A Christmas Story-The Grapevine Version/The Truth

With the massive amount of traditional Christmas stories like A Christmas Carol,  It's A Wonderful Life, and many other favorites to pick from you wonder why there are many stories you hear about for one reason or another people have to feel the need to jazz up.

The Lee's 2013

Goalder House 2013

Sometimes its just the love of the holiday and having a spirit that maybe you have or don't any other time of the year. Christmas is the one time that giving, and opening up your heart really shouldn't have a spin put on it. 

 When we first moved to Sedalia, we heard a story about a house nearby that goes all out for Christmas decorating. The house is on a fairly busy street and always noticeable. The day after Thanksgiving you see the man starting to unload all the statues, lights and symbols of Christmas cheer. It doesn't matter how many times I have drove by over the years you notice something different. The tale I heard about this couple and their Christmas decorating many years ago was that they had a daughter who died of an illness and loved holidays (they also decorate for Easter, 4th of July, Halloween) so they were decorating in her honor. The true story is as the article in the recent paper states is still a labor of love. 150 plastic lighted decorations, 100-125 extension cords, and 15 surge protectors. The couple married for 45 years have decorated 44 of those years. Also an interesting fact was this past year he wore a pedometer and calculated 53 actual miles while putting up the decorations. Of course they haven't been sheltered from the occasional vandals cutting wires or stealing ornaments but it has never dampened their spirit. They have one upped those who try to Grinch their Christmas and have had to go high-tech and security cameras.

This year it was truly unfortunate with so many people either unable or unwilling to put up decorations. The costs of new LED or just replacing decorations have sky rocked. Also often here the weather is a contributing factor but there are still several die-hard decorators. 

Also another unfortunate tale in this yearly Christmas saga was the cancellation of the Christmas decoration contest that our city had done for 33 years was cancelled (according to the paper and that grapevine) was due to lack of participation. 

Whatever you Christmas story may be I like to think the joy, laughter and holiday spirit lives within us all.

Bell Ringer--For a Cause

Earlier in the week when I checked what the weather was going to be today I have to admit I was a little sad that it was going to be bitterly cold out. But it wasn't the first and probably not the last and to some people if its not bitterly cold during this time of year it doesn't feel like the Christmas Season.

So with multiple layers, getting dressed I felt like I was going on a ski trip, I set out for what I thought would be one hour of service to the Salvation Army Bell Ringing for Sedalia Business Women. I got more than I bargained for...

When I went to relieve the member and co-chair Ida I stated, "Gee all by yourself?" With her usual smile she said, "Oh yes" with her usual chuckle.

I looked at the list for our group and sadly not every hour was filled. "Ida, how long have you been here?".  "Oh, a little while" she said. I could plainly see that it had been more than a little while and the looks of the list she would be back several more times.

With the bell exchange from Ida I started my service jingling my bell in various tones.  I have done this long enough and in varying weather conditions over the last several years and I see and hear everything. Some highlights from today....

We have rung for several years at Big Lots. In our area its the only "in-door" (and I use that term loosely) option in our town. Yes, its behind the first set of doors, eight doors are opening and closing bringing in all the cold air from outside. Many patrons first comments are "Gee at least your "in-doors". I know what they mean but technically we are not. Just keep smiling and ringing.

"Wow, you must be cold?"..Does the fact that I am dancing around give it away.

"Bless your heart". This phrase doesn't have the same meaning as it used too and only my daughter will probably understand the running joke on this one.

The cart guys are not wearing jackets and my first comment to them is "You must be warm blooded going without a coat and I probably sound like a typical MOM you shouldn't go out without a coat". They laugh.

The guy who comes in, says hi and walks in the store. Then comes out and "flirts" with me and says, "Can I ask you a question?" Sure " I just got my haircut does it look ok?" (Well it looks fine to me) thinking to myself I don't know you and don't know what it looked like before not sure if I am a good judge.

Going back to the "no coat" issue. A woman walks in and reads my mind. "You are probably wondering why I don't have a coat on?" (Yes I was) "Well I am waiting for a heart transplant and don't figure I need one until I get the transplant".. Humm not sure what that logic is but...

The teenage boy who instead of buying something out of the little 25 cent machine at the door, stops and thinks for a moment and puts the money in the kettle. Smiling on this one.

My dear friend Jennifer who comes in and stops to talk with me for a while. Of course she asks, "What are you doing?" but I don't mind her asking. Good true friends you can joke with and give a smart answer too and because they know you can get away with the reply.

A nice lady that asked if I would watch her cart while she went and got her car and pulled in front. When she pulled up to the door I was standing there with rocking horse in hand. The thankful look on her face as I handed her the horse so she wouldn't have to come back in the store.

But the best tale of the afternoon was. A Vietnam Vet would came up and asked me if he could tell me a story. "Is it a heart-warming story" I replied. "Yes" he said.  I could see he was wearing a Navy veteran hat which immediately made me think of my grandpa Conner. Well he stated, back in 1965 I was stationed overseas. I got a call that my mom had been in a terrible car accident and wasn't doing well. I had no money and needed to get back to the states. I was from Chicago and managed to get to San Francisco. While at the airport I struck up a conversation with someone and told them my tale. The gentlemen said," Wait a minute let me make a call". Within a short time someone from the local Salvation Army came and handed me enough money to get to Chicago O'Hara Airport. When I got there, a Salvation Army representative was standing at the gate with a card with my name on it. He was their to drive me home. Since then he said I give to Salvation Army and have volunteered in whatever town I have lived in. This was the cherry on top for the day and made me happy that my 2 hour window was the best part of the day.

Ida returned and I have to admit I felt really guilty in leaving her especially knowing that she had a couple more hours at the end of the day.

A big thank you to Ida, Betty, Laura, Carolyn, Michelle, and Sue. I hope you have stories to share with the other members at the next meeting. Make sure you point out the fun they missed.

Also something in all the years I have been a ringer it dawned on me the quote from Its a Wonderful Life. "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings". Wow! today and everyday until the campaign is done millions and millions of angels will be receiving them. Some before their time.

Kennedy 50 Year Anniversary the Mystery Continues

Yesterday marked the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy's Assassination. Almost at every moment of the day some channel had something marking the day that changed America.

I was way to young to remember anything of that day but I am sure it had some affect on my family just as it did everyone else not only here but around the world. In school I remember bits and pieces of our history books including the key points like Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Vice President Lyndon Johnson being swore in, the infamous picture of him taking the oath with Lady Bird Johnson and Mrs. Kennedy standing by him in the blood stained dress.

It wasn't really until much later on that I read books about the Kennedy family and some of the other conspiracy theory books that  I too have questions that probably will never be answered as to why this tragedy changed America. It has been extremely interesting to watch old black and white footage of days and hours leading up to that day and even after his death and how the events changed so many peoples' lives. With the technology of today the old 8mm film is brought to bigger than life proportions which to some might be a little to much information to process even after 50 years.

Some interesting highlights for me were: In early reports by the media, they kept calling Lee "Harvey" Oswald " Lee "Harold" Oswald. Guess the media hasn't changed much in reporting the wrong name. The fact that the Texas Book Depository was never searched beforehand or had a Secret Service Agent posted inside but many other buildings did along the route, sounds questionable.  The police officers seemed to be familiar with Jack Ruby (Rubinstein) why was he even their at the time they were leading Lee Harvey Oswald out to appear in court?  Questions will always arise about this time in our history. Do we have the correct answers? Probably not.. Would things have been different if it wouldn't have happened. I am sure they would be. Would we be a different country now? Maybe or maybe not..We have no real way of knowing what might have been.

I also found it touching that even with all of Kennedy's flaws, Jacqueline Kennedy had a tremendous love for him. The infamous pink suit will remain somewhat of a mystery for many, many more years to come since it is tucked away in the National Archives until 2103. A new generation of people will continue the theory of what happened that day.

An Honored Veteran's New View

I think of my grandpa Conner on a daily basis, but this morning while looking at Facebook News Feeds I came across this picture and and article in the Daily Breeze about an area that sits just below the cemetery where my grandpa rests. I couldn't help but get a mental picture of the wonderful man I remembered. Dressed in his chino grey pants, grey shirt and grey baseball cap. With his hand on his hip leaning against the block wall or wooden fence on either side of his "home", shooting the breeze as he liked to say.

I remembered as  a kid riding to visit another family member buried at Green Hills and Grandpa would mention about what wonderful housing for families of those who served were right across the street. Single family homes dotted the main avenue. I remember asking him why there was barbed wire and large signs around  the gated community. "All military areas are that way Cindy".

In the article the city planners will be designing a brand new project of  homes, condos and  townhouses. This process has been on-going for as long as I can remember since it has been empty, and all homes boarded up for many years. For several years after families left  this area was I believe used for police, and fire training from various city departments in the area.

I believe that by reading this article and today being Veteran's Day that it was his sign to me that he was thinking of me and would be so excited that something new was coming to his home. I recall when the sidewalks were put on his street he stood out and watched all the equipment dig up and then pour the cement. Talking to the worker's on a daily basis. 

He was a great man, he will be watching over whatever project decides to finally happen on the site. Just look up on the hill, to the guy in grey, scratching his head and putting his ball cap back on. He along with many other veteran's at home will be with you.

Letting your Mind Go--Anything Can Be a Story

When I went to school I was one of those crazy kids who actually liked going to summer school and was not forced to go. I remember one year in high school I took an English class. Most of the kids in the class had to be there because they hadn't passed their English class during the year which led for a pretty interesting mix of students. I didn't care though I knew that any reason to not be at home during the morning hours of my day would be a great diversion. Also it didn't hurt that a guy I had a long standing crush on was in the class so even if the class wasn't what I expected I could always let my mind wonder about him. That would make for another story.

One of the requirement for Ms. Soule's class was we had to write a story. It could be about anything which left the possibilities wide open. The little bit I remember about the story I wrote was that I was taking a trip to Australia with some other people and somehow we got into a Nancy Drew like predicament. One comment I remember I got from the teacher was that it was very creative.

I think that sometimes to write that is one thing you need, imagination. Yes you should write what you know but imagination helps to get the creative juices flowing.

My husband shakes his head sometimes about my stories. Recently, I noticed that one of the toys our granddaughters play with had a very important piece missing. We had moved all of the toys into another room while doing some work and somehow the "Dad" went missing. Well my mind totally went wild with it. Especially when our one granddaughter asked me where he was at.

He is at work.
He went on a business trip.
He drives a truck like Papa and is on a very long run.

For my own enjoyment I was thinking he ran away, he was a deadbeat Dad, he was deployed overseas, he was in jail, he's having an affair, our "ghost" took him and is holding him hostage.

When I told our daughter about our so called game/dilemma, I told her about my quest to find the Dad. I had looked all over and just couldn't find him. Rolling her eyes pretty much told me that she thought I was crazy. (Sometimes she doesn't after all these years understand my imagination).

I'm not sure why I feel the need for this Dad in this Fisher Price Set. I had a Dad growing up who was in the home. Maybe it's because I never chose to look for my biological Dad. My kids always had a Dad around even though he was on the road often. I know in today's world some people have two Dad's, or no Dad's either by choice or circumstances.

I have seriously thought we may never know where Dad went. I thought maybe I should go out and buy a new family for the set since they do sell them separate from the house. But then I got to thinking again, if I do that then we will have one Dad, two Mom's and two babies. Of course my mind went there too, Gee imagine the stories I could make up with that?

One of them being "Sister Wives".

Trying to Find Similarities in Two Different Sporting Activities- Perspective

This week two things happened, the schedule for the 2014 figure skating coverage was posted on-line and I threw myself into committing to walk at least several times a week. My excitement for the two were oh so very different.

Each day I encountered something different while walking that made my mind wander to when I figure skated that I probably wouldn't have encountered in the same way. Each time the Olympic year came around I would always think how many new people would I see come into the rink who thought they would experience the excitement of learning to skate due to watching it on television and having their hopes and dreams of becoming a star. That thought process would last well after the Olympic coverage was over and truth be told the newness wore off just a few weeks later. I had the same thoughts when I started this week on my quest to keep to my walking schedule. How long will this determination last? Hopefully, longer than just a few weeks.

The clothing attire is somewhat similar. Comfortable clothing for freedom of movement, layered for maximum protection.  Blisters are always a possibility but prevention is possible. I thought of those skaters who went "commando" (its not what you might be thinking) and didn't wear tights or socks (I do admit I tried it once and it just didn't work for me). You know you have a good workout with either activity if you can take your shoes/boots and socks off and have your feet steam.

I commented on my Facebook page on how many critters I encountered on my walk this week. Occasionally in the ice a wayward spider might be found between the frozen layers of ice only to be scrapped up by the Zamboni at a later resurfacing. 

I keep the same posture that I had when I skated while I walk. Head held high, eyes forward, back erect, the walking stride might be smaller since I would probably look pretty silly holding a long glide while walking but I make every attempt to keep the same pace during the full hour. Sometimes arm movements are included while walking much less than when skating which is always a constant.

Instead of music being played over the entire rink, I play a variety of tunes on my personal IPOD. From country, rock, alternative (think it might be a little hard to walk to Rhapsody in Blue or Tchaikovsky) but for walking and skating the tempo is still key. I find myself singing to myself sometimes when I walk something I never would have done while skating.

Pet peeves of walking: If you bring your dog, please pick up your dogs poop, (for every one person who is courteous and brings a pick up bag and I actually thanked the lady for doing so) there are three people who just let the dog do its business and leave it for others to maneuver around).  I really couldn't come up with a skating pet peeve that compared to the above.

My total miles this week for walking was 20. Unfortunately, 20 miles wouldn't even come close to getting to the closest rink to me now. Oh well, spending one hour walking clears the mind for a short time and skating did the same thing. 

I guess if that's the trade off I have to be happy with it.  

Where Do I Fit In?

Several weeks ago, the subject of our Sunday Service was the above title.  I have struggled with this almost my entire life off and on.  I don't often quote bible verses but two really hit home for me. Hebrews 13:2,3  "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unaware", "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body".

It doesn't matter if you are 2 or 52, fitting in at any given situation is an important part of life and growing. When I was young many people would call me a "wallflower", Always sitting on the sidelines, observing and waiting for just the right time to get in a conversation. I still seem to put myself in that situation. Never feeling completely comfortable until I try to get to know someone fully.  I also tend to keep certain people at arms length so as not to get "hurt".  Most of the time my opinions seems to not fit in with the people I am around.

I was taught early on to be my own person something I think only child naturally do anyway.  Who else are we going to depend on or be like? To some these may only be excuses but when you are only you have an awful lot of time to reflect on your life accomplishments, expectations and misses in life.

For the past several years I have tried to make-up for not feeling welcome. I have tried new things, made people who have been in the same boat feel that they fit in and important to me. That list is short, unfortunately. By my own choosing? Probably a negative on my part. I have tried many things with a few successes. Is geography part of the problem? Yes, I think so.

I guess some of my point to why I wrote this is, Should I change who I am to make other's happy and fit in? If the cost is not believing I should do that, then NO I have a feeling I may never fit in. Sometimes even the best intentions are not enough. Aiming to please just to fit into the mold others want to have you in probably isn't worth the price I have to pay.

Prison might be the bars we put up to protect ourselves from being hurt and judged accordingly. Fitting in isn't always easy.