and see where it takes you.  You might just surprise yourself!  Cheers!