In 2003 I:
In 2004 I hope to:
I hope the new year is good to you.
In 2003 I:
In 2004 I hope to:
I hope the new year is good to you.
December 31, 2003 at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
There is nothing better than having an almost five-year-old around at Christmas. From the moment he opened his eyes (telling his daddy, "You don't have to tell me what day it is-it's CHRISTMAS!") until he finally fell asleep clutching Batgirl in one hand and Catwoman in the other, my boy was in Full Metal Holiday Heaven.
Every single gift was greeted with "I always wanted this!," and he made it sound like he meant it, too. He was sweet and grateful and excited and funny, and he made every bit of preparation worth the work involved. I now have a priceless videotape of him singing along with Paul McCartney to Wonderful Christmastime, which makes me smile just thinking about it.
I've also learned that he is a shark at games, and truly has the luck of the Irish-he kicked my butt in Jr. Yahtzee right off the bat, and kicked his Daddy's butt several times at Trouble. Then he learned how to play Go Fish, and none of us were safe.
As for me, I was blessed to hear good music in a beautifully "greened" church on Christmas Eve, and to leave that building and see a sky full of stars. I got the joy of playing Santa with Sweetie and for Sweetie. And Santa was very good to me, too. I have a new!red!maglite!, picked out by Liam for me "because red's your favorite, Mommy." I got lots of nice little goodies from Mama and my sisters, and I was able to spend time with people I love, and I got to eat good food prepared both by myself and others.
And I got the joy of hearing "This is the best Christmas ever! about a dozen times from my sweet little boy, and truly, I think it was.
Hope your holiday was wonderful, too.
December 30, 2003 at 12:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
1. What was your biggest accomplishment this year?
I added a couple of new clients to my fledgling business, and our family raised $3500 in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.
2. What was your biggest disappointment?
I gained back the weight I lost last year, and that we didn't raise twice that amount in the walk.
3. What do you hope the new year brings?
Serenity in my personal life and a new president in the White House.
4. Will you be making any New Year's resolutions? If yes, what will they be?
There are things in my life that are constantly in need of improvement; progress in my spiritual walk, closer connections in my personal relationships. Then of course there is the matter of that pesky 30 pounds.
5. What are your plans for New Year's Eve?Sweetie always tends bar (big bucks night), so we'll have a quiet dinner, then once I get Liam to bed I will write out my "old stuff" for my annual burning ritual, then drink champagne and watch Dick Clark. I can sometimes see my town's fireworks from here, so I'll watch that, too.
December 26, 2003 at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
...apparently Jesus is dreading his.
(I love The Onion)
December 24, 2003 at 12:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
...and to my little sister, two years younger than I, and to my best friend, who somehow seems to be the only one I know who is actually getting younger.
This past year has been very trying, and I won't be sorry to start a new one. I lost my Daddy, I lost my beloved dog. My son's illness keeps me constantly on edge, its very nature being unpredictable and difficult to manage, especially in one so young. Other relatives close to us have suffered various ailments, some more serious than others.
But I am blessed with a loving partner and a beautiful son. My sisters have been my salvation this year as we negotiated the tricky currents of living without our Daddy, who for all his faults did love us. My mother is alive and healthy and always there for me. I am blessed to live fairly near the ocean in a warm safe home with a full pantry. I've found a new church home that has welcomed me with open hearts and arms. And I am rich beyond measure in friendship, with more and better friends than anyone deserves.
Here's to my 46th year down here on Planet Earth, and here's hoping for at least that many more.
December 24, 2003 at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
1. List your five favorite beverages.
2. List your five favorite websites.
3. List your five favorite snack foods.
4. List your five favorite board and/or card games.
5. List your five favorite computer and/or game system games.
I don't really play these kinds of games, except the occasional foray into Free Cell or Marbles.
December 19, 2003 at 07:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
I'm thinking of using this in our as yet unmailed Christmas cards. Whaddaya think?
December 16, 2003 at 09:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Go visit Open Source Politics and read John's wonderful Religion Tour post. It's a nice way to start a Monday.
via Body and Soul
December 15, 2003 at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
During all of the Sundays of Advent, our congregation has begun the service with this song, to my mind one of the most hauntingly beautiful carols of the season. After the first chorus the Advent candles are lit, with a different family doing the honors each week. It's a wonderful way to start our service.
Today was rainy, cold and gray. If it hadn't been my week to run Children's Chapel, I might well have stayed home. But I was so glad that I went, and sat in our cozy church, with the rain falling outside and the warmth of smiling families around me. Today was our monthly folk mass, usually not my favorite service, but even that seemed just right, the guitars and tambourines providing just the right accompaniment to the voices ringing from the rafters.
Our Christmas tree is finally finished, and I think it's the prettiest one we've ever had. Liam is in Full Metal Christmas mode, so for him, the sparklier the better. So it has loads of colored lights, and gold and red and green bead garlands, a very gaudy star and ornaments old and new. For their fragile loveliness, my clear irridescent glass balls are my favorites-they look like bubbles suspended within the branches of the tree. But my sentimental favorite is the angel ornament that Liam made in preschool last year, with its glitter-stiffened wings, and his sweet smiling face peering out from beneath a golden pipe cleaner halo.
His grandparents came over and brought piles of loot for him this evening, and he was suitably polite and appreciative about the clothes, and enthusiastic about the toys. Tonight I tucked him in wearing new fuzzy pajamas with race cars all over them, with Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack for Charlie Brown Christmas softly playing in his room. I think it must be pretty nice to be nearly five and waiting for Christmas.
December 15, 2003 at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
...on Friday for a change!
December 12, 2003 at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)