Well, I made it! Another one has passed and I managed to make it through. Believe me when I say, the past 4 weeks I have requested assistance from not only my own gods, but my children's God as well.
I needed some clarity, some restraint so not to get caught up in all the frivolous buying and spending on overly promoted toys my kids "forgot" they wanted until they saw them in the store,LOL.
About 3.5 weeks ago the little ones were prompted to begin thinking about their letters to Santa. Make a list I said, this way, if you think of something else, you can add it and at the end of the week, we'll write the letters.
I'm almost embarrassed to tell you what my children asked for, my 9yr daughter, books, color by number, a surprise. My 5yrson... legos and crayons, and balloons.
It's wonderful they didn't ask for anything, but that's really hard to shop for, hahaha!
We had a very quiet day, the kids were very happy with what Santa did bring, a few ipods, an iPhone, a boombox, many legos, a lot of ironman, craft kits everywhere!!
We ate casually, but deliciously, early to bed, only to be repeated tomorrow :)
I'm looking forward to 2011...new beginnings, new commitments, new attitudes.
But first, we have New Years Eve dinner with my girls <3
12/26/10
12/10/10
Yule and Christmas
In my house we believe and celebrate all paths to God. Whomever that God, your God(s), may be.
This time of year, everyone gets to feeling a little more sociable, charitable, and hopefully closer to God.
We certainly do! We decorate the house, put up a Christian tree, the kids LOVE this, the little ones can't keep their hands off the ornaments, especially the fragile, glass sentimental ones!
We keep the tree lit constantly, oh, did I mention it's a real tree? We will of course use it for compost when the season has past.
Now, as we get closer to the solstice, we will begin to prepare for Yule. My older boys while they're out, will be searching for the perfect Yule log, the one from last year has most definitely been used up!
I have a Yule celebration on the weekend of the solstice where I hold an open circle, anyone the kids wish to invite is welcome. We have cookies, hot cocoa and mulled cider.
This time of year usually gets me excited, and in the Holiday spirit, but for some reason, this year, I can't seem to find it!
Maybe it's because I did so much of my shopping online? Maybe it's because there are gifts I wanted to make, but I have yet to get started on them, and that has me gripped with a handful of different feelings(aside)?
I don't know there is so much going on right now, if I was ok, I'd be worried!
I am looking forward to the Holidays, because it's not about what gets bought, or made, it's about who you're spending time with. What's important is WHO wants to be with you, share your faith, share your space, share your face, you don't have to be perfect for real friends...friends won't care, they love you, and they celebrate with you because they want to share you, and that's where the Christmas magick lays.
This time of year, everyone gets to feeling a little more sociable, charitable, and hopefully closer to God.
We certainly do! We decorate the house, put up a Christian tree, the kids LOVE this, the little ones can't keep their hands off the ornaments, especially the fragile, glass sentimental ones!
We keep the tree lit constantly, oh, did I mention it's a real tree? We will of course use it for compost when the season has past.
Now, as we get closer to the solstice, we will begin to prepare for Yule. My older boys while they're out, will be searching for the perfect Yule log, the one from last year has most definitely been used up!
I have a Yule celebration on the weekend of the solstice where I hold an open circle, anyone the kids wish to invite is welcome. We have cookies, hot cocoa and mulled cider.
This time of year usually gets me excited, and in the Holiday spirit, but for some reason, this year, I can't seem to find it!
Maybe it's because I did so much of my shopping online? Maybe it's because there are gifts I wanted to make, but I have yet to get started on them, and that has me gripped with a handful of different feelings(aside)?
I don't know there is so much going on right now, if I was ok, I'd be worried!
I am looking forward to the Holidays, because it's not about what gets bought, or made, it's about who you're spending time with. What's important is WHO wants to be with you, share your faith, share your space, share your face, you don't have to be perfect for real friends...friends won't care, they love you, and they celebrate with you because they want to share you, and that's where the Christmas magick lays.
11/26/10
Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving...let's just say, what can go wrong, will go wrong! This year was a new experience for me, for more than just one reason!
I admit I got a late start preparing, in fact it wasn't until Wednesday that I actually got my turkey, so I was stuck with what was left...a Butterball. Not too happy, but it was fresh and it was big.
Oldest daughter worked just a few morning hours, so it was wonderful to have her home with us the rest of the day, while unfortunately oldest son had to work from 2-6 which meant a later than usual dinner.
So, we snacked... taco dip, cheese and crackers, onion dip with cru de tet, stuffed mushrooms, chips, fruit.
When it came time to prepare the stuffing I realize I have no thyme, and no sage...how can this be? It's too late to run the store of course, so Thanksgiving with no stuffing. OH well, we'll live.
Now onto the vegetables...cream cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, which my 7yr old not so lovingly refers to as the original stink bombs, LOL. Cranberry sauce, turnips, and mashed potatoes. No gravy you ask? Well that too is a story.
When I attempted to make my gravy like I usually do with the turkey drippings and flour, a rue, add water and there's gravy...this time all I got was pure oil in a lovely shade of golden brown :O/
How on Earth did this happen?? I haven't a clue, all I know is that Butterball turkey cursed me and I'll never buy another one again.
I'm ready for a Thanksgiving do-over, where can I get a $.29lb turkey?!?!
I hope all your Thanksgiving dinners were more successful, now on to crocheting Christmas gifts. YIPEE :O)
I admit I got a late start preparing, in fact it wasn't until Wednesday that I actually got my turkey, so I was stuck with what was left...a Butterball. Not too happy, but it was fresh and it was big.
Oldest daughter worked just a few morning hours, so it was wonderful to have her home with us the rest of the day, while unfortunately oldest son had to work from 2-6 which meant a later than usual dinner.
So, we snacked... taco dip, cheese and crackers, onion dip with cru de tet, stuffed mushrooms, chips, fruit.
When it came time to prepare the stuffing I realize I have no thyme, and no sage...how can this be? It's too late to run the store of course, so Thanksgiving with no stuffing. OH well, we'll live.
Now onto the vegetables...cream cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, which my 7yr old not so lovingly refers to as the original stink bombs, LOL. Cranberry sauce, turnips, and mashed potatoes. No gravy you ask? Well that too is a story.
When I attempted to make my gravy like I usually do with the turkey drippings and flour, a rue, add water and there's gravy...this time all I got was pure oil in a lovely shade of golden brown :O/
How on Earth did this happen?? I haven't a clue, all I know is that Butterball turkey cursed me and I'll never buy another one again.
I'm ready for a Thanksgiving do-over, where can I get a $.29lb turkey?!?!
I hope all your Thanksgiving dinners were more successful, now on to crocheting Christmas gifts. YIPEE :O)
11/18/10
Holiday gift thinking!
It seems that everyone is tweeting about what they are making as holiday gifts! I'm not even ready for Thanksgiving, but that's between you and me, right? Every year I decide I will begin early get a jump on things, so, by the time I really feel the crunch of UH-OH, I better get started...I've already got some gifts made.
You see, I have quite a stash of really nice yarn, so there's no excuse for me not to get started on teachers gifts, it's only 3! The bus driver, the nurses, I really would love to make something for Carleen at the shrinks office, she's so good to me, calls me if I'm ever in danger of missing an appointment.
So why the procrastination? Getting to the yarn? It's certainly not getting to the patterns...they're right here at my fingertips, literally!
I also want to make a few things for Jeffs friends, I really love these kids. I had a brainstorm today, what about hackysacks? It seems they're constantly roofing them, sooo if I make them all one with their initial on it, I think they will think it's cool. As for the girls, maybe a cool scarf? We'll see.
And that's where I'm at now, I still am looking around for something simple my 9, 7 and 5yr old can make for the teachers themselves, OH and grandparents of course , thank goodness we only have 1 set. LOL
As always, comments are loved, suggestions are welcome and appreciated, compliments get you great karma, follow gets you follow'd back :O)
You see, I have quite a stash of really nice yarn, so there's no excuse for me not to get started on teachers gifts, it's only 3! The bus driver, the nurses, I really would love to make something for Carleen at the shrinks office, she's so good to me, calls me if I'm ever in danger of missing an appointment.
So why the procrastination? Getting to the yarn? It's certainly not getting to the patterns...they're right here at my fingertips, literally!
I also want to make a few things for Jeffs friends, I really love these kids. I had a brainstorm today, what about hackysacks? It seems they're constantly roofing them, sooo if I make them all one with their initial on it, I think they will think it's cool. As for the girls, maybe a cool scarf? We'll see.
And that's where I'm at now, I still am looking around for something simple my 9, 7 and 5yr old can make for the teachers themselves, OH and grandparents of course , thank goodness we only have 1 set. LOL
As always, comments are loved, suggestions are welcome and appreciated, compliments get you great karma, follow gets you follow'd back :O)
11/16/10
Update!!
Now that my giveaway has ended, and a winner has been chosen, congratulations Raven!
I just want to share how much fun this has been for me. OK, I did forget to send out reminders a few days, but just the anticipation of being able to send out a nice box stuffed full of mystery is an awesome feeling!
While the giveaway has been pending a few things have happened here in my household, I adopted an adult pit, Maximus from AC&C in Manhattan he's 5 and was suffering from an URI, so he has to return on 12/4/10 to be neutered. Until then, we're dealing with his "affection" for everyone in the house. I must admit, my patience for that is getting rather thin.
I've gotten in touch with a few friends I haven't seen or talked to in months, and that's a good thing :O)
I just want to share how much fun this has been for me. OK, I did forget to send out reminders a few days, but just the anticipation of being able to send out a nice box stuffed full of mystery is an awesome feeling!
While the giveaway has been pending a few things have happened here in my household, I adopted an adult pit, Maximus from AC&C in Manhattan he's 5 and was suffering from an URI, so he has to return on 12/4/10 to be neutered. Until then, we're dealing with his "affection" for everyone in the house. I must admit, my patience for that is getting rather thin.
I've gotten in touch with a few friends I haven't seen or talked to in months, and that's a good thing :O)
10/22/10
Twitter Giveaway!
Hello friends:
I've reached over 300 followers on Twitter and I am so surprised and thankful I decided to do a giveaway!
What is she giving away you ask? It's a *mystery* box full of crochet and knitting items! Possibly even a something crocheted or knitted for you by me!
All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment here, and retweet about the contest.
Each time you do, you get an entry. Easy peasy! Contest ends November 12th....Good luck friends!
I've reached over 300 followers on Twitter and I am so surprised and thankful I decided to do a giveaway!
What is she giving away you ask? It's a *mystery* box full of crochet and knitting items! Possibly even a something crocheted or knitted for you by me!
All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment here, and retweet about the contest.
Each time you do, you get an entry. Easy peasy! Contest ends November 12th....Good luck friends!
10/7/10
Teenagers
Raising children is never boring, as I'm sure all moms out there will agree. I, happen to enjoy those little 'adventures' the little curves they throw at you from left field, it keeps life interesting.
Teenagers are especially great for this particular action! I'm so relieved to say I have an excellent relationship with both my teen boys, I truly am blessed. We share an open communication line, with nothing off limits. The agreement is as long as they're honest, they don't get in trouble.
Today while talking talking to my 15y.o he was questioning me on how I know certain things about his life and friends he doesn't share. Basically how I fill in the blanks. So, I decided the time is about right to share with him exactly what my gifts entail.
I explain to him that I am an empath, and in that I can feel what he's going through, so when he shares details with me, it's basically filling in the blanks. This gift makes it easier to communicate with my sons since they don't really talk much, I always have clues to spark our talks in the right direction.
Parenting teens is most definitely a challenge, but with it comes the greatest joys of watching them develop into respectful, productive members of society. That my friends, is what makes me proud!
Teenagers are especially great for this particular action! I'm so relieved to say I have an excellent relationship with both my teen boys, I truly am blessed. We share an open communication line, with nothing off limits. The agreement is as long as they're honest, they don't get in trouble.
Today while talking talking to my 15y.o he was questioning me on how I know certain things about his life and friends he doesn't share. Basically how I fill in the blanks. So, I decided the time is about right to share with him exactly what my gifts entail.
I explain to him that I am an empath, and in that I can feel what he's going through, so when he shares details with me, it's basically filling in the blanks. This gift makes it easier to communicate with my sons since they don't really talk much, I always have clues to spark our talks in the right direction.
Parenting teens is most definitely a challenge, but with it comes the greatest joys of watching them develop into respectful, productive members of society. That my friends, is what makes me proud!
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