2008 Comes to an End-Hope for 2009

Well as the year 2008 comes to a close in a few hours, David and I have been packing the remainder of the Christmas decorations and putting them up in the attic for next years' appearance. I always think this time is bittersweet because it seems like we just get everything as we want it and it's time to take them all down. Although we started out earlier this year it just seems to come to and end quicker year after year. Of course he is now out buying additional bins to pack the new additions he just doesn't understand and I don't either why we always seem to have to do this each year since we are always getting rid of old things, broken items etc. Oh well, life goes on.

2008 has been a very busy year. Matthew got married and we added a daughter-in-law Tiffany to our family. Happy that they are both working and doing well.

Jennifer graduated from photography school, moved home, moved out with Scott and also an addition of a puppy to their mix-Lily. She is working, trying to get her business off the ground and getting used to taking care of her own puppy, although she still manages to come by almost everyday--along with Lily.

We got through the first half of the year pretty much unscathed except for the terrible storm we got caught in coming back from picking up Jennifer's belongings from school. But after months of claim forms, copying, phone calls etc. our trailer was replaced. We contemplated a change in our business during this time but both of us didn't want to throw in the towel, and "it all worked out in the end" as David likes to remind me. Thank God for his positive personality, we are Ying and Yang but we don't know any other way.

Health wise David's mom is still continuing to forge ahead as a skin cancer survivor, patient. Good days and bad days, like we all have, her's are just a little rougher. Going through this experience with her the past 4 years has opened my eyes to alot of the shortcomings of our health care system. I truly hope that if I am ever in a situation like this that I have the mindset to be able to cope. I can only hope that our family never has to experience anything like this ever again, but hey I know I am kidding myself, it is a part of life.

I have enjoyed the time I have been able to spend with family and friends. My activities still continue to be a big part of my life which helps to keep me sain or insain whatever the case is at the time. I hope that I am able to make some changes in my life that will help me to continue life as it has been. Change is a good thing, just maybe a little harder to do as I get older. But hey sometimes I still think I am a youngster instead of seeing that special birthday coming only a few years away.

Over the past 14 years or so, I have come to read over and over again the "Serenity Prayer" or whatever one chooses to call it. I know it is one that is instrumental in AA but I think it fits whoever wants to use it in there case. I have a copy that sits in the office on my cabinet that a friend of mine gave me that I worked with in CA during a rough time in my life. Every time I need to remind myself of its purpose in my life I not only think of here, and that time but also how true the words are. I am sure I will read it over and over in 2009 also. I especially like "accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can" because sometimes my mind/personality gets a little clouded by things I don't have control, or wish I did have control over.

So may 2009 be a little brighter for us all. Take things day by day, sorry for those people who still follow the five year or ten year plans, I have always thought it was crazy, but I guess someone has to be different..

Freedom of Expression on Ice

The freedom of the blades to the ice and the value of being able to express has been the thing that has kept me involved in skating in one way or another.

There are no boundaries, barriers or doors as you can see here, the ability to go as fast as you can, with the wind in your hair is wonderful. To be able to interpret a piece of music or just enjoy the silence is a feeling that is hard to explain.

Everyone should have this experience in life in one way or another.

The Parties Over--Back to Reality

Wow I hate to say it, no not really but I am glad it's over. I feel like I was on holiday overload and unfortunately I crashed on December 23rd. I would have just been happy to take to my bed, pull up the covers and sleep through Christmas. I think because I had the majority of my shopping over way before I usually do it really took the fun out of it this year. That's what the economy does when you start shopping so early I guess. But rest assured nothing was bought at full price, every time I turned around I was salivating for that extra percentage off my purchase just like everyone else in line. Something we had better not get so comfortable with because it is wonderful. It really gives you a false sense of security.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were really mostly a blurr and then I was in marathon mode with TV for three days after. I think my husband thought I had finally lost my marbles he couldn't believe I could watch so many episodes of House/NCIS. Hey don't let him kid you he was right next to me most of the time and enjoying every minute.

But back to the real world, back to the grind, let this year be over in a few days, toast the New Year with a little bubbly and keep our fingers crossed for 2009.

From my house to yours may the holidays be filled with love, family, friends, memories and everything that is the meaning of Christmas

You Haven't Made It Unless you Have Skated at Rockefeller Center

I usually watch the Today Show almost everyone morning and follow the stories leading up to the tree being put in front of Rockefeller Center. The stories usually are so wonderful how the process is done and how each year an tree is chosen to stand at the historical site.

For those people who are skating enthusiasts one place to put on your lists of places to skate is Rockefeller Center. I didn't get the chance during the Christmas Holidays, but back in 1989 our precision skating team (now called synchronized) made a stop in NYC after our trip to Providence Rhode Island for the National Championships. A small group of use figured we just had to stop and say we had put our blades on an outside skating rink. Alot of us (including myself) had never skated outdoors.

So we laced up our boots and were on our way. We tried a couple tricks and then figured we would try some of our routine. There wasn't very many other skater's on the ice so we new that we wouldn't bother to many people. As we were getting started doing a trick some stopped us and said we couldn't do it. Well being the person that I am I spoke up and said "Look we are National Champions and have come 3,000 miles and it won't hurt for just one trick". The guard backed off, let us do our trick and we were all happy camper's, probably except the guard.

It was a wonderful experience, the down side is the World Trade Center is no longer there and we had many pictures taken of us both inside and outside. But we have the memories...

Santa Baby

A couple of days ago I was looking through my skating album and I came across a picture that brought a Christmas memory about a special "Santa" in my life.

For several years I completed in a Showcase of Skating Competition at my home rink each year. It took place in July and its basic premise was you could pick special music including vocals (which back then you couldn't use during normal competition events). Among the music over several years that I chose was Bette Midler's "Wings Beneath my Wings" and also a group number of "Jump" by the Pointer Sister's which we dressed in workout clothes and did a Aerobics number. I did a female pair number with one of my partner's in crime as a hobo that year also that was also fun to the music "I Ain't Got a Barrel of Money" (Side by Side) by Kay Starr. One event that was really hard was they played music three times and you had to make up a routine on the spot, which showed how "artistic" you could be.

Pam also wanted to recreate a number that she had seen before called "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt. She could use props but the key for this number was you couldn't "move" otherwise it would be considered a pair number. At first she was going to get a stuffed Santa and prop it in a chair but she found a costume and figured she would find someone to wear it.

Well "my" Santa was the perfect size but lacking in the bulk department but nothing a little extra filling couldn't fix. My Santa was a beginning skater but no problem because she just needed him to stand and she would push him out onto the ice, sit him in the chair the rest was easy. The number turned out really great and she ended up getting second place.

It was fun bringing a little "Christmas in July" and the best part nobody could guess who Santa was...I'll never tell....

Christmas Lights Shining Brightly-With a Little Assistance from David's Elf

Christmas lights are one of David's favorite thing to do before Christmas. Actually he usually puts them up right around Thanksgiving when he is home. Our window of opportunity seems to get smaller and smaller each year either due to the weather not cooperating or just because he usually isn't home alot between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We have come to expect up until this year that we have to buy lights about every other year, I think the maker's of lights plan it that way now, what happened to the old fashion string you could put out year after year, (everything is throw away!!).

He started out with lights around the outside, then added around the windows, then added around the bushes in front, then one year the "blow up ornaments" started appearing. The first one purchased by Jennifer for her Dad for Christmas was the Rudolph pulling Santa from the chimney, then the following year David saw a 9 ft. Nutcracker that he just had to put out, we added the white lighted reindeer a couple years ago and this year I bought him acute penguin (which only lasted two days-David was not happy that he didn't light up enough and wouldn't blow up enough-Walmart I think got everyone returned back for the same reason).

He has the electrical plug-ins down to a science now compared to what it looked like a few years ago. Each night I make my calculated track through the house to turn them on and off (only one trip outside usually to unplug and two inside).

But you always must consider any unexpected problems which we have had 3 so far this season. He decided he had to put the Rudolph blowup on the roof. It had maintained from several days, until the wind came along this week and knocked it over and sorry love, but I am not climbing on the roof to fix, so ole Rudy will have to wait until David gets home to straighten that out. Also we have had issue with sections of lights fuse issues. One was fixed by Matthew last weekend so we are down to one "small" section out now.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy people commenting since we live on the corner and you can see the beacon sometimes from the highway and I know David enjoys the whole operation. We don't come close to what some people do, no we are the Clark Griswald's by any means, tasteful yes, over the top-not yet. But hey if it brings some joy when people drive by, why not.

So if anyone happens to see me out in the snow tonight trying to dig out a blowup ornament, wave, honk and say "Merry Christmas"....David will love it

Christmas Baking a Dying Tradition?

For as long as I can remember the weeks leading up to Christmas you pulled out the cookbook and either found one of the old favorite recipe's or tried something new.

I can remember my grandparents yes both of them starting early in the kitchen and spending days in there baking candy and cookies. My granpa was usually in charge of the candy (usually the family favorites were Marshmallow Fudge, Divinity) and cookies usually included Peanut Butter Blossoms, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal raisin) and also a dreaded Fruit Cake (sorry for those fruitcake lovers I have never found one I could swallow).

I have my granma's original Pillsbury's Best Butter Cookie Cookbook priced at 20 cents that has tattered pages,and penciled recipes inside. Many of the recipes have been re-named over the years but each year it's a wonderful memory to pull it out and make some of these treasured items. I have been blessed by all my families in that I love to cook and like to think this is one good thing I received from them.

I know it would be faster, easier and probably cheaper to just walk into the grocery store and pick up cookies, candy etc. but it just wouldn't be the same. Baking is something that has always been relaxing and fun to me and I know if more people would just take the time to continue cooking or even just learning to cook whatever it may be instead of going out and picking it up they too would eventually get the joy those of us who cook do. It isn't always best to take the easy way out plus people do really appreciate the time you have taken to actually bake something for them. Ok I admit I also love the praise doesn't everyone.

Although this year I am trying some new recipe's I am sure my family will be disappointed that I am not making all the favorites but also, at this point if I have the stuff around I will eat it before it gets to them and I really don't want that to happen. My willpower still is low during this time of year.

I treasure the weight I have lost and don't want it to appear back on me. You know that is just one of those Christmas miracles I don't miss.

So if you receive any homemade baked good from family or friends during the next few weeks take a minute and think back to this tradition, you might even catch yourself pulling out that rolling pin, turning on that oven and spending a little fun time.

Miracles, Hope, Traditions, Believe

As we countdown to the big day we stop and think what is important in each of our lives.

When I was a little girl this time of year was always a special time spent with my granma Ruby. She always faithfully picked me up each Sunday morning and took me to Sunday School and then to church. From the time I can remember until the age of 12 I faithfully attended. I would always look forward to the chance of being in the yearly Christmas pageant. Unfortunately I missed more than I actually got to participate in because I usually came down with a cold or something and would be unable to continue. I was always amazed in the story of the birth of Christ and the miracles it brought. Of course even than I questioned how it was possible and wasn't always given the answers I thought I wanted, faith wasn't in my vocabulary back then for many reasons, possibly just the unanswered questions that wouldn't and haven't been answered for me in my past but as I have gotten older I have had to put my faith into play.

Over the past several weeks I have watched alot of the movies on Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, etc. that have something to do with the holidays I always enjoy the messages they bring of hope, miracles and all the things you remember as a child and sometimes forget as you grow older. It's always nice just to take time from you hectic day and laugh. I particularly enjoy the old favorites like "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original version), "It's a Wonderful Life", "Christmas Carol", "A Christmas Story". Each one takes you back to a time where worries weren't what they are today and still the message they bring still holds true.

I guess this is why even though with all the commercialism, the true meaning of Christmas and all it's traditions whatever they might be for each of us still is a special time for me. It brings the child out in all of us, hey I like to think I am 47 but still a kid at heart, I'll probably never grow up completely anyway.

Twelve days and counting, the sad things is it will be over before we know it.

Bells Were Ringing for the Kettle

For the past four years I have had the honor to volunteer to ring the bells for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. This year I did it as a part of the Business and Professional Women's group that I belong too. Some of our members graciously gave up one hour to ring and although I am not sure what our total was for the day, I am sure we had a sizable amount donated that we can be proud of.

Except for the strong blowing wind that seemed to hit everything in sight, not only my Santa hat and many other hats around the entrance and a few runaway shopping carts here and there the weather was extremely nice to us this time. In years past I have experienced bitter cold, snow on the ground as it should be at this time of year.

With the wishes of Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays the greatest joy is seeing the young children break from there parents to rush and push in there handful of coins into the kettles. It's also exciting when larger bills get pushed through the slot and of course whatever is contributed can be appreciated by those who have come upon hard times. It makes me appreciate what we have and pray that my family hopefully will never have to experience such times, but if we should need any group that this one would be a kettle away.

Ornament Giving 101

Many years ago at a loss at what to get me for Christmas (believe me I am not someone who is hard to buy for) David unleashed a monster that has snowballed into a life of it's own.

Since this is the time of year when it is "Not" hard to find anything "ice skating related" in any store around he lovingly purchased an ornament. I really wish I could remember which one was the very first but since I have several, that one escapes me right now. I haven't counted them in several years but enough to fit on a 4ft. tree that we designated several years ago because they overtook our family tree. Be it Hallmark collectibles, Precious Moments, if they have made it I probably have it.

In all fairness, I started collecting figure skating memorabilia long before the ornament's started, but David was the first one to purchase my first collectible item 26 years ago. What started as an item sharing my cabinet that held my skating trophies, then became a curio cabinet that I got Dec. 19, 1985 when we moved into our home in CA. I still have the cabinet, full, plus another cabinet which is full also.

I treasure each and every piece of I have received over the years and it hasn't been without some broken pieces. After the Northridge Earthquake unfortunately I lost a few pieces that were unable to be replaced. I can't put a dollar amount on what I have but it keeps a little bit of skating in my life on a daily basis.

Letter's to Santa

With all the serious problems with our economy today I am so grateful I am at an age now that I no longer compose a letter to Santa.

I remember as a little girl I would hurry to get my list together every year to have out for Santa with his cookies and milk each year by our fireplace. I usually kept the list pretty short, not like today where kids seem to have pages and pages that cost the big bucks.

One year I wanted a talking telephone (something popular in the 60's), a Lite Brite (Santa was able to fill that wish or the Easy Bake Oven) but needless to say I usually got at least a couple off the list each year.

When I married and had children of my own, I got to experience first hand what it was like to try to make sure that Santa made the kids wishes come true within reason. The year of the double bikes, the doll houses, Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles, Lego's we had as much fun putting things together as they had playing with there toys.

In the future it will be grand kids to help in conjunction with Santa to make there wishes come true. I am glad now that I have a little bit of a breather especially this year. Yes I have cut back on purchases and am aiming to get gifts that are a little more practical, but I am sure the joy in giving and receiving will still be appreciated.

I still think it is alot more enjoying to be the small child who still believes in Santa, I guess that small child still exists in all of us, including me. And as my mother-in-law has always said, "You stop believing, you stop receiving".

Will It Snow for Christmas?

Being a California girl I lived the first 35 years of Christmas holidays in shorts and sun usually. The only way to see snow was to take a drive which was about 2 hours to the local mountains. Which even then you weren't always assured snow even around the holidays. Sunscreen for Christmas was not out of the ordinary.

After we started making the trip to MO for Christmas which was usually every other year we were introduced to snow for Christmas. It was always so much fun to wake up on Christmas mornings and have snow. Of course we didn't always have the appropriate attire (warm coats were not a must in CA) but it was always a treat.

Now after living in MO for the past twelve years and having several of those years with either an inch or two or more of snow on the ground it still is something to look forward too. But I always say let it snow for Christmas Eve, a little on Christmas and then stop. That would be enough snow for me.

It is funny how snow becomes just like any other thing. When you don't have it you miss it but when the fun is gone you really don't mind if you see it again.

I will keep my fingers crossed for those few snow days.

The Christmas Tree-Fresh vs. Artificial

Well we went that road I vowed I would never travel again. I guess it's true never say never. This year marked a temporary end to our tradition for the past 27 years that we went the artificial tree route. There was tears and apprehension (on my part) but I guess depending on how you look at it I took the "green" way.

Let me go back to a time that cemented my reason for purchasing a "live" tree. I grew up at a time and I am sure that there are several people who can back me up on this that lived with the now "retro" tinsel look tree with the color wheel or the green cellophane look trees of years ago. Living with a fireman as a dad we were more concerned with the fire safety than the look or smell of a tree that had been cut down and brought not only the fragrance (something we are not allergic too like some) and just the experience of having one. So until I ventured out on my own I made a vow I would never go back to the dark side. (Just kidding)

Well in the age of "being green" and also with our schedule each year we have a very short time frame of purchasing a real trip. Which usually entails before a rain/snow storm and whenever a vehicle other than a car is available to go down and retrieve it from the sole Sunrise Optimist group that sells them here in town. Gone also are the days of "flocking" not an option here so the possibilities have been cut down. Although I will no longer be contributing to the cause of the Optimist I hope they will understand.

Being positive the trees of today do look almost real, they don't shed, and the expense will not be as great but sometimes there is just somethings associated with Christmas you don't want to give up.

I guess this is my way of becoming more flexible, you be the judge.

Reliving the Memories of Holidays Past

I am going to try and hit upon some of the past Christmas time memories that have happened over the years that helped to shape my life throughout the years.

One that happened 26 years ago was the day that David and I got engaged. Our chance meeting one year earlier before the Thanksgiving holidays would help to shape the wonderful years we have spent together. The story of our meeting I like to say you meet the person you are going to marry not when you are looking, but when you aren't.

I was a part of our inter-office move and David worked for the moving company that moved our facilities. We literally spent an entire weekend Fri-Sun for 12+ hours a day moving our office of 100+ people. He said the first thing that impressed him about me was the fact that I worked harder than any of the guys did, "beware of things in small packages". We managed to eat lunches and dinners together and when he came back to the new office on Monday morning I already had my phone number ready (if he asked, and he did) and I guess they say the rest is history.

The following year on Christmas Eve he went down on one knee in my apartment and proposed with a lovely ring he picked out all by himself. Needless to say it was the best Christmas gift I had up until that time.

So for those who try and try to find that special someone, stop take a break and let it happen on its own, it's worth the wait....